<p>This thesis work aimed at increasing the knowledge regarding phenomena occurring when gas is injected using a top-blown lance on to a bath. All results are based on physical modeling studies carried out both using low and high gas flow rates and nozzle diameters ranging from 0.8 mm to 3.0 mm. At the low gas flow rates, the penetration depth in the bath was studied. The experiments focused on studying the effect of nozzle diameter, lance height and gas flow rate on the penetration depth. It was found that the penetration depth increases with decreasing nozzle diameter, decreasing lance height and with increasing gas flow rate. The results were also compared with previous work. More specifically, it was studied how the previous published empirical relationships fitted the current experimental data. It was found that the relationships of Banks [1], Davenport [2], Chatterjee [3] and Qian [4] agreed well with the experimental data of this investigation for nozzle diameters of 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm. However, for smaller nozzle diameters there were considerable deviations. Therefore, a new correlation heuristically derived from energy conservation consideration was suggested and showed better agreement for small nozzle diameters.</p><p>The experiments carried out at higher gas flow rates focused on the study of swirl motion. The effects of nozzle diameter, lance height, gas flow rate and aspect ratio on the swirl motion were investigated. The amplitude and period of the swirl as well as the starting time and the damping time of the swirl were determined. The amplitude was found to increase with an increased nozzle diameter and gas flow rate, while the period had a constant value of about 0.5 s for all nozzle diameters, gas flow rates and lance heights. The starting time for the swirl motion was found to decrease with an increased gas flow, while the damping time was found to be independent of gas flow rate, nozzle diameter, lance height and ratio of depth to diameter.</p>

Artefacts relating to tin smelting from tin mills or 'blowing houses' in Devon and Cornwall, plus material from smelting sites that cover a range of dates from the Bronze Age through to the 19th Century, were examined: these include metallic tin, furnace linings, ore samples and slag. Analysis of tin slags from over forty sites was carried out, to determine microstructure and chemical composition. Techniques employed included optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence and ICP mass spectrometry. Analysis indicates that slag appearance and composition are heavily influenced by local geology. Composition, particularly iron content, is shown to have a strong effect on slag melting point and viscosity, and the implications for the purity of metal produced are discussed. Bringing together the evidence provided by slag chemistry, documentary sources and smelting remains in the archaeological record, changes in tin smelting technology through time, and the consequences thereof, are considered.

I den här studien intervjuas 13 diakoner i Svenska kyrkan om profetisk diakoni och vadde behöver för att utföra den. Syftet med studien är att undersöka diakoners syn påprofetisk diakoni och dess dilemman, kostnader och utmaningar. Slutsatsen är att diakonerna är mycket positivt inställda till profetisk diakoni, men de harsällan tid att ägna sig åt den – kyrkans struktur och ledarskap komplicerar arbetet. Dessutom upplever diakonerna att deras vigningslöften om att arbeta profetiskt kan varamycket tunga att bära och svåra att leva efter, vilket kan utlösa moralisk stress. Diakonerna vill att diakonrollen uppgraderas och ges större frihet, samt att kyrkansledare gå före och visar vägen. / <p>En artikelversion av uppsatsen publicerades i Svensk Kyrkotidning 9/2014, sid 271-273.</p>

