The present study aimed to investigate the methane yield from anaerobic digestion of a lignocellulosic substrate subjected to different pretreatments. The lignocellulosic forest residues materials were milled and then pretreated with the organic solvent NMMO (N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide) and/or the lignolytic enzymes laccase and versatile peroxidase at a dosage of 60 U g-1 total solids (TS) substrate. The amount of methane produced was studied in a biomethane potential assay with inocula from a thermophilic biogas reactor treating municipal waste. All samples were run in triplicates. Due to the large amount of samples, two biomethane potential assays were conducted: series 10 & 20 and series 30 & 40. The gas production results show that NMMO-treated forest residues yielded 130 NmL CH4 g-1 volatile solids (VS) substrate and the untreated forest residues yielded 95 NmL CH4 g-1 VS substrate for series 10 & 20. For series 30 & 40, both untreated and NMMO-treated forest residues yielded 140 NmL CH4 g-1 VS substrate. NMMO-treatment appears to be favourable and no advantages from the enzyme pretreatment could be seen in terms of gas yield. An analysis of the reaction fluid after the enzymatic treatment showed presence of phenols, an indication of successful lignin hydrolysis. / Studien avsåg att undersöka metanutbytet från anaerob nedbrytning med förbehandlad lignocellulosa som substrat. Lignocellulosamaterialet, i form av skogsavfall, maldes och förbehandlades därefter med det organiska lösningsmedlet NMMO (N-metylmorfolin-N-oxid) och/eller de lignolytiska enzymerna laccase och versatile peroxidas med dosen 60 U g-1 torrsubstanshalt (TS). Mängden producerad metan undersöktes i en biometanpotentialanalys med inocula från en termofil biogasreaktor, som behandlade hushållsavfall. Triplikat av varje prov användes för att öka den statistiska stabiliteten. På grund av det stora antalet prover genomfördes studien i två omgångar: Serie 10 & 20 samt serie 30 & 40. Resultaten visade att det NMMO-behandlade skogsavfallet gav 130 NmL CH4 g-1 organisk substans (VS) och det obehandlade skogsavfallet gav 95 NmL CH4 g-1 VS i serie 10 & 20. Både obehandlat och NMMO- behandlat skogsavfall gav 140 NmL CH4 g-1 VS i serie 30 & 40. Förbehandling med NMMO verkar vara fördelaktig medan enzymbehandling endast resulterade i en smärre ökning av gasproduktionen. En analys av vätskan efter enzymbehandlingen visade förekomst av fenoler, vilket visar på en lyckad ligninnedbrytning.

L’émergence de nouveaux contaminants dans les eaux usées requiert le développement de nouvelles techniques. En effet, les traitements classiques des stations d’épuration des eaux usées laissent entrer dans les matrices environnementales de nombreux contaminants organiques de faibles concentrations tels que les produits pharmaceutiques. Nous avons donc étudié l’élimination d’une variété de pharmaceutiques, représentatifs de leur classe, ou bien présentant une forte occurrence, ou encore des composés récalcitrants. Parmi ces pharmaceutiques on retrouve des anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens (acétaminophène, naproxène, acide méfénamique, kétoprofène, indométacine, diclofénac), un stimulant (caféine) deux antibiotiques (ciprofloxacine et triméthoprime), un anticonvulsif et régulateur de l’humeur (carbamazépine), un anxiolytique (diazépam) et deux fibrates (fénofibrate et bézafibrate). Parmi les techniques novatrices permettant de réaliser ce type d’élimination on retrouve certaines enzymes oxydatives qui sont capables de transformer de nombreux contaminants organiques que l’on retrouve dans les eaux usées. L’utilisation de trois enzymes de ce type, la laccase, la versatile peroxydase et la glucose oxydase, dans différentes combinaisons, a permis d’obtenir une élimination satisfaisante de la plupart des pharmaceutiques auxquels nous nous sommes intéressés, avec une efficacité optimale pour la combinaison des trois enzymes. Partant de ce constat, une combinaison plus stable de ces trois enzymes a été produite par une technique de co-aggrégation permettant de les insolubiliser tout en les regroupant par réticulation. Ceci facilite la réutilisation de ces biocatalyseurs, et augmente leur stabilité, ce qu’une caractérisation du biocatalyseur a permis de vérifier. Le biocatalyseur a alors pu être testé pour le traitement d’un cocktail des produits pharmaceutiques précédemment énoncés et a permis de réaliser une élimination de plus de 60 % de la plupart des composés dans des conditions qui ont été optimisées. Testé dans des eaux résiduaires urbaines prélevées à l’affluent de la station d’épuration de Magog (Québec), le biocatalyseur a permis une élimination de l’ordre de 25 % pour des concentrations très faibles (ppb) en acétaminophène.

