This thesis is focused on problem data reconciliation of measurements. The objective of this thesis was reconciled measured value from electric drum dryer to suit exactly to the mathematical model of drying. For solution was used nonlinear data reconciliation with constrained nonlinear optimization. The entire calculation is processed in programme MATLAB and outputs are graphs of reconciled values of measurement on dryer such as inlet and outlet temperature and humidity, differential pressure of exhaust moisture air, weight of laundry, atmospheric pressure and electric supply. Achieved solution can by characterized by an amount of evaporated water. Weight of wet and dry laundry are 27,7 kg a 17,7 kg. The calculated amount of evaporated water from measurements was almost 18,8 kg. With reconciled measurements it was 9,7 kg. Goals of the thesis were found more realistic values.

Dieser Aufsatz verfolgt drei Linien, die sich ineinander verweben.  Erstens bilden Michail M. Bachtins Begriffe ‚Außerhalbbefindlichkeit‘, ‚Dialogizität‘, ‚Polyphonie‘ und ‚Intertextualität‘ wie auch einige von Bachtin beschriebenen genretypischen Romanhelden den Ausgangspunkt für Überlegungen zu Franz Kafkas Texten Der Heizer, Das Urteil, Die Verwandlung und Brief an den Vater sowie zu Briefen und Tagebuch­aufzeichnungen. Es handelt sich dabei um Untersuchungen zu dem Themenkomplex ‚Macht, Schuld und Liebe‘. Zweitens wird Franz Kafkas Kritik gegen die bürgerliche Moral und das patriarchalische Machtstreben geschildert. In diesem Zusammenhang wird der Psychoanalytiker Otto Gross präsentiert. Franz Kafkas Beziehung zu Otto Gross und die Rolle Kafkas im Kontext der Psychoanalyse werden beleuchtet. Zudem werden Franz Kafkas Neugestaltung der persönlichen Beziehungen und sein Eintreten für eine freiheitliche Pädagogik beschrieben. Drittens wird, ausgehend von Franz Kafkas Lesen von Texten von Franz Werfel und  Jonathan Swift, wie auch von seiner Begegnung mit dem Dadaisten Raoul Hausmann, über Kafkas Einstellung zum Lesen und Schreiben und über seine dialogische Praxis reflektiert. Bei diesem Gewebe, das auch Bezüge zur Nachkriegszeit beinhaltet, wird deutlich, dass sich Bachtin und Kafka in einem gemeinsamen europäisch-russischen Kontext bewegt haben, und dass Franz Kafkas Literaturverständnis auffallende Ähnlichkeiten mit Michail Bachtins Theorien aufweist.  Innerhalb von diesem Kontext haben sich Kafka, Bachtin und Gross für eine Kultur eingesetzt, welche die autoritären, monologischen Machtstrukturen unterwandert, indem sie freiheitliche Beziehungen und dialogische Literatur gestaltet.

Thesis (MScEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: All process measurements contain some element of error. Typically, a distinction is made between random errors, with zero expected value, and gross errors with non-zero magnitude. Data Reconciliation (DR) and Gross Error Detection (GED) comprise a collection of techniques designed to attenuate measurement errors in process data in order to reduce the effect of the errors on subsequent use of the data. DR proceeds by finding the optimum adjustments so that reconciled measurement data satisfy imposed process constraints, such as material and energy balances. The DR solution is optimal under the assumed statistical random error model, typically Gaussian with zero mean and known covariance. The presence of outliers and gross errors in the measurements or imposed process constraints invalidates the assumptions underlying DR, so that the DR solution may become biased. GED is required to detect, identify and remove or otherwise compensate for the gross errors. Typically GED relies on formal hypothesis testing of constraint residuals or measurement adjustment-based statistics derived from the assumed random error statistical model. Classification methodologies are methods by which observations are classified as belonging to one of several possible groups. For the GED problem, artificial neural networks (ANN’s) have been applied historically to resolve the classification of a data set as either containing or not containing a gross error. The hypothesis investigated in this thesis is that classification methodologies, specifically classification trees (CT) and linear or quadratic classification functions (LCF, QCF), may provide an alternative to the classical GED techniques. This hypothesis is tested via the modelling of a simple steady-state process unit with associated simulated process measurements. DR is performed on the simulated process measurements in order to satisfy one linear and two nonlinear material conservation constraints. Selected features from the DR procedure and process constraints are incorporated into two separate input vectors for classifier construction. The performance of the classification methodologies developed on each input vector is compared with the classical measurement test in order to address the posed hypothesis. General trends in the results are as follows: - The power to detect and/or identify a gross error is a strong function of the gross error magnitude as well as location for all the classification methodologies as well as the measurement test. - For some locations there exist large differences between the power to detect a gross error and the power to identify it correctly. This is consistent over all the classifiers and their associated measurement tests, and indicates significant smearing of gross errors. - In general, the classification methodologies have higher power for equivalent type I error than the measurement test. - The measurement test is superior for small magnitude gross errors, and for specific locations, depending on which classification methodology it is compared with. There is significant scope to extend the work to more complex processes and constraints, including dynamic processes with multiple gross errors in the system. Further investigation into the optimal selection of input vector elements for the classification methodologies is also required. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alle prosesmetings bevat ʼn sekere mate van metingsfoute. Die fout-element van ʼn prosesmeting word dikwels uitgedruk as bestaande uit ʼn ewekansige fout met nul verwagte waarde, asook ʼn nie-ewekansige fout met ʼn beduidende grootte. Data Rekonsiliasie (DR) en Fout Opsporing (FO) is ʼn versameling van tegnieke met die doelwit om die effek van sulke foute in prosesdata op die daaropvolgende aanwending van die data te verminder. DR word uitgevoer deur die optimale veranderinge aan die oorspronklike prosesmetings aan te bring sodat die aangepaste metings sekere prosesmodelle gehoorsaam, tipies massa- en energie-balanse. Die DR-oplossing is optimaal, mits die statistiese aannames rakende die ewekansige fout-element in die prosesdata geldig is. Dit word tipies aanvaar dat die fout-element normaal verdeel is, met nul verwagte waarde, en ʼn gegewe kovariansie matriks. Wanneer nie-ewekansige foute in die data teenwoordig is, kan die resultate van DR sydig wees. FO is daarom nodig om nie-ewekansige foute te vind (Deteksie) en te identifiseer (Identifikasie). FO maak gewoonlik staat op die statistiese eienskappe van die meting aanpassings wat gemaak word deur die DR prosedure, of die afwykingsverskil van die model vergelykings, om formele hipoteses rakende die teenwoordigheid van nie-ewekansige foute te toets. Klassifikasie tegnieke word gebruik om die klasverwantskap van observasies te bepaal. Rakende die FO probleem, is sintetiese neurale netwerke (SNN) histories aangewend om die Deteksie en Identifikasie probleme op te los. Die hipotese van hierdie tesis is dat klassifikasie tegnieke, spesifiek klassifikasiebome (CT) en lineêre asook kwadratiese klassifikasie funksies (LCF en QCF), suksesvol aangewend kan word om die FO probleem op te los. Die hipotese word ondersoek deur middel van ʼn simulasie rondom ʼn eenvoudige gestadigde toestand proses-eenheid wat aan een lineêre en twee nie-lineêre vergelykings onderhewig is. Kunsmatige prosesmetings word geskep met behulp van lukrake syfers sodat die foutkomponent van elke prosesmeting bekend is. DR word toegepas op die kunsmatige data, en die DR resultate word gebruik om twee verskillende insetvektore vir die klassifikasie tegnieke te skep. Die prestasie van die klassifikasie metodes word vergelyk met die metingstoets van klassieke FO ten einde die gestelde hipotese te beantwoord. Die onderliggende tendense in die resultate is soos volg: - Die vermoë om ‘n nie-ewekansige fout op te spoor en te identifiseer is sterk afhanklik van die grootte asook die ligging van die fout vir al die klassifikasie tegnieke sowel as die metingstoets. - Vir sekere liggings van die nie-ewekansige fout is daar ‘n groot verskil tussen die vermoë om die fout op te spoor, en die vermoë om die fout te identifiseer, wat dui op smering van die fout. Al die klassifikasie tegnieke asook die metingstoets baar hierdie eienskap. - Oor die algemeen toon die klassifikasie metodes groter sukses as die metingstoets. - Die metingstoets is meer suksesvol vir relatief klein nie-ewekansige foute, asook vir sekere liggings van die nie-ewekansige fout, afhangende van die klassifikasie tegniek ter sprake. Daar is verskeie maniere om die bestek van hierdie ondersoek uit te brei. Meer komplekse, niegestadigde prosesse met sterk nie-lineêre prosesmodelle en meervuldige nie-ewekansige foute kan ondersoek word. Die moontlikheid bestaan ook om die prestasie van klassifikasie metodes te verbeter deur die gepaste keuse van insetvektor elemente.

