This thesis will investigate the Communication, Collaboration and Coordination among hu-manitarian organization with the application of Information and Communication Technol-ogy, and commercial paradigms. Aims to involve the relief actors and the commercial com-panies involved throughout of their Corporate Social Responsibility programs. The method-ology is chosen specifically to fit the qualitative nature of the research. The paper presents data collected for the sole purpose of this research and is later on analysed in order to draw theoretical conclusions. At the end, practical implications and suggestions for future research are included.

This thesis examines determinants of the adoption of total mixed ration (TMR), and the effects of the adoption of TMR on the farm level productivity and profitability of Ontario dairy farms. A sample of 320 farm level data from 2004-2008 is taken from the Ontario Dairy Farm Accounting Project (ODFAP). A probit model is estimated to examine the factors affecting the adoption of TMR; and the propensity score matching analysis is used to explore the influence of the use of TMR on sample farm’s productivity and profitability. Results from the probit model show that farmer’s age, herd size, region, breed type and feeding system have significant effect on the adoption of TMR. In turn, the adoption of TMR feeding practice has positive influence on both farm productivity and profitability. Under the propensity score matching method, the use of the TMR feeding practice has an economically significant effect on farm profits (i.e., for average farm with approximately 73 cows, the use of TMR feeding practice increases farm profits by CAD$37,091.30/year approximately) and a statistically significant increase in milk production by 1075.41 hl/cow per year.

Darbo tikslas: nustatyti karvėms šertų silosuotų pašarų kokybinius rodiklius, pašarų įtaką melžiamų karvių produktyvumui ir pieno kokybei. Įvertinti racionų ekonominius rodiklius. Darbo uždaviniai: įvertinti melžiamų karvių silosuotus pašarus ir racionų struktūrą. Išanalizuoti silosuotų pašarų kokybės rodiklius. Nustatyti raciono įtaką karvių produktyvumui ir pieno kokybei. Karvių šėrimo racionų ekonominio įvertinimo analizė. Pateikti išvadas ir pasiūlymus. Tyrimui medžiaga rinkta Jonavos raj., X ūkyje. Išanalizavus X ūkio 2011–2012 metų karvėms šertų silosuotų pašarų kokybę, karvių šėrimo racionų sudėtį, maistingumo rodiklius, galima daryti išvadas: žemės ūkio bendrovės karvių banda atitinka vidutinius produktyvumo rodiklius auginant Lietuvos juodmargių veislės karves. Karvės šeriamos viso raciono pašarų mišiniais. Karvėms racionai sudaromi atsižvelgiant į laktacijos tarpsnius, pagal kuriuos karvės suskirstytos į tris grupes. Racionai nekito per analizuojamuosius metus. Išanalizavus silosuotų pašarų kokybės įtaką karvių produktyvumui, galima teigti, kad racionai ūkyje yra subalansuoti. Atlikus pieno tyrimus, 2012 metais, nustatytas 10,07 proc. didesnis tirtų karvių pieno riebumas., lyginant su karvių pieno riebumu 2011 metais. Karvių pieno riebumas 2011 metais buvo 4,17 proc, o 2012 metais 4,59 proc. Pieno baltymingumas tiriamaisiais metais nekito ir išliko per visą tyrimo laikotarpį 3,48 proc. Laktozės kiekis piene: 2011 metais – 4,34 proc., o 2012 metais 4,4 proc. arba 1... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The purpose of the work was to identify ensiled forage used to feed cows quality indicators, forage’s influence on cows' productivity and milk quality, and to rate ration’s economic indicators. The task of the work: to assess the silage used to feed dairy cow and their rations’ structure. To analyze the ensiled forage quality indicators. To set the ration influence on cows’ productivity and milk quality. Economic evaluation analysis of cows’ rations. The conclusions and suggestions. The material for the research was collected in Jonava agricultural company X. The analysis of an X during 2011-2012 ensiled forage used to feed cows quality, cows’ feeding ration composition, nutritional indicators, conclusions can be drawn: agriculture company’s average cow herd suits the productivity indicators of Lithuanian Black and White cows. The cows are fed rations of feeding mixtures. Cows’ rations are drawn up on the stages of lactation, by which cows are divided into three groups. Diets did not change during the surveyed year. The analysis of ensiled forage quality on milk production of cows, it can be said that the farm’s rations are balanced. After the milk testing in 2012, it was established, that compared to 2011 (4.17 percent) milk fat content grew of 10,07 percent (4.59 percent in 2012). Milk protein under investigation didn’t change and remained at 3.48 percent. The quantity of lactose: 2011 - 4.34 percent, 2012 - 4.4 percent. Somatic cell count increased in 2012 to 458... [to full text]

