Virtual cities management and organisation

This paper presents a recent overview of the increasing use of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies for the simulation of urban environments. It builds on previous research conducted on the identification of three-dimensional (3D) city models and offers an analysis of the development, utilization and construction of VR city models. Issues pertaining to advantages, barriers and ownership are identified. The paper describes a case study of the development of a VR model for the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK and outlines the role that academic institutions can play in both the creation and utilization of urban models. The study offers a new approach for the creation, management and update of urban models and reflects on issues which are emerging. Areas for future research are discussed

A Framework for Mouse Emulation that Uses a Minimally Invasive Tongue Palate Control Device utilizing Resistopalatography

The ability to interface fluently with a robust Human Input Device is a major challenge facing patients with severe levels of disability. This paper describes a new method of computer interaction utilizing Force Sensitive Resistor Array Technology, embedded into an Intra-Oral device (Resistopalatography), to emulate a USB Human Interface Device using standard Drivers. The system is based around the patient using their tongue to manipulate these sensors in order to give a position and force measurement; these can then be analyzed to generate the necessary metrics to control a mouse for computer input

Developing agricultural solutions with smallholder farmers - How to get started with participatory approaches

Farm Management,

Reversal shift performance and the ability to represent stimulus features

This thesis is concerned with the developmental trends in reversal shift performance demonstrated by the Kendlers. Chapter 1 presents the early evidence for the developmental trend together with the ''pre-theoretical" model proposed by the Kendlers to deal with the phenomenon. Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 attempt to summarize recent evidence which, it is felt, generally confirms the early findings of the Kendlers and their colleagues with the reversal shift problem, Chapter 6 presents a more detailed account of the Kendlers theory and attempt to make clear the implicit assumptions underlying their position. Chapters 7 1 8 and 9 review the findings of studies with animals and young children which demonstrate attentional phenomena in paradigms other than the reversal shift, and thus cast serious doubt on the Kendlers model. In Chapter 10 the Tighes perceptual differentiation theory of age related changes in the reversal shift paradigm is presented. Evidence pertinent to the theory is reviewed, and it is concluded that this modal does not provide a satisfactory account of the data available. In Chapter 11 the extinction rate theory is described. This theory deals with developmental trends in the reversal shift by postulating age-related changes in the relative difficulty of extinguishing attentional and instrumental responses. It is concluded that the theory provides the best explanation of evidence previously reviewed. Chapter 12 links the change in relative extinction rates of the two types of learning (attentional and instrumental) with developments in the child's ability to r1pP111nt the relevant cues in a discrimination problem. Evidence supporting developmental changes in the child's representational skill is cited, together with some evidence linking this skill with performance in discrimination problems. In Chapter 13 a recognition test is developed as a measure of a child's ability to represent a particular class of cues - shapes made up of four lines meeting at a common centre Marked developmental trends - and individual differences - are demonstrated in performance on the recognition test and on a match test using the same stimuli. Chapter 14 attempts to relate scores on the recognition test to the learning performance of 6 and 7 year olds in reversal shift problems - involving the class of stimuli employed in the recognition test, Level of recognition score is found to be unrelated to either the initial or reversal learning if the relevant stimuli are reasonably different. However if the learning tasks that make up the reversal shift involve stimuli that are difficult to discriminate then recognition level is strongly related to performance in the initial learning task but rather weakly related to reversal learning ability. Possible reasons for this pattern of results are discussed. In Chapter 15, 7 year olds' ability to cross-classify shape and colour is related to their learning ability in reversal shift problems made up of paired associate learning tasks (PAL.s). The stimuli for the PA .s are colour form compounds. It is found that a child's classificatory ability is strongly related to learning performance in both initial and reversal PAL.s. The results are interpreted within the framework of a two stage model of the learning tasks and the extinction rate theory

