Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cyclar process'

The TASEP (totally asymmetric simple exclusion process) studied here is a Markov chain on cyclic words over the alphabet{1,2,...,n} given by at each time step sorting an adjacent pair of letters chosen uniformly at random. For example, from the word 3124 one may go to 1324, 3124, 3124, 4123 by sorting the pair 31, 12, 24, or 43. Two words have the sametype if they are permutations of each other. If we restrict TASEP to words of some particular type m we get an ergodic Markov chain whose stationary distribution we denote by ζm. Soζm (u) is the asymptotic proportion of time spent in the state u if the chain started in some word of type m. The distribution ζ is the main object of study in this thesis. This distribution turns out to have several remarkable properties, and alternative characterizations. It has previously been studied both from physical, combinatorial, and probabilitistic viewpoints. In the first chapter we give an extended summary of known results and results in this thesis concerning ζ. The new results are described (and proved) in detail in Papers I - IV. The new results in Papers I and II include an explicit formula for the value ofζat sorted words and a product formula for decomposable words. We also compute some correlation functions for ζ. In Paper III we study of a generalization of TASEP to Weyl groups. In Paper IV we study a certain scaling limit of ζ, finding several interesting patterns of which we prove some. We also study an inhomogenous version of TASEP, in which different particles get sorted at different rates, which generalizes the homogenous version in several aspects. In the first chapter we compute some correlation functions for ζ

QC 20141204

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2005.
Includes bibliographical references (leaf 37).
Cycle-to-Cycle (CtC) feedback control has been studied extensively with increasing demands on the precision and quality of manufactured parts. Single input-Single output has been studied as the basis of CtC feedback control. In the manufacturing sector, processes consist of many input parameters and critical outputs. Multivariate CtC seeks to extend the findings of SISO CtC to more accurately reflect real world processes. Multiple input-Multiple output CtC feedback control is applied to an injection molding process to verify the effects on quality of the parts produced. A design of experiment is used to determine the gains of the process, regression models are developed and integral feedback control is applied. The process is actively driven to meet specific target outputs. Minimal mean errors and variance ratios ranging from 0.14 to 0.57 are observed indicating an improvement in quality.
by Curtis N. Vanderpuije.
S.B.

The development of a new angioplasty balloon from a new material can be a long and arduous process that may take months. These balloons must meet some very stringent requirements such as high rated burst pressure with minimal wall thickness. The purpose of this thesis is to help reduce the amount of time invested in the experimental development stages of these medical balloons. This can be achieved with the aid of a cycle-to-cycle controller. The controller presented here may be simplistic, but it has shown that with further testing and modeling, it has the potential to completely replace the trial-and-error method of balloon development in use today.

Master´s thesis is focused on problems of optimizing of industry processes. Main objective was to analyze a company and project a improvement of industry process with costs saving. In the first part are recapitulated a generic knowledge about approaches of improving of industry processes. Second part is engaged in analyze of company ORTHPOM bratři Škodové spol. s r.o.. In the fine chapter is presented concept of revisions in industry process and possibilities of other optimalizations.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO
A Gestão de Processos de Negócios (em inglês, Business Process Management – BPM) tem obtido uma importância significativa tanto para os acadêmicos quanto para os participantes no mundo industrial. Contudo, um maior número de pesquisas empíricas se faz necessário para preencher uma lacuna existente na literatura acadêmica, especialmente no que diz respeito em como as organizações estão desenvolvendo as tarefas relacionadas à gestão de seus processos, como estão identificando as barreiras enfrentadas nesta gestão e os principais facilitadores usados para superar tais barreiras. Neste contexto, este estudo apresenta os achados empíricos e as lições aprendidas em uma pesquisa-ação sobre a evolução da gestão dos processos logísticos de uma multinacional do ramo de entretenimento que teve duração de aproximadamente dois anos e meio. O estudo contou com a participação de membros da academia, profissionais da organização e consultores externos. A partir da literatura em BPM, foram estudados diversos ciclos de vida da gestão de processos de negócios propostos por distintos autores e um modelo conceitual é proposto para orientar o desenvolvimento das tarefas realizadas na gestão de processos. Diferentes fatores críticos são analisados e discutidos nesta tese de Mestrado a partir da abordagem de ciclo de vida escolhida para a gestão dos processos logísticos da companhia com foco nas dimensões organizacionais, de recursos humanos e da tecnologia da informação da organização, resultando em contribuições tanto para acadêmicos quanto para os profissionais no mercado.
Business process management (BPM) has obtained significant importance for both academics and practitioners. However, the academic literature needs additional empirical researches to fulfill research-practice gaps, especially on how organizations are developing BPM tasks, identifying the barriers faced and main enablers adopted. Within this context, this paper presents the empirical findings and lessons learnt from an action research on the evolution of the logistics processes management for a multinational entertainment company. Different critical factors are analyzed and discussed within the Master Thesis regarding the entire BPM development from a life cycle approach, focusing in the organizational, people and IT dimensions, resulting in contributions for both academics and practitioners.

This thesis is an initial attempt at analyzing the "product-process matrix," a framework suggesting the interaction of product and process life cycles. The objectives of this thesis were to test the theory surrounding the "product-process matrix" and also test theories concerning the transition of strategic objectives between "product-process matrix" regions. The methodology included conducting a survey of Virginia manufacturing firms on strategic concerns, constructing a database into which survey responses were loaded, and analyzing survey responses.

Results of this survey suggested that the theory surrounding the "product-process matrix" may be inappropriate. Results also indicated the possibility that row and column descriptions of the current "product-process matrix" may need alterations in order to be more applicable to manufacturing firms. Further research is necessary to examine possible biases associated with the survey instrument and survey sample. After such research has been undertaken, it is recommended that continued work in this area may help to improve understanding the interaction between markets and manufacturing processes.
Master of Science

The presence of arsenic in drinking water has been a major concern for years, due to its concentration being above the maximum allowable limit of 10 μg/l. Ingestion of arsenic-contaminated water causes different types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, skin lesion and more. Many techniques have been developed and used to reduce arsenic levels to the maximum allowable limit. The conventional methods to do so are adsorption, membrane filtration, coagulation-flocculation, oxidation, and ion exchange. The most common adsorption material is activated carbon produced from hard coal, but there is a shift towards using agro-waste materials in order to produce a more environmentally-friendly adsorbent with high rejection levels. Such materials include cocoa pod husk, ice cream beans, and red mombin seeds, where cocoa pod husk AC was able to remove 80% of arsenate, and red mombin seeds AC removed arsenate almost completely. Nanofiltration membranes were reportedly effective for arsenic removal, reaching a removal percentage of 90%. In this work, a life cycle assessment analysis using SimaPro was conducted for arsenic removal using red mombin seeds activated carbon and spiral wound nanofiltration membranes, as they are able to reach high removal efficiencies. The methods were then compared based on their impacts on the different environmental and damage categories to determine which is the better option. The results showed that nanofiltration had the lowest environmental impacts over the different impact categories by a huge difference
Juomaveden sisältämä arseeni on ollut merkittävä ongelma jo pitkään, sillä arseenipitoisuus ylittää usein sille asetun raja-arvon 10 μg/l. Arseenipitoisen juomaveden käyttö aiheuttaa muun muassa syöpä- ja verenkiertoelimistön sairauksia sekä iho-ongelmia. Juomaveden arseenipitoisuuden vähentämiseksi on kehitetty useita menetelmiä, joista tavallisimpia ovat adsorptio, kalvoerotus, koagulaatio ja flokkaus, hapetus ja ioninvaihto. Yleisin adsorptiomateriaali on aktiivihiili, joka on valmistettu kivihiilestä, mutta nykyisin maatalousjätteestä valmistetut adsorbentit ovat kiinnostuksen kohteena, sillä ne ovat ympäristöystävällisempiä ja niiden avulla voidaan saavuttaa korkea haitta-aineiden poistoprosentti. Tällaisia materiaaleja ovat muun muassa kaakaopavun kuoret ja punamombinin siemenet. Tutkimuksissa on saavutettu kaakaopavun kuorista valmistetun adsorbentin avulla 80 %:n poistuma arseenille ja punamombinin siemenet ovat poistaneet vedestä arseenin lähes kokonaan. Nanosuodatuksessa kalvot ovat tutkimusten mukaan poistaneet arseenista 90 %. Tässä tutkimuksessa suoritettiin SimaPro-ohjelmiston avulla elinkaariarviointi kahdelle vedenkäsittelymenetelmälle: adsorptiolle, jossa käytettiin punamombinin siemenistä valmistettua adsorbenttia, sekä nanosuodatukselle, jossa käytettiin spiraalikalvoja. Menetelmiä verrattiin niiden ympäristövaikutusten perusteella parhaan vaihtoehdon löytämiseksi. Tulosten perusteella nanosuodatuksen ympäristövaikutukset kaikissa vaikutusluokissa olivat merkittävästi alhaisemmat

