The major purpose of this study is to make additional information available to the farm manager through the use of decision theory . This will enable him to improve the decision-making process relating to corn production. The goal is to use the resources at his disposal more efficiently and profitably. This study is primarily concerned with factors that influence planting date and corn variety selection. Within the framework of decision theory analysis , prior and posterior probabilities are employed to calculate the losses that may occur to corn crops in the Cache Valley area of Utah because of harmful spring frosts under optional corn varieties. The alternative of replanting is also added to the model. A brief discussion is included regard ing the impact of water shortage on planting date and corn variety selection. A discussion of factors influencing harvesting decisions is included. The "seventy growing degree day" method is employed as a criterion for planting date select ion. The planting dates a r e matched with four different season length Utah hybrid corn varieties to formulate the courses of action available to the farm manager. The states of nature are the degrees of damage that would occur due to various frost intensities. The decision theory approach of this study identifies the short season variety as the optimal corn crop for Cache Valley, unless planting can be done during the first week in May. This study indicates that planting a shorter season vadety than most Cache Valley farmers have been using in the past would be profitable . Replanting after a frost is found to be unprofitable in marginal cases , but necessary in the case of a killing frost of sufficient duration. The problem of a short water supply adds a constraint as to what varieties can be planted where the time required to reach the third stage of growth is most critical in obtaining potential yields . Finally , it was found that the risk of increased precipitation interfering with harvesting operations becomes almost a certainty if attempts to lengthen the season pushes the harvest too far in to October .

No description available.

With the recent developments of several bridge managements systems and their wide-spread use, bridge engineers are realizing the importance of systematic and well planned investments and appropriate management. However the results are far from satisfactory. Bridge management systems need more effective policy analysis tools that can take advantage of the vast amounts of available information to be more efficient. The objective of this research is to develop a policy analysis tool, which is generic in nature and can be applied to any bridge management system provided all the appropriate data is available. In particular, this policy analysis tool is geared to suit policy making, planning and budgeting for the interstate bridges in the state of Virginia. The policy analysis tool developed in this research is a discrete event simulation model capable of extracting information from text files in the Pontis Data Interchange format and simulate user defined element level policies. The model testing was performed using the interstate bridges of the Salem district in Virginia. All the relevant information was extracted from their PONTIS databases. Several scenarios with varying network policies were simulated. The results indicate the validity and the accuracy of the model. The policy analysis tool is a useful addition to the existing policy analysis tools and is capable of handling probabilistic distributions of data instead of single value averages. This will enable the tool to capture more information thereby making the simulation model more realistic. The general framework that was developed here can be applied to any infrastructure problem, and eventually it should be possible to achieve a discrete event simulation based integrated infrastructure management system. / Master of Science

