1,440 research outputs found

    Measuring the Dynamic Stock Buffer Management Approach Fit to the Customer Needs Based on the (Balanced) Critical Factor Index Method

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    In this research, the fit between the Dynamic Stock Buffer Management (DSBM) approach, designed for inventory control and optimization, and the customers’ needs under the current circumstances is studied. The customer is the purchasing department in ABB Oy, Distribution Automation Business unit in Vaasa, Finland. The purchasing function of another business unit, Low Voltage Products, is treated as a reference in the research. The research goals encompass identifying both the critical factors and the DSBM factors, and the culmination of the research is to analyze and examine the reciprocal fit between these factors. The main goal is to analyze the suitability of the DSBM approach to the Distribution Automation purchasing function based on the fit between the critical factors and DSBM factors. The research method used in this research is the (Balanced) Critical Factor Index method. It is chosen because of its applicability and flexibility and the wide practical and theoretical basis it lies on. In this research the method has been further developed to fit the research question and composition. The research data is gathered from a triangular basis: the Distribution Automation purchasers, the Low Voltage Products purchasers and an external consultant. The core theoretical contribution deals with the applications of the research method; the research proved the method applicability to a new kind of research. The practical contribution lies in identification of the critical factors in both Distribution Automation and Low Voltage Products purchasing functions; the critical factor identification is derived to sensing customer needs. Also identification of the Dynamic Stock Buffer Management factors and comprehensive understanding of the approach enable the evaluation of the fit to the customer needs. KEYWORDS: Balanced Critical Factor Index, Critical factor index, Customer Needs, Dynamic Stock Buffer Management.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

    Generalized Fast-Convolution-based Filtered-OFDM: Techniques and Application to 5G New Radio

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    This paper proposes a generalized model and methods for fast-convolution (FC)-based waveform generation and processing with specific applications to fifth generation new radio (5G-NR). Following the progress of 5G-NR standardization in 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), the main focus is on subband-filtered cyclic prefix (CP) orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) processing with specific emphasis on spectrally well localized transmitter processing. Subband filtering is able to suppress the interference leakage between adjacent subbands, thus supporting different numerologies for so-called bandwidth parts as well as asynchronous multiple access. The proposed generalized FC scheme effectively combines overlapped block processing with time- and frequency-domain windowing to provide highly selective subband filtering with very low intrinsic interference level. Jointly optimized multi-window designs with different allocation sizes and design parameters are compared in terms of interference levels and implementation complexity. The proposed methods are shown to clearly outperform the existing state-of-the-art windowing and filtering-based methods.Comment: To appear in IEEE Transactions on Signal Processin

    Understanding potential users of energy community information system:a thematic analysis

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    Abstract. The continuing global growth of energy consumers, the war in Europe, and climate change are the driving factors for energy revolution. One solution to this concerning issue has been the transformation of energy consumers to become energy producers. Prosumers can be grouped to establish energy communities. Prosumers, energy communities, and other distributed energy resources (DERs) are possible sustainable energy resources that can be connected to the smart grid. The literature review of existing research about smart grids, distributed energy resources, and energy communities, is conducted to gain a better understanding of the complex system and its stakeholders. The Second part of the literature review follows the behaviour of the potential smart grid users and its recent studies. The research questions focus on understanding energy prosumer’s perspectives on information system usage in order to discover the advantages and disadvantages of potential information system within an energy community context. The data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with people who voluntarily replied to application forms which were distributed prior to this study. Qualitative research methods were chosen to be used. A thematic analysis was conducted and as a result a thematic map in which two main themes, 15 sub-themes, and 25 codes were identified. It was discovered that positive user experience, desired functionalities, monitoring, economic benefits, user interface, beneficial information, and platform availability were the driving factors seen as an advantage of the potential information system. On the other hand, data leaks, undesired functionalities, energy community problems, and negative user experience were seen as disadvantages of the information system. This study contributes to the field of sustainable human-computer interaction and the findings of this thesis can be used as a foundation for future research and to design and develop the smart grids from the prosumer’s perspective. Due to several requests from participants, the text of the thesis has been written with accessibility in mind, so that the text does not require special expertise in the field of sustainable human-computer interaction

    Reading Easy Language texts written by public authorities: Evidence from eye tracking

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    Previous research has shown that word length, frequency and word repetition influence word reading times (Rayner 1998; 2009). Guidelines for Easy Language advise writers to use frequent and short words, and to repeat words instead of using synonyms. However, some of these guidelines are based on research that has been misinterpreted, simplified, or is outdated (Wengelin 2015), and studies focusing on effects of word length, frequency and word repetition among adult readers in the Easy Swedish target group are lacking. This eye-tracking study investigated the reading of Easy Language texts written by public authorities, as well as the effects of word length, frequency, and word repetition on readers in a day centre for people with intellectual disabilities. The results showed significant effects for word length and frequency in all readers. In addition, the effects were significantly greater in the target group than in the control group. The effects for word repetition were not as clear, affecting only one of the reading measures. Furthermore, the study revealed poor comprehension rates in the target group, i.e., when asked, they were not able to reproduce the main contents of the texts. The significantly greater effects of word length and frequency suggest that the related Easy Language guidelines are valid for this group of readers. The poor comprehension rates indicate that the texts were too difficult for these readers

    Fluctuation in pupil size and spontaneous blinks reflect story transportation

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    Thirty-nine participants listened to 28 neutral and horror excerpts of Stephen King short stories while constantly tracking their emotional arousal. Pupil size was measured with an Eyelink 1000+, and participants rated valence and transportation after each story. In addition to computing mean pupil size across 1-sec intervals, we extracted blink count and used detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) to obtain the scaling exponents of long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs) in pupil size time-series. Pupil size was expected to be sensitive also to emotional arousal, whereas blink count and LRTC’s were expected to reflect cognitive engagement. The results showed that self-reported arousal increased, pupil size was overall greater, and the decreasing slope of pupil size was flatter for horror than for neutral stories. Horror stories induced higher transportation than neutral stories. High transportation was associated with a steeper increase in self-reported arousal across time, stronger LRTCs in pupil size fluctuations, and lower blink count. These results indicate that pupil size reflects emotional arousal induced by the text content, while LRTCs and blink count are sensitive to cognitive engagement associated with transportation, irrespective of the text type. The study demonstrates the utility of pupillometric measures and blink count to study literature reception.Peer reviewe

    Systematic Review of Nursing Simulation Literature for Use of Learning Theory

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    The purpose of this systematic analysis of nursing simulation literature between 2000 –2007 was to determine how learning theory was used to design and assess learning that occurs in simulations. Out of the 120 articles in which designing nursing simulations was reported, 16 referenced learning or developmental theory as the basis of how and why they set up the simulation. Of the 16 articles that used a learning type of foundation, only two considered learning as a cognitive task. More research is needed that investigates the efficacy of simulation for improving student learning. The study concludes that most nursing faculty approach simulation from a teaching paradigm rather than a learning paradigm. For simulation to foster student learning there must be a fundamental shift from a teaching paradigm to a learning paradigm and a foundational learning theory to design and evaluate simulation should be used. Examples of how to match simulation with learning theory are included

    SIMulation Based on Language and Learning (SIMBaLL): The Model

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    The purpose of this paper was to elucidate the crucial importance of using a learning theory to develop simulation as well as to assess student learning outcomes from and during simulation. The authors designed a simulation model based on language learning called SIMBaLL, SIMulation Based on Language and Learning that was evolved from Arwood’s Neurosemantic Language Learning Theory. This model provides a hierarchical framework to assess and measure conceptual learning outcomes

    Efficient Fast-Convolution-Based Waveform Processing for 5G Physical Layer

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    This paper investigates the application of fast-convolution (FC) filtering schemes for flexible and effective waveform generation and processing in the fifth generation (5G) systems. FC-based filtering is presented as a generic multimode waveform processing engine while, following the progress of 5G new radio standardization in the Third-Generation Partnership Project, the main focus is on efficient generation and processing of subband-filtered cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) signals. First, a matrix model for analyzing FC filter processing responses is presented and used for designing optimized multiplexing of filtered groups of CP-OFDM physical resource blocks (PRBs) in a spectrally well-localized manner, i.e., with narrow guardbands. Subband filtering is able to suppress interference leakage between adjacent subbands, thus supporting independent waveform parametrization and different numerologies for different groups of PRBs, as well as asynchronous multiuser operation in uplink. These are central ingredients in the 5G waveform developments, particularly at sub-6-GHz bands. The FC filter optimization criterion is passband error vector magnitude minimization subject to a given subband band-limitation constraint. Optimized designs with different guardband widths, PRB group sizes, and essential design parameters are compared in terms of interference levels and implementation complexity. Finally, extensive coded 5G radio link simulation results are presented to compare the proposed approach with other subband-filtered CP-OFDM schemes and time-domain windowing methods, considering cases with different numerologies or asynchronous transmissions in adjacent subbands. Also the feasibility of using independent transmitter and receiver processing for CP-OFDM spectrum control is demonstrated

    PROVENANCING ARCHAEOLOGICAL CHERT FINDS WITH pXRF : INITIAL RESULTS FROM THE EASTERN COAST OF THE BOTHNIAN BAY

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    We present the initial results of a research combining non-destructive chemical analyses with a quantitatively and chronologically representative research assemblage – 52 specimens from five sites – to examine the provenance of Late Neolithic and Bronze Age chert finds from the cluster of sites located near the city of Oulu on the eastern coast of the Bothnian Bay. The results confirm the previously observed transition in the use of raw material sources: eastern Carboniferous cherts high in iron were replaced by calcium-rich Cretaceous flints of Scandinavian or southern Baltic origin. We also consider the overall applicability of pXRF as a non-destructive research method to determine the provenance for archaeological chert finds recovered from the coniferous boreal zone, characterized by the impact of post-depositional weathering on the chemical composition of objects found in the soil matrix
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