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Application of multivariate statistical process control to fuel cell manufacturing
Get PDFUnivariate statistical control charts, such as the Shewhart chart, do not satisfy the\ud
requirements for process monitoring on a high volume automated fuel cell\ud
manufacturing line. This is because of the number of variables that require monitoring.\ud
The risk of elevated false alarms, due to the nature of the process being high volume,\ud
can present problems if univariate methods are used. Multivariate statistical methods are\ud
discussed as an alternative for process monitoring and control.\ud
The research presented is conducted on a manufacturing line which evaluates the\ud
performance of a fuel cell. It has three stages of production assembly that contribute to\ud
the final end product performance. The product performance is assessed by power and\ud
energy measurements, taken at various time points throughout the discharge testing of\ud
the fuel cell.\ud
The literature review performed on these multivariate techniques are evaluated\ud
using individual and batch observations. Modern techniques using multivariate control\ud
charts on Hotellings T2 are compared to other multivariate methods, such as Principal\ud
Components Analysis (PCA).\ud
The latter, PCA, was identified as the most suitable method. Control charts such\ud
as, scores, T2 and DModX charts, are constructed from the PCA model. Diagnostic\ud
procedures, using Contribution plots, for out of control points that are detected using\ud
these control charts, are also discussed. These plots enable the investigator to perform\ud
root cause analysis. Multivariate batch techniques are compared to individual\ud
observations typically seen on continuous processes. Recommendations, for the\ud
introduction of multivariate techniques that would be appropriate for most high volume\ud
processes, are also covered
An emergent pathogen, phytophthora ramorum, in Irish woodlands
Get PDFPhytophthora kemoviae and Phytophthora ramorum are both recently discovered pathogens of tree species. The disease that causes P. ramorum has been given the common name of Sudden Oak Death, in the US, because the expression of symptoms appears across wide swathes of forest or woodland very near the time of death of trees. Their principal host in Europe is rhododendron, primarily Rhododendron ponticum, which is widely distributed throughout many of Ireland’s oldest oak forests. In 2003, P. ramorum was found, by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) on Rhododendron ponticum in the wild. Since spring\ud
2005, sampling in this study has been earned out on susceptible foliage and in soil and watercourses from 11 susceptible forest sites in Ireland. Identification was carried out using a rapid DNA method in conjunction with morphological identification methods. Each site was\ud
sampled twice a year (2005-2008) by collecting foliage and using water and soil baits. The pathogen was identified at three sites in SW Ireland: Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry, Lauragh, Co. Kerry, and Castletownbere, Co. Cork, and was not isolated from oak trees. Genetic variation was compared between Irish forest and nursery populations of P. ramorum using eight microsatellite loci. All 93 isolates had the same multilocus genotype (MG)\ud
indicating no genetic differences between wild and nursery isolates. Up to 2008, P. kemoviae had only been reported in the UK, but has now been identified\ud
at two locations in New Zealand. Protocols have been developed that unequivocally discriminate the two pathogens from all other Phytophthora plant pathogens. Using real-time PCR, samples collected from the 11 susceptible forest sites, over the three-year period, were\ud
analysed for the presence of P. kemoviae and no positives in a total of 205 samples were found.\ud
Susceptibility analyses indicated that the Irish isolate of P. ramorum, K2, can infect the leaves of rhododendron (R. ponticum), fuschia (Fuschia magellanica), holly (//ex aquifolium), sessile oak (Quercus petraea) and the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). Additional studies on\ud
the long-term survival potential of P. ramorum showed that the chlamydospores of K2 are capable of surviving at temperatures of 4-20°C and in a pH range of 3-9, conditions that prevail in the soil in SW Ireland throughout the year. Extreme temperatures of -21 and 40°C and pH 2 are not suitable for the long-term survival of the pathogen
A holistic stock analysis of Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) from the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
Get PDFAlbacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga, Bonnaterre, 1788) is a highly migratory scombrid with a cosmopolitan distribution inhabiting all the worlds’ ocean, in both tropical and temperate regions. Albacore juveniles and adults are highly exploited, with the main\ud
commercial fisheries in the North East Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea targeting juvenile feeding aggregations. The life history of this species is poorly\ud
known and very little is understood regarding the stock origin of the exploited fish. Current management assumes a single panmictic stock in the North Atlantic with the Mediterranean as a separate management unit; previous studies have identified potential heterogeneity within the North Atlantic stock. Uncertainties are evident in age estimations and the interpretation of growth increments of this species; this presents problems for stock assessment which is based on an age-structured model. This study evaluates age estimation and stock discrimination techniques (otolith chemistry, otolith shape and genetics). It addresses the potential evidence of stock heterogeneity. This study provides new insight into stock structure in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. A comparative exercise was undertaken to assess bias and precision in interand\ud
