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ICAR AIEEA-PG Computing, Data & Digital Tools for Dairy: practice questions

ICAR AIEEA-PG: Dairy Science (group 16) and Dairy Technology (group 17) · India · NTA for ICAR

Original practice questions written to the published syllabus · not past papers
10worked here, free
73written to this exam in this subject
10syllabus units

What this subject covers

Spreadsheets, databases, programming basics and the digital systems a dairy plant now runs on: milk collection software, ERP, LIMS and traceability.

In the exams: ICAR AIEEA-PG group 17 Unit II (computer applications in milk plants)

Where the 73 questions fall

How our questions for ICAR AIEEA-PG spread across the units of Computing, Data & Digital Tools for Dairy. Difficulty: 9 easy, 64 medium, 0 hard.

Databases and data management9
Traceability and recall software9
Enterprise resource planning in dairy companies8
Cybersecurity basics for plant control systems8
Spreadsheets for plant and laboratory calculations7
Introductory programming and scripting7
Laboratory information management systems7
Data analysis and visualisation7
Sensors, IoT and cloud data in dairy7
Automatic milk collection units and farmer payment systems4

10 practice questions, worked

Choose an answer, then open the working. Each explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others are not.

1 · Spreadsheets for plant and laboratory calculations · medium

In the data-integrity acronym ALCOA, the letter C stands for:

  1. Calculated
  2. Contemporaneous
  3. Certified
  4. Confidential
Answer and working

B. Contemporaneous

Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate; ALCOA+ adds complete, consistent, enduring and available.

Further reading: WHO guidance on good data and record management practices

2 · Databases and data management · medium

A JOIN in SQL is used to:

  1. Delete duplicate rows from a single table
  2. Encrypt a column of sensitive data
  3. Create a backup copy
  4. Combine rows from related tables
Answer and working

D. Combine rows from related tables

JOIN links tables through matching key values, such as deliveries with farmer names.

Further reading: Elmasri and Navathe, Fundamentals of Database Systems

3 · Introductory programming and scripting · medium

Which IEC 61131-3 language resembles relay wiring and is widely used by plant electricians?

  1. Ladder diagram
  2. Structured text
  3. Sequential function chart
  4. Function block diagram
Answer and working

A. Ladder diagram

Ladder diagram uses rungs of contacts and coils; structured text is a high-level text language; SFC describes sequences.

Further reading: IEC 61131-3

4 · Introductory programming and scripting · medium

The phases of a CIP cycle (pre-rinse, alkali, rinse, acid, final rinse) are most naturally programmed in a PLC with:

  1. Instruction list only
  2. A spreadsheet macro
  3. A relational database query
  4. Sequential function chart
Answer and working

D. Sequential function chart

SFC models steps and transitions, matching sequential processes.

Further reading: IEC 61131-3

5 · Introductory programming and scripting · medium

Testing a payment function with a delivery of exactly zero litres is an example of testing:

  1. An edge case
  2. A syntax rule
  3. Network speed
  4. Data compression
Answer and working

A. An edge case

Edge cases at boundaries (zero, missing values, band limits) reveal logic errors that typical cases miss.

Further reading: Software testing practice

6 · Laboratory information management systems · medium

When a result falls outside specification, a well-configured LIMS will:

  1. Delete it and request a retest silently
  2. Flag it automatically for review
  3. Change the specification to fit
  4. Send the certificate of analysis anyway
Answer and working

B. Flag it automatically for review

Automatic specification checks flag OOS results; deleting or hiding them is a serious integrity breach.

Further reading: ASTM E1578

7 · Traceability and recall software · medium

The difference between a recall and a withdrawal is that a recall:

  1. Is used only for labelling errors on the printed pack
  2. Never involves the food authority
  3. Applies only to raw milk
  4. Reaches back to consumers
Answer and working

D. Reaches back to consumers

Withdrawal removes product from the distribution chain before consumers; recall extends to consumers.

Further reading: Codex CXG 60; national recall guidance

8 · Traceability and recall software · medium

Distributed-ledger (blockchain) traceability records cannot, by themselves:

  1. Store time-stamped events
  2. Be shared between companies
  3. Make wrong source data correct
  4. Resist later alteration
Answer and working

C. Make wrong source data correct

Ledgers make records tamper-evident but faithfully store any error entered at source.

Further reading: GS1 and FAO discussion papers on blockchain

9 · Data analysis and visualisation · medium

Principal component analysis is used mainly to:

  1. Count bacteria on plates
  2. Calculate milk payments
  3. Reduce many correlated variables to a few components
  4. Encrypt data
Answer and working

C. Reduce many correlated variables to a few components

PCA finds directions of greatest variance, revealing patterns and outliers.

Further reading: Næs et al., A User-Friendly Guide to Multivariate Calibration

10 · Sensors, IoT and cloud data in dairy · medium

Rising electrical conductivity of milk from one quarter of an udder, recorded by a milking system, is an early sign of:

  1. Heat (oestrus)
  2. Ketosis
  3. High fat content
  4. Mastitis
Answer and working

D. Mastitis

Inflammation increases sodium and chloride in milk, raising conductivity.

Further reading: Dairy herd management literature

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Read the subject

Computing, Data & Digital Tools for DairyThe full study manual, free ICAR AIEEA-PGFormat, sections and how it has changed

More ICAR AIEEA-PG practice

Starter Cultures & Lactic Acid BacteriaDairy Pathogens, Toxins & Microbial RiskMicrobiology of Raw & Market MilkChemistry of Dairy ProductsInfant Formula & Nutritional Dairy ProductsLactose, Milk Salts & VitaminsDairy Analysis & Instrumental MethodsMilk Proteins & EnzymesEngineering Fundamentals for Dairy TechnologistsMicrobiology of Dairy ProductsMilk LipidsProbiotics, Prebiotics & Functional Dairy FoodsDairy Colloids: Emulsions, Foams & GelsGeneral MicrobiologyFluid Flow, Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer in Dairy PlantsMilk Composition & Physical PropertiesSensory Evaluation & Judging of Dairy ProductsBiochemistry for Dairy ScienceDairy Animal ScienceDairy Plant Design, Layout & Project EngineeringMarket Milk ProcessingHuman Nutrition & Dairy in the DietDairy Industry & Milk Production SystemsCream, Butter, Ghee & Milk Fat Products

Computing, Data & Digital Tools for Dairy for other exams

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