Добірка наукової літератури з теми "Cost formation mechanism"

Spatial formations of swarm robots are increasingly applied in many domains in which the environments are dynamic and unpredictable. The autonomy of the individual robots and decentralization of the entire system increase the complexity of the response to environmental changes, which could prolong the formation convergence and significantly increase the communication cost. To address these issues, we propose an adaptive mechanism with three basic behaviours for each individual robot and design a grouping-based spatial formation algorithm for swarm robots to respond to changes and accomplish shape formation. Specifically, the robots are automatically partitioned into several groups based on their spatial neighbours. In this manner, the interactions and self-organization of robots are primarily performed at the intra-group rather than inter-group level, leading to decreased communication costs. Furthermore, this grouping mechanism naturally supports parallel formation and therefore improves the convergence speed. Our simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly improves the convergence speed and decreases the communication cost, thus validating the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive mechanism.

On the basis of the developed model and the basic scheme for improving the process of formation of production costs, a technique allowing to optimise the operation of the construction complex enterprises cost mechanism by selecting the best option for the ratio of the influence of production cost factors levels to cost indicators and their manageability levels is being proposed.

The article analyzes existing approaches to cost management; system and process approaches are defined as the most applicable. It is determined that with both of these approaches the object of cost management is managerial actions and relationships arising in the process of formation of certain characteristics of the status of costs (compliance with the limits of the remuneration fund, consumption of raw materials etc.); the subject of management are structural subdivisions of the enterprise and responsible persons who carry out cost management procedures. The system approach considers cost management as a system in which a set of interconnected elements is allocated, there are links, mechanisms of interaction between individual elements, which help to achieve a certain goal, are determined. The process approach proposes to apply a management cycle to manage costs. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of cost management, it is advisable to apply dualism of approaches, for which it is proposed to combine system and process approaches. It is proved that the cost management system should consist of two subsystems: 1) the formation of a cost management system and 2) the functioning of the cost management system. These subsystems differ in such features as: purpose, tasks, functions, elements, mechanism of interaction. Two subsystems of the cost management system are connected as follows: the purpose of the subsystem of the cost management system formation is to develop methodological support for the functioning of the cost management subsystem. At the same time, the functioning of the subsystem of the cost management system is the management cycle: planning, accounting, control, analysis. This shows the implementation of the process approach to cost management.

The article analyzes existing approaches to cost management; system and process approaches are defined as the most applicable. It is determined that with both of these approaches the object of cost management is managerial actions and relationships arising in the process of formation of certain characteristics of the status of costs (compliance with the limits of the remuneration fund, consumption of raw materials etc.); the subject of management are structural subdivisions of the enterprise and responsible persons who carry out cost management procedures. The system approach considers cost management as a system in which a set of interconnected elements is allocated, there are links, mechanisms of interaction between individual elements, which help to achieve a certain goal, are determined. The process approach proposes to apply a management cycle to manage costs. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of cost management, it is advisable to apply dualism of approaches, for which it is proposed to combine system and process approaches. It is proved that the cost management system should consist of two subsystems: 1) the formation of a cost management system and 2) the functioning of the cost management system. These subsystems differ in such features as: purpose, tasks, functions, elements, mechanism of interaction. Two subsystems of the cost management system are connected as follows: the purpose of the subsystem of the cost management system formation is to develop methodological support for the functioning of the cost management subsystem. At the same time, the functioning of the subsystem of the cost management system is the management cycle: planning, accounting, control, analysis. This shows the implementation of the process approach to cost management.

Formulation of the problem. The current state of development of the Ukrainian economy requires new approaches to cost management and tariff policy formulation at utilities. The purpose of the article is to develop theoretical and methodological provisions for identifying the financial mechanism for optimizing the cost policy of heat supply companies, and to develop practical recommendations for the use of methods and tools that can optimize the cost policy of enterprises. The subject of the study is the regularity of the occurrence and course of the cost policy of heat supply companies. Methods used in the study: analysis, synthesis, abstract-logical, comparative and statistical, generalization and grouping; system-structural, functional, integral method and the like. Research hypothesis. Presence of necessity of differentiation of mechanism of formation of full cost of realization of thermal energy. Presenting main material. It is established that the current system of cost management in the housing and communal services industry is not able to contain the growth of costs, reduce the unproductive costs of material, labor and energy resources, ensure the efficiency of production of housing and communal services, break-even activities of enterprises of the industry, achieve their stable development. The originality and practical significance of the study are to develop a comprehensive mechanism for the formation of the cost of heat released, based on the separate formation of costs for the production of heat energy source heat and transport it through thermal networks. Conclusions of the study. The mechanism of formation of the full cost of the released thermal energy is developed, based on the separate formation of costs for the production of thermal energy by the source of heat supply and its transportation through thermal networks. Due to the high degree of wear and tear of fixed assets, it is suggested to include the costs of disaster recovery in the direct production costs for the production and transportation of heat. The proposed measures make it possible to fully calculate the cost of producing and transporting heat.

As a result of the base-rock corrosion effects and the suspension-carrying capability of polymer in the system of strong base ASP flooding, the concentration of silicon ions in reservoir liquid increases. As the liquid flows into the surface pipelines with tracer heating water injecting, thermodynamics and kinetics conditions change. Suspending power and pH value also decrease. Heavy oil (which content is more than 25%), silts, carbonates and silicates co-deposite, which can cause surface pipelines jamming and even production stopping. Physical or chemistry methods can prolong the rinsing cycles of surface pipelines. Pilot tests indicated that injecting resistance sedimentation agents cost little which had a long rinsing cycle above one year. Hot washing technology had a low cost but with a short rinsing cycle about 2-4 months and the treatment efficiency was easy influenced by the content of oil in blockages. Cavitating water jets technology had good effects and its rinsing cycle were 6 months but cost was high.

Among the key technologies of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) leader–follower formations control, formation reconfiguration technology is one of the main technologies to ensure that multiple AUVs successfully complete their tasks in a complex operating environment. The biggest drawback of the leader–follower formations technology is the failure of the leader and the excessive communication pressure of the leader. Aiming at the problem of leader failure in multi- AUV leader–follower formations, the Hungarian algorithm is used to reconstruct the failed formation with a minimum cost, and the improvement of the Hungarian algorithm can solve the problem of a non-standard assignment. In order to solve the problem of an increased leader communication task after formation reconfiguration, the application of an event-triggered mechanism (ETM) can reduce unnecessary and useless communication, while the efficiency of the ETM can be improved through increasing the event-triggered conditions of the sampling error threshold. The simulation results of multi-AUV formation control show that the Hungarian algorithm proposed in this paper can deal with the leader failure in the multi-AUV leader–follower formation, and the ETM designed in this paper can reduce about 90% of the communication traffic of the formation which also proves the highly efficient performance of the improved ETM in the paper.

A class of intensively studied materials with application in areas where complex structures with precise geometry are needed (i.e. electronics), are the self-organized nanomaterials. Polymer, metallic and composite self-organized nanomaterials have been in researchers� attention the last decades. They are not only appealing scientifically, by revealing the intrinsic atomic and molecular interactions that might be difficult to detect otherwise but may also hold the key for the development of novel functional structures and devices. The different mechanisms and forces involved in the self-formation of organized nanostructures are discussed in the present manuscript. Further on, key formation fundamentals involved in the fabrication of self-organized nanostructures are described. Between the known manufacturing methods, the electrochemical synthesis is considered extremely simple and cost effective. On the other hand, it involves a wide range of synthesis parameters (e.g. voltage, electrolyte type, temperature, experiment duration, pH etc.) that may lead to the formation of ingenious structures with complex geometries at different length scales. Finally, some representative scientific investigations are mentioned together with applications of self-organized nanomaterials in different engineering and life areas.

The features of the mechanism of using the tools of the marketing complex in the sales process are investigated in this paper. It is proved that in market economy, the given concept of «4P» does not completely reveal the essence of marketing activities and should be supplemented by several components. This approach promotes the use of three more components that form appropriate standards for service enterprises. The concept of «sale», which is considered as oral exchange between the buyer and the seller, during which the seller makes the presentation of the goods for the purpose of concluding transaction is considered and supplemented. It is analyzed that the interpretation of the sales process only as a sphere of personal communication between seller and buyer does not take into account the preparation and organization of sales, physical movement of goods to the point of sale, but only establishes and maintains contacts with consumers. In this case, sales act as one of the tools of communication with the consumer and is aimed to find a buyer, convince him to buy the product and provide necessary sales. It is proved that it is the communication component of the sales process that distinguishes it from other concepts – sales and distribution and expands the scope, focusing on the end result and taking care of meeting the needs of consumers. Communication in this case plays the role of the tool by which the sales process is performed. In addition, it is also one of the sources for collecting information about the target consumer and formation of the company’s image, which aims to increase the number of loyal customers. It is proved that the purpose of formation of sales complex at the enterprise is the delivery of finished goods to the consumer and its effective realization for balance establishment between market demand and goods offer. The effectiveness of sales in this case is that the cost of relevant marketing activities of the enterprise must be recouped and give a direct and indirect effects, presented in the form of meeting consumer needs and increasing their loyalty to the company and its products, or in the form of profit growth per hryvnia of sales budget.

Процеси формування ринкових відносин в Україні вимагають глибоких перетворень у методах управління витратами промислових підприємств. Посилюється необхідність використання сучасних ринкових критеріїв ефективності, підвищуються вимоги до гнучкості управління. Головним орієнтиром та мірилом успішності функціонування підприємств є обсяги отриманого прибутку. В той же час, проблемі ефективного формування витрат в багатьох випадках приділяється недостатня увага. У зв’язку з цим, для сучасного етапу розвитку вітчизняних підприємств промисловості значною мірою характерні стихійність та непередбачуваність процесів формування витрат виробництва. Потребують більш детальної уваги взаємозв’язки та взаємообумовленість різних видів діяльності та функцій управління у формуванні витрат виробництва, в тому числі: нормування, планування, облік та аналіз. Існуючі недоліки в управлінні витратами ведуть до розбалансування всього процесу їх формування, а в результаті – до надлишкових витрат, чому можна запобігти при раціональній організації відповідного процесу. Наслідком цього став надмірно високий рівень витрат на ряді вітчизняних підприємств у порівнянні з аналогічними підприємствами розвинутих країн. У дисертаційний роботі викладено теоретичні положення, методичні та практичні аспекти щодо особливостей механізму формування витрат на промислових підприємствах. У дисертаційній роботі здійснено теоретичне узагальнення і розроблено новий підхід до комплексного вирішення важливого науково-практичного завдання щодо застосування механізму формування витрат на промислових підприємствах. За результатами дослідження наукових підходів вітчизняних та іноземних авторів, які вивчали проблематику механізму формування витрат на промислових підприємствах дозволили удосконалити тлумачення економічної сутності поняття «механізму формування витрат» як комплексного аналізу поточного стану і перспектив розвитку підприємства з метою прийняття виважених управлінських рішень щодо розв’язання проблем і використання переваг, які виникають та створюються в процесі його діяльності. Наукою розроблено різні підходи до вирішення завдання зниження витрат, однак у сучасних кризових умовах господарювання використання багатьох з них стримується необхідністю вкладення значних інвестицій. Через те пошук малоінвестиційних способів підвищення ефективності використання витрат є надзвичайно актуальним. Великі обсяги інформації про витрати та різноманітність підходів до їх дослідження, які розроблено наукою, потребують певної адаптації для їх ефективного використання в сучасних умовах. Для удосконалення інформаційно-аналітичних основ побудови механізму формування витрат на промислових підприємствах необхідно теоретично обґрунтувати й розробити методичні положення на сучасному етапі економічного розвитку. У ринкових умовах господарювання необхідно визначити економічну сутність та еволюцію поняття витрат підприємств, систематизувати ознаки класифікації витрат та напрямів їх використання, розглянути формування системи нормативного регулювання витрат. Ефективна діяльність промислових підприємств вимагає дослідження концепції управління витратами, аналізу досконалості методичного забезпечення формування витрат, побудови процесів формування витрат в промисловості. Для вирішення проблем управління витратами промислових підприємств використовуються можливості системного підходу для управління витратами та визначення складових системи управління ними. Удосконалено модель оцінювання ефективності управління витратами промислового підприємства на засадах системного підходу, а також обґрунтовано та розроблено механізм формування витрат, вбудований в загальну систему управління витратами промислового підприємства. Використовуючи функціонально-вартісний аналіз за функціями на підприємстві та за центрами витрат, удосконалено багатоступеневу систему визначення рангу функцій у залежності від відсотка витрат, що, на відміну від існуючих, дозволяють їх зменшити за допомогою АВС-методу, заснованого на принципі Парето та експертних оцінках з врахуванням значущості функцій у забезпеченні життєдіяльності підприємств. У процесі дисертаційної роботи було визначено економічну сутність та еволюцію поняття витрат підприємств відповідно до ринкових умов господарювання. Систематизовано ознаки класифікації витрат та напрямів їх використання, формування системи нормативного регулювання витрат. Досліджено концепцію управління витратами та здійснено аналіз досконалості науково-методичного забезпечення формування витрат виробництва. Для потреб управління витратами промислового підприємства розроблено структурно-логічні схеми процесів формування витрат в промисловості. Було обґрунтовано можливості використання системного підходу для управління витратами та визначення складових системи управління ними, а також розроблено механізм формування витрат, вбудований в загальну систему управління промисловими підприємствами. Розроблено модель оцінювання ефективності управління витратами промислового підприємства на засадах системного підходу. Для прийняття управлінських рішень необхідно використовувати механізм формування витрат виробництва, вбудований в загальну систему управління витратами промислового підприємства, який, на відміну від існуючих підходів, дозволяє приймати управлінські рішення на початковому етапі. У процесі дослідження здійснено систематизацію витрат у взаємозв’язку з функціями управління, що, на відміну від існуючих підходів, включає використання певного класифікатора витрат для їх ідентифікації та прогнозування, сформовано концепцію управління витратами на засадах синтезу, що, на відміну від існуючих підходів, буде враховувати особливості підприємств, та буде чутливою до будь-яких змін стратегії їх діяльності. Проаналізовано теоретико-методичні аспекти систематизації витрат шляхом використання порівняльного аналізу вітчизняних та зарубіжних систем класифікації для визначення відмінностей у напрямах застосування інформації про витрати за різними ознаками і встановлення взаємозв’язку між ними, що, на відміну від існуючих підходів, розширює рамки їх дослідження, а також здійснено визначення інструментів, принципів та способів формування витрат для формування системи управління підприємством, що дозволило висунути вимоги, яким повинні відповідати сучасні ефективні системи управління витратами з метою їх використання у практичній діяльності. Здійснено формування та реалізацію заходів оптимізації витрат виробництва, які на етапі планування робіт, на початковому етапі дозволяють спрогнозувати витрати і отримані вигоди, що, на відміну від існуючих, дозволяють достовірно прогнозувати оптимальні значення витрат виробництва. Розглянуто систему моніторингу витрат виробництва, яка включає елементи еластичності і, на відміну від існуючих підходів, використовує кореляційну модель залежності витрат від результатів виробництва. Проаналізовано показники еластичності, які в умовах наявності великої кількості характеристик, на відміну від існуючих підходів, дозволяють здійснювати превентивну перевірку планової обґрунтованості витрат для прогнозування майбутньої вартості та ціни продукції. Удосконалено визначення та реалізацію резервів зниження рівня витрат у промисловості за рахунок виключення в процесах планування неефективних витрат і удосконалення процесу управління ними за системним підходом. За результатами дисертаційної роботи удосконалено механізм формування витрат виробництва, вбудований в загальну систему управління промисловим підприємством, який, на відміну від існуючих підходів, дозволяє приймати управлінські рішення на початковому етапі. Здійснено систематизацію витрат у взаємозв’язку з функціями управління, що, на відміну від існуючих підходів, включає використання певного класифікатора витрат для їх ідентифікації та прогнозування, а також запропоновано систему управління витратами на засадах синтезу, що, на відміну від існуючих підходів, враховує особливості підприємств, та є чутливою до будь-яких змін стратегії їх діяльності. В роботі розроблено систему аналізу ефективності формування витрат, яка, на відміну від існуючих підходів, враховує оцінку слабких і сильних сторін функціональної структури управління і дозволяє впорядкувати поточну діяльність та розвиток підприємства. Сформульовано теоретико-методичні аспекти систематизації витрат шляхом використання порівняльного аналізу вітчизняних та зарубіжних систем класифікації для визначення відмінностей у напрямах застосування інформації про витрати за різними ознаками і встановлення взаємозв’язку між ними, що, на відміну від існуючих підходів, розширює рамки їх дослідження. Проведено визначення інструментів, принципів та способів формування витрат для формування системи управління підприємством, що дозволило висунути вимоги, яким повинні відповідати сучасні ефективні системи управління витратами з метою їх використання у практичній діяльності. Охарактеризовано показники еластичності, які в умовах наявності великої кількості характеристик, на відміну від існуючих підходів, дозволяють здійснювати превентивну перевірку планової обґрунтованості витрат для прогнозування майбутньої вартості та ціни продукції. Дисертаційна робота є науковою працею, в якій удосконалено механізм формування витрат промислового підприємства. Сформульовані у дисертації наукові результати отримані автором самостійно і є особистим доробком. Наукові результати дисертації опубліковані у фахових та економетричних наукових виданнях.
The processes of forming market relations in Ukraine require profound changes in the cost management methods of industrial enterprises. The need to use modern market performance criteria is increasing, and the requirements for management flexibility are increasing. The main guideline and measure of the success of the enterprise is the amount of profit. At the same time, the problem of cost-effective formation is in many cases receiving insufficient attention. In this regard, the modern stage of development of domestic industrial enterprises is largely characterized by spontaneity and unpredictability of the processes of formation of production costs. They need more attention to the interconnections and interdependencies of the various activities and management functions in generating production costs, including rationing, planning, accounting, and analysis. Existing deficiencies in cost management lead to an imbalance in the whole process of their formation, and as a result, to excess costs, which can be prevented in the rational organization of the process. This resulted in an excessively high level of costs for a number of domestic enterprises compared to similar enterprises in developed countries. The dissertation presents theoretical provisions, methodological and practical aspects regarding the peculiarities of the mechanism of cost formation at industrial enterprises. The thesis generalizes the theoretical generalization and develops a new approach to the complex solution of an important scientific and practical problem on the application of the mechanism of formation of costs at industrial enterprises. According to the results of research of scientific approaches of domestic and foreign authors, who studied the problems of the mechanism of formation of costs at industrial enterprises allowed to improve the interpretation of the economic essence of the concept of «mechanism of formation of costs» as a comprehensive analysis of the current state and prospects of enterprise development in order to make prudent management decisions to solve problems and take advantage of the benefits that arise and are created in the course of its operations. Science has developed different approaches to solving the problem of reducing costs, but in the current economic crisis, the use of many of them is constrained by the need to make significant investments. Therefore, finding low-cost ways to increase cost-effectiveness is extremely important. The large amount of information on costs and the variety of approaches to their research that шы developed by science, need some adaptation for their effective use in today's environment. In order to improve the information and analytical bases of building the mechanism of cost formation in industrial enterprises, it is necessary to theoretically substantiate and develop methodological provisions at the present stage of economic development. In market conditions, it is necessary to determine the economic nature and evolution of the concept of enterprise costs, to systematize the features of the classification of costs and directions of their use, to consider the formation of a system of regulatory costs. Effective activity of industrial enterprises requires the study of the concept of cost management, the analysis of the perfection of methodological support for the formation of costs, the construction of processes of cost formation in industry. To solve the problems of cost management of industrial enterprises, a systematic approach is used to manage costs and identify the components of a management system. The model of estimation of efficiency of cost management of industrial enterprise on the basis of systematic approach is improved, as well as the mechanism of formation of expenses, built into the general system of cost management of industrial enterprise, is grounded and developed. Using feature-based cost-per-enterprise and cost center analysis, the multi-stage percentage ranking system has been defined as a percentage of costs, which, unlike existing ones, allows them to be reduced by ABC-based Pareto method and expert judgment from taking into account the importance of functions in ensuring the livelihood of enterprises. In the course of the dissertation, the economic nature and evolution of the concept of enterprise costs according to market conditions were determined. The signs of cost classification and directions of their use are systematized, formation of the system of normative regulation of expenses. The concept of cost management is researched and the perfection of scientific and methodological support of production cost formation is analyzed. For the needs of cost management of industrial enterprise, structural and logical schemes of processes of cost formation in industry have been developed. The possibility of using a systematic approach to cost management and defining the components of the management system was substantiated, as well as a mechanism of cost formation, integrated into the overall management system of industrial enterprises. A model for evaluating the cost management of an industrial enterprise based on a systematic approach has also been developed. To make management decisions, it is necessary to use the mechanism of formation of production costs, built into the general cost management system of an industrial enterprise, which, unlike the existing approaches, allows to make management decisions at an initial stage. In the process of research systematization of costs in relation to management functions was carried out, which, unlike the existing approaches, includes the use of a certain cost classifier for their identification and forecasting, the concept of cost management on the basis of synthesis was formed, which, unlike the existing approaches, will be taken into account the specificities of enterprises, and will be sensitive to any changes in the strategy of their activities. Theoretical and methodological aspects of cost systematization are analyzed by using comparative analysis of domestic and foreign classification systems to identify differences in the directions of application of cost information on different traits and to establish correlation between them, which, unlike existing approaches, extends the scope of their research, and also identified the tools, principles and methods of cost formation for the formation of an enterprise management system, which allowed to put forward the requirements that accord modern effective cost management system to be used in practice. The formation and implementation of measures for optimization of production costs, which at the stage of work planning, initially allow predicting costs and benefits, which, unlike the existing ones, can reliably predict the optimal value of production costs. The system of production cost monitoring is considered, which includes elements of elasticity and, unlike the existing approaches, uses a correlation model of cost dependence on production results. The elasticity indices are analyzed, which in the presence of a large number of characteristics, unlike the existing approaches, allow to carry out a preventive check of planned reasonableness of expenses for forecasting future value and price of production. The definition and implementation of cost reduction reserves in the industry have been improved by eliminating unnecessary costs in the process of planning unnecessary costs and improving the process of managing them by a systematic approach. According to the results of the dissertation, the mechanism of formation of production costs has been improved, built into the general system of industrial enterprise management, which, unlike the existing approaches, allows to make managerial decisions at an initial stage. Costs have been systematized in conjunction with management functions, which, in contrast to existing approaches, involves the use of a specific cost classifier for their identification and forecasting, and a cost management system based on synthesis, which, in contrast to existing approaches, takes into account the peculiarities enterprises, and is sensitive to any changes in their business strategy. The system of cost-effectiveness analysis is developed in the work, which, unlike the existing approaches, takes into account the assessment of weaknesses and strengths of the functional management structure and allows to streamline the current activity and development of the enterprise. Theoretical and methodological aspects of cost systematization are formulated by using comparative analysis of domestic and foreign classification systems to identify differences in the directions of application of cost information on different traits and to establish correlation between them, which, unlike existing approaches, extends the scope of their research. The definition of tools, principles, and methods of cost formation for the formation of the enterprise management system was carried out, which made it possible to put forward requirements that modern effective systems of cost management must meet in order to be used in practical activity. The indicators of elasticity, which in the presence of a large number of characteristics, unlike existing approaches, allow to carry out a preventive check of planned reasonableness of expenses for forecasting future cost and price of production. The dissertation is a scientific work in which the mechanism of formation of costs of an industrial enterprise is improved. The scientific results formulated in the dissertation are obtained by the author independently and are a personal achievement. The scientific results of the dissertation are published in professional and econometric scientific publications.

COS and CS₂ are sulfur compounds that are formed in natural waters. These compounds are also volatile, which leads them move into the atmosphere and serve as critical precursors to sulfate aerosols. Sulfate aerosols are known to counteract global warming by reflecting solar radiation. One major source of COS and CS₂ stems from the ocean. While previous studies have linked COS and CS₂ formation in these waters to the indirect photolysis of organic sulfur compounds, much of the chemistry behind how this occurs remains unclear. This study examined this chemistry by evaluating how different organic sulfur precursors, water quality constituents, and temperature affected COS and CS₂ formation in natural waters.

In the first part of this thesis (chapters 2 and 3), nine natural waters ranging in salinity were spiked with various organic sulfur precursors (e.g. cysteine, cystine, dimethylsulfide (DMS) and methionine) exposed to simulated sunlight over varying exposures. Other water quality conditions including the presence of O₂, CO and temperature were also varied. Results indicated that COS and CS₂ formation increased up to 11× and 4×, respectively, after 12 h of sunlight while diurnal cycling exhibited varied effects. COS and CS₂ formation were also strongly affected by the DOC concentration, organic sulfur precursor type, O₂ concentration, and temperature while salinity differences and CO addition did not play a significant role.

To then specifically evaluate the role of DOM in cleaner matrices, COS and CS₂ formation was examined in synthetic waters (see chapters 4 and 5). In this case, synthetic waters were spiked with different types of DOM isolates ranging from freshwater to ocean water along with either cysteine or DMS and exposed to simulated sunlight for up to 4 h. Surprisingly, CS₂ was not formed under any of the tested conditions, indicating that other water quality constituents, aside from DOM, were responsible for its formation. However, COS formation was observed. Interestingly, COS formation with cysteine was fairly similar for all DOM types, but increasing DOM concentration actually decreased formation. This is likely due to the dual role of DOM on simultaneously forming and quenching the reactive intermediates (RIs). Additional experiments with quenching agents to RIs (e.g. ³DOM* and ·OH) further indicated that ·OH was not involved in COS formation with cysteine but ³DOM* was involved. This result differed with DMS in that ·OH and ³DOM* were both found to be involved. In addition, treating DOM isolates with sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) to reduce ketone/aldehydes to their corresponding alcohols increased COS formation, which implied that the RIs formed by these functional groups in DOM were not involved. The alcohols formed by this process were not likely to act as quenching agents since they have been shown to low in reactivity. Since ketones are known to form high-energy-triplet-states of DOM while quinones are known to form low-energy-triplet-states of DOM, removing ketones from the system further supported the role of low-energy-triplet-states on COS formation. This was initially hypothesized by findings from the testes on DOM types. In the end there are several major research contributions from this thesis. First, cysteine and DMS have different mechanisms for forming COS. Second, adding O₂ decreased COS formation, but it did not stop it completely, which suggests that further research is required to evaluate the role of RI in the presence of O₂. Lastly, considering the low formation yields of COS and CS₂ formation from the organic sulfur precursors tested in this study, it is believed that some other organic sulfur precursors are missing which are likely to generate these compounds to higher levels and this needs to be investigated in future research.

碩士
國立海洋大學
漁業科學學系
89
Sergia lucens is a commonly important fishing target in coastal waters of Taiwan. Owing to its fast growth but weak movement, the scooling characteristics, the abundance of fishing stock, and the formation of fishing ground have been suggested to be influenced by oceanographic and meteorological conditions. In order to understand the mechanisms of fishing ground formation of sergestid shrimp (Sergia lucens) in the coastal waters of southwest Taiwan, this study collected in-suit temperature, salinity and density data by research vessel Hai-Fu、Hai-Chane and Hai-none during August,1999 to June,2000. Based on these data, we investigated the characteristics of water mass in the fishing ground. Besides, CPUE (kg/hour) data computed from 16 sampling vessels, and nutrients, planktons, metrological data and IGOSS satellite surface temperature image were also used in analysis. The major fishing ground is concentrated in KANG-KAO and SAN-LUN-WEI regions with depth stratum between 100-200 m, temperature during 15~22 ℃ and salinity during 34.3~34.7 psu. The phenomenon of Potential MLD observed in both Regions are related to the formation of fishing ground. During the occurrence of the phenomenon, relative high nutrients production in the two Regions enriches the abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton. As a result, the bait for sergestid shrimp is then well supplied in both Regions. However, the formative mechanisms behind are different in the two Regions. KANG-KAO Region is because of the front formed by mixing of coastal water and surface water from South China Sea during spring and summer. SAN-LUN-WEI Region is because of the upwelling driven by strong prevailing offshore wind during autumn and winter.

Are today’s sustainable cities built on their own undoing? This book uncovers the hidden costs of sustainable policies and practices in an era of hyper-gentrification. From state-of-the-art parks to rooftop gardens, LEED-certified buildings, bike lanes, and organic shops and restaurants, industrial waterfronts are transforming into eco-friendly urban oases. But how sustainable is this green wave? Will it lift all boats? In New York City, Melissa Checker finds that sustainable initiatives have fostered resource-intensive, high-end development in some areas and left others overburdened with polluting facilities and under-protected from climate change. Checker weaves together ethnographic and historic detail to tell the story of local activists who struggle to improve the environmental health of their neighborhoods while maintaining their affordability. For over a decade, Checker’s research on “environmental gentrification”—the use of environmental improvements to drive high-end redevelopment—has exposed the paradoxes of urban sustainability. This book develops an intricate and comprehensive account of environmental gentrification, from its historic roots to the different forms it takes. Extending this analysis, Checker also challenges popular myths about civic engagement: her work alongside environmental justice activists reveals how institutional mechanisms meant to foster public participation and community empowerment have actually undermined both. And yet Checker finds hope in surprising places. Across the country, sustainability’s broken promises have given rise to new, nonpartisan political formations. Borne of crisis, these grassroots coalitions are crossing racial, economic, and political divides to create new possibilities for our collective future.

Economy and mankind are inextricably interlinked. Just as the economy or the production of material wealth is unimaginable without a man, so human existence and development are impossible without the wealth created in the economy. Shortly, both the goal and the means of achieving and realization of the economy are still the human resources. People have long ago noticed that it was the economy that created livelihoods, and the delays in their production led to the catastrophic events such as hunger, poverty, civil wars, social upheavals, revolutions, moral degeneration, and more. Therefore, the special interest of people in understanding the regulatory framework of the functioning of the economy has existed and exists in all historical epochs [A. Sisvadze. Economic theory. Part One. 2006y. p. 22]. The system of economic disciplines studies economy or economic activities of a society. All of them are based on science, which is currently called economic theory in the post-socialist space (the science of economics, the principles of economics or modern economics), and in most countries of the world - predominantly in the Greek-Latin manner - economics. The title of the present book is also Modern Economics. Economics (economic theory) is the science that studies the efficient use of limited resources to produce and distribute goods and services in order to satisfy as much as possible the unlimited needs and demands of the society. More simply, economics is the science of choice and how society manages its limited resources. Moreover, it should be emphasized that economics (economic theory) studies only the distribution, exchange and consumption of the economic wealth (food, beverages, clothing, housing, machine tools, computers, services, etc.), the production of which is possible and limited. And the wealth that exists indefinitely: no economic relations are formed in the production and distribution of solar energy, air, and the like. This current book is the second complete updated edition of the challenges of the modern global economy in the context of the coronary crisis, taking into account some of the priority directions of the country's development. Its purpose is to help students and interested readers gain a thorough knowledge of economics and show them how this knowledge can be applied pragmatically (professionally) in professional activities or in everyday life. To achieve this goal, this textbook, which consists of two parts and tests, discusses in simple and clear language issues such as: the essence of economics as a science, reasons for origin, purpose, tasks, usefulness and functions; Basic principles, problems and peculiarities of economics in different economic systems; Needs and demand, the essence of economic resources, types and limitations; Interaction, mobility, interchangeability and efficient use of economic resources. The essence and types of wealth; The essence, types and models of the economic system; The interaction of households and firms in the market of resources and products; Market mechanism and its elements - demand, supply and price; Demand and supply elasticity; Production costs and the ways to reduce them; Forms of the market - perfect and incomplete competition markets and their peculiarities; Markets for Production Factors and factor incomes; The essence of macroeconomics, causes and importance of origin; The essence and calculation of key macroeconomic indicators (gross national product, gross domestic product, net national product, national income, etc.); Macroeconomic stability and instability, unemployment, inflation and anti-inflationary policies; State regulation of the economy and economic policy; Monetary and fiscal policy; Income and standard of living; Economic Growth; The Corona Pandemic as a Defect and Effect of Globalization; National Economic Problems and New Opportunities for Development in the conditions of the Coronary Crisis; The Socio-economic problems of moral obsolescence in digital technologies; Education and creativity are the main solution way to overcome the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus; Positive and negative effects of tourism in Georgia; Formation of the middle class as a contributing factor to the development of tourism in Georgia; Corporate culture in Georgian travel companies, etc. The axiomatic truth is that economics is the union of people in constant interaction. Given that the behavior of the economy reflects the behavior of the people who make up the economy, after clarifying the essence of the economy, we move on to the analysis of the four principles of individual decision-making. Furtermore, the book describes how people make independent decisions. The key to making an individual decision is that people have to choose from alternative options, that the value of any action is measured by the value of what must be given or what must be given up to get something, that the rational, smart people make decisions based on the comparison of the marginal costs and marginal returns (benefits), and that people behave accordingly to stimuli. Afterwards, the need for human interaction is then analyzed and substantiated. If a person is isolated, he will have to take care of his own food, clothes, shoes, his own house and so on. In the case of such a closed economy and universalization of labor, firstly, its productivity will be low and, secondly, it will be able to consume only what it produces. It is clear that human productivity will be higher and more profitable as a result of labor specialization and the opportunity to trade with others. Indeed, trade allows each person to specialize, to engage in the activities that are most successful, be it agriculture, sewing or construction, and to buy more diverse goods and services from others at a relatively lower price. The key to such human interactions is that trade is mutually beneficial; That markets are usually the good means of coordination between people and that the government can improve the results of market functioning if the market reveals weakness or the results of market functioning are not fair. Moroever, it also shows how the economy works as a whole. In particular, it is argued that productivity is a key determinant of living standards, that an increase in the money supply is a major source of inflation, and that one of the main impediments to avoiding inflation is the existence of an alternative between inflation and unemployment in the short term, that the inflation decrease causes the temporary decline in unemployement and vice versa. The Understanding creatively of all above mentioned issues, we think, will help the reader to develop market economy-appropriate thinking and rational economic-commercial-financial behaviors, to be more competitive in the domestic and international labor markets, and thus to ensure both their own prosperity and the functioning of the country's economy. How he/she copes with the tasks, it is up to the individual reader to decide. At the same time, we will receive all the smart useful advices with a sense of gratitude and will take it into account in the further work. We also would like to thank the editor and reviewers of the books. Finally, there are many things changing, so it is very important to realize that the XXI century has come: 1. The century of the new economy; 2. Age of Knowledge; 3. Age of Information and economic activities are changing in term of innovations. 1. Why is the 21st century the century of the new economy? Because for this period the economic resources, especially non-productive, non-recoverable ones (oil, natural gas, coal, etc.) are becoming increasingly limited. According to the World Energy Council, there are currently 43 years of gas and oil reserves left in the world (see “New Commersant 2007 # 2, p. 16). Under such conditions, sustainable growth of real gross domestic product (GDP) and maximum satisfaction of uncertain needs should be achieved not through the use of more land, labor and capital (extensification), but through more efficient use of available resources (intensification) or innovative economy. And economics, as it was said, is the science of finding the ways about the more effective usage of the limited resources. At the same time, with the sustainable growth and development of the economy, the present needs must be met in a way that does not deprive future generations of the opportunity to meet their needs; 2. Why is the 21st century the age of knowledge? Because in a modern economy, it is not land (natural resources), labor and capital that is crucial, but knowledge. Modern production, its factors and products are not time-consuming and capital-intensive, but science-intensive, knowledge-intensive. The good example of this is a Japanese enterprise (firm) where the production process is going on but people are almost invisible, also, the result of such production (Japanese product) is a miniature or a sample of how to get the maximum result at the lowest cost; 3. Why is the 21st century the age of information? Because the efficient functioning of the modern economy, the effective organization of the material and personal factors of production largely depend on the right governance decision. The right governance decision requires prompt and accurate information. Gone are the days when the main means of transport was a sailing ship, the main form of data processing was pencil and paper, and the main means of transmitting information was sending letters through a postman on horseback. By the modern transport infrastructure (highways, railways, ships, regular domestic and international flights, oil and gas pipelines, etc.), the movement of goods, services and labor resoucres has been significantly accelerated, while through the modern means of communication (mobile phone, internet, other) the information is spreading rapidly globally, which seems to have "shrunk" the world and made it a single large country. The Authors of the book: Ushangi Samadashvili, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University - Introduction, Chapters - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11,12, 15,16, 17.1,18 , Tests, Revaz Shengelia, Doctor of Economics, Professor of Georgian Technical University, Chapters_7, 8, 13. 14, 17.2, 17.4; Zhuzhuna Tsiklauri - Doctor of Economics, Professor of Georgian Technical University - Chapters 13.6, 13.7,17.2, 17.3, 18. We also thank the editor and reviewers of the book.

The permeability of tight gas reservoirs is usually lower than 1 md. When the external fluids from drilling and completion processes invade such reservoirs, formation damage occurs and causes serious damage to oil and gas production. Fluorocarbon surfactants are most often recommended for removing such damage because they have extremely low surface tension, which means that they can change the reservoir wettability from water wet to gas or oil wet. However, they are not normally applied in the field because they are not cost-effective. Besides, some environmental concerns also restrict their application. In this work, we studied the effects of an oligomeric organosilicon surfactant (OSSF) on wettability modification, surface tension reduction, invasion of different fluids, and fluid flow back. It was found that the amount of spontaneous imbibition and remaining water could be reduced by the surfactant as a result of surface tension reduction and wettability alteration. Compared to the distilled water, the concentration of 0.20 wt% OSSF could decrease water saturation of cores by about 4%. At a flow-back pressure of 0.06 and 0.03 MPa after 20 PV displacement, permeability recovery could increase from 8 to 7–93% and 86%, respectively. We also found that the mechanism of OSSF includes the physical obstruction effect, surface tension reduction of external fluids, and wettability alteration of the reservoir generated. Meanwhile, quantum chemical calculations indicated that adsorbent layer of polydimethylsiloxane could decrease the affinity and adhesion of CH4 and H2O on the pore surface.

Recently, Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPONs) have received a great amount of interest as a promising cost-effective solution for next-generation high-speed access networks. This is confirmed by the formation of several fora and working groups that contribute to their development, namely the EPON Forum (http://www. ieeecommunities.org/epon), the Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance (http://www.efmalliance.org), and the IEEE 802.3ah working group (http://www.ieee802. org/3/efm), which is responsible for the standardization process. EPONs are a simple, inexpensive, and scalable solution for high-speed residential access capable of delivering voice, high-speed data, and multimedia services to end users (Kramer, Mukherjee, & Maislos, 2003; Kramer & Pesavento, 2002; Lorenz, Rodrigues, & Freire, 2004; McGarry, Maier, & Reisslein, 2004; Pesavento, 2003). An EPON combines the transport of IEEE 802.3 Ethernet frames over a low-cost and broadband point-to-multipoint passive optical fibre infrastructure connecting the optical line terminal (OLT) located at the central office to optical network units (ONUs) usually located at the subscriber premises. In the downstream direction, the EPON behaves as a broadcast and select shared medium, with Ethernet frames transmitted by the OLT reaching every ONU. In the upstream direction, Ethernet frames transmitted by each ONU will only reach the OLT, but an arbitration mechanism is required to avoid collisions. This article provides an overview of EPONs focused several issues: EPON architecture, multipoint control protocol (MPCP), quality of service (QoS), and operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) capability of EPONs.

This article presents the brief overview of fairly recent and eco-friendly micro arc oxidation (MAO) coating technology. The weight-cost-performance benefits in general raised the interest to utilize lightweight materials, especially the aluminum and its alloys. Despite numerous engineering advantages, the aluminum alloys themselves do not possess suitable tribology and corrosion resistance. Therefore, improvements in surface properties are essential to enable developing potential industrial applications. For improving wear and corrosion resistance of Al alloys, the most demanding surface properties are high hardness and chemical inertness. The technical and technological limitations associated with traditional anodizing and hard anodizing processes have been the strongest driving force behind the development of new MAO technology. While presenting the key technological elements associated with the MAO process, the basic mechanism of coating formation and its phase gradient nature is presented. Influence of various process parameters including the electrolyte composition has been discussed. The typical microstructural features and distribution of α- and γ-Al2O3 phases across the coating thickness as a key strategy to form dense coatings with required mechanical, tribological, and corrosion properties which are vital to meet potential application demands are briefly illustrated.

Abstract This chapter covers the practical aspects of machining, particularly for turning, milling, drilling, and grinding operations. It begins with a discussion on machinability and its impact on quality and cost. It then describes the dimensional and surface finish tolerances that can be achieved through conventional machining methods, the mechanics of chip formation, the factors that affect tool wear, the selection and use of cutting fluids, and the determination of machining parameters based on force and power requirements. It also includes information on nontraditional machining processes such as electrical discharge, abrasive jet, and hydrodynamic machining, laser and electron beam machining, ultrasonic impact grinding, and electrical discharge wire cutting.

The effectiveness of intellectual property management in the context of Eurasian economic integration is positioned as a factor in reducing business costs in the EAEU. One of the basic conditions for effective economic development is competition in the field of intellectual property. In the context of globalization and digital transformation, intellectual property management reaches a qualitatively new level of organizational and legal regulation and determines the freedom of movement of goods and services in the single economic territory of interstate integration entities. The authors of the chapter concluded that an effective intellectual property management mechanism in the EAEU is a factor of reducing the costs of foreign trade business. Inequality in the protection of intellectual property in the EAEU impedes the formation and development of competitive relations, and impedes the freedom of movement of goods as the basic goal of economic integration of the EAEU states.

Cancer is the name given to all malignant tumors, the main reason for which is uncontrolled growth, and the tumor, which has become a mass as a result of uncontrolled cell proliferation, also attacks the surrounding cells and envelops the whole body (metastasis) in the later stages of the disease. Although cancer is an important health problem, it is not a common disease in childhood. On the other hand, statistics show that cancer affects one in three adults, causes up to 20% of all deaths, and covers about 10% of treatment costs in developed countries. Although it is known that cancer develops under the influence of genetic and environmental factors, environmental factors are more prominent in the formation of some types of cancer. Breast cancer is one of the cancer types known to have tumor suppressor genes in its etiology. These tumor suppressor genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Studies have shown that these two genes are particularly effective in the development of familial breast cancers. These types of cancers occur much earlier than non-familial cancers. The research, two genes; It has shown that it is especially effective in the development of familial breast cancers.

There are two well-known subpopulations of activated platelets: pro-aggregatory and procoagulant. Procoagulant platelets represent a subpopulation of activated platelets, which are morphologically and functionally distinct from pro-aggregatory ones. Although various names have been used to describe these platelets in the literature (CoaT, CoaTed, highly activated, ballooned, capped, etc.), there is a consensus on their phenotypic features including exposure of high levels of phosphatidylserine (PSer) on the surface; decreased aggregatory and adhesive properties; support of active tenase and prothrombinase complexes; maximal generation by co-stimulation of glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and protease-activated receptors (PAR). In this chapter, morphologic and functional features of procoagulant platelets, as well as the mechanisms of their formation, will be discussed.

Due to the insufficiency of freshwater resources and to supply the drinking water populations, many desalination processes such as reverse osmosis, electrodialysis and distillation are widely used. However, these processes are of large-scale consumers of energy and confronted with various problems such as corrosion and scale formation. In most cases, scales are made of calcium carbonate CaCO3. In the present chapter, an overview on the effect of operating parameters such as temperature, pH and supersaturation on the precipitation kinetics, microstructure, and polymorphism of CaCO3 is given. Additionally, I put special emphasis on the effect of foreign ions such as magnesium, sulphate, and iron ions on CaCO3 precipitation since they are present at significant concentrations in natural waters. Also, the mechanisms by which these ions affect the crystal growth of CaCO3 were pointed out. Knowledge about these operating parameters as well as the effects of foreign ions allow elucidating the polymorphs growth during water treatment. The control of these operating parameters allows reducing scale formation during drinking water and wastewater treatment. The economic impact is of greatest importance since this favorably affects the treatment costs, increases the equipment life, and allows enhanced product water recovery.

The importance of this research is caused by the leading trend in development and successful commercial performance of enterprises, including forestry, that is gained by introduction of information technology. In the era of the industrial revolution, the use of information technology allows businesses to change their own business model, through the use of modern digital technologies in management. In the context of digitalization of society, information itself, as a resource, has a dominant role in management processes and technologies. The issue on information support of management activities of forestry enterprises is vital for managers, as the correct solution of this problem allows to improve the processes of collecting, obtaining, using and storing the received information, which is the basis of information relations. The scientific research is based on the construction of an innovative information support system for forestry enterprises management. Search and formation of the mechanism of information resources management of the enterprises is adapted to application in modern conditions of economy digitalization and is a basis of the study. The subject of the paper is to prove the need of improving theoretical foundations of information support of management activities of forestry enterprises of Ukraine. The main purpose of the research is to clarify the essence of the concept of "information support", "information", "information economy", to determine the main principles of information resources of forest enterprises and to form a model of their management. To perform the study, authors used the following methods of cognition: the axiomatic method, comparison, observation, measurement, monitoring and formalization, defining the essence of the terms "information support" etc. The national economy development proves that the forestry complex is "an economically feasible system of enterprises whose activities are conditioned by the use of forest resources, which develop due to the achievement of competitive advantages and geographical concentration on the terms of public-private partnership." It is proved that in the management system of a forestry enterprise the effective use of information resources on the basis of modern information technologies ensures the strengthening of competitive advantages of the business entity. Until recently, management was seen as a creative, intuitive process based on the experience, trust, knowledge and other qualities of management staff, relevant managers. Under the pressure of information technology, the management principles are modified. It is becoming necessary to change the style and methods of enterprise management, review relationships and improve communication with consumers of services. The introduction of information systems in forestry is an urgent need, the solution of which will reduce the cost of production, assure the ability to control all stages of production, and in general, improve enterprise management. The authors focused on and demonstrated that information support, based on the widespread use of new information technologies, computer and communication equipment, allows to increase the efficiency of forestry enterprises, optimize the use of resources, reduce paperwork through the transition to electronic management technologies.

Due to the collapse of the Union, there was a reduction in funding for health care costs, as well as deterioration in the infrastructure and quality of medical services. The transitional economy in the Kyrgyz Republic has identified additional features in the health system. The main ones are the low level of funding, the presence of the shadow market of medical services, inefficient structure and the prevalence of high-cost hospital treatment. The market mechanism is developing, however, without state regulation. The Kyrgyz Republic continues to reform its health-care system. The task was to improve the methods of their financing. New mechanisms for financing medical services have been introduced. Despite the reduction in the number of hospitals, the number of patients treated in hospitals has increased.

By means of a retrospective analysis of the key positions of various schools of economic thought, the features of understanding the theory of cost are described. Special attention is paid to the study of cost theory of value, shows a mechanism of its transformation, given the formation of a new stage of socio-economic development of society, information economy.

Abstract Gravel-packed wells in the "C" field located in offshore Angola are prone to damage by a variety of factors including scales, fines migration, paraffin and asphaltene deposition resulting in skin values of 45-95. This paper focuses on the approach used for 2 subsea open hole gravel packed wells located within "C" field. Rigless subsea stimulations in approximately 470 m of water using an intervention vessel with the downline deployed via the vessel moonpool. Additionally, a stimulation vessel was utilized to provide pumping and fluid capacity without disturbing the primary intervention operations. This paper documents the efforts made to restore the wells forecasted production by bullheading the acid stimulation treatment from the stimulation vessel through the open-water hydraulic access system installed on the intervention vessel. Well history attributes the impairment to fines migration accumulation and scale and paraffins deposition. The proposed stimulation fluids were designed to treat as many damage mechanisms as possible during a single intervention. The basis for design incorporated a primary solvent pre-flush to clean possible paraffin and asphaltene deposition as well as prepare the reservoir and proppant pack for further stimulation fluids by stripping away hydrocarbon residue. The preflush was followed by a second treatment fluid consisting of HCl acid to remove any carbonate-based damage. The final treatment fluid utilizing a combination of HCl acid and hydrofluoric acid (HF) was specifically designed to remove fines contained in the gravel pack and screens. Injectivity tests were performed to evaluate the reservoir prior to and after the acid treatment as well as to help understand the damage mechanism. Based on the bottomhole pressure response during acid-treatment stages, measurable improvements were evident on both wells, which supports the pre-treatment damage diagnosis. The efficient and cost-effective execution of the treatment campaign, combined with the conclusive post-stimulation production data, confirms the effectiveness of open-water hydraulic access by utilizing an intervention vessel and a stimulation vessel, allowing to provide pumping and fluid capacity without disturbing the primary intervention operations on complex subsea wells. Post-stimulation results after the successful removal of wellbore scale and formation damage in the two subsea wells showed an average increase in oil production of 60%. Skin damage was reduced by 66% on Well A and a complete removal of skin on Well B. The results confirm the effectiveness of cost-driven acid stimulations on complex subsea wells without the use of a drilling rig as well as demonstrating the ability to address multiple damage mechanisms from a single intervention.

Abstract Hard zones in large diameter pipe have been identified as the cause of the Kashagan pipelines failure, the replacement of which is estimated to cost $3.6B [1–4]. Some hard zone formation mechanisms have been known for years, but one mechanism is “new”, or more precisely, newly recognized. This mechanism can occur during the Thermomechanical Control Processing (TMCP) of plate and specifically during accelerated cooling. The hard microstructure is lath bainite and is isolated in thin (200–500 μm) surface regions. To distinguish the new mechanism from the others these surface regions are given the name local hard zones (LHZs). There are currently no validated industry standard inspection methods that can be used to detect LHZs. This situation is challenging for an industry that relies on TMCP pipe for sour service applications. This paper explains the LHZ formation mechanism while a companion paper (Newbury, et al [59]) will describe TMCP monitoring techniques that can be used to mitigate the risk of LHZs.

Abstract Economical production from unconventional reservoirs including tight dolomite require some forms of stimulation techniques to increase the effective contact areas between wellbore and formation. However, productivity improvement of these formations with conventional techniques (e.g. acid stimulation) is very limited and mostly unfeasible. In this paper, an efficient chemical treatment is proposed to stimulate tight dolomite formation through wormholing mechanism and scale-based damage removal. The formation damage in tight reservoirs are much more severe due to the smaller pore/throat size. Among them, the scale-based permeability impairment or phase trapping can cause significant production lost. In this study, the proposed treatment fluid is used to remove the scale-based formation damage, mostly caused by drilling mud. To this aim, the damage removal efficiencies of dolomite cores, artificially damaged by scale precipitation, were investigated after HPHT coreflood treatment. In addition, the performance of the treatment fluid was evaluated as a mean to bypass the damaged zones around hydraulic fractures (caused by liquid phase trapping or significant net stress). To evaluate this, a series of coreflooding experiments were also performed on untreated tight dolomite cores and the feasibility of the wormholing mechanism was studied. The permeabilities of tight dolomite rocks were measured before and after the treatment. To visualize the wormhole propagation inside the cores, computed CT scanning were performed. The rock-fluid interaction was also investigated by analyzing the effluent samples by ICP. The main mechanism of this treatment technique is pore body/pore throat enlargement by slow rock dissolution. From the pore scale analysis, it is found that even at lower concentrations, the active ingredient reacts with rock minerals. A damaged dolomite core was also treated, and the results showed that the removal of Barite-based scale can be achieved even in the presence of native calcite or dolomite minerals. Also, it is found that wormholing can be only achieved at certain concentrations (>10 w%). It also depends on the injection rate and other field conditions such as temperature. Even at low concentration, the rock permeability of the damaged dolomite core can be increased by a factor of 35 (Kf/Ki=35). Finally, dolomite reservoir cores (25-30 μD) were treated at low injection rates (0.08-0.1 ml/min) imposed from the well injectivity condition. It was shown that despite an order of magnitude lower injection rate (compared to those in conventional acidizing) still an optimum injection rate is needed to extend the wormhole across the core. It is also verified that the active ingredient can be used in alcohol-based solutions for special applications such as tight gas and gas condensate reservoirs. The corrosion rate is far below the accepted corrosion level of 0.05 lb/ft2 and it is fully compatible with other additives and high salinity brines. The proposed treatment method is cost effective and experimentally proven to be efficient and long-lasting. Such treatment is recommended to tackle the low productivity of unconventional tight reservoirs. This treatment can be even applied to remove the additional formation damages usually caused during conventional stimulations such as hydraulic fracturing to boost the production.

Abstract The complexity, high cost, and potential environmental concerns of chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods have diminished their field applications considerably. However, considering the significant incremental oil recoveries that can be obtained from these methods encourage researchers to explore ways to reduce both complexity, cost, and environmental concerns of such systems. This is especially important in carbonate formations, where after waterflooding, much of the oil remains trapped in complex reservoir pores—especially if the reservoir contains an interconnected fracture network of flow channels within the bulk rock matrix. In this paper, we present an experimental assessment of several simple chemical EOR waterflooding systems comprising of small concentrations of a low cost, low molecular weight ketone and a non-ionic surfactant in association with low-salinity brine. The experiments were conducted in carbonate cores from a Permian Basin San Andres Formation. Four different oil displacement scenarios were investigated using San Andres carbonate cores from the Central Vacuum Field in New Mexico. This included 1) low-salinity brine, 2) low-salinity brine with a surfactant, 3) low-salinity brine with a ketone, and 4) low-salinity brine with a combined ketone-surfactant system. Static imbibition experiments were conducted using a spontaneous imbibition apparatus in addition to the use of a high-speed centrifuge to saturate the cores to irreducible brine saturation. Adding a 1% concentration of 3-pentanone and a 1% non-ionic surfactant to a low-salinity brine yielded oil recoveries of 44% from the 3-pentanone system, compared to 11.4% from low-salinity brine only. The oil recovery is enhanced by a single mechanism or synergy of several mechanisms that includes interfacial tension (IFT) reduction by surfactant, capillary imbibition, favorable wettability alteration by ketone, and osmotic low-salinity brine imbibition. The IFT decreased to 1.79 mN/m upon addition of non-ionic surfactant to low-salinity brine, and it reduced to 2.96 mN/m in a mixture of 3-pentanone and non-ionic surfactant in low-salinity brine. Furthermore, ketone improved the core wettability by reducing the contact angle to 43.9° from 50.7° in the low-salinity brine experiment. In addition, the low-salinity brine systems caused mineral dissolution, which created an alkali environment confirmed by an increase in the brine pH. We believe the increase in pH increased the hydrophilic character of the pores; thus, increasing oil recovery.

The cost and quality of aluminum produced by the reduction process are strongly dependent on heat treated (baked) carbon anodes. A typical aluminum smelter requires more than half a million tons of carbon anodes for producing one million ton of aluminum. The anode baking process is very energy intensive, approximately requires 2GJ of energy per ton of carbon anodes. Moreover, pollutant emissions such as NOx and soot formation are of major concern in the aluminum anode baking furnace. The current study aims at developing an accurate numerical platform for predicting the combustion and emissions characteristics of an anode baking furnace. The Brookes and Moss model, and the extended Zeldovich mechanism are employed to estimate soot and NOx concentration, respectively. Considering a fire group of three burner bridges, one after the other in the fire direction, combustion and emissions features of these three firing sections are interrelated in terms of oxidizer’s concentration and temperature. In the present study, considering this interconnection, the effect of diluted oxygen concentration at elevated oxidizer’s temperature (∼1200°C), which are the key features of the moderate or intense low oxygen dilution (MILD) combustion are analyzed. It is observed that by circulating some of the exhaust gases through the ABF crossovers, oxygen dilution occurs which results in higher fuel efficiency, lower pollutant emissions, and more homogeneous flow and temperature fields.

Abstract A Honeywell liquid-fueled gas turbine test combustor, at idle conditions is numerically investigated in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ version 2020.3. This work presents Large Eddy Simulation (LES) results using both the Flamelet Generated Manifold (FGM) and detailed chemistry combustion models. Both take advantage of a hybrid chemical mechanism (HyChem) which has previously demonstrated very good accuracy for real fuels such as Jet-A with only 47 species. The objective of this work is to investigate the ability of FGM and detailed chemistry modeling to capture pollutant formation in an aero-engine combustor. Comparisons for NOx, CO, Unburned Hydrocarbons, and Soot are made, along with the radial temperature profile. To fully capture potential emissions, a soot moment model, and Zeldovich NOx model are employed along with radiation. A comparison of results with and without chemistry acceleration techniques for detailed chemistry is included. Then, computational costs are assessed by comparing the performance and scalability of the simulations with each of the combustion models. It is found that the detailed chemistry case with clustering can reproduce nearly identical results to detailed chemistry without any acceleration if CO is added as a clustering variable. With the Lagrangian model settings chosen for this study, the detailed chemistry results compared more favorably with the experimental data than FGM, however there is uncertainty in the secondary breakup parameters. Sensitivity of the results to a key parameter in the spray breakup model are provided for both FGM and Complex Chemistry (CC). By varying this breakup rate, the FGM case can predict CO, NOx, and Unburned Hydrocarbons equally well. The smoke number, however, is predicted most accurately by CC. The cost for running detailed chemistry with clustering is found to be about 4 times that of FGM for this combustor and chemical mechanism.

Abstract High pressure stimulation of tight sandstone formations is occasionally combined with flowback of proppant and formation sand during the onset of production. This is generally attributed to characteristics of unconsolidated sandstones and their response to high pressure hydraulic stimulation. This brings an additional challenge to openhole multi-stage completion systems that now require a filtration mechanism as part of the completion design, to introduce a sand exclusion technology alongside the multi-stage ball activated frac sleeves. A novel openhole multistage fracturing system was developed combining the operational efficiency of ball activated frac sleeves with sand control efficiency of multi-membrane filtration sand screens. This combination of technologies deliver a robust completion design and a unique intervention-less solution to enable stimulation at high pressures and provide sand exclusion on production. The system comprises of a series of incrementally sized high strength disintegrating frac balls to activate and close stimulation frac sleeves while simultaneously also opening production sand control screens. The design allows for several production sand control screens in one stage to maximize reservoir contact for unrestricted production. The system allows to efficiently complete the frac treatment and start sand-free production of the well without any intermediate manipulation of downhole tools with coiled tubing (CT) or wireline. This technology brings substantial value by not only early sand-free production, but also flexibility to add additional sand screens within the stage without compromising stage count. The intervention-less design of the tools eliminates the need for coiled tubing (CT) manipulation of downhole tools and hence associated high intervention costs. Keeping in mind the increased need of high-pressure stimulation for unconventional and tight reservoirs, the system is designed to 15,000 psi rating. The sand screens are designed to be isolated from stimulation pressure while maximizing inflow area without compromising on sand control. Further, to enable full efficiency, the system includes high-strength disintegrating frac balls to enable an early production of the well. This paper encapsulates the design, functionality, and development testing of the intervention-less multistage fracturing sand control system. This novel technology is designed keeping in mind operator challenges associated with high cyclic stimulation pressure on completion tools, undesirable well intervention and associated high production costs.

The overall goal of this research was to elucidate the factors affecting early development of Metarhizium spp. (previously named M. anisopliae) on ticks or tick cuticle extracts and the molecular basis of these early infection processes. The original objectives were: 1. Characterize the pre-penetration events (adhesion, germination and appressorium formation) of spores of M. anisopliae strains with high or low virulence during tick infection. 2. Create GFP-expressing strains of M. anisopliae tick pathogens having high and low virulence to compare their progress of infection by microscopy. 3. Use microarray analyses, primarily with existing M. anisopliae EST sequences in GenBank, to identify and characterize fungal genes whose expression is regulated in response to host cuticle extracts. Objective 3 was later modified (as approved by BARD) to use RNAseq to characterize the early stages of fungal gene expression during infection of intact host cuticles. This new method provides a massively larger and more informative dataset and allows us to take advantage of a) recently published genomes of Metarhizium robertsii and M. acridum for RNAseq data analysis, and b) newly developed and highly efficient cDNA sequencing technologies that are relatively low cost and, therefore, allow deep sequencing of multiple transcriptome samples. We examined pre-penetration and penetration events that differentiate high and low virulence strains of Metarhizium spp., focusing on spore adhesion, germination, appressorium formation, and penetration of tick integuments. Initiation of fungal infection was compared on susceptible and resistant tick species at different tick developmental stages. In vitro studies comparing the effects of protein and fatty acid profiles from tick cuticle extracts demonstrated that resistant tick cuticles contain higher concentrations of specific lipids that inhibit fungal development than do susceptible tick cuticles, suggesting one mechanism of Ixodidae resistance to fungal entomopathogens (Objective 1). We used molecular markers to determine that the three M. anisopliae strains from Israel that we studied actually were three distinct species. M. brunneum is highly virulent against the tick Rhipicephalus annulatus, M. pingshaense and M. robertsii are intermediate in virulence, and M. majus is of low virulence. We transformed all four Metarhizium species to express GFP and used them in pathogenicity assays against diverse tick species. Key findings were that a) resistant ticks inhibit Metarhizium infection prior to hemocoel invasion by reducing fungal viability on the cuticle surface (Objective 2), as was supported by the in vitro studies of Objective 1, and b) Metarhizium kills susceptible ticks after cuticle penetration but prior to hemocoel colonization. Transcriptome studies of the most virulent species, M. brunneum, are in progress and include analyses of ungerminated conidia and conidia germination and development on a low nutrient medium or on susceptible R. annulatus exoskeleton (Objective 3). We anticipate these studies will contribute to identifying fungal genetic factors that increase virulence and speed of kill and may help reveal tick chemistries that could be included in biocontrol formulations to increase efficacy. Methodologies developed to screen tick cuticle extracts for ability to support conidia germination and development may help in the selection of wild fungi with increased virulence against resistant ticks. The overall knowledge gained should contribute not only to the improvement of tick control but also to the control of other blood-sucking arthropods and related plant pests. Use of bio-based agents for controlling arthropods will contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment and serve a growing number of organic food farmers.

