Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Michael Langemeier / This thesis examines flour moisture control and how this control can be an effective tool for cost minimization in a flour mill. Specifically, this thesis discusses the economic rationale behind the value of moisture control, the variables associated with moisture control, options for controlling those variables, the current control strategies, the decision process used to examine moisture control options, analysis of the solution, and implementation of optimal control strategies. In the area of optimal control strategies, two outcomes were generated in the thesis. The first outcome involved collecting data and developing a better understanding of the factors impacting flour moistures. The second outcome was to create a spreadsheet tool for use in the flour mill that would allow operators to determine an optimal water set point that would bring about a desired flour moisture taking into consideration the variables effecting flour moisture and their status at a given time. Both outcomes have been met and are outlined in detail in the thesis. It is understood that the conclusions of this thesis do not represent an end to the flour moisture control challenge and that more research is needed in order to implement further control measures. Work that remains to be done in order to achieve even better moisture control is also outlined in this thesis.

Curd syneresis, a critical step in cheesemaking, directly influences the quality of cheese. The syneresis process is empirically controlled in cheese manufacturing plants. A sensor technology for this step would improve process control and enhance cheese quality. A light backscatter sensor with a Large Field of View (LFV) was tested using a central composite design over a broad range of cheese process conditions including milk pH, calcium chloride addition level, milk fat to protein ratio, temperature, and a cutting time factor (β). The research objectives were to determine if the LFV sensor could monitor coagulation and syneresis steps and provide information for predicting pressed curd moisture. Another objective was to optimize cheese yield and quality. The LFV sensor was found to monitor coagulation and syneresis and provide light backscatter information for predicting curd moisture content. A model for relating final curd moisture content with light backscatter response was developed and tested. Models for predicting whey fat losses, pressed curd moisture, and cheese yield were successfully developed (R2>0.75) using the test factors as independent variables. This was the first attempt to develop a technology for controlling pressed curd moisture using a sensor to monitor the syneresis step.

The construction industry stands in front of several challenges when it comes to sustainability where the choice of material can affect the carbon dioxide emissions. The interest to use CLT has increased the last years probably due to increased environmental awareness. Studies have shown that there is a research need when it comes to moisture in CLT which this report have looked deeper in to. The purpose was to create a bigger understanding for moisture protection of CLT in the design phase. The method was a qualitive case study where the main data collection was interviews. Complimentary material to the primary data was gathered through a document study to answer the first research question. This created a triangulation and strengthened the reliability of the study. A literature search was implemented to create a scientific foundation to the study.  Three reference objects were the basis for the study where architects, constructors, contractors and moisture consultants were interviewed. The results of this study showed that the industry standard for building moisture safe constructions ByggaF is used as a foundation for the moisture work but is adjusted to the project. The work with moisture protection begins in the project planning document phase and continues throughout the whole process of the project. The moisture consultant reviews and follow up the work continually. The study also shows that there is lack of experience when it comes to CLT in the industry. Challenges that occurred were inadequate communication between different disciplines. The areas for improvement in the industry are that a library with standard details should be developed. It also occurred that it is important to include a moisture consultant and supplier of CLT early in the project. The study showed that there is shortage in experience when it comes to moisture control of CLT. Shortage in experience can result in CLT being deselected as an alternative to concrete. It also appears that there are challenges with the communication to production which is probably a consequence of lack of experiences. The possibilities of CLT are many since it is a sustainable material, easy to assemble and creates a nice environment. By further education and sharing experiences, the knowledge regarding CLT and moisture in the industry can increase. For an easier design phase, a library with standard details should be developed as well as further tools in the form of an agenda that treats general moisture control. The question regarding weather protection is something that has been discussed which sets different requirements for the design phase and there is a need for further research regarding this question.

In response to global climate change, many important earth-systems-oriented science programs have been established in the past. One such program, the Fluxnet program, studies the response of world forests and other natural ecosystems by measuring biospheric fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour, and energy with eddy-covariance (EC) techniques to assess the role of world ecosystems in offsetting increases in CO2 emissions and related impacts on global climate. The EC methodology has its limitations particularly when weather is inclement and during system stoppages. These limitations create non-trivial problems by creating data gaps in the monitored data stream, diminishing the integrity of the dataset and increasing uncertainty with data interpretation. This Thesis deals with the development of a parsimonious, semi-empirical approach for gap filling of net ecosystem productivity (NEP) data. The approach integrates the effects of environmental controls on diurnal NEP. The approach, because of its limited number of parameters, can be rapidly optimized when appropriate meteorological, site, and NEP target values are provided. The procedure is verified by applying it to several gap-filling case studies, including timeseries collected over balsam fir (Abies Balsamea (L.) Mill.) forests in New Brunswick (NB), Canada and several other forests along a north-south temperaturemoisture gradient from northern Europe to the Middle East. The evaluation showed that the model performed relatively well for most sites; i.e., r2 ranged from 0.68-0.83 and modelling efficiencies, from 0.89-0.97, demonstrating the possibility of applying the model to forests outside NB. Inferior model performance was associated with sites with less than complete input datasets.