Analytical Assessment of a Home Made Capillary Electrophoresis Equipment with Linear Charge Coupled Device for Visible Light Absorption Detection in the Determination of Food Dyes

The performance of modular home made capillary electrophoresis equipment with spectrophotometric detection, at a visible region by means of a miniaturized linear charge coupled device, was evaluated for the determination of four food dyes. This system presents a simple but efficient home made cell detection scheme. A computer program that converts the spectral data after each run into the electropherograms was developed to evaluate the analytical parameters. The dyes selected for analytical evaluation of the system were Brilliant Blue FCF, Fast Green FCF, Sunset Yellow FCF, and Amaranth. Separation was carried out in a 29cm length and 75 mu m I.D fused silica capillary, using 10mmolL-1 borate buffer at pH 9, with separation voltage of 7.5kV. The detection limits for the dyes were between 0.3 and 1.5mgL-1 and the method presented adequate linearity over the ranges studied, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. The method was applied for determination and quantification of these dyes in fruit juices and candies.

Bättre utnyttjande av nya och befintliga förrådslokaler på SSAB Tunnplåt

The purpose of this assignment at SSAB Tunnplåt in Borlänge was mainly to investigate and describe the circumstances for the spare parts stored in storage facilities within the area of operation. Even new facilities which could serve as storage rooms and their opportunities for storing spare parts were an important part of the investigation. This because of the need for improved storing of spare parts. Furthermore, market offers where reviewed for storage of spare parts in more tailored designs. The work will culminate in proposals for improvement which is of importance for the development surrounding the storage and handling of spare parts. This is since the design and management of existing storage facilities is not perceived as satisfactory with regards to spare parts characteristics. Moreover, the amount of stock locations is too few in relation to the actual need. The approach used to achieve objectives of the work was an advanced mapping for collection of vital data. The mapping consisted of interviews with involved parties, both internal and external, for the most comprehensive picture of the problems as possible. In addition, a literature survey was conducted to identify possible options for the objectives of the work as well as a personal study of existing and new storage facilities. Furthermore, the market offers for improved conditions in storage rooms were examined. A clear picture of internal logistics and warehouse activities for spare parts at SSAB Tunnplåt has been obtained during this work. From this picture, it is concluded that work in and around storage facilities can be made more efficient. SSAB Tunnplåt should additionally make efforts in the storage facilities for better use of the available storage space. A number of proposals for improvement for each studied storage facility and spare parts management in general have been conducted. These proposals for improvement include presentations to improve the design of the studied storage facilities towards enabling more stock locations. The proposals also include additional equipment for handling spare parts, scrap handling, as well as expansions of the maintenance system which supports activities in the spare parts management.

Energy Storage for a Grid-Connected PV-System: A Feasibility Study

The work presented in this thesis concerns the dimensioning of an Energy Storage System (ESS) which will be used as an energy buffer for a grid-connected PV plant. This ESS should help managing the PV plant to inject electricity into the grid according to the requirements of the grid System Operator. It is desired to obtain a final production not below 1300kWh/kWp with a maximum ESS budget of 0.9€/Wp. The PV plant will be sited in Martinique Island and connected to the main grid. This grid is a small one where the perturbations due clouds in the PV generation are not negligible anymore. A software simulation tool, incorporating a model for the PV-plant production, the ESS and the required injection pattern of electricity into the grid has been developed in MS Excel. This tool has been used to optimize the relevant parameters defining the ESS so that the feed-in of electricity into the grid can be controlled to fulfill the conditions given by the System Operator. The inputs used for this simulation tool are, besides the conditions given by the System Operator on the allowed injection pattern, the production data from a similar PV-plant in a close-by location, and variables for defining the ESS. The PV production data used is from a site with similar climate and weather conditions as for the site on the Martinique Island and hence gives information on the short term insolation variations as well as expected annual electricity production. The ESS capacity and the injected electric energy will be the main figures to compare while doing an economic study of the whole plant. Hence, the Net Present Value, Benefit to Cost method and Pay-back period studies are carried on as dependent of the ESS capacity. The conclusion of this work is that it is possible to obtain the requested injection pattern by using an ESS. The design of the ESS can be made within an acceptable budget. The capacity of ESS to link with the PV system depends on the priorities of the final output characteristics, and it also depends on which economic parameter that is chosen as a priority.

