This study is an optimization approach to the rectilinear interdiction problem by locating a line barrier. Interdiction problems study the eect of a limited disruption action on operations of a system. Network interdiction problems, where nodes and arcs of the network are susceptible to disruption actions, are extensively studied in the operations research literature. In this study, we consider a set of sink points on the plane that are being served by source points and our aim is to study the eect of locating a line barrier on the plane (as a disruption action) such that the total shortest distance between sink and source points is maximized. We compute the shortest distances after disruption using visibility concept and utilizing properties of our problem. The amount of disruption is limited by imposing constraints on the length of the barrier and also the total number of disrupted points. The suggested solution approaches are based on mixed-integer programming and a polynomial-time algorithm.

The aim of this study was to improve the mechanical properties &ldquo / Moplen&rdquo / EP300L which is a heterophase copolymer. Polymer blends and nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding method in a twin screw extruder. Nanofil&reg / 5 (N5) and Nanofil&reg / 8(N8) were used as the organoclays, and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (M) was used as the compatibilizer. The effects of additive concentrations and types of organoclays on the morphology, mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. Organoclay loading over 2 wt% prevented the intercalation mechanism resulting in large aggregates of clay, thus the material properties became poor even in the presence of compatibilizer. Compatibilizer addition improved the intercalation ability of the polymer, however a substantial increase in mechanical properties was not obtained up to 6 wt % loading of the compatibilizer. XRD analysis revealed that intercalated structures were formed with the addition of compatibilizer and organoclay. The nanocomposites that were prepared with N5 type organoclay showed delaminated structures at 6 wt % compatibilizer loading. v Nanofill &reg / 5 exhibited the highest improvements in mechanical properties, since the degree of organoclay dispersion was better in Nanofill &reg / 5 containing nanocomposites in comparison to Nanofill &reg / 8 containing ones. The DSC analysis indicated a insignificant reduction in the melting temperature of the ternary nanocomposites.

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In the present study,transint flow analyses of a long oil pipeline are performed.

Thesis (Habilitationsschrift)--Friedrich-Alexander-Univer sität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, 1997/98. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 565-636) and indexes.

Thesis (Habilitationsschrift)--Friedrich-Alexander-Univer sität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, 1997/98. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 565-636) and indexes.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-211).

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Bilingual dictionaries often do not satisfy the requirements of the dictionary users because they contain a relatively small percentage of articles displaying absolute equivalence between the source and the target language. This impedes the users from retrieving the required information. Communicative equivalence is a relation holding between source and target language entries in translation dictionaries. A translation equivalent should not be seen as a statement about the meaning of the lemma, but it should be regarded as an item that represents the target language and can be used to translate a specific occurrence of the source language item. If semantic and communicative equivalence do not hold between the source and the target language dictionary users will not be able to use the target language successfully. Instead of achieving communicative equivalence, the dictionary user is confused and ends up using language in an unacceptable way. Relying on translation dictionaries to improve their language skills and to learn more about the target language, dictionary users often come across haphazardly arranged articles in dictionaries that do not lead to communicative equivalence. In this case, the dictionary users are confused and end up using language in an unacceptable way. This thesis explores and investigates different ways to achieve communicative equivalence in translation dictionaries. The research formulates some of the needed guidelines for the lexicographers of translation dictionaries. It intends to assist lexicographers to compile useroriented translation dictionaries that can foster multilingualism amongst the dictionary users. As a result of this research, lexicographers will be able to compile translation dictionaries that will assist dictionary users to achieve communicative success. These dictionaries will establish semantic and communicative resemblance between the source and the target language forms. As a lexicographic problem, communicative equivalence is being addressed in the thesis and the researcher aims to make lexicographers aware of the mistakes in translation dictionaries. The objective of the thesis is to help lexicographers with the compilation of dictionaries where the users can achieve an optimal retrieval of information. The research focuses on metalexicographic issues in order to enhance the quality of practical lexicography. By doing so both the practical and theoretical lexicography can benefit from this research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tweetalige woordeboeke voldoen dikwels nie aan die behoeftes van hulle gebruikers nie omdat hulle Onbeperkte aantal artikels bevat met absolute ekwivalensie tussen bron- en doeltaal. Dit weerhou die gebruikers daarvan om die verlangde inligting te onttrek. Kommunikatiewe ekwivalensie is onverhouding tussen die bron- en doeltaalinskrywings in vertalende woordeboeke. OnVertaalekwivalent moet nie beskou word as Onuitspraak oor die betekenis van die lemma nie maar dit moet gesien word as Onitem wat die doeltaal verteenwoordig en wat gebruik kan word om onbepaalde optrede van die brontaalvorm te vertaal. As semantiese en kommunikatiewe ekwivalensie nie tussen bron- en doeltaal bestaan nie sal woordeboekgebruikers nie daartoe in staat wees om die doeltaal suksesvol te gebruik nie. In stede daarvan om kommunikatiewe ekwivalensie te behaal, is die gebruiker verward en gebruik hy taal op Ononaanvaarbare manier. Wanneer woordeboekgebruikers op vertalende woordeboeke staatmaak om hulle taalgebruik te verbeter en meer oor die doeltaal te leer, vind hulle dikwels arbitrêr geordende artikels in woordeboeke wat nie tot kommunikatiewe ekwivalendie lei nie. Dit verwar gebruikers en lei tot foutiewe taalgebruik. Hierdie tesis ondersoek verskillende maniere waarop kommunikatiewe ekwivalensie in vertalende woordeboeke bereik kan word. Die navorsing lei tot die formulering van sommige riglyne wat nodig is vir die opstellers van vertalende woordeboeke. Dit poog om leksikograwe te help om gebruikersgerigte woordeboeke saam te stel wat veeltaligheid tussen die gebruikers kan bevorder. As gevolg van hierdie navorsing sal leksikograwe daartoe in staat wees om vertalende woordeboeke saam te stel wat gebruikers kan help om kommunikatiewe ekwivalensie te bereik. Hierdie woordeboeke salon semantiese en kommunikatiewe ooreenkoms tussen bron- en doeltaalvorme vestig. In hierdie tesis word kommunikatiewe ekwivalensie as Onleksikografiese probleem behandel en die navorser poog om leksikograwe bewus te maak van foute in vertalende woordeboeke. Die mikpunt van hierdie tesis is om leksikograwe te help met die samestelling van woordeboeke waar gebruikers onoptimale inligtingsherwinning kan behaal. Die navorsing fokus op metaleksikografiese aangeleenthede ter wille van Onverhoging in die gehalte van die praktiese leksikografie. Sodoende kan sowel die teoretiese as die praktiese leksikografie by hierdie navorsing baat vind.

This essay has combined a discourse analysis with a postcolonial theory to investigate how Sami and Romani people were portrayed in Swedish encyclopedias between the years 1885 – 1955. The period for the essay circle around the time where thoughts about race where strong in the Swedish society and the racial biology institutes where built. A lot of political laws were aimed at the groups Sami and Romani and this essay aims to see if the discrimination of these groups could be seen in the educational sphere that reached out to the people of Sweden at the time. The use of a discourse analysis helps to see how the power of language and use of specific words built up stereotypes in a specific discourse. The purpose of combining it with a postcolonial theory is to see in what way the language is used to portray the groups as “the others” from the norm society.  The results shows that the encyclopedias at the period between 1885 – 1955 is highly influenced with racial thoughts where the groups are portrayed as underdeveloped to the main society with characteristics that is hugely different from the norm which are making them to “the others” compared to the normal.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Technology Degree in Information Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2014. / This study aimed to explore user factors that may influence attitude and behaviour where technology acceptance is concerned. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Framework was used as a tool to map this degree of acceptance in relation to the design of the current Encyclopaedia of South African Arts, Culture and Heritage (ESAACH). ESAACH is an encyclopaedia intended to address the dearth of reference material in South African arts, culture and heritage studies (ESAACH.org.za). The encyclopaedia is divided into broader areas of research such as: verbal arts, performing arts, visual arts, and heritage. It was originally established as a tool to provide support for education in arts, culture and heritage. There has been an increase in interest in the ESAACH online resource platform. This has resulted in the need to capture user perceptions and attitudes on the site in order to provide guidelines on the improvement of the site and to make usage of the encyclopaedia easier and less frustrating. The researcher investigates English Language Proficiency, Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness and Computer Self-Efficacy as factors that influence an online user’s attitude towards intention to use and acceptance of an online encyclopaedia. There have been concerns expressed by website designers that because users may not be fully acquainted or familiar with using the Internet in general when accessing information, they anticipate some resistance or reluctance to make full use of available online content. The study included the administration of an online survey to a sample of 149 students from the Arts and Design and Library Information Studies departments whereby their demographics, antecedents and precedent constructs of the TAM were tested for co-relationships of user’s intention regarding usage and acceptance of the website. The TAM model was used as a tool to determine: whether a positive confidence in the students’ English language proficiency would affect intention to use the encyclopaedia and to predict whether positive Computer Self-Efficacy is an indicator for a positive effect regarding Ease of Use and/or Perceived Usefulness. Results confirmed that users perceived Computer Self-Efficacy as a positive contributor to the usefulness of the ESAACH online encyclopaedia. Although no significant relationship between English Language Proficiency and Perceived Ease of Use was demonstrated, the need for a design which caters for sensitivity to the language of users was identified.