Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Information-Based View on Business Network Performance: Revealing the Performance of Interorganizational Networks

In the last thirty years, global developments including advancements in ICT and process and product modularization have made the network form of organization more widespread than ever before. In many industries large vertically integrated organizations have been supplanted by flexible networks of independent organizations. In other industries and sectors, individual organizations continue to operate through the traditional organizational form of a business network. The proliferation of business networks presses the need to move theoretical development on processes and outcomes forward, beyond actor and dyadic level to the whole network level of analysis. Network performance studies however, have been scattered both across time and across management disciplines, and offer diverse concepts, measures and drivers, which slows down the theoretical build up. A related problem is that the conceptual issue of what constitutes performance on network level, has been left unaddressed. The main purpose of this dissertation is therefore to conceptualize and explain the performance of interorganizational networks. This is done by executing three studies: conceptualization research laboratory experiments and a field case study. Step by step an integrated framework is built in this dissertation that represents the information-based view on network performance and its theoretical mechanisms. This dissertation pushes the boundaries of knowledge on network performance, increases the understanding and ability of practitioners to manage their networks and sets the agenda for future network performance research.
Characterization of Horizontal Impulse Accelerator Pin Profiles

Abstract : Tests were run on the AFRL/HEPA Horizontal Impulse Accelerator (HIA) to document the dynamic response of 31 available metering pins. These interchangeable pins regulate the flow of gas through the HIA and produce an acceleration pulse unique to each pin. The standard 40G seat was used with a VIP-95 manikin test subject. Data collected were Sled X, Y, and Z accelerations, impact rise time, impact duration, velocity change, and onset rate. HIA operating parameters were also documented for each pin.
The development of commercially viable brushless doubly-fed machines

approved: Rene Spee Basic operation, as well as successful development, of the Brush less Doubly-fed Machine (BDFM) has been documented, and research has turned from proof of concept and early development to the more practical direction of increased manufacturability to prove industrial viability. Previous research centered on using standard induction motor stators along with a manufactured BDFM rotor. The more recent efforts center around a ground up design of an optimized BDFM prototype system including a custom converter, a custom die-cast rotor, and a custom stator, all designed specifically for a BDFM system. This paper presents the design process involved in the development of the rotor and stator of a pre-production optimized 5 hp BDFM with a die-cast rotor, from the initial evaluation of the desired specifications to design, simulation, construction, and finally to testing. Using the results of the 5 hp BDFM design, a 15 hp BDFM was designed and manufactured, and the results of that effort are included in this paper as well. This complete process, from design to testing, enables a closed loop analysis of the design techniques and tools used; the successes of the design can be affirmed and the shortcomings identified and corrected. While the primary goal of this paper is to produce two successful BDFM prototypes, the secondary goal is to improve the BDFM design process. Redacted for Privacy
Manipulating soft materials to direct cell growth in multiple dimensions

Creating in vitro microenvironments for the study of important biological processes, examples of which include chemotaxis, haptotaxis, axonal guidance and angiogenesis, has been a relevant research focus for many years. Microfabrication techniques involving soft lithography, microfluidic devices and direct-write assembly can be used to create such microenvironments. Soft lithography techniques, which typically include microcontact printing and decal transfer, rely on elastomeric molds, stamps or flexible photomasks to create patterns on or transfer patterns to, an underlying surface; these molds or stamps themselves have also been used for study. In microfluidic devices, small fluid volumes are transported through microchannels via gravity or pressure-driven methods. Biological studies are either conducted within the gradients maintained by laminar flow through the microchannels, or on the residually patterned underlying rigid surface, created via physi-adsorption or through chemical interactions with the surface. Both soft lithography and residual substrate microfluidic patterning approaches yield planar patterned substrates. In contrast, fluidic gradients maintained in microchannels are three-dimensional in nature, but are only used for specific applications—e.g. the study of non adherent cell types such as white blood cells. Recent studies, however, have shown that different cell types present important biological differences, in their differentiation, proliferation rates, migration and cell signaling, in twoversus three-dimensional culture systems. Thus, there has been increased interest in the development of three-dimensional fabrication techniques to create microenvironments that can better mimic those found in vivo. Direct-write assembly is an example of a three-dimensional fabrication method that enables the creation of micro-periodic structures with well defined features and an
Development of small natural draft dry cooling towers for geothermal power plants

