Energy usage deriving from human activities is increasing day by day acting against the quality of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources. The major impact of these actions is reflected on the quality of daily life. In order to face the challenge of preserving an acceptable balance between human needs and environmental status, the combination of proper design and energy simulation of buildings is the key towards smarter and more sustainable solutions. Solutions that covers a respectable percentage of the current domestic energy needs without further environmental foot printing. In the scope of this project, an existing single-family house in Southern Greece (Heraklion, Crete) is modeled using Revit ® Architecture software and then is simulated with IES® VE (plug-in) in order to give the level of energy intensity. The energy model used is fully harmonized with the new rules set by the "National Regulation for Energy Performance of Buildings - (K.En.A.K)" as it was put in force from October 2010 and onwards, and fully complies with the European Standards (EN ISO) published for the various tasks of building`s thermal performance. The structure and contents presented in this report are in full compliance with the technical directives [31, 32, 33] published by the Technical Chamber of Greece, in favour of the complex task of "Energy Certification of Buildings". The most significant capabilities of sophisticated software tools, like Revit® Architecture, IES® VE, Polysun® and PVsyst®, in favour of sustainable building design and simulation are shown throughout the whole report. Moreover, their valuable contribution is highly acknowledged by the engineers encountered with the task of studying the energy performance of existing or newly constructed buildings in Greece and issuing, the mandatory by law, "Energy Performance Certificates".

La facilidad con la que se puede falsificar una credencial o certificado académico, gracias a la evolución del software de diseño gráfico y la facilidad para compartir ese documento en redes sociales o agregarlo a un curriculum vitae, obliga a las instituciones académicas a implementar procesos cada vez más burocráticos y costosos que aseguren la fiabilidad de los documentos que emiten. En el presente trabajo de investigación planteamos un caso de negocio para la construcción de una Plataforma basada en Blockchain para la generación de certificados digitales con las características de seguridad, inviolabilidad, transparencia, trazabilidad, disminución de esfuerzo y costos en la generación de los certificados. Realizamos una investigación para conocer cuál es el estado del arte en el uso de Blockchain para la emisión de certificados digitales, creamos un marco teórico que nos aclara los conceptos relacionados a la investigación, haciendo énfasis en el potencial de Blockchain para asegurar una identidad digital autosoberana y luego desarrollamos el caso de negocio a través de un análisis estratégico que nos permite definir la factibilidad técnica y del negocio de la plataforma. Finalmente, desarrollamos un análisis de viabilidad económica que permita que la plataforma sea autosostenible y con potencial de escalar y convertirse en un modelo de negocio de alto valor. / The ease with which a credential or academic certificate can be forged, thanks to the evolution of graphic design software and the ease of sharing that document on social networks or adding it to a curriculum vitae is forcing academic institutions to generate increasingly bureaucratic and expensive processes in order to ensure the reliability of the documents they issue. In this research paper we propose a business case for the construction of a Platform based on Blockchain for issuing digital certificates that will provide capabilities such as security, inviolability, transparency, traceability and reduction of effort and costs in the generation of certificates. We carried out an investigation on the current state of the art in the use of Blockchain for the issuance of digital certificates, we created a theoretical framework that clarifies the concepts related to this research, emphasizing the potential of Blockchain to ensure a self-sovereign identity and then we develop the business case through strategic analysis that allows us to define the technical and business feasibility of the platform. In the final part, we perform an economic viability analysis that allows the platform to be self-sustaining and with the potential to scale and become a high-value business model. / Trabajo de investigación

