O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi avaliar se o método de higiene dos tetos das cabras reduz o número de microrganismos do teto e melhora a qualidade do leite obtida durante a ordenha mecânica. Para tanto foram utilizadas 12 cabras pluríparas da raça Alpina submetidas ao pré-dipping (1ª fase experiernental) e lavagem secagem e pré-dipping (2ª fase experimental). Durante as 2 fases experimentais, a produção, composição, contagem de células somáticas foi mensurada uma vez por semana durante três semanas. Também foram colhidas amostras de sangue antes (- 5 e 0 min) e após (5 min) o pré-dipping para determinação dos níveis de cortisol, uma vez por semana durante três semanas. No presente estudo o pré-dipping contribuiu para a redução do número de estafilococus e coliformes encontrados na superfície do teto, entretanto o pré-dipping não influenciou significativamente a CCS, a qualidade ou a produção de leite. / Não consta na dissertação original.

In the UK, dipping sheep with pesticides for treating ectoparasites has been one of the main pesticide applications and it was compulsory between 1984 and 1991 when organophosphates (OPs) were the main ingredients of sheep dips. As a result many current elderly sheep farmers have been exposed to OPs. The acute health effects of many pesticides especially OPs are very well documented, while the effects of long-term exposure are still unclear. Difficulties in assessing past pesticide exposure have been suggested to be one of the main reasons for this uncertainty. The overall aim of this PhD was to develop long-term occupational pesticide exposure models for UK farmers, specifically for OP exposure among sheep dippers, and to apply them to the Study of Health in Agricultural Work (SHAW) in order to examine the associations between long-term pesticide exposure and neuropsychiatric ill-health. A comprehensive conceptual exposure model to assess pesticide exposure during sheep dipping was developed and included five sources of pesticide exposure; handling the concentrate, dipping sheep in the bath, handling sheep after dipping, disposal of sheep dip, and any incidental exposure. Dermal, ingestion and inhalation routes were described for each source and different modifying factors for each route were identified. A semi-quantitative exposure algorithm was developed and all sources, routes and modifying factors were assigned scores and weights by assessment of the literature and expert judgement. The new model was evaluated by comparing its estimates of diazinon exposure among dippers who participated in the Health and Sheep Dipping Survey (HSDS) with diazinon urinary metabolite levels in spot urines collected after the dipping session. The model estimates generally did not correlate well with metabolite levels though there was evidence of an association between total metabolites and ordinal categories of exposure intensity. The uncontrolled conditions of the HSDS and the lack of 24 hr urine collections may have contributed to these results. A probabilistic model was also developed from the conceptual model and indicated that although handling the concentrate and dipping sheep are the most important exposure sources, other sources like handling dipped sheep and disposal of sheep dip should not be neglected. This probabilistic model was applied to different scenarios: probabilistic estimates may give a more comprehensive description of exposures than deterministic estimates as they take into account all conceptual variables. Occupational pesticide exposure among UK farmers in the SHAW study was then estimated using simple surrogates and more sophisticated models. The validity of self-reported exposure history among SHAW farmers was investigated by making comparison with data collected contemporaneously by the June Census. Farmers recall was generally reliable especially for a specific type of livestock or crop rather than the number of livestock or acreage. Associations between screen-identified ill-health and pesticide exposure were only demonstrated by using more developed metrics. Exposure to pesticides but not specifically OPs in sheep farming was associated with neuropathy and Parkinsonism. Exposure to OPs in sheep dipping was associated with a decrease risk of dementia. Depression was not associated with any exposure. In conclusion, this thesis developed a comprehensive model for pesticide exposure from sheep dipping and simpler exposure models for other farming sectors. The application of these models to the SHAW study suggests that long term pesticide exposure among farmers mainly via sheep dipping may result in ill- health; however the associations between exposure and outcomes may only be revealed by the use of more sophisticated exposure models rather than simple exposure surrogates. The study also indicates that even the use of well-derived deterministic estimates might lead to exposure misclassification. This misclassification may be investigated by using probabilistic approaches.

