To compete in the global market, organisations have to ensure that their production is synchronised with their other business activities. To achieve this, companies deploy a variety of solutions known as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). These systems provide the bridge between control and business systems and are used by a variety of people across many business functions. Typical users range from production and maintenance personnel to engineers, finance and management. Sectors within the manufacturing industry have their own definitions of MES and these are based on their functional requirements and by the offerings of vendors in that sector. Thus, people differ in their understanding and definition of MES. To ensure common understanding of what functionalities or modules constitute MES, the Manufacturing Execution Systems Association (MESA) has defined MES to cover the following eleven areas: Resource Allocation and Status Operations/Detail Scheduling Dispatching Production Units Document Control Data Collection/Acquisition Labour Management Quality Management Process Management Maintenance Management Product Tracking and Genealogy Performance Analysis On examining the Manufacturing Execution Systems literature, it was realised that functionalities and definitions exist but a standard approach and implementation methodology is lacking. Thus, a framework was developed based on a literature study as well as from experience within the MES environment. To ensure that the framework meets the needs of organisations, two questionnaires were developed and sent to people from various functions within large South African companies (and across divisions). The results of the empirical study showed that for large organisations, i.e. organisations with over 200 employees and an annual turnover in excess of R 40 million, some form of manufacturing execution systems were used in all the companies surveyed. The most common functionality deployed was Data Collection1Acquisition and the payback on these systems was greater than two years. The respondents highlighted that MES governance and an overall company wide strategy for MES implementation was non-existent or not enforced across the group of companies. The respondents also indicated that the implementation was time consuming and that the projects usually exceeded the allocated budget and/or were late. The respondents were not unanimous on who was accountable for MES within the organisation and a quarter felt that this was unclear within the organisation. When asked about the process that was followed in the selection of a vendor and solution, the majority felt that the process was not well defined. However, respondents noted that change management is used on all major projects and the outcome is generally successful. All the companies outsource either some or all of their IT services and the relationship with the vendor seems successful, as the rating received for MES support was very good. The benefits of implementing Manufacturing Execution Systems are also being realised by those companies that responded to the questionnaires. The overall impression is that over 75% of the respondents feel positive about the benefits and state that the benefits are realised. The only major shortcoming is that information is not being shared across business units and sites as half of the respondents felt that this was not happening in their companies. The proposed MES Engagement and Implementation Framework that was tested with the empirical study was subsequently updated. The framework suggests that all MES implementations should begin with a review of the business and ICT strategy as these would assist when defining the business requirements and the criteria for the selection of the technology, vendor, and solution The business requirements should be ascertained and a realistic business case should be developed. The project team should re-confirm the requirements once a vendor is selected, and, with the necessary change management, implement a portion of the solution as a pilot project. Once successful, then only should the entire solution be rolled out. Another parallel process should consider the outsourcing for the support phase. The entire process of implementing MES is cyclical as new requirements, additional functionality, and benefits tracking results in new projects. In conclusion adopting this framework would result in better implementation and ensure that the benefits are realised for all MES projects and that the solution is adequately supported after implementation. A model for the implementation has also been proposed and it should be developed and tested further to guide MES implementation. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

An ergonomic control panel was designed for a remotely operated agricultural tractor. In order to inform the design, information was collected via ergonomic literature, ride-alongs with tractor operators, and interviews with tractor operators and experienced design professionals. Ride-alongs were used to determine frequency and sequence of use in agricultural tractors. The most frequently used control was the one that controlled the implement being pulled behind the tractor. There was no sequence pattern observed over all the ride-alongs. The control panel design was evaluated using design criteria from the information collected, the Index of Functionality, and the Index of Accessibility. The Index of Functionality was assessed and validated as a tool for ergonomic control panel design. The final design satisfied all the criteria outlined and achieved good index scores.

The purpose of this study is to explore gender-issues by the means of extreme contrasts in functionality. The motivation behind the work comes from the structural objectification of women that is maintained through fashion and social media, and how this is an issue that mainly regards women. By morphing extreme contrasts in dress, by the means of male coded work wear, and female coded shape wear, this work explores gender related norms, ideals and statuses. Through this work, shape was decided through try-outs with garments and/or their components, with a research that was based on today’s ideals, and social media trends. Lines in garments became increasingly more important during the process, and the components of garments in the different categories too. In the result the importance of colour, material and shape regarding gender-issues in dress is highlighted, since they often convey a gender coded expression. To disrupt this inherit gender, the result demonstrates how these components can be mixed. Breaking down status in gender attributes could be used to create a more equal sphere in fashion.