Current design methods for natural draft dry cooling tower (NDDCT) do not include the crosswind effect which is unfavorable to the performance of cooling towers. This effect of the crosswind will be even more unfavorable to the performance of small cooling towers since the percentage of the disturbed free air flow is considerably higher than for large NDDCT. Therefore, the validity of the current design methods is questionable for small NDDCT design. Analytical and numerical modeling has been carried to investigate the performance of small NDDCT under different crosswind conditions. The smallest sizes of natural draft cooling towers were derived based on current design methods. The effect of various crosswinds on the performance of small tower is demonstrated with a 3D CFD simulation. Preliminary results showed that the velocity and temperature distributions in the tower have been significantly influenced by the crosswinds.
GAS-GYPSUM MATERIALS PROPERTIES MODIFIED BY PLASTICIZING AGENTS

The paper deals with porous gypsum building materials having heat-insulating properties and applied in low-rise building construction, in the manufacture of flat and room dividers.Anhydrite of the Siberian Chemical Combine together with sodium carbonate is used as a gas-forming component. To regulate the plasticity of the mortar mixture, the Steinberg MP-4 and Steinberg PR-1S(A) superplasticizers are introduced into the composition, and their effect on the porous gypsum mixture properties is studied.The analysis of the superplasticizer influence on the properties shows that the use of the Steinberg MP-4 with the amount of 2 wt. % of gypsum is optimum to achieve high strength of up to 27 MPa, while providing high mobility of the porous mixture. The main role of superplasticizers in a gypsum water-soluble composition is to increase the ξ-potential of the material and to reduce the water-gypsum ratio of the mixture while maintaining its mobility. The effect of superplasticizers largely depends on the initial modification of the binder, its dispersibility and mobility.
Strain response and performance of subgrades and flexible pavements under various loading conditions

Specific fundamental loading parameters (load magnitude and number of repetitions, tire inflation pressure, and basic tire type) that influence the behavior of thin-surfaced granular pavements were examined. The pavement response and performance measurements included continuous surface deflection basins, longitudinal and transverse profiles, and vertical strains in the granular layers and subgrade. The first pavement trial considered only the elastic response of a thin-surfaced, unbound granular pavement over a weak subgrade, to varying wheel loads, tire inflation pressures, and two basic tire types (bias and radial ply). The axle load had the greatest effect on pavement response and the tire type had no apparent effect, but increases in the tire pressure resulted in slight decreases in the magnitude of the vertical compressive strain in the subgrade and unbound granular cover. Two subsequent pavements were tested to study the relationship between elastic response at different cumulative loadings and the structural capacity of each pavement. The magnitudes of the resilient strains measured are substantially greater than the levels predicted by the models on which current flexible pavement design procedures are based for the same number of loading repetitions to failure. Subgrade strain models for thin-surfaced unbound granular pavements are evaluated. The pavement construction, loading routine, analysis, and results are discussed.
Preliminary Design of a RF System for the 100 MeV Cyclotron

This paper describes the recent status of a RF System for the 100 MeV Cyclotron including the structure and numerical calculation results of cavities, RF power generator, frequency, phase and Dee voltage stabilization control loops, etc. The 100 MeV Cyclotron as a compact machine requires all RF cavities locate in the magnet valleys. The fixed RF frequency feature needs a finetuning system to keep cavity resonance circuit to operate at satisfied conditions. The main specifications of RF system and possible problems to be encountered are also given.
Investigations into a multiplexed fibre interferometer for on-line, nanoscale, surface metrology

Current trends in technology are leading to a need for ever smaller and more complex featured surfaces. The techniques for manufacturing these surfaces are varied but are tied together by one limitation; the lack of useable, on-line metrology instrumentation. Current metrology methods require the removal of a workpiece for characterisation which leads to machining down-time, more intensive labour and generally presents a bottle neck for throughput. In order to establish a new method for on-line metrology at the nanoscale investigation are made into the use of optical fibre interferometry to realise a compact probe that is robust to environmental disturbance. Wavelength tuning is combined with a dispersive element to provide a moveable optical stylus that sweeps the surface. The phase variation caused by the surface topography is then analysed using phase shifting interferometry. A second interferometer is wavelength multiplexed into the optical circuit in order to track the inherent instability of the optical fibre. This is then countered using a closed loop control to servo the path lengths mechanically which additionally counters external vibration on the measurand. The overall stability is found to be limited by polarisation state evolution however. A second method is then investigated and a rapid phase shifting technique is employed in conjunction with an electro-optic phase modulator to overcome the polarisation state evolution. Closed loop servo control is realised with no mechanical movement and a step height artefact is measured. The measurement result shows good correlation with a measurement taken with a commercial white light interferometer.
Procedures manual for the ORNL Radiological Survey Activities (RASA) Program