Detta examensarbete har utförts på Ovako i Hällefors i syfte att undersöka möjligheterna till att fosfatera stålkutsar vid Ovako Sweden AB. Uppdraget har förmedlats av Ovako Sweden AB i Hällefors i syfte att ta fram ett koncept som kan användas för att fosfatera stålkutsar. Ovakos lösning på detta problem, i nuläget, är att skicka kutsarna till en firma i Tyskland där fosfateringen sker. Det som Ovako ser som nackdel med denna lösning är att när fosfateringsprocessen sker hos en extern leverantör uppkommer svårigheter med att säkerställa kvalitén på produkten. Detta innebär i sin tur att om Ovakos skulle få en reklamation från en kund, blir det svårt att avgöra om ytdefekten uppstod under fosfateringen hos leverantören i Tyskland, hos kunden eller hos Ovako. Målet med projektet är att genom teoretiska studier och eventuella praktiska försök ta fram ett lämpligt förslag på hur befintlig fosfateringslinje behöver byggas om eller modifieras för att möjliggöra fosfatering av stålkutsar enligt kundens önskemål. Det har formulerats fyra olika koncept som bygger på intervjuer, observationer och nulägesanalys vid sektionerna Drapro och Preco. För att få fram det lämpligaste konceptet har Pugh matris används som hjälpmedel. Det har även gjorts en kostnadskalkyl för koncept förslaget för det försatta arbetet. Det togs fram fyra olika koncept A, B, C och D. A och B gick inte författaren vidare med och med hjälp av Pugh-matrisen gjordes en jämförelse mellan koncept C och D. Slutresultatet av denna rapport är att koncept C har valts som den lämpligaste lösningen, för att den minskar risken för ytdefekter på kutsen samt att den uppfyller företagets krav. / This thesis has been carried out at Ovako in Hällefors in order to review the possibilities for phosphating steel pellets at Ovako AB, Sweden. The assignment has mediated by Ovako AB Sweden in Hällefors in order to develop a concept that can be used for phosphating steel pellets. Ovako's solution to this problem, is to send the pellets to a firm in Germany where phosphates take place. What Ovako sees as a disadvantage with this solution is that when the phosphate process handled by an external supplier, difficulties can arise in ensuring the quality of the product. This in turn means that if Ovako would receive a complaint from the customer, in which that it becomes difficult to determine if the surface defect occurred during phosphating by the supplier in Germany, if it’s the customer who is responsible for the surface defect or maybe it occur at Ovako during the production of the pellets. The goal of the project is that through theoretical studies and practical attempts to develop an appropriate proposal on how existing phosphating line needs to be modified to allow phosphating of steel pellets according to customer requirements. In order to find a proper solution has four different concepts formulated based on interviews, observations and current situation analysis on both sections Drapro and Preco. Pugh matrix has been used to obtain the most appropriate concept in this thesis. It has also made a cost estimate for the concept proposal for the added work. Four concepts were developed; A, B, C and D. The author didn’t proceed with concept A, B, and by using the Pugh matrix, a comparison was made between C and D. The final outcome of this report is that concept C has been selected as the most suitable solution, because it reduces the risk of surface defects on the pellet, and that it fulfills the company's requirements.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Introduction: In-house contamination of drinking water stored in wide-mouthed buckets (even with lids) has been widely reported in epidemiologic investigations as vehicles for diarrhoea disease transmission. The long handled mukombe cup (LHM cup), recently developed by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), a department of the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) in Zimbabwe, is a promising low cost dipping devise for extraction of water from wide-mouthed containers. Aim: The study aim was to assess the effectiveness and household acceptability of the long handled mukombe cup in reducing bacteriological contamination of drinking water stored in wide-mouthed vessels in the home in a peri urban settlement in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methodology: A randomised controlled trial of a long handled mukombe cup was conducted in Hatcliffe, Harare. After collecting baseline data on demographics, household water quality, and other sanitation and water handling practices, households were given basic health education before the two selected communities were randomly assigned to one of the two groups of 119 households each. The intervention group received the LHM cup while the control group received no intervention. Households were followed up after two months and assessed effectiveness and user acceptability of the intervention. Data Analysis: Data analysis was conducted using STATA 11. Descriptive statistics were calculated and reported as percentages, proportions, frequencies and measures of central tendency. Bivariate statistics were carried out to test independent associations between use of the LHM cup and E. coli. All analyses were conducted in an intention-to-intervene analysis. Results: A total of 230 households were analysed during follow-up. Samples of stored drinking water from intervention households were significantly lower in E. coli levels than those of control households (geometric mean E. coli of 0.8/100 ml vs 13.0/100 ml, p <0.0001). Overall, 78.4% (987/111) of samples from the intervention households met World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 0 cfu/100ml sample, while 52.1% of the 119 samples from control households met such a benchmark (p < 0.0001). In addition, 94.6% of intervention household samples were in compliance with this intervention or presented low risk, 27.7% of samples from control group households presented intermediate or high risk. There was a statistically significant association between LHM cup use and reduced E. coli bacterial contamination in stored drinking water (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in turbidity in both intervention and control groups, both for turbidity <5 and >5 (p = 0.071). Acceptability of the LHM cup was very high (100%). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study on the evaluation and acceptability of the LHM cup in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Positive results were recorded that showed that the LHM cup was effective in minimising E. coli contamination in the intervention group as compared to the control group. It is postulated that this is because the LHM cup reduces hand contact with stored water during scooping, thus maintaining improved water quality in communities in Zimbabwe that collect and store drinking water in wide-mouthed containers with lids where extraction is by scooping. However, more research is required to document the LHM cup's continued and effective use, durability and overall sustainability in the absence of any serious sampling or monitoring.

This thesis deals with rework of BGA components. There are described defects and errors in a solder joints. The current trend is focused on thin packages with fine pitch. It is assembled with smaller and smaller solder balls. It is described effect of different application of flux and solders paste for rework. The main part is focused on dipping and dispensing. These methods are suitable for repair process.

The objectives of this project were:<br />1.����To compare the drying cost and drying time for oak and poplar pallets for the following mold mitigation strategies for hardwood pallets: air drying, forced air drying (fan shed), kiln drying to 25% moisture content and chemical treatment, and<br />2.����Develop and evaluate a procedure for preventing and controlling mold growth on heat treated hardwood pallets<br />Twenty red oak pallets and twenty yellow-poplar pallets were tested for each drying method to compare costs and to determine drying times. �Additional pallets were obtained to conduct a more thorough air drying procedure. �Drying data was extrapolated to allow estimates of the drying time from green (83% moisture content for poplar and 64% moisture content for oak) to 25%. �<br />After the pallets reached the desired 25% moisture content, they were placed in a 40�" enclosed trailer, inoculated with mold (Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, and Penicillium) and were left undisturbed for a period of 14 days. �After the 14 day incubation period, the pallets were inspected for mold using the ASTM D-4445 Standard Test Method for Fungicides for Controlling Sapstain and Mold on Unseasoned Lumber. �<br />A comparison of drying costs was then conducted to determine which method was the most cost efficient based on the data obtained in this study. �The cost to treat the pallets with each treatment was calculated including electrical cost, labor, and tax values. �In addition to the cost comparison, a Net Present Value (NPV) was calculated to determine which method produced the best outcome over a longer period of time.<br />Two heat treatment and drying schedules were then developed to meet both IPPC-ISPM #15 requirements and achieve the desired 25% moisture content with minimal degrade. �This was accomplished by testing several HT/drying schedules on green yellow-poplar and white oak pallets until the pallets met the criteria for being heat treated and had minimal degrade. �The schedules developed are a modified oak HT/KD schedule that required 30 hours to complete and a modified poplar HT/KD schedule that required 16 hours to complete.<br />The results demonstrated that that mold would not grow on the pallets stored in an enclosed container when the dew point is not reached. Air-drying pallets, chemical application in conjunction with air-drying pallets, fan shed drying pallets and kiln drying pallets to a 19-24% moisture content was demonstrated to prevent mold growth on oak and yellow poplar pallets. Estimates for the time required to dry yellow-poplar and oak pallets to 19% and 25% moisture content were developed for air-drying, forced air-drying and kiln drying for the conditions experienced in Blacksburg, VA between 7/30/2008 and 11/10/2008. Air-drying pallets was found to have the lowest daily operational cost but not the lowest total drying cost. �Fan shed drying had the lowest drying cost to achieve 25% moisture content. �Kiln drying was the most expensive daily and total cost, but yielded the fastest method of drying pallets to 25% moisture content. A NPV cost comparison showed that over a 3 year (36 month) time period, fan shed drying is the most cost effective method of drying pallets based on the values used in this study. Given the environmental conditions experienced between 7/30/2008 and 11/10/2008, no mold grew on the air-dried, fan shed, and kiln dried pallets during the drying process. <br /> / Master of Science

I here present a combined AVO analysis of P-P and P-S reflection data whose objective is to improve the identification of lithology by estimating the specific values of Poisson's ratio, [sigma], for each rock formation in a given geological model, rather than a contrast between formations. Limited knowledge on the elastic parameters of a given rock formation and difficulty regarding the availability and processing of P-S data constitute hindrances of lithology identification. Considering that ocean bottom seismology (OBS) has aided in solving the problem of P-S data availability, limited information on elastic parameters is still a challenge, and the focus of this thesis. The present analysis is based on Zoeppritz' solution for the P-P and P-S reflection coefficients, RPP and RPS, with a slight modification. We used the normalized P-S reflection coefficient; i.e., R'PS = RPS / sin [theta] for [theta] > 0, instead of RPS, where [theta] is the incident angle. By normalizing RPS, we avoid dealing with the absence of converted S-waves at small incident angles and enhance the similar linear behavior of the P-P and normalized P-S reflection coefficients at small angles of incidence. We