Identification, assessment and ordering of concepts for agro-energy planning and possibilities of spatial analysis

ABSTRACT The present study aims to present the main concepts of the sugarcane straw to energy planning. Throughout the study, the subject is contextualized highlighting broader aspects of sustainability, which is considered the main driver towards agro-energy modernization. Concerning sugarcane straw, we first evaluated its availability regarding technical and economic aspects, and then it summarized the straw production chain for energy supply purposes. As a proposal to support agro-energy planning, it is presented some spatial tools that have been barely used in the Brazilian energy planning context so far. Therefore, working on straw to electricity associated with supply chain basis, we developed a conceptual model to spatially assess this bioenergy system. Using the model proposed, it is described the whole supply chain at state level, which accounted the potential of a single mill to explore straw, as well as main costs associated with straw acquisition, investments on the straw recovery routes and electricity transmission. Bearing these concepts in mind, it is fully believed that spatial analysis can bring important information for agro-energy action plans.

THE ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN CREATING SUSTAINABILITY VALUE FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN 2020 : a scenario planning approach

The growing importance of global sustainability issues has been causing many changes to the financial services industry. Facts such as climate change, social development and the financial crisis in 2008 have been making banks reconsider the manner that they consider environmental, social and economic factors in their decision-making process. At the same time, information technology (IT) has been transforming the financial service industry and its fast development has casted doubts on the way it should be managed within an organization. This current changing environment brings a number of uncertainties to the future that cannot be addressed using traditional forecasting techniques. This research investigates how IT can bring value to sustainability in the financial service industry in 2020. Through the use of a scenario planning technique, we analyzed how trends in the current environment (considering the relation between sustainability, financial institutions an IT) can lead to four different future scenarios. Then, we discussed how IT can improve a bank’s sustainability performance, considering the limitations of each scenario.

A short description of the route Kajana—Waala—Uleåborg

kuv., 14 x 22 cm

Imaging of Tumour Microenvironment for the Planning of Oncological Therapies Using Positron Emission Tomography

Tumour cells differ from normal tissue cells in several important ways. These differences, like for example changed energy metabolism, result in altered microenvironment of malignant tumours. Non-invasive imaging of tumour microenvironment has been at the centre of intense research recently due to the important role that this changed environement plays in the development of malignant tumours and due to the role it plays in the treatment of these tumours. In this respect, perhaps the most important characteristics of the tumour microenvironment from this point of view are the lack of oxygen or hypoxia and changes in blood flow (BF). The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the processes of energy metabolism, BF and oxygenation in head and neck cancer and pancreatic tumours and to explore the possibilities of improving the methods for their quantification using positron emission tomography (PET). To this end [18F]EF5, a new PET tracer for detection of tumour hypoxia was investigated. Favourable uptake properties of the tracer were observed. In addition, it was established that the uptake of this tracer does not correlate with the uptake of existing tracers for the imaging of energy metabolism and BF, so the information about the presence of tissue hypoxia cannot therefore be obtained using tracers such as [18F]FDG or [15O]H2O. These results were complemented by the results of the follow-up study in which it was shown that the uptake of [18F]EF5 in head and neck tumours prior to treatment is also associated with the overall survival of the patients, indicating that tumour hypoxia is a negative prognostic factor and might be associated with therapeutic resistance. The influences of energy metabolism and BF on the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer were investigated in the second study. The results indicate that the best predictor of survival of patients with pancreatic cancer is the relationship between energy metabolism and BF. These results suggest that the cells with high metabolic activity in a hypoperfused tissue have the most aggressive phenotype.

Dynamic optimization for the trajectory planning of robot manipulators in the presence of obstacles

This paper presents an approach to the solution of moving a robot manipulator with minimum cost along a specified geometric path in the presence of obstacles. The main idea is to express obstacle avoidance in terms of the distances between potentially colliding parts. The optimal traveling time and the minimum mechanical energy of the actuators are considered together to build a multiobjective function. A simple numerical example involving a Cartesian manipulator arm with two-degree-of-freedom is described.

