<p> Given a point p and d + 1 sets (i.e., colours) of points in dimension d, the Colourful Feasibility Problem is to decide whether there are d + 1 points of different colours containing p in their convex hull; and if yes, find such a point set. The monochrome version of this problem, expressing p as a linear combination of d + 1 points in a set S, can be solved using traditional linear optimization algorithms. The Colourful Feasibility Problem was presented by Bárány and Onn in 1997, and it is still not known if a polynomial-time algorithm exists. The case where we have d colours in dimension d and no restriction on the size of the sets has been shown to be strongly NP-complete through a reduction of 3-SAT. We define the core of a configuration to be the intersection of the convex hulls of each colour. We start from the important subcase that we call Colourful Core Feasibility Problem where we have d + 1 points of each colour, and p in the core. By Bárány's 1982 Colourful Caratheodory Theorem, a solution is guaranteed to exist, and the problem is to exhibit one. This problem is described by Bárány and Onn as "an outstanding problem on the border line between tractable and intractable problems". Besides applications to combinatorics, The Colourful Feasibility Problem models a situation where we want to select a set of points that is both diverse and representative.</p> <p> While we have not found out whether the Colourful Core Feasibility Problem can be solved in polynomial time, our contributions are on both the theoretical and practical performance of algorithms to solve the Colourful Feasibility Problem. The algorithms proposed by Bárány and Onn are essentially geometric, and the complexity guarantees depend crucially on having p inside the core. We consider modifications of these algorithms which update multiple colours at each stage, as well a greedy heuristic where we choose the adjacent simplex of maximum volume in each iteration and a random sampling approach. Our test suite includes unstructured random problems, ill-conditioned problems, problems with a restricted number of solutions and infeasible problems. We conclude that the most robust and nearly fastest algorithm for the Colourful Core Feasibility Problem is the multi-update variant which yields substantial gains over the original ones. Alternative approaches based on nondefinite quadratic optimization problem and positive semidefinite relaxation, and a combinatorial algorithm not depending on having p in the core are also introduced. Finally, we give the first upper bound for the minimal number of colourful simplices containing a core point and the first improvement of the lower bound since Bárány's result in 1982.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The purpose of this study was to develop and demonstrate an analytical framework to filter technical and economic information regarding alternative agricultural enterprises in order to enable farmers to make more informed diversification and adjustment decisions. This is particularly important for areas that need to adjust the structure of income sources as a result of dramatic changes in market demand and/or agricultural policy. Tobacco producing regions are currently facing such a problem in the United States. These regions need to consider a wide range of alternatives to maintain or enhance income and standards of living. The problem involved both strategic economic decisions and operational economic decisions. The method used combined information in the ArcView Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Linear Programming (LP). Part of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, served as a case study example. A GIS database including soils and climatic conditions of the study area was created. Soils belonging to land capability classes 1 to 4 were considered for agricultural purposes. Agronomic requirements for specific yield levels of the enterprises considered were tabulated. An ArcView GIS analysis was conducted based on soil map unit symbols. Soil depth, soil series, soil texture, slope, flood potential and average summer temperature were factors associated with yield. Natural drainage, pH, natural fertility, content of organic matter and annual rainfall were factors that served for enterprise budget adjustments. The output of ArcView GIS analysis is maps of physically viable enterprise boundaries or enterprise reference units and tables of attributes for each field. Marketing of agricultural products that have prices that fluctuate seasonally is feasible only within the period of time called the "market window". When average historical prices were above total costs, a market window was identified. The optimal enterprise mix was addressed by LP from a whole farm planning perspective based on the results of ArcView GIS analysis and other constraints, including crop rotations, and irrigation limits. Various levels of tobacco production, vegetable enterprise activity levels, and limits on irrigation were employed to generate, ten scenarios. Results include the optimal enterprise mix, net revenue (above variable costs), shadow prices and sensitivity analysis. It is shown that specialty crops are not likely to replace tobacco income, at least in the near term. Developing a diversified farm plan could help farmers to make a smooth transition to other alternatives. / Ph. D.