Thesis monitors processing of orders in the Böhler Uddeholm CZ s.r.o. company in the sales department and the department of sales and logistic. The aim of the work is to analyze current situation and to propose better and innovative ways of how to improve the procedure of order processing and shipping. Theoretical part will look at information technology and the cycle of order processing. Practical part will introduce the analyzed company, will describe order processing and at the and I will propose suggestions that could ease, improve and quicken order processing itself.

The development of a new angioplasty balloon is a time consuming process. This thesis aims at reducing the amount of time and materials spent on the experimental stage of the development of new angioplasty balloons. This can be achieved by building a nonlinear neural network model of the balloon forming process and implementing an off-line cycle-to-cycle controller. The controller can learn from the previous experiments and provide better input parameters for improving the quality of the next balloons formed in the process. It is shown in the experimental test results that the neural network model can provide accurate estimates of the process outputs. The neural network model combined with a cycle-to-cycle control strategy has the potential to replace the trial-and-error approach to balloon development that is commonly applied today.

In this thesis, the problem of closed loop control during the thermoforming sheet reheat process is considered. The approach aims to improve the material distribution of a formed thermoplastic part via better sheet temperature control prior to forming. Improved control of material distribution will increase part quality and result in fewer part rejects, thereby increasing production efficiency.
A process model consisting of individual components describing sensor, heater, and sheet heating dynamics has been developed. Recommendations for improvements to the process model, particularly for the sheet heating model, are also made. An in-cycle control strategy is proposed and the feasibility of in-cycle sheet reheat temperature control is examined based on simulation results for multivariable Hinfinity control is examined based on simulation results for multivariable H infinity and MPC controller designs.

As a consequence of the gradually expanding aviation network, civil aircrafts are occupying an increasingly high proportion of the transport industry. Air transport now dominates the intercity rapid transit, long-distance passenger transport, international passenger and freight transport, and specific regional transport, advantaged as it is by fast, convenient, comfortable and safe options. Nevertheless, the potential adverse impact on the environment of air transport, specifically, in the case of this research, the pollutants generated during aircraft production remain a concern. Using the A319 as the main research object, this thesis will conduct a life cycle assessment research about its environmental impact. Moreover, it will focus on the impact brought by the application of composite materials to the entire life cycle environmental influence of the aircraft, particularly the material production and disposal process. At the same time, a contrast with the B737-800 aircraft will be made due to their different composite material use rate. Firstly, the inventory list is formed by collecting data about the weight and material of every component in the aircraft, the input and output information of the composite material manufacturing process, the disposal situation of the aircraft and the treatment of composite material. Secondly, the impact assessment of the aircraft is conducted to examine their environmental influence. During the assessment, each life stage and the whole life cycle of the aircrafts is assessed, and a comparison between these two aircraft types is made. Finally, according to the impact assessment result, the environment load increase brought by the manufacturing of composite material and the decrease of the environment impact due to the weight reduction character of composite material is calculated and compared. From this research, the conclusion that the use of composite material has a positive effect on decreasing the environmental impact of the whole life cycle of the aircraft is obtained. This will enable aircraft manufacturers to target these reas for improvement, to produce more comfortable, environment friendly and market competitive aircraft.

Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
In order to plan the engineering work of large construction projects efficiently, a model of the engineering process is required. An engineering process can be modelled by sets of persons, tasks, datasets and tools, as well as the relationships between the elements of these sets. Tasks are more often than not dependent on other tasks in the engineering process. In large projects these dependencies are not easily recognised, and if tasks are not executed in the correct sequence, costly delays may occur. The homogeneous binary relation “has to be executed before” in the set of tasks can be used to determine the logical sequence of tasks algebraically. The relation can be described by a directed graph in the set of tasks, and the logical sequence of tasks can be determined by sorting the graph topologically, if the graph is acyclic. However, in an engineering process, this graph is not necessarily acyclic since certain tasks have to be executed in parallel, causing cycles in the graph. After generating the graph in the set of tasks, it is important to fuse all the cycles. This is achieved by finding the strongly connected components of the graph. The reduced graph, in which each strongly connected component is represented by a vertex, is a directed acyclic graph. The strongly connected components may be determined by different methods, including Kosaraju’s, Tarjan’s and Gabow’s methods. Considering the “has to be executed before” graph in the set of tasks, elementary paths through the graph, i.e. paths which do not contain any vertex more than once, are useful to investigate the influence of tasks on other tasks. For example, the longest elementary path of the graph is the logical critical path. The solution of such path problems in a network may be reduced to the solution of systems of equations using path algebras. The solution of the system of equations may be determined directly, i.e. through Gauss elimination, or iteratively, through Jacobi’s or Gauss-Seidel’s methods or the forward and back substitution method. The vertex sequence of an acyclic graph can be assigned in such a way that the coefficient matrix of the system of equations is reduced to staggered form, after which the solution is found by a simple back substitution. Since an engineering process has a start and an end, it is more acyclic than cyclic. Consequently we can usually reduce a substantial part of the coefficient matrix to staggered form. Using this technique, modifications of the solution methods mentioned above were implemented, and the efficiency of the technique is determined and compared between the various methods.

Realizovana istraživanja disertacije mogu se podeliti na triosnovne celine. Prva celina predstavlja teorijski deo disertacije, uokviru kog su postavljene osnovne podloge za razvoj sistema zainteligentnu višekriterijumsku analizu kod ocenjivanja životnogciklusa proizvoda i procesa. Drugu celinu predstavlja razvojmodela i programskog sistema za inteligentnu višekriterijumskuanalizu. U okviru treće celine prikazani su rezultati primenerazvijenog modela i programskog rešenja na primerimaocenjivanja životnog ciklusa i procene opterećenja životnesredine.
Dissertation reserch has been carried out in three main sections.The first section presents the theoretical part of the dissertation,where the base for the development of intelligent multicriteriaanalysis within life cycle assessment of the products andprocesses is set up. The second part presents the development ofmodel and software system for intelligent multicriteriaanalysis.Within the third section the results of applying the developedmodel and software solution are presented on the case studies oflife cycle analysis and assessment of environmental burdens.