Although IS studies have begun to recognize the role of emotion in decision making, the research in this area is still in its infancy. The exploration of IS decision making phenomena through the lens of regret can offer rich implications to both research and practice. The presence of regret, for instance, can explain how and why IS decision makers choose a certain option. Motivated by the gap in the literature, the three papers in this dissertation investigate the role of regret in decision making in IS contexts. Specifically, the three projects investigate the following: IT real options decision in the context of RFID investment in libraries, whistle-blowing decision in the context of violations of heath information privacy, and process documentation decision in the context of investment in process improvement initiatives in an IT project. The contributions and implications of the three studies are presented further.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Exposure to high levels of vibration can cause irreversible problems of muscle order, osseous, sensorial, vision, and others. The high work that agricultural operators facing day-by-day and characteristics of agricultural tractors, has increasingly aggravated these problems, also causing a losses in operational efficiency in agriculture. In view of this, this study aimed to evaluate the whole body vibrations incidents in a tractor operator using bias and radial-ply tires, with three different pressures in operation of seeding. The work was divided in Experiment 1 (with three bias tire pressures) and Experiment 2 (three radial-ply tire pressures). The study was conducted in an experimental area located in UFSM, divided into three treatments for each experiment, with four replicates each, totaling 24 experimental units. For this work, was used a tractor Massey Ferguson model 5450, 4x2 with front wheel assist, 75 kW, connected to a planter of the same brand, model 509, 9 lines. The bial tires Pirelli used were TM 12.4-24 95 R1 for the front axle and Goodyear Dyna Torque II 18.4-30 R1 to the rear and Michelin radial-ply were VF 480/60 R28 for the front axle and VF 600/60 R38 for the rear. The pressures used were 96, 138 and 179 kPa for bial tires, and 41, 69 and 96 kPa for radial-ply. The equipment for data acquisition was the 4447 Type of Brüel & Kjær, same brand of software for analysis 4447 Vibration Explorer. For the Average Values of Effective Accelerations (RMS) and Vibration Dose Values (VDV), all treatments showed results that were in the range Extremely Uncomfortable, according to the limits considered by the Standard ISO 2631. However, no statistical difference was found in none of the experiments, when the inflation pressure of the tire has been changed. In both experiments the X axis was presented the greatest values of incidents vibration to the operator. Finally, it was concluded that for a day of 8 hours of work, in both experiments, the operator is exposed above the comfort limit established by the Standard ISO 2631, which is 2.0 m/s². / A exposição a níveis elevados de vibrações podem causar problemas irreversíveis de ordem muscular, óssea, sensitiva, de visão, entre outros. A elevada jornada de trabalho que operadores agrícolas enfrentam e as características dos tratores agrícolas têm cada vez mais agravado estes problemas, causando também a perda na eficiência operacional agrícola. Em vista disto, este trabalho teve como objetivo, avaliar as vibrações de corpo inteiro incidentes em um operador de trator agrícola utilizando pneus radiais e diagonais, com três diferentes pressões em operação de semeadura. O trabalho foi dividido em Experimento 1 (pneus diagonais com três pressões) e Experimento 2 (pneus radiais com três pressões). O trabalho foi realizado em uma área experimental localizado na UFSM, sendo dividido em três tratamentos para cada experimento, com quatro repetições cada, totalizando 24 unidades experimentais. Para a realização deste trabalho, foi utilizado um trator Massey Ferguson modelo 5450, 4x2 TDA, 75 kW, acoplado a uma semeadora da mesma marca, modelo 509, de 9 linhas. Os pneus diagonais utilizados foram Pirelli TM 95 12.4-24 R1 para a o eixo dianteiro e Goodyear Dyna Torque II 18.4-30 R1 para o traseiro, e os radiais foram Michelin VF 480/60 R28 para o eixo dianteiro e VF 600/60 R38 para o traseiro. As pressões utilizadas foram 96, 138 e 179 kPa para os pneus diagonais, e 41, 69 e 96 kPa para os radiais. O equipamento para aquisição dos dados foi o Type 4447 da Brüel & Kjær, mesma marca do software para análise 4447 Vibration Explorer. Para os Valores Médios das Acelerações Eficazes (RMS) e os Valores da Dose de Vibração (VDV), todos os tratamentos apresentaram resultados que ficaram na faixa de Extremamente Desconfortável, segundo os limites considerados pela Norma ISO 2631. No entanto, a análise estatística não identificou diferença significativa, em nenhum dos experimentos, quando a pressão de insuflagem do pneu foi alterada. Nos dois experimentos o eixo X foi o que apresentou os maiores valores de vibração incidentes no operador. Por fim, foi possível concluir que para uma jornada de 8 horas de trabalho, nos dois experimentos, o operador está exposto acima do nível limite de conforto estabelecido pela Norma ISO 2631, que é de 2,0 m/s².

L'augmentation de l'accumulation de neige simulée en Antarctique de l'Est pour le siècle à venir est une contribution négative à la hausse du niveau moyen des mers. Les modèles climatiques simulant cette augmentation ne possèdent pas de paramétrisation du transport éolien de neige or ce dernier joue un rôle primordial sur l'accumulation d'après les observations. Les modèles climatiques régionaux possédant une paramétrisation du transport éolien permettent d'estimer l'incertitude des modèles climatiques sur la hausse du niveau moyen des mers en ne représentant pas ce processus. Cependant aucune donnée de transport ne permet une validation précise de ces modèles en Antarctique. Dans ce contexte, cette thèse décrit la constitution d'une base de données de transport éolien de neige en Antarctique ainsi qu'une validation d'un modèle climatique régional incluant le transport éolien de neige. Un instrument acoustique, le FlowCapt, a été choisi pour acquérir les données. Une comparaison avec un appareil de mesure optique du transport, le Snow Particle Counter, a été menée dans les Alpes françaises. Cette comparaison a permis de déterminer les limites des deux générations de FlowCapt existantes pour la détection des événements de transport et la quantification du flux de neige. Une base de données de trois années a été acquise en Terre Adélie, Antarctique, pour permettre une comparaison avec un modèle climatique régional. Elle a permis de calculer la hauteur de rugosité et la vitesse de frottement seuil avec leurs incertitudes. Les épisodes de transport éolien de neige et une borne inférieure de la quantité de neige déplacée en un point ont été estimés. Deux comparaisons ont été menées avec le Modèle Atmosphérique Régional, un modèle climatique régional incluant de nombreuses rétroactions du transport sur l'écoulement. Les deux simulations utilisées pour les comparaisons ont été faites sur un petit domaine à fine échelle sur une période d'un mois. Le modèle simule bien les épisodes de transport sauf lorsque de la fonte s'est produite juste avant un épisode ou lorsque les épisodes ont une hauteur maximale de transport inférieure à cinquante centimètres. Le modèle sous-estime les quantités de neige transportée. / Predicted accumulation by global numerical climate models for the next century increases in East Antarctica and negatively contributes to the mean sea level rise. None of the climate models integrates a blowing snow parametrisation. However few smaller scale regional climate models include a blowing snow parametrisation and thus can assess the climate models uncertainty on the mean sea level rise by not representing this process. Yet none of the blowing snow data available in Antarctica allows for a precise validation of a regional climate model. In this context, this PhD described the establishment of an Antarctica blowing snow database and the validation of a regional climate model including a blowing snow parametrisation. An acoustic blowing snow sensor, the FlowCapt, has been chosen to collect data in Antarctica. A comparison with an optic blowing snow sensor, the Snow Particle Counter, has been conducted in the French Alps. The capacity of the two existing FlowCapt generation has been determined on the blowing snow event and the flux quantification. A three years blowing snow model-oriented database is now available in Adélie Land, Antarctica. The threshold friction velocity and the roughness height have been calculated with their uncertainty. Blowing snow variability has been determined as well as the minimum transport rate at one field point. Two comparisons have been done with the Modèle Atmosphérique Regional (MAR), a regional climate model including a blowing snow parametrisation. Both simulations represent a small domain with a high vertical and horizontal resolution over one month. The model is able to reproduce the blowing snow event except when melting occurs or when the blowing snow height is encompassed within the first fifty centimetres above the ground. The model underestimate the snow quantity transported at the field measurement point.

