Following by the signing of ECFA recently, the industrial environment is changed rapidly forcing many small and medium enterprises to face various kinds of internal and external challenges. They encounter the obstacles to advance their technical and producing system which is their weakness as well. In the earlier year, these enterprises was founded basing on the trusting relationship between the owner and the employees, and the working regulations, salary, and bounces were created according to their cooperating consensus. However, when their original mode of production could not catch up in time along with the growth of capacity, advance of the industry and expansion of market, the relationship has started to change. Hence, they tried to change the original structure by looking for transforming or through the organizational improvement in response to the upcoming crisis and challenges. Among these changes, the establishment and import of systematization has become the major pattern in present. This research is focused on a traditional machinery factory which produces non-standard products internationally hoping to create new experience inspired by the success in the past including introducing the new management mode and new strategy from the stage of contract signing, design to post service making the company on the invincible position. During the process of transforming, many relationship-oriented enterprises including the one discussed in this research are facing several different factors among clients vs. company, agency vs. company, company vs. suppliers, and company vs. employees and what influence will be caused due to the establishment of the new system is the main discussion in this research. Furthermore, whether the customized production is suitable for the new system? What kind of obsolete will the company encounter? Will there be any problem caused? Also, the research will discuss how to locate the most suitable method within all kinds of possible limiting factors through hard facts, dangerous half-truths & total nonsense and convert these knowhow into power to decrease all the impacts brought by the changes.

Differences between indoor non-contact vital sign sensor and general sensors are ¡§indoor¡¨ and ¡§vital sign¡¨. In indoor environment, receiving signals encounter multipath problem caused by the reflection of walls and furniture. Two main vital signs that we are concerned with are heartbeat and respiration; both of them are weaker than general signals used in communication. To overcome problems caused by multipath and weak signal strength, in this thesis, we design a narrow beamwidth antenna operating at 2.45 GHz for indoor non-contact vital sign sensor. We propose a ground surrounded antenna (GSA) which differs from traditional slot and patch antenna. The proposed GSA excites slot mode and patch mode at the same time, so that we can achieve dual-bands or wide band by adjusting its physical parameters. Meanwhile, the reflected wave bounced back from the surrounding ground plane can cause constructive interference so that the antenna possesses better gain and beamwidth. Using GSA as the unit antenna of antenna array to achieve narrow beamwidth design, and adding the concept of superstrate can enhance antenna gain and reduce backlobe radiation. The minimum beamwidth at two orthogonal planes are 26 and 52 degrees respectively, and the antenna gain achieves 12.2 dBi. To reduce the interference between receiving and transmitting signals in single antenna, we use two separate antennas. Finally, we discuss and improve isolation problem between two antennas.

RHex is an autonomous hexapedal robot capable of locomotion on rough terrain. Up to now, most modelling and simulation efforts on RHex were based on the linear leg assumption. These models disregarded what might be seen as the most characteristic feature of the latest iterations of this robot: the half circular legs. This thesis focuses on developing a more realistic model for this specially shaped compliant leg and studying its effects on the kinematics and dynamics of the resulting platform. One important consequence of the half circular compliant leg is the resulting rolling motion. Due to rolling, the rest length of the leg changes and the leg-ground contact point moves. Another consequence is the varying stiffness of the legs due to the changing rest length. These effect the resulting behaviour of any platform using these legs. In the first part of the thesis we are studying the effects of the half circular leg morphology on the kinematics of RHex using a simple planar model. The rest of the studies within the scope of this thesis focuses on the effect of the half circular compliant legs on the dynamics of a single legged hopping platform with a point mass. The formulation derived in this work is successfully integrated in a readily working but rather simple model of a single legged hopping system. We replace the equations of the straight leg in this model by the equations of the half circular compliant leg. Realistic results are obtained in the simulations and these results are compared to those obtained by the simpler constant stiffness straight leg model. This more realistic leg model brings us the opportunity to further study the effects of this leg morphology, in particular the positive effects of the resulting rolling motion on platform stability.

