Experimental design and regression analysis in simulation: An FMS case study

Computer Science;Operational Research

Advances in Repurposing and Recycling of Post-Vehicle-Application Lithium-Ion Batteries

Increased electrification of vehicles has increased the use of lithium-ion batteries for energy storage, and raised the issue of what to do with post-vehicle-application batteries. Three possibilities have been identified: 1) remanufacturing for intended reuse in vehicles; 2) repurposing for non-vehicle, stationary storage applications; and 3) recycling, extracting the precious metals, chemicals and other byproducts. Advances in repurposing and recycling are presented, along with a mathematical model that forecasts the manufacturing capacity needed for remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling. Results obtained by simulating the model show that up to a 25% reduction in the need for new batteries can be achieved through remanufacturing, that the sum of repurposing and remanufacturing capacity is approximately constant across various scenarios encouraging the sharing of resources, and that the need for recycling capacity will be significant by 2030. A repurposing demonstration shows the use of post-vehicle-application batteries to support a semi-portable recycling platform. Energy is collected from solar panels, and dispensed to electrical devices as required. Recycling may be complicated: lithium-ion batteries produced by different manufacturers contain different active materials, particularly for the cathodes. In all cases, however, the collecting foils used in the anodes are copper, and in the cathodes are aluminum. A common recycling process using relatively low acid concentrations, low temperatures, and short time periods was developed and demonstrated

Angiotensin II regulation of adipocyte metabolism

Recent studies showed that adipocytes secrete angiotensin II (All) and express AII receptors, suggesting a role of adipose tissue in obesity-associated hypertension. However, the physiological actions of All in adipocytes remain unclear. This thesis study was designed to investigate the role of angiotensin II, a hypertensive hormone, in adipose tissue metabolism. We hypothesized that All may exert these effects by directly stimulating lipogenesis. To address this issue, we used murine 3T3-L1 as a cell model and the fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene as a lipogenic marker. We demonstrated that All up-regulates the FAS gene at the transcriptional level. In order to identify All regulatory sequences in the FAS promoter, we transfected fusion constructs linking various deletions of the FAS promoter to the luciferase reporter gene into 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We mapped the All responsive sequences to the previously identified insulin responsive sequences (-62 to -46) in the proximal region of the FAS promoter. Furthermore, we demonstrated that a mutation in the insulin response element abolishes not only insulin but also All responsiveness of the FAS gene. Since Adipocyte Determination and Differentiation factor 1, ADD1, has been postulated as a transcription factor in the regulation of adipocyte genes, we investigated the role of ADD1 in All regulation of the FAS gene. We demonstrated that overexpression of a dominant negative form of ADD1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes markedly attenuates FAS induction by All. In conclusion, our data indicate that All exerts insulin like effects on the FAS gene by targeting similar regulatory sequences and transcription factors as insulin and suggest that paracrine effects of All in adipocytes contribute to adipocyte hypertrophy

The impact of formal education, specialized training, and offense type on perceptions of employability: Can bias toward hiring a person with a criminal history be mitigated?

Gaining employment for returning citizens has been shown to reduce recidivism and contribute to a successful community reintegration. Yet, many employers remain skeptical when it comes to hiring formerly incarcerated job candidates for a variety of reasons. Though hesitations are often related to assumptions about a person’s dangerousness, there remain legitimate reasons, such as limited formal education and basic skills, that prevent returning citizens from finding work. Further, previous research suggests that hiring decisions are confounded by offense type, even if an employer would otherwise consider a person with a criminal history. Thus, it is unclear whether returning citizens’ level of education or training can mitigate barriers related to their offense history. Therefore, using hypothetical case vignettes of a formerly incarcerated job applicant, this study aimed to address this gap in the literature by examining whether hiring decisions are influenced by the presence (or absence) of basic education, specialized training, and offense type. A between-subjects design with a sample of 223 individuals were recruited via MTurk. Main effects and interactions were examined using a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results yielded non-significant findings for the examining offense type by education. Results examining offense type, having a GED, and having a vocational certificate, yielded significant findings for vocational certificate status, however there were non-significant results for offense type, GED status, or interactions of GED and vocational certificate. These findings demonstrated the continued stigmatization that persons with a criminal history face when trying to obtain a job, as this study shows that having no formal education, a GED, or a GED and vocational certificate does not matter for hiring decisions. Yet, findings suggest that individuals with a vocational certificate are viewed to exhibit more positive work expectations. Implication and future directions are provided in the discussion

Introduction to Production: Philosophies, Flow, and Analysis

Production is a fundamental societal and economic activity. Production has to do with the transformation of raw materials into useful objects and includes the knowledge to complete the transformation effectively. Thus, production is a board topic ranging from philosophies about how to approach production such as lean and quick response manufacturing, how to organize production facilities, how to analyze production operations, how to control the flow of materials during production, the devices used to move materials within a facility, and strategies for coordinating multiple production facilities. An integrated introduction to production is presented in a set of learning modules. In significant part, these learning modules are based on over 20 years of interactions with the professional production community in the West Michigan region where Grand Rapids and Holland are the principal cities. This community consists almost exclusively of small and medium size companies engaged primarily in high mix, low volume manufacturing. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Engineering programs at Grand Valley State University often work in production for these companies. Thus, interactions are facilitated particularly though master’s degree capstone projects, several of which are referenced in the learning modules. The learning modules are well-grounded in established production concepts. Emphasis is placed on proven procedures such as systematic layout planning, factory physics, various production flow control techniques such as kanban and POLCA, and discrete event simulation. Professional practice is a focus of the learning modules. Material from processional groups such as the Lean Enterprise Institute and the Material Handling Institute (MHI) is integrated. The opportunity to read and discuss professional publications presenting production improvement projects is provided. Students are referred to professional videos and web sites throughout the learning modules. All materials provided are referenced are open access and free of charge. When downloading the main file, it is important to also download and use the Main File Support as it contains supplemental materials.https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/books/1022/thumbnail.jp

Race relations during the 1937 flood: confronting polite racism, identity, and collective memory in Louisville.

This thesis focuses on race relations during the 1937 in Louisville. The dominant narrative of the 1937 flood in Louisville is that the city united while facing mutual adversity and rebuilding the city. In this story, the waters of the flood washed away any social or racial distinctions, rendering everyone equal during the crisis. Despite this popular narrative, the reality of race relations during the flood was much more complicated. Louisville’s race relations from the nineteenth century until well into the twentieth century have been described by historian George C. Wright as “polite racism.” This complex and unequal relationship between whites and African Americans persisted throughout the flood. This thesis examines the popular memory of the flood and challenges it by focusing on the experiences of African Americans during the event