have used the linearity of RPP and R'PS at angles smaller than 35 degrees to simultaneously estimate the average VP/VS ratio, the contrasts of P- and S-wave velocities, and the contrast of density. Using this information, we solve for Poisson's ratio of each formation, which may enable lithology discrimination. The feasibility of this analysis was demonstrated using nonlinear synthetic data (i.e., finite-difference data). The results in estimating Poisson's ratio yielded less than 5 percent error. We generalize this new combined P-P and P-S AVO analysis for dipping interfaces. Similarly to the nondipping interface case, our derivations show that the amplitude variation with offset (AVO) of P-P and P-S for a dipping interface can be cast into intercepts and gradients. However, these intercepts and gradients depend on the angle of the dipping interface. Therefore, we further generalize our analysis by including a migration step that allows us to find the dipping angle. Because seismic data is not available in terms of RPP and R'PS, this process includes recovery of reflection coefficients after migrating the data and correcting for geometrical spreading, as done by Ikelle et al. (1986 and 1988). The combination of all of these steps, namely geometrical-spreading correction, migration, and AVO analysis, is another novelty of this thesis, which leads to finding the specific values of Poisson's ratio of each rock formation directly from the seismic data.

Motivation Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are common in the black population of South Africa. The literature also shows that elevated blood glucose concentrations can lead to an increase in blood pressure and a blunted decline in nocturnal blood pressure. Therefore, the motivation for this study was to determine if blood glucose may play a role regarding the blunted nocturnal decline in blood pressure in African and Caucasian men. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a blunted nocturnal decline in blood pressure and blood glucose in African and Caucasian men. Methodology A comparative population study was preformed that consisted of 202 school teachers (101 African and 101 Caucasian) between the ages of 25–60 years from the North West Province, South Africa. Subjects were excluded if their body temperature was elevated, had a dependence or abuse of psychotropic substances, were regular blood donors and/or vaccinated in the previous three months. Ambulatory systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured. Blood samples from the antebrachial vein were collected in sodium fluoride tubes to determine the serum glucose level and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) percentage. Estimated average glucose (eAG) was determined from the percentage HbA1c by means of a regression formula. Means and proportions were compared by standard t–test and the chi–square test, respectively. Pearson correlations were used to determine unadjusted associations and multiple regression analysis to determine adjusted associations between variables. Results and Conclusion African men had an elevated HbA1c (p<0.001), eAG (p<0.001), nighttime SBP (p<0.001) and DBP (p<0.001). These results remained similar when non–dipping African and Caucasian men were compared. The Africans also smoked more (p=0.012), consumed more alcohol (p=0.049), had a higher percentage of non–dippers (p=0.054), HIV infected subjects (p<0.001) and a larger number of subjects that used anti–hypertensive medication (p=0.049). The unadjusted analysis showed positive correlations between all the blood pressure measurements and serum glucose, HbA1c and eAG in the African non–dipper men. While in the non–dipper Caucasian men, only daytime SBP and nighttime SBP (22:00–06:00) correlated positively with serum glucose, HbA1c and eAG. Furthermore, when viewing the relationship between carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) and the blood pressure measurements in the African population, only nighttime (00:00– 04:00) SBP (r=0.581, p<0.001) and DBP (r=0.566, p<0.001) showed positive associations. After adjustments were made for age and body mass index the associations between the various blood pressure measurements and blood glucose disappeared in the non–dipper Caucasian men. However, in the non–dipper African men both nighttime (22:00–06:00) SBP and (00:00– 04:00) SBP showed positive correlations with serum glucose, HbA1c and eAG. After full adjustments (age, BMI, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, C–reactive protein and baroreceptor sensitivity) were made, nighttime (00:00–04:00) SBP was the only measure of blood pressure that correlated positively with HbA1c (p=0.069) and eAG (p<0.001) in the nondipper African men. No significant relationships were found for Caucasian men. Furthermore, to determine if the association between nighttime (00:00–04:00) SBP and eAG were independent of CIMT, we adjusted for CIMT. By doing so the positive association between SBP and eAG remained significant in the non–dipper African men (R2=0.617; =0.438; p=0.008) and nonsignificant in the non–dipper Caucasian men (R2=0.423; =0.169; p=0.33). However, the relationship between CIMT and eAG disappeared when we adjusted for SBP, suggesting that the SBP and eAG relationship drives CIMT. In conclusion, the association between the early morning SBP (00:00–04:00) and the blood glucose in non–dipping African men suggests that the blunted decline in nocturnal blood pressure during the early morning hours is associated with chronically elevated blood glucose. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Motivation Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are common in the black population of South Africa. The literature also shows that elevated blood glucose concentrations can lead to an increase in blood pressure and a blunted decline in nocturnal blood pressure. Therefore, the motivation for this study was to determine if blood glucose may play a role regarding the blunted nocturnal decline in blood pressure in African and Caucasian men. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a blunted nocturnal decline in blood pressure and blood glucose in African and Caucasian men. Methodology A comparative population study was preformed that consisted of 202 school teachers (101 African and 101 Caucasian) between the ages of 25–60 years from the North West Province, South Africa. Subjects were excluded if their body temperature was elevated, had a dependence or abuse of psychotropic substances, were regular blood donors and/or vaccinated in the previous three months. Ambulatory systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured. Blood samples from the antebrachial vein were collected in sodium fluoride tubes to determine the serum glucose level and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) percentage. Estimated average glucose (eAG) was determined from the percentage HbA1c by means of a regression formula. Means and proportions were compared by standard t–test and the chi–square test, respectively. Pearson correlations were used to determine unadjusted associations and multiple regression analysis to determine adjusted associations between variables. Results and Conclusion African men had an elevated HbA1c (p<0.001), eAG (p<0.001), nighttime SBP (p<0.001) and DBP (p<0.001). These results remained similar when non–dipping African and Caucasian men were compared. The Africans also smoked more (p=0.012), consumed more alcohol (p=0.049), had a higher percentage of non–dippers (p=0.054), HIV infected subjects (p<0.001) and a larger number of subjects that used anti–hypertensive medication (p=0.049). The unadjusted analysis showed positive correlations between all the blood pressure measurements and serum glucose, HbA1c and eAG in the African non–dipper men. While in the non–dipper Caucasian men, only daytime SBP and nighttime SBP (22:00–06:00) correlated positively with serum glucose, HbA1c and eAG. Furthermore, when viewing the relationship between carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) and the blood pressure measurements in the African population, only nighttime (00:00– 04:00) SBP (r=0.581, p<0.001) and DBP (r=0.566, p<0.001) showed positive associations. After adjustments were made for age and body mass index the associations between the various blood pressure measurements and blood glucose disappeared in the non–dipper Caucasian men. However, in the non–dipper African men both nighttime (22:00–06:00) SBP and (00:00– 04:00) SBP showed positive correlations with serum glucose, HbA1c and eAG. After full adjustments (age, BMI, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, C–reactive protein and baroreceptor sensitivity) were made, nighttime (00:00–04:00) SBP was the only measure of blood pressure that correlated positively with HbA1c (p=0.069) and eAG (p<0.001) in the nondipper African men. No significant relationships were found for Caucasian men. Furthermore, to determine if the association between nighttime (00:00–04:00) SBP and eAG were independent of CIMT, we adjusted for CIMT. By doing so the positive association between SBP and eAG remained significant in the non–dipper African men (R2=0.617; =0.438; p=0.008) and nonsignificant in the non–dipper Caucasian men (R2=0.423; =0.169; p=0.33). However, the relationship between CIMT and eAG disappeared when we adjusted for SBP, suggesting that the SBP and eAG relationship drives CIMT. In conclusion, the association between the early morning SBP (00:00–04:00) and the blood glucose in non–dipping African men suggests that the blunted decline in nocturnal blood pressure during the early morning hours is associated with chronically elevated blood glucose. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This diploma work analyses order to cash process in the company which core business lies within steel construction zinc dipping, preparation of technical proposals and providing of services in transportation and manual works. This thesis includes proposals for process optimization with aim to select new IT system which leads to cost reduction and eventually to the enhancement of company’s effectiveness.