Design of sustainable industrial systems by integrated modeling of factory building and manufacturing processes

This paper presents an integrated approach that combines ‘Sustainable Building Design’ tools and ‘Sustainable Manufacturing Process’ tools to create a tool for the design of sustainable manufacturing systems.’ Currently no such integrated tools are in use by manufacturers to assess energy performance, identify improvement areas and help suggest actions. This paper describes the development of a tool that through such integrated modelling can help identify improvements via its library of tactics. These sustainable manufacturing tactics have to account for location and time, as well as production process, in a manner that is not currently supported by either manufacturing process simulation tools, or building energy tools. Through case study applications, the integrated modelling of real world industrial processes is demonstrated, from target and boundary settings, mapping (manufacturing process systems, material flow, surrounding buildings and facilities), data collection, simulation, improvement opportunities and optimisation

A collection of tools for factory eco-efficiency

co-efficiency is generally defined as doing more with less, aiming to decouple environmental impact from economic and social value creation. This paper presents three tools to guide the implementation of eco-efficiency in factories: (1) definition and patterns of good practices for sustainable manufacturing, (2) a self-assessment tool and maturity grid, and (3) a factory modelling framework

Das Phänomen Scham bei Wilhelm Genazino

Diese Arbeit hat sich der Aufgabe verschrieben, die Bearbeitung des Phänomens 'Scham' in den zwei jüngsten Romanen von Wilhelm Genazino zu untersuchen. Dass 'Scham' ein zentrales Thema bei Genazino ist, zeigt sich allein am quantitativen Vorkommen von Schamsituationen in seinen Texten. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist zum Einen eine interdisziplinäre Analyse unter Einbeziehung psychologischer, soziologischer und philosophischer Fachliteratur zum Schamaffekt. Zum Anderen wird eine literaturwissenschaftlich fundierte Interpretation der Scham-Thematik als zentrales Motiv der Genazino'schen Texte angestrebt. Genazinos Werk, zumal das jüngere, gilt noch nahezu als Tabula rasa, was den Stand der Sekundärliteratur betrifft. So wird mit dieser Arbeit selbstverständlich auch bezweckt, ein kleines Stück zur literaturwissenschaftlichen Erforschung des Autors Genazino beizutragen

A Qualitative Inquiry of a Three-Month Virtual Practicum Program on Youth with Visual Impairments and Their Coaches

Research has shown that the practicum experience for professional preparation students in physical education teacher education programs related to teaching youth with disabilities can improve self-efficacy. It is not currently known if a virtual program can be effective for the professional preparation students or the participants. The objective of this study was to determine the experiences of the participants of a three-month virtual practicum program. In this phenomenological study, thirty youth with visual impairments and 1:1 professional preparation students (coaches) took part in a three-month virtual physical activity program. A total of 11 coaches took part in 2 focus groups, and 10 of the participants were interviewed about their experiences in this unique practicum. Findings in this three-month program revealed four themes: (1) friendship, (2) self-determination, (3) goal setting, and (4) barriers. The results of the qualitative inquiry indicate that a virtual practicum program can have a positive effect on both the participants and the professional preparation students. Virtual programs should also be aware of barriers to implementing an effective program to benefit all parties

Exploring the Experiences of Runners with Visual Impairments and Sighted Guides

: Running is a popular sport, and, with simple modifications, it can be accessible for individuals with visual impairments, particularly with a sighted running guide. The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of runners with visual impairments and sighted running guides. Adopting a descriptive qualitative approach to guide data collection analysis and interpretation, seven runners with visual impairments and four sighted running guides were recruited and interviewed. The analysis identified four major themes: (1) benefits, (2) barriers, (3) advocacy, and (4) communication. The identified themes illustrate the influence of participation in running on the health and relationships of the runners with visual impairments, the barriers that exist to participation, and the advocacy and communication needed to overcome those barriers

Zero carbon manufacturing through process flow modelling

The pressure on natural resources and emerging environmental legislation are leading manufacturers to adopt solutions to reduce their environmental impact, thereby becoming more sustainable, while enhancing competitiveness. Current approaches in this area are fragmented and clustered around technologies rather than around processes that link the technologies together. There is a need to better understand material, energy and waste (MEW) flows, as well as the interaction between processes in a manufacturing facility from a systemic viewpoint. This paper presents an approach using process flow modelling in order to help manufacturers to identify potential improvements to progress towards competitive sustainable manufacturing. Ultimately they could reach zero carbon manufacturing (ZCM) by having zero material resource degradation, zero net energy demand and zero waste across the system

How to get a nation walking: reach, retention, participant characteristics and program implications of Heart Foundation Walking, a nationwide Australian community-based walking program

BACKGROUND: Community-based walking programs represent a low-cost, accessible approach to increasing physical activity among inactive adults. However, recruiting participants from vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups remains a challenge. This study examined the reach, retention, sociodemographic and health characteristics, physical activity levels and motivators of participants in Heart Foundation Walking, a nationwide Australian community-based walking program. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional analyses were undertaken with data from 22,416 participants aged 15+ years in the Heart Foundation Walking registration database in December 2015, and from four surveys of participants in 2010 (n = 2400), 2011 (n = 3274), 2012 (n = 4158) and 2015 (n = 1890). RESULTS: Heart Foundation Walking reached participants in every geographic region of Australia, including remote and sparsely populated regions, and engaged sizeable proportions of the following at-risk participants: older than 60 years (>70%); with very low incomes (17-25%); who were overweight or obese (around 60%); and with one or more chronic disease or disease risk factors (57-81%). For all demographic groups, one-year retention rates were at least 75%. Seventy percent of participants met physical activity recommendations. Over 75% reported joining the program for health and fitness reasons while the most cited motivator for continuing was the social aspect (57-73%). CONCLUSIONS: Volunteer-run, group-based walking programs can have substantial reach and retention, in particular among those at risk for physical inactivity. The provision of opportunities for social interaction appears to be a key program element in promoting long-term participation, including among high-risk groups