Product-oriented environmental improvement is a great challenge for SMEs. There are two main reasons for this; firstly, a contradictory situation exists because SMEs lack the knowledge and competence to adopt the mainstream principle holistic approach of environmental product policy and regulations, and, secondly, there is a growing demand to incorporate environmental management system (EMS) and product dimension via ecodesign. To address these issues, this research focused on a product-oriented environmental management system (POEMS) that has been specifically developed to solve these problems. However, POEMS studies so far lack methodological development and focus more on how to incorporate EMS and eco-design rather than how to interpret the contents and improve POEMS as a standard tool. This research aimed to develop a new model, namely, component-based POEMS (CPOEMS). The C-POEMS model is a first attempt to define a potential standardised form of POEMS in its contents and structure, and form the basis for a useable self-help format for SMEs. A C-POEMS model, comprising stages of process, categories of functional areas/units, and elements, and a diagnosis template, as a component-based application, are developed and formulated. Through primary research, the C-POEMS conceptual model was verified and applicability of a C-POEMS component to SMEs was validated. C-POEMS made major contributions of two aspects: (1) methodological development of POEMS; (2) improvement of the format applicable for SMEs incorporating mainstream principles. Regarding methodological development of POEMS, arguments of existing POEMS methods were revealed, and the suggestions as well as analytical information in this research would provide benefit for further research in this field. The C-POEMS improved POEMS by providing clear contents and structure with predefined prior and iii correlated categories of functional area/units, which are helpful for SMEs. In addition, a diagnostic approach would help SMEs recognise their own problems and focus areas. As a result, SMEs can reduce the initial time to identify a structure of product-related environmental management, and increase opportunities to focus on major targets and product aspect for environmental improvements. Because of time constraint and underdevelopment of POEMS, there remain problems, in particular, to fully integrate EMS and eco-design, and the asymmetric situation between maintaining the broad scope of POEMS and focusing upon specific areas and user demand. However, this C-POEMS model provides a foundation for the development of EMS for SME’s and for ongoing development of POEMS.

目前台灣地區電力市場係由一家國營綜合電業（台電公司）、九家民營發電業及超過90家自用發電設備業者（含汽電共生系統及再生能源發電設備）所組成，其中九家民營發電業裝置容量構成比已經達到台灣本島發電系統裝置容量之18.8%。民營發電廠當初在84年開放設立及88年起陸續商業運轉以來，民營電廠之投資報酬是如何決定、投資者預期報酬率是否能夠準確計算、簽約營運後業者可否有能力確保預期投資報酬之達成等問題實在值得探討。 同屬電力事業下，民營電廠間營運成效及經營為何表現差異很大，即使同家電廠每年的表現差異也是很大。而台電公司則是因為國際能源價格上漲而售電價格因政府政策影響無法反映其成本導致96至98年嚴重虧損，可見民營電業營運都會面臨著多項因素影響及挑戰。 本研究擬以民營電廠為個案研究對象，參考相關政府政策方向、相關單位研究資料、業者管理經驗及經營成效等進行投資報酬影響因素之研究分析，先從民營電廠獨特產業進行產業分析，再從建廠期及營運期兩個先後時段進行分析各項影響投資報酬因素，最後提出研究建議，期望能做為既有民營電業業者或日後新進業者在投資風險管理、企業管理方針及經營策略制定的參考。 / Currently the electricity market in Taiwan consists of a state-owned integrated power company (Taiwan Power Company; TPC), 9 independent power producers (IPPs) and more than 90 small private firms that generate power using their own equipments (including cogeneration and renewable energy generation). IPPs share 18.8% of the installed capacity in total in Taiwan. This study mainly investigates how IPPs determine the rate of return on their investments, how the expected rate can be accurately calculated, and whether IPPs can be guaranteed the expected returns after signing the contracts, since 1998 where IPP was initially allowed to set up and subsequently 1999 where commercial operations formally started. IPPs appear to have been facing challenges. Though in the same business environment, the financial performance of each individual IPP varies much. Even for the same IPP, its performance quite differs from period to period. This research is aimed to analyze and identify various important determinants of rate of returns on Investments of IPPs, taking into account government policies, managerial points of view, as well as other available studies. An in-depth industry analysis concerning IPPs is offered, where both the construction and operation stages are covered and discussed. More importantly, strategic considerations in investment risk management are given for the existing IPPs and new comers.