The portion of the radiological survey program performed by ORNL is the subject of this Procedures Manual. The RASA group of the Health and Safety Research Division (HASRD) at ORNL is responsible for the planning, conducting, and reporting of the results of radiological surveys at specified sites and associated vicinity properties. The results of these surveys are used by DOE in determining the need for and extent of remedial actions. Upon completion of the necessary remedial actions, the ORNL-RASA group or other OOS contractor may be called upon to verify the effectiveness of the remedial action. Information from these postremedial action surveys is included as part of the data base used by DOE in certifying a site for unrestricted use.
Improving Web Service Recommendation using Clustering with K-NN and SVD Algorithms

In the advent of the twenty-first century, human beings began to closely interact with technology. Today, technology is developing, and as a result, the world wide web (www) has a very important place on the Internet and the significant task is fulfilled by Web services. A lot of Web services are available on the Internet and, therefore, it is difficult to find matching Web services among the available Web services. The recommendation systems can help in fixing this problem. In this paper, our observation was based on the recommended method such as the collaborative filtering (CF) technique which faces some failure from the data sparsity and the cold-start problems. To overcome these problems, we first applied an ontology-based clustering and then the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm for each separate cluster group that effectively increased the data density using the past user interests. Then, user ratings were predicted based on the model-based approach, such as singular value decomposition (SVD) and the predictions used for the recommendation. The evaluation results showed that our proposed approach has a less prediction error rate with high accuracy after analyzing the existing recommendation methods.
Integrated Learning Nets: Applications to Business Education

Distance learning has come a long way since Sir Isaac Pitman initiated the first corre- spondence course in the early 1840's. Today the number of working adults who are returning to the classroom is growing rapidly as a result of changing market conditions and technological develop- ments. These dynamics call for new and innovative systems for providing instructional content to the business community. To meet these challenges the traditional classroom approach to business instruction is giving away to a more holistic learning paradigm where both the pedagogical and andragogical focus is on knowledge acquisition and management. The one-size fits all educational approach of the past is being replaced by customized learning systems. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a web-based learning system for delivering management education. This learning net replaces the three pillars of traditional instruction - fixed time, fixed location and fixed learning pace - with a more flexible and customized approach for meeting the demands of working adults enrolled in a business degree program.
Predicting the Public Adoption of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) are gaining increasing importance due to the current needs of modern society for better mobility and societal impact. CAV development and adoption will be driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 5G/6G technologies which will offer increased speed, reduced latency and ubiquity. However, the public is concerned with the concept of handing total control of driving to vehicles. These concerns will inhibit the adoption of CAVs when they become available to the public. In this paper, we investigated user adoption of CAVs by collecting quantitative data from potential users based on their preference and inherent concerns towards adoption. We conducted a statistical analysis and applied machine learning techniques to predict the user adoption for CAVs. Our results show that several machine learning approaches were effective in forecasting user adoption for CAVs. We have employed Neural Networks, Random Forest, Naïve Bayes and Fuzzy Logic based models and achieved accuracies of 81.76%, 83.63%, 82.15% and 86.38, respectively, in forecasting the public adoption of CAV.
Inlet recirculation in automotive turbocharger centrifugal compressors

As the designers of modern automotive turbochargers strive to increase map width and lower the mass flow rate at which compressor surge occurs, the recirculating flows at the impeller inlet are becoming a much more relevant aerodynamic feature. Compressors with relatively large map widths tend to have very large recirculating regions at the inlet when operating close to surge; these regions greatly affect the expected performance of the compressor.
Space-Capable Long and Thin Continuum Robotic Cable

