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Background: Since the 1960s, the notion of sustainability has gained worldwide significance, including environmental issues, and advocating for sustainable economic development. Businesses have a crucial role in reducing environmental effects, motivated by pressure from stakeholders such as governments and shareholders. While environmental and economic sustainability receive significant attention, the social aspect often receives less attention. Social sustainability involves creating equitable social systems and ensuring ethical practices, employee well-being, and diversity. Sustainability Consultancy Companies (SCCs) assist firms in integrating sustainability into their daily operations. Nevertheless, SCCs must comply with social sustainability principles, ensuring that they implement the same values they advocate for to maintain their reputation and establish industry benchmarks.   Purpose: The purpose of this research is to determine the extent to which Sustainability Consulting Companies (SCCs) are implementing sustainable practices within their daily operations.  We are investigating whether SCCs possess the necessary knowledge, expertise, and in-depth understanding of issues related to social sustainability practices. Our research aims to provide practitioners with knowledge and awareness of how SCCs perceive social sustainability and to what extent they implement social sustainability practices.    Method: This thesis employed a qualitative research approach, incorporating relevant literature, peer-reviewed articles, and semi-structured interviews. Through the semi-structured interviews conducted with various Sustainability Consultancy Companies (SCCs), employees, and a CEO, we were able to gather varying perspectives and professional insights on social sustainability issues.   Conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that although most SCCs had knowledge on social sustainability issues and practices, only a limited number of levels in Carroll’s CSR Pyramid were fulfilled. Furthermore, while the SCCs consider social sustainability as the missing pillar, there is a limited focus on implementing social sustainability in comparison to the other pillars of sustainability.

Für die Entstehung nicht-melanozytärer Hauttumore sind mehrere Risikofaktoren verantwortlich: UV-Exposition, Pigmentierung, Alter, Immunsuppression und möglicherweise Humane Papillomviren (HPV). Die molekularen Mechanismen der Tumorgenese des kutanen Plattenepithelkarzinoms (SCC) sowie der Präkanzerose Aktinische Keratose (AK) sind nur lückenhaft bekannt. Fokus dieser Arbeit ist die Untersuchung von SCC-Genexpressionsprofilen sowie der Einfluss kutaner HPV-Typen während der Karzinogenese bei immunkompetenten und immunsupprimierten, organtransplantierten Patienten. Durch Genexpressionsanalyse kutaner SCC, AK und normaler Haut konnten 118 differenziell exprimierte Gene in SCC mittels cDNA-Microarrays identifiziert werden. Bestätigt wurde die Expression von 11 aus 13 ausgewählten Genen (85%) mittels quantitativer real-time RT-PCR (qPCR), dabei konnte eine Korrelation der Genexpression mit der Progression der AK zum SCC für 3 Gene nachgewiesen werden. Dazu zählen das Gen Metalloproteinase-1, kodierend für ein Enzym, das in den Umbau von extrazellulärer Matrix involviert ist, das Protoonkogen RAB31 und das Tenascin-C (Tn-C) kodierende Gen Tn-C. Tn-C war im SCC-Gewebe an der Invasionsfront in Basalzellen sowie Keratinozyten im Stratum papillare und retikulare als Protein nachweisbar, nicht aber in normaler Haut. Die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit erstmalig nachgewiesene 2243 bp-Spleißvariante von Tn-C könnte aufgrund der primären Expression in SCC–Gewebe als diagnostischer Marker für SCC dienen. Diese Daten zeigen, dass simultane, multifaktorielle Dysregulationen von Genexpression und DNA-Reparatur, Zellzyklus und Proliferation, proteolytischen Enzymen und Adhäsionsmolekülen in SCC vorliegen. Ferner wurde die Expression von HPV in SCC und damit der kausale Zusammenhang einer HPV-Infektion mit der Hauttumorgenese untersucht. Das Infektionsmuster von SCC-Gewebe und normaler Haut mit spezifischen HPV-Typen erfolgte durch den Nachweis typenspezifischer HPV-DNA. Virale E6/E7-mRNA-Transkripte der kutanen HPV-Typen 8, 9 und 15 wurden in AK und SCC nachgewiesen. Dagegen konnten in HPV-DNA positiver, gesunder Haut oder Warzen keine HPV-Transkripte gefunden werden. Die Variantenanalyse des offenen Leserahmens von E6 identifizierte eine einzelne, bislang nicht beschriebene Punktmutation mit nicht