Evaluation of a Smart System for the Optimization of Logistics Performance of a Pruning Biomass Value Chain

The paper presents a report on the performance evaluation of a newly developed smart logistics system (SLS). Field tests were conducted in Spain, Germany, and Sweden. The evaluation focused on the performance of a smart box tool (used to capture information during biomass transport) and a web-based information platform (used to monitor the flow of agricultural pruning from farms to end users and associated information flow). The tests were performed following a product usability testing approach, considering both qualitative and quantitative parameters. The detailed performance evaluation included the following: systematic analysis of 41 recordable parameters (stored in a spreadsheet database), analysis of feedback and problems encountered during the tests, and overall quality analysis applying the product quality model adapted from ISO/IEC FDIS 9126-1 standard. The data recording and storage and the capability to support product traceability and supply chain management were found to be very satisfactory, while assembly of smart box components (mainly the associated cables), data transferring intervals, and manageability could be improved. From the data retrieved during test activities, in more than 95% of the parameters within 41 columns, the expected values were displayed correctly. Some errors were observed, which might have been caused mainly by barriers that could hinder proper data recording and transfer from the smart box to the central database. These problems can be counteracted and the performance of the SLS can be improved so that it can be upgraded to be a marketable tool that can promote sustainable biomass-to-energy value chains.

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Smart System for the Optimization of Logistics Performance of the Pruning Biomass Value Chain

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app8071162 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 1162 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Girma Gebresenbet ◽

Techane Bosona ◽

Sven-Olof Olsson ◽

Daniel Garcia

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Value Chain ◽

Route Planning ◽

Control Unit ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Functional Requirements ◽

Logistics System ◽

Information Platform ◽

Biomass Supply ◽

Solid Biofuel

Agricultural pruning biomass is one of the important resources in Europe for generating renewable energy. However, utilization of the agricultural residues requires development of efficient and effective logistics systems. The objective of this study was to develop smart logistics system (SLS) appropriate for the management of the pruning biomass supply chain. The paper describes the users’ requirement of SLS, defines the technical and functional requirements and specifications for the development of SLS, and determines relevant information/data to be documented and managed by the SLS. This SLS has four major components: (a) Smart box, a sensor unit that enables measurement of data such as relative humidity, temperature, geographic positions; (b) On-board control unit, a unit that performs route planning and monitors the recordings by the smart box; (c) Information platform, a centralized platform for data storing and sharing, and management of pruning supply chain and traceability; and (d) Central control unit, an interface linking the Information platform and On-board control unit that serves as a point of administration for the whole pruning biomass supply chain from harvesting to end user. The SLS enables the improvement of performance of pruning biomass supply chain management and product traceability leading to a reduction of product loss, increased coordination of resources utilisation and quality of solid biofuel supply, increased pruning marketing opportunity, and reduction of logistics cost. This SLS was designed for pruning biomass, but could also be adapted for any type of biomass-to-energy initiatives.

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DIRECTIONS OF IMPROVEMENT OF RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE FIELD OF LOGISTICS ACTIVITIES

International scientific journal Internauka Series Economical Sciences ◽

10.25313/2520-2294-2020-11-6514 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Lytvynenko ◽

◽

Taisiya Kozlova ◽

Keyword(s):

Risk Management ◽

Practical Experience ◽

Logistics System ◽

Systematic Analysis ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Different Types ◽

Rational Management ◽

Enterprise Logistics ◽

Risk Acceptability ◽

Logistics Activity

The changeable and unpredictable development of the enterprises’ external environment is one of the appearance causes of various types of business activities' risks, including logistics. The purpose of this article is to develop recommendations on improving the risk management of enterprises’ logistics activities in the context of instability. Achieving this goal requires consideration of the main stages of this process regarding the logistics activities' risks, providing advices on improving the process of risk management of logistics orientation. The article explores the process of analyzing the logistics activities' risks of the enterprise. Proceeding from the theoretical provisions of management and summarizing the practical experience of research in the field of systematic analysis of the enterprises' logistics activities risks, there are traced the organization's peculiarities of such analysis, and the main directions of its further improvement are proposed. All actions in the article, which are related to the analysis of the risk of enterprise logistics activity, are proposed to carry out in a certain sequence in the article. This sequence is given in the form of a structural scheme of systematic analysis of the risks of the enterprise logistics activities. Based on the objectivity of the existence of logistics activities' risks and the need to ensure the rational management of them, the algorithm of the risk management in the enterprise logistics system covers the stages of risks' identification, their qualitative and quantitative assessment, diagnostics, assessment of risk acceptability and application of neutralization measures to unacceptable logistical risks. It is concluded that the logistics activities risks combine different types of risks of all components and elements both in the process of changing material, financial and information flows, as well as in the process of managing the risks arising in the logistics system

