Many people use smoking as a weight control mechanism and do not want to quit because they fear weight gain. These weight-concerned smokers tend to be female, are significantly less likely to stop smoking, are less likely to join smoking cessation programs, and will relapse more often than smokers who are not weight-concerned. Research suggests that a woman’s confidence in her ability to control her weight after quitting relates positively with her intention to quit smoking. Likewise, success in smoking cessation has been associated with increased self-efficacy for weight control. It has been shown that success in changing one negative health behavior may trigger success in changing another, causing a synergistic effect. Recently research has focused on interventions for weight-concerned smokers who are ready to quit smoking. The present study investigated the effect of a cognitive based weight control program on self-efficacy for weight control and the effect on smoking behavior for a group of female weight concerned smokers. Two hundred and sixteen subjects who wanted to lose weight but who were not ready to quit smoking were recruited to participate in a 12-week, cognitive-behavioral weight control program consisting of twelve one-hour sessions. Subjects were randomly assigned to either 1) the weight-control program (intervention group), or 2) the control group. Results of this study demonstrated that subjects in the intervention group increased self-efficacy for weight control, which was associated with improved healthy eating index scores, weight loss, increased self-efficacy for quitting smoking, a decrease in number of cigarettes smoked and triggered positive movement in stage of change towards smoking cessation compared to the control subjects. For these subjects, positive changes in self-efficacy for one behavior (weight control) appeared to have a positive effect on their readiness to change another health behavior (smoking cessation). Further study of the psychological variables that influence weight-concerned female smokers’ decisions to initiate changes in these behaviors and their ability to maintain those changes are warranted.

O momento da ordenha é fundamental para definir a qualidade do leite utilizado na indústria. Para obter leite e derivados com padrão de qualidade superior é fundamental investir em treinamentos, orientações e métodos que auxiliem no controle da matéria prima. O presente trabalho consistiu na adaptação e implantação de ferramentas de controle de qualidade, utilizados normalmente na indústria de alimentos, para o setor de ordenha. As ferramentas implantadas foram um Programa de Auto Controle (PAC), composto por um manual de Boas Práticas de Fabricação e os Procedimentos Padrão de Higiene Operacional (PPHO). Para avaliar a ocorrência de melhoras significativas com a implantação do PAC, foram comparados os índices de qualidade do leite (contagem de células somáticas e contagem bacteriana total) do tanque resfriador nos períodos anteriores e posteriores ao estudo. Conclui-se que a adaptação e aplicação do PAC nas atividades da ordenha, conforme descrito neste estudo, apresentou melhorias na qualidade do leite. / The milking procedures are crucial to defining the quality of milk used in industry. To obtain milk and dairy products with a higher quality standard, it is essential to invest in training, guidelines and methods that help in the control of the raw material. The present study consisted in the adaptation and implantation of quality control tools, normally used in the food industry, for the milking parlor sector. The tools implemented were an Auto Control Program (PAC), composed of a Manual of Good Manufacturing Practices and the Standard Procedures of Operational Hygiene (PPHO). To assess the occurrence of significant improvements with PAC implantation, the milk quality indices (somatic cell counts and total bacterial counts) of the cooling tank were compared in the periods before and after the study. It was concluded that the adaptation and application of PAC in milking activities, as described in this study, showed improvements in milk quality.

Cieľom tejto práce je navrhnúť RFID čítačku pre pásmo 13.56 MHz a zostaviť k nej riadiaci program. V prvej časti je najskôr práca smerovaná k oboznámeniu sa s princípom fungovania technológií RFID a NFC, spolu s tým súvisiacimi medzinárodnými štandardami a k oboznámeniu sa s rôznymi dostupnými čipmi na obsluhu týchto technológií. Keďže čip s ktorým sa bude pokračovať je jasne zadaný v návode, ich porovnanie slúži čisto oboznamovaciemu účelu. V praktickej časti je úloha navrhnúť a oživiť prototyp RFID čítačky. Základom je doska sprostredkúvajúca RFID komunikáciu, audiovizuálnu odozvu a pripojenie k OLED displeju. Táto doska je pripojená na mikrokontrolér na ktorý riadi celé ovládanie zariadenia. Súčasťou projektu je aj set rôznych antén, ktoré je možné na dosku pripojiť a zároveň ich vymieňať. Vyrobené antény sú podrobené testovaniu ako dve rozdielne metódy ladenia ovplyvnia ich chod. Testujú sa maximálna vzdialenosť čítania, úspech prevedených čítaní a hodnota prúdu, ktorá sa vznesie pri kalibračnom procese. Výstupom práce je RFID čítač s riadiacim programom.

