The Central Limpopo River Valley elephant population is a cross border population on which very little scientific data pertaining to numbers, distribution and demographic status is available. The total range was determined using published literature, reports, postal questionnaires and interviews. Numbers and dry season distribution were determined by means of three total aerial counts in 2000, 2001 and 2004 of the sections of the total range in which elephants were reported. Totals of 1388, 1424 and 1339 were recorded with the highest numbers in all counts in the Botswana section of the study area. Four sub groups within the population were identified. Human settlements and the distribution of rivers and fencing appeared to be the major factors influencing distribution and movement. The population is highly mobile within the total range, and numbers fluctuate markedly in any given section, but numbers in the total range appear to have been increasing slowly at below 2% per annum and the range expanding slightly over the last 30 years. Additional range is being provided by the creation of a Trans Frontier Conservation Area. Movements were determined through ground observations within the study area and seem to follow the major rivers namely the Shashe, Ramokgwabane, Simukwe, Shashani, Tuli, Umzingwane and Limpopo rivers. The social and demographic status of the population was determined through ground observations as well as total aerial counts conducted within the Northern Tuli Game Reserve from 1976 to 2004. The study has shown that group sizes increase with an increase in rainfall (average mean group size of 56.524, SDE 77.388) and decrease during low rainfall periods (mean group size of 24.157, SDE 22.223). The age structure was determined from aerial photographs during August 2000 and showed a high percentage of adults and sub adults, with infants estimated at 3%. The approximate birth rate (1.5%) calculated for 2000 is balanced by an average natural mortality determined between 1999 and 2004 of 1.8%. The inter calf interval determined from known herds observed in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve was estimated at 3.94% and suggests that the long-term birth rate for the population should be higher than that for the year 2000. The difference between the combined natural and human induced mortality rates (~4%) and the birth rate suggested by the age structure and the inter calf interval (~6%) gives the ~2% long-term increase observed in the numbers. Human elephant interactions within the study area were determined through published literature and interviews with local residents. Elephants and humans interact in both a positive and negative manor and interactions are related to human land use practices within the area. Elephants were indicated as the major problem animal in farming areas, but the major draw card within tourism operations. / Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

The aim of this study is to prove that there is a need for innovative teaching methods in the foreign language classroom. This need arises from the fact that traditional and more conventional teaching methods tend to focus on analytical learning and left brain hemisphere activity, thereby alienating learners that are more inclined to holistic, right brain learning. The current study addresses this problem by showing in which ways the learner of German as a foreign language can benefit from the inclusion of language games in lessons. The research is directed towards indicating that games provide a basis for stimulating all the senses, thereby facilitating total learning. Many learners of German as a foreign language seem to get stuck somewhere in the process of foreign language acquisition, seemingly unable to progress to an acceptable level of communicating/expressing themselves effectively in the foreign language. The objective of this study therefore is to show how the implementation of language games can dynamically work against this problem. Specifically, the goals of this research project are: 1 To show in which ways language games can be used not only to motivate foreign language learners, but also to lift the barrier where motivation has been blocked, 2 To show in which ways language games fulfill the requirements of total learning / holistic learning (using all the senses, stimulating both brain hemispheres etc.), 3 To show in which ways language games form part of a communicative approach, simulating real-life situations, thereby enabling foreign language speakers to communicate more effectively. The type of study conducted in this mini-dissertation is of an interpretive nature. Theories on motivation, total learning, communicative approaches and the didactic value of games/playing are discussed in the various chapters. Information, gathered from various literature sources, has been organized so as to facilitate comparison as data-analysis technique. From the resulting comparisons, the findings of various researchers/authors have been synthesized in order to draw conclusions regarding the role of language games. Some practical recommendations follow to indicate how foreign language lessons can be structured in such a way that language games can be implemented to the benefit of students of German as a foreign language. / Dissertation (MA (German))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Modern European Languages / unrestricted

The advancement in manufacturing technologies to produce high-performing engineered wood products (EWP) has allowed wood to be utilized beyond the traditional low-rise light-frame structures and to become a viable material option for much larger structures. Although glued-laminated timber (glulam) is included as a material option in the current blast code (CSA, 2012), its response to blast loading is not yet well documented. An experimental program investigating the behaviour of seventy glulam beams and columns was developed with focus on establishing the dynamic characteristics of glulam beams and columns with and without the effect of FRP reinforcement. A shock tube capable of simulating high strain rates similar to those experienced during blast was used. Thirty-eight beams with three different cross-sections were tested statically and dynamically to establish the high strain rate effects (dynamic increase factor). Six columns were also tested dynamically with axial load levels ranging from 15 to 75 % of the columns’ compression design capacity. Different retrofit configurations varying from simple tension reinforcement to U-shaped tension reinforcement with confinement using both unidirectional and bi-directional FRP were investigated on a total of twenty-six beams. A procedure capturing the strain-rate effects, variable axial load and FRP, was developed and found to be capable of predicting the flexural behaviour of the beams up to maximum resistance with reasonable accuracy when compared to experimentally obtained static and dynamic resistance curves. Implications on the design of both retrofitted and unretrofitted specimens are also discussed.

