This paper presents a possible solution for selection of test-cases that should be executed to provide good coverage and quality at UIQ Technologies. It describes how the company can sort and prioritize their test-cases, so that quality is maintained while having controlled amount of test-cases. The idea behind the proposed method is to prioritize the test-cases and execute those that received highest prioritization first and thereby ensuring that all high-risk defects are found first. We have created a model that performs those tasks and we have also executed it on an ongoing project at UIQ Technology to provide data for comparison with the currently used model. We also make a comparison proving that our proposed method is more effective then the current method. We have emphasized adaptability and changeability of the model so that UIQ Technology easily can modify and adapt the model later on.

Magister Philosophiae (Land and Agrarian Studies) - MPhil(LAS) / This thesis examines debates concerning large-scale land acquisitions in Kenya by looking at the case of the Dominion Farms Limited takeover of Yala Swamp. The case study illustrates actual practices of Kenya’s land governance system in terms of how large-scale land acquisitions take shape and their results on the ground. The study explores changes that have taken place at Yala Swamp from 2003 to 2013 and assesses them against the backdrop of recent and emerging land governance regulatory frameworks at national, regional and global levels. The study’s research methodology and data analysis reveal that the new large-scale land acquisition phenomenon has a historical dimension in that it perpetuates a continued legacy of land dispossession of local communities of the unregistered land thereby disrupting their livelihoods. This thesis contributes to a lively intellectual debate and literature on land governance by examining land issues from a governance and political economy perspective. Yala Swamp was chosen as a case study of large-scale land acquisition. The case shows how new land regulatory policies are being shaped and constrained by what is considered beneficial for foreign investment but not necessarily in tandem with local communities’ needs and expectations. This thesis is anchored on the assumption that land governance frameworks’ transformative potential depends on the extent to which they are able to address the structural factors that entrench continued poverty, food insecurity, gender inequality, environmental degradation and land conflicts. The thesis argues that initiatives that facilitate the corporate takeover of land and other resources from the poor in order to give to large-scale investors foreclose the smallholder agricultural space for future expansion. It further argues that an understanding of land reform processes from a governance and political economy perspective offers insight that could not only improve the design of land governance regulatory frameworks, but also provide pathways to support implementation.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The general image of large-scale commercial farming in South Africa is one of technological dynamism and international competitiveness. However, such a generalisation obscures considerable differentiation in terms of size, scale, capital reproduction strategies and future directions of change between and within farming regions. My study on reproduction, accumulation and differentiation in the large-scale commercial farming sector makes a small contribution towards explaining this substantive diversity, as well as the underlying processes at work, in three different agro-ecological regions of the country. A framework to analyse the strategies of large-scale commercial farmers was derived from volume 1 of Marx’s Capital and interpretations thereof by Marxist scholars, e.g. Ernest Mandel, Henry Bernstein, David Harvey, Ben Fine and Alfredo Saad-Filho. The four strategies or processes are broadly identified as a) expanding the scale or scope of production, in other words, to increase the capital intensity of production and/or geographic size, and/or the number of products, b) expanding the scale or scope of the business by expanding into new enterprises either up or down the value chain, c) increasing economic efficiency, which can be achieved by means of lowering the cost of commodity production, increasing productivity in terms of yield per hectare or per animal through technical and biological efficiency, or by organising workers and tasks to make workers as productive as possible, and d) taking part in political action in order to reduce uncertainties and/or establish preferential access to and control over key resources, markets or policy processes. Data from a questionnaire survey conducted with 141 large-scale commercial farmers in Limpopo, the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces, as well as semi-structured interviews with 32 farmers in these regions were analysed to determine the most prevalent strategies and assess their outcomes. The outcomes of these strategies varied between and within regions and resulted in the differentiation of capitalist farmers into “accumulators”, “successful reproducers”, “struggling reproducers” and “simple commodity producers”. This approach helps to uncover processes and patterns of agrarian change, and provides a richer, more detailed, understanding of the dynamics of change in the large-scale farming sector of South Africa which can help inform debates on policy optionsfor the sector and for land reform.

