Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-173).

The objective of this thesis is to see how effectively can central banks can conduct monetary policy under specific circumstances. Four hypothesis are being examined on the case study of five central banks - the Czech National Bank, the Central Bank of Chile, the Bank of Jamaica, the Central Bank of Argentina and the Swiss National Bank. Firstly this work confirms that solid monetary policy can be applied even if CB is dealing with loss based on inflation targeting success rate of central banks. Secondly, in the case of Czech National Bank using VAR, was concluded that inflation expectations can influence the outcome of CB's monetary policy. In the second part of this hypothesis the expectations from the government side in SNB case were examined. On the case of Argentina the negative effect of adjusting monetary policy was demonstrated. The last part elaborates on the topic of determining optimal capitalisation of central bank.

Heat losses are an important problem in domestic hot water circulation systems. Therefore, to reduce these losses becomes an issue of utmost importance both economically and environmentally. Nevertheless, it has not been until recent years when these losses have been studied further. Commonly studies have focused on the heat space system operation or radiator system. This study focuses on heat losses in the domestic hot water circulation through the piping system in a building at a school located in Gävle (Sweden) using non-destructive flow and temperature reading devices. The heat used by the school is provided by the district heating network that feeds several heat exchangers. The heat losses, at the same time, will be compared with simulation and theoretical procedures to corroborate them. The domestic hot water piping system of this study consists on more than 1200 meters of insulated copper pipes with different diameters and different insulation thickness. The system was measured for one week (April 26, 2015 to May 3, 2015) when there are working days and nonworking days. A 5% of the annual district heating consumption in the school was calculated as heat losses in the domestic hot water circulation system in the building studied. Finally, improvements in insulation system and changes in the domestic hot water temperature have been simulated and they demonstrate that savings of up to 35% of the heat losses can be achieved and produce significant energy savings.

The aim of this thesis was to analyze the contemporary manufacture and on this basis to find out the existing losses. For the exposure of losses in manufacture were used three methods. The first one was the observation which was focused on the warehouse, pressing and transport. Next sources, which were used within the analysis, were internal documents and dialogues with the employees of the company. All suggestions were designed in a way that could be applied in the practice and improve current economic situation in company.

This dissertation contains a strategy to minimize the non-technical electrical energy losses in an electrical distribution network. In order to develop the strategy, a model was constructed that simulates an electrical distribution network and includes different parameters that calculate the estimated technical losses in the electricity distribution network. The model was then used as the base to develop the strategy to minimize the electrical energy losses in an electrical distribution network. Increasing energy costs and environmentalists actions to protect the natural resources, force energy supply companies to conserve and reduce energy usage. Therefore the research focused on the reduction of electrical energy losses in distribution networks. The loss occurrences are divided into two categories: technical and non-technical losses. Reducing these losses ensure that the cost of electricity to customers will be reduced and in turn improve the efficiency of the distribution network. The model developed to calculate the non-technical losses in an electrical distribution network was tested at two different networks. Firstly at the University of Pretoria, where the network segment consisted of different network busses delivering electrical energy. Secondly results were obtained in a residential network of the Tshwane Metropolitan Council. In this network there was only one bus but various different time intervals were used to determine the time interval most suitable for determining the electrical energy losses in the electrical distribution network. The model was used primarily to quantify the technical losses as a base point towards determining the non-technical losses. Using the model one is able to forecast the technical energy losses of a section in the electricity distribution network and this enabled one to develop a strategy to minimize the energy losses in the distribution network. The model will enable municipalities or electricity distribution companies to estimate electrical energy losses in their electrical supply networks and facilitate the development of strategies to reduce electrical energy losses. / Dissertation (MEng (Electrical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

The linear and nonlinear optical properties of a spin-coated polydiacetylene, [5,7-dodecadiyn-1,12-diol-bis(n-butoxy-carbonyl-methyl-urethane)], or poly(4BCMU), were measured to predict its performance in all-optical devices at 1.319 μm. Material requirements for all-optical devices were identified and figures-of-merit noted. A two-photon absorption figure of merit was verified by numerical simulation of a waveguide device. The refractive index and waveguide loss in spin-coated poly(4BCMU) films were measured. A photo-induced bleaching was observed, and its effect on linear and nonlinear optical properties was quantified. Fabrication of integrated-optical structures using this photobleaching process was demonstrated. The nonlinear refractive index and absorption were measured at 1.319 μm with 60 picosecond laser pulses, using poly(4BCMU) strip-loaded channel waveguides. A novel pulse-modulated interferometer was developed for measuring the intensity-dependent refractive index. The fast electronic contribution was found to be n₂ = (4.8 ± 2.7) x 10⁻⁸ cm²/MW, an a slower thermal contribution of n₂(T) = -(7.9 ± 4.5) x 10⁻¹¹ cm²/MW was measured. The thermal index change was shown to limit the duty cycle of operation for a poly(4BCMU) device. The two-photon absorption coefficient was also measured, yielding γ < 0.25 cm/GW. These values were used to estimate performance of a poly(4BCMU) all-optical device using standard figures-of-merit. For this specific waveguide, the figures-of-merit indicated poor performance. If waveguide losses were neglected, (by assuming improved fabrication for example), and assuming the nonlinearity does not saturate at intensities below the damage threshold, the figures-of-merit improve to useful levels. The limit on duty cycle imposed by thermal effects appears to restrict operation to GHz frequencies of slower.

Long Valley is the largest agricultural wetland in Hong Kong and supports a high level of biodiversity. The implementation of Management Agreement project in Long Valley has successfully enhanced its conservation value through habitat management and various eco-agricultural practices. However, the conflict between profitable agricultural yield and bird conservation in the area has also been intensifying as reflected by the increasing number of complaints of bird-related crop damage from local farmers in winter. The study aimed to assess the extent and impact of crop damage caused by birds in Long Valley during winter. The first part of the study involved a transect survey in the area reported to be the most severely affected area of Long Valley to determine the bird diversity and abundance, also the environmental factors of individual farmland plots were collected for analysis of their relationship with bird distribution. The bird species responsible for crop damage (targeted species) were also identified. The second part of the study evaluated the impact of different targeted species by using the technique of focal animal sampling, which involved focused observation of individual bird’s behaviour in the field and to quantify its time budget spent on crop-damaging behaviour. In order to understand the perspectives from farmers, face-to-face interviews with farmers practicing in the area were also conducted. The study identified five species to have crop-damaging behaviour, which can be further divided into two groups: the crop-consuming species causing actual crop damage included Chinese Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis), Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus) and Eurasian Tree Sparrow(Passer montanus). The incidental crop-pecking species causing minimal crop damage included the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)and Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis). Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was the only type of crop suffering from bird damage. The intensity of crop-damaging behaviour of a species was estimated by the mean time allocated in crop consumption, and was found to be 66.7%±7.3% in Chinese Bulbul, 31.6%±29.1% in Eurasian Tree Sparrow and 8.9%±12.0% in Crested Myna. However, taking into account of the abundance, distribution and activity record of a species, Crested Myna showed the greatest overall impact to the vegetable crops. Chinese Bulbul showed a relatively focal but intensive damage to a few plots. It was found that having wires and a wet field nearby the plots were significant determinants of the presence of Eurasian Tree Sparrow. And the presence of Chinese Bulbul was significantly associated with the use of bird deterrents. Crested Myna was found in significantly higher numbers in late afternoon and was associated with plots having the seedling stage of lettuce growth. The study shows that birds do cause localized and patchy damage to vegetable crops in Long Valley. Individual farmlands may exhibit variations in severity of the damage due to the difference in species distribution and environmental factors. The management of bird damage must therefore be individualized from plot to plot. Also education and engagement with local farmers are indispensable to maintaining sustainable agricultural development while conserving avifauna in Long Valley. / published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1983. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 244-249).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-12-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:19:08Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 patricio_rjo_me_ilha.pdf: 3690534 bytes, checksum: 7356633cd62b863a89cd4e927a8c91ca (MD5) / PROPG / A redução de perdas em sistema de abastecimento de água é um assunto de destaque no saneamento básico mundial. Perdas de até 50% causam preocupação tanto pela redução das reservas de água potável quanto pelo aumento no custo da água distribuída. Muitos sistemas são objetos de estudo para ampliação de sua capacidade de produção quando, na verdade, bastaria reduzir as perdas. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido num subsetor do sistema de abastecimento da cidade de Presidente Prudente - SP. O objetivo principal foi a determinação do índice de perdas reais – causadas por vazamentos – e do índice de perdas aparentes – causadas por ligações clandestinas ou irregulares, falhas na hidrometria e por fraudes – e realizar ações de redução de perdas, monitorando seus resultados. Após a realização de cada ação, foi aguardado um período para avaliação. Nem todas as ações programadas foram realizadas e não foi possível determinar quais foram mais eficientes, mas o estudo apresenta as dificuldades encontradas e as propostas para desenvolver novos trabalhos. O índice médio de perdas encontrado foi de 222 L/ramal.dia para as perdas totais e de 182 L/ramal.dia para as perdas reais. As perdas aparentes foram de apenas 40 L/ramal.dia, o que significa que os vazamentos são preponderantes nas perdas. Foi realizado um estudo sobre a ação de troca de hidrômetros para verificação da submedição e da recuperação de volumes não medidos avaliando os erros de medição por meio da aferição dos hidrômetros substituídos e acompanhando os consumos dos hidrômetros instalados. Palavras chave: abastecimento... / The reduction of losses in the water supply system is a prominent subject in the world basic sanitation. Losses up to 50% cause concern not only by drinking water reservation reduction but also by the cost of distributed water due to the production costs and maintenance of the system. Many systems are subject of studies for enlargement of the production capacity when actually, it would be enough to reduce the losses. This work was carried out in a distribution zone of the water supply system of the Presidente Prudente-SP city. The main goal was the determination of the real losses index - caused by leakage - and the apparent losses index - caused by clandestine or irregular connections, residential water meters flaws and frauds - and to accomplish reduction of losses actions, monitoring their results. After the accomplishment of each action, a period was awaited for evaluation. Not all the programmed actions were executed and neither was possible to determine which were the most efficient ones. The study presents the difficulties found and proposals for new work developing. The mean loss index for the total losses was 222 L/service line*day and 182 L/service line*day for the real losses. The apparent loss index was only 40 L/service line*day, pointing to the preeminence of the leaks in the water losses. A study was accomplished on changing customer meters for verifying the under measurement error and the not measured volume recovering, evaluating the measuring errors through the substituted meters gauge and also following the installed customer meters consumption