Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Apr. 20, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.) -- Middle East Technical University, 2005. / Keywords: Quality, quality management, ISO 9001, Cost of Quality.

Thesis (MMed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009. / Full text also available online. Scroll down for electronic link.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, May 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

The need to replace the present methods of rating the acceptability of a manufacturer's lot of strawberries is indicated. Work has been done towards adapting and developing laboratory techniques for this purpose. The quality factors checked upon were the state of maturity, the effectiveness of processing work, and the freedom from adulteration. In connection with the maturity of the strawberries a color technique is outlined, some factors of the growing conditions are introduced, and a relationship is shown between these and the aroma. The residues of dirt and insects are checked against a classification of the processing plants in showing the quality of preparation. Mold and included water are considered under adulteration. New methods are outlined for preparing the sample, counting the insects, estimating dirt, and evaluating maturity by color. / Graduation date: 1954

The objectives were to investigate the ability of a two-factor central composite rotatable design (CCRD), using cooking temperature (CT) and endpoint temperature (ET) as independent variables, to predict selected chemical, physical and sensory meat quality characteristics considered important by the industry, researcher and consumer alike. Response surface analysis (RSA) was used simultaneously to evaluate the nature of the responses obtained, with 13 CT-ET combinations for the various species being evaluated. A contour plot-response surface graphics program ("SURCON") was developed at Oregon State University during this research and applied to the evaluation of the data. Evaluation of the nature of the response surfaces formed a major part of the thesis. Fresh pork loin roasts, frozen lamb loin roasts, turkey halves (breast and thigh meat), and control (conventionally processed) and treated (prerigor, pressurized) semitendinous beef blocks were used for heat treatments. For pork, the dependent variables of heating rate (°C/min); evaporation loss (%); cooking time (min); total moisture (%); total nitrogen and "remaining" protein fraction (dry weight basis); chromaticity coordinate, z; and sensory panel juiciness, were significant and the CCRD was successful. For lamb, the dependent variables of heating rates (°C/g; °C/min); total cooking, drip and evaporation loss (%); cooking time (min); total moisture (%); expressible moisture index; total nitrogen (wet weight basis); chromaticity coordinate, x and z; saturation index and sensory panel doneness and color were significant. For turkeys, the dependent variables of heating rates (°C/g, °C/min, °C/g/min), total cooking and evaporation loss (%), cooking time (min), total nitrogen, low ionic strength and "remaining" protein fraction (dry weight basis) and non-protein nitrogen extract (wet weight basis), and sensory panel thigh juiciness were significant and the CCRD was successful in its ability to predict significant dependent variables. The CCRD and RSA of pre-rigor pressurized beef beef were affected differently by CT-ET combinations than control processed beef. / Graduation date: 1985

In a communication system, audio quality is one of the parameters by which the end user defines the value of a product. This thesis examines the term audio quality, breaking it down into two subsidiary components, speech quality and speech intelligibility. One key goal in assessing audio quality is quantifying it in an accurate and repeatable way. As a part of this project a system was developed that achieved this goal. The system was then used to evaluate a number of existing products based on speech quality and intelligibility. Using these results the relationship between the two parameters was investigated. Investigations were also conducted in order to determine and quantify the effect communication systems have on perceptual speech parameters, and examine the relationship between them and speech quality and intelligibility. Using the testing systems developed a possible method of audio quality optimization was investigated and tested. The analysis methods that were incorporated into the test suite included the Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality, the Speech Transmission Index, vowel space analysis and segmental, psychoacoustic based methods. The testing incorporated a number of different handheld portable radios as speakers.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Physiotherapy Johannesburg 2017 / BACKGROUND: Global life expectancy is on the rise and it is contributing to the growth of the population proportion of the elderly. More and more elderly are getting institutionalised. Functional status decline has been found to influence institutionalisation in the elderly while health-related quality of life seems to be better among the community dwelling elderly compared to the institutionalised elderly. As a result, there is increased interest on the functional status and health-related quality of life (QoL) of the institutionalised elderly. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were:  to determine the demographic profile of the institutionalised elderly in Alexandra, Orange Grove and Yeoville areas of Johannesburg.  to determine the health-related quality of life and functional status of the institutionalised elderly in Alexandra, Orange Grove and Yeoville areas of Johannesburg.  to determine the relationship between functional status and health-related QoL of the institutionalised elderly in selected Johannesburg areas.  to determine the predictors of functional status and health-related QoL of the institutionalised elderly in selected Johannesburg areas. METHOD: The study utilised a cross-sectional, quantitative descriptive design. Functional status was assessed using the Physical Self Maintenance Scale (PSMS) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale while health-related QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L. The functional status and health-related QoL of the participants were assessed as a onetime event over 11 weeks. The calculated sample size was 137 participants but only 116 residents met the inclusion criteria. Questionnaires were administered individually on participants who met the study inclusion criteria after obtaining consent to get activities of daily living (ADL), IADL and health-related QoL scores. Stata version 13 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: There were 105 participants, 66 (62.86%) female and 39 (37.14%) male. The mean age was 75.2 (±8.56) years and age range being 61-98 years. The median ADL score was 5. The median IADL score for female participants was 2 while the mean IADL score for male participants was 1.95±1.70. The median EQ-5D-5L index value was 0.69. Activities of daily living (r=0.685, p<0.001) and IADL (r=0.434, p<0.006 (male); r=0.369, p<0.003 (female)) were positively correlated with health-related QoL. The correlation between health-related QoL and ADL and that between QoL and IADL were strong and moderate respectively. Independent predictors of health-related QoL were race and religion. Religion was the only independent predictor of functional status (basic ADL) for both male and all participants. There was no independent predictor of functional status (IADL) for female participants. CONCLUSION: The age range of participants was a span of four decades of life beginning from the sixth decade. Females outnumbered male participants in the ratio 1.69:1. The functional status of participants was poor (IADL) to moderate (ADL). The health-related quality of life of participants was moderate. Functional status and health-related quality of life were positively associated with strong strength. Religion and race independently predicted functional status and health-related QoL. Although the data gotten from participants’ responses were sufficient for analyses, the findings from this study cannot be generalised to all the institutionalised elderly in the selected areas in Johannesburg because the number of residents who met the study inclusion criteria and participated in the study fell short of the calculated sample size. In essence, there is the need for more studies on the functional status and health-related quality of life of the institutionalised elderly. / MT2018

Objectives: To establish the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of survivors of critical illness as a result of trauma six months after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) and to determine which HRQOL measurement tool is more suitable to use in this population. To relate demographic characteristics and other outcome measures to HRQOL as reported six months after ICU discharge with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Medical Outcomes questionnaire and EQ-5D questionnaire respectively. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort study was conducted to assess HRQOL at six months after ICU discharge for survivors of trauma who were treated with mechanical ventilation. Twenty eight (n=28) subjects were recruited from two ICUs in Johannesburg, South Africa. Health-related QOL was assessed with the SF-36 English UK version and the EQ-5D questionnaires. Demographic (age, gender) and outcome measure [Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Injury Severity Score (ISS), ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS)] information was related to HRQOL. Results: The HRQOL reported by subjects showed limitations when measured with the EQ-5D and SF-36. EQ-5D data revealed that 50% of subjects reported some problems in mobility, 35% in self-care and 67.9% in usual activities. Furthermore, 60.7% reported some problems in pain/discomfort and 7.1% reported extreme problems in this domain. With regard to the anxiety/depression domain, 46.4% reported some problems whilst 7.1% reported extreme problems. The mean score for the EQ-5D visual analogue scale (VAS) was found to be 68 (± 26.1). Statistical significance was found in the relationships between age and EQ-VAS (p = 0.05; r = -0.4) where a moderate correlation was observed, ICU length of stay (LOS) and the mobility domain (p = 0.01), hospital LOS and the mobility domain (p = 0.04), hospital LOS and the self-care domain (p = 0.04) and the APACHE II score and the usual activities domain (p = 0.05). With respect to the HRQOL as measured with the SF-36 questionnaire, subjects were found to have not achieved optimal HRQOL in any of the domains nor with regard to the summary scores. Lowest scores were found in the role physical (RP) [44.6 (± 41.6)] and role emotional (RE) [44.1 (± 45.4)] domains. The physical component summary score (PCS) [62.1(± 27.8)] was slightly higher than the mental component summary score (MCS) [58.7(± 20.1)]. Statistical significance and a strong correlation was found in the association of age and physical functioning (PF) (p = 0.00; r = -0.6). The association between age and general health (GH) (p = 0.02; r = -0.4) yielded a moderate correlation. The same can be said about the association between age and physical component summary score (PCS) (p = 0.01; r = -0.5). PF was also significantly associated with ICU (p = 0.03; r = -0.4) and hospital (p = 0.03; r = -0.4) LOS and a moderate correlation was shown between these variables. Conclusion: At six months after ICU discharge, HRQOL for these subjects was not optimal. Age, ICU and hospital LOS seemed to be associated with limitations in HRQOL related to function while severity of illness had a lesser effect. The EQ-5D questionnaire proved to be simpler and more user-friendly in ascertaining the HRQOL of trauma survivors; however the SF-36 gave more detailed information about HRQOL. Patients who experienced trauma might benefit from a rehabilitation programme after discharge from hospital to address the functional impairments in HRQOL observed with this study.

A project report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, 1991 / he purpose of this project was to introduce an affective Quality Control Systems into a newly established foundry. The parent company expressed concern about the poor quality of locally produced castings and decided to invest in it's own foundry. As the company exclusively produces components for the motor manufacturing industry it was of paramount importance that the foundry is equipped and run in accordance to the high manufacturing standards set by the major motor manufactures. As the Auto Industrial Group is committed to a total Quality Control programme in line with the high-tech motor manufactures it is obvious that the foundry follow suite. The strategy adopted was to base a Quality management system along the lines of SABS 0157 and to expand it to ensure that all the quality requirements of the customers are accommodated