This Master thesis deals with proposal of action improvements in company A-WebSys Ltd. while realizing their contracts. The thesis purpose is to minimize risks by future projects, enhance the effectiveness of realization and maintaining of current projects, minimize the employee fluctuation and enhance the overall stability of company. In accordance to this we have supported the thesis with theoretical knowledge and also have realized the analysis of current situation of the company and its environment. Shortcomings and problems identified are then solved by suggested changes each individually contributing to the situation improvement. Practical feasibility of proposed solution and profitability of expended costs is in conclusion proved by the economic assessment.

This diploma thesis focuses on realization of a computational model of fibre composite with elastomer matrix and on homogenization of properties of this composite. The work deals with computational modelling of strain-stress states which arise in mechanical tests of composites. The composites investigated by mechanical tests comprise of hyperelastic rubber matrix and steel reinforcing fibres. Computational modelling is carried out at two levels of the model. First, with three-dimensional modelling of fibres and matrix as two different materials and, second, using a homogenized model of composite; this constitutive model describes the composite as a homogeneous anisotropic material. It means that properties of fibres are encompassed into strain energy density by the mathematical formulation of the constitutive model. Further, the work deals with computational modelling of mechanical tests of hyperelastic isotropic materials used for identification of their material parameters and for verification of the selected constitutive model of material. For particular hyperelastic material, simulations of tests were carried out, namely of uniaxial tension, biaxial tension, uniaxial compression, biaxial compression, pure shear and uniaxial tension with constrained transversal strain (planar tension). Parameters of the constitutive model were determined of experimental input data. Verification of the constitutive model was carried out by comparison of the data acquired by experiments with the results of simulations of mechanical tests in FE program system Ansys. Then the authentic constitutive model of material was used for description of matrix behaviour in models of mechanical tests of composite material and results were compared with experimental data. Principal objectives which I want to attain are following: • to acquaint with the constitutive models of hyperelastic isotropic and anisotropic materials and identification of their perameters on base of mechanical tests. • to create computational models of testing specimens of composite “ rubber – steel fibre“ for different fibre arrangements and to use the created computational models in simulations of chosen tests. • to test the possibilities of computational modelling of composites with application of homogenized properties and to compare the results of both approaches. Results which were attained: • the computational models were created with the fibres modelled; the strain – stress characteristics are qualitatively corresponding to experiments, and quantitative difference is 20% - 40% (see (4.3)). • the computational models based on homogenization of properties were tested and gave results corresponding to the models with modelled fibres (see (4.4)) with a good accuracy.

Talent identification and the subsequent development of those individuals with the most potential to succeed is currently of great concern for sporting bodies in a number of countries and South Africa is no exception. Sport in South Africa holds a position of great prominence and has been used in many instances to facilitate national unity and pride. Rugby Union is one of the most prominent sports in South Africa and it is in this sport that South Africa has achieved a great measure of success, both historically and currently. It is a sport in which the future sustainability of this success is high on the agenda. There have been a number of studies on talent identification in rugby and this study aims to contribute to that body of knowledge. To achieve this contribution, this study has two primary goals and aims. This study has as its primary goals and aims: 1) to have a sound theoretical base provided by in-depth and up to date research that will form the foundation for, 2) reviewed and alternative sport and position-specific testing protocols as well as comparative results consisting of norms and scores that will adequately identify and select those capable of participating in elite age-group rugby union. Contained in the theoretical base of this study is a review of the physical parameters required to succeed in sport, a discussion of the nature vs. nurture debate and a review of the developmental approaches to talent and ability. Other factors such as psychological skills, abilities and attributes and a historical review of talent identification models and approaches world-wide as well as in South Africa have also been provided. In all, the first primary aim and goal of this study has therefore successfully been achieved. Thereafter, the reviewed and alternative test protocol has been presented, discussed and executed, followed by an analysis of the results obtained. Specific achievements of this study are that new and modified tests (3x5x22m Anaerobic capacity test, S-Test and the Kick-for-distance and accuracy test) for talent have been developed and that specific scores and norms for these new tests, as well as other pre-existing tests, have been established for future reference. In noting the success of the alternative, broad-position specific protocol and the establishment of scores and norms, the second primary goal and aim of this study can be said to be achieved. This study then ends with conclusions and further proposed recommendations. It can therefore be concluded with a great amount of certainty that this study has been successful not only in presenting as up to date research as possible in the fields of excellence and elite sport, but that furthermore, this study has provided a robust test protocol with comparative norms that can be used as an alternative identification and selection tool. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted

This study explored South African female consumers’ value perceptions as well as their needs for traceable information on exotic crocodile leather accessories. The Wiedmann, Hennigs and Siebels' Luxury Value Perception Scale (2007) and the Consumer Decision-making Process (Solomon & Rabolt, 2004:354) served as conceptual framework for the study. A questionnaire was distributed across South Africa and completed by willing participants. All participants were South African citizens, females of varyin g cultural backgrounds, including: African, Caucasian, Indian, Asian and Coloured individuals. The Consulta Research (Pty) Ltd used their extensive database of female consumers for sampling purposes. They managed to collect three hundred and thirty seven (337) completed and usable questionnaires. The Spearman's Correlation Coefficient, descriptive statistics, as well as exploratory factor analysis were used for data analysis. The results indicate that respondents to this questionnaire were not willing to pay marketrelated prices for exotic crocodile leather accessories. Findings of this study uncovered five luxury value perceptions as opposed to the four originally recognised by Wiedmann et al. (2007), namely Functional, Social, Financial, Individual gifts and Individual pleasure value perceptions. Of these luxury value perceptions, respondents indicated that the functional value perception was the most important to them. Traceable intrinsic and extrinsic-related attributes which can have an impact on decision-making by consumers were also explored. Results indicate that respondents found intrinsic-related attributes moderately important when deciding to purchase an exotic crocodile leather accessory. With regard to extrinsic-related product attributes, results indicate that most respondents found these extrinsic-related attributes moderately important. The notable exception was the position brand-holders held on child labour, which was indicated as important by most respondents. Results further indicated weak-positive, but statistically highly significant relationships between functional value perceptions and the importance of intrinsic-related as well as extrinsic-related information. Weak-positive, but statistically highly significant relationships were also conversely found between financial value perceptions and the importance of intrinsic and extrinsic-related information. There was a weak but statistically highly significant relationship between the individual giftvalue perception and the importance of extrinsic-related information as well as, conversely, a weak-positive statistically significant relationship between individual gift-value perceptions and the importance of intrinsic-related information. Purchase intent is an important determinant when consumers make decisions. Research results for this study have, however, indicated that respondents had a weak purchase intent for exotic crocodile leather accessories. Most respondents reported that they would never, at any time, buy an exotic crocodile leather accessory. Neither would they at some stage have the intention to buy an exotic crocodile leather accessory, or have a purchase interest for an exotic crocodile leather accessory. Finally, results show that there was a weak-positive, but statistically highly significant relationship between the importance of extrinsic-related product attributes and purchase intent. Results of this study make positive contributions towards the decision-making of various role players within the exotic crocodile leather accessory industry. Role players such as farmers, manufacturers, distributers, retailers and marketers can all benefit from the results. Based on the results of this study, recommendations for industry and future research are made. / Dié studie ondersoek Suid-Afrikaanse vroueverbruikers se waardepersepsies asook hul behoeftes aan navolgbare inligting oor eksotiese krokodilleerbykomstighede. Die Wiedmann, Hennigs and Siebels's Luxury Value Perception Scale (2007) en The Consumer Decisionmaking Process (Solomon & Rabolt, 2004:354) dien as die konseptuele raamwerk vir dié studie. 'n Vraelys is dwarsoor Suid-Afrika versprei en voltooi deur vrywillige deelnemers. Alle respondente was Suid-Afrikaanse burgers, vroue van 'n verskeidenheid etniese herkomste, waarby ingesluit: Afrikaan, Kaukasiese, Indiese, en kleurlingindividue. Consulta Research (Pty) Ltd het van hul uitgebereide databasis van vroueverbruikers in hul steekproef gebruik gemaak. Hulle het daarin geslaag drie om honderd sewe en dertig (337) voltooide en bruikbare vraelyste te bekom. Die Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient se beskrywende statistiek en oorsigtelike faktore-ontleding is gebruik in die data-analiese. Die bevindings dui daarop dat respondente op die vraelys nié bereid is om markverwante pryse te betaal vir eksotiese krokodilleer-bykomstighede nie. Verdere bevindings in dié studie het vyf luukse waardepersies blootgelê, teenoor die vier aangedui deur Wiedmann et al. (2007), naamlik: Funksionele, Sosiale, Finansiële, Individuele geskenke, en Individuele plesierwaardepersepsies. Van dié luuksewaardepersepsies het respondente aangedui dat die funksionele waardepersepsie vir hulle die belangrikste is. Opspoorbare en navolgbare intrinsieke of ekstrinsieke eienskappe wat 'n invloed kan hê op die besluitnemening deur verbruikers was matig-belangrik in die besluitproses vir die aankoop van 'n eksotiese krokodilleerbykomstigheid. Met betrekking tot ekstrinsieke produkeienskappe, dui resultate daarop dat respondente grootliks hierdie ekstrinsieke eieskappe ook as matig-belangrik geag het. Die opmerklike uitsondering is beleidstandpunte wat handelsmerkeienaars ten opsigte van kinderarbeid handhaaf en wat as belangrik deur respondente bejeën is. Resultate dui verder daarop dat swak-positiewe, maar 'n statisties hoogs belangrike verband bestaan tussen fuksionele waardepersepsies en intrinsiek-verwante asook ekstrinsiekeverwante beskouings. Verder is ook aangedui dat hoogs belangrike verbande tussen finaniële waardepersepsies, individuele geskenkwaardepersepsies en die belangrikheid van intrinsieke en ekstrinsieke inligting teenwoordig is. Daar was 'n swak, maar hoogs belangrike verband tussen die indivuele geskenkwaardepersepsie en die belangrikheid van ekstrinsieke-verwante inligting asook die omgekeerde statisties-belangrike, swak-positiewe verband tussen individuele geskenkwaardepersepsies en die belangrikheid van intrinsiek-verwante inligting word beklemtoon. Die aankoopvoorneme is 'n belangrike oorweging in verbruikers se besluitneming. Resultate in hierdie studie, dui egter daarop dat verbruikers 'n swak aankoopvoorneme vir eksotiese krokodilleerbykomstighede het. 'n Meerderheid van die respondente het aangedui dat hulle nooit 'n bykomstigheid van krokodilleer sal koop nie. Verder sal hulle in geen stadium enige voorneme koester om 'n krokoldilleerbykomstigheid aan te skaf of belangstel om só 'n produk te bekom nie. Laastens dui resultate op 'n swak-positiewe, maar statisties hoogsbetekenisvolle verband tussen die belangrikheid van ekstrinsieke produkeieskappe en koopvoorneme. Resulate van dié studie maak 'n positiewe bydrae tot die besluitneming van verskeie rolspelers binne die eksotiese krokodilleer-industrie. Rolspelers soos boere, vervaardigers, verspreiders, handelaars en bemarkers kan almal baat vind by dié bevindings. Sleutelwoorde: Vroueverbruiker van luukse bykomstighede; industrie vir luukse krolodilleerbykomstighede; luuksewaardepersepsies; intrinsieke produkeienskappe; ekstrinsieke produkeienskappe; aankoopvoorneme. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Consumer Science / MConsumer Science / Unrestricted

Dans cette thèse nous étudions différentes questions relatives à la mise en pratique de modèles d'apprentissage profond. En effet malgré les avancées prometteuses de ces algorithmes en vision par ordinateur, leur emploi dans certains cas d'usage réels reste difficile. Une première difficulté est, pour des tâches de classification d'images, de rassembler pour des milliers de catégories suffisamment de données d'entraînement pour chacune des classes. C'est pourquoi nous proposons deux nouvelles approches adaptées à ce scénario d'apprentissage, appelé <<classification zero-shot>>.L'utilisation d'information sémantique pour modéliser les classes permet de définir les modèles par description, par opposition à une modélisation à partir d'un ensemble d'exemples, et rend possible la modélisation sans donnée de référence. L'idée fondamentale du premier chapitre est d'obtenir une distribution d'attributs optimale grâce à l'apprentissage d'une métrique, capable à la fois de sélectionner et de transformer la distribution des données originales. Dans le chapitre suivant, contrairement aux approches standards de la littérature qui reposent sur l'apprentissage d'un espace d'intégration commun, nous proposons de générer des caractéristiques visuelles à partir d'un générateur conditionnel. Une fois générés ces exemples artificiels peuvent être utilisés conjointement avec des données réelles pour l'apprentissage d'un classifieur discriminant. Dans une seconde partie de ce manuscrit, nous abordons la question de l'intelligibilité des calculs pour les tâches de vision par ordinateur. En raison des nombreuses et complexes transformations des algorithmes profonds, il est difficile pour un utilisateur d'interpréter le résultat retourné. Notre proposition est d'introduire un <<goulot d'étranglement sémantique>> dans le processus de traitement. La représentation de l'image est exprimée entièrement en langage naturel, tout en conservant l'efficacité des représentations numériques. L'intelligibilité de la représentation permet à un utilisateur d'examiner sur quelle base l'inférence a été réalisée et ainsi d'accepter ou de rejeter la décision suivant sa connaissance et son expérience humaine. / In this thesis, we examine some practical difficulties of deep learning models.Indeed, despite the promising results in computer vision, implementing them in some situations raises some questions. For example, in classification tasks where thousands of categories have to be recognised, it is sometimes difficult to gather enough training data for each category.We propose two new approaches for this learning scenario, called <<zero-shot learning>>. We use semantic information to model classes which allows us to define models by description, as opposed to modelling from a set of examples.In the first chapter we propose to optimize a metric in order to transform the distribution of the original data and to obtain an optimal attribute distribution. In the following chapter, unlike the standard approaches of the literature that rely on the learning of a common integration space, we propose to generate visual features from a conditional generator. The artificial examples can be used in addition to real data for learning a discriminant classifier. In the second part of this thesis, we address the question of computational intelligibility for computer vision tasks. Due to the many and complex transformations of deep learning algorithms, it is difficult for a user to interpret the returned prediction. Our proposition is to introduce what we call a <<semantic bottleneck>> in the processing pipeline, which is a crossing point in which the representation of the image is entirely expressed with natural language, while retaining the efficiency of numerical representations. This semantic bottleneck allows to detect failure cases in the prediction process so as to accept or reject the decision.