Background & Aims: The 'high-density lipoprotein (HDL) hypothesis', that therapeutic interventions directed at raising HDL cholesterol might translate into improved cardiovascular outcomes, has been confounded by recent reports from genetic and pharmacological studies. HDL functionality may be more important than cholesterol cargo. HDL cholesterol levels are normal or even high in Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) but do not seem to protect against atherosclerosis as might be expected; this thesis aims to offer new insight into HDL functionality through examination of these patients. This thesis also aims to improve understanding of the qualitative changes in lipoproteins associated with diabetes and increased cardiovascular morbidity, with emphasis on atherogenic modifications of apolipoprotein B and sphingolipids, and consideration of the relationship between these changes, novel and established biomarkers, and macrovascular and microvascular diabetic complications. Materials & Methods: Patients with Type 1 (n = 91) and Type 2 (n = 40) Diabetes Mellitus and healthy volunteers (n = 104) attended for fasting blood tests, urinalysis, and examination including cardiac computed tomography, carotid doppler studies and assessments of nerve function. In vitro studies of lipoprotein modification used pooled human plasma. Results: Lipoprotein glycation represents an atherogenic modification. In vitro glycation occurs more readily in the presence of physiological concentrations of copper. HDL and copper-selective chelation with triethylenetetramine prevents glycation. Glycated apolipoprotein B, oxidized LDL and small-dense LDL levels were significantly higher in T1DM; HDL cholesterol levels were also significantly higher, but with altered apolipoprotein distribution, and significantly lower cholesterol efflux capacity and PON1 activity than in healthy controls. Significant changes were also observed in cystatin C, advanced glycation end-products, leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, a variety of inflammatory markers, and sphingolipid and ceramide profiles. Discussion: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in diabetes. Patients with diabetes show qualitative and kinetic lipoprotein abnormalities, and any cardiovascular benefit associated with intensive glucose lowering may be related to effects on lipoprotein metabolism rather than directly through altered glycaemia. The apparently relatively undisturbed lipid profile observed in many patients with diabetes hides major atherogenic changes and altered HDL functionality, which may be at least partially responsible for the persistent increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. HDL-based therapy remains a largely unfulfilled promise, but there may be a role for copper-selective chelation and more aggressive low-density lipoprotein lowering in the reduction of diabetic complications.

This Bachelor thesis reviews the concept of non-innovative faction groups in digital games and the cause and effect of such systems. The paper goes into detail on what diffractions are available to developers when creating a faction driven game. It also illuminates the need to be aware of consequences of small details in a big picture. It will outline what types of faction systems in games that can be argued to be outdated and repeated, and why such a thing can prove detrimental to the development of future games and to developers. The necessity of these design choices of factions will be outlined through design fundamentals regarding games, as well as through research of strategy games and how they employ factions through their semi-historical inspiration sources. The functionality of those design choices will be considered through heuristic evaluation and then determined what key components are necessary to the overall gameplay of such games. Gamemaker will also be discussed as a means of creating these systems in games and the limitations and opportunities presented by using that programming software.

A Osteogênese Imperfeita (OI) é caracterizada por fragilidade óssea e susceptibilidade a fraturas. As complicações da patologia podem afetar o desenvolvimento físico e motor, comprometendo as habilidades funcionais, o nível da marcha e a independência do indivíduo. Objetivo: Avaliar as características clínico-funcionais de crianças e adolescentes com Osteogênese Imperfeita (OI). Métodos: Estudo transversal no qual foram avaliados sujeitos de ambos os gêneros com idade entre 0 e 18 anos e diagnóstico de OI, em tratamento no CROI-RS. Os dados clínicos e funcionais foram coletados através de fichas específicas e avaliação funcional. Foram avaliados aspectos relacionados à presença de fraturas e deformidades ósseas, habilidade da marcha, força muscular e amplitude de movimento articular. A densidade mineral óssea (DMO) foi mensurada através do Dual Energy X-Ray Absoptometry (DEXA). O nível de significância adotado foi de 5% (p≤0,05). Resultados: Encontramos diferença significativa na ocorrência de fraturas, presença de deformidades ósseas, uso de haste intramedular, baixa densidade mineral óssea, tratamento medicamentoso e aspectos relacionados à marcha comparando OI tipo I, III e IV. As formas mais graves de OI (tipo III e IV) apresentaram fraturas nos primeiros meses de vida, maior deformidade óssea. Associação inversa entre amplitude de movimento articular geral e o nível da marcha e uma associação direta com idade de início de marcha, o número total de fraturas e a presença de deformidades ósseas. Encontrou-se uma associação direta entre a força muscular geral e o nível da marcha e uma associação inversa com a idade de início de marcha e presença de deformidades ósseas. Conclusão: Estes dados sugerem que as características clínico-funcionais variam de acordo com os tipos de OI. Nas formas moderada e grave de OI há maior limitação funcional influenciada pelo número de fraturas e presença de deformidades ósseas afetando negativamente o nível da marcha. / Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is characterized by bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Complications of the disease can affect the physical and motor development, compromising the functional skills, level of gait and independence of the individual. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and functional features of children and adolescents with OI. Methods: A cross-sectional study which evaluated subjects of both genders aged between 0 and 18 years attended in the Reference Center for Treatment of OI of Rio Grande do Sul (CROI-RS). Clinical and functional data were evaluated through specific tokens and functional assessment. We evaluated aspects related to the presence of fractures and bone deformities, gait ability, muscle strength, joint range of motion and use of intramedullary rod. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absoptometry (DEXA). The level of significance was set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: We found significant differences in the occurrence of fractures, presence of bone deformities, use of intramedullary rod, bone mineral density, drug therapy and aspects related to gait comparing OI types I, III and IV. The age of gait acquisition showed a direct association with overall joint range of motion and an inverse relationship with overall muscle strength. The level of ambulation was directly associated with overall muscle strength and inversely associated with overall joint range of motion. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that clinical and functional features vary according to OI type. Moderate and severe forms of OI are associated with greater functional limitation, influenced by fractures in early life, number of fractures and the presence of bone deformities, which negatively affect the acquisition and level of ambulation.

Understanding the fundamental chemistry of conjugated polymers and fullerenes has been the subject of intense research for the last three decades, with the last ten years seeing increased research toward the application of these materials into functional organic electronic devices such as organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs). This field has seen significant advances is cell efficiency in just the last few years (to >10%), in large part due to the development of new donor and acceptor materials, the fine tuning of fabrication parameters to control material nanostructure, as well as the introduction of new interfacial materials such as ionically functionalized conjugated polymers, also known as conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs). This dissertation aims to further understand the fundamental chemistry associated with charge injection processes in CPEs and ionically functionalized fullerenes. The role of ionic functionality on electrochemical, chemical, and interfacial charge injection processes is explored. The results presented demonstrate the use of ionic functionality to control the spatial doping profile of a bilayer structure of anionically and cationically functionalized CPEs to fabricate a p-n junction (Chapter II). The role of ionic functionality on chemical charge injection processes is explored via the reaction of polyacetylene and polythiophene based CPEs with molecular oxygen (Chapters III and IV). The results show the dramatic effect of ionic functionality, as well as the specific role of the counterion, on the photooxidative stability of CPEs. The control of reaction pathway via counterion charge density is also explored (Chapter IV) and shows a continuum of reaction pathways based on the charge density of the counter cation. Finally, the role of ionic functionality on interfacial charge injection processes in a functional OPV is explored using a cationically functionalized fullerene derivative (Chapters V and VI). Cell performance increases due to an increase in open-circuit voltage and substantial reduction in series resistance resulting from the high conductivity of the interfacial fullerene layer. The chemical origin of this high conductivity is explored in Chapter VI and shown to likely be the result of chemical reactions occurring between the counter anion and the fullerene core. This dissertation contains coauthored, previously published and unpublished work.

A Osteogênese Imperfeita (OI) é caracterizada por fragilidade óssea e susceptibilidade a fraturas. As complicações da patologia podem afetar o desenvolvimento físico e motor, comprometendo as habilidades funcionais, o nível da marcha e a independência do indivíduo. Objetivo: Avaliar as características clínico-funcionais de crianças e adolescentes com Osteogênese Imperfeita (OI). Métodos: Estudo transversal no qual foram avaliados sujeitos de ambos os gêneros com idade entre 0 e 18 anos e diagnóstico de OI, em tratamento no CROI-RS. Os dados clínicos e funcionais foram coletados através de fichas específicas e avaliação funcional. Foram avaliados aspectos relacionados à presença de fraturas e deformidades ósseas, habilidade da marcha, força muscular e amplitude de movimento articular. A densidade mineral óssea (DMO) foi mensurada através do Dual Energy X-Ray Absoptometry (DEXA). O nível de significância adotado foi de 5% (p≤0,05). Resultados: Encontramos diferença significativa na ocorrência de fraturas, presença de deformidades ósseas, uso de haste intramedular, baixa densidade mineral óssea, tratamento medicamentoso e aspectos relacionados à marcha comparando OI tipo I, III e IV. As formas mais graves de OI (tipo III e IV) apresentaram fraturas nos primeiros meses de vida, maior deformidade óssea. Associação inversa entre amplitude de movimento articular geral e o nível da marcha e uma associação direta com idade de início de marcha, o número total de fraturas e a presença de deformidades ósseas. Encontrou-se uma associação direta entre a força muscular geral e o nível da marcha e uma associação inversa com a idade de início de marcha e presença de deformidades ósseas. Conclusão: Estes dados sugerem que as características clínico-funcionais variam de acordo com os tipos de OI. Nas formas moderada e grave de OI há maior limitação funcional influenciada pelo número de fraturas e presença de deformidades ósseas afetando negativamente o nível da marcha. / Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is characterized by bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Complications of the disease can affect the physical and motor development, compromising the functional skills, level of gait and independence of the individual. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and functional features of children and adolescents with OI. Methods: A cross-sectional study which evaluated subjects of both genders aged between 0 and 18 years attended in the Reference Center for Treatment of OI of Rio Grande do Sul (CROI-RS). Clinical and functional data were evaluated through specific tokens and functional assessment. We evaluated aspects related to the presence of fractures and bone deformities, gait ability, muscle strength, joint range of motion and use of intramedullary rod. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absoptometry (DEXA). The level of significance was set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: We found significant differences in the occurrence of fractures, presence of bone deformities, use of intramedullary rod, bone mineral density, drug therapy and aspects related to gait comparing OI types I, III and IV. The age of gait acquisition showed a direct association with overall joint range of motion and an inverse relationship with overall muscle strength. The level of ambulation was directly associated with overall muscle strength and inversely associated with overall joint range of motion. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that clinical and functional features vary according to OI type. Moderate and severe forms of OI are associated with greater functional limitation, influenced by fractures in early life, number of fractures and the presence of bone deformities, which negatively affect the acquisition and level of ambulation.

A Osteogênese Imperfeita (OI) é caracterizada por fragilidade óssea e susceptibilidade a fraturas. As complicações da patologia podem afetar o desenvolvimento físico e motor, comprometendo as habilidades funcionais, o nível da marcha e a independência do indivíduo. Objetivo: Avaliar as características clínico-funcionais de crianças e adolescentes com Osteogênese Imperfeita (OI). Métodos: Estudo transversal no qual foram avaliados sujeitos de ambos os gêneros com idade entre 0 e 18 anos e diagnóstico de OI, em tratamento no CROI-RS. Os dados clínicos e funcionais foram coletados através de fichas específicas e avaliação funcional. Foram avaliados aspectos relacionados à presença de fraturas e deformidades ósseas, habilidade da marcha, força muscular e amplitude de movimento articular. A densidade mineral óssea (DMO) foi mensurada através do Dual Energy X-Ray Absoptometry (DEXA). O nível de significância adotado foi de 5% (p≤0,05). Resultados: Encontramos diferença significativa na ocorrência de fraturas, presença de deformidades ósseas, uso de haste intramedular, baixa densidade mineral óssea, tratamento medicamentoso e aspectos relacionados à marcha comparando OI tipo I, III e IV. As formas mais graves de OI (tipo III e IV) apresentaram fraturas nos primeiros meses de vida, maior deformidade óssea. Associação inversa entre amplitude de movimento articular geral e o nível da marcha e uma associação direta com idade de início de marcha, o número total de fraturas e a presença de deformidades ósseas. Encontrou-se uma associação direta entre a força muscular geral e o nível da marcha e uma associação inversa com a idade de início de marcha e presença de deformidades ósseas. Conclusão: Estes dados sugerem que as características clínico-funcionais variam de acordo com os tipos de OI. Nas formas moderada e grave de OI há maior limitação funcional influenciada pelo número de fraturas e presença de deformidades ósseas afetando negativamente o nível da marcha. / Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is characterized by bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Complications of the disease can affect the physical and motor development, compromising the functional skills, level of gait and independence of the individual. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and functional features of children and adolescents with OI. Methods: A cross-sectional study which evaluated subjects of both genders aged between 0 and 18 years attended in the Reference Center for Treatment of OI of Rio Grande do Sul (CROI-RS). Clinical and functional data were evaluated through specific tokens and functional assessment. We evaluated aspects related to the presence of fractures and bone deformities, gait ability, muscle strength, joint range of motion and use of intramedullary rod. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absoptometry (DEXA). The level of significance was set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: We found significant differences in the occurrence of fractures, presence of bone deformities, use of intramedullary rod, bone mineral density, drug therapy and aspects related to gait comparing OI types I, III and IV. The age of gait acquisition showed a direct association with overall joint range of motion and an inverse relationship with overall muscle strength. The level of ambulation was directly associated with overall muscle strength and inversely associated with overall joint range of motion. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that clinical and functional features vary according to OI type. Moderate and severe forms of OI are associated with greater functional limitation, influenced by fractures in early life, number of fractures and the presence of bone deformities, which negatively affect the acquisition and level of ambulation.

