Measuring Baseball’s Heartbeat: The Hidden Harms of Wearable Technology to Professional Ballplayers

Föreliggande examensarbete undersöker möjligheterna att effektivisera order- och lagerhanteringen av surfplattor hos företaget Företag A. Arbetet är avgränsat till företagets varuhus i Barkarby och till de två största märkena på marknaden just nu; Apple och Samsung. Detta är ett ämne som är relativt nytt eftersom det är en relativt ny marknad runt hela världen som har exploderat sedan Apples första lansering av surfplattan. Eftersom Företag A säljer samtliga märkens surfplattor vilka har helt olika efterfrågan, så kan deras order- och lagerhantering bli svårhanterlig. De uppställda frågeställningarna som ligger till grund för arbetet är: Vilken/vilka teoretiska modeller om orderhantering kan bäst tillämpas på fallet Företag A Barkarby? Vilka åtgärder skulle kunna genomföras för att effektivisera det nuvarande arbetssättet? Utifrån dessa frågor har en del modeller undersöks huruvida de passar in i både teori och praktik på Företag As sätt att hantera de mest sålda surfplattorna på sitt lager. Genom att studera deras arbetssätt när det gäller ordrar och förvaring på lagret kan sedan passande modeller appliceras. Fallstudien har till stor del genomförts genom att utifrån studielitteratur diskutera ämnet med personal från Företag A; både från huvudkontoret och från Barkarbyvaruhuset.Resultatet från uppsatsen är att det inte finns någon befintlig modell som passar in till 100% på Företag As arbetssätt, däremot finns det andra faktorer som kan ändras på för att få en mer kontinuerlig och överseende orderhantering. Marknaden för surfplattor är otroligt oförutsägbar och fluktuerar ofta utan något utstuderat mönster. Det enda som har visat sig vara säkert är åtgången av de två mest populära märkena när de släpper en ny modell.Marknaden för elektronikkedjor är otroligt konkurrensstyrd, inte bara i Sverige utan i hela Europa, vilket gör det än viktigare att ha rätt kvantitet på lager. Finns inte det kunderna vill ha så går de någon annanstans, eftersom priserna på surfplattor är densamma överallt.This paper examines the possibilities to make the handling of orders and storage for tablets more efficient for Företag As warehouse in Barkarby. The work is limited to the company’s warehouse in Barkarby and to the two largest manufacturers for tablets; Apple and Samsung. This is a relatively new subject because it is a relatively new market around the world, which has exploded since Apple released their first tablet. Because Företag A sells every manufacturer’s tablet, all with different demands, it makes the organisation of orders and storage quite difficult.The formulated questions which this paper is based on are: Which of the theoretical models about orderhandeling can best be applied on the case of Företag A Barkarby? What measures can be used to make the current way of working more efficient? With these questions as a starting point some models have been studied whether they fit in theory and practice in the way Företag A works when it comes to handling the most sold tablets in their storage. Through studying their way of working suiting models can be applied. The case study has mainly been implemented by after reading student literature discussing the problems with people who works at Företag A; both at the head quarters and in the warehouse in Barkarby.The result from this essay is that there isn’t any model which fits 100 % on Företag A’s way of work, but there are other factors that can be changed to get a more continuous and overseeing order process. The market for tablets is very unpredictable and fluctuates often without a worked out pattern. The only sure thing is the demand with the two most popular manufacturers when they release a new model.The market for electronic chains is extremely competition controlled, not only in Sweden but in all of Europe, which makes it even more important to have the right quantity in storage. If the product that the customers want isn’t available they simply go somewhere else, since the prices are the same everywhere

Circular economy: Challenges and opportunities in the construction sector of Kazakhstan