This master´s thesis thesis deals with the design of software for the control of a robotic cell, which consists of two KUKA robots and a belt conveyor. The robots will perform robotic operations similar to those in real industrial practice. At the beginning of the work will be the state of current knowledge. A key part will be the design of software for robotic cell control in the TwinCAT environment from Beckhoff. The robots and the conveyor will be controlled by a superior PLC, which will be commanded from the designed software using the HMI. The goal is to successfully implement the proposed software for robotic cell control and monitoring using a unique visualization, which will be designed specifically for the robotic cell and its associated manipulation operations.

The main task of this project was to design a program for control system of dry concrete product handling line. This manufacturing line is controlled by a programmable logical controller Simatic S7 300 produced by Siemens company. A graphical touch panel TP 177A and a control desk with buttons are used as human machine interface. The developed program contains functions for control conveyors, manipulator and cleaning station. Management of formulations stored in PLC by operator is also included in program. The theoretical part deals with dimensioning of drives for two mechanical systems of this manufacturing line. Choice of power output of the electric motors depends on required torque. A fundamental principles and rules of five basic programming languages for PLC in accordance with standard IEC 61131-3 are specified here. The practical part describes project creation in Step 7 software and functions and capabilities of projected system by means of user manual.

Bakgrund: Fotboll är en av dom största sporterna i världen och en av de främsta i Sverige. Skador är relativt vanligt inom sporten där knäskador är en av de mest förekommande. Det finns mycket forskning som visar på att skadeförebyggande träning minskar skadeincidensen men få studier är gjorda på svenska fysioterapeuters syn gällande skadeförebyggande träning inom fotboll. Syfte: Syftet var att undersöka fysioterapeuters syn och erfarenheter av skadeförebyggande träning för knäskador inom fotboll hos fysioterapeuter anställda av svenska fotbollslag. Metod: En kvalitativ design användes. Fem semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes. Kvalitativ innehållsanalys användes vid bearbetning av data. Resultat:  Studiens resultat visar att deltagarna har en varierad syn på skadeförebyggande träning.  Fysioterapeuterna beskriver vikten av en god träningsplanering, träning av stabilitet och kontroll, neuromuskulär påkoppling samt tid till återhämtning. Vidare bör kunskap förmedlas till spelare och tränare kring skadeförebyggande träning för att öka implementeringen.  Mental förberedelse ses också som en viktig faktor för att minska risken för skador. Fysioterapeuterna i studien kände alla till knäkontroll programmet och ansåg att det är ett väl utformat program med bra och lätta övningar men att det dock kan förkortas. Konklusion: Knäkontrollprogrammet, neuromuskulär uppvärmning och att spelarna har en god knäkontroll ses som viktiga aspekter inom skadeförebyggande träning. Fysioterapeuterna belyste mental förberedelse som en viktig faktor, vilket inte belysts i tidigare studier. Vidare studier behövs för att ytterligare undersöka betydelsen av mental förberedelse. / Background: Soccer is one of the largest sports in the world and one of the foremost in Sweden. Injuries are common in the sport where knee injuries are one of the most common. Research shows that injury prevention reduces the injury incidence, but few studies have explored Swedish physiotherapists views on injury prevention in soccer. Purpose: The purpose was to investigate physiotherapists views and experiences of injury prevention for knee injuries, among physiotherapists employed by Swedish soccer teams. Method: A qualitative design was used. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted. Qualitative content analysis was used in data processing. Results: The result shows that the participants have a varied view of injury prevention. The physiotherapists describe the importance of good training planning, training of stability and control, neuromuscular control and time for recovery. Furthermore, knowledge should be communicated to players and coaches about injury prevention to increase implementation. Mental preparation is also seen as an important factor in reducing the risk of injury. The physiotherapists in the study all knew about the knee control program and felt that it is a well-designed program with good and simple exercises, but the program can be shortened. Conclusion: The knee control program, neuromuscular warm up and that players have good knee control are an important aspects of injury prevention. The physiotherapists emphasized mental preparation as an important factor, which was not emphasized in previous studies. Further studies are needed to investigate the importance of mental preparation.

