Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Foot measuring'

Knowledge of the three dimensional shape of the human foot is important in the design of shoes to facilitate correct fit. Currently only the static shape of the foot is considered despite the fact that the foot undergoes changes in its shape, particularly in athletic pursuits, due to associated movements and loadings. Attempts, presented in research, have been made to measure dynamic foot shape. However, to date, measurements have been limited in detail as well as restricted to walking gait, as a result of the method. The work of this thesis aimed to develop a methodology that would be capable of measuring the three dimensional shape of the human foot during the stance phase of gait, in locomotion speeds associated with running.

The aim of the thesis was to collect baseline data and to investigating suitable physical tests and a self-rapport questionnaire. Collected data was used to find a routine measurement when investigating foot health, function and mobility among clients suffering from diabetes in Samoa. Twenty-one participants suffering from diabetes were included in the study. Clients answered the Foot function index (FFI) questionnaire and performed physical tests, consisting of Bergs balance scale (BBS) and Time up and go (TUG). Results from the physical tests revealed a great balance disturbance and mobility limitations among the majority of the clients. General high weight and BMI was measured among both genders. Subjects with the highest BMI performed lowest time during TUG test. The statistic analyze revealed a strong correlation between the two physical tests, indicating that one of the tests could be applied as a routine measurement in the future, when evaluating function and mobility in Samoa. The compilation of self-report questionnaires indicated a general good foot health with a low amount of pain, disabilities and activity limitations.
Syftet med studien var att samla in grundata och att hitta ett lämpligt fysiskt test och ett självadministrativt formulär. Den insamlade grunddatan användes för att hitta ett rutinmässigt mätinstrument för undersökning av fothälsa, funktion och mobilitet hos klienter som lider av diabetes i landet Samoa. I undersökningen deltog 21 personer som lider av diabetes. Deltagarna fick besvara ett så kallat ”Foot Function Index formulär” (FFI) och utföra de två fysiska testerna ”Bergs Balance Scale” (BBS) och ”Time Up and Go” (TUG). Resultaten från de fysiska testerna påvisade såväl en stor balansrubbning som mobilitetsbegränsningar hos majoriteten av deltagarna. Ett generellt högt BMI-värde och stor vikt uppmättes hos båda könen. Personer med högst BMI-värde presterade kortast tid under TUG-testet. Den statistiska analysen påvisade en stark korrelation mellan de två fysiska testen, vilket indikerar att endast ett av testerna kan användas som mätinstrument i framtida undersökningar av funktion och mobilitet på Samoa. Sammanställningen av de självadministrativa formulären påvisade en generellt god fothälsa med begränsad smärta, oförmåga och aktivitetsbegränsning hos deltagarna i studien.

The presented work demonstrates the process of designing a cheap, low cost three axis force sensor. Further it describes its integration in an array of multiple sensors to measure the distribution of forces acting on the sole of a prosthetic foot. The focus will be on easy manufacturing and common materials since the sensor will be integrated in a low cost prosthesis for lower limp amputees. Using the knowledge from bio mechanics and some basic assumptions for the later use, requirements for the project are derived. After a presentation of some state of the art sensor principles, suitable concepts are collected. Than, the concepts are compared using a comparison table to find the one the fits the requirements the best. A very compelling concept using barometers casted in silicone rubber is tested using a simple prototype to try out whether it is a good candidate or not. The tests show that the concept is capable of measuring forces but due to its disadvantageous susceptibility for temperature changes it is rejected for the further development process. The concepts are reevaluated and a new concept is chosen. Afterwards the design process is described. Beginning with the mechanical design explaining the working principle. The calculation of the dimensions is presented. After that a circuit to work with a capacitive measurement as well as a version for resitive measurement is developed and a layout for a prototype board using capacitive measurement is proposed. To prove the functionality, the capacitive system is built up as a prototype. To try the measurement behavior and to measure its repeatability a test stand is designed. It uses commercial available load cells to conduct a reference measurement. The output of the sensor is compared to the reference measurement. With various different test procedures the curves mapping the measured values to the force for normal and shear force measurement are determined. During the tests, different aspects of performance like creep behavior or hysteresis are investigated. Also the repeatability is measured various times under different loads to make reliable estimations of the precision of the measurement. Further on, a resistive force sensor which could be used instead of the capacitive sensing elements is tested regarding its curve and performance to have a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of either designing the future sensor with resistive or capacitive sensing elements. With both concepts a repeatability of a few percent uncertainty can be achieved. Further on ways to improve future versions of the sensor are described based on the experiences made during the work with the prototype. Finally a possible way to integrate multiple sensors into a sensing array is proposed. The design as well as possible electrics to acquire the data are discussed. This way a solid basis for further developments of a sensing array measuring the force distribution is given.
Die vorgestellte Arbeit zeigt den Prozess der Konstruktion eines preiswerten, kostengünstigen Dreiachs-Kraftsensors. Weiterhin wird eine Integration der Sensoren in ein Array, zur Messung der Verteilung von Kräften auf der Fußsohle besprochen. Der Schwerpunkt soll dabei auf einer einfachen und günstigen Herstellung, sowie der Verwendung handelsüblicher Materialien liegen, da der Sensor in ein kostengünstiges Prothesenkonzept integriert werden soll. Ausgehend von den Erkenntnissen der Biomechanik und einigen grundlegenden Annahmen für die Nutzung des Sensors, werden verschiedene Anforderungen abgeleitet. Im Folgenden wird der Stand der Technik anhand einiger aktueller Forschungsarbeiten und Sensorprinzipien vorgestellt. Daraufhin werden geeignete Konzepte gesammelt, die zur Entwicklung des Sensors eingesetzt werden können. Anschließend werden die Konzepte anhand einer Vergleichstabelle verglichen, um das bestgeeignetste Konzept zu finden. Eine sehr überzeugende Variante, bei der Barometerchips in Silikon eingegossen werden, wird mit einem einfachen Prototyp getestet, um herauszufinden, ob es sich um einen guten Kandidaten für die weitere Entwicklung handelt, oder nicht. Die Versuche zeigen, dass der Prototyp in der Lage ist, Kräfte zu messen, jedoch zeigt sich eine große Anfälligkeit für Temperaturschwankungen. Das Konzept wird deshalb nicht weiter verfolgt. Die Konzepte werden neu bewertet und anschließend ein Neues ausgewählt. Daraufhin wird der Entwurfsprozess beschrieben. Das Funktionsprinzip und die Auslegung der Abmessungen werden erläutert. Anschließend wird eine Schaltung zum Arbeiten mit einer kapazitiven Messung, sowie eine Schaltung für eine resitive Messung entwickelt und ein Layout für eine Platine zur kapazitiven Kraftmessung vorgeschlagen. Zum Nachweis der Funktionalität wird das kapazitive System als Prototyp aufgebaut. Um das Messverhalten zu testen und seine Wiederholbarkeit nachzuweisen, wird ein Prüfstand entworfen. Zur Durchführung einer Referenzmessung werden handelsübliche Wägezellen verwendet. Der Ausgang des Sensors wird mit der Referenzmessung verglichen. Mit verschiedenen Prüfverfahren werden die Kurven bestimmt, die die Messwerte der Normalund Querkraft zuordnen. Während des Tests werden verschiedene Leistungsaspekte wie Kriechverhalten oder Hysterese untersucht. Auch die Wiederholbarkeit wird mehrmals unter verschiedenen Belastungen gemessen, um zuverlässige Schätzungen der Genauigkeit der Messung vorzunehmen. Weiterhin wird ein resistiver Kraftsensor, der anstelle der kapazitiven Sensorelemente verwendet werden könnte, hinsichtlich seiner Kurve und Leistung getestet, um einen Vergleich der Vor- und Nachteile der Konstruktion des zukünftigen Sensors mit resistiven oder kapazitiven Sensorelementen zu erhalten. Mit beiden Konzepten kann eine gute Wiederholgenauigkeit mit nur wenigen Prozent Unsicherheit erreicht werden. Weiterhin werden Möglichkeiten zur Verbesserung der zukünftigen Version des Sensors auf Grundlage der gesammelten Erfahrungen beschrieben. Schließlich wird ein möglicher Weg zur Integration mehrerer Sensoren in eine Sensoranordnung vorgeschlagen. Das Design, sowie die mögliche Elektrik zur Erfassung der Daten werden diskutiert. Damit wird eine solide Grundlage für die Weiterentwicklung einer Sensoranordnung zur Messung der Kraftverteilung geschaffen.
Tesis

