Qualitative risk assessment during polymer mortar test specimens preparation - methods comparison

Polymer binder modification with inorganic nanomaterials (NM) could be a potential and efficient solution to control matrix flammability of polymer concrete (PC) materials without sacrificing other important properties. Occupational exposures can occur all along the life cycle of a NM and “nanoproducts” from research through scale-up, product development, manufacturing, and end of life. The main objective of the present study is to analyse and compare different qualitative risk assessment methods during the production of polymer mortars (PM) with NM. The laboratory scale production process was divided in 3 main phases (pre-production, production and post-production), which allow testing the assessment methods in different situations. The risk assessment involved in the manufacturing process of PM was made by using the qualitative analyses based on: French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety method (ANSES); Control Banding Nanotool (CB Nanotool); Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne method (EPFL); Guidance working safely with nanomaterials and nanoproducts (GWSNN); Istituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la Sicurezza del Lavoro, Italy method (ISPESL); Precautionary Matrix for Synthetic Nanomaterials (PMSN); and Stoffenmanager Nano. It was verified that the different methods applied also produce different final results. In phases 1 and 3 the risk assessment tends to be classified as medium-high risk, while for phase 2 the more common result is medium level. It is necessary to improve the use of qualitative methods by defining narrow criteria for the methods selection for each assessed situation, bearing in mind that the uncertainties are also a relevant factor when dealing with the risk related to nanotechnologies field.

Analysis and selection of indicators for a sustainability assessment method for school buildings based on SBTool ‐ PT

Nowadays, the sustainability of buildings has an extreme importance. This concept goes towards the European aims of the Program Horizon 2020, which concerns about the reduction of the environmental impacts through such aspects as the energy efficiency and renewable technologies, among others. Sustainability is an extremely broad concept but, in this work, it is intended to include the concept of sustainability in buildings. Within the concept that aims the integration of environmental, social and economic levels towards the preservation of the planet and the integrity of the users, there are, currently, several types of tools of environmental certification that are applicable to the construction industry (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, SBTool, among others). Within this context, it is highlighted the tool SBTool (Sustainable Building Tool) that is employed in several countries and can be subject to review in institutions of basic education, which are the base for the formation of the critical masses and for the development of a country. The main aim of this research is to select indicators that can be used in a methodology for sustainability assessment (SBTool) of school buildings in Portugal and in Brazil. In order to achieve it, it will also be analyzed other methodologies that already incorporate parameters directly related with the schools environment, such as BREEAM or LEED.

Sustainability assessment of envelope wall solutions using MAXergy methodology

Projeto de investigação integrado de International Master in Sustainable Built Environment

Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Power Generation

Through indisputable evidence of climate change and its link to the greenhouse gas emissions comes the necessity for change in energy production infrastructure during the coming decades. Through political conventions and restrictions energy industry is pushed toward using bigger share of renewable energy sources as energy supply. In addition to climate change, sustainable energy supply is another major issue for future development plans, but neither of these should come with unbearable price. All the power production types have environmental effects as well as strengths and weaknesses. Although each change comes with a price, right track in minimising the environmental impacts and energy supply security can be found by combining all possible low-carbon technologies and by improving energy efficiency in all sectors, for creating a new power production infrastructure of tolerable energy price and of minor environmental effects. GEMIS-Global Emission Model for Integrated Systems is a life-cycle analysis program which was used in this thesis to make indicative energy models for Finland’s future energy supply. Results indicate that the energy supply must comprise both high capacity nuclear power as well as large variation of renewable energy sources for minimization of all environmental effects and keeping energy price reasonable.

