Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / In recent decades, Petri nets (PNs) have been used to model traffic networks for different purposes, such as signal phase control, routing, and traffic flow estimation, etc. Because of the complex nature of traffic networks where both discrete and continuous dynamics come into play, the Hybrid Petri net (HPN) model becomes an important tool for the modeling and analysis of traffic networks. In Chapter 1 a brief historical summery about traffic systems control and then related work is mentioned followed by the major contributions in this research. Chapter 2 provides a theoretical background on Petri nets. In Chapter 3, we develop a HPN model for a single signalized intersection first, then we extend this model to study a simple traffic network that consists of two successive intersections. Time delays between different points of network are also considered in order to make the model suitable for analysis and simulation. In addition to HPN models, we also consider discrete Petri nets where their modeling simplicity enables the characterization of the occurrences of all events in the system. This discrete PN is particularly useful to give a higher-level representation of the traffic network and study its event occurrences and correlations. In Chapter 4, we build a discrete PN model to represent a traffic network with two successive intersections. However, we find that the model leads to unbounded places which cannot accurately reflect the dynamics of the traffic in terms of event occurrences. Hence, we introduce the Modified Binary Petri nets (MBPN) to overcome the limitation and resolve the confliction problem when we design our controllers. This MBPN model is a powerful tool and can be useful for the modeling and analysis of many other applications in traffic networks. Chapter 5 gives a summary for each chapter, provides conclusion and discusses future work for both discrete and hybrid Petri nets.

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) uses quantum tunneling effect to study the surfaces of materials on an atomic scale. Since the probe of the microscope is on the order of nanometers away from the surface, the device is prone to noises due to vibrations from the surroundings. To minimize the random noises and floor vibrations, passive vibration isolation is a commonly used technique due to its low cost and simpler design compared to active vibration isolation, especially when the entire vibration isolation system (VIS) stays inside an Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) environment. This research aims to analyze and build a single-stage passive VIS for an STM. The VIS consists of a mass-spring system staying inside an aluminum hollow tube. The mass-spring system is comprised of a circular copper stage suspended by a combination of six extension springs, and the STM stays on top of the copper stage. Magnetic damping with neodymium magnets, which induces eddy currents in the copper conductor, is the primary damping method to reduce the vibrations transferred to the mass-spring system. FEMM and MATLAB® are used to model magnetic flux density and damping coefficients from eddy current effect, which will help determine the necessary damping ratios for the VIS. Viton, which demonstrates a high compatibility with vacuum environments, will also serve as a great damping material between joints and contacts for the housing tube. Viton will be modeled as a Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic material whose material parameters are previous studied, and Abaqus will be used as a Finite Element Analysis software to study the Viton gaskets’ natural frequencies. The natural frequencies of the aluminum hollow tube will also be investigated through Abaqus.

This research introduces a high-performance electric taxiing system (ETS) as a modern solution to improve the on-ground operations of today’s aircraft, which are conventionally powered through the main engines. The presented ETS is propelled by electric motors, integrated into the main landing gear of a state-of-the-art midsize commercial aircraft, and powered by an additional not quantified electrical energy storage system. The proposed system can therefore operate autonomously from any aircraft-internal power source, i.e. Auxiliary Power Unit or equivalent. The main objective of this work is to assess the energy consumption of the introduced ETS while considering energy recuperation due to regenerative braking. The ETS powertrain is sized to match modern conventional taxi performances that were seen in 36 self-recorded takeoff- and landing taxi driving profiles. A custom ETS simulation model was developed and simulated across all available driving profiles to confirm the desired powertrain performance and to predict the system’s energy consumption. For the purpose of enhancing the validity of these energy consumption predictions, a suitable motor controller is then designed by the use of MATLAB Simulink. An easy-to-implement switch loss model was created to predict the ETS motor controller efficiency map. Finally, the former energy consumption predictions were revised for the implementation of the motor controller and an estimated traction motor efficiency map. The results exhibit that the revised ETS simulation model was capable of refining the energy consumption. It was found that the ETS will consume up to 9.89 kWh on average if the full potential of the traction motors energy recuperation capabilities are being used. The simulation outcomes further demonstrate that regenerative braking offers great potential in ETS applications since more than 14 % of required traction energy could be regenerated to yield the above mentioned average energy consumption. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The Excavator industry is developmentally behind many other similar industries. This is, like many parts of these long living machines, true for the controls used to maneuver them. It has few competent control systems that are ergonomic, comfortable, adaptable, durable and intuitive. Existing solutions that fill some of these criteria exist, but the approximate majority of machines in the world lack a good solution and most are equipped with inadequate solutions.  The doctrine of Human centered design was applied throughout the pilot study to increase the quality of research and ease finding correlations between instances of information. International standards, Human-machine systems and Anthropometrics were consulted to achieve a result adapted for a larger variety of operators.  This thesis consists of the pilot study and prototype development of one such Human-machine-system, more specifically the joystick, or grip as it’s called within the industry. The solution developed is specifically equipped with controls adapted for tiltrotator control. As the grip is developed on behalf of the company engcon, who develops tiltrotators and also the control system including a grip, to offer a complete plug and play solution.  The first main objective was performing a pilot study of what is required in the future for excavator grips. Primarily through interviews with excavator operators, but also a benchmarking and a workshop it was determined what must be achieved in terms of technical and ergonomic solutions.  The second main objective during the thesis was to create a prototype that achieve a high level in terms of grip form. A form which is comfortable to hold, ergonomic to operate for multiple hours and that is adapted to a larger variety of hand sizes than the competitors. It also required a higher level of stability than the current solution. This shape needed to take internal electronics, ISO-standards and future controls into account. The solution must eventually achieve a high level of manufacturability, of which the groundwork was laid during the thesis, but took lower priority. Further testing is required but results so far seem to point towards this being achieved.  This will hopefully post-thesis result in a solution that leads to healthier operators, further enabling female operators entering the field, performing work with higher accuracy and a longer lasting more sustainable product that is intuitive and easy to learn. / Grävmaskinsindustrin ligger utvecklingsmässigt bakom många andra liknande industrier. Detta är, som många delar av dessa långlivade maskiner, sant för kontrollerna som används för att manövrera dem. Den har få kompetenta kontrollsystem som är ergonomiska, bekväma, anpassningsbara, slitstarka och intuitiva. Befintliga lösningar som fyller några av dessa kriterier finns, men approximativt saknar majoriteten av maskiner i världen en bra lösning och de flesta är utrustade med otillräckliga lösningar.  Läran om Människocentrerad design tillämpades genom hela förstudien för att öka kvaliteten på forskningen samt förenkla sökandet av samband mellan instanser av information. Internationella standarder, Människa-maskin-system och antropometri konsulterades för att uppnå ett resultat anpassat för ett större antal operatörer.  Detta examensarbete består av en förstudie och prototyputveckling av ett sådant Människa-maskin-system, närmare bestämt joysticken, eller på engelska grip som är ett vanligare namn inom branschen. Den framtagna lösningen är speciellt utrustad med reglage anpassade för tiltrotatorstyrning eftersom greppet är utvecklat på uppdrag av företaget engcon. Företaget utvecklar huvudsakligen tiltrotatorer men även ett styrsystem inklusive en joystick, för att erbjuda en komplett plug and play-lösning.  Det första huvudmålet var att göra en förstudie av vad som krävs i framtiden av grävmaskinsjoysticks. Främst genom intervjuer med grävmaskinister, men också genom en benchmarking och en workshop, fastställdes vad som måste uppnås vad gäller tekniska och ergonomiska områden.  Det andra huvudmålet under examensarbetet var att skapa en prototyp som uppnår en hög nivå vad gäller greppform. En form som är bekväm att hålla i, ergonomisk att använda i flera timmar och som är anpassad till en större variation av handstorlekar än konkurrenterna. Det krävde också en högre stabilitet än den nuvarande lösningen. Denna form behövde ta hänsyn till intern elektronik, ISO-standarder och framtida reglage. Lösningen måste så småningom uppnå en hög grad av tillverkningsbarhet, vilket grunden lades under examensarbetet, men prioriterades lägre. Ytterligare tester krävs, men resultaten hittills tycks peka mot att detta uppnås.  Detta kommer förhoppningsvis, efter examensarbetet, att resultera i en lösning som leder till hälsosammare operatörer, som ytterligare möjliggör kvinnliga operatörer, ett arbete som kan utföras med högre precision samt en slitstarkare och hållbarare produkt som är intuitiv och lätt att lära sig.

The ETSU Guitar Project’s Open Education Resource (OER) site is a repository of shareable files developed and used in the design & fabrication of electric and acoustic guitars. Begun in 2010, the ETSU Guitar Building Program is affiliated with the NSF-sponsored, national STEM Guitar Project to increase student engagement in the STEM disciplines from K-12 to Higher Ed. Guitar design, prototyping & build activities in the ENTC 3600 Manufacturing Technologies course use a hands-on mix of 2D CADD, 3D modeling, traditional woodworking, CNC routing and laser etching operations in a custom shop-type environment to create unique electric solid body and semi-hollow body electric guitars. Beginning in 2019, the Engineering Technology program faculty began partnering with faculty in ETSU’s groundbreaking Department of Bluegrass, Old Time, and Roots Music Studies program in building acoustic instruments. Designs of common and specialty acoustic instrument building including luthiers’ tooling, molds, templates, jigs and fixtures as well as alternative bracing are available from this repository. / https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-oer/1009/thumbnail.jpg

Selon l’Association Internationale pour l’Étude de la Douleur, la douleur neuropathique est causée par « une lésion ou une maladie du système somatosensoriel ». Actuellement, il n’existe pas de test permettant de la diagnostiquer avec certitude. En médecine humaine, les suspicions cliniques reposent essentiellement sur les caractéristiques de la douleur perçue par le patient. En effet, le mélange de douleurs lancinantes et fulgurantes souvent de très forte intensité, et les termes utilisés pour les décrire, permettent de poser un diagnostic présomptif. En revanche, chez les personnes non-communicantes ainsi que chez nos patients en médecine vétérinaire, la douleur neuropathique devient extrêmement difficile à déceler. Elle pose aussi un problème éthique puisque ces douleurs sont souvent qualifiées d’insoutenables et sont notoirement réfractaires aux traitements analgésiques conventionnels. Faute de données spécifiques, le Conseil sur la douleur de l’Association internationale des vétérinaires pour les animaux de compagnie (WSAVA Global Pain Council) base ses recommandations thérapeutiques sur des succès anecdotiques relevés dans des rapports de cas ou des données tirées de la médecine humaine. Notre étude s’articulait autour de trois objectifs principaux : 1) Évaluer la fiabilité et la faisabilité des tests proposés pour explorer les profils somatosensoriels chez des chiens de propriétaires, incluant une nouvelle méthode dynamique permettant d’évaluer le système endogène de modulation de la douleur ; 2) Identifier une population de chiens de propriétaires présentant de la