This study evaluates the economic feasibility of a biological control industry in Niger. Farmers in the Sahel region of Niger are vulnerable to high millet yield losses due to the millet head miner, and their pest control options are extremely limited. Researchers have begun to support small businesses which sell a beneficial insect (Habrobracon Hebetor) that is very effective in limiting millet yield losses due to the millet head miner. This study discusses a wide range of questions related to the economic prospects of these businesses using two main analytical methods, an economic feasibility assessment and an econometric analysis. The economic feasibility assessment provides budget analysis for the potential businesses and discusses business options for scaling, price setting, and organizing. A central question in this analysis is whether farmers can cooperatively purchase beneficial insects as a means of preventing free-riding. With free-riding as a prominent concern for businesses, this study also provides an econometric analysis of the factors that affect farmer's willingness-to-pay for beneficial insects. / Master of Science

The southern pine beetle (SPB) poses a significant threat to pine forests of the southeastern US. Pre-commercial thinning (PCT) is a commonly used silvicultural practice to mitigate and prevent SPB spread in young southern pine stands. Typically, PCT represents an added management cost to landowners and thinned material is not utilized for forest products. Increased demand for woody biomass energy may provide landowners and harvesting contractors an opportunity to utilize PCT residues as a woody biomass energy feedstock, which may wholly or partially offset PCT costs. However, little information is available regarding harvestable biomass quantities in PCT stands and few studies have assessed harvesting productivity and costs in very young pine stands. To develop estimates of biomass abundance in PCT candidate stands, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands aging 5 to 12-years old, and enrolled in the Virginia Department of Forestry Pine Bark Beetle Prevention Program (VDOF PBBPP), were inventoried across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of Virginia. To attain productivity and cost estimates of utilizing small-diameter stems for woody biomass energy, a biomass harvesting case study was then conducted on a 15-year old loblolly pine stand. Results of the inventory and case study indicate that stands at the upper age limit for the PCT program may contain harvestable quantities of biomass (39.63 green tons/acre), although high harvesting costs ($23.46/green ton) relative to regional delivered biomass prices may limit the economic feasibility of utilizing PCT biomass for energy. / Master of Science

A methodology was developed for determining the economic feasibility of a wood products industrial park. The methodology consists of twelve steps that address the goals of park owners, the feasibility of secondary manufacturing alternatives, the feasibility of the development corporation, and the financial areas needing management attention. Prerequisites to the financial analysis include market and technical analyses. Community impact analysis was also acknowledged as an important component of an overall feasibility analysis. A case study was performed that consisted of an economic feasibility analysis for a wood products industrial park in Southwest Virginia. The case study assumed private ownership and found that the best mix of park tenants included: an edge-glued dimension panel manufacturer, a solid dimension lumber manufacturer, a custom millwork manufacturer, and a pallet manufacturer. Primary manufacturing and marketing services were included in the preferred park formation as subsidiaries of the park development corporation. The park was predicted to have a strong positive impact on the regional economy. / Master of Science