Current pavement performance prediction models are based on the parameters such as climate, traffic, environment, material properties, etc. while all these factors are playing important roles in the performance of pavements, the quality of construction and production are also as important as the other factors. The designed properties of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavements, known as flexible pavements, are subjected to change during production and construction stages. Therefore, most of the times the final product is not the exact reflection of the design. In almost any highway project, these changes are common and likely to occur from different sources, by various causes, and at any stage. These changes often have considerable impacts on the long-term performance of a project. The uncertainty of the traffic and environmental factors, as well as the variability of material properties and pavement structural systems, are obstacles for precise prediction of pavement performance. Therefore, it is essential to adopt a hybrid approach in pavement performance prediction and design; in which deterministic values work along with stochastic ones. Despite the advancement of technology, it is natural to observe variability during the production and construction stages of flexible pavements. Quality control programs are trying to minimize and control these variations and keep them at the desired levels. Utilizing the information gathered at the production and construction stages is beneficial for managers and researchers. This information enables performing analysis and investigations of pavements based on the as-produced and as-constructed values, rather than focusing on design values. This study describes a geo-relational framework to connect the pavement life-cycle information. This framework allows more intelligent and data-driven decisions for the pavements. The constructed geo-relational database can pave the way for artificial intelligence tools to help both researchers and practitioners having more accurate pavement design, quality control programs, and maintenance activities. This study utilizes data collected as part of quality control programs to develop more accurate deterioration and performance models. This data is not only providing the true perspective of actual measurements from different pavement properties but also answers how they are distributed over the length of the pavement. This study develops and utilizes different distribution functions of pavement properties and incorporate them into the general performance prediction models. These prediction models consist of different elements that are working together to produce an accurate and detailed prediction of performance. The model predicts occurrence and intensity of four common flexible pavement distresses; such as rutting, alligator, longitudinal and transverse cracking along with the total deterioration rate at different ages and locations of pavement based on material properties, traffic, and climate of a given highway. The uniqueness of the suggested models compared to the conventional pavement models in the literature is that; it carries out a multiscale and multiphysics approach which is believed to be essential for analyzing a complex system such as flexible pavements. This approach encompasses the discretization of the system into subsystems to employ the proper computational tools required to treat them. This approach is suitable for problems with a wide range of spatial and temporal scales as well as a wide variety of different coupled physical phenomena such as pavements. Moreover, the suggested framework in this study relies on using stochastic and machine learning techniques in the analysis along with the conventional deterministic methods. In addition, this study utilizes mechanical testing to provide better insights into the behavior of the pavement. A series of performance tests are conducted on field core samples with a variety of different material properties at different ages. These tests allow connecting the lab test results with the field performance survey and the material, environmental and loading properties. Moreover, the mix volumetrics extracted from the cores assisted verifying the distribution function models. Finally, the deterioration of flexible pavements as a result of four different distresses is individually investigated and based on the findings; different models are suggested. Dividing the roadway into small sections allowed predicting finer resolution of performance. These models are proposed to assist the highway agencies s in their pavement management process and quality control programs. The resulting models showed a strong ability to predict field performance at any age during the pavements service life. The results of this study highlighted the benefits of highway agencies in adopting a geo-relational framework for their pavement network. This study provides information and guidance to evolve towards data-driven pavement life cycle management consisted of quality pre-construction, quality during construction, and deterioration post-construction. / Civil Engineering

