Virtual Delamination Testing through Non-Linear Multi-Scale Computational Methods: Some Recent Progress

This paper deals with the parallel simulation of delamination problems at the meso-scale by means of multi-scale methods, the aim being the Virtual Delamination Testing of Composite parts. In the non-linear context, Domain Decomposition Methods are mainly used as a solver for the tangent problem to be solved at each iteration of a Newton-Raphson algorithm. In case of strongly nonlinear and heterogeneous problems, this procedure may lead to severe difficulties. The paper focuses on methods to circumvent these problems, which can now be expressed using a relatively general framework, even though the different ingredients of the strategy have emerged separately. We rely here on the micro-macro framework proposed in (Ladev\`eze, Loiseau, and Dureisseix, 2001). The method proposed in this paper introduces three additional features: (i) the adaptation of the macro-basis to situations where classical homogenization does not provide a good preconditioner, (ii) the use of non-linear relocalization to decrease the number of global problems to be solved in the case of unevenly distributed non-linearities, (iii) the adaptation of the approximation of the local Schur complement which governs the convergence of the proposed iterative technique. Computations of delamination and delamination-buckling interaction with contact on potentially large delaminated areas are used to illustrate those aspects

Large-scale transformation of socio-economic institutions - comparative case studies on CEECs: interim report

The general idea is to follow the Varieties-of-Capitalism literature on generating indicators on the economic systems actually implemented. However, this literature mostly concentrates on the enterprise (or micro) level in traditional OECD countries, categorizing countries between the extremes: liberal market economies and controlled market economies. It largely neglects the role of the government spending, the transition of former socialist countries and developing countries, and the political process behind the choice of an economic system. We broaden the perspective by combining the Varieties-of-Capitalism with the Worlds-of-Welfare-States literature in order to provide a comprehensive view on government activities in transition. With the perspective of our contribution to WWWforEurope, we concentrate especially on social welfare, innovation systems, macro stability, and, of course, how these aspects work together (or not) and are explained by the political background. We will a cluster analysis for OECD and European transition countries and comparative country studies on Slovakia and Hungary. These countries are of special relevance because they represent extreme cases (Slovakia: significant switch in transition path towards star performer, Hungary: muddling towards problem case). One part of the comparative work concentrates on the comparison of Slovakia with other new EU members that also face to challenge of state building after dissolution of one or the other sort (Czech Rep. and the Baltics). The other part of the comparative work concentrates on Hungary in comparison with the other EU-CEECs. A broad based comparison will most likely be possible on available data only. The possibility for deeper qualitative comparisons will have to be determined during the project. The comparative components will focus on the macroeconomic background (Slovakia) and the welfare state (Hungary) respectively. Cluster analysis (initially forseen for MS25) and comparative country studies allows us to draw conclusions for the EU by providing a first comparison of the position of CEECs with respect to the “old” EU members, most interestingly the southern crisis countries that are often categorized into a form called mixed market economies with sometimes contradicting institutional set ups. Do CEECs converge towards prototype models or do they (still) constitute own models

Identification of the Servomechanism used for micro-displacement

Friction causes important errors in the control of small servomechanism and should be determined with precision in order to increase the system performance. This paper describes the method to identify the model parameters of a small linear drive with ball-screw. Two kinds of friction models will be applied for the servomechanism looking to rise its micropositioning abilities. The first one includes the static, viscous and Stribeck friction with hysteresis, and the second one uses the Lugre model. The results will be compared taking into account the criterion error, the accuracy and the normalized mean-square-error of the identified mechanical parameters. The coefficients of the models are identified by a recursive identification method using data acquisition and special filtering technics. The least square identification method is used in this paper in order to establish the motor parameters used as initial condition of the recursive estimation method. Computer simulations and experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed model

Understanding the Drivers of Sustainable Entrepreneurial Practices in Pakistan’s Leather Industry: A Multi-Level Approach

Purpose: The main objective is to analyse the drivers of sustainable entrepreneurial practices in SMEs operating in a developing economy. The secondary objectives are to explore the relationship between these drivers and to draw out the implications for policy and practice. Design/methodology/approach: The research is informed by the literature on sustainable entrepreneurship, and on the drivers of pro-environmental practices in SMEs. It reports on the results of an intensive multi-level empirical study, which investigates the environmental practices of SMEs in Pakistan’s leatherworking industry using a multiple case study design and grounded analysis, which draws on relevant institutional theory. Findings: The study identifies that coercive, normative and mimetic isomorphic pressures simultaneously drive sustainable entrepreneurial activity in the majority of sample SMEs. These pressures are exerted by specific micro, meso and macro level factors, ranging from international customers’ requirements to individual-level values of owners and managers. It also reveals the catalytic effect of the educational and awareness-raising activities of intermediary organisations, in tandem with the attraction of competitiveness gains, (international) environmental regulations, industrial dynamism and reputational factors. Practical implications: The evidence suggests that, in countries where formal institutional mechanisms have less of an impact, intermediary organisations can perform a proto-institutional role that helps to overcome pre-existing barriers to environmental improvement by sparking sustainable entrepreneurial activity in SME populations. Originality/value: The findings imply that the drivers of sustainable entrepreneurial activity do not operate in a ‘piecemeal’ fashion, but that particular factors mediate the emergence and development of other sustainability drivers. This paper provides new insights into sustainable entrepreneurship and motivations for environmental practices in an under-researched developing economy context

Regional Government Competition

This monograph provides a coherent and systematic explanation of China’s regional economic development from the perspective of regional government competition. It gives an almost unknown exposition of the mechanisms of China's regional economic development, with numerous supporting cases drawn from both China and elsewhere. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested to learn more particularly the development and transformation of China’s regional economy from both the Chinese and global perspectives

Microparticle surface layering through dry coating: impact of moisture content and process parameters on the properties of orally disintegrating tablets

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of process parameters during dry coating on particle and dosage form properties upon varying the surface adsorbed moisture of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a model filler/binder for orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs). Methods: The moisture content of MCC was optimised using the spray water method and analysed using thermogravimetric analysis. Microproperty/macro-property assessment was investigated using atomic force microscopy, nano-indentation, scanning electron microscopy, tablet hardness and disintegration testing. Key findings: The results showed that MCC demonstrated its best flowability at a moisture content of 11.2% w/w when compared to control, comprising of3.9% w/w moisture. The use of the composite powder coating process (without air) resulted in up to 80% increase in tablet hardness, when compared to the control. The study also demonstrated that surface adsorbed moisture can be displaced upon addition of excipients during dry processing circumventing the need for particle drying before tabletting. Conclusions: It was concluded that MCC with a moisture content of 11% w/w provides a good balance between powder flowability and favourable ODT characteristics

MORA - an architecture and programming model for a resource efficient coarse grained reconfigurable processor

This paper presents an architecture and implementation details for MORA, a novel coarse grained reconfigurable processor for accelerating media processing applications. The MORA architecture involves a 2-D array of several such processors, to deliver low cost, high throughput performance in media processing applications. A distinguishing feature of the MORA architecture is the co-design of hardware architecture and low-level programming language throughout the design cycle. The implementation details for the single MORA processor, and benchmark evaluation using a cycle accurate simulator are presented