Yes / Obesity is a global public health concern. Interventions rely predominantly on managing dietary intake and increasing physical activity; however, sustained adherence to behavioral regimens is often poor. The lack of sustained motivation, self-efficacy, and poor adherence to behavioral regimens are recognized barriers to successful weight loss. Avatar-based interventions achieve better patient outcomes in the management of chronic conditions by promoting more active engagement. Virtual representations of self can affect real-world behavior, acting as a catalyst for sustained weight loss behavior. We evaluated whether a personalized avatar, offered as an adjunct to an established weight loss program, can increase participant motivation, sustain engagement, optimize service delivery, and improve participant health outcomes. A feasibility randomized design was used to determine the case for future development and evaluation of avatar-based technology in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited from general practitioner referrals to a 12-week National Health Service weight improvement program. The main outcome measure was weight loss. Secondary outcome measures were quality-of-life and self-efficacy. Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive statistical tests and exploratory comparison between intervention and control arms. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through interviews and analyzed using framework approach. Health Research Authority ethics approval was granted. Overall, 10 men (n=7, 70% for routine care and avatar and n=3, 30% for routine care) and 33 women (n=23, 70% for intervention and n=10, 30% for routine care) were recruited. Participants' initial mean weight was greater in the intervention arm than in the routine care arm (126.3 kg vs 122.9 kg); pattern of weight loss was similar across both arms of the study in T0 to T1 period but accelerated in T1 to T2 period for intervention participants, suggesting that access to the self-resembling avatar may promote greater engagement with weight loss initiatives in the short-to-medium term. Mean change in participants' weight from T0 to T2 was 4.5 kg (95% CI 2.7-6.3) in the routine care arm and 5.3 kg (95% CI 3.9-6.8) in the intervention arm. Quality-of-life and self-efficacy measures demonstrated greater improvement in the intervention arm at both T1 (105.5 for routine care arm and 99.7 for intervention arm) and T2 (100.1 for routine care arm and 81.2 for intervention arm). Overall, 13 participants (n=11, 85% women and n=2, 15% men) and two health care professionals were interviewed about their experience of using the avatar program. Participants found using the personalized avatar acceptable, and feedback reiterated that seeing a future self helped to reinforce motivation to change behavior. This feasibility study demonstrated that avatar-based technology may successfully promote engagement and motivation in weight loss programs, enabling participants to achieve greater weight loss gains and build self-confidence. ISRCTN Registry 17953876; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17953876. / This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (Research for Patient Benefit program [project reference PB-PG-1215-20016]).

The most common railroad accidents today involve collisions between trains and passenger vehicles at railroad grade crossings [1][2]. Due to the size and speed of a train, these collisions generally result in significant damage and serious injury. Despite recent efforts by projects such as Operation Lifesaver to install safety features at grade crossings, up to 80% of the United States railroad grade crossings are classified as 'unprotected' with no lights, warnings, or crossing gates [2]. Further, from January to September 2012, nearly 10% of all reported vehicle accidents were a result of train-to-vehicle collisions. These collisions also accounted for nearly 95% of all reported fatalities from vehicular accidents [2]. To help provide a more rapidly deployable safety system, advanced dedicated short range communication (DSRC) systems are being developed. DSRC is an emerging technology that is currently being explored by the automotive safety industry for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications to provide intelligent transportation services (ITS). DSRC uses WAVE protocols and the IEEE 1609 standards. Among the many features of DSRC systems is the ability to sense and then provide an early warning of a potential collision [6]. One potential adaption for this technology is for use as a train-to-vehicle collision warning system for unprotected grade crossings. These new protocols pose an interesting opportunity for enhancing cybersecurity since terrorists will undoubtedly eventually identify these types of mass disasters as targets of opportunity. To provide a thorough channel model of the train to vehicle communication environment that is proposed above, large-scale path loss and small scale fading will both be analyzed to characterize the propagation environment. Measurements were collected at TTCI in Pueblo Colorado to measure the received signal strength in a train to vehicle communication environment. From the received signal strength, different channel models can be developed to characterize the communication environment. Documented metrics include large scale path loss, Rician small scale fading, Delay spread, and Doppler spread. An analysis of the DSRC performance based on Packet Error Rate is also included. / Master of Science / Railroad collisions are a large safety concern in the transportation industry. The most common railroad accidents today involve collisions between trains and passenger vehicles at railroad grade crossings [1][2]. Due to the size and speed of a train, these collisions generally result in significant damage and serious injury. Despite recent efforts by projects such as Operation Lifesaver to install safety features at grade crossings, up to 80% of the United States railroad grade crossings are classified as “unprotected” with no lights, warnings, or crossing gates [2]. Further, from January to September 2012, nearly 10% of all reported vehicle accidents were a result of train-to-vehicle collisions. These collisions also accounted for nearly 95% of all reported fatalities from vehicular accidents [2]. To help improve the safety of railroad crossings, a new radio system is being developed to help improve safety. These radios are already being explored in the automotive industry to help provide more safety features in passenger vehicles like cars. The most appealing feature of these new radio systems is the ability to predict collisions and provide feedback to a vehicle operator to prevent the collision. Railroads would like to investigate the feasibility of using these new radios to prevent vehicle and train collisions. This thesis analyzes the various characteristics of the performance the radio system in a real operating environment to determine the feasibility of using these new radio systems to provide early collision warning.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Vincent R. Amanor-Boadu / The purpose of this thesis is to identify which alternative crops could be enhance the income of Quandahl Farms the most by moving the smallest acreage from the farm’s traditional corn and soybean enterprises into its production. The considered crops are grapes, raspberries, and black currants. The objectives of this study included assessing the technical feasibility of producing the selected crops in Northeast Iowa given the agronomic conditions in the region and the agronomic requirements of the crops. The other was the assessment of the economic feasibility of the selected crops and determining the minimum acres required for each to enhance the farm’s financial situation and still allow for corn and soybeans to be the main crops. The analyses were conducted using secondary data on the selected crops from published budgets and government and extension reports as well as the historical financials of Quandahl Farms. The analyses were conducted over a 10-year horizon to ensure a significant duration of cash flow and allow the establishment of the alternative crops. In that 10-year period, the net present value of Quandahl Farms income is $214 per acre per year. Additionally, the analyses were evaluated under four alternative scenarios of prices and yield for each of the crops in addition to the base scenario. The results shows that grapes and black currants were not economically feasible in Northeast Iowa even though they were agronomically feasible. On the contrary, raspberries were found to be both technically and economically feasible in Northeast Iowa. The net present value under that base scenario for raspberries was $23,267 at a discount rate of 4.5%. Based on the net present value of corn and soybean revenue of the same period, it is estimated that taking 22 acres from the current production and putting it into raspberries would increase average farm income by $60,000. The study shows there is an opportunity to allocate a relatively small proportion of current corn and soybean acreage to raspberries to significantly increase farm incomes. As a result, it is recommended to the principals of Quandahl Farms to consider making this small investment in raspberries to protect the farm from the frequent vicissitudes of farm incomes. The next step after their agreement is to develop the business plan to implement such an investment.

