Soft condensed matter (SCM) systems are ubiquitous in nature. SCM systems contain mesoscopic structures in the size range 10 nm to 1 am that are held together by weak entropic forces. These materials are therefore easily perturbed by external fields such as shear, gravity and electric and magnetic fields and are novel systems for studying non-equilibrium phenomena. The elastic constants of these materials are ≈ 109 times smaller than conventional atomic fluids and hence it is possible to measure the viscoelastic response of these materials using commercial instruments such as rheometers. The relaxation time in SCM systems are of the order of milliseconds as compared to atomic systems where relaxation times are of the order of picoseconds. It is easy to study the effect of shear on SCM, as the shear rates attainable by commercial rheometers are of the order of the inverse of their relaxation times. The dynamics of SCM systems and their local rheological properties obtained using the method of probe diffusion can be quantified through dynamic light scattering experiments. The structure of SCM systems can be quantified using diffraction techniques such as small angle x-ray scattering. In this thesis we report experimental studies on the linear and nonlinear rheology and the dynamics of surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium tosylate (CTAT), which forms cylindrical wormlike micelles, studied using bulk rheology and dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique, respectively. We have also studied the phase behaviour of the ternary system formed by cetyltrimethylammonium 3-hydroxy-napthalene 2-carboxylate (CTAHN), sodium bromide (NaBr) and water using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). In Chapter 1, we discuss why SCM systems are suitable for studying non-equilibrium phenomena such as the effect of shear on the structure and dynamics of condensed matter. This is followed by a discussion on the chemical structure, phase behaviour and self assembling properties of the amphiphilic molecules in water. We then discuss the intermacromolecular forces such as van der Waals interaction, the screened Coulomb repulsion and hydrophobic and hydration forces. The systems that have been the subject of our experimental studies, viz. CTAT and CTAHN/NaBr/water have also been discussed in detail. This is followed by a theoretical background of linear and nonlinear rheology, dynamic light scattering and small angle x-ray scattering techniques. Next we describe the stress relaxation mechanisms in wormlike micelles. This is followed by a discussion on some standard techniques of nonlinear time series analysis, in particular the evaluation of the delay time L, the embedding dimension m, the correlation dimension ν and the Lyapunov exponent λ. We have also mentioned a few examples of experimental systems where chaos has been observed. We have also discussed in detail the various routes to chaos namely, the period-doubling route, the quasiperiodic route and the intermittency route. The concluding part of this chapter summarises the main results of the thesis. Chapter 2 discusses the experimental apparatus used in our studies. We have discussed the different components of the MCR-300 stress-controlled rheometer (Paar Physica, Germany). The rheo-small angle light scattering experiments and the direct visualisation experiments done using a home-made shear cell are also discussed. Next we describe the various experiments that can be done using a commercial rheometer. The frequency response and flow experiments have been discussed with some examples from our own work on entangled, cylindrical micelles. This is followed by a discussion on the various components of our dynamic light scattering (DLS) setup (Brookhaven Instruments, USA). Particle sizing of submicrometer colloidal spheres using our DLS setup has been discussed with an example of an angle-resolved DLS study of 0.05µm polystyrene colloids. Next we describe the various components of the SAXS setup (Hecus M. Braun, Austria). As an example application of SAXS we have quantified the structure of the lamellar phase formed by the surfactant CTAHN/water. We finally describe the sample preparation methods employed by us for the different experiments. Our nonlinear rheology experiments on viscoelastic gels of surfactant CTAT (cCT AT= 2wt%) in the presence of salt sodium chloride (NaCl) at various concentrations has been discussed in Chapter 3. We observe a plateau in the measured flow curve and this is attributed to a mechanical instability of the shear banding type. The slope of this plateau can be tuned by the addition of salt NaCl. This slope is due to a concentration difference between the shear bands arising from a Helfand-Fredrickson mechanism. This is confirmed by the presence of a “Butterfly” light scattering pattern in SALS experiments performed simultaneously with rheological measurements. We have carried out experiments at six different salt concentrations 10mM < cN aCl<1M, which yield plateau slopes (α) ranging from 0.07 < α < 0.4. We find that a minimum slope of 0.12, corresponding to a salt concentration of 25mM NaCl, is essential to see a “Butterfly” pattern indicating the onset of flow-concentration coupling at this α value. After this we turn our attention to stress/shear rate relaxation experiments. The remainder of this chapter is split in four parts. We show in Part-I that the routes to rheochaos in stress relaxation experiments is via Type-II intermittency. Interestingly in shear rate relaxation, the route is via Type-III intermittency. We also show that flow-concentration coupling is essential to see the route to rheochaos. This section also brings out the crucial role played by orientational ordering of the nematics during rheochaos using SALS measurements performed simultaneously with rheological measurements. In part-II, we study the spatio-temporal dynamics of the shear induced band en route to rheochaos. Our direct visualisation experiments show that the complex dynamics observed in stress/shear rate relaxation measurements during the route to rheochaos is a manifestation of the spatio-temporal dynamics of the high shear band. In part-III, we describe the results of our stress/shear rate relaxation measurements at a fixed shear rate/stress with temperature as the control parameter and thereby control the micellar length. We see the Type-II intermittency route to rheochaos in stress relaxation measurements and the Type-III intermittency route to rheochaos in shear rate relaxation measurements. We conclude this section by showing the results of linear rheology measurements carried out at different temperatures. We estimate the mean micellar length ¯L, reptation time τrepand the breaking time τbreak. We show that L¯ increases by ≈ 58%, as the sample goes through the route to rheochaos. In Part-I of this chapter we had only qualitatively discussed the correlations between the measured time series of stress and the VH scattered intensity during the Type-II intermittency route to rheochaos. In part-IV we have attempted to quantify the correlations between the two time series using the technique of linear and nonlinear Granger causality. We have also studied the phase space dynamics of the two time series using the technique of Cross Recurrence Plots. We show that there exists a causal feedback mechanism between the stress and the VH intensity with the latter having a stronger causal effect. We have also shown that the bivariate time series share similar phase space dynamics using the method of Cross Recurrence Plots. In chapter 4, we have studied the dynamics of wormlike micellar gels of surfactant CTAT using the DLS technique. We report an interesting result in the dynamics of these systems: concentration fluctuations in semidilute wormlike-micelle solutions of the cationic surfactant Cetyltrimethylammonium Tosylate (CTAT) at wavenumber q have a mean decay rate α qz, with z -̃1.8, for a wide range of surfactant concentrations just above the overlap value c∗. The process we are seeing is thus superdiffusive, like a L´evy flight, relaxing on a length scale L in a time of order less than L2 . The rheological behaviour of this system is highly non-Maxwellian and indicates that the micelle-recombination kinetics is diffusion-controlled (DC) (micelles recombine with their original partners). With added salt (100mM NaCl) the rheometric behaviour turns Maxwellian, indicating a crossover to a mean-field (MF) regime (micelles can recombine with any other micellar end). The concentration fluctuations, correspondingly, show normal diffusive behaviour. The stress relaxation time, moreover is about twenty times slower without salt than with 100mM NaCl. Towards the end of this chapter, we propose an explanation of these observations based on the idea that stress due to long-lived orientational order enhances concentration fluctuations in DC regime. In the previous chapter we had studied the dynamics of wormlike micellar gels of pure CTAT 2wt% and found superdiffusive relaxation of concentration fluctuations due to a nonlinear coupling of long-lived stress and orientational fluctuations to the con- centration. In chapter 5 we present results from dynamic light scattering experiments to quantify the diffusive motion of polystyrene (PS) colloids in the same system. This chapter is split in two parts. In Part-I, we discuss dynamics of PS particles of radius 115 nm and 60 nm in CTAT 2wt%. The radius of the colloidal spheres is comparable to the mesh size ξ = 80 nm of the wormlike micellar network and hence we are probing the network dynamics. We find that ∆r2(t) is wavevector independent at small and large lag times. However at intermediate times, we find an anomalous wavevector dependence which we believe arises from the rapid restructuring of the gel network. This anomalous wavevector dependence of ∆r2(t) disappears as the temperature is increased. In Part-II we discuss the dynamics of PS particles of radius 25 nm and 10 nm, smaller than ξ, in CTAT 1wt% & 2wt%. We once again find an anomalous wavevector dependence of ∆r2(t) at intermediate times for the 2wt% sample. Surprisingly, at large times the particle motion is not diffusive, rather ∆r2(t) saturates. We do not have a clear understanding of this as yet. Also for the 10 nm particle, the motion at small lag times is superdiffusive. The motion of these particles is probably influenced by the superdiffusion of concentration fluctuations observed in pure CTAT 2wt% system (chapter 4). In chapter 6, we report the observation of an intermediate mesh phase with rhom- bohedral symmetry, corresponding to the space group R¯3m, in the ternary system consisting of CTAHN/NaBr/water. It occurs at lower temperatures between a random mesh phase (LDα ) and a lamellar phase (Lα) on increasing the surfactant concentration φs. The micellar aggregates, both in the intermediate and random mesh phases, are found to be made up of a two-dimensional network of rod-like segments, with three rods meeting at each node. SAXS studies also show the presence of small angle peaks corresponding to ad−spacing of 25 nm. Freeze fracture electron microscopy results shows that this peak may correspond to the presence of nodule like structures with no long-range correlations. The thesis concludes with a summary of main results and a brief discussion of the scope for future work in Chapter 7.