Para a estruturação e qualificação do pensamento criativo alguns educadores sugerem a utilização de modelos de aprendizagem baseados na ampliação das capacidades associativas dos alunos. Neste cenário emerge a Teoria das Affordances como ferramenta, tanto para compreender como o indivíduo interage com os objetos, quanto para ampliar essa interatividade. Focando um design orientado para a ampliação da utilidade dos produtos, o presente estudo explora a aplicação da Teoria das Affordances como estratégia para identificar novas possibilidades de uso dos objetos e analisa como esta aplicação interfere no processo criativo de alunos de Design. O delineamento experimental baseou-se no Plano de Quatro Grupos, de Richard Solomon, e os participantes do estudo exploratório foram alunos de cursos de graduação em Design de quatro instituições privadas de ensino brasileiras. A análise qualitativa e quantitativa dos dados sugere que a exploração de affordances em sala de aula, ao induzir a abstração, potencializa a emergência de alternativas de uso que, incorporadas ao processo de design, podem conferir versatilidade e aumentar as possibilidades de inovação na concepção de produtos. Os resultados da pesquisa deverão ser ainda ulteriormente confrontados com resultados de novos testes para que seja possível confirmar as hipóteses sobre a importância do uso de associações estruturadas (affordances) no ensino e no processo de design de produtos. / To qualify creative thinking, some educators suggest the use of learning models based on expansion of associative capacities of the students. In this scenario, the Theory of Affordances emerges as a tool to understand how the individual interacts with objects and to increase this interactivity. Focusing utility-oriented design, this study explores the application of the Theory of Affordances as a strategy to identify new possibilities for use of objects and analyzes how this application interferes within the creative process of Design students. The experiment was based on Solomon’s Four-Group Design and the participants of the exploratory study were students of undergraduate courses in Design of four Brazilian private colleges. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis suggests that the exploitation of affordances in the classroom, to induce abstraction, enhances the emergence of use alternatives, and incorporated into the design process may provide versatility and increase opportunities for innovation in product design. The research results must still be faced with further results of new experiments to confirm the hypothesis about the importance of structured associations use (affordances) in education and product design process.

Extreme variability of rainfall during the growing season in the Prairies underlies the need to improve means of quantifying the amount of soil moisture available for plant growth in real time. This study was conducted to modify and validate the Versatile Soil Moisture Budget (VSMB) for estimating volumetric soil water content. A network of soil moisture hydra probes and weather stations were installed for continuous soil moisture monitoring and real-time weather data collection at 13 sites across Central and Western Manitoba during the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons. The data from the probes were validated and calibrated. Both the laboratory and field validations showed that the root mean square error of the default factory calibration increased with increasing clay content of the soil. Outputs from these probes were used to test the modified VSMB model. The model was most effective at simulating soil water content at the surface layers.

Extreme variability of rainfall during the growing season in the Prairies underlies the need to improve means of quantifying the amount of soil moisture available for plant growth in real time. This study was conducted to modify and validate the Versatile Soil Moisture Budget (VSMB) for estimating volumetric soil water content. A network of soil moisture hydra probes and weather stations were installed for continuous soil moisture monitoring and real-time weather data collection at 13 sites across Central and Western Manitoba during the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons. The data from the probes were validated and calibrated. Both the laboratory and field validations showed that the root mean square error of the default factory calibration increased with increasing clay content of the soil. Outputs from these probes were used to test the modified VSMB model. The model was most effective at simulating soil water content at the surface layers.