Environmental Diagnosis of Process Plants by Life Cycle Techniques
Haydée A. Yrigoyen González
El objetivo de la investigación es desarrollar una herramienta que relacione aspectos de
simulación, evaluación ambiental y análisis de sensibilidad. Para lo cual se estableció una
metodología que consta de cinco niveles: Simulación de proceso, Inventario, evaluación de
impactos ambientales, análisis económico y análisis de sensibilidad.
La metodología describe las variables relacionadas con el proceso, así como los
impactos asociados a cada una de sus etapas y la viabilidad económica del proceso, e
identifica las etapas de proceso con el mayor impacto ambiental (mediante el análisis de
sensibilidad).
Para la simulación de procesos se empleó el simulador ASPEN Hysys®. El inventario,
la evaluación de impactos y el análisis económico se lleva a cabo en hojas de cálculo de forma
automática.
La obtención del inventario de efectos ambientales y la evaluación de los
correspondientes impactos se realizan siguiendo la metodología de ciclo de vida, por lo que se
consideran las cargas ambientales asociadas a las materias primas, la generación de
electricidad y utilidades. Para obtener el inventario se construyó una base de datos que
contiene la información ambiental asociada a varios procesos industriales que se relacionan
indirectamente al proceso bajo estudio. Similarmente, se incluyó una base de datos con los
factores de caracterización de las categorías de impacto más importantes.
La validación de la metodología y de la herramienta desarrollada se ha llevado a cabo
mediante tres procesos industriales: polietileno de baja densidad (LDPE), óxido de etileno (EO)
y biodiesel. Para cada proceso se han evaluado diferentes configuraciones para poder
determinar cual de ellas es la mejor opción desde el punto de vista ambiental y económico.
En el caso del LDPE, el cambio de configuración se ha enfocado en el origen de la
electricidad, la cual puede ser proveniente de la Red Nacional Española o de una unidad de
cogeneración. Los resultados indican que la mejor configuración corresponde al proceso que
emplea electricidad proveniente de la unidad de cogeneración, puesto que se obtiene vapor
como sub-producto y se evitan las emisiones asociadas a la generación de electricidad, lo que
se refleja en una importante reducción de los impactos ambientales asociados.
En el segundo proceso analizado, referente a la producción de oxido de etileno, se han
evaluado cuatro configuraciones, empleando aire u oxígeno como materia prima y electricidad
de la Red Española o produciéndola mediante cogeneración. En relación al origen de la
electricidad, al emplear la cogeneración, el comportamiento ambiental del proceso mejora
considerablemente. En cuanto a la importancia de la materia prima empleada, al utilizar
oxígeno se obtiene un mejor rendimiento en la etapa de reacción, con lo cual se compensa los
costes asociados a la materia prima con la productividad del proceso.
Finalmente, se ha llevado a cabo la evaluación del proceso de producción de biodiesel,
se comparó el comportamiento ambiental del proceso empleando un catalizador ácido y un
catalizador básico. En el proceso ácido se generan menores impactos ambientales. De forma
similar, ésta configuración tiene un mejor perfil económico ya que los costes asociados a la
producción son menores y no se requiere ninguna unidad de pretratamiento (necesaria en el
proceso alcalino).
Mediante la herramienta desarrollada, la información inicial puede modificarse en
cualquier momento con el fin de obtener los valores correspondientes a nuevas condiciones.
Uno de los aspectos más importantes es el que la herramienta se adapta fácilmente con el
mínimo de variaciones. Las bases de datos que se incluyen en las hojas de cálculo pueden ser
actualizadas por el usuario o ajustarse a las necesidades específicas de cada proceso. Todo el
análisis se lleva a cabo de forma automática, una vez introducida la información inicial del
proceso e información económica.

Environmental Diagnosis of Process Plants by Life Cycle Techniques
Haydée A. Yrigoyen González
The objective of this work is to develop a tool that integrates simulation, environmental
assessment and sensitivity analysis aspects. To support this tool, a methodology consisting of
five levels was established. These are: process simulation, Inventory, environmental impacts
assessment, economic analysis and sensitivity analysis.
The developed methodology describes the variables related to the process, as well as
the impacts associated to each stages, the economic viability of the process, and the process
stages with the highest environmental impact (by means of the sensitivity analysis).
ASPEN Hysys® is the chosen software for the simulation of processes. The inventory,
impact assessment and the economic analysis are automatically obtained in spreadsheets, by
means of macros execution.
The inventory and the impacts assessment are performed following the Life Cycle
methodology. Therefore, the environmental loads of the raw materials, electricity generation and
utilities are considered. In order to generate the inventory, a data base was constructed; it
contains the environmental information associated to industrial processes that are indirectly
related to the process under study. Similarly, a data base with the characterization factors of the
most important impact categories was included in the tool.
The validation of the methodology and the developed tool has been accomplished by
their application to three industrial processes: low density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene oxide
(EO) and biodiesel production. Different configurations have been evaluated for each process to
determine the best option from the environmental and economic point of view.
For the LDPE process, the configuration change has focused in the origin of the
electricity, which can be supplied by the Spanish National Network or a cogeneration unit.
Based on our results, the best configuration corresponds to the process employing electricity by
cogeneration, since steam is obtained as by-product and the emissions associated to the
electricity generation are eliminated. These facts are reflected in an important reduction of the
overall impacts associated to this process.
In the second analyzed process, referring to the production of ethylene oxide, four
configurations have been evaluated: using air or oxygen as raw material and electricity from the
Spanish Network or produced by cogeneration. Related to the origin of the electricity, using
cogeneration, a better environmental profile is obtained. On the other hand, the oxygen as raw
material is better than air due to the best yield of ethylene oxide in the reaction stage. Due to
the better selectivity of the oxygen in the reaction, the costs of O2 as raw material are
compensated by high production.
Finally, the process evaluation of the biodiesel production has been carried out. In this
case, an acid and a basic catalyst were compared. The best configuration corresponds to the
process using an acid catalyst. In the acid process lower environmental impacts are generated.
Furthermore, this configuration has a better economical profile since the costs associated to the
production are smaller and a pre-treatment unit is not required, as in the alkaline process.
The initial information can be modified at any time to obtain the profile associated to the
new conditions by means of the developed tool. Also, the tool can be adapted to any process in
an easy way. The included database can be updated or adjusted by the user at any time to
personalize them to the specific necessities of each process. Once the initial information is
introduced, the analysis is executed automatically.
The developed tool is able to make the simulation, its environmental diagnosis,
economic evaluation and the sensitivity analysis of any industrial process, introducing the initial
operation conditions.

Parison length control in extrusion blow molding of plastic parts has been studied and attempted for the past quarter-century. Most methods used involve cycle-to-cycle control where the next part shows an improvement over the previous one using either weight measurement of the part or a simple photocell initiating the cutting of the parison. In the present thesis, plant models are developed using a control engineering technique called system identification. Since the process model thus determined is based on experimental data, sag and swell of the parison are implicitly taken into account. Furthermore, an in-cycle robust controller is designed and simulated where the die gap opening and the extrusion speed are adjusted as the parison is being extruded. The outlined control strategy focuses on controlling the parison length against process disturbances and machine drifts. The control system thus obtained is then reduced to two single-input single-output controllers for potential implementation on the extruder machine employed throughout the research.