The gold mining industry pollutes both water and air resources in numerous ways. Of these, air pollution from greenhouse gasses inducing climate change poses the highest threat to human existence, with water scarcity as a result of pollution presenting the third highest risk (Mathews, 2007; Akorede et al., 2012; Jones et al., 1988). Water pollution, indirect air pollution and direct air pollution should be mitigated for sustainable gold mining. Environmental impact reduction is achieved by the implementation of effective Environmental Management Systems (EMSs). These systems aim to achieve ISO 14001-compliance by setting targets and implementing a systematic approach to achieving these targets. However, ISO 14001-compliant systems do not ensure environmental impact reduction and give the mine no competitive edge (Hilson & Nayee, 2002). EMSs available are too generic for implementation on gold mines. Reporting on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on gold mines should also be improved as it is unclear exactly what values should be reported on. This is due to a general lack of an environmental reporting standard (Jones, 2010). Manpower and expertise to identify and implement projects is limited and the mines need assistance with the implementation of projects to effect resource pollution. Priority for the mines is an emphasis on production and safety rather than environmental impact reduction, so implementing projects to reduce pollution is often neglected. A novel sustainability framework is developed in this study. In this framework a database of electricity- and environmental impact reduction projects is created that can be implemented in the gold mining industry. Projects are automatically identified by monitoring key operational indicators. By involving a third party in the form of an Energy Services Company (ESCO), project funding for these sustainability projects can be attained. This novel approach to environmental impact reduction creates a situation where ESCOs implement these EMSs at a reduced cost to the mines. This reduces the cost of lowering the mine’s environmental impact, while aiding the ESCO in identifying sustainability projects. KPIs from various studies are consolidated to determine exactly what values should be reported on. These values are incorporated into a successful EMS. This allows the availability of all the necessary data for reporting to the Department of Energy (DoE) and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) on electricity-savings. Projects are prioritised based on an integrated electricity- and environmental impact reduction payback approach. This approach allows funding options to be assessed for each project individually, based on both electricity- and environmental impact reduction advantages. This allowed the best funding option for each individual project to be determined. Automatic identification of these projects reduces the required manpower and resources to implement sustainability projects. Projects proposed by this study showed a combined energy efficiency reduction of 11.8 MW and achieved a load shift of 15.6 MW. In addition to electricity reduction, these projects also reduced the water usage by 1135 Ml per annum and the carbon dioxide equivalent production by 214 205 ton per annum. The proposed projects were effective at increasing the sustainability of gold mining. It also streamlined the implementation of these projects on gold mines. By applying this framework, sustainability improvements can now be achieved on gold mines worldwide. / PhD (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The gold mining industry pollutes both water and air resources in numerous ways. Of these, air pollution from greenhouse gasses inducing climate change poses the highest threat to human existence, with water scarcity as a result of pollution presenting the third highest risk (Mathews, 2007; Akorede et al., 2012; Jones et al., 1988). Water pollution, indirect air pollution and direct air pollution should be mitigated for sustainable gold mining. Environmental impact reduction is achieved by the implementation of effective Environmental Management Systems (EMSs). These systems aim to achieve ISO 14001-compliance by setting targets and implementing a systematic approach to achieving these targets. However, ISO 14001-compliant systems do not ensure environmental impact reduction and give the mine no competitive edge (Hilson & Nayee, 2002). EMSs available are too generic for implementation on gold mines. Reporting on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on gold mines should also be improved as it is unclear exactly what values should be reported on. This is due to a general lack of an environmental reporting standard (Jones, 2010). Manpower and expertise to identify and implement projects is limited and the mines need assistance with the implementation of projects to effect resource pollution. Priority for the mines is an emphasis on production and safety rather than environmental impact reduction, so implementing projects to reduce pollution is often neglected. A novel sustainability framework is developed in this study. In this framework a database of electricity- and environmental impact reduction projects is created that can be implemented in the gold mining industry. Projects are automatically identified by monitoring key operational indicators. By involving a third party in the form of an Energy Services Company (ESCO), project funding for these sustainability projects can be attained. This novel approach to environmental impact reduction creates a situation where ESCOs implement these EMSs at a reduced cost to the mines. This reduces the cost of lowering the mine’s environmental impact, while aiding the ESCO in identifying sustainability projects. KPIs from various studies are consolidated to determine exactly what values should be reported on. These values are incorporated into a successful EMS. This allows the availability of all the necessary data for reporting to the Department of Energy (DoE) and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) on electricity-savings. Projects are prioritised based on an integrated electricity- and environmental impact reduction payback approach. This approach allows funding options to be assessed for each project individually, based on both electricity- and environmental impact reduction advantages. This allowed the best funding option for each individual project to be determined. Automatic identification of these projects reduces the required manpower and resources to implement sustainability projects. Projects proposed by this study showed a combined energy efficiency reduction of 11.8 MW and achieved a load shift of 15.6 MW. In addition to electricity reduction, these projects also reduced the water usage by 1135 Ml per annum and the carbon dioxide equivalent production by 214 205 ton per annum. The proposed projects were effective at increasing the sustainability of gold mining. It also streamlined the implementation of these projects on gold mines. By applying this framework, sustainability improvements can now be achieved on gold mines worldwide. / PhD (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Historically, managing access to information systems (ISs) required direct interaction with a limited number of users. Increasingly, managing access involves handling an increased numbers of internal and external students, faculty, and staff as well as partners such as workforce development centers, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. At Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), the approach to identity management (IdM) required the distribution of a username and password to authenticate MnSCU employees and students. Authentication enables authorized users to access campus-supported ISs and Office of the Chancellor (OOC) supported ISs such as the Integrated Statewide Record System (ISRS). In some cases, an MnSCU employee or student will receive as many as 7 usernames and passwords. When a new employee or student joins MnSCU, the campus IT group creates a general log-on to campus-supported ISs. This log-on consists of a username and password and provides the new employee or student with access to a local area network (LAN) hosted application such as e-mail and campus directory services. The author used Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical (MSC-ST) as the unit of analysis. In this inquiry, the following propositions guided and shaped the case study data collection: (a) system development processes (SDPs), (b) single access sign-on credentials through all MSC-ST ISs, (c) electronic data assurances, and (d) implementation across public and private security zones. The findings from this case study were used to develop a paradigm supporting the design and development of an IdM system model at MSC-ST. This model contributed to the establishment of a uniform IdM system for use by MSC-ST students, staff, and faculty regardless of time and location. Based on findings from this case study, key processes involved in establishing this IdM system based on uniform identities and authentication processes were documented. Key steps involved in facilitating secure IS access to MSC-ST resources by students, staff, and faculty accessing OOC-supported ISs as well as MSC-ST campus-specific applications were described. The author contributed to advancements in the IS space through the use of a replicable approach for implementing an IdM paradigm at MSC-ST.

