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Customs administrations, worldwide, are adopting the trend towards risk-based processing of international cargoes as a means of facilitating trade. This has lead to the introduction of innovative processes ably supported by technology to realize improvements in customs effectiveness and overall efficiency. Widespread use of e-commerce in trade-customs transactions and exchanges, likewise necessitates complimentary technical support where Customs has need to intervene in a specific import, export or transit consignment. South African Revenue Service (SARS) is presently developing and enhancing its core competencies through training of its personnel in the disciplines of risk management, anti-smuggling and post clearance audit. It therefore becomes essential that these capacity building initiatives be complimented with the most appropriate tools for conducting cargo examination. The current physical examination process and inspection techniques are both time consuming and costly for business and render the goods liable to damage and theft. Recent historical events, specifically the 9/11 tragedy in New York, has caused international organizations such as the G8 and World Customs Organization (WCO) to consider the implications and effects of terrorism on international maritime transportation. The G8 adopted a Co-operative Action Plan on Security covering all aspects of transportation security and the WCO adopted a Resolution on Security and Facilitation of the International Supply Chain. Both initiatives aim to ensure safer and more secure maritime trade on the global scale. Fundamental to SARS Customs ability to successfully implement such measures are the following: Availability of advance electronic customs data Automated risk profiling and targeting capability Availability of non-intrusion inspectional devices (X-ray cargo scanners) to examine cargo. These three criteria are essential for SARS to participate in supply chain security initiatives and to facilitate the transportation of international consignment. Accordingly this research project explores how the external and internal environment impacts on SARS. It further critically analyses the core competencies and resource strengths of SARS. To support SARS in its effort and in its process of starting a project to improve controls and facilitation of goods at ports of entry within the Republic, this study explores and expounds on infrastructure and business application needs of SARS. Finally the research project concludes with a recommendation of the most effective approach towards the implementation of cargo scanner 'shared, outsourced service." / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

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Coherent X-ray diffraction and X-ray Intensity Fluctuation Spectroscopy (XIFS) are ideal methods and techniques to perform measurements on the dynamics of fluctuations in condensed matter materials. To investigate more systems and faster fluctuations by being able to tune the coherence length, we use a zone plate to change the coherence length and beam size but keep most of the intensity. Using the zone plate, experiments were carried out to measure the properties of the focused beam. We applied a formalism to calculate the effect of optics on coherence. We tested our results by doing measurement at Advanced Photon Source. We measured the focal properties of the zone plate, speckle sizes and contrast, obtained by using coherent X-ray diffraction from an disordered Fe3Al crystals. Our theoretical calculations are compared with the experimental results.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2002. / Adviser: Peggy Cebe. Submitted to the Dept. of Physics. Includes bibliographical references. Access restricted to members of the Tufts University community. Also available via the World Wide Web;

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-167). Also available via World Wide Web.

Diss. (sammanfattning). Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2008. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-207). Also available online in ProQuest, free to University of Oregon users.