The goal of this study is to develop and test a conceptual framework of the impact of selected human factors on acquired firm lower level employees' perception toward acquisition success. The variables selected for inclusion in the framework have been identified from the following relevant literature in the (1) post acquisition integration area, (2) management area, and (3) strategy implementation area. The framework incorporates direct effects of employees' involvement in the integration process, extent of employees being informed about integration activities, and the amount of company support on employees' perceptions toward acquisition success. In addition, the level of integration has been included in the framework as a possible moderating variable. Based on two acquisitions , made by one firm in the U. S. banking industry, the study examines the above relationships with a number of statistical techniques. These techniques includes correlation analysis, t-test, and regression analysis. Two hundred and fifty four respondents completed the study employees' questionnaire. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study is to determine if further school consolidation in Navarro County is desirable.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

A field study was conducted in the fall of 1982 to investigate the effect of vehicle type, traffic moisture level, and their interactions on soil compaction. During the study two procedures commonly used for soil bulk density determination were also compared. Treatments at the following levels were applied: i) Soil moisture: Two levels ii) Vehicle type: wheel and track type iii) Traffic intensity: 0, 1, 3, and 9 passes. Each treatment combination was replicated three times and these were installed in random order on 48, 6 x 30 m test plots. Soil samples were taken at three locations from each test plot for the determination of moisture level. Core samples were taken in and outside the rut at three locations along each track for bulk density determination. Bulk density data using a double probe nuclear densitometer were taken at one location along the track. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that, of the factors considered in the study, number of vehicle passes and interactions between moisture level and vehicle type and number of passes and vehicle type had a significant effect on the compaction of the top soil layer. The two methods for measuring soil density were compared using the paired student's t-test and an equation was developed relating the density values obtained by nuclear and gravimetric procedures. Comparison of the data from the two methods indicated that the nuclear densitometer underestimated the core bulk density. / Master of Science

Soil compression is a topic of increasing importance in the evaluation of foundation sites for the heavy, rigid structures being founded upon them. The first analytical approach to compressive behavior in soil was presented by Terzaghi in the 1920's. Since that time, his consolidation theory has formed the general basis for prediction of soil compressibility under load. Compressive behavior not explained by Terzaghi’s assertions is known to occur in soils. These aberrations may be broadly classified into three categories: (1.) Initial or Elastic Deformation, (2.) Secondary time effects, and (3.) Compression rate discontinuities not attributable to the exuding of water from the soil skeleton. This study attempts to explain such anomalistic behavior in terms of electrochemical characteristics of the clay-water system observed subsequent to acceptance of the consolidation theory. The proposed mechanistic model of soil compression amends to Terzaghi’s considerations the internal energy consumed in the generation and degeneration of electrochemical bond. Such bond is the result of the electrochemical charges on clay mineral particles coupled with the strong polarity of water molecules. Under the influence of these electrochemical forces, each water molecule has a unique position and orientation commensurate with the condition of minimum potential energy. For relative movement to occur among clay particles or within the molecular water structure, electrochemical forces must be overcome at the expense of the clay-water system's internal energy, thereby creating an intergranular bond of structural water. The bond process model considers soil compression to be an aggregate response of bond creep, bond rupture, and bond formation, which may or may not be joined by consolidation as a controlling factor. The model illustrates initial compression and compression rate discontinuities as bond creep/bond rupture manifestations and secondary compression as the outgrowth of bond formation. Implications are also made which attribute compression time-lag as much to the rheologic properties of the soil skeleton as to resistance to water flow as asserted by Terzaghi. The findings of an experimental program are presented to substantiate the proposed model. Included in the findings are the results of three individual studies. The first study involves the visual inspection of compression curves from a representative group of undisturbed samples from throughout the United States. In keeping with the implications of the bond model, stress history appears to be a primary factor in control of soil compression and in the motivation of anomalous compressive behavior. Secondly, the influence of temperature upon compression characteristics was studied in detail. The findings illustrate the effect of temperature action on the colloid system which in turn affects bonding energies. Temperature influence is considered to be representative of the effect of various parameters on the distribution of net electrochemical potential in the colloid system. The final study entails determining the action of soil plasticity on soil time response. Comparison of compression curves from soils of similar characteristics, with the exception of plasticity, suggests that plasticity is coupled with permeability in controlling compression rate. / Ph. D.