douleur neurologique chronique à composante neuropathique d’apparition spontanée, en se basant sur les recommandations données en médecine humaine, et caractériser la douleur neuropathique dans ce groupe, en comparant les profils somatosensoriels et les concentrations en cytokines inflammatoires de ces chiens avec ceux d’un groupe contrôle ; 3) Suivre l’évolution des profils somatosensoriels, des concentrations en cytokines inflammatoires et des scores de douleur/qualité de vie des chiens neuropathiques enrôlés dans un essai clinique croisé prospectif, partiellement masqué et randomisé, afin d’évaluer les effets du placebo, du gabapentin seul ou administré en combinaison avec le méloxicam sur ces paramètres. Nos hypothèses étaient que la méthodologie proposée serait fiable et faisable pour évaluer les profils somatosensoriels chez les chiens de propriétaires, et que la population de chiens souffrant de douleur neuropathique diffèrerait du groupe contrôle par leurs concentrations en cytokines inflammatoires, leurs seuils nociceptifs et leur capacité à moduler la douleur après application d’un stimulus conditionnant. Enfin, il était attendu que les traitements actifs (gabapentin et gabapentin-méloxicam) altèreraient les profils somatosensoriels, les scores de douleur/qualité de vie et les concentrations en cytokines inflammatoires des patients neuropathiques. Les tests quantitatifs sensoriels retenus pour évaluer la population de chiens neuropathiques dans la seconde partie du projet (stimulations mécanique et électrique) étaient fiables, faciles à réaliser et bien tolérés. L’évaluation du système inhibiteur descendant induit par les stimulations nociceptives (système endogène de modulation de la douleur; DNIC) a permis de mettre en évidence une dysfonction de la capacité de modulation de la douleur chez les chiens neuropathiques. L’administration de gabapentin combiné ou non avec le méloxicam a eu pour effet de « normaliser » les profils somatosensoriels dynamiques (augmentation du nombre de chiens présentant une inhibition après l’application d’un stimulus conditionnant). Les scores de douleur/qualité de vie ont évolué en faveur d’une amélioration avec l’administration de gabapentin seul ou en combinaison avec le méloxicam. Les concentrations en cytokines inflammatoires et les profils somatosensoriels statiques (les seuils nociceptifs), quant à eux, n’étaient pas différents entre les groupes et n’ont pas significativement varié avec les traitements étudiés. À travers ces études, nous avons présenté de nouvelles techniques de QST fiables et faisable chez le chien. Nous avons également montré que l’évaluation du DNIC est possible dans l’espèce canine, et que les chiens présentant une douleur chronique à composante neuropathique ont un DNIC déficient. L’évaluation des profils somatosensoriels dynamiques et des scores de douleur/qualité de vie supportent l’utilisation du gabapentin seul ou en combinaison avec le méloxicam pour le traitement médical de la douleur neuropathique chez le chien, tel que recommandé par les spécialistes du WSAVA. / According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, neuropathic pain is caused by "a lesion or a disease of the somatosensory system". Currently, there is no definitive test available to diagnose neuropathic pain. In humans, the presumptive diagnosis is essentially based on the characteristics of the pain perceived by the patient. In non-communicative individuals, on the other hand, just like in our patients in veterinary medicine, the diagnosis of neuropathic pain is difficult and poses an ethical problem because this type of pain is often qualified as unbearable and known to be refractory to conventional therapies. In the absence of specific data, the Global Pain Council of World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) based its treatment recommendations of neuropathic pain on anecdotal veterinary reports, case reports or data from human medicine. This PhD program had three main objectives: 1) To assess the reliability and feasibility of the tests proposed to explore the somatosensory profiles in client-owned dogs, including a method to assess the descending noxious inhibitory controls; 2) To identify a population of client-owned dogs with naturally-occurring neuropathic pain, based on the recommendations from human medicine ; and to characterize neuropathic pain in this group, by comparing the somatosensory profiles and the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines of these dogs with those of a control group; 3) To determine the effects of placebo, gabapentin alone or in combination with meloxicam on the somatosensory profiles, concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and pain scores of dogs with naturally-occurring neuropathic pain managed medically, in a prospective, partially masked and randomized crossover clinical trial. Our hypotheses were that the proposed methodology would be feasible and reliable, allowing to assess somatosensory profiles of client-owned dogs, and that dogs with neuropathic pain would differ from the control group in their serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, their nociceptive thresholds and their ability to modulate pain after the application of a conditioning stimulus. Gabapentin and gabapentin-meloxicam would change somatosensory profiles, pain scores and serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines of dogs with neuropathic pain. 7 The quantitative sensory tests (electrical and mechanical stimulations) were easy to perform, well tolerated and reliable. The evaluation of the diffuse noxious inhibitory control (endogenous pain modulation system; DNIC) revealed a dysfunction of the pain modulation capacity in neuropathic dogs. Administration of gabapentin with or without meloxicam had a "normalizing" effect on the dynamic somatosensory profiles (increase in the number of dogs showing inhibition after application of a conditioning stimulus). Pain / quality of life scores improved after gabapentin alone or in combination with meloxicam. On the other hand, serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and static somatosensory profiles (nociceptive thresholds) were not different between groups and did not vary significantly with treatments. Through these studies, we have presented new reliable and feasible QST techniques in dogs. We have also shown that the evaluation of the DNIC is possible in the canine species, and that dogs with chronic pain with a neuropathic component have a deficient DNIC. The assessment of the dynamic somatosensory profiles and pain / quality of life scores support the use of gabapentin alone or in combination with meloxicam for the medical management of neuropathic pain in dogs, as recommended by WSAVA specialists.