The circular economy in the construction sector in emerging economies is one of the most promising concepts that aims to keep the value of the construction materials and structures as long as possible. The construction industry is rapidly developing in Kazakhstan with a yearly increase in projects. This research paper investigates the construction sector in Kazakhstan in terms of the potential application of circular economy principles by local stakeholders—clients, contractors, designers, and manufacturers. As limited research has been conducted on the circularity within the construction environment, including construction parties, this paper aims to fill this research gap. It seeks to identify the construction trends and perform a barrier and opportunity analysis to develop circular economy principles in the construction sector. As a research method, PEST is used for the study of local construction trends. At the same time, stakeholders are interviewed using semi-structured surveys organized according to the ReSOLVE framework (regenerate, share, optimize, loop, virtualize, and exchange) to identify the barriers and opportunities for circular economy in the construction sector. As an outcome of this study, the most common barriers and opportunities were associated with the economic benefit factor, as this was the main motivation for the stakeholders to save construction materials for reuse or to refuse more eco-friendly technologies. Additionally, policy recommendations for companies involved in the construction ecosystem were provided according to the assessment of found barriers and opportunities in the context of the ReSOLVE framework. This analysis has shown that for most stakeholders of the Kazakhstani construction sector, virtualization is of the highest priority; therefore, opportunities for its development are recommended. Future research could focus on the development of economically feasible solutions for the circular economy in construction with the inclusion of virtualization technologies

A Comprehensive Construction and Demolition Waste Management Model using PESTEL and 3R for Construction Companies Operating in Central Asia

The construction industry in Central Asia has shown rapid growth in the last decade due to an economic boom, leading to high construction & demolition waste (C&DW) generation accompanied by waste management operations falling behind worldwide best practices. The present study first employs a comprehensive environmental screening approach, PESTEL analysis, to identify and assess critical external and internal factors that can affectC&DWmanagement in a leading Central Asian construction company (headquarters in Kazakhstan, the country with the largest economy in the region). Then, a case study is performed using 3R (reduce-reuse-recycle) principles and subjecting this company. Current international practices tailored to the given context are provided, existing company practices and applied improvements are discussed and prioritized improvements with implied sustainability benefits are proposed. The findings and recommendations are applicable especially to other construction companies operating in Central Asia that would ensure more sustainable C&DW management operations in the future

Design for Deconstruction and Disassembly: Barriers, Opportunities, and Practices in Developing Economies of Central Asia

Construction waste management is becoming an emerging issue in light of the massive increase in construction activities in the developing economies as part of their rapid economic growth. The gradual tightening of building regulations towards energy consumption creates the need to decrease the building materials and components during construction, and one of the proposed ways to achieve it is to reuse. The building components can be initially designed for disassembly (DfD) to improve and optimize the process, thus proposing significant benefits to the circular economy in all three sustainability pillars (economic, social, and environmental). Nevertheless, current practices in developing countries of Central Asia show that lifecycle analysis of buildings’ end-of-life influence is not a well-practiced activity. This paper investigates the barriers, opportunities, and current practices of deconstruction and disassembly in one of the fast-developing Central Asian countries based on the literature review and stakeholder opinions. Conducting relevant PESTEL analysis, this research also proposes practical strategies, methods, and recommendations for the construction industry to develop circular economy projects and improve disassembly and deconstruction analytics

The pandemic readiness assessment of building design and engineering service-related legislation in Kazakhstan and the EU

PurposeThe current COVID-19 pandemic is influencing our life in every aspect, including working and living environments. Millions of people were forced to isolate themselves in their homes, which has posed significant pressure on buildings and shown us that our dwellings are not designed for such purposes. This is partly due to the fact that homes are designed and built for occasional use rather than isolated and long-term occupation. The legislative system of a country plays an important role in defining and shaping the conditions of people living there. Hence, the aim of the study is to evaluate the readiness of Kazakhstani and the EU construction-related legislation for pandemics.Design/methodology/approachPreviously developed pandemic-resilient indicators were used for the evaluation of construction legislation. Both legislative systems were reviewed, and the quality of responses was evaluated by assigning response scores.FindingsThe results based on response scores indicate that the environmental resource consumption sub-category was better covered by EU legislation. At the same time, the buildings’ health, safety and comfort are better taken into account in Kazakhstani legislation. Seven pandemic-resilient indicators were not responded to by any legislative system indicating a gap between current legislation and requirements for new living conditions.Originality/valueNo study has analyzed how COVID-19 can transform construction legislation. The study reveals the limitation of current construction legislation in Kazakhstan (KZ) and the EU, indicating the need for transformation to meet the requirements of the pandemic era

