Purpose: This study aims to (1) describe and analyse the local ground operator’s role in the network of the Botswana tourism industry, (2) to investigate what factors characterize and influence their relationships with foreign tour operators, as well as (3) to provide implications for improving these relations. Methodology: This study has been conducted as a case study, where the empirical data was collected during a two months field trip to Botswana. A qualitative research method, and a deductive approach has been used. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with ground operators to get their perspective of their own situation, and one with a person representing a governmental organisation. Most data was collected through the interviews, but participating observation also served as a source of information. The validity and reliability of the study has been enhanced by defining core concepts, interviewing several respondents, using an interview guide and recording most of the interviews. Results: Local ground operators play are crucial role in the network of Botswana’s tourism industry, as they are engaged in a high number of business relationships, are bringing the services at the destination together, and are connecting them to the tourists. They play a role as both customers and suppliers. Their relationship to tour operators abroad consists of a lot of resource ties, activity links as well as some actor bonds. Trust is found to be a very essential part of the relationship, and they perceive themselves as being dependent on the tour operators. Culture is not identified as a major influencing factor. As for managerial recommendations, a better communication in expectations and an increased adaptation of products and processes, to create customer dependence, are among the results advised.

This thesis focuses on reliability when testing gear efficiency and on how gear mesh efficiency can be increased without detrimental effects on the gears. Test equipment commonly used in gear research was analysed to identify important parameters for gear efficiency testing. The effect of the bearing model's load-dependent losses on gear mesh efficiency was also investigated. Two different surface finishes of gears, ground and superfinished, were investigated to determine how two different load levels during running-in affect gear mesh efficiency and changes in surface roughness. Efficiency and gear temperature were also measured for ground and superfinished gears with dip lubrication, as well as two different forms of spray lubrication (before and after gear mesh contact). Tests on a gear test rig, showed that different assemblies of the same test setup can yield different measurements of torque loss. The applied bearing model had a significant effect on the estimated gear mesh efficiency. The mesh efficiency of ground gears is affected by the running-in procedure, with a higher running-in load resulting in a higher mesh efficiency than a lower load. This effect was not seen for superfinished gears, which show the same gear mesh efficiency for both running-in loads. Gearbox efficiency increased with spray lubrication rather than dip lubrication. The gear mesh efficiency increased, and thus gear temperatures were reduced, when superfinished gears were used rather than ground gears. A lower gear temperature was measured when gears were spray lubricated at the mesh inlet rather than the mesh outlet. / <p>QC 20170314</p>

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1993 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / In support of the various programs that the Phillips Laboratory's Space Experiments Directorate is conducting for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO), the Range Operations Division is developing a mobile telemetry processing system as part of the Mobile Ground Telemetry Station (MGTS) program. The MGTS program's goals are to develop a mission-dedicated telemetry system to supplement current test range capabilities by receiving, processing and recording multiple data streams, sometimes exceeding 10 Mbps. The system will support airborne and suborbital vehicles as well as customized satellite downlinks designed for spacecraft bus State-of-Health monitoring and sensor payload observations. Autonomy and off-road capabilities are also important factors since some of the operations envisioned require deployment to remote field locations where no telemetry processing capabilities currently exist to support the unique data handling requirements. The Phillips Laboratory has completed, with support from Wyle Laboratories and Systems Engineering and Management Company (SEMCO), a "proof-of-concept" mobile telemetry processing system referred to as MGTS #2. Demonstration of the system has been accomplished with the successful deployment and operational support provided to both BMDO's Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) sub-orbital missions and Miniature Sensor Technology Integration (MSTI) satellite program. MGTS #2 has deployed and is scheduled for further deployment to various operating sites including: White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM; Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), Edwards AFB, CA; Vandenberg AFB, CA; and NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility, VA. While deployed MGTS #2 processes, records and rapidly distributes the critical mission telemetry data conforming to both IRIG and SGLS standards. This paper will describe the evolution of the MGTS program, current hardware configurations and the various mission scenarios that have been supported by the MGTS team.