Effect of forest-based biofuels production on carbon footprint, Case: Integrated LWC paper mill

International energy and climate strategies also set Finland’s commitments to increasing the use of renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The target can be achieved by, for example, increasing the use of energy wood. Finland’s forest biomass potential is significant compared with current use. Increased use will change forest management and wood harvesting methods however. The thesis examined the potential for integrated pulp and paper mills to increase bioenergy production. The effects of two bioenergy production technologies on the carbon footprint of an integrated LWC mill were studied at mill level and from the cradle-to-customer approach. The LignoBoost process and FT diesel production were chosen as bioenergy cases. The data for the LignoBoost process were obtained from Metso and for the FT diesel process from Neste Oil. The rest of the information is based on the literature and databases of the KCL-ECO life-cycle computer program and Ecoinvent. In both case studies, the carbon footprint was reduced. From the results, it can be concluded that it is possible to achieve a fossil-fuel-free pulp mill with the LignoBoost process. By using steam from the FT diesel process, the amount of auxiliary fuel can be reduced considerably and the bark boiler can be replaced. With a choice of auxiliary fuels for use in heat production in the paper mill and the production methods for purchased electricity, it is possible to affect the carbon footprints even more in both cases.

Survival and Quality of Life among Patients with Severe Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease

Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with decreased functional status, diminished quality of life (QoL), amputation, myocardial infarction, stroke, and death. Nevertheless, public awareness of PAD as a morbid and mortal disease is low. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of major lower extremity amputation due to PAD, the extent of reamputations, and survival after major lower extremity amputation (LEA) in a population based PAD patient cohort. Furthermore, the aim was to assess the functional capacity in patients with LEA, and the QoL after lower extremity revascularization and major amputation. All 210 amputees due to PAD in 1998–2002 and all 519 revascularized patients in 1998–2003 were explored. 59 amputees alive in 2004 were interviewed using a structured questionnaire of QoL. Two of each amputee age-, gender- and domicile-matched controls filled in and returned postal self-administered QoL questionnaire as well as 231 revascularized PAD patients (the amount of these patients who engaged themselves to the study), and one control person for each patient completed postal self-administered QoL questionnaire. The incidence rate of major LEA was 24.1/100 000 person-years and it was considerably high during the years studied. The one-month mortality rate was 21%, 52% at one-year, and the overall mortality rate was 80%. When comparing the one-year mortality risk of amputees, LEAs were associated with a 7.4-fold annual mortality risk compared with the reference population in Turku. Twenty-two patients (10%) had ipsilateral transversions from BK to AK amputation. Fifty patients (24%) ended up with a contralateral major LEA within two to four amputation operations. Three bilateral amputations were performed at the first major LEA operation. Of the 51 survivors returning home after their first major LEA, 36 (71%) received a prosthesis; (16/36, 44%) and were able to walk both in- and outdoors. Of the 68 patients who were discharged to institutional care, three (4%) had a prosthesis one year after LEA. Both amputees and revascularized patients had poor physical functioning and significantly more depressive symptoms than their controls. Depressive symptoms were more common in the institutionalized amputees than the home-dwelling amputees. The surviving amputees and their controls had similar life satisfaction. The amputees felt themselves satisfied and contented, whether or not they lived in long-term care or at home. PAD patients who had undergone revascularizations had poorer QoL than their controls. The revascularized patients’ responses on their perceived physical functioning gave an impression that these patients are in a declining life cycle and that revascularizations, even when successful, may not be sufficient to improve the overall function. It is possible that addressing rehabilitation issues earlier in the care may produce a more positive functional outcome. Depressive symptoms should be recognized and thoroughly considered at the same time the patients are recovering from their revascularization operation. Also primary care should develop proper follow-up, and community organizations should have exercise groups for those who are able to return home, since they very often live alone. In rehabilitation programs we should consider not only physical disability assessment but also QoL.

