Gyroscopes are inertial sensors that measure the rate or angle of rotation. One of the most promising technologies for reaching a high-performance MEMS gyroscope has been development of the micro-hemispherical shell resonator. (μHSR) This thesis presents the electronic control and read-out interface that has been developed to turn the μHSR into a fully functional micro-hemispherical resonating gyroscope (μHRG) capable of measuring the rate of rotation. First, the μHSR was characterized, which both enabled the design of the interface and led to new insights into the linearity and feed-through characteristics of the μHSR. Then a detailed analysis of the rate mode interface including calculations and simulations was performed. This interface was then implemented on custom printed circuit boards for both the analog front-end and analog back-end, along with a custom on-board vacuum chamber and chassis to house the μHSR and interface electronics. Finally the performance of the rate mode gyroscope interface was characterized, showing a linear scale factor of 8.57 mv/deg/s, an angle random walk (ARW) of 34 deg/sqrt(hr) and a bias instability of 330 deg/hr.

The success or failure of implementing affirmative action lies with the management of enterprises. This research - based on a literature study, questionnaires completed by 200 respondents and the researcher's model for the implementation of affirmative action - focuses on management's views on aspects of importance for affirmative action to succeed in the enterprise. From the views of management it is clear that • the more closely affirmative action impinges on the career expectations of the current incumbents, the more resistance and non ownership can be expected • the affirmative action message must be communicated sincerely and positively • diversity management must change drastically to focus on educating persons to understand not only themselves, but also others of different backgrounds, race, gender, skills, persuasion and experience • the enterprise needs to accelerate the process to identify potential, training and development processes as well as performance coaching of disadvantaged groups Meeting the above challenges, will require mutual trust, respect and communication. / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Die bestuur van ondernemings bepaal die sukses of mislukking by die implementering van regstellende optrede. Die navorsing - gebaseer op 'n literatuurstudie, vraelyste ingevul deur 200 respondente en die navorser se model vir die implementering van regstellende optrede - fokus op bestuur se menings aangaande aspekte van belang vir die sukses van regstellende optrede in die onderneming. Vanuit bestuur se menings is dit duidelik dat • hoe grooter inbreuk regstellende optrede maak op die beroepsverwagtinge van die huidige bekleers, hoe sterker weerstand en nie-eienaarskap kan van hulle verwag word • die regstellende optrede boodskap moet eerlik en positief gekommunikeer word • die bestuur van diversiteit se fokus drasties moet verander om individue te leer om nie net hulself nie, maar ook ander van verskillende agtergrond, bevolkingsgroep, geslag, vaardighede, oortuigings en ondervinding te verstaan • die onderneming die prosesse moet versnel wat betrekking het op die identifisering van potensiaal, opleiding en ontwikkeling asook prestasierigleiding van die benadeelde groepe Ten einde aan bogenoemde uitdagings te voldoen, sal wedersydse vertroue, respek en kommunikasie vereis / Economics and Management Sciences / M.Com. (Business Management)

This thesis addresses the division that exists between theory and praxis. Theology in general and practical theology as a specific discipline has allowed this division to arise and indeed grow. The problem facing us is that faith communities now operate out of blind theory and/or blind praxis. To address this situation a reintegration of the theory and practice of the entire ecclesial praxis is needed. This thesis proposes “Practical Theological Ecclesiology” as the way forward. Practical theological ecclesiology is defined as: The dynamic critical purposeful engagement with the human-divine interactive life of the ecclesial praxis to: ground, integrate, align and improve its essence and expression dimensions as the revelational incarnational sign of God and his purposes in and for the world and directed toward his eschatological kingdom goal. Practical theological ecclesiology addresses both the abstractness of pure ecclesiology and the pragmatics of the praxis through the development of an operational ecclesiology model that integrates the essence, expression and goal dimensions of the ecclesial praxis. By applying the operational ecclesiology model to praxis, practical theological ecclesiology, through the tasks of grounding, integrating, aligning and improving, uncover the gaps that exist in and between the theory and praxis of a faith community. The resulting analysis provides ecclesial pictures of what is, compared to what should be, according to the operational ecclesiology model. The areas of ecclesial life which need to be grounded, integrated, aligned and improved are therefore exposed for ongoing work. Historical and contemporary research of the Christian Community Churches of Australia, provide the data for a case study which illustrates the potential and the analysis process of practical theological ecclesiology. The research underlines the importance of having an integrated operational ecclesiology, of grounding and integrating the theory, of aligning of theory and praxis, and of providing improvement direction for the praxis, thus removing theory and praxis division, avoiding both blind theory and blind praxis, and giving a clear pathway for the future . / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Made