<p>Today’s business market is highly competitive, therefore companies need to be constantly updated and change the way they operate their business, in order to survive and remain competitive. The situation on today’s market requires that companies have the ability to quickly respond to market changes and new customer demands within short product lifecycles. In order to deal with this new market situation, companies need to improve the integration with other companies within their business. This integration facilitates the companies’ ability to quickly adapt to new market situations and survive on a fast changing market. One of the main underlying concepts of this collaborative commerce is Supply Chain Management (SCM) which integrates and coordinates a company’s processes both internally and externally. Information Technology (IT) could improve the effectiveness of SCM. IT-solutions make the business processes more effective and improves the integration with other actors within the supply chain. The purpose with this thesis is to describe and explain the effects for businesses and the consequences for its processes when implementing a real-time IT-Logistics solution together with identifying the critical success factors. The thesis has been conducted by studying theory regarding supply chain management, business renewal and implementation effects. Further, a case study has been conducted where three actors have been interviewed; a manufacturer (Volvo Powertrain), a subcontractor (Metallfabriken Ljunghäll AB) and a system developer (PipeChain). The analysis of the theoretical framework and the empirical research has contributed with an identification of major effects and consequences when implementing a real-time IT-Logistics solution. Some of the effects are: inventory reduction, higher delivery accuracy, improved relations and increased flexibility. Examples of consequences these effects have caused are: more accurate planning and production, effective production processes as well as an improved delivery process. Additionally, success factors for an implementation have been identified such as mutual trust, understanding of change and evaluation.</p> / <p>Konkurrensen är stor inom dagens affärsmarknad vilket medför att företag ständigt måste vara uppdaterade och förändra deras affärsverksamhet för att kunna överleva och vara konkurrenskraftiga på marknaden. Dagens marknadssituation erfodrar att företag snabbt kan reagera på marknadsförändringar och nya kundkrav vid allt kortare produktlivscyklar. För att företag skall kunna hantera denna nya marknadssituation måste företagen bli integrerade med varandra inom deras affärsområde. Denna integrering underlättar företagens förmåga att snabbt kunna anpassa sig till nya marknadssituationer och överleva på en snabbt föränderlig marknad. Ett utav de största grundläggande koncepten för denna integrering är flödeshantering (Supply Chain Management). Flödeshanteringen integrerar och koordinerar företagets processer både internt som externt. Informationsteknologi (IT) kan förbättra effektiviteten av flödeshanteringen. IT-lösningar skapar effektivare affärsprocesser och förbättrar integrationen med andra aktörer inom företagets försörjningskedja. Syftet med uppsatsen är att beskriva och förklara effekter för affärsverksamheten samt konsekvenser för dess affärsprocesser, vid en implementering av en realtidslogistiklösning. Uppsatsen syftar vidare till att identifiera framgångsfaktorer vid en sådan implementering. Uppsatsarbetet har genomförts genom en litteraturstudie där teori om flödeshantering, affärsförändring och implementationseffekter har behandlats. En fallstudie i uppsatsen har använts där tre aktörer har blivit intervjuade; en tillverkare (Volvo Powertrain), en underleverantör (Metallfabriken Ljunghäll) och en systemutvecklare (PipeChain). Analysen av litteraturstudien och den empiriska undersökningen har bidragit till en identifiering av huvudeffekter samt konsekvenser vid en implementering av en IT-logistiklösning. Några av dessa effekter är: lagerreducering, högre leveranssäkerhet, förbättrade relationer samt ökad flexibilitet. Exempel på konsekvenser dessa effekter har orsakat är: precisare planering och produktion, effektivare produktionsprocesser samt förbättrad leveransprocess. Vidare så har framgångsfaktorer för lyckad implementering identifierats så som ömsesidig tillit, förståelse för förändring samt utvärdering.</p>

[pt] Os combustíveis de baixo impacto ambiental estão em destaque na mídia e na sociedade, atualmente. Neste contexto, o hidrogênio, fonte de energia limpa, tem um grande potencial. Entretanto, ainda não existe uma infraestrutura adequada para sua comercialização. O crescimento da demanda por hidrogênio é de difícil previsão, gerando um alto grau de incerteza na definição das necessidades de capacidades futuras de sua rede logística. Esta dissertação propõe uma metodologia para o planejamento do projeto da cadeia de suprimentos de hidrogênio para uso em transporte. Para representar o problema e avaliar diferentes alternativas de investimentos em infraestrutura logística foi desenvolvido um modelo matemático estocástico de dois estágios utilizando programação linear inteira mista (PLIM). O elevado nível de incerteza desta cadeia aumenta a complexidade do modelo, requerendo uma grande quantidade de cenários, inviabilizando sua otimização. Para contornar esta dificuldade, foi utilizada a técnica de aproximação por média amostral (SAA). Esta abordagem gera soluções, cuja qualidade pode ser estatisticamente avaliada utilizando-se um número reduzido de cenários. A metodologia proposta foi aplicada em um estudo de caso com dados reais da cadeia de suprimentos de hidrogênio líquido da Grã-Bretanha. Os gaps de otimalidade gerados nestes testes foram inferiores a 1 por cento, demonstrando a adequação do método desenvolvido. Mesmo com o alto nível de incerteza do problema, o SAA possibilitou definir como, quando, e onde investir. Os resultados obtidos devem contribuir para proporcionar avanços na criação de uma infraestrutura apropriada para a comercialização do hidrogênio. / [en] Nowadays, fuels with low environmental impact are highlighted in media and society. In this context, hydrogen, as a clean energy source, has a great potential. However, there is still no appropriate infrastructure for its commercialization. The prediction of demand for hydrogen is difficult, generating a high degree of uncertainty in the definition of capacity needs in the future for its logistics network. This work proposes a methodology for the design of the hydrogen supply chain for use in transportation. To represent the problem and evaluate alternatives to invest in logistics infrastructure, a two-stage stochastic mixed-integer programming was developed. The high degree of uncertainty in this chain increases the complexity of the mathematical model, requiring a huge number of scenarios which makes its optimization impossible. To overcome this difficulty, the technique of sample average approximation (SAA) is used. This approach generates solutions, whose quality can be statistically evaluated using a reduced number of scenarios. The proposed methodology was tested in a study case with real data from Great Britain s liquid hydrogen supply chain. The optimal gaps generated in these tests were below 1 percent, demonstrating the adequacy of the developed methodology. Even with the high level of uncertainty of the problem, the propose methodology using SAA technique can define how, when, and where to invest. The results should be helpful in advancing the creation of an appropriate infrastructure for hydrogen commercialization.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:50:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3532.pdf: 2375674 bytes, checksum: 8220f9b2a43401bf9ab683fd67209099 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-23 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / From the Supply Chain Management (SCM), the logistic function expands its scope within the company, going to exert or support the management and operation of key business processes. Its performance leaves to reduce only the functional sphere ( silo or vertical area ), passing to reach horizontal sphere in such processes. Various sources of literature indicate changes in the logistic function but not characterize precisely or discuss the changes in its scope within the company. In particular, the benefits generated by the involvement of the logistic function on key business processes of SCM have been identified in the literature, but were not identified logistic activities that must execute in each of the processes so that these benefits are achieved. In front of this theoretical gap, the objective of this doctorate thesis was to propose logistic activities necessary for the efficacious operation of key business processes of SCM, generating a conceptual framework that assists in implementing these activities. Such a framework is a guide that can help companies identify, characterize and select the activities that the logistic function can develop in their key business processes. More specifically, this conceptual framework presents, besides the own logistics activities, a way of characterizing these activities, according to four criterions: a) obligatoriness of existence in the company (basic or optional), b) impact on the generation of value (efficiency, efficacy and/or differentiation), c) impact on the dimension of logistic service, d) the integration and coordination with other areas or processes. This thesis used the approach of qualitative research, of descriptive character, of exploratory nature and with experimental study of field. The research method was the multi-case study and the mechanism of data collection was the personal interview realized by a semi-structured questionnaire. This research is also of theoretical-conceptual nature, because it developed a conceptual framework generated from the theoretical review. In three case studies realized, observed consistency in the proposed logistic activities and in its form of characterization. Among the 25 proposed activities, the Company 1 realizes 21 of them, the Company 2 realizes 23 activities