As current social problems grow more complex, public organizations have to deal with more complicated problems and values than in the past. Public organizations arguably need more knowledge to effectively address such complex problems. However, there is little study of the relationship between knowledge sharing and government performance. This study has several primary purposes. First, it tries to find out more about the roles and effects of knowledge sharing on program performance in public organizations. Second, by examining the factors affecting the relationships between knowledge sharing and program performance, the study explores the importance of individual and organizational conditions in connecting knowledge sharing to program performance. Lastly, the study helps clarify the effect of knowledge sharing on program performance by also examining other factors that are likely to affect program performance. To explore the relationships among explicit and tacit knowledge sharing, public service motivation, self-set goals, red tape, economic conditions, staffers' professionalism, budgetary resources, and program performance, I examined Virginia's Child Protective Services program. The Virginia Department of Social Services determines the guidelines and policies for the state's CPS program and supervises its implementation by local agencies. I focused on the implementation of the CPS program. The study examined the relationships between CPS program performance and the degree and dynamics of knowledge sharing at the local jurisdictional and at the individual social worker levels in each of the 23 local CPS departments in which staffers responded to an on-line survey. In addition to these relationships, the study examined the effects of individual, organizational, and financial factors in Virginia local CPS departments on the relationships between knowledge sharing and program performance. The study yielded numerous findings. First, at the local agency level evidence showed that explicit knowledge sharing played an important role in affecting CPS program performance. At the individual level, only the reported usefulness of explicit knowledge sharing affected CPS program performance, while the usefulness of tacit knowledge sharing and time devoted to explicit knowledge sharing affected usefulness of explicit knowledge sharing. The personal motivation of CPS staffers influenced program performance through tacit knowledge sharing, and red tape evidently affected CPS program performance by decreasing explicit and tacit knowledge sharing. Even when factors like local economic conditions and available financial resources were taken into account, the usefulness of explicit knowledge sharing still affected CPS program performance. Second, the relationships among time devoted to, usefulness of, and access to explicit and tacit knowledge sharing were diverse. They affected CPS program performance through the reported usefulness of explicit and tacit knowledge sharing. Third, individual and organizational factors influenced the relationship between knowledge sharing and CPS program performance. The personal motivation of CPS staffers had a positive effect on tacit knowledge sharing, but red tape appeared to have a negative effect on explicit and tacit knowledge sharing. Fourth, the study showed that several factors other than knowledge sharing such as local economic conditions, work training of CPS staffers, family assessments, CPS staffer education, and additional budgetary resources also affected CPS program performance. / Ph. D.

Climate change and environmental degradation, in addition to the challenges of limited fossil fuel resources, have driven governments to pursue creative renewable energy sources. Natural gas and biofuels are limitless energy sources produced from both fossil fuels and biomass that is renewable. SOFCs (Solid Oxide Fuel Cells) are a type of renewable energy system that can convert biofuels into power and heat whenever needed. They often operate at high temperatures (> 850 °C), which allows for fuel flexibility; nevertheless, such high temperatures are associated by rapid material deterioration and performance loss, usually before 40,000 hours of operation. As a result, many recent studies and activities have concentrated on lowering the operating temperature of SOFCs. Lowering the temperature causes decreased ionic conductivity, decreased catalytic activity, and increased carbon deposition on the anode side catalysts. This project aimed at developing an innovative cathode-supported SOFC to be fed by biofuels and operating at low-intermediate temperatures. Colloidal processes and co-sintering were selected to fabricate the final SOFC owing to their flexibility in optimizing the final desired properties and saving more manufacturing costs. The first chapter of this thesis provides an introduction to the essential concepts as well as professional specifics and previous work. The cell design and component materials are defined, as are additional requirements for lowering the operating temperature in SOFCs. Commercialization challenges and recommended solutions are also discussed, which involve the development of both new anode materials and production procedures. The project's goal is detailed at the end of Chapter 1, along with the reasons why various approaches were chosen. Molybdenum was chosen as a suitable anodic material to be doped into LSCF, and tape casting was developed further to create the cathode. The cathode support layer should have a consistent thickness, balanced flexibility and mechanical strength, and better shrinkage qualities. The plasticizer is a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000), which improves these characteristics. Chapter 2 covers the steps involved in creating the button SOFC, starting with powder synthesis and ending with cathode tape casting. SOFC performance and anode catalytic activity are investigated to assess SOFC durability while fed by biogas. In Chapter 3, the findings are presented and explored in various contexts. Meanwhile, the anode material performance and cathode design and structure receive the greatest attention. Molybdenum was doped into LSCF via auto-combustion, yielding a fine and porous powder form. X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrated that increasing the Mo dopant increases anodic stability. In parallel, flat and crack-free green cathodes with 47% solid loading can be obtained by adjusting the PEG 4000 to binder quantity ratio at 1.00 wt% and drying the tapes at 70% relative humidity. The tapes had an excellent mechanical strength to flexibility ratio, which allowed them to be readily handled and rolled. The tapes benefited from a strong balance of flexibility and mechanical strength, allowing them to be easily handled and rolled while also exhibiting very low residual stresses during subsequent lamination and co-sintering procedures. The final manufactured SOFC revealed a porous anode structure and a less porous cathode layer using electron microscopy. Whereas the electrolyte was dense enough to ensure gas tightness. There was no delamination throughout the cell. The cells were then electrochemically measured, and the reactivity of LSCFMo to various fuels and temperatures was investigated. LSCFMo performed best when fed by methanol at 700 °C, leaving no carbon traces after operation. The very low ohmic resistance of the electrodes indicates a very good design and manufacture technique. A conclusion is presented in the final section of this thesis to highlight the most significant achievements of this research.

MetPreg, a composite developed by Touchstone Research Laboratories (Tridelphia, WV), is an aluminum metal matrix composite reinforced by continuous NextelTM 610 alumina fibers. The question is, after processing, are the NextelTM fibers affected in any way that their strengthening contribution to the composite is reduced? From experimentation and statistical analysis, a strength distribution of pre-processed NextelTM 610 fibers is formed and an empirical correlation is developed relating strength to the observed flaw size on the failed single fibers. This correlation is then independently applied to flaw size information gathered from fibers on the fracture surface of MetPreg samples to develop a separate strength distribution of post-processed NextelTM 610 fibers. The pre- and post-processed distributions are compared to one another to determine the effect, if any, that composite processing has on the strength of NextelTM 610 fibers. The results indicate that the in-situ strength distribution of fibers was increased by composite processing. / Master of Science

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 20-23, 2003 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Disk Recorders now represent a high performance, low cost and reliable alternative to traditional tape recorders for a wide range of platform data recording applications. This paper discusses the latest advances in disk-based recording technology in the context of multi-channel Telemetry applications, showing the degree of flexibility that is now possible in terms of both channel count and the ability to record synchronous and asynchronous digital data streams alongside multiple wideband analog channels. The techniques described are equally applicable to Acoustic, SIGINT and Telecommunications data capture and analysis applications aboard static, airborne and maritime platforms. Topics covered include how new disk-based data capture technologies have been able to extend bandwidth, storage capacity, signal fidelity and the overall capability of mission recorders. Advanced operational issues, including true ‘read-after-write’, data security, portability and archiving, enhanced data management and analysis strategies are also covered. The Paper includes detailed test results from COTS Disk Recorders already in service as well as an informative Road Map for this exciting new technology.

Novel ceramic membrane cells of BaCe₀.₅Zr₀.₃Y₀.₁₆Zn₀.₀₄O[subscript(3-δ)] (BCZYZ), a proton-conducting oxide, have been developed for electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis. Unlike the industrial Haber-Bosch process, in this work an attempt to synthesise ammonia at atmospheric pressure has been made. The membrane cell fabricated by tape casting and solution impregnation comprises of a 200 μm-thick BCZYZ electrolyte and impregnated electrode composites. Electrocatalysts for anode and cathode were investigated. For the anode, the co-impregnation of Ni and CeO₂ provided excellent electrode performance including high catalytic activity, sintering stability and compatibility with the BCZYZ electrolyte. The best composition was the mixture of 25 wt% NiO and 10 wt% CeO₂. A symmetrical cell prepared with this electrode composition revealed low polarisation resistances of 1.0 and 0.45 Ωcm² in humidified 5% H₂/Ar at 400 and 500 °C, respectively. For the cathode, 25 wt% of impregnated Fe oxide provided a satisfactory performance in non-humidified N₂ atmosphere. Significant amounts of ammonia were produced from the single cell with Ni-CeO₂ anode and Fe oxide cathode at 400-500 °C under atmospheric pressure. Ammonia formation rate was enhanced by Pd catalyst addition and electrochemical performance was improved by Ru addition. The highest ammonia formation rate of 4 x 10⁻⁹ mols⁻¹cm⁻² was attained using the cell with a Pd-modified Fe cathode at 450 °C. The formation reaction of ammonia typically consumed around 1-2.5 % of total applied current while most of the applied current was employed in H⁺ reduction. The total current efficiency of around 90-100 % could be obtained from the membrane cells.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

第一章：緒論。（一）研究動機（二）研究目的：１•瞭解臺北市民使用錄影機的程 度；２•瞭解臺北市民使用錄影機的動機。 第二章：理論與架構。（一）文獻探討。（二）研究架構。 第三章：研究方法。（一）問卷設計與變項測量。（二）抽樣：以臺北市十八歲以上 成年人一百八十名為樣本，進行問卷調查。（三）資料蒐集步驟。（四）資料處理與 統計分析。 第四章：結果的分析與解釋。（一）錄影機的使用程度。（二）錄影機的使用動機。 第五章：結論與建議。（一）結論。（二）建議。

Title: The Effect of Kinesiotaping on Pain Threshold Alteration of Lower Limbs and Pelvis in Latin American Sport Dance Couples Objectives: The aim of this study is to monitor the alteration of the pain threshold in predilective points of lower limbs and pelvis during loaded regime and to compare these changes with the control group with no kinesio tape. Methods: This experimental study employs intervention of kinesio tape applied to inhibit m. gastrocnemius medialis et lateralis and for mechanical correction of hallux valgus. There were five couples in experimental group and five couples in control group. The pain threshold change was objectivised by pressure algometer. Results: The measured data showed that the kinesiotaping has a positive influence on pain threshold in sport dance couples. In most dancers (9 out of 10) kinesio tape contributed to increasing or smaller decreasing of pain threshold with respect to the other lower limb. In comparison with the control group, pain threshold of dancers in the experimental group increased or decreased less even despite acute or subacute injury of the taped lower limb. One more finding is that the postural function has an influence on the pain threshold change after load. Pain threshold had a downward tendency in investigated persons with a worse...

