The effect of Holstein-Friesian genotype and feeding system on selected performance parameters of dairy cows on grass-based systems of milk production in Ireland

End of project reportThe overall objective of this project was to assess, the effect of strain of Holstein-Friesian dairy cow, pasture-based feed system (FS) and their interaction on animal performance in terms of milk productivity and lactation profile, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), feed intake and energy balance (EB), reproductive performance and overall economic profitability

Strong interaction of a turbulent spot with a shock-induced separation bubble

Direct numerical simulations have been conducted to study the passage of a turbulent spot through a shock-induced separation bubble. Localized blowing is used to trip the boundary layer well upstream of the shock impingement, leading to mature turbulent spots at impingement, with a length comparable to the length of the separation zone. Interactions are simulated at free stream Mach numbers of two and four, for isothermal (hot) wall boundary conditions. The core of the spot is seen to tunnel through the separation bubble, leading to a transient reattachment of the flow. Recovery times are long due to the influence of the calmed region behind the spot. The propagation speed of the trailing interface of the spot decreases during the interaction and a substantial increase in the lateral spreading of the spot was observed. A conceptual model based on the growth of the lateral shear layer near the wingtips of the spot is used to explain the change in lateral growth rat

Assembling urban regeneration? Resourcing critical generative accounts of urban regeneration through assemblage

In critical urban studies, managed urban regeneration has been linked to trajectories of neo-liberalising urban policy and urban entrepreneurialism. While the insights arising from this work have been many and valuable, significant gaps remain particularly in terms of the foci of analysis and the conception of politics. In this paper, we aim to address these gaps and to reposition the conceptualization of regeneration as a performed and emergent consequence of \u27relatedness\u27 and as subject to a range of relational effects and determinations. To do so we work through four capacities of assemblage thinking that are particularly productive for this task: (i) revealing the relational, multiple and processual nature of urban trajectories; (ii) revealing the multi-scalar labouring involved in configuring the (socio-material) assemblages that constitute regeneration; (iii) identifying openings for multiple possible trajectories of regeneration; (iv) providing critical insights into how regeneration trajectories are constrained. We conclude with reflections on what assemblage thinking offers in terms of critically and generatively rethinking urban regeneration

Effective practices for interagency data sharing: insights from collaborative research in a regional intervention

Data sharing adds considerable value to interagency programs that seek to tackle complex social problems. Yet data sharing is not easily enacted either technically or as a governance practice, especially considering the multiple forms of risk involved. This article presents insights from a successful data sharing project in a major region in east coast Australia involving a federally funded research partnership between two universities and a number of human services agencies. The Spatial Data Analysis Project sought to establish a community of practice for devising data sharing protocols and embedding data sharing into agency practices. Close dialogue between the project partners and mobilizing the authority of extant regulatory and legal frameworks proved effective in confronting risks and barriers. The article reveals effective practices for data sharing and derives lessons for other policy and governance contexts

Effect of Boundary Layer Thickness and Entropy Layer on Boundary Layer Combustion

This project investigates the possibilities of scramjet combustor performance enhancement by reducing the skin friction through boundary layer combustion. Experiments were conducted in the T4 Stalker tube to investigate the influence of boundary layer thickness and entropy layers on the ignition of a hydrogen air mixture near the wall of a constant area duct. The hydrogen was injected tangentially from a slot of annular cross section after an “injector” of constant area captured flow from a Mach 4 nozzle. Injectors of two different lengths and nose radii were employed to vary the thickness of the boundary layer at the injection location as well as the temperature of the gas near the walls and within the entropy layer created by the leading edge shocks of blunted leading edges. Results are presented of CFD simulations of the injector as well as experimentally measured pressure coefficient profiles along the combustor wall. It is shown that a thicker boundary layer will promote combustion but that heating the gas near the walls through a leading edge shock is more effective for ignition. However, the shocks generated by the leading edge may also influence the core flow of the constant area combustor and possibly cause some main stream mixing

Effect of Genetic Merit for Milk Production, Dairy Cow Breed and Pre-Calving Feeding on Reproductive Physiology and Performance.

End of Project ReportThe overall objective of this project was to determine, following four experiments, the effects of genetic merit for milk production, dairy cow breed and prepartum feeding on reproductive physiology and performance. In the present experiments, the high proportion of Holstein- Friesian genes played a more important role in reducing reproductive performance than milk production. Significant breed differences in reproductive performance were detected.European Union Structural Funds (EAGGF

Climate change and the rental sector: Mapping the legislative and policy context: Analysis

The Briefing Paper series of the ‘Rental housing, climate change and adaptive capacity: a case study of Newcastle NSW’ project seeks to provide readers with access to current research on rental sector adaptation to climate change. Briefing Papers produced by the project team are working documents that provide a forum on theoretical, methodological and practical issues related to climate change adaption in rental housing. The project is funded by the National Climate change Adaptation Facility (NCCARF) for 2012. The publication as a ‘Briefing Paper’ does not preclude subsequent publication in scholarly journals, books or reports. Unless otherwise stated, ‘Rental housing, climate change and adaptive capacity’ publications are presented as contributions to debate and discussion and represent our developing thinking about the research. We are hoping that they may facilitate feedback from readers, researchers, renters and housing managers

Climate change and the rental sector: Mapping the legislative and policy context: Local Government

The Briefing Paper series of the ‘Rental housing, climate change and adaptive capacity: a case study of Newcastle NSW’ project seeks to provide readers with access to current research on rental sector adaptation to climate change. Briefing Papers produced by the project team are working documents that provide a forum on theoretical, methodological and practical issues related to climate change adaption in rental housing. The project is funded by the National Climate change Adaptation Facility (NCCARF) for 2012. The publication as a ‘Briefing Paper’ does not preclude subsequent publication in scholarly journals, books or reports. Unless otherwise stated, ‘Rental housing, climate change and adaptive capacity’ publications are presented as contributions to debate and discussion and represent our developing thinking about the research. We are hoping that they may facilitate feedback from readers, researchers, renters and housing managers

Case studies in implementing dynamic production planning and scheduling system in make-to-order high-mix-low-volume small and medium-scaled industries for production efficiency

To manage a high-mix manufacturing environment efficiently is a big challenge for the small and medium-scaled industries (SMIs) because of the nature of its dynamic and ever changing production environment. This has added extra challenges for the SMIs to adopt the right and suitable computerized system for improvement. This paper reviews the implementation of computerized planning and scheduling system to the make-to-order (MTO) high-mix-low-volume (HMLV) SMIs to overcome their daily production challenges in managing the products, processes and resources. Investigation has been conducted in two local manufacturing companies to study the effectiveness of implementing the planning and scheduling system that has brought improvement to the MTO HMLV production environment. The research was conducted in mixed mode of qualitative and quantitative methods after the software being implemented for a year. The findings show the implementation of the system that can bring improvements overall. However, there are some other challenges not related to the software have been discovered such as human factors. The issues are listed in discussion section. The outcome of this research will accrue to manufacturers through an improved understanding of the operation and performance of implementing the system. The authors recommend further research works to be carried out to determine the other key success factors for MTO HMLV SMIs to implement computerize system to improve overall production efficiency

Achieving good environmental status in the Black Sea: scale mismatches in environmental management

The Black Sea has suffered severe environmental degradation. Governance of the Black Sea region is complex and results in a series of scale mismatches which constrain management. This paper develops a simple classification of spatial scale mismatches incorporating the driver, pressure, state, welfare, response (DPSWR) framework. The scale mismatch classification is applied to two major environmental problems of the Black Sea, eutrophication and small pelagic fisheries. A number of scale mismatches are described and classified and potential solutions are identified