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This work deals with parallel computing on modern processors - multi-core CPU and GPU. The goal is to learn about computing on this devices suitable for parallelization, define their advantages and disadvantages, test their properties in examples and select appropriate tools to implement a library for parallel image processing. This library is going to be used for the vanishing point estimation in the path finding mobile robot.

Background: Asset prices, investment choices, and market mood can all be greatly impacted by macroeconomic factors and risk perception. Therefore, for investors, portfolio managers, policymakers, and regulators looking to negotiate the complexity of financial markets, knowing how macroeconomic factors affect risk is crucial. Objective: This study delves into the intricate relationship between macroeconomic indicators and market risk propensity, offering a comprehensive analysis of both cross-sectional and panel data. Focusing on key factors such as inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, and the Index of Industrial Production (IPP), this study explore their multifaceted impacts on market risk dynamics. Methods: To reveal the complex linkages that determine risk-taking behaviors and affect business outcomes, the study uses sophisticated econometric methodologies. Results: According to our research, inflation has a significant impact on investor sentiment and corporate profitability. Reduced profit margins and increased market risk are the results of higher inflation. Similar to this, interest rates become an important variable that affects borrowing costs, investment options, and the level of competition on the stock market. Exchange rate fluctuations, which are a key component of the global financial landscape, have been shown to have an effect on investor returns, corporate operations, and dynamics of international trade, which in turn shapes market risk. Additionally, this research reveals the complex relationship between the IPP and stock market performance, wherein good growth in industrial output signifies an expansion of the economy and investor confidence, which in turn affects demand for and the price of stocks. In contrast, a drop in the IPP denotes an economic slowdown and increased market risk. The paper also discusses the unusual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international financial markets, emphasizing the interaction between pandemic-induced uncertainty, exchange rate changes, and monetary policy reactions to produce novel market risk dynamics. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study offers a thorough grasp of the interactions between macroeconomic data and market risk inclination. For investors, companies, and politicians looking to comprehend the complexity of the global economic landscape, make educated decisions, and successfully manage financial risks, these insights are essential. Keyword: Propensity Risk, Stock Market, Inflation, Exchange rate and IPP.

Power business is a somewhat special business¡CIt has no stocks. Because of this, power business is classified into inherent monopoly business for a very long time before. Nowadays, most governments of developed countries changed their point of view; they modified the relevant law and began to allow more than two power companies to run on the same power supply area since few years ago. Taiwan's government is affected by this thinking and doing in 1990 and adopted it later since 1994. Firstly, they permitted private power stations built by private enterprises in1995. Since then, domestic power business is treated as a ¡§step by step open¡¨ business. Different from what other Independent Power Station (So called I.P.P.)has done, Taiwan Power Company has adopted the policy of allocating their maintenance crew in each nuclear and fire power station instead of establishing a dependent sub-maintenance company or outsourcing maintenance job to other power station maintenance contractor as the other I.P.P.s. has done¡C This is indeed a quite controversy policy even inside the Taiwan Power Company. But most of the members and representatives of workers Union are against any relocating crew or changing policy and even stronger. The policy of privatizing Taiwan Power Company and open competition of electricity-providing is determined definitely by R.O.C. government, still the progress of it is not very clear to the relevant stakeholder. However, the competence of Taiwan Power Company will be needed much more than ever. And the operation cost and management performance is therefore a major and important factor to the position of Taiwan Power Company in the future electricity market. This research is intended to study only benefit of cost-down and efficiency-rising element of the electricity power company and its nuclear and power station, it concerns nothing to do with any social topics such as working right of the crew , opinion and attitude of the work union and the like.