Energy Efficiency through Thermal Energy Storage : Possibilities for the Swedish Building Stock

The need for heating and cooling in buildings constitutes a considerable part of the total energy use in a country and reducing this need is of outmost importance in order to reach national and international goals for reducing energy use and emissions. One important way of reaching these goals is to increase the proportion of renewable energy used for heating and cooling of buildings. Perhaps the largest obstacle with this is the often occurring mismatch between the availability of renewable energy and the need for heating or cooling, hindering this energy to be used directly. This is one of the problems that can be solved by using thermal energy storage (TES) in order to save the heat or cold from when it is available to when it is needed. This thesis is focusing on the combination of TES techniques and buildings to achieve increased energy efficiency for heating and cooling. Various techniques used for TES as well as the combination of TES in buildings have been investigated and summarized through an extensive literature review. A survey of the Swedish building stock was also performed in order to define building types common in Sweden. Within the scope of this thesis, the survey resulted in the selection of three building types, two single family houses and one office building, out of which the two residential buildings were used in a simulation case study of passive TES with increased thermal mass (both sensible and latent). The second case study presented in the thesis is an evaluation of an existing seasonal borehole storage of solar heat for a residential community. In this case, real measurement data was used in the evaluation and in comparisons with earlier evaluations. The literature reviews showed that using TES opens up potential for reduced energy demand and reduced peak heating and cooling loads as well as possibilities for an increased share of renewable energy to cover the energy demand. By using passive storage through increased thermal mass of a building it is also possible to reduce variations in the indoor temperature and especially reduce excess temperatures during warm periods, which could result in avoiding active cooling in a building that would otherwise need it. The analysis of the combination of TES and building types confirmed that TES has a significant potential for increased energy efficiency in buildings but also highlighted the fact that there is still much research required before some of the technologies can become commercially available. In the simulation case study it was concluded that only a small reduction in heating demand is possible with increased thermal mass, but that the time with indoor temperatures above 24 °C can be reduced by up to 20%. The case study of the borehole storage system showed that although the storage system worked as planned, heat losses in the rest of the system as well as some problems with the system operation resulted in a lower solar fraction than projected. The work presented within this thesis has shown that TES is already used successfully for many building applications (e.g. domestic hot water stores and water tanks for storing solar heat) but that there still is much potential in further use of TES. There are, however, barriers such as a need for more research for some storage technologies as well as storage materials, especially phase change material storage and thermochemical storage.

Evaluation of a high temperature solar thermal seasonal borehole storage

A solar thermal system with seasonal borehole storage for heating of a residential area in Anneberg, Sweden, approximately 10 km north of Stockholm, has been in operation since late 2002. Originally, the project was part of the EU THERMIE project “Large-scale Solar Heating Systems for Housing Developments” (REB/0061/97) and was the first solar heating plant in Europe with borehole storage in rock not utilizing a heat pump. Earlier evaluations of the system show lower performance than the preliminary simulation study, with residents complaining of a high use of electricity for domestic hot water (DHW) preparation and auxiliary heating. One explanation mentioned in the earlier evaluations is that the borehole storage had not yet reached “steady state” temperatures at the time of evaluation. Many years have passed since then and this paper presents results from a new evaluation. The main aim of this work is to evaluate the current performance of the system based on several key figures, as well as on system function based on available measurement data. The analysis show that though the borehole storage now has reached a quasi-steady state and operates as intended, the auxiliary electricity consumption is much higher than the original design values largely due to high losses in the distribution network, higher heat loads as well as lower solar gains.

Testing of combined heating systems for small houses: Improved procedures for whole system test methods : Deliverable 2.3

