Evaluating the Feasibility and Environmental Impact of Alternative Fuels for Sustainable Operations of RCG Reach Stackers at Four European Locations

openThis thesis evaluates the feasibility and environmental impact of alternative fuels - specifically hydrogen, biofuels, and synthetic fuels - for sustainable operations of Rail Cargo Group (RCG) reach stackers, located in Mˇelník (CZ), Pˇrerov (CZ), Bratislava (SK), and Žilina (SK). The study addresses the urgent need to transition from fossil fuels due to their finite nature, geopolitical risks, and significant contri- bution to climate change. Through a comprehensive review of scientific literature, industry reports, and government publications, the research assesses the production processes, availability, cost-effectiveness, political support, and technological readi- ness of these alternative fuels. A detailed case study of RCG reach stackers provides practical insights into the application of these fuels. The findings indicate that while hydrogen and synthetic fuels offer significant environmental benefits, their high pro- duction costs and infrastructure requirements pose challenges. Biofuels, particularly second and third generation, present a more immediate and economically viable so- lution, though they require careful management to avoid adverse environmental im- pacts. The study concludes with recommendations for integrating these alternative fuels into existing energy infrastructures, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change and enhance energy security.This thesis evaluates the feasibility and environmental impact of alternative fuels - specifically hydrogen, biofuels, and synthetic fuels - for sustainable operations of Rail Cargo Group (RCG) reach stackers, located in Mˇelník (CZ), Pˇrerov (CZ), Bratislava (SK), and Žilina (SK). The study addresses the urgent need to transition from fossil fuels due to their finite nature, geopolitical risks, and significant contri- bution to climate change. Through a comprehensive review of scientific literature, industry reports, and government publications, the research assesses the production processes, availability, cost-effectiveness, political support, and technological readi- ness of these alternative fuels. A detailed case study of RCG reach stackers provides practical insights into the application of these fuels. The findings indicate that while hydrogen and synthetic fuels offer significant environmental benefits, their high pro- duction costs and infrastructure requirements pose challenges. Biofuels, particularly second and third generation, present a more immediate and economically viable so- lution, though they require careful management to avoid adverse environmental im- pacts. The study concludes with recommendations for integrating these alternative fuels into existing energy infrastructures, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change and enhance energy security

Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair

Wetlands are a vital part of the landscape and ecology of the United States, providing food and shelter for species ranging from the beautiful wood duck to the tiny fairy shrimp. These areas provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife, protect communities from flooding, and recharge groundwater supplies—yet they continue to be destroyed at an alarming rate. A detailed analysis of wetlands management, Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair is a comprehensive guide to the past, present, and future of wetland recovery in the United States. The book includes a historical overview of wetland destruction and repair over the past two hundred years and also serves as a unique resource for anyone, from novice to engineer, interested in the process of wetland restoration. Author Thomas R. Biebighauser draws from his own vast experience in building and repairing more than 950 wetlands across North America. Included are numerous photographs and case studies that highlight successes of past projects. Detailed, step-by-step instructions guide the reader through the planning and implementation of each restoration action. Biebighauser also provides a number of effective strategies for initiating and improving funding for wetlands programs. Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair is essential reading for all who care about and for these important ecosystems. Thomas R. Biebighauser, a wildlife biologist for the USDA Forest Service in the Daniel Boone National Forest, has taught wetlands restoration workshops across North America. He is a three-time recipient of the National Taking Wing Award. Biebighauser\u27s work is a thorough and accurate account about the good, the bad, and the ugly of wetland destruction and restoration. He objectively walks us through the history of wetland drainage, revealing clever solutions to dealing with soggy soil. In the process, he sets the stage for later portions of the book, where we learn how to be equally clever about bringing water back onto the landscape. The photographs are also excellent, showing historic perspective and illustrating what to do to bring wetlands back, or even put them where they never were. —Bruce A. Kingsbury, Director, Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management The book provides a range of interesting and useful advice on approaches to wetland creation and restoration, including adaptive management techniques and \u27learning from beavers.\u27 —Journal of Soil and Water Conservation This one-of-a-kind how-to manual on wetland restoration is written in non-technical, accessible language and will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in wetlands restoration. —Northeastern Naturalist “Thomas Biebighauser does an effective job of making the case that with the right planning and a fundamental knowledge base, ecological landscape enhancement projects involving wetlands do not need to be as nearly complex, expensive, and constrained by regulations as they often are.” --David J. Cameron, Journal of the New England Water Works Association This is not a scientific treatise but, many will argue, much more useful. It focuses on the practical, not the academic, and the excellent array of photographs and diagrams provides clear understanding and guidance on techniques used and proposed. Biebighauser’s text is a valuable addition to the literature in showing how restoration can be achieved in practice. It manages to capture the real challenges of wetland recovery and how to meet them, using machines, human determination, skilful observation of terrain and the practical need for fund-raising. Wetland scientists, conservation and natural resource managers and water engineers are just some who will find the book a very useful practical guide and reference. —Environmental Conservation A wealth of detailed background information, practical advice, and real-world examples of how problems have been overcome. —Ecological Restorationhttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_environmental_sciences/1002/thumbnail.jp