intra-reader age estimations. Dorsal spines are the preferred aging structure in albacore tuna. The level of precision obtained using spines and alternative structures (scales and otoliths) for age estimation was assessed. Inconsistencies in interpretation between structures and between age-readers may introduce error into age data used for stock assessment. Linear bias was detected among readers for all structures, with\ud
readers systematically over- or underestimating age relative to each other. Agreement of age estimates derived using different structures from the same fish was low, and scales appeared to provide lower estimates of age than spines. The vascularisation of the core region of the spine can affect accurate age assessments in older fish. The readability of the first annual increment in the dorsal spine was tested. The first annulus was consistently identified in albacore aged two to five. Inter-cohort differences in growth were identified. The study highlighted the need for further inter-calibration of albacore tuna ageing methodologies. Additional study is required on age-specific growth rates within different albacore cohorts
The inshore distribution and abundance of small cetaceans on the West Coast of Ireland: site assessment for SAC designation and an evaluation of monitoring techniques
Get PDFTo date, 24 cetacean species have been recorded in Irish waters. These are protected by a range of legislation, including the Whale Fisheries Act, the Wildlife Acts and the EU Habitats Directive, which oblige Ireland to maintain cetacean populations and their habitat at a favourable conservation status. Policies aiming to maintain conservation objectives must be underpinned by scientific research. In this chapter, historical and recent research on cetaceans in Irish waters (within the EEZ) is reviewed in order to evaluate present knowledge and identify gaps in research. This information includes historical (pre-1976) records, targeted and incidental land, vessel and aerial based observations, acoustic surveys and monitoring as well as information from strandings. The habitat requirements of most cetacean species are not fully understood but some important habitats have been identified. A number of threats to the welfare of cetaceans in Irish waters have also been identified, including fisheries interactions, pollution, climate change and disturbance. Future research required to fill gaps in knowledge highlighted by this manuscript is considered and discussed
What is the nature and extent of environmental disclosures by listed companies on the Irish Stock Exchange within the Food and Drinks sector
Get PDFIn April 2008, Terence O’Rourke, Managing Partner of KPMG in Ireland spoke at a\ud
presentation on Accounting for Sustainability to the Annual Conference of the\ud
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) and said that,\ud
“The phrase ‘Accounting for Sustainability’, is slowly but surely starting to\ud
enter the lexicon of business. The environmental impact of business has been\ud
widely recognised for decades; however it’s only in the recent past that any\ud
attempt has been made to measure the real social and environmental cost of\ud
the continued depletion of scarce resources such as oil and water.”\ud
ICAI (2008)\ud
Environmental reporting is primarily concerned with companies reporting on the\ud
impact it operations have on the environment and how the company is reducing this\ud
impact.\ud
This research found that the nature of environmental disclosures of listed companies\ud
on the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE) within the Food and Drinks Sector are not as\ud
comprehensive as those of other Sectors of the ISE. Furthermore, this research found\ud
that the extent of their environmental disclosures goes no further than environmental\ud
mission statements, small amounts of quantitative data, and listed accreditations and\ud
certificates companies had received with regard to their environmental practices.\ud
Despite the number of companies within this Sector disclosing environmental\ud
information within their Annual Reports increasing over the past eight years, the\ud
quality of information disclosed has not greatly improved.\ud
Additionally, this dissertation investigated the perceptions of senior management of\ud
the ISE listed companies within the Food and Drinks Sector with regard to\ud
environmental reporting. The researcher made recommendations as to how companies\ud
and the Government can increase and improve the level of environmental reporting,\ud
both within the Food and Drinks Sector and in other Sectors of the ISE. The\ud
researcher in light of the findings, also made suggestions for further areas of research
The practice of customer relationship management (CRM) in five small enterprises in Co. Leitrim
Get PDFThe objective of this research dissertation was to study the literature on customer relationship\ud
management in order to determine whether what the theorists were saying in the literature\ud
was actually in practice in small and medium sized enterprises in the North West of Ireland\ud
today.\ud
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is an application used by numerous companies\ud
to allow them to monitor customer behaviour, needs and wants. This in turn will develop into\ud
stronger relationships with the aid of technology. However, this may work effectively in\ud
some companies but some of the smaller businesses are not aware of the benefit of CRM and\ud
how to use it to its full potential for both the customer and the company.\ud
For the purpose of this dissertation the author decided to concentrate on five small\ud
organisations in the North West of Ireland to investigate if CRM was practised in smaller\ud
companies. It was also to give an insight into the main drivers of CRM and to uncover if\ud
