Plus size är ett växande kundsegment som idag har blivit i stort sett negligerat av klädbranschen både nationellt och internationellt. Med ett begränsat utbud och brist på inspirerande butiksavdelningar har allt fler konsumenter slutat att handla i fysisk butik och istället övergått till att handla på nätet. Detta har inspirerat till en undersökning av hur svenska kvinnliga modemedvetna plus size konsumenter i olika åldrar upplever fysiska klädbutikers servicescape. I studien har en kvantitativ metod, surveyundersökning online, genomförts där bekvämlighetsurval använts som grund. 121 modemedvetna plus size kvinnor uttryckte sin åsikt angående sina upplevelser av fysiska butikers servicescape och hur produkterna upplevs. I enkäten gjordes en medveten uppdelning av frågorna gällande fysiska butiker, ena butikskonceptet har en specifik plus size avdelning och den andra har sitt plus size sortimentet integrerat med det övriga sortimentet i butiken. Efter genomförd deskriptiv och statistisk analys av det insamlade materialet har det kunnat fastställas att plus size konsumenter anser att det finns skillnader mellan butiker med enskild avdelning och butiker med integrerat sortiment. Den allmänna upplevelsen bland respondenterna var att servicescape genomförts bättre i butiker där plus size produkter är integrerade bland det övriga sortimentet. Utbudet av produkter i plus size upplevs vara begränsat. Det är därför svårt att avgöra hur servicescape påverkar uppfattningen av produkter. Dock uppfattas plus size avdelningars servicescape negativt och detta kan påverka konsumenters upplevelse av produkter och dess tillgänglighet. Studien har bidragit med nya insikter i hur det specifika kundsegmentet, plus size kvinnor, upplever servicescape. Vidare har studien bidragit till forskning gällande butiker med integrerat utbud då tidigare forskning inom detta område varit begränsat. / Plus size is a growing consumer segment that have become neglected in the clothing industry both nationally and internationally. With a limited supply and a lack of inspiring departments in store, more consumers have stopped shopping in physical stores and instead directed their shopping towards online retailers. These factors have inspired this study and the need to investigate how Swedish female fashion forward plus size consumers in different ages experience physical store environments in terms of servicescape. The study is based on a quantitative method where convenience sample was used. 121 female plus size consumers took part in an online survey to express their experiences of servicescape and how products are perceived in these environments. The survey was deliberately divided into two different parts where one part focused on stores that have a specific department for plus size clothing and the other where the plus size assortment was integrated with the other ranges in store. After conducted descriptive and statistical analysis of the compiled material, the study shows that female plus size consumers deem that there is a difference between the experienced servicescape of the two different types of store. The general conception among the respondents is that the stores where the plus size assortment is integrated have a better applied servicescape. The range of products in plus size was experienced to be limited. Because of this is has been hard to determine werther servicescape have a big impact on how products are perceived or not. However, since the study shows that plus size departments in terms of servicescape are perceived negatively, this may have an effect on how the products and its availability are perceived. The study has contributed with new insights into how the specific consumer segment, female plus size, experience servicescape. Furthermore, the study has contributed with new knowledge regarding the experience of stores with an integrated plus size assortment since this particular angle has been limited in earlier studies.

Se ha observado que el mercado peruano de la hipertensión arterial representa el 46.37% del mercado cardiovascular con un crecimiento del 11% entre el año 1998 y 1999, debido principalmente al estresante ritmo de vida que se vive en la actualidad y a la mayor conciencia que están tomando las personas con respecto a esta enfermedad. / Tesis

Clothes are not only for body protection and covering, but they also have social and emotional aspects attached to them. For them to be appealing, they need to have a proper fit while remaining fashionable and aesthetically pleasing to the eye (Anderson, Brannon, Ulrich, Presley&Woronka, Grasso&Gray,2000; Yoo, 2003). Swaziland has a large population of plus-size women who are working in different departments and need to dress for the job on a daily basis. Their apparel sizing and fit preferences and problems are not known. This research investigates apparel sizing and fit preferences and problems of the plus-size Swazi working women. It concentrates specifically on the functional, aesthetic and economic fit preferences, as well as on determining size labelling preferences, knowledge and clothing styles preferences and problems. This was a descriptive study using a quantitative approach. Purposive sampling was used. This design was chosen as it focused on studying plus-size working women who were experiencing fit problems with the apparel they bought from local apparel retail shops. A survey using a questionnaire to collect data was done in exploring apparel sizing and fit problems and preferences of plus-size working women of Swaziland. A sample of plus-size Swazi working female teachers (n = 249) between the ages of 25 and 60 years who had indicated that they wore clothes of size 16 to 28+ or size 40 to 52+ participated in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to answer set objectives. The results of the study indicated that the plus-size Swazi working women preferred clothes that were functionally comfortable, fitted well and were made in comfortable fabric. They also indicated that they preferred clothes that were well sized, had a fit that was functional, sensually and emotionally pleasing in respect of style, the fabric used and comfort. The study also reflected that plus-size Swazi working women experienced sizing and fit problems in most of the apparel they bought from local retail outlets. A high number of the plus-size women consumers reported experiencing difficulty in finding clothes that were aesthetically pleasing. They could not find clothes that were fashionable in their size nor clothes that could satisfy their emotional and symbolic egos. A high number of respondents also indicated that they experienced a lot of fit problems on several areas of their bodies. The waist, hips, buttocks, abdomen and upper arms seemed to be the most problematic body areas respondents reported to be having fit problems. The lengths were also a challenge as most had problems with sleeve and pants length. Findings in this study also reflected that sizing in clothes was still a major problem for most of the plus-size consumers. Many of the respondents had problems understanding information on the size tags. The sizing systems were most probably confusing for the consumer as some came in varying numbers and letters. This study may contribute to a better understanding of sizing and fit preferences and problems experienced by the plussize Swazi working women with regard to work apparel. Consumers come in different shapes and sizes. The clothing producer has a task of ensuring that clothes are made to fit most of the prevailing figure types, rather than the common ideal figure. / Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Consumer Science / unrestricted