Free-fall penetrometers (FFPs) are an attractive tool for the rapid characterization of sediments in the nearshore and coastal areas. To improve their measurement capabilities, modern FFPs can be equipped with pore pressure sensors. Pore pressure measurements are extensively used in traditional cone penetration testing, but their usage and interpretation is still limited for FFP testing. This thesis represents an effort to advance the interpretation of pore pressure measurements from FFP testing. Data was collected using the torpedo-shaped FFP BlueDrop during surveys at Herschel Island, YT, Yakutat, AK, Clay Bank, VA, and Yorktown, VA. Additionally, test deployments in the laboratory were performed in kaolin clay. Data analysis was focused on pore pressure measurements during these deployments. Two major advancements regarding current data analysis of FFP pore pressure measurements were explored: 1) a method based on fluid dynamic principles was proposed to correct the pressure recordings for the dynamic flow effects due to the high-velocity fall and impact. The results show that using Bernoulli’s theorem coupled with the concept of pressure coefficients results in good agreement between measured and hydrostatic pressures during the free-fall and initial penetration stage. 2) Pore pressure dissipation curves measured by the penetrometer at rest at maximum penetration depth were also studied. The mechanisms behind the non-standard dissipation curves were explored. The results suggest that non-standard dissipation curves can be interpreted by correcting according to Sully et al.’s (1999) extrapolation technique. The technique can also be used with data from an unsaturated or clogged filter. / Master of Science / An increasing use of nearshore and offshore areas for the development of infrastructure such as pipelines, cables, renewable energy harvesting devices, and measures against coastal erosion warrants the development of specialized methods for investigating the stability of the seabed. Portable free-fall penetrometers represent a cost-efficient approach to characterize shallow seabed sediments, but there are challenges associated with deriving geotechnical design parameters from these novel instruments. This study aims at developing a better understanding of the pore pressure (the pressure developed in the water in the soil’s voids) data obtained during free-fall penetration testing. The pore pressures developed during the penetration of the penetrometer is dependent on the soil type, and is often used to correlate to it. This study used data obtained from field surveys at Herschel Island, YT, Clay Bank, VA, Yakutat, AK, and Yorktown, VA. Additionally, controlled tests were performed in the laboratory in an instrumented seabed. This study resulted in a novel method to correct the pressure data from the penetrometer for dynamic fluid flow effects and validation of an interpretation technique for dissipation curves to obtain the time required for consolidation, based on initial results.

Free-fall penetrometers (FFP) are useful instruments for the rapid characterization of seabed sediments. However, the interpretation of FFP data remains largely a skilled task. In order to increase the reliability of results obtained using these instruments, in both expert and non-expert hands, it is advantageous to establish well defined and repeatable procedures for instrument use and data interpretation. The purpose of this research was therefore to develop and refine methods for the interpretation of FFP data. Data were gathered with the FFP Nimrod during two surveys following dredging in Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia. The challenge of interpreting the data from these two surveys in an efficient and consistent manner was the basis of this work and led to the development of new techniques for improving resolution of the mud-line, identifying areas of erosion and deposition, and qualitatively evaluating the consolidation state of cohesive marine sediments. The method developed for improving the resolution of the mud-line simply describes a procedure of combining the data from different accelerometers with different accuracies and ranges to more clearly define the point of impact with the sea-floor. The method developed to evaluate in-situ sediment consolidation state combines theories of self-weight consolidation and ultimate bearing capacity to predict a range of potential bearing capacities for normally consolidated cohesive sediments. Finally, by combining the previous two methods a third method is proposed for locating areas of potential erosion and deposition. / Master of Science / Human interaction with the marine environment takes many forms. For example, in the case of marine/civil engineering projects these interaction may include: erecting off-shore wind turbines, installing oil rigs, and building break waters. All of these activities involve installing structures with foundations on or attached to the seafloor. In order for these structures to be effective and for there foundation to not fail a knowledge of the physical conditions <i>at</i> the seafloor is required. Physical characterization of the seafloor involves describing three interdependent processes: hydrodynamics (the movement of water), morphodynamics (the dynamic processes which shape the seafloor), and sediment dynamics (the movement of sediments). Together, these three form a complex and interacting feedback loop in which a change in one will affect the states of the others and eventually itself. For example, energetic hydrodynamic conditions may erode sediment from the seabed. As this sediment is transported and deposited elsewhere by the flow of water, the initial features which make up the seafloor, such as dunes, ripples, and sand-waves, are reshaped. These forms may grow or shrink, migrate, or be wiped out and replaced entirely. The changed shape of the seabed will then in turn influence the flow of passing waves, tides, and currents. The newly changed flow patterns then restarting the cycle anew. Understanding the interactions of these processes is vital to designing effective engineering works in the marine environment. Free-fall penetrometers (FFP) are useful instruments for the rapid characterization of seabed sediments and can therefore provide information about the sediment dynamics at the seafloor’s surface. However, the interpretation of FFP data remains largely a skilled task. In order to increase the reliability of results obtained using these instruments, in both expert and non-expert hands, it is advantageous to establish well defined and repeatable procedures for instrument use and data interpretation. The purpose of this research was therefore to develop and refine methods for the interpretation of FFP data. During two surveys in Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia, data were gathered from the seafloor’s surface with the FFP <i>Nimrod</i>. The challenge of interpreting this data in an efficient and consistent manner was the basis of this work and resulted in the development of new methods and techniques for data interpretation and analysis. These methods will allow for the improved characterization of sediment processes and properties at the uppermost seafloor, contributing to a better understanding of the seafloor environment as a whole and improving engineering designs.

The objective of this thesis was to further develop the polymer composite system consisting of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) and high modulus, continuous, regenerated cellulose fiber (lyocell). Of particular concern were both the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and matrix and the consolidation process in the manufacture of these composite materials. Interfacial adhesion was found to be substantial due to the relative lack of the fiber pull-out phenomenon observed after tensile failure in the unmodified fiber composites. This result was then supported in the second study in which similar unmodified fiber composites experienced very little fiber pull out with evidence of a large amount of cohesive failure of the matrix accompanied by matrix particles adhering to the fiber surfaces. Void volume formation was mitigated to a small extent by the use of optimal consolidation conditions. Composites formed at moderate temperature (200 °C), low consolidation pressure (11.8 p.s.i.) and high consolidation time (13 min.) were found to have the lowest void volume formation of ca. 2.8 %. These composites were generally found to have the highest interfacial shear strength, ca. 16 MPa. A tensile modulus of 22 GPa and an ultimate strength of 246 MPa was obtained for this composite having a fiber volume content of ca. 62 %. / Master of Science

Yes / Seabed consolidation state is one of important factors for evaluating the foundation stability of the marine structures. Most previous studies focused on the seabed consolidation around breakwaters standing on the seabed surface. In this study, a numerical model, based on Biot’s poro-elasticity theory, is developed to investigate the unsaturated seabed consolidation around a nearshore pile foundation, in which the pile inserted depth leads to a different stress distribution. Seabed instabilities of shear failure by the pile self-weight and the potential liquefaction under the dynamic wave loading are also examined. Results indicate that (1) the presence of the inserted pile foundation increases the effective stresses below the foundation, while increases and decreases the effective stresses around the pile foundation for small (de/R<=3.3) and large (de/R>3.3) inserted depths, respectively, after seabed consolidation, (2) the aforementioned effects are relatively more significant for small inserted depth, large external loading, and small Young’s modulus, (3) the shear failure mainly occurs around the inserted pile foundation, rather than below the foundation as previously found for the located marine structures, and (4) wave-induced momentary liquefaction near the inserted pile foundation significantly increases with the increase of inserted depth, due to the change of seabed consolidation state. / National Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars (51425901), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51209082, 51209083), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20161509), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2015B15514), Jiangsu Graduate Research and Innovation Plan Grant (#CXLX11_0450) and the 111 project (B12032).

Yes / Next-generation cellular systems like fth generation (5G) is are expected to experience tremendous tra c growth. To accommodate such tra c demand, there is a need to increase the network capacity that eventually requires the deployment of more base stations (BSs). Nevertheless, BSs are very expensive and consume a lot of energy. With growing complexity of signal processing, baseband units are now consuming a signi cant amount of energy. As a result, cloud radio access networks (C-RAN) have been proposed as anenergy e cient (EE) architecture that leverages cloud computing technology where baseband processing is performed in the cloud. This paper proposes an energy reduction technique based on baseband workload consolidation using virtualized general purpose processors (GPPs) in the cloud. The rationale for the cloud based workload consolidation technique model is to switch o idle baseband units (BBUs) to reduce the overall network energy consumption. The power consumption model for C-RAN is also formulated with considering radio side, fronthaul and BS cloud power consumption. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves an enhanced energy performance compared to the existing distributed long term evolution (LTE) RAN system. The proposed scheme saves up to 80% of energy during low tra c periods and 12% during peak tra c periods compared to baseline LTE system. Moreover, the proposed scheme saves 38% of energy compared to the baseline system on a daily average.