bekannter Veränderung der Proteinstruktur. Die virale Aktivität der Onkogene E6 und E7 einiger kutaner Typen in AK und SCC weisen auf eine mögliche Rolle von HPV bei der kutanen Hautkarzinogenese hin. / During development of non-melanoma skin cancer, several risk factors are involved: UV-exposition, pigmentation, age, and potentially human papilloma virus (HPV). The molecular mechanisms underlying tumourgenesis in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its pre-cancerosis actinic keratosis (AK) are not fully understood. In this study, the gene expression profile and HPV-infection status were analysed in SCC from immunocompetent and organ transplanted, immunocompromised patients.By global transcriptome analysis from cutaneous SCC, AK and healthy skin, 118 genes were identified differentially expressed in a cDNA-microarray. The expression of 11 out of 13 selected genes (85%) was investigated by real-time RT-PCR (qPCR) and the expression of three genes remarkably induced in SCC correlated with the progression to AK until SCC. These genes encoded for Metalloproteinase-1, which is involved in the remodelling of extracellular matrix, and the protooncogene RAB31 and Tenascin-C (Tn-C). Tn-C protein is expressed in SCC-tissue at the invasion front in basal cells and in keratinocytes in the Stratum papillare and retikulare, but not in healthy skin. This study, the 2243 bp Tn-C-specific splice-variant has for the first time detected in SCC, but not in normal skin. Thus it might serve as diagnostic marker of SCC progression. The data of the transcriptome analysis indicates that a simultaneous dysregulation of oncogene expression and DNA-repair, cell-cycle and proliferation, proteolysis and adhesion molecules exists in SCC. Additionally, the expression of HPV in SCC and thus the causal relationship between HPV-infection and tumourgenesis of SCC in immunocompromised patients was investigated. The HPV-infection pattern in SCC-tissue and normal skin was assessed by detection of DNA from cutaneous HPV-types. Viral E6/E7-mRNA-transcripts of the cutaneous HPV-types 8, 9, 15 were expressed selectively in AK and SCC. In contrast, no HPV-specific mRNA was present in HPV-DNA positive normal skin. The analysis of the open reading frame from the respective E6-protein genes unravelled one single pointmutation, which is not been characterized so far in terms of e.g. its impact on protein structure. The viral activity of the oncogenes E6 and E7 of cutaneous HPV-types indicates a potential function of HPV in the tumourgenesis of SCC in immunocompromised individuals.

When subjected to a combination of moment and shear force, a reinforced concrete (RC) beam with either little or no transverse reinforcement can fail in shear before reaching its full flexural strength. This type of failure is sudden in nature and usually disastrous because it does not give sufficient warning prior to collapse. To prevent this type of shear failure, reinforced concrete beams are traditionally reinforced with stirrups. However, the use of stirrups is not always cost effective since it increases labor costs, and can make casting concrete difficult in situations where closely-spaced stirrups are required. The use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) could be considered as a potential alternative to the use of traditional shear reinforcement. Concrete is very weak and brittle in tension, SFRC transforms this behaviour and improves the diagonal tension capacity of concrete and thus can result in significant enhancements in shear capacity. However, one of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of fibers to a regular concrete mix can cause problems in workability. The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is an innovative solution to this problem and can result in improved workability when fibers are added to the mix. The thesis presents the experimental results from tests on twelve slender self-consolidating fiber reinforced concrete (SCFRC) beams tested under four-point loading. The results demonstrate the combined use of SCC and steel fibers can improve the shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams, enhance crack control and can promote flexural ductility. Despite extensive research, there is a lack of accurate and reliable design guidelines for the use of SFRC in beams. This study presents a rational model which can accurately predict the shear resistance of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams. The thesis also proposes a safe and reliable equation which can be used for the shear design of SFRC beams.

