Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limb health in pigs : the prevalence and risk factors for lameness, limb lesions and claw lesions in pigs, and the influence of gilt nutrition on indicators of limb health

This thesis examined the prevalence and risk factors for lameness, limb lesions and claw lesions in pigs, and the influence of gilt nutrition on indicators of limb health through a cross-sectional survey and two cohort studies. A cross-sectional survey of 68 integrated pig farms in Ireland on lameness, limb and claw lesions of 2948 piglets, 3368 weaners, 544 lactating sows, 1289 finishers, 525 replacement gilts, 518 pregnant gilts and 604 pregnant sows was conducted. The prevalence of foot lesions, limb lesions and lameness was determined for each appropriate group and data relating to environmental and management parameters were also collected to identify risk factors. There was a high prevalence of lameness in finishers, gilts and sows. Lameness prevalence is higher in group gestation housing systems than in gestation stalls. Slat void width and the frequency of pen washing increased the risk of lameness in finisher pigs. Floor type, particularly the floor material used influenced both limb and foot lesions. Two cohort studies were conducted to investigate the effect of three dietary regimes for replacement gilts on lameness, areal bone mineral density (aBMD), behaviour, limb, claw and joint lesions and carcass traits. In the first, a diet specifically formulated for developing gilts and fed restrictively from 70kg until 2 weeks before the gilts approximate weight at first service, reduced lameness, joint lesion prevalence and claw unevenness when compared to the two most commonly practiced feeding regimes for developing gilts. In the second, a diet specifically formulated for developing gilts fed ad-libitum from 65 kg reduced lameness and increased aBMD when compared to the two most commonly practiced feeding regimes for developing gilts. In conclusion, this study provides valuable information on lameness, foot and limb lesion prevalence and risk factors as well as providing information on nutritional strategies that could help to address the current high levels of lameness in replacement gilts.
A management control perspective of quality management

Purpose – In many industries (e.g. cars and clothing) manufacturing complexity and unpredictability have increased over the last couple of years because of an increasing variety of products and shortening product life cycles. At the same time the manufacturers in these industries appear to have more problems with maintaining high quality levels. This paper aims to develop a methodology to study the effects of these developments on quality management systems.Design/methodology/approach – At three European automotive manufacturers the two trends have been studied by means of a case study approach. Simons' four levers of control model is utilised to categorise and interpret the results of the case studies.Findings – The application of a management control model in the field of quality management is found to be useful in explaining what changes are necessary to maintain high quality levels. From the case studies in the automotive sector it is concluded that there is a shift in quality management systems from .
Evaluation of non-user benefits towards improvement of water and sanitation services in informal settlements

Many municipalities in developing cities are faced with the challenge of providing water and sanitation to ever-growing populations that cannot afford to pay for the services. This challenge calls for solutions that link equity considerations to cost recovery, and may require society to re-evaluate its perspectives on the value of urban water services. This paper explores the potential of non-user benefits as drivers of value and measures the trade-offs that “non-poor” residents were willing to make for the reductions in public health, social and economic costs when levels of service in informal settlements are improved. The study finds that people are sensitive to the public health impacts, and when given the choice of location of settlement to improve, and the means through which to make payment, would be willing to pay 6500 UGX (approx. $2.83) per household per month to install yard facilities in an informal settlement located nearest to their neighbourhood and with payment made through a special purpose vehicle.
The Development of a vision-based flotation froth analysis system

This dissertation describes the development of a machine vision system for the on-line analysis of flotation froth images. The size and shape of bubbles that constitute the flotation froth convey considerable information on the performance of the flotation process. A method whereby this size and shape information can be automatically extracted from froth images is highly desirable. In this research, a system was developed which acquires froth image using a video camera, and then rapidly identifies the bubbles in the froth by segmenting the image using a morphological operation known as the Fast Watershed Transform. Bubble size and shape information is extracted from the segmented images and can be correlated with metallurgical and other data from concentrator plants in order to elucidate relationships between froth appearance and plant performance. The machine vision system developed was tested on a platinum concentrator plant, and is able to identify and characterise variations in flotation froth appearance, which occur in response to changes in process inputs. The ability of the system to detect changes in bubble size distribution has been found to be particularly useful in detecting process input variations.
Development and initial validation of a dairy biological risk management assessment tool

