Ammonium Nitrate-Fuel Oil (ANFO) is the explosive generally used in the mining industry to blast ore from the rock face. The use and detonation of ANFO explosives in an underground mine is an intrinsically hazardous process. The by-products formed during blasting have been well studied over the years and modern mining techniques and methods have evolved to mitigate the inherent blasting and gas emission risks. However, there is insufficient research and quantitative data on mine workers’ respiratory exposure to blasting gasses under realistic underground conditions. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine whether blasting gasses such as nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ammonia (NH3) pose an inhalation health risk to underground mine workers cleaning at the blasting panels approximately three hours after the detonation of ANFO explosives. Scraper Winch Operators’ (SWOs) respiratory exposure to selected blasting gasses was simultaneously sampled by means of active and passive sampling methodologies. Method: Personal exposures to NO, NO2 and NH3 were measured and analysed in accordance with NIOSH methods 6014 and 6015. Along with the active air samplers, respiratory exposure to NO2 and NH3 were measured by means of radial symmetry diffusive samplers (Aquaria® RING). Measurements were taken over an 8-hour period, where this was not applicable; results were time weighed to an average 8-hour exposure concentration in order to compare the Scraper Winch Operators’ (SWOs) respiratory exposure to the Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) contained in the Regulations of the Mine Health and Safety Act (No. 29 of 1996). Results: The active air sampling results indicated that the SWOs’ respiratory exposure to NO, NO2 and NH3 complied with their respective OELs contained in the Regulations of the Mine Health and Safety Act (No. 29 of 1996). However, one of the SWOs had an exposure which exceeded the action level (50% of OEL) at which level the implementation of control measures are recommended to reduce the SWO’s exposure. Based on the results of the Wilcoxon matched pairs test, statistical significant differences were observed between the exposure results of the two sampling methodologies for NO2 (p = 0.00078) and NH3 (p = 0.044), with the passive diffusive sampling technique under sampling when compared to the active sampling method. This was also confirmed by a Spearman rank order correlation which indicated a poor relationship between the two sampling methods for NO2 (r = -0.323) and NH3 (r = 0.090). Environmental conditions (i.e. temperature and humidity), as presented in an underground mine, may have been a major factor for the variation between the two sampling methods, mostly affecting the passive samplers. Conclusion: It was established that engineering and administrative control measures implemented at the underground mine were effective to control SWOs’ respiratory exposure to NO, NO2 and NH3 below their respective OELs. An acute health risk pertaining the inhalation of blasting gasses was, therefore, not presented to mine workers cleaning at the blasting panels approximately three hours after the detonation of ANFO explosives. However, long-term exposure to blasting gasses at low concentrations may present SWOs with a health risk if such exposures are not adequately controlled or mitigated. The dilution and production of blasting gasses also varied from one blasting level to another. Geological formation, explosive charge-up and loading practices, the amount of water vapour inside the stopes and ventilation parameters are among the factors that may have affected the amount of blasting gasses produced underground. In addition, a drop in the carbon monoxide levels as indicated by the mine’s central gas monitoring system would not necessarily mean a lowering in other blasting gas concentrations (i.e. elevated ammonia gas concentrations as identified in the present study). The personal exposure levels between the active and passive sampling measurements also differed considerably. This may be ascribed to the impact underground mining conditions and processes had on the sampling media as well the complexities involved when sampling blasting gasses in general. / MSc (Occupational Hygiene), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Thesis (MScEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: All process measurements contain some element of error. Typically, a distinction is made between random errors, with zero expected value, and gross errors with non-zero magnitude. Data Reconciliation (DR) and Gross Error Detection (GED) comprise a collection of techniques designed to attenuate measurement errors in process data in order to reduce the effect of the errors on subsequent use of the data. DR proceeds by finding the optimum adjustments so that reconciled measurement data satisfy imposed process constraints, such as material and energy balances. The DR solution is optimal under the assumed statistical random error model, typically Gaussian with zero mean and known covariance. The presence of outliers and gross errors in the measurements or imposed process constraints invalidates the assumptions underlying DR, so that the DR solution may become biased. GED is required to detect, identify and remove or otherwise compensate for the gross errors. Typically GED relies on formal hypothesis testing of constraint residuals or measurement adjustment-based statistics derived from the assumed random error statistical model. Classification methodologies are methods by which observations are classified as belonging to