This work is primarily focused on using Competitive Intelligence (CI) in practice. Its purpose is primarily to use methods CI in a small family business to increase its competitiveness. For this purpose, the work used methods to analyze the information obtained, especially Porter's five forces model and SWOT analysis. These two methods allow analyze the business environment, evaluate its current position and define the competition. In order to increase the competitiveness, the work also analyzed the company website and their competitors, according to predefined criteria, mainly based on generally accepted WCAG 2.0. The contribution of this work in general is a practical demonstration of the possibility of using techniques CI in a small family business. In concrete terms it is mainly the evaluation of individual analyzes carried out, their conclusions and recommendations drawn from it and the "Draft strategy for increasing the competitiveness of businesses." This with the aim to improve the company's market position, enhance its competitiveness and improve its strategic planning. Due to the fact that CI is a theory today already quite well known and described in detail in many scientific studies and articles, in this work is described and defined only very briefly in the second chapter. The main part is devoted to collecting and analyzing information on the industry and competitors and their subsequent evaluation and making recommendations. The penultimate chapter is devoted to design a strategy to increase competitiveness.

A crescente demanda pelo treinamento resistido tem incentivado a procura de metodologias para a prescrição deste tipo de exercício. Por isso, há uma busca incessante para se prescrever corretamente qual parâmetro e/ou intensidade seja a ideal para a execução do exercício resistido. Dessa forma protocolos incrementais podem ser interessantes, uma vez que podem determinar a magnitude das respostas fisiológicas (principalmente lactato e consumo de oxigênio) em diferentes domínios (leve, moderado e alto), pois através deles é possível identificar parâmetros de aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia, como o limiar de lactato, limiar anaeróbio e carga crítica. No entanto, poucos estudos têm analisado de forma sistematizada diferentes intensidades de exercício resistido com o objetivo de determinar a magnitude das respostas cardiorrespiratórias, metabólicas e eletromiográficas para então propor estratégias reabilitadoras a indivíduos idosos baseada nestas respostas. Dessa forma, o objetivo principal desse estudo foi comparar as intensidades determinadas como limiar anaeróbio e carga crítica, em relação aos parâmetros de frequência cardíaca, ventilação, consumo de oxigênio, lactato, débito cardíaco, volume sistólico, além da análise eletromiográfica, entre jovens e idosos. Participaram deste estudo 35 homens ativos, sendo 20 jovens (média de idade de 23 ± 3 anos) e 15 idosos (média de idade de 70 ± 2,4 anos), aparentemente saudáveis. Todos os voluntários realizaram, de forma aleatória e em dias diferentes a: 1) teste de 1 RM em exercício resistido no Leg Press 45°; 2) teste de exercício físico resistido dinâmico crescente descontínuo; 3) três testes de exercícios resistidos de alta intensidade de carga constante (60%, 75% e 90% de 1 RM) até a fadiga e, após estes testes realizaram:, 4) teste de tolerabilidade no limiar anaeróbio, obtido através do teste crescente e, 5) teste de tolerabilidade da carga crítica obtida, pela regressão linear e relação hiperbólica entre carga e tempo de execução. Com relação ao limiar anaeróbio, obtido no teste incremental, foi possível determinar que este ocorreu em torno de 30% 1 RM e a carga crítica foi aproximadamente 52% 1 RM, para ambos os grupos. Com relação aos parâmetros estudados nas intensidades de exercício executadas, o envelhecimento mostrou ser determinante para uma redução nos valores relativos à capacidade aeróbia bem como na frequência cardíaca. Já com relação especificamente as intensidades do limiar anaeróbio e carga crítica, em ambos os grupos a ventilação, foi maior e consumo de oxigênio foi menor na intensidade da carga crítica. Já para as respostas de lactato, nós observamos menores valores para o grupo idoso, tanto para o limiar como na carga crítica. O débito cardíaco apresentou diferença apenas entre os grupos e não entre as intensidades, sendo que devido ao envelhecimento, houve redução dos valores. Já para a EMG, houve maiores quedas do slope da FM para idosos quando comparado aos jovens em 30%, e além disso, na intensidade de 30% acarretou em menor queda que em 52%. Ao comparar ao longo do tempo a FM e o RMS, o comportamento destes foi semelhantes nas duas intensidades, ou seja, de queda e aumento, respectivamente, o que é indicativo de maior fadigabilidade ao final do exercício. Além disso, a taxa de queda foi maior no grupo idoso, sendo que esse parâmetro é um indicador de maior fadiga muscular para este grupo. Entretanto, o comportamento do RMS ao final das duas intensidades foi menor nos idosos. Dessa forma, nossos resultados podem ter aplicações como uma forma de avaliar o desempenho funcional durante exercícios resistidos em diferentes populações e também pode ter utilidade na prescrição de um programa de treinamento dependo do objetivo a ser alcançado, elucidando a importância prática da aplicação de exercícios de resistência dinâmica. / The increasing demand for resistance training has motivated the search methodologies for prescribing this type of exercise. Therefore, there is a constant search to correctly prescribe which parameter and/or intensity is ideal for the implementation of resistance exercise. Thus incremental protocols may be interesting, since they can determine the magnitude of physiological responses (mainly lactate and oxygen consumption) in different domains (mild, moderate and high), because it is possible through them to identify parameters of aerobic and anaerobic fitness as the lactate threshold, anaerobic threshold and critical load. However, few studies have examined systematically different resistance exercise intensities form in order to determine the magnitude of the cardiorespiratory, metabolic and electromyographic responses and then propose the elderly rehabilitation strategies based on these answers. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the intensities determined as anaerobic threshold and critical load, with respect to heart rate parameters, ventilation, oxygen consumption, lactate, cardiac output, stroke volume, besides the electromyographic analysis, between young and senior citizens. The study included 35 active men, 20 young (mean age 23 ± 3 years) and 15 older adults (mean age 70 ± 2.4 years), apparently healthy. All volunteers pertormed randomly on different days to: 1) 1 RM test in resistance exercise in Leg Press 45º; 2) dynamic resistance exercise test growing discontinuous; 3) three tests of resistance exercise high intensity constant load (60%, 75% and 90% of 1 RM) to failure and after these tests, performed 4) tolerance test at the anaerobic threshold, obtained by increasing test, 5) tolerability test critical load obtained by linear regression and hyperbolic relationship between load and runtime. Regarding the anaerobic threshold obtained in the incremental test, was determined that this occurred around 30% 1 RM and the critical load was approximately 52% 1 RM for both groups. As for the parameters studied in the exercise intensities performed, aging proved to be decisive for a reduction in the relative values of aerobic capacity and heart rate. In relation specifically the intensities of the anaerobic threshold and critical load in both grups, ventilation was higher and oxygen consumption was lower in the intensity of the critical load. As for the lactate responses, we observed lower values for the elderly group, both the threshold and the critical load. Cardiac output was difference only between groups and not between the intensities, and due to aging, decreased the values. As for EMG, was greater MF of the slope falls to elderly compared to 30% in young, and furthermore, intensity of 30% fall which resulted in less by 52%. Comparing over time RMS and MF, was similar in behavior of the two intensities, ie, increase and decrease, respectively, which is indicative of greater fatigue at the end of exercise. Furthermore, the decrease rate was higher in the elderly group, and this parameter is an indicator of increased muscle fatigue for this group. However, RMS behavior at the end of the two intensities were lower in the elderly. Thus, our results may have applications as a way to evaluate the functional performance during resistance training in different populations and can also be useful in prescribing a training program depend on the objective to be achieved, explaining the practical importance of the application of resistance exercise dynamics.

