6,644 research outputs found
A Decision Support System for Economic Viability and Environmental Impact Assessment of Vertical Farms
Vertical farming (VF) is the practice of growing crops or animals using the vertical dimension via multi-tier racks or vertically inclined surfaces. In this thesis, I focus on the emerging industry of plant-specific VF. Vertical plant farming (VPF) is a promising and relatively novel practice that can be conducted in buildings with environmental control and artificial lighting. However, the nascent sector has experienced challenges in economic viability, standardisation, and environmental sustainability. Practitioners and academics call for a comprehensive financial analysis of VPF, but efforts are stifled by a lack of valid and available data.
A review of economic estimation and horticultural software identifies a need for a decision support system (DSS) that facilitates risk-empowered business planning for vertical farmers. This thesis proposes an open-source DSS framework to evaluate business sustainability through financial risk and environmental impact assessments. Data from the literature, alongside lessons learned from industry practitioners, would be centralised in the proposed DSS using imprecise data techniques. These techniques have been applied in engineering but are seldom used in financial forecasting. This could benefit complex sectors which only have scarce data to predict business viability.
To begin the execution of the DSS framework, VPF practitioners were interviewed using a mixed-methods approach. Learnings from over 19 shuttered and operational VPF projects provide insights into the barriers inhibiting scalability and identifying risks to form a risk taxonomy. Labour was the most commonly reported top challenge. Therefore, research was conducted to explore lean principles to improve productivity.
A probabilistic model representing a spectrum of variables and their associated uncertainty was built according to the DSS framework to evaluate the financial risk for VF projects. This enabled flexible computation without precise production or financial data to improve economic estimation accuracy. The model assessed two VPF cases (one in the UK and another in Japan), demonstrating the first risk and uncertainty quantification of VPF business models in the literature. The results highlighted measures to improve economic viability and the viability of the UK and Japan case.
The environmental impact assessment model was developed, allowing VPF operators to evaluate their carbon footprint compared to traditional agriculture using life-cycle assessment. I explore strategies for net-zero carbon production through sensitivity analysis. Renewable energies, especially solar, geothermal, and tidal power, show promise for reducing the carbon emissions of indoor VPF. Results show that renewably-powered VPF can reduce carbon emissions compared to field-based agriculture when considering the land-use change.
The drivers for DSS adoption have been researched, showing a pathway of compliance and design thinking to overcome the âproblem of implementationâ and enable commercialisation. Further work is suggested to standardise VF equipment, collect benchmarking data, and characterise risks. This work will reduce risk and uncertainty and accelerate the sectorâs emergence
Chinese Benteng Womenâs Participation in Local Development Affairs in Indonesia: Appropriate means for struggle and a pathway to claim citizenâ right?
It had been more than two decades passing by aftermath the devastating Asiaâs Financial Crisis in 1997, subsequently followed by Suhartoâs step down from his presidential throne which he occupied for more than three decades. The financial turmoil turned to a political disaster furthermore has led to massive looting that severely impacted Indonesians of Chinese descendant, including unresolved mystery of the most atrocious sexual violation against women and covert killings of students and democracy activists in this country. Since then, precisely aftermath May 1998, which publicly known as âReformasiâ1, Indonesia underwent political reform that eventually corresponded positively to its macroeconomic growth. Twenty years later, in 2018, Indonesia captured worldwide attention because it has successfully hosted two internationally renowned events, namely the Asian Games 2018 â the most prestigious sport events in Asia â conducted in Jakarta and Palembang; and the IMF/World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Bali. Particularly in the IMF/World Bank Annual Meeting, this event has significantly elevated Indonesiaâs credibility and international prestige in the global economic powerplay as one of the nations with promising growth and openness. However, the narrative about poverty and inequality, including increasing racial tension, religious conservatism, and sexual violation against women are superseded by friendly climate for foreign investment and eventually excessive glorification of the nationâs economic growth. By portraying the image of promising new economic power, as rhetorically promised by President Joko Widodo during his presidential terms, Indonesia has swept the growing inequality in this highly stratified society that historically compounded with religious and racial tension under the carpet of digital economy.Arte y Humanidade
Ăgeda faasi valkude kontsentratsiooni muutused, nende seosed ternespiima ja massi-iibega vastsĂŒndinud mĂ€letsejalistel
A Thesis for applying for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Sciences.VĂ€itekiri filosoofiadoktori kraadi taotlemiseks loomaarstiteaduse erialal.Intensive farming has often led to increased spreading of pathogens in herds. After birth, neonatal ruminants are vulnerable to potential pathogens, as the syndesmochorial type of placentation prevents the transfer of antibodies from mother to foetus. Therefore, the vital immune protection will be obtained by passive immune transfer from colostrum. Colostrum contains various bioactive components, e.g. pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins, the effect of which on offspring is the focus of this research. A major role in protection against pathogens is played by the newborn ruminant's innate immune system, part of which is acute-phase reaction, during which the acute phase proteins are synthesised, mainly in the liver. Acute-phase proteins are used as quantitative sensitive inflammatory markers in medicine.
