Foreign Direct Investment and Productivity Spillover: A Firm-Level Analysis of MENA Region

In an increasingly globalized economy, foreign direct investment (FDI) has become a key factor influencing the productivity of companies. In this research, we analyzed the effects of foreign direct investment on company productivity within the context of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We built our analysis on a panel of MENA manufacturing enterprises from a World Bank enterprise survey (WBES) conducted between 2013 and 2020. It was observed that vertical spillover exert a beneficial influence on MENA business output, whereas horizontal spillover negatively impact productivity. We evaluated certain academic ideas that ascribed this detrimental impact to local enterprises’ low technology absorption ability and skilled labor shortages. According to our estimates, the spillover effect gets more significant as the business approaches the efficiency curve and becomes positive when its adaptability exceeds a particular threshold

HRI – "In the wild” In Rural India: A Feasibility Study

This work was conducted to investigate the technological acceptance and social perception of a robot helper in a rural context. A feasibility study was carried out in a rural village in India with 11 participants with a water carrying task for the robot. A strong cultural influence was found in terms of gender perception of the robot, most participants perceived the robot’s gender as a female despite of the robot having a male’s voice. The overall social perception and usefulness of the robot was observed to be positive. We report some initial results and also some practical and logistical challenges while running such studies “in the wild” with rural subjects in this paper

Software quality management improvement through mentoring: an exploratory study from GSD projects

Proceeding of: OTM 2011 Workshops: Confederated InternationalWorkshops and Posters: EI2N+NSF ICE, ICSP+INBAST, ISDE, ORM, OTMA, SWWS+MONET+SeDeS, and VADER 2011, Hersonissos, Crete, Greece, October 17-21, 2011Software Quality Management (SQM) is a set of processes and procedures designed to assure the quality of software artifacts along with their development process. In an environment in which software development is evolving to a globalization, SQM is seen as one of its challenges. Global Software Development is a way to develop software across nations, continents, cultures and time zones. The aim of this paper is to detect if mentoring, one of the lead personnel development tools, can improve SQM of projects developed under GSD. The results obtained in the study reveal that the influence of mentoring on SQM is just temperate

Modélisation des comportements communicatifs pour différents rôles d'agents pédagogiques

Agents in a learning environment can have various roles and social behaviours that can influence the goals and motivation of the learners in distinct ways. Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a comprehensive conceptual framework that encapsulates the cognitive, metacognitive, behavioural, motivational and affective aspects of learning and entails the processes of goal setting, monitoring progress, analyzing feedback, adjustment of goals and actions by the learner. In this thesis, we present a multi-agent learning interaction involving various pedagogical agent roles aiming to improve the self-regulation of the learner while engaging in a socially shared learning activity. We used distinct roles of agents, defined by their social attitudes and competence characteristics, to deliver specific regulation scaffolding strategies for the learner. The methodology followed in this Thesis started with the definition of pedagogical agent roles in a socially shared regulation context and the development of a collaborative learning task to facilitate self-regulation. Based on the learning task framework, we proposed a shared learning interaction consisting of a tutor agent providing external regulation support focusing on the performance of the learner and a peer agent demonstrating co-regulation strategies to promote self-regulation in the learner. A series of user studies have been conducted to understand the learner perceptions about the agent roles, related behaviours and the learning task. Altogether, the work presented in this thesis explores how various roles of agents can be utilised in providing regulation scaffolding to the learners in a socially shared learning context.Les agents dans un environnement d'apprentissage peuvent avoir divers rôles et comportements sociaux qui peuvent influencer les objectifs et la motivation des apprenants de différentes manières. L'apprentissage autorégulé (SRL) est un cadre conceptuel complet qui englobe les aspects cognitifs, métacognitifs, comportementaux, motivationnels et affectifs de l'apprentissage et implique les processus de définition d'objectifs, de suivi des progrès, d'analyse des commentaires, d'ajustement des objectifs et des actions de l'apprenant. Dans cette thèse, nous présentons une interaction d'apprentissage multi-agent impliquant divers rôles d'agent pédagogique visant à améliorer l'autorégulation de l'apprenant tout en s'engageant dans une activité d'apprentissage socialement partagée. Nous avons utilisé des rôles distincts d'agents, définis par leurs attitudes sociales et leurs compétences, pour proposer des stratégies d'échafaudage de régulation spécifiques à l'apprenant. La méthodologie suivie dans cette thèse a commencé par la définition de rôles d'agent pédagogique dans un contexte de régulation socialement partagé et le développement d'une tâche d'apprentissage collaboratif pour faciliter l'autorégulation. Une série d'études d'utilisateurs a été menée pour comprendre les perceptions des apprenants sur les rôles des agents, les comportements associés et la tâche d'apprentissage. Dans l'ensemble, les travaux présentés dans cette thèse explorent comment divers rôles d'agents peuvent être utilisés pour fournir un échafaudage de régulation aux apprenants dans un contexte d'apprentissage socialement partagé

Modélisation des comportements communicatifs pour différents rôles d'agents pédagogiques

Les agents dans un environnement d'apprentissage peuvent avoir divers rôles et comportements sociaux qui peuvent influencer les objectifs et la motivation des apprenants de différentes manières. L'apprentissage autorégulé (SRL) est un cadre conceptuel complet qui englobe les aspects cognitifs, métacognitifs, comportementaux, motivationnels et affectifs de l'apprentissage et implique les processus de définition d'objectifs, de suivi des progrès, d'analyse des commentaires, d'ajustement des objectifs et des actions de l'apprenant. Dans cette thèse, nous présentons une interaction d'apprentissage multi-agent impliquant divers rôles d'agent pédagogique visant à améliorer l'autorégulation de l'apprenant tout en s'engageant dans une activité d'apprentissage socialement partagée. Nous avons utilisé des rôles distincts d'agents, définis par leurs attitudes sociales et leurs compétences, pour proposer des stratégies d'échafaudage de régulation spécifiques à l'apprenant. La méthodologie suivie dans cette thèse a commencé par la définition de rôles d'agent pédagogique dans un contexte de régulation socialement partagé et le développement d'une tâche d'apprentissage collaboratif pour faciliter l'autorégulation. Une série d'études d'utilisateurs a été menée pour comprendre les perceptions des apprenants sur les rôles des agents, les comportements associés et la tâche d'apprentissage. Dans l'ensemble, les travaux présentés dans cette thèse explorent comment divers rôles d'agents peuvent être utilisés pour fournir un échafaudage de régulation aux apprenants dans un contexte d'apprentissage socialement partagé.Agents in a learning environment can have various roles and social behaviours that can influence the goals and motivation of the learners in distinct ways. Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a comprehensive conceptual framework that encapsulates the cognitive, metacognitive, behavioural, motivational and affective aspects of learning and entails the processes of goal setting, monitoring progress, analyzing feedback, adjustment of goals and actions by the learner. In this thesis, we present a multi-agent learning interaction involving various pedagogical agent roles aiming to improve the self-regulation of the learner while engaging in a socially shared learning activity. We used distinct roles of agents, defined by their social attitudes and competence characteristics, to deliver specific regulation scaffolding strategies for the learner. The methodology followed in this Thesis started with the definition of pedagogical agent roles in a socially shared regulation context and the development of a collaborative learning task to facilitate self-regulation. Based on the learning task framework, we proposed a shared learning interaction consisting of a tutor agent providing external regulation support focusing on the performance of the learner and a peer agent demonstrating co-regulation strategies to promote self-regulation in the learner. A series of user studies have been conducted to understand the learner perceptions about the agent roles, related behaviours and the learning task. Altogether, the work presented in this thesis explores how various roles of agents can be utilised in providing regulation scaffolding to the learners in a socially shared learning context

HRI – "In the wild” In Rural India: A Feasibility Study

This work was conducted to investigate the technological acceptance and social perception of a robot helper in a rural context. A feasibility study was carried out in a rural village in India with 11 participants with a water carrying task for the robot. A strong cultural influence was found in terms of gender perception of the robot, most participants perceived the robot’s gender as a female despite of the robot having a male’s voice. The overall social perception and usefulness of the robot was observed to be positive. We report some initial results and also some practical and logistical challenges while running such studies “in the wild” with rural subjects in this paper

Role of Power Converters in Inductive Power Transfer System for Public Transport—A Comprehensive Review