Spore germination is a common and fundamental event in fungal development and in many instances an essential phase of fungal infection and dissemination. Spore germination is also critical for hyperparasites to function as biocontrol agents as well as in fermentation proceses. Our common objective is to understand the mechanisms which regulated spore germination and identify factors involved in pathogenicity related prepenetration development. Our approach is to exploit the overall similarity among filamentous fungi using both a plant pathogen (Colletotricum trifolii) and a model system that is genetically sophisticated (Neurospora crassa). The simulataneous use of two organisms has the advantage of the available tools in Neurospora to rapidly advance the functional analysis of genes involved in spore germination and development of an economically important fungal phytopathogen. Towards this we have isolated a protein kinase gene from C. trifolii (TB3) that is maximally expressed during the first hour of conidial germination and prior to any visible gene tube formation. Based on sequence similarities with other organisms, this gene is likely to be involved in the proliferative response in the fungus. In addition, TB3 was able to functionally complement a N. crassa mutant (COT-1). Pharmacological studies indicated the importance of calmodulin in both germination and appressorium differentiation. Using an antisense vector from N. crassa, direct inhibition of calmodulin results in prevention of differentiation as well as pathogenicity. Both cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) like genes have been cloned from C. trifolii. Biochemical inhibition of PKA prevents germination; biochemical inhibitors of PKC prevents appressorium differentiation. In order to analyze reversible phosphorylation as a regulatory mechanism, some ser.thr dephosphorylative events have also been analyzed. Type 2A and Type 2B (calcineurin) phosphatases have been identified and structurally and functionally analyzed in N. crassa during this project. Both phosphatases are essential for hyphal growth and maintenance of proper hyphal architecture. In addition, a first novel-type (PPT/PP5-like) ser/thr phosphatase has been identified in a filamentous fungus. The highly collaborative project has improved our understanding of a fundamental process in fungi, and has identified targets which can be used to develop new approaches for control of fungal plant pathogens as well as improve the performance of beneficial fungi in the field and in industry. In addition, the feasibility of molecular technology transfer in comparative mycology has been demonstrated.

An analysis of the experience of professional training bachelors of electromechanics in Ukraine and abroad made it possible to determine that one of the leading trends in its modernization is the synergistic integration of various engineering branches (mechanical, electrical, electronic engineering and automation) in mechatronics for the purpose of design, manufacture, operation and maintenance electromechanical equipment. Teaching mechatronics provides for the meaningful integration of various disciplines of professional and practical training bachelors of electromechanics based on the concept of modeling and technological integration of various organizational forms and teaching methods based on the concept of mobility. Within this approach, the leading learning tools of bachelors of electromechanics are mobile Internet devices (MID) – a multimedia mobile devices that provide wireless access to information and communication Internet services for collecting, organizing, storing, processing, transmitting, presenting all kinds of messages and data. The authors reveals the main possibilities of using MID in learning to ensure equal access to education, personalized learning, instant feedback and evaluating learning outcomes, mobile learning, productive use of time spent in classrooms, creating mobile learning communities, support situated learning, development of continuous seamless learning, ensuring the gap between formal and informal learning, minimize educational disruption in conflict and disaster areas, assist learners with disabilities, improve the quality of the communication and the management of institution, and maximize the cost-efficiency. Bachelor of electromechanics competency in modeling of technical objects is a personal and vocational ability, which includes a system of knowledge, skills, experience in learning and research activities on modeling mechatronic systems and a positive value attitude towards it; bachelor of electromechanics should be ready and able to use methods and software/hardware modeling tools for processes analyzes, systems synthesis, evaluating their reliability and effectiveness for solving practical problems in professional field. The competency structure of the bachelor of electromechanics in the modeling of technical objects is reflected in three groups of competencies: general scientific, general professional and specialized professional. The implementation of the technique of using MID in learning bachelors of electromechanics in modeling of technical objects is the appropriate methodic of using, the component of which is partial methods for using MID in the formation of the general scientific component of the bachelor of electromechanics competency in modeling of technical objects, are disclosed by example academic disciplines “Higher mathematics”, “Computers and programming”, “Engineering mechanics”, “Electrical machines”. The leading tools of formation of the general scientific component of bachelor in electromechanics competency in modeling of technical objects are augmented reality mobile tools (to visualize the objects’ structure and modeling results), mobile computer mathematical systems (universal tools used at all stages of modeling learning), cloud based spreadsheets (as modeling tools) and text editors (to make the program description of model), mobile computer-aided design systems (to create and view the physical properties of models of technical objects) and mobile communication tools (to organize a joint activity in modeling).

Fruit constitutes a major component of our diet, providing fiber, vitamins, minerals, and many other phytonutrients that promote good health. Fleshy fruits, such as tomatoes, already contain high levels of several of these ingredients. Nevertheless, efforts have been invested in increasing and diversifying the content of phytonutrients, such as carotenoids and flavonoids, in tomato fruits. Increasing levels of phytonutrients, such as lycopene, is highly justified from the perspective of the lycopene extraction industry due to cost effectiveness reasons. Diversifying phytonutrients, in particular those that contribute to fruit color, could potentially provide an array of attractive colors to our diet. Our major goal was to devise a novel strategy for developing tomato fruits with enhanced levels of phytochemicals known to promote good health with special emphasis on lycopene content. A further important goal was to analyze global gene expression of selected genetic lines produced throughout this study in order is to dissect the molecular mechanisms regulating phytonutrients accumulation in the tomato fruit. To achieve these goals we proposed to: 1. combine, by classical breeding, engineered polyamine metabolism with photomorphogenic high pigment mutants in order generate tomato plant with exceptionally high levels of phytonutrients; 2. use gene transfer technology for genetic introduction of key genes that promote phytonutrient accumulation in the tomato fruit, 3. Analyze accumulation patterns of the phytonutrients in the tomato fruit during ripening; 4. Analyze global gene expression during fruit ripening in selected genotypes identified in objectives 1 and 2, and 5. Identify and analyze regulatory mechanisms of chloroplast disassembly and chromoplast formation. During the 3 years research period we have carried out most of the research activities laid out in the original proposal and our key conclusions are as follows: 1. the engineered polyamine metabolism strategy proposed by the US collaborators can not increase lycopene content either on its own or in combination with an hp mutant (hp-2ᵈᵍ); 2. The hp-2ᵈᵍ affects strongly the transcriptional profile of the tomato fruit showing a strong tendency for up- rather than down-regulation of genes, 3. Ontology assignment of these miss-regulated genes revealed a consistent up-regulation of genes related to chloroplast biogenesis and photosynthesis in hp-2ᵈᵍ mutants throughout fruit development; 4. A tendency for up-regulation was also usually observed in structural genes involved in phytonutrientbiosynthesis; however this up-regulation was not as consistent. 5. Microscopic observations revealed a significantly higher number of chloroplasts in pericarp cells of mature-green hp-2ᵈᵍ/hp-2ᵈᵍ fruits in comparison to their normal fully isogenic counterparts. 6. The relative abundance of chloroplasts could be observed from early stages of fruit development. Cumulatively these results suggest that: 1. the overproduction of secondary metabolites, characterizing hp-2ᵈᵍ/hp-2ᵈᵍ fruits, is more due to chloroplast number rather then to transcriptional activation of structural genes of the relevant metabolic pathways, and 2. The molecular trigger increasing metabolite levels in hp-2ᵈᵍ mutant fruits should be traced at early stage of fruit development.