When subjected to a combination of moment and shear force, a reinforced concrete (RC) beam with either little or no transverse reinforcement can fail in shear before reaching its full flexural strength. This type of failure is sudden in nature and usually disastrous because it does not give sufficient warning prior to collapse. To prevent this type of shear failure, reinforced concrete beams are traditionally reinforced with stirrups. However, the use of stirrups is not always cost effective since it increases labor costs, and can make casting concrete difficult in situations where closely-spaced stirrups are required. The use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) could be considered as a potential alternative to the use of traditional shear reinforcement. Concrete is very weak and brittle in tension, SFRC transforms this behaviour and improves the diagonal tension capacity of concrete and thus can result in significant enhancements in shear capacity. However, one of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of fibers to a regular concrete mix can cause problems in workability. The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is an innovative solution to this problem and can result in improved workability when fibers are added to the mix. The thesis presents the experimental results from tests on twelve slender self-consolidating fiber reinforced concrete (SCFRC) beams tested under four-point loading. The results demonstrate the combined use of SCC and steel fibers can improve the shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams, enhance crack control and can promote flexural ductility. Despite extensive research, there is a lack of accurate and reliable design guidelines for the use of SFRC in beams. This study presents a rational model which can accurately predict the shear resistance of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams. The thesis also proposes a safe and reliable equation which can be used for the shear design of SFRC beams.

Το θέμα της παρούσης Διδακτορικής Διατριβής είναι η συστηματική μελέτη του Αυτοσυμπυκνούμενου Κισσηροδέματος (ΑΣΚ). Ο βασικός σκοπός της υπήρξε η παραγωγή μειγμάτων δομικού ΑΣΚ, προτείνοντας παράλληλα μία μεθοδολογία σύνθεσης, εφαρμόσιμη για κάθε είδος Αυτοσυμπυκνούμενου Σκυροδέματος (ΑΣΣ). Ακόμη, έγινε προσπάθεια να διερευνηθούν τομείς στους οποίους η γνώση για το Αυτοσυμπυκνούμενο Ελαφροσκυρόδεμα (ΑΣΕΣ) είναι ακόμη ελλιπής, όπως η συνάφεια χάλυβα-ΑΣΕΣ, η συμπεριφορά γραμμικών στοιχείων οπλισμένου ΑΣΕΣ έναντι κάμψης και διάτμησης, η κατανομή και οι μέγιστες τιμές των πιέσεων που ασκεί το νωπό ΑΣΕΣ σε ξυλοτύπους και τα χαρακτηριστικά ανθεκτικότητάς του. / In this study an extended investigation of PASCC properties is conducted. The main scope was to produce structural PASCC mixtures, by proposing a mix design methodology applicable for every type of Lightweight Aggregate Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC). Moreover, there has been an attempt to investigate fields where the available knowledge for LWASCC is limited, such as the steel-PASCC bond characteristics, the response of reinforced PASCC elements under reversed bending and shear actions, the formwork pressure development during and after PASCC casting and selected PASCC durability characteristics.