This practical thesis aims to reform the use of plant material in landscape architecture projects in the Najd or Central Region of Saudi Arabia. Many aspects of landscape architecture in Najd attempt to emulate western concepts. Neglect or unawareness of the values of Arabic society is one of the main reasons for the failure of the landscape programme. This factor of traditional culture is particularly sensitive in Najd which is the birthplace of Whabism, one of the strictest applications of Islam. This implies special conditions that made outdoor design sensitive and complicated, unable to tolerate western forms. Western urban patterns in planning, such as wide streets, neighbourhood parks and their detailed components of artifacts and plant materials, all shattered the character of traditional landscape architecture in the region. Although indigenous landscape elements in Najd evolved as a result of socio-environmental factors, many consultants do not differentiate between Persian, Islamic, and Najdi gardens. The inventory of available plant species indicates that most are imported from tropical and subtropical countries. These species require stripping of soil from wadi Hanifah for potting, and for top soiling planting projects, a process destructive to the rich wadi habitat. Such a process is necessary when using imported plant material while native ones can adapt to the existing sandy and saline soil. The devastation of the wadi ecosystem, the saline water table and the high cost of maintaining those plants, represents serious short and long term economic, ecological and technical implications. These implications all point to the scale of these negative consequences of using imported plant material. Also, climatic data, points to the suitability and adaptability of native flora and its significance in avoiding further damage to eco-environment. Use of imported plants in arid Najd and creating a man-made micro climate to suit them, is a waste of resources, especially the water budget in Saudi Arabia. The thesis proves that these plants consume large amounts of water, require high levels of maintenance, are unsuitable to Najdi environment, introduce new pests and diseases, require special microclimatic conditions, rich soil and prove unsuccessful in their functions. All the previous factors combine to acknowledge the failure of many tropical gardens in the arid land of Najd. The answer lies in Najd itself which is wealthy in flora adapted to its local conditions. The potential for their use in Saudi Arabian landscape projects is vast. Individually they will substitute for the imported nursury stock, while the available communities represent a ready-made and complete landscape element which would be valuable for Najdi parks. The general question, the comparative advantages of native over imported plants is conclusively answered in the thesis. Though the native plants are diverse, attractive and available, they were tested practically aiming at, firstly to test the individual species, the "target species method", and secondly to test the whole community "target community method". Three test sites were allocated in the Diplomatic Quarter to test the selected target species and communities. The tests were conducted extensively over five years and intensively over three years, during which the author monitored closely a large number of species and communities and arrived at an encouraging set of results and findings. The conclusion of the thesis consists of two parts. Firstly, the successful species which is included in a Flora, and the successful target communities which use selected target communities as a landscape design tool. These are aimed specifically at landscape designers. Secondly, the author recommends how to utilize both methods in a typical Najdi urban park, and how to encourage their successful use.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited. / Ground penetrating radars (GPRs), also known as subsurface radars, are used in many applications including detection of land mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Despite significant long-term investment in GPRs for mine and UXO detection, it remains true that no GPR system that meets operational requirements has yet been fielded; however, recent advances in several mine detection radars under development have produced significant improvements in detection performance and false-alarm mitigation over what was achievable only a few years ago. This research examines the suitability of modeling helical antennas to achieve a broadband characteristic for GPR implementation. Although the two-arm counter-wound helix provides the required spot illumination, it is expected that more arms may have to be added to reduce the radiation in the back direction and to match the input impedance to the feed line. Microwave Design Studio (MDS) has been used extensively to simulate the broadband characteristics of the helical antenna. An overall design strategy is outlined, together with a more detailed treatment of the ground penetrating radar subsystems and topics that are relevant to effective subsurface radar operation. These include soil characterization, the choice of the frequency of operation, as well as the design and construction of suitable helical antennas. Finally, a new antenna structure called the counter-wound quadrifilar helical antenna (CQHA), which is suitable for subsurface radar applications, is examined. The counter-wound quadrifilar helical antenna has a broad bandwidth and a linear polarization with a controllable plane of polarization from a planar geometry. / Major, Republic of Singapore Air Force

The aim of this study is to propose an alternative approach in prognostics for airborne avionics system in order to enhance maintenance process and aircraft availability. The objectives are to analyse the dependency of avionic systems for fault propagation behaviour degradation, research and develop methods to predict the remaining useful life of avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRU), research and develop methods to evaluate and predict the degradation performances of avionic systems, and lastly to develop software simulation systems to evaluate methods developed. One of the many stakeholders in the aircraft lifecycle includes the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry. The predictable logistics process to some degree as an outcome of IVHM gives benefit to the MRO industry. In this thesis, a new integrated numerical methodology called ‘System Level Airborne Avionic Prognostics’ or SLAAP is developed; looking at a top level solution in prognostics. Overall, this research consists of two main elements. One is to thoroughly understand and analyse data that could be utilised. Secondly, is to apply the developed methodology using the enhanced prognostic methodology. Readily available fault tree data is used to analyse the dependencies of each component within the LRUs, and performance were simulated using the linear Markov Model to estimate the time to failure. A hybrid approach prognostics model is then integrated with the prognostics measures that include environmental factors that contribute to the failure of a system, such as temperature. This research attempts to use data that is closest to the data available in the maintenance repair and overhaul industry. Based on a case study on Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), the prognostics methodology developed showed a sufficiently close approximation to the Mean Time Before Failure (MTBF) data supplied by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). This validation gives confidence that the proposed methodology will achieve its objectives and it should be further developed for use in the systems design process.

Microsite disturbances – including mounds created by burrowing mammals – increase local plant community diversity by supporting unique species assemblages. I investigated whether Richardson’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii) mounds support unique plant assemblages within five Manitoba prairie pastures, and explored the factors contributing to the plant assemblages documented. Richardson’s ground squirrel mounds supported unique species assemblages relative to bare-ground disturbances with removal of vegetation but no soil disturbance. These detectable shifts in plant community structure on mounds appear to be attributable to mound-specific environmental conditions responsible for delaying vegetative recolonization and facilitating establishment of early-succession species. In contrast, seed bank distribution did not appear to influence species assemblages on mounds. Further investigation into site-specific changes in species distribution on Richardson’s ground squirrel mounds is needed to appreciate the role of these burrowing mammals in pastureland communities. / February 2017

How do infants segment objects from the complex visual environment? Investigations of figure-ground perception have been dominated by studies assessing infants' sensitivity to depth and figure cues; few studies have assessed what information infants' use to perceive figures as separate from grounds. Research examining word segmentation suggests that statistical learning might aid segmentation in visual scenes. Despite the numerous studies investigating figure-ground segmentation, none have investigated the role of spatial transitional probabilities as a means for segmentation. To examine this question, we used a habituation/familiarity-preference procedure to assess whether background variability enables 5.5-month-old infants' perception of figures as separate from the background. The results of Experiments 1 and 2 indicated that statistical learning extends to scene segmentation, scene contexts allowed extraction of statistical distribution. Experiment 3 demonstrated that matching the configuration of visual arrays during training and test is essential; mismatched stimuli impede the measurement of segmentation.

This study examines the effects of using the internal audit function as a training ground for management and fraud magnitude on internal auditor fraud reporting decisions. Using a 2x2 between-participants experiment, the current study manipulates the use of the internal audit function as a management training ground (used as a training ground vs. not used as a training ground) and fraud magnitude (large fraud, defined as 30 percent of net income vs. small fraud, defined as one percent of net income). The results indicate that internal auditors may be less likely to report a fraud to their superior when the internal auditors are being groomed for management positions. No effect is found for fraud magnitude, as respondents indicated a similar willingness to report small frauds as large frauds. These findings contribute to the whistleblowing literature and the internal audit objectivity literature by demonstrating that undesirable repercussions associated with using the internal audit function as a management training ground can extend to the internal auditor fraud reporting decision.

Since the ancient years, human beings were using holes and caves to protect themselves from weather conditions making it the first known form of exploiting ground’s heat, known as Geothermal Energy. Nowadays, geothermal energy is mainly used for electricity production, space heating and cooling, Ground Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) applications, and many other purposes depending on the morphology of the ground and its temperature. This study presents results of investigations into the evaluation of the thermal properties of the ground in Cyprus. The main objectives were i) to determine the thermal characteristics of the ground in Cyprus, ii) investigate how they affect the sizing and positioning of Ground Heat Exchangers (GHE) and iii) present the results for various ground depths, including a temperature map of the island, as a guide for engineers and specifiers of GCHPs. It was concluded that there is a potential for the efficient exploitation of the thermal properties of the ground in Cyprus for geothermal applications leading to significant savings in power and money as well. Six new boreholes were drilled and two existing ones were used for the investigation and determination of i) the temperature of the ground at various depths, ii) its thermal conductivity, iii) its specific heat and iv) its density. The thermal conductivity was determined by carrying out experiments using the line source method and was found to vary in the range between 1.35 and 2.1 W/mK. It was also observed that the thermal conductivity is strongly affected by the degree of saturation of the ground. The temperature of the undisturbed ground in the 8 borehole locations was recorded monthly for a period of 1 year. The investigations showed that the surface zone reaches a depth of 0.25 m and the shallow zone 7 to 8 m. The undisturbed ground temperature in the deep zone was measured to be in the range of 18.3 °C to 23.6 °C and is strongly dependent on the soil type. Since the ground temperature is a vital parameter in ground thermal applications, the temperature of the ground in locations that no information is available was predicted using Artificial Neural Networks and the temperature map of the island at depths of 20 m, 50 m and 100 m was generated. Data obtained at the location of each borehole were used for the training of the network. Data for the sizing of GHEs based on the ground properties of Cyprus were presented in an easily accessible form so that they can be used as a guide for preliminary system sizing calculations. With the aid of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software the capacity of the GHEs in each location and the optimum distance between them was estimated. Additionally, the long term temperature variation of the ground was investigated. For the first time since a limited study in the 1970’s, a research focusing on the determination and presentation of the thermal properties of the ground in Cyprus has been carried out. Additionally, the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) is an innovative approach for the prediction of data at locations where no information is available. The publication of this information not only contributes to knowledge locally but also internationally as it enables comparison with other countries with similar climatic conditions to be carried out.