In recent years, the emerging trends in cloud computing technologies have given rise to different computing services through the Internet. Organizations across the globe have seized this opportunity as a critical business driver for computing resource access and utilities that will indeed support significant business operations. Embracing SaaS as a crucial business factor enhances corporate business strategy through economies of scale, easy manageability, cost-effectiveness, non-geographical dependence, high reliability, flexible resources, and fast innovation. However, this has also come with various risks due to the limitation of traditional user identity and access control solutions’ inability to effectively identify and manage cloud users’ authorization process when interacting with the cloud. The limit can result in a legitimate user account's impersonation to carry out malicious activities after the user account is compromised to go undetected since traditional solutions seldom function based on user behavior trust level behind any account. Furthermore, the limitation is a significant vulnerability to the cloud environment. This vulnerability is known to be exploited by threats that can eventually lead to substantial unacceptable risks that can undermine security principles or requirements such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Significant consequences of this risk are categorized into financial damages, legal implications, reputational damages, and regulatory implications to the cloud environment. As a result, a solution that could contribute to the remediation of these potential risks incurred due to the limitation of user identity and access control management was proposed and designed as User Behavior Trust-Based Adaptive Security framework. The design aims to enhance how cloud users' identity and access control might be managed effectively based on a user behavior trust context and adaptation of corresponding access control measures through adaptive security. The design capability was manifested by integrating it into the standard ISO/2705:2018 Risk Management process. Although, there have been several good information security frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27005:2018 and other technical countermeasures such as SaaS Identity & Access Management (IDaaS) to deal with this risk on the public cloud services. However, they are based on static mitigation approaches, so there is a solid need to shift towards a more dynamic strategical approach. The presented design work, User Behavior Trust-Based Adaptive Security framework, intends to serve as a proposed guideline for risk mitigation that would enhance user identity and access control limitations across the cloud. The solution functions by a trust modeling process that evaluates cloud user activities to compute a user behavior comprehensive trust degree. The resulting data is further used as input feeds parameters into a policy decision point process. The policy decision point process adapts the input parameters to user behavior trust level and behavior risk rating to determine the appropriate access control decision. Ultimately, the adaptive security solution consults the policy decision points to dynamically enforce the corresponding controls measures based on the access control decision received as input feed. The report also conducts a risk assessment process to identify vulnerabilities, threats, and risks related to user behavior trust level and risk rating regarding SaaS resources. Then adapt the mitigation solution, User Behavior Trust-Based Adaptive Security framework, as a possible risk treatment within the risk management process ISO/2705:2018. This report uses a design methodology derived from User Behavior Trust Modelling scientific research work, Gartner Adaptive Security Architecture Model, and eXtensible Access Control Markup Language's policy decision point concept. The design evaluates user behavior trust level by the trust modeling, while the integrated policy decision point processes the trust level to make the access control decision which is later enforced by the adaptive security solution. The report further adapts the risk management procedure ISO/2705:2018 to identify risk from user behavior and trust level, then implements the design solution as a possible risk treatment. The research findings were documented as Results and Discussion, where the functional and operational aspects of the designed framework were provided. In addition, the effects of applying the framework as a possible risk treatment solution were observed through conducting an ISO/2705:2018 risk management procedure. The notable outcome of a reduction of identified risk levels was an improvement in user attitude or behavior, which eventually increased user behavior trust level and reduced associated behavior risk. At the same time, the discussion detailed the interpretation of the results, implications, and limitation of the research, why the framework could be considered a remediation solution beyond the state-of-the-art for cloud user identity and access management—precisely by integrating user behavior, trust, policy decision making with adaptive security into risk management process to reduce IDM-associated risk in the SaaS. Finally, this study has outlined the significance of adopting the designed framework as a possible mitigation solution to enhance the shortcomings of user identity and access control management in the cloud. It has demonstrated that SaaS identified risk can be reduced to an acceptable level when user behavior and activities are taken seriously. Insight into the current trust state and associated risk level of cloud users are vital for continuous risk monitoring and reduction. The solution is to be used as a recommended guideline that might significantly contribute to the research community and information security field of cloud security. Future research direction to consider the possibility of simulating and transforming this conceptual and abstract framework into a real-world working solution due to research work limitations. The framework was designed based on recognized and accepted scientific and technological principles and concepts, from user behavior trust modeling, eXtensible access control markup language, and adaptive security architecture. In addition, to extend this concept to a future research area that will focus exclusively on application-processes behavior.