Les différents chapitres de cette thèse ont eu pour objectif de présenter en différentes étapes la méthodologie nécessaire pour évaluer l'impact d'une politique publique égalisatrice. Le premier chapitre s'est intéressé à l'outil principal utilisé pour apprécier la distribution des revenus, c'est-à-dire aux indices d'inégalité. Le second chapitre a détaillé les différentes approches possibles pour décomposer un indice d'inégalité, que ce soit pour mettre en avant des effets de groupes, de sources et/ou encore d'attributs. Cet état de l'art a ensuite fait place à trois études originales. Ainsi, le troisième chapitre étudie les inégalités de salaire dans la fonction publique française, en mettant en lumière le fait que l'importance du genre dans l'inégalité est considérable mais disparate entre les régions administratives françaises. Le quatrième chapitre démontre théoriquement que l'importance d'un attribut peut se décomposer comme la somme de sa contribution marginale pure moins une somme d'interactions par paire avec les autres attributs. Le cinquième et dernier chapitre expose empiriquement l'effet de ces interactions sur l'impact d'une politique publique qui supprimerait l'écart de rémunération entre les hommes et les femmes. / The different chapters in this thesis aim to present the methodology necessary to evaluate the impact of any equalizing public policies. The first chapter deals with the main tool used to appreciate an income distribution, that are the inequality indices. The second chapter details the different approaches possible to decompose an inequality index, whether to put forward group effects, income source effects and/or attribute effects. This state of the art is followed by three original studies. In that respect, the third chapter considers the income inequality in the French public administration, and it highlights the fact that the importance of gender to inequality is considerable but disparate across the different French administrative regions. The fourth chapter demonstrates theoretically that the importance of an attribute can be decomposed as a sum of its pure marginal contribution minus a sum of pairwise interactions with the others attributes considered. Finally, the fifth chapter exposes empirically the interactions effects on a public policy impact that aims to eliminate the gender wage gap.

This thesis: "The Phenomenon of Heroism in the Eyes of Secondary-school Students" explores the sample of twelve secondary-school students and their perceptions of the conception of a hero in its various forms. It is divided into a theoretical part and an empirical part, the latter is created by the particular results of author's own research. By applying for this thesis adjusted Grounded Theory method it analysis interviews made with the particular students and tries to answer several questions such as whether this generation of secondary-school students has any heroes; how these students exactly perceive a conception of a hero; whether they had any heroes in their childhood; and suchlike. In the part dealing with case-interpretations these students evaluate specific figures by the social discourse marked as heroic - in particular Jan Palach; Václav Havel; and brothers Mašíns. The terms of theoretical bases come mainly from the conception of Philip Zimbardo and his heroism of everyday life; they also come from Mike Featherstone and his distinguishing between an everyday life and a heroic life; conceptions dealing with moral evolution of a human being are reflected too, for instance the theory of Lawrence Kohlberg and others.

This study describes a model of explanations in natural language for classification decision trees. The explanations include global aspects of the classifier and local aspects of the classification of a particular instance. The proposal is implemented in the ExpliClas open source Web service [1], which in its current version operates on trees built with Weka and data sets with numerical attributes. The feasibility of the proposal is illustrated with two example cases, where the detailed explanation of the respective classification trees is shown.