iv Chapter 1. Biological risk management (BRM) on dairy operations by the routes of disease transmission. 1 Literature review. 1 Scope of the biological risk management (BRM) toolbox . 5 Need for validation of biological risk management practices . 12 Conclusions. 13 References. 14 Chapter 2. Development and formative evaluation of the dairy biological risk management (BRM) online toolbox. 22 Introduction. 22 Methods. 24 Results. 28 Discussion. 32 Conclusions. 36 References. 36 Chapter 3. Development, testing and descriptive results for the biological risk management (BRM) assessment of 80 dairies . 38 Introduction. 38 Methods. 39 Results. 41 Discussion. 59 Conclusions. 70 References. 71 Chapter 4. Biological risk management (BRM) practices associated with milk production and quality. 76 Introduction. 76 Methods. 76 Results. 78 Discussion. 84 Conclusions. 89 References. 90 Chapter 5. Lessons learned from the initial validation of the dairy biological risk management (BRM) toolbox with recommended modifications. 92 Lessons learned. 92 Selecting and validating the dependent variable for milk production . 98 Modifications to improve the usefulness of the tool for producers, advisors. 102 Conclusions. 105 References. 106 Chapter 6. General conclusions . 107 Contributions to science. 107 Acknowledgments. 110 Appendix 1. Dairy BRM background document . 111
Vibration energy harvesting in the transportation system: a review

* Warsaw University of Technology, Institute of Vehicles Narbutta Street 84, 02-524 Warsaw, Poland tel. : +48 22 2348118, fax: +48 22 2348121 e-mail: ras@mechatronika.net. pl*, k.lubikowski@mechatronika.net. pl **University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn Department of Mechatronic and Education Technical-Informatic S oneczna Street 46A, 10-710 Olszytn, Poland tel. : +48 89 5245104, fax: +48 89 5245150, e-mail: apietak@uwm.edu. pl
Producing Participatory Media: (Crowd)Sourcing Content in Britain/Life in a Day

Created from footage contributed by members of the public to YouTube, the 2011 Life in a Day and 2012 Britain in a Day crowdsourced documentaries show participatory media-making projects on a global and national scale. Drawing comparisons with digital storytelling projects, this article examines efforts to structure and shape the contributions to the … in a Day crowdsourcing projects as set out in guidance and tutorial materials from the producers. Such guidance and advice are critically analysed to consider the different openings and opportunities made available by the production team as they (crowd)source content. Setting out the practices and possibilities for self-representation is a point of tension that this article explores through the comments thread to one of the production team's guidance videos. This video presents a number of submission requirements, notably that contributors do not edit, and analysis of the responding comments shows how potential contributors critically challenge participation that they regard as the requesting and curating of content.
Study of FACE Design, Lighting System Design for Enhanced Detection Rate of Motorcycles

The FACE (Facial Attention for Conspicuity Enhancement) design, a lighting system design that enhances motorcycle conspicuity with regard to the detection rate from the view of a driver at night, is described in this paper. Past research has shown that there is part of the human brain that reacts to the image of a face and the idea was developed of a method to enhance the detection rate of a motorcycle by incorporating the element of a face in the front design of the motorcycle. The effect of a simple FACE design, a reverse triangular arrangement of lamps, is evaluated and its effectiveness is shown. Moreover, a simulation method was developed that could be used to evaluate the enhanced detection rate of a FACE design motorcycle under conditions that are close to some real traffic environments. The method is evaluated by comparing it with the results of a full-scale test and demonstrates the method could be used to evaluate the detection rate of a motorcycle. The full text of this paper may be found at: http://www-nrd.nhtsa. dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv21/09-0406.pdf For the covering abstract see ITRD E145407.
Investigating Transfer Learning in the Urban Combat Testbed

Abstract : We have developed a complex agent capable of transferring learned declarative knowledge between tasks in order to improve performance in a rich domain developed to test transfer performance "the Urban Combat Testbed". We present and discuss our experiments and results which demonstrate successful transfer learning. To better understand the underlying sources of transfer in this domain, we empirically evaluate the types of knowledge that contribute to the observed improvement in performance due to transfer, and discuss the implications of our analysis for general transfer learning research.
Risk Factors For Cancer In The Workplace

The Montreal Occupational Cancer Study was the first study to address the problem of discovering occupational carcinogens by collecting detailed job exposure information in a case-control study. This book presents the methods and results of this ground-breaking study. The core of the book is the set of tables of results describing the statistical associations between nearly 300 occupational exposures and 20 types of cancer. Research methods are explained in detail. The book will surely provide an indispensible reference resource for decades to come for epidemiologists, toxicologists, and environmental health regulators interested in environmental carcinogens.
Millimetre Wave Antennas for Gigabit Wireless Communications: A Practical Guide to Design and Analysis in a System Context