本研究於近年來公營事業的營運及管理模式日漸無法滿足高度自由化社會的需求，國際間公營事業開放民營化已成為普遍趨勢。然而，反觀我國於民國84年自今，陸續開放三階段民營電廠申請建設，其中通過的15間民營電廠中，僅存7家順利商轉營運，專案達成率不到五成。在面臨公營事業民營化的強力趨勢下，我國於專案融資領域似乎尚未累積足夠經驗進行國內大型專案的計畫與執行。因此本研究試圖以分析專案融資架構，並結合國內民營化腳步，以民營電廠「長生電廠」為個案進行進一部分析研究。 本研究首先檢視國內電力市場，了解電業自由化之趨勢與未來民營電廠興建之需求。並介紹我國民營電廠目前經營狀況以及其申請的流程，從中得知民營電廠申請手續之繁複與時程環環相扣等特性，與專案融資具有高度相似性。其後於第三章探討目前專案融資的進展與主要運作架構。專案融資首重風險評估與管理，ㄧ個成功的電廠專案，需事先評估專案流程中隱藏之風險，並採取相對應的規避手段，最重要是風險一旦發生時的應變措施與責任歸屬。 第四章以第三章之專案融資分析架構，並以我國民營電廠之成功案例「長生電廠」進行研究，長生電廠因其機組設計符合未來趨勢與專案設計之完善，使其順利取得融資完成專案。透過專案內容的呈現，與電廠專案為獲利性期長且風險較低等特性，說明長生電廠如何透過事前的風險管理與融資規劃順利取得融資。後續導入實質選擇權觀念，分析長生電廠管理面彈性對於價值的貢獻。 本研究結論發現，專案融資定義為以專案公司為主軸進行專案並藉由契約的安排分配各個參與者的利益以及其承擔的風險。其中我國民營電廠中首重於參與者的資格(此指專業能力與財力背景)與專案風險之分配，好的參與者有助於強化專案舉債能力與確保專案利潤，正滿足專案融資以未來現金流與本身資產抵押作為融資之特性。而專案的風險管理為透過合約進行專案風險之分配，需依照風險確定、規避、排除及移轉等程序，並且配合專案範圍內涉及之合約進行。而實質選擇權方面，對於提高專案外顯價值有正面效果，有助於專案權益人了解專案本身管理面彈性與真正價值。

Cell migration performs a critical function in numerous physiological processes, including tissue homeostasis or wound healing after tissue injury, as well as pathological processes that include malignant progression of cancer. The efficiency of cell migration and invasion appears to be based on the mechano-phenotype of the cytoskeleton. The properties of the cytoskeleton depend on internal cytoskeletal and external environmental factors. A reason for this are connections between the cell and its local matrix microenvironment, which are established by cell-matrix adhesion receptors. Upon activation, focal adhesion proteins such as PINCH1 are recruited to sites where focal adhesions form. PINCH1 specifically couples through interactions with ILK, which binds to cell matrix receptors and the actomyosin cytoskeleton. However, the role of PINCH1 in cell mechanics regulating cellular motility in 3D collagen matrices is still unclear. PINCH1 is thought to facilitate 3D motility by regulating cellular mechanical properties, such as stiffness. In this study, PINCH1 wild-type and knock-out cells were examined for their ability to migrate in dense extracellular 3D matrices. Indeed, PINCH1 wild-type cells migrated more numerously and deeper in 3D matrices, compared to knock-out cells. Moreover, cellular deformability was determined, e.g., elastic modulus (stiffness). PINCH1 knockout cells are more deformable (compliable) than PINCH1 wild-type cells. Migration of both PINCH1−/− cells and PINCH1fl/fl cells was decreased by Latrunculin A inhibition of actin polymerization, suggesting that actin cytoskeletal differences are not responsible for the discrepancy in invasiveness of the two cell types. However, the mechanical phenotype of PINCH1−/− cells may be reflected by Latrunculin A treatment of PINCH1fl/fl cells, as they exhibit resembling deformability to untreated PINCH1−/− cells. Moreover, an apparent mismatch exists between the elongation of the long axis and the contraction of the short axis between PINCH1fl/fl cells and PINCH1−/− cells following Latrunculin A treatment. There is evidence of this indicating a shift in the proxy values for Poisson’s ratio in PINCH1−/− cells compared with PINCH1fl/fl cells. This is probably attributable to modifications in cytoskeletal architecture. The non-muscle myosin II inhibitor Blebbistatin also reduced the cell invasiveness in 3D extracellular matrices but instead caused a stiffening of the cells. Finally, PINCH1 is apparently essential for providing cellular mechanical stiffness through the actin cytoskeleton, which regulates 3D motility.