one of several possible groups. For the GED problem, artificial neural networks (ANN’s) have been applied historically to resolve the classification of a data set as either containing or not containing a gross error. The hypothesis investigated in this thesis is that classification methodologies, specifically classification trees (CT) and linear or quadratic classification functions (LCF, QCF), may provide an alternative to the classical GED techniques. This hypothesis is tested via the modelling of a simple steady-state process unit with associated simulated process measurements. DR is performed on the simulated process measurements in order to satisfy one linear and two nonlinear material conservation constraints. Selected features from the DR procedure and process constraints are incorporated into two separate input vectors for classifier construction. The performance of the classification methodologies developed on each input vector is compared with the classical measurement test in order to address the posed hypothesis. General trends in the results are as follows: - The power to detect and/or identify a gross error is a strong function of the gross error magnitude as well as location for all the classification methodologies as well as the measurement test. - For some locations there exist large differences between the power to detect a gross error and the power to identify it correctly. This is consistent over all the classifiers and their associated measurement tests, and indicates significant smearing of gross errors. - In general, the classification methodologies have higher power for equivalent type I error than the measurement test. - The measurement test is superior for small magnitude gross errors, and for specific locations, depending on which classification methodology it is compared with. There is significant scope to extend the work to more complex processes and constraints, including dynamic processes with multiple gross errors in the system. Further investigation into the optimal selection of input vector elements for the classification methodologies is also required. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alle prosesmetings bevat ʼn sekere mate van metingsfoute. Die fout-element van ʼn prosesmeting word dikwels uitgedruk as bestaande uit ʼn ewekansige fout met nul verwagte waarde, asook ʼn nie-ewekansige fout met ʼn beduidende grootte. Data Rekonsiliasie (DR) en Fout Opsporing (FO) is ʼn versameling van tegnieke met die doelwit om die effek van sulke foute in prosesdata op die daaropvolgende aanwending van die data te verminder. DR word uitgevoer deur die optimale veranderinge aan die oorspronklike prosesmetings aan te bring sodat die aangepaste metings sekere prosesmodelle gehoorsaam, tipies massa- en energie-balanse. Die DR-oplossing is optimaal, mits die statistiese aannames rakende die ewekansige fout-element in die prosesdata geldig is. Dit word tipies aanvaar dat die fout-element normaal verdeel is, met nul verwagte waarde, en ʼn gegewe kovariansie matriks. Wanneer nie-ewekansige foute in die data teenwoordig is, kan die resultate van DR sydig wees. FO is daarom nodig om nie-ewekansige foute te vind (Deteksie) en te identifiseer (Identifikasie). FO maak gewoonlik staat op die statistiese eienskappe van die meting aanpassings wat gemaak word deur die DR prosedure, of die afwykingsverskil van die model vergelykings, om formele hipoteses rakende die teenwoordigheid van nie-ewekansige foute te toets. Klassifikasie tegnieke word gebruik om die klasverwantskap van observasies te bepaal. Rakende die FO probleem, is sintetiese neurale netwerke (SNN) histories aangewend om die Deteksie en Identifikasie probleme op te los. Die hipotese van hierdie tesis is dat klassifikasie tegnieke, spesifiek klassifikasiebome (CT) en lineêre asook kwadratiese klassifikasie funksies (LCF en QCF), suksesvol aangewend kan word om die FO probleem op te los. Die hipotese word ondersoek deur middel van ʼn simulasie rondom ʼn eenvoudige gestadigde toestand proses-eenheid wat aan een lineêre en twee nie-lineêre vergelykings onderhewig is. Kunsmatige prosesmetings word geskep met behulp van lukrake syfers sodat die foutkomponent van elke prosesmeting bekend is. DR word toegepas op die kunsmatige data, en die DR resultate word gebruik om twee verskillende insetvektore vir die klassifikasie tegnieke te skep. Die prestasie van die klassifikasie metodes word vergelyk met die metingstoets van klassieke FO ten einde die gestelde hipotese te beantwoord. Die onderliggende tendense in die resultate is soos volg: - Die vermoë om ‘n nie-ewekansige fout op te spoor en te identifiseer is sterk afhanklik van die grootte asook die ligging van die fout vir al die klassifikasie tegnieke sowel as die metingstoets. - Vir sekere liggings van die nie-ewekansige fout is daar ‘n groot verskil tussen die vermoë om die fout op te spoor, en die vermoë om die fout te identifiseer, wat dui op smering van die fout. Al die klassifikasie tegnieke asook die metingstoets baar hierdie eienskap. - Oor die algemeen toon die klassifikasie metodes groter sukses as die metingstoets. - Die metingstoets is meer suksesvol vir relatief klein nie-ewekansige foute, asook vir sekere liggings van die nie-ewekansige fout, afhangende van die klassifikasie tegniek ter sprake. Daar is verskeie maniere om die bestek van hierdie ondersoek uit te brei. Meer komplekse, niegestadigde prosesse met sterk nie-lineêre prosesmodelle en meervuldige nie-ewekansige foute kan ondersoek word. Die moontlikheid bestaan ook om die prestasie van klassifikasie metodes te verbeter deur die gepaste keuse van insetvektor elemente.