Complete and comprehensive application-focused reference on millimetre wave antennas Millimetre Wave Antennas for Gigabit Wireless Communications covers a vast wealth of material with a strong focus on the current design and analysis principles of millimetre wave antennas for wireless devices. It provides practising engineers with the design rules and considerations required in designing antennas for the terminal. The authors include coverage of new configurations with advanced angular and frequency filtering characteristics, new design and analysis techniques, and methods for filter miniaturization. The book reviews up-to-date research results and utilizes numerous design examples to emphasize computer analysis and synthesis whilst also discussing the applications of commercially available software. Key Features: Advanced and up-to-date treatment of one of the fastest growing fields of wireless communications Covers topics such as Gigabit wireless communications and its required antennas, passive and active antenna design and analysis techniques, multibeam antennas and MIMO, IEEE 802.15. 3c, WiMedia, and advanced materials and technologies Offers a practical guide to integrated antennas for specific configurations requirements Addresses a number of complex, real-world problems that system and antenna engineers are going to face in millimetre-wave communications industry and provides solutions Contains detailed design examples, drawings and predicted performance This book is an invaluable tool for antenna professionals (engineers, designers, and developers), microwave professionals, wireless communication system professionals, and industries with microwave and millimetre wave research projects. Advanced students and researchers working in the field of millimetre wave engineering will also find this book very useful.
Development of advanced direct perception displays for nuclear power plants to enhance monitoring, control and fault management

Traditional Single-Sensor-Single Indicator (SSSI) displays are poorly matched to the cognitive abilities of operators, especially for large and complex systems. It is difficult for operators to monitor very large arrays of displays and controls, and to integrate the information displayed therein. In addition, standard operating procedures (SOPs) are bulky (running to many hundreds of pages) and difficult to use, and operators may become lost. For these reasons, and also because it is becoming increasingly difficult to find replacements for aging hardware components, there is a trend towards computerized graphical interfaces for nuclear power plants (NPPs). There is, however, little rational theory for display design in this domain. This report describes some recent theoretical developments and shows how to develop displays which will greatly reduce the cognitive load on the operator and allow the use of perceptual rather than cognitive mechanisms while using SON and to support state diagnosis and fault management. The report outlines the conceptual framework within which such a new approach could be developed, and provides an example of how the operating procedures for the start-up sequence of a NPP could be realized. A detailed description of a set of displays for a graphical interface for the SONmore » of the feedwater system is provided as an example of how the proposed approach could be realized, and a general account of how it would fit into the overall start-up sequence is given. Examples of {open_quotes}direct perception{close_quotes} or {open_quotes}ecological{close_quotes} configural state space displays to support the use of the proposed direct manipulation SOP interface are provided, and also a critical discussion which identifies some difficulties which may be anticipated should the general approach herein advocated be adopted. « less
Enhancing productivity through effective collaborations : the barriers and enablers of collaboration within geographic bioclusters

Background Increasing competition and specialization of firms in the life sciences industry has led to recognition of the need for collaboration. Bioclusters, the co-location of life sciences entities in a specific geographic area, have therefore emerged as a global trend. While it is assumed that such clusters allow stakeholders to realize synergies through participation and presence in the local area, the collaborative behavior within these clusters has yet to be explored.
Changes in morphology and strength following an eight week resistance training programme in post-menopausal, Caucasian women: a pilot investigation

The purpose of the current investigation was to determine the impact of eight weeks of progressive resistance exercise on strength and morphology of previously sedentary, healthy, post-menopausal women. Six women were recruited from the Grahamstown community in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Recruits were required to attend five sessions per week (Monday to Friday) of 30 minute duration each. Eight ‘compound’ resistance exercises (each completed as three sets of 10 repetitions) comprised the exercise programme. Anthropometric (body mass and stature), morphological (body mass index (BMI), lean mass, and fat mass content), and strength (upper and lower body) measures were taken at baseline and at weeks 4 and 8. There were no significant changes (p>.05) in body mass, BMI, fat mass or lean mass. An insignificant trend toward increasing upper body strength was noted. Lower extremity strength increased significantly by 42.52%. In conclusion, this resistance training intervention did not significantly alter body composition but did positively impact leg strength. Keywords: Resistance training, post-menopausal, strength, morphology
Integrated Frequency Synthesizers for Wireless Systems: Noise in oscillators

The increasingly demanding performance requirements of communications systems, as well as problems posed by the continued scaling of silicon technology, present numerous challenges for the design of frequency synthesizers in modern transceivers. This book contains everything you need to know for the efficient design of frequency synthesizers for today's communications applications. If you need to optimize performance and minimize design time, you will find this book invaluable. Using an intuitive yet rigorous approach, the authors describe simple analytical methods for the design of phase locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizers using scaled silicon CMOS and bipolar technologies. The entire design process, from system-level specification to layout, is covered comprehensively. Practical design examples are included, and implementation issues are addressed. A key problem-solving resource for practitioners in IC design, the book will also be of interest to researchers and graduate students in electrical engineering.
ICTs - new organizational form linkage: theoretical model and research instrument