Submitted by Maurílio Figueiredo (maurilioafigueiredo@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-02-21T20:52:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO_DimensionamentoPavimentoAsfáltico.pdf: 4166068 bytes, checksum: bb5e66350d14cd80a40381b89229a5c1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Neide Nativa (neide@sisbin.ufop.br) on 2013-02-22T14:08:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO_DimensionamentoPavimentoAsfáltico.pdf: 4166068 bytes, checksum: bb5e66350d14cd80a40381b89229a5c1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-02-22T14:08:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO_DimensionamentoPavimentoAsfáltico.pdf: 4166068 bytes, checksum: bb5e66350d14cd80a40381b89229a5c1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / ABSTRACT: This dissertation aims to develop an comparative and analytical study between the methodology of the National Department of Highways – Departamento Nacional de Estradas de Rodagem (DNER), with a mechanistic-empirical methodology. For this study took a more detailed understanding of the construction of these theoretical and practical methodologies. It also developed a case study on highway Minas Gerais State, in which the usual tests were carried out of the constituent materials of the pavement to both approaches. For pavement design methodology DNER were used abacus and the design by mechanistic-empirical method was used SisPav program (Franco, 2007) and the AEMC program is a subroutine of the previous program. It was concluded that although the methodology of the DNER is the most used in Brazil, the mechanistic- empirical approach has a greater ability todescribe the functional and structural performance of a pavement. / Esta dissertação tem como objetivo desenvolver um estudo comparativo e analítico entre o método do Departamento Nacional de Estradas de Rodagem (DNER) com uma metodologia Mecanística-Empírica. Para a realização deste estudo foi necessária uma compreensão mais detalhada do processo de construção teórico e prático destas metodologias. Foi também desenvolvido um estudo de caso em uma rodovia do Estado de Minas Gerais, em que foram realizados ensaios usuais dos materiais constituintes do pavimento para ambas as metodologias. Para o dimensionamento do pavimento na metodologia DNER foram utilizados os ábacos que lhes são característicos. Já para o dimensionamento pela metodologia mecanística-empírica foi utilizado o programa SisPav (Franco, 2007) e o programa AEMC que é uma sub-rotina do programa anterior. Concluiu-se que, apesar da metodologia do DNER ser a mais utilizada no Brasil, a metodologia mecanística-empírica apresenta uma maior capacidade de descrever o desempenho funcional e estrutural de um pavimento. ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Na presente dissertação foi desenvolvido um procedimento automático para a determinação de selênio em rações para animais doméstico digeridas em meio ácido. O método automatizado foi baseado no efeito catalítico do selênio(IV) na reação de sulfato de ferro amoniacal com EDTA em meio contendo NaNO3. O módulo de análise foi baseado no processo de multicomutação em fluxo. Tendo em vista que reação tem cinética lenta, o módulo de análise foi projetado com seis bobinas de reação acopladas em paralelo para permitir tempo de residência da zona de amostra em torno de cinco minutos, sem comprometer a freqüência de amostragem. Após a definição das variáveis de controle, amostras de rações para animais digeridas em meio de ácido nítrico/perclórico foram processadas. Os resultados referentes ao testes de adição de padrão apresentaram recuperação entre 95 e 109 %. Outras características importantes tais como desvio padrão relativo em torno de 2% (n = 8) e freqüência de amostragem de 60 determinações por hora foram observadas. / In this work it was developed an automatic procedure for the determination of selenium in ration for domestic animals digested in acidic medium. The automated method was based on the catalytic effect caused by selenium (IV) on the reaction of ammoniacal iron sulfate with EDTA in medium containing NaNO3. The analytical module was based on multicommuted flow process. Considering that the kinetic of reaction was slow, the analytical module was designed with six reaction coupled in parallel in order to allow that residence time of sample zone was increased up to 5 min without decrease of the analytical throughput. After definition of the system control variables, sample of animal ration mineralized in nitric/perchloric acid medium were processed. The results concerning to standard solution addition assays gave recoveries between the range of 95 % up to 109 %. Other profitable features such as a relative standard deviation of 2 % (n = 8) and an analytical throughput of 60 samples determination per hours were also achieved.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are a new form of industrially relevant nano-scale particle and are seen as the cutting edge of the burgeoning nanotechnology revolution which promises to impact on all our lives. Due to high length to diameter ratio, CNT are perhaps the most well known of a growing collection of high aspect ratio nanoparticles (HARN). However the production and use of carbon nanotubes has presented an interesting toxicological question based on its structure and raised the question ‘are carbon nanotubes like asbestos?’