This thesis examined the predictive power of different strategies for future stock returns. The analysis was conducted using a data sample of 3976 firms traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ during a 29 year time horizon, from July 1986 to June 2015. Predictive powers of different strategies were also tested during three sub-periods and during bull and bear markets using both long-only and long/short portfolios to check whether the predictive power is robust. It was found that the FCF yield is a better indicator of future stock returns than the gross profitability. The difference between average monthly returns was significant during all tested time periods and market situations using both long-only and long/short portfolios. The newly introduced FCF profitable value strategy proved to be a better predictor of future stock returns than the profitable value strategy. The FCF profitable value strategy presents also an improvement over the FCF yield strategy. It was found that the FCF profitable value has a better predictive power for future stock returns than the FCF yield at least during some time periods or market situations. JEL Classification G11, G14, G15, G17 Keywords value investing, quality investing, gross profitability, free cash flow yield Author's e-mail...

Title: Developmental coordination disorder - literature review Objectives: The theoretical part talks about developmental coordination disorder, its diagnosis, investigations, etiology and division during the different ages of the child. The practical part compares the studies relating to atypical development of motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder. In diploma thesis was often used shortcut CKP and DCD, depending on the source from which it was drawn. DCD is the English equivalent of the shortcut CKP. Methods: This diploma thesis has both descriptively - analytical character. It will be treated as a literature review. Results: On the basis of the researched literary sources, this thesis provides a comprehensive picture on the topic of developmental coordination disorder. This thesis evaluated the atypical motor skills in school and preschool age children with developmental coordination disorder from the perspective of different authors. It has been found, which diagnostic procedures are used and which difficulties are most limiting for the children. Keywords: developmental coordination disorder, fine motor skills, hand function, gross motor skills

Title: The Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Gross and Fine Motor Skills of Individuals Objectives of the thesis: The main objective of my thesis is to assess an immediate effect of alcohol on selected tasks from the area of fine and gross motor skills. First identified were the average values for selected tests in sober individuals, and then the values with an increasing level of alcohol in blood. The second objective is to differentiate whether or not are fine and gross motor skills affected upon the same alcohol level in blood. Methods: The required data were obtained on the basis of experimental measurements on 12 probands (6 women and 6 men) who were tested for fine motor skills using three non- standardized tests modified or created for the purpose of this experiment: threading beads on a string, unlocking locks and dropping coins to a moneybox. Gross motor skills were tested using stabilometric platform in a standing position with legs together and with open eyes for 30 seconds. The observed parameter in the fine motor skills test was the time, while in the stability test it was the track of COP; each fine motor skills test was performed three times in each round. In the second and in each subsequent round every proband was administered 0.3 g of alcohol per kg of weight. The total number of...

The thesis deals with monitoring and analysis of the economic cycle in Slovakia between 1993 - 2009. Its aim was to assess the impact of fiscal and monetary policies on the economic cycle. Both policies should cooperate with each other and create a favorable environment for economic development. The goal of the monetary policy should be securing currency stability. The fiscal policy should aim for stable development in public finance. The thesis consists of five parts, which intersect each other. The first part explains the theoretical foundations of the economic cycles. It is followed by a chapter, in which different Slovak economy phases of the economic cycle are analyzed, with the help of indicators of internal and external balance, demand and supply side of GDP and indicators of monetary conditions. Work also includes an assessment of Slovakia's entry into the EMU in terms of revenues and expenses. This part is also focused on the process of nominal and real convergence of the Slovak economy before adopting Euro. The penultimate part of this thesis deals with a comparison of business cycles of V4 countries. The conclusion is focused on forecasting the economic development of the Slovak economy in 2011.