The growth in renewable electricity generation is forecast to continue as fossil fuel levels decrease and carbon dioxide emissions are penalized. The growth in geothermal is becoming constrained as conventional high-temperature sources are fully exploited. Geothermal can be a cost competitive base load power source. Governments and utilities are looking at the potential of electricity generation from low temperature geothermal resources for future development. This technology, unlike the high and medium temperature, is not mature and there are a number of companies looking at entering the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) market. This thesis aims to provide a necessary step for reliable commercial develop this technology by developing the first draft of a low temperature geothermal ORC standard. The standard outlines the critical stages of a geothermal ORC project as the Prospecting stage; Pre-Feasibility stage, Feasibility stage, and the Detailed Design stage. The standard is unlike other standards that are used to design one component; this standard guides the engineers though the various critical steps of the ORC design to correctly assess the geothermal resource and to inform design and investment decisions. The standard provides particular guidance on critical factors in ORC design, primarily the working fluid selection and component selection limitations. Experienced industry engineers have provided advice and insight regarding the critical design points and processes. The draft standard was reviewed by a number of geothermal industry engineers who have worked with large scale, conventional ORCs. They each commented on the standard from their prospective in the industry and gave general feedback was that it is a technically relevant standard that can be used as a potential start point to develop a new standard for the low temperature binary ORC industry. The final draft standard has been submitted to the ISO for consideration. This thesis first sets out the general background on the state of the art and the industry for lowtemperature binary ORC power plants, and provides the review assessment of the standard draft. However, the bulk of the thesis is the standard itself. The standard represents a substantial contribution to the mechanical and thermal systems engineering field.

The work deals with economics and technological feasibility of the business plan, which is the sale of meat to feed the dogs. The theoretical part presents the structure of the feasibility study, which then corresponds to the practical part. The practical part shows that the intention is suitable for investment as it is both economical and technologically feasible.