Assessment of distribution of potentially toxic elements in different environmental media impacted by a former chlor-alkali plant

Former industrially contaminated sites are a burden from the past that still pose environmental risks. During the second half of the 20th century, the Pavlodar region in North Kazakhstan had been a part of Soviet Union’s industrial system that operated a chlor-alkali plant (CAP). The former CAP discharged approximately 135 t Hg into nearby Lake Balkyldak with total losses to water, soil, and air estimated around 1000 t. Pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) due to former and currently active industrial enterprises is an under-investigated concern in the Pavlodar region. The present study aims to provide a much-needed update on the situation around the CAP area by evaluating the contamination by Hg and other selected PTEs (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Zn) on the surrounding environment of the CAP and in the nearby urban zone. Soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater samples have been collected in several sampling campaigns carried out in 2018 and 2019. Several samples had Hg concentrations exceeding maximum permissible concentrations (MPC), for soils and sediments (in mg/kg; range: 0.0006 to 24, average: 0.56) and for surface water and groundwater (in µg/L; range: 0.004 to 1340, average: 93). Critically high concentrations were mostly measured in the vicinity of Lake Balkyldak, where the majority of Hg had been discharged by the former CAP, indicating persisting Hg pollution in the studied zone. A comparison of the PTEs concentrations in soil and sediments showed less severe pollution but still some elevated values for As, Ba, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Se. The inter-elemental relationship between Hg and assessed PTEs was weak, indicating the presence of sources independent from Hg emitting sources. Further research on Hg contamination on the exact territory of the former CAP is needed, and a detailed human health risk characterization to identify potential unacceptable risks is strongly recommended

Mercury (Hg) contaminated sites in Kazakhstan : review of current cases and site remediation responses

Mercury (Hg) emissions from anthropogenic sources pose a global problem. In Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s central and northern regions are among the most severely Hg-contaminated territories. This is due to two former acetaldehyde (in Temirtau) and chlor-alkali (in Pavlodar) plants, discharges from which during the second half of the 20th century were estimated over 2000 tons of elemental Hg. However, the exact quantities of Hg released through atmospheric emissions to the environment, controlled discharges to the nearby aquatic systems, leakages in the cell plant, and contaminated sludge are still unknown. The present review is the initiation of a comprehensive field investigation study on the current state of these contaminated sites. It aims to provide a critical review of published literature on Hg in soils, sediments, water, and biota of the impacted ecosystems (Nura and Irtysh rivers, and Lake Balkyldak and their surrounding areas). It furthermore compares these contamination episodes with selected similar international cases as well as reviews and recommends demercuration efforts. The findings indicate that the contamination around the acetaldehyde plant site was significant and mainly localized with the majority of Hg deposited in topsoils and riverbanks within 25 km from the discharge point. In the chlor-alkali plant site, Lake Balkyldak in North Kazakhstan is the most seriously contaminated receptor. The local population of both regions might still be exposed to Hg due to fish consumption illegally caught from local rivers and reservoirs. Since the present field data is limited mainly to investigations conducted before 2010 and given the persisting contamination and nature of Hg, a recent up-to-date environmental assessment for both sites is highly needed, particularly around formerly detected hotspots. Due to incomplete site remediation efforts, recommendations given by several researchers for the territories of the former chlor-alkali and acetaldehyde plant site include ex-situ soil washing, soil pulping with gravitational separation, ultrasound and transgenic algae for sediments, and electrokinetic recovery for the former and removal and/or confinement of contaminated silt deposits and soils for the latter. However, their efficiency first needs to be validated. Findings and lessons from these sites will be useful not only on the local scale but also are valuable resources for the assessment and management of similar contaminated sites around the globe

Environmental partitioning, spatial distribution, and transport of atmospheric mercury (Hg) originating from a site of former chlor-alkali plant