and the Company 3 realizes all 25 activities, and all interviewed declared that the set of these proposed activities was complete and consistent. / A partir da Gestão da Cadeia de Suprimentos (Supply Chain Management, SCM), a função logística expande seu escopo dentro da empresa, passando a exercer ou dar apoio à gestão e operação dos processos-chave de negócio. Sua atuação deixa de se reduzir somente à esfera funcional ( silo ou área vertical ), passando a alcançar também a esfera horizontal de tais processos. Várias fontes da literatura apontam mudanças na função logística mas não as caracterizam precisamente nem discutem as modificações no seu escopo dentro das empresas. Em particular, os benefícios gerados pelo envolvimento da função logística nos processoschave de negócio da SCM já foram levantados na literatura, mas não foram identificadas as atividades que a logística deve executar em cada um dos processos para que esses benefícios sejam alcançados. Diante desta lacuna teórica, o objetivo desta tese de doutorado foi de propor atividades logísticas necessárias à operação eficaz dos processos-chave de negócio da SCM, gerando uma estrutura conceitual que auxilia na implementação destas atividades. Tal estrutura é um guia que pode auxiliar as empresas na identificação, caracterização e seleção das atividades que a função logística pode desenvolver nos seus processos-chave de negócio. Mais especificamente, esta estrutura conceitual apresenta, além das próprias atividades logísticas, uma forma de caracterização destas atividades, de acordo com quatro critérios: a) obrigatoriedade de existência na empresa (básica ou opcional), b) impacto na geração de valor (eficiência, eficácia e/ou diferenciação), c) impacto na dimensão do serviço logístico prestado, d) integração e coordenação com outras áreas ou processos. Esta tese utilizou a abordagem de pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter descritivo, de natureza exploratória e com estudo experimental de campo. O método de pesquisa foi o estudo multi-caso e o mecanismo de coleta de dados foi a entrevista pessoal realizada por meio de um questionário semi-estruturado. Esta pesquisa também é de natureza teórico-conceitual, pois desenvolveu uma estrutura conceitual gerada a partir de revisão teórica. Nos três estudos de caso realizados, observou-se consistência nas atividades logísticas e na sua forma de caracterização propostas. Dentre as 25 atividades propostas, a Empresa 1 realiza 21 delas, a Empresa 2, 23 atividades e a Empresa 3, todas as 25 atividades, sendo que todos os entrevistados declararam que estava completo e consistente o conjunto proposto dessas atividades.

Today’s business market is highly competitive, therefore companies need to be constantly updated and change the way they operate their business, in order to survive and remain competitive. The situation on today’s market requires that companies have the ability to quickly respond to market changes and new customer demands within short product lifecycles. In order to deal with this new market situation, companies need to improve the integration with other companies within their business. This integration facilitates the companies’ ability to quickly adapt to new market situations and survive on a fast changing market. One of the main underlying concepts of this collaborative commerce is Supply Chain Management (SCM) which integrates and coordinates a company’s processes both internally and externally. Information Technology (IT) could improve the effectiveness of SCM. IT-solutions make the business processes more effective and improves the integration with other actors within the supply chain. The purpose with this thesis is to describe and explain the effects for businesses and the consequences for its processes when implementing a real-time IT-Logistics solution together with identifying the critical success factors. The thesis has been conducted by studying theory regarding supply chain management, business renewal and implementation effects. Further, a case study has been conducted where three actors have been interviewed; a manufacturer (Volvo Powertrain), a subcontractor (Metallfabriken Ljunghäll AB) and a system developer (PipeChain). The analysis of the theoretical framework and the empirical research has contributed with an identification of major effects and consequences when implementing a real-time IT-Logistics solution. Some of the effects are: inventory reduction, higher delivery accuracy, improved relations and increased flexibility. Examples of consequences these effects have caused are: more accurate planning and production, effective production processes as well as an improved delivery process. Additionally, success factors for an implementation have been identified such as mutual trust, understanding of change and evaluation. / Konkurrensen är stor inom dagens affärsmarknad vilket medför att företag ständigt måste vara uppdaterade och förändra deras affärsverksamhet för att kunna överleva och vara konkurrenskraftiga på marknaden. Dagens marknadssituation erfodrar att företag snabbt kan reagera på marknadsförändringar och nya kundkrav vid allt kortare produktlivscyklar. För att företag skall kunna hantera denna nya marknadssituation måste företagen bli integrerade med varandra inom deras affärsområde. Denna integrering underlättar företagens förmåga att snabbt kunna anpassa sig till nya marknadssituationer och överleva på en snabbt föränderlig marknad. Ett utav de största grundläggande koncepten för denna integrering är flödeshantering (Supply Chain Management). Flödeshanteringen integrerar och koordinerar företagets processer både internt som externt. Informationsteknologi (IT) kan förbättra effektiviteten av flödeshanteringen. IT-lösningar skapar effektivare affärsprocesser och förbättrar integrationen med andra aktörer inom företagets försörjningskedja. Syftet med uppsatsen är att beskriva och förklara effekter för affärsverksamheten samt konsekvenser för dess affärsprocesser, vid en implementering av en realtidslogistiklösning. Uppsatsen syftar vidare till att identifiera framgångsfaktorer vid en sådan implementering. Uppsatsarbetet har genomförts genom en litteraturstudie där teori om flödeshantering, affärsförändring och implementationseffekter har behandlats. En fallstudie i uppsatsen har använts där tre aktörer har blivit intervjuade; en tillverkare (Volvo Powertrain), en underleverantör (Metallfabriken Ljunghäll) och en systemutvecklare (PipeChain). Analysen av litteraturstudien och den empiriska undersökningen har bidragit till en identifiering av huvudeffekter samt konsekvenser vid en implementering av en IT-logistiklösning. Några av dessa effekter är: lagerreducering, högre leveranssäkerhet, förbättrade relationer samt ökad flexibilitet. Exempel på konsekvenser dessa effekter har orsakat är: precisare planering och produktion, effektivare produktionsprocesser samt förbättrad leveransprocess. Vidare så har framgångsfaktorer för lyckad implementering identifierats så som ömsesidig tillit, förståelse för förändring samt utvärdering.

Stormwater Management (SWM) or Best management practices (BMPs) treat the stormwater runoff that carries pollutants. Pollutants in the waters and in the stormwater, negatively impact the environment, the ecology, and natural resources. Stormwater Control Measures (SCM) are used in different projects to improve water quality and quantity. This thesis aims to understand the connection between SWMs, the economy, and environmental sustainability. This thesis evaluates the cost-effectiveness of SWMs in Mediterranean climates. The research aims to guide the next project managers to choose better SWMs based on cost-effectiveness, socio-economic, and environmental implications. Various studies suggest that the terms SWM, SWM, and SCM are used interchangeably. The research methodology uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative data analysis The research was conducted in Los Angeles at the request of UCLA. Therefore, it focused on water quality improvement projects in Los Angeles. The costs for the projects, areas, and whatSWMs are used will be acquired through data gathering and personal communication with experts. This thesis compares several projects which include different SWMs. It calculates the cost-effectiveness with two different methods, firstly, the cost per drainage area, and secondly, the cost per pollutant removed. Data is gathered from the city of LA and other secondary data sources to calculate the cost-effectiveness. The calculation results showed that the Glenoaksproject and the Machado lake project were the most cost-effective. Glenoaks utilizes infiltration wells and grass swales, and the Machado lake is a large wetland. Based upon these facts, generally, wetlands and grass swales can be recommended for Mediterranean climates. The expensive total costs of SWMs or their inability to remove pollutants can strongly affect the cost-effectiveness of some projects, and produce a negative impact on the economy. Quantitative assessment of study investigates cost-effectiveness of SWMs and for highlighting its economic impact. For qualitative assessment thematic analysis of 14 sample studies related to stormwater management (SWM) was carried out. Findings reveal that 78% of sample studies reflect the themes associated with the positive economic impact of SWMs. Additionally, the sample studies confirm a 76% positive impact of SWMs on the environment and ecology of the region. Further research with better data and more accurate calculations are needed. It would be beneficial if other factors such as recreation and unquantifiable factors such as the aesthetic improvements and community benefits were incorporated into or considered together with the cost-effectiveness for future projects.

The Master´s thesis deals with the logistics services studies in Sika CZ, Ltd. Company. Considering the fact that the principal activity of the company is trading, it uses logistics as a substantial instrument to achieve the customers’ satisfaction. The main objective of the thesis is to create logical structures of services and project suitable metrics for measuring customers’ satisfaction of the provided services.