available in DSpace on 2011-05-04T12:42:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010 / A coordenação dos cuidados é um tema pendente tanto para os países europeus, quanto para países latinoamericanos. Mudanças no perfil epidemiológico, sobretudo, predomínio das doenças crônicas e a reconhecida fragmentação dos sistemas de saúde e a descontinuidade na prestação do cuidado tornaram premente a busca de soluções. A coordenação dos cuidados pode ser definida como a articulação entre os diversos serviços e ações relacionados à atenção em saúde de forma que, independentemente do local onde sejam prestados, estejam sincronizados e voltados ao alcance de um objetivo comum. O presente estudo teve por objetivo descrever e analisar o desenvolvimento de estratégias e instrumentos de coordenação dos cuidados em municípios brasileiros com experiências exitosas de expansão e consolidação da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) com base em dois eixos: fortalecimento da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) e integração entre níveis assistenciais . Partiu-se de duas premissas. Somente uma APS fortalecida em seus atributos essenciais poderia assumir a coordenação doscuidados. Logo, nos interessou saber quais as iniciativas empreendidas pelos municípios brasileiros para fortalecer a ESF. Segundo, sendo a integração da rede um elemento necessário para alcançar melhor coordenação dos cuidados, quais as estratégias e instrumentos desenvolvidos por grandes centros urbanos para integrar a ESF aos demais níveis do sistema? Os municípios analisados foram Aracaju, Belo Horizonte, Florianópolis e Vitória. A consolidação de uma APS forte foi avaliada pela posição ocupada pela ESF no sistema de saúde, capacidade de resolução, reconhecimento profissional e social de seus trabalhadores, descentralização das ações de saúde coletiva para a APS e conseqüentes reflexos no acesso e utilização dos serviços. As estratégias de integração entre níveis assistenciais foram descritas e analisadas com base na identificação das estruturas de regulação da rede de serviços de saúde, instrumentos de integração e de continuidade informacional e organização de fluxos. Neste estudo não tivemos como objetivo medir ou avaliar a coordenação dos cuidados em si, mas descrever e analisar elementos que contribuam para sua consecução. Os resultados apresentados são produtos de três fontes principais, trianguladas para responder às perguntas de investigação: entrevistas com gestores e estudos transversais com aplicação de questionários a amostra de famílias cadastradas e profissionais das equipes de Saúde da Família. Os resultados apontam que em todos os municípios foram identificadas ações para fortalecer as estruturas de APS no contexto do Sistema Único de Saúde, em etapas distintas de implementação. As iniciativas mais exitosas foram aquelas que buscaram ampliar a acessibilidade, consolidar a função de porta de entrada, aumentar sua capacidade resolutiva e articular medidas de saúde pública, vigilância e assistência. Ainda assim, permanecem desafios para melhor equalizar atendimento à demanda espontânea e à programada de formamais resolutiva e para tornar a Unidade de Saúde da Família o serviço de uso regular. A baixa credibilidade e o insuficiente reconhecimento dos profissionais de atenção primária representam obstáculo à coordenação dos cuidados por esse nível de atenção. Em relação à integração da rede, estratégias semelhantes, com resultados diferenciados, foram encontradasnos quatro casos como investimentos em sistemas informatizados e descentralizados de regulação, monitoramento das filas de espera, aumento da oferta de serviços próprios municipais, implantação de protocolos clínicos e prontuários eletrônicos. Ainda assim, a ausência de regulação e de fluxos formais para a atenção hospitalar torna incompleto o processo de integração da rede. A insuficiência na oferta de atenção especializada, agravada pela pouca integração entre prestadores estaduais e municipais foi outra dificuldade identificada. A quase ausência de contra-referência também minimiza as possibilidades de coordenação dos cuidados pela equipe de APS. O retrato oferecido pela pesquisa mostra que Belo Horizonte e Vitória apresentaram sistematicamente melhores resultados na avaliação de profissionais e usuários em relação aos dois eixos de análise. Pode-se afirmar que a APS se fortaleceu e está mais integrada à rede nos casos estudados, embora ainda não seja acoordenadora de todo o ciclo de cuidados. A necessidade de estabelecer objetivos comuns, de forma que o cuidado em saúde tenha o usuário como centro e seja organizado de acordo com suas expectativas pessoais e necessidades em saúde, componentes do atributo da coordenação, aponta alguns caminhos para a construção de um Sistema Único de Saúde mais equânime, de melhor qualidade e voltado às necessidades de saúde da população. / Coordination of care is an issue pending in both European and Latin American countries. Changes in epidemiological profile, particularly the predominance of chronic diseases, plus the acknowledged fragmentation in health systems and discontinuity in care, recommend urgent solutions. Coordination of care can be defined as an interrelationship among healthcare-related services and actions such that, regardless of where they occur, they are synchronised and directed to achieving a common purpose. The intention of this study was to describe and analyse the development of strategies and instruments for coordinating care in Brazilian municipalities with successful experience in expanding and consolidating the Family Health Strategy (Estratégia Saúde da Família, ESF) through two key axis: “strengthening Primary Health Care” (PHC) and “integrating among levels of