Profitability planning of the ski resort project

Objective of this master’s thesis is to create an investment calculation model, which makes it possible to determine if the ski resort business can be profitable. The ultimate goal is to create a description with the help of theoretical knowledge, interviews and investment calculation model, how the operation of ski resort is possible to be profitable and what are the critical success factors for achieving this goal. Thesis is carried out as qualitative research, which is supported by the necessary constructive information utilizing calculations. The client company has provided valuable insights and material for this thesis. Theoretical report examines the steps of developing a business plan, investment components and methods as well as sensitivity analysis. The theoretical part is based on the articles, textbooks, interviews and researches. The empirical part of the thesis is assembled by benchmarking other same size Finnish ski resorts, conducting interviews and using investment calculation model. The empirical part provides comprehensive information about ski resort industry, the future of the project, the business plan and the profitability calculations. As the result of this thesis the investment calculation model, which makes it possible to simulate different scenarios for ski resort project, was formed. The model was used to create a picture in which kind of scenario the ski resort business would be profitable and what are the critical success factors in achieving this aim.

Porin seudun liikenneturvallisuussuunnitelma

Porin seudulle laadittiin liikenneturvallisuussuunnitelma Harjavallan, Huittisen, Kokemäen, Luvian, Merikarvian, Nakkilan, Pomarkun, Porin ja Ulvilan kuntien alueelle. Suunnitelmat laadittiin kuntien ja Varsinais-Suomen ELY-keskuksen yhteistyönä. Suunnitelma sisältää turvallisuuden parantamisen lisäksi kestävien liikkumismuotojen edistämistä. Seudun liikenneturvallisuuden ja liikkumisen ongelmia kartoitettiin kaikille kuntalaisille suunnatuilla kyselyillä, onnettomuusanalyysillä sekä maastokäynneillä. Onnettomuusanalyysin perusteella seudun liikenneturvallisuuden tila Porin seudulla on koko maan keskiarvoa heikompi. Vuosittain kuolee noin 10 henkilöä ja loukkaantuu noin 220 henkilöä. Seudulla tapahtuneista onnettomuuksista aiheutuu kustannuksia vuosittain keskimäärin noin 90 miljoonaa euroa, josta kuntien osuus on vuosittain noin 16 miljoonaa euroa. Kyselyn vastauksista ilmeni, että vastaajia huolestutti muun muassa jalankulku- ja pyöräväylien kunto ja esteettömyys sekä talvikunnossapidon taso. Autoilun olosuhteissa tyytymättömyyttä aiheutti teiden kunto ja kunnossapidon taso sekä kouluympäristöjen liikennejärjestelyt. Kyselyyn vastanneista 64 %:lla työ- tai koulumatkan pituus on korkeintaan 5 kilometriä, joten kävelyn ja pyöräilyn edistämisellä seudulla on hyvät edellytykset. Ongelma-analyysin sekä valtakunnallisten tavoitteiden pohjalta seudulle määritettiin liikenneturvallisuustavoitteet. Pitkän aikavälin liikenneturvallisuusvisioksi seudulle asetettiin, että kenenkään ei tarvitse kuolla tai loukkaantua vakavasti liikenteessä ja liikkuminen on vastuullista ja se koetaan turvalliseksi. Määrällisenä tavoitteena on, että nykyisestä 10 keskimäärin vuodessa kuolleesta seudulla kuolisi liikenteessä enintään 6 henkilöä (40 henkilöä / miljoona asukasta) vuonna 2014 ja enintään 3 henkilöä (24 henkilöä / miljoona asukasta) vuonna 2020. Loukkaantuneiden määrän tavoitteena on, että nykyisestä 218 henkilöstä vähennystä olisi 25 % (korkeintaan 163 henkilöä) vuoteen 2020 mennessä. Nuorten onnettomuusriskiä halutaan pienentää 25 % vuoteen 2020 mennessä siten, että heidän riskinsä lähenee muun väestön onnettomuusriskin tasoa. Liikenneympäristön parantamisehdotukset tehtiin noin 300 kohteeseen seudulla. Toimenpiteiden toteuttaminen vaiheistettiin kolmeen ohjeelliseen kiireellisyysluokkaan. Suunnitelmatyön aikana kuntien liikenneturvallisuustyötä aktivoitiin ja perustettiin uudet ryhmät niihin kuntiin, joista ryhmät puuttuivat. Hallintokuntatilaisuuksissa ideoitiin ja käsiteltiin eri liikkujaryhmille sopivia toimintamuotoja liikenneturvallisuuden ja kestävän liikkumisen edistämiseksi. Lisäksi muodostettiin seudullinen liikenneturvallisuusryhmä, joka seuraa ja koordinoi liikenneturvallisuustyötä tulevaisuudessa.