In large antenna systems, traditional channel estimation is costly and infeasible in some situations. Compressive sensing was proposed to estimate the channel with fewer measurements. Most of the previous work uses a predefined discrete Fourier transform matrix or overcomplete Fourier transform matrix to approximate the channel. Then, a learned dictionary trained by K-singular value decomposition (K-SVD) was proposed and was proved superiority using orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) to reconstruct the sparse channel. However, with the development of compressive sensing, there are plenty of dictionary learning algorithms and sparse recovery algorithms. It is important to identify the effect and the performance of different algorithms when transforming the high dimensional channel vectors to low dimensional representations. In this thesis, we use a spatial channel model to generate channel vectors. Dictionaries are trained by K-SVD and method of optimal directions (MOD). Several sparse recovery algorithms are used to find the sparse approximation of the channel like OMP and gradient descent with sparsification (GraDeS). We present simulation results and discuss the performance of the various algorithms in terms of accuracy, sparsity, and complexity. We find that predefined dictionaries works with most of the algorithms in sparse recovery but learned dictionaries only work with pursuit algorithms, and only show superiority when the algorithm coincides with the algorithm in the sparse coding stage. / I stora antennsystem är traditionell kanaluppskattning kostsam och omöjlig i vissa situationer. Kompressionsavkänning föreslogs för att uppskatta kanalen med färre mätningar. Det mesta av det tidigare arbetet använder en fördefinierad diskret Fourier transformmatris eller överkompletterad Fourier -transformmatris för att approximera kanalen. Därefter föreslogs en inlärd ordbok som utbildats av K-SVD och bevisades överlägsen med hjälp av OMP för att rekonstruera den glesa kanalen. Men med utvecklingen av komprimerad avkänning finns det gott om algoritmer för inlärning av ordlistor och glesa återställningsalgoritmer. Det är viktigt att identifiera effekten och prestandan hos olika algoritmer när de högdimensionella kanalvektorerna omvandlas till lågdimensionella representationer. I denna avhandling använder vi en rumslig kanalmodell för att generera kanalvektorer. Ordböcker tränas av K-SVD och MOD. Flera glesa återställningsalgoritmer används för att hitta den glesa approximationen av kanalen som OMP och GraDeS. Vi presenterar simuleringsresultat och diskuterar prestanda för de olika algoritmerna när det gäller noggrannhet, sparsamhet och komplexitet. Vi finner att fördefinierade ordböcker fungerar med de flesta algoritmerna i gles återhämtning, men inlärda ordböcker fungerar bara med jaktalgoritmer och visar bara överlägsenhet när algoritmen sammanfaller med algoritmen i det glesa kodningsstadiet.

L'intérêt en apprentissage machine pour étudier la causalité s'est considérablement accru ces dernières années. Cette approche est cependant encore peu répandue dans le domaine de l’intelligence artificielle (IA) et du droit. Elle devrait l'être. L'approche associative actuelle d’apprentissage machine révèle certaines limites que l'analyse causale peut surmonter. Cette thèse vise à découvrir si les modèles causaux peuvent être utilisés en IA et droit. Nous procédons à une brève revue sur le raisonnement et la causalité en science et en droit. Traditionnellement, les cadres normatifs du raisonnement étaient la logique et la rationalité, mais la théorie duale démontre que la prise de décision humaine dépend de nombreux facteurs qui défient la rationalité. À ce titre, des statistiques et des probabilités étaient nécessaires pour améliorer la prédiction des résultats décisionnels. En droit, les cadres de causalité ont été définis par des décisions historiques, mais la plupart des modèles d’aujourd’hui de l'IA et droit n'impliquent pas d'analyse causale. Nous fournissons un bref résumé de ces modèles, puis appliquons le langage structurel de Judea Pearl et les définitions Halpern-Pearl de la causalité pour modéliser quelques décisions juridiques canadiennes qui impliquent la causalité. Les résultats suggèrent qu'il est non seulement possible d'utiliser des modèles de causalité formels pour décrire les décisions juridiques, mais également utile car un schéma uniforme élimine l'ambiguïté. De plus, les cadres de causalité sont utiles pour promouvoir la responsabilisation et minimiser les biais. / The machine learning community’s interest in causality has significantly increased in recent years. This trend has not yet been made popular in AI & Law. It should be because the current associative ML approach reveals certain limitations that causal analysis may overcome. This research paper aims to discover whether formal causal frameworks can be used in AI & Law. We proceed with a brief account of scholarship on reasoning and causality in science and in law. Traditionally, normative frameworks for reasoning have been logic and rationality, but the dual theory has shown that human decision-making depends on many factors that defy rationality. As such, statistics and probability were called for to improve the prediction of decisional outcomes. In law, causal frameworks have been defined by landmark decisions but most of the AI & Law models today do not involve causal analysis. We provide a brief summary of these models and then attempt to apply Judea Pearl’s structural language and the Halpern-Pearl definitions of actual causality to model a few Canadian legal decisions that involve causality. Results suggest that it is not only possible to use formal causal models to describe legal decisions, but also useful because a uniform schema eliminates ambiguity. Also, causal frameworks are helpful in promoting accountability and minimizing biases.