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Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:55:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 545117 bytes, checksum: 7ad3378bf0c824361e4be8d29161719b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-12 / The purpose this work was to evaluate milk quality in different production systems and its variation throughout the year. The database used in this work were from 943 milk farms from different regions: south, midwest and central of state of Minas Gerais and Vale Paraíba, state of São Paulo. Data totaled 18.026 samples, collected between January (2009) and September (2011), and it was granted by Danone Firm. The milk farms were classified in three different production systems: confined, semi-confined and extensive system (grass fed). Somatic cells count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC) and milk protein and fat contents were evaluated. The data was analyzed in a completely randomized design in a repeated measured scheme, and theproc MIXED procedure of SAS (2008) was used. The production system did not affect milk protein and fat contents, neither the SCC. However, the production system affected the TBC, indicating that TBC is related to the available structure for feeding animals. It is possible that the results are consequence of a payment program for quality, whichwas started by the milk industry in 2002. Seasonal variations in results of SCC, CBT and milk protein and fat contents were observed. The milk protein content was greater between March and June, while the milk fat content was greater between May and August. TBC and SCC were greater between December and March. In conclusion, production system does not affect milk protein and fat contents, neither SCC. However, confined systems have better TBC results. Furthermore, month and year affect the milk quality (TBC, SCC, milk protein and fat content results), where better results are observed in cold seasons. / Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade do leite cru em diferentes sistemas de produção e sua variação ao longo do ano. Os dados utilizados nesse trabalho foram obtidos de 943 propriedades leiteiras das regiões do Sul de Minas, Centro-Oeste e Central Mineira no estado de Minas Gerais e na região do Vale do Paraíba no estado de São Paulo. Os mesmos foram concedidos pela Empresa Danone, em um total de 18.026 amostras, no período de janeiro de 2009 a setembro de 2011. As propriedades foram divididas em sistema de produção confinado, semi-confinado e extensivo. Os itens avaliados foram contagem de células somáticas (CCS), contagem bacteriana total (CBT) e teores de proteína e gordura. Os dados foram analisados em esquema de medidas repetidas no tempo, utilizando o procedimento proc MIXED do SAS (2008). Não houve efeito de sistema de produção sobre os teores de proteína, gordura e CCS. Já a CBT foi afetada pelo sistema de produção estando relacionada com o tipo de estrutura para alimentar os animais. Possivelmente, os resultados são consequência do programa de pagamento por qualidade implantando pelo laticínio desde o ano de 2002. Foram encontradas variações sazonais de CCS, CBT, proteína e gordura; sendo os valores de proteína mais elevados de Março a Junho, os valores de gordura mais elevados de Maio a Agosto, os valores de CBT e CCS mais elevados de Dezembro a Março.Conclui-se que o sistema de produção não interfere na porcentagem de gordura e proteína e CCS do leite. No entanto, sistemas confinados apresentam melhor padrão de CBT. Conclui-se, também, que tanto mês quanto ano são fatores que interferem na CBT, CCS, proteína e gordura do leite, sendo os melhores padrões encontrados nas épocas mais frias do ano.

Dans un contexte normatif toujours plus sévère concernant les rejets automobiles polluants, la substitution des aciers par des alliages d’aluminium dans les structures des véhicules est en plein essor. Ce projet de thèse, qui s’inscrit dans un programme de développement de la société Constellium, cible plus précisément les alliages d’aluminium de la série 7xxx (Al-Zn-Mg) qui, malgré leurs propriétés mécaniques élevées, peuvent présenter une sensibilité à la corrosion sous contrainte (CSC) liée au phénomène de fragilisation par l’hydrogène (FPH). La compréhension des mécanismes mis en jeu dans ce type d’endommagement constitue donc une première étape vers une optimisation métallurgique en vue d’une industrialisation future de ces alliages dans le secteur automobile. La première partie de ces travaux est consacrée à l’étude de l’influence de l’état métallurgique de l’alliage 7046 sur son comportement en CSC et à l’identification des mécanismes de dégradation. Un lien direct a pu être mis en évidence entre l’abattement des propriétés mécaniques et les modes de rupture actifs et la quantité d’hydrogène dans l’alliage. Les deux modes d’endommagement observés, intergranulaire-fragile et transgranulaire-fragile, ont respectivement été attribués à un enrichissement