Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural and behavioural power dynamics in buyer-supplier relationships: a perceptions-based framework and a research agenda

ABSTRACT Power issues are increasingly important for effective management in the networked business landscape. This article seeks to increase understanding of the power within buyer-supplier relationships. This study articulates a research framework that defines countervailing and contextual events as the drivers of relationship power dynamics on structural and behavioural power dimensions. This framework is implemented in two illustrative, longitudinal case studies of technology-intensive buyer-supplier dyads in the medical sector. For this focal study, the illustrative case studies provide a basis for exemplifying the interconnection of behavioural and structural power and actors’ perceptions thereof for articulating a perceptions-based framework. The key ideas of this framework are exemplified by a set of propositions and research questions that comprise an agenda for further research. This study contributes by introducing a holistic approach to the study of power dynamics in business relationships. For practitioners, the study explicates elements and principles for managing power in business relationships.
Systematic Design of a 100-W 6.78-MHz Wireless Charging Station Covering Multiple Devices and a Large Charging Area

This article details the systematic design of a 100-W multiload wireless charging station. The station provides positional flexibility for the receivers, exhibits limited cross-channel disturbance, and has high efficiency. The positional flexibility is achieved using a transmitter coil design approach, which uses interleaved windings and controlled coil geometry to shape the magnetic field. The limited cross-channel disturbance is realized with an immittance network, which maintains a constant transmitter coil current. A holistic system-level modeling and design method is proposed to design the entire system for maximum efficiency. The first step is decoupling each stages using parameterized source and/or load of adjacent stages, and optimize internally for minimum loss, which leads to a reduced design space. The second step is system-wide optimization, which addresses power loss interdependence. A 100-W, 6.78-MHz experimental system with a 0.5 × 0.5 m$^2$ transmitter coil is demonstrated. The measured magnetic field variation on the charging surface is 15.9%. And the system shows no cross-channel disturbance when charging two 50-W receivers. The measured dc-to-dc efficiency is 92.8%.
Variable Resonance Frequency Selection for Fishbone-Shaped Microelectromechanical System Resonator Based on Multi-Physics Simulation

In this paper, we present and demonstrate the principle of variable resonance frequency selection by using a fishbone-shaped microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator. To analyze resonator displacement caused by an electrostatic force, a multi-physics simulation, which links the applied voltage load to the mechanical domain, is carried out. The simulation clearly shows that resonators are operated by three kinds of electrostatic force exerted on the beam. A new frequency selection algorithm that selects only one among various resonant modes is also presented. The conversion matrix that transforms the voltages applied to each driving electrode into the resonant beam displacement at each resonant mode is first derived by experimental measurements. Following this, the matrix is used to calculate a set of voltages for maximizing the rejection ratio in each resonant mode. This frequency selection method is applied in a fishbone-shaped MEMS resonator with five driving electrodes and the frequency selection among the 1st resonant mode to the 5th resonant mode is successfully demonstrated. From a fine adjustment of the voltage set, a 42 dB rejection ratio is obtained.
Maximizing Line-of-Sight Coverage for mmWave Wireless LANs With Multiple Access Points

In this paper, we investigate the optimal line-of-sight (LoS) coverage problem for multiple access point (multi-AP) mmWave wireless LANs in indoor scenarios. Due to the weak diffraction ability of mmWave signals at 60 GHz, maintaining LoS communications between APs and client devices is critical to achieve ultra-high data rates with mmWave communications. We focus on the use of multiple APs deployed to maximize LoS coverage in a target area, and we develop multi-AP placements that maximize LoS coverage by means of both analytical and algorithmic methods. We consider two main scenarios, which differ in their assumptions about knowledge of obstacles and clients. In a random-obstacle, random-client scenario, we derive the LoS-optimal positions of APs by solving a thinnest covering problem. For a fixed-obstacle, random-client scenario, we propose an efficient algorithm that produces a multi-AP placement, which is shown through simulation to provide near-optimal LoS coverage. Finally, through extensive ns-3 simulations based on the IEEE 802.11ad protocol and mmWave-specific channel models, we show that our multi-AP placements are significantly better than existing placement approaches, both in terms of LoS coverage and aggregate throughput.
A Survey of Technology for Hybrid Vehicle Auxiliary Power Units.