Fast development and complexity of modern automation has brought many challenges to automation solutions providers. One important part of modern automation is Plant Asset Management (PAM) tool, especially in field devices business where Company X is market leader. The communication between the field device and PAM tool is done via Device Type Manager (DTM). DTM is a Human Machine Interface (HMI) which provides the high sophisticated parameters of the device to a one interface. HMI or SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Access) systems developers are facing serious problems to give users needed information in a package which is usable. This research will concentrate to clarify and improve current DTM usability for Company X (CX). First, the thesis will go through CX DTMs user types. User type’s clarification will be the basis information for usability benchmarking tests with the biggest competitors of CX. Benchmarking tests will concentrate on commissioning, because it is the most time spending and that is why the most money consuming, regular task in a field device plant life cycle. In the end, master thesis will provide a clarified user types with the user needs and goals towards the DTM. Plus the main thing, to a have an improvement proposals for DTM usability for today and future. Tests showed that CX is way behind in the efficiency and also in the satisfaction towards competitors. In usability satisfaction, CX was competing against Company M from the last place when Company V and Company E are fighting of the first place. Quite describing is the average rate of satisfaction, for Company E it was 6.05, Company V 5.71 and then comes CX with average rate 4.56. Only Company M had worse users’ satisfaction rate with 3.91. In the efficiency the situation was similar, CX where competing of the last place when Company M and Company E were almost twice faster. According to the benchmarking tests, in effectiveness CX where only one who had DTM where users made faults. In other issues, tasks performers asked help if there were problems. Fast development and complexity of modern automation has influenced also to CX DTM usability, making DTMs huge and complex from the usability and structure. It is shown in the test that DTM usability hasn’t been the focus of CX by this far. Anyway, now it should become one of the tasks to make a serious improve
Automaatioteknologian nopea kehitys ja monimutkaisuus ovat tuoneet uudenlaisia haasteita automaatioratkaisuja tarjoaville yrityksille. Kenttälaitteita tarjoavassa liiketoiminnassa, jossa Yritys X (CX) on markkinajohtaja, laitostenhallintatyökalut ovat yksi tärkeä osa modernia automaatiota. Laitostenhallintatyökalujen ja kenttälaitteiden välillä Device Type Manager (DTM) on puuttuva kommunikoinnin palanen. DTM on ihmisille kehitetty käyttöliittymä (Human Machine Interface — HMI), joka tarjoaa laadullisesti tarkkoja mittalaiteparametrejä yhdelle näyttöpäätteelle. HMI ja SCADA eli käytön ja tiedonsiirron ohjauksen hallinta työkalu (Supervisory Control and Data Access) systeemin kehittäjät ovat kohdanneet todellisia haasteita yrittäessään tarjota tarpeellisen tiedon, joka olisi samalla myös käytettävyydessä toimiva. Diplomityö tulee keskittymään Yritys X:n DTM:n käytettävyyden analysointiin ja kehitykseen. Ensiksi diplomityössä tarkennetaan jo standardisoituja CX:n käyttäjätyyppejä, jonka jälkeen saatu tieto tullaan käyttämään alustavana tietona CX:n suurimpien kilpailijoiden vertailututkimukselle. Vertailututkimus tulee keskittymään käyttöönottoon, koska tämä on eniten aikaa vievä vaihe ja täten myös kallein normaalisti tehtävä työvaihe kenttälaitteiden elinkaaren aikana. Diplomityö tulee tarjoamaan tarkennetut käyttäjätyypit ja niiden tehtävät sekä tavoitteet DTM:lle. Lopuksi diplomityö esittää parannusehdotuksia DTM:n tämän hetkiselle ja tulevaisuuden käytettävyydelle. Testit osoittivat että CX:lla on paljon parannettavaa käytettävyyden suhteen. Sekä suorituskyvyssä että tyytyväisyydessä, CX oli vasta kolmannella sijalla, selvällä erolla kärkikaksikkoon. Myös tehokkuudessa huomattiin selkeitä puutteita CX:n DTM:ssä. Kuvaava tieto CX:n heikohkosta menestyksestä käytettävyystesteissä kertoo käytettävyys tyytyväisyyden keskiarvot. Yritys E:n keskiarvo oli 6.05 ja kakkosena olevan Yritys V:n 5.71. Seuraavaksi tuli CX selkeällä erolla keskiarvoin 4.56. Ainoastaan Yritys M:n DTM sai huonomman keskiarvon 3.91. Nopea kehitys ja monimutkaisuus automaatioliiketoiminnassa ovat vaikuttaneet myös CX:n käytettävyyteen, tehden siittä valtavan ja monimutkaisen rakenteeltaan että käytettävyydeltään. Testit osoittivat että CX ei ole keskittynyt DTM:n käytettävyyden parantamiseen, joten nyt olisi aika alkaa tekemään todellisia uudistuksia käytettävyydenkin suhteen

Business Process Management (BPM) has emerged as a popular management approach in both Information Technology (IT) and management practice. While there has been much research on business process modelling and the BPM life cycle, there has been little attention given to managing the quality of a business process during its life cycle. This study addresses this gap by providing a framework for organisations to manage the quality of business processes during different phases of the BPM life cycle. This study employs a multi-method research design which is based on the design science approach and the action research methodology. During the design science phase, the artifacts to model a quality-aware business process were developed. These artifacts were then evaluated through three cycles of action research which were conducted within three large Australian-based organisations. This study contributes to the body of BPM knowledge in a number of ways. Firstly, it presents a quality-aware BPM life cycle that provides a framework on how quality can be incorporated into a business process and subsequently managed during the BPM life cycle. Secondly, it provides a framework to capture and model quality requirements of a business process as a set of measurable elements that can be incorporated into the business process model. Finally, it proposes a novel root cause analysis technique for determining the causes of quality issues within business processes.

Given the context of globalization and growing competition, we assist at a reduction of the product life cycle and at a rapid diffusion of creations and innovations. To respond to the fast changing customers’ demand and to reinforce their market position, firms shall design an effective creative process offering superior customer value and insuring their future in the long term.

First of all, after an explanation of the differences between creativity and innovation, the creative process of high-tech firms in terms of actors involved, resources allocation, leadership and management of creative people will be depicted. Secondly, the creative destruction process and some of the inherent obstacles and risks of the creative process will be addressed. Thirdly, the concepts of Technology Life Cycle (TLC) and Product Life Cycle (PLC) will be developed.

Within this thesis, our ideas are presented and justified through three methodologies: Literature Review, case study and interview. We mainly used the cases of Hewlett-Packard (HP) and France Telecom Orange (FTO) to backup our argumentation.

We conceptualized the creative process and we highlighted the connections between the creative process and the Product Life Cycle. With the help of two other small cases study (Nintendo and Apple), we emphasized the downward trend of high-tech products’ lifecycle in the long run. Ultimately, four practical recommendations are given to leaders from high-tech industries and directions to deeper research this topic are advised.

A simple flowsheet of the hybrid sulphur cycle was devised and a steady state simulation thereof was built in Aspen. A sensitivity analysis was done and the snowball effect was identified as a significant process control issue. The flowsheet will become more complex as other process alternatives are investigated and optimisation and heat integration are done. This will probably result in further process control complications that need to be identified and dealt with. A detailed literature study was done and future research needed was identified. This includes further research to be done into the electrolyser and the thermodynamics of the mixtures involved in the hybrid sulphur cycle. The control related lessons learned were summarised in a very preliminary control strategy.
Thesis (M.Ing. (Nuclear Engineering))---North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits (ICs) are the dominant technology in the semiconductor industry. Meeting delivery date is important to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain momentum between manufacturing divisions. Two major concerns are to produce the right quantity of ICs in the expected period of time. Yield and cycle time are two critical parameters used to assess process performance. The main objectives of this work were to obtain reliable forecasts of yields and cycle times and to monitor the process for detection of upsets. We explored the use of time series models such as ARIMA, transfer function and intervention models. A simultaneous outlier treatment and forecasting strategy was developed which combined the joint estimation of model parameters and outlier effects procedure with some new control charts. This method is particularly suited for highly correlated processes that are frequently subjected to large outliers. Choice of time basis was an important issue in this work (i.e., week of emergence from or entrance to the process). For ARIMA modeling, cycle time series were found to follow a highly correlated AR(1) process whereas yield series were just white noise. Five-step ahead ARIMA forecasts were often inaccurate due to the presence of frequent and large outliers. One step-ahead ARIMA forecasts were quite satisfactory. Transfer function models relating yield data to the process capacity data were built. Transfer function models for overall process cycle times were constructed using as inputs cycle times for various stages in the process. Five step-ahead forecasts were highly improved using these transfer functions. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

O objetivo foi investigar a aquisição de habilidades motoras, no modelo do Processo Adaptativo, testando dois ciclos de Instabilidade-Estabilidade-Instabilidade (I-E-I). Duzentos e quarenta homens adultos jovens participaram de dois experimentos realizando uma tarefa seriada de rastreamento. As variáveis dependentes foram as respostas omissas, erradas, corretas e antecipatórias. O Experimento 1 testou o efeito dos Intervalos Inter-Estímulos (IIEs) em uma fase de aquisição num delineamento com seis grupos (300, 400, 500, 600, 700 e 800 ms de IIE); os testes estatísticos indicaram efeito de interação de grupos e blocos em todas as respostas. Com base nesses resultados foi elaborado o experimento principal com a mesma tarefa, num delineamento de três fases (Estabilização, Adaptação I e II) com o intuito de analisar o efeito dos ciclos I-E-I e dos IIEs no desempenho. Foram testados seis grupos nos quais os IIEs eram modificados de uma fase para outra. Os testes estatísticos mostraram efeito de interação entre grupos e blocos para os quatro tipos de resposta. Em seu conjunto, os resultados indicam que a aquisição de habilidades se dá mediante sucessivos ciclos de estabilização-adaptação, que leva ao aumento de complexidade; houve efeito do nível de estabilização alcançado no primeiro ciclo para o segundo ciclo de I-E-I e da magnitude da perturbação; a redundância inicial na estrutura teve efeito no desempenho em respostas funcionais ao longo dos ciclos
The aim of this study was to investigate the acquisition of motor learning as proposed by Adaptive Process model of motor learning by testing two Instability- Stability-Instability cycles (IN-ST-IN). Two hundred and forty young adult men participated in the two experiments in which a serial tracking task was used. The dependent variables were anticipatory, correct, incorrect and omission responses. The first experiment tested the effect of the Inter-Stimuli-Intervals (ISI) in an acquisition phase with a design comprised by six groups (300, 400, 500, 600, 700 e 800 ms of ISI); the MANOVA statistics (6 Groups X 3 Blocks) indicated interaction effect in all responses. Based on these results the main experiment was set up with a design of three phases (Stabilization, Adaptation I and II) with the aim to analyze the effect of the IN-ST-IN cycles and the ISIs on four responses. Six groups were tested in which the ISI were modified in each phase. The MANOVA statistics (6 Groups X 5 Blocks) indicated interaction effect in all responses. In sum, the results indicated that the acquisition process of motor skills takes place in the course of successive stabilization-adaptation cycles that lead to the increase to system\'s complexity; there was observed effect of the first cycle stabilization level on the second cycle; the early redundancy in the structure had effect on the functional responses performance, throughout the cycles

The master thesis is focused on the topic Project Management. In the theoretical part the literary research is elaborated. The practical part of the thesis provides an analysis of the current state of the project company ZETOR TRACTORS a.s.. On the basis of knowledge of the system, the arrangements are proposed to improve it.

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a Life Cycle Cost model that could be used for investment, budgeting and comparing alternatives. An evaluation of existing models concluded that there was a need for a model that was easy to use and understand but in the same way economical and technical complex. Theoretical and empirical information was gathered in accordance with the purpose and made a base of the model. The model highlights operative, energy and maintenance costs. A case study to test the model has been carried out and selected company for this has been Swedwood International AB which is a part of IKEA. Swedwood currently works with pay back calculations which could lead to wrong decisions during the life length of the investment. The developed LCC model was tested on different techniques for applying an edge on a substrate. The result of the report is that the user will have a clear and structured overview of an investment during its economical life length. A final investment decision demands further tests and evaluations, for example technical test and MCDM. Further researches for the LCC model could be to investigate if the model lacks any critical aspects that should be included. A recommendation for Swedwood is to follow up the developed standards for collecting data at the factories in order to facilitate when investigating for new techniques and comparing between investment options.

Syftet med examensarbetet är att utveckla en livscykelkostnadsmodell som kan användas vid investeringar, budgeteringar och jämförelser. Efter en utvärdering av tillgängliga modeller konstaterades det att behov fanns för en modell som var ekonomisk och teknisk avancerad men ändå användarvänlig. Teori och empiri insamlades i enlighet med syftet och bildade en grund för modellen. Modellen belyser speciellt kostnadsaktiviteter så som operativa, energi och underhållskostnader. En fallstudie för att testa modellen har genomförts och fallföretaget var Swedwood International AB som är en del av IKEA. Swedwood arbetar nu med payback kalkyler vilket kan leda till fel beslut sett till hela investeringens livslängd. Den framtagna LCC modellen testades på olika tekniker för att applicera en kant på ett arbetstycke. Resultatet av rapporten är genom att använda modellen får man en klar och tydlig översikt av alla kostnader under en investerings ekonomiska livslängd. Ett investeringsbeslut kräver ytterligare tester och utvärderingar så som tekniska tester och MCDM. En fortsatt utveckling av modellen kan vara att undersöka om den saknar någon kritisk del som ska var inkluderad. En rekommendation till Swedwood är att följa upp de centralt utvecklade standarder på fabrikerna så att alla samlar in data på samma sätt, vilket skulle underlätta vid implementering av nya tekniker och vid jämförelser av investeringar.

CHDS State/Local
The purpose of this thesis was to examine the employment and adherence of the intelligence cycle process model within the National Network of Fusion Centers and the greater Homeland Security Enterprise by exploring the customary intelligence cycle process model established by the United States Intelligence Community (USIC). This thesis revealed there are various intelligence cycle process models used by the USIC and taught to the National Network. Given the numerous different training entities and varied intelligence cycle process models, challenges exist with providing a well-defined training program that ensures consistent and clear intelligence cycle process model employment. Finally, this thesis offers an overview pertinent to researchers and/or practitioners regarding the viability of employing the intelligence cycle process model as the principle guide for domestic intelligence activities. This thesis employed a qualitative research method that analyzed and interpreted publicly available academic and policy information gathered from government and nongovernment institutions regarding the conceptual and practical intelligence cycle process model narratives. A case study analysis was conducted of the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon bombing as a platform to discuss the active and effective employment of the intelligence cycle process model by the National Network. The principal conclusion offers while literature clearly agrees the intelligence cycle process model is a cyclical structure of actions, literature also finds there are common themes suggesting the intelligence cycle does not sufficiently describe how the intelligence process works at the operational stages of domestic intelligence activities within the National Network.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Through many years of research, a number of production schemes have been developed for converting lignocellulosic biomass into transport fuels. These technologies have been assessed through a number of techno-economic studies for application in a particular context in terms of the technical and economic feasibility. However, previous studies using these methods have tended to lack vigour in various aspects. Either the energy efficiency of the processes were not maximised through adequate heat integration, or a competing technology which existed was not considered. From an economic perspective, the financial models would often lack the vigour to account for the risk and uncertainty that is inherent in the market prices of the commodities. This phenomenon is especially relevant for the biofuel industry that faces the full fledge of uncertainties experienced by the agricultural sector and the energy sector. Furthermore, from an environmental perspective, the techno-economic studies had often ignored the environmental impacts that are associated with biofuel production. Thus, a comparative study could have favoured an option due to its economic feasibility, while it could have had serious environmental consequences. The aim of this study was to address these issues in a South African context, where biofuels could be produced from sugarcane bagasse. The first step would be to modify an existing simulation model for a bioethanol scenario that operates with a Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation (SHF process) configuration into a second processing scenario that operates with a Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF process) configuration using reliable experimental data. The second step was to ensure that the maximum energy efficiency of each scenario was realised by carrying out pinch point analysis as a heat integration step. In contrast to these biological models is the thermochemical model that converts bagasse to gasoline and diesel via gasification, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and refining (GFT process). While there were no significant advances in technology concerning this type of process, the energy efficiency was to be maximised with pinch point analysis. The GFT process obtained the highest energy efficiency of 50.6%. Without the affects of pinch point technology, the efficiency dropped to 46%, which thus emphasises the importance of heat integration. The SSF had an efficiency of 42.8%, which was superior to that of the SHF at 39.3%. This resulted from a higher conversion of biomass to ethanol in the SSF scenario. Comparing the SHF model to an identical model found in literature that did not have pinch point retrofits, this study showed lower efficiency. This arose because the previous study did not account for the energy demands of the cold utility systems such as the cooling tower operation, which has been shown in this study to account for 40% of the electrical energy needs. The economic viability of all three processes was assessed with Monte Carlo Simulations to account for the risks that the fluctuations in commodity prices and financial indices pose. This was accomplished by projecting the fluctuations of these parameters from samples of a historical database that has been transformed into a probability distribution function. The consequences were measured in terms of the Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for a large number of simulations. The results of these variables were aggregated and were then assessed by testing the probability that the NPV<0, and that the IRR recedes below the interest rate of 12.64%. The investment was thus deemed unfeasible if these probabilities were greater than 20%. Both biological models were deemed profitable in terms of this standard. The probabilities were 13% for the SSF and 14% for the SHF. The GFT process however was deemed completely unfeasible because the probability that the NPV<0 was 78%. Given that the GFT process had the highest energy efficiency, this result arises mainly because the capital investment of 140,000USD/MWHHV of biomass energy input is to enormous for any payback to be expected. The environmental footprint of each process was measured using Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs). LCAs are a scientifically intricate way of quantifying and qualifying the effects of a product or process within a specified boundary. The impacts are assessed on a range of environmental issues, such as Global Warming, Acidification, Eutrophication and Human toxicity. Furthermore, if the project under concern has multiple output products, then the impacts are distributed between the output products in proportion to the revenue that each generates. The impacts were either relative to the flow of feedstock, which was 600MW of bagasse, or to the functional unit, which was the amount of fuel required to power a standard vehicle for a distance of 1 kilometre. In either case, the GFT scenario was the least burdening on the environmental. This was expected because the GFT process had the highest energy efficiency and the process itself lacked the use of processing chemicals. Relative to the feedstock flow, the SSF was the most environmentally burdening scenario due to the intensive use of processing chemicals. Relative to the functional unit, the SHF was the most severe due to its low energy efficiency. Thus, the following conclusions were drawn from the study:  The GFT is the most energy and environmentally efficient process, but it showed no sign of economic feasibility. iv  There is no significant difference in the economic and environmental evaluation of the SSF and SHF process, even though the SSF is considered to be a newer and more efficient process. The major cause of this is because the setup of the SSF model was not optimised.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Deur baie jare van navorsing is ‘n aantal produksie-skemas vir die omskakeling van lignosellulose biomassa na vloeibarebrandstof ontwikkel. Hierdie tegnologië is geassesseer ten opsigte van die tegniese en ekonomiese haalbaarheid deur middel van tegno-ekonomiese studies in bepaalde tekste. Tog het hierdie vorige studies besliste beperkings gehad. Of die energie-doeltreffendheid van die proses is nie gemaksimeer deur voldoende hitte-integrasie nie, of 'n mededingende tegnologie wat bestaan is nie oorweeg nie. Vanuit 'n ekonomiese perspektief, was die finansiële modelle dikwels nie die omvattend genoeg om rekening te hou met die risiko en onsekerheid wat inherent is in die markpryse van die kommoditeite nie. Hierdie verskynsel is veral relevant vir die biobrandstof bedryf wat die volle omvang van onsekerhede ervaar waaraan die landbousektor en die energiesektoronderhewig is. Verder het die tegno-ekonomiese studies dikwels die omgewingsimpakte wat verband hou met biobrandstofproduksie geïgnoreer. Dus kon ‘n opsie deur die ekonomiese haalbaarheid bevoordeel word, ten spyte van die ernstige omgewingsimpakte wat dit kon inhou. Die doel van hierdie studie was om hierdie kwessies aan te spreek in 'n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, waar biobrandstof uit suikerriet bagasse geproduseer kan word. Die eerste stap was om 'n bestaande simulasiemodel vir 'n bio-scenario wat met Afsonderlike Hidroliese en Fermentasie (SHF proses) stappe werk, te modifiseer vir 'n tweede verwerking scenario wat met 'n gelyktydige Versuikering en Fermentasie (SSF proses) konfigurasie werk. Die verandering is gedoen deur die gebruik van betroubare eksperimentele data. Die tweede stap was om te verseker dat elke scenario die maksimum energie-doeltreffendheid het, deur 'n hitte-integrasie stap, wat gebruik maak van “pinch-point” analise. In teenstelling met hierdie biologiese modelle, is daar die thermochemiese roete waar petrol en diesel van bagasse vervaardig word via vergassing, Fischer-Tropsch-sintese en rafinering (GFT proses). Daar was geen betekenisvolle vooruitgang in tegnologie vir hierdie proses nie, maar die energie-doeltreffendheid is gemaksimeer word deur energie-integrasie. Die GFT proses toon die hoogste energie-doeltreffendheid van 50,6%. Sonder die invloed van energie-integrasie het die doeltreffendheid gedaal tot 46%, wat dus die belangrikheid van hitte-integrasie beklemtoon. Die SSF het 'n effektiwiteit van 42,8% gehad, wat beter was as dié 39,3% van die SHF opsie. Hierdie hoër effektiwiteit wasas gevolg van die hoër omskakeling van biomassa na etanol in die SSF scenario. Die energie doeltreffendheid vir die SHF-model was laer as met 'n identiese model (sonder energie-integrasie) wat in die literatuur gevind wat is. Dit het ontstaan omdat die vorige studie nie 'n volledig voorsiening gemaak het met die energie-eise van die verkillingstelselsnie, wat tot 40% van die elektriese energie behoeftes kan uitmaak. Die ekonomiese lewensvatbaarheid van al drie prosesse is bepaal met Monte Carlo simulasies om die risiko's wat die fluktuasies in kommoditeitspryse en finansiële indekse inhou, in berekening te bring. Hierdie is bereik deur die projeksie van die fluktuasies van hierdie parameters aan die hand van 'n historiese databasis wat omskep is in 'n waarskynlikheid verspreiding funksie. Die gevolge is gemeet in terme van die netto huidige waarde (NHW) en Interne Opbrengskoers (IOK) vir 'n groot aantal simulasies. Die resultate van hierdie veranderlikes is saamgevoeg en daarna, deur die toets van die waarskynlikheid dat die NPV <0, en dat die IRR laer as die rentekoers van 12,64% daal, beoordeel. Die belegging is dus nie realiseerbaar geag as die waarskynlikhede meer as 20% was nie. Beide biologieseprosesse kan as winsgewend beskou word in terme van bostaande norme. Die waarskynlikhede was 13% vir die SSF en 14% vir die SHF. Aangesien die NHW van die GFT-proses onder 0 met ‘n waarskynlikheid van 78% is, is die opsie as nie-winsgewend beskou. Gegewe dat die GFT-proses die hoogste energie-doeltreffendheid het, is die resultaat hoofsaaklik omdat die kapitale belegging van 140,000 USD / MWHHV-biomassa energie-inset te groot is, om enige terugbetaling te verwag. Die omgewingsvoetspoor van elke proses is bepaal deur die gebruik van Lewens Siklus Analises (“Life Cycle Assessments”) (LCAS). LCAS is 'n wetenskaplike metodeom die effek van ‘n produk of proses binne bepaalde grense beide kwalitatief en kwantitatief te bepaal. Die impakte word beoordeel vir 'n verskeidenheid van omgewingskwessies, soos aardverwarming, versuring, eutrofikasie en menslike toksisiteit. Voorts, indien die projek onder die saak verskeie afvoer produkte het, word die impakte tussen die afvoer produkte verdeel, in verhouding tot die inkomste wat elkeen genereer. Die impak was met of relatief tot die vloei van roumateriaal (600MW van bagasse), of tot die funksionele eenheid, wat die hoeveelheid van brandstof is om 'n standaard voertuig aan te dryf oor 'n afstand van 1 kilometer. In al die gevalle het die GFT scenario die laagste belading op die omgewing geplaas. Hierdie is te verwagte omdat die GFT proses die hoogste energie-doeltreffendheid het en die proses self nie enige addisionele chemikalieë vereis nie. Relatief tot die roumateriaal vloei, het die SSF die grootse belading op die omgewing geplaas as gevolg van die intensiewe gebruik van verwerkte chemikalieë. Relatief tot die funksionele eenheid, was die SHF die swakste as gevolg van sy lae energie-doeltreffendheid.

The leaching of lead sulfate in aqueous diethylenetriarnine (dien) is pH dependent with a maximum leaching capacity at pH 11.6. Chloride and nitrate ions suppress the leaching of lead by dien; however, addition of sulfate ion does not diminish the leaching capacity of aqueous dien for lead sulfate. Indeed, addition of sulfate ion significantly increases the solubility of lead chloride and nitrate in aqueous dien. The presence of carbonate ions in the leachant (dien) converts lead sulfate into insoluble lead compounds plumbonacrite, leadhillite and lanarkite, and thus preventing further leaching by dien. Depending on the precipitant, lead is precipitated as hydrocerussite, cerussite or NaOH.2PbCO2, but not as lead dihydroxycarbonate, Pb(OH)2.PbCO2 . The major cause of deactivation of recycled dien appears to be protonation of dien during the precipitation of lead using carbon dioxide. pH adjustment using sodium hydroxide restores the leaching capacity of the dien solution. Alternatively, sodium carbonate can be used as precipitant, and a procedure for the precipitation of lead using sodium carbonate is suggested to overcome the undesired protonation of dien. The kinetics of precipitation of lead carbonates was studied and it was shown that dissolution of carbon dioxide in aqueous dien, followed by addition to a solution of lead ions, leads to slow precipitation. The slowness was attributed to the slow, reversible formation of carbamate by reaction of carbon dioxide with dien. Direct passing of carbon dioxide into a lead dien sulfate solution gives a precipitation rate greater than for the addition of carbon dioxide solution but less than for the In addition of sodium carbonate solution. Crystalline lead diethylenetriarnine sulfate and lead diethylenetriamine nitrate have been synthesised and physical properties recorded. The X-ray diffractogram of lead diethylenetriamine sulfate is presented. A simple gas volumetric apparatus has been designed for rapid determination of total carbonate and bicarbonate in a wide range of solids and solutions. The apparatus has been tested to determine 0.12 1 mmol (7 - 6 0 mg) CO2^2- , and reproducible results have been obtained. The use of sodium chloride as a potentiornetric breaking reagent has been found to compare favourably with sodium iodide in the titration of dien. Direct titration of lead by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid following dissolution of lead sulfate in aqueous dien was found to provide a simple and accurate analysis for lead in the presence of sulfate.

In a world with limited resources and serious environmental, social and economical impacts, a more sustainable life style is everyday more important. Therefore, the general objective of this work is to develop a methodological procedure for eco-efficiency and sustainability assessment of industrial processes with multi-scale technology at design level. The methodology developed follows the ISO 14040 series for environmental LCA standard. To integrate the three pillars of sustainability the analytical hierarchical process was used. The results are represented in a triple bottom line framework. The methodology was applied to the case study "production of perfume-containing microcapsules" and different scenarios were assessed and compared. Several sustainability indicators were chosen to analyze the impacts. The results showed that this methodology can be used as a decision making tool for sustainability reporting. It can be applied to any process choosing in each case the corresponding set of inventory data and sustainability impact indicators.
En un mundo con recursos limitados y graves impactos ambientales, sociales y económicos, un estilo de vida más sostenible es cada día más importante. Debido a esto, el objetivo general de este trabajo es desarrollar un procedimiento metodológico para evaluar eco-eficiencia y sostenibilidad de procesos industriales con tecnología multi-escala a nivel de diseño. La metodología desarrollada sigue la serie ISO 14040 para el medio ambiente. Se utilizó el proceso analítico jerárquico para integrar los tres pilares de sostenibilidad. Los resultados se presentan en un balance triple. La metodología se aplicó al caso de estudio "producción de micro-cápsulas que contienen perfume" y se analizaron y compararon diferentes escenarios. Se seleccionaron diversos indicadores de sostenibilidad para analizar los impactos. Los resultados demostraron que esta metodología puede ser utilizada como herramienta de toma de decisiones y que puede aplicarse a cualquier proceso seleccionando, en cada caso, los datos del inventario y los indicadores.

