CAREER: Acoustic Wave Filters for High Frequency Wireless Communication Applications

Expanding commercial and military applications crowd the wireless communications frequency band, creating a critical need to expand the band to higher frequencies. The application