The impact of undesirable plant communities (Cymbopogon afronardus and woody species dominated by Acacia species) on livestock carrying capacity and performance was investigated on 15 farms in an Acacia/Cymbopogon dominated pastoral system of south-western Uganda. Species prevalence based on basal cover for grasses, frequency for forbs and effective canopy cover for trees/shrubs were determined on farms. The PHYGROW model was used to predict forage productivity for computation of carrying capacity. The NIRS/NUTBAL nutritional management system was used to determine cattle dietary CP and DOM through fecal scans and to estimate animal performance. Cymbopogon afronardus had a prevalence of 10.29% among the grasses while Acacia gerrardii (34.37%) and Acacia hockii (33.66%) were the most prevalent woody species. Forage productivity differed significantly among the farms with a mean long-term annual forage yield of 4560(SE+41) kg/ha. Farms infested with Cymbopogon and woody species produced the least amount of forage and therefore had the lowest carrying capacities (0.38 -0.39 AU/ha) while improved farms had comparatively higher forage yields with higher carrying capacities (0.49 - 0.52 AU/ha). A mean carrying capacity for the system was estimated at 0.44 AU/ha using a 25% harvest efficiency for ANPP. All the farms were overstocked, on average by 3.2 times. Livestock BCS, diet CP and DOM were significantly different (P<0.0001) among the different farm types. BCS were highest on improved farms and lowest on Cymbopogon infested farms while dietary CP and DOM values were lowest on improved farms and highest on farms with a high woody component. Farms with a relatively high woody component exhibited intermediate BCS despite the high dietary CP values. Cattle on Cymbopogon infested farms had consistently lower body weights over the months although there were no significant differences in daily live weight gains among farms. Recommendations included need for research into appropriate control measures for both Cymbopogon afronardus and woody species, farmer sensitization about overstocking, research to improve forage quality on improved farms and need for feed supplementation for improved breeds on improved farms. Integration of NIRS/NUTBAL and PHYGROW models into the research and management systems was desirable. The observed increase in Sporobolus spp. required investigation.

Remote area staff performing manual patient handling tasks in the absence of patient lifting hoists available in most health care settings are at an elevated risk of musculoskeletal injuries. The objective of this project was to identify the patient handling methods that have the lowest risk of injury. The patient handling task of lifting a patient from floor to a chair or wheelchair is a common task performed in a remote health care setting. The task was performed utilising three methods, these being: (1) heads/tails lift, (2) use of two Blue MEDesign?? slings and (3) use of a drawsheet. The task of the heads/tails lift was broken down into two distinctly separate subtasks: lifting from the (1) head and (2) tail ends of the patient load. These techniques were selected based on criteria including current practice, durability, portability, accessibility, ease of storage and cost to supply. Postural data were obtained using a Vicon 370 three - dimensional motion measurement and analysis system in the Biomechanics & Gait laboratory at the University of New South Wales. Forty reflective markers were placed on the subject to obtain the following joint angles: ankle, knee, hip, torso, shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The raw data were converted into the respective joint angles (Y, X, Z) for further analysis. The postural data was analysed using the University of Michigan???s Three-Dimensional Static Strength Prediction Program (3D SSPP) and the relative risk of injury was based on the following three values: (1) a threshold value of 3,400 N for compression force, (2) a threshold value of 500 N for shear force, and (3) population strength capability data. The effects on changes to the anthropometric data was estimated and analysed using the in-built anthropometric data contained within the 3D SSPP program for 6 separate lifter scenarios, these being male and female 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles. Changes to the patient load were estimated and analysed using the same computer software. Estimated compressive and shear forces were found to be lower with the drawsheet and tail component of the heads/tails lift in comparison to the use of the Blue MEDesign?? straps and head component of the heads/tails lift. The results obtained for the strength capability aspect of each of the lifts indicated a higher percentage of the population capable of both the drawsheet and tail end of the heads/tails lift. The relative risk of back injury for the lifters is distributed more evenly with the drawsheet lift as opposed to the heads/tails (tail) lift where risk is disproportionate with the heavier end being lifted. The use of lifter anthropometrics does not appear to be a realistic variable to base assumptions on which group of the population are capable of safely performing this task in a remote setting. This study advocates the use of the drawsheet lift in a remote setting based on the author???s experience and the biomechanical results obtained in this study. The drawsheet lift is both more accessible and provides a more acceptable risk when more than two patient handlers are involved, in comparison to the other lifts utilised lifting patients from floor to a chair.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2005. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-167). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-87). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Taking a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach, the present study sought to examine selected physiological and psycho-physical parameters related to load carriage involving a 12 km march under military conditions. Military constraints hampered, but did not entirely inhibit the secondary aim of the study which concerned the effectiveness of relativising loads in order to normalise responses for all soldiers, irrespective of morphological diversity. Forty three subjects were measured in six groups using a test-retest experimental protocol. They were involved in a rest-broken 12 km march at 4 km.h⁻¹ under 40.5 kg absolute total load and under a relative load of 37% of body mass. Heart rates, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) as well as area and intensity of discomfort were monitored for all subjects. Ten subjects were measured more extensively with regard to physiology using the Metamax, a portable ergospirometry system that provides all the data needed for a complete functional analysis of lung, heart, circulation and metabolic activity. Physiological responses (fc; fb; V̇T; V̇E; V̇O₂; EE; V̇CO₂; R; T°) indicated subjects were not severely physically taxed and that the loads imposed constituted a sub-maximal demand. Moreover, there appeared to be a limited cumulative effect over the 3.5 h. Data from the first and third hours were similar, while the significantly higher responses in the second hour reflected the challenge of the undulating terrain encountered during this section of the march. All responses during the Relative load conditions mirrored those of the Absolute load condition but, because the demands were less, the trends occurred at a reduced level. Furthermore, the reduction in inter-individual variability indicates that relativised load carriage tends to stress the soldiers in a more uniform manner. All "local" RPE responses were higher than "central" ratings, suggesting soldiers were in good cardiovascular condition and experienced marginally more strain in the lower limbs. There was increased perceived strain corresponding to the increase in gradient, with little cumulative effect over the three hours. The shoulders and feet were the two regions in which most discomfort was experienced; the shoulders being the worst area in the first hour and the feet being rated the worst after the third hour of marching. This study clearly demonstrates the probability of a significant improvement in mean combat-readiness following loaded marching by showing that, if loads are set at levels commensurate with individual capabilities to carry them without undue strain, unnecessary physical demands experienced by smaller, more gracile soldiers are reduced.

Allt fler ungdomar sover mindre än åtta timmar per natt, vilket kan påverka engagemanget i vardagliga aktiviteter. Syfte: Därför var syftet med examensarbetet att beskriva om och i så fall hur ungdomars (över 15 år) sömn påverkar prestationer i skolan. Metod: Kvantitativ design användes med ett icke slumpmässigt bekvämlighetsurval. En enkät genomfördes på en fristående skola i södra Sverige. Den bestod av 19 frågor och delades upp i fem olika kategorier; kön, sömn, motivation, vanor och skola. Totalt besvarade 106 respondenter på enkäten. För bearbetning av det insamlade materialet användes IBM SPSS [Statistical Packagefor the Social Sciences]. Resultat: Det huvudsakliga resultatet visade att flertalet av respondenterna sov mellan fyra till sex timmar eller sju till åtta timmar per natt och var jämnt fördelat mellan könen. Pojkar spelar dator och tittar på TV i högre utsträckning än vad flickor gör och flickor är mer stressade än pojkar. De som sov mindre än åtta timmar, hade i lägre utsträckning regelbundna vanor och var mindre motiverade till att gå till skolan. Slutsats: De ungdomar som inte var nöjda med sin mängd sömn var i lägre utsträckning tillfredsställda med sina skolprestationer. / Many adolescents are sleeping less than eight hours each night, which can affect their engagement in everyday activities. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis was to describe whether and how adolescents (age of 15 years) sleep habits affect their school performance. Method: A quantitative non-randomized selection of convenience sampling approach was used. A survey was conducted at an independent school in the south of Sweden. It consisted of 19 questions and was divided into five different categories; gender, sleep, motivation, habits, and school. In total, 106 respondents answered the questionnaire. The IBM SPSS [Statistical Package for the Social Sciences] was used to analyze the material. Result: The main result showed that most of the respondents, slept between four to six hours or seven to eight hours each night, and were evenly distributed between the genders. Boys play computer/watch TV to a greater extent than girls do, and girls are more stressed than boys. Those who slept less than eight hours had not regular habits and were less motivated to school. Conclusion: The adolescents who were not pleased with their amount of sleep were, to a lesser extent satisfied with their school performance.

The thesis continues with the bachelor thesis which had dealt with preparation bases for simulation draining and carrying materials in SWAT model. Simulation should have been realized within basin of the Jenín stream, which watershed is 4,65 km2 large. SWAT model is primary developed for the larger watersheds where simulated values doesn't attain tolerances. Because of this is thesis focused on the methodic of simulation itself, discussion of the problem when is SWAT model almost useless for the small watersheds and presentation of the calibrated values which had served as basis for verification.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-10-16Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:03:36Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_jrb_dr_rcla.pdf: 10443305 bytes, checksum: 85f8430664e4e5251174bb134d0c89dc (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A pesquisa científica, efetuada no Município da Estância Turística de Paraguaçu Paulista, foi um aprofundamento do estudo da dissertação de mestrado concluído em 2004, apresentado como um diagnóstico do meio físico geológico e suas contribuições para o desenvolvimento sustentável do turismo com base local. No presente estudo de caso, levado a efeito como tese de doutorado, delimitou-se a influência qualiquantitativa do meio físico geológico e geomorfológico sobre o planejamento ambiental do turismo, visando obter um método aplicável em regiões semelhantes, reservadas as peculiaridades naturais. Inicialmente, o município foi subdividido, segundo caracteres fisiográficos naturais, em unidades básicas de compartimentação, aplicando conhecido método de zoneamento geotécnico. Em seguida, verificou-se essa influência sobre a área-alvo definida pelas rotas turísticas e seus recursos ou atrativos turísticos. Dentre esses, revistos e validados pelas suas características predominantes indicadas para geoturismo e geoecoturismo com base na geodiversidade, foi constatado que os elementos constituintes desse meio físico influenciam limitando a capacidade de carga turística. Esta depende daqueles, fatores naturais de fragilidade do meio que devem ser considerados na gestão do turismo ambiental. São subsídios preventivos à degradação ambiental e que visam a geoconservação pela geoeducação da comunidade receptora e emissora do turismo, ao absorver conhecimentos básicos da geologia e geomorfologia. A geodiversidade é o arcabouço para o equilíbrio e uso adequado de um patrimônio natural da humanidade também para o turismo. Os subsídios geológicos são fatores de planejamento e instrumentos de gestão ambiental do turismo. Ademais, trazem agregação de valor ao turismo através da inclusão do geoturismo e do geoecoturismo como fontes rejuvenescedoras... / The scientific research conducted in the touristic resort city of Paraguaçu Paulista was a deepening of the study of the master's dissertation completed in 2004, presented as a diagnosis of the physical geological environment and their contributions for the tourism’s sustainable development with local basis. In this study case carried out as a doctoral thesis, the qualiquantitivity influence of the physical geological and geomorphological environment on the planning of the environmental tourism was delimited to obtain an applicable method in similar regions, reserved the natural peculiarities. Initially the city was divided, accordingly to physiographic natural characters, in basic units of compartmentalization, aplying the known method of geotechnical zoning. Then was verifyied this influence over the target area defined by the tourist routes and its resources or tourist attractions. Among these, reviewed and validated by their predominant characteristics indicated for geotourism and geoecotourism based on geodiversity, was verified that the physical elements of that environment influence limiting the tourism carrying capacity. This depend of those, natural factors of the envirionment that must be considered in the management of environmental tourism. These are preventive subsidies to the environmental degradation and wich aimed geoconservation by the geoeducation of the community receiving and issuing the tourism, absorbing basic knowledge of geology and geomorphology. The geodiversity is the framework for balance and proper use of a humanities natural heritage, also for tourism. The geological subsidies are factors of planning and also tools for the environmental management of tourism. Moreover, they bring value aggregation to tourism through the inclusion of geotourism and geoecotourism as renovable sources of tourism’s evolutive cycle. The thematic scientific knowledge... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Allen M. Featherstone / The Agriculture Equipment Manufacturing industry is a $42 billion dollar industry in the United States. The Agricultural Equipment industry is very competitive across all market segments, especially in the less than 100 horsepower category (<100hp). This tractor category consists of 4 sub categories: <20hp, 20-40hp, 40-60hp, and 60-100hp. The <100hp tractor segment accounted for 170,547 of the 207,833 tractors that were sold during the 2014 year. Compared to the over 100 horsepower category (100+hp) that has fewer competitors, the <100hp segment is more competitive with more manufacturers competing for market share. Company XYZ is a full line manufacturer of agricultural equipment, harvesters, and construction equipment. Company XYZ lost some ground in market share due to the increased competition from new entrants into the market place as well as established manufacturers increasing their presence. To be more competitive, Company XYZ is looking at industry best practices to see how they can increase market share. One of these practices is a terms bank. A terms bank allows a dealer to stockpile unused months of terms to be used at a later date on tractors with expired terms. This minimizes financial risk for dealers to stock inventory. The cost to stock inventory is a large expense that dealers must carefully manage. One of the biggest costs of stocking inventory is the interest paid for tractors that have exhausted their interest free terms. A terms bank may lower the amount of interest that a dealer pays. It also lowers the cost to stock inventory and allows the dealership to manage and reduce these costs and risks. Evaluating the factors associated with stocking inventory, especially interest rate, will help manage inventory costs and stocking levels. This thesis uses regression analyses to analyze the costs of stocking units and the effect it has on dealership revenues. A regression analysis will test the hypothesis that lowering the interest portion of the cost of stocking inventory will increase sales. Data were gathered for dealership groups in the Western United States on a monthly basis for the years 2008 – 2014. The results supported the hypothesis that lowering the interest rate at dealerships was positively correlated with revenues. The reduced interest cost lowers the carrying cost of inventory and point to a terms bank being an effective tool for increasing Company XYZ’s market share.