The future of the Dutch egg processing industry

This research examines the competitiveness of the Dutch egg products industry, as well as the consequences of tightening up the laws concerning layer poultry on the competitive position of the Dutch egg production industry. A tightening of the laws has, in fact, the effect of raising the production cost, and in this research the central question revolves around whether animal welfare-friendly egg products are perceived as products with added value by the buyers of egg products (mainly industrial buyers) and will thus also be offered for sale at a higher price. Furthermore, it will be investigated what the probable developmental directions are in the egg products industry if this higher price cannot be realised.Livestock Production/Industries,

Effects of an abasic site on triple helix formation characterized by affinity cleaving

The stability of triple helical complexes of pyrimidine oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing one abasic 1,2- dideoxy-D-ribose (ø) residue was examined by affinity cleaving. Within a pyrimidine third strand, the triplets ø·AT, ø·GC, ø·TA and ø·CG are significantly less stable than the triplets, T- AT, C + GC and GTA. The decrease in binding produced by an abasic residue is similar to that observed with imperfectly matched natural base triplets, with ø · AT and ø · GC being less stable than ø · TA and ø · CG triplets for the sequences studied

Kostprijsontwikkeling consumptie- eieren 2004-2012: Basisjaar 2004

This report relates to a comparative study of the production cost of eggs in 2004 in some EU countries and Brazil and the USA. This was supplemented by a review of the prospects up until 2012. An insight was obtained into the national developments in animal welfare, environmental measures, and food safety. It was concluded that the production cost of eggs in the EU will further increase and as a result the difference in production cost with the non-EU countries will further increase. In the EU, Dutch and German layer farmers are confronted with additional animal-welfare and environmental regulations as compared to their counterparts in France, Spain and Poland. In dit rapport worden de kostprijzen van eieren in 2004 van verschillende EU-landen vergeleken met Brazilië en de Verenigde Staten. Voor alle genoemde landen is een doorkijk gemaakt naar het jaar 2012. Per land zijn de ontwikkelingen op het gebied van dierenwelzijn, milieu en voedselveiligheid in kaart gebracht. Geconcludeerd wordt dat in de EUlanden de komende jaren de kostprijs voor eieren zal stijgen, waardoor het verschil met de niet-EU-landen verder toeneemt. Binnen de EU hebben de leghennenhouders in Nederland en Duitsland te maken met extra regelgeving op het gebied van dierenwelzijn en milieu in vergelijking met Frankrijk, Spanje en Polen.Livestock Production/Industries,

Global Impacts from Improved Tropical Forages: A Meta-Analysis Revealing Overlooked Benefits and Costs, Evolving Values and New Priorities

The wider use and improved performance of planted tropical forages can substantially change social, economic and environmental landscapes. By reviewing impact-related studies published in the past two decades, this paper shows how evolving development priorities have influenced the types of impacts being documented. A meta-analysis was used to examine 98 studies according to: (1) breadth of reported effects, as related to development goals of social equity, economic growth and environmental sustainability; (2) extent of effects, ranging from intermediate to longer-term impacts; and (3) measurement precision (identification, description and quantification). Impacts have been assessed for fewer than half of the documented 118M ha with improved forages. Although Brazil accounts for 86% of the known planted area, widespread irregular reporting of technology adoption affects accuracy of global estimates. Over 80% of the impact-related studies reported economic effects, while fewer than 20% were quantitative estimates of longer-term economic impacts. Inconsistent valuation methods and assumptions prevented valid summation of total economic impacts. Social effects were reported in fewer than 60% of studies and emphasised household-level outcomes on gender and labour, with most reported effects being non-quantitative. Environmental effects were reported slightly more often than social effects, with recent increases in quantitative estimates of carbon accumulation. Few studies analysed tradeoffs. Independent reviewers conducted approximately 15% of the studies. Newer development priorities of environmental sustainability, system intensification, organisational participation and innovation capacities require broader approaches to assess impacts. Increased marketing and coordination with development and environmental organisations can generate greater demands for improved forages