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A research report submitted in partial fulfilment requiremenrs of degree Master of Science tothe School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, January 2018 / South Africa’s energy sector is vital to the development of its economy. Instability in the form of disruption in supply affects production costs, investments, and social and economic growth. Domestic sources are no longer able to meet the country’s demands. South Africa must find a local alternative fuel source in order to reclaim stability and encourage social and economic development. Biomass is one of the most abundant renewable energy sources, and has great potential as a fuel source. Currently biomass contributes 12% of the world’s energy supply, while in some developing countries it is responsible for up to 50% of the energy supply. South Africa is the highest maize producer on the African continent. Many studies carried out indicated that maize, and its residue contain valuable materials, and has the highest lower heating value in comparison to other agricultural crops. This indicates that maize can be a potential biomass for renewable energy generation in South Africa. A means for energy conversion for biomass, is the process of gasification. Gasification results in gaseous products H2, CO and CO2. Since the process of biomass gasification involves a series of complex chemical reactions involving a number of parameters, which include flow, heat transfer and mass transfer, it is very difficult to study the process of gasification by relying on experimentation only. Numerical simulation was used to provide further insight on this process, and accelerate development and application of maize gasification in a cost effective and efficient manner. The objective of this study was therefore, to verify and evaluate the feasibility of maize gasification and liquid fuels production in South Africa from an economic and energy perspective. The simulation model was developed in Aspen Plus® based on two thermodynamic models specified as Soave – Redlich – Kwong and the Peng Robinson equation of state. All binary parameters required for this simulation were available in Aspen Plus®. The gasification unit was modelled based on a modified Gibbs free energy minimization model. Gasification of maize and downstream processing in the form of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis and gas to liquids (GTL) processing for liquid fuels production was modelled in Aspen Plus®. Sensitivity analyses were carried out on the process variables: equivalence ratio (ER), steam to biomass ratio (SBR), temperature and pressure, to obtain the optimum gasification conditions. The optimum reactor conditions, which maximized syngas volume and quality was found to be an ER of 0.22 and SBR of 0.2 at a temperature of 611ºC. An increase in pressure was found to have a negative effect; therefore atmospheric conditions of 101.325 kPa were chosen, in order to maximize CO and H2 molar volumes. Based on these conditions the produced syngas consisted of 35% H2, 16% CO, 24% CO2 and 3%CH4. The results obtained from gasification, based on a modified Gibbs free energy model, show a closer agreement with experimental data, than other simulations based on the assumption that equilibrium is reached and no tar is formed. However, these results were still idealistic as it under predicted the formation of CO and CH4. Although tar was accounted for as 5.5% of the total product from the gasifier (Barman et al., 2012), it may have been an insufficient estimation resulting in the discrepancy in CO and CH4. The feasibility of maize as a feed for gasification was examined based on quality of syngas produced in relation to the requirements for FT synthesis. A H2/CO ratio of 2.20 was found, which is within range of 2.1 – 2.56 found to support greater conversions of CO with deactivation of the FT catalyst (Lillebo et al., 2017). The syngas produced from maize was found to have a higher H2/CO ratio than conventional fossil fuel feeds; implying that maize can result in a syngas feed which is both renewable and richer in CO and H2 molar volumes. Liquid fuels generation was modelled based on experimental production distributions obtained from literature for FT synthesis and hydrocracking. The liquid fuel production for 1000 kg/hr maize feed, was found to be 152 kg/hr LPG, 517 kg/hr petrol and 155 kg/hr diesel. The simulation of liquid fuels production via the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and hydrocracking process showed fair agreement with literature. Where significant deviations were found, they could be reasonably explained and supported. This simulation was found to be a suitable means to predict liquid fuels production from maize gasification and downstream processing. The feasibility of liquid fuels production from maize in South Africa was examined based on the country’s resource capacity to support additional maize generation. It was found that based on 450 000 hectares of underutilized land found in the Homelands, an additional 1.216 billion litre/annum of synthetic fuels in the form of diesel and petrol could be produced. This has the potential to supplement South African liquid fuels demand by 6% using a renewable fuel source. This fuel generation from maize will not impact food security due to the use of underutilized arable land for maize cultivation, or impact water supply as maize does not require irrigation. In addition, fuel generation in this manner supports the Biofuels Industry Strategy (2007) by targeting the use of underutilized land, ensuring minimal impact on food security, and exceeds its primary objective of achieving a 2% blending rate from renewable sources. The economic feasibility of liquid fuels derived from maize was determined based on current economic conditions in 2016. Based on these conditions of 49 $/bbl Brent Crude, 40 $/MT coal and 6.5 $/mmBTU of natural gas at a R/$ exchange rate of R14.06 per U.S. dollar, it was found that coal, natural gas and oil processing are more economically viable feeds for fuel generation relative to maize. However, based on projected market conditions for South Africa, the R/$ exchange rate is expected to weaken further, the coal supply is expected to diminish and supply of natural gas is expected to be a continued issue for South Africa. Based on this, maize should be considered as a feed for fuel generation to reduce the dependency on non-renewable fossil fuel sources. The energy feasibility of liquid fuels produced from maize was only evaluated from a thermal energy perspective. It was found that maize gasification and FT processing requires 0.91 kg steam/kg feed. This 0.91kg of steam accounts for the raw material feed, distillation and heating required for every 1kg of maize processed. It was found that 2.56 kg steam/kg feed was generated from the reactor units. This was assumed to be in the form of 10 bar steam, as in this form it can be sent to steam turbines for electricity generation to assist with overall energy efficiency for this process. In addition, the amount of CO2 (kg/kg feed) produced, was examined for maize processing in comparison to fossil fuel feeds: natural gas and coal. The CO2 production from liquid fuels processing based on a maize feed, was found to be the highest at 0.66 kg/kg feed. However, a coal feed has higher ash and fix carbon content indicating greater solid waste generation in the gasifer. While dry reforming of natural gas is a net consumer of CO2, but had significantly higher steam requirements in order to achieve the same H2/CO ratio as maize. This indicates that although maize results in more CO2/kg feed, it is 88% more energy efficient than dry methane reforming. Additional experimental work on FT processing using syngas derived from maize is recommended. This will assist in further verification of liquid fuels quantity, quality and process energy requirements. / XL2018

