Over the past 10 years, smartwatches have become increasingly popular for commercial use. Their ever-increasing capabilities, accuracy, and sophistication of smartwatches is making them increasingly appealing to physical activity researchers as a valuable research tool. The non-invasive nature, prevalence, and versatility of smartwatches is being utilized to track heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, activity and movement, and sleep. However, the current state of the art lacks a uniform method to extract, organize, and analyze data collected from these devices. The objective of this research was to develop a Python software library that is widely available, highly capable, and easy to use with the data collected by the Apple Watch. The library was designed to offer data science, visualization, and mining features that help physical activity research find and communicate patterns in the Apple Health data. The custom-built caching system of the library provides near-instant runtime to parse and analyze large files without trading off on memory usage. The Wanjara Smartwatch Library has significantly better performance, proven reliability and robustness, and improved usability than the alternatives discovered in the review of the literature. / Master of Science / Over the past 10 years, smartwatches have become increasingly popular for commercial use. Their ever-increasing capabilities, accuracy, and sophistication of smartwatches is making them increasingly appealing to physical activity researchers as a valuable research tool. The non-invasive nature, prevalence, and versatility of smartwatches is being utilized to track heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, activity and movement, and sleep. However, the current state of the art lacks a uniform method to extract, organize, and analyze data collected from these devices. The objective of this research was to develop a Python software library that is widely available, highly capable, and easy to use with the data collected by the Apple Watch. The library was designed to offer data science, visualization, and mining features that help physical activity research find and communicate patterns in the Apple Health data. The custom-built caching system of the library provides near-instant runtime to parse and analyze large files without trading off on memory usage. The Wanjara Smartwatch Library has significantly better performance, proven reliability and robustness, and improved usability than the alternatives discovered in the review of the literature.

Reducing apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) crop load during bloom is a reliable option for increasing fruit quality and return bloom. In this thesis, multiple approaches to improving bloom thinning practices are discussed. The first project analyzed the pollen tube growth of several crabapple cultivars. Previous research had improved the use of bloom thinning chemicals, by coordinating the application timing with the pollen tube growth between pollination and fertilization. However, pollen tube growth rates have only been measured in a few genotypes. In Chapter 2, the pollen tube growth rates of five crabapple cultivars were measured in the styles of 'Fuji', 'Golden Delicious', and 'Pink Lady' flowers, at four temperatures 12, 18, 24 and 30 C. Complex relationships were found among paternal pollen tube growth, maternal cultivar, and temperature. Chapters 3 and 4 describe projects where organically-approved chemicals, including the biofungicide, Regalia, were evaluated for their ability to simultaneously reduce crop load and decrease early season disease infection. These chemicals were applied in conventionally managed orchards (Chapter 3), and in an organically-managed 'Honeycrisp' orchard (Chapter 4). The number of chemicals approved for bloom thinning is limited, especially in the Eastern U.S. where lime sulfur and oil applications are not permitted during bloom. These studies indicate Regalia, applied during bloom, can reduce crop load and provide early season disease control. The research presented in this thesis provides new knowledge that can be incorporated into crop load management practices in both conventional and organic apple orchards. / Master of Science

<p>  </p> <p>Dried fruits have traditionally received little food safety attention despite multiple <em>Salmonella</em> and <em>E. coli</em> outbreaks associated with low-moisture foods. Given the popularity of dried apples, many consumers produce dried apples at home. However, little is known about this niche population, their apple drying practices and their sources of food safety information. Therefore, this thesis aimed to use apple drying as a case study to i) identify the fruit drying practices in a domestic setting, ii) determine the factors influencing the associated behaviors and iii) evaluate the food safety information in fruit drying recipes.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The first two studies used quantitative methods with survey data on home apple dryers in the United States. In the first, apple drying practices were identified and evaluated for level of food safety using a safe practice index. Then, regression analyses showed the influence of demographic factors, attitudes, perceived behavioral control (PBC), subjective norms, risk perception and exposure to food safety information on selected apple drying practices. The third study was a content analysis using a qualitative approach to analyze recipe information on blogs, YouTube videos, cookbooks and university extension publications.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Findings revealed that the level of safe food handling in home apple drying was low. Home apple dryers had inadequate frequency of handwashing during apple preparation, potential points of cross-contamination from kitchen tools, a lack of hurdle technology without an apple pre-treatment step, failure to incorporate a thermal kill step during drying, and a lack of objective measurements to ensure that target parameters are attained. The investigated demographic factors, risk perception and food safety information or training had significant influence on current safe apple handling behaviors. Attitudes, PBC and subjective norms were strong predictors of behavior intention. An evaluation of apple drying recipes showed that food safety emphasis was missing. There were omission of food safety controls and a lack of standardization in the recommended procedures.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The results provided handling practice data to support the development of more accurate food safety risk assessment models, and to guide the development of food safety education for home apple dryers. It urged the need for food safety improvement not only in home apple dryers’ practices, but also the information disseminated to them.</p>