en hydrogène aux joints de grains et au piégeage de l’hydrogène au niveau des précipités intragranulaires. Les interactions entre l’hydrogène et les précipités fins d’une part et les dislocations d’autre part, identifiés comme deux hétérogénéités microstructurales critiques vis-à-vis de la FPH, ont été étudiées à une échelle plus locale dans la seconde partie du travail de thèse. Les essais ont été réalisés sur des échantillons modèles, chargés en hydrogène en milieu H2SO4 sous polarisation cathodique et la profondeur de pénétration de l’hydrogène a été évaluée par SKPFM (Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy). L’ensemble des résultats obtenus met en évidence : 1/ un effet « barrière » des précipités fins et des dislocations sur la diffusion de l’hydrogène en relation avec un abattement des propriétés mécaniques moins important, 2/ un transport possible de l’hydrogène par les dislocations et 3/ l’efficacité du SKPFM pour déterminer précisément des coefficients de diffusion apparents de l’hydrogène. Ces résultats ouvrent ainsi de nouvelles pistes vers la compréhension des mécanismes de CSC dans les alliages Al-Zn-Mg. / Automotive industry is increasingly affected by standards requiring a major cut of polluting emissions, leading R&D policies to focus on replacing steel by aluminum alloys. This thesis project, initiated by the manufacturer Constellium, focuses on 7xxx (Al-Zn-Mg) aluminum alloys known to have high mechanical properties but also to be susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) partly attributed to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). Understanding the mechanisms involved would be a first step towards a metallurgical optimization and a future industrialization of these alloys. The first part focuses on the SCC behavior of the 7046 aluminum alloy, related to its microstructure, and the identification of degradation mechanisms involved. A hydrogen amount – loss of mechanical properties relationship was highlighted. The damage observed was explained by the presence of hydrogen in the grain boundaries and by a trapping effect of the intragranular hardening precipitates, limiting the hydrogen diffusion to the grain boundaries. Interactions between hydrogen and hardening precipitates and dislocations, both identified as critical microstructural heterogeneities for HE, are studied at a local scale in a second part. The hydrogen effect was characterized by penetration depth measurements made by SKPFM (Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy) on “model” samples cathodically charged in H2SO4. The whole results finally highlight: 1/ a “shielding” effect of fine precipitates and dislocations on hydrogen diffusivity related to a lower susceptibility to HE, 2/ hydrogen transport by dislocations and 3/ the efficiency of SKPFM to precisely measure effective diffusion coefficients of hydrogen. These results lead to new opportunities to understand SCC mechanisms in Al-Zn-Mg alloys.

When subjected to a combination of moment and shear force, a reinforced concrete (RC) beam with either little or no transverse reinforcement can fail in shear before reaching its full flexural strength. This type of failure is sudden in nature and usually disastrous because it does not give sufficient warning prior to collapse. To prevent this type of shear failure, reinforced concrete beams are traditionally reinforced with stirrups. However, the use of stirrups is not always cost effective since it increases labor costs, and can make casting concrete difficult in situations where closely-spaced stirrups are required. The use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) could be considered as a potential alternative to the use of traditional shear reinforcement. Concrete is very weak and brittle in tension, SFRC transforms this behaviour and improves the diagonal tension capacity of concrete and thus can result in significant enhancements in shear capacity. However, one of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of fibers to a regular concrete mix can cause problems in workability. The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is an innovative solution to this problem and can result in improved workability when fibers are added to the mix. The thesis presents the experimental results from tests on twelve slender self-consolidating fiber reinforced concrete (SCFRC) beams tested under four-point loading. The results demonstrate the combined use of SCC and steel fibers can improve the shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams, enhance crack control and can promote flexural ductility. Despite extensive research, there is a lack of accurate and reliable design guidelines for the use of SFRC in beams. This study presents a rational model which can accurately predict the shear resistance of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams. The thesis also proposes a safe and reliable equation which can be used for the shear design of SFRC beams.