HOLCIM has various cement production plants across India. These plants struggle to produce the projected amount of cement due to electricity shortages. Although coal is abundant in India, the production thereof is in short supply. It is proposed that a thorium HTR (100 MWt) combined with a PCU (Rankine cycle) be constructed to supply a cement production plant with the required energy. The Portland cement production process is investigated and it is found that process heat integration is not feasible. The problem is that for the feasibility of this IPP to be assessed, a Rankine cycle needs to be adapted and optimised to suit the limitations and requirements of a 100 MWt thorium HTR. Advantages of the small thorium HTR (100 MWt) include: on-site construction; a naturally safe design and low energy production costs. The reactor delivers high temperature helium (750°C) at a mass flow of 38.55 kg/s. Helium re-en ters the reactor core at 250°C. Since the location of the cement production plant is unknown, both wet and dry cooling tower options are investigated. An overall average ambient temperature of India is used as input for the cooling tower calculations. EES software is used to construct a simulation model with the capability of optimising the Rankine cycle for maximum efficiency while accommodating various out of the norm input parameters. Various limitations are enforced by the simulation model. Various cycle configurations are optimised (EES) and weighed against each other. The accuracy of the EES simulation model is verified using FlowNex while the optimised cycle results are verified using Excel’s X-Steam macro. It is recommended that a wet cooling tower is implemented if possible. The 85% effective heat exchanger delivers the techno-economically optimum Rankine cycle configuration. For this combination of cooling tower and heat exchanger, it is recommended that the cycle configuration consists of one de-aerator and two closed feed heaters (one specified). After the Rankine cycle (PCU) has been designed and optimised, it is evident that the small thorium HTR (100 MWt) can supply the HOLCIM plant with the required energy. The optimum cycle configuration, as recommended, operates with a cycle efficiency of 42.4% while producing 39.867 MWe. A minimum of 10 MWe can be sold to the Indian distribution network at all times, thus generating revenue. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

HOLCIM has various cement production plants across India. These plants struggle to produce the projected amount of cement due to electricity shortages. Although coal is abundant in India, the production thereof is in short supply. It is proposed that a thorium HTR (100 MWt) combined with a PCU (Rankine cycle) be constructed to supply a cement production plant with the required energy. The Portland cement production process is investigated and it is found that process heat integration is not feasible. The problem is that for the feasibility of this IPP to be assessed, a Rankine cycle needs to be adapted and optimised to suit the limitations and requirements of a 100 MWt thorium HTR. Advantages of the small thorium HTR (100 MWt) include: on-site construction; a naturally safe design and low energy production costs. The reactor delivers high temperature helium (750°C) at a mass flow of 38.55 kg/s. Helium re-en ters the reactor core at 250°C. Since the location of the cement production plant is unknown, both wet and dry cooling tower options are investigated. An overall average ambient temperature of India is used as input for the cooling tower calculations. EES software is used to construct a simulation model with the capability of optimising the Rankine cycle for maximum efficiency while accommodating various out of the norm input parameters. Various limitations are enforced by the simulation model. Various cycle configurations are optimised (EES) and weighed against each other. The accuracy of the EES simulation model is verified using FlowNex while the optimised cycle results are verified using Excel’s X-Steam macro. It is recommended that a wet cooling tower is implemented if possible. The 85% effective heat exchanger delivers the techno-economically optimum Rankine cycle configuration. For this combination of cooling tower and heat exchanger, it is recommended that the cycle configuration consists of one de-aerator and two closed feed heaters (one specified). After the Rankine cycle (PCU) has been designed and optimised, it is evident that the small thorium HTR (100 MWt) can supply the HOLCIM plant with the required energy. The optimum cycle configuration, as recommended, operates with a cycle efficiency of 42.4% while producing 39.867 MWe. A minimum of 10 MWe can be sold to the Indian distribution network at all times, thus generating revenue. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014