A caracterização operacional de um pulverizador pode contribuir para a otimização do trabalho em condições de campo e melhorar a eficiência da aplicação para o controle do vetor. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as vazões médias produzidas pelo pulverizador pneumático costal motorizado sob diferentes condições de aplicação. Os estudos foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Tecnologia de Aplicação de Defensivos Agrícolas do Departamento de Engenharia Rural, ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com esquema fatorial 2x7 (14 tratamentos) com 5 repetições e os seguintes fatores: dois diâmetros de orifício de disco dosador: 0,46 e 0,76 mm; sete ângulos da lança do pulverizador. Sensores foram instalados no pulverizador para monitoramento da rotação do motor, da pressão nos sistemas hidráulico e pneumático, da temperatura interna no reservatório de calda e conectados a um sistema de aquisição de dados. Foi determinada a velocidade do ar na saída do bocal através de um anemômetro. Os resultados permitem concluir que as vazões foram afetadas significativamente pela associação entre diâmetro dos orifícios dos discos e ângulo da lança. O disco dosador de maior diâmetro apresentou menor uniformidade de vazão. A variação na rotação não influenciam os resultados de vazão média. A pressão determinada próximo ao bocal mostrou alta correlação com a vazão média. Recomenda-se ao operador utilizar o disco restritor com orifício de menor diâmetro aumentando o tempo de aplicação nos ângulos maiores e diminuir o tempo nos ângulos menores, para uma mesma dosagem de defensivo. / The operational characterization of motorized knapsack mistblower can contribute for the optimization of the work in field conditions and improve the efficiency of the application for the control of the vector. The objetive of the work was to evaluate the average flow rate produced by the motorized knapsack mistblower under different application conditions. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Application of Defensive Techonology of Rural Engineering, ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba. The experimental design was entirely randomized with factorial 2x7 (14 handlings) with 5 repetitions and the following factors: two diameters of restrictor orifices: 0,46 mm and 0,76 mm; and seven angles of the air delivery tube. A CR10X data logger system was assembled with sensors in the atomizer for monitoring of the engine rotation, pressure in the hydraulic and pneumatic systems, internal temperature in the spray reservoir and of air. Air speed in the exit of the nozzle was determined. The results allowed to conclude that the average flow rate had been significantly affected by the association between the diameter of the restrictor orifices and the angles of the air delivery tube. The restrictor with the largest diameter presented less application uniformity in the tested angles. The fall in the rotation did not influence the results of the average flow rate. The pressure close to the restrictor with the largest diameter presented less application uniformity in the tested angles. The fall in the rotation did not influence the results of the average flow rate. The pressure close to the output showed high correlation with the average flow rate. The operator is advised to utilize the restrictor orifice with the lesser diameter increasing time application exposure in the wider angles in order to compensate the lower flow rate and to diminish the application exposure time in the lesser angles, when the same defensive dose is used.

A caracterização operacional de um pulverizador pode contribuir para a otimização do trabalho em condições de campo e melhorar a eficiência da aplicação para o controle do vetor. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as vazões médias produzidas pelo pulverizador pneumático costal motorizado sob diferentes condições de aplicação. Os estudos foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Tecnologia de Aplicação de Defensivos Agrícolas do Departamento de Engenharia Rural, ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com esquema fatorial 2x7 (14 tratamentos) com 5 repetições e os seguintes fatores: dois diâmetros de orifício de disco dosador: 0,46 e 0,76 mm; sete ângulos da lança do pulverizador. Sensores foram instalados no pulverizador para monitoramento da rotação do motor, da pressão nos sistemas hidráulico e pneumático, da temperatura interna no reservatório de calda e conectados a um sistema de aquisição de dados. Foi determinada a velocidade do ar na saída do bocal através de um anemômetro. Os resultados permitem concluir que as vazões foram afetadas significativamente pela associação entre diâmetro dos orifícios dos discos e ângulo da lança. O disco dosador de maior diâmetro apresentou menor uniformidade de vazão. A variação na rotação não influenciam os resultados de vazão média. A pressão determinada próximo ao bocal mostrou alta correlação com a vazão média. Recomenda-se ao operador utilizar o disco restritor com orifício de menor diâmetro aumentando o tempo de aplicação nos ângulos maiores e diminuir o tempo nos ângulos menores, para uma mesma dosagem de defensivo. / The operational characterization of motorized knapsack mistblower can contribute for the optimization of the work in field conditions and improve the efficiency of the application for the control of the vector. The objetive of the work was to evaluate the average flow rate produced by the motorized knapsack mistblower under different application conditions. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Application of Defensive Techonology of Rural Engineering, ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba. The experimental design was entirely randomized with factorial 2x7 (14 handlings) with 5 repetitions and the following factors: two diameters of restrictor orifices: 0,46 mm and 0,76 mm; and seven angles of the air delivery tube. A CR10X data logger system was assembled with sensors in the atomizer for monitoring of the engine rotation, pressure in the hydraulic and pneumatic systems, internal temperature in the spray reservoir and of air. Air speed in the exit of the nozzle was determined. The results allowed to conclude that the average flow rate had been significantly affected by the association between the diameter of the restrictor orifices and the angles of the air delivery tube. The restrictor with the largest diameter presented less application uniformity in the tested angles. The fall in the rotation did not influence the results of the average flow rate. The pressure close to the restrictor with the largest diameter presented less application uniformity in the tested angles. The fall in the rotation did not influence the results of the average flow rate. The pressure close to the output showed high correlation with the average flow rate. The operator is advised to utilize the restrictor orifice with the lesser diameter increasing time application exposure in the wider angles in order to compensate the lower flow rate and to diminish the application exposure time in the lesser angles, when the same defensive dose is used.