O efeito da injeção do lactato de potássio associado ao uso de atmosfera modificada com alto oxigênio sobre músculos Longissimus lumborum de bovinos machos inteiros foi avaliado. Foram utilizados animais anelorados (com características fenotípicas de Nelore) com diferentes faixas de pH final (pHf - 48h post mortem). Foram coletados 18 músculos e divididos em 3 grupos, sendo eles: baixo (controle; 5,4 < pHf < 5,8), intermediário (5,81 < pHf < 6,3) e alto (pHf > 6,3). Na primeira etapa, foi injetada em cada músculo uma solução de lactato de potássio a 2,5%, em seguida foram cortados em bifes, embalados em atmosfera modificada contendo 80% de oxigênio e 20% de gás carbônico e estocados no escuro a 2 ± 1ºC durante 5 dias. Posteriormente, estes seguiram para um expositor refrigerado com iluminação e temperatura controlada (2 ± 1ºC), onde permaneceram por 9 dias, completando 14 dias de vida útil. Análises de composição gasosa, pH, composição centesimal, sensorial de odor, avaliação microbiológica, oxidação lipídica e cor instrumental foram realizadas nos dias: 0, 5, 8, 11 e 14. Os resultados estatísticos obtidos foram analisados pelo método de medidas repetidas no tempo e também utilizando análise não-paramétrica. A oxidação lipídica foi menor (P < 0,05) e apresentou maior estabilidade em músculos com pHf alto. Não houveram diferenças (P > 0,05) na análise sensorial de odor entre os grupos. A contagem microbiana permaneceu dentro dos limites aceitáveis para consumo humano. Os grupos de pHf intermediário e alto apresentaram uma maior (P < 0,05) estabilidade da cor (maiores valores de a*, croma e oximioglobina). Nas condições do presente estudo, a injeção do lactato de potássio associada à atmosfera com alto oxigênio atuou beneficamente na estabilidade da cor e vida útil de músculos de pHf intermediário e alto. Pode-se concluir que a injeção desta solução é uma alternativa viável para tornar a aparência de bifes provenientes de músculos L. lumborum mais atrativa para o consumidor por meio da estabilização da cor, sem prejudicar a vida útil mesmo nas condições de embalagem utilizadas. / The effect of potassium lactate enhancement in a high oxygen modified packaging on bulls\' Longissimus lumborum was studied. Zebu animals (with phenotypic characteristics of Nellore) animals with different range of ultimate pH (pHu - 48h post mortem) were used. Eighteen muscles were collected and segregated into three groups, wich were: low (control; 5.4 < pHu < 5.8), intermediate (5.81 < pHu < 6.3) and high (pHu > 6.3). In the first stage, a 2.5% potassium lactate solution was injected into each muscle, then they were cut into steaks, packaged in a modified atmosphere containing 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide and stored in the dark at 2 ± 1ºC for 5 days. Later, they were displayed with light and controlled temperature (2 ± 1ºC), where remained for 9 days, completing 14 days of shelf life. Gas composition, pH, proximate analysis, odor sensory, microbiological evaluation, lipid oxidation and instrumental color analysis were performed on days: 0, 5, 8, 11 and 14. The statistical results were analyzed by the method of repeated measurements over time and also using non-parametric analysis. The lipid oxidation decreased (P < 0.05) and showed greater stability on high pHu treatment. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between the treatments on odor sensory analysis. Microbial counts remained within acceptable limits for human consumption. The intermediate and high pHu groups had a higher (P < 0.05) color stability (higher values of a*, chroma and oxymyoglobin). Under the conditions of this study, the potassium lactate enhancement associated with high oxygen atmosphere (Hi-Ox MAP) can be an alternative to increase color stability and shelf life of intermediate and high pHu muscles. It can be concluded that the injection of this solution is a viable alternative to make L. lumborum steaks appearance more attractive to the consumer through the color stabilization, without sacrificing shelf life even under packaging conditions used.

Legal means of protecting minority members of a limited liability company in case of increase of share capital by making additional contributions Abstract This Master Thesis deals with legal means of protecting minority members of a limited liability company in case of increase of share capital by making additional contributions. The main objective is to explore and analyze legal remedies that are embodied in the Business Corporations Act. Primarily whether these remedies, in accordance with their protective purpose, ensure protection of minority shareholders against deterioration, and also functioning and possibilities of achieving the purpose for which the company was established is taken into account. The main methods in the elaboration of this diploma thesis were bibliography research and research on case law, especially of the Czech courts, and the subsequent analytical method. With the help of abstraction and subsequent synthesis of the obtained information, the individual partial and main conclusions are generalized. Among the most used methods of interpretation are linguistic, systematic, logical, and teleological method. This thesis is divided into four main chapters. Each chapter is internally divided into subchapters, which are then in some cases structured into individual points. The first two...

The Diploma thesis on the topic of Increased performance turbomachinery in EDU the NPR changing describes in detail some important devices of technology system of the secondary circuit of Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant together with their task in the thermal circulation. There is a computational model of secondary circuit according to the present thermal schema created in the main part of the thesis. At the end of the thesis, the possibilities of the increase of the terminal power of turbomachinery, specifically of the turbogenerator, by the exhange of low-pressure heaters (NPR) are stated. Obtained results are documented by drawings of the thermal schemes.

This master thesis is focused on the design of earthing switch for the indoor three pole generator disconnector from IVEP, a.s. The main task of the theoretical part of the master thesis was mechanical and electrical calculations on the contact system and the design of two variants of earthing switch construction. It has been proposed two variants of earthing switch construction. The first variant included three earthing knives for each pole of earthing switch and the other variant included two earthing knives for each pole. The aim of the practical part of this diploma thesis was to create a model of the earthing switch for generator disconnector, to simulate the heating of the contact system by passing the short-circuit current and to prepare the production documentation. For modeling, calculations and simulations were used Autodesk Inventor 2018, Matlab and Ansys Workbench.

The thesis deals with the analysis of customer satisfaction and suggestions for improvement of its level in IPI s.r.o.. The theoretical part is focused on the interpretation of concepts that are related to the given issues. Further the results of the questionnaire survey are analyzied, the relevant analyzes of the company are described and at the end of the thesis there are recommendations and suggestions that will lead to increasing the satisfaction of the customers in the selected company.