Despite the emphasis of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) on 'soft' demand-side management, large-scale water infrastructure is increasingly being constructed in basins managed under an IWRM framework. While there has been substantial research on IWRM, few scholars have unpacked how IWRM and large-scale water infrastructure development coexist and conflict. Piura, Peru is an important site for understanding how IWRM and capital-intensive, concrete-heavy water infrastructure development articulate in practice. After 70 years of proposals and planning, the Regional Government of Piura began construction of the mega-irrigation project, Proyecto Especial de Irrigacion e Hidroelectrico del Alto Piura (PEIHAP) in 2013. PEIHAP, which will irrigate an additional 19,000 hectares (ha), is being realised in the wake of major reforms in the Chira-Piura River Basin, a pilot basin for the IWRM-inspired 2009 Water Resources Law. We first map the historical trajectory of PEIHAP as it mirrors the shifting political priorities of the Peruvian state. We then draw on interviews with the newly formed River Basin Council, regional government, PEIHAP, and civil society actors to understand why and how these differing water management paradigms coexist. We find that while the 2009 Water Resources Law labels large-scale irrigation infrastructure as an 'exceptional measure', this development continues to eclipse IWRM provisions of the new law. This uneasy coexistence reflects the parallel desires of the state to imbue water policy reform with international credibility via IWRM while also furthering economic development goals via large-scale water infrastructure. While the participatory mechanisms and expertise of IWRM-inspired river basin councils have not been brought to bear on the approval and construction of PEIHAP, these institutions will play a crucial role in managing the myriad resource and social conflicts that are likely to result.

We present a cosmic microwave background (CMB) lensing map produced from a linear combination of South Pole Telescope (SPT) and Planck temperature data. The 150 GHz temperature data from the 2500 deg(2) SPT-SZ survey is combined with the Planck 143 GHz data in harmonic space to obtain a temperature map that has a broader l coverage and less noise than either individual map. Using a quadratic estimator technique on this combined temperature map, we produce a map of the gravitational lensing potential projected along the line of sight. We measure the auto-spectrum of the lensing potential C-L(phi phi), and compare it to the theoretical prediction for a.CDM cosmology consistent with the Planck 2015 data set, finding a best-fit amplitude of 0.95(-0.06)(+0.06) (stat.)(-0.01)(+0.01)+ (sys.). The null hypothesis of no lensing is rejected at a significance of 24 sigma. One important use of such a lensing potential map is in cross-correlations with other dark matter tracers. We demonstrate this cross-correlation in practice by calculating the cross-spectrum, C-L(phi) G, between the SPT+ Planck lensing map and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) galaxies. We fit C-L(phi G) to a power law of the form p(L) = a(L/L-0)(-b) with a, L-0, and b fixed, and find eta(phi G) = C-L(phi G)/p(L) = 0.94(-0.04)(+0.04), which is marginally lower, but in good agreement with eta(phi G) = 1.00-(+0.02)(0.01), the best-fit amplitude for the cross-correlation of Planck-2015 CMB lensing and WISE galaxies over similar to 67% of the sky. The lensing potential map presented here will be used for cross-correlation studies with the Dark Energy Survey, whose footprint nearly completely covers the SPT 2500 deg(2) field.

