69 research outputs found
Care of older people in the future : about generations experiences and conceptions
No full textAuthor: Nancy Haglund & Liselotte Ivarsson Title: Care of older people in the future, about generations experiences and conceptions [Translated title]. Assessor: Jan Petersson This study examine generations in three different age–attitudes towards elderly care in the future. Today there is an ongoing debate in Sweden concerning the care of older people. The main focus in the debate is that there is cut down on personnel and resources in the care of the elderly. We have focused on the Kalmar region, since our intention is not to compare with other regions. The study is based on individual experiences and conceptions of the people that participated in this examine, in order to link it to differences and similarities from a generational perspective. To carry out this task, we used a qualitative approach with semi-structured individual interviews. The result is our complied themes from the interviews. The shared beliefs of all participants were that they felt concerned about the factors that can influence the future of their elderly´s care and wellbeing. Key words: Care of older people, generations, differences, similarities
Care of older people in the future : about generations experiences and conceptions
No full textAuthor: Nancy Haglund & Liselotte Ivarsson Title: Care of older people in the future, about generations experiences and conceptions [Translated title]. Assessor: Jan Petersson This study examine generations in three different age–attitudes towards elderly care in the future. Today there is an ongoing debate in Sweden concerning the care of older people. The main focus in the debate is that there is cut down on personnel and resources in the care of the elderly. We have focused on the Kalmar region, since our intention is not to compare with other regions. The study is based on individual experiences and conceptions of the people that participated in this examine, in order to link it to differences and similarities from a generational perspective. To carry out this task, we used a qualitative approach with semi-structured individual interviews. The result is our complied themes from the interviews. The shared beliefs of all participants were that they felt concerned about the factors that can influence the future of their elderly´s care and wellbeing. Key words: Care of older people, generations, differences, similarities
The Impact of Tourism on Curacao's Economy: A Scenario Approach
No full textCuraçao is an autonomous countrywithin the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The governmentwants to support tourism development. However,various development strategies are possible. This articlepresents four scenarios of marketing and investmentstrategies that will affect the number of tourists fromThe Netherlands and North America (USA and Canada)in different ways. A multiplier model was used to calculatethe economic impacts of the four scenarios. Bydoing so, this article shows how the government’s decisionto support particular marketing and investmentstrategies may have certain outcomes for the number ofjobs in Curaçao’s tourism industry
Carcass Characteristics and Beef Quality of Young Grass-Fed Angus x Salers Bovines
No full textInternational audienceTo characterize carcass and meat attributes, such as beef eating quality in specific farming conditions, 31 young grass-fed crossbred Angus x Salers cattle in two farming systems (a mono-cattle system versus a mixed system with beef cattle and sheep) were used in this study. Three muscle cuts (striploin—m. longissimus dorsi et thoracis; bolar blade—m. triceps brachii caput longum; internal flank plate—m. obliquus internus abdominis) were used for consumer eating quality testing and striploin was used for panelist eating quality assessment, and objective measurements [Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and fatty acid (FA) and antioxidant contents]. Results indicated that the farming system had no impact on carcass characteristics or meat quality, but it tended to affect FA content, which is likely explained by between-system differences in animal maturity (assessed by ossification score). Animal gender had significant effects on three eating quality traits evaluated by untrained consumers, with higher flavor liking, overall liking, and overall meat eating quality (MQ4) scores in females than in males. Additionally, FA contents were correlated with sensory quality traits to varying extents: consumer-scored tenderness, flavor, and overall liking were mainly positively correlated with ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents, and panelist-evaluated tenderness and abnormal flavor were more positively correlated with total lipids, saturated fatty acid (SFA), and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents. Overall, this study showed that specific grass-fed crossbred Angus x Salers cattle can produce lean meat rich in ω-3 PUFAs with a low ω-6/ω-3 ratio and with “better than average” beef eating quality
The impact of pre-slaughter sensory enrichment on reducing cattle stress
No full textCattle can be exposed to pre-slaughter stressors that have negative impacts on cattle behaviour and welfare. Environmental sensory modifications (sight, sound, smell) can reduce stress, but they have not been investigated in a commercial beef processing setting. This study examined if environmental sensory modifications could reduce pre-slaughter cattle stress and alter cattle behaviour at a commercial beef processing facility. The study was approved by the Murdoch University Animal Ethics Committee (R3302/20) and meets the requirements of ISAE ethics. The following environmental conditions were tested individually; (1) reduction of intermittent plant noise (removal of safety siren), (2) masking abattoir odours with hay odours provided in the cattle race way, and (3) lights added to illuminate cattle race way, and (4) an acoustic sound wall enclosing the lead-up chute to the site of euthanasia reducing the noise levels from 100 to 72 dB hertz. Cattle of mixed sex (female= 240, male= 994), age (0-8 teeth) and breed that had been on a 100-day grain feeding program prior to slaughter were selected. The breeds consisted of Angus, Murray Grey, Simmental, Limousin, Red Angus, Droughtmaster, and Ultra Black. Cattle were not selected for breed type, age or sex in this study and hence was not included in the analysis. The environmental modifications were evaluated singularly. Each experimental group consisted of between 70-110 cattle with 20 focal cattle for subsequent blood collection, as such each control and treatment group had 20 focals included (Table 1). Three replicates of each treatment were repeated giving a total sample size of approximately 70-110 cattle including 60 focal animals per treatment. Blood samples were collected immediately post-slaughter and were analysed for glucose, lactate, magnesium, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase. All carcasses were graded by qualified Meat Standards Australia (MSA) graders after overnight refrigeration and measurements included ultimate pH (pHu), with increased levels indicating pre-slaughter stress. Cattle behaviours were assessed by Qualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA), in which observers scored the demeanour of the cattle using a fixed list of terms after viewing short video clips as they walked through the raceway leading to the site of euthanasia. The blood parameters and pHu as carcass variables were analysed using general linear models (GLM) to determine the impact of treatment, which was performed using the statistical package SAS. The QBA data was generated by the method of Principle Components Analysis (PCA), performed using the statistical package GenStat. Each of the assessed animals received a score on the two main PCA consensus dimensions that were generated, and these scores were analysed with a mixed‐model Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine if there was an effect of treatment (fixed factor) on the transformed PCA dimension scores given to the animals. The QBA observers had a significant consensus in their scores when observing cattle demeanour (P<0.01). The cattle groups exposed to the hay-odour and reduction of intermittent the noise both had higher QBA scores than the controls, with the observers scoring them as less “frustrated” and less “agitated” (P<0.01). Ultimate pHu decreased (P<0.05) for the hay-odour group and reduction of intermittent plant noise group compared to the controls. Additionally, there was a negative association between pHu and the QBA scores for the cattle exposed to the hay treatment (P<0.05). Whilst all carcasses met MSA minimum requirements for pHu, the effects of enrichments on pHu and the relationship between pHu and the QBA was small and may warrant further investigation. This study suggests that environmental sensory modifications for pre-slaughter cattle, such as odour-masking and noise reduction in the raceway immeditaely leading up to the point of slaughter at a commercial processing facility, can reduce indicators of pre-slaughter stress. These improvements would not only benefit the welfare of the cattle, but also meat quality for the consumer and the economic returns and ‘social license’ for the processor/producer
Thaking things further in the SPM journey: Creating the new journey into Strategic Portfolio Managment and successful implementation through new tool design for useability
No full textOrganisations have a lot of trouble with managing their portfolio.The portfolio is the set of projects the company is currently running. The consultancy Jigseye provides tools for that purpose called Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM). They created tools to support organisations in creating that overview and the next step to manage it as a process. Currently, the SPM tools implemented by Jigseye work in practice. They notice that orgnizations still face challenges reaching successful SPM execution. Jigseye wants to improve and extend this set of tools. The goal of my project is to gain an understanding of the SPM tools and design for the new tools with orientation on useability and ease of use. In the research phase, I did extensive user research analysing the SPM tool resulting in user needs for functionality accessibility and the new purpose of creating strategic awareness. Leading to the following vision; the vision is laid out in the form of a journey, leading to new opportunities. This will increase both the effectiveness and efficiency of the SPM tools. Resulting in the New SPM Identity model and New SPM App design with Mobile version; with these tools, designing for a new way of working in the SPM journey leading to new service opportunities for Jigseye.This thesis research is conducted during Covid-19 circumstances 2020-2021 in the Netherlands. The user research covers a unique approach to doing user research during covid-19, personal learnings and a brief study on the influence of covid-19 on SPM and business. Due to company sensitive information, some documentation is left out of this report.Strategic Product Desig
A critical evaluation of (scatterometer-based) ocean surface wind products over sea
No full textBy combining satellite observations and model reanalysis winds, a global data set with higher temporal and spatial resolution ocean surface wind fields can be generated. These superior surface wind fields can have various applications, such as wind forcing of ocean models. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) is responsible for the delivery of two different global data sets of combined surface winds, referred to as IFREMER and ERA5*. IFREMER’s approach focuses on satellite scatterometer observations which are complemented with model reanalysis winds (ERA5). On the other hand, ERA5* is based on ERA5 model reanalysis and corrected with scatterometer observations. The aim of this research is to evaluate global IFREMER and ERA5* surface winds in terms of spatial and temporal characteristics.In order to validate the surface winds of IFREMER and ERA5*, a reference system of true winds is required. For this, quality-controlled wind observations from an independent Chinese scatterometer Haiyang-2B have been used. This comparison study has been carried out for the year 2019 focusing on zonal wind, meridional wind and wind speed. IFREMER and ERA5* wind fields have been collocated in time and space to HY-2B wind observations using a 6-hour and 1-hour window respectively. This methodology was applied to overcome differences between the data sets in grid definition, wind representation, spatial resolution and temporal resolution.On a global scale, IFREMER shows larger average and standard deviation of wind differences with respect to HY-2B than ERA5*, specifically in coastal regions and at higher latitudes. The results of this research suggest that the ERA5* wind product generates more accurate surface ocean winds than IFREMER, except for in the tropics, assuming that HY-2B winds represent the true value. Moreover,at higher wind speeds both global wind products underestimate HY-2B wind, whereby IFREMER already deviates at lower winds than ERA5*. The IFREMER winds showed suspicious satellite tracks and temporal wind inaccuracies, most likely as a result of its 6-hourly resolution. It is recommended that a follow-up investigation is carried out with validation of buoy data in the tropics to investigate the underlying causes of the observed local wind bias.Civil Engineering | Environmental Engineerin
Robots at the construction site: An adjusted business model for construction companies
No full textContext - After the recession of 2008, the real estate market is picking up again. Amongst others due to the urbanisation and the increasing world population the real estate demand is growing. However, the current scarcity of workforce in the construction industry might become a huge issue in the future. In order to deal with the future real estate demand, the conventional construction industry needs to change. Although other industries are gratefully using newly developed technologies such as robots, innovations on the construction site are hardly used.Objective - This thesis aims to investigate how a business model of a Dutch construction company has to change to make on-site robots feasible. This research provides different strategies for construction companies to implement robots for the construction of row-houses, in order to deal with the emerging issues.Methods - This research is divided into three parts. The first section is a literature review providing an overview of currently developed robots, the status of the construction industry and the business models of construction companies. Secondly, an empirical part in which interviews are conducted to find out what the current business model of Dutch construction companies looks like. In addition, a case study in the dairy industry has been conducted as inspiration. In the final part, the operational section, all gained knowledge is combined and formulated as input values for the design of the adjusted business model. This is validated and complemented through a focus group with experts from the construction industry. For this research, the Business Model Canvas of Osterwalder and Pigneur is used as a framework. Results - Three different strategies are designed, based on the current business models of construction companies. These proposed models are adjusted to the input of the chosen robot, the case study in the dairy industry and the outcomes of the focus group. In the business model of the first strategy, the construction job is outsourced to a sub-contractor, who responsible for the operation of the robot. Within this model, minimal adjustments are needed for the construction company itself. However, this is the most expensive way to construct. In the second strategy, the robot is also implemented as key partner in the current business model, in this case not as sub-contractor but as a supplier. The robot is rented by the construction company from an external equipment party. This scenario will require adjustments of the current business model. Although this business model is less costly than the first model, it is still more expansive than currently used construction methods. The last strategy implies the purchase of a robot by the construction company itself. The impact/influence on the business model is shown for a worst and a best-case scenario. This strategy will cause several changes within the current business model, of which the most important is the robot as new key resource. The difference in costs depends on the worst or best scenario. The worst scenario, turned out to be the most expensive one, while the best scenario will just have minimal impact on the costs.Conclusions - Three different strategies are designed with matching business models for the implementation of on-site robots by construction companies. Therefore, it is impossible to develop one generic business models. Hence, the adjusted business models matching to the three possible strategies are based on a merged business model of all the participating construction companies. For each of the strategy, specific adjustments need to be made in the current business model. The first business model, in which the robot will be implemented by a sub-contractor turned out to be the most expensive scenario. Nevertheless, according to the practice, this will be the most promising scenario to start implementing robots. The fact that construction companies take a passive position towards innovations confirms the findings from the literature study that concludes that construction companies are described as traditional and conservative. However, when the urgency for the use construction robots grow, due to an increasing shortage of workforce, it is more likely that the last strategy will be implemented; the purchase of a robot by the construction company itself. This will be the most obvious one, regarding costs, efficiency<br/
Consolidating Gauge, Weather Radar and GPM DPR Level 2A Observations of High-intensity Rainfall Events in the Netherlands
No full textThe Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar on board the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission core satellite has been providing precipitation products across the globe for over 6 years, thereby even supplying precipitation estimates for areas on Earth where surface-based precipitation measurements are not possible, like in remote regions, as well as seas and oceans. In this study, the GPM DPR Ku-band Level 2A instantaneous observations are compared with continuous measurements from a surface network in the Netherlands for high-intensity precipitation events during summer months. The aim of the research is to gain more insights in the temporal and spatial correspondence of the DPR’s measurements with precipitation occurring on the surface. The surface network consists of 2 C-band weather radars and an automatic gauge network of 33 gauges (approximately 50 km apart). Radar reflectivity factor is one of the prime parameters used for precipitation retrievals from radars and is thus the parameter used for anal- ysis of both the DPR and the weather radar network. Precipitation intensity is the parameter retrieved from the automatic gauge network. Space-borne and surface measurements have vary- ing characteristics, for instance in spatial and temporal resolution, and thus many challenges arise to perform an accurate and qualitative comparison. In this research, data is funneled by selecting high-intensity gauge data with a threshold of 15 mm/h within 40 minutes from GPM scan time within a 2.5 km range from the nearest DPR footprint. Ultimately, 26 high-intensity gauge measurements spread over 18 dates were used in the comparison analyses, selected out of data ranging from May - October for the years 2018 - 2021. The analyses showed that DPR and WR data correspond best in time (average correlation of 0.785) when DPR scantime is within 3 minutes of WR scantime. Also, results showed that instantaneous DPR data can be related to high-intensity gauge observations within a 40 minute time range by use of wind direction and wind speed. Furthermore, it was observed that precipitation performance of DPR is found satisfactory for intensity ≥ 0.5 mm/h (POD between 0.7 - 0.9 based on distance WS-IFOV), but unsatisfactory for intensities ≥ 15 mm/h (POD of 0.18 - 0.25). The results imply that DPR measurements don’t have an obvious temporal and spatial lag with respect to the observations made from the surface and thus form a prospect for global usage, if more follow-up research is conducted.Specialization in Water Management and Environmental EngineeringWater ManagementCivil Engineering | Environmental Engineerin
A new masterplan for Rijnhaven in Rotterdam: Has the initial vision for the redevelopment of Rijnhaven been incorporated in the newest plans?
No full textUrban planning for a society that finds itself in a perpetual state of evolution is complicated. The processes from design to construction can take a long time. As we cannot predict the future, flexibility is needed in the visions and strategies that are developed. But do all flexible visions and strategies survive the passing of time?This thesis examines the redevelopment of Rijnhaven, a sub-area of the large-scale development project Stadshavens (CityPorts) in Rotterdam and answers the research question: Has the initial vision for the Rijnhaven been incorporated into the newest plans? It starts with setting the context of the Port of Rotterdam and its history of redevelopment. Then, it delves into both masterplans to lay the foundation for the comparative analyses. This analysis focuses around the original five perspectives and researches whether they persevered in the latest masterplan. Three of the five original perspectives are on a path to realization and this thesis concludes that the majority of the 2008 vision has persevered.AR2A011Architectural History ThesisArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Science
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