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Estimation of shutdown schedule to remove fouling layers of heat exchangers using risk-based inspection (RBI)
Get PDFYesOil and Gas plants consist of a set of heat exchangers, which are used in recovering the waste heat from product streams to preheat the oil. The heat transfer coefficient of exchangers declines considerably during the operation period due to fouling. Fouling in heat exchangers is a complex phenomenon due to the acceleration of many layers of chemical substances across tubes of heat exchangers resulting from chemical reactions and surface roughness. In this paper, the fouling process was determined as a critical failure in the heat exchanger. Failure is an accelerated fouling layer across the heat exchanger tubes, which can be the reason for the clogging of tubes. Hence, a risk assessment was conducted using the Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) approach to estimate the probability of fouling in heat exchangers. The results showed that the RBI approach can be used successfully to predict the suitable time to shut down the plant and conduct the fouling cleaning process.Oil and Gas plants consist of a set of heat exchangers, which are used in recovering the waste heat from product streams to preheat the oil. The heat transfer coefficient of exchangers declines considerably during the operation period due to fouling. Fouling in heat exchangers is a complex phenomenon due to the acceleration of many layers of chemical substances across tubes of heat exchangers resulting from chemical reactions and surface roughness. In this paper, the fouling process was determined as a critical failure in the heat exchanger. Failure is an accelerated fouling layer across the heat exchanger tubes, which can be the reason for the clogging of tubes. Hence, a risk assessment was conducted using the Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) approach to estimate the probability of fouling in heat exchangers. The results showed that the RBI approach can be used successfully to predict the suitable time to shut down the plant and conduct the fouling cleaning process
The role of MT1-MMP in the progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma
Get PDFYesThe dysregulation of Membrane - type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) has been extensively studied in numerous cancer types, and plays key roles in angiogenesis, cancer progression, and metastasis. MT1-MMP is a predictor of poor prognosis in osteosarcoma (OS), yet the molecular mechanisms of disease progression are unclear. This review provides a summary of the literature relating to the gene and protein expression of MT1-MMP (MMP-14) in OS clinical samples, evaluates the expression in cell lines and experimental models, and analyses its potential role in the progression and metastasis of OS. In addition, the therapeutic potential of MT1-MMP as a drug target has been assessed. Due to the biological complexity of MMPs, inhibition has proven to be challenging. However, exploiting the expression and proteolytic capacity of MT1-MMP could open new avenues in the search for novel, safer and selective drugs for use in OS.This work was supported by the Bone Cancer Research Trust (No. BCRT 6218)
Impact of Foreign Directors on Firms’ Corporate Governance, Risk and Performance
Get PDFThis thesis explores board nationality diversity, focusing on foreign non-executive
directors and their relationship with CEO compensation, firm performance, and crash
risk for a sample of UK firms from 2002 to 2015. First, we examine the changes in
board composition over the years and find an increase in foreign non-executive
directors and in the number of foreign CEOs managing UK firms. We discover boards
have become smaller, more independent and CEOs occupying dual roles have
considerably reduced. Next, we analyse the relationship between foreign non executive directors and CEO compensation and note that firms with more foreign non executive directors pay less to their CEO. Moreover, European and other international
non-executive directors are particularly effective at limiting CEO compensation. Then
we examine the impact of foreign non-executive directors on firm performance and
show that foreign non-executive directors positively impact firm value. CEO and
executive directors’ equity-like compensation and share ownership also positively
influences firm performance. Our findings suggest that European and American non executive directors are more effective in improving corporate performance. Finally, we
analyse the relationship between foreign non-executive directors, CEO compensation
and crash risk. Foreign non-executive directors monitor the board and mitigate the
impact of CEO equity-linked pay on stock price crash risk. Our analysis reveals that
leverage increases crash risk, but that foreign non-executive directors, of high
leverage firms lower crash risk. Overall, foreign non-executive directors serve as
effective monitors and advisors to moderate executive pay, improve firm performance
and reduce stock price crash risk
Microscopic Sampling of Dentine and Bone Collagen: Development of Sampling Methods for Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Analysis
No full textSampling methods for dentine and bone collagen have been evolving for several
decades. Incremental dentine collagen sampling and bone collagen sampling
have been limited by the available technology throughout that time. As the
technology for isotope ratio mass spectrometry analysis improves, the sampling
methods should improve as well. This research focused on developing a new
incremental dentine collagen sampling method and bone collagen microsampling
method for stable isotope analysis. This research aimed to increase the
temporal resolution of incremental dentine collagen sampling and provided
sequential collagen sampling from bone collagen for stable carbon and nitrogen
isotope analysis while limiting the destructive nature of bioarchaeological
analysis. It was determined that the temporal resolution for incremental analysis
could be reduced to approximate three months, opposed to the nine months
found in other sampling methods. It was also determined that detailed isotopic
data could be obtained from bone collagen when sampling the microstructures.
