Sustainability of the soybean industry relies on the growth of new industries and the continued improvement of seeds for utilization. Grower adoption and growth of the edamame industry has been slow in part due to insufficient information on its potential profitability and marketability. As such, the first and second objectives of this thesis aimed at 1) determining production costs of hand-harvested fresh edamame enterprise and 2) exploring consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for fresh, local, organic, and "on-the-stalk" marketed edamame. Sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose sugars hold tremendous implications for utilization of soybean seeds in livestock, soyfood, and probiotics industries. Current sugar phenotyping methods using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are costly and inefficient. Therefore, the third objective of this study was to develop calibrations to predict sugar content using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Results showed that labor accounted for 72% of production costs for edamame pods, which largely limits its profit potential. Mean WTP for fresh and local edamame exceeded their frozen and non-local counterparts by 94 and 88 cents, respectively. In addition, mean WTP for organic edamame exceeded non-GMO edamame by 33 cents. Pro-environmental attitudes appeared to be a consistent driver of WTP these three attributes. Meanwhile, a 40-cent discount for "on-the-stalk" edamame compared to pods indicates convenience may also be a factor in edamame marketability. Calibration development for sucrose and stachyose was successful, with R2cal, R2cv, RMSEC, and RMSECV of 0.901, 0.869, 0.516, and 0.596, and 0.911, 0.891, 0.361, and 0.405, respectively. Alternative methods should be investigated for quantification of raffinose. / Master of Science / Sustainability of the soybean industry relies on the growth of new industries and the continued improvement of seeds for utilization. Grower adoption and growth of the edamame industry has been slow in part due to insufficient information on its potential profitability and marketability. As such, the first and second objectives of this thesis aimed at 1) determining production costs of hand-harvested fresh edamame and 2) exploring relative marketing potential of fresh, local, organic, and "on-the-stalk" edamame. Sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose sugars hold tremendous implications for utilization of soybean seeds in livestock, soyfood, and probiotics industries. Current methods of quantifying sugar are costly and time inefficient. Therefore, the third objective of this study was to develop prediction models to estimate sugar content using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Results showed that labor accounted for 72% of production costs for edamame pods, which largely limits its profit potential. Fresh and local edamame showed considerable marketing potential over frozen and non-local edamame. In addition, organic edamame showed marginal marketing benefit over non-GMO. Pro-environmental attitudes were an important driver of these results. Meanwhile, on-the-stalk edamame shows poor marketing potential, likely due to preference for convenience of food preparation in the U.S. NIRS prediction models for sucrose and stachyose showed strong predictive accuracy and low error, suggesting potential for implementation. The prediction model for raffinose, however, remained poor.

Over the last two decades, livestock operations have become highly concentrated due to growing trends towards larger, more confined facilities and a decrease in cropland on smaller farms. This has led to greater amounts of excess manure nutrients on farms, increasing the potential for nutrient pollution of water bodies from runoff. The purpose of this study was to determine if enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is a viable alternative for managing excess manure nutrients on dairy farms. Assessment of EBPR involved the investigation of various aspects of wastewater treatment modeling and design and farm nutrient management. The fermentation potential (volatile fatty acid (VFA) production) of dairy manure was determined through laboratory analysis to be 15.3% of the total COD. Total VFA production was composed of 57, 23, and 20% acetic, propionic, and butyric acids, respectively. The EBPR component of the BioWin wastewater treatment model was evaluated through a sensitivity analysis. The parameters to which effluent phosphate (PO4) concentration was most sensitive were maximum specific growth rate, growth yield, aerobic PO4 uptake rate per unit poly-b-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) utilized, PHB yield from VFA, PO4 release per unit VFA uptake, and fraction of releasable PO4. An EBPR sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was designed for a dairy farm with 700 lactating cows and 325 ha of corn silage. An economic analysis of EBPR for dairy farms employing P-based manure applications was completed. The cost of hauling excess manure to nutrient deficient farms was the most significant expense in comparing costs of manure management with and without EBPR. For a herd of 700 lactating cows, utilizing EBPR was more economical for farms with 270 ha or less cropland, while EBPR did not offer an economic advantage for farms over 270 ha. / Master of Science