Kuljetustensuunnittelu- ja reitinoptimointiohjelmiston kaupallistamiseen vaikuttavat keskeiset ominaisuudet

Ajoneuvojen reititystä on tutkittu 1950-luvulta asti, alunperin etsiessä polttoainekuljetuksille optimaalisinta reittiä varastolta useille palveluasemille. Siitä lähtien ajoneuvon reititystehtäviä on tutkittu akateemisesti ja niistä on muodostettu kymmeniä erilaisia variaatioita. Tehtävien ratkaisumenetelmät jaetaan tyypillisesti tarkkoihin menetelmiin sekä heuristiikkoihin ja metaheuristiikkoihin. Konetehon ja heuristiikoissa käytettävien algoritmien kehittymisen myötä reitinoptimointia on alettu tarjota kaupallisesti. CO-SKY-projektin tavoitteena on kaupallistaa web-pohjainen tai toiminnanohjausjärjestelmään integroitava ajoneuvon reititys. Diplomityössä tutkitaan kuljetustensuunnittelu- ja reitinoptimointiohjelmistojen kaupallistamiseen vaikuttavia keskeisiä ominaisuuksia. Ominaisuuksia on tarkasteltu: 1) erityisesti pk-kuljetusyritysten tarpeiden ja vaatimusten pohjalta, ja 2) markkinoilla olevien ohjelmistojen tarjontaa arvioiden. Näiden pohjalta on myös pyritty arvioimaan kysynnän ja tarjonnan kohtaamista. Pilottiasiakkaita haastattelemalla ohjelmistolle on kyetty asettamaan vaatimuksia, mutta samalla on kuultu käyttäjien mielipiteitä optimoinnista. Lukuisia logistiikkaohjelmistojen tarjoajia on haastateltu logistiikkamessuilla sekä Suomessa että Saksassa. Haastattelujen perusteella on saatu käsitys kyseisistä ohjelmista sekä optimoinnin tarjonnasta että kysynnästä. Akateeminen tutkimus aiheesta on laajaa, koskien niin teknistä toteutusta kuin myös (kysely-)tutkimuksia tarjolla olevien ohjelmistojen ominaisuuksista ja laadusta. Kuljetusyritysten tarpeissa on vaihtelua yritys- ja alakohtaisesti. Perusongelmat ovat samoja, joita reitinoptimoinnin akateemisessa tutkimuksessa käsitellään ja joita kaupalliset ohjelmistot pystyvät ratkaisemaan. Vaikka reitinoptimoinnilla saatavat hyödyt ovat mitattavissa, suunnittelu etenkin pk-yrityksissä tehdään pääosin yhä käsin. Messuhaastattelujen ja loppukäyttäjien mielipiteiden perusteella voidaan todeta kaupallisten ratkaisujen olevan suunniteltu isommille kuljetusyrityksille: tyypillisen it-projektin hinta, käyttöönottoaika ja asennus sekä ratkaisun takaisinmaksuaika vaikuttavat pk-yritysten hankintapäätökseen. Kaupallistamiseen liittyen haasteet liittyvät erityisesti segmentointiin ja markkinointiin asiakasarvon todentamisen ja sen välittämisen kautta.

