Life cycle cost analysis of silicon and organic building integrated photovoltaic systems (BiPV)

Despite the undisputed benefits associated with photovoltaic (PV) technology, the financial barrier acts as the major hurdle before it is seen as a commercial competitive form of renewable energy. Many studies have been performed outlining the life cycle energy benefits of PV technology. However, there has been limited number of studies dedicated to the life cycle cost impacts. The aim of this paper is to identify whether life cycle cost analysis is the best approach to determining the cost contributors or savings associated with this technology. This paper has been structured similarly to previous life cycle energy studies to consider the cost implications involved within each area of the products lifecycle. Amongst many new developments, traditional silicon based units have been challenged by the introduction of new organic systems; and recent studies highlight that these systems offer major cost reductions. Based on an analysis of current literature, this paper identifies that the recent growth and development of both organic and silicon based systems have had a considerable effect on the cost of PV cells. The competitive nature of the renewable energy market will also impact on a life cycle cost analysis; and any potential findings will valid for a limited timeframe.

Exploring the use of enterprise content management systems in different types of Organisations

Researchers and practitioners are starting to realize that it is unlikely that the full advantage of Electronic Content Management Systems (ECMS) can be realized unless both the technology capabilities and organisational context are taken into consideration. This study explores ECMS use in Replication, Diversification, Unification and Coordination type of organisations. A framework of ECMS-use is proposed suggesting different ways of using ECMS to support diverse organisational needs. Following a qualitative case study research approach, interviews were conducted with IT and business managers and ECMS users from each of the four types of organisations. Results suggest that, depending on the organisation’s business needs, ECMS use in organisations can be categorized as 1) Minimal-use, 2) Standard Adoption-use, 3) Customized-use or 4) Leveraged-use. Findings suggest that managers can gain more realistic benefits from ECMS use by understanding why and how different types of ECMS-use can support the way in which their businesses operate.

Integrated aquaculture systems approach to multi water-use in irrigated agriculture.

This study explored feasibility of an integrated agri-aquaculture systems (IAAS) approach to multiple water-use within Australian irrigated agriculture, emphasising adding value and sustainability to water resources. It focussed on development, demonstration and evaluation of a case-study of IAAS-based, open-water production of Murray cod in the Sunraysia Irrigation Region, NW Victoria.

Using iTextbook as an alternate frontend to learning management systems

Learning management systems (LMS) have been a popular tool for delivery of learning content as well as the management of learners and courses. In recent years, the ubiquity of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets has seen the increased popularity of using them to consume eBooks. While the LMS is popular among administrators, accessing content on mobile devices appear to be the preference of our learners. Furthermore, there are reports on a number of shortcomings with learners using the LMS, e.g., the experience of using LMSes on mobile devices falling short and learners are less engaged interacting with the LMS than with their mobile devices, etc. In this paper, we investigate the idea of using eBooks as an alternative frontend for learners to interact with the LMS. A proof of concept eBook was developed for a data management course to showcase how content on the LMS can be deployed via the eBook interface while connecting our learners to the LMS for learning management. We find that this approach delivers a rich and immersive experience to our learners, as they would expect from their devices. The outcomes also gave us food for thought regarding how LMSes may evolve in the future.

Cyber attacks against supply chain management systems: A short note

Supply chain management (SCM) is increasingly dependent on electronic systems. At the same time, the vulnerability of these systems to attack from malicious individuals or groups is growing. This paper examines some of the forms such attacks can take, and their relevance to the supply function. Provides examples of attacks. Concludes that companies should consider the security aspects of electronic commerce before developing their systems. © MCB University Press.

Enabling cloud computing in emergency management systems

Emergencies, including both natural and man - made disasters, increasingly pose an immediate threat to life, health, property, and environment. For example, Hurricane Katrina, the deadliest and most destructive Atlantic tropical cyclone of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, led to at least 1,883 people's death and an estimated loss of - 108 billion property. To reduce the damage by emergencies, a wide range of cutting-edge technologies on medicine and information are used in all phases of emergency management. This article proposes a cloud-based emergency management system for environmental and structural monitoring that utilizes the powerful computing and storage capability of datacenters to analyze the mass data collected by the wireless intelligent sensor network deployed in civil environment. The system also benefits from smartphone and social network platform to setup the spatial and population models, which enables faster evacuation and better resource allocation.

Spatial variability of soil physical properties in two management systems in sugarcane crop

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a variabilidade espacial da densidade do solo (Ds), teor de água no solo (θ) e porosidade total (Pt) em dois sistemas de manejo da colheita da cana-de-açúcar, com queima e sem queima, em um Latossolo Vermelho, na camada de 0-0,20 m. A área de estudo está localizada no município de Rio Brilhante-MS, na Usina Eldorado. A parcela de cada talhão apresentou malha com comprimento de 180 m e largura de 145,6 m, perfazendo 90 pontos distribuídos na forma de uma grade de nove colunas por dez linhas, com pontos distanciados 20 m de seu vizinho. Foram coletadas amostras de solo na camada de 0-0,20 m, nos anos agrícolas de 2007/2008 e 2008/2009. O sistema de colheita com queima apresentou maior densidade em relação ao mecanizado, nos dois períodos de análise. O teor de água no solo, assim como a porosidade, teve aumento proporcional com relação à diminuição da densidade do sistema de colheita com queima para com o mecanizado.