Implementing energy efficiency in manufacturing – overcoming risk

Part of: Seliger, Günther (Ed.): Innovative solutions : proceedings / 11th Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing, Berlin, Germany, 23rd - 25th September, 2013. - Berlin: Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, 2013. - ISBN 978-3-7983-2609-5 (online). - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:83-opus4-40276. - pp. 290-295.The increased complexity of manufacturing has resulted in process chains and equipment which demand more energy and resource categories. Energy management standards are being adopted by industries in order to focus on improving this capability; however there is recognition that a more detailed approach is required. This paper proposes a novel application of risk methods to energy efficiency projects by investigating the application of two structured problem solving techniques to energy efficiency improvements within complex manufacturing chains. The techniques evaluated were the 6-sigma and analytical hierarchy (AHP) processes. Industrial investigations and results to date indicate the benefit of utilizing such approaches. The approaches enable a structured method to engage the worker in assessing risk and highlight the value of minimizing risk to core Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics in order to ensure energy optimization opportunities can be implemented

Photoluminescence studies of silicon doped with copper and zinc

This report investigates the properties of silicon doped with the transition metal impurities copper and zinc. Low temperature photoluminescence measurements reveal an intense luminescence band with zero phonon structure around 919.56mev.Also contained in the spectra is the characteristic copper-copper pair band which has been identified as originating from isoelectronic Cu-Cu pair centres in a configuration. The 919.56 mev is found to have a slow decay time at low temperatures. This was exploited by the adoption of phase-shift techniques in a phase sensitive lock-in amplifier, which allowed the 919.56 mev band to be studied in isolation from the overlapping copper-copper pair band. The 919.56mev luminescence spectrum exhibits a strong phonon sideband structure. The most prominent zero phonon line is observed at 919.56mev with phonon replicas separated by 6.3 mev indicating strong coupling to a local mode phonon of energy 6.3 mev. Special features observed at higher temperatures around the principle zero phonon line are identified as anti- Stokes replicas as well as lines originating in electron states at = 3.3mev and E^ = 4.6mev above the lower excited state at E . The temperature dependence of the luminescence decay time was studied using deconvolution techniques to correct for the detector response function. A rapid fall off is observed for the decay time over the temperature range 50 - 100K, corresponding to thermalization over an energy barrier of 65 mev. The data is interpreted in terms of an isoelectronic bound exciton. The energy level structure and luminescence decay time are found to agree well with a model in which the binding centre is axial, with a positive (tensile) stress field and a large electron - hole exchange energy of 14 mev. The model proposed for the centre is a + 2 — + Cu - Zn - Cu defect, where a substitutional zinc double acceptor complexes with two interstitial copper atoms to produce the isoelectronic binding centre for the excitons

Kaleidoscope JEIRP on Learning Patterns for the Design and Deployment of Mathematical Games: Final Report

Project deliverable (D40.05.01-F)Over the last few years have witnessed a growing recognition of the educational potential of computer games. However, it is generally agreed that the process of designing and deploying TEL resources generally and games for mathematical learning specifically is a difficult task. The Kaleidoscope project, "Learning patterns for the design and deployment of mathematical games", aims to investigate this problem. We work from the premise that designing and deploying games for mathematical learning requires the assimilation and integration of deep knowledge from diverse domains of expertise including mathematics, games development, software engineering, learning and teaching. We promote the use of a design patterns approach to address this problem. This deliverable reports on the project by presenting both a connected account of the prior deliverables and also a detailed description of the methodology involved in producing those deliverables. In terms of conducting the future work which this report envisages, the setting out of our methodology is seen by us as very significant. The central deliverable includes reference to a large set of learning patterns for use by educators, researchers, practitioners, designers and software developers when designing and deploying TEL-based mathematical games. Our pattern language is suggested as an enabling tool for good practice, by facilitating pattern-specific communication and knowledge sharing between participants. We provide a set of trails as a "way-in" to using the learning pattern language. We report in this methodology how the project has enabled the synergistic collaboration of what started out as two distinct strands: design and deployment, even to the extent that it is now difficult to identify those strands within the processes and deliverables of the project. The tools and outcomes from the project can be found at: http://lp.noe-kaleidoscope.org

CE14005

Acoustic surveys on blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) spawning aggregations in the north east Atlantic have been carried out by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) Norway since the early 1970s. The 2014 survey was part of an international collaborative survey using the vessels RV Celtic Explorer (Ireland), RV Fridtjof Nansen (Russia), RV Tridens (Netherlands) and the RV Magnus Heinason (Faroes). The total combined area coverage extended from the Faroe Islands in the north (62° N) to south of Ireland (52° N), with east -west extension from 4°-19° W. International survey participants meet shortly after the survey to present data and produce a combined relative abundance stock estimate and report.The combined survey report is presented annually at the WGIPS meeting held in January. The information presented here relates specifically to the Irish survey