Augustine and the phenomenological tradition

This essay traces the reception of Augustine in the 20th and 21st century phenomenological tradition. It gives special attention to recent monographs on Augustine by Jean-Luc Marion and Jean-Louis Chrétien, but contextualises these both fore (by examining the earlier work of Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger, as well as earlier and less determinative Augustinian engagements by Marion and Chrétien) and aft (by critically considering the philosophical, philological and theological implications of phenomenology for the study of Augustine). The cross-fertilization of its study of Augustine himself and its study of the various phenomenological appropriations of Augustine sheds new light on the Augustinian questions of Platonism, ontology, and the role of Scripture in philosophy

Augustine and the phenomenological tradition

This essay traces the reception of Augustine in the 20th and 21st century phenomenological tradition. It gives special attention to recent monographs on Augustine by Jean-Luc Marion and Jean-Louis Chrétien, but contextualises these both fore (by examining the earlier work of Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger, as well as earlier and less determinative Augustinian engagements by Marion and Chrétien) and aft (by critically considering the philosophical, philological and theological implications of phenomenology for the study of Augustine). The cross-fertilization of its study of Augustine himself and its study of the various phenomenological appropriations of Augustine sheds new light on the Augustinian questions of Platonism, ontology, and the role of Scripture in philosophy

Evaluating the effect dynein and related proteins exhibit on the spindle assembly checkpoint and kinetochore

2019 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.To ensure that cell division is faithfully carried out without causing genetic errors, eukaryotic cells have evolved several conserved checkpoints during mitosis. One such checkpoint, the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC), blocks the cell from progressing through metaphase until all chromosomes have become bi-oriented by microtubules. Only once this occurs can the cell progress into anaphase to separate the sister chromatids. Errors in this checkpoint have been linked with aneuploidy, which itself is linked with oncogenesis. Naturally there are many layers of regulation within the SAC, most of which are associated with a proteinaceous structure on the sister chromatid – the kinetochore. The molecular motor dynein, and its kinetochore localized co-factors play several roles in this regulation. In one of these roles, dynein strips away kinetochore localized signal proteins upon microtubule bi-orientation, to weaken the strength of the SAC. We initially set out to test whether this process of SAC stripping has further levels of regulation, or if all dynein requires to strip these signal proteins is the presence of a microtubule. We used in-vitro motility assays to investigate whether dynein's motility along microtubules is changed depending on the length of its kinetochore localized cargo adapter, spindly. We purified truncated versions of spindly to test if it undergoes regulation analogous to other dynein cargo adapters. These in-vitro motility assays showed no difference in dynein motility past a certain length required to confer motility. Interestingly, we observed that some of the shorter spindly truncations undergo phase separation both in-vitro in the right conditions and in-vivo when transfected into HeLa cells. We postulate that this phase separation could have implications in a process called fibrous corona expansion, which occurs on a kinetochore that has spent a long time in prometaphase without attaching to a microtubule. In total these studies shed light on the nature of interactions at the kinetochore, and the complexity of regulation as it pertains to dynein mediated kinetochore stripping

Augustine and the phenomenological tradition

This essay traces the reception of Augustine in the 20th and 21st century phenomenological tradition. It gives special attention to recent monographs on Augustine by Jean-Luc Marion and Jean-Louis Chrétien, but contextualises these both fore (by examining the earlier work of Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger, as well as earlier and less determinative Augustinian engagements by Marion and Chrétien) and aft (by critically considering the philosophical, philological and theological implications of phenomenology for the study of Augustine). The cross-fertilization of its study of Augustine himself and its study of the various phenomenological appropriations of Augustine sheds new light on the Augustinian questions of Platonism, ontology, and the role of Scripture in philosophy.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo