Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Technology bundle'

Bundle adjustment (BA) is a photogrammetric method for optimal estimation of parameters from image measurements. The parameters include 3D coordinates of objects points (OP). The result of the bundle adjustment process is a vector of estimates and its covariance matrix, C. The elements of this matrix contain quality indicators of the estimation. By looking for the elements with the highest values, the most problematic parameter can be removed. The matrix C is created by inversion of the systems normal matrix, N, which is sparse. However, inverting N directly is intractable since the inverse is generally dense. In many cases, only the diagonal blocks of C are needed. This thesis evaluates algorithms that compute only the 3-by-3 blocks of C that correspond to the OPs. The algorithms utilize the Cholesky factor for efficiency. The results show that if N is permuted into an arrowhead shape and the sparsity of the Cholesky factor is properly exploited, then it is possible to efficiently compute the 3-by-3 diagonal blocks of the posterior covariance matrix.

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Pesquisa quantitativa que objetivou criar e aplicar na prática clínica um “bundle de prevenção de trauma vascular periférico” para abordagem do processo de punção vascular periférica em serviço de urgência e emergência nas situações em que o vaso foi utilizado para fins de infusão de volumes e fármacos intravasculares e analisar sua efetividade na prática clínica comparando a incidência de trauma vascular antes e após intervenção educativa. O cenário da investigação foi um serviço de urgência e emergência com participação de pessoas de ambos os gêneros e maiores de 18 anos de uma cidade mineira. Foram utilizados multimétodos e técnicas para identificar a ocorrência de manifestações de traumas vasculares decorrentes de punções periféricas (técnicas semiológicas, mensurações e registros fotográficos) a partir da construção de duas coortes intercaladas por intervenção educativa. Dados analisados por estatística descritiva, inferencial e correlacional. Atendidos todos os requisitos éticos e legais de pesquisa envolvendo seres humanos. Avaliadas 244 e 191 sítios de punções observados no setor de urgência e emergência com a rotina da instituição e após sua modificação, respectivamente. Na primeira etapa foram observadas em 143 casos (58,6%) de trauma vasculares periféricos distribuídos em: dor (49,6%); alteração da cor da pele (17,6%) dos tipos, equimose (8,6%), hematoma (1,2%) e eritema (13,5%); diminuição da capacidade funcional do membro puncionado ou parte dele (7%), alteração da integridade da pele dos tipos: edema (23%); endurado (15,2%); visualização da solução de continuidade (12,7%); visualização de secreção no sítio de inserção do cateter (0,8%) e alteração da temperatura local (10,2%). O bundle de “prevenção de traumas vasculares periféricos” foi criado baseado em evidências científicas e adaptáveis ao perfil de pessoas que tiveram seus vasos puncionados abrangendo as etapas de fixação, manutenção e remoção do cateter do interior do vaso sanguíneo. Ele foi apresentado à equipe de enfermagem por meio de processo educativo cuja abordagem contemplou: motivação inicial a partir dos índices de incidências de traumas vasculares periféricos, estratégias para preveni-los e ações para diminuir as iatrogenias. Posteriormente o bundle foi incorporado à rotina institucional nos setores investigados, sendo avaliados 191 sítios de punções nos quais ele foi utilizado. Foram observados 60 casos (31,4%) de trauma vasculares periféricos com o uso do bundle: dor (21,5%); alteração da cor da pele (7,3%) dos tipos, equimose (1,6%), hematoma (2,1%) e eritema (6,3%); a diminuição da capacidade funcional do membro puncionado ou parte dele (0,5%), alteração da integridade da pele dos tipos: edema (4,7%); endurado (6,8%); visualização da solução de continuidade (3,7%); visualização de secreção no sítio de inserção do cateter (1%) e alteração da temperatura local (1%). A criação e aplicação de um “bundle de prevenção de trauma vascular periférico” para abordagem do processo de punção vascular periférica em serviço de urgência e emergência mostrou-se eficiente a ponto de reduzir a incidência de trauma vascular quando comparada no período antes (58,6%) e após intervenção educativa do conteúdo do bundle (31,4%). Os tipos de manifestações de trauma identificados nos dois momentos retrataram problemas de enfermagem presentes na prática clínica de enfermeiros para os quais a presente investigação traz como contribuição sua identificação e condutas cuja efetividade foi comprovada a partir da padronização de condutas simples, de baixo custo operacional e que permitiram obter resultados capazes de qualificar o cuidado de enfermagem na medida em que são passíveis de serem abordados com condutas de enfermagem.