<p dir="ltr">Ultra-scaled, always-on, smart, wearable and implantable (WI) therapeutic platforms define the research frontier of modern personalized medicine. The WI platform integrates real-time sensing with on-demand therapy and is ideally suited for real-time management of chronic diseases like diabetes. Traditional blood tracking methods, such as glucometers, are insufficient due to their once-in-a-while measurements and the imprecision of insulin injections, which can lead to severe complications. To address these challenges, researchers have been developing smart and minimally invasive microneedle (MN) components for pain-free glucose detection and drug delivery, potentially functioning as an "artificial pancreas". Inspired by natural body homeostasis, these platforms must be accurate and responsive for immediate corrective interventions. However, artificial MN patches often have slow readings due to factors like MN morphology and composition that remain poorly understood, hindering their optimization and integration into real-time monitoring devices. Despite extensive, iterative experimental efforts worldwide, a holistic framework incorporating the interaction between MN sensing and therapy with fluctuating natural body functions is missing. In this thesis, we propose a generalized framework for glycemic management based on the interaction between biological processes and MN-based operations. The results, incorporating theoretical insights from the 1960s and recent advancements in MN technology, are platform-agnostic. This generality offers a unique template to interpret experimental observations, justify the recent introduction of drugs like GLP-1 cocktails, and optimize platforms for accurate and fast disease management. </p>

Abstracts in English, Swahili and Southern Sotho / The study reported in this thesis considered the implementation of the internal audit provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (Act No. 1 of 1999) or PFMA at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). A review of literature pointed to the scarcity of research that focuses on the role that an effective internal audit function could play in advising management, when it comes to the institution of internal controls, in developing countries such as South Africa. In this context, the study emphasised the importance of internal controls that should be recommended by an internal audit function, specifically for purposes of averting financial misconduct. Thus, the problem statement for the study was articulated as follows: The existence of an internal audit function at SASSA has not resulted in improved internal controls, which contribute to the curbing of financial misconduct. Consequently, the main research question for the study was: What are the necessary conditions under which the internal audit function at SASSA could be improved? Using agency theory, the study conceptualised an internal audit function as an important part of internal management controls that functions by reviewing, evaluating and making recommendations for the improvement of other controls within an institution, with the ultimate aim of promoting good governance. The research design and methodology for the study were qualitative, as it was necessary to get the views of the respondents on the various themes covered in the interview schedules and survey questionnaire. The case study design was employed as the operational framework for data collection. The data collection techniques employed in the study were personal one-on-one interviews with two sets of senior managers, a survey questionnaire comprising open-ended questions, and a focus group discussion. The four data sets were collected as follows: one-on-one personal interviews with senior internal audit managers, interviews with other senior managers in some of the Agency’s areas that have been identified as strategic high-risk areas, a survey questionnaire that was completed by junior internal audit managers, as well as a focus group discussion with managers from the supply chain management department. The population for the study was purposefully selected to achieve one of the key objectives of purposive sampling, namely ensuring that some diversity is included in a sample in order to allow for the influence of differences in respondents’ views due to the positions that they occupy. As per the requirements of a doctorate, this study contributes at two levels: a theoretical and an empirical level. At theoretical level, the researcher developed data collection instruments, which other researchers could improve and use. At empirical level, the contribution of the study is a conceptual framework for the implementation of an internal audit function. The framework identifies the 18 conditions that must be in place for an internal audit function to be effective. In addition, the researcher makes recommendations for amendments to the PFMA and/or Treasury Regulations: PFMA. These recommendations will benefit all public institutions. It is thus believed that the study will make an important contribution towards efforts aimed at improving the internal audit function in the South African public sector at large. This is important, as the PFMA requires internal audit functions to assist accounting authorities with recommendations pertaining to the maintenance of effective controls. Internal audit functions have to evaluate these controls to determine their effectiveness and efficiency. Following that, they should develop recommendations for enhancement or improvement. / Dyondzondzavisiso leyi ku vikiwaka yona eka thesis leyi yi langutile ku humelerisiwa ka swipimelo swa oditi ya le ndzeni ya nawu wa Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 kumbe PFMA eka nhlangano wa South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). Nkambelo wa matsalwa (lithirecha) leyi faneleke wu paluxile nkalo wa ndzavisiso lowu tshikilelaku miehleketo eka ntirho lowu oditi ya le ndzeni leyi fikelelaka wu nga vaka na wona eka ku tsundzuxa vufambisi, loko swi ta eka ku tumbuxa vulawuri bya le ndzeni eka matiko lama ya ha hluvukaka tanihi Afrika-Dzonga. Eka xiyimo lexi, dyondzondzavisiso leyi yi tshikilela nkoka wa vulawuri bya le ndzeni lebyi faneleke ku bumabumeriwa hi ntirho wa oditi ya le ndzeni, ngopfungopfu hi xikongomelo xa ku sivela matikhomelo yo biha eka swa timali. Hikwalaho, xitatimende xa mbulaxiphiqo (problem statement) xa dyondzondzavisiso leyi xi vile hi ndlela leyi: The existence of an internal audit function at SASSA has not resulted in improved internal controls, which contribute to the curbing of financial misconduct. Hikwalaho, xivutisokulu xa ndzavisiso lowu xi vile lexi: What are the necessary conditions under which the internal audit function at SASSA could be improved? Hi ku tirhisa thiyori ya ejensi (agency theory), dyondzondzavisiso leyi yi anakanyile ntirho wa oditi ya le ndzeni tanihi xiyenge xa nkoka xa vulawuri bya le ndzeni lexi tirhaka hi ku pfuxeta (reviewing), ku kambela (evaluating) na ku endla swibumabumelo swo antswisa vulawuri byin’wana endzeni ka instituxini, hi xikongomelo xo tlakusa mafambiselo na vulawuri lebyinene. Dizayini ya ndzavisiso na methodoloji (reseach design and methodology) swa dyondzondzavisiso leyi, swi tirhise qualitative, hikuva a swi laveka ku va ku kumiwa mavonelo ya vaanguri eka mikongomelo yo hambana-hambana leyi angarheriwaka eka tixejulu ta inthavhiyu na nxaxamelo wa swivutiso leswi tsariweke swo valanga (survey questionnaire). Ku tirhisiwile dizayini ya case study tanihi rimba ro tirha hi rona eka ku hlengeleta data. Tithekiniki to hlengeleta data leti ti nga tirhisiwa eka dyondzondzavisiso leyi a ti ri tiinthavhiyu ta munhu hi wun’we wun’we, (personal one-one one interviews), na tisete timbirhi ta timanejara ta xiyimo xa le henhla, nxaxamelo wa swivutiso leswi tsariweke (questionnaire) swo valanga a ku ri swivutiso swo pfuleka na nkanelo na ntlawa wo karhi (focus group discussion). Tisete ta data leti ta mune ti hlengeletiwe hi ndlela leyi: tiinthavhiyu ta munhu hi wun’we wun’we na timanejara ta xiyimo xa le henhla ta oditi ya le ndzeni; tiinthavhiyu na timanejara ta xiyimo xa le henhla tin’wana eka swin’wana swa swivandla swa Ejensi leswi swi nga kumiwa swi ri swivandla leswi nga le ka khombo swinenenene; nxaxamelo wa swivutiso leswi tsariweke swa mbalango lowu, xi tatisiwe hi timanejara ta xiyimo xa le hansi ta oditi ya le ndzeni; na nkanelo hi ntlawa wo karhi na timanejara ta le ka ndzawulo ya vulawuri bya nandzelelano wa mafambiselo ya mphakelo (supply chain management department). Ntsengo wa vanhu (population) wa dyondzondzavisiso leyi wu hlawuriwe hi xikongomelo xa ku fikelela xin’we xa swikongomelokulu swa vusampuli byo va na xikongomelo, ku nga, ku tiyisisa leswaku ku va na ku katsiwa ka swo hambana-hambana eka sampuli ku pfumelela nkucetelano wa swo hambana-hambana eka mavonelo ya vaanguri hikwalaho ka swivandla leswi va nga le ka swona. Hilaha dyondzo ya vudokodela yi lavaka hakona, dyondzondzavisiso leyi yi hoxa xandla eka tilevhele timbirhi: levhele ya thiyori na levhele ya vumbhoni bya ndzavisiso ku nga emphirikali (empirical). Eka levhele ya thiyori, mulavisisi u tumbuluxile switirhisiwa swo hlengeleta leswi valavisisi van’wana va nga swi antswisaka no swi tirhisa. Eka levhele ya emphirikali, leswi dyondzondzavisiso leyi yi nga hoxa xandla eka swona i rimba ra mianakanyo ro humelerisa ntirho wa oditi ya le ndzeni. Rimba leri ri komba swiyimo swa 18 leswi swi faneleke ku va kona ku va ntirho wa oditi ya le ndzeni wu va na vuyelo lebyi faneleke no tirheka. Ku engetela kwalaho, mulavisisi u endla swibumabumelo swo cinca swin’wana eka PFMA na/kumbe Treasury Regulations: PFMA. Swibumabumelo leswi, swi ta vuyerisa tiinstituxini hinkwato ta mfumo. Hikwalaho, ku tshembiwa leswaku dyondzondzavisiso leyi, yi ta hoxa xandla hi ndlela ya nkoka eka matshalatshala lama nga na xikongomelo xa ku antswisa ntirho wa oditi ya le ndzeni eka xiyenge xa mfumo hi ku angarhela eAfrika-Dzonga. Leswi i swa nkoka, hikuva PFMA yi lava mitirho ya oditi ya le