Yes / prevent obesity at this age. This study tested the acceptability and feasibility of evaluating a theory-based intervention aimed at reducing risk of obesity in infants of overweight/obese women during and after pregnancy: the Healthy and Active Parenting Programme for Early Years (HAPPY). Methods: A feasibility randomised controlled trial was conducted in Bradford, England. One hundred twenty overweight/obese pregnant women (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m2) were recruited between 10–26 weeks gestation. Consenting women were randomly allocated to HAPPY (6 antenatal, 6 postnatal sessions: N = 59) or usual care (N = 61). Appropriate outcome measures for a full trial were explored, including: infant’s length and weight, woman’s BMI, physical activity and dietary intake of the women and infants. Health economic data were collected. Measurement occurred before randomisation and when the infant was aged 6 months and 12 months. Feasibility outcomes were: recruitment/attrition rates, and acceptability of: randomisation, measurement, and intervention. Intra-class correlations for infant weight were calculated. Fidelity was assessed through observations and facilitator feedback. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews explored acceptability of methods, implementation, and intervention content. Results: Recruitment targets were met (~20 women/month) with a recruitment rate of 30 % of eligible women (120/396). There was 30 % attrition at 12 months; 66 % of recruited women failed to attend intervention sessions, but those who attended the first session were likely to continue to attend (mean 9.4/12 sessions, range 1–12). Reaction to intervention content was positive, and fidelity was high. Group clustering was minimal; an adjusted effect size of −0.25 standard deviation scores for infant weight at 12 months (95 % CI: −0.16–0.65) favouring the intervention was observed using intention to treat analyses. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The HAPPY intervention appeared feasible and acceptable to participants who attended and those delivering it, however attendance was low; adaptations to increase initial attendance are recommended. Whilst the study was not powered to detect a definitive effect, our results suggest a potential to reduce risk of infant obesity. The evidence reported provides valuable lessons to inform progression to a definitive trial. / National Institute for Health Research

Yes / The family environment plays a crucial role in child physical activity (PA). Wearable activity trackers (wearables) show potential for increasing children's PA; however, few studies have explored families' acceptance of wearables. This study investigated the acceptability of using wearables in a family setting, aligning experiences with components of the Technology Acceptance Model and Theoretical Domains Framework. Twenty-four families, with children aged 5-9 years, took part in a 5-week study, where all members were provided with a Fitbit Alta HR for 4 weeks. Acceptability was measured using weekly surveys and pre-post-questionnaires. Nineteen families participated in a focus group. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using the Pillar Integration Process technique. Pillars reflected (1) external variables impacting wearable use and PA and (2) wearable use, (3) ease of use, (4) usefulness for increasing PA and other health outcomes, (5) attitudes, and (6) intention to use a wearable, including future intervention suggestions. Families found the Fitbit easy to use and acceptable, but use varied, and perceived impact on PA were mixed, with external variables contributing towards this. This study provides insights into how wearables may be integrated into family-based PA interventions and highlights barriers and facilitators of family wearable use. / This study is funded as part of a Ph.D. studentship by the Born in Bradford study. The Born in Bradford study receives core infrastructure funding from the Wellcome Trust (WT101597MA) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), under its NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber (NIHR200166) and Clinical Research Network (CRN) research delivery support. For this piece of work, funding from the Sport England’s Local Delivery Pilot awarded Born in Bradford funding for this Ph.D. studentship. S.A.C. is supported by the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre—Lifestyle theme

Yes / Heart failure affects 26 million people globally, and the optimal management of medicines is crucial for patients, particularly when their care is transferred between hospital and the community. Optimising clinical outcomes requires well-calibrated cross-organisational processes with staff and patients responding and adapting to medicines changes. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of implementing a complex intervention (the Medicines at Transitions Intervention; MaTI) co-designed by patients and healthcare staff. The purpose of the intervention was to optimise medicines management across the gaps between secondary and primary care when hospitals handover care. The study objectives were to (1) assess feasibility through meeting specified progression criteria to proceed to the trial, (2) assess if the intervention was acceptable to staff and patients, and (3) determine whether amendment or refinement would be needed to enhance the MaTI. The feasibility of the MaTI was tested in three healthcare areas in the North of England between July and October 2017. Feasibility was measured and assessed through four agreed progression to trial criteria: (1) patient recruitment, (2) patient receipt of a medicines toolkit, (3) transfer of discharge information to community pharmacy, and (4) offer of a community pharmacy medicines review/discussion or medicines reconciliation. From the cardiology wards at each of the three NHS Acute Trusts (sites), 10 patients (aged ≥ 18 years) were recruited and introduced to the 'My Medicines Toolkit' (MMT). Patients were asked to identify their usual community pharmacy or nominate a pharmacy. Discharge information was transferred to the community pharmacy; pharmacists were asked to reconcile medicines and invited patients for a medicines use review (MUR) or discussion. At 1 month following discharge, all patients were sent three questionnaire sets: quality-of-life, healthcare utilisation, and a patient experience survey. In a purposive sample, 20 patients were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview about their experiences of the MaTI. Staff from hospital and primary care settings involved in patients' care were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Patient and staff interviews were analysed using Framework Analysis. Questionnaire completion rates were recorded and data were descriptively analysed. Thirty-one patients were recruited across three sites. Eighteen staff and 18 patients took part in interviews, and 19 patients returned questionnaire sets. All four progression to trial criteria were met. We identified barriers to patient engagement with the intervention in hospital, which were compounded by patients' focus on returning home. Some patients described not engaging in discussions with staff about medicines and lacking motivation to do so because they were preoccupied with returning home. Some patients were unable or unwilling to attend a community pharmacy in person for a medicines review. Roles and responsibilities for delivering the MaTI were different in the three sites, and staff reported variations in time spent on MaTI activities. Staff reported some work pressures and staff absences that limited the time they could spend talking to patients about their medicines. Clinical teams reported that recording a target dose for heart failure medicines in patient-held documentation was difficult as they did not always know the ideal or tolerable dose. The majority of patients reported receiving the patient-held documentation. More than two-thirds reported being offered a MUR by their community pharmacists. Delivery of the Medicines at Transitions Intervention (MaTI) was feasible at all three sites, and progression to trial criteria were met. Refinements were found to be necessary to overcome identified barriers and strengthen delivery of all steps of the intervention. Necessary changes to the MaTI were identified along with amendments to the implementation plan for the subsequent trial. Future implementation needs to take into account the complexity of medicines management and adaptation to local context. / This study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (Programme Grants for Applied Research (Grant Reference Number RP-PG-0514-20009)). The study is also supported by the NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Translational Research Centre.

The subject of the diploma thesis is to acquaint the reader with the issue of a public investment project and then apply the information found to the case study in the form of a financial and economic evaluation of the selected investment plan. The evaluated investment project is the reconstruction of a cinema in the village of Hustopeče in the South Moravian Region, while the identified outputs were achieved using the cost method of cost-benefit analysis using the eCBA application. Part of the evaluation also includes a risk analysis in the form of a sensitivity and qualitative analysis.