This research developed a versatile land-use information system (VLUIS) based on moderate- and high-spatial resolution imagery for supporting local planning in Indonesia. It was motivated by the fact that the existing land-use information contained by the Key Dataset for Local Development (KDLD) was not adequate to support environmental planning at local levels in Indonesia. This was due to its inconsistent mapping methods, contents/classification scheme, and inflexibility to be used as an input to local physical planning processes. Although the KDLD was developed by most local coordinating agencies for development planning (Bappedas), the land-use map was not used as a common reference by various local and provincial institutions in assessing the state of environment. Therefore, each institution had a tendency to develop its own land-cover/land-use information, resulting redundant works of land-cover/land-use mapping, which were incompatible to each others. With regard to that problem, the objectives of this study were: (a) to specify land-use related planning tasks at local level in Semarang-Salatiga area, Java, Indonesia; (b) to design a versatile landuse classification scheme for urban and rural environment at local level in Java in order to support various applications in the local planning context; and (c) to develop and verify the versatile land-use mapping methods based on moderate- and high-spatial satellite imagery. Semarang-Salatiga area was chosen due to its relatively complex land-use phenomena and data availability. In this study, two types of satellite image dataset were used, Landsat-7 ETM+ and Quickbird, representing moderate- and high-spatial resolution imagery respectively. To achieve the research objectives, a methodology comprising three stages of activity was developed. The first stage specified local physical planning tasks and their required land-cover/land-use information, based on literature study and interview with 36 stakeholders in the study area. In the second stage, versatile land-use information contents were specified in a classification scheme containing five land-use dimensions, i.e. spectral, spatial, temporal, ecological, and socio-economic. In the third stage, a set of image classification methods was developed for generating all land-use dimension maps with the specified classes. For each type of imagery, the study area was divided into northern and southern parts. The northern part represents more developed/urbanised area, while the southern part represents less developed or rural areas. Multi-spectral classification in terms of both standard and non-standard approaches were explored to derive the spectral-related land-cover classes, while visual interpretation and object-oriented image segmentation were compared to find most accurate method in generating the spatial dimension classes. The standard multi-spectral classification approach made use of original bands as input to the classification process, while the non-standard approach involved texturally filtered and texturally aggregated bands in addition to the original ones. The spectral-related land-cover and spatial dimension maps, supported by a terrain unit map, were integrated in a raster GIS environment to derive the temporal, ecological, and socio-economic maps in separate processing methods. After that, all derived maps were integrated into a single dataset of VLUIS, ready for query-based activation at will and translation to other classification systems. Based on the interview with the respondents, a list of variables related to land-cover/land-use information required by various local planning tasks was regrouped with respect to the developed five land-use dimensions. After that, a classification scheme containing five columns representing spectral-related land-cover, spatial, temporal, ecological, and socioeconomic dimensions were created. The specified classes under each dimension referred to the variables used in various local planning and to the existing, widely used, classification systems. The spectral-related land-cover mapping results showed that standard multi-spectral classification methods using the original spectral bands gave higher accuracy results (84.63% or Kappa=0.8276 for Landsat-7 ETM+ and 68.75% or Kappa=0.6813 for Quickbird) than non-standard classification methods involving textural filtering (80.55% or Kappa=0.7988 for Landsat-7 ETM+ and 66.45 or Kappa=0.6503 for Quickbird) and textural aggregation (66.68% or Kappa=0.6512 for Landsat-7 ETM+ and 63.91% or Kappa=0.6222 for Quickbird) approaches. This was due to the fact that the texture is closer to spatial rather than spectral concept, while the specified categories in the spectral-related land-cover dimension is purposively developed for spectral classification. For the same image coverage and number of classes, Landsat-7 ETM+ gave higher accuracies (84.63% or Kappa=0.8276 for 40 classes, and 87.05% or Kappa=0.8535 for 25 classes) than Quickbird’s (82.81% or Kappa=0.8118 for 40 classes, and 83.23% or Kappa=0.8184% for 25 classes). In terms of spatial dimension mapping, the object-oriented image segmentation could not generate an accurate spatial dimension map in comparison with the visual interpretation, since the categories were specified using location/site and regularity criteria in addition to shape and density, which were not possible to recognise using the available software. However, by integrating the spectral-related land-cover dimension and the visual interpretation-based spatial dimension maps in a raster GIS environment, the temporal, ecological and socio-economic dimension maps could be derived in relatively accurate levels, i.e. with overall accuracies higher than 80%. For all land-use dimensions, the results obtained using Landsat-7 ETM+ and Quickbird imagery consistently showed that rural areas were more accurately classified than urban areas. This study demonstrated that a VLUIS could be developed based on moderate- and highspatial resolution imagery. In this VLUIS, a multi-dimensional classification scheme was developed first, with separate column representing spectral-related land-cover, spatial, temporal, ecological, and socio-economic dimensions. After that, the classification scheme was used as reference in extracting information and mapping each dimension into separate map layers. The five layers were then stacked into a single dataset. An example of querybased translation from the VLUIS to the Indonesian National Land Agency (BPN)’s classification system was given to show its versatility. However, it was also realised that land-use is too complex to be mapped merely using remotely sensed imagery and be modelled simply based on the five dimensions. With its limitations, remote sensing should be put in the context of complementary and alternative approach, where field surveys often fail to generate comprehensive, efficient and rapidly provided information that is required in a planning process. This study also recommends future work for more effective impact of the results, i.e. (a) development of information extraction methods of versatile land-use information system (VLUIS)’s dimensions using state of the art image and spatial data analyses, (b) development of translation system from the VLUIS to widely used landcover/ land-use classification schemes, and (c) demonstration of versatility in supporting several applications related to local planning tasks.

