Mandated collaboration networks are an overly studied topic in the field of public administration and management, with the emphasis on these studies however focused on the failures to accomplish its collaborative aims. The role that mandated collaboration networks play today in enabling societies and governments alike,  to realize insurmountable challenges through their  collaborative efforts is however not being paid as much attention as it should be, yet through it, huge socio and economic benefits are derived.  This study recognizes the part mandated collaboration network plays by seeking to further investigate the role, power and trust play in influencing managers towards attaining efficiency. Data was collected from 7 managers from the public sector, with some public managers, tasked with the responsibility of playing oversight role and disbursing funds and other public managers tasked with implementing the services, all working towards achieving a regional goal within Västerbotten region. By conducting semi-structured interviews with them, the aim was to find out the daily encounters they faced in implementing their activities and achieving their goals. In order to analyze this study adequately, theories were derived from governance, principal agency, structuration theory, Long & Sitkin integrated trust and control framework  that enabled me to come up with a conceptual framework. The findings of this framework were particularly insightful in regards to how managers in mandated collaboration network can use trust in ensuring that they achieve their desired efficiency goals. The findings show both power and trust in mandated collaboration network play a coordinative and regulative role in ensuring that the goals are realized. Calculative trust alongside formal controls can be used to address challenges that managers encounter in realizing their goals. Relational trust can also be nurtured, however at an interpersonal level or with peers that perform the same activities but not at an institutional level such as the mandated collaboration network. Attaining efficiency in the mandated collaboration network is however also further compounded by contextual matters both internal and external that hamper its attainment.

A test setup was designed and built to test energy recovery ventilator membranes. The purpose of this test setup was to measure the heat transfer and water vapor transfer rates through energy recover ventilator membranes and find their effectiveness, with air conditions that resemble residential use. Two test chambers were constructed with different channel heights above the membrane; one was 1mm and the other 2mm. The 2mm setup gave measureable results, but small air leaks in the system of 7.0% and 6.2% left room for error. The 1mm setup also had air leaks but they were smaller than the 2mm setup, with leak rates of 1.0% and 5.1%. The permeance of the membrane was found to be 2.58x10^-5 g/(m2*s*Pa) for the 2mm test chamber and 9.90x10^-54 g/(m2*s*Pa) for the 1mm test chamber.

Plant shape affects the ability of insect predators to locate prey by altering search paths or by providing partial refugia for prey. Changes in predator foraging efficiency can have significant consequences for population dynamic of both predators and prey. Yet, the relationship between plants and insect predators is not well understood despite its relevance to agriculture and biological control. The effect of plant gross morphology on predator foraging success was tested using multicoloured Asian ladybeetles, Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and green lacewing larvae, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), preying on pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: Aphididae). These predators differed in body size and therefore might be expected to have different responses to a given plant morphology. Experiments were conducted using four different pea plant morphologies (Pisum sativum L.) that differed in fractal dimension, but which were controlled for surface area. The consumption rate of each predator on each pea morph was determined by measuring the number of aphids consumed in a 48 hour foraging period at 3 prey densities. I also tracked predator search paths using 2D time-lapse photography to determine if the two predators search plants differently. I found that both predators were more successful at capturing prey on plants with a higher leaf edge to leaf area ratio (lower fractal dimension). Plants with more edges were easier for predators to grip, thus increasing their mobility and manoeuvrability. Also, plants with more edges and fewer leaf surfaces had fewer locations where aphids could hide. As a result, predators are more effective at locating and capturing prey on these morphologies.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ transport efficiency and expression levels of major SR Ca2+ regulatory proteins are associated with resting metabolic rate (RMR) in humans. Twenty five healthy and weight stable participants with mean age, height and weight of 22±3.6 years, 174.6±8.0 cm and 72.8±21 kg respectively, were recruited for the study. RMR was calculated using the Weir equation based upon measures of VO2 and VCO2, which were collected using the Vmax breath by breath indirect calorimetry system. Ca2+-ATPase activity, Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+ leak analyses were performed in vitro on homogenates that were prepared from vastus lateralis muscle biopsies. Ionophore (IONO) ratio was assessed by measuring Ca2+-ATPase activity in the presence and absence of Ca2+ Ionophore. The coupling ratio, a measure of SR Ca2+ transport efficiency, was calculated by taking the ratio of Ca2+ uptake to Ca2+-ATPase activity. Expression levels of the major SR Ca2+ regulatory proteins, including SERCA1a, SERCA2a, phospholamban (PLN), and calsequestrin (CSQ) were assessed using Western blotting techniques. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated a weak but significant negative correlation between coupling ratio and RMR (r2= 0.2108, p =0.0240). Content of the SR Ca2+ regulatory proteins, IONO ratio and Ca2+ leak were not found to be significantly related to either RMR or coupling ratio, with the exception of the ratio of SERCA1a to SERCA2a, which showed a weak but significant positive relationship with RMR (r2=0.1781, p=0.0400). Thus, the relationship between coupling ratio and RMR is not influenced by Ca2+ leak, SERCA pump efficiency or the SR Ca2+ regulatory proteins. Overall, these results suggest that the efficiency of SR Ca2+ transport is weakly related to whole body RMR. Further analysis is needed to assess this relationship, and to determine which SR Ca2+ handling properties are influencing the relationship between coupling ratio and RMR.

Recent concerns regarding climate change, environmental degradation, human health and energy security associated with the consumption of energy have raised questions about the sustainability of current energy systems. Increasing energy efficiency is considered a core strategy for ultimately achieving a sustainable energy system by offering a cost-effective method for reducing energy use for organisations. However, the slow execution of energy efficiency solutions is said to be reflective of a much wider debate within energy economics, and lead to what is commonly referred to as the “efficiency gap”. Historically, the debate involves theoretical differences between engineering-economic, or “bottom-up”, models which suggest there is ample room for profitable energy efficiency measures; and, orthodox economic, or “top-down”, models which argue that there are significant costs associated with reducing energy consumption. The result has been a diversity of opinions on the potential for, and costs of, energy efficiency, the nature and significance of associated barriers and the appropriateness of various policies in overcoming these barriers. In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to resolving the debate. Rather, the differences across energy service markets require that the existence of an efficiency gap be assessed within the context of these parameters. This requires understanding the nature and significance of barriers to energy efficiency and their economic and organisational impacts within various contexts. This paper explores a taxonomy of barriers to energy efficiency within one potentially influential sub-sector within the country’s most densely populated and highest energy consuming region – Southern Ontario municipalities. The information was collected in three phases. First, a review of the literature was conducted which helped identify and understand potential barriers to energy efficiency and the instances in which they would merit policy intervention. Secondly, 26 questionnaires from individuals responsible for various aspects of energy management and municipal decision-making were completed to gain further insight into municipal structures, policies, decision-making procedures and perception of barriers. These questionnaires were supplemented with 6 detailed interviews conducted with municipal energy managers, or the equivalent. The results presented in this study confirm the presence of an energy efficiency gap within the participating municipalities and that barriers to cost-effective energy efficiency measures do in fact exist. These barriers are most often associated with a lack of information on obtaining appropriate measures and difficulties accessing available capital required for initial investments. The findings support the claims of “bottom-up” models which indicate that policy intervention may rationally overcome many of these barriers. For example, organisational policy measures such as the implementation of energy reserve funds for individual departments may be implemented at low costs. Other barriers that do not justify policy intervention, such as risk, were considered to be less relevant to the participating municipalities. The case studies suggest that with adequate public and organisational policy intervention, the energy efficiency gap may be reduced within these municipalities, thus increasing overall energy efficiency.

Base station (BS) positioning is considered an effective method to improve the performance of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). The goal of this dissertation is to minimize total energy consumption and to prolong lifetime of a WSN. First, the idea of the BS positioning in WSNs through our exhaustive search algorithm is evaluated; where it is shown that the BS position has an undeniable effect on the energy efficiency and lifespan of a WSN. Then, a metric-aware optimal BS positioning and relocation mechanism for WSNs is proposed. This technique locates the BS with respect to the available energy resources and the amount of traffic travelling through the sensor nodes at the time. Moreover, a BS relocation technique is presented in response to the dynamic environment that the sensor nodes operate in. Specifically, two optimization strategies based on the value of the path loss exponent are analyzed as weighted linear or nonlinear least squares minimization problems. Lastly, a distributed algorithm is proposed that can effectively handle the required computation by exploiting the nodes cooperation. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed BS positioning and relocation method can significantly improve the lifespan and energy efficiency in WSNs. / Communications

This article examines methods to efficiently estimate the mean response in a linear model with an unknown error distribution under the assumption that the responses are missing at random. We show how the asymptotic variance is affected by the estimator of the regression parameter and by the imputation method. To estimate the regression parameter the Ordinary Least Squares method is efficient only if the error distribution happens to be normal. If the errors are not normal, then we propose a One Step Improvement estimator or a Maximum Empirical Likelihood estimator to estimate the parameter efficiently. In order to investigate the impact that imputation has on estimation of the mean response, we compare the Listwise Deletion method and the Propensity Score method (which do not use imputation at all), and two imputation methods. We show that Listwise Deletion and the Propensity Score method are inefficient. Partial Imputation, where only the missing responses are imputed, is compared to Full Imputation, where both missing and non-missing responses are imputed. Our results show that in general Full Imputation is better than Partial Imputation. However, when the regression parameter is estimated very poorly, then Partial Imputation will outperform Full Imputation. The efficient estimator for the mean response is the Full Imputation estimator that uses an efficient estimator of the parameter.

With increasing energy costs and competitive pressures, interest has increased in surveying installed pumps for potential energy savings. Field pump efficiency tests are required to assess pumping performance and help to identify improvement opportunities. This work concerns the on-site measurements of pulp-suspension pumping efficiency. This involves the measurement of pump head, flow rate and power consumption. Provided that consistent flow measurements are available, it is possible to reliably and non-invasively measure actual pump system efficiencies in pulp suspension flow, with a minimum process disturbance. As part of a most appropriate measurement-procedure study, four portable nonintrusive flow meters were evaluated on site for pulp suspension flow. The Fast Fourier Transform Doppler was found to be the most suitable for a pulp mill pump survey. Efficiency measurements were performed on six pump systems with motors between 100 and 700 HP. It is shown that as-installed pump efficiency can be used to help predict the degradation of the pump and also its effect on the pumping system’s operation. A system approach analysis was performed in each case, which can be effective in assessing system performance and finding potential enhancements. The use of variable speed drives allows the operating point to move along the system curve, requiring less energy to drive the pump. VSD of larger motors are expensive and their profitability compared to other modification alternatives should always be carefully checked by calculations based on accurate on site measurements and life cycle costs. Finally, in this survey of six pump systems, significant potential savings of around 30% of present power consumption were found.

Surface runoff is one of the most important problems which occur with moving sprinkler irrigation systems: it is particularly severe in centre pivot systems operated at low pressure. The consequences of surface runoff are waste of water, lower irrigation efficiency, soil erosion and removal of fertilizers from the field. An obvious indicator of the potential for runoff to occur during sprinkler irrigation is the appearance of surface ponding. Indeed, results from a stationary "time to ponding" test (using a minimum set of three constant water application rates) carried out on the farm, is commonly used to determine the irrigation rate in moving systems. This practice sometimes leads to the occurrence of runoff under moving systems, particularly centre pivot systems. / The primary aim of the investigation was to explore the phenomenon of soil surface ponding in stationary "time to ponding" tests (using constant water application rate) and in moving sprinkler irrigation systems (using variable water application rate), and to discover the relationship between these two sets of conditions, in order to improve the design and managements of these systems and avoid runoff. / A vital component of the investigation was the development of a laboratory rig which incorporated certain characteristics and properties, including: A special soil test bed containing 355mm depth of a loamy sand soil, together with a system continuously measuring and monitoring soil moisture content. The rig also included heating and suction systems to reduce and establish target soil moisture conditions before each test, and an efficient drainage system. Ponding was identified in 15 circular depressions on the soil surface. A water application simulator capable of being operated in both stationary and moving modes at different speeds, applying different constant and variable irrigation rates to the soil test bed with very small droplets. The nature of the supply closely approximated that of field installations. A continuous water application measurement device capable of measuring instantaneous water application rate and pattern as well as irrigation depth applied to the soil test bed. / Certain parameters, of necessity, were fixed for the investigation: these included the soil, the type of variable application pattern (parabolic), the range of speeds of the moving simulator (10% to 100% of maximum speed which was 345mm/minute) and the range of initial soil moistures (3% up to field capacity). Initial tests were carried out to determine a suitable water application rate: this was set as 103mm/h (average). The main set of tests was carried out using this average application rate under constant ("time to ponding") and variable ("onset of ponding") irrigation conditions at different soil moisture contents. / The main outcome of the research was that the maximum irrigation depth that can be applied by a moving system (variable pattern) without the appearance of ponding for any set value of initial soil moisture, is significantly less than the maximum irrigation depth which must be applied to produce ponding in a stationary system (constant pattern), operated with the same initial soil moisture and same average application rate. Therefore, the results obtained from a “time to ponding” test, if applied directly, overestimate the optimum water application rate and also the maximum irrigation depth which can be applied in moving irrigation systems, if they are to operate efficiently. / A relationship was established between the two sets of outcomes for corresponding soil and water application rate and pattern conditions. The apparatus and the method can be used for further research to discover similar relationships for different soil types and different water application rates and patterns in order to provide a general model. This model can be used to modify the optimum water application rate (obtained directly from stationary "time to ponding" tests) and, also, the maximum irrigation depth (through choice of speed appropriate to the initial soil moisture) in moving sprinkler irrigation systems, particularly in centre pivot systems. / Thesis (PhDCivilEngineering)--University of South Australia, 2005.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 290-309) / 310 leaves : ill ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Investigates aspects of the intake and utilization of barley grain and grain legume supplements by sheep fed low quality pasture hay and when grazing mature summer pastures. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Sciences, 1987