Quantitative research aimed to create and apply in clinical practice a 'bundle of peripheral vascular trauma prevention "approach to the process of peripheral vascular puncture in urgent and emergency situations in the service in which the vessel was used for infusion volumes and intravascular drugs and analyze their effectiveness in clinical practice by comparing the incidence of vascular trauma before and after educational intervention. The setting of the research was an emergency service and emergency participation of people of both genders, sexes and over 18 years of a mining town. Multimethod and techniques were used to identify the occurrence of manifestations of peripheral vascular injuries from punctures (semiotic techniques, measurements and photographic records) from the construction of two cohorts interspersed with educational intervention. Data analyzed using descriptive, inferential and correlational statistics. Met all legal and ethical requirements for research involving humans. Evaluated 244 and 191 sites of punctures observed in the emergency care industry with the routine of the institution and after modification, respectively. In the first stage were observed in 143 cases (58.6%) of peripheral vascular trauma distributed as follows: pain (49.6%); the change of skin color (17.6%) types, ecchymosis (8.6%), hematoma (1.2%) and erythema (13.5%); decreased functional capacity of limb or punctured it (7%), the change of skin integrity types of edema (23%); induration (15.2%); visualization of interruption (12.7%); viewing secretion at the site of catheter insertion (0.8%) and the change in local temperature (10.2%). The bundle of "prevention of peripheral vascular trauma" was created based on scientific and adaptable to people who had their punctured vessels comprising the steps of fixing, maintenance and removal of the catheter into the blood vessel profile evidence. He was presented to the nursing staff through educational process whose approach included: initial motivation from the indices of incidence of peripheral vascular trauma, strategies to prevent them, and actions to reduce iatrogenic complications. The bundle was subsequently incorporated into the routine of institutional sectors investigated and evaluated 191 sites of punctures in which it was used. 60 cases (31.4%) of peripheral vascular trauma using the bundle were observed: pain (21.5%); changing the color of the skin (7.3%) types, ecchymosis (1.6%), hematoma (2.1%) and erythema (6.3%); decreased functional capacity of limb or punctured it (0.5%), the change of skin integrity types of edema (4.7%); induration (6.8%); visualization of a discontinuity (3.7%); viewing secretion at the site of catheter insertion (1%) and the change in local temperature (1%). The creation and implementation of a "bundle of peripheral vascular trauma prevention" approach to the punching process in peripheral vascular and emergency rescue service was efficient to the point of reducing the incidence of vascular trauma when compared with the period before (58, 6%) and after educational intervention bundle content (31.4%). The types of manifestations of trauma identified in two moments portrayed nursing problems present in clinical nursing practice for which the present investigation has as its contribution identification and ducts whose effectiveness has been proven through the standardization of simple pipelines, low operating cost and which achieved results that qualify the nursing care to the extent that they are capable of being dealt with nursing behaviors.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, 2009.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-154).
Because there is little knowledge in the areas of stereocilia development, maintenance, and function in the hearing system, I decided to pursue a proteomics-based approach to discover proteins that play a role in stereocilia function. I employed a modified "twist-off" technique to isolate hair bundle proteins, and I developed a method to purify proteins and to process them for analysis using multi-dimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT). The MudPIT analysis yielded a substantial list of proteins. I verified the presence of 21 out of 34 (62%) existing proteins known to be present in stereocilia. This provided strong evidence that my proteomics approach was efficient in identifying hair bundle proteins. Next, I selected three proteins and localized them to murine cochlear stereocilia. StarD10, a putative phospholipid binding protein, was detectable along the shaft of stereocilia. Nebulin, a putative F-actin regulator, was located toward the base of stereocilia. Finally, twinfilin 2, a putative modulator of actin polymerization, was found at the tips of stereocilia. In order to determine the function of twinfilin 2, I localized the protein predominately to the tips of shorter stereocilia where it is up-regulated during the final phase of elongation. When overexpressed, I found that twinfilin 2 causes a shortening of microvilli in LLC-PK1/CL4 cells and in native cochlear stereocilia. The main result of this thesis was determining the sub-cellular localization of three interesting proteins and functionally characterizing one protein. My thesis also confirmed the proteomics screen I developed as an efficient method for identifying proteins in stereocilia.