. Few people are unaware of the devastating global pandemic of diseases caused by asbestos and similarities in needle-like shape between asbestos and nanotubes have raised fears that nanotubes may mimic asbestos-type disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate this link, based on the wealth of information known about the toxic effects of certain forms of fibre on the respiratory system. From this we hope to identify those carbon nanotubes which are hazardous whilst not prejudicing the use of those industrially relevant materials which can be used safely. Within fibre toxicology there exists a central paradigm which outlines the main properties a fibrous particle must possess if it is to exert pathogenic effects in the body. This paradigm outlines the importance of length, thinness and biopersistence to a fibre and an absence of one or more of these attributes results in a loss of pathogenicity. We took this paradigm and, using suitable asbestos and non-asbestos controls, applied it various morphological forms of carbon nanotubes using an in vivo model. The resultant data demonstrates for the first time that asbestos-like pathogenic behaviour associated with carbon nanotubes is closely linked to the morphology of the nanotubes and their aggregates. Specifically our results showed that CNT which possessed a long, straight length were highly inflammogenic and fibrogenic within the peritoneal cavity of mice; a model sensitive to the pathogenic effects of fibres. As well as length, the importance of biopersistence in the pathogenesis of fibrous particles has been known for many years and is a central attribute affecting the pathogenicity of fibres. Amphibole asbestos is known to be durable, a commercially exploited attribute and as such is biopersistent in the lung which is a key feature of its pathogenicity. Glass fibre on the other hand is bio-soluble, and whilst long and inhalable, does not cause significant disease due to its lack of biopersistence. Based on the grapheme structure of CNT which impart exceptional strength and rigidity and the chemical inertness of carbon we would hypothesis that CNT would be biopersistent and therefore fulfil another of the criteria of the fibre pathogenicity paradigm (FPP). Our aim therefore has been to establish the durability of CNT against fibrous particles of known durability using a synthetic solution maintained at a pH to simulate the lung environment. Using a range of 4 CNT and using both durable and non-durable fibres such as amphibole asbestos and glass fibre to bench mark our result; we demonstrated that 3 of the 4 CNT tested displayed exceptional durability whilst the fourth lost approximately 30% of its mass during the experiment with concomitant reduction in pathogenicity. As well as length and biopersistence, the surface of a particle has been shown to contribute to the overall toxicity of a particle and in certain circumstances, such as that of quartz, the surface of the particle can be the biologically active component. In the case of carbon nanotubes, surface functionalisation is commonly used for various endpoints including the addition of various tags and labels for tracking. As such our further aim was to investigate the relationship between the length-dependent pathogenicity of a fibre sample and the surface of the fibre. By using different forms of functional groups attached to the surface of a pathogenic carbon nanotube we aim to critically test if the level of inflammation and fibrosis triggered in vivo can be altered by simple alteration of the surface. Our results showed that surface modification of CNT could alter the inflammogenic and fibrogenic effects of CNT which may have important implications when considering the hazard assessment of functionalised HARN. As CNT are not the only form of fibrous nanomaterial and within this project we also attempted to determine the applicability of the FPP to further high aspect ratio nanomaterials. In order to do this we set out to determine the generality of this hypothesis by asking whether nickel nanowires, a radically different form of HARN to CNT, show length-dependent pathogenicity. Nickel oxide nanowires synthesised to be predominantly long (>20 μm) act similarly to amphibole asbestos in showing the ability to elicit strong inflammation in the mouse peritoneal model in a dose dependent manner; inflammation was not seen with the short (<5 μm) nanowires. In summation, the results from this study are the first to show that long HARN can indeed behave like asbestos when in contact with the sensitive mesothelium. This study suggests a potential link between inhalation exposure to long nanotubes and asbestos-related disease, especially mesothelioma and as such this may have immediate implications across many disciplines if care is to be taken to avoid a long term legacy of harm.

