Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: See full text for the abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien volteks vir die opsomming

This paper uses the panel data of 11 OECD countries over a period from 1971 to 2006. Unlike the traditional cointegration model which omitted the impact of structural breaks in the analysis, this paper applies panel cointegration with structural break test proposed by Westerlund (2006), panel unit root test, and panel dynamic OLS test. The empirical results indicate that health care expenditure and economic growth (GDP per capita) are non-stationary in the series; and between the two variables, a long-term cointegration relationship exists. Moreover, a positive correlation between HCE and economic growth is found in the panel dynamic OLS model. The researcher concludes that investing in health capital improves human capital and that boosts economic growth in the sample countries, and vice versa. More importantly, allowing structural breaks in the cointegration analysis obtains reliability in the estimation and proves more detailed and specific information on the consequence of the momentous events on the two variables; and thus enables policy makers and health economists to propose more effective strategies.

Here we developed multiple genetic systems through which genetic modifications driven by DNA breaks caused by the I-SceI nuclease can be assayed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in human cells. Using the delitto perfetto approach for site-directed mutagenesis in yeast, we generated isogenic strains in which we could directly compare the recombination potential of different I-SceI variants. By genetic engineering procedures, we generated constructs in human cells for testing the recombination activity of the same I-SceI variants. Both in yeast and human cells we performed gene correction experiments using oligonucleotides (oligos) following modification and/or optimization of existing gene targeting protocols and development of new ones. We demonstrated that an I-SceI nicking enzyme can stimulate recombination on the chromosome in S. cerevisiae at multiple genomic loci. We also demonstrated in yeast that an I-SceI-driven nick can activate recombination 10 kb distant from the initial site of the chromosomal lesion. Moreover we demonstrated that an I-SceI nick can stimulate recombination at the site of the nick at episomal and chromosomal loci in human cells. We showed that an I-SceI double-strand break (DSB) could trigger recombination up to 2 kb distant from the break at an episomal target locus in human cells, though the same was not observed for the nick. Overall, we demonstrated the capacity for I-SceI nick-induced recombination in yeast and human cells. Importantly, our findings reveal that the nick stimulates gene correction by oligos differently from a DSB lesion, as determined by genetic and molecular analyses in yeast and human cells. This research illustrates the promise of targeted gene correction following generation of a nick.

Denna studie undersöker tidsvinsterna med en investeringen av automatiserade regressionstester i förhållande till manuellt genomförande. Syftet med detta är att skapa ett beslutsunderlag av ROI och break-even beräkningar med avsikten att minska osäkerheten ifall investeringen kommer resultera i en tidsvinst under systemets livslängd samt hur stora dessa vinster kan bli. För att undersöka detta har automatiska regressionstester utvecklats, där en mätning av tidsåtgången för detta användes som den investerade tiden. De automatiska testernas tid för genomförandet av studiens testfall jämfördes med den manuella motsvarigheten. Detta har tillsammans med empiriskt material från intervjuer stått som grund för ROI och break-even beräkningar gällande investeringen av automatiska regressionstester. Det empiriska materialet bidrog till beräkningarna med parametrarna testfrekvens, testmängd och livslängd. Till skillnad från tidigare forskning genomför studien beräkningar med flera testfrekvenser, vilket resulterade i att även vid en relativt låg testfrekvens har automatiska regressionstester goda förutsättningar för ett positivt ROI. Vid en medel till hög testfrekvens kunde break-even punkten uppnås inom ett år med möjligheter för stora tidsvinster. Det empiriska materialet har även påvisat att uppstartsfasen, systemtypen, testfallens komplexitet och återanvändning är faktorer som kan påverka tidsvinsterna. / This study examines the time savings of an investment in automated regression tests relative to a manual approach. The purpose of this is to produce an underlay for decision making consisting of ROI and break-even calculations which has the intention of reducing uncertainty in case the investment will result in time savings within the systems life span as well as how big these savings can become. To examine this, automated regression tests have been developed where time spent was measured to be used as the invested time. The time it took for the automated tests to execute the studies test cases were compared with the manual counterpart. This has, together with the empirical material from the interviews, formed the basis for ROI and break-even calculations regarding the investment of automated regression tests. The empirical material contributed to the calculations with parameters for test frequency, test amount and life span. Unlike previous research, this study uses calculations with a higher amount of test frequencies which showed that even with a relatively low test frequency, automated regression tests have good opportunities for a positive ROI. With a medium to high test frequency, the break-even point was reached within one year with possibilities for great time savings. The empirical material has also shown that the start-up phase, system type, test case complexity and reusability are factors that can affect the time savings.