by Anthony Wei Peng.
Ph.D.

Monteringsinstruktioner och dokumentation i förstärkt verklighet är en potentiell revolution för industriellt monteringsarbete. Att montören kan få virtuella instruktioner i en verklig kontext, samtidigt som montörens händer hålls fria för montering, skulle bland annat kunna bidra till kortare monteringstider, mer effektiv upplärning, bättre dokumentation och säkrare arbetsplatser. Syftet med examensarbetet som beskrivs i den här rapporten var att studera om och hur Combitech bör använda förstärkt verklighet, för kommunikation av monteringsinstruktioner och dokumentation för komplex montering av kablage till flygplan, samt vilka möjligheter och risker detta medför. I examensarbetet som beskrivs i den här rapporten genomfördes först en litteraturstudie som syftade till att identifiera hur företaget Combitech bör arbeta med förstärkt verklighet vid kabelmontering och dokumentation, vad som har gjorts tidigare inom området samt vilka möjligheter och utmaningar som finns inom området. Efter genomförd litteraturstudie tillämpades resultaten av litteraturstudien på ett verkligt fall. Fallstudien bestod av att implementera och utvärdera prototyper, för monteringsinstruktioner och dokumentation, för komplex montering av kablage till flygplan. Tre olika prototyper skapades och utvärderades i fallstudien, varav en skulle motsvara traditionella monteringsinstruktioner och de två andra skapades för förstärkt verklighet. Den första av två prototyper som skapades för förstärkt verklighet implementerades för Microsoft Hololens och den andra för projicerade monteringsinstruktioner. Utvärderingen genomfördes med sex stycken testpersoner med olika monteringserfarenhet. Resultaten från utvärderingen visade att monteringsinstruktionerna för Microsoft Hololens gav flest antal fel och längst monteringstid samt att de projicerade monteringsinstruktionerna gav minst antal fel och kortast monteringstid. En jämförelse mellan de tre prototyperna som utvärderades visar att de projicerade monteringsinstruktionerna i förstärkt verklighet gav minst antal fel och kortast monteringstid, hade bäst ergonomi, var roligast samt enklast att använda. Valet av metod för monteringsinstruktioner i förstärkt verklighet visade sig vara helt avgörande när resultaten från utvärderingen i fallstudien studerades. I jämförelsen mellan monteringsinstruktionerna i Microsoft Hololens och projicerade monteringsinstruktioner blir rekommendationen enkel, baserat på resultaten från utvärderingen av prototyperna. Väljer Combitech att ta steget till förstärkt verklighet bör de använda sig av projicerade monteringsinstruktioner, för komplex montering av kablage till flygplan i förstärkt verklighet.

We implement a truncated Gauss-Newton algorithm and apply it to the bundle adjustment problem in a photogrammetry application. The normal equations are solved approximately using the conjugate gradient method preconditioned with the incomplete Cholesky factor.  Our implementation is compared to an exact Gauss-Newton implementation.  Improvements in time performance are found in some cases. The observed relative errors in estimated parameters are of order 10^−10 or smaller.  The preconditioner proves to be very important, as does the permutation of the Jacobian. Excluding the time to re-permute the Jacobian, execution times are lowered by up to 24%. The truncated algorithm is observed to improve performance for larger datasets but not for smaller ones.

Bungee jumping is an activity that involves jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic cord. The tall structure is usually a fixed object, such as a building, bridge or crane; but it is also possible to jump from a movable object, such as a hot-air-balloon or helicopter, that has the ability to hover above the ground. The thrill comes from the free-falling and the rebound. When the person jumps, the cord stretches and the jumper flies upwards again as the cord recoils, and continues to oscillate up and down until all the kinetic energy is dissipated.

Thesis (S.M.M.O.T.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Management of Technology Program, 2007.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-103).
The business model of selling software bundled with hardware is called the appliance model. As hardware becomes less and less expensive and open source software is being offered for free, the traditional business model of selling packaged software is being threatened. This disruption in the software industry is forcing software vendors to consider other business models such as advertising-based, transaction-based, software-as-a-service or appliance-based models in order to create additional value for customers. Most of these models have existed in variants for decades but are now gaining in popularity due to factors such as changing cost structures or the Internet as a delivery channel. This thesis analyzes the economic drivers and barriers for the appliance model for both the consumer and enterprise software industry segments. Important drivers of the appliance model for both of these sectors are hardware commoditization, open source software and vertical integration in order to capture margins. In the enterprise software segment the complexity of traditional software integration and operation including unpredictability of total cost of ownership, rising IT personnel cost and maintenance fees are driving the adoption of the appliance model.
(cont.) In the consumer software segment, ease of use, limited battery life, disintermediated distribution and prestige are important economic factors. The appliance model also has a number of economic disadvantages that hinder its adoption. Among these are the additional competencies that a company needs to build, supply chain and distribution costs, as well as inflexibility and inconvenience for the customer. Decision criteria for companies considering adopting the appliance model are also discussed. Industry examples in the consumer and enterprise software segment are examined and specific companies are used as case studies. Among these are the digital music player, digital video recorder, router and enterprise search markets. The possible implementation paths for software companies transitioning to the appliance model are proposed and the virtual appliance model as a next adoption step is discussed.
by Bettina Hein.
S.M.M.O.T.

Konflikten kring kalkbrytning på Bunge Ducker 1:64 har pågått i över 10 år och är ännu inte avgjord när detta examensarbete skrivs. Det geografiska område som berörs går även under benämningen Ojnare eller Ojnareskogen. Två riksintressen står emot varandra; värnandet om naturen och de värden som finns i den brytbara kalken. För domstolarna Miljödomstolen respektive Miljööverdomstolen blev tvisterna en övning i intresseavvägning. I uppsatsen analyseras hur avvägningen genomfördes i två domar som kom till motsatta domslut. Miljödomstolen avslog i en dom från 2009 Nordkalks begäran om tillstånd för kalkbrytning, domen överklagades och Miljööverdomstolen gav i en dom 2010 tillåtlighet. I uppsatsen analyseras även en del av de intresseavvägningar som olika sakägare gjort med speciellt fokus på de sakägare vars intresse inte är givet i och med den verksamhet man bedriver eller sektorsansvar, framförallt länsstyrelsen i Gotlands län och region Gotland. För att fördjupa analysen av länsstyrelsens och regionens beslutsprocess har semistrukturerade intervjuer genomförts med tjänstemän på respektive myndighet. Regeringen fattade i 2015 beslut att under pågående rättsprocesser göra Ojnare till Natura 2000-område. Detta beslut kommer också att analyseras i uppsatsen. I analysen av intresseavvägningarna kommer aggregationsträd och nyttodifferenser att användas så långt det bidrar till förståelse av skeendet.

Purpose – Globalization affects all producing companies with increased complexity in production, stock management and never ending customer demands. The customers of today have a greater range of suppliers than before with even more products to choose from which puts the customer in a strong position. One of many important subjects that companies need to work with to keep their competitiveness strong against each other is to work with continuous improvements in production- and inventory management. This study therefore reviews tied up capital in stock and suggest adequate procedures, which could be applied to decrease the tied up capital.   Method –In order to fulfil the purpose a case study is conducted. Two central research questions are chosen for the study to investigate in a case company. The data collected contains of secondary data, observations and interviews. To accomplish the purpose a theoretical framework has been put together.   Findings – Reducing variations in production and re-designing of the daily production plan is presented as the two procedures with the purpose to achieve a decrease in tied up capital for stock kept units. The study describes these two procedures in general in order to make the solution applicable into various manufacturing company. Further the study claims that gaining flow efficiency should be prioritized instead of resource efficiency, which could be accomplished by the two procedures.    Implications – The study contributes to verifying production theories, foremost about variations in production, Lean manufacturing and the technique of Lead-time mapping.   Limitations – In order to apply the procedures with precision and efficiency some further data and extended studies needs to be performed. This study is performed in a generalizing point of view, which may influence the results.  The study does not capture every aspect of affecting circumstances that might be needed for a successful implementation of suggested procedures.   Keywords – Tied up capital, Lead-time, Lean, Lead-time mapping, Variations, Flow efficiency, Postponement, Just-in-Time, Make-to-stock and Make-to-order.
Syfte – Globaliseringen har gjort att kunden har ett högre utbud att välja mellan och kan därmed ställa högre krav på tillverkande verksamheter. För att fortsatt vara konkurrenskraftig måste verksamheter ständigt utveckla den interna produktion- och materialstyrningen. Studiens ämnar därmed undersöka orsaken till uppkomsten av bundet kapital i lager samt finna potentiella åtgärder som kan vidtas inom verksamheten för att på ett hållbart sätt minska bundet kapital i lager.   Metod – För att uppfylla studiens syfte tillämpas fallstudie. Studien utgår från två frågeställningar som besvaras med hjälp av data från ett fallföretag. Data som samlas är hämtad från sekundärdata, observationer och intervjuer. Därtill har ett teoretiskt ramverk upprättats vilken studien utgår ifrån.   Resultat – Minska variationer samt utförande av en mer detaljerad planering presenteras som studiens två åtgärdsförslag för att minska bundet kapital i lager. Studien beskriver övergripande potentiella tillvägagångssätt för att åstadkomma förslagen. Studien konstaterar att flödeseffektivitet med fördel bör prioriteras framför resurseffektiviteten i verksamheten, vilket uppfylls med hjälp av åtgärdsförslagen.   Implikationer – Studien bidrar inte till nya teorier men verifierar befintliga teorier främst kring variationer i tillverkning, Lean och ledtidskartläggning.   Begränsningar – För att åtgärdsförslagen i studiens resultat ska kunna tillämpas krävs ytterligare data och fördjupade studier för att garantera att samtliga aspekter ska fångas in samt att orsak och påverkan av åtgärderna ska kunna kartläggas. Studien bygger på generaliserande antaganden vilket ger ett generaliserat resultat.   Nyckelord – Lean, Ledtid, Ledtidskartläggning, Variationer, Flödeseffektivitet, Senareläggning, Just-in-Time, Make-to-order och Bundet kapital.

Au cours des dernières décennies, plusieurs ruptures technologiques ont favorisé le développement de la photogrammétrie : développement et miniaturisation des appareils photographiques numériques, avènement du drone civil et de la cartographie mobile, apparition de nouveaux algorithmes permettant des traitements 100% automatiques, etc. La photogrammétrie est redevenue une technique de mesure et de surveillance incontournable, surtout dans les contextes où le coût et la légèreté du matériel sont contraignants. Dans ce contexte, l’IGN et l’équipe LOEMI du laboratoire LaSTIG cherchent à développer des plateformes matérielles et logicielles permettant d’atteindre simultanément productivité et précision de la mesure. Les utilisations de la photogrammétrie qui nécessitent une grande précision sont par exemple la mesure de déformations ou encore la métrologie industrielle. Sur des acquisitions à larges étendues, notamment les acquisitions linéaires de type corridor, les relevés photogrammétriques sont souvent entachés d’erreurs systématiques, ayant de fortes conséquences sur la précision de localisation du résultat final. Dans la chaine métrologique de photogrammétrie, l’extraction des points homologues est une des causes de l’imprécision du résultat final. Cette thèse consiste à réaliser une méthode permettant d’améliorer la précision du processus de traitement photogrammétrique existant pour réduire les erreurs systématiques. Nous proposons une méthode de post-traitement du processus photogrammétrique classique. Nous utilisons des modélisations de l’acquisition (poses et calibration des caméras) et de la scène (maillage 3D) obtenue avec un traitement classique, pour extraire de nouveaux points homologues en optimisant leurs caractéristiques pour la photogrammétrie. Ces caractéristiques sont : la distribution optimale dans l’espace image et objet, la multiplicité des points sur les images et la précision de la mesure. Une seconde itération d’ajustement de faisceaux avec les nouveaux points obtenus permet de raffiner l’orientation externe et la calibration de la caméra et donc d’améliorer la précision de localisation des points 3D finaux. Les résultats obtenus à partir des jeux de tests issus de différents scénarios montrent l’efficacité et la robustesse de la méthode en diminuant significativement le résidu des points 3D triangulés. Les temps de calcul et le nombre d’itérations sont également étudiés. Les résultats du processus de raffinement convergent dès la seconde itération et montrent que cette méthode ne demande qu’environ 10% du temps d’exécution total de la chaine classique pour atteindre une amélioration notable
Over recent decades, many technical advances such as the development and miniaturization of electronic components and digital camera, the advent of civil UAV and mobile mapping and the apparition of new algorithms allow 100% automatic processing yield to a strong development of photogrammetry. It becomes an indispensable measurement and surveillance technique, especially in the contexts where budget and compactness of the equipment matters the most. In this context, IGN and LOEMI team decided to develop the new hardware platforms and software solution allowing enhancements of both productivity and precision. Besides the visualization and demonstration, certain photogrammetry applications require a good measurement precision, for example, change detection for deformation studies in geosciences or very accurate shape reconstruction in industrial metrology. On large areas acquisitions, especially corridors, the photogrammetric process precision is usually limited due to systematic errors, which yield to an insufficiant localization precision of the final result. In the automatic digital photogrammetric processing chain, tie-points extraction is considered as a first step. Therefore, it is one of the important reasons that cause the imprecision of the final result. In this research work, we describe a new method, which reduces the systematic errors to enhance the precision of the existing digital photogrammetric processing chain. We propose a post-processing method for the classical photogrammetric chain. We use the results of the classical chain such as images poses, camera calibration, and mesh of scene. Our method extracts totally new tie-points pack with characteristics optimized for the photogrammetry. These characteristics are: an optimal tie-points distribution in image and object space, a high tie-points multiplicity and a precise points measure on image space. A second bundle adjustment iteration using these new tie-points pack allows refining of external images orientations and camera calibration. In consequence, the localization precision of final triangulated 3D points is enhanced. Evaluated on many different test scenes, the proposed method shows its efficacyand robustness in improving the obtained 3D points accuracy. Computation timeand number of iteration are also discussed in the manuscript. The proposed method converges from the second iteration. It requires additional computation time around 10% of the total time needed by the classical processing chain to reach a significant enhancement

Cyber attacks by domestic and foreign threat actors are increasing in frequency and sophistication. Cyber adversaries exploit a cybersecurity skill/knowledge gap and an open society, undermining the information security/privacy of citizens and businesses and eroding trust in governments, thus threatening social and political stability. The use of open digital hacking technologies in ethical hacking in higher education and within broader society raises ethical, technical, social, and political challenges for liberal democracies. Programs teaching ethical hacking in higher education are steadily growing but there is a concern that teaching students hacking skills increases crime risk to society by drawing students toward criminal acts. A cybersecurity skill gap undermines the security/viability of business and government institutions. The thesis presents an examination of opportunities and risks involved in using AI powered intelligence gathering/surveillance technologies in ethical hacking teaching practices in Canada. Taking a qualitative exploratory case study approach, technoethical inquiry theory (Bunge-Luppicini) and Weick’s sensemaking model were applied as a sociotechnical theory (STEI-KW) to explore ethical hacking teaching practices in two Canadian universities. In-depth interviews with ethical hacking university experts, industry practitioners, and policy experts, and a document review were conducted. Findings pointed to a skill/knowledge gap in ethical hacking literature regarding the meanings, ethics, values, skills/knowledge, roles and responsibilities, and practices of ethical hacking and ethical hackers which underlies an identity and legitimacy crisis for professional ethical hacking practitioners; and a Teaching vs Practice cybersecurity skill gap in ethical hacking curricula. Two main S&T innovation risk mitigation initiatives were explored: An OSINT Analyst cybersecurity role and associated body of knowledge foundation framework as an interdisciplinary research area, and a networked centre of excellence of ethical hacking communities of practice as a knowledge management and governance/policy innovation approach focusing on the systematization and standardization of an ethical hacking body of knowledge.

Increasing domestic demand for dairy products presents market opportunities for smallholder dairy farmers in Indonesia. However, low productivity and poor milk quality prevent most smallholder dairy farmers from benefitting from these opportunities. The adoption of improved dairy farming technologies and practices can increase smallholder dairy farmers’ milk productivity and milk quality. There have been many dairy development programs in Indonesia attempting to increase technology adoption; yet, adoption of key technologies remains low. This thesis attempts to understand Indonesian smallholder dairy farmers’ awareness of technologies, their adoption behaviour, and their main barriers to adopting multiple technologies. It also examines the effects of technology adoption on smallholders’ milk production. The thesis has three main analytical chapters, which address the research objectives through multiple methods: descriptive analysis, cluster analysis and econometric modelling. The analytical chapters use a primary cross-sectional dataset from a survey of 600 dairy farming households located in four dairy producing districts in West Java Province, Indonesia. A Latent Class cluster analysis is used in the first analytical chapter to identify two unique subgroups of dairy farming households based on their awareness and adoption patterns (adoption, dis-adoption, and continued adoption) of multiple on-farm dairy technologies. Relative to the ‘High awareness/high adoption’ cluster, households in the ‘Low awareness/low adoption’ cluster have significantly lower levels of awareness of all technologies; and, among ‘aware’ households, technology adoption rates are also significantly lower. Farmers in the Low awareness/low adoption cluster are older, have less formal education, manage fewer dairy cows, have less productive and profitable dairy enterprises, live further away from the cooperative and farmer group leader, and have fewer contacts with dairy extension staff. Farmers face multilayered and heterogenous constraints to adopting dairy technologies. Thus, technology dissemination programs need to ensure they meet the unique needs of subgroups of farmers. A Multinomial Endogenous Switching Regression (MESR) approach is used in the second analytical chapter to estimate the effects of three feed technology bundles on milk production. The adoption of feed technology bundles is significantly associated with smallholder farmers’ ownership of capital. Further, the adoption of technology bundles has positive and robust effects on milk production per cow, with greater effects if the technology bundle includes high protein feed concentrates. We suggest improving farmers’ awareness of the benefits of complementary technologies and improving access to inputs, such as high-quality feed concentrates. The final analytical chapter uses a new institutional economics lens to understand factors contributing to the dis-adoption of key technologies. Farmers’ reasons for dis-adoption centred on limited availability and affordability of inputs, as well as limited knowledge and lack of improved skills required for adoption. Current institutional arrangements for milk and input quality assessment and institutions provision of dairy farm inputs and services are ineffective, and contribute to dis-adoption. Programs and policies aiming to increase farmers’ adoption of technologies need to address constraints at both a farm and an institutional level.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Centre for Global Food and Resources, 2021

Recent accessibility drives and price wars between the major South African (SA) cell phone companies suggest that the landscape for the adoption of mobile learning (m-learning) at the Higher Education Institution (HEI) level may be changing. As such, there is a need to gauge the current mobile readiness of students for m-learning. Mobile technology readiness refers to the extent to which students have access to mobile devices (not only handsets), and can afford data bundles that meet or exceed the requirements of a base set of currently available m-learning applications (Naicker and Van der Merwe 2012). Mobile operational readiness refers to students’ awareness of, attitude towards, support and training that is required for m-learning. This study conducted an assessment of the technology and operational readiness of students at a SA HEI. An in-depth literature survey was undertaken to delineate technology and operational readiness of students for m-learning. For technology readiness, an investigation was conducted on m- learning applications that are currently available and the technology requirements of these mobile applications. This was undertaken to determine the extent that the current student mobile handset profile match these requirements. The literature review also included a search for mobile opeeratratiioonnaall ffaactorctorss ssuuchch aass ssttuuddeennttss’’ aawwaarenerenessss ooff aanndd aattttiittuuddee ttoowwaarrddss mm--lleaearrnininngg as well as m-learning support and training that students require. The philosophical underpinning of this study was based on Activity Theory. The strategy of inquiry employed was a case study approach. Data was collected from students at the Durban University of Technology, a resident based SA HEI. A mixed methods data collection strategy was employed. The researcher used a field survey questionnaire as the primary research instrument to assess mobile technology and operational readiness. Focus group interviews were used as a secondary data gathering tool to triangulate and strengthen the results. The results were presented using descriptive and inferential statistics and were analyzed using the lens of activity theory. In terms of technology readiness, despite a high level of ownership and reasonable compliance with application requirements, data costs remain prohibitive. In assessing operational readiness, despite a positive attitude, the majority of the students require awareness, ongoing support and training. Several recommendations based on the findings are offered. For example, one of the findings showed that mobile connectivity affordability was low amongst students and it is recommended that the HEI work around exorbitant connectivity costs by combining m-learning technologies to form meaningful m-learning approaches at a minimum v cost. Another finding showed low awareness of m-learning at the HEI. A recommendation advanced to combat this finding is for the HEI to encourage and support dialogue among key stakeholders. This study concludes that any m-learning endeavour to implement m-learning at this HEI is bound to fail as only a small percentage of students are aware of m-learning and can afford data bundles to implement m-learning in its true sense. As an implication of this study to other HEI’s, the researcher suggests that regular mobile readiness surveys be conducted.
Science and Technology Education
M. A. (Information Systems)

碩士
國立虎尾科技大學
航空與電子科技研究所
100
The purpose of this research is to predict the failure timing of heat exchanger bundles and evaluate the optimal equipment inspection and replacement cycle through a risk assessment inspection technique developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The technique is validated with a simulated petrochemical industry operation. Heat exchanger plays a very important role in the fuel-refining process. Due to the corrosion from corrosive components and the erosion from fine solid particles in crude oil and refrigerant, the thickness of pipe wall of heat exchangers pipelines will gradually thin out, resulting in wall rupture, which in turns calls for an unscheduled maintenance. Since the unscheduled inspection, maintenance and component replacement of the equipments incurred by the unexpected failure often lead to huge out-of-production loss, let alone the potential industrial safety and ecological concerns which should not be ignored. In view of this context, this study, focusing on the consideration of reliability and maintenance cost, applies the API RP 581 risk-based inspection technology to predict the useful life and assess the optimal replacement timing of the heat exchange tube bundles. Weibull distribution function is adopted to simulate the failure model. Through input of historical data of when specific heat exchanger tube bundles were inspected and/or replaced, the reliability life of current heat exchanger equipment is predicted. The results show that the Weibull failure distribution function model to estimate the bundle mean time to failure MTTF (Mean Time To Failure)reference more data, more accurate life assessment; The consequences of failure to bundle conduct a risk assessment, unplanned maintenance costs and a planned maintenance cost of the gap can be calculated through the maintenance of the number of days, results can be displayed to bundle the consequences of failure analysis to predict the effective bundle the optimal replacement time; Will bundle the consequences of failure analysis with the rate of return ROR parameters in accordance with the inspection data to determine the bundle whether the repair or replacement, the longer distance to replace equipment in case the higher the rate of return ROR; Can estimate the bundle life and control of the replacement time, according to the different definitions of the minimum wall thickness available, can affect the service life of heat exchanger tube bundle heat exchanger wall; This result represents the wall thickness is a very important factor in the life of the bundle replacement time to grasp the precise bundle of data with the risk assessment period can improve the cost of operation and service life of the heat exchanger.