The Supraoptimization of Design Thinking: An intentional shift towards complexity

First introduced decades ago, the term “design thinking” has been used to describe the ways designers think, how non-designers can think like designers, and how organizations can embrace design to become more complex-capable. The research project sought to identify and validate the core competencies related to design thinking. An online questionnaire was used to validate a set of six mindset themes identified in the literature review and to reveal how they are connected. A design probe activity was used to understand how individuals can develop in each of the six mindset themes. Despite a limited sample size, the data revealed promising connections between the mindsets themes. User Focus, Diversity and Problem Framing appeared to be the three core mindset themes with a sixth mindset theme, Process Wayfinding, acting as a balancing force. The research project concludes with recommendations on the role of design thinking for organizations, how individuals can understand and improve their capacity for design thinking, and how a design thinking instrument could support both of these goals

Measuring the attitude and intention to purchase different cohorts towards a fast food retailer

The elements of the extended marketing mix play a crucial role in assisting a business to gain a competitive advantage over competitors. A combination of the elements of the extended marketing mix is considered by consumers when making a decision to purchase at a fast-food outlet. The article attempts to emphasise whether race, gender and age groups experience the influence of the extended marketing mix elements differently on their intention to purchase at a fast-food retailer. The target population for this study included all visitors to a fast food retail brand in the greater Johannesburg Metropolitan region in Gauteng from which a convenience sample of 209 was selected. Respondents participated through personal interviews in the completion of questionnaires. The Independent sample T-test and the Pearson chi-square test was used to determine whether significant differences exist between the responses of the different gender and age groups in the study. The study established that there is a difference in the relationship between the elements of the extended marketing mix and consumers’ intention to purchase from a KFC fast food retailer based on race, gender and age. These differences require consideration by KFC fast food retail management to ensure that their marketing strategy encompasses biographical variables such as race, gender and age. This will ensure that the needs of the target market are addressed according to these biographical variables, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and market share growth

Cost effective use of liquid nitrogen in cryogenic wind tunnels

A method of reliquefying from 12 to 19% of the nitrogen exhaust gas from a cryogenic wind tunnel has been developed. Technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of the system depends on performance of an innovative positive displacement expander which requires scale model testing to confirm design studies. The existing cryogenic system at the 0.3-m transonic cryogenic tunnel has been surveyed and extensive upgrades proposed. Upgrades are generally cost effective and may be implemented immediately since they are based on established technology

Cost-effective use of liquid nitrogen in cryogenic wind tunnels, phase 2

Cryogenic seal tests were performed and Rulon A was selected for the subject nutating positive displacement expander. A four-chamber expander was designed and fabricated. A nitrogen reliquefier flow system was also designed and constructed for testing the cold expander. Initial tests were unsatisfactory because of high internal friction attributed to nutating Rulon inlet and outlet valve plates. Replacement of the nutating valves with cam-actuated poppet valves improved performance. However, no net nitrogen reliquefaction was achieved due to high internal friction. Computer software was developed for accurate calculation of nitrogen reliquefaction from a system such as that proposed. These calculations indicated that practical reliquefaction rates of 15 to 19 percent could be obtained. Due to mechanical problems, the nutating expander did not demonstrate its feasibility nor that of the system. It was concluded that redesign and testing of a smaller nutating expander was required to prove concept feasibility

Maine Won\u27t Wait One-Year Progress Report, 2021

This document, an “Maine Climate Science Update 2021”, is an interim communication to the Maine Climate Council and the public about the ongoing work of the scientific community and recent events associated with climate change. It is divided into three sections: (1) current events that reflect the acceleration of extreme weather events in Maine and elsewhere with possible connections to climate change; (2) noteworthy scientific reports with national and international scope released in 2021; and (3) examples of recent peer-reviewed publications from the ongoing work of the scientific community to understand climate change in Maine

Scientific Assessment of Climate Change and Its Effects in Maine

Climate change has already made its presence known in Maine, from shorter winters and warmer summers with ocean heat waves, to stronger storms, new species showing up in our backyards and the Gulf of Maine, aquatic algal blooms, acidic ocean waters that affect shellfish, and new pests and diseases that harm our iconic forests and fisheries. The health of Maine people is also being affected by climate change, from high heat index days driving increased emergency room visits to the ravages of Lyme and other vector-borne diseases. And our economy is feeling the effects, too — with farmers trying to adapt to longer growing seasons but dealing with severe storms and late frosts, aquaculturists already adapting to a more acidic ocean, and winter sports like skiing and snowmobiling being impacted by our shrinking winter season. This is the first report from the Maine Climate Council’s Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, produced by more than 50 scientists from around the State representing Scientific and Technical Subcommittee members, other co-authors, and contributors. This report is part of the 2020 Maine Climate Action Plan. The report summarizes how climate change has already impacted Maine and how it might continue affecting our State in the future