I samhällsdebatten belyses ofta den fysiska aktivitetens påverkan på människors välmående och kognitiva utveckling. Enligt Folkhälsomyndigheten bör barn mellan 6 och 17 år vara fysiskt aktiva minst 60 minuter dagligen. Rörelsepauser har därför blivit ett allt vanligare inslag under lektionerna, framförallt för de yngre eleverna. Från vår verksamhetsförlagda utbildning har vi dock fått uppfattningen av att en del lärare väljer att avstå rörelsepauser på grund av att tid tas från de olika teoretiska ämnena. Syftet med denna systematiska litteraturstudie var att bidra med en större förståelse för hur rörelser kan användas och organiseras i matematikundervisningen. Samt huruvida rörelsepauser kan påverka elevers matematiklärande i årskurs F-6. Resultatet visade att rörelse kan användas i matematikundervisningen, både som en rörelsepaus men också som ett medierande redskap. Resultatet visade också att en 5 till 10 minuters rörelsepaus av pulshöjande karaktär, som var frikopplad från lärandeinnehållet, var mest effektiv för elever i åldern 8 till 12 år gällande matematikprestationer och koncentrationsförmåga. Resultatet tyder på att alla elevers matematiklärande gynnas av rörelser och rörelsepauser i matematikundervisningen. / The social debate often highlights the impact of physical activity on people's well-being and cognitive development. According to the Public Health Authority, children between the ages of 6 and 17 should be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day. Movement breaks have become an increasingly common feature during lessons, especially for younger pupils. This means that time is taken from the theoretical subjects and therefore some teachers choose not to use movement breaks. Therefore the purpose of this systematic literature review was to contribute to a greater understanding of how physical activity could be implemented and organized in mathematics education. As well as whether movement breaks could affect pupils mathematical learning in ages 6 to 12. The results that was found showed that physical activity could be implemented as movement breaks or as a learning tool. The result also showed that a 5 to 10 minutes long aerobe movement break that was not connected to the learning content was most effective amongst children between the ages of 8 to 12. Using physical activity in mathematics education improves the pupils on task- behaviour and commitment for the subject. The result indicates that all pupils’ mathematics learning is favoured by physical activity and movement breaks.

No description available.

This thesis deals with the design of an anti-skid brake controller for a generic fighter aircraft. Antiskid brake controllers prevent wheel locking and maximize the coefficient of friction between the tyre and the ground, resulting in lower stopping distance and time. The frictional force is maximized by regulating the slip. A model for the landing gear is first developed, which consists of the translational and rotational motions of the wheel, the equation for the slip and the elastic landing gear strut dynamics. The elastic behaviour of the landing gear is characterized through its modal frequencies, obtained from a Finite element analysis. As the governing equations are nonlinear, with linear elastic deformations of the strut, feedback linearization is used to design the anti-skid controller. The brake controller is found to work well. Its stability is verified through numerical simulations. Both the plant parameters and the sensor measurements are perturbed up to 10% from their nominal values. It is seen that the feedback linearization tolerates these variations quite well. The system is exceptionally tolerant to sensor noises. The torsional stiffness of the strut is found to be more critical than the longitudinal stiffness. Limits on the torsional stiffness that can be tolerated by the controller are found. This determines the limits on the stiffness of the landing gear beyond which gear walk may appear. The thesis concludes with suggestions for future work in this exciting field.

Title: Efficiency of fast breaks and its effects on the outcome of the top class handball matches. Goals of the reaserch: Main goal of this essay is to discover how the effectivness of the fast breaks influence the outcome of the top class handball matches during the most important tournaments (ME, MS). Second goal is to discover if there is a link between effectivness of the fast break (or portion of the fast breaks from the total of breaks) and final place scored on the previously mentioned tournaments. Methods: Statistic analysis, ratio of fast breaks, comparism of the ratios Results: It was discovered, the teams with greater efficiency of the fast breaks took better places, in the sample of the reaserched tournaments, than the teams with lesser efficiency of the fast breaks. Teams that won the match used more fast breaks and with greater efficiency than teams that lost. There is a greater ratio of the fast breaks from the total number of breaks in the winning match than in the loosing match. Keywords: handball, fast break, efficiency of the fast break, portion, comparism of portions, place on the top class tournament.

Atualmente, o mercado no Brasil de adjuvantes é de aproximadamente 400 milhões de dólares, sendo que a maior parte são os óleos, o que demonstra o pouco conhecimento sobre o uso de adjuvante organossiliconado. Foi realizada extensa revisão de literatura na Internet, Associações, Empresas privadas, bem como opinião de Especialistas. Pode-se concluir que os organossiliconados podem ser usados para herbicidas, fungicidas, inseticidas, reguladores vegetais, fertilizantes foliares e biopesticidas, devido às características toxicológicas e ambientais favoráveis, bem como os benefícios de melhoria da ação dos produtos, destacando-se a melhor performance em termos de penetração, absorção, retenção e cobertura de ingrediente ativo devido ao conceito de fluidez estomatal e penetração cuticular, que pode permitir redução do volume de água evitando a perda por escorrimento e permitindo melhor eficiência no manejo de problemas fitossanitários. Os adjuvantes organossiliconados não são iguais. Para se obter melhores resultados, é importante considerar: (i) as condições ambientais, (ii) as espécies vegetais, (iii) os sistemas de aplicação, (iv) o sistema de cultivo como um todo, (iv) os ingredientes ativos e (v) o alvo. A criação de uma regulamentação clara e simples é necessária, utilizando a normatização existente nos Estados Unidos como referência. Conforme discutido no Workshop sobre Adjuvantes Agrícolas no Brasil, promovido pelo Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, o adjuvante deve ser tratado como um produto químico, o qual estará sendo combinado com os produtos agroquímicos existentes no mercado. Quanto às demandas de pesquisa, sugere-se estudar os diferentes adjuvantes organossiliconados com relação às suas propriedades, bem como as possibilidades de novas combinações personalizadas que forneçam o melhor desempenho quanto à melhoria da retenção e espalhamento para melhor cobertura das superfícies. Sugere-se ainda o levantamento de patentes existentes, bem como de material não compilado, incluindo produtos novos e do passado para criação de banco de dados. Um dos grandes usos dos siliconados tem sido com glifosato, visando reduzir perdas por lavagem e melhoria da eficácia. Para tanto, foi feito um ensaio sob condições controladas em casa de vegetação, na Universidade de São Paulo, com objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação de surfactante organossiliconado juntamente com glifosato sob condições de chuva simulada. Utilizou-se a espécie Brachiaria decumbens, cultivada em vasos. Aplicações foram realizadas quando as plantas apresentavam um perfilho de cerca de 30 cm, 30 dias após a semeadura. Os experimentos conduzidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial, sendo cinco doses de glifosato (0, 135, 270, 540 e 1080 g.ha-1 do i.a.) e três doses do organossiliconado Break Thru ® (0, 50 e 100 mL.ha-1), com três repetições cada tratamento. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos sem e com chuva simulada de 10 mm, 30 minutos após a aplicação dos tratamentos, sendo as avaliações (controle das plantas daninhas, índice Spad, peroxidação lipídica e massa seca) efetuadas aos 7 e 21 dias após a aplicação dos tratamentos. Observou-se o aumento do percentual de controle e redução no teor de clorofila na dose de 135 g.ha-1 de glifosato com 100 mL.ha-1 do surfactante com chuva simulada. / Nowadays, the Brazilian adjuvant market is approximately 400 million dollars. The most part are oils, that demonstrating low knowledge about organosilicone adjuvants. It was made an extensive literature revision in the Internet, Associations, Private companies, as well specialist opinion. Conclusions were that due to favorable toxicological and environmental characteristics, organosilicone adjuvant can be used with herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators, foliar fertilizers and biopesticides. The benefits are improved efficacy of products. The improvement can result from enhanced penetration, uptake, retention or covering of active ingredients. Organosilicones are unique adjuvants in that they can produce stomatal flooding. There are different adjuvant organosilicone. To obtain better results is important taking in consideration: (i) environment conditions, (ii) vegetal species, (iii) application system, (iv) crop management, (iv) active ingredient and (v) target. The creation of simple and clear /regulatory rules for adjuvants in Brazil is needed, using the existent normatization in the USA as reference. According discussions in the Workshop about Adjuvants in the Agriculture in Brazil, promoted by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, the adjuvant must be treated as a chemical product, which will be combined with the existed agrochemicals products in the market. In relation of Research demands, suggesting study the different organosilicone products in relation the properties. As well the possibilities of new personalized combinations that supplying better performance in relation retention improvement and spreading to better surface covering. Suggesting to review all the existed intellectual properties, as well not compiled materials including new products and from past for creating of database. One of big uses of organosilicone had with glyphosate, for reducing wash off losses and efficacy improvement. However, it was carried a trial under controlled conditions in greenhouse, in the University of São Paulo, with objective of evaluate the application of organosilicone surfactant with glyphosate under conditions of simulated rain. The Brachiaria decumbens specie was cultivated in pots. Applications were made when the plants were one tiller of about 30 cm, 30 days after seeding. The experiments were carried out in randomized design, using a factorial scheme, five doses of glyphosate (0, 135, 270, 540 and 1080 g.ha-1 of a.i.), and three doses of silicone adjuvant Break Thru® (0, 50 and 100 mL.ha-1) with three replications for each treatment. Two experiments have been conducted without and with simulated rainfall of 10 mm, 30 minutes after application of the treatments. Seven and 21 days after treatment application the percentage of weed control, Spad index, lipid peroxidation and dry matter were evaluated. This effect was more dramatic in dose of 135 g.ha-1, as well as decreased Spad value, dry matter and lipid peroxidation increase, when associated with a dose of 100 mL.ha-1 surfactant.