This thesis analyses if households’ confidence could be a significant variable to predicthouseholds’ debt growth in Sweden. Households’ debts have an important role in thefinancial system where the vulnerability of households’ debts has increased over time.To test whether households’ confidence is a significant variable for the prediction ofhouseholds’ debt growth in Sweden, an econometric model with the households’ debtchange as the dependent variable and the changes in the repo rate, unemployment, grossdomestic product and consumer confidence index as independent variables was used.Consumer confidence index was used as a proxy variable for households’ confidence.It was lagged by one time period in order to quantify if consumer confidence indexcould, with previous value, predict the households’ debt growth. The result showed thatthe households’ confidence was not significant to predict the households’ debt growth. / Denna uppsats har analyserat om hushållens förtroende är en signifikant variabel för attförutse hushållens skuldtillväxt i Sverige. De svenska hushållens skulder har ensignifikant betydelse för den svenska ekonomin. Men sårbarheten för dessa skulder harökat med tiden. För att testa om hushållens förtroende är en signifikant variabel för attförutse hushållens skuldtillväxt i Sverige har en ekonometrisk modell med förändringeni hushållens skulder som en beroende variabel och förändringen i reporäntan,arbetslöshet, bruttonationalprodukten och konsumentförtroendeindex som oberoendevariabler. Konsumentförtroendeindex användes som en ersättare för att mäta hushållensförtroende används. Den var fördröjd med en tidsperiod för att kunna testa omhushållens föregående uppfattningar påverkade framtida skuldtillväxt för hushållen.Resultaten från regressionsanalysen antyder på att hushållens förtroende inte är ensignifikant variabel för att kunna förutse hushållens skuldtillväxt.

Amplamente relacionado à forma com que os indivíduos valorizam as temáticas humanas, sociais e econômicas, o bem-estar pode ser vislumbrado sob diferentes aspectos, no entanto, todos intimamente atrelados entre si. Uma das formas de se observar o bem-estar é através da dimensão econômica, cujo enfoque é direcionado aos elementos que proporcionam maior nível de comodidade econômica e satisfação individual ou coletiva. Tendo em vista a importância de indicadores para subsidiar a implementação e monitoramento de políticas públicas, assim como disponibilizar informações transparentes à população, a construção de um índice de bem-estar econômico que busque captar a realidade econômica e regional dos estados brasileiros se justifica. Considerando o exposto, o presente estudo teve por objetivo a construção de um Índice de Bem-Estar Econômico (IBEE) para as unidades da federação brasileira, considerando os anos de 2002 e 2008. Especificamente, buscou-se verificar os níveis de bem-estar econômico e de seus sub-componentes nos anos de 2002 e 2008, além de compará-los entre os estados brasileiros. Ademais, fez-se a proposta de analisar comparativamente os resultados do IBEE em relação aos valores apresentados pelo PIB per capita. Por fim, objetivou-se a estimação do Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) a partir da substituição da variável renda que o compõe pelos valores obtidos no cômputo do IBEE, de forma a avaliar possíveis diferenças entre o IDH calculado de maneira convencional e o IDH modificado (IDH-M). O índice proposto foi composto por quatro dimensões distintas: Fluxos de Consumo, Riqueza Real Legado Intergeracional, Equidade e Seguridade Econômica. Os principais resultados demonstraram que, independentemente da ponderação utilizada, Santa Catarina foi o estado brasileiro que apresentou o maior bem-estar econômico em relação aos demais. Por outro lado, Alagoas foi o estado com pior desempenho, ocupando a última posição do ranking em todas as análises. A comparação entre o PIB per capita e o IBEE mostrou que, com exceção do Distrito Federal, todos os estados apresentaram o índice de bem-estar superior ao PIB per capita. Além disso, observou-se que o Distrito Federal perde sua vantagem quando considerados outros aspectos relacionados ao bem-estar econômico. Ademais, verificou-se que não há um comportamento regular entre os dois indicadores, ou seja, não é possível afirmar que um estado com elevado PIB por indivíduo necessariamente apresentará altos níveis de bem-estar econômico e vice-versa. A análise do IDH e do IDH-M permitiu observar que todas as