This thesis is the result of a collaboration between Ericsson AB and Luleå University of Technology. A feasibility study has been conducted to investigate antenna options for the HIBS access link. The study contains two parts. Firstly, a link budget investigating the gain required from the antenna. The metric of concern in the link budget was SNR. Secondly, a wide area coverage investigation that explored coverage feasibility over an area with a radius of 100 km. The metrics of concern in this investigation were antenna gain and beamwidth. Two types of antennas have been included: parabolic reflector and phased array. Seven frequency bands have been studied: 0.7, 1.9, 2.7, 3.5, 6, 10, and 26 GHz. The first three bands shared a bandwidth of 20 MHz, the next three shared a bandwidth of 80 MHz, and the last band had a bandwidth of 100 MHz. This bandwidth difference was found to have a meaningful effect on SNR. The feasibility condition for the link budget was -6 dB SNR for uplink and 6 dB SNR for downlink. The link budget concluded that the first three bands (0.7, 1.9, and 2.7 GHz) are feasible with reasonably sized antennas. This meant a parabolic reflector dish diameter of 0.6 m for all three bands, or a phased array antenna with 4, 32, and 64 elements, respectively, that all resulted in a roughly equal physical size of the array. The 3.5 GHz frequency band was found to be feasible with a much larger antenna (512 element array). The bands above 3.5 GHz were not deemed feasible. The wide area investigation limited the antenna to a phased array antenna. Two cell layouts were considered for coverage: a 7 cell layout with one nadir cell surrounded by 6 cells and a 19 cell layout which encapsulates the former with another layer of 12 cells. The feasibility condition was that the half power beamwidth is equal to the angular size of a cell from the HIBS for each cell layer while maintaining gain. Beamwidth was controlled through array tapering and altering element configurations. This investigation concluded that coverage is feasible for two bands. In the 0.7 GHz band, the chosen option was a 7 cell layout using a single element antenna for the nadir cell and 3 by 1 arrays for the outer cells. In the 1.9 GHz band, the chosen option was a 19 cell layout with a single element antenna for the nadir cell, 5 by 1 arrays for the cells in the middle layer, and 8 by 5 arrays for the outer layer. Higher frequency bands required higher gain antennas which in turn did not provide adequate beamwidth for coverage.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Christine Wilson / During the past two decades, there has been major consolidation in the grain handling industry. Staying competitive in today’s environment involves finding projects that add value from a strategic geographic standpoint and a revenue generation standpoint. This study examines several economic factors regarding growth opportunities of facility assets that exist in Northern Kansas, and what the associated cost structure would look like based on a business feasibility study. This study researched the county production by volume and acreage devoted to crop production as well as bid structures and freight spreads of competitors currently in the region today. It also involved researching the margin structures, and it considered a strategic decision about the size of facility that could be built on the existing margin opportunity. Several economic theories were used to derive the feasibility of this research and measure the profitability of the project. Farmer sentiment was polled and a focus group was assembled to understand the opportunity that Scoular may have in the region. The results found a region that provides a steady volume of crop production and margins that are typical of those that Scoular is experiencing in other regions of the state. The research also found the farmers of this geography, receptive to more competition entering the market place.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the developed and developing world, the use of lipids for the production of alkyl esters, also known as biodiesel, showed phenomenal growth during the ten year period up to the end of 2007. The main sources for these lipids are the oils extracted from oil seeds such as soya-, palm-, and rape seed, but other products in the food chain such as waste cooking oil (yellow grease) and animal fats are also used. In Africa and Asia vast tracks of land not previously tilled, are now being cultivated to yield oils which are not edible and in a number of countries intensive research is focused on lipid producing species such as algae. Meanwhile more evidence is coming to the fore pronouncing biodiesel and other first generation biofuels not to