Customer value assessment in business markets

Understanding how firms create, communicate, and deliver value to customers is a key factor when firms seek to differentiate in increasingly competitive and commoditized business markets. As product and price have become less important differentiators in many industries, suppliers are increasingly seeking ways to differentiate themselves based on delivered customer value. Therefore, to gain a holistic understanding on what their offerings are worth to the customer, suppliers need to conduct customer value assessment, which quantifies the impact of a supplier´s offering to customers’ costs and returns. However, from a managerial perspective, customer value assessment is the single most critical challenge for firms in business markets. Consequently, developing holistic frameworks for customer value assessment is seen as one of the most important research priorities for marketing research. The purpose of this study is to explore the process of customer value assessment in business markets. Business markets represent a context where an increasing number of industrial firms are transitioning from basic product offerings towards service-based and solution-oriented hybrid offerings, which emphasize value co-creation and realization in the long term, thus making it difficult to quantify their monetary value. This study employs exploratory and qualitative research design by applying inductive and discovery-oriented grounded theory and multiple case research methods. The empirical data comprise interviews with 61 managers from 12 industrial firms, including seven best practice firms in customer value assessment. The findings of this study show that customer value assessment is essentially a crossfunctional process, which involves several organizational functions. The process begins well before and continues long after the actual delivery, often until the end of a supplier´s offering’s life-cycle. Furthermore, the findings shed light on alternative strategies that firms in business markets can adopt to implement the customer value assessment process. Overall, the findings contribute to customer value research, the sales and organizational management literature, the service marketing and solutions business literature, and suggest several managerial implications on how firms in business markets can adopt a holistic approach to assess value created for customers.

Framework for Regional Heating Energy Efficiency Assessment

The aim of this project was to develop general framework for systematic assessment of energy efficiency of heating on regional level in Russia. The framework created during this project includes two main instruments, namely: general regional heating energy efficiency assessment model (REEMod) and general regional heating energy efficiency assessment criteria for housing areas (REECrit). Framework pays extreme attention to realization of energy saving, overall cost efficiency and comfortable indoor climate. Life-cycle ideology was applied during creation of the framework. Application of the framework can provide decision-making process with systematically collected and processed information on current state of areas energy efficiency. Such information will help decision makers to evaluate current situation of the whole energy chain, to compare different development scenarios and to identify the most efficient improvement methods, thus supporting realization of regions efficient energy management. Simultaneous pursuit of energy savings, cost efficiency and indoor air quality can contribute to development of sustainable community. Presented instruments should be continuously developed further as an iterative process based on knew experience, development of technology and overall understanding of energy efficiency issues.

Learning from risks: A tool for post-project risk assessment

Risk management (RM) comprises of risk identification, risk analysis, response planning, monitoring and action planning tasks that are carried out throughout the life cycle of a project in order to ensure that project objectives are met. Although the methodological aspects of RM are well-defined, the philosophical background is rather vague. In this paper, a learning-based approach is proposed. In order to implement this approach in practice, a tool has been developed to facilitate construction of a lessons learned database that contains risk-related information and risk assessment throughout the life cycle of a project. The tool is tested on a real construction project. The case study findings demonstrate that it can be used for storing as well as updating risk-related information and finally, carrying out a post-project appraisal. The major weaknesses of the tool are identified as, subjectivity of the risk rating process and unwillingness of people to enter information about reasons of failure.

Case study on the whole life carbon cycle in buildings

Global temperatures are expected to rise by between 1.1 and 6.4oC this century, depending, to a large extent, on the amount of carbon we emit to the atmosphere from now onwards. This warming is expected to have very negative effects on many peoples and ecosystems and, therefore, minimising our carbon emissions is a priority. Buildings are estimated to be responsible for around 50% of carbon emissions in the UK. Potential reductions involve both operational emissions, produced during use, and embodied emissions, produced during manufacture of materials and components, and during construction, refurbishments and demolition. To date the major effort has focused on reducing the, apparently, larger operational element, which is more readily quantifiable and reduction measures are relatively straightforward to identify and implement. Various studies have compared the magnitude of embodied and operational emissions, but have shown considerable variation in the relative values. This illustrates the difficulties in quantifying embodied, as it requires a detailed knowledge of the processes involved in the different life cycle phases, and requires the use of consistent system boundaries. However, other studies have established the interaction between operational and embodied, which demonstrates the importance of considering both elements together in order to maximise potential reductions. This is borne out in statements from both the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and The Low Carbon Construction Innovation and Growth Team of the UK Government. In terms of meeting the 2020 and 2050 timeframes for carbon reductions it appears to be equally, if not more, important to consider early embodied carbon reductions, rather than just future operational reductions. Future decarbonisation of energy supply and more efficient lighting and M&E equipment installed in future refits is likely to significantly reduce operational emissions, lending further weight to this argument. A method of discounting to evaluate the present value of future carbon emissions would allow more realistic comparisons to be made on the relative importance of the embodied and operational elements. This paper describes the results of case studies on carbon emissions over the whole lifecycle of three buildings in the UK, compares four available software packages for determining embodied carbon and suggests a method of carbon discounting to obtain present values for future emissions. These form the initial stages of a research project aimed at producing information on embodied carbon for different types of building, components and forms of construction, in a simplified form, which can be readily used by building designers in optimising building design in terms of minimising overall carbon emissions. Keywords: Embodied carbon; carbon emission; building; operational carbon.

