In times when many natural history museums experience financial cuts, it is important to show why museums matter, what they can offer, and what they mean for both the public and the scientific society. The collections are the heart of the museum and they need to be well-managed in order to attract visitors (both researchers and public). Curation of collections is an essential part of the museum operation but it may be affected by understaffing and/or lack of physical space. If collections in need of curation (especially old collections) are left unattended, they may lose their scientific value.     This project was done in order to show the importance of curation and its possibility to increase the value of a collection. The aim of this project was to show that a thoroughly explored and well curated collection becomes more accessible and interesting for internal and external sources and thereby the scientific and public value increases. This was conducted as a case-study of the collection of subfossil lemurs at the Museum of Evolution, Uppsala University. The collection was catalogued, its historical background was studied, and the old collection description was reviewed. The collection catalogue produced (Appendix D) has increased the availability and scientific value as it is now easier to get an overview of the collection, the catalogue include updated anatomical and taxonomical specimen descriptions, it is possible to administer loans on collection specimens, and the catalogue data can be published in accessible databases. The historical background (Appendices A and B) has shown that the collection has connections to other Swedish museum collections in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, and Lund. It is possible to use the information in the historical background in an eventual exhibition. This has increased the public value. However, it is possible to further increase both the availability and the value of the collection and some suggestions are given. / Denna uppsats handlar om kurering, alltså om omhändertagande av samlingar som finns på museer. Det finns många olika typer av museer, t.ex. naturvetenskapliga museer, historiska museer, konstmuseer, friluftsmuseer och hembygdsmuseer. Detta arbete är främst inriktat mot naturvetenskapliga museer med paleontologiska samlingar och varför det är viktigt att de finns och varför de ska tas om hand. Vidare visas hur en samling kan bli mer lätttillgänglig och hur dess värde kan höjas genom att noggrant kureras, katalogiseras och utvärderas.     Projektet utfördes som en fallstudie av den samling av subfossila lemurer som finns på  Evolutiosmuseet i Uppsala. I den sammanställning som gjordes av samlingens historiska bakgrund framkom det att folkskoleläraren Bertil Ljungqvist samlat in materialet under en expedition till Madagaskar mellan åren 1926 och 1930. På denna expedition samlades även zoologisk, botaniskt och kulturella föremål in. Dessa föremål finns idag utspridda på olika museer i Uppsala, Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmö och Lund. Det historiska bakgrund som sammanställdes i detta projekt kan användas av dessa museer om materialet ska ställas ut. Alla förmål i samlingen av subfossila lemur har fått uppdaterade beskrivningar i den nyskapade katalogen. Katalogen gör det möjligt att på ett enkelt sätt få en överblick av samlingen, det är nu även möjligt att låna föremål och samlingen är ett steg närmare att publiseras i en databas. I och med detta projekt har samlingen blivit mer tillgänglig, den är lättare att använda i olika sammanhang och därmed kan även sägas att värdet av samlingen har ökat. Dock finns det stora möjligheter att ytterliggare öka både värdet och tillgängligheten.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the efficiency of an electronic data collection method compared to a traditional paper-based method in the educational field, in terms of the accuracy of data collected and the time required to do it. In addition, data were collected to assess users' preference and system usability. The study included a sample of 20 preschool special educators from the Mailman Segal Center's Baudhuin Preschool and Autism Institute located in Davie County, Florida, who conduct daily data collection and analysis. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods to determine answers to five research questions. These were, (1) to what extent is electronic data collection faster than traditional paper-based data collection, (2) to what extent does electronic data collection aid special education teachers and paraprofessionals to collect more accurate data than traditional paper-based data collection, (3) to what extent is the use of electronic data collection result in significant time savings relative to traditional paper-based data collection during data graphing, (4) to what extent do specialists prefer either data collection method and for what reasons, and (5) to what extent do specialists rate the usability of the handheld device used for electronic data collection. Results suggested that both formats are comparable in terms of data collection time F(1, 18) = 3.53, p = .077 and accuracy, F(1, 18) = .928, p = .348 but that electronic data graphing is faster (M = 40.4, SD = 2.17) than paper-based graphing (M = 80.4, SD = 52.61). A higher percentage of participants (60%) preferred the electronic-based data collection method due to its graphing capability and better organization of data. The electronic data collection system used in this study was found to be more usable than 86.8% of all products tested using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and, therefore, could be considered a "C" or at an "acceptable" level or "good" relative to the other 200+ systems tested using the SUS by Bangor, Kortum, and Miller (2009). The electronic-based data collection system could also be considered an "A-" based on Sauro and Lewis' (2012) scale.

Thesis (MDF) -- Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this research report is to analyse the feasibility of Open Road Tolling (ORT) and its development in South Africa through the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP). ORT represents the next generation of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and this research report will assess to what extent the GFIP scheme is in line with other comparable tolling schemes; and is the institutional environment amenable to ORT. This will allow one to gauge the feasibility of the scheme and its potential for acceptability and success. The research report outlines the number of risks that come with an ORT scheme and these include amongst others collection risk, enforcement, technology, privacy and public acceptance. The success of the GFIP will largely be determined by how well these risks are mitigated and how the benefits can be marketed to the users. The literature review illustrates that whether road pricing schemes have failed to move forward, have been implemented, are currently under development, or still in the planning stage as a concept there are several consistent lessons and critical success factors one should apply when structuring a scheme. In the discussions with stakeholders, the following conclusions with regards to the feasibility of ORT and its development in South Africa were as follows: - The factors which need to be addressed include political risk, effective marketing of the scheme to the public, obtaining political will and support, building trust between the scheme developer and the user, managing perceptions and acknowledgement of the fact that the scheme will need to prove itself over time. - Inadequate demonstration - Incorporating interoperability yields benefits in terms in terms of network externalities, the ability to use a single transponder for multiple tolling plazas and points, along with the potential for alternative uses for the transponder. - ORT as a viable solution for the GFIP is feasible from a technical point in that it’s the only way in which one can collect tolls from a high volume network and not cause disruptions in the flow of traffic. However, there are a number of persistent residual risks that SANRAL cannot entirely mitigate and some fall under the realm of political risk. - While SANRAL has applied best practice principles in structuring the GFIP with the aim of providing value for money for the user and as far as possible tackling the issue of affordability, there are certain realities, such as the recent global financial crisis, the infrastructure backlog of the country, users paying for roads which were free and challenges with overall service delivery which place a strain on the legitimacy of the GFIP ORT scheme.

歷史檔案是用文字記錄人、事、時、地、物發生過的種種，歷史是一個國家的根基、檔案則負責歷史的真實性，因此歷史檔案是人類社會重要的資產，但人們對於歷史檔案的認知較為陌生，同時歷史檔案的典藏單位是多元化的，在博物館的歷史檔案則統一被歸屬於史料文獻的典藏品而非檔案，因此在歷史檔案的瞭解與使用上較多都以專業研究人員為主。 本研究透過文獻分析瞭解何謂「歷史檔案」以及國內外博物館在歷史檔案的典藏與管理概況，並對五所典藏歷史檔案的博物館進行深度訪談，包括：國立故宮博物院、國立歷史博物館、國立臺灣博物館、國立臺灣歷史博物館以及高雄市立歷史博物館，冀求瞭解博物館對於歷史檔案的典藏與管理情況，綜合分析其結果，提出合適於歷史檔案的典藏與管理意見，以供未來國內歷史檔案之典藏機構參考。 歸納文獻分析與研究結果發現，博物館對於歷史檔案的認識較為不足，在使用歷史檔案時也多以展覽為主，除了博物館業務繁重之外，負責歷史檔案的管理人員較多都不具有檔案專業背景，同時因為博物館蒐藏方向多有重疊，因此歷史檔案被分散典藏在不同博物館中，也讓使用者在運用時有所阻礙。藉由釐清歷史檔案的定義，以及經由專業的檔案人員整理後，國內對於檔案的重視也會日益增加。 / Historical archives use words to record people, things, places, and objects that have been on earth. History is the foundation of a country, and archives represent the reality of history; therefore, historical archives are the important fortune of human beings. However, people are not familiar with historical archives, and the collection units of historical archives are various, for example, the historical archives in Museum are not organized under collection of archives but collection of literature. As a result, the comprehension and application of historical archives are mostly conducted by professional research workers. This research analyzes historical archives and the statement of worldwide museums in collection and management of historical archives. Also, this research conducts in-depth interview on five museums, inclusive of National Palace Museum, National Museum of History, National Taiwan Museum, National Museum of Taiwan History, and Kaohsiung Museum of History, to understand the collection and management statement of historical archives in museums nowadays. Nevertheless, this research sums up the analytic results and raises suggestions suitable for the collection and management of historical archives, in order to let domestic collection of historical archives institutes can take advantage of it. According to the literature analyses and research results, museums lack awareness of historical archives and the application of historical archives always focus on exhibitions. These cause museum not only a heavy duty but also most staffs in charge of historical archives are not equipped with specialized knowledge. Meanwhile, due to the duplicate collections of different museums, historical archives are scattered in distinct museums, which create barriers toward users. Therefore, hoping domestic awareness of archives will arise increasingly after the clarification of historical archives and the rearrangement conducted by experts.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Computer Science / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Replacing fossil fuels with algae, a renewable resource, is an exciting possibility. This study evaluates the algae found in South Texas brackish water ponds used for aquaculture of fish as a possible source of biofuels. Samples of algae from these ponds were cultured at varying temperatures ranging from 15.5ºC to 36.5ºC. High levels of growth were observed at 20.5ºC and the highest lipid content was measured at 23.0ºC. Temperature was also a factor in the distribution of microalgal taxa throughout the temperature gradient. This information will be added to the growing body of research investigating similar cultures of algae for future biofuel production. / text

This paper outlines a method for the conservation of a large group of similar objects with disparate conditions, using a collection of memorial plaques located at the University of Texas Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium as a case study. These bronze plaques, installed in the stadium in 1926, currently exhibit widely varying conditions. The conservation method consists of seven steps: background research, survey of site, survey of objects, conditions report, testing, treatment, and maintenance. This method was applied to the memorial plaque collection, and a recommendation for the treatment of the collection is made, with an emphasis on environmentally safe treatment methods. / text

Automated technologies can be beneficial for collecting data on the condition of pavements. As opposed to a traditional manual survey of the road, automated data collection can provide a safer alternative that is objective, repeatable, and consistent, while traveling at highway speeds. Though the automated method is preferred, it still needs to be reliable enough to accurately model the current pavement performance. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) initiated a project to allow an independent assessment of the accuracy and repeatability of new automated distress data measurements. In this study, 20 550-ft. pavement sections were tested with automated data collection technologies. The sections were located in Austin and Waco Districts. The accuracy and repeatability was evaluated for cracking and other distress measurements, cross slope measurements, and texture measurements. Known manual methods were used as a reference, and a 3D system developed by TxDOT was compared with three systems of other vendors (Dynatest, Fugro, and Waylink-OSU). With the data provided for the texture and cross slope, an additional investigation was done to evaluate hydroplaning potential. This thesis reports in the latter investigation. / text

published_or_final_version / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

<p>When the producers’ responsibility for packaging was introduced in Sweden in 1994 the industry set up public recycling stations to facilitate the collection of the waste material. In order to establish recycling stations at suitable locations the municipalities assist the industry’s service organization for operation of the recycling stations, the Package and Newspaper Collection Service (Förpacknings- och tidningsinsamlingen, FTI). The objectives of this thesis are to improve the service of the public recycling stations within Lidingö town and to increase the accessibility to these stations for the inhabitants of Lidingö. The Municipal authority of Lidingö in consultations with the FTI will use the collected information on the attitudes of the inhabitants in order to bring the recycling system into line with the opinions of the inhabitants.</p><p>The information on the attitudes of the inhabitants towards the public recycling stations has been collected through an opinion poll. About half of those asked are living in blocks of flats while half are living in self-contained houses. In order to secure the differences in attitudes between different forms of living, sex, and age, hypotheses tests were conducted on selected parts of the collected material. New locations for public recycling stations have been suggested and assessed on the basis of accessibility, the risk of littering, the level of noise, the traffic situation, existing hard surfaces and property ownership.</p><p>The inhabitants of Lidingö want the public recycling stations to be located near their homes, near main roads or near shops in order to be accessible. Car is the main means of transport to the recycling stations. Women and people living in blocks of flats walk to the recycling station to a greater extent than men and those living in self-contained houses. The recycling stations ought to be asphalted and well-lit in order to decrease the risk of littering.</p><p>Many inhabitants of Lidingö, living in areas where the population density is high, lack access to public recycling stations within walking distance. New recycling stations should preferably be located in these housing areas. Ten new suggested locations will, if they are adopted, increase the number of inhabitants living within walking distance of a recycling station.</p> / <p>Då producentansvaret för förpackningar infördes 1994 valde näringslivet att lösa insamlingen av förpackningar genom att sätta upp återvinningsstationer till vilka hushållen kan lämna det utsorterade materialet. För att göra det möjligt att placera ut återvinningsstationer på lämpliga platser bistår kommunerna näringslivets serviceorganisation, Förpacknings- och tidningsinsamlingen, med lokaliseringsförslag. För att anpassa insamlingssystemet till lokala förhållanden är Förpacknings- och tidningsinsamlingen ålagd att samråda med kommunerna.</p><p>Examensarbetet syftar till att förbättra servicen på återvinningsstationerna på Lidingö och öka tillgängligheten för kommuninvånarna. Informationen om lidingöbornas attityder ska användas vid samråd mellan kommunen och Förpacknings- och tidningsinsamlingen för att anpassa insamlingssystemet efter kommuninvånarnas önskemål.</p><p>Genom en postal enkätundersökning har lidingöbornas attityder till återvinningsstationerna´utretts. Hälften av de tillfrågade bodde i flerfamiljshus medan den andra hälften bodde i småhus. För att säkerställa skillnader i attityder mellan olika boendeformer, kön och åldrar utfördes hypotesprövningar på utvalda delar av materialet. Platser för nya återvinningsstationer har tagits fram och bedömts utifrån tillgänglighet, risk för nedskräpning, bullerstörning, trafiksituation, markägarförhållanden samt befintliga hårdytor och tillfartsvägar.</p><p>Lidingöborna vill att återvinningsstationer ska placeras i närheten av hemmet, större bilvägar eller i anslutning till affärer för att vara lättillgängliga. Det huvudsakliga transportmedlet till återvinningsstationen är bil. Kvinnor och boende i flerbostadshus tar sig i större utsträckning till fots till återvinningsstationen samt anser i högre grad att återvinningsstationerna ska ligga i närheten av hemmet än vad män och boende i småhus gör. Återvinningsstationerna bör vara asfalterade och välupplysta för att minska risken för nedskräpning.</p><p>Stora områden på Lidingö med hög befolkningstäthet saknar helt tillgång till återvinningsstationer inom gångavstånd. I dessa bostadsområden bör nya återvinningsstationer prioriteras. Tio lämpliga platser för nya återvinningsstationer har lokaliserats vilka, om de upprättas, ökar andelen lidingöbor som har möjlighet att ta sig till fots till återvinningsstationen.</p>