be the panacea for the predicament the world is facing on unbridled population growth, energy security concerns and environmental issues such as indirect land use changes, global warming and climate changes. The acceptance of the National Biofuels Industrial Strategy at Cabinet level has not yet resulted in significant commensurate activity in South Africa. The availability, other uses and volumes of selected feed stocks for biodiesel production invite debate on the choice between food- and energy security and the appropriateness of some identified socio-economical and socio-political drivers for a viable industry. Somehow the unique characteristics of South Africa and its resources seem not to feature in debate and constraints on the production of biodiesel, as described in this dissertation. The conventional process routes for commercial biodiesel production are based on a mature technology which has inherent pollution and economical limitations. This called for a detailed critical evaluation on process routes more environmentally friendly or involving fewer unit processes generating more desirable products, albeit with more severe process conditions. By comparison, the homogeneous alkali catalyst alcoholysis (HACA), the enzymatic catalyst alcoholysis (ECA) and the super critical alcoholysis (SCA) process routes as developed in this study, are found to be competitive on total manucturing costs as assessed, if results emanating from selected sensitivity analyses and optimisation studies, are accepted. The total manufacturing and operating costs in the selected process routes as estimated, assuming the same capacities for commercial biodiesel production, are dominated by feed stock costs. Incentives on depreciation and fuel levies are deemed not effective, if costs are compared to the price of fossil diesel at the retail level – October 2011. It is concluded that using the feed stocks indicated in the Strategy, commercial biodiesel production is not economically feasible in South Africa at present. In this study process routes and feed stocks were identified that can change this position. Note should be taken of the intensive research activities being conducted on second generation technologies and biorefineries in the developed world, as discussed in this dissertation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende wêreld het die gebruik van vette vir die produksie van alkielesters, ook bekend as biodiesel, in die tienjaarperiode tot die einde van 2007 fenomenale groei getoon. Die hoofbronne vir hierdie lipiede is die olies onttrek van oliesade soos soja-, palm-, en raapsaad, maar ander produkte in die voedselketting soos gebruikte kookolie en dierevette word ook gebruik. In Afrika en Asië word uitgestrekte stukke grond voorheen onbewerk, nou bewerk om olies wat nie eetbaar is nie, op te lewer, en in verskeie lande word intensiewe navorsing op vetproduserende spesies soos alge gedoen. Intussen kom meer bewyse na vore wat verklaar dat biodiesel en ander eerste-generasie biobrandstowwe nie die wondermiddel is vir die moeilike posisie wat die wêreld in die gesig staar oor onbeteuelde bevolkingsaanwas, kwellings oor energiesekuriteit en omgewingskwessies soos indirekte grondverbruike, aardverwarming en klimaatsveranderings nie . Die aanvaarding van die Nasionale Biobrandstowwe Industriële Strategie op kabinetsvlak het nog nie verhoogde soortgelyke aktiwiteite in Suid-Afrika tot gevolg gehad nie. Die beskikbaarheid, gebruike en volumes van gekose grondstowwe, lok debatte uit oor die keuse tussen voedsel- en energiesekuriteit en die toepaslikheid van sekere geïndentifiseerde sosio-ekonomiese en sosio-politieke stimulante vir ‘n lewensvatbare nywerheid. Op een of ander manier is die unieke kenmerke van Suid- Afrika en sy bronne nog nie in die debat op die knelpunte van biodiesel nie, soos beskryf in hierdie proefskrif. Die gewone prosesroetes vir kommersiële produksie van biodiesel is gebaseer op ‘n beproefde tegnologie met inherente besoedelings- en ekonomiese beperkings. Dit het gevra vir ‘n uitvoerige kritiese evaluasie van meer omgewingsvriendelike- en minder eenheidsprosesse wat meer gewensde produkte genereer, al is dit met erger prosesbepalings. By vergelyking, is dit bevind dat die homogene alkali-katalisator- alkoholisis (HAKA), ensiem-katalisator-alkoholisis (EKA) en die superkritiese-alkoholisis (SKA) prosesroetes soos in hierdie studie ontwikkel, mededingend is op ‘n totale vervaardigingskoste-vlak, as die resultate wat spruit uit geselekteerde sensiwiteitsanalises en optimiseringsstudies, aanvaar word. Die totale vervaardigings- en bedryfskostes soos beraam vir die gekose prosesroetes vir kommersiële biodieselvervaardiging vir dieselfde deursette, word oorheers deur grondstofkostes. Aansporings op afskrywings en brandstofheffings word gesien as nie effektief nie, as kostes vergelyk word met die prys van fossieldiesel op kleinhandelsvlak – Oktober 2011. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat met die grondstowwe aangedui in die Strategie, kommersiële biodieselvervaardiging tans nie ekonomies gangbaar is vir Suid-Afrika nie. In hierdie studie is prosesroetes en grondstowwe geïdentifiseer wat die posisie kan verander. Kennis moet geneem word van die intensiewe navorsingsaktiwiteite op tweede-geslag tegnologieë en bioraffinaderye in die ontwikkelde wereld, soos in hierdie proefskrif bespreek.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Division of Aquaculture, Stellenbosch University (SU) was commissioned jointly by Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Pty) Ltd (Namdeb) and the Oranjemund Town Management Company Limited (OTMCo) to assess the aquaculture potential of the mining area at Oranjemund in Namibia. This document provides a proposal for the establishment of a marine finfish (yellowtail, Seriola lalandi) farm at Oranjemund. There appears to be considerable potential and as such this document provides a proposal for the establishment of a marine finfish (yellowtail, Seriola lalandi) farm at Oranjemund. A 5 000 metric ton (mt) yellowtail farm would have a turnover of about N$ 115 million per year and provides direct employment for about 200 people. Oranjemund is located immediately north of the Orange River at the most south-western corner of Namibia, approximately 1000 kilometers southwest of the capital, Windhoek. Namdeb currently operates an alluvial diamond mining operation along a 160 kilometer (km) stretch of the southern Namibia coastline, but is expected to downscale their activities significantly over the next 5 to 10 years. Aquaculture, the cultivation of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants, is the fastest growing food producing industry in the world and has considerable potential to contribute to the establishment of a vibrant post-mining economy in Oranjemund. The marine finfish industry is the most important and valuable aquaculture sector in many countries and is expected to grow significantly over the medium term, thereby also offering exciting opportunities for investment and business participation. The yellowtail farm venture is part of a greater plan to develop a vertically integrated aquaculture cluster at Oranjemund. The yellowtail development will be conducted in two phases, with Phase 1 the establishment of a pilot project to assess and confirm technical and financial feasibility. Phase 2 is the development of a 1 000 mt commercial farm. Other species being considered for development at Oranjemund include abalone (Haliotis midae), turbot (Psetta Maxima), rock lobster (Jasus lalandi) and oysters (Crassostria gigas). Several companies in South Africa are currently actively pursuing aquaculture expansion opportunities along both the west and east coasts of South Africa. Key amongst these is the development of abalone farms at Hondeklip Bay and Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa by HIK Abalone Farm (Pty) Ltd (HIK) and NewFarmers Development Company Limited (NewF). The development of abalone and yellowtail farming at Oranjemund has been positioned as a further extension of the abovementioned initiative with HIK, NewF and a finfish fingerling supplier as potential operating, investment and development partners. The proposed business structure of the project provides investment opportunities for both institutional and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) investors as well as employee equity instruments. Namibia’s economic prospects for the future are bright given its stable economic performance, good regulatory framework, and robust private sector. The country has experienced steady growth, moderate inflation, strong external surpluses and low indebtedness over the past several years as a result of generally prudent fiscal policies, a stable political environment, a fairly developed infrastructure, and a strong legal and regulatory environment. Economic growth since independence (1991) has averaged 4.3% per annum, and the World Bank’s Investment Climate Assessment Report currently notes that Namibia has a relatively attractive investment climate. The Government of Namibia has identified aquaculture as a prime priority development area. Both Vision 2030 and the NDP2 documents summon the country’s urgency to develop aquaculture and as such the Namibian Government has created an enabling environment for investment in aquaculture. / Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Pty) Ltd (Namdeb) and the Oranjemund Town Management Company Limited (OTMCo)