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Performance Evaluation of Long Pipe Roof for Tunneling below Existing Highway Based on Field Tests and Numerical Analysis: Case Study

International Journal of Geomechanics ◽

10.1061/(asce)gm.1943-5622.0000933 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (9) ◽

pp. 04017054 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yufeng Shi ◽

Jinyang Fu ◽

Junsheng Yang ◽

Changjie Xu ◽

Daxin Geng

Keyword(s):

Performance Evaluation ◽

Numerical Analysis ◽

Field Tests

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Performance evaluation of an interactive Web-based multimedia document system with streaming media

2000 IEEE International Conference on Multimedia and Expo. ICME2000. Proceedings. Latest Advances in the Fast Changing World of Multimedia (Cat. No.00TH8532) ◽

10.1109/icme.2000.869550 ◽

2002 ◽

Author(s):

H. Fahmi ◽

M. Latif ◽

A. Ghafoor ◽

P. Liu ◽

L. Hou

Keyword(s):

Performance Evaluation ◽

Streaming Media ◽

Multimedia Document ◽

Web Based

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WATCHING THE WATCHDOG: ONLINE DISCOURSES ABOUT MEDIA FRAUDS

AoIR Selected Papers of Internet Research ◽

10.5210/spir.v2020i0.11207 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tobias Eberwein

Keyword(s):

Professional Identity ◽

Fake News ◽

Systematic Analysis ◽

Web Based ◽

International Media ◽

News Magazine ◽

The Public ◽

Starting Point ◽

German Speaking

Media frauds often lead to lively public discussions about journalism’s professional identity and its social mandate. The paper uses the so-called Relotius case as a starting point for a systematic analysis of the responsibility of narrative journalists in an age of “fake news” and post-truth politics – and the question of how they can be held to account in the online realm. Claas Relotius counted as one of the most talented journalistic storytellers in the German-speaking world. In December 2018, however, the news magazine Der Spiegel revealed that he had fabricated many of his texts, either completely or partly. This revelation developed into one of the biggest German media scandals of the recent years and triggered a massive outcry, also in international media. A multi-method research design allows for a differentiated assessment of the Relotius case in particular and web-based media accountability processes in general: A literature review and problem-centered interviews with senior reporters demonstrate that stylistic devices of fiction have a long history in German narrative journalism – also in Spiegel magazine. A discourse analysis focusing on the public debate following the revelation of the scandal points out that many journalistic commenters, including Spiegel’s editorial board, displayed a clear lack of self-criticism in their discussion of the case, while non-professional watchbloggers broadened the scope of the analysis. The paper reflects the empirical results from a normative perspective, in order to illustrate the potentials and shortcomings of professional journalistic self-observation as opposed to external public control in online discourses.

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A Proposed Web-based System to Evaluate the Performance of Course Learning Outcomes Based on Educational Process: By Using Ordinal Scale Approach

International Journal on Electrical Engineering and Informatics ◽

10.15676/ijeei.2020.12.4.9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 845-858

Author(s):

Osman A. Nasr ◽

Keyword(s):

Performance Evaluation ◽

Learning Outcomes ◽

Educational Process ◽

Ordinal Scale ◽

Web Based ◽

Active Involvement ◽

Scale Method ◽

Assessment Policies ◽

Web Based System ◽

Academic Cycle

This study aims to develop a web-based system that evaluates the teaching process based on the course learning outcomes. It includes the active involvement of both the course teacher and the enrolled students on the course. Usually, the teacher delivers the course contents by following the course specification and the course learning outcomes. Here, the teacher is a source of equipping students with all the necessary information about the course and the assessment policies. The students participate in the scheduled assessments, and the teacher evaluates students’ performances based on the course learning outcomes. Significantly, the presented study applies the ordinal scale method for evaluating the students’ performances in the conducted assessments. The students’ performances are measured, and the outcomes help the teacher understand the students' learned skills of the course. Further, the result of the measured outcomes uses for the program performance evaluation at the end of the academic cycle. The presented approach is easy to adapt for any academic course in higher education and enables an effective approach for performance evaluation.

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