This thesis is an exploration of how artificial lights are used to create atmospheres in a space, andhow they enhance an individual’s well-being. The focus here is placed on students in Sweden,specifically those who live in one-room apartments. Students typically do not invest much intheir lights yet being in Scandinavia, artificial lighting is used to compensate for the lack ofdaylight hours. As such, the lights they have will impact how they go about their day.A light is designed using product design methods to respond to the research question: “to whatextent can a versatile light source alter the atmosphere of a student’s space to enhance their wellbeing?”As the research is situated in Sweden, aspects of the Scandinavian lighting culture will beexamined and implemented in the design. The student’s well-being will be assessed through thetheory of subjective well-being, specifically how it can be enhanced through perceived control.The light design also aims to be socially sustainable, focusing on how individuals’ well-being canbe improved through lighting. The design also attempts to tackle inequalities by showing it canbe made of cheap and accessible materials, as well as being professionally manufactured. Thecheaper version is to ensure students with lower incomes can access the same quality of light asothers, where the light will create a similar atmosphere. Finally, the concept of social lighting isdefined in the context of this thesis. It concentrates on designing the light based on interviewswith students and emphasising the relationship between a student and their apartment.Through interviews and photos, a design brief was formed to understand what type of lightstudents use in their apartment and what they were looking for. After a series of iterations, afinal design was obtained and created. One version was made professionally in metal by BelidLighting. Another was made out of thick card and paper clips, materials easily accessible tostudents. The models were tested by students in their home for two nights, after which aninterview took place to obtain impressions and feedback on the design.It was concluded that a versatile light source altered the atmosphere of a student space toenhance their well-being to a certain extent. This was due to people’s existing relationship withlights, where they don’t generally interact beyond switching them on and off. Nonetheless,participants enjoyed making their own lamp, and found the lamp design quite unique. Thishelped maintain their subjective well-being.

Para a estruturação e qualificação do pensamento criativo alguns educadores sugerem a utilização de modelos de aprendizagem baseados na ampliação das capacidades associativas dos alunos. Neste cenário emerge a Teoria das Affordances como ferramenta, tanto para compreender como o indivíduo interage com os objetos, quanto para ampliar essa interatividade. Focando um design orientado para a ampliação da utilidade dos produtos, o presente estudo explora a aplicação da Teoria das Affordances como estratégia para identificar novas possibilidades de uso dos objetos e analisa como esta aplicação interfere no processo criativo de alunos de Design. O delineamento experimental baseou-se no Plano de Quatro Grupos, de Richard Solomon, e os participantes do estudo exploratório foram alunos de cursos de graduação em Design de quatro instituições privadas de ensino brasileiras. A análise qualitativa e quantitativa dos dados sugere que a exploração de affordances em sala de aula, ao induzir a abstração, potencializa a emergência de alternativas de uso que, incorporadas ao processo de design, podem conferir versatilidade e aumentar as possibilidades de inovação na concepção de produtos. Os resultados da pesquisa deverão ser ainda ulteriormente confrontados com resultados de novos testes para que seja possível confirmar as hipóteses sobre a importância do uso de associações estruturadas (affordances) no ensino e no processo de design de produtos. / To qualify creative thinking, some educators suggest the use of learning models based on expansion of associative capacities of the students. In this scenario, the Theory of Affordances emerges as a tool to understand how the individual interacts with objects and to increase this interactivity. Focusing utility-oriented design, this study explores the application of the Theory of Affordances as a strategy to identify new possibilities for use of objects and analyzes how this application interferes within the creative process of Design students. The experiment was based on Solomon’s Four-Group Design and the participants of the exploratory study were students of undergraduate courses in Design of four Brazilian private colleges. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis suggests that the exploitation of affordances in the classroom, to induce abstraction, enhances the emergence of use alternatives, and incorporated into the design process may provide versatility and increase opportunities for innovation in product design. The research results must still be faced with further results of new experiments to confirm the hypothesis about the importance of structured associations use (affordances) in education and product design process.

