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Yes / For meeting the external requirements of the Paris Agreement and reducing energy consumption per gross domestic product, China needs to improve its energy efficiency. Although the existing studies have attempted to investigate energy efficiency from different perspectives, little effort has yet been made to consider the collaboration among different stages in the production chain to produce energy outputs. In addition, various studies have also examined the determinants of energy efficiency, however, they mainly focused on technology and economic factors, no study has yet proposed and considered the influence of geographical factors on energy efficiency. In this article, we fill in the gap and make theoretical and empirical contributions to the literature. In this study, a two-stage analysis method is used to analyse energy efficiency and the influencing factors in China between 2009 and 2021. More specifically, from the theoretical/methodological perspective, a multi-activity network data envelopment analysis model is used to measure energy efficiency of different processes in the energy production chain. From the empirical perspective, we attempt to investigate the influence of geographical factors on energy efficiency through a neural network analysis. Meanwhile, the comparisons among different provinces are made. The result shows that the overall energy efficiency is low in China, and China relies more on the traditional energy industry than the clean energy industry. The efficiency level experiences a level of volatility over the examined period. Finally, we find that raw fuel pre-process and industry have a significant and positive impact on energy efficiency in China.

Background: Sustainability has become increasingly significant in both contemporary societyand the business landscape. The rise of sustainable supply chain concepts necessitates areassessment of business process management. Central to this shift is the adoption of circulareconomy principles, which play a pivotal role in businesses' pursuit of environmentalsustainability. As companies transition towards a circular economy model, it becomesimperative for manufacturers to reorganize their logistics systems, with reverse logisticsassuming a critical position. Reverse logistics encompasses the process of collecting productsand materials from their usual endpoint in order to extract their value, which would otherwisebe unattainable, or ensure their proper disposal. Purpose: The purpose is to explore drivers of and barriers to the implementation of reverselogistics in the context of the pharmaceutical supply chain. Method: The research uses a qualitative embedded single case study approach. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, involving representatives from four distinct actors withinthe Belgian pharmaceutical supply chain. Data analysis employs an inductive approach.Additionally, 6 websites and papers are reviewed to complement the knowledge and deepeninsights. The outcome is a framework with theoretical and practical implications. Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal the challenges associated with implementingreverse logistics in the pharmaceutical sector. The results are categorized into drivers andbarriers. Firstly, the drivers identified include education, regulations, resources, economicconsiderations, social responsibility, immediate recalls, bulk systems, charity, and goodcompany image. Conversely, the barriers encompass educational gaps, regulatory constraints,resource limitations, economic considerations, hygiene concerns, and issues related toresponsibility. These findings highlight the complex landscape within which all stakeholdersoperate, underscoring the difficulties they face, particularly within the pharmaceutical industry,in achieving effective reverse logistics implementation.

Financail Accounting / D.Com. (Applied Accountancy)

Lo Chi-yan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-51). / Abstract in English and Chinese; questionnaires in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgments --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.v / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Why is empirical research on driver sleepiness important? --- p.2 / Prevalence of driver sleepiness --- p.2 / Driver sleepiness as a risk factor for traffic accidents --- p.3 / Why should taxi driver sleepiness be studied? --- p.6 / Variations in sleepiness and vigilance and driving performance within a shift and comparison between daytime and nighttime drivers --- p.8 / "The impact of circadian typology on sleep, sleepiness, vigilance and driving performance" --- p.11 / Bright light exposure --- p.14 / Overview of the present study --- p.18 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- Main study --- p.20 / Recruitment and Characteristics of Participants --- p.20 / Procedure --- p.20 / Instruments --- p.23 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- Results --- p.28 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- Discussion --- p.36 / References --- p.42 / Figures --- p.52 / Tables --- p.55 / Appendices --- p.62

The Type-II dilemma zone refers to the segment of roadway approaching an intersection where drivers have difficulty deciding to stop or proceed through at the onset of the circular yellow (CY) indication. Signalized intersection safety can be improved when the dilemma zone is correctly identified and steps are taken to reduce the likelihood that vehicles are caught in it. This research employs driving simulation as a means to collect driver response data at the onset of the CY indication to better understand and describe the dilemma zone. The data obtained was compared against that from previous experiments documented in the literature and the evidence suggests that driving simulator data is valid for describing driver behavior under the given conditions. Fuzzy logic was proposed as a tool to model driver behavior in the dilemma zone, and three such models were developed to describe driver behavior as it relates to the speed and position of the vehicle. These models were shown to be consistent with previous research on this subject and were able to predict driver behavior with up to 90% accuracy. / Graduation date: 2013