ndzeni ku pfuneta vulawuri bya vutihlamuleri bya mitirho ya ku langutana na mahlamuselelo na matirhiselo ya timali (accounting authorities) hi swibumabumelo mayelana na ku hlayisa swilawuri leswi nga na vuyelo lebyinene. Mitirho ya oditi ya le ndzeni yi fanele ku kambela vulawuri lebyi ku vona mpimo wa vuyelo lebyinene na ku tirheka ka swona hi ndlela leyi faneleke. Ku landza sweswo, va fanele ku tumbuluxa swibumabumelo swo tlakusela ehenhla kumbe ku antswisa. / Thuto e go begilweng ka ga yona mo kakanyotheong eno e tsere tsia go tsenngwa tirisong ga ditlamelo tsa boruni jwa ka fa gare tsa Molao wa Botsamaisi jwa Ditšhelete tsa Setšhaba (Molao wa bo1 wa 1999) kgotsa PFMA kwa Setheong sa Tshireletsego ya Loago sa Aforikaborwa (SASSA). Tshekatsheko ya dikwalo tse di maleba e supile tlhaelo ya patlisiso e e tsepameng mo seabeng se se ka tsewang ke tiro ya boruni jwa ka fa gare jo bo nonofileng mo go gakololeng botsamaisi, fa go tla mo go diriseng ditaolo tsa ka fa gare mo dinageng tse di tlhabologang tse di tshwanang le Aforikaborwa. Ka bokao jono, thutopatlisiso e gatelela botlhokwa jwa ditaolo tsa ka fa gare tse di tshwanetseng go atlenegiswa ke tiro ya boruni jwa ka fa gare, bogolosegolo mo go efogeng maitsholomabe mo go tsa ditšhelete. Ka jalo, polelo ya bothata ya thutopatlisiso eno e ne ya tlhagisiwa ka tsela e e latelang: Go nna teng ga tiro ya boruni jwa ka fa gare kwa SASSA ga go a dira gore go nne le ditaolo tsa ka fa gare tse di tokafetseng, tse di tshwaelang mo go thibeleng maitsholomabe mo go tsa ditšhelete. Ka ntlha ya seo, potso e kgolo ya patlisiso mo thutopatlisisong eno e ne e le: Seemo se se tlhokegang se mo go sona tiro ya boruni jwa ka fa gare mo SASSA e ka tokafadiwang ke sefe? Go diriswa tiori ya boemedi, thuto e akantse tiro ya boruni jwa ka fa gare jaaka karolo ya botlhokwa ya ditaolo tsa botsamaisi jwa ka fa gare jo bo dirang ka go sekaseka, go lekanyetsa le go dira dikatlenegiso tsa tokafatso ya ditaolo tse dingwe mo teng ga setheo, ka maikaelelo a bofelo a go tsweletsa taolo e e siameng. Thulaganyo le mokgwa wa patlisiso ya thuto e ne e le e e lebelelang mabaka, jaaka go ne go le botlhokwa go bona dikakanyo tsa batsibogi mo dithitokgannyeng tse di farologaneng tse di akareditsweng mo mananeong a dipotsolotso le lenane la dipotso tsa tshekatsheko. Go dirisitswe thulaganyo ya thutopatlisiso e e lebelelang seemo mo pakeng e e rileng jaaka letlhomeso la tiragatso ya kgobokanyo ya data. Ditheniki tsa kgobokanyo ya data tse di dirisitsweng mo thutopatlisisong eno e ne e le dipotsolotso tsa motho ka namana ka disete di le pedi tsa batsamaisi ba bagolwane, lenane la dipotso tsa tshekatsheko le le nang le dipotso tse di sa lekanyetseng dikarabo, le puisano ya setlhopha se se tlhophilweng. Go kokoantswe disete tsa data di le nne ka tsela e e latelang: dipotsolotso tsa motho ka namana tsa batsamaisi ba boruni jwa ka fa gare ba bagolwane; dipotsolotso le batsamaisi ba bangwe ba bagolwane mo dikarolong dingwe tsa Setheo tse di supilweng jaaka tse di nang le matshosetsi a a kwa godimo; lenane la dipotso tsa tshekatsheko le le tladitsweng ke batsamaisipotlana ba boruni jwa ka fa gare go tswa mo lefapheng la botsamaisi jwa theleso. Go tlhophilwe setlhopha sa thutopatlisiso go lebeletswe mabaka go fitlhelela nngwe ya maikemisetso a botlhokwa a go tlhopha sampole go ya ka maitlhomo a thutopatlisiso, e leng go netefatsa gore go akarediwa dipharologantsho mo sampoleng gore go nne le tlhotlheletso ya dipharologano mo dikakanyong tsa batsibogi ka ntlha ya maemo ao bona. Go ya ka ditlhokego tsa dithuto tsa bongaka (doctorate), thutopatlisiso eno e tshwaela mo magatong a mabedi: legato la tiori le le le ka netefadiwang (empirikale). Mo legatong la tiori, mmatlisisi o ne a tlhama didiriswa tsa kgobokanyo ya data, tse e leng gore babatlisisi ba bangwe ba ka di tokafatsa, mme ba di dirisa. Mo legatong la empirikale, tshwaelo ya thutopatlisiso ke letlhomeso la dikakanyo tsa go tsenngwa tirisong ga tiro ya boruni jwa ka fa gare. Letlhomeso le supa maemo a le 18 a a tshwanetseng go nna gona gore tiro ya boruni jwa ka fa gare e atlege. Go tlaleletsa, mmatlisisi o atlenegisa gore go nne le dipaakanyo tsa PFMA le/kgotsa Melawana ya Lefapha la Matlole: PFMA. Dikatlenegiso tseno di tlaa ungwela ditheo tsotlhe tsa setšhaba. Ka jalo go dumelwa gore thutopatlisiso eno e tlaa nna le tshwaelo ya botlhokwa mo maitekong a a ikaeletseng go tokafatsa tiro ya boruni jwa ka fa gare mo lephateng la setšhaba ka kakaretso mo Aforikaborwa. Seno se botlhokwa, jaaka PFMA e tlhoka gore ditiro tsa boruni jwa ka fa gare di thuse bothati jo bo rweleng maikarabelo ka dikatlenegiso tse di malebana le go tsweletsa ditaolo tse di nonofileng. Ditiro tsa boruni jwa ka fa gare di tshwanetse go lekanyetsa ditaolo tseno go tlhomamisa nonofo le bokgoni jwa tsona. Go latela seo, go tshwanetse ga dirwa dikatlenegiso tsa tokafatso. / Public Administration and Management / D. Litt. et Phil. (Public Administration)