Career technical education plays an important part in the mission of community colleges – providing educational opportunities needed by members of their communities. Career technical programs prepare students for entry into the workforce. Accountability standards for career technical programs, from local, state, and federal bodies, monitor placement of career technical graduates in jobs related to their field of study. To help these students become more competitive in the job market, curricula are being aligned with national certifications to help students graduate from career technical programs with stackable credentials. Stackable credentials refer to the idea of “stacking” degrees, certifications, and credentials along the way to an education in a particular field of study. Some of these credentials can be costly, though, requiring career technical program administrators to question whether implementing this stackable credential structure is truly beneficial for the students. The purpose of this study was to examine survey results of industry representatives who serve on advisory committees for career technical programs at a rural community college to ascertain whether earning stackable credentials in career technical programs at a rural community college does increase opportunities for employment. Data were obtained from an Industry Input Survey conducted at a rural community college. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results of this study indicate that while entry-level employment requirements focus more on a high-school diploma or high school equivalency exam and an earned Associate of Applied Science degree, the majority of participants did indicate that holding a national certification would give a potential employee hiring preferences. Results of the analysis are presented in narrative and table form. Conclusions and recommendations for future research follow discussion of analysis.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Almost every geographical wine producing area has a generic marketing organisation in the form of a wine route organisation or similar organisation that aspires to create a favourable perception of their area in the minds of wine consumers. In their efforts to try and escape the growing commoditising of wines, wine producers recently intensified their efforts to differentiate themselves from other offers by increasingly certifying more wine as wine from a specific geographical area, launching competitions that embrace terroir as the defining factor for quality and increasing the number of demarcated areas. It was the purpose of this study to examine whether the South African consumer assigns a high degree of relevance to the certification of origin as an influencing factor when purchasing wine. As a starting point, a literature study was conducted to establish the current state of knowledge regarding the relevance of certification of origin of wine in wine marketing. The literature review also provided the framework for designing a survey conducted among South African wine consumers. The data gathered via an online questionnaire was analysed by employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The analysis showed that certification of origin of wine plays a secondary role in influencing consumers when faced with a purchasing decision on its own. However, as part of the regional composite variable, which consists of variety, region and wine style, it plays a major role in influencing consumers (McCutcheon, Bruwer & Li, 2009: 229). In accordance with other studies conducted among South African wine consumers (Von Arnim, 2008: 58), the specific wine variety emerged as the most important factor influencing consumers. It was also found that consumers with a high involvement and interest in wine assign a higher degree of relevance to certification of origin of wine than consumers with a low involvement. The findings of this research report are based on respondents who mainly reside within the Western Cape and the demographic profile of respondents shows that mostly male respondents completed the online questionnaire. The findings are therefore tentative due to the geographical and demographical limitations. This research report is of value to academic researchers, wine marketing professionals and generic marketing organisations such as wine route organisations.

L'analyse statistique des données a été effectuée avec le logiciel R. / Au cours de la dernière décennie, l'Union Européenne a instauré une réglementation environnementale afin de limiter les émissions de Gaz à Effet de Serre sur son territoire. Ceci a contribué à la mise en place d'un marché du carbone européen (EU ETS) où s'échangent des certificats d'émission de CO2 (les EUA et les CER) ainsi que des produits dérivés reliés à ceux-ci. Ce mémoire aura pour objectif d'évaluer et de comparer différents modèles afin de représenter le prix des certificats d'émission et de tarifer les produits dérivés des marchés du carbone. / During the last decade, the European Union has regulated emissions of Greenhouse Gases on its own territory. Consequently, a European Carbon Market (EU ETS) is currently emerging where CO2 emission certificates (EUA and CER) and derivatives are traded on Exchanges. The objectif of this research is to evaluate and compare different models to represent the emission certificates' price and to price derivatives of the carbon markets.

It is the purpose of this study to determine the supply of certified teachers from Western Kentucky State Teachers College. From data compiled at the institution concerning the number of certificates issued, the number at present in effect, and the employment of the certificate holders, this supply will be ascertained. The study undertakes to answer the following questions: What has been the nature of certification of teachers in Western Kentucky State Teachers College? How many teachers certificates issued by the institution are now in effect? How many of the certificate holders are at present engaged in teaching? What per cent of those certified to teach are engaged in other occupations than teaching? What per cent of those certified to teach, and not engaged in other occupations, make up a part of the potential supply of teachers for positions in the public schools of Kentucky?