[pt] Uma quantidade crescente de pesquisas tem investigado o desenvolvimento de modelos de maturidade para a gestão das cadeias de suprimentos com referência especial ao processo de planejamento de vendas e operações (S&OP). Os modelos de maturidade representam etapas através das quais processos são definidos, implementados e melhorados. Metas e benefícios podem ser alcançados nos estágios de maturidade mais avançados do processo. Este estudo avalia o nível de maturidade do processo de S&OP no ambiente complexo de uma empresa da indústria de óleo e gás utilizando uma abordagem multimétodos. Procede a uma revisão sistemática da literatura e um estudo de caso único. Seleciona e aplica o modelo de maturidade de Grimson e Pike (2007) após a descrição do processo de S&OP da empresa através do framework de Thomé et al. (2012b), usando a triangulação entre a análise de documentos, elaboração e aplicação de um questionário e observação direta. Das cinco dimensões de maturidade, quatro (reuniões e colaboração, métricas, tecnologia da informação e integração dos planos de S&OP) encontram-se no Estágio 3 (S&OP padrão) do modelo de Grimson e Pike (2007) e uma dimensão (organização) encontra-se no Estágio 4 (S&OP avançado). Recomenda-se para avançar do Estágio 3 para o 4, ou eventualmente para o 5, a disseminação do processo para todos na empresa como ferramenta de maximização de lucros e avaliar os seguintes pontos: o envolvimento dos principais clientes no processo de previsão; a criação de um manual de S&OP; o estabelecimento de métrica de rentabilidade associada à métrica de eficácia do S&OP; a utilização de sistema integrado e otimizado vinculado ao Sistema de Negócios Integrados - SAP; e a implementação de um processo de planejamento integrado, contínuo e otimizado para demanda e fornecimento, de forma simultânea. Como contribuições práticas espera-se que a empresa possa passar de um estágio para o outro através dos aspectos críticos e pontos fortes identificados, principalmente das ações de melhorias sugeridas. Da mesma forma, espera-se a diminuição de lacunas entre a teoria e a prática atual em campo com estudos de processos de S&OP em ambientes complexos de multiprodutos na indústria de óleo e gás. Recomenda-se para trabalhos futuros a realização de pesquisas que avaliem a maturidade do S&OP em outros ambientes complexos de parceiros deste setor para reforçar a validade externa do estudo. / [en] An increasing number of research has been investigating the development of maturity models for supply chain management with special reference to the Sales and Operations Planning process (S&OP). Maturity models represent stages applied to define, implement and improve processes. Goals and benefits can be achieved at more advanced stages of process maturity. This study assesses the maturity level of the S&OP process in the complex environment of a company in the oil and gas industry through a multi-method approach. It carries out a systematic review of the literature and a single case study. After describing the company s S&OP process through Thomé et al. s (2012b) framework, the authors select and apply the Grimson and Pike s (2007) maturity model using a triangulation between document analysis, the development and application of a questionnaire, and direct observation. Among the five maturity dimensions, four (meetings and collaboration, measurements, information technology and S&OP plan integration) are in Stage three (standard S&OP) of Grimson and Pike s model and one dimension (organization) is in Stage four (Advanced S&OP). In order to advance from Stage three to four, or eventually to five, it is recommended the dissemination of the process to all the workers of the company as a tool for maximizing profits. Additionally, it is recommended to evaluate the following points: the involvement of the main customers in the forecasting process; the development of a S&OP guide; the establishment of profitability measurements associated with the S&OP effectiveness measurement; the use of an integrated and optimized system linked to SAP; and the simultaneous implementation of an integrated, continuous and optimized planning process for demand and supply. As practical contributions, it is expected that, by analysing the critical aspects and strengths identified and implementing the improvement actions suggested by this research, the company will be prepared to move to the next stage. Furthermore, the current research aims to narrow the gap between theory and current practice in the field with studies on S&OP processes in the multi-products complex environment of an oil and gas industry. For future work it is recommended to apply this methodology to assesses the maturity of S&OP in other complex environments in the oil and gas companies to strengthen the study s external validity.