The Australian music industry is growing and developing yet specific information about the ways in which distribution systems develop is limited. In this study I examined the growth and change of the Australian music value chain. This includes the development of digital distribution systems and the effect that peer-to-peer technology has on system development, specifically the disintermediation between consumers and artists to the detriment of the multinational value chains. The drivers of this change are broken into social and technical elements in order to describe the growth and change occurring. The method used included a comprehensive literature review and use of secondary data from key music industry associations. The Australian music industry is a subset of the global industry and is led by foreign markets and their methods in which music content moves from the creators to the consumers. The consumption patterns of Australian music consumers are changing. The overall value of the music industry is dropping as the new digital downloads market emerges and the overall volume of sales increases; this reflects similar trends in foreign markets. CD single sales have dropped and digital single sales (in MP3 format) have increased. However, there needs to be a balance in the future development of Australian music distribution systems between the needs of music consumers and the sustainability of music companies, where there is both connectivity and steady revenue flow. There are technical elements that have caused a movement away from the traditional forms of music distribution as new technologies facilitate the change, such as Apple's iPod and broadband Internet connections. Advancement of distribution systems has increased piracy levels and the response has been the implementation of digital rights management (DRM), which prevents connectivity. There are also social elements that affect growth and change such as connectivity, or the consumers freedom to choose when, where and how to listen to their music. When music product has a restriction placed upon it its value to the consumer drops. Multinational music companies have failed to recognise the value users place on the freedom to pick and choose and have tried to control rather than to co-develop systems that meets both parties needs.

Financail Accounting / D.Com. (Applied Accountancy)

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-06-03T12:39:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 claudiorobertobarbosasimoesrodrigues.pdf: 5762936 bytes, checksum: 8a7ae73391a9d56af3c18605a924763d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-02T13:21:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 claudiorobertobarbosasimoesrodrigues.pdf: 5762936 bytes, checksum: 8a7ae73391a9d56af3c18605a924763d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-02T13:21:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 claudiorobertobarbosasimoesrodrigues.pdf: 5762936 bytes, checksum: 8a7ae73391a9d56af3c18605a924763d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-17 / No intuito de aportar contribuições ao uso de diodos emissores de luz (ou LEDs, do inglês Light Emmiting Diodes) em sistemas de iluminação pública, cobrindo lacunas existentes no cenário nacional, este trabalho traz uma ampla análise sobre este tema. São apresentados conceitos básicos da fotometria clássica e um estudo sobre adaptações da fotometria para baixos níveis de luminância, que é a condição observada nas vias públicas durante o período noturno. Propõe-se a utilização de métricas escotópicas em sistemas de iluminação pública, uma vez que estas melhor representam a real sensação visual (se comparadas às métricas clássicas – fotópicas) nas condições de iluminamento típicas observadas nestes sistemas. Aspectos gerais da iluminação pública e um histórico da evolução do sistema nacional são brevemente apresentados bem como uma discussão sobre a situação atual deste sistema e das tecnologias utilizadas. O trabalho traz também um estudo sobre características ópticas, elétricas e mecânicas dos LEDs e uma análise dos diferentes tipos de LEDs brancos mais utilizados (HB – High Brightness – e HP – High Power – LEDs). Algumas normas e recomendações aplicáveis à utilização de LEDs em iluminação pública são analisadas e discutidas, com o intuito de se investigar lacunas ainda não cobertas pela normatização existente. Análises de resultados de ensaios de laboratório e de campo, inéditos no país, realizados com alguns modelos de luminárias LED para iluminação pública disponíveis no mercado, são também apresentadas. Um estudo sobre acionamento de LEDs é realizado, abordando técnicas de equalização de corrente entre arranjos série de LEDs associados em paralelo e diferentes tipos de circuitos de acionamento para LEDs. São propostas, analisadas e implementadas uma estrutura inédita de baixo custo para a equalização de corrente e um circuito para o acionamento de LEDs baseado na integração de dois conversores cc cc não isolados. A topologia de dois estágios proposta é composta por um conversor boost no primeiro estágio, utilizado para a correção do fator de potência e por um conversor buck no segundo estágio, utilizado para o controle da corrente nos LEDs. Por fim, o acompanhamento da implantação e do desempenho, ao longo de dez meses, do projeto piloto de iluminação pública empregando LEDs instalado no anel viário da Faculdade de Engenharia da UFJF é apresentado. / In order to present contributions to the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in public lighting systems, covering gaps on the national scenario, this work encompasses abroad analysis related to this issue. Basic concepts of classical photometry are presented and so a study of photometry’s adaptations for low luminance levels. It is proposed the use of scotopic metrics for street lighting systems, since they can better represent the actual visual sensation (when compared to the classical one – photopic metrics) on its typical nighty conditions. General aspects of street lighting and the history of the national’s public lighting system are briefly presented as well as a discussion about the current situation of the Brazilian system and technologies adopted. The work also brings a study of mechanical, electrical and optical characteristics of LEDs and an analysis of the two different types of commonly used white LEDs (HB – High Brightness – and HP – High Power - LEDs). Some standards and recommendations related to the use of LEDs in street lighting are analyzed and criticized, with the aim of show some gaps not yet covered by the existent standards. An unprecedented analysis regarding laboratory and field test benchmarking, taken for some luminaires available in commerce, is also presented. A study of LED driving is presented, covering equalization techniques for parallel LEDs strings and different types of LED driving circuits. It was proposed, analyzed and implemented a novel and low cost structure for current equalization and an LED driver, based on the integration of two non-isolated dc dc converters. This proposed two stages topology is composed by a boost converter, on the first stage, employed to the power factor correction and a buck converter, on the second stage, to control the LED’s current. Finally, the process of monitoring the installation and the performance, during ten months, of the LEDs public lighting pilot project, on the roadway belt of Engineering Faculty of UFJF is presented.