Assessment of the anthelmintic activity of medicinal plant extracts and purified condensed tannins against free-living and parasitic stages of Oesophagostomum dentatum

Background: Plant-derived condensed tannins (CT) show promise as a complementary option to treat gastrointestinal helminth infections, thus reducing reliance on synthetic anthelmintic drugs. Most studies on the anthelmintic effects of CT have been conducted on parasites of ruminant livestock. Oesophagostomum dentatum is an economically important parasite of pigs, as well as serving as a useful laboratory model of helminth parasites due to the ability to culture it in vitro for long periods through several life-cycle stages. Here, we investigated the anthelmintic effects of CT on multiple life-cycles stages of O. dentatum. Methods: Extracts and purified fractions were prepared from five plants containing CT and analysed by HPLC-MS. Anthelmintic activity was assessed at five different stages of the O. dentatum life cycle; the development of eggs to infective third-stage larvae (L3), the parasitic L3 stage, the moult from L3 to fourth-stage larvae (L4), the L4 stage and the adult stage. Results: Free-living larvae of O. dentatum were highly susceptible to all five plant extracts. In contrast, only two of the five extracts had activity against L3, as evidenced by migration inhibition assays, whilst three of the five extracts inhibited the moulting of L3 to L4. All five extracts reduced the motility of L4, and the motility of adult worms exposed to a CT-rich extract derived from hazelnut skins was strongly inhibited, with electron microscopy demonstrating direct damage to the worm cuticle and hypodermis. Purified CT fractions retained anthelmintic activity, and depletion of CT from extracts by pre-incubation in polyvinylpolypyrrolidone removed anthelmintic effects, strongly suggesting CT as the active molecules. Conclusions: These results suggest that CT may have promise as an alternative parasite control option for O. dentatum in pigs, particularly against adult stages. Moreover, our results demonstrate a varied susceptibility of different life-cycle stages of the same parasite to CT, which may offer an insight into the anthelmintic mechanisms of these commonly found plant compounds.

The impact of social security reform on occupational and retirement behavior : a quantitative assessment for Brazil

Population ageing is a problem that countries will have to cope with within a few years. How would changes in the social security system affect individual behaviour? We develop a multi-sectoral life-cycle model with both retirement and occupational choices to evaluate what are the macroeconomic impacts of social security reforms. We calibrate the model to match 2011 Brazilian economy and perform a counterfactual exercise of the long-run impacts of a recently adopted reform. In 2013, the Brazilian government approximated the two segregated social security schemes, imposing a ceiling on public pensions. In the benchmark equilibrium, our modelling economy is able to reproduce the early retirement claiming, the agents' stationary distribution among sectors, as well as the social security deficit and the public job application decision. In the counterfactual exercise, we find a significant reduction of 55\% in the social security deficit, an increase of 1.94\% in capital-to-output ratio, with both output and capital growing, a delay in retirement claims of public workers and a modification in the structure of agents applying to the public sector job.