The purpose of this study is to see how an organization can prepare themselves to overcome the barriers when implementing a quality management system. When introducing a new management system regardless of its intentions, there are several obstacles, or rather barriers, which an organization will face and ultimately have to deal with in order to assure a successful implementation of a QMS. Not knowing beforehand what problems may arise from adopting a new management system may halter the process of introducing the new management system and add costs, resources, and time to the introduction phase. Although there are general barriers and problems with implementing a quality management system, there are also specific barriers for each and every organization. It is of significant importance that organizations become aware of those areas of which they need to pay the most attention to when implementing a QMS. There will be forces for and against the change process of a QMS and the latter needs to be anticipated and dealt with for a successful implementation of a QMS. By using a case organization and the managers within, we were able to assess the pre-conditions at the organization and identify which barriers that were specific for them. As managers are the ones implementing the new system as well as controlling, maintaining and continuously improving it, it was necessary for us to acquire their opinions and ideas. A qualitative research approach was taken and semi-structured interviews were held at the case organization EDB Card Services AS in Mo i Rana, Norway, which included 6 managers ranging from administrative level to operations level. We found that the biggest barrier for the case organization was the fact that departments were not as inter-dependent, but rather independent from each other which is not compatible with a quality management system. It was evident that the departments could learn from each other and that spreading knowledge and proper documentation had to be improved. At the case organization one of their specific barriers were the sharing and handling of documents, this barrier could be eliminated by educating staff and managers of how to make proper documents with a clear purpose, and distribute documents to the right person at the right time. The managers were motivated and willing to spend time assuring that the quality requirements of the QMS is maintained however stressed the fact that more resources would be needed in order to achieve this. Our findings lead us to believe that general guidelines for how to implement a QMS are insufficient to successfully handle the inherent problems and barriers when changing from“what is”, to “what could be”. The specific barriers which arise when organization take a look at themselves and identify these are probably more likely to affect the implementation process more than those that are general. We came to the conclusion that EDB Card Services AS needs to deal with the barriers that we identified as forces against a QMS, namely: departmental barriers, documentation of processes and procedures, leadership, resources, and information sharing and documentation. To effectively prepare the organization for the implementation of a QMS these barriers needs to be dealt with. Furthermore, we recommend that the organization educate and train those responsible for the introduction of a QMS and that an independent steering group/committee is established.

No description available.

The purpose of this research was to study the applicability of management system standards (MSSs) in a research and development (R&D)-oriented nanotechnology setting. Since multiple quality and R&D-specific standards were found to be relevant in such environments, a methodology for the integration of MSS requirements into an organizations management system (MS), found in the recently published Integrated Use of Management System Standards (IUMSS) Handbook, was also tested in the study. The steps within the IUMSS methodology were applied to integrate the requirements of two R&D MSSs (UNE 166002:2006 and EARTO:2000) into the existing ISO 9001-based quality management system (QMS) within a Case Study Organization (CSO). Recommendations for achieving full compliance with the standards were also provided to the CSO. This research provides significant contributions for any organization using or intending to use the IUMSS methodology for building and integrating standardized management systems in an R&D-oriented setting such as nanotechnology. / Engineering Management

thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree: Master of Technology: Electrical Engineering in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Rural communities are often unable to access electrical energy due to their distant location away from the national grid. Renewable energy sources (RESs) make it possible to provide electrical energy to these isolated areas. Sustainable generation is possible at a local level and is not dependant on connection to a national power grid. Microgrids are small scale, stand-alone electricity networks that harness energy at its geographical location, from natural resources. These small scale power grids are either connected to a national grid or operate separately by obtaining their power from an RES. Microgrids are becoming increasingly popular because they can provide electricity, independently of the national grid. The size of microgrid systems are dependent on the amount of energy that needs to be drawn and the amount of energy that has to be stored. Mechanical and electrical system component sizes become bigger due to increased operational energy requirements. Increases in component sizes are required on growing power networks when higher current levels are drawn. Energy management of microgrids must thus be introduced to prevent overloading the power grid network and to extend the operational life of the storage batteries. Energy management systems consist of different components which are seen as operational units. Operational units are responsible for measurement, communication, decision–making and power supply switching control, to manipulate the power output to meet the energy demands. Due to the increasing popularity of DC home appliances, it is important to explore the possibility of keeping these microgrids on a DC voltage basis. Electrical generation equipment such as photovoltaic panels can be used to generate DC at designed voltage levels. The energy management system connects the user loads and generation units together to form the microgrid. The aim of this study was to carry out the design of an agent–based energy management system for rural and under-developed communities. It investigates how the control of the output of the energy management system can be carried out to service the loads. The simulations were done using the following software packages: Simulink, Matlab, and SimPowerSystems. PV sources, energy management system (EMS) and user load parameters are varied in the simulation software to observe how the control algorithm executes load shedding. A stokvel-type charge share concept is dealt with where the state-of-charge (SOC) of batteries and user consumption will determine how grid loads are managed. Load shedding within the grid is executed by monitoring energy flow and calculating how much energy is allowed to be used by each consumer. The energy management system is programmed to always provide the largest amount of energy to the consumer with the lowest energy consumption for each day. The batteries store surplus electrical energy during the day. Load shedding starts at 18:00 each day. Users will be disconnected from the grid whenever their allotted energy capacity were depleted.