care”. The study rests on two assumptions. Firstly, only PHC that is strong in its essential attributes will be capable of coordinating care. It was therefore of interest to learn what measures Brazilian municipalities had taken to strengthen the ESF. Secondly, given that system integration is a necessary element for achieving improved coordination of care, what strategies and instruments have been developed for integrating the ESF with the other system levels in major urban centres? The municipalities studied were Aracaju, Belo Horizonte, Florianópolis and Vitória. Whether or not strong” PHC had been established was evaluated in terms of the position the ESF occupied in the health system, its resolution capacity, professional’s and social’s recognition of health workers, the decentralisation of collective health measures to PHC and the consequences as reflected in service access and use. Strategies for integration among levels of care were described and analysed by identifying structures for regulating the health service system, instruments for information integration and continuity, and flow organisation. This study was not intended to measure or evaluate coordination of care as such, but to describe and analyse elements that contribute to that end. The results presented draw on three main sources – interviews of managers and transverse studies using questionnaires applied to samples of families enrolled and Family Health team workers – which were triangulated to answer the research questions. The results show that measures to strengthen PHC structures were identified, at different stages of implementation, in the context of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS) in all the municipalities. The most successful initiatives were those seeking to expand accessibility, consolidate the gateway function, increase resolution capacity and coordinate among public health, surveillance and care measures. Nonetheless, challenges remain for care to meet spontaneous demand better and to be planned to achieve higher rates of resolution and make the Family Health Unit the service of first resort. Primary health care workers' low credibility and lack of professional recognition represent obstacles to coordination of care through this service level. As regards system integration, similar strategies with differing outcomes were encountered in the four cases, such as investment in computerised, decentralised regulation systems, waiting list monitoring, increased supply of the municipalities' own services, and introduction of clinical protocols and electronic patient records. All the same, the lack of regulation and of formal flows for hospital care renders the process of network integration incomplete. Another difficulty identified was insufficient supply of specialised care, aggravated by the low degree of integration among state and municipal providers. The near absence of counter-referral also lessens the likelihood of care being coordinated by the PHC team. The picture offered by the study shows that Belo Horizonte and Vitória score systematically better in health workers' and users' evaluations as regards the two dimensions of analysis. PHC has been strengthened and is better integrated into the health system in the cases studied, although it is not yet coordinating the overall care cycle. The need to set common goals, so that health care centres on users and is organised to meet their personal expectations and health needs, which are components of the coordination function, signals some paths to building a Unified Health System that is more equitable, higher quality and directed to the health needs of the population.

<p>This dissertation focused on the development of mass spectrometric methodologies, separation techniques, and engineered devices for the optimal analysis of complex mixtures relevant to the energy sector, such as alternative fuels, petroleum-based fuels, crude oils, and processed base oils. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been widely recognized as a powerful tool for the analysis of complex mixtures. In complex energy samples, such as petroleum-based fuels, alternative fuels, and oils, high-resolution MS alone may not be sufficient to elucidate chemical composition information. Separation before MS analysis is often necessary for such highly complex energy samples. For volatile samples, in-line two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) can be used to separate complex mixtures prior to ionization. This technique allows for a more accurate determination of the compounds in a mixture, by simplifying the mixture into its components prior to ionization, separation based on mass-to-charge ratio (<i>m/z</i>), and detection. A GC×GC coupled to a high-resolution time-of-flight MS was utilized in this research to determine the chemical composition of alternative aviation fuels, a petroleum-based aviation fuel, and alternative aviation fuel candidates and blending components as well as processed base oils.</p> Additionally, as the cutting edge of science and technology evolve, methods and equipment must be updated and adapted for new samples or new sector demands. One such case, explored in this dissertation, was the validation of an updated standardized method, ASTM D2425 2019. This updated standardized method was investigated for a new instrument and new sample type for a quadrupole MS to analyze a renewable aviation fuel. Lastly, the development and evaluation of a miniaturized coreflood device for analyzing candidate chemically enhanced oil recovery (cEOR) formulations of brine, surfactant(s), and polymer(s) was conducted. The miniaturized device was used in the evaluation of two different cEOR formulations to determine if the components of the recovered oil changed.