Suite de la route de Paris à Tobolsk par Hag, Vienne et Cracovie

Julkaisussa: Voyage en Sibérie fait par ordre du Roi en 1761

Coupe de la route de Paris à Tobolsk par Rotnica Riga et Kipina avec les hauteurs par raport au niveau de l'océan à Brest

Julkaisussa: Voyage en Sibérie fait par ordre du Roi en 1761

Planning and implementation of entrepreneurial marketing processes in SMEs

Entrepreneurial marketing is newly established term and there is need for more specific studies in order to understand the concept fully. SMEs have entrepreneurial marketing elements more visible in their marketing and therefore provide more fruitful insights for this research. SMEs marketing has gained more recognition during the past years and in some cases innovative characteristics can be identified despite constraints such as lack of certain resources. The purpose of this research is to study entrepreneurial marketing characteristics and SME processes in order to wider understanding and gain more insights of entrepreneurial marketing. In addition, planning and implementation of entrepreneurial marketing processes is examined in order to gain full coverage of SMEs marketing activities. The research was conducted as a qualitative research and data gathering was based on semi-structured interview survey, which involved nine company interviews. Multiple case research was used to analyze data so that focus and clarity could be maintained in organized manner. Case companies were chosen from different business fields so that more variation and insights could be identified. The empirical results suggest that two examined processes networking and word-of-mouth communication are very important processes for case companies which supports the previous researches. However, the entrepreneurial marketing characteristics had variation some were more visible and recognizable than others. Examining more closely the processes companies did not fully understand that networking or word-of-mouth marketing could be used as efficiently as other conventional marketing methods.

Carte très curieuse de la Mer du Sud, contenant des remarques nouvelles et très utiles non seulement sur les ports et îles de cette mer, mais aussy sur les principaux pays de l'Amérique tant septentrionale que méridionale, avec les noms et la route des voyageurs par qui la découverte en a été faite

Kartta kuuluu A. E. Nordenskiöldin kokoelmaan

Production planning and optimization of a pulp mill: introduction of the optimisation based scheduling software for pulp industry

The objective of this project was to introduce a new software product to pulp industry, a new market for case company. An optimization based scheduling tool has been developed to allow pulp operations to better control their production processes and improve both production efficiency and stability. Both the work here and earlier research indicates that there is a potential for savings around 1-5%. All the supporting data is available today coming from distributed control systems, data historians and other existing sources. The pulp mill model together with the scheduler, allows what-if analyses of the impacts and timely feasibility of various external actions such as planned maintenance of any particular mill operation. The visibility gained from the model proves also to be a real benefit. The aim is to satisfy demand and gain extra profit, while achieving the required customer service level. Research effort has been put both in understanding the minimum features needed to satisfy the scheduling requirements in the industry and the overall existence of the market. A qualitative study was constructed to both identify competitive situation and the requirements vs. gaps on the market. It becomes clear that there is no such system on the marketplace today and also that there is room to improve target market overall process efficiency through such planning tool. This thesis also provides better overall understanding of the different processes in this particular industry for the case company.

Strategic planning of major disturbance proof network

In the 2000’s Finland suffered from storms that caused long outages in electricity distribution, longest up to two weeks. These major disturbances increased the importance of supply security. In 2013 new Electricity Market Act was announced. It defined maximum duration for outages, 6 h for city plan areas and 36 h for other areas. The aim for this work is to determine required major disturbance proof level for a study area and find tools for prioritizing overhead lines for cabling renovation to improve supply security. Three prioritization methods were chosen to be studied: A: prioritization line sections by customer outage costs they cause, B: maximizing customers major disturbance proof network and C: minimizing excavation costs in medium voltage network. Profitability calculations showed that prioritization method A was the most profitable and C had the weakest profitability. The prioritization method C drove renovation into unreasonable locations in the study area in reliability point of view. Therefore universal rule prioritization methods couldn’t be made from the prioritization methods. This led to the conclusion that every renewing area need to be evaluated in a case by case basis.