unidades da federação apresentaram estimativas do índice modificado inferior ao IDH, sugerindo uma possível superestimação ao ser utilizada a renda per capita para estimação do acesso a recursos econômicos. Desta forma, a partir da necessidade de construção de uma medida sintética de bem-estar econômico, o IBEE apresenta-se como um índice capaz de mensurar de maneira mais adequada os distintos aspectos associados a um padrão de vida decente. / A way to evaluate the well-being of a society is through economic dimensions, which focuses directly on the elements that provide higher level of economic comfort, and individual or collective satisfaction. Given the importance of indicators to support the implementation and monitoring of public policies, as well as to provide clear information to the population, the elaboration of an index of economic well-being that seeks to capture the economic and regional reality of the Brazilian states is justified. The objective of this study is to build an Index of Economic Well-Being (IEWB) for the Brazilian federation units, considering the years 2002 and 2008. Specifically, we determine the levels of economic well-being and their sub-components in the years 2002 and 2008. Furthermore, we analyze comparatively the results of the IEWB in relation to the values presented by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. Finally, we estimate the Human Development Index (HDI) by substituting its \"income\" variable by the values obtained for the IEWB in order to evaluate possible differences between the standard HDI and the modified HDI (HDI-M). The proposed index was composed of four distinct dimensions: \"Consumption Flows\", \"Real Wealth Intergenerational Legacy\", \"Equity\" and \"Economic Security\". The main results demonstrated that, independently of the weights attributed in the index, Santa Catarina was the Brazilian state that revealed the highest economic well-being in relation to the others. On the other hand, Alagoas was the worst state. The comparison between GDP per capita and IEWB showed that, except for the Federal District, all states presented index of well-being greater than GDP per capita. In addition, it was observed that the Federal District loses its advantages when considering other aspects related to economic well-being. Moreover, it was found that there is not a regular behavior between the two indicators, consequently, it is not possible to assure that a state with a high GDP per capita will necessarily exhibit high levels of economic well-being and vice versa. The analysis of the HDI and the HDI-M allowed to observe that all federation units presented estimates of the modified index lower than the HDI, suggesting a possible overestimation when income per capita is used to evaluate the access to economic resources. Therefore, considering the necessity to construct a synthetic measure to determine the economic well-being, the IEWB demonstrated to be capable to measure more adequately the distinguished aspects associated with a decent standard of living.

O estudo consistiu de dois experimentos com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito metabólico, custos e viabilidade econômica de dietas com diferentes fontes nitrogenadas e teores proteicos. No primeiro experimento avaliou-se o efeito de dois teores de proteína bruta (PB) (130 e 148g/kg de MS) e duas fontes nitrogenadas (farelo de algodão 38 e grão de soja cru integral) na dieta de vacas leiteiras com cana de açúcar como volumoso, sobre as frações nitrogenadas do leite, balanço de nitrogênio e perfil metabólico. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas da raça Holandesa com 155 (±65) dias em lactação, agrupadas em três quadrados latinos 4x4 contemporâneos, com período experimental de 21 dias, sendo 14 dias para adaptação às dietas e os sete últimos para a realização das coletas. As vacas foram alojadas em baias individuais e alimentadas ad libitum. As amostras de leite para análise do balanço nitrogenado e frações nitrogenadas foram coletadas no 15° dia de cada período. O consumo e balanço de nitrogênio foram maiores para vacas alimentadas com dietas com 148 g PB/kg de MS. Por outro lado, vacas alimentadas com dietas contendo farelo de algodão apresentaram maior excreção de nitrogênio no leite do que vacas alimentadas com grão de soja cru integral. A relação entre caseína e proteína verdadeira no leite foi maior em vacas alimentadas com grão de soja cru integral. Houve interação entre fonte nitrogenada