Cosmology has become a precision science due to a wealth of new precise data from various astronomical observations. It is therefore important, from a methodological point of view, to develop new statistical and numerical tools to study the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation and Large Scale Structure (LSS), in order to test different models of the Universe. This is the main aim of this thesis. The standard inflationary -dominated Cold Dark Matter ( CDM) model is based on the premise that the Universe is statistically isotropic and homogeneous. This premise needs to be rigorously tested observationally. We study the angular correlation function C(θ) of the CMB sky using the WMAP 5-year data, and find that the low-multipoles can be reconstructed from the data outside the sky cut. We apply a Bayesian analysis and find that S1/2 statistic (S1/2 = R [C(θ)]2d cos θ, used by various investigators as a measure of correlations at large angular scales) cannot exclude the predictions of the CDM model. We clarify some issues concerning estimation of correlations on large angular scales and their interpretation. To test for deviation from statistical isotropy, we develop a quadratic maximum likelihood estimator which we apply to simulated Planck maps. We show that the temperature maps from Planck mission should be able to constrain the amplitude of any spherical multipole of a scaleinvariant quadrupole asymmetry at the 1% level (2σ). In addition, polarization maps are also precise enough to provide complimentary constraints. We also develop a method to search for the direction of asymmetry, if any, in Planck maps. B-mode polarisation of the CMB provides another important test of models of the early Universe. Different classes of models, such as single-field inflation, loop quantum cosmology and cosmic strings give speculative but testable predictions. We find that the current ground-based experiments such as BICEP, already provided fairly tight constraints on these models. We investigate how these constraints might be improved with future observations (e.g. Planck, Spider). In addition to the CMB related research, this thesis investigates how peculiar velocity fields can be used to constrain theoretical models of LSS. It has been argued that there are large bulk flows on scales of & 50 Mpc/h. If true, these results are in tension with the predictions of the CDM model. We investigate a possible explanation for this result: the unsubtracted intrinsic dipole on the CMB sky may source this apparent flow, leading to the illusion of the tilted Universe. Under the assumption of a superhorizon isocurvature fluctuation, the constraints on the tilted velocity require that inflation lasts at least 6 e-folds longer (at the 95% confidence interval) than that required to solve the horizon problem. Finally, we investigate Cosmic Mach Number (CMN), which quantifies the ratio between the mean velocity and the velocity dispersion of galaxies. We find that CMN is highly sensitive to the growth of structure on scales (10, 150) Mpc/h, and can therefore be used to test modified gravity models and neutrino masses. With future CMN data, it should be possible to constrain the growth factor of linear perturbation, as well as the sum of the neutrino mass to high accuracy.

We present a comparison between several observational tests of the post-reionization intergalactic medium and the numerical simulations of reionization completed under the Cosmic Reionization On Computers (CROC) project. The CROC simulations match the gap distribution reasonably well, and also provide a good match for the distribution of peak heights, but there is a notable lack of wide peaks in the simulated spectra and the flux-probability distribution functions are poorly matched in the narrow redshift interval 5.5 < z < 5.7, with the match at other redshifts being significantly better, albeit not exact. Both discrepancies are related: simulations show more opacity than the data.

As an important basis in decision-making, risk assessment has been applied in many fields. However, most risk analyses of logistics projects are still at their infancy, wherein qualitative methods are applied. Performing further qualitative and quantitative analyses of the risk of logistics projects is meaningful. This thesis aims to thoroughly analyse the effects of risk factors on project objectives to illustrate the economic goals of investment and the possibility of realisation. Hence, it can promote scientific decision-making by investors, which is the main issue in this thesis. Large-scale logistics projects are characterised by high risk, high investment, and high professionalism. This thesis applies risk assessment to logistics projects and divides the risk assessment of logistics projects into two levels. In the first level, various risk factors in the process of investment, construction and operation of the logistics projects are fully considered, and a set of risk comprehensive evaluation index system for the logistics projects is established. At this level, this thesis assigns light to each factor, judges the degree of risk of each factor in logistics projects and evaluates the risk degree of the logistics projects via fuzzy comprehensive measurement method (FCMM). It proposes a logistic alliance risk identification and analysis method based on the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm and penalty function method to address the limitation of existing methods, such as FCMM. This proposed method is called PSO–analytic hierarchy process (PSO–AHP). On the basis of the introduced index system and methods, this thesis uses Hanjin Shipping as a novel case to show how risk evaluation is performed. Results show that both methods can be used to predict the risk of Hanjin Shipping, and management risk is the main risk faced by Hanjin Shipping. This finding is consistent with the predicted results. The contents of this thesis provide meaningful results for actual application. Thus, the models and index system applied in this thesis (FCMM and PSO–AHP) can be used to perform risk measurement. In the second level, combined with the results of the overall risk assessment of the logistics projects, this thesis provides several suggestions on risk prevention for these kind of logistics projects. This thesis not only measures the risk of large-scale logistics projects but also provides several strategies to improve the management of logistics projects and reduce the probability of risk in the Chinese context. Moreover, this thesis generates suggestions for the development of Chinese large-scale logistics projects in South Africa. The main contents of this thesis can be summarised as follows. The first chapter is the introduction. This chapter briefly introduces the background of large-scale logistics projects, explains the purpose and significance of the research and introduces the main research issues and innovations. It also briefly introduces the structure of this thesis. The second chapter comprises a review of previous studies. It mainly reviews and summarizes relevant literature on risk theory and logistics risk to provide a solid background analysis for the remaining part of this thesis. The third and the fourth chapters are about the methodologies and indicators used in this thesis. The third chapter summarises and introduces the main methods used in the risk assessment for the logistics projects. It focuses on the methods used in this thesis. The fourth chapter presents a systematic analysis of the various risks faced in the process of investment, construction and operation of logistics projects. It appropriately enumerates the main analysis of this thesis, namely, the various risks in large-scale logistics projects. An index system is also constructed in this chapter. The fifth and sixth chapters focus on the specific operation process of the models used in this thesis. These chapters focus on the data analysis according to the models proposed in previous chapters, and the results of quantitative analysis are mainly discussed. The seventh chapter is aimed at the risk prevention of large-scale logistics projects. The eighth chapter is the research summary and outlook, where it summarises the conclusions and shortcomings of this research, discusses the innovation of this thesis from the analysis and indicates further research directions. The main contributions of this thesis are as follows. (1) On the basis of China’s Belt and Road strategy, this thesis pays special interest on the risk analysis of large-scale logistics projects. With the development of Chinese economics and special relationship with South Africa, cooperating in aspects where logistics projects play a great connecting role becomes increasingly important for these countries Thus, ensuring how the risk of China’s large-scale logistics projects is sufficiently low becomes increasingly important. The methods and results in this thesis can be applied to the large-scale logistics projects in China and South Africa. (2) Many studies on risk assessment issues obtain risk factors using Delphi method (Dalkey and Helmer, 1963; Fan, 2019; Dufour et al., 2017). This method usually suffers from the fact that the experts’ knowledge, ability and experience limit their personal judgement method, and the recognition result is influenced by the subjective factors of the experts. This thesis does not use AHP method on it own but focuses on the usage of work breakdown structure (WBS) method to determine the risk factors of logistics construction projects, which can provide a reasonable risk index system. As WBS can let people carefully build an index system from each aspect of the large-scale logistics projects. (3) This thesis generates a PSO method to PSO–AHP method and applies it in the risk assessment of large-scale logistics projects, in which Hanjin Shipping is taken as an example in a novel way. Many studies primarily use FCMM to perform the risk assessment. However, limited research focuses on the use of PSO–AHP methods on the risk assessment of large-scale logistics projects. This thesis not only uses FCMM to handle risk assessment but also uses PSO–AHP method and then selects the better method on the basis of certain criteria. By doing so, this thesis provides an excellent example for researchers to select between the two models for risk assessment. (4) This thesis not only measures the risk of large-scale logistics projects but also provides several strategies that can improve the management of logistics projects to reduce the chance of risk happening based on actual situations. It also generates suggestions for the development of Chinese large-scale logistics projects in South Africa. As the measurement of risk in terms of large-scale logistics projects is an instrument for people to prevent risk, each method should be used to guide the development in actual situations. Thus, this thesis provides several strategy suggestions that can reduce the risk of large-scale logistics projects in China and South Africa by combining the results obtained from models and actual situations in China and South Africa. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM) / PhD / Unrestricted

Managing large-scale dynamical systems (e.g., transportation systems, complex information systems, and power networks, etc.) in real-time is very challenging considering their complicated system dynamics, intricate network interactions, large scale, and especially the existence of various uncertainties. To address this issue, intelligent techniques which can quickly design decision-making strategies that are robust to uncertainties are needed. This dissertation aims to conquer these challenges by exploring a data-driven decision-making framework, which leverages big-data techniques and scalable uncertainty evaluation approaches to quickly solve optimal control problems. In particular, following techniques have been developed along this direction: 1) system modeling approaches to simplify the system analysis and design procedures for multiple applications; 2) effective simulation and analytical based approaches to efficiently evaluate system performance and design control strategies under uncertainty; and 3) big-data techniques that allow some computations of control strategies to be completed offline. These techniques and tools for analysis, design and control contribute to a wide range of applications including air traffic flow management, complex information systems, and airborne networks.

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