CE14016

In the southwest of Ireland and the Celtic Sea (ICES Divisions VIIaS, g & j),herring acoustic surveys have been carried out since 1989. This survey was undertaken in early October. The geographical confines of the annual 21 day survey program have been modified in recent years to include areas to the south of the main winter spawning grounds in an effort to identify the whereabouts of winter spawning fish before the annual inshore spawning migration. Spatial resolution of acoustic transects has been increased over the entire south coast survey area. The acoustic component of the survey has been further complimented since 2004 by detailed hydrographic and marine mammal and seabird surveys

Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition as a pathogenic mechanism in Parkinson disease

Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder particularly characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Pesticide exposure has been associated with PD occurrence, and we previously reported that the fungicide benomyl interferes with several cellular processes potentially relevant to PD pathogenesis. Here we propose that benomyl, via its bioactivated thiocarbamate sulfoxide metabolite, inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), leading to accumulation of the reactive dopamine metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL), preferential degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, and development of PD. This hypothesis is supported by multiple lines of evidence. (i) We previously showed in mice the metabolism of benomyl to S-methyl N-butylthiocarbamate sulfoxide, which inhibits ALDH at nanomolar levels. We report here that benomyl exposure in primary mesencephalic neurons (ii) inhibits ALDH and (iii) alters dopamine homeostasis. It induces selective dopaminergic neuronal damage (iv) in vitro in primary mesencephalic cultures and (v) in vivo in a zebrafish system. (vi) In vitro cell loss was attenuated by reducing DOPAL formation. (vii) In our epidemiology study, higher exposure to benomyl was associated with increased PD risk. This ALDH model for PD etiology may help explain the selective vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in PD and provide a potential mechanism through which environmental toxicants contribute to PD pathogenesis

Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples

Funder: NCI U24CA211006Abstract: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts

A catalyst to crisis: a quantitative analysis of the spread and manifestation of the COVID-19 pandemic in financial markets

The profound implications of the COVID-19 crisis introduced significant challenges to global financial systems. As the pandemic proliferated around the globe, its magnitude, combined with the substantial economic responses from central banks, shaped a unique financial landscape propitious for investigation. This thesis contributes novel insights into the complex consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, leveraging extensive datasets related to both the pandemic and financial markets. The thesis begins with an investigation into the explanatory power of pandemic-related data on stock market indices. Firstly, this research employs stepwise regression techniques on a diverse dataset of COVID-19 cases, accinations, and traditional financial market drivers to uncover the distinct and significant associations between pandemic data and market movements in 2020 and 2021. Following this, it utilizes event study statistical techniques to investigate the plethora of monetary policy responses implemented by central banks and the impact these had on the banking sector throughout 2020 and 2021. Segmenting each monetary policy into a distinct category, these emergency-driven interventions provide novel insights into the utility and efficacy of these tools and the reaction of financial markets in times of crisis. The research then progresses with a focus on individual stock market sectors and their unique responses to the pandemic. Using the Fama-French Five-Factor Model, stock returns are analysed in the context of common risk factors, including market risk, size, value, profitability, and investment. From this, it revealed the undercurrents that governed these industries amidst the broader market trends during the pandemic. Ultimately, the contributions of this research are manifold for a diverse range of stakeholders, including investors formulating strategies, policymakers creating emergency plans, and researchers aiming to enrich discussions on the intersection of global crises and financial markets.</p

A vaccine for volatility? an empirical analysis of global stock markets and the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine

The oscillation of COVID-19 growth has had a sustaining impact on financial markets. This study investigates the asymmetric impact of COVID-19 growth and recovery on financial markets. Examining ten epicenters of the virus from 01/01/2021 to 31/12/2021, we utilize a stepwise regression methodology and a diverse set of control variables. Controlling for volatility, credit risk, liquidity risk, monetary policy, gold, and oil, our findings indicate a significant impact of COVID-19 on equity indices. Vaccination growth correlates with positive price movements in the USA, UK, China, Japan, France, and Spain. Simultaneously, negative price trends align with virus growth in the USA, UK, China, Japan, Spain, and World models. A nexus of causality between COVID-19, global oil markets, and equity prices is identified, while credit and liquidity risks emerged as significant risk factors in China. Our results highlight the pertinence of swift vaccine developments, lockdown interventions, and central bank responses, providing valuable insights to governments, regulators, and all financial market stakeholders.</p