Accidents cause economic losses to the company as well as suffering and general discontent among the employees. With an increased global responsibility, companies are not only answerable for what goes on inside their own gates but also for retailers and customers. When the packaging becomes a danger, how will we know what to replace it with? At IMI Hydronic Engineering, employees hurt themselves on the metal staples that seal the cartons, but is replacing metal staples with plastic tape an economical and safely viable option? This thesis dives into the workplace environment and collects data from semi-structural interviews with the employees and an evaluation of internal accident records. The main focuses are safety and economics, although the economy aspect has had to stand back due to the lack of empirical data. The results show that the tools and systems in place to protect the employees, where applied, are working and the workers believe that their job could be executed with a lower risk, perhaps even without a loss of production. The suggestion to the company is that to fully understand the costs, a collection of data regarding the current costs is needed and that usage of gloves by the employees might help lower the number of accidents per year. Suggestions for further studies include ecological aspects, profit versus costs and product returns due to inadequate packaging.

Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit sont relatifs à la conception et au développement d’antennes basées sur les structures artificielles – métamatériaux. La première antenne conçue et réalisée est une antenne bi-fonction en bande L (~1GHz) (GPS et DME) à diversité de bande/de polarisation, destinée aux applications aéronautiques. Ces travaux rentrent dans le cadre du projet MSIE (pôle de compétitivité ASTHEC) pour lequel notre LEME a été très actif. Les partenaires industriels de ce projet sont EADS/IW, Dassault aviation, INEO-Défense, SATIMO. Les résultats montrent la faisabilité d’une antenne unique pouvant avoir simultanément deux fonctions avec une diversité de polarisation et de bande spectrale. L’utilisation des métamatériaux a permis en particulier le maintien de la polarisation circulaire de l’antenne GPS -L1 à L5. La fonction DME a été consolidée avec le maintien de son gain. La seconde antenne est une antenne cavité Fabry-Pérot mettant en œuvre une structure partiellement réfléchissante double couche. Nous avons démontré le phénomène physique d’inversion de la phase du coefficient de réflexion de la PRS. Nous avons obtenu un gradient positif de phase sur une bande de 5 GHz autour de 80GHz. Grace à ce profil nouveau de la phase obtenu par la structure métamatériau PRS, on dispose d’une avance linéaire de la phase qui compense le retard du à la cavité Fabry-Pérot. Ainsi on maintient les conditions de résonance de la cavité sur une large bande, 5GHz. Nous démontrons, que la mise en œuvre de cette structure aux caractéristiques inédites permet de réaliser une antenne cavité ultra-directive sur une très large bande spectrale de 5GHz. Les performances atteintes sont une directivité de 35 à 40dBi sur 5 GHz, une adaptation parfaite (gain ~ directivité) avec très peu de sources primaires. L’antenne est compacte avec une hauteur totale inférieure au 10mm (connecteur compris) et une surface de 100mmx100mm. / The work presented in this manuscript is related to the design and development of antennas based on artificial structures - metamaterials. The first designed and built antenna is a GPS and DME dual-function in the L (~ 1GHz). It is an antenna designed with polarization and spectral diversities for aeronautical applications. The work is within the MSIE project of ASTHEC cluster for which our laboratory (LEME) was very active. The industrial partners of the project are EADS/IW, Dassault Aviation, INEO-Defense SATIMO. The results show the feasibility of a single antenna having simultaneously two functions with a diversity of polarization and spectral band. The use of metamaterials enabled in particular the preservation of circular polarization of the GPS antenna on the bands ranging from L1 to L2. The DME function was consolidated with the same gain.The second antenna is an antenna Fabry-Perot cavity employing a partially reflective structure (PRS) Double-layer. We have demonstrated by numerical simulation and experimental characterization, the physical phenomenon of inversion phase of the reflection coefficient PRS. We obtain a positive gradient of the phase over a broad band of 5 GHz around 80GHz. Thanks to this new profile obtained by the PRS metamaterial structure, it has a linear advance of the phase which compensates for the delay of the Fabry-Perot cavity. Thus the cavity resonance conditions are maintained over a wide band, 5GHz. We demonstrate that the implementation of this structure with unique features allows a highly directive antenna cavity over a very wide spectral band 5GHz. The performance are a directivity of 35-40 dBi over 5 GHz, a perfect adaptation (gain ~ directivity) with very few primary sources.