179 research outputs found

    International Franchise Assessment Model: Entry and Expansion in the European Union

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    Control of the power quality for a DFIG powered by multilevel inverters

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    This paper treats the modeling, and the control of a wind power system based on a doubly fed induction generator DFIG, the stator is directly connected to the grid, while the rotor is powered by multilevel inverters. In order to get a decoupled system of controlfor an independently transits of active and reactive power, a vector control method based on stator flux orientation SFOC is considered: Direct vector control based on PI controllers. Cascaded H-bridge CHBI multilevel inverters are used in the rotor circuit to study its effect on supply power quality. All simulation models are built in MATLAB/Simulink software. Results and waveforms clearly show the effectiveness of vector control strategy. Finally, performances of the system will tested and compared for each levels of inverter

    ADEPOS: Anomaly Detection based Power Saving for Predictive Maintenance using Edge Computing

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    In industry 4.0, predictive maintenance(PM) is one of the most important applications pertaining to the Internet of Things(IoT). Machine learning is used to predict the possible failure of a machine before the actual event occurs. However, the main challenges in PM are (a) lack of enough data from failing machines, and (b) paucity of power and bandwidth to transmit sensor data to cloud throughout the lifetime of the machine. Alternatively, edge computing approaches reduce data transmission and consume low energy. In this paper, we propose Anomaly Detection based Power Saving(ADEPOS) scheme using approximate computing through the lifetime of the machine. In the beginning of the machines life, low accuracy computations are used when the machine is healthy. However, on the detection of anomalies, as time progresses, the system is switched to higher accuracy modes. We show using the NASA bearing dataset that using ADEPOS, we need 8.8X less neurons on average and based on post-layout results, the resultant energy savings are 6.4 to 6.65XComment: Submitted to ASP-DAC 2019, Japa

    Supplementation of olive mill wastes in broiler chicken feeding

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    This work was conducted in order to study the value of olive mill wastes as diet on the growth performance, abdominal and muscle fat deposition, adipose and muscle tissues fatty acid composition in broilers. 200 male chickens that were 2 weeks old, 50 for each diet, were assigned to one of the three diets containing 5, 10 or 15% olive mill wastes (OMW) compared to control diet (CD). There were no significant differences in body and weight gain, final body carcass, thighs and pectoral muscle weight between birds. The same observation was seen for abdominal tissue fat (% of body weight) of which no differences were detected in birds fed OMW diet compared to those fed on the control diet. Linoleic acid proportion increases significantly in the pectoral muscle (p < 0.0001) with the three diets containing OMW, but its level decreases in tight muscle with 5 and 10% OMW diets (p < 0.0001) and remainunchanged in abdominal fat. Oleic acid proportion increases in thigh muscle (p < 0.006) and remain unchanged in pectoral muscle and in abdominal adipose tissue. Palmitic acid proportion decreasessignificantly in pectoral muscle (p < 0.0001) and in abdominal adipose tissue (p < 0.002), but increases significantly in thigh muscle (p < 0.05). In conclusion, OMW diet gives attractive results. It bringsidentical growth performances and affect abdominal and muscle fat deposition and fatty acid composition

    A Wall Effects and Means of Controlling the Evolution of Swirling Flows with Vortex Breakdown

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    This paper investigates numerically the bubble-type vortex breakdown apparition in the case of closed rotating flows of a viscous, axisymmetric, and incompressible fluid. First, a truncated conical/cylindrical cavity of spherical end disks is used to simulate and analyze the vortex structure under rigid surface conditions. The geometric effects of the enclosure are also studied. Vortex breakdown is demonstrated beyond the lower disk rotation rate threshold by introducing the no-slip condition imposed on the upper wall. The objective is to explore ways of controlling the evolution of this physical event by modifying the confinement conditions upstream of the vortex rupture. Particular attention is also paid to the effective kinematic viscosity, thermal diffusivity and geometric control of recirculation zones on the axis of rotation (axial bubble type). The second geometry consists of a spherical annulus formed by two concentric hemispheres in differential rotation under plat-free surface conditions. The results show that rotation of the inner hemisphere induces a vortex bubble on the polar axis. In contrast, the outer hemisphere rotation induces a toroidal vortex on the equator

    Comportement de différentes biomasses marocaines dans la fabrication de composites bois-ciment/gypse

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    Cet article original nous propose d'étudier le comportement de différentes biomasses marocaines dans la fabrication de composites bois-ciment et bois-gypse. Il offre ainsi des perspectives sérieuses de valorisation des biomasses étudiées, mais aussi des avantages socio-économiques liés à l'amélioration de l'habitat et au développement de nouvelles entreprises

    Hydroxy-Selenomethionine, an Organic Selenium Source, Increases Selenoprotein Expression and Positively Modulates the Inflammatory Response of LPS-Stimulated Macrophages

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    The role of 2-hydroxy-(4-methylseleno)butanoic acid (OH-SeMet), a form of organic selenium (Se), in selenoprotein synthesis and inflammatory response of THP1-derived macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been investigated. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, GPX1 gene expression, selenoprotein P (SELENOP) protein and gene expression, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were studied in Se-deprived conditions (6 and 24 h). Then, macrophages were supplemented with OH-SeMet for 72 h and GPX1 and SELENOP gene expression were determined. The protective effect of OH-SeMet against oxidative stress was studied in H2O2-stimulated macrophages, as well as the effect on GPX1 gene expression, oxidative stress, cytokine production (TNFα, IL-1β and IL-10), and phagocytic and killing capacities after LPS stimulation. Se deprivation induced a reduction in GPX activity, GPX1 gene expression, and SELENOP protein and gene expression at 24 h. OH-SeMet upregulated GPX1 and SELENOP gene expression and decreased ROS production after H2O2 treatment. In LPS-stimulated macrophages, OH-SeMet upregulated GPX1 gene expression, enhanced phagocytic and killing capacities, and reduced ROS and cytokine production. Therefore, OH-SeMet supplementation supports selenoprotein expression and controls oxidative burst and cytokine production while enhancing phagocytic and killing capacities, modulating the inflammatory response, and avoiding the potentially toxic insult produced by highly activated macrophages. Keywords: cytokine production; glutathione peroxidase; immune response; macrophage polarization; oxidative stress; phagocytosis; selenium deprivation; selenoprotein P; 2-hydroxy-(4-methylseleno)butanoic aci

    A low-order unstructured-mesh approach for computational electromagnetics in the time domain

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    Maxwell&apos;s curl equations in the time domain are solved using an explicit linear finite-element approach implemented on unstructured tetrahedral meshes. For the simulation of scattering problems, a perfectly matched layer is added at the artificial far-field boundary, created by the truncation of the physical domain prior to the numerical solution. The complete solution procedure is parallelized. The computational challenges that are encountered when attempting simulations at higher frequencies suggest that the implementation of a hybrid algorithm could have certain advantages. The hybrid approach adopted uses a combination of the finite-element procedure and the well-known low operation count/low storage finite-difference timedomain method. Examples are included to demonstrate the numerical performance of the techniques that are described

    Does franchising create value? An analysis of the financial performance of US public restaurant firms

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    Author's OriginalIt is commonly believed that the franchising method of distribution provides strategic and operational benefits to the companies that adopt it. These benefits should result in superior financial performance as compared to that of firms that do not use franchising. Yet, the empirical evidence of the effects of franchising on financial performance is sparse and mixed. The purpose of this paper is to further examine the empirical evidence of the impact of franchising on a firm’s financial performance by using performance metrics (Economic Value Added and Market Value Added) that are extensively used in corporate finance. This study focuses on the US public restaurant sector. The results provide some evidence that franchising firms create more market and economic value than do non-franchising firms. A revised version of this paper has since been published in the International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Administration. Please use this version in your citations.Aliouche, E. & Schlentrich, U. (2009). Does Franchising Create Value? An Analysis of the Financial Performance of US Public Restaurant Firms. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration, 10(2), 93-10
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