In this thesis, the acute phase reaction during the neonatal period of reindeer calves, lambs and dairy calves was investigated by evaluating the acute phase proteins (serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, albumin, fibrinogen). Additionally, the influence of colostrum acute-phase proteins on the neonatal ruminants' acute phase reaction was evaluated. To identify the possible long-term effect of acute phase reaction in the neonatal period, the average daily weight gain in the 3, 4 and in 9 months was measured.
During the neonatal period, there is a fluctuation in acute-phase proteins concentration, which is the lowest on the day of birth. The acute phase reaction on the first living week is influenced by colostrum acute phase proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The acute phase reaction on the second and third week of life has a long-term influence on the animalâs growth.
Knowledge of the early immunological development of a newborn ruminant allow providing a better growth environment, which means better welfare and preventing the spread of pathogens in intensive farming systems.MĂ€letsejaliste intensiivse pidamisviisiga kaasnevad tihti stressirohkemad pidamistingimused, mis vĂ”ivad pĂ”hjustada haigustekitajate suuremat levimust karjades. Seega on vastsĂŒndinud mĂ€letsejaliste sĂŒnnijĂ€rgne kohanemine vĂ€liskeskkonnaga vĂ€ljakutseterohke. SĂŒnepiteliokoriaalset tĂŒĂŒpi platsenta ei vĂ”imalda antikehade ĂŒlekannet emaloomalt lootele, seega omandab vastsĂŒndinu oma esmase passiivse immuunsuse ternespiimast. Lisaks antikehadele sisaldab ternespiim muid bioaktiivseid komponente, sh proinflammatoorseid tsĂŒtokiine ja Ă€geda faasi valke, mille toime jĂ€rglasele on kĂ€esoleva töö keskmes. VastsĂŒndinu jaoks elutĂ€htsa kaasasĂŒndinud immuunsĂŒsteemi ĂŒheks osaks on Ă€geda faasi vastus, mille kĂ€igus sĂŒnteesitakse proinflammatoorsete tsĂŒtokiinide toimel Ă€geda faasi valke. Neid valke kasutatakse meditsiinis kvantitatiivsete sensitiivsete biomarkeritena.
VĂ€itekirjas kĂ€sitleti pĂ”hjapĂ”dravasikate, lambatallede ja piimalehma vasikate Ă€geda faasi vastust neonataalperioodil. Samuti uuriti ternespiimas sisalduvate Ă€geda faasi valkude vĂ”imalikku mĂ”ju vastsĂŒndinu Ă€geda faasi vastusele. Neonataalperioodi Ă€geda faasi vastuse pikemaajalise mĂ”ju selgitamiseks hinnati mÔÔdetud parameetrite seoseid loomade mass-iibega, hinnatuna kolmandal, neljandal ja ĂŒheksandal elukuul.
VastsĂŒndinuperioodil esineb kolmel esimesel elunĂ€dalal Ă€geda faasi valkude seerumi amĂŒloid A, haptoglobiini, albumiini ja fibrinogeeni muutusi. SĂŒndimise pĂ€eval on kontsentratsioonid kĂ”ige madalamad. Looma esimese elunĂ€dala Ă€geda faasi vastust mĂ”jutavad ka ternespiimas sisalduvad Ă€geda faasi valgud ja pĂ”letikueelsed tsĂŒtokiinid.
Teise ja kolmanda elunÀdala Àgeda faasi vastusel ehk pÔletikuprotsessil on pikaajalisem toime, sest see mÔjutab negatiivselt looma massi-iivet.
