scholarly journals The Significance of IoT Technology in Improving Logistical Processes and Enhancing Competitiveness: A Case Study on the World’s and Slovakia’s Wood-Processing Enterprises

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7804
Author(s):  
Dominika Šulyová ◽  
Gabriel Koman

The wood-processing industry currently does not sufficiently use modern technologies, unlike the automotive sector. The primary motive for writing this article was in cooperation with a Slovak wood processing company, which wanted to improve its logistics processes and increase competitiveness in the wood processing sector through the implementation of new technologies. The aim of this article was to identify the positives and limitations of the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) technology into the wood processing industry, based on a secondary analysis of case studies and the best practice of American wood processing companies such as West Fraser Timber in Canada, and Weyerhaeuser in the USA. The selection of case studies was conditional on criteria of time relevance, size of the sawmills, and production volume in m3. These conditional criteria reflected the conditions for the introduction of similar concepts for wood-processing enterprises in Slovakia. The implementation of the IoT can reduce operating costs by up to 20%, increase added value for customers, and collect real-time data that can serve as the basis for support of management and decision-making at the operational, tactical, and strategic levels. In addition to the secondary analysis, methods of comparison of global wood processing companies, synthesis of knowledge, and summarization of positives and limitations of IoT implementation or deduction were used to reach our conclusions. The results were used as the basis for the design of a general model for the implementation of IoT technology for Slovak wood processing enterprises. This model may represent best practice for the selected locality and industry. The implications and verification of the designed model in practice will form part of other research activities, already underway in the form of a primary survey.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9463
Author(s):  
Dominika Šulyová ◽  
Josef Vodák

One of the main motives for creating this article was to explore the importance of cultural aspects in building smart city approaches. The aim of this article was to obtain answers to three research questions, the answers to which made it possible to identify the elements of multiculturalism that affect the development of smart cities, to find out how multiculturalism affects smart cities and how to manage diversity. The ambition was to create and organize the most important findings into a comprehensive framework. To achieve this goal, secondary analysis methods were used by examining the literature and case studies of best practices from Europe, North America, and Asia. The choice of case studies was conditioned by the placement of smart cities in four global indices (smart city index, Arcadis, IESE and global power index), the existence of a multicultural strategy and elements of successful diversity management, including positive effects and possible limitations. In addition, methods of analysis, comparison and summarization were used. Effective diversity management acts as an accelerator of the sustainable development of smart cities. The results of the analysis of the case studies serve as a basis for recommendations and the creation of a proposed general model, whose task is to simplify the adoption of intelligent concepts, which creates space for the specification of local or cultural conditions of the country. Testing the model in practice is the subject of the following research activities of the authors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-119
Author(s):  
Dominika Šulyová ◽  
Josef Vodák ◽  
Gabriel Koman

AbstractThe aim of the article is to present the logistic models of world cities, their benefits and limitations, which serve as best practices for others, which are based on a secondary analysis of case studies. The studies were selected on the basis of geographical location, number of transport projects, implementation models for urban logistics, and determining the effects of implementation. In addition to the secondary analysis, the findings of consultants, methods of comparing case studies, summarizing the findings in the discussion, or deductions in drawing a conclusion were also used. The output of the article is a recommended implementation of logistics model for Smart Cities according to world experts, which can be implemented in general for any city, including specific differences for the selected location. The article describes the positive impact of technology in mobility not only for citizens but also for business managers and the city as a whole. The implications of the model, its testing in practice and the observation of implementation benefits and limitations will form a part of further research activities in the future.


Author(s):  
Andrew J. Komrowski ◽  
Luis A. Curiel ◽  
Daniel J. D. Sullivan ◽  
Quang Nguyen ◽  
Lisa Logan-Willams

Abstract The acquisition of reliable Acoustic Micro Images (AMI) are an essential non-destructive step in the Failure Analysis (FA) of electronic packages. Advanced packaging and new IC materials present challenges to the collection of reliable AMI signals. The AMI is complicated due to new technologies that utilize an increasing number of interfaces in ICs and packages. We present two case studies in which it is necessary to decipher the acoustic echoes from the signals generated by the interface of interest in order to acquire trustworthy information about the IC package.


1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Francisco Fontes Lima ◽  
Francisco Alves Pereira

This paper describes the findings of the “Third International Conference on Waste Management in the Chemical and Petrochemical Industries,” held in Salvador, Brazil, October 20-23, 1993. A summary of the 74 technical papers, divided into six major categories, is presented together with comments on the more stringent legislation concerning source control programmes. Case studies of two large chemical complexes that have been developing successful waste minimization programmes are described in detail: CETREL-Environmental Protection Company in Camaçari, Brazil, and BASF AG in Ludwigshafen, Germany.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-22
Author(s):  
Ray Harper

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to summarise a number of presentations at Day 1 of the Internet Librarian International conference, London, UK (16 October 2018). This was the 20th conference in the series, and the three key themes included were the next-gen library and librarian; understanding users, usage and user experience; and inclusion and inspiration: libraries making a difference. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports from the viewpoint of a first-time attendee of the conference. This summarises the main issues raised by each presentation and draws out the key learning points for practical situations. Findings The conference covered a variety of practical ways in which libraries can use technology to support users and make decisions about services. These include developing interactive physical spaces which include augmented reality; introducing “chat-bots” to support users; using new techniques to analyse data; and piloting new ways to engage users (such as coding clubs). A key theme was how we use and harness data in a way that is ethical, effective and relevant to library services. Originality/value This conference focussed on practical examples of how library and information services across sectors and countries are innovating in a period of huge change. The conference gave delegates numerous useful ideas and examples of best practice and demonstrated the strength of the profession in adapting to new technologies and developments.


Author(s):  
Angela Ryall ◽  
Lorienne M. Jenstad ◽  
John Pumford ◽  
Tami Howe ◽  
Garnet Grosjean

Abstract Background When dispensing hearing aids, audiologists must follow validated fitting and verification procedures to ensure that the hearing aids are properly fitted to the client's hearing. Real ear measurements (REMs) are best practice for verifying hearing aids. Prior literature regarding REMs has mainly focused on the clinicians' perspective. Purpose This study investigated informational counseling throughout REMs by gathering perspectives of first-time hearing aid users regarding the content and format of counseling. Research Design The study used an interpretive description approach with focus groups. Study Sample There were 16 adult participants (4 males, 12 females) who were first-time hearing aid users and who all had memory of REMs occurring during their own hearing aid verification. Intervention We investigated the addition of informational counseling during REM verification. Data Collection and Analysis Four focus groups were conducted to elicit feedback on a demonstration of informational counseling during REM hearing aid verification. The data from the focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results Analysis revealed positive aspects, negative aspects, and suggested changes in relation to the verbal and visual information presented during the REM verification demonstration. These data fell into two broad categories: the interaction and transaction of informational counseling. Conclusion Most clients were interested in learning more about REMs if the information was accessible. Results provide recommendations for clinical audiologists and REM system manufacturers to make the information presented during informational counseling more client-friendly and individualized for client-centered care. To continue exploring this new inquiry, further experimental research is required to determine if there is any added value of incorporating informational counseling during REMs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8224
Author(s):  
Long Chen ◽  
Xiang Xie ◽  
Qiuchen Lu ◽  
Ajith Kumar Parlikad ◽  
Michael Pitt ◽  
...  

Various maturity models have been developed for understanding the diffusion and implementation of new technologies/approaches. However, we find that existing maturity models fail to understand the implementation of emerging digital twin technique comprehensively and quantitatively. This research aims to develop an innovative maturity model for measuring digital twin maturity for asset management. This model is established based on Gemini Principles to form a systematic view of digital twin development and implementation. Within this maturity model, three main dimensions consisting of nine sub-dimensions have been defined firstly, which were further articulated by 27 rubrics. Then, a questionnaire survey with 40 experts involved is designed and conducted to examine these rubrics. This model is finally illustrated and validated by two case studies in Shanghai and Cambridge. The results show that the digital twin maturity model is effective to qualitatively evaluate and compare the maturity of digital twin implementation at the project level. It can also initiate the roadmap for improving the performance of digital twin supported asset management.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1513
Author(s):  
Nour-Eddine Menad ◽  
Nassima Kana ◽  
Alain Seron ◽  
Ndue Kanari

The grown demand of current and future development of new technologies for high added value and strategic metals, such as molybdenum, vanadium, and chromium, and facing to the depletion of basic primary resources of these metals, the metal extraction and recovery from industrial by-products and wastes is a promising choice. Slag from the steelmaking sector contains a significant amount of metals; therefore, it must be considered to be an abundant secondary resource for several strategic materials, especially chromium. In this work, the generated slag from electric arc furnace (EAF) provided by the French steel industry was characterized by using multitude analytical techniques in order to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of the targeted slag. The revealed main crystallized phases are larnite (Ca2SiO4), magnetite (Fe3O4), srebrodolskite (Ca2Fe2O5), wüstite (FeO), maghemite (Fe2.6O3), hematite (Fe2O3), chromite [(Fe,Mg)Cr2O4], and quartz (SiO2). The collected slag sample contains about 34.1% iron (48.5% Fe2O3) and 3.5% chromium, whilst the vanadium contents is around 1500 ppm. The Mössbauer spectroscopy suggested that the non-magnetic fraction represents 42 wt% of the slag, while the remainder (58 wt%) is composed of magnetic components. The thermal treatment of steel slag up to 900 °C indicated that this solid is almost stable and few contained phases change their structures.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 236
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Lampakis ◽  
Prodromos Skenderidis ◽  
Stefanos Leontopoulos

The interest in using plant by-product extracts as functional ingredients is continuously rising due to environmental and financial prospects. The development of new technologies has led to the achievement of aqueous extracts with high bioactivity that is preferable due to organic solvents nonuse. Recently, widely applied and emerging technologies, such as Simple Stirring, Pressure-Applied Extraction, Enzymatic Extraction, Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Pulsed Electric Fields, High Hydrostatic Pressure, Ohmic Heating, Microwave Assistant Extraction and the use of “green” solvents such as the deep eutectic solvents, have been investigated in order to contribute to the minimization of disadvantages on the extraction of bioactive compounds. This review is focused on bioactive compounds derived from pomegranate (Punica granatum) peels and highlighted the most attractive extraction methods. It is believed that these findings could be a useful tool for the pomegranate juices industry to apply an effective and economically viable extraction process, transforming a by-product to a high added value functional product.


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