M.Com. (Business Management) / South Africa as a country is struggling with the impact and consequences of fraud and corruption. This problem is driven by mostly white-collar crime and organisational wrongdoing. One of the largest banks in the country is losing in excess of R200m per annum as a result of internal fraud and corruption. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence whistleblowing as a measure to remediate this problem. For the sake of this study, whistle-blowing is defined as the reporting of illegal, immoral or illegitimate practices to people or institutions that can correct these wrongdoings. If the employees and the organisation better understand the drivers that promote effective whistleblowing, it could in turn help to expose these wrongdoings and thereby limit the negative impact on the organisational stakeholders and society in general. The research method used was quantitative, aimed at discovering patterns and/or causal relationships that could shed light on the factors that impact whistle-blowing. This study applied statistical methods to critically test the research results. The statistical analysis highlighted some of the key variables that influence the determinants of whistle-blowing. These findings revealed trust, knowledge, character and situation as the key variables that correlate to whistle-blowing determinants. It rejected motives, prevention, gender, level of education and employment duration as whistle-blowing determinants. The study concludes by providing recommendations to both the organisation and the prospective whistle-blower in this regard.

The use of whistle-blowing as means to curb unethical behaviour of police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay is investigated in this study. In order to investigate this, various instruments were used, these are interviews and questionnaires. However the objectives of the study were: - To examine the implementation of whistle-blowing in the SAPS. - To develop strategies and measures that can be used to encourage whistle-blowing in the SAPS. Broadly speaking, these objectives have been achieved by providing empirical evidence which shows that: - Unethical behaviour by police officers is the most ethical challenge facing police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Area. This is based on the findings which eminate from the interviews. - Whistle-blowing is used by police officers as an early warning system that alerts the superiors about misconduct before it is too late as it defects and deters wrongdoing. However, the study suggests various strategies and measures to assist the implementation of whistle-blowing. These strategies include: - Development of hotlines. - Assurance of confidentiality and anonymity of disclosures. - Response plan development. - Training development. - Regarding whistle-blowing as an ongoing communication. This study also indicates that misconduct by police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay area is not high. While whistle-blowing is considered as a key tool in promoting individual responsibility and accountability among police officers. In conclusion, recommendations are provided which could assist the SAPS and individual police officers to improve ethical conduct, and for improved measures and mechanisms to deal with unethical behaviour of police officers and recommendations for improved implementation of whistle-blowing process.

This work is focused on identification and species specification of a collection of 44 clostridial strains using molecular-genetic methods. DNA of bacteria isolated from late-blowing defected cheeses was used. The purified DNA was diluted to 10 ng/µl and its ability to be amplified was verified by PCR with universal primers. By genus-specific PCR was proved that DNA of all samples belongs to Clostridium genus. Based on species-specific PCR reactions, it was determined that 7 strains belong to C. butyricum and 12 strains belong to C. tyrobutyricum. 15 strains were positively detected in both species-specific PCRs and therefore identified as mixed cultures. Another 10 strains were not classified into tested species. Strains with the gene encoding the enzyme hydrogenase hydA were searched using PCR. Specific PCR products for this gene were detected in 30 strains of the analysed collection. Especially intense were the amplicons by all strains belonging to C. butyricum species.

The diploma work addresses the application of ethical code into banking. It deals with business ethic and ethical code of Československá obchodní banka, Inc. The thesis analyses the original ethical code of the bank and engages in the implementation of the new ethical code which includes, among others, “The Whistle Blowing Policy”. The diploma work brings a cross-sectional survey of the employees of Československá obchodní banka, Inc. about their awareness and ability to fulfil the principles of the ethical code. The bank was recommended possible solutions based on the results of the survey.