e teor de PB da dieta sobre as concentrações de nitrogênio ureico no leite (NUL) e nitrogênio não proteico (NNP). A concentração de NUL foi maior em vacas alimentadas com farelo de algodão e com maior teor de PB, em contrapartida houve menor excreção de NUL em vacas alimentadas com grão de soja com maior teor proteico. Não houve efeito das dietas sobre os teores de proteína do leite, nitrogênio não caseinoso (NNC), caseína e proteína do soro. Conclui-se que o uso de dietas com 130g de PB/Kg na MS não altera o balanço de nitrogênio e de composição do leite de vacas leiteiras em comparação com teores de 148g/Kg de PB na MS, e resultam em menor excreção de nitrogênio no ambiente. No segundo experimento foram calculados os custos e margens totais de dietas com cinco fontes nitrogenadas principais (ureia, farelo de soja, farelo de algodão, grão de soja cru integral e farelo de glúten de milho) e cinco teores proteicos (130, 145, 148, 157 e 160 g/kg de MS) com cana de açúcar como volumoso para vacas em lactação. Os dados foram provenientes de três estudos conduzidos com a finalidade de coleta de dados produtivos e respostas metabólicas. A análise econômica foi realizada com base nos preços históricos deflacionados (corrigidos do efeito da inflação) praticados durante o período 2002 a 2012, e no cálculo dos custos de alimentação, em função do consumo de alimento, da produção de leite e do teor de proteína bruta no leite. Dietas com cana de açúcar com teor proteico de 14,5% com ureia como fonte nitrogenada principal apresentaram a maior margem bruta (diferença entre a receita da venda do leite e do custo da dieta) com valor médio anual de R$1,85.vaca-1.dia-1. A dieta com 14,8% de PB com grão de soja cru integral apresentou a menor margem bruta de R$ 2,16.vaca-1.dia-1. / The study consisted of two experiments to evaluate the N balance and economical analysis of diets with different nitrogen sources and crude protein levels. On the first experiment it was evaluated the effect of two crude protein (CP) levels (130 e 148 g/kg DM) and two nitrogen sources (cottonseed meal 38% and whole raw soybean) in diets of dairy cows using sugar cane as forage on nitrogen in milk, nitrogen balance and metabolic parameters. Twelve Holstein cows with 155 (±65) days in lactation were distributed into three contemporary 4x4 Latin squares, with experimental period of 21 days, 14 days for diet adaptation and the remaining seven days for sampling. The cows were housed in individual pens and fed ad libitum. Milk samples for nitrogen balance and milk nitrogen fractions analysis were collected on the 15th day of each experimental period. Nitrogen intake and nitrogen balance were higher for the cows fed diets with 148 g CP/kg DM. However cows fed diets with cottonseed meal had higher nitrogen excretion in milk than cows fed diets with whole raw soybean. The casein: true milk protein ratio was higher in cows fed diets with whole raw soybean. There was interaction between the nitrogen source and the diet CP content on the milk urea nitrogen and non-protein nitrogen. Milk urea nitrogen was higher in cows fed diets with cottonseed meal and higher CP concentrations, however lower milk urea nitrogen was observed in cows fed diets with whole raw soybean and higher CP concentration. The concentration of crude protein, noncasein protein, casein and whey protein in milk did not differ between diets. In conclusion the use of low concentrations of protein (130g/Kg in MS) does not affect the performance of dairy cows and provides lower excretion of nitrogen in the environment. On the second experiment, the costs and the gross margin were calculated for diets formulated with five nitrogen sources (urea, soybean meal, cottonseed meal, whole raw soybean and corn gluten meal) and five protein levels (130, 145, 148, 157 e 160 g/kg DM) using sugar cane as forage. Performance data were obtained from three experiments conducted previously. Economical analysis were performed based on historical prices adjusted for the effect of inflation during the period between 2002 and 2012 and based on the feed costs, cow intake, milk prodution and milk protein levels. The higher gross margin (difference between the income from milk sale and diet costs) were obtained for 145 g/kg of CP in DM diets and urea as main nitrogen source, with mean of R$1,85.vaca-1.dia-1. The lower gross margin were observed in the 148 g/kg of CP in DM diet and whole raw soybean as nitrogen source, with mean of R$ 2,16.vaca-1.dia-1.