O presente trabalho teve como objetivos verificar a eficiência de procedimentos para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de pimentão e procurar identificar suas relações com a germinação sob diferentes temperaturas e com a emergência de plântulas. Paralelamente, foram efetuadas análises de imagens obtidas com o emprego de radiações X, procurando associar a morfologia interna das sementes ao seu desempenho e determinar possíveis causas de variações do potencial fisiológico. Utilizaram-se cinco lotes de sementes dos híbridos Reinger e Sentinel. A avaliação do potencial fisiológico das sementes foi realizado mediante a condução do teste de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de NaCl (48h/41°C), emergência de plântulas (percentagem e velocidade), teste de tetrazólio (3h/45°C para embebição e 2h/5°C para a coloração das sementes) e teste de germinação (percentagem e velocidade) sob cinco faixas de temperatura (15°C, 18°C, 21°C, 25°C e 30°C), em mesa termogradiente. Para o teste de raios X, as sementes radiografadas foram classificadas em função do estádio de desenvolvimento e morfologia dos embriões; posteriormente ao teste de germinação, procurou-se relacionar a estrutura das sementes com as respectivas plântulas/sementes resultantes. Os testes de envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de NaCl e de tetrazólio são adequados para a avaliação do potencial fisiológico das sementes e, lotes vigorosos apresentam bom desempenho sob variações de temperatura, na germinação. O teste de raios X é eficiente na identificação de danos e anormalidades no embrião associados à germinação de sementes de pimentão. / This study aimed to verify the efficiency of procedures for the physiological potential assessment of pepper seeds and seek to identify its relationship with germination under different temperatures and the emergence of seedlings. In parallel, we performed the analysis of images, obtained with the use of radiation X, seeking to associate the internal morphology of seeds to their performance and to determine possible causes of changes of physiological potential. The study used five seed lots of hybrids Reinger and Sentinel. The evaluation of physiological potential of the seeds was achieved by conducting the germination test, accelerated aging with saturated solution of NaCl (48h/41°C), emergence of seedlings (percentage and speed), the tetrazolium test (3h/45°C for imbibition and 2h/5°C for colouration of seeds) and germination test (percentage and speed) on five tracks of temperature (15°C, 18°C, 21°C, 25°C and 30°C) in thermogradient table. For the X-ray test, radiographed seeds were classified according to the stage of development and morphology of the embryos; after the germination test, the structure of seeds were associated with the respective resulting seedlings/seeds. The accelerated aging test with saturated solution of NaCl and tetrazolium test are appropriate for assessing the physiological potential of pepper seeds, and vigorous lots show good performance under variations of temperature in germination. The X-ray test is effective in identifying damage and abnormalities in the embryo associated with germination of pepper seeds.

Sementes de Euterpe oleracea são consideradas recalcitrantes e demandam ampliação do conhecimento sobre os fatores que interferem na sua conservação. Diante disso, o presente trabalho objetivou verificar os efeitos do grau de umidade da semente e da temperatura do ambiente na manutenção da qualidade dessas sementes. Sementes da cultivar BRS Pará, com teores de água de 43,4%, 37,4%, 30,3%, 26,1%, 21,0%, 15,1% e 11,9%, acondicionadas em sacos de polietileno, foram armazenadas sob temperaturas de 20ºC, 15ºC e 10ºC, durante 360 dias e submetidas a avaliações periódicas do grau de umidade, da germinação, do vigor e da sanidade. A desidratação até 37,4% de água não produz efeitos imediatos sobre a germinação e o vigor das sementes. A partir de 37,4% de água, a dessecação favorece, progressivamente, a deterioração das sementes e ao atingirem 15,1% as sementes não germinam. Após o armazenamento, sementes com 21,0% de água ou menos têm a germinação anulada, independentemente da temperatura. A associação de 43,4% de água na semente e o armazenamento em ambiente a 20ºC, favorece a conservação das sementes por até 270 dias. / Seeds of Euterpe oleracea Mart. are considered recalcitrant and demand enlargement of the knowledge about the factors that interfere in its conservation. The present work aimed to verify the effects on seed moisture content and of the atmosphere temperature in the maintenance of seed quality. Seeds of cultivar BRS Pará, with moisture content of 43,4%, 37,4%, 30,3%, 26,1%, 21,0%, 15,1% and 11,9%, conditioned in polyethylene bags, were stored under controlled temperature at 20ºC, 15ºC and 10ºC, for 360 days, and submitted to periodic evaluations of the moisture content, germination, vigor and the health condition. The dehydration up to 37,4% of water does not produce immediate effects on the germination and vigour. However, after 37,4% it progressively favors the deterioration, and when reaching 15,1% the physiologic performance is annulled. After the storage, seeds with 21,0% of water or less have the germination annulled, independently of the temperature. It was verified that the association of seeds with 43,4% of water and the storage at 20ºC support the conservation of the seeds up to 270 days.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivos verificar a eficiência de procedimentos para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de pimentão e procurar identificar suas relações com a germinação sob diferentes temperaturas e com a emergência de plântulas. Paralelamente, foram efetuadas análises de imagens obtidas com o emprego de radiações X, procurando associar a morfologia interna das sementes ao seu desempenho e determinar possíveis causas de variações do potencial fisiológico. Utilizaram-se cinco lotes de sementes dos híbridos Reinger e Sentinel. A avaliação do potencial fisiológico das sementes foi realizado mediante a condução do teste de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de NaCl (48h/41°C), emergência de plântulas (percentagem e velocidade), teste de tetrazólio (3h/45°C para embebição e 2h/5°C para a coloração das sementes) e teste de germinação (percentagem e velocidade) sob cinco faixas de temperatura (15°C, 18°C, 21°C, 25°C e 30°C), em mesa termogradiente. Para o teste de raios X, as sementes radiografadas foram classificadas em função do estádio de desenvolvimento e morfologia dos embriões; posteriormente ao teste de germinação, procurou-se relacionar a estrutura das sementes com as respectivas plântulas/sementes resultantes. Os testes de envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de NaCl e de tetrazólio são adequados para a avaliação do potencial fisiológico das sementes e, lotes vigorosos apresentam bom desempenho sob variações de temperatura, na germinação. O teste de raios X é eficiente na identificação de danos e anormalidades no embrião associados à germinação de sementes de pimentão. / This study aimed to verify the efficiency of procedures for the physiological potential assessment of pepper seeds and seek to identify its relationship with germination under different temperatures and the emergence of seedlings. In parallel, we performed the analysis of images, obtained with the use of radiation X, seeking to associate the internal morphology of seeds to their performance and to determine possible causes of changes of physiological potential. The study used five seed lots of hybrids Reinger and Sentinel. The evaluation of physiological potential of the seeds was achieved by conducting the germination test, accelerated aging with saturated solution of NaCl (48h/41°C), emergence of seedlings (percentage and speed), the tetrazolium test (3h/45°C for imbibition and 2h/5°C for colouration of seeds) and germination test (percentage and speed) on five tracks of temperature (15°C, 18°C, 21°C, 25°C and 30°C) in thermogradient table. For the X-ray test, radiographed seeds were classified according to the stage of development and morphology of the embryos; after the germination test, the structure of seeds were associated with the respective resulting seedlings/seeds. The accelerated aging test with saturated solution of NaCl and tetrazolium test are appropriate for assessing the physiological potential of pepper seeds, and vigorous lots show good performance under variations of temperature in germination. The X-ray test is effective in identifying damage and abnormalities in the embryo associated with germination of pepper seeds.

Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

<p><font size="3"> <p>The costs of occupational health and well-being are increasingly being considered as sound &lsquo / investments&rsquo / as healthy and engaged employees yield direct economic benefits to the company. The concept of Work engagement plays a vital role in this endeavour because engagement entails positive definitions of employee health and promotes the optimal functioning of employees within an organisational setting. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between work engagement, self-efficacy and optimism amongst call centre employees in a retail organisation in the Western Cape. Over the last several years, most call centre research has predominately been focused on the aspects and causes of stress, burnout, and the deterrents of employee&rsquo / s well-being. In response to the prevailing preoccupation with negative aspects, the research focused on more positive aspects of human functioning and experiences. The sample comprised of ninety three call centre employees who are employed in the customer service department in a major retail organisation in the Western Cape. Convenience sampling was utilised. The measuring instruments included the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, The Life Orientation Test-Revised and The General Self-Efficacy Scale. Statistically significant relationships were found between work engagement, self-efficacy and optimism. It was found that call centre agents displayed average levels of work engagement and optimism however they displayed high levels of self-efficacy. It was furthermore found that a moderate percentage of the variance in work engagement can be explained by self-efficacy and optimism. The implication of the results is that interventions that focus on the personal resources (viz. efficacy beliefs, optimism, hope and resiliency) and job resources (viz. physical, social or organizational aspects of the job) will contribute to increasing levels of work engagement.</p> </font></p>

<p><font size="3"> <p>The costs of occupational health and well-being are increasingly being considered as sound &lsquo / investments&rsquo / as healthy and engaged employees yield direct economic benefits to the company. The concept of Work engagement plays a vital role in this endeavour because engagement entails positive definitions of employee health and promotes the optimal functioning of employees within an organisational setting. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between work engagement, self-efficacy and optimism amongst call centre employees in a retail organisation in the Western Cape. Over the last several years, most call centre research has predominately been focused on the aspects and causes of stress, burnout, and the deterrents of employee&rsquo / s well-being. In response to the prevailing preoccupation with negative aspects, the research focused on more positive aspects of human functioning and experiences. The sample comprised of ninety three call centre employees who are employed in the customer service department in a major retail organisation in the Western Cape. Convenience sampling was utilised. The measuring instruments included the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, The Life Orientation Test-Revised and The General Self-Efficacy Scale. Statistically significant relationships were found between work engagement, self-efficacy and optimism. It was found that call centre agents displayed average levels of work engagement and optimism however they displayed high levels of self-efficacy. It was furthermore found that a moderate percentage of the variance in work engagement can be explained by self-efficacy and optimism. The implication of the results is that interventions that focus on the personal resources (viz. efficacy beliefs, optimism, hope and resiliency) and job resources (viz. physical, social or organizational aspects of the job) will contribute to increasing levels of work engagement.</p> </font></p>

The general aim of the study was to determine the effect of employee engagement on performance in a form of quality in the petrochemical industry. This type of study has never been conducted within this particular environment and as such a valuable contribution could be made to more effective performance management within this context. Two questionnaires were administered, namely the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and Total Quality Management. A response rate of 83% was obtained from a sample of 200 employees. The data showed a statistically significant positive relationship between employee engagement and TQM dimensions. The data also showed that there were some significant differences for various demographic groups and their level of engagement. Managers need to enable an organisation to attract, develop and retain highly engaged employees to ensure a sustainable competitive advantage. Limitations within the study were identified and recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The general aim of the study was to determine the effect of employee engagement on performance in a form of quality in the petrochemical industry. This type of study has never been conducted within this particular environment and as such a valuable contribution could be made to more effective performance management within this context. Two questionnaires were administered, namely the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and Total Quality Management. A response rate of 83% was obtained from a sample of 200 employees. The data showed a statistically significant positive relationship between employee engagement and TQM dimensions. The data also showed that there were some significant differences for various demographic groups and their level of engagement. Managers need to enable an organisation to attract, develop and retain highly engaged employees to ensure a sustainable competitive advantage. Limitations within the study were identified and recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The manufacturing industry today is seen as a demanding world of work where employees are constantly exposed to high demands. This may have an influence on their work engagement levels and their organisational commitment. It seems that in these industries, employee turnover and absenteeism levels are high, while employees also seem to be demotivated in their work. The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of work engagement among employees in a manufacturing organisation and to assess which job demands and resources would predict work engagement. A random sample of 83 employees in a manufacturing organisation was taken. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWJ3S) and Job Demands- Resources Scale (IDRS) were used as measuring instruments. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the data Cronbach alpha coefficients were used to assess the internal consistency / reliability of the measuring instruments. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to specify the relationships between the variables. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine the effects of job demands and job resources on work engagement. The results of the Pearson Correlations showed that two job resources, namely organisational support (i.e. relationship with supervisor, role clarity, information, communication, and participation) and growth opportunities (i.e. variety in the job, opportunities to learn, and autonomy) were strongly related to the levels of work engagement. Social support (from colleagues) and advancement (i.e. remuneration, training and advawement opportunities) were moderately related to work engagement. The results of the regression analyses further indicated that an increase in two job resources, organisational support and growth opportunities, will probably increase the overall work engagement level of employee in a manufacturing organisation. The results also indicated that job demands (i.e. pace of work, quantitative workload, and emotional load) had a weak relationship with work engagement. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Orientadora: Izabel Cristina Leite / Banca: Adriano Carlos Fernandes / Banca: José Antonio Proença Vieira de Moraes / Banca: Ana Regina Pimentel de Almeida / Banca: Rita de Cassia Panizzi / Resumo: A cenoura é uma importante hortaliça no Brasil, com área de produção de cerca de 28.000 ha/ ano e a técnica de revestimento de suas sementes tem sido utilizada para fins de semeadura direta. Esta pesquisa foi realizada no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes do Departamento de Produção Vegetal da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/UNESP, Câmpus de Jaboticabal, com o objetivo de avaliar quatro diferentes concentrações de revestimento em três calibres de sementes de cenoura nas qualidades física e fisiológica. Foram utilizados três lotes de sementes de cenoura (Daucus carota L.) cv. Brasília, originados de umbelas diferentes do mesmo florescimento, e revestidas por incrustação a 0%, 50%, 100%, 150% e 200% da massa específica da semente. Avaliaram-se os fatores físicos: Teor de Água, Pureza Física, Peso de 1000 sementes, Número de Sementes por Grama e Peso Volumétrico, e os fatores fisiológicos: Teste de Tetrazólio, Germinação e Emergência, e vigor pelos testes de Primeira Contagem de Germinação e Emergência e Índice de Velocidade de Germinação e Emergência. Para a análise estatística utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial, com quatro repetições, e a comparação das médias foi feita usando-se o teste de Tukey ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. De acordo com os resultados obtidos concluiu-se que os calibres das sementes de cenoura submetidas aos testes de avaliação física respondem de forma diferente aos tratamentos de revestimento. A utilização da tecnologia de revestimento é recomendada pelo processo de incrustação de até 150% de concentração, pois não interfere de forma significativa aos principais testes de qualidade fisiológica das sementes de cenoura cv. Brasília, independente do calibre. / Abstract: The carrot is an important vegetable in Brazil, with production area of about 28,000 ha / year and the technique of coating of the seeds have been used for tillage. This research was performed at the Laboratory of Seed Analysis, Department of Plant Production, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/UNESP, Câmpus de Jaboticabal, to evaluate four different concentrations of coating on three sizes of seed of the carrot and physical qualities physiological. We used three seed lots of carrot (Daucus carota L.) cv. Brasília, originated from different umbels of the same flower, and covered with inlay of 0%, 50%, 100%, 150% and 200% of the density of the seed. We evaluated the physical factors: water content, physical purity, weight of 1000 seeds, number of seeds per gram and Volumetric Weight, and physiological factors: the tetrazolium test, germination and emergence, and force the testing of first count of germination and Emergency and speed of germination index and Emergency. For the statistical analysis used the completely randomized design in factorial with four replications, and comparison of means was made using the Tukey test at 5% level of probability. According to the results concluded that the sizes of the seeds of carrot subjected to tests of physical evaluation respond differently to treatment of coating. It is recommended to use the technology of coating by the process of incrustation of up to 150% concentration, it does not interfere in any significant way to the main test of physiological seed quality of carrot cv. Brasília, regardless of size. / Doutor