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Published Article / The paper highlights the design, development and evaluation of a hybrid convective-far-infrared (FIR) dehydrator for the purpose of drying fruit. The methodology followed is based on an experimental and practical approach. The application of the dryer for this study is aimed at the production of apple chips as well as other types of fruit chips and the more common dried fruit. The fruit dryer proposed uses both infrared energy and convective heating to effectively and efficiently dehydrate apple slices to produce dried apple chips. The apple chips are produced in very short time frames and accomplished by using relatively low heater power. These types of apple chip snacks also contribute to the more healthy variety of snacks available on the market.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The object of this study was to do a comparative analysis of the competitiveness of the South African apple industry with the competitive ran kings published by Dr Desmond O'Rourke as a guideline. Firstly, the intention was to determine if South Africa's ranking is valid and representative, and secondly, to look at the scope for improvement. South Africa's best competitive performance is in the area of production. Although South Africa is performing well there is still scope for improvement by increasing productivity of orchards and quality of the crop. Input costs, labour and climate change are other big concerns. The biggest area for improvement however lies with the relationship between the South African apple industry and the South African government. Many of the changes in legislation and policy since 1994 have had a negative impact on the competitiveness of the South African apple industry. Government need to play an active role in supporting the apple industry through infrastructure, market access and financial support for industry initiatives like promotion and research. This can only be achieved if there is a partnership between the industry and government. The Department of Agriculture also need to be capacitated to perform their functions professionally and efficiently. In terms of market and demand the main concern is the dependence of the South African apple industry on the markets of Europe and the United Kingdom. These markets also have a decline in per capita consumption of apples. This, associated with increased consumer pressure in terms of food safety, environmental and ethical issues and the power of retailers, creates a need to get market access in new developing markets like India and China. The promotions of consumption of apples in the local market would also have a positive effect on profitability. In a world market where the production volume of South Africa is insignificant, the industry needs to do everything in its control to increase competitiveness. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om 'n vergelykende studie van die mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelindustrie te doen met die mededingendheidsranglys van Dr. Desmond O'Rourke as 'n riglyn. Eerstens was die oogmerk om te bepaal of hierdie ranglys verteenwoordigend is van die mededingendheid van Suid-Afrika, en tweedens om die ruimte en area vir verbetering te identifiseer. Suid-Afrika se beste area van kompeterende prestasie is produksie. Alhoewel Suid-Afrika goed vaar op hierdie gebied is daar nog steeds ruimte vir verbetering deur produktiwiteit van boorde en die kwaliteit van die oes te verhoog. Insetkoste, arbeid en klimaatsverandering is ook areas van bekommernis. Die grootste area vir verbetering is egter die verhouding tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse industrie en die regering. Baie van die veranderinge in wetgewing en beleid sedert 1994 het 'n negatiewe impak op die mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelindustrie gehad. Die regering moet 'n aktiewe rol speel om die appelindustrie te ondersteun t.o.v. die infrastruktuur, marktoegang, promosie en navorsing. Dit kan slegs bereik word as daar 'n vennootskap tussen die regering en industrie is. Die Departement van Landbou het ook die kapasiteit nodig om hulle taak professioneel en effektief te kan verrig. In terme van markte en vraag is die grootste bekommernis die afhanklikheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse industrie van die markte van Europa en die Verenigde Koninkryk. Hierdie markte toon 'n afname in per capita verbruik van appels. Dit tesame met die verbruikersdruk in terme van voedselveilighied, omgewing en etiese kwessies en die mag van die supermarkte skep die behoefte om marktoegang tot nuwe ontwikkelende markte soos Indie en China uit te brei. Die promosie van verbruik van appels in die plaaslike mark sal ook 'n positiewe effek op winsgewendheid he. In 'n wereldmark waar die produksievolume van Suid-Afrika nie noemenswaardig is nie, is dit van die uiterste belang dat die industrie alles in hul vermoe doen am mededingendheid te verhoog.