Heat management in high thermal-density systems such as CPU chips, nuclear reactors and compact heat exchangers is confronting rising challenges due to ever more miniaturized and intensified processes. While searching for heat transfer enhancement, micro-channel flow boiling and the usage of high thermal potential fluids such as nanofluids are found to be efficient heat removal approaches. However, the limited understanding of micro-scale multiphase flows impedes wider applications of these techniques. In this thesis work, liquid-vapour phase change and multiphase flow heat transfer in micro-channels were experimentally investigated. Included are studies on the single phase friction, vapour dynamics, liquid meniscus evaporation, two-phase flow instabilities and heat transfer. An experimental system was built. Rectangular microchannels with different hydraulic diameters (571 μm, 762 μm and 1454 μm) and crosssectional aspect ratios were selected. Transparent heating was utilised by coating the micro-channels with a layer of tantalum on the outer surfaces. FC-72, n-pentane, ethanol, and ethanol-based Al2O3 nanofluids were used as working fluids. Pressures and temperatures at micro-channel inlet and outlet were acquired. Simultaneous visualisation and thermographic profiles were monitored. Single phase friction of pure liquids and nanofluids mostly showed good agreement with the conventional theory. The discrepancies were associated with hydrodynamic developing flow and the early transition to turbulent flow, but nanoparticle concentration showed minor impact. After boiling incipient, the single vapour bubble growth and flow regimes were investigated, exploring the influences of flow and thermal conditions as well as the micro-channel geometry on vapour dynamics. In addition, liquid meniscus evaporation as the main heat transfer approach at thin liquid films in micro-channels was studied particularly. Nanoparticles largely enhanced meniscus stability. Besides, flow instabilities were analyzed based on the pressure drop and channel surface temperature fluctuations as well as the synchronous visualization results. Moreover, study on flow boiling heat transfer was undertaken, the corresponding heat transfer characteristics were presented and the heat transfer mechanisms were elucidated. Furthermore, ten existing heat transfer correlations were assessed. A modified heat transfer correlation for high aspect ratio micro-channel flow boiling was proposed. The crucial role of liquid property and microchannel aspect-ratio on flow boiling heat transfer was highlighted.