Bakgrund och problem: Det, enligt oss, socialkonstruktionistiska fenomenet motstånd vid organisationers förändringsarbeten kan vara svårt att undvika och alla företag stöter på det någon gång. Motstånd associeras ofta med något negativt och har i tidigare forskning traditionellt sett setts som ett hinder och blivit demoniserat, andra forskare menar att motståndet är en rationell reaktion som kan medföra fördelar för ett förändringsarbete. Hur motståndet bemöts och hanteras kan vara avgörande för förändringsarbetets framgång. Det finns många olika strategier och metoder för chefer att använda sig av men hanteringen kan också bli kostsam och resurskrävande, trots de olika strategierna kan det fortfarande misslyckas och bidra med negativa konsekvenser. Motståndets negativa konsekvenser på ekonomistyrningen är mer omskrivet än de fördelar motstånd skulle kunna bidra med. En ökad förståelse för hur cheferna hade kunnat arbeta med motstånd som en resurs hade kunnat bidra med fördelar för styrningen av ett förändringsarbete. Syfte: Uppsatsens syfte är att utforska och få en djupare förståelse för hur motstånd hanteras i ett tillverkningsföretag. Dessutom att undersöka relationen mellan ekonomistyrning och motstånd vid förändringsarbeten och huruvida motstånd kan vara en resurs vid förändringsarbeten.  Metod: En enfallstudie har genomförts på Företag Delta där deltagarna är indelade i subgrupperna, chefer och medarbetare, och studien har en kvalitativ forskningsansats där det empiriska material är insamlat med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Studien har även en socialkonstruktionistisk ansats och texten har skrivits fram med ett abduktivt arbetssätt. Slutsats: Vi fann i studien att cheferna i Företag Delta hanterar motstånd som uppstår främst genom kommunikation, involvering och förståelse samt påskyndade strategier, exempelvis tvång. Det framkom i studien att vilken av strategierna som används beror på situationen och människorna, där typ av motstånd som uttrycks, vem som gör motstånd, organisationskulturen, det förebyggande arbetet och kommunikationen framkommer som olika faktorer. Det finns både negativa och positiva upplevda konsekvenser för ekonomistyrningen i Företag Delta. De negativa konsekvenserna som upplevts är förseningar , minskad produktivitet och effektivitet, vilket i slutändan kan ha en negativ påverkan på Företag Deltas finansiella och icke-finansiella mål. De positiva konsekvenser som upplevts i Företag Delta är att konstruktivt motstånd kan leda till förbättringar av förändringar och ökad effektivitet, vilket kan resultera i högre vinstmarginaler och en snabbare uppfyllelse av finansiella och icke-finansiella mål.  Motstånd kan ses som en resurs i förändringsprocessen, där dess integration kan förbättra styrningen av förändringsarbeten. Det kräver en förståelse för orsakerna bakom motståndet, samtidigt som det är avgörande att chefer ges rätt förutsättningar att skapa bra kommunikationsstrategier och stärka relationen med medarbetarna. / Background: The, in our opinion, social constructionist phenomenon of resistance in organizational change efforts can be difficult to avoid and all companies encounter it at some point. Resistance is often associated with negativity and has traditionally been viewed in earlier research as an obstacle and demonized. Other researchers argue that resistance is a rational reaction that can bring advantages to a change process. How resistance is addressed and managed can be crucial to the success of the change efforts. There are many different strategies and methods for managers to use, but handling resistance can also be costly and resource-intensive. Despite the various strategies, it can still fail and result in negative consequences. The negative consequences of resistance on management accounting are more extensively discussed than the potential benefits resistance could contribute. An increased understanding of how managers could work with resistance as a resource could provide advantages for the management of a change effort. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to explore and gain a deeper understanding of how resistance is managed in manufacturing companies. Additionally, to examine the relationship between economic governance and resistance in change processes and whether resistance can be a resource in change efforts.  Method: A case study has been conducted at Company Delta where the participants are divided into subgroups, managers and employees, and the study adopts a qualitative research approach where the empirical data is collected through semi-structured interviews. The study also adopts a social constructionist approach, and the text has been developed using an abductive approach. Conclusion: The managers at Company Delta primarily handle resistance through communication, involvement, understanding, and expedited strategies such as coercion. The choice of strategy depends on the situation and the people involved. Factors such as the type of resistance expressed, who is resisting, the organizational culture, preventive measures, and communication were identified as different influencing factors at Company Delta.  The perceived consequences for the management accounting at Company Delta are both negative and positive. The negative consequences experienced include delays in implementation, reduced productivity and efficiency, which may have a negative impact on Company Delta's financial and non-financial goals. On the other hand, the positive consequences experienced at Company Delta are that constructive resistance can lead to improvements in changes and increased efficiency, resulting in higher profit margins and quicker achievement of financial and non-financial goals. Resistance can be viewed as a resource in the change process, where its integration can enhance the management of change efforts. This requires an understanding of the reasons behind resistance, while it is important for managers to be provided with the right conditions to create effective communication strategies and strengthen relationships with employees.