Dynamic system test methods for heating systems were developed and applied by the institutes SERC and SP from Sweden, INES from France and SPF from Switzerland already before the MacSheep project started. These test methods followed the same principle: a complete heating system – including heat generators, storage, control etc., is installed on the test rig; the test rig software and hardware simulates and emulates the heat load for space heating and domestic hot water of a single family house, while the unit under test has to act autonomously to cover the heat demand during a representative test cycle. Within the work package 2 of the MacSheep project these similar – but different – test methods were harmonized and improved. The work undertaken includes:  • Harmonization of the physical boundaries of the unit under test. • Harmonization of the boundary conditions of climate and load. • Definition of an approach to reach identical space heat load in combination with an autonomous control of the space heat distribution by the unit under test. • Derivation and validation of new six day and a twelve day test profiles for direct extrapolation of test results.   The new harmonized test method combines the advantages of the different methods that existed before the MacSheep project. The new method is a benchmark test, which means that the load for space heating and domestic hot water preparation will be identical for all tested systems, and that the result is representative for the performance of the system over a whole year. Thus, no modelling and simulation of the tested system is needed in order to obtain the benchmark results for a yearly cycle. The method is thus also applicable to products for which simulation models are not available yet. Some of the advantages of the new whole system test method and performance rating compared to the testing and energy rating of single components are:  • Interaction between the different components of a heating system, e.g. storage, solar collector circuit, heat pump, control, etc. are included and evaluated in this test. • Dynamic effects are included and influence the result just as they influence the annual performance in the field. • Heat losses are influencing the results in a more realistic way, since they are evaluated under "real installed" and representative part-load conditions rather than under single component steady state conditions.   The described method is also suited for the development process of new systems, where it replaces time-consuming and costly field testing with the advantage of a higher accuracy of the measured data (compared to the typically used measurement equipment in field tests) and identical, thus comparable boundary conditions. Thus, the method can be used for system optimization in the test bench under realistic operative conditions, i.e. under relevant operating environment in the lab.   This report describes the physical boundaries of the tested systems, as well as the test procedures and the requirements for both the unit under test and the test facility. The new six day and twelve day test profiles are also described as are the validation results.

Development of a molecular test to determine the vitality status of Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings during frozen storage

In boreal forest regions, a great portion of forest tree seedlings are stored indoors in late autumn to prevent seedlings from outdoor winter damage. For seedlings to be able to survive in storage it is crucial that they store well and can cope with the dark and cold storage environment. The aim of this study was to search for genes that can determine the vitality status of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings during frozen storage. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the ColdNSure (TM) test, a gene activity test that predicts storability was assessed. The storability of seedlings was tested biweekly by evaluating damage with the gene activity test and the electrolyte leakage test after freezing seedlings to -25 A degrees C (the SELdiff-25 method). In parallel, seedlings were frozen stored at -3 A degrees C. According to both methods, seedlings were considered storable from week 41. This also corresponded to the post storage results determined at the end of the storage period. In order to identify vitality indicators, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) was performed on bud samples collected during storage. Comparing physiological post storage data to gene analysis data revealed numerous vitality related genes. To validate the results, a second trial was performed. In this trial, gene activity was better in predicting seedling storability than the conventional freezing test; this indicates a high sensitivity level of this molecular assay. For multiple indicators a clear switch between damaged and vital seedlings was observed. A collection of indicators will be used in the future development of a commercial vitality test.

Simulation model using meta heuristic algorithms for achieving optimal arrangement of storage bins in a sawmill yard

Bin planning (arrangements) is a key factor in the timber industry. Improper planning of the storage bins may lead to inefficient transportation of resources, which threaten the overall efficiency and thereby limit the profit margins of sawmills. To address this challenge, a simulation model has been developed. However, as numerous alternatives are available for arranging bins, simulating all possibilities will take an enormous amount of time and it is computationally infeasible. A discrete-event simulation model incorporating meta-heuristic algorithms has therefore been investigated in this study. Preliminary investigations indicate that the results achieved by GA based simulation model are promising and better than the other meta-heuristic algorithm. Further, a sensitivity analysis has been done on the GA based optimal arrangement which contributes to gaining insights and knowledge about the real system that ultimately leads to improved and enhanced efficiency in sawmill yards. It is expected that the results achieved in the work will support timber industries in making optimal decisions with respect to arrangement of storage bins in a sawmill yard.

Extracting Causal Graphs from an Open Provenance Data Model

The open provenance architecture (OPA) approach to the challenge was distinct in several regards. In particular, it is based on an open, well-defined data model and architecture, allowing different components of the challenge workflow to independently record documentation, and for the workflow to be executed in any environment. Another noticeable feature is that we distinguish between the data recorded about what has occurred, emphprocess documentation, and the emphprovenance of a data item, which is all that caused the data item to be as it is and is obtained as the result of a query over process documentation. This distinction allows us to tailor the system to separately best address the requirements of recording and querying documentation. Other notable features include the explicit recording of causal relationships between both events and data items, an interaction-based world model, intensional definition of data items in queries rather than relying on explicit naming mechanisms, and emphstyling of documentation to support non-functional application requirements such as reducing storage costs or ensuring privacy of data. In this paper we describe how each of these features aid us in answering the challenge provenance queries.

Hydrodynamic Simulations Of Vacuum-Driven Storage Tanks

As a result of urbanization, stormwater runoff flow rates and volumes are significantly increased due to increasing impervious land cover and the decreased availability of depression storage. Storage tanks are the basic devices to efficiently control the flow rate in drainage systems during wet weather. Presented in the paper conception of vacuum-driven detention tanks allows to increase the storage capacity by usage of space above the free surface water elevation at the inlet channel. Partial vacuum storage makes possible to gain cost savings by reduction of both the horizontal area of the detention tank and necessary depth of foundations. Simulation model of vacuum-driven storage tank has been developed to estimate potential profits of its application in urban drainage system. Although SWMM5 has no direct options for vacuum tanks an existing functions (i.e. control rules) have been used to reflect its operation phases. Rainfall data used in simulations were recorded at raingage in Czestochowa during years 2010÷2012 with time interval of 10minutes. Simulation results gives overview to practical operation and maintenance cost (energy demand) of vacuum driven storage tanks depending of the ratio: vacuum-driven volume to total storage capacity. The following conclusion can be drawn from this investigations: vacuum-driven storage tanks are characterized by uncomplicated construction and control systems, thus can be applied in newly developed as well as in the existing urban drainage systems. the application of vacuum in underground detention facilities makes possible to increase of the storage capacity of existing reservoirs by usage the space above the maximum depth. Possible increase of storage capacity can achieve even a few dozen percent at relatively low investment costs. vacuum driven storage tanks can be included in existing simulation software (i.e. SWMM) using options intended for pumping stations (including control and action rules ).

Consolidating Program Accreditation Data for Regional Review

Regional accreditors often desire the same metrics and data collected by professional program reviews, but may use different terminologies to describe this information; as a result, some schools must manually translate or even recollect data already stored. This report profiles strategies to proactively consolidate the language and policies of accreditation to avoid duplication of labor and to efficiently route program accreditation data that will be repurposed in regional review. It also suggests ways to select new technologies that can streamline data collection, storage, and presentation.

A PPCCIPS: a Política Pública da Coleta Complementar Itinerante e Programada de Sangue, sob a luz da teoria do ciclo da política pública

This study aimed to focus on aspects of public administration concerning the implementation of the public policy of complementary blood collection by the itinerant and scheduled PPCCIPS services either trough off local unity or mobile unit blood collection operations, which are managed by the State Institute of Hematology Arthur de Siqueira Cavalcanti - HEMORIO. The case study method was used in that public health institutional field, in search for a better understanding of responsibilities and management related to collection, serology, fractionation, storage and distribution of blood supply to almost all public hospitals and clinics, summed up to agreements with the single health system of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Bibliographic references, documentary and field data obtained through interviews and systematic observation in the public servants of HEMORIO workplaces, were treated by the analysis of the content method and the results of this research revealed the complexity of those services, and needs in outstanding aspects of infrastructure, equipment, logistics and personnel, which are critical for the achievement of the increased public collection of blood in the Rio de Janeiro State, endorsing the suggestions for the implementation of PPCCIPS in HEMORIO. The main point found in this research results concern the immanent ethical commitment of that public service personnel, including staff members and low ranking members as well, perceived due to a brief philosophical overlook on that personnel¿s attitudes. An important strategic aspect was revealed by the need for excellence of midia communications and education programs to implement the community involvement in the whole process. Final reflections point out that personnel posture is considered vital for the quality of the expected care of the technical activities and also for the quality of its final products release to the local public, fluminense, which is the irreplaceable human blood, and their derivatives. Despite the author¿s effort in this dissertation there is much more to be studied on that crucial theme.

O mercado de gás natural veicular em Curitiba : visão dos taxistas

O tema do presente estudo consiste na análise da demanda do mercado de taxistas de Curitiba frente à possibilidade de utilização de um combustível alternativo menos oneroso e poluente: o Gás Natural Veicular – GNV. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi de analisar o mercado atual do GNV entre os taxistas de Curitiba, verificando a possibilidade de ampliar do uso do GNV por esta frota através de uma pesquisa de mercado. Os dados da pesquisa servirão de subsídios para campanhas de marketing orientadas à ampliação acelerada do uso desta tecnologia. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa de satisfação para levantar os fatores determinantes para a tomada de decisão dos taxistas de Curitiba de utilizarem ou não um combustível alternativo menos oneroso e poluente como o Gás Natural Veicular – GNV. O estudo visou obter a percepção dos taxistas de Curitiba. Com base nos resultados da pesquisa foi possível estabelecer subsídios para campanhas de marketing orientadas à ampliação acelerada do uso desta tecnologia. Para realização da pesquisa, utilizou-se uma pesquisa exploratória, com entrevistas individuais da cúpula das organizações que trabalham com o Gás Natural, prospectando novos projetos para o futuro e as perspectivas de evolução do mercado de GNV em Curitiba, a qual forneceu subsídios para a pesquisa quantitativa junto aos taxistas da cidade de Curitiba. Constatou-se que somente 36% do público estudado é usuário de gás natural veicular, mas entre os não usuários, 82% já pensou em instalar o kit gás. As principais razões pelas quais os taxistas pesquisados não utilizam o GNV são a perda de espaço no porta-malas e a perda de potência do veículo. Entre os taxistas que utilizam o GNV, no que tange aos atributos relacionados à rede de distribuição, a maior insatisfação refere-se à localização dos postos e a maior satisfação às eventuais filas para abastecimento. Nesses mesmos atributos o que obteve maior índice de importância foi justamente a localização dos postos. Entre os atributos relacionados ao produto, o maior índice de satisfação foi o nível de poluição ambiental e a maior insatisfação espaço para armazenamento, sendo o desempenho do veículo considerado o mais importante. Quanto aos atributos relacionados aos equipamentos, verificou-se a segurança com o maior índice de satisfação e de importância.

Privacidade e inovação na era do Big Data

A coleta e o armazenamento de dados em larga escala, combinados à capacidade de processamento de dados que não necessariamente tenham relação entre si de forma a gerar novos dados e informações, é uma tecnologia amplamente usada na atualidade, conhecida de forma geral como Big Data. Ao mesmo tempo em que possibilita a criação de novos produtos e serviços inovadores, os quais atendem a demandas e solucionam problemas de diversos setores da sociedade, o Big Data levanta uma série de questionamentos relacionados aos direitos à privacidade e à proteção dos dados pessoais. Esse artigo visa proporcionar um debate sobre o alcance da atual proteção jurídica aos direitos à privacidade e aos dados pessoais nesse contexto, e consequentemente fomentar novos estudos sobre a compatibilização dos mesmos com a liberdade de inovação. Para tanto, abordará, em um primeiro momento, pontos positivos e negativos do Big Data, identificando como o mesmo afeta a sociedade e a economia de forma ampla, incluindo, mas não se limitando, a questões de consumo, saúde, organização social, administração governamental, etc. Em seguida, serão identificados os efeitos dessa tecnologia sobre os direitos à privacidade e à proteção dos dados pessoais, tendo em vista que o Big Data gera grandes mudanças no que diz respeito ao armazenamento e tratamento de dados. Por fim, será feito um mapeamento do atual quadro regulatório brasileiro de proteção a tais direitos, observando se o mesmo realmente responde aos desafios atuais de compatibilização entre inovação e privacidade.

O Cariri cearense: da ocupação do território à institucionalização da região metropolitana do Cariri

Urbanization in their mearing simpler, the agglomeration of people, occurred from the time that the productive activities have to be based on trade. The first cities arose when the evolution of agriculture allowed the production and storage of surpluses. However, with industrialization was that urbanization becomes intense, according to Singer (1987), the industrial revolution was to stage, from the beginning, the urban area. It requires, in its proximity, the presence of a large number of workers. With respect to the Cariri cearense, the occupation of its territory is associated with the movement of agricultural surpluses produced and reproduced under the hegemony of merchant capital and due to the development of extensive cattle that promoted the territorial occupation of Ceará. From the 1960s, the region has undergone changes in its productive structure due to industrial planning policies of the government of Ceará. However it was in the 1990s that the region itself as economic and urban polo because policies to attract investments from the state government of Ceará. This policy led to boosting trade and services marking the predominance of tertiary activities in the region, especially the retail, wholesale , medical services and education. Investments also consolidated the industrial park area making it diverse, especially the footwear industries, mining, non-metallic minerals, transport equipment, pharmaceutical chemical, food and beverages, rubber and leather and construction. Thus, the aim of this study was to review the region of Cariri cearense occupation of its territory institutionalizing its metropolitan region, to understand what factors influenced the Cariri cearense become an important area in urban and economic terms in the interior of Ceará. In order to develop this research in that refers to the methodological perspective, research is guided by bibliographic studies and also makes use of secondary data analysis (population, GDP, urbanization rate, employment) of the main databases the country, as IBGE, IPEADATA and RAIS - MTE