Orientador: Timóteo Ramos Queiroz / Coorientador: Rodolfo Cláudio Spers / Coorientador: Sérgio Silva Braga Júnior / Resumo: A piscicultura apresenta-se como uma atividade emergente de extrema importância no contexto mundial para produção de alimentos. Assim, para obter bons resultados na produção de peixes, deve-se considerar a importância da formulação da dieta, que está relacionada a qualidade dos ingredientes que irão compor a ração. Entretanto, devido aos custos das matérias primas, a formulação de dietas para peixes apresenta-se como um desafio. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho possui o objetivo de apresentar as oportunidades e os desafios para a indústria de ração para piscicultura no Brasil. Esta apresentação é feita a partir de dois capítulos complementares em que, cada um, aborda um objetivo específico. O objetivo do primeiro capítulo é apresentar um panorama da produção de rações para peixes no Brasil e analisar as oportunidades para o setor de produção de rações para peixes. O objetivo do segundo capítulo é identificar os desafios na nutrição de peixes para o setor de produção de rações no Brasil. O estudo foi realizado a partir de revisões bibliográficas, aplicação de questionários e análise estatística nas quais constatou-se que setor de rações para peixes tem apresentado um dinamismo nos últimos dez anos, intensificando sua demanda. Entretanto observa-se que a produção de rações para peixes no Brasil ainda representa uma pequena parcela da produção mundial. Também se verificou a existência de dificuldades no processo de escolha de ingredientes relacionadas a sua composição química e ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Fish farming is an emerging activity of extreme importance in the global context for food production. Thus, in order to obtain good results in fish production, the importance of the formulation of the diet, which is related to the quality of the ingredients that make up the feed, should be considered. However, due to the costs of raw materials, the formulation of fish diets presents itself as a challenge. Thus, the present work has the objective of presenting the opportunities and the challenges for the fish industry in Brazil. This presentation is made from two complementary chapters in which, each one, addresses a specific objective. The objective of the first chapter is to present an overview of fish feed production in Brazil and to analyze the opportunities for the fish feed production sector. The objective of the second chapter is to identify the challenges in fish nutrition for the food production sector in Brazil. The study was carried out based on bibliographic reviews, application of questionnaires and statistical analysis in which it was found that the fish feed sector has shown a dynamism in the last ten years, intensifying its demand. However, it is observed that the production of fish feed in Brazil still represents a small share of world production. There were also difficulties in the process of choosing ingredients related to their chemical composition and coefficient of digestibility, species-specific nutrition, vertical integration of the sector, as well as p... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

In this work, I analyzed phase nutrition dairy cattle practiced on a farm. Furthermore, the work focused on quality of bulky feeds from maize silage, grass-clover silage and field bean silage. Feeding method, composition of rations and production parameters were also evaluated, while taking welfare of the animals into account. For data analysis, a nutrition program was used. Indicators of nutritional values and fermentation characteristics, including microbiological testing of silage feeds (maize silage, grass-clover silage, field bean silage), correspond to a very good standard. For maize silage and grass-clover silage, NDV, ADV and NEL values were shown to be slightly below the national average. When evaluating the nutritional level based on the feed ration optimization, we can conclude that the differences in the monitored nutritional values are within the tolerance limits of the recommended values. The level of nutrition corresponds to the production achieved. Fat and starch content of the feed ration are consistent with the recommended values present in literature.

Student Number: 7507654 Masters in Education Faculty of Humanities / The right of access to education has been an issue of international concern for many decades. With the transition to democracy in South Africa, marked by the first democratic election in 1994, the right of access to education has also formed a cornerstone of South Africa’s education policy. Access to nine years of basic education is guaranteed in terms of the South African Constitution. The right to further education is also entrenched in terms of the Constitution, although this is conditional on the state making this progressively available and accessible through reasonable measures. By using actual 2001 population and school enrolment data, this research study measures access to schooling by using standard international indicators of access, namely gross and net enrolment ratios, age-specific enrolment rates, and apparent and net intake rates. The study compares such data with existing estimates by other organisations and analysts. It assesses the extent to which universal or full access to basic education has been achieved and how far South Africa has gone in making further education progressively available. The study suggests that in-depth analysis of the data shows that access to education is not as widespread as other estimates have indicated. The net enrolment ratio in the basic or compulsory education phase is 89% and not 97% as estimated by the Department of Education. Some 13% of children of school-going age (or 1.55 million children) are not attending school. The study found that universal access to basic education has not been achieved. There are problems with access to further education and South African learners’ access to education is affected by provincial location. Provincial gross enrolment ratios range from 89% to 101% and net enrolment ratios range from 82% to 91%. The study recommends that further research is required to identify the barriers that are preventing full access to education. It also recommends that future progress in terms of access to education must continue to be monitored which means that good, accurate and consistent data must be made available.