En France, la lutte collective contre la tuberculose bovine à partir de 1965 a permis d’obtenir en 2000 le statut officiellement indemne. En parallèle de cette évolution, plusieurs schémas de prophylaxie ont été appliqués et le cheptel bovin français a connu une évolution dans sa structure démographique et dans les pratiques de sa gestion. L’objectif principal de cette thèse était d’étudier la relation entre ces trois évolutions parallèles. Deux approches ont été utilisées : l’analyse d’une série de données longue et la modélisation mécaniste de la tuberculose bovine. L’analyse d’une série de données longue, grâce à un modèle spatio-Temporel hiérarchique Bayésien, nous a permis de mettre en évidence, en plus de l’effet de schéma de prophylaxie, l’impact des structures et pratiques d’élevage sur le taux d’incidence de la maladie au niveau départemental. Quatre facteurs de risque ont ainsi pu être identifiés : l’augmentation de la taille et de la densité des élevages, la proportion plus importante de vaches laitières, et la part de la surface agricole utile occupée par les pâtures. Ces variables sont liées à la professionnalisation et à la spécialisation des élevages bovins en France.La modélisation mécaniste, fondée sur un modèle stochastique compartimental, nous a montré que les pratiques d’élevage ont un effet sur la dynamique de transmission intra-Élevage de la tuberculose bovine : la médiane estimée de paramètre de transmission de l’infection durant la période de stabulation était 5 fois plus élevée que durant la période de pâturage. De plus, ce modèle a permis de montrer que les changements des structures et pratiques d’élevage avaient un poids important sur le risque de transmission entre élevages, au pâturage, par rapport aux changements de schémas de prophylaxie. Une expérimentation ex-Ante fondée sur le modèle a montré qu’environ un quart des variations du risque de transmission inter-Élevages au pâturage étaient expliquées par les changements des pratiques d’élevage contre un dixième par les changements de schémas de prophylaxie. Ce résultat suggère que l’éradication de la maladie en France est sans doute plus complexe qu’il n’y paraît. / In France, the collective control of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) from 1965 allowed France to obtain in 2000 the bTB-Free status. In parallel to this evolution, several control programs have been applied and cattle population has changed in its demographic structure and herd management practices. The main objective of this thesis was to study the relationship between these three parallel evolutions. Two different approaches were used: data analysis of bTB incidence between 1965 and 2000 in French departments, and modeling of within-Herd bTB transmission.Data analysis using a spatio-Temporal hierarchical Bayesian model has allowed us demonstrating, in addition to the effect of control program, the impact of the evolution of herd structures and management practices on the incidence rate of the disease at the departmental level. Four factors were associated with an increased risk of bTB: the average herd density and size, the percentage of dairy cows in the cattle population, and the percentage of permanent grassland in cultivated surfaces area. These four factors are linked to the progressive professionalization and specialization of cattle farming in France.The mechanistic modeling work, based on a stochastic compartmental model, showed that herd husbandry practices management have an effect on the dynamics of within-Herd transmission of bTB: when animals are inside buildings, the estimated median of the infection transmission parameter was 5 times higher than during the grazing period. In addition, this model has shown that, compared to the impact of changes in control program, changes in herd structures and management practices had a significant weight on the risk of transmission between farms, on pastures. An ex-Ante experimentation based on the model showed that about a quarter of the variations in the risk of transmission between herds on pasture was explained by changes in husbandry practices management against 10% explained by changes in control programs. This result suggests that eradication of the disease in France is probably more complex than it seems.