Separation and Execution of graphical engine on a cross platform IDE to enhance performance

“Biosim” is a simulation software which works to simulate the harvesting system.This system is able to design a model for any logistic problem with the combination of several objects so that the artificial system can show the performance of an individual model. The system will also describe the efficiency, possibility to be chosen for real life application of that particular model. So, when any one wish to setup a logistic model like- harvesting system, in real life he/she may be noticed about the suitable prostitution for his plants and factories as well as he/she may get information about the least number of objects, total time to complete the task, total investment required for his model, total amount of noise produced for his establishment in advance. It will produce an advance over view for his model. But “Biosim” is quite slow .As it is an object based system, it takes long time to make its decision. Here the main task is to modify the system so that it can work faster than the previous. So, the main objective of this thesis is to reduce the load of “Biosim” by making some modification of the original system as well as to increase its efficiency. So that the whole system will be faster than the previous one and performs more efficiently when it will be applied in real life. Theconcept is to separate the execution part of ”Biosim” form its graphical engine and run this separated portion in a third generation language platform. C++ is chosenhere as this external platform. After completing the proposed system, results with different models have been observed. The results show that, for any type of plants of fields, for any number of trucks, the proposed system is faster than the original system. The proposed system takes at least 15% less time “Biosim”. The efficiency increase with the complexity of than the original the model. More complex the model, more efficient the proposed system is than original “Biosim”.Depending on the complexity of a model, the proposed system can be 56.53 % faster than the original “Biosim”.

Variation of System Performance with Design and Climate for Combisystems in Sweden

In Sweden, 90% of the solar heating systems are solar domestic hot water and heating systems (SDHW&H), so called combisystems. These generally supply most of the domestic hot water needs during the summer and have enough capacity to supply some energy to the heating system during spring and autumn. This paper describes a standard Swedish combisystem and how the output from it varies with heating load, climate within Sweden, and how it can be increased with improved system design. A base case is defined using the standard combi- system, a modern Swedish single family house and the climate of Stockholm. Using the simulation program Trnsys, parametric studies have been performed on the base case and improved system designs. The solar fraction could be increased from 17.1% for the base case to 22.6% for the best system design, given the same system size, collector type and load. A short analysis of the costs of changed system design is given, showing that payback times for additional investment are from 5-8 years. Measurements on system components in the laboratory have been used to verify the simulation models used. More work is being carried out in order to find even better system designs, and further improvements in system performance are expected.

Experimental performance of a string module in a CPC reflector cavity

The purpose of the work is to develop a cost effective semistationary CPC concentrator for a string PV-module. A novel method of using annual irradiation distribution diagram projected in a north-south vertical plane is developed. This method allows us easily to determine the optimum acceptance angle of the concentrator and the required number of annual tilts. Concentration ranges of 2-5x are investigated with corresponding acceptance angles between 5 and 15°. The concentrator should be tilted 2-6 times per year. Experiments has been performed on a string module of 10 cells connected in a series and equipped with a compound parabolic concentrator with C = 3.3X. Measurement show that the output will increase with a factor of 2-2.5 for the concentrator module, compared to a reference module without concentrator. If very cheap aluminium reflectors are used the costs for the PV-module can be decreased nearly by a factor of two.

Thermal Performance of a Solarus CPC-Thermal Collector

The  aim  of  this  master  thesis  is  an  investigation  of  the  thermal  performance  of  a  thermal compound parabolic concentrating (CPC) collector from Solarus. The collector consists of two troughs with absorbers which are coated with different types of paint with  unknown  properties.  The  lower  and  upper  trough  of  the  collector  have  been  tested individually. In  order  to  accomplish  the  performance  of  the  two  collectors,  a  thorough  literature  study  in  the  fields  of  CPC  technology,  various  test  methods,  test  standards  for  solar thermal  collectors  as  well  as  the  latest  articles  relating  on  the  subject  were  carried  out. In addition, the set‐up of the thermal test rig was part of the thesis as well. The thermal  performance  was  tested  according  to  the  steady  state  test  method  as  described in the European standard 12975‐2. Furthermore, the thermal performance of  a  conventional  flat  plate  collector  was  carried  out  for  verification  of  the  test  method. The  CPC‐Thermal  collector  from  Solarus  was  tested  in  2013  and  the  results  showed  four  times  higher  values  of  the  heat  loss  coefficient  UL (8.4  W/m²K)  than  what  has been reported for a commercial collector from Solarus. This value was assumed to be too large and it was assumed that the large value was a result of the test method used that time. Therefore, another aim was the comparison of the results achieved in this work with the results from the tests performed in 2013. The results of the thermal performance showed that the optical efficiency of the lower trough of the CPC‐T collector is 77±5% and the corresponding heat loss coefficient UL 4.84±0.20  W/m²K.  The  upper  trough  achieved  an  optical  efficiency  of  75±6  %  and  a  heat loss coefficient UL of 6.45±0.27 W/m²K. The results of the heat loss coefficients  are  valid  for  temperature  intervals  between  20°C  and  80°C.  The  different  absorber paintings have a significant impact on the results, the lower trough performs overall better.  The  results  achieved  in  this  thesis  show  lower  heat  loss  coefficients UL and higher optical efficiencies compared to the results from 2013. 

After work : en longitudinell studie i arbetsmiljöns långsiktiga inverkan på sambandet mellan socioekonomisk position och äldres ohälsa

After Work. The long-term effects of work environment on the association between adult socioeconomic position and ill health among the elderly The aim of this study is to analyse the long-term effects of work environment on the association between adult socioeconomic position (SEP) and six ill health outcomes among the elderly. Data was drawn from the longitudinal Level of Living and the SWEOLD-surveys. The individuals are followed from 1968 to 1992 and from 1981 to 2002 and 2004, combining baseline information regarding SEP and work environment during the period of occupational activity with the ill health outcomes from the follow-up studies. Strongest effects where revealed when controlling for the physical work environment on the association between both measures of SEP and two of the ill health outcomes: musculoskeleta lpain and physical performance. The psychological work environment, however, explained very small parts of the associations. The results, even controlled for SEP, exposed strong direct relations between ill health and psychological work environment and rather strong relations to physical work environment. As socioeconomic position indicates a particular structural position within society it may determine the likelihood of health damaging exposures during the period of occupational activity. This study shows that the effect of work environment significantly affects ill health among the elderly. Hence, the results indicate the importance of taking measures in improving work environment during the labour-market participation period, especially since policy-makers attempt to convince workers to stay longer in the workforce.

Replacing Finned Copper withCorrugated Stainless Steel, forthe Heat Exchangers of a SolarCombisystem Store : Performance and EconomicEvaluation

The importance of investigating cost reduction in materials and components for solar thermal systems is crucial at the present time. This work focuses on the influence of two different heat exchangers on the performance of a solar thermal system. Both heat exchangers studied are immersed helically coiled, one made with corrugated stainless steel tube, and the other made with finned copper tube with smooth inner surface.A test apparatus has been designed and a simple test procedure applied in order to study heat transfer characteristics and pressure drop of both coils. Thereafter, the resulting experimental data was used to perform a parameter identification of the heat exchangers, in order to obtain a TRNSYS model with its corresponding numerical expression. Also a representative small-scale combisystem model was designed in TRNSYS, in order to study the influence of both heat exchangers on the solar fraction of the system, when working at different flow rates.It has been found that the highest solar fraction is given by the corrugated stainless steel coil, when it works at the lowest flow rate (100 l/hr). For any higher flow rate, the studied copper coil presents a higher solar fraction. The advantageous low flow performance of stainless steel heat exchanger turns out to be beneficial for the particular case of solar thermal systems, where it is well known that low flow collector loops lead to enhanced store stratification, and consequently higher solar fractions.Finally, an optimization of the stainless steel heat exchanger length is carried out, according to economic figures. For the given combisystem model and boundary conditions, the optimum length value is found between 10 and 12 m.

Change through Tradition in the Work of 'Zulu Sofola Rehearsal Presentation Outline

This paper highlights the struggle Nigerian playwright 'Zulu Sofola underwent to impart her message. She attempted to confront gender oppression through tradition without contradicting herself in her play, 'Wedlock of the Gods.' ‘Zulu Sofola wrote commentaries about social problems and the influence of Western culture. Her goal was to maintain a traditional framework in the face of encroaching Western perspectives. She advocated enacting change through tradition, irrespective of Western ideologies about change. Sofola focused on gender oppression as a social problem. She intended to address gender oppression rooted in tradition by teaching traditional customs to her audience in order for audiences to make informed and progressive decisions about what to change within traditional practices. Thus, her traditionalist approach to change requires cognizance and recognition of tradition as an initial step. Sofola argued against the influences of Westernization that shift the focus of change from confronting customs through tradition to confronting customs through Western ideology.

Performance analysis and analysis for performance : a study of Villa-Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9

This study of Villa-Lobos’s Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9 aims at gaining insight into the decision-making processes of translating a score into a musical performance. Chapter I presents a discussion of selected issues related to interpretative analysis. Chapter II is an overview of the approaches to recording comparison deemed relevant to the present study. Chapter III is a comparative study of the vocal and string versions of Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9, while Chapter IV offers a structural analysis of the work. Chapter V compares four recordings: the composer’s own with the Orchestre National de La Radiodiffusion Française—EMI 7243 5 66964 2 6; Odaline de la Martinez and the BBC Singers, LNT 102; Michael Tilson Thomas and the New World Symphony —RCA 09026-68538-2; and my own CD, Construção, Orquestra de Câmara Theatro São Pedro- Limited Edition (live recording made on December 11, 1995 in Bayreuth, Germany). This comparison utilizes data obtained with the software Tempo. The tabulation of these results is shown in graphs that compare how matters of tempo flexibility affect each performance. This multi-faceted study shows that although painstaking analysis can lead to insightful solutions, the fleeting nature of musical performance requires an open mind and imagination to deal with the often contradictory directives of the score.

Lançamento de DRs por empresas brasileiras no mercado norte-americano : valorização de mercado, volatilidade e performance ajustada ao risco

O lançamento de DRs (Recibos de Depósitos) por empresas brasileiras é um mecanismo que possibilita às empresas terem acesso a mercados de capitais maiores e mais líquidos, podendo servir como um instrumento para o aumento de suas visibilidades no exterior e como um possível redutor de seus custos de capital. Esta pesquisa verifica os reflexos ocorridos nas ações das empresas brasileiras que lançaram mão deste instrumento no que tange a suas valorizações de mercado, suas volatilidades e suas performances ajustadas ao risco. De uma forma geral, apesar de pouco significativos estatisticamente, os resultados encontrados para as empresas brasileiras parecem ser condizentes com a hipótese de que a negociação internacional dos papéis dessas companhias ajudam a reduzir os efeitos da segmentação de mercado em suas ações, estando associados a ajustes para cima em seus preços, e para baixo, em seus retornos esperados e em suas volatilidades, para todos os tipos de DRs brasileiros negociados no mercado norte-americano, à exceção dos DRs de nível III que, de uma forma não significativa, parecem se comportar como se fossem emissões sazonais de capitais tradicionais (seasoned equity offerings).

Proposta para uma métrica de vantagem competitiva - a heterogeneidade da performance, suas causas e o conceito de vantagem competitiva

A performance das empresas, contrariamente ao que prevê o modelo econômico neoclássico, apresenta grande heterogeneidade. A disciplina de estratégia empresarial, em especial, tem se preocupado em entender esta heterogeneidade, explicá-la e prevê-la. As diversas correntes do pensamento estratégico apresentam diferentes abordagens para isto. Uma noção fundamental neste processo é o conceito de vantagem competitiva. Este trabalho inspira-se nas análises de componentes de variância de performance para propor uma definição mais precisa de vantagem competitiva e uma métrica para medi-la e compará-la. A métrica proposta é aplicada a uma amostra de empresas brasileiras.

Acumulação de competências tecnológicas e suas implicações para performance operacional: análise comparativa de duas empresas do grupo Lupatec em Caxias do Sul - RS

This work focuses on the implications of accumulation of technological competences for improvement of operational performance indicators. This relationship is examined in two mechanical industry firms in Caxias do Sul-RS, in the period 1985-2000. Based on a comparative case study, this work finds its ground in both qualitative and quantitative empirical evidences, collected in different sources in the firms, which are being studied. The examination of accumulation of technological competences is done through a structure of analysis existing in literature, which is specifically adapted to the mechanical industry. The examination of performance improvement is based on a set of typical operational indicators pertaining to mechanical industry. Studies of this nature are already found, mainly in Latin American literature, since the eighties. But, the application of these analytic structures in industrializing firms in Brazil is found only in the nineties. This work shows that within a unique enterprise group there is a different accumulation of technological competences, and it demonstrates that this process is not automatic. Moreover, it contributes to explain not only the differences between both firms, in terms of operational performance at some points in time, but also, how both firms got to (or did not get to) improve their performance indicators along time. This conclusion is not different from that of previous studies, but it derives from a study made in a specific industry (mechanical), which has not yet been studied in the south of Brazil.

Implicações das competências técnico-organizacionais para a performance competitiva em empresas seguidoras de mercado: evidências do segmento de turismo de aventura no Rio de Janeiro

This work focuses on the implications of technological-organizational competences for improvement of performance indicators. This relationship is examined during 1984 to 2005 in three small companies that operate in Rio de Janeiro within adventure tourism, more specifically, within tandem flights on hang-gliding. Based on a comparative case study grounded in both qualitative and quantitative empirical evidences collected in a detailed field search, this study is supported by an existing metric available in literature and adapted to adventure tourism segment. The metric to measure competences is based on four techno-organizational function: (i) product; (ii) sales & marketing; (iii) infra-structure & operational process; (iv) managing systems. The examination of performance improvement is based on a set of typical indicators used by this segment to evaluate results. This dissertation contributes to deepening the understanding of how techno-organizational competences affect the competitive performance of companies in this sector of adventure tourism.

Marketing performance measurement : overview of approaches and practices for high technology firms

Um levantamento de 320 executivos de marketing feito pelo Conselho CMO e divulgado em junho de 2004 indicou que poucas companhias de alta tecnologia (menos de 20% das empresas entrevistadas) têm desenvolvido medidas e métricas úteis e expressivas para as suas organizações de marketing. Porém a pesquisa também revelou que companhias que estabeleceram medidas formais e compreensivas atingiram resultados financeiros superiores e tiveram mais confiança do CEO na função de marketing. Esta dissertação provê uma visão geral da informação precisa para executivos de marketing entenderem e implementarem processos para medição de performance de marketing (MPM) em suas organizações. Ela levanta questões para gerentes de marketing na industria de alta tecnologia com respeito às demandas para maior responsabilidade final, valor de medição para o melhoramento dos processos de marketing, iniciativas para determinar a lucratividade dos investimentos em marketing, e a importância das atividades de marketing nos relatórios corporativos. Esta dissertação defende a implementação de MPM, mapeando seus benefícios de medição para ambos gerentes de marketing e as suas empresas. o trabalho logo explora alguns conceitos gerais de medição de marketing e investiga algumas abordagens a MPM propostas pela industria, pela comunidade acadêmica, e pelos analistas. Finalmente, a dissertação descreve algumas práticas que todo gerente de marketing na industria de alta tecnologia deve considerar quando adotando MPM. As sugestões são gerais, mas devem familiarizar o leitor com as informações precisas para habilitar processos e rigor na sua organização com respeito a MPM.

A influência do volume na performance dos fundos de investimento em ações no Brasil

Tendo como base a literatura internacional sobre fundos mútuos, o presente estudo busca encontrar algumas características que influenciam a performance dos fundos de investimentos em ações no Brasil de janeiro de 1999 até abril de 2005. O objetivo principal do trabalho é perceber se os fundos de investimento em ações têm retorno decrescente de escala. Ao mesmo tempo, sabe-se que a persistência de uma boa rentabilidade depende do grau de profissionalismo dos gestores e também de uma boa relação entre o gestor responsável e o investidor e, um contrato ótimo entre ambos. Observou-se que o volume não tem influência negativa no retorno do fundo, pelo contrário, quanto maior o fundo melhor é a rentabilidade do mesmo. Os resultados também apresentaram que os fundos que cobram taxa de performance têm um desempenho melhor do que os que não cobram. Foi identificado também que os fundos que utilizam a marca d água como incentivo de remuneração aos gestores têm rentabilidade um pouco maior do que os fundos que pagam taxa de performance, mas não utilizam a marca d água no regulamento. Chegou-se a conclusão que há uma relação direta entre incentivo e desempenho. Os resultados aqui encontrados buscam facilitar o conhecimento e a tomada de decisão de pesquisadores, investidores, empresas gestoras, Corretoras e Distribuidoras, fundos de pensão e dos demais interessados na indústria de fundos de investimento em ações no Brasil.

Business competition dynamics: agent-based modeling simulations of firms in search of economic performance

A intenção deste trabalho é explorar dinâmicas de competição por meio de “simulação baseada em agentes”. Apoiando-se em um crescente número de estudos no campo da estratégia e teoria das organizações que utilizam métodos de simulação, desenvolveu-se um modelo computacional para simular situações de competição entre empresas e observar a eficiência relativa dos métodos de busca de melhoria de desempenho teorizados. O estudo também explora possíveis explicações para a persistência de desempenho superior ou inferior das empresas, associados às condições de vantagem ou desvantagem competitiva