1,299 research outputs found

    The role of quality labels in farming diversification and rural development

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    The European Union promotes marketing of quality food products through a quality labelling scheme having three labels known as PDO, PGI and TSG. Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) are two labels that protect products with an association to a particular region. Such products need to have a traditional link with the area as well as unique attributes (known as specifications) that make the product different from the customary. PDO labels designate a product that is linked with an area in every aspect, while PGI labels indicate that the product has a unique geographical link in any phase from its production, processing or preparation. Traditional Speciality Guarantee (TSG) labels are assigned to food products that are produced using a traditional method but can still be reproduced in any other area. Apart from providing consumers with information on their point of origin, EU quality labels are a means to enhance sustainable farming methods and amplify the rural economy. Through a system of certification and uniform enforcement, farmers have the possibility to produce less for more as well as tap value added benefits linked with quality labels. Unfortunately, the concepts of quality labelling and food certification in Malta did not yet take-off. Thus, Malta is missing out on quality food production, consumer satisfaction in buying local food products, increments in the farmers’ pocket, international promotion of local food products and other fringe benefits linked with rural development. This dissertation sheds a light on the prospective of applying EU quality labels to traditional Maltese food products and how such process could be idyllically achieved. From a consumer survey based on 300 respondents, it came out that the majority have never seen a quality label but there is the willingness to pay extra for quality food products. These results were consolidated by opinions gathered through eight interviews with relevant authorities and local producers. Moreover, a study visit linked with this dissertation was held with an Italian certification body in the region of Umbria in Italy. During this week in Perugia, information on quality labels was obtained through interviews as well as by participating in product conformity checks. This dissertation comes to an end by recommending policies that may possibly be adopted so that Maltese products could be able to obtain EU quality labels

    The antecedents and emergence of a 'Green' Criminology

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    The Relation between Fatigue Level and Nurses’ Caring Behavior in The Orthopedic Department

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    Contents: Caring is a concept that is inherently difficult to define. The term caring is expressed in different ways in many cultures. Nurses' caring can impact a person's life processes, wellbeing, and functioning. On the other hand, fatigue is a subjective unpleasant feeling ranging from tiredness to exhaustion that could be physical, mental, or both. It may significantly interfere with functioning and may persist despite periods of rest. Aim: The present study investigates the relation between fatigue level and nurses' caring behavior in the orthopedic department.Methods: Research formulates three questions. What is the nurses' level of fatigue in the orthopedic department? What are the nurses' caring behaviors in the orthopedic department? What is the relation between fatigue level and nurses' caring behavior in the orthopedic department? The study utilized a correlational research design. The study was conducted in El Hadra Orthopedic and Traumatology University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt, on all available nurses (50 nurses) who provide direct patient care and work in the previously mentioned setting. Two tools were used for data collection. Structured interview questionnaire; It consists of two parts. The first part was concerned with socio-demographic data, past medical history of psychological problems, and chronic illness. The second part was the Fatigue Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a one-dimensional scale, consisting of an unmarked 10 cm line to rate the nurses' level of fatigue. The second tool was the Orthopedic Nurse Caring Behavior Observation Checklist. This tool was used to assess nurses' caring behavior toward orthopedic patients through concealed observation.Results: It was observed that 60.0% of studied nurses had a severe level of fatigue. The study showed a moderate level of caring behaviors with a mean of 199.92±13.50 for the morning shift nurses and 222.34±14.27 for the nurses in the evening shift. The study evidenced a significant correlation between fatigue level and overall caring behavior.Conclusion: About two-thirds of the studied nurses had a severe level of fatigue. The overall nurses' caring behaviors dimensions were of a moderate degree. There is a significant positive correlation between fatigue level and the overall nurses' caring behaviors in both morning and evening shifts in the orthopedic department. The study recommended providing nurses with fatigue countermeasure strategies and to provide the organization with strategies to overcome fatigue. Nurses are recommended to pay more attention to caring behaviors

    Neutrosophic Sets and Systems, Vol. 39, 2021

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    A Decision Framework for Allocation of Constellation-Scale Mission Compute Functionality to Ground and Edge Computing

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    This paper explores constellation-scale architectural trades, highlights dominant factors, and presents a decision framework for migrating or sharing mission compute functionality between ground and space segments. Over recent decades, sophisticated logic has been developed for scheduling and tasking of space assets, as well as processing and exploitation of satellite data, and this software has been traditionally hosted in ground computing. Current efforts exist to migrate this software to ground cloud-based services. The option and motivation to host some of this logic “at the edge” within the space segment has arisen as space assets are proliferated, are interlinked via transport networks, and are networked with multi-domain assets. Examples include edge-based Battle Management, Command, Control, and Communications (BMC3) being developed by the Space Development Agency and future onboard computing for commercial constellations. Edge computing pushes workload, computation, and storage closer to data sources and onto devices at the edge of the network. Potential benefits of edge computing include increased speed of response, system reliability, robustness to disrupted networks, and data security. Yet, space-based edge nodes have disadvantages including power and mass limitations, constant physical motion, difficulty of physical access, and potential vulnerability to attacks. This paper presents a structured decision framework with justifying rationale to provide insights and begin to address a key question of what mission compute functionality should be allocated to the space-based edge , and under what mission or architectural conditions, versus to conventional ground-based systems. The challenge is to identify the Pareto-dominant trades and impacts to mission success. This framework will not exhaustively address all missions, architectures, and CONOPs, however it is intended to provide generalized guidelines and heuristics to support architectural decision-making. Via effects-based simulation and analysis, a set of hypotheses about ground- and edge-based architectures are evaluated and summarized along with prior research. Results for a set of key metrics and decision drivers show that edge computing for specific functionality is quantitatively valuable, especially for interoperable, multi-domain, collaborative assets

    Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Conference on NASA/University Advanced Space Design Program

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    Topics discussed include: lunar transportation system, Mars rover, lunar fiberglass production, geosynchronous space stations, regenerative system for growing plants, lunar mining devices, lunar oxygen transporation system, mobile remote manipulator system, Mars exploration, launch/landing facility for a lunar base, and multi-megawatt nuclear power system

    Modeling Approach for Earthen Dam Breach Analysis in North Yamar Dam, Myanmar

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    In case a Dam breach occurs, it is hazardous for lives, properties and environment in downstream extents. Dam break studies are necessary for forecasting of flood disaster and evaluation of hydrological safety among dams. To investigate possible inundation extents and breach outflow, an experimental study for both overtopping and piping failures was performed in the North Yamar Lower Dam constructed across Yamar creek in Pale township of Sagaing Region. This study is to examine the applicability of hydraulics and hydrologic models, HEC-RAS (USACE Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis system) and HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center’s Hydrologic Modeling System) upon Dam Break. One-dimensional HEC-RAS model was applied in collaboration with HEC-HMS model to predict the potential flood risk due to different breach modes. The extreme hydrological event such as possible maximum flood event (PMF) was considered for the overtopping breach and sunny day piping event for piping breach. Dam Breach outflow hydrographs were generated by HEC-HMS individually and imported them into HEC-RAS for downstream flood estimation. The unsteady mixed flow simulations were performed by HEC-RAS and ArcGIS (Geographic Information System) was used to produce an inundation map based on simulated water surface elevations and extents. The models were calibrated based on the historical floods happened in North Yamar Dam from 2005 to 2017. By scenario analysis for with and without emergency spillway, overtopping breach influenced on different consequences whereas piping affected not much differences. The probable peak discharge would be over 7,000 m3/s and 3,800 m3/s respectively

    Phase 2: Investigation of Leading Indicators for Systems Engineering Effectiveness in Model-Centric Programs

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    Acquisition Research Program Sponsored Report SeriesSponsored Acquisition Research & Technical ReportsThis technical report summarizes the work conducted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology under contract award HQ0034-20-1-0008 during the performance period May 22, 2020 – July 31, 2021. Digital engineering transformation changes the practice of systems engineering, and drives the need to re-examine how engineering effectiveness is measured and assessed. Early engineering metrics were primarily lagging measures. More recently leading indicators have emerged that draw on trend information to allow for more predictive analysis of technical and programmatic performance of the engineering effort. By analyzing trends (e.g., requirements volatility) in context of the program’s environment and known factors, predictions can be forecast on the outcomes of certain activities (e.g., probability of successfully passing a milestone review), thereby enabling preventative or corrective action during the program. Augmenting a companion research study under contract HQ0034-19-1-0002 on adapting and extending existing systems engineering leading indicators, this study takes a future orientation. This report discusses how base measures can be extracted from a digital system model and composed as leading indicators. An illustrative case is used to identify how the desired base measures could be obtained directly from a model-based toolset. The importance of visualization and interactivity for future leading indicators is discussed, especially the potential role of visual analytics and interactive dashboards. Applicability of leading edge technologies (automated collection, visual analytics, augmented intelligence, etc.) are considered as advanced mechanisms for collecting and synthesizing measurement data from digital artifacts. This research aims to provide insights for the art of the possible for future systems engineering leading indicators and their use in decision-making on model-centric programs. Several recommendations for future research are proposed extending from the study.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

    December 2022 Complete

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