Abstract : The state-of-the-art of heat engines for use as auxiliary power units in hybrid vehicles is surveyed. The study considers reciprocating or rotary heat engines, excluding gas turbines and fuel cells. The relative merits of various engine-generator concepts are compared. The concepts are ranked according to criteria tailored for a series-type hybrid drive. The two top APU concepts were the free-piston engine/linear generator (FPELG) and the Wankel rotary' engine. The FPELG is highly ranked primarily because of thermal efficiency cost, producibility. reliability, and transient response advantages; it is a high risk concept because of unproven technology. The Wankel engine is proven. with high power density, low cost and low noise. Four additional competitive concepts include two-stroke spark-ignition engine. two-stroke gas generator with turboalternator, free-piston engine gas generator with turboalternator, and homogeneous charge compression ignition engine. This study recommends additional work, including cycle simulation development and preliminary design to better quantify thermal efficiency and power density. Auxiliary concepts were also considered, including two which warrant further study: electrically actuated valves, and lean turndown of a normally stoichiometric engine. These concepts should be evaluated by retrofitting to existing engines.
Using physical layer emulation to understand and improve wireless networks

Researchers and developers have long faced a fundamental tension between the experimental realism of wireless testbeds on one hand, and the control and repeatability of simulation on the other hand. This thesis introduces physical layer wireless net work emulation---a new approach to wireless network experimentation that balances the stark tradeoff of traditional alternatives by enabling both realistic and repeatable experimentation. The design and implementation of a functional wireless emulator are presented along with a discussion of how this implementation overcomes the challenges necessary to meet operational requirements. In particular, solutions to the problems of developing a hardware architecture for emulation, and software control of that architecture will be presented. To illustrate the power of physical layer wireless network emulation, case studies are presented. First, physical layer emulation is used to analyze several aspects of wireless LAN link-level behavior. Physical layer emulation is then used to investigate wireless LAN access point selection performance, and to develop improvements. This thesis shows that---compared to traditional approaches---physical layer wireless network emulation provides a better understanding of real-world wireless network performance, shortens the development cycle of wireless networking software, and facilitates the deployment of research into operational wireless networks without sacrificing a controlled experimental environment.
Topology Independent Fast Reroute using Segment Routing

This document presents Topology Independent Loop-free Alternate Fast Re-route (TI-LFA), aimed at providing protection of node and adjacency segments within the Segment Routing (SR) framework. This Fast Re-route (FRR) behavior builds on proven IP-FRR concepts being LFAs, remote LFAs (RLFA), and remote LFAs with directed forwarding (DLFA). It extends these concepts to provide guaranteed coverage in any IGP network. A key aspect of TI-LFA is the FRR path selection approach establishing protection over post-convergence paths from the point of local repair, dramatically reducing the operational need to control the tie-breaks among various FRR options.
Micromachined Groove Gap Waveguides for 100 GHz applications

The present paper demonstrates groove gap waveguides at around 100 GHz, fabricated on Gold-plated micromachined silicon. Three different groove gap waveguides have been manufactured and measured: a resonator for determining Q-factor and thereby attenuation, a straight waveguide, and a waveguide with two 90 degree bends.
Adaptation and Validation of the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) for Use in the Elementary School Setting

There is a lack of valid and reliable measures of determinants of sustainability specific to public health interventions in the elementary school setting. This study aimed to adapt and evaluate the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) for use in this setting. An expert reference group adapted the PSAT to ensure face validity. Elementary school teachers participating in a multi-component implementation intervention to increase their scheduling of physical activity completed the adapted PSAT. Structural validity was assessed via confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity was assessed using linear mixed regression evaluating the associations between scheduling of physical activity and adapted PSAT scores. Cronbach’s alpha was used to evaluate internal consistency and intracluster correlation coefficients for interrater reliability. Floor and ceiling effects were also evaluated. Following adaptation and psychometric evaluation, the final measure contained 26 items. Domain Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.77 to 0.92. Only one domain illustrated acceptable interrater reliability. Evidence for structural validity was mixed and was lacking for convergent validity. There were no floor and ceiling effects. Efforts to adapt and validate the PSAT for the elementary school setting were mixed. Future work to develop and improve measures specific to public health program sustainment that are relevant and psychometrically robust for elementary school settings are needed.
James Watt, Chemist: Understanding the Origins of the Steam Age

Prologue: The 'Great Steamer' - A Life Outlined Part I: Representations 1 Introduction: Of Statues, Kettles and Indicators - 'The Mechanical Watt' 2 The Demise of the 'Chemical Watt' in the Nineteenth Century 3 The 'Mechanical Watt': The Making of a 'Philosophical Engineer' Part II: Realities 4 Watt's Chemistry of Heat 5 The Steam Engine as Chemistry 6 The Indicator Understood, or Why Watt was not a Proto-thermodynamicist Conclusions
Online catalog of world-wide test sites for the post-launch characterization and calibration of optical sensors

