Environmental and technology policies for climate mitigation

We assess different policies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and promoting innovation and diffusion of renewable energy. We evaluate the relative performance of policies according to incentives provided for emissions reduction, efficiency, and other outcomes. We also assess how the nature of technological progress through learning and research and development (R&D), and the degree of knowledge spillovers, affects the desirability of different policies. Due to knowledge spillovers, optimal policy involves a portfolio of different instruments targeted at emissions, learning, and R&D. Although the relative cost of individual policies in achieving reductions depends on parameter values and the emissions target, in a numerical application to the U.S. electricity sector, the ranking is roughly as follows: (1) emissions price, (2) emissions performance standard, (3) fossil power tax, (4) renewables share requirement, (5) renewables subsidy, and (6) R&D subsidy. Nonetheless, an optimal portfolio of policies achieves emissions reductions at a significantly lower cost than any single policy. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Designing Climate Mitigation Policy

This paper provides an exhaustive review of critical issues in the design of climate mitigation policy by pulling together key findings and controversies from diverse literatures on mitigation costs, damage valuation, policy instrument choice, technological innovation, and international climate policy. We begin with the broadest issue of how high assessments suggest the near and medium term price on greenhouse gases would need to be, both under cost-effective stabilization of global climate and under net benefit maximization or Pigouvian emissions pricing. The remainder of the paper focuses on the appropriate scope of regulation, issues in policy instrument choice, complementary technology policy, and international policy architectures.

Carbon mitigation costs for the commercial building sector: Discrete-continuous choice analysis of multifuel energy demand

We estimate a carbon mitigation cost curve for the U.S. commercial sector based on econometric estimation of the responsiveness of fuel demand and equipment choices to energy price changes. The model econometrically estimates fuel demand conditional on fuel choice, which is characterized by a multinomial logit model. Separate estimation of end uses (e.g., heating, cooking) using the U.S. Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey allows for exceptionally detailed estimation of price responsiveness disaggregated by end use and fuel type. We then construct aggregate long-run elasticities, by fuel type, through a series of simulations; own-price elasticities range from -0.9 for district heat services to -2.9 for fuel oil. The simulations form the basis of a marginal cost curve for carbon mitigation, which suggests that a price of $20 per ton of carbon would result in an 8% reduction in commercial carbon emissions, and a price of $100 per ton would result in a 28% reduction. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sea Urchin Body Plan Development and Evolution: An Integrative Transcriptomic Approach

My dissertation work integrates comparative transcriptomics and functional analyses to investigate gene expression changes underlying two significant aspects of sea urchin evolution and development: the dramatic developmental changes associated with an ecologically significant shift in life history strategy and the development of the unusual radial body plan of adult sea urchins.

In Chapter 2, I investigate evolutionary changes in gene expression underlying the switch from feeding (planktotrophic) to nonfeeding (lecithotrophic) development in sea urchins. In order to identify these changes, I used Illumina RNA-seq to measure expression dynamics across 7 developmental stages in three sea urchin species: the lecithotroph Heliocidaris erythrogramma, the closely related planktotroph Heliocidaris tuberculata, and an outgroup planktotroph Lytechinus variegatus. My analyses draw on a well-characterized developmental gene regulatory network (GRN) in sea urchins to understand how the ancestral planktotrophic developmental program was altered during the evolution of lecithotrophic development. My results suggest that changes in gene expression profiles occurred more frequently across the transcriptome during the evolution of lecithotrophy than during the persistence of planktotrophy. These changes were even more pronounced within the GRN than across the transcriptome as a whole, and occurred in each network territory (skeletogenic, endomesoderm and ectoderm). I found evidence for both conservation and divergence of regulatory interactions in the network, as well as significant changes in the expression of genes with known roles in larval skeletogenesis, which is dramatically altered in lecithotrophs. I further explored network dynamics between species using coexpression analyses, which allowed me to identify novel players likely involved in sea urchin neurogenesis and endoderm patterning.

In Chapter 3, I investigate developmental changes in gene expression underlying radial body plan development and metamorphosis in H. erythrogramma. Using Illumina RNA-seq, I measured gene expression profiles across larval, metamorphic, and post-metamorphic life cycle phases. My results present a high-resolution view of gene expression dynamics during the complex transition from pre- to post-metamorphic development and suggest that distinct sets of regulatory and effector proteins are used during different life history phases.

Collectively, my investigations provide an important foundation for future, empirical studies to investigate the functional role of gene expression change in the evolution of developmental differences between species and also for the generation of the unusual radial body plan of sea urchins.

Plan de marketing para la inserción de una bebida natural a base de yacón con piña, en el mercado de Lima, Perú

El consumo de productos naturales en el mundo es cada vez más creciente, y dentro de ello las bebidas funcionales que desde sus orígenes han tenido una performance relativamente satisfactoria. El yacón (Smallanthus sochifolius)es una planta perene, herbácea, que crece en toda la serranía peruana. Su demanda en el mercado exterior ha hecho que cada vez tenga mayor importancia. En el 2014 se exportó USD 2 899.398,00 en forma de polvo, jarabe, deshidratado; sin embargo su consumo en el mercado nacional es bajo, a pesar del gran potencial nutritivo que posee. El mercado de Lima moderna se presenta como un importante atractivo de mercado que podría consumir la bebida. Por ello el objetivo del presente trabajo es Realizar un Plan de Marketing para el mercado de Lima moderna a fin de evaluar la factibilidad de insertar una bebida nueva: yacón con piña, para fomentar el consumo interno de este producto. La metodología utilizada fue de carácter exploratorio, descriptivo cuantitativa y cualitativa mediante información primaria y secundaria que ayudó a su desarrollo. Dentro de la información primaria se utilizó como herramienta la encuesta y la información secundaria a través de informes y estudios que se hicieron para el sector de bebidas no alcohólicas. El sector de bebidas no alcohólicas en el Perú, muestra un importante crecimiento en lo referente a bebidas saludables. En el último año (2014) el crecimiento de este sector fue de 6 por ciento, motivados por la percepción del consumidor en los beneficios saludables de estas bebidas. La zona de Lima moderna acoge al 72,2 por ciento del nivel socio económico A y B, este segmento concentra el más alto promedio de ingresos. En el análisis de Porter, se describe a la empresa como una industria, el cual para este rubro las barreras de ingreso son altas por la inversión en activos físicos y la inversión en publicidad y promoción por ser un producto nuevo. A través del estudio realizado se encontró que existe demanda para este producto, el 31,1 por ciento de los encuestados compraría definitivamente, 25,5 por ciento una vez por semana y el 18,3 por ciento todos los días. La estrategia utilizada en el presente trabajo fue la diferenciación, por las características saludables de la bebida y única en el mercado. La bebida es un producto de introducción en el mercado, el precio fijado es alto porque se orienta a un segmento de mercado selectivo y además fijado en la imagen y calidad del producto. La distribución se realizará a través de los supermercados, minimarkets, hoteles categorizados. Y por último se concluye que la introducción de un producto novedoso, podría marcar estándares en el mercado de bebidas no alcohólicas y permitir la creación de una nueva categoría de productos Premium naturales y funcionales.

Plan de marketing Muebles Maldonado

El presente plan de marketing considera el portafolio de MUEBLES MALDONADO S.A.C. empresa que cuenta con el respaldo de más de 22 años de experiencia y trabajo, desarrolla sus actividades en el sector maderero tanto de fabricación como comercialización de muebles teniendo como línea de productos muebles de sala, comedor, dormitorio y accesorios decorativos; perfilado con diseñados novedosos y exclusivos, muebles lanzados al mercado con las mejores maderas (tornillo, pino, caoba) y de la mejor calidad y precios acorde a productos (diseños o modelos). Cuenta con un equipo de personal eficiente y apto tanto en la fabricación de los productos al cual se debe gran parte de sus éxito como en el área de ventas para satisfacer las necesidades y deseos de sus clientes actuales y potenciales en un futuro; teniendo como competencia a las empresas en productos sustitutos y a la competencia directa. Se analiza la situación del mercado para conocer el mercado objetivo y se describe las estrategias del marketing estratégico y operativo para diagnosticar la situación actual del marketing de la empresa MUEBLES MALDONADO. Además, se tienen en cuenta a los principales competidores, las estrategias, los canales de distribución y el análisis de oportunidades y alternativas de los productos

Risk mitigation framework for a robust design process

The increasing complexity of new manufacturing processes and the continuously growing range of fabrication options mean that critical decisions about the insertion of new technologies must be made as early as possible in the design process. Mitigating the technology risks under limited knowledge is a key factor and major requirement to secure a successful development of the new technologies. In order to address this challenge, a risk mitigation methodology that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative analysis is required. This paper outlines the methodology being developed under a major UK grand challenge project - 3D-Mintegration. The main focus is on identifying the risks through identification of the product key characteristics using a product breakdown approach. The assessment of the identified risks uses quantification and prioritisation techniques to evaluate and rank the risks. Traditional statistical process control based on process capability and six sigma concepts are applied to measure the process capability as a result of the risks that have been identified. This paper also details a numerical approach that can be used to undertake risk analysis. This methodology is based on computational framework where modelling and statistical techniques are integrated. Also, an example of modeling and simulation technique is given using focused ion beam which is among the investigated in the project manufacturing processes.

Optimisation methodology for risk mitigation in advanced micro-system electronics manufacturing

This paper presents a design methodology based on numerical modelling, integrated with optimisation techniques and statistical methods, to aid the development of new advanced technologies in the area of micro and nano systems. The design methodology is demonstrated for a micro-machining process called Focused Ion Beam (FIB). This process has been modelled to provide knowledge of how a pre-defined geometry can be achieved through this direct milling. The geometry characterisation is obtained using a Reduced Order Models (ROM), generated from the results of a mathematical model of the Focused Ion Beam, and Design of Experiment (DoE) methods. In this work, the focus is on the design flow methodology which includes an approach on how to include process parameter uncertainties into the process optimisation modelling framework. A discussion on the impact of the process parameters, and their variations, on the quality and performance of the fabricated structure is also presented. The design task is to identify the optimal process conditions, by altering the process parameters, so that certain reliability and confidence of the application is achieved and the imposed constraints are satisfied. The software tools used and developed to demonstrate the design methodology are also presented.

D9.1 - RAGE Dissemination Plan

This Dissemination Plan aims to guide and support the efforts of each and all RAGE partners in convincing Applied Games stakeholders to use the outputs of the Project. This is a live document as it will be periodically updated, enhanced and completed along the entire RAGE project lifecycle.

D10.2 - Research Data Management Plan, version 1.0

This document is the first out of three iterations of the DMP that will be formally delivered during the project. Version 2 is due in month 24 and version 3 towards the end of the project. The DMP thus is not a fixed document; it evolves and gains more precision and substance during the lifespan of the project. In this first version we describe the planned research data sets related to the RAGE evaluation and validation activities, and the fifteen principles that will guide data management in RAGE. The former are described in the format of the EU data management template, and the latter in terms of their guiding principle, how we propose to implement them, and when they will be implemented. This document is thus first of all relevant to WP5 and WP8 members.