An Investigation of the Marketing Practices of Local Food Businesses in Southwestern Ontario

This thesis presents research from two interrelated studies examining the marketing practices of local food businesses in Southwestern Ontario. Focus groups were held with food system stakeholders to examine their attitudes and insights toward developing new technologies (i.e., smartphone and web-based tools) to promote local food. A survey of direct-market farmers sought to uncover their marketing practices and motivations. A combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis revealed that although technology already plays a prominent role in marketing, there is a strong desire for more metrics to measure the efficacy of marketing efforts. Further, new technologies should facilitate producer-consumer connections, as this practice plays an important role in marketing local food. This research will help to inform future efforts to ‘scale-up’ local food systems by examining the preferences and perspectives of local food businesses. This ensures the needs of these businesses are addressed in the pursuit of sustainable, resilient local food systems

Using smartphones in cities to crowdsource dangerous road sections and give effective in-car warnings

The widespread day-to-day carrying of powerful smartphones gives opportunities for crowd-sourcing information about the users' activities to gain insight into patterns of use of a large population in cities. Here we report the design and initial investigations into a crowdsourcing approach for sudden decelerations to identify dangerous road sections. Sudden brakes and near misses are much more common than police reportable accidents but under exploited and have the potential for more responsive reaction than waiting for accidents. We also discuss different multimodal feedback conditions to warn drivers approaching a dangerous zone. We believe this crowdsourcing approach gives cost and coverage benefits over infrastructural smart-city approaches but that users need incentivized for use

Analysis of lesion localisation at colonoscopy: outcomes from a multi-centre U.K. study

Background: Colonoscopy is currently the gold standard for detection of colorectal lesions, but may be limited in anatomically localising lesions. This audit aimed to determine the accuracy of colonoscopy lesion localisation, any subsequent changes in surgical management and any potentially influencing factors. Methods: Patients undergoing colonoscopy prior to elective curative surgery for colorectal lesion/s were included from 8 registered U.K. sites (2012–2014). Three sets of data were recorded: patient factors (age, sex, BMI, screener vs. symptomatic, previous abdominal surgery); colonoscopy factors (caecal intubation, scope guide used, colonoscopist accreditation) and imaging modality. Lesion localisation was standardised with intra-operative location taken as the gold standard. Changes to surgical management were recorded. Results: 364 cases were included; majority of lesions were colonic, solitary, malignant and in symptomatic referrals. 82% patients had their lesion/s correctly located at colonoscopy. Pre-operative CT visualised lesion/s in only 73% of cases with a reduction in screening patients (64 vs. 77%; p = 0.008). 5.2% incorrectly located cases at colonoscopy underwent altered surgical management, including conversion to open. Univariate analysis found colonoscopy accreditation, scope guide use, incomplete colonoscopy and previous abdominal surgery significantly influenced lesion localisation. On multi-variate analysis, caecal intubation and scope guide use remained significant (HR 0.35, 0.20–0.60 95% CI and 0.47; 0.25–0.88, respectively). Conclusion: Lesion localisation at colonoscopy is incorrect in 18% of cases leading to potentially significant surgical management alterations. As part of accreditation, colonoscopists need lesion localisation training and awareness of when inaccuracies can occur

Focusing a NIR adaptive optics imager, experience with GSAOI

The Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI) to be used with the Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics (MCAO) system at Gemini South is currently in the final stages of assembly and testing. GSAOI uses a suite of 26 different filters, made from both BK7 and Fused Silica substrates. These filters, located in a non-collimated beam, work as active optical elements. The optical design was undertaken to ensure that both the filter substrates both focused longitudinally at the same point. During the testing of the instrument it was found that longitudinal focus was filter dependant. The methods used to investigate this are outlined in the paper. These investigations identified several possible causes for the focal shift including substrate material properties in cryogenic conditions and small amounts of residual filter power

Status of mountain pine beetle, Kootenai National Forest, Montana, 1979

Mountain pine beetle populations began building in the Kootenai National Forest in 1972. Infestations now encompass an estimated 48,599 acres of lodgepole pine type and 615 acres of ponderosa pine type. Approximately 25 percent of the high-risk stands, 17 percent of the moderate-risk, and less than 1 percent of the low-risk stands are infested. Newly attacked trees averaged 10 per acre. Infestations have the potential to intensify in high-risk stands, with some increase in moderate- and low-risk stands. Predicted trends, plus management alternatives to prevent and/or reduce infestation severity, are discussed

Mountain pine beetle impact survey, Ninemile Drainage, Lolo National Forest, and state and private lands, Montana, 1973

The mountain pine beetle reached epidemic levels in second-growth 80-yearold ponderosa pine stands on the Ninemile Ranger District in 1969. The outbreak increased through 1971 and spread over 30,000 acres. Heavy infestation occurred on about 2,600 acres within this area. A two-stage survey was used during 1972 and 1973 to stratify the infestation, and obtain tree and volume loss estimates. This survey shows that about 109,284 trees were killed with an estimated volume loss of 613,743 board feet from 1970 to 1973. The outbreak has been declining since 1971. Surveys this year point toward a continued decline. However, some "hot spot" infestations will persist in pure,overstocked,second-growth stands. Commercial thinning is encouraged to release the stand, promote tree growth, and change the microenvironment, making it unattractive to mountain pine beetle

Evaluation of a pine engraver beetle infestation, Sandpoint District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, 1974

An outbreak of the pine engraver Ips pini (Say), was reported by Sonny LaSalle, Forester, in a mixed second-growth Douglas-fir,lodgepole, ponderosa pine stand on the Sandpoint Ranger District near Edgemere, Idaho. This report was received in early January 1974. An evaluation of the infestation was made April 18, 1974

Evaluation of a mountain pine beetle infestation, Shook Mountain, Sula District, Bitterroot National Forest, 1977

A mountain pine beetle outbreak developed on the north face of Shook Mountain in 1972. Beetle populations increased, and have continued at an epidemic level since 1973. Surveys show 404,798 ponderosa pine containing 12,173,940 bd. ft. volume of merchantable timber; and 20,875 lodgepole pine containing 730,625 bd. ft. volume of merchantable timber were killed from 1974 through 1976. Losses will continue as long as stands remain overstocked and stagnated. Reducing basal area below 120 ft. /acre by thinning and removing infested trees will manage the infestation. Suggestions are given to prevent buildup of secondary bark beetles