This dissertation examines the practices and social constructions of volunteering in Southern Africa. Grounded in structural and cultural theory, I focus on volunteering as the product, rather than the raw material, of political processes. My approach stresses the volunteers’ perspectives, yet centers on critiques of dominance. In doing so, I destabilize the view of volunteering as inherently pro-social behavior, or as intrinsically characteristic of deepening democratic systems. Combining evidence from Afrobarometer surveys and twelve months of ethnographic fieldwork in South Africa and Zambia I show how meanings and practices, not just resources and capital, shape the socially constructed nature of volunteering given specific historic, economic and political conjunctures. The findings reveal that contemporary practices of volunteering in Southern Africa are a consequence of poverty, paternalistic exchange relationships, and state-civil society partnerships undergirded by foreign development aid. The dissertation is structured around four empirical points. The first concerns who volunteers. I identify characteristics of Africans who are most likely to actively belong to voluntary groups, and pinpoint the role of foreign development aid and poverty in shaping the volunteer landscape. The second highlights the positive connection between civic culture and active voluntary group membership in Africa, but I argue that this association does not inherently translate into greater democratic gains for a country. The third emphasizes “why” people volunteer. I document the exchange nature of volunteering, revealing its practical function for maintaining social cohesion and augmenting social capital, while simultaneously entrenching social hierarchies and paternalistic inequalities. The fourth point offers a theory linking three orientations to volunteering with activities in three different types of civil society. These view can be “allegiant,” “opportunistic,” or “challenging” and steer people toward volunteer activities that match their inclinations to enhance, confront, or preserve given social systems. Throughout this dissertation I illustrate how volunteerism aids residents of complex, diverse societies to define new social relations, craft compatible identities, and make meaning of social change. I present an effort in doing a sociology of volunteerism from Africa, rather simply in Africa, which increases the generalizability of existing theories of volunteerism to post-colonial, developing country contexts.

This study measures levels of religiosity and secularity among students at the Claremont Colleges, including students’ (ir)religious affiliations, beliefs, and practices. The religious landscape in the U.S. is shifting in multiple ways, and young adults feature prominently in these changes. Using data from an online survey of students, the present study addresses the following research questions: What is the (ir)religious makeup of the student body at the Claremont Colleges? Do the observed patterns mirror those of the general U.S. population? The results of this study show that the sample population at the Claremont Colleges is much less religious than the U.S. as a whole in terms of affiliation, beliefs, and practices. The findings highlight the shifting religious landscape in the U.S., particularly in the younger population, and the importance of understanding these shifts in order to best serve the needs of students.

While attitudes are difficult to assess, a qualitative research study can produce results to give insight into how a student feels a writing center has improved his or her confidence and attitude towards writing. This study reviews the minimal discussion of students‟ attitudes towards writing in past and current writing center research and builds upon the conversation by following three students‟ journeys in the writing center and discussing whether their experiences with the tutors has improved their attitudes about writing.

Traffic congestion can cause late deliveries, decreased profits from vehicle fuel idling in traffic, and delayed distribution in tight delivery windows. The focus of this study was on developing strategies that business leaders could use to increase on-time deliveries. The conceptual frameworks for this case study were systems theory, traffic equilibrium theory, bathtub theory, and kinematic wave theory. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 6 delivery service leaders from 3 delivery businesses in Southcentral Alaska. In addition, secondary data were collected from government information. Interview responses were coded to identify trends including delivery time, business activity, and amount of roadway congestion. Two major themes emerged from the interviews: time of day affecting when traffic congestion occurred, and limited alternate transportation routes causing congestion in Southcentral Alaska. The findings indicated that the best strategy to help reduce traffic congestion involved instituting toll optimization and high occupant vehicles lanes. The implications for effecting social change include how business leaders can help reduce traffic congestion using toll optimization, and how high occupant vehicle lanes could encourage Southcentral Alaskans to carpool.