This research combines relational database framework and quantitative equity portfolio models based on the Barra Risk Model Handbook standard steps to design a database and computer platform for multi-factor risk management tasks. The multi-factor model facilitates fast search and efficient selection of descriptors with explanatory power for future stock returns. The design of database is divided into three steps. First, descriptors are calculated and daily-update modules constructed. This study finds 48 key descriptors which play important roles in explaining stock returns of Taiwan. Second, entity relational model is applied to sort out linkages between pieces of important information in the factor model. Lastly, database auto-run procedures are setup to update the latest raw data on a monthly basis. Model parameter update and portfolio rebalancing is hence made seamless to meet practical operation demand for such a platform. The development of the Multi-factor risk model is divided into five main steps. (1) Finding significant descriptors. (2) Forming common factors from descriptors. (3) Developing a multi-factor return model. (4) Developing a multi-factor risk model. (5) Running performance analysis and back-testing. The empirical results show that the average adjusted R-squared of the MFM model is 0.5 during the period of 1998/04~2005/11. For combining descriptors into common factors, we run factor analysis. The multi-collinearity problem existing in the descriptors is well taken care of by such procedures. We use the exponentially weighted averaging method to compute the factor returns and forecast stock ranking. A half-life of 24 months appears to deliver the best performance in Taiwan stock market.

<p>Denna uppsats undersöker hur förhållandet mellan karaktären, interagerbarheten ochpresentationen påverkar möjligheterna för hur spelaren uppfattar berättelsen i spelenHalf-Life 2(Valve Corperation, 2004), Fallout 3 (Bethesda Game Studio, 2008) ochFahrenheit (Quantic Dream, 2005). Metoden för analyserna är baserat på Aarseths (2007)teorier och går ut på att jag själv spelat spelen och sedan analyserat dessa utifrån minaegna spelupplevelser. Analyserna tar även upp teorier och begrepp från andra forskare, såsom Marie-Laure Ryan, Andrew Rollings och Ernest Adams, Lee Sheldon och UlfWilhelmsson.Metoden för analyserna lyckas plocka fram flera unika berättartekniker och förhållandenfrån spelen. Bland annat den dolda storyn i Half-life 2, den ytterst interagerbara välden iFallout 3 samt de flera olika huvudkaraktärerna i Fahrenheit, och hur dessa påverkarspelarens uppfattning av berättelsen. Förhållandena är dock inte generella, utan unika förvarje spel, vilket medför att resultaten också är det, och kan därför inte ses som reglerutan mer som riktlinjer för hur en berättarteknik kan se ut.</p>

A solution to reduce exhaust emissions from heavy commercial vehicles are to haul the vehicles completely or partially electric. This means that the vehicle must contain a significant electric energy source. The large capacity of the energy source causes the vehicle to either sacrifice a large part of its up time to charge the source or apply a higher charge power at the cost of power losses and lifetime of the energy source. This thesis contains a pre-study of high-power DC-charge of hybrid batteries from existing infrastructure suited to electric hybrid cars. Following parts are included in the thesis: modeling of a battery pack and a DC-DC converter, formulation of a MPC controller for the battery pack, analysis of charging strategies and battery restrictions through simulations. The thesis results shows that a longer charging time increases the energy efficiency and reduces the degradation in the battery. It also shows that a charging strategy similar to constant-current-constant-voltage charging should be used for a full charge of an empty battery.

The concept of the Victorian antitheatrical prejudice is both well-established and well-respected. This paper, however, examining the Victorian theatrical novel and the Victorian theater in terms of that prejudice, finds the ready assumption of the prejudice to be problematic at best. A close look at three novels that together span the early to mid-nineteenth century shows that, far from being ubiquitous and unilateral, antitheatricality was in many cases an anomaly; indeed, many of those novelistic elements that have long been assumed to be antitheatrical address different issues altogether. Employing close readings of the novels--Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, Charles Dickens's Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and Geraldine Endsor Jewsbury's The Half-Sisters--along with an examination of historical documents, and utilizing as well current scholarship in Victorian theater and theatrical novels, I demonstrate that the Victorians were instead keen appreciators of theater, and that the Victorian "antitheatrical novel" was in many cases far more interested in the authenticity of human interplay than in the inauthenticity of staged role-play.

The unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show a great deal of potential for nanoelectronic devices, spintronic devices, biosensing and chemical sensing applications. Their applicability as interconnects for spintronic devices derives from their one-dimensionality and theoretically predicted preservation of spin current. In this work, we combine an investigation of spin polarization in materials such as half metallic oxides in thin film and bulk form with studies on several aspects of CNTs for sensing and spin transport applications. These two areas of study are intimately related within the umbrella of spin-electronics and nanoscale sensors that are being pursued with great topical interest in recent times. A measurement system has been developed to perform Point-Contact Andreev Reflection (PCAR) in the presence of variable magnetic fields and temperatures. It was designed and built, accepted for patent by the USF, and submitted to the U.S. Patent Office. A study of spin polarization in superconductor-magnet junctions has been performed over a wide range in magnetic fields (0 to 3T) and temperature (2 to 300K)on several systems including copper, strontium ruthenate, and chromium dioxide. Spin transport experiments have been extended to single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) networks inorder to explore spin transport in nanotube networks for potential sensor applications.Carbon nanotube networks have been used as the electronic material for chemical and biological sensing where capacitance and conductance response to the adsorbtion of a chemical or biological analyte are simultaneously measured and a very fast response and recovery is observed. Chemical specificity has been investigated through different means since a goal of the U.S. Navy is to have an array of these sensors, each chemically specific to a unique analyte. Finally, research is ongoing in the analysis of our PCAR spectra in the strontium ruthenate series and the lanthinum strontiu m manganite series to investigate the square root dependence of the background conductance data and the fundamental aspects of the fitting procedure by using a chi-square statistical model to more accurately determine the spin polarization, P.

Blueberry though one of the most valuable berry plants is limited in its occurrence in Lithuania. One of the reason – is lack of local cultivars. Over 1993 – 2004 the largest blueberry germ plasm was established in Kaunas Botanical Garden at VDU. This collection has been used for breeding of new cultivars. Seedlings ‘No.11, ’‘No.16’ and ‘No.17’ were investigated in Kaunas Botanical Garden over 2002 – 2004. The investigation aimed at estimating of productivity, character of fruiting and biochemical composition of berries. The obtained result were compare with those of halth-highbush ‘Northcountry’. Fruiting of 4 – 6 year old bushes was estimated, mean earliness of fruiting, berry size, volume and average yield for 3 seedling numbers were determined. Seedlings numbers ‘No.11, ��‘No.16’ and ‘No.17’might be classified as early cultivars. The main port of the blueberry yield was obtained in the first picking, due to this mechanised picking might be applied. The plants produce tasty, good marketable appearance and biochemical composition. The best marketable appearance typical of ‘No. 17’, the biggest berries – ‘No. 11����. The most productive were ‘No. 16’ and ‘No. 17’, their mean productivity is two times higher than that of ‘Northcountry’.

High-precision half-life and branching-ratio measurements for the superallowed beta+ emitter 26Alm were performed at the TRIUMF-ISAC radioactive ion beam facility located in Vancouver, Canada. The branching ratio measurement was performed with the 8pi Spectrometer, an array of 20 high-purity germanium detectors, in conjunction with SCEPTAR, a plastic scintillator array used to detect the emitted beta particles. An upper limit of <= 12 ppm at 90% confidence level was found for the second forbidden beta + decay of 26Alm to the first 2+ state at 1809 keV in 26Mg. An inclusive upper limit of <= 15 ppm at 90% confidence level was found when considering all possible non-analogue beta +/EC decay branches of 26Alm, resulting in a superallowed branching ratio of 100.0000+0−0.0015%. The half-life measurement was performed using a 4pi continuous-flow gas proportional counter and fast tape transport system. The resulting value for the 26Alm half-life, T1/2 = 6.34654(76) s, is consistent with, but 2.5 times more precise than, the previous world average, and represents the single most precisely measured half-life of any superallowed emitting nucleus to date. Combining these results with world-average Q-value measurements yields a superallowed beta -decay ft value of 3037.58(60) s, the most precisely determined ft value for any superallowed emitting nucleus to date. Combined with the small, and precisely quoted, theoretical isospin-symmetry-breaking corrections for this nucleus, the corrected Ft value for 26Alm of 3073.1(12) s is also the most precisely determined for any superallowed emitter by nearly a factor of two and now rivals the precision of all the other 12 precisely measured superallowed beta decays combined. The high-precision experimental ft value for 26Alm superallowed decay reported here provides a new benchmark to refine theoretical models of isospin-symmetry-breaking effects in superallowed Fermi beta decays.