Modelli di scambio termico in pozzo sulla base della caratterizzazione geotermica di un reservoir a bassa entalpia: studio di sensitività sulla efficienza dei sistemi di condizionamento a pompa di calore

Tra i temi di attualità, quello del risparmio energetico è tra i più dibattuti negli ultimi anni; tale tema è strettamente correlato al problema del riscaldamento globale, infatti, mentre sul prossimo esaurimento delle risorse energetiche tradizionali non vi sono ancora certezze assolute, per quanto riguarda l’azione nociva dei gas serra, la Comunità Scientifica Internazionale si ritrova d’accordo su una netta presa di posizione contro l’emissione di tali sostanze, provocata in larga parte dall’utilizzo dei combustibili fossili. In questo contesto, l’Unione Europea sta promuovendo la diffusione di tecnologie che non prevedano l’utilizzo di gas, petrolio o carbone, soprattutto per il settore dell’edilizia, ove una corretta progettazione e l’utilizzo di tecnologie non convenzionali può portare alla riduzione anche dell’80% dei consumi, con conseguente abbattimento delle emissioni. Tra questi interventi innovativi, il più comune e conosciuto è sicuramente quello del solare termico e fotovoltaico; ma ne esistono anche di altri, ancora non molto pubblicizzati in Italia, ma ampiamente conosciuti e utilizzati in altri paesi dell’Unione. Tra questi, vi è il sistema di riscaldamento analizzato in questa tesi: la pompa di calore geotermica. Tale sistema, come verrà spiegato nell’elaborato di laurea, ha indubbi vantaggi economici, energetici ed ambientali, a fronte di una non trascurabile spesa iniziale. Attualmente, nel Nord Italia, si incominciano a vedere impianti di questo tipo, sulla scia del successo riscontrato nei paesi confinanti (in particolare Austria e Svizzera). La progettazione si basa attualmente su modelli statici, sviluppati dall’Università Svizzera del Canton Ticino, per l’utilizzo della pompa di calore nel territorio alpino. Obiettivo della tesi, è la verifica di tali modelli, di cui si è venuto a conoscenza grazie alla collaborazione con l’Università SUPSI, sulle condizioni idrogeologiche della Pianura Padana, soffermandosi su alcuni parametri fondamentali della progettazione di una pompa di calore geotermica, quali la conduttività e la capacità termica volumetrica dei terreni incontrati, la presenza di falde, ed i parametri geometrici del pozzo, al fine di dare una valutazione tecnica ed economica dell’impianto. Tali analisi è stata infatti fino ad ora affrontata in maniera sommaria dai perforatori, che eseguono generalmente sempre lo stesso modello di pozzo geotermico, sulla base degli esempi consolidati di Svizzera e Germania. Alcune misure di temperatura in situ sono state rilevate in collaborazione con la società Geotermia SRL di Mantova, ditta specializzata nella perforazione di pozzi geotermici (tale esperienza è parte centrale dell’estratto “Laboratorio di Tesi Ls”), mentre la parte modellistica della tesi è stata sviluppata in collaborazione con lo studio di progettazione Studio Seta SRL di Faenza, il cui stabile è climatizzato in parte con una pompa di calore geotermica.

Simulazione quali-quantitativa della rete fognaria della città di Modena e dimensionamento di invasi per la mitigazione dell'impatto degli scaricatori di piena

Nel presente lavoro di tesi ci si è occupati dello studio del comportamento idraulico-ambientale della rete di drenaggio a servizio della città di Modena. In particolare si è condotta una valutazione dell’effetto che gli scaricatori della rete fognaria in oggetto hanno sul complesso dei corpi idrici riceventi. Tale lavoro si prefigge anche lo scopo di individuare e dimensionare i più efficaci sistemi di controllo degli sversamenti, operati dagli scaricatori stessi, ed infine supportare analisi costi-benefici in vista della realizzazione delle opere di risanamento ambientale necessarie per ottemperare ai vincoli imposti dalla vigente normativa regionale in merito alla gestione delle acque di prima pioggia (Deliberazione G.R. Emilia Romagna 286/2005). Lo studio si è articolato in fasi successive: • analisi dello stato di fatto; • catalogazione degli scaricatori in esercizio nella rete di drenaggio; • determinazione ed analisi dei bacini idrografici e delle superfici scolanti; • implementazione di un modello numerico della rete di drenaggio; • individuazione e valutazione delle criticità idraulico-ambientali del sistema, mediante simulazioni in continuo delle serie pluviometriche degli anni 2005 e 2006. L’attività che ha portato al conseguimento dei risultati che sono raccolti in questa “nota” è stata svolta in collaborazione con la società HERA Modena s.r.l. a cui compete, fra le altre, la gestione dell’intera rete di drenaggio urbano del Comune di Modena. La fase di analisi dello stato di fatto e delle superfici scolanti afferenti ai singoli sottobacini è stata condotta utilizzando lo strumento GIS Arcview; il quale è di supporto, anche ai fini di un’appropriata definizione delle caratteristiche specifiche del territorio. Lo studio è stato sviluppato mediante la realizzazione di un modello numerico di simulazione quali-quantitativa con l’ausilio del software InfoWorks CS 8.05, distribuito dalla Wallingford Software Ltd UK.