Bakgrund diabetes är en allvarlig och vanligt förekommande sjukdom. Av personer som drabbas av diabetes beräknas 15 procent någon gång i livet drabbas av komplikationen diabetesfotsår som ökar risken för infektioner och amputation. Hälsorelaterad livskvalitet är ett begrepp som i kvantitativ forskning mäts med olika mätinstrument uppbyggda av domäner som belyser psykisk, fysisk, och social hälsa. För att ha god hälsa behöver personer känna en känsla av sammanhang. Syftet: Att beskriva vilka domäner av hälsorelaterad livskvalitet som är betydelsefulla för personer med diabetesfotsår. Metod: en litteraturöversikt utfördes baserad på 13 kvantitativa artiklar som mätte hälsorelaterad livskvalitet med generiska mätinstrument hos personer med diabetesfotsår. Litteratursökningar utfördes i CINAHL, PubMed och Web of Science. Resultatet: visade att domänen av hälsorelaterad livskvalitet där personer med diabetesfotsår hade lägst resultat var fysisk rollfunktion. Högst hälsorelaterad livskvalitet återfanns i domänen mental hälsa. Konklusionen är att diabetesfotsår inverkar negativt främst på den domän av hälsorelaterad livskvalitet som belyser fysisk rollfunktion i vardagligt liv för personer med diabetesfotsår. Studien visar i vilka domäner omvårdnaden behöver utvecklas och var resursdiagnoser kan återfinnas hos personer med diabetesfotsår.
Background diabetes is a global and serious disease which is likely to become eaven more common in the future. Out of all people suffering from diabetes about 15 percent is at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcer in their lifetime. In quantitavie research health related quality of life is measured with tools containing domains of psychological, physical and social health. People need a sense of coherence to be able to percieve good health. Aim: was to describe which domains of health related quality of life have the greatest role for people with diabetic foot ulcer. Method a litterature review was conducted based on 13 quantitative research articles were health related quality of life was measured with generic tools in people with diabetic foot ulcer. Reserach was found on CINAHL, PubMed and Web of Science. Results people with diabetic foot ulcer have the least health related quality of life in the domain physical role. Mental health was shown to be the domain where most health related quality of life was found in people with diabetic foot ulcer. Conclusion was that diabetic foot ulcer have a great impact in the domain physical role. Devolepment in nursing needs to focus on this aspect of life. In the same way resource diagnoses can be found in regard of the mental health more often than in any other domain of health related quality of life.

Finding a boot that fits comfortably in a ski rental shop can be a difficult and tedious task for many people. Having properly fitting boots is important to prevent injuries in the user and reduce the risk of accidents happening on the mountain. The goal of this master thesis was to develop a tool that could make it easier for the customers in a ski rental shop to find the right boot for them. This was done by first sending out surveys to students at LTU and Swedish rental stores and interviewing rental store staff. It was found that a lot of the students don’t want to take the time to properly test their boots in the shop and that the staff don’t feel like they have the time to properly measure and fit every customer with a proper set of boots. It was theorised that making the measuring of the foot easier, faster, and more thorough would increase the chances of customers finding the right set of boots. The measurements that need to be taken for a proper boot matching to be made were found to be foot length, foot width, instep height, and calf volume. Through a design process combining a convergent/divergent and an iterative phase a tool that can take these measurements was designed and developed. The tool is a sock with built in stretch sensors that align themselves on the user’s foot in the correct places as the user puts on the sock. With a microcontroller the sock takes the measurements and sends them wirelessly to a screen that is placed in the store making it easy for the user to read the measurements. On the screen the user can also see what boot they are recommended to rent based on the measurements and book them directly on the screen.

Obesity and being overweight have become growing concerns due to their association with many diseases, such as type II diabetes, several types of cancer and heart disease. Thus, obesity treatments have been the focus of a large number of recent studies. Because of these studies, researchers have found that the treatment of obesity and being overweight requires constant monitoring of the patient’s diet. Therefore, measuring food intake each day is considered an important step in the success of a healthy diet. Measuring daily food consumption for obese patients is one of the challenges in obesity management studies. Countless recent studies have suggested that using technology like smartphones may enhance the under-reporting issue in dietary intake consumption. In this thesis, we propose a Food Recognition System (FRS) for calories and nutrient values assumption. The user employs the built-in camera of the smartphone to take a picture of any food before and after eating. The system then processes and classifies the images to detect the type of food and portion size, then uses the information to estimate the number of calories in the food. The estimation and calculation of the food volume and amount of calories in the image is an essential step in our system. Via special approaches, the FRS can estimate the food volume and the existing calories with a high level of accuracy. Our experiment shows high reliability and accuracy of this approach, with less than 15% error.

Food security in urban environments is becoming an increasingly important issue worldwide; urban expansion and urban infilling means that city populations are rising while the amount of available land for growing food is reducing. Accessibility of food, in regards to potential food growing space and food retail locations at the household level, is a key indicator for determining how resilient households are to food insecurity. This thesis investigates accessibility of food in urban environments, and a methodology has been developed that employs a non location-specific data structure that assigns resilience categories to individual households. User-defined input variables for the amount of food-growing space required per person, and the maximum travel distance allowed, mean that different scenarios can be created. Two case studies of Christchurch and Stockholm are used to demonstrate how different datasets can be incorporated to give insight into the levels of resilience to food insecurity. Examples of potential sources of error caused by the variations in input dataset quality have been uncovered in the case studies, and possible strategies for dealing with these sources of error are discussed. Results of this study showed that greater maximum travel distances play a key role in accessibility of food in the urban environment, and that both cities are reliant on food retailers to supply food to the urban population, even when potential food growing space is taken into account. City planners or decision-makers can use the methodology developed in this thesis to make decisions about where potential growing space needs to be protected or allocated. They can also use it to model the potential effects of different scenarios, such as the addition of new subdivisions or changes in land use for public land.

The current public food assistance system in the United States depends primarily on delivery through vouchers provided to families who cannot afford adequate food due to economic hardship that they can use in retail markets to purchase food. However, how to conceptualize, define, measure, and determine the importance of access to food retail for the nearly 50 million food insecure people in the U.S. remains a challenge. These three papers provide three different methods for measuring food access in the rural context with diverging purposes and applications, moving from simple conceptions of access to more complex approaches that combine quantitative and qualitative measures. I seek to answer the question: How can critical GIS be used to better understand the relationship between access to food retailers, public nutrition assistance programs, and food shopping patterns in rural Arizona? This question is further refined by three sub-questions: How can GIS be used to develop a better measure of physical access to food retail for nutrition assistance recipients in rural areas? What are the barriers to food access for recipients beyond physical access, and how can these be incorporated into measures of accessibility? How does accessibility of food retail affect recipients’ food shopping habits? Through using a grounded mixed-methods approach, I hope to integrate quantitative measures of access with qualitative insight into individual intentions and lived experience in using public assistance benefits to shop for food. Taken together, these papers provide a broad view on how to better quantify and measure food access in the rural setting, as well as avenues for further development of access measures and interventions to ensure equity in food access for all.

This thesis examines the experiential values of food festivals in Wales and assesses how successful they are in promoting local food. The aim of the research was to identify the multiple dimensions that constitute food festival experience and to develop a model to measure how these factors affected the behavioural intentions of visitors, in terms of their loyalty towards the event and the local food available at the event. In addition, the same model was used to examine how customers remembered their experience over time and whether the actual behaviour they adopted reflected their original intentions.

Master of Agribusiness
Department of Agricultural Economics
Keith Harris
The focus of this research is to create a production schedule that will increase capacity while staying within business constraints of shelf life and warehouse space in a industrial food processing environment. The results support that product wheels maximize process responsiveness by lengthening production runs, and increasing safety stock inventory. In doing so, it maintains acceptable customer service levels and minimizes overtime costs. This study develops a model that simulates the relevant variables impacting the performance of the operation. The results show significant cost reductions are achieved by eliminating changeovers, increasing line capacity, safety stock levels protect against 99% of order variation, and warehouse space is available to house increased cycle stock and safety stock. Given the results on this line, I recommend expanding the model to other food processing locations within the business to further increase capacity and decrease overtime expenses.

Syneresis is an integral part of cheese manufacture. The rate and extent of syneresis affect the properties of cheese. There are many factors that affect syneresis, but measured results vary because of inaccuracies in measuring techniques. To better control syneresis, an accurate mathematical description must be developed. Current mathematical models describing syneresis are limited because of inherent error in measuring techniques used to develop them. Developing an accurate model requires an accurate way to measure syneresis. The curd becomes a particle in a whey suspension when the coagulum is cut. The most effective technique to measure particle size, without interference, is with light. Approximations to rigorous Maxwellian theory render useable results for a variety of particle sizes. Assumptions of Fraunhofer diffraction theory relate absorption to the cross sectional area of a particle that is much larger than the wavelength of light being used. By applying diffraction theory to the curd-whey system, this researcher designed a new apparatus to permit measurement of large particle systems. The apparatus was tested, and calibrated, with polyacrylic beads. Then the syneresis of curd was measured with this appaatus. The apparatus was designed to measure particles in suspension. Until some syneresis takes place, curd does not satisfy this condition. Theoretical assumptions require a monolayer of scattering centers. The sample container must be thin enough to preclude stacking of the particles. This presents a unique problem with curd. If the coagulum is cut in the sample cell, it adheres to the front and back surfaces and does not synerese. The curd must be coagulated and cut externally and transferred to the sample cell with a large amount of whey. This measurement technique has other limitations that may be overcome with commercially available accessories.

In the Tampa Bay region, increasing population and changing demographics have begun to alter the characteristics of established neighborhoods. An increase in suburban growth has triggered a shift in the location and profitability of food establishments in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. Supermarket closures have garnered attention from public health officials who are concerned with the overall availability of fresh food throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. Unfortunately, there has been little research surrounding the quality of food sold at establishments in both the Tampa Bay region and abroad. Instead, many geographic studies have chosen to group both fresh and prepared food establishments into a singular category for analyses. While helpful for a generalized understanding of food access overall, these methods do little to convey access to fresh foods which are essential for a balanced diet. This study offers a different perspective from traditional food access studies by categorizing food stores into fresh and prepared categories. For each food category, the Cumulative Opportunity Measure (COM) was first applied to measure food accessibility at the census block group level; a descriptive analysis was then employed to examine the relations between food accessibility and socioeconomic variables. In order to provide a meaningful comparison, these same steps were taken to emulate the results of the combined model (fresh and prepared) that is often utilized in previous studies. Finally, a map displaying the COM ratio of fresh to prepared food by block group was created to highlight areas with disproportionately more fresh (or prepared) food opportunities. Results indicate that rural may be at a disadvantage with respect to fresh food accessibility. Also, a discrepancy between the fresh model and the prepared and combined models, in relation to female headed households, may indicate that food establishment classification has a significant effect on food accessibility. Overall, positive relationships were observed between factors relating to minority status, no GED, room occupancy, public assistance, limited English, poverty, and lack of vehicle ownership for the fresh, prepared, and combined food accessibility models. Finally, the ratio of fresh to prepared food establishments could explain why some populations exhibit higher rates of obesity even when in direct proximity to fresh food opportunities.

The effect of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) on agri-food trade has drawn broad research interest and gained a substantial attention by scientific community as well as by policy makers. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards among others represent a major challenge for trade policy and food safety. The identification and measurement of the economic implications of NTMs require the use of an adequate both methodological and empirical framework to derive sound estimates. By targeting economic sectors and issues not previously investigated, this Thesis contributes to previous literature on determining the factors that affect the implementation of SPS and their effects on trade flows. Four specific objectives have been pursued in four papers that constitute the main body of the present Thesis. The main purpose of the first paper is to investigate the scope of the reputation effect over time. To do so, we use The European Union (EU)'s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) data on sanitary and phytosanitary notifications from 1998 to 2013. Two count data models have been implemented to estimate the distribution of current notifications. In line with previous literature, our findings indicate that reputation does affect current EU notifications. Furthermore, we identify some relevant exporter countries for which reputation is long-lasting. The second paper aims at analyzing the behavior of the EU in controlling Aflatoxin (AF) contamination with respect to tree nuts and groundnuts for the period (1998-2015). To conduct this analysis, we have used a count data model, based on political economy considerations, past alerts and path dependence effects. Policy changes, including harmonization of AF standards and their further relaxing are estimated to have significant impact on the frequency of border controls. In the third paper, we seek to assess the influencing factors on food standard enforcement in the EU with a special attention to agri-food imports from Mediterranean countries. We explore if there is any special treatment toward Mediterranean countries in controlling agri-food imports, testing if past border notifications affect current decisions on the implementation of food standards by the EU. RASFF notifications data over the period 2000-2012, and count data models are used for this purpose. Our empirical results support the hypothesis that previous food notifications may slightly affect current notifications; nevertheless, this effect seems to be less relevant for products of interest for Mediterranean Partner Countries. Hence, we cannot identify a pro or anti Mediterranean bias in the way that food safety controls are implemented at the EU borders. The last paper focuses on the assessment of the competitiveness of the Tunisian agri-food sector before signing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU. Specifically, competitive advantage measurement, based on the Tunisian National Institute of Statistics (INS) data over 2007-2012 period, has been used for this purpose. The analysis of the Tunisian agri-food sector reveals an important potential for exporting some agri-food staples. Recently, Tunisia is facing new challenges in exporting strategic products underlying the importance of adopting new business and marketing strategies or prospecting new markets. However, some agri-food subsectors, mainly animal products, milk and dairy products and cereals, remain unprepared to overcome the costs of the DCFTA due to their low competitiveness. Hence, Tunisian authorities could propose a progressive trade liberalization strategy with the EU.
El efecto de las medidas no arancelarias sobre el comercio agroalimentario ha generado un amplio interés en la investigación y ha recibido una atención considerable por parte de la comunidad científica y de los políticos de comercio. Las Medidas Sanitarias y Fitosanitarias (MSP), entre otras, representan un reto importante para la política comercial y la inocuidad de los alimentos. La identificación y medición de las implicaciones económicas de las MNT requieren el uso de un marco metodológico o empírico adecuado para derivar estimaciones sólidas. Al enfocarse en sectores económicos y temas no investigados previamente, esta tesis contribuye a la literatura previa sobre la determinación de los factores que afectan la implementación del MSP. La tesis estudia cuatro cuestiones principales que se reflejan en cuatro artículos científicos independientes, que constituyen el elemento central de la misma. El principal objetivo del primer artículo es el de investigar el efecto reputación a lo largo del tiempo. Para ello, utilizamos los datos RASFF para el periodo 1998-2013. Se han implementado dos modelos de datos de recuento para estimar la distribución de las notificaciones actuales. De acuerdo con la literatura anterior, nuestras conclusiones indican que la reputación afecta a las notificaciones actuales de la UE. Además, identificamos algunos países exportadores relevantes cuya reputación es duradera. El segundo artículo analiza el comportamiento de la UE en el control de la contaminación por Aflatoxina (AF) con respecto a los frutos secos entre el periodo 1998 y 2015. Para llevar a cabo este análisis, hemos utilizado un modelo de datos de recuento, basado en consideraciones de economía política, alertas pasadas y efectos de dependencia de trayectoria. Se estima que los cambios en las políticas, incluida la armonización de las normas AF y su posterior relajación, tienen un impacto significativo en la frecuencia de los controles en las fronteras. En el tercer artículo, tratamos de evaluar los factores que influyen en la aplicación de normas alimentarias en la UE prestando especial atención a las importaciones agroalimentarias procedentes de países mediterráneos. Así, estudiamos si hay algún tratamiento especial hacia los países mediterráneos en el control de las importaciones agroalimentarias, contrastando si las notificaciones pasadas afectan las decisiones actuales sobre la aplicación de las normas alimentarias por parte de la UE. Los datos de las notificaciones RASFF durante el período 2000-2012 y los modelos de datos de recuento se utilizan para este fin. Nuestros resultados empíricos apoyan la hipótesis de que las notificaciones anteriores pueden afectar ligeramente a las notificaciones actuales. Sin embargo, este efecto parece ser menos relevante para los productos procedentes de los países mediterráneos. Por lo tanto, no podemos identificar un comportamiento pro o anti mediterráneo en la forma en que se implementan controles de seguridad alimentaria en las fronteras de la UE.El último documento se centra en la evaluación de la competitividad del sector agroalimentario tunecino antes de firmar el Acuerdo de Libre Comercio Profundo y Amplio con la UE. Concretamente, se han utilizado indicadores de las ventajas competitivas, basándose en los datos del INS para el período 2007-2012. El análisis del sector agroalimentario tunecino revela un importante potencial de exportación de algunos productos básicos agroalimentarios. Recientemente, Túnez se enfrenta a nuevos retos en la exportación de productos estratégicos subrayando la importancia de adoptar nuevas estrategias comerciales y de comercialización o prospección de nuevos mercados. Sin embargo, algunos subsectores agroalimentarios, principalmente productos de origen animal, leche y productos lácteos y cereales, siguen sin estar preparados para soportar los costos del acuerdo de libre comercio profundo y completo debido
L'efecte de les mesures no aranzelàries (MNT) sobre el comerç agroalimentari ha generat un ampli interés en la investigació i ha rebut una atenció considerable per part de la comunitat científica i dels polítics de comerç. Les Mesures Sanitàries i Fitosanitàries (MSP) , entre altres, representen un repte important per a la política comercial i la innocuïtat dels aliments. La identificació i mesurament de les implicacions econòmiques de les MNT requerixen l'ús d'un marc metodològic o empíric adequat per a derivar estimacions sòlides. A l'enfocar-se en sectors econòmics i temes no investigats prèviament, esta tesi contribuïx a la literatura prèvia sobre la determinació dels factors que afecten la implementació del MSF. La tesi estudia quatre qüestions principals que es reflectixen en quatre articles científics independents, que constituïxen l'element central de la mateixa. El principal objectiu del primer article és el d'investigar l'efecte reputació al llarg del temps. Per a això, utilitzem les dades RASFF per al període 1998-2013. S'han implementat dos models de dades de recompte per a estimar la distribució de les notificacions actuals. D'acord amb la literatura anterior, les nostres conclusions indiquen que la reputació afecta les notificacions actuals de la UE. A més, identifiquem alguns països exportadors rellevants la reputació de les quals és duradora. El segon article analitza el comportament de la UE en el control de la contaminació per Aflatoxina (AF) respecte a les fruites seques entre el període 1998 i 2015. Per a dur a terme esta anàlisi, hem utilitzat un model de dades de recompte, basat en consideracions d'economia política, alertes passades i efectes de dependència de trajectòria. S'estima que els canvis en les polítiques, inclosa l'harmonització de les normes AF i la seua posterior relaxació, tenen un impacte significatiu en la freqüència dels controls en les fronteres. En el tercer article, tractem d'avaluar els factors que influïxen en l'aplicació de normes alimentàries en la UE, prestant especial atenció a les importacions agroalimentàries procedents de països mediterranis. Així, estudiem si hi ha algun tractament especial cap als països mediterranis en el control de les importacions agroalimentàries, contrastant si les notificacions passades afecten les decisions actuals sobre l'aplicació de les normes alimentàries per part de la UE. Les dades de les notificacions RASFF durant el període 2000-2012 i els models de dades de recompte s'utilitzen per a este fi. Els nostres resultats empírics recolzen la hipòtesi que les notificacions anteriors poden afectar lleugerament les notificacions actuals. No obstant això, este efecte pareix menys rellevant per als productes procedents dels països mediterranis. Per tant, no podem identificar un comportament pro o anti mediterrani en la forma en què s'implementen controls de seguretat alimentària en les fronteres de la UE. L'últim document se centra en l'avaluació de la competitivitat del sector agroalimentari tunisenc abans de firmar l'Acord de Lliure Comerç Profund i Ampli amb la UE. Concretament, s'ha utilitzat indicadors dels avantatges competitius, basant-se en les dades de l'INS per al període 2007-2012. L'anàlisi del sector agroalimentari tunisenc revela un important potencial d'exportació d'alguns productes bàsics agroalimentaris. Recentment, Tunis s'enfronta a nous reptes en l'exportació de productes estratègics subratllant la importància d'adoptar noves estratègies comercials i de comercialització o prospecció de nous mercats. No obstant això, alguns subsectors agroalimentaris, principalment productes d'origen animal, llet i productes lactis i cereals, seguixen sense estar preparats per a suportar els costos de l'ALCD a causa de la seua baixa competitivitat. Per tant, les autoritats tunisenques podrien proposar una estratègia progres
Taghouti, I. (2017). A political economy approach to measuring EU food standard enforcement and their implications on agri-food trade [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/89095
TESIS

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Achieving food security and reducing hunger requires comprehensive measurement for proper identification of the food insecure, the severity of food insecurity, its causes, and progress in reducing food insecurity. Measuring food security is challenging due to its multidimensional nature as all four dimensions (availability, access, utilisation, and stability) need to be achieved simultaneously. Comprehensive measurement has not been achieved as most existing indicators have a unidimensional focus and efforts to find a ‘composite indicator’ (a catch all measurement tool) have thus far been unsuccessful. This study therefore identified how the three most widely used indicators of food security, the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and the Coping Strategies Index (CSI), can complement one other in capturing the multiple dimensions of food security. The study brought them together in one cross-sectional household survey of 409 randomly selected households in Taraba State, Nigeria. The results show that 69 percent of households in Taraba had a very low food security status, 23 percent had low food security, and 8 percent had high or marginal food security. About 34 percent of the households used very erosive coping strategies. Very low food security status was found to be associated with: a household head who is a farmer, less educated, or divorced; low household income and expenditure; large household size; and not owning large plots of land. The survey revealed that most households that obtain the greater proportion of their food from own production, and spend most of their income on the purchase of starchy staples were in the very low food security category. Those that sourced their food mainly through purchase, and spent more on fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, and processed foods were in the high or marginal food security category. The study showed that the key indicators followed a clear complementary pattern. The bivariate analysis showed a significant difference (P<0.01) in DDS and CSI across HFIAS categories. The HFIAS very low food security category is characterised by the lowest food diversity and highest CSI, revealing that the depth of food insecurity is intense among the extreme group. The study demonstrated that these three indicators can be used together for a fuller understanding of the relationships between the different dimensions of food security, and recommended more studies in using complementary indicators to measure food security. This thesis is presented as the two academic articles option: the first article reviews the measurement of food security and complementarity of the three measures, while the second article discusses the findings of the survey.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bereiking van voedselsekerheid en die bekamping van hongersnood vereis omvattende meting vir die korrekte identifikasie van voedselonsekerheid, die erns daarvan, die oorsake daarvan, en die proses van voedselonsekerheidvermindering. Die meting van voedselsekerheid is ʼn uitdaging as gevolg van die multidimensionele aard daarvan, aangesien die onderskeie dimensies (beskikbaarheid, toegang, benutting, en stabiliteit) tegelyktydig bereik moet word. Omvattende meting is nog nie bereik nie, aangesien bestaande aanwysers ʼn eendimensionele fokus het, en aangesien pogings om ʼn ‘saamgestelde aanwyser’ (‘n allesomvattende metingsinstrument) te vind, tot dusver onsuksesvol was. Hierdie studie het dus geïdentifiseer hoe die drie mees algemene aanwysers vir voedselsekerheid, naamlik die Huishoudelike Voedselonsekerheid Toegangskaal (HFIAS), die Dieetkundige Diversiteitstelling (DDS) en die Hanteringstrategieë Indeks (CSI), mekaar kan aanvul om die verskeie dimensies van voedselsekuriteit vas te vang. Die studie het die bogenoemde instrumente saam geïmplementeer in ʼn deursnee-huishoudelike opname van 409 ewekansig-geselekteerde huishoudings in Taraba Staat, Nigerië. Die resultate het 69 persent van huishoudings in Taraba met ‘n baie lae voedselsekerheid-status getoon, 23 persent met ʼn lae voedselsekerheid-status, en 8 persent met ʼn hoë of geringe voedselsekerheid-status. Ongeveer 34 persent van die huishoudings het baie verwerende hanteringsstrategieë gebruik. Baie lae voedselsekerheid-status is bevind om meer geassosieer te word met: ʼn huishoudelike hoof wat ʼn boer is, minder opgevoed is, of geskei is; waar daar lae huishoudelike inkomste en uitgawes teenwoordig is; ʼn groot huishoudelike grootte; en die nie-besitting van eiendom. Die opname het geopenbaar dat die meeste huishoudings wat die grootter proporsie van hulle voedsel vanaf eie produksie verkry, en die meeste van hulle inkomste op die aankoop van styselagtige stapelvoedsel spandeer, in die baie lae voedselsekerheid-kategorie geval het. Diegene wat hulle voedsel hoofsaaklik deur aankope verkry het, en meer spandeer het op vars vrugte, groente, vleis, vis, eiers en geprosesseerde kosse, was in die hoë/ geringe voedselsekerheid kategorie. Die studie het bevind dat die sleutelaanwysers ʼn duidelike aanvullende patroon gevolg het. Die tweeveranderlike ontleding het ʼn beduidende verskil (P<0.01) in DDS en CSI oor HFIAS-kategorieë getoon. Die HIFIAS baie lae voedselsekerheidkategorie word gekenmerk deur die laagste voedseldiversiteit en hoogste CSI, wat openbaar dat die diepte van voedselonsekerheid intensief is onder die uiterste groep. Die studie het gedemonstreer dat hierdie drie aanwysers saam gebruik kan word om ʼn beter begrip van die verhoudings tussen die verskillende dimensies van voedselsekuriteit te verkry, en daar is aanbeveel dat meer navorsing onderneem word aangaande die gebruik van aanvullende aanwysers om voedselsekuriteit te meet. Hierdie tesis word aangebied as die twee-akademiese-artikels opsie: die eerste artikel bied ʼn oorsig van die meting van voedselsekerheid en die aanvullendheid van die drie instrumente, terwyl die tweede artikel die bevindinge van die studie bespreek.

A disease-specific HRQL measure is essential to evaluate the impact of interventions on the HRQL of teenagers with FHS, who are coping with increasing responsibility for their FHS. However, there is no such measure for teenagers with FHS living in the UK. Hence, the aims of this research were to (i) describe the personal experiences of teenagers with FHS (ii) develop a disease-specific HRQL measure for this group and (iii) evaluate the reliability and validity of the HRQL measure.

Master of Agribusiness
Department of Agricultural Economics
Kevin P. Gwinner
SiteOne Landscape Supply is the largest distributor of lawn care products for professionals of the landscape industry in U.S.A. and Canada. SiteOne is aware of the importance of customer satisfaction and it is interested on increasing satisfaction by improving customer service. There is a high concentration of Latino landscapers in Texas, whom customer service needs may differ from non-Latino customers. Therefore the purpose of this project was to study customer satisfaction of Hispanic and non-Hispanic landscapers considering the following thirteen service attributes: competitive prices, available stock, cleanliness of facilities, business follow up, timely assistance, timely deliveries, accuracy of orders, helpful staff, approachable staff, knowledgeable staff, Spanish-speaking staff, training in Spanish, and labels in Spanish. The data was collected throughout a survey which was presented to SiteOne customers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. A total of 224 surveys were collected. The methods used to analyze the data were importance-performance (I-P) and regression analyses. The major differences found in the I-P grids are related to the three Spanish language attributes. Spanish-speaking staff, training in Spanish and labels in Spanish are statistically significant more important to Hispanic than non-Hispanic landscapers. Available stock is the most important attribute for non-Hispanic, and it is the second most important for Hispanic customers. SiteOne has an opportunity to improve their stock availability, especially for nursery, fertilizers and pesticides. Other factors that are very important to customers and they perceive that SiteOne is doing an excellent job are: timely assistance, timely deliveries, accuracy of orders, and approachable, knowledgeable and helpful staff. The importance of competitive prices was rated as high as the previous six service attributes, however the mean of pricing performance was not as high as that group of attributes. From the multivariate regression analyses, it was found that pricing was the only variable with statistical significance to predict changes in customer satisfaction for the non-Hispanic group. No statistical significance was found in the regression model run for Hispanic clients. Some negative coefficients with statistical significance were found for stores #199 and #220 in the models run to analyze branch performance. It is recommended that these results be compared with other measurements to determine the nature of the issues that may be present in these locations.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate appetite responses to exercise in highly-trained endurance athletes and to assess the effect of different exercise characteristics in mediating these responses. Chapter 3 introduce a novel tool – The Visual Meal Creator – that is shown to be a valid measure of subjective appetite and may prove a strong predictor of food intake. Chapters 4 and 5 demonstrate that an exercise-induced suppression of appetite is experienced in highly-trained athletes, although there does appear a blunting to this response. It may be that an elevated fitness level, resulting in reduced physiological and metabolic perturbations during exercise mediates this blunting. Any exercise-induced appetite suppression response would appear independent of the duration, or energy cost of exercise. This is partly supported by findings of Chapter 6: a suppression of appetite after very-low volume sprint interval cycling exercise in overweight and obese individuals. In no instance was a suppression enduring and feeding was not influenced by exercise in any study of this thesis. The responses to exercise of appetite-associated hormones were also investigated throughout Chapters 4 to 6. Acylated ghrelin and GLP-1 exhibited profound, anorexigenic responses to high-intensity exercise, with the GLP-1 response exhibiting some degree of duration or energy cost dependency. However, there appeared a dissociation between changes in appetite-associated hormone concentration and changes in both subjective appetite and energy intake. This questions the well-held belief of the importance of appetite-associated hormones in mediating post-exercise appetite regulation.

Food security research with resettled refugees in the United States and other Global North countries has found alarmingly high rates of food insecurity, up to 85% of surveyed households. This is well above the current US average of 12.7%. However, the most common survey tool used to measure food security status in the US, the US Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), has not been sufficiently validated for resettled refugee populations, leading to the risk that the HFSSM may actually be underestimating the prevalence of food insecurity among resettled refugees in the US. Though research has attempted to establish validity of the HFSSM for resettled refugees through statistical associations with other risk factors for food insecurity, no efforts have been made to first explore and establish the content validity of the HFSSM for measuring food security among resettled refugees. Content validity is an essential component of construct validity. It first requires a qualitative theoretical foundation for demonstrating the relationships of the test contents to the underlying construct (ie food security) that the test intends to measure. Our research explores these theoretical relationships through a qualitative grounded study of food insecurity and food management experiences described by resettled refugees living in Vermont. Dr. Linda Berlin and I conducted 5 semi-structured focus groups in the summer and fall of 2015 with Bhutanese (2 groups), Somali Bantu (1 group), and Iraqi (2 groups) resettled refugees. During the focus groups, we inquired about food management practices under typical circumstances and under circumstances of limited household resources, as well as difficulties participants have faced in these processes. Additionally, I conducted 18 semi-structured interviews and 1 focus group in the same time frame with service providers who have worked with resettled refugees in capacities primarily related to food, health, and household resources. These interviews provided additional data about context, household food management practices among clients, and triangulating data for the focus groups. A Grounded Theory analysis of the focus group data yielded 5 major emergent themes: 1) Past food insecurity experiences of resettled refugee participants exerted significant influence on the subjective perception of current food insecurity. 2) Barriers other than just financial resources restricted participants’ food security, especially for recently resettled refugees. 3) Preferred foods differed significantly between generations within households. 4) Common elements of quality and quantity included in the definition and measurement of food security did not translate into the languages or experiences of food insecurity among participants. 5) Strategic and adaptive food management practices prevailed among participants, highlighting the temporality and ambiguity of food security concepts. These themes present potential problems of content validity for every HFSSM question. They also reveal the importance of food security concepts that are not covered by the HFSSM, including elements of nutritional adequacy of food, food safety, social acceptability of food and of means of acquiring food, short and long term certainty of food access, and food utilization. I conclude by discussing implications of our findings for service providers and local governments in Vermont who seek to better serve resettled refugee and other New American populations.

This thesis presents two different works. The first part introduces a thermal multimeter which measures heat capacity, thermal conductivity and density. The instrument gives continuous measurement data within a temperature range. With some exceptions this also holds for the prototype of a thermal multimeter which is built and tested. The measuring method is constant heating of one side of a slab. The slab is insulated on all other sides. After some time there will be equilibrium where there is a constant temperature difference over the slab. The thermal conductivity can be calculated from this temperature difference. The heat capacity can be calculated from how fast the temperature rises. Measurements of the slab thickness give density as function of temperature.

The second part discusses a practical method for measuring the heat transfer coefficient (α). The method is based on shell freezing of clear jelly which has the same shape as the product of interest. Transparent jelly is transparent before it freezes and white when frozen. If the sample is removed from the freezer and cut through before it is completely frozen thefreezing front is distinct and the thickness of the frozen layer can be measured. By measuring time the jelly sample was in the freezer and thicknessof the frozen layer the heat transfer coefficient can be calculated by using Plank's equation. The method is suitable for measuring local α because it can be shown that tangential heat flow can be neglected when the frozen layer is thin.

Computer simulations, automated data acquisition and data processing are a considerable part of this thesis, even though it is not obvious from the results presented. There are more lines in the data code written to obtain the results presented here then the number of lines in this thesis. The size of selected simulation results and processed data from the measurements are 6.3 GB.

Attachments can be downloaded from http://www.ub.ntnu.no/dravh/Brennvall_attachment.zip (1,33 GB)

The primary goal for remediation of sediments contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is the reduction of bioaccumulation in the aquatic food web, particularly in fish that is the source of exposure to top level predators and humans. While empirical results are available in the literature on bioavailability reductions after amendment of PCB-contaminated sediment with a strong sorbent like activated carbon (AC) or biochar, there is a lack of quantitative understanding on how reductions in sediment porewater and food concentrations impact accumulation in fish. Although passive sampling can measure freely dissolved concentrations accurately, there is a major gap in the utilization of fate and biouptake models that can use such measurements. In addition, well-calibrated partitioning models based on accurate freely dissolved concentrations that can predict uptake by pelagic organisms are lacking. The primary objective of this research was to test the ability of frequently used bioaccumulation models to predict changes in fish uptake upon amendment of AC sediment and use passive sampling inputs and additional studies to refine the predictions made by these bioaccumulation models.

Results from laboratory exposure studies with pelagic and benthic feeding fish indicate that by incorporating changes in porewater and overlying freely dissolved PCB concentrations in kinetic bioaccumulation models and by taking into account changes in food concentration it is possible to predict effectiveness of sediment remediation in reducing PCB uptake in fish. Assimilation efficiency of PCBs in the sediment were independently measured in a separate study and incorporated into the model. The modified model led to reasonable estimations of PCB uptake in the benthic feeding fish and was capable of predicting the dominant exposure pathways in the benthic and pelagic feeding fish as a result of their different feeding behaviour. Additionally, passive sampling measurements were linked to PCB accumulation in algae and zooplankton and resulted in refined models. Lastly, several scenarios were simulated to show the potential of a linked fate and biouptake model to capture the effect of different inputs.

This research presents a robust modeling framework that is able to predict uptake in fish after in situ remediation that alters bioavailability of PCBs in sediments with implications for risk assessment and management.

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are potential mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds present in almost every cooked meat dish. This PhD aims to develop methods to improve the assessment of dietary HCA intakes. A standardised method was developed for cooking steaks to different levels of doneness and TEP•UPLC•MS/MS was used to determine HCA content. Formation of HCAs in steaks increased with increasing doneness (p30 were likely to be associated with the highest HCA intake quintile. This thesis showed the importance of; standardising cooking conditions, photographs (for doneness assessment) and a validated FFQ for estimating HCA intakes.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 211-250).
The issue of urban food security is a critical global issue, especially in Southern Africa. It is of such a pressing nature the United Nations (UN) has made it a Millennium Development Goal (MDG). Without a focus on urban food security the UN MDGs, regional goals and national goals will not be achievable. There is an urgent need to collect evidence and monitor the food security situation at the urban scale in Southern Africa (Crush and Frayne, 2010)...

no
Local procurement by public bodies is one type of short food supply chain (SFSC), which have been argued to contribute to economic regeneration and local sustainable development. In the current UK policy environment, quantifying actual local economic gains could add much-needed weight to arguments in favour of local procurement in the NHS and other public bodies. To aid such quantification, this paper exemplifies and evaluates the use of a “quick and simple” tool called LM3, designed to measure the local economic benefit of initiatives like SFSCs. LM3 is calculated for the Cornwall Food Programme (CFP), a localised procurement initiative. The findings confirm that the CFP has a considerable impact on the local economy. Notwithstanding this conclusion, difficulties in data collection combined with inaccuracies inherent to the LM3 process created a large margin of error in the findings. Moreover, a qualitative evaluation of the CFP added a valuable understanding of the wider economic impact of the CFP. The use of an even simpler and more reliable “LM2” multiplier tool is recommended for future studies, accompanied by some qualitative evaluation to create a fuller picture of local economic impacts.

Le travail de thèse décrit dans ce manuscrit porte sur l’étude de la présence de biocides désinfectants dans les produits laitiers et sur l’impact des procédés de transformation du lait sur l’apparition de produits néoformés. Les biocides désinfectants sont des composés chimiques utilisés quotidiennement en industrie laitière lors des procédures de nettoyage-désinfection (ND) des surfaces en contact avec les aliments. Les ammoniums quaternaires de type chlorure de Benzalkonium (BACs) et chlorure de dialkyldimethylammonium (DDACs), et l’Aminopropyldodécylpropane diamine sont les désinfectants les plus largement utilisés en industrie laitière. Ces biocides peuvent entrainer des résidus sur les surfaces alimentaires, ce qui présente un risque pour la santé du consommateur. Dans le but de mesurer l’exposition des consommateurs, deux méthodes analytiques fiables ont été développées pour l'analyse de ces substances dans les produits laitiers impliquant la chromatographie liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse en tandem. Le lait cru de vache, la poudre de lait entier, les fromages à pâte pressée cuite et les fromages fondus ont été sélectionnés pour représenter la diversité des produits laitiers. L'évaluation des performances de chacune des méthodes a été réalisée par une approche globale basée sur le profil d'exactitude. Pour la plupart des composés et des matrices étudiés, les méthodes d'analyse ont été validées sur l’intervalle de dosage de 5 à 150 μg / kg. Pour répondre au questionnement de l'impact des procédés de transformation du lait sur les résidus de biocides désinfectants, l'évolution des teneurs en composés et leur devenir dans les différentes matrices issues du lait ont été étudiées. Pour cela, deux études de faisabilité mettant en oeuvre des comparaisons d'empreintes chimiques globales, acquises par spectrométrie de masse à haute résolution, de fromages fondus et de fromages à pâte dure (contaminés vs témoins) ont été réalisées. Ces études ont permis de détecter 4 ions discriminants liés à la présence de biocides dans le fromage fondu. Leur identification reste à réaliser. Tout ce travail a été réalisé à des fins de sécurité alimentaire. La première partie est à l'élaboration de méthodes analytiques ciblées pour les résidus de biocides dans le lait et les produits laitiers permettant ainsi de mesurer les résidus de biocides sur les denrées alimentaires. Ces mesures sont nécessaires pour effectuer une analyse du risque liée à ces résidus. La deuxième partie est en relation avec la question du comportement des résidus de biocides lors de la transformation du lait présentant la stratégie, les résultats que nous pourrions obtenir et la perspective de travaux futurs
The thesis work focuses on the presence of disinfectants biocides in dairy products and on the impact of milk processing on the possible appearance of process-induced food contaminants related to the exposition of milk with biocides. Disinfectants biocides are chemicals daily used in the dairy industry in cleaning-disinfection (CD) processes of food contact surfaces. Quaternary ammoniums as benzalkonium chloride (BACs) and dialkyldimethylammonium chloride (DDACs), and the Aminopropyldodecylpropane diamine are the most widely used disinfectants in dairy industry. These biocides can lead residues on the surfaces of food contact materials therefore present a health risk for the consumer. With aim of measuring consumers exposure, two reliable analytical methods have been developed for the analysis of these substances in dairy products involving liquid chromatography hyphenated with tandem mass spectrometry. Raw cow's milk, whole milk powder, hard pressed and processed cheeses were selected as representing the diversity of dairy products. The evaluation of the performances of each of the methods was carried out by the global approach based on the accuracy profile. For most of compounds and matrices studied, analytical methods were validated within the range of 5 to 150 μg/kg. To answer to the questioning of the impact of milk processes on biocides disinfectants residues, the evolution of compounds contents and their fate in the various matrices resulting from the milk were studied. For this, two proof-of-concept studies implementing global chemical fingerprint comparisons, acquired by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, of processed cheese and hard pressed cheese (contaminated vs control) samples were carried out. These studies allowed to detect 4 discriminant ions linked to the presence of biocides in processed cheese. Their identification remains to be done. Whole this work is related for food safety purposes. The first part was linked to elaborate targeted analytical methods for biocides residues in milk and milk products thus allowing the measurement of biocides residues on food. These measurements are necessary for the risk analysis linked to these residues. The second part is in relation with the question of the behavior of biocides residues within milk processing presenting the strategy, the results we could obtain and the perspective for future works

Les systèmes de communication deviennent de plus en plus complexes et doivent répondre à des critères bien précis (taille, poids, consommation). Leur conception passe inéluctablement par une phase d'optimisation de leurs différentes fonctions électroniques. Pour répondre à ce besoin de conception optimale, des logiciels de simulation numérique non linéaire (touchstone, mds) ont été développés et commercialisés. Cependant, la validité des résultats obtenus par la simulation repose, en grande partie, sur la qualité des modèles électriques non linéaires des composants introduits dans les simulateurs. Aussi, parallèlement à ces travaux d'optimisation par simulation, il est nécessaire de développer des systèmes de mesure, soit pour valider les modèles déjà existants, soit, pour connaitre de manière expérimentale le comportement du composant en régime non linéaire. De tels systèmes réalisent une simulation expérimentale des conditions d'excitation, susceptibles d'être imposées aux composants actifs dans les circuits micro-ondes de puissance. Cette technique, connue sous le nom de méthode load-pull consiste à présenter au dispositif différentes impédances de fermeture et à mesurer son comportement en puissance, pour une fréquence et un point de polarisation donnés. C'est dans ce cadre que s'inscrivent les travaux de cette thèse. Les systèmes de mesure load-pull qui utilisent des adaptateurs mécaniques (tuners) présentent certaines limitations liées aux pertes intrinsèques des tuners. Il n'est donc pas possible de synthétiser des charges à fort facteur de réflexion et de déterminer les impédances d'entrée des transistors fortement désadaptés. D'autre part, il est difficile de contrôler les impédances de charge présentées au dispositif aux fréquences harmoniques. Les systèmes de type load-pull actif nécessitent l'utilisation d'un analyseur de réseaux vectoriel hétérodyne a quatre entrées et d'un wattmètre associé à un coupleur directif pour mesurer les différents rapports d'onde et les niveaux de puissance incidente. Le double réflectomètre à six-portes est particulièrement bien adapté à ce type de caractérisation, car contrairement aux systèmes hétérodynes commercialisés, les jonctions six-portes déterminent directement, à la fréquence de travail, les rapports d'onde aux accès de mesure, et ce à partir de mesures de puissance. Il est d'autre part possible de déterminer les puissances incidentes aux accès de mesure sans utiliser de wattmètre et de coupleur. Ce mémoire présente un système de mesure load-pull pour caractériser expérimentalement les composants actifs non linéaires. Ce système permet de s'affranchir de toutes les difficultés précédentes en associant la méthode de la charge active à un analyseur de réseaux à six-portes large-bande (1-18 GHz). Il apporte des solutions attractives aux problèmes rencontrés. Les résultats obtenus permettent de concevoir, de façon optimale, les circuits micro-ondes non linéaires (amplificateurs, oscillateurs) et de valider ou d'améliorer les modèles des transistors utilisés dans les logiciels de simulation.

Visual Type Instrument - VTI, is a tool containing a typeface and a set of geometric calculations that generates numerical data in spreadsheets. The data is determined from the typefaces visual dimensions and is used to calculate leading, type size, margins and format. The aim is to offer, for all of those working with typography and design, a practical way to manage text, image and format in relationship to visual size. Instead of using point measurements, VTI uses a new device called Edo. An Edo is the same as one twelfth of a millimetre. This makes VTI compatible with the metric system and helps us to set text in relation to our own formats which applies namely in millimetres.    VTI uses logical arithmetic and geometry that is set in an automated process, and many choices that normally postpone the working process can be excluded. Simultaneously VTI is meant to discreetly make the user aware that more settings can be activated in line with the users own development, which makes the creative flow unaffected.    Using a metrics based on simple fractions, a mnemonic awareness is developed with the user and an understanding of how every detail fits together becomes more obvious. The typography becomes the key to any design choices that follows. The user becomes aware of the visual size, and in a cognitive way stimulated to recreate a font size regardless of the fonts limitations.

碩士
國立臺北科技大學
機電整合研究所
101
A Consumer wants to choose a pair of shoes that fits his foot shape. However, a consumer often discovers that shoes do not fit well with his foot. To solve this problem, this research aims to develop a "3D whole foot shape measurement system". We use line Laser scanning technology and Gray Code to locate position. Images taken from webcams are processed to create three-dimensional models, As a result, foot models are built. 　　With the advance of the digital measuring technology, the process of measuring can be speeded up. In the past, whole foot shape measurement requires the use of plaster bandages. This requires a lot of time and makes a patient feel comfortable. The existing 3D whole foot shape measurement equipments are expensive. As a result, it is difficult to promote foot shape measurement in Taiwan. The goal of this study is to develop a low-cost line laser scanning system to measure whole foot shape. 　　The equipments used in this research project three laser lines on the glass surface, and then captured by three webcam. The captured images are analyzed using laser Gray Code to determine the stroke position. Image distortion in each taken images are corrected to build three-dimensional models. 　　The electronic compartments of the measuring equipment used in this study are commodity hardware available in the general market. The equipment consists of aluminum extrusion, aluminum, and tempered glass for binding. The analyte can be placed directly on the platform. The dimensions of this machine are 840 × 400 × 350 mm. Its maximum measuring size are 500 × 180 × 150 mm. The one-way scan time is less than 20 seconds. The measurement resolutions of X-, Y-, and Z- axis are 1mm.

碩士
國立臺灣師範大學
運動科學研究所
98
Purpose: To investigate the reliability and validity of using gyro sensor for measuring foot pronation. Also, to find out parameters of foot fatigue index by comparing foot kinematic parameters from motion analysis system and gyro sensor during running. Methods: There were 12 male subjects recruited in this study. Foot kinematic parameters were collected by gyro sensor and 3D motion analysis system (gold standard). The correlation between the signals derived from gyro and motion analysis system was calculated. Also, the relationship of gyro and motion analysis data among pre- (0 min), mid- (15 min) and post-running (30min) status were compared. Results: There were moderate to high correlation between gyro and motion analysis data in angular velocity of foot. Gyro signal showed significant increase during mid- and post-running at the peak value of angular velocity in flexion/extension axis and pronation/ supination axis. Also the inclination angle in abduction/adduction showed the same result. Conclusion: Gyro sensor is a reliable and valid method to measure human angular velocity of metatarsal segment. Also, the angular velocity and inclination angle of metatarsal segment which were derived from gyro sensor can be used to develop foot fatigue index.

碩士
國立臺北科技大學
製造科技研究所
102
On market of customized shoe last、insoles、shoes, it’s necessary to make users to customerize his foot model. For long time, fitness issues of footwear products, such as to design a pair of shoes, includ, should understanding the corresponding relationship between foot feature size . In moden the shoe is important while users walking, everyone should have his shoes last to manufacture shoes according to the data collected from 3D total shape measuring system. This research is to develop a low-cost "3D total foot shape laser measurement system commercializaed" The proposed method of this research uses six cameras to capture images of the plantar surface which has been projected by 3 line lasers. The images will also contain the pre-labeled gray code information. Because of the image distortion, it is necessary to calibrate and reconstruct the images. After that, these images can be used to reconstruct a 3D plantar shape. The dimension of the developed scanner is 680×380×300 mm3, maximum measurement range is 440×150×150 mm3, and the measuring time approximate 10 seconds. The measuring resolution in the XY direction is 1 mm, in Z direction is 1 mm.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1988.
Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 12-13).

碩士
國立臺北科技大學
機電整合研究所
93
An apparatus and method that uses six digital cameras to capture images of the foot, can reconstruct the 3D model of the foot rapidly. Users can only wear elastic socks, which have multicolored stripes or others that we design especially. A user stands on a tempered glass. First from two parallel cameras under the foot, we can compute 3D model about the sole of the foot. Other four cameras are around the upper part of the foot. Second, the adjacent images combine four curved surfaces. Finally, we combine those curved surfaces to reconstruct complete 3D feet model.

碩士
國立臺北科技大學
製造科技研究所
99
This study is focusing on developing a high contrast image of an innovated optical foot pressure measuring system. Once the high contrast image has been captured, the foot pressure information can be read out easily. There are three parts taken in this study. The first is the optical foot pressure measuring system construction. The resulting system is only 105mm height. The second is the high contrast image taken while the background is white and the area with pressure is black. The resulting quality indication value of the contrast image can reach q=2.176. The third is the high contrast image taken while the background is black and the area with pressure is white. The resulting quality indication value of the contrast image can reach q=12.167. Moreover, the double reflection image caused by the bottom mirror can be limited by this black background design.

碩士
中原大學
生物醫學工程研究所
105
The purpose of this study is to measure plantar dynamic and static parameters, to build a model to predict knee osteoarthritis, and to discuss changes of foot pressure parameters associated with degenerative arthritis. 30 patients with medial knee osteoarthritis were enrolled to the experiment group while 35 non-symptomatic healthy individuals were enrolled to the control group. The present study used the optical foot pressure measurement system to collect the path of the center of foot pressure in the gait cycle, to measure the travel time and offset angle of plantar pressure changes between gait cycle, and to estimate the static pressure of the plantar six districts along with the measurement of other clinical parameters and information. The results show that the mid-stance phase time of the left foot of osteoarthritis patients (0.20 seconds) is significantly longer than that of the control group (0.12 seconds) (p<0.05), and yet the mid-stance phase time of the right foot of osteoarthritis patients (0.19 seconds) is also significantly longer than that of the control group (0.15 seconds) (p<0.05). The individuals in the control (healthy group) prefer early toe-off in terminal stage of gait cycle and the toes used less force to finish the gait cycle. The center of pressure progression of the individuals in the control group is biased toward the big toe, while that of the osteoarthritis group tends to be biased toward the second toe. At the terminal stage of gait cycle, the metatarsal head stress distribution of osteoarthritis group tends to move to big toe, and the individuals in the control group tend to move to fifth toe. The independent-samples t-test compared the means of pressure of six districts regions of plantar area between two groups. It was found that the left foot medial longitudinal arch area, the lateral heel region and the inner heel region of the control group are significant different. The statistics of the modified balance line also showed obvious differences in the left side of the foot, but the right side of the foot was not statistically significant. This finding may be related to pain compensation of standing posture. SPSS was used to reduce three variables of the foot pressure in the six districts regions using the principal component analysis, and then mid-stance phase period, body mass index and center of pressure excursion index variables were included for logistic regression model. The analysis resulted in 90% of the positive predictive logistic regression and a negative predictive value of 88.6% indicating that the static and dynamic plantar pressure variables are statistically different between two groups. Therefore, it is concluded that the optic foot pressure measuring system combined with physical measurements of body height and weight measurements can predict whether the individual is bearing medial knee osteoarthritis or not.

碩士
崑山科技大學
機械工程研究所
91
The manufacture procedures of traditional dental restorations include many artificial steps. Each step will cause many errors that lead to different sizes of dental restorations from the original design and make patients have abnormal occlusions or insufficient contact. By the dentists’ clinical experience, investing among all of the manufacture procedures of the restorations will make the wax pattern deformed because of thermal expansion. It will cause greatest error of the manufacture procedure of the restorations. In the dental treatment territory, a lot of traditional auxiliary instruments are used, but there is few instruments integrating computer assisting technique and automatic equipments. This research method is using computer aided technique and automatic equipment in clinical treatment to advance diagnosis procedure, shorten treatment duration, and let patients have more comfortable occlusions. In addition, there’s no system that measures the shape and pressure of the consumer’s feet in the past. The consumer chooses insoles and footwear only by trying the shoes. It is hard to be controlled. Besides, discomfort of wearing often results in foot diseases. Furthermore, there is no system which records consumer’s foot information. On the basis of needs above-mentioned, this research developed one system of digital image measuring foot shape and pressure, that gets foot image by high-resolution scan system and measures length and width of foot to pick up idoneous size of shoes and calculates bearing pressure of every part of foot. So we can operate in coordination with adjustable multi-gasbag insoles to get personal insoles, and help factories to fabricate shoes products with better comfort and structure.

碩士
國立臺北科技大學
機電整合研究所
94
This study developed an apparatus and method that uses at least six digital cameras to capture images of the foot, which can reconstruct the 3D model of the foot rapidly. Users can only wear elastic socks, which have specially coded multicolored stripes or spots, and stands on the transparent plate of a platform. First from two parallel cameras under the transparent plate, the 3D contour about the sole of the foot can be computed and reconstructed through stereosis algorithm. Similarly, from the other four cameras at least around the upper part of the foot, four or more curved surfaces are combined to reconstruct 3D contour of the upper portion of the foot. Combining the bottom contours and upper contours of the foot the complete 3D foot model can be obtained.

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of conducting multiple household food inventories over the course of 30 days to examine weekly food variability. Household food availability influences the foods individuals choose to consume; therefore, by assessing the home food environment a better understanding of what people are eating can be obtained. Methods of measuring home food availability have been developed and tested in recent years; however most of these methods assess food availability on one occasion only. This study aimed to capture "usual" availability by using multiple assessments. After the development and pre-testing of the 171-item home observation guide to determine the presence and amount of food items in the home (refrigerator, freezer, pantry, elsewhere), two trained researchers recruited a convenience sample of 9 households (44.4% minority), administered a baseline questionnaire (personal info, shopping habits, food resources, and food security), and conducted 5 in-home assessments (5-7 day interval) over a 30-day period. Each in-home assessment included shopping and fast food activities since the last assessment and an observational survey of types and amounts of foods present. The final in-home assessment included an audio recorded interview on food habits and beliefs. Complete data were collected from all 9 women (32.8 y +/- 6.0; 3 married; 4 +/- 1.6 adults/children in household; 4 SNAP; 6 food insecure) and their households. Weekly grocery purchases (place, amount, and purpose) use (frequency) varied from once (n=1) to every week (n=5); 4 used fast food 2-3 times/wk for 4 weeks. Quantity and types of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables varied by week and by family. The feasibility of conducting multiple in-home assessments was confirmed with 100% retention from all participants. This methodology is important in that it provided detailed information on intra-monthly variation in food availability. The findings suggest the inadequacy of a single measure to assess food availability in the home.

碩士
臺灣大學
國家發展研究所
96
This work examines the effects of productive efficiency on the survival of firms in the Taiwan food sector. Technical and scale efficiency scores are computed within a data envelopment analysis (DEA) framework. All firms are separated into two groups—feed or oil companies and beverage companies. The result suggests that among feed or oil companies, three of them are efficient in a row, while five companies are inefficient in a row; among beverage companies, four of them are efficient in a row, and the other four companies are inefficient in a row. The cause of inefficiency may lie in net sales and fixed assets.