Is there a relationship between race and the elements of the extended marketing mix in buyer decision-making? – exploring a fastfood chicken retail brand in Gauteng

The fast-food industry in South Africa is experiencing numerous market-related changes, ranging from intense globalisation forces to heightening competition levels. Consequently, as a result of these forces, fastfood retailers in South Africa are intensifying their production and mostly their marketing strategies as a defensive way to counter the impact imposed by these environmental changes. Changing demographics and lifestyles are also resulting in people being more pressed for time and unable to prepare food at home. Therefore this study investigates whether races experience the influence of the extended marketing mix elements differently in their intention to purchase from a fast-food chicken retail brand in Gauteng. The target population for this study included all visitors to a fast-food chicken retailer in the greater Johannesburg Metropolitan region in Gauteng from which a convenience sample of 209 was selected. The study established that black consumers illustrated a strong focus on the quality of food offerings, indicated a sensitivity towards price, viewed the level of service delivery by employees as having an important influence on their future decision-making regarding fast-food purchases, and prefer a fast-food outlet that provides a playroom for their children. Finally, strategies to improve the health component of fast-food products, as well as a continuous advancement of product variety to reach an ever-growing diverse target market, are necessary to stimulate demand and thereby enhance target market growth. Ultimately, this will contribute to the success of fast-food retailers, which will ensure a growth in outlet numbers and ultimately also contribute to job creation

Foliar pathogens of eucalypts

Species of eucalypts (Eucalyptus, Corymbia) are commonly cultivated for solid wood and pulp products. The expansion of commercially managed eucalypt plantations has chiefly been driven by their rapid growth and suitability for propagation across a very wide variety of sites and climatic conditions. Infection of foliar fungal pathogens of eucalypts is resulting in increasingly negative impacts on commercial forest industries globally. To assist in evaluating this threat, the present study provides a global perspective on foliar pathogens of eucalypts. We treat 110 different genera including species associated with foliar disease symptoms of these hosts. The vast majority of these fungi have been grown in axenic culture, and subjected to DNA sequence analysis, resolving their phylogeny. During the course of this study several new genera and species were encountered, and these are described. New genera include: Lembosiniella (L. eucalyptorum on E. dunnii, Australia), Neosonderhenia (N. eucalypti on E. costata, Australia), Neothyriopsis (N. sphaerospora on E. camaldulensis, South Africa), Neotrichosphaeria (N. eucalypticola on E. deglupta, Australia), Nothotrimmatostroma (N. bifarium on E. dalrympleana, Australia), Nowamyces (incl. Nowamycetaceae fam. nov., N. globulus on E. globulus, Australia), and Walkaminomyces (W. medusae on E. alba, Australia). New species include (all from Australia): Disculoides fraxinoides on E. fraxinoides, Elsinoe piperitae on E. piperita, Fusculina regnans on E. regnans, Marthamyces johnstonii on E. dunnii, Neofusicoccum corticosae on E. corticosa, Neotrimmatostroma dalrympleanae on E. dalrympleana, Nowamyces piperitae on E. piperita, Phaeothyriolum dunnii on E. dunnii, Pseudophloeospora eucalyptigena on E. obliqua, Pseudophloeospora jollyi on Eucalyptus sp., Quambalaria tasmaniae on Eucalyptus sp., Q. rugosae on E. rugosa, Sonderhenia radiata on E. radiata, Teratosphaeria pseudonubilosa on E. globulus and Thyrinula dunnii on E. dunnii. A new name is also proposed for Heteroconium eucalypti as Thyrinula uruguayensis on E. dunnii, Uruguay. Although many of these genera and species are commonly associated with disease problems, several appear to be opportunists developing on stressed or dying tissues. For the majority of these fungi, pathogenicity remains to be determined. This represents an important goal for forest pathologists and biologists in the future. Consequently, this study will promote renewed interest in foliar pathogens of eucalypts, leading to investigations that will provide an improved understanding of the biology of these fungi