The accumulation of plastic waste in the natural environment has been a major environmental concern for many decades. However, the environmental impacts associated with leakage are not taken into consideration under current life-cycle based approaches, despite packaging being a major application area of life cycle assessment. Furthermore, there is limited quantitative information on the leakage propensities and rates of different products. This presents a critical limitation during the life cycle management (LCM) of products destined for regions where they are likely to be dumped or littered. This thesis investigates the feasibility and influence of using product specific leakage rates as a proxy indicator for potential marine environmental impacts, to inform the life cycle management of products in which plastic is a material choice. In particular, it explores whether a realistic understanding of leakage rates, differentiated by major use, may facilitate the development of effective interventions to mitigate the growing problem of marine plastic pollution. This entails the quantification of leakage rates for selected plastic items identified as highly prone to leakage based on a series of beach surveys. The potential influence of providing such specific knowledge is investigated via the exploration of current LCM practices for plastic products employed by key value-chain actors in the plastics industry. In addition, the life cycle management of three key items identified as problematic (straws, cotton bud sticks and beverage bottle lids) is explored via a case study approach. Beach accumulation surveys are often used to estimate plastic flows into the marine environment. Thus, two series of beach surveys were conducted across five beaches with varying catchment area characteristics in Cape Town, over two periods in 2017 and 2018 – 2019 respectively. Daily accumulation rates varied across all sites ranging from 38 – 2962 items.day-1 .100m-1 during the first sampling period and 305 – 2082 items.day-1 .100m-1 during the second. Plastic was the major contributor accounting for 85.6 – 98.9% of all items by count. Despite the variations in litter accumulation rates and composition, there was significant commonality in the items which were identified as major contributors. The top 12 most prevalent and abundant identifiable plastic items accounted for 43 – 66% during the first sampling period, and 41 – 73% during the second. Ten of these items were prevalent during both periods, eight of which were associated with food consumed on-the-go, including beverage bottle lids, polystyrene food containers, single sweet wrappers, snack packets and straws. This indicates that the high litterability of these items was consistent across catchment areas and sampling periods. Furthermore, when ratioed to waste generation, items found to be major contributors were found to have significantly higher leakage rates in comparison to less prevalent items. The increasing concern surrounding plastic pollution has pressured value-chain actors to review their approaches to the life cycle management of plastic products. This has led to the development of strategies focussed on plastic packaging which were not commonplace across all companies. However, these strategies are not necessarily aimed at mitigating plastic pollution but are more broadly concerned with sustainable product design, emphasising design for recycling and supporting recycling activities at end-of-life as part of their extended producer responsibility. Thus, the extent to which these strategies address plastic pollution is limited. Furthermore, value-chain actors reported varied approaches to product prioritisation for intervention which are often not grounded in empirical evidence but instead based on anecdotes and limited logic. This may be attributed to a lack of reliable product-specific information surrounding plastic pollution. Such approaches have the potential to prioritise products ii which are not major contributors to marine pollution in lieu of those that are. Interventions targeted towards products that were identified as prone to leakage, including straws and cotton bud sticks, were catalysed by consumer pressure and societal expectations at large. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates the need for product-specific knowledge on leakage to facilitate responsible and effective life cycle management of products involving plastic as a material choice. Furthermore, it has demonstrated the feasibility of providing such information through the use of leakage rates. Leakage rates have the potential to play an important role in product life cycle management, allowing for the identification of products which are highly prone to leakage into the environment. Thus, their integration into LCM practice has the potential to facilitate the development of targeted strategies to address plastic pollution.

Sammandrag

Denna studie tar upp problematiken vid införande av administrativa stödprojekt vid Uppsala universitet, främst hur motstånd till förändring kan motverkas. Problemet definieras genom frågan: Hur kan Uppsala universitet effektivisera implementeringen av administrativa stödprojekt? Syftet med denna studie är att lyfta fram kritiska framgångsfaktorer vid genomförandet av projekt. Färdigimplementerade administrativa stödprojekt studerades genom personliga intervjuer med projektansvariga och administratörer på institutioner. Upptäckterna analyserades med hjälp av en processorienterad teori baserad på Demingcykeln. Erfarenheterna utkristalliserades till konkreta riktlinjer och råd för framtida projektimplementeringar vid Uppsala universitet. Den främsta riktlinjen var att i större utsträckning informera och motivera de som kommer att påverkas av projektet.

Il ciclo sonno-veglia é oggetto di studio per molti scienziati e matematici da più di trent’anni ma nonostante ciò molti quesiti non trovano ancora una risposta. Capire i meccanismi e le dinamiche del ciclo sonno-veglia è un problema molto importante perché le sue alterazioni possono avere conseguenze significative sulla salute umana. In questo lavoro viene presentato un modello matematico, con basi biologiche, del ciclo sonno-veglia. La principale novità rispetto ai modelli precedenti è l’utilizzo di un accurato modello neuronale, il modello di Hodgkin-Huxley, che permette di descrivere il sistema usando connessioni sinaptiche realistiche. Crediamo fermamente che questo argomento meriti una investigazione dettagliata, non solo per il contenuto fisico e matematico, ma anche per il suo potenziale impatto sulla ricerca nel campo della sanità.

Software design decisions were considered in this study, as the possibly principal factor for unplanned adjustments related to the embedded software handling, at production- and service processes. The study reveals an increase of requirement changes during the last phases in then software development projects execution, which forces late design decisions in order to fulfil the changed requirements. Consequently, the likelihood of risks for unexpected impacts on the subsequent processes will increase.

A research approach based on interviews and data from previous projects at Volvo CE was performed. The process methodology used at Volvo CE for software development was investigated from the project planning and control view and the project team member’s perspective.

A high amount of software-design decisions were encountered at the end of the software development process at Volvo CE, as a result of numerous requirement changes at the final phases of the projects execution. A gap was identified between how the process methodology specified the progression of activities for software development and the actual progression of the project activities in Volvo CE.

This study discusses problem areas in the software development process at Volvo CE from an embedded design decisions perspective. As future work, the study recommends three steps to find improvements to the process methodology: 1) Update the process based on standardized procedures for management of requirements changes, risk handling, and communication. 2) Further analysis and possible adaptations of the process model 3) Develop methods and/or tools for process quality assurance.

The management of the embedded software decisions appears to be a very complicated area, the conventional statements on the importance of the decisions in the earlier phases, at least, should be further discussed and investigated.

PREPARE

The main purpose of this thesis is to develop a new model which helps the decision maker to rationalize outsourcing decisions based on Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis and select the appropriate supplier. The model developed consists of four main phases, as well as a pre-evaluating step, which investigate the organization needs and circumstances. Phase I is an evaluation and calculation phase, it assess whether outsourcing is the right policy to be adopted as a competitive advantage from two perspectives; the strategic evaluation of the outsourcing decision, and the cost savings through the life time of the outsourcing process using LCC. Phase II is supplier's selection; it aims to select the preferred supplier using Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), as well as identifies performance measures to monitor supplier performance. Phase III is maintain and monitor phase, it aims to keep the process and the supplier under continuous revision and assessment. Phase IV is review phase, it aims to identify if a specified monitored parameter is out of control or at critical levels, and identify the causes. This model contribute in covering the lack in the literature by considering LCC in the outsourcing decision making, as well as providing a structured model that concern about the whole process starting by understanding the organizations need and ends by monitoring and review the outsourcing process.

The model was validated at one Swedish company, i.e. Kalmar Industries in Ljungby assembly unit, in particular, within the maintenance department. The results of the model validation shows that using LCCA, and risk benefits associated, the preferred alternative is to outsource all the maintenance activities related to ventilation system, these activates involve maintenance personnel, spare parts, and third party to monitor and report the process to authorities. Furthermore, based on LCCA and other suggested criteria and using MCDM, ABB Supplier got the lowest score in MCDM i.e. 36.70% (the lowest LCC along with fulfillment of the qualitative criteria).

The main result is that; it is possible to employ LCCA in the maintenance outsourcing process to achieve a strategic model valid for decisions taking over the life length of the process. Consequently, the main recommendation for the case company is to outsource these activities and to transfer it to ABB service supplier.