L'étude a pour principal objet l'identification et la définition des libertés publiques économiques au sein de la jurisprudence administrative. Au terme de cette recherche, il apparaît que la liberté d'entreprendre constitue la seule véritable liberté publique économique utilisée par le juge administratif. Elle est en effet la seule qui a pour fondement la protection de droits ou d'intérêts subjectifs liés à la personnalité juridique, en particulier celles des personnes privées. Elle recouvre deux prérogatives essentielles : l’accès à une activité économique et l’exercice d’une activité économique. Si l'expression « liberté d'entreprendre » n'est pas apparue au sein de la jurisprudence administrative mais au sein des jurisprudences constitutionnelle et européenne, il importe de ne pas se laisser abuser par les mots employés. Celle-ci est en réalité présente au sein de la jurisprudence administrative depuis fort longtemps sous l'expression « liberté du commerce et de l'industrie ». A ce titre, elle recouvre un certain nombre d'autres appellations qui varient en fonction du contexte. Même si le juge administratif considère - à l'image du juge constitutionnel ou du juge européen - qu'il s'agit d'une liberté de second rang, il n'en demeure pas moins qu'il s'agit d'une liberté de valeur constitutionnelle. La définition et la classification de la « libre concurrence » s'avèrent plus problématiques. Celle-ci recouvre deux aspects distincts :- un aspect dans lequel elle doit être envisagée comme le respect du principe d'égale concurrence, c'est-à-dire comme celui d'une déclinaison, le cas échéant rénovée, du principe d'égalité. Dans cette optique, elle peut revêtir un aspect subjectif, c’est-à-dire qu’elle protège un droit dont le fondement se trouve dans la personnalité juridique, alors même que son objet principal reste la protection du mécanisme de marché.- un aspect dans lequel elle doit être regardée comme un ordre concurrentiel. Dans cette optique, elle ne peut être assimilée à une liberté publique mais doit être envisagée comme un objectif ou un impératif d'intérêt général correspondant au bon fonctionnement concurrentiel du marché. Les prérogatives ou intérêts que les opérateurs économiques tirent de la défense de cet ordre concurrentiel ne leur sont pas accordés en raison de leur seule personnalité. Ces prérogatives et intérêts sont défendus de manière subsidiaire puisque c’est l’atteinte au fonctionnement concurrentiel du marché qui est en premier lieu et avant tout prohibée. Les prérogatives et intérêts que les opérateurs tirent de la défense de l’ordre concurrentiel trouvent leur source et leur assise dans la liberté d’entreprendre. C’est cette liberté qui octroie aux personnes morales et physiques le droit d’accéder à l’activité économique et le droit de l’exercer. La libre concurrence a pour effet de garantir et de renforcer l’effectivité de ces deux prérogatives fondamentales. / The primary purpose of this study is to identify and define economic public freedoms in administrative case law. The research shows that free enterprise is the only genuine public economic freedom relied upon by administrative judges. It is indeed the only one based on protecting the subjective rights or interests that are related to the legal personality, especially when it comes to individuals. It covers two essential rights: access to an economic activity and the running thereof. If the expression "free enterprise" was not created by the administrative judges but by the constitutional and European judges, it has however been known for a long time by administrative judges as "freedom of trade and industry." As such, it has a number of different names, which may vary depending on the context. Even if administrative judges consider – like their constitutional and European counterparts – that is it a secondary freedom, it is still a constitutional freedom.The definition and classification of "free competition" are more problematic, since such freedom covers two different aspects:- it may first be considered the respect of equal competition, as a new version of the equality principle. In this context, it can take a subjective aspect since it protects a right based on legal personality, even though its primary purpose is to protect market mechanisms.- it may also be considered as a competition system. From this perspective, it cannot be considered a public freedom but rather a goal or a requirement of general interest in the market good competitive functioning. The rights or interests of economic actors that derive from the protection of the competition system are not granted on the basis of their legal personality alone. The protection of those rights and interests in only subsidiary; interfering with free competition on the market is first and foremost prohibited. The rights and interests of economic actors in protecting the competition system have their source and guarantee in free enterprise. This freedom gives legal and natural persons the right to access and to run a business. Free competition ensures and reinforces the effectiveness of these two fundamental rights.