Andmed varajaste immunoloogiliste protsesside kujunemise kohta vÔimaldavad tootmisloomadele soodsama arengukeskkonna loomist, kus suurendatakse loomade heaolu ning piiratakse haigustekitajate levikut.The publication of this dissertation is granted by the Estonian University of Life Sciences
A Cross-cultural Comparative Study of Dark Triad and Five-Factor Personality Models in Relation to Prejudice and Aggression
When examining socially malevolent outcomes in the form of prejudice and aggression, previous research on the Dark Triad and five-factor personality models has failed to consider potential cross-cultural differences. A deeper understanding of cross-cultural variations is necessary because these factors represent important social problems and risks. Prior investigation has so far only established preliminary relationships between the Dark Triad and the Big Five model and these outlined associations influence prejudice and aggression. Accordingly, this thesis consisted of two phases. The first examined interrelationships between Dark Triad traits (psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism) and Big Five personality dimensions (extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness) in UK and Russian samples. The second used the results from the initial phase to inform the baseline of a predictive model, which was extended. Both phases used cross-sectional designs, correlation-based methods of analysis (e.g., confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling with mediation, path analysis and invariance analysis), and large samples, comprising a range of backgrounds and ages. The analysis identified the strongest and weakest relationships between personality traits and prejudice and aggression. This research made an original contribution to existing literature by identifying novel relationships
Investigating illicit drug use in adolescent students in England
Abstract The Smoking Drinking Drug Use Survey of adolescents aged 11 to 15 years living in England shows that lifetime drug use by adolescents aged 11 to 15 years has increased (15% to 24%) from 2014 to 2018 (NHS Digital, 2017, 2021b). This upward trend is despite the implementation of drug policies focused on reducing supply, possession, and manufacture of illicit drugs. Based on the premise that drug use is a socially learnt behaviour, the main objective of this research is to investigate whether social learning factors (imitation, parental reinforcement, peer association and attitudes to drug use) mediate drug use in adolescents aged 11 to 15 years living in England. The second objective is to identify which social learning factors mediate drug use by ages, region, and gender. Using the Social Structure Social Learning (SSSL) theory as a framework for the research, this study contributes to the literature by identifying a) the strongest social learning behaviour for each age, gender and region in England and b) the mechanism (mediation) by which social learning affects drug use. This research employs rich data on drug use drawn from the Smoking Drinking Drug Use Survey 2016, a cross-sectional survey of adolescents aged 11-15 years across England (as of October 2021 the data for the most recent survey 2018 was not available for analysis). Mediation analysis was used to evaluate which social learning factors mediate the association between age, gender, region and drug use. The results showed that there were differences in learning behaviours that were specific to age, gender and region. For example, the most significant social learning behaviour for drug use among boys was âimitation of friendsâ, whilst for females, it was âpeer associationâ among females (i.e. having a perception that peers are using drugs). In addition, having âpositive attitudes to glueâ (i.e. âit is ok to try glueâ) was the strongest learning behaviour for drug use among younger individuals (i.e. at ages 11 to 13). Furthermore, whilst in Northern England, the strongest learning behaviour was having âpositive attitudes to cannabisâ, in London peer association was found to be the strongest learning pathway to drug use. Family disapproval of drug use (âpersuade me not to take drugsâ) was found to be a protective factor against drug use for all ages except for age 11 and 12 years and those living in the East Midlands and London. In these cases, more authoritarian parenting ââ strong parental disapproval (âstop me from taking drugsâ) was found to be a protective factor. This research offers two main contributions to the literature. First, it shows empirical linkages between constructs built using SSSL theory that have not been previously explored within a population of young adolescents in England. Second, it identifies the effects and degree to which social learning affects the relationship between drug use and social structure. Overall, this research also contributes to an improved theoretical rationale for existing SSSL associations; that is, social learning can behave as a mediator or a moderator depending on the context. The evidence produced by this thesis could also have potentially relevant policy implications. More specifically, the differences in the social learning behaviours may suggest the need to implement more targeted prevention policies aimed by age, gender and regional groups of young adolescents
The role of language and sensorimotor information in memory for concepts
The linguistic-simulation approach to conceptual representations has been investigated for some time, but the role of language and sensorimotor information in memory for objects and words, both short- and long-term, has not been examined in detail. In the present thesis, I look at the interplay of sensorimotor and linguistic information in conceptual knowledge and examine which aspects of concepts are represented in memory tasks. I also aim to establish the role of consciously accessing conceptual information in word recognition and memory. The thesis includes three self-contained papers which show that the conceptual system relies on linguistic or sensorimotor information according to task demands. In the paper in Chapter 4, I examined the linguistic bootstrapping hypothesis, which postulates that linguistic labels can serve as placeholders for complex sensorimotor representations. I tested the capacity of working memory for object concepts using an articulatory suppression