Para a estruturação e qualificação do pensamento criativo alguns educadores sugerem a utilização de modelos de aprendizagem baseados na ampliação das capacidades associativas dos alunos. Neste cenário emerge a Teoria das Affordances como ferramenta, tanto para compreender como o indivíduo interage com os objetos, quanto para ampliar essa interatividade. Focando um design orientado para a ampliação da utilidade dos produtos, o presente estudo explora a aplicação da Teoria das Affordances como estratégia para identificar novas possibilidades de uso dos objetos e analisa como esta aplicação interfere no processo criativo de alunos de Design. O delineamento experimental baseou-se no Plano de Quatro Grupos, de Richard Solomon, e os participantes do estudo exploratório foram alunos de cursos de graduação em Design de quatro instituições privadas de ensino brasileiras. A análise qualitativa e quantitativa dos dados sugere que a exploração de affordances em sala de aula, ao induzir a abstração, potencializa a emergência de alternativas de uso que, incorporadas ao processo de design, podem conferir versatilidade e aumentar as possibilidades de inovação na concepção de produtos. Os resultados da pesquisa deverão ser ainda ulteriormente confrontados com resultados de novos testes para que seja possível confirmar as hipóteses sobre a importância do uso de associações estruturadas (affordances) no ensino e no processo de design de produtos. / To qualify creative thinking, some educators suggest the use of learning models based on expansion of associative capacities of the students. In this scenario, the Theory of Affordances emerges as a tool to understand how the individual interacts with objects and to increase this interactivity. Focusing utility-oriented design, this study explores the application of the Theory of Affordances as a strategy to identify new possibilities for use of objects and analyzes how this application interferes within the creative process of Design students. The experiment was based on Solomon’s Four-Group Design and the participants of the exploratory study were students of undergraduate courses in Design of four Brazilian private colleges. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis suggests that the exploitation of affordances in the classroom, to induce abstraction, enhances the emergence of use alternatives, and incorporated into the design process may provide versatility and increase opportunities for innovation in product design. The research results must still be faced with further results of new experiments to confirm the hypothesis about the importance of structured associations use (affordances) in education and product design process.

Social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and My Space have experience rapid worldwide growth. It is crucial that this global phenomenon be investigated within the South African context. Social networking is a relatively new trend in South Africa and there is a paucity of academic literature on the topic. This quantitative study investigated one of the most popular social networking websites to date, namely Facebook. Facebook is a social networking website which was launched in early 2004. The primary research question focused on determining the usage patterns of South African Facebook users. In specific, the study investigated the purposes for which the site was used, the self-reported substitution of Facebook usage for face-to-face interaction and the relationship between Facebook affinity and Facebook use. A survey research design was used to collect data via an electronic questionnaire posted on Facebook. The theoretical point of departure was post-positivist. Media theories applied to the phenomenon under investigation include the uses and gratifications theory and the theory of the niche. The findings suggest that Facebook is primarily used for its intended purpose of communication. The respondents reported the gratification of versatile (multipurpose) communication. Furthermore, only half of the sample reported privacy concerns regarding Facebook. There was no significant indication that Facebook is a substitute for face-to-face interaction. Half of the sample claimed that their interpersonal contact has increased as a result of Facebook use. In addition, in accordance with expectations, the more affiliated a person is to Facebook, the more they will use Facebook. The findings of this study conform to other studies concerning social networking and provide a South African view of the global phenomenon of social networking websites. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted