Proceedings of FORM 2022. Construction The Formation of Living Environment

This study examines the integration of building information modelling (BIM) technologies in operation & maintenance stage in the system of managing real estate that helps to reduce transaction costs. The approach and method are based on Digital Twin technology and Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) approach. The results of the development of a service for digital facility management and digital expertise are presented. The connection between physical and digital objects is conceptualized

A framework for enhancing process understanding using multivariate tools on commercial batch process data

EngD ThesisA lot of effort is made by pharmaceutical companies on the research and development of new pharmaceutical products and processes using the latest in quality by design tools, and process analytical technologies. Older pharmaceutical processes that were developed without the use of these tools are, however, somewhat neglected. Significant quantities of process data are routinely collected and stored but the information contained within this data is not extracted. Extensive literature on multivariate statistical process monitoring and control exists for exploring both batch and continuous process data. However, these methodologies rely on data from processes that are relatively well understood or controlled. Many industrial processes show batch to batch variability, which may be tolerated as it is not detrimental to the quality of the product, and the impact of this variability is not fully understood. The thesis presents a framework for exploring historical batch process data, to extract insights on where process control can be improved. The challenges presented with commercial process data are discussed. Multivariate tools such as multi-way principal component analysis are used to investigate variability in process data. The framework presented discusses the pre-processing steps necessary with batch process data, followed by outlier detection, and finally multivariate modelling of the data to identify where the process could benefit from improved understanding and control. This framework is demonstrated through the application to commercial process data from the active pharmaceutical drug substance manufacturing process of spironolactone at Piramal Healthcare, Morpeth, UK. In this case study, the process exhibits variability in drying times which traditional univariate data analysis has not been able to solve. The results demonstrated some of the challenges the use of the available data from commercial processes. Although the results from the multivariate data analysis did not show a significant statistical difference between the batches with long and short drying times, small differences were observed between these two groups. Further analysis of the crystallization process using infrared spectroscopic techniques which identified a potential root cause to the extended drying time.This EngD project was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Piramal Healthcare, Morpeth

Effect of curing conditions and harvesting stage of maturity on Ethiopian onion bulb drying properties

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of curing conditions and harvesting stageson the drying quality of onion bulbs. The onion bulbs (Bombay Red cultivar) were harvested at three harvesting stages (early, optimum, and late maturity) and cured at three different temperatures (30, 40 and 50 oC) and relative humidity (30, 50 and 70%). The results revealed that curing temperature, RH, and maturity stage had significant effects on all measuredattributesexcept total soluble solids

DigitalCommons@University of Rhode Island Statistics Feb-Jun 2006

Statistics on the total number of full text downloads from the DigitalCommons@University of Rhode Island institutional repository for February through June 2006 [earlier data not available]. Data are provided monthly on the number of full text downloads by collection and document, and on the number of referrals by domain and country. Dissertations are included in the statistics. Digital Commons statistics are COUNTER-compliant, with downloads from robots and automated processes filtered out

Biometric Systems

Because of the accelerating progress in biometrics research and the latest nation-state threats to security, this book's publication is not only timely but also much needed. This volume contains seventeen peer-reviewed chapters reporting the state of the art in biometrics research: security issues, signature verification, fingerprint identification, wrist vascular biometrics, ear detection, face detection and identification (including a new survey of face recognition), person re-identification, electrocardiogram (ECT) recognition, and several multi-modal systems. This book will be a valuable resource for graduate students, engineers, and researchers interested in understanding and investigating this important field of study

Compounding and processing of a water soluble binder for powder injection moulding