Since the publication of the seminal article 'Management in the 1980s' (Leavitt and Whisler, 1958), the relationship between Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and organizations has been one of the most challenging issues for management scholars and researchers. Despite a long tradition of research that has been looking into the relationship between ICTs and organizations, the findings remain inconclusive. In particular, the specific mechanisms by which new information technologies affect and are affected by organizational forms have not been described in any systematic manner.
A Computational System for the Heuristic Forecasting of Fire Risk

5 pages, 5 figures. -- Communication presented at the 6th World Multiconference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics and 8th International Conference on Information System Analysis and Synthesis (SCI/ISAS 2002, Orlando, Florida, Jul 14-18, 2002).
Evaluation of the Employment of UAVs as Fog Nodes

In fog computing, processing, network, and storage resources are placed close to end users to ensure low latency in comparison to the latency experienced when accessing the cloud. One limitation of this solution, however, is that fog nodes are usually fixed, whereas demands are variable over time at all locations, which may result in either under- or overprovisioning. This limitation incurs high CAPEX and OPEX costs to cope with user demands. One approach to address this problem is to employ mobile fog nodes dispatched to various locations to cope with the variability in resource demand. This article aims to evaluate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with processing elements as an alternative to fixed nodes in a fog infrastructure to cope with the variable workload in a metropolitan area. Although previous approaches considered UAVs as part of the network, they did not deploy multiple fog nodes mounted on battery-constrained UAVs. Specifically, we propose in this article a solution to the fog node location problem considering both fixed and mobile nodes to evaluate potential replacements of fixed servers with UAVs. Experimental evaluation of the problem using data generated by real mobile users shows that UAVs can indeed replace parts of the fixed fog infrastructure.
Mit 55 zum alten Eisen? : eine Analyse des Alterseinflusses auf die Produktivität anhand des LIAB (Dispensable at 55? : analyzing the impact of age on productivity using the LIAB dataset)

"Against the background of an aging labor force in Germany and insufficient job opportunities for older people, the paper raises the question as to how age affects the productivity of workers. Due to opposite developments of certain human abilities across the life span, gerontological research supports the hypothesis of an inverted u-shaped age-productivity profile. Middle aged workers are supposed to achieve the highest productivity level, whereas both young and old employees should show lower productivity levels. The analysis is carried out on the basis of a new linked employer-employee dataset of the Institute for Employment Research (LIAB). Within a production function framework it is tested econometrically whether the age composition of a firm's workforce affects its productivity and if so in what way. The regressions are carried out separately for the manufacturing and the service sectors. The cross-section estimations of the year 2003 reveal a positive correlation between firm productivity and the share of middle-aged employees (35-44 years old). Furthermore, in the manufacturing sector, a negative correlation between productivity and the proportion of the youngest age group (15-24 years old) can be seen. Thus the results provide evidence of an inverted u-shaped age-productivity profile in this sector. In the service sector, in contrast, the share of the youngest workers seems to increase productivity compared to the reference group of the 55-64 year-old employees. " (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
Problems of units selection of propulsion system for small unmanned tactical vehicle

The battlefield was changed during many years and the weapon was developed also. Unmanned vehicles are one of the new kinds of weapon. They have different mass, executed tasks and the scope of autonomy. Their hybrid propulsion system increase traction proprieties of these vehicles considerably. The concept of the hybrid drive for the small unmanned vehicle was the main goal of the work. It was made assumptions, that the vehicle will have the mass approximately 1 ton, running on six wheels with the speed up to 60 km/h. The vehicle will have the combustion engine power 25 kW as the basic source of energy, Energy will be accumulated in batteries the mass 48kg and specific power 2667 W/kg. The single electric engine will propel six wheels of the vehicle. Four rare and front wheel will by steered. Units of propulsion system were selected with using the computer program ADVISER2004, and traction effort versus vehicle speed was determined on the base of the movement equations of the vehicle. The drive of the vehicle in unsteady condition was simulated using the program ADVISER2004 accord to the tests of ECE, FTP and 1015. It was affirmed that the vehicle with the chosen propulsion system could move with the speed more then 60 km/h on the asphalt roadway and below 50 km/h on the sandy road. It can to surmount the slopes 60%. Fuel consumption is circa 4 l/100 km in simulated drive test with the limitation of the maximum speed up to 60 km/h. The run range was circa 12 km as the electric vehicle.