The increased amount of isotopic data from the bone collagen was an
improvement on the commonly used bulk collagen sampling. This research can
be utilised to answer several of the questions that archaeologists have been
asking about past populations. Isotopic analysis using the methods developed in
the research can provide a more detailed observation of the diet and health of past populations.
In addition, the developed methods for bone and dentine collagen reduced the amount of tissue
subjected to destructive analysis
Adiponectin negatively regulates pigmentation, Wnt/β-catenin and HGF/c-Met signalling within human scalp hair follicles ex vivo
No full textNoAdiponectin reportedly stimulates proliferation and elongation of human scalp hair follicles (HFs) ex vivo. In the current study, we investigated how adiponectin oligomers produced by perifollicular dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT), a potent source of adiponectin isoforms, influence human HF proliferation and pigmentation. To do so, we treated microdissected, organ-cultured HFs in the presence or absence of dWAT with a recombinant human adiponectin oligomer mix, or inhibited dWAT-derived adiponectin using a neutralizing antibody. Multiplex qPCR (Fluidigm) revealed that adiponectin oligomers downregulated pigmentation genes KITLG, PMEL and TYRP1 and Wnt genes AXIN2, LEF1 and WNT10B. In situ hybridization showed that adiponectin downregulated AXIN2 and LEF1, and up-regulated DKK1 within the dermal papilla (DP), a highly unusual transcriptional profile for a putative hair growth-promoting agent. Adiponectin oligomers also downregulated protein expression of the HGF receptor c-Met within the matrix and DP. However, adiponectin did not alter hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation within 48 h ex vivo, irrespective of the presence/absence of dWAT; HF pigmentation (Masson-Fontana histochemistry, tyrosinase activity) was also unchanged. In contrast, neutralizing adiponectin isoforms within HF + dWAT increased proliferation, melanin content and tyrosinase activity but resulted in fewer melanocytes and melanocytic dendrites, as assessed by gp100 immunostaining. These seemingly contradictory effects suggest that adiponectin exerts complex effects upon human HF biology, likely in parallel with the pro-pigmentation effects of dWAT- and DP-derived HGF. Our data suggest that dWAT-derived ratios of adiponectin isoforms and the cleaved, globular version of adiponectin may in fact determine how adiponectin impacts upon follicular pigmentation and growth.Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) iCASE Studentship (awardees: R.P., J.P., recipient: C.N.), co-funded by Unilever, Colworth, UK; NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Inflammatory Hair Diseases Programme (Lead: R.P.), University of Miami start-up funds (R.P.), and Frost Endowed Scholarship to R.P. (Dept. of Dermatology)
Hamiltonian modeling and structure modified control of diesel engine
Get PDFYesA diesel engine is a typical dynamic system. In this paper, a dynamics method is proposed to establish the Hamiltonian model of the diesel engine, which solves the main difficulty of con-structing a Hamiltonian function under the multi-field coupling condition. Furthermore, the control method of Hamiltonian model structure modification is introduced to study the control of a diesel engine. By means of the principle of energy-shaping and Hamiltonian model structure modification theories, the modified energy function is constructed, which is proved to be a quasi-Lyapunov function of the closed-loop system. Finally, the control laws are derived, and the simulations are carried out. The study reveals the dynamic mechanism of diesel engine operation and control and provides a new way to research the modeling and control of a diesel engine system.This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant number 51869007
The Objective Pluralism of Isaiah Berlin A Historical Approach to Ethical and Political Philosophy
Get PDFIsaiah Berlin’s doctrine of objective pluralism has been criticised as amounting in
fact to ethical and political relativism. Berlin has relied on two arguments in attempting
to refute this charge, those from common intelligibility and from shared values. I
propose that the former argument alone is sufficient to refute relativism, whilst the
latter argument leads not to pluralism but to a broad or narrow monism, depending on
the number of shared values, since it fatally undermines the strong sense of
incommensurability which is the defining characteristic of pluralism as a distinct and
radical doctrine. Alongside his view that values are commonly intelligible, Berlin retains
a minimal ethical universalism, framed in terms of his concept of ‘negative liberty’, or
freedom from unwarranted interference. Some have argued that this inviolable ‘core’
of human freedom constitutes a form of liberal universalism. Whilst I concede that
Berlin’s objective pluralism does exhibit a decidedly Western character, I argue that
his ‘core’ is in fact a rational and pragmatic assertion of the minimal conditions for any
meaningful and sustainable human life, whatever its diverse forms, rather than an
endorsement of any universalist claims of liberalism, even minimal ones. I further
argue that the common intelligibility of values on which Berlin’s refutation of relativism
can be thought convincingly to rest is possible only because there is an essence and
continuity in human ideas of a kind which is denied by Quentin Skinner and the
Cambridge School, and which enable the historical understanding we clearly can
achieve
Effects of energy management practices on environmental performance of Indian small- and medium- sized enterprises
Get PDFYesAchieving energy efficiency through adoption of energy management practices remain top priorities among industry. Studies focusing on energy management practices are scarce and this area needs to be focused. Building on the perspective of resource-based view and behavioral theory of corporate governance, the purpose of the study is to develop and test an integrative framework linking manufacturing firm's energy management practices (EMPs) to environmental and financial performance through mediating roles played by energy efficiency and audit. The moderating role played by the top management commitment is further examined. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypotheses alongside Hayes' PROCESS to check moderation effects. Results from a survey of 637 employees working in Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) of Indian manufacturing firms indicate that EMPs result into increased environmental as well as financial performance of the firm. It was also found that energy efficiency mediates the relationship between the adoption of EMPs and environmental performance, amplified by top management commitment. Further, energy audit mediates the effect of EMPs on energy efficiency. The study contributes to offering the new research directions to identify alternatives that monetises environmental concepts such as energy efficiency, leading to higher performance of SMEs.The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 20 Dec 2022
Mongolia's System Transition and Northeast Asia Peace Geopolitics
No full textNoAn analysis of the geopolitics of Mongolia between the Great Powers of the Asia-Pacific
Mastering continuous improvement (CI): the roles and competences of mid-level management and their impact on the organisation’s CI capability
Get PDFYesPurpose – This paper establishes a comprehensive basis for understanding the roles and competences of midlevel
management and their influence on the effectiveness of continuous improvement (CI) capability within an
organisation.
Design/methodology/approach – This research builds upon the hypothesis that methods alone do not lead
to successful CI capability development. It focuses on the role of mid-level management in driving a CI
environment that underpins the effectiveness of CI capability. A reference model for the CI environment is
synthesised based on critical literature review, integrating CI culture, CI enablers and CI leadership elements.A
comprehensive framework is introduced to define CI leadership roles and competence indicators. A
quantitative benchmarking study involving structured interviews with 15 UK organisations was undertaken
to collect evidence for a causal relationship between CI leadership competences and CI capability.
Findings – Analysis of the benchmarking data provides clear evidence of the causal relationship between the
CI leadership competences of mid-level management and CI capability of the organisation. Given that the
empirical study was structured on the basis of the CI leadership roles and competences framework introduced
in this paper, this also provides validation for the proposed framework and the CI environment model.
Practical implications – The evidence-based knowledge of the positive relationship between the midmanagement
CI leadership competences and the effectiveness of the CI capability informs strategic
organisational development interventions towards enhancing CI capability and effectiveness, ultimately
underpinning productivity enhancement and sustainability. The framework for mid-level management CI
leadership roles, responsibilities and competences introduced in this paper and grounded in underpinning work
undertaken within a large automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), can be adapted by any
organisation. The CI environment reference model should provide a comprehensive support for strategists to
communicate the framework for CI capability improvement within an organisation, to enhance acceptability and
adherence to improvement actions.
Originality/value – This research proves for the first time the significance of the causal relationship between
the CI leadership competences and the effectiveness of the CI capability within an organisation, thus filling an
important gap between established previous work, focussing on the role of mid-level management on one side
and practitioner and team level roles, methodologies and tools. The proposed CI environment model is a
theoretical contribution with reference value for both practice and further studies. The comprehensive
framework for mid-level management CI leadership roles, responsibilities and competences introduced in this
paper provides sound foundation to deliver CI leadership in the workplace.Jaguar Land Rover Lt