Orientador: Luiz Malcolm Mano de Mello / Banca: Salatiér Buzetti / Banca: Élcio Hiroyoshi Yano / Banca: Carlos Eduardo Angeli Furlani / Banca: Carlos Sérgio Tiritan / Resumo: A cana-de-açúcar se destaca como sendo uma importante cultura do mundo tropical, e em especial para o Brasil que vem se destacando como o maior produtor mundial. A demanda crescente, no mercado interno e externo, por combustíveis renováveis, especialmente o Etanol, passou a atrair investimentos para a implantação de novas áreas de cana-de-açúcar para atender a indústria. A inclusão de novas regiões no processo produtivo de cana-de- açúcar, requer maior atenção aos fatores de produção, dentre eles o manejo e correção dos solos, pois é imprescindível a eliminação de impedimentos físicos e químicos do solo, causados por camadas compactadas, toxidez por alumínio, acidez e teores inadequados de cálcio e outros nutrientes. Para tanto, a escolha da modalidade e equipamento de preparo do solo mais adequado, além do uso de corretivos de acidez e condicionador de subsuperfície do solo, é de grande importâcia para proporcionar um ambiente mais propício para que a cultura da cana-de-açúcar desenvolva-se e expresse o seu potencial produtivo. O trabalho foi conduzido em área de implantação de cana-de-açúcar, anteriormente ocupada com pastagem há mais de 15 anos, da Usina Vale do Paraná no município de Suzanápolis - SP, região do Noroeste Paulista. Foi utilizada a variedade RB92-5345 com espaçamento de 1,5 m entrelinhas, em Argissolo Vermelho Distrófico abrúptico textura arenosa/média. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos, em esquema fatorial 3 x 2 e seis repetições, sendo os tratamentos constituídos por preparo de solo com três modalidades: arado de aivecas, escarificador e grade pesada; com (1 t ha-1) de gesso e sem gesso. O trabalho objetivou avaliar qual sistema de preparo do solo, com e sem uso de gesso proporciona melhores... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The sugarcane stands out as being an important crop in the tropical world, and especially to Brazil that has emerged as the largest producer. The increasing demand in domestic and foreign markets for renewable fuels, especially ethanol, began to attract investments to roll out new areas of sugarcane to meet the needs of industry. The inclusion of new regions in the productive process of 'sugarcane requires greater attention to factors of production, including management and correction of soil, it is necessary to eliminate physical and chemical impediments of the soil, caused by compacted layers, aluminum toxicity, acidity, and inadequate levels of calcium and other nutrients. To this end, the choice of modality and tillage equipment most appropriate, besides the use of corrective agents of acidity and subsurface soil conditioner is of great importance to provide a more favorable environment for sugarcane crop develop itself and to express their productive potential. The experiment was conducted in an area of expansion of sugarcane at Usina Vale do Paraná in the city Suzanápolis - SP, in the Northwest of Sao Paulo in the area previously occupied by grazing for over 15 years. In the implementation of crop was used variety RB92-5354 at a spacing of 1.5 m between rows in Red Argisol Dystrophic abrupt sandy texture / medium. The experimental design used was a randomized block design with six treatments in a factorial scheme 3 x 2 and six repetitions, and the main treatments consisting of soil preparation with three modalities: moldboard plow, chisel plow and harrow and two secondary treatments with (1 t ha -1) and without gypsum. The study aimed to evaluate which system of tillage, with and without the use of gypsum provides better conditions for development and technological qualities in the sugarcane crop. For this... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Background and Problem: Global climate change presents the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced. As the Ecological Footprint metric and behaviour towards sustainable investment can present essential contributions to humanity’s sustainability transition, they have gained significant importance over the last years. However, it is largely unexplored if living and consuming sustainably also affects how savings are allocated when investing.  Purpose: The purpose of this study is to contribute to the current body of knowledge by studying the motivations and backgrounds that drive the decision of individuals to invest sustainably. Thus, we investigate the relationship between people’s Ecological Footprint and their sustainable investment behaviour. Method: This study follows a positivist research approach where quantitative data is gathered through a structured questionnaire from 290 respondents with financial literacy and sustainability awareness. The results are analysed through a logistic regression and then interpreted and discussed in the context of the frame of reference.  Conclusion: The results indicate that individuals with a lower Ecological Footprint and thus a higher awareness of sustainability are more likely to invest sustainably. Consequently, this study showed that individuals who consumed more sustainably tend to act more sustainably in other areas and levels. Moreover, this study adds new knowledge to the literature regarding individual’s consumption behaviour and its relationship with sustainable investments.