Dissertation (PhD (Agric))--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A study was made of the basic biology of subterranean Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) populations in apple orchards in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The absence of cornicles and the presence of a vulva could be used to identify 1st instar nymphs and adults respectively. Body length, body width and length of the hind femur are useful for separating 2nd , 3rd and 4th instars. However, separation of 2nd from 3rd instar nymphs was very unreliable. Maximum population growth rate was at 23°C while at 30 °C population growth was zero. The estimated minimum and maximum threshold temperatures for development were 4.32 and more than 30°C respectively. Numbers of underground E. lanigerum in soil samples taken using mechanical and hand augers were similar. However, numbers of aphids in samples were influenced by the distance from the trunk at which the samples were taken and the presence and the type of root material in the samples. More aphids were recorded close to the trunk, and at a given distance from the trunk more aphids were recorded if there was root material in the sample, especially if the roots were galled. early autumn (February, March) and declined during winter, especially if the winter rainfall was high. These cycles coincided with the nitrogen cycles in the roots. Embryos were also present in all instars throughout the year. There were more embryos in the 4th instar and adult aphids than in the other instars. The highest number of embryos in the 4th instar and adult aphids occurred during spring, which coincided with peak nitrogen levels in the roots of apple trees. Nitrogen levels in root material adjacent to galls and in ungalled roots were higher than in root galls. A number of entomopathogenic fungi, including species of Conidiobolus, Hirsufella and Beauveria were found. Their present contribution to biological control is not known. A straw mulch suppressed subterranean E. lanigerum population levels at least as well as the soil insecticide, imidacloprid, currently in use. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Studie van die basiese biologie van ondergrondse bevolkings van , Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) is in appelboorde in die Weskaap Provinsie van Suid-Afrika uitgevoer. Die afwesigheid van kornikels en die aanwesigheid van 'n vulva kon gebruik word om die 1ste instar nimfe en volwassennes onderskeidelik te identifiseer. Liggaamslengte, liggaamsbreedte en die lengte van die agterste femur kon gebruik word om die 2de , 3de en 4de instars van mekaar te onderskei. Onderskeiding tussen 2de en 3de instar nimfe was egter baie onbetroubaar. Maksimum bevolkingsgroei het by 23°C plaasgevind, terwyl dit nul was by 30 °C. Die beraamde minimum en maksimum temperature vir ontwikkeling was by 4.32 en meer as 30°C onderskeidelik. Getalle van ondergrondse E. lanigerum in grondmonsters wat geneem is met gebruik van meganiese en hand bore was eenders. Getalle plantluise in monsters is egter beïnvloed deur die afstand vanaf die stam waarby die monsters geneem is en die teenwoordigheid van wortelmateriaal in die monsters. Meer plantluise is aangeteken as daar wortelmateriaal in die monsters was, en veral as daar galle op die wortels was. Die appelbloedluis was dwarsdeur die jaar ondergronds aktief. Bevolkingsvlakke het gedurende die vroeë somer (November, Desember) en vroeë herfs (Februarie, Maart) toegeneem, en gedurende die winter afgeneem, veral as die winterreënval hoogwas. Embrio's was ook teenwoordig dwarsdeur die jaar. Daar was meer embrio's in die 4de instar en volwasse plantluise as in die ander instars. Die hoogste aantal embrio's in die 4de instar en volwasse plantluise het in die lente voorgekom, wat saamgeval het met piek stikstofvlakke in die wortels van appelbome. Stikstofvlakke in wortelmateriaal aangrensend aan wortels en in wortels sonder galle was hoër as in wortelgalle. Talle entomopatogeniese swamme, insluitend spesies van Conidiobolus, Hirsufella en Beauvaria IS gevind. Hulle huidige bydrae tot biologiese beheer is nie bekend nie. 'n Strooideklaag het ondergrondse bevolkingsvlakke van E. lanigerum tot ten minste dieselfde mate as die grondinsektedoder, imidacloprid, wat tans in gebruik is, onderdruk.

<p>Detta arbete är en undersökning om vad en Jailbreaking av iPhone OS kan tillföra för en vanlig användare och även de utökade möjligheterna för utvecklare. Det syftar till att ge en lätt överskådlig förklaring om hur jailbreaking fungerar och vilka fördelar och nackdelar som följer med det valet.</p><p>Det var ett personligt intresse för modifikation av operativsystem som gav grunden för valet av denna undersökning. Efter det egna införskaffandet av en iPhone 3Gs i slutet av 2009 utvecklades intresset för jailbreaking, något som successivt byggdes upp till en passion att vilja undersöka en iPhones fulla potential.</p><p>I rapporten kommer ett antal jämförelser att göras mellan ett native iPhone OS och ett Jailbreakat iPhone OS. Versionen är 3.1.3, vilken är den senaste stabila. Det presenteras viktiga paket som bevis för vad de extra funktioner som kan uppnås genom användandet av jailbreak. Det kommer även att beskrivas hur Jailbreak utförs. De paket som presenteras i arbetet kommer att vara de mest populära, funktionsrika och pålitliga utav de som finns tillgängliga inom jailbreak communityn.</p><p>Detta arbete resulterade i en redan förväntad bekräftelse att jailbreak har mycket att tillföra både normalanvändare för att utnyttja sin enhet med iPhone OS till sin fulla potential, men även för utvecklare som blivit nekade av Apple att få sälja sina produkter på AppStore eller helt enkelt bara vill utveckla utan Apples restriktioner och regler. Pengar finns absolut att tjäna genom Cydia Store eller liknade, vilket bevisas genom statistik och estimeringar.</p>

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