La qualità erogata da un'azienda di trasporto collettivo in ambito urbano: calcolo del livello di servizio delle principali linee di ATC (BO)

Oggetto di questa tesi è lo studio della qualità del servizio di trasporto erogato che condiziona la qualità percepita dall’utente, poiché spesso proprio a causa di un errato processo di pianificazione e gestione della rete, molte aziende non sono in grado di consolidare un alto livello di efficienza che permetta loro di attrarre e servire la crescente domanda. Per questo motivo, si è deciso di indagare sugli aspetti che determinano la qualità erogata e sui fattori che la influenzano, anche attraverso la definizione di alcuni indicatori rappresentativi del servizio erogato. L’area di studio considerata è stata quella urbana di Bologna, e sono state prese in esame due linee di ATC, la 19 e la 27, caratterizzate entrambe da una domanda di trasporto molto elevata. L’interesse è ricaduto in modo particolare sugli aspetti legati alla regolarità del servizio, ovvero al rispetto della cadenza programmata delle corse e alla puntualità, ossia il rispetto dell’orario programmato delle stesse. Proprio da questi due aspetti, infatti, dipende in larga misura la percezione della qualità che gli utenti hanno del servizio di trasporto collettivo. Lo studio è stato condotto sulla base di dati raccolti attraverso due campagne di rilevamento, una effettuata nel mese di maggio dell’anno 2008 e l’altra nel mese di settembre dello stesso anno. La scelta del periodo, della zona e delle modalità di rilevamento è strettamente connessa all’obiettivo prefissato. Il servizio è influenzato dalle caratteristiche del sistema di trasporto: sia da quelle legate alla domanda che da quelle legate all’offerta. Nel caso della domanda di trasporto si considera l’influenza sul servizio del numero di passeggeri saliti e del tempo di sosta alle fermate. Nel caso dell’offerta di trasporto si osservano soprattutto gli aspetti legati alla rete di trasporto su cui si muovono gli autobus, analizzando quindi i tempi di movimento e le velocità dei mezzi, per vedere come le caratteristiche dell’infrastruttura possano condizionare il servizio. A tale proposito è opportuno dire che, mentre i dati della prima analisi ci sono utili per lo studio dell’influenza del tempo di sosta sull’intertempo, nella seconda analisi si vuole cercare di effettuare ulteriori osservazioni sull’influenza del tempo di movimento sulla cadenza, prendendo in esame altri elementi, come ad esempio tratti di linea differenti rispetto al caso precedente. Un’attenzione particolare, inoltre, verrà riservata alla verifica del rispetto della cadenza, dalla quale scaturisce la definizione del livello di servizio per ciò che riguarda la regolarità. Per quest’ultima verrà, inoltre, determinato anche il LOS relativo alla puntualità. Collegato al problema del rispetto della cadenza è il fenomeno dell’accodamento: questo si verifica quando i mezzi di una stessa linea arrivano contemporaneamente ad una fermata uno dietro l’altro. L’accodamento ha, infatti, origine dal mancato rispetto della cadenza programmata tra i mezzi ed è un’evidente manifestazione del mal funzionamento di un servizio di trasporto. Verrà infine condotta un’analisi dei fattori che possono influenzare le prestazioni del servizio di trasporto pubblico, così da collocare i dati ottenuti dalle operazioni di rilevamento in un quadro più preciso, capace di sottolineare alcuni elementi di criticità e possibili rapporti di causalità.