task to block access to language. I found that working memory capacity for contextually related object concepts when relying on sensorimotor information is higher than the traditionally reported capacity of 3-4 for simple shapes or colours. Additionally, when linguistic labels are available to deputise for complex sensorimotor information, the capacity further increases by up to two object concepts. In Chapters 5 and 6, I examined the content of conceptual information stored in long-term memory, and the role of sensorimotor simulation and consciously available information in word recognition and word memory. The studies revealed that consciously generated imagery is not reliably measured, and moreover, it does not contribute to word recognition in a consistent manner. Some of the effects of imageability found in the literature can be explained or subsumed by sensorimotor information, which is not fully available through conscious awareness. However, conscious imagery may be a useful strategy to support word memory when trying to explicitly remember words. The thesis demonstrates that both linguistic labels and sensorimotor information contribute to memory for concepts. The way a concept is represented in different tasks varies depending on task demands. Linguistic information is used to circumvent resource capacity limits, while sensorimotor information guides behaviour by providing more detailed information about the meaning of concepts, and our previous experience with them
Rethinking established methodology in micromammal taphonomy: archaeological case studies from Orkney, UK (4th millennium BC â 15th century AD)
Micromammals (e.g. rodents, shrews), characterised by their small size, short lifespan and high reproduction rate, are known for rapid adaptability to changing conditions, inhabiting all environments besides the most frigid. They form a variety of relationships with other animals as well as humans, from being prey up to mutualism, commensalism and even taming and domestication. Changes occurring short or long-term within micromammal populations can be a useful proxy for natural as well as human-induced changes. However, their remains from archaeological contexts have seldom been investigated, with a scarcity of methodological studies and incomparability of published data often discouraging research.
Human impact on the environment is especially noticeable in the case of insular environments where humans are responsible for the majority of species introductions. This thesis examines a series of case studies from the Orkney islands off north-east Scotland to develop a micromammal zooarchaeological methodology and investigate the micromammal relationships with predators and human activity in this context. Specifically it has two main aims: 1) perform methodological research on obtained data to investigate established methods as well as to suggest new approaches to data analysis given what data are retrievable from studied assemblages; 2) apply the revised methodology to investigate a range of Orcadian sites, covering two main time periods of intensification of maritime contacts: Neolithic (4000 â 2000 BC) and Norse/mediaeval (600 â 1500 AD) ages. Analysis standardisation and reproducibility through coding in R is also introduced to deal with the large breath of obtained data.
The study provides conclusive results, broadening the understanding of micromammal taphonomy and a range of different assemblages and deposition patterns present within and around anthropic contexts. The breath of utilizable data retrievable from micromammal assemblages is comparable with typical zooarchaeological research on the remains of bigger species, for example including information on age of death or non-predatory taphonomic factors. Spatial and contextual data, particularly, proves to be crucial for understanding the impact of dispersal and burial processes on micromammal accumulations. Moreover, the necessity for consistent sieving is confirmed, lower effort sampling or sieving regimes failing to provide representative and comparable samples. The obtained data can be effectively analysed through statistical methods, including classifying algorithms, bypassing problems encountered in the case of multiple comparisons and deposition patterns. However, the results also show that actualistic research may not be directly comparable with archaeological material without considering non-predatory taphonomic factors and their impact on data representativeness.
Assemblages identified within the studied sites seem to be formed by a variety of factors. Identifiable predatory depositions could be attributed to both owls and diurnal raptors, taxa expected to be found considering modern Orkney fauna and dominant micromammal predators. Cases of non-predatory depositions included deaths of commensal species living and/or nesting within the anthropic environment, self-entrapment in anthropic features such as trenches or pits of single individuals and secondary accumulation in similar features due to dispersal. In general, each site shows multiple different patterns being present, with certain areas or context types (e.g. open/enclosed, natural/usage period/abandonment) exhibiting a predominance of a specific deposition. Intrusiveness is surprisingly rare and, where identified, is characterised by multiple intrusive species within the contexts, with singular species intrusiveness rarely being noted. Some evidence for human interaction with micromammals, direct or indirect, can be noted through additional taphonomic marks such as burning. However, a definitive interpretation of these marks, as of now, cannot be achieved
Weed/Plant Classification Using Evolutionary Optimised Ensemble Based On Local Binary Patterns
This thesis presents a novel pixel-level weed classification through rotation-invariant uniform local binary pattern (LBP) features for precision weed control. Based on two-level optimisation structure; First, Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimisation to select the best rotation-invariant uniform LBP configurations; Second, Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES) in the Neural Network (NN) ensemble to select the best combinations of voting weights of the predicted outcome for each classifier. The model obtained 87.9% accuracy in CWFID public benchmark
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