Tese de Doutoramento Ciência e Engenharia de PolímerosThe present work was focused on the development of new polymeric binder compounds for eco-sustainable powder injection moulding (PIM) process. Consequently, water debinding was a requirement once it is a lower environmental impact technology, economically attractive and less hazardous than the conventional catalytic, thermal or solvent debinding. Furthermore, the understanding of the influence of the binder composition on the overall process, from feedstock compounding to final sintered parts, and the development of a structured engineering methodology for new PIM binders was also aimed. The research program was carried out with AISI 316L stainless steel powder and developed in two main parts: i) characterisation of feedstock formulations and consequent discrimination; and ii) study of the influence of the developed binders in a pilot-scale process. The binder compositions followed a classic design based on a thermoplastic blend, using polyethylene glycol as selected as the water soluble main constituent. The influence of the other binder components, such as back-bone polymers, lubricants and surfactants, was assessed and a reference framework to relate binder formulation and PIM processing was developed. Moreover, promising binder compositions, to produce dimensional stable and precision sintered parts in a high densified and low contaminated sintered stainless steel, are proposed. As a result, a metallocene polyethylene base formulation is proposed as the ultimate binder to produce sintered parts with higher mechanical properties and minimum part defects. The results confirm the importance of the binder and demonstrate the influence of its composition in PIM process and support an innovative methodology to develop or optimise ecofriendly binders in an industrial environment.O objectivo principal deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento de sistemas de ligantes poliméricos eco-sustentáveis para moldação por injecção de pós (PIM). Consequentemente, extracção aquosa foi considerada como um requisito, uma vez que é um processo com menor impacto ambiental, economicamente atractivo e menos nocivo para a saúde no trabalho, comparativamente com as soluções correntes de degradação catalítica, térmica ou por extracção com solventes. Adicionalmente, o trabalho teve como objectivos complementares, o aprofundamento do conhecimento sobre o processo PIM, em particular a compreensão da influência da formulação do ligante, desde a preparação do feedstock até à sinterização, e o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de engenharia para a produção de novos ligantes. O programa de investigação assentou na utilização de um pó de aço inoxidável AISI 316L e foi implementado em duas partes principais: i) caracterização das formulações e consequente discriminação; ii) estudo da influência da composição dos ligantes num processo à escala-piloto. As formulações dos ligantes seguiram o conceito mais usual, baseado numa mistura termoplástica, usando polietilenoglicol como constituinte principal hidrossolúvel. O plano de trabalho permitiu o estudo da influência dos componentes minoritários, como os polímeros de estrutura, os lubrificantes e os agentes de superfície, bem como o desenvolvimento de um quadro de referência capaz de relacionar formulação e processamento em PIM. Foram identificadas algumas composições capazes de produzirem peças sinterizadas com elevada precisão dimensional e baixa variabilidade, num material com elevada densificação e baixa contaminação. O ligante com polietileno metalocénico, como polímero de estrutura, permitiu a obtenção de peças sinterizados com propriedades mecânicas satisfatórias e incidência de defeitos miníma. Os resultados confirmam a importância do ligante e a sua influência no processo de moldação por injecção de pós, e permitem propor uma metodologia inovadora para o desenvolvimento ou optimização de ligantes capaz de ser utilizada em ambientes industriais

Computation in Complex Networks

Complex networks are one of the most challenging research focuses of disciplines, including physics, mathematics, biology, medicine, engineering, and computer science, among others. The interest in complex networks is increasingly growing, due to their ability to model several daily life systems, such as technology networks, the Internet, and communication, chemical, neural, social, political and financial networks. The Special Issue “Computation in Complex Networks" of Entropy offers a multidisciplinary view on how some complex systems behave, providing a collection of original and high-quality papers within the research fields of: • Community detection • Complex network modelling • Complex network analysis • Node classification • Information spreading and control • Network robustness • Social networks • Network medicin

European Union Timber Regulation Impact on International Timber Markets

The trade of illegal timber, often from illegal logging, has severe environmental, social and economic consequences. The EU’s response to this problem came with the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan, with its specific goal to end illegal logging, thereby improving sustainability of forest resources. In March 2013, an additional step was taken by implementing the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). The EUTR requires proof of timber’s origin and legality to ensure that no illegal timber is imported into the EU. To this end the EU intends to block imports of any wood or wood product which comes from unknown sources. Certification of sustainable forest management will help EU importers minimize risk, which is an essential part of their required due diligence system. Monitoring organizations are established to assist trade associations and businesses to construct comprehensive due diligence systems. National competent authorities are designated to follow the trade of the new FLEGT-licensed timber and timber products. In the first year of the EUTR there are positive impacts, of which the most important is awareness of the disastrous situation with illegal logging, driven by exports of illegal timber. Another positive development is tropical timber exporters documenting the legality of their wood exports. Yet another positive feature is establishment of due diligence systems by EU importers. However, there are considerable problems for ensuring legal trade; for example the lack of comprehensive documentation of origin and legality. Analysis of recent trends establishes changes in the European timber trade in terms of sourcing, substitution, diversion to less-demanding countries. Short-term forecasts of market trends and changes will enable further policy assessment to achieve the objectives of improved legality in international timber markets.JRC.H.3-Forest Resources and Climat

Workshop on Magmatic Processes of Early Planetary Crusts: Magma Oceans and Stratiform Layered Intrusions

The significance of the lunar highland pristine cumulate samples were reevaluated with the aid of the additional insights provided by geologically constrained terrestrial investigations. This exercise involved a review of the state of knowledge about terrestrial and lunar cumulate rocks as well as an enumeration and reevaluation of the processes hypothesized to have been responsible for their formation, both classically and at present