title: Framework and proofs for synthesis of least restrictive controllable supervisors for extended finite-state machines with variable abstraction

authors: Malik, Robi

subjects: computer science

abstract: This working paper presents an algorithm that combines modular synthesis for extended finite-state machines (EFSM) with abstraction of variables by symbolic manipulation, in order to compute least restrictive controllable supervisors. Given a modular EFSM system consisting of several components, the proposed algorithm synthesises a separate supervisor for each specification component. To synthesise each supervisor, the algorithm iteratively selects components (plants and variables) from a synchronous composition until a least restrictive controllable solution is obtained. This improves on previous results of the authors where abstraction is only performed by the selection of components and not variables. The working paper explains the theory of EFSM synthesis and abstraction and includes formal proofs of all results. An example of a flexible manufacturing system illustrates how the proposed algorithm works to compute a modular supervisor.

text: Framework and proofs for synthesis of least restrictive controllable supervisors for extended finite-state machines with variable abstraction This working paper presents an algorithm that combines modular synthesis for extended finite-state machines (EFSM) with abstraction of variables by symbolic manipulation, in order to compute least restrictive controllable supervisors. Given a modular EFSM system consisting of several components, the proposed algorithm synthesises a separate supervisor for each specification component. To synthesise each supervisor, the algorithm iteratively selects components (plants and variables) from a synchronous composition until a least restrictive controllable solution is obtained. This improves on previous results of the authors where abstraction is only performed by the selection of components and not variables. The working paper explains the theory of EFSM synthesis and abstraction and includes formal proofs of all results. An example of a flexible manufacturing system illustrates how the proposed algorithm works to compute a modular supervisor.

year: 2018

title: The effects of early handling on dairy calves' physiological and behavioural responses to routine husbandry procedures

authors: Shepherd, Haley Marie

subjects: handling

abstract: The quality and quantity of human-animal interactions are crucial to animal welfare, productivity and management of livestock on-farm. Forty Holstein Friesian calves, from one week of age, were exposed to experimental handling for five minutes twice daily for five weeks. Calves were allocated to either positive or negative handling treatments (n=20 per treatment). Positive handling required handlers to slowly approach calves whilst using soft voices to encourage voluntary friendly interactions such as gentle pats. Negative handling consisted of continuous 45 second cycles of direct and indirect handling to discourage friendly interactions. Direct handling required handlers to use fast movements and harsh voices whilst forcibly moving animals around the pen. Indirect handling required handlers to stand in the pen, stare at the animals and tap a polyurethane pipe to make noise to maintain disturbance. Two other novel objects, a plastic bag and an empty water bottle filled with stones, were alternatively used each week to prevent habituation to the negative stimulus. At six weeks of age, all animals were subjected to three routine management procedures: restraint, ear tagging and disbudding, which occurred in stated order over a week period. There were no significant treatment differences between positive and negative groups for heart rate or heart rate variability (measured using Polar heart rate watches), eye temperature (measured using infrared thermography), respiration rates (measured visually), struggling behaviour, and plasma cortisol levels (measured during disbudding only). There were however within treatment differences in response to ear tagging, with an increase in heart rate (p less than 0.01) post-ear tagging, and in response to disbudding with an increase in heart rate (p less than 0.001), tail flicking(p less than 0.001) and cortisol levels (p less than 0.001). It was concluded that, under the conditions of this experiment, early handling does not affect the behavioural and physiological responses of calves to routine management procedures.
In a follow up trial at three months of age, the initial 40 animals and 20 additional three month old minimally handled animals (controls) were assessed for ease of handling using a force test, which ranked the time and effort required to move animals individually into a crush, and an exit speed test which recorded the animals speed exiting the crush, after two minutes of restraint. There were no significant differences between positive, negative and minimally handled treatment groups for heart rate, respiration rates or behaviour in the crush. However, the minimally handled group did appear to be more fearful of humans, with a significantly quicker entry time (p less than 0.05) into the crush than positive and negative treatment groups. There were no differences in entry scores for effort required to move the animals during the force test or for exit speeds. It was concluded that, under the conditions of the present experiment, initial early handling does not appear to cause long lasting effects on calves' behavioural and physiological responses to routine farm management procedures, but minimal contact with humans early in life may lead to a fear of humans later in life.

text: The effects of early handling on dairy calves' physiological and behavioural responses to routine husbandry procedures The quality and quantity of human-animal interactions are crucial to animal welfare, productivity and management of livestock on-farm. Forty Holstein Friesian calves, from one week of age, were exposed to experimental handling for five minutes twice daily for five weeks. Calves were allocated to either positive or negative handling treatments (n=20 per treatment). Positive handling required handlers to slowly approach calves whilst using soft voices to encourage voluntary friendly interactions such as gentle pats. Negative handling consisted of continuous 45 second cycles of direct and indirect handling to discourage friendly interactions. Direct handling required handlers to use fast movements and harsh voices whilst forcibly moving animals around the pen. Indirect handling required handlers to stand in the pen, stare at the animals and tap a polyurethane pipe to make noise to maintain disturbance. Two other novel objects, a plastic bag and an empty water bottle filled with stones, were alternatively used each week to prevent habituation to the negative stimulus. At six weeks of age, all animals were subjected to three routine management procedures: restraint, ear tagging and disbudding, which occurred in stated order over a week period. There were no significant treatment differences between positive and negative groups for heart rate or heart rate variability (measured using Polar heart rate watches), eye temperature (measured using infrared thermography), respiration rates (measured visually), struggling behaviour, and plasma cortisol levels (measured during disbudding only). There were however within treatment differences in response to ear tagging, with an increase in heart rate (p less than 0.01) post-ear tagging, and in response to disbudding with an increase in heart rate (p less than 0.001), tail flicking(p less than 0.001) and cortisol levels (p less than 0.001). It was concluded that, under the conditions of this experiment, early handling does not affect the behavioural and physiological responses of calves to routine management procedures.
In a follow up trial at three months of age, the initial 40 animals and 20 additional three month old minimally handled animals (controls) were assessed for ease of handling using a force test, which ranked the time and effort required to move animals individually into a crush, and an exit speed test which recorded the animals speed exiting the crush, after two minutes of restraint. There were no significant differences between positive, negative and minimally handled treatment groups for heart rate, respiration rates or behaviour in the crush. However, the minimally handled group did appear to be more fearful of humans, with a significantly quicker entry time (p less than 0.05) into the crush than positive and negative treatment groups. There were no differences in entry scores for effort required to move the animals during the force test or for exit speeds. It was concluded that, under the conditions of the present experiment, initial early handling does not appear to cause long lasting effects on calves' behavioural and physiological responses to routine farm management procedures, but minimal contact with humans early in life may lead to a fear of humans later in life.

year: 2010

title: Mahi whakatieke: Increasing exercise compliance with Māori students

authors: Butterworth, Matthew

subjects: Maori

abstract: The aim of the study was to implement
an intervention package based on Shelton
and Levy’s propositions with Māori
students to increase their compliance to an
exercise programme that used walking.
Three out of four participants walked more
regularly when the intervention package
was implemented, compared to previous
stages of the research. Only two
participants continued to walk for exercise
regularly in Follow Up. This was
consistent with previous exercise literature that has found that
only 50% of people will still be exercising
3-6 months after starting. However, all
participants reported that they had
incorporated more regular physical activity
into their lifestyles Post Follow Up.
These findings indicate that this
multifaceted approach to increasing
exercise compliance holds promise in terms
of making changes to achieve a more active
lifestyle that will last in the long term.

text: Mahi whakatieke: Increasing exercise compliance with Māori students The aim of the study was to implement
an intervention package based on Shelton
and Levy’s propositions with Māori
students to increase their compliance to an
exercise programme that used walking.
Three out of four participants walked more
regularly when the intervention package
was implemented, compared to previous
stages of the research. Only two
participants continued to walk for exercise
regularly in Follow Up. This was
consistent with previous exercise literature that has found that
only 50% of people will still be exercising
3-6 months after starting. However, all
participants reported that they had
incorporated more regular physical activity
into their lifestyles Post Follow Up.
These findings indicate that this
multifaceted approach to increasing
exercise compliance holds promise in terms
of making changes to achieve a more active
lifestyle that will last in the long term.

year: 2003