National Wildlife Refuges and Intensive Management in Alaska: Another Case for Preemption

Developing high quality software is difficult. Traditional software engineering methods emphasizes on structured and linear workflow of activities methods that have been criticized due to their rigid and inflexible nature. Recently, agile software engineering approaches such as Scrum have gained popularity in the software industry. These methods emphasize flexibility, speed, transparency, and teamwork aspects. In this thesis, investigation and comparison of three modern production practices and principles done, these include; Kanban, the 5S workplace organization method and Toyota Production System (TPS). The goal has been to identity features of these production philosophies and analyzed how they might contribute to software engineering processes, particularly to improve Scrum. The study indicates that many principles from these production approaches have been implemented in Scrum. However, the Kanban, 5S and TPS principles of Visibility are just partially implemented in Scrum. Scrum overlooks many aspects of programming that need to be visualized such as code quality aspects (testing) and representations of the actual software structure under development

Engineering visualization utilizing advanced animation

Engineering visualization is the use of computer graphics to depict engineering analysis and simulation in visual form from project planning through documentation. Graphics displays let engineers see data represented dynamically which permits the quick evaluation of results. The current state of graphics hardware and software generally allows the creation of two types of 3D graphics. The use of animated video as an engineering visualization tool is presented. The engineering, animation, and videography aspects of animated video production are each discussed. Specific issues include the integration of staffing expertise, hardware, software, and the various production processes. A detailed explanation of the animation process reveals the capabilities of this unique engineering visualization method. Automation of animation and video production processes are covered and future directions are proposed

Process system engineering in biodiesel production: a review

Biodiesel is fast becoming a popular alternative to fossil fuels, as it is natural, renewable and has low toxic emissions. Strategies that have been adopted to ensure continued growth of the biodiesel industry are policy development, reduction of biodiesel tax, offset funding for incremental fuel cost from CO2 emission fuel and support for research and development of potential biodiesel feedstocks. Recent innovations of biodiesel processes are focused on the development of more efficient catalysts and in the utilization of novel reaction media such as supercritical fluids as well as on a variety of oil feedstocks such as virgin and waste oils. Biodiesel production involves complex processes which require systematic process design and optimization. The main aim of designing biodiesel plants is to maxime conversion of ethyl or methyl esters at the lowest capital cost of the plant. The design should also consider safety and environmental concerns. Process system engineering (PSE) is a systematic approach to design and analyze complex processes by using a variety of PSE tools for the optimization of biodiesel production. This paper reviews the latest PSE tools used in development of novel biodiesel processes. It describes the main PSE elements such as process model development and product design, simulation of biodiesel processes, optimization of biodiesel synthesis, and integration of reactor and separation systems. This review also highlights the sustainability of biodiesel production

Process system engineering in biodiesel production: a review

Biodiesel is fast becoming a popular alternative to fossil fuels, as it is natural, renewable and has low toxic emissions. Strategies that have been adopted to ensure continued growth of the biodiesel industry are policy development, reduction of biodiesel tax, offset funding for incremental fuel cost from CO2 emission fuel and support for research and development of potential biodiesel feedstocks. Recent innovations of biodiesel processes are focused on the development of more efficient catalysts and in the utilization of novel reaction media such as supercritical fluids as well as on a variety of oil feedstocks such as virgin and waste oils. Biodiesel production involves complex processes which require systematic process design and optimization. The main aim of designing biodiesel plants is to maxime conversion of ethyl or methyl esters at the lowest capital cost of the plant. The design should also consider safety and environmental concerns. Process system engineering (PSE) is a systematic approach to design and analyze complex processes by using a variety of PSE tools for the optimization of biodiesel production. This paper reviews the latest PSE tools used in development of novel biodiesel processes. It describes the main PSE elements such as process model development and product design, simulation of biodiesel processes, optimization of biodiesel synthesis, and integration of reactor and separation systems. This review also highlights the sustainability of biodiesel production

Engineering verification of the biomass production chamber

The requirements for life support systems, both biological and physical-chemical, for long-term human attended space missions are under serious study throughout NASA. The KSC 'breadboard' project has focused on biomass production using higher plants for atmospheric regeneration and food production in a special biomass production chamber. This chamber is designed to provide information on food crop growth rate, contaminants in the chamber that alter plant growth requirements for atmospheric regeneration, carbon dioxide consumption, oxygen production, and water utilization. The shape and size, mass, and energy requirements in relation to the overall integrity of the biomass production chamber are under constant study

In vitro Evolution and Engineering for Improved Ribozyme Polymerase Production

According to the "RNA World Hypothesis" the first self replicating molecule formed from the prebiotic chemicals is the ribozyme. A model compartmentalized self replicating system for ribozyme polymerases is designed and used to improve activity, fidelity and generality of the enzyme

Potentials for fisheries in the Niger Delta: Another green light for self sufficiency in regional food production

A discussion is presented on the potential for fishery development in the Niger Delta region, considering engineering activities and food production potentials of the freshwater zone and immediate hinterland, the brackishwater mangrove swamps and the estuaries. An examination of current trends in the environment indicates that a possible solution to improved exploitation of the region lies in hydraulic engineering, the manipulation of environmental conditions through varying freshwater and seawater inputs so as to increase aquatic and wetland productivit

Automated Engineering Design (AED); An approach to automated documentation

The automated engineering design (AED) is reviewed, consisting of a high level systems programming language, a series of modular precoded subroutines, and a set of powerful software machine tools that effectively automate the production and design of new languages. AED is used primarily for development of problem and user-oriented languages. Software production phases are diagramed, and factors which inhibit effective documentation are evaluated