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / A new method for capturing 3D video from a single imager and lens is introduced in this research. The benefit of this method is that it does not have the calibration and alignment issues associated with binocular 3D video cameras, and allows for a less expensive overall system. The digital imaging technique Depth from Defocus (DfD) has been successfully used in still camera imaging to develop a depth map associated with the image. However, DfD has not been applied in real-time video so far since the focus mechanisms are too slow to produce real-time results. This new research result shows that a Microfluidic lens is capable of the required focal length changes at 2x video frame rate, due to the electrostatic control of the focus. During the processing, two focus settings per output frame are captured using this lens combined with a broadcast video camera prototype. We show that the DfD technique using Bayesian Markov Random Field optimization can produce a valid depth map.

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This thesis was undertaken to investigate if an eForm-based extractor interface would improve the efficiency of the baseline risk extraction process for BRiskeT (Baseline Risk e-Tool). The BRiskeT database will contain the extracted baseline risk data from top prognostic research articles. BRiskeT utilizes McMaster University’s PLUS (Premium Literature Service) database to thoroughly vet articles prior to their inclusion in BRiskeT. The articles that have met inclusion criteria are then passed into the extractor interface that was developed for the purpose of this thesis, which has been called MacPrognosis. MacPrognosis displays these articles to a data extractor who fills out an electronic form which gives an overview of the baseline risk information in an article. The baseline risk information is subsequently saved to the BRiskeT database, which can then be queried according to the end user’s needs. One of the goals in switching from a paper-based extraction system to an eForm-based system was to save time in the extraction process. Another goal for MacPrognosis was to create an eForm that allowed baseline risk information to be extracted from as many disciplines as possible. To test whether MacPrognosis succeeded in saving extraction time and improving the proportion of articles from which baseline risk data could be extracted, it was subsequently utilized to extract data from a large test set of articles. The results of the extraction process were then compared with results from a previously conducted data extraction pilot utilizing a paper-based system which was created during the feasibility analysis for BRiskeT in 2012. The new eForm based extractor interface not only sped up the process of data extraction, but may also increase the proportion of articles from which data can be successfully extracted with minor future alterations when compared to a paper-based model of extraction. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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