Diplomová práce obsahuje stručný teoretický základ pro designéra/ku A/D převodníku v technologii CMOS a přehled architektur A/D převodníků používaných v automobilovém průmyslu. Volba vhodné architektury pro konkrétní aplikaci byla zásadním úkolem zpra- covaným v semestrálním projektu předcházejícím tuto práci a je rovněž součástí této práce. Analýza v Matlabu, ze které by mělo vyplynout, je-li třeba zahrnout do architek- tury podblok Sample and Hold, je také součástí práce. Klíčovou částí práce je dokumen- tace návrhu jednotlivých podbloků A/D převodníku – operačního zesilovače, kompará- toru a R-2R D/A převodníku – a ověření jejich funkčnosti. V závěru práce je ověřena funkčnost A/D převodníku jako celku.

S tím, jak se neustále vyvíjejí nové technologie pro energeticky náročná průmyslová odvětví, stávající zařízení postupně zaostávají v efektivitě a produktivitě. Tvrdá konkurence na trhu a legislativa v oblasti životního prostředí nutí tato tradiční zařízení k ukončení provozu a k odstavení. Zlepšování procesu a projekty modernizace jsou zásadní v udržování provozních výkonů těchto zařízení. Současné přístupy pro zlepšování procesů jsou hlavně: integrace procesů, optimalizace procesů a intenzifikace procesů. Obecně se v těchto oblastech využívá matematické optimalizace, zkušeností řešitele a provozní heuristiky. Tyto přístupy slouží jako základ pro zlepšování procesů. Avšak, jejich výkon lze dále zlepšit pomocí moderní výpočtové inteligence. Účelem této práce je tudíž aplikace pokročilých technik umělé inteligence a strojového učení za účelem zlepšování procesů v energeticky náročných průmyslových procesech. V této práci je využit přístup, který řeší tento problém simulací průmyslových systémů a přispívá následujícím: (i)Aplikace techniky strojového učení, která zahrnuje jednorázové učení a neuro-evoluci pro modelování a optimalizaci jednotlivých jednotek na základě dat. (ii) Aplikace redukce dimenze (např. Analýza hlavních komponent, autoendkodér) pro vícekriteriální optimalizaci procesu s více jednotkami. (iii) Návrh nového nástroje pro analýzu problematických částí systému za účelem jejich odstranění (bottleneck tree analysis – BOTA). Bylo také navrženo rozšíření nástroje, které umožňuje řešit vícerozměrné problémy pomocí přístupu založeného na datech. (iv) Prokázání účinnosti simulací Monte-Carlo, neuronové sítě a rozhodovacích stromů pro rozhodování při integraci nové technologie procesu do stávajících procesů. (v) Porovnání techniky HTM (Hierarchical Temporal Memory) a duální optimalizace s několika prediktivními nástroji pro podporu managementu provozu v reálném čase. (vi) Implementace umělé neuronové sítě v rámci rozhraní pro konvenční procesní graf (P-graf). (vii) Zdůraznění budoucnosti umělé inteligence a procesního inženýrství v biosystémech prostřednictvím komerčně založeného paradigmatu multi-omics.