Mercury (Hg) is one of the trace toxic and bioaccumulative global pollutants, and due to its long atmospheric lifetime, it presents a significant global challenge. The present study (1) utilizes total gaseous mercury (TGM) measurements made around a former Hg-cell chlor-alkali plant (CAP) located in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan, and predicts the spatial distribution of Hg over its premises and the nearby city. It then (2) estimates the environmental repartition of Hg deposited by the CAP using three fugacity models of varying complexity: Level I, QWASI, and HERMES. Finally, it (3) predicts long-range Hg transport via forward trajectory-based cluster analysis. The atmospheric Hg levels measured in Pavlodar and around Lake Balkyldak were elevated: in the range of 1–37 ng/m3 with an urban background level at 4.9 ng/m3. Specifically, concentrations up to 37 ng/m3 close to Lake Balkyldak and up to 22 ng/m3 nearby the city's industrial zone (where the CAP was located) had been observed. Interpolation maps created using kriging also suggest these locations as the primary sources of atmospheric Hg in the city. The Level I fugacity model indicated that almost all of Hg is expected to end up in the atmosphere. The modeling results obtained using more complex QWASI and HERMES models showed that some significant quantity of Hg would still be associated with the sediments of Lake Balkyldak (a large wastewater discharge pond nearby the CAP). The forward trajectory-based cluster analysis method revealed the long-range atmospheric transportation routes and local, regional, and global impact zones. Furthermore, a source-receptor relationship using air transportation pathways to identify "areas of impact" was addressed. During both heating and non-heating seasons, the frequency-based analysis identified the distribution of Hg reaching the territories of Mongolia, northwest China, southwest Kazakhstan. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT-4) model forward trajectory analysis has confirmed similar patterns during heating and non-heating seasons, except with shorter impact distances during the non-heating period. Even though the CAP was closed more than 30 years ago and those past remediation efforts cleaned up the site, the residual Hg pollution seems significant and should be further investigated in different environmental media

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS IN ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN

Cognitive impairment in older adults is a major public concern for Kazakhstan’s aging population. We aimed to (1) administer a neuropsychological test battery (NTB) in domains relevant to aging-associated cognitive impairment in a sample of adults aged 60+ without dementia in Almaty, Kazakhstan; (2) investigate the associations between demographic factors and test performance; and (3) provide information on the distribution of NTB scores as preliminary local normative data relevant for this population. A cross-sectional evaluation of 276 participants aged 60+ in Almaty, Kazakhstan, was conducted using cognitive instruments including tests of memory, attention, language, executive functions, visuospatial abilities, and processing speed. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the association of demographic factors with neuropsychological test performance. The results from the regression analysis showed that those who are younger, have more years of education, are women, and are of Russian ethnicity had significantly better performance. The current study illustrated (1) the feasibility of administering the NTB to older adults in the general population in Kazakhstan; (2) the preliminary local normative neuropsychological measures; and (3) their independent associations with age, education, gender, and ethnicity. The findings are a platform for future research on dementia and cognitive impairment in older adults in Kazakhstan

Single infrastructure utility provision to households: Technological feasibility study

This paper contemplates the future of utility infrastructure, and considers whether an “All-in-One” approach could supply all necessary utility services to tomorrow's households. The intention is not to propose infrastructure solutions that are currently technically feasible or justifiable, however; the objective is to present visions of future infrastructure that would only be possible with new advances in science and technology, or significant improvements and adaptations of existing knowledge and techniques. The All-in-One vision is explored using several vignettes, each of which envisions a novel, multi-functional infrastructure for serving future communities. The vignettes were conceived using imaginative exercises and brain-storming activities; each was then rooted in technological and scientific feasibility, as informed by extensive literature searches and the input of domain leaders. The vignettes tell their own stories, and we identify the challenges that would need to be overcome to make these visions into reality. The main aim of this work is to encourage radical approaches to thinking about future infrastructure provision, with a focus on rationalisation, efficiency, sustainability and resilience in preparation for the challenging times ahead. The All-in-One concept introduces the possibility of a unified and singular system for infrastructure service provision; this work seeks to explore the possibility space opened thereby