Os manguezais são considerados um ecossistema único, devido sua particular combinação de condições ambientais, influenciados pela sua localização na interface entre o continente e oceano. O estudo deste ecossistema se torna urgente uma vez que os manguezais estão desaparecendo em todo mundo, e sua diversidade de grupos microbianos é ainda pouco conhecida. Dentro dessa temática, o presente projeto visa descrever a possível funcionalidade de bactérias pertencentes ao filo Planctomycetes nos manguezais. Tais organismos são ainda pouco estudados, de difícil cultivo, sendo obtidos principalmente em ambientes marinhos, tratamento de água e locais de criação de peixes. Dentro desse filo são encontrados microrganismos pertencentes a gêneros descritos como capazes de realizar a oxidação anaeróbica do íon amônio (anammox), uma importante transformação do nitrogênio em ambientes com baixa disponibilidade de oxigênio. E ainda, visamos descrever a possível funcionalidade de bactérias pertencentes ao filo Planctomycetes nos manguezais. Para isso, foi inicialmente realizada uma comparação dos genomas de Planctomycetes com as sequências obtidas por análises de metagenômica e metatranscriptômica, onde foram encontradas sequências similares às afiliadas a funções desconhecidas (putative protein) e a sulfatases. Tais enzimas são descritas como hidrolíticas, que catalizam a clivagem de ésteres de sulfato, liberando o enxofre na forma assimilável. A análise de sequências de uma biblioteca metagenômica (obtida de um manguezal contaminado com petróleo) permitiu a visualização de fragmentos genômicos de Planctomycetes. Esta análise revelou também a ocorrência de genes relacionados a produção de sulfatases, além de indicar arranjos gênicos distintos dos descritos nos genomas de organismos deste grupo, possivelmente indicando a ocorrência de endemismo de Planctomycetes em manguezais. Esta observação foi reforçada pelo cultivo de isolados afiliados a este grupo, os quais tiveram sua afiliação confirmada pelo sequenciamento parcial do gene ribossomal 16S DNAr. Alguns destes isolados formaram clusters diferenciados dentro do filo Planctomycetes, indicando que podem ser estes novas espécies. Sendo assim, a caracterização desse grupo de microrganismos numa combinação de análises in sílico e in vivo, possibilitou a confirmação da ocorrência de tais organismos nos manguezais, e gerou as primeiras informações sobre sua funcionalidade neste sistema, onde parece ocorrer de forma diferenciada aos demais ambientes onde já foram descritos. / Mangroves are considered an unique ecosystem due to its particular combination of environmental conditions, influenced by its location at the interface between land and ocean. The study of this ecosystem becomes urgent since mangroves are disappearing worldwide, and its diversity of microbial groups is still poorly understood. Within this theme, this project aims to describe the possible functionality of bacteria belonging to the phylum Planctomycetes in mangroves. Such organisms are still poorly studied, difficult to cultivate and mainly isolated from marine environments, water treatment and fish farming sites. Within this phylum are found microorganisms belonging to genera described as capable of performing the anaerobic oxidation of ammonium (anammox), a major transformation of nitrogen in environments with low oxygen availability. Here we aimed to describe the possible functionality of bacteria belonging to the phylum Planctomycetes in the mangroves. In order to achieve the target, it was initially performed a comparison of the Planctomycetes genomes with sequences obtained by metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, revealing the presence of sequences with similarity to those affiliated to unknown function and sulfatases. These are hydrolytic enzymes, which catalyze the cleavage of sulfate esters, releasing sulfur on its available form. The analysis of sequences from a metagenomic library (obtained from an oil-contaminated mangrove) allowed the visualization of genomic fragments related to Planctomycetes. It also revealed the presence of genes related with the production of sulfatases, besides the indication of specific genome arrangements, distinct from those describe in organisms allocated in this group, possibly indicating the occurrence of endemicity for Planctomycetes in mangroves. It was reinforced by the cultivation of isolates affiliated to this groups, whose have their affiliation confirmed by the partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene. Some isolates clustered composed new clusters within the Planctomycetes phylum, indicating the occurrence of new species. In sum, the characterization of this group by combining in sílico and in vivo analyses, allowed the confirmation of the occurrence of these organisms in mangroves, and generated the first insights about its functioning on this system, where it seems to occur in a differentiated form from those observed in other environments where it has been described.