Design of continuum robots, i.e. robots with continuous backbones, has been an active area of research in robotics for minimally invasive surgery, search and rescue, object manipulation, etc. Along the same lines, NASA developed “Tendril”, the first long and thin continuum robot of its kind, intended for in-space inspection applications. The thesis starts with describing and discussing the key disadvantages of the current state of the art mechanical design of “Tendril” producing undesirable effects during operation. It then includes the design specifics of a novel concept for construction of a next generation long and thin, space-cable, multi-section, continuum cable-like robot, with a modified mechanical design for better performance. The new design possesses key features including controllable bending along its entire length, local compression and a compact actuation package. This new design is detailed in two versions. The first is a planar variant (suited for a 2D workspace), explaining the principle which allows the cable robot to achieve the above mentioned features. It is followed by a refined spatial version (suited for 3D workspace), where the functional characteristics are achieved within the desired aspect ratio of thin (less than 1 cm diameter) and relatively longer length (more than 100 cm) of the robotic cable. A new forward kinematic model is then developed extending the established models for constant-curvature continuum robots, to account for the new design feature of controllable compression (in the hardware) and is validated by performing experiments with the robot in (2D) planar and (3D) spatial scenarios. This new model is found to be effective as a baseline to predict the performance of such a long and thin continuum “cable” robot.
Transitions in the global container system

The current great recession results in a break in the pattern of nearly five decades of continued growth in global container operations. The container system is one of the great enabling technologies behind the global economy. At the same time, the system has a number of serious drawbacks like large negative externalities, the empty box problem and logistics limitations. In the paper we search for promising transitions in current practices in the global container system, discuss the probability of these transitions and define the effects of the possible transitions to levels of sustainability of the global container system. Transitions are discussed related to themes like: growth patterns in the global container system, economies of scale, hub and spoke operations, empty containers, modal split in hinterland operations, merchant and carrier haulage, terminal organization and patterns of innovation in the container system. The paper concludes with a vision on the probability of a transition in the global container system and an estimation of the effects.
Forecasting sovereign CDS returns via deep learning

LIMA, P. A. S. B. Forecasting Sovereign CDS returns via Deep Learning. Dissertation (Master Degree) School of Economics, Business and Accounting at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 2021. This paper is an empirical exercise of forecasting for a class of credit derivatives known as sovereign credit default swaps. Utilizing non-linear and non-parametric machine learning techniques termed Deep Learning, this study was made utilizing daily emerging country data and a set of financial and macroeconomic indicators as features. The non-linear nature of the financial derivative studied here suggests that this novel technique can better capture data behavior compared to a baseline random walk model. A Grid Search Cross-validation is conducted to estimate the hyperparameters of the model. To evaluate the predictive out of sample forecasting is utilized deterministic and statistical metrics concluding that there is a predictive gain utilizing this technique. Key-words: 1. Deep Learning. 2. Sovereign Credit Default Swap. 3. Time Series Forecasting 4.Recurrent Neural Networks.
Test Cases for Inviscid Flow Field Methods.

Abstract : The escalating costs and the continuing limitations of wind tunnel testing together with the growing imperative to achieve the optimal design have rapidly increased the importance of computational fluid dynamics in the design of military aircraft. At relevant Reynolds numbers, inviscid flow methods continue to play an essential role in this design process. This document specifies relevant reference test cases to serve as validation bases fo those developing new methods with improved accuracy and cost-effectiveness. These cases further serve as check cases for those learning to use existing production codes.
PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN EMPLOYMENT CENTERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND LAND USE

Measures designed to discourage automobile use and encourage use of alternative modes need to be carefully evaluated to avoid unintended consequences. The impact of a particular set of protransit parking policies on mode and destination choice was examined. A travel demand model with an integrated spatial allocation land use module was used to expand the analysis beyond the narrow question of how mode choice changes within the zones that are subject to the transit-friendly parking policies. Parking supply and/or travel costs to zones with parking restrictions can be adjusted in the model to reflect the restrictions. Discouragement of car travel to some locations influences not only mode choice but can, over time, lead to changes in destination choice and land use patterns that can be detrimental to public transportation. The extent to which such land use changes will take place will depend, in large part, on the nature and implementation of existing land use policy. The desired reduction in automobile traffic is possible only if appropriate parking and business location policies are coordinated and enforced. A stringent parking policy without consideration of long-term impacts on land use development is likely to have little impact on networkwide automobile use but may cause a substantial decline in public transportation ridership.