IPT (inductive power transfer) charging is a highly flexible concept that allows for charging at any possible opportunity and is highly versatile for vehicles of all sizes. IPT wireless charging technology employs high-power inductive energy transfer between the components embedded into streets and the receiving equipment mounted below the vehicle. When the vehicle moves over the charging point, the contactless charging process is initiated between the components and the vehicle. In this work, the role of power converter topologies in IPT systems are studied for electric vehicle (EV) charging applications. Further, the predominant topologies are compared and analyzed in detail. The contingency in misalignment, loading and frequency shift are discussed for various converter topologies. The tolerance in misalignment poses serious challenges for wireless chargers in EVs. Therefore, there is currently a need to design a symmetric IPT system with multiple decoupled receiving coils. The significance of power inverter topologies for achieving resonance, as well as the generation of high-frequency supply, has been studied in detail. Experimental waveforms that are related to the explanations in this work are provided to substantiate the advantages regarding the converters

Inner Resonance and Outer Current Based Control Strategy for Inductive Power Transfer System Used in Wireless Charging for Electric Vehicles

The wireless charging for electric vehicle is getting popular due to the absence of sophisticated cable connection and associated issues with the actuators in field for connected charging. The major challenges in inductive power transfer (IPT) systems are the control of the resonance converter and synchronisation in communications with the vehicle and power supply. In IPT system, the dynamic nature of load as well as system demands extra care for the existing charging architectures. This work proposes a unique control algorithm to charge the Li-ion battery under coupling coefficient and load variations. The developed control algorithm is validated in MATLAB simscape platform. Further, the control logic is validated using the Texas C2000 Delfino controller in 1 kW IPT system. The developed control logic would ensure proper frequency of operation as well as the constant voltage and constant current control

Influence of Si3N4 on the Dry Sliding Wear Characteristics of Stir-Cast Cu-10Sn/xSi3N4 Metal Matrix Composite for Bearing Applications

Bronze metal matrix composites (MMCs) are futuristic materials that may find applications in automobile, aviation, and marine industries, specifically for propellers in submarines, bearings, and bushings for defence purposes. The present investigation studied the effect of Si3N4 (5, 10, 15 wt%) ceramic particles on the physical, metallurgical, and tribological behaviour of Cu-10Sn/Si3N4 MMCs. Cast rods of three composites and a base alloy were fabricated using the liquid metallurgy route. The microstructural characterisation for the cast samples was conducted using FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope), EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope), which revealed that the Cu-10Sn alloy reinforced with 5 wt% of Si3N4 had homogeneous distribution and perfect bonding of the Si3N4 with the bronze MMC. The dry sliding wear test was performed by varying parameters such as the applied load (10, 20, 30 N) and sliding velocity (1, 2, 3 m/s). The specific wear rate (SWR) increased against an increased load. However, the SWR and coefficient of friction decreased and then increased against an increasing sliding velocity due to tribolayer formation. The primary wear mechanism observed at low and high loads was severe delamination. In contrast, the wear mechanism was adhesion wear at high and low velocities. Amongst the researched samples, Cu-10Sn/5 wt% Si3N4 composites revealed the least SWR at a load of 10 N and sliding velocity of 2 m/s and hence can be recommended for manufacturing bearings and bushings in the automobile and defence industry

Influence of Si₃N₄ on the Dry Sliding Wear Characteristics of Stir-Cast Cu-10Sn/xSi₃N₄ Metal Matrix Composite for Bearing Applications

Bronze metal matrix composites (MMCs) are futuristic materials that may find applications in automobile, aviation, and marine industries, specifically for propellers in submarines, bearings, and bushings for defence purposes. The present investigation studied the effect of Si3N4 (5, 10, 15 wt%) ceramic particles on the physical, metallurgical, and tribological behaviour of Cu-10Sn/Si3N4 MMCs. Cast rods of three composites and a base alloy were fabricated using the liquid metallurgy route. The microstructural characterisation for the cast samples was conducted using FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope), EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope), which revealed that the Cu-10Sn alloy reinforced with 5 wt% of Si3N4 had homogeneous distribution and perfect bonding of the Si3N4 with the bronze MMC. The dry sliding wear test was performed by varying parameters such as the applied load (10, 20, 30 N) and sliding velocity (1, 2, 3 m/s). The specific wear rate (SWR) increased against an increased load. However, the SWR and coefficient of friction decreased and then increased against an increasing sliding velocity due to tribolayer formation. The primary wear mechanism observed at low and high loads was severe delamination. In contrast, the wear mechanism was adhesion wear at high and low velocities. Amongst the researched samples, Cu-10Sn/5 wt% Si3N4 composites revealed the least SWR at a load of 10 N and sliding velocity of 2 m/s and hence can be recommended for manufacturing bearings and bushings in the automobile and defence industry