these firms were using CRM to its full potential.\ud
In preparation for the primary stage, an inclusive literature review was conducted to provide a\ud
background on the topic of CRM. Questions emerged from this research which was then\ud
used to explore the topic at organisation level. Qualitative research was carried out in the\ud
form of in-depth personal interviews with all five companies.\ud
Overall, it is evident that the practice of CRM by small and medium enterprises in the Leitrim\ud
area is not comparable to what has being demonstrated in the literature. There is a definite\ud
lack of knowledge for companies in this area. Government agencies such as Enterprise\ud
Ireland have not provided sufficient information and support for these companies. This has\ud
contributed to the lack of understanding and progression level of CRM for them as a result.\ud
There are definite missed opportunities as a result, which will affect the long term\ud
relationships and succession of these organisations researched
To investigate if sport sponsorship can remain a secure investment during uncertain economic times
Get PDFValidation summary report and risk assessment of AICL (KP) LIMS
No full textLabWare LIMS is a full-featured, configurable, enterprise Laboratory Information\ud
Management System (LIMS). LIMS is a computerised system used to manage laboratory\ud
samples, equipment, results, workflow, users, and results and to generate reports. At AICL\ud
the LIMS system has a bi-directional interface with the Waters Empower Chromatography\ud
Data System and with SAP.\ud
The purpose of this report is to give a general overview of all the different aspects of\ud
validation required to introduce a LIMS computerised system into AICL. In this project I\ud
will detail specifically the risk assessment as this is an area of increasing importance with\ud
the regulators/inspectors and relatively new within the pharmaceutical industry. It details\ud
the items identified as 'high risk' from the FMEA and how these items were controlled and\ud
validated.\ud
At the time of this report being generated, the LIMS system has been introduced for use\ud
in the 'live' environment, but some of the existing modules of the system are still being\ud
developed i.e. stability samples and alert alarms monitoring.\ud
An external audit performed on the LIMS system post go-live is also detailed highlighting\ud
the non-conformance issues that arose during review of the system.\ud
In this project, validation of the AICL (KP) LIMS was executed. The key results showed\ud
that the AICL (KP) LIMS is qualified. Also a lot of important lessons learned throughout the\ud
duration of the project are highlighted
The successful implementation of the "OC Recovery Project" at Wyeth Medica Ireland
Get PDFProjects and project management are now in widespread use across the pharmaceutical\ud
industry. Project size can range from something as simple as sourcing and purchasing a new\ud
piece of office equipment to something as vast as building a 100,0 00m2 extension to an\ud
existing facility.\ud
However, the successful execution of a project can sometimes be an arduous task. A project\ud
must be perceived as important, it must be well defined and the context well understood. It\ud
must be planned with success in mind and similarly resourced. It must be led from the front\ud
by a Project Manager (PM) who is used to success.\ud
This work discusses the successful implementation of a matrix organisation project\ud
management model, i.e. the approach taken and the results achieved. The Wyeth Medica\ud
Ireland (WMI) oral contraceptive (OC) business generates ca. 200 million dollars net per\ud
annum in worldwide sales and is therefore an important product portfolio. The OC Recovery\ud
Project was initiated at WMI in order to rescue this multimillion-dollar business when it was\ud
unable to provide finished product to a large number of customers. In a defined timeframe of\ud
12 months the Bulk Release Team succeeded in reducing a backlog of 32 out of stock (OOS)\ud
and 36 low stock (LS) markets to a situation where there were minimal OOS and LS markets.\ud
A number of other project teams (known as Tiger Teams) worked simultaneously with the\ud
Bulk Release Team to implement a process improvement and sustainability plan to help\ud
improve first time product quality and subsequently maintain customer service.\ud
The approach adopted by the OC Recovery Project was two-pronged. Firstly, the OOS\ud
markets were replenished through the action of the Bulk Release Team, and secondly, upon\ud
dissolution of this team, customer service was sustained through the process improvements\ud
made by the Tiger Teams. The matrix models that were employed in this process greatly\ud
facilitated these results
An exploration of marketing graduates’ attitudes towards their employment in small irish businesses
Get PDFThe purpose of the research is to understand and explain the situation of marketing\ud
graduates in the labour market.\ud
The key findings show that marketing graduates overestimate their abilities to find\ud
marketing employment after graduation. However this perception changes once they\ud
enter the labour market and realise that a third level qualification is not sufficient to\ud
secure a marketing job. This is mainly because the jobs are not publicly available in the\ud
labour market and because the marketing graduates lack the marketing experience the\ud
business need from them.\ud
A story emerged based on the findings based on which several recommendations were\ud
developed in order to improve the graduates’ success in obtaining a marketing job after\ud
graduation which involve aspects such as the introduction of more work placements at\ud
different levels of qualifications and more involvement of institutions in the marketing\ud
graduates job search experience