Low-income Caucasian married parents described lifespan processes and conditions that contributed to their individual assessments that their marriage was healthy. Spouses participated in an interview together, followed later by an individual interview with each. Interview scripts referenced the study‘s primary research questions which sought their reflections on (a) external conditions that they considered to be important to their development, and (b) personal thoughts, emotions and behaviors they deemed relevant to the success of their marriage. A third research question called for integration of participants‘ reflections into a cogent grounded theory regarding successful low-income marriages. Analysis incorporated grounded theory methods, and those procedures were assisted by computer software such as NVIVO 7.0 ® and Microsoft Excel ®. This work revealed a developmental systems theoretical framework that posits that individuals‘ developmental factors gave rise to certain personal actual qualities, and also had affect upon the qualities individuals desired and perceived in their partner. Qualities desired and perceived in their partner may have greater or lesser priority to a spouse depending upon the range of acceptable variance that the spouse assigns to any given quality. While several high-priority qualities emerged from the words of the twenty spouses who participated, four high-priority qualities emerged as fundamental to the success of the marriage: (a) being loving, (b) being committed, (c) being appreciative, and (d) being child-centered. Four abstract sets of developmental factors, assigned the term synergists, strongly promoted these qualities among study participants: (a) a sensitizing experience, (b) a partner-as-rescuer mindset (PARM) preceded by a person‘s adverse history, (c) influences from one or more parents, and (d) religious influences. These findings provide a foundation of information critical to those researchers and practitioners interested in the quest toward an increase in successful marriages among households whose income falls within 200% of the published guideline for poverty as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This research was simultaneously collective and individual. In this dissertation, my team and I inquired into what it means to undertake playbuilding as qualitative research and be a practitioner, specifically focusing on the roles of artist, researcher, and educator from an applied theatre graduate student perspective. I drew upon the methodological and theoretical frameworks of playbuilding as qualitative research and a/r/tography. Playbuilding as qualitative research offers creative methods for un/re/covering collective and affective ways of knowing. A/r/tography offers the opportunity to explore self and roles through art-making and reflexivity. For me, both are manifestations of the same creative impulse to make meaning and generate new understandings expressed through different perspectives and processes. This research consisted of a cohort of applied theatre graduate students who collectively explored and devised a play on what it means to be an artist/researcher/educator. The play, To Spin a Red Yarn: Enacting Artist/Researcher/Teacher stands as an artefact to the collectives’ generation, interpretation, and performance of research. In addition, I wrote an exegesis that spins my individual story within our collective. The exegesis, Behind the Curtain, extends the world of the play into the text by taking the reader on a dramatic journey through soliloquizing as dialogue. As a result of this study, I theorized a translated a/r/tographical framework into theatre- based language for the use by practitioners that is rooted in theatre practitioner praxis (theory and practice). This praxis-based study was intended to provide knowledge for artist-researchers, educators, and theatre-makers. This research offers artists/researchers/educators access to more stories, insights, and ideas about what it means to be a theatre-based artist/researcher/educator undertaking playbuilding as qualitative research. This research opens up rich possibilities that are commonplace to theatre-makers and performing artists on how different theatrical conventions could be used in playbuilding as qualitative research. For theatre-makers who are interested in combining theatre with academic research, it offers another paradigm to consider, expand, and interconnect the work that they do. Likewise, for a/r/tographers who are theatre-based, this research offers a way to conceive the work they do rooted in theatre-based language. / Graduate / 0465 / 0516 / 0727 / bishopk@uvic.ca

According to recent surveys on the use of systems development methodologies, many organizations claim that they are adapting systems development methodologies (Hardy et al. 1995; Russo et al. 1996; Fitzgerald, 1998). The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the adaptation of systems development methodologies in South Africa. This problem was investigated by addressing the following research questions: • What are the perceptions of system developers regarding systems development methodologies? • Why do system developers adapt system development methodologies? • How do they adapt the methodologies? • Is there a difference in the quality of the systems which are developed with these adapted systems development methodologies opposed to those systems which are developed according to a specific formalised methodology? In this dissertation, interpretive case studies have been used to add to the researcher's knowledge concerning how and why systems development methodologies in South Africa are adapted. Qualitative interviewing was used as a data collection method. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. The next step was to analyse the transcribed data. In this study, content analysis with cross-case analysis was used. The findings obtained were confirmed by making use of triangulation and member checking. The results indicated that although the use of systems development methodologies is mandatory in organizations, it is not enforced by senior employees. Organizations use multiple systems development methodologies. Systems development methodologies are adapted due to several reasons, i.e. financial gains that is obtained, the lack of knowledge, time limitations, the fact that methodologies are not universally applicable, etc. Systems development methodologies are statically and dynamically adapted by adding and removing steps. The combination of methodologies and switching between methodologies also occur. The results indicate that developers realize that formal systems development methodologies produce systems of a higher quality. However, because it is so time-consuming, they are prepared to accept a lower quality system in order to gain a faster delivery time. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This study examines the influence of various Western mystical traditions on Leonard Cohen’s second novel, Beautiful Losers. It begins with a discussion of Cohen’s public remarks concerning religion and mysticism followed by an assessment of twentieth century Canadian criticism on Beautiful Losers. Three thematic chapters comprise the majority of the study, each concerning a different mystical tradition—Kabbalism, Gnosticism, and Christian mysticism, respectively. The author considers Beautiful Losers in relation to these systems, concluding that the novel effectively depicts the pursuit of God, or knowledge, through mystic practice and doctrine. This study will interest scholars seeking a careful exploration of Cohen’s use of religious themes in his work.