In an era when the number of Earth-observing satellites is rapidly growing and measurements from these sensors are used to answer increasingly urgent global issues, it is imperative that scientists and decision-makers can rely on the accuracy of Earth-observing data products. The characterization and calibration of these sensors are vital to achieve an integrated Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) for coordinated and sustained observations of Earth. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), as a supporting member of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and GEOSS, is working with partners around the world to establish an online catalog of prime candidate test sites for the post-launch characterization and calibration of space-based optical imaging sensors. The online catalog provides easy public Web site access to this vital information for the global community. This paper describes the catalog, the test sites, and the methodologies to use the test sites. It also provides information regarding access to the online catalog and plans for further development of the catalog in cooperation with calibration specialists from agencies and organizations around the world. Through greater access to and understanding of these vital test sites and their use, the validity and utility of information gained from Earth remote sensing will continue to improve.
Antigen-Capturing Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Enhance the Radiation-Induced Abscopal Effect in Murine Hepatocellular Carcinoma Hepa1-6 Models

Immunomodulation by radiotherapy (RT) is an emerging strategy for improving cancer immunotherapy. Nanomaterials have been employed as innovative tools for cancer therapy. This study aimed to investigate whether mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) enhance RT-mediated local tumor control and the abscopal effect by stimulating anti-cancer immunity. Hepa1-6 murine hepatocellular carcinoma syngeneic models and immunophenotyping with flow cytometry were used to evaluate the immune responses. When mice harboring bilateral tumors received 8 Gy of X-rays on a single tumor, the direct injection of MSNs into irradiated tumors enhanced the growth inhibition of irradiated and unirradiated contralateral tumors. MSNs enhanced RT-induced tumor infiltration of cytotoxic T cells on both sides and suppressed RT-enhanced infiltration of regulatory T cells. The administration of MSNs pre-incubated with irradiated cell-conditioned medium enhanced the anti-tumor effect of anti-PD1 compared to the as-synthesized MSNs. Intracellular uptake of MSNs activated JAWS II dendritic cells (DCs), which were consistently observed in DCs in tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs). Our findings suggest that MSNs may capture tumor antigens released after RT, which is followed by DC maturation in TDLNs and infiltration of cytotoxic T cells in tumors, thereby leading to systemic tumor regression. Our results suggest that MSNs can be applied as an adjuvant for in situ cancer vaccines with RT.
Thrombotic diseases and conditions – diagnosis and monitoring of anticoagulant therapy

Laboratory methods are a very important part of the examination of patients with thrombotic diseases, often putting the final touches on the diagnosis, and in some cases even defining this diagnosis. The present review of thrombotic diseases and conditions, as well as the laboratory methods for their diagnosis, enables the differentiation of these conditions in the laboratory phase of the examination and the selection of the correct specific therapy, especially antithrombotic therapy.This review reflects the main nosological forms, causes of thrombotic diseases and conditions, as well as methods of their diagnosis using reagents and test systems of the leading domestic manufacturer of reagents for diagnostics of the hemostatic system SPD “Renam” ICPOD “Hemophilia Society”. The mechanisms of conditions and diseases such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary artery thromboembolism (PATE), hypercoagulability syndrome (HCS), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hereditary and acquired thrombophilia (deficiency of antithrombin III, proteins C and S, factor Va resistance to activated protein C, etc.) and complications of anticoagulant therapy (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HITC), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), complications of anticoagulant therapy (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), coumarin-induced necrosis, etc.) are reviewed. Laboratory criteria for thrombotic conditions are presented. The most commonly used anticoagulant drugs and their control methods are reviewed, including vitamin K antagonists (oral anticoagulants, OAC), unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparins (LMWH), fondaparinux, direct or new oral anticoagulants (DOACs or NOACs). Laboratory criteria for thrombotic conditions are presented. Methods for determining blood D-dimer are described in detail, as well as methods for measuring anti-Xa and anti-IIa heparin activity.This joint work of the leading employees of the Research and Production Department «Renam» of ICPOD «Hemophilia Society» and FSBI NMRC of Hematology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation reflects the need for scientific and practical cooperation of practitioners, laboratory doctors and manufacturers of reagents and test systems to develop the most sensitive, specific, accurate and convenient methods of disease diagnostics and control of therapy.
Feasible Study of Road-to-Vehicle Communication System Using LED Array and High-Speed Camera

This paper reports on a study of a parallel optical wireless communication systems using LED array transmitters and a high-speed camera as the receiver for road-to-vehicle communications in an intelligent transportation system (ITS). The authors had previously proposed a hierarchical coding scheme which allocates data to spatial frequency components depending on the priority; this scheme enables the reception of high priority data even if the receiver is far from the transmitter. They go on to describe the addition of real time information to the system, to support actual road-to-vehicle communications, and outline the results found from a driving field array using the LED array and a vehicle with a high speed camera. One of the problems encountered is difficulty synchronizing the timing to release the shutter with the lighting cycle of LEDs, i.e., the sampling of the data. They also report the bit error rate and confirm the reception of the data during driving.
Heat transfer in high temperature fluidized beds with immersed tubes for coal combustion service. Final report, October 1, 1977-March 31, 1981

The project involved two parts: analytical and experimental. The progression of work includes the following major divisions: analytical studies involving studies of heat transfer, hydrodynamics of gas flow within the bed, and some considerations of bubble and adjacent tube influences on the heat transfer; experimental apparatus including the instrumented tubes for heat transfer measurements, digital data acquisition, and the high temperature fluidized bed test facility; experimental results; and experimental validation of the analytical model.
Boehmite Nanofibers as a Dispersant for Nanotubes in an Aqueous Sol

By exploiting the dispersibility and rigidity of boehmite nanofibers (BNFs) with a high aspect ratio of 4 nm in diameter and several micrometers in length, multiwall-carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were successfully dispersed in aqueous solutions. In these sols, the MWCNTs were dispersed at a ratio of about 5–8% relative to BNFs. Self-standing BNF–nanotube films were also obtained by filtering these dispersions and showing their functionality. These films can be expected to be applied to sensing materials.
Prediction of Hydrodynamic Performance of Hydrofoil, Strut and Pod Configuration by a Surface Panel Method

The paper describes a surface panel method for analysing the hydrodynamic property of a hydrofoil, strut and pod configuration in uniform flow. The free surface effect if taken into account by the negative images of the bodies. A model experiment of a hydrofoil system was carries out and compared with the calculation using this method. The calculated pressure distribution and lift coefficient showed good agreement with the experimental data. It was found that the negative minimum pressure coefficient -Cpmin calculated by the panel method corresponded well with the cavitation inception index i.
Modeling and Extraction of Through-Silicon Vias

3D is entering the world of Integrated Circuits. While interconnects have always been three-dimensional, the actual silicon inside an IC was essentially still planar. The introduction of the Through-Silicon Via changes that, by allowing connections to be made from one side of a die through its silicon substrate to the other side of the die, so that multiple dies can be interconnected efficiently inside a single package. Like any revolutionary development, TSVs require changes in the tools that deal with them. Not all current Electronic Design Automation software is able to extract chip layouts containing TSVs to a correct circuit. In order to adapt extraction software, a methodology to extract TSVs is required. This methodology, in turn, requires a model. Several models that can be found in literature are compared and contrasted. The one that is selected is improved upon by making some minor corrections. The model is also simplified and the conditions for validity of this simplification are shown. The resulting model is then used to implement an extraction methodology, both with a model-based approach and with a formula-based approach. Simulating the different dies that make up a 3D IC together is demonstrated, giving the designer access to a complete toolchain necessary for designing 3D ICs and verifying their correctness.
Onset voltage hash and anode spots in quasi-steady magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters

An experimental investigation of the voltage noise (“hash”) and anode damage in a self-field, quasi-steady magnetoplasmadynamic thruster (MPDT) operating above onset is presented. “Onset” refers to an operating mode of the MPDT that occurs at high currents J and low mass flow rates ṁ, or equivalently at high J/ṁ, which is characterized by noisy, unrepeatable operation and which represents a performance ceiling for this particular plasma thruster. Careful measurements of the thruster voltage are made while operating the thruster over a range of J/ṁ values and with three anode materials—lead, copper, and graphite. It is observed that the voltage hash is a random process, without a characteristic time scale, whose statistics evolve with J/ṁ, without a significant dependence on the anode material. The statistics of the hash—particularly, the first four moments of the probability density—are Gaussian at low J/ṁ, and evolve away from Gaussian until J/ṁ ∼ 110 kA-s/g, after which they return to Gaussian. Using an anode spot model, the reversal of the statistics trends at this value of J/ṁ is interpreted as a result of the formation of many anode spots. It is suggested that many anode spots are formed due to a filamentation instability which causes the current to fragment into many channels, irrespective of the anode material. The damage caused by anode spots on the MPDT anode is investigated by analyzing the marks left behind on anodes subjected to operation at high J/ṁ. It is found that no characteristic size of damage marks exists, but that the sizes selforganize into a power-law distribution, such that the probability of spot damage of size d ∼ 1/d, where δ ≥ 1. The severity of the damage is observed to be primarily dependent on the anode thermal properties and not J/ṁ. Lead anodes, for example, show spot damage at all J/ṁ values, while graphite anodes show no significant damage at any J/ṁ. Two insights follow: one, that the current conduction to the MPDT anode is, to some extent, spotty at all current levels, though it is for
Diameter growth of individual hardwood trees

Between 1959 and 1967 a study of d.b. h. growth rates was made on individual hardwood trees near Parsons, W. Va. From this study, we obtained information that will help foresters to predict growth. We learned that the correlation of the more easily used crown classification with d.b. h. growth is as good as or better than the correlation of vigor classes with d.b. h. growth.