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo, estudar as variações da mortalidade por câncer, no Distrito de São Paulo, ocorridas no período de doze anos, compreendido entre 1962-1963 e 1974-1975. Foram utilizados dados de mortal idade originados da \" lnvestigação lnteramericana de Mortalidade\" , realizada em 1962-1963, e do \"Estudo dos Transtor Mentais como causa básica e associada na mortalidade de adultos de 15-74 anos no Distrito de São Paulo e Município de Botucatú e São Manuel em 1974-1975\". A escolha desses dados de mortalidade deu-se porque esses referidos estudos utilizaram uma mesma metodologia de pesquisa, baseada fundamentalmente na correçao da causa básica de óbito assinalada no atestado de óbito, através de entrevistas domiciliares e junto aos médicos, hospitais,etc. Desse modo, os 811 óbitos por tumores malígnos apresentados nesse trabalho, do período de 1962-1963, e os 452 do período de 1974-75, são mais fidedígnos que os oficiais. As variações da mortalidade foram descritas, tanto por corte transversal do tempo, quanto por coortes. Em relação ao sexo masculino, o risco morte por todas as localizações de câncer, aumentou de 1962-1963 à 1974-1975 em todos os grupos etários, exceto no de 15-24 anos.Para o sexo feminino, o risco de morte por todos os tumores malígnos, aumentou de 1962-1963 à 1974-1975 nos grupos etários de 15-24 anos de 35-44 anos e de 45-54 anos. As coortes mais jovens foram as que apresentaram maior incremento da mortal idade por câncer. / The objective of this dissertation was to study the variations of cancer mortality, in the District of São Paulo, during the período of twelve years, between 1962-1963 and 1974-1975- The baseline data used were those from the studies \"Investigação lnteramericana de Mortalidade\", done in 1962-1963, and \"Estudos dos Transtornos Mentais como Causa Básica e Associada na Mortalidade de Adultos de 15-74 anos no Distrito de São Paulo e Município de Botucatu e São Manuel em 1974-1975\'\'. These data were chosen because both studies used the same methods of research, based in the underlying cause of death registered in the death certiffcate and corrected by means of home interviews and interviews whith physicians, in hospitals and other sources of informations. So, the 811 deaths by malignant neoplasms for the period 1962-1963 and the 452 for the period 1974- 1975, studied in the present dissertation are figures more reliable than the official ones. The variations of mortality were described both under the views of a cross-section in the time and as the aspect of cohort. For males, the risk of death for all sites became greater from 1962-1963 to 1974-1975 in all age groups, except 15-24. For females, the risk became greater from 1962-1963 to 1974-1975 in the age groups: 15-24, 35-44 and 45-54. The youngest cohorts presented the greatest increment in cancer mortality.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo, estudar as variações da mortalidade por câncer, no Distrito de São Paulo, ocorridas no período de doze anos, compreendido entre 1962-1963 e 1974-1975. Foram utilizados dados de mortal idade originados da \" lnvestigação lnteramericana de Mortalidade\" , realizada em 1962-1963, e do \"Estudo dos Transtor Mentais como causa básica e associada na mortalidade de adultos de 15-74 anos no Distrito de São Paulo e Município de Botucatú e São Manuel em 1974-1975\". A escolha desses dados de mortalidade deu-se porque esses referidos estudos utilizaram uma mesma metodologia de pesquisa, baseada fundamentalmente na correçao da causa básica de óbito assinalada no atestado de óbito, através de entrevistas domiciliares e junto aos médicos, hospitais,etc. Desse modo, os 811 óbitos por tumores malígnos apresentados nesse trabalho, do período de 1962-1963, e os 452 do período de 1974-75, são mais fidedígnos que os oficiais. As variações da mortalidade foram descritas, tanto por corte transversal do tempo, quanto por coortes. Em relação ao sexo masculino, o risco morte por todas as localizações de câncer, aumentou de 1962-1963 à 1974-1975 em todos os grupos etários, exceto no de 15-24 anos.Para o sexo feminino, o risco de morte por todos os tumores malígnos, aumentou de 1962-1963 à 1974-1975 nos grupos etários de 15-24 anos de 35-44 anos e de 45-54 anos. As coortes mais jovens foram as que apresentaram maior incremento da mortal idade por câncer. / The objective of this dissertation was to study the variations of cancer mortality, in the District of São Paulo, during the período of twelve years, between 1962-1963 and 1974-1975- The baseline data used were those from the studies \"Investigação lnteramericana de Mortalidade\", done in 1962-1963, and \"Estudos dos Transtornos Mentais como Causa Básica e Associada na Mortalidade de Adultos de 15-74 anos no Distrito de São Paulo e Município de Botucatu e São Manuel em 1974-1975\'\'. These data were chosen because both studies used the same methods of research, based in the underlying cause of death registered in the death certiffcate and corrected by means of home interviews and interviews whith physicians, in hospitals and other sources of informations. So, the 811 deaths by malignant neoplasms for the period 1962-1963 and the 452 for the period 1974- 1975, studied in the present dissertation are figures more reliable than the official ones. The variations of mortality were described both under the views of a cross-section in the time and as the aspect of cohort. For males, the risk of death for all sites became greater from 1962-1963 to 1974-1975 in all age groups, except 15-24. For females, the risk became greater from 1962-1963 to 1974-1975 in the age groups: 15-24, 35-44 and 45-54. The youngest cohorts presented the greatest increment in cancer mortality.

Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2017-07-17T12:15:00Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Chris Manuel Fritsche - 2017.pdf: 3056666 bytes, checksum: d6efbaf4a79cea3f7d6b1c15feb77c12 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-07-18T10:39:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Chris Manuel Fritsche - 2017.pdf: 3056666 bytes, checksum: d6efbaf4a79cea3f7d6b1c15feb77c12 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-18T10:39:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Chris Manuel Fritsche - 2017.pdf: 3056666 bytes, checksum: d6efbaf4a79cea3f7d6b1c15feb77c12 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-23 / This study identifies the occurrence of product / service and processes innovation, in the context of public educational institutions, by means of tests of hypotheses applied on a set of responses of 474 respondents, through the adoption of a free software, called Plataforma Certificado Livre. This is managerial software, which brings strong changes in the process of issuing certificates to institutions, to their customers. The changes in process and product/service offered by one technological tool are analyzed under the principles of innovation, such as quality improvements, increase of production capacity, cost reductions, among others, presenting a parallel between theory and practice. Ten hypotheses were elaborated, of which eight could be confirmed, allowing to conclude that, taking into account, mainly, the public sector, the adoption of the studied software impacts on innovation. The study also shows that, with the advancement of computer networks and technology as a whole, important technological innovations become possible to be implemented by the simple adoption of software by its managers, even when these tools were not developed by those who implement it. / Este estudo identifica, por meio de testes de hipóteses aplicados sobre um conjunto de respostas de 474 entrevistados, a ocorrência de inovação de produto/serviço e processos, no âmbito de instituições públicas de ensino, por meio da adoção de um software, denominado Plataforma Certificado Livre. Trata-se de um software gerencial, que traz fortes mudanças no processo de emissão de certificados por parte das instituições, aos seus clientes. As alterações no processo e produto/serviço oferecidos por uma ferramenta tecnológica são analisadas sob os princípios da inovação, como melhorias de qualidade, aumento da capacidade de produção, reduções de custo, entre outras, apresentado um paralelo entre a teoria e a prática. Dez hipóteses foram elaboradas, das quais oito puderam ser confirmadas, permitindo concluir que, tendo-se em vista, principalmente, o setor público, a adoção do software estudado impacta em inovação. O estudo demonstra ainda que, com o avanço das redes de computadores e, da tecnologia como um todo, importantes inovações tecnológicas passam a ser possíveis de serem implementadas pela simples adoção de softwares, por parte de seus gestores, mesmo quando estas ferramentas não foram desenvolvidas por aqueles que a implementam.

This study was purposed to extract, collate, and statistically format data contained in the national Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS) Longitudinal Study: 1996-2001 database that pertained to persistence and attainment rates of GED recipients who began their postsecondary education at a community college during the 1995-96 academic year. The primary objective was to reckon the attrition rate of GED recipients during their first year of enrollment (FY 1995-96), and to measure degree or certificate attainment rates of that particular cohort of GED enrollees at the end of a 6-year study period (FY 2000-01). Several significant findings related to the academic prowess and characteristics of a cohort of GED students who enrolled in public 2-year educational institutions during the BPS:1995-96 study period are presented in this study. One of those findings is that the attrition rates of the GED recipients and the high school graduates who concurrently enrolled full-time at community colleges during the 1995-96 academic year were closely proximate by the end of their first year of enrollment (52.6% HS dropout rate versus 54.8% GED dropout rate). Another interesting finding is that accumulated GPAs of GED recipients who participated in the BPS:1996/2001 and who persisted through their first academic year as full-time enrollees in community colleges were slightly higher than their counterpart BPS:1996/2001 cohort of high school graduates who concurrently enrolled at community colleges. The statistical data reported in this study were garnered from a database administered by the US Department of Education; however, because this study presents its findings in the form of raw, unweighted data, it does not statistically reflect national representativeness. / Graduation date: 2004