Atualmente, o mercado no Brasil de adjuvantes é de aproximadamente 400 milhões de dólares, sendo que a maior parte são os óleos, o que demonstra o pouco conhecimento sobre o uso de adjuvante organossiliconado. Foi realizada extensa revisão de literatura na Internet, Associações, Empresas privadas, bem como opinião de Especialistas. Pode-se concluir que os organossiliconados podem ser usados para herbicidas, fungicidas, inseticidas, reguladores vegetais, fertilizantes foliares e biopesticidas, devido às características toxicológicas e ambientais favoráveis, bem como os benefícios de melhoria da ação dos produtos, destacando-se a melhor performance em termos de penetração, absorção, retenção e cobertura de ingrediente ativo devido ao conceito de fluidez estomatal e penetração cuticular, que pode permitir redução do volume de água evitando a perda por escorrimento e permitindo melhor eficiência no manejo de problemas fitossanitários. Os adjuvantes organossiliconados não são iguais. Para se obter melhores resultados, é importante considerar: (i) as condições ambientais, (ii) as espécies vegetais, (iii) os sistemas de aplicação, (iv) o sistema de cultivo como um todo, (iv) os ingredientes ativos e (v) o alvo. A criação de uma regulamentação clara e simples é necessária, utilizando a normatização existente nos Estados Unidos como referência. Conforme discutido no Workshop sobre Adjuvantes Agrícolas no Brasil, promovido pelo Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, o adjuvante deve ser tratado como um produto químico, o qual estará sendo combinado com os produtos agroquímicos existentes no mercado. Quanto às demandas de pesquisa, sugere-se estudar os diferentes adjuvantes organossiliconados com relação às suas propriedades, bem como as possibilidades de novas combinações personalizadas que forneçam o melhor desempenho quanto à melhoria da retenção e espalhamento para melhor cobertura das superfícies. Sugere-se ainda o levantamento de patentes existentes, bem como de material não compilado, incluindo produtos novos e do passado para criação de banco de dados. Um dos grandes usos dos siliconados tem sido com glifosato, visando reduzir perdas por lavagem e melhoria da eficácia. Para tanto, foi feito um ensaio sob condições controladas em casa de vegetação, na Universidade de São Paulo, com objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação de surfactante organossiliconado juntamente com glifosato sob condições de chuva simulada. Utilizou-se a espécie Brachiaria decumbens, cultivada em vasos. Aplicações foram realizadas quando as plantas apresentavam um perfilho de cerca de 30 cm, 30 dias após a semeadura. Os experimentos conduzidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial, sendo cinco doses de glifosato (0, 135, 270, 540 e 1080 g.ha-1 do i.a.) e três doses do organossiliconado Break Thru ® (0, 50 e 100 mL.ha-1), com três repetições cada tratamento. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos sem e com chuva simulada de 10 mm, 30 minutos após a aplicação dos tratamentos, sendo as avaliações (controle das plantas daninhas, índice Spad, peroxidação lipídica e massa seca) efetuadas aos 7 e 21 dias após a aplicação dos tratamentos. Observou-se o aumento do percentual de controle e redução no teor de clorofila na dose de 135 g.ha-1 de glifosato com 100 mL.ha-1 do surfactante com chuva simulada. / Nowadays, the Brazilian adjuvant market is approximately 400 million dollars. The most part are oils, that demonstrating low knowledge about organosilicone adjuvants. It was made an extensive literature revision in the Internet, Associations, Private companies, as well specialist opinion. Conclusions were that due to favorable toxicological and environmental characteristics, organosilicone adjuvant can be used with herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators, foliar fertilizers and biopesticides. The benefits are improved efficacy of products. The improvement can result from enhanced penetration, uptake, retention or covering of active ingredients. Organosilicones are unique adjuvants in that they can produce stomatal flooding. There are different adjuvant organosilicone. To obtain better results is important taking in consideration: (i) environment conditions, (ii) vegetal species, (iii) application system, (iv) crop management, (iv) active ingredient and (v) target. The creation of simple and clear /regulatory rules for adjuvants in Brazil is needed, using the existent normatization in the USA as reference. According discussions in the Workshop about Adjuvants in the Agriculture in Brazil, promoted by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, the adjuvant must be treated as a chemical product, which will be combined with the existed agrochemicals products in the market. In relation of Research demands, suggesting study the different organosilicone products in relation the properties. As well the possibilities of new personalized combinations that supplying better performance in relation retention improvement and spreading to better surface covering. Suggesting to review all the existed intellectual properties, as well not compiled materials including new products and from past for creating of database. One of big uses of organosilicone had with glyphosate, for reducing wash off losses and efficacy improvement. However, it was carried a trial under controlled conditions in greenhouse, in the University of São Paulo, with objective of evaluate the application of organosilicone surfactant with glyphosate under conditions of simulated rain. The Brachiaria decumbens specie was cultivated in pots. Applications were made when the plants were one tiller of about 30 cm, 30 days after seeding. The experiments were carried out in randomized design, using a factorial scheme, five doses of glyphosate (0, 135, 270, 540 and 1080 g.ha-1 of a.i.), and three doses of silicone adjuvant Break Thru® (0, 50 and 100 mL.ha-1) with three replications for each treatment. Two experiments have been conducted without and with simulated rainfall of 10 mm, 30 minutes after application of the treatments. Seven and 21 days after treatment application the percentage of weed control, Spad index, lipid peroxidation and dry matter were evaluated. This effect was more dramatic in dose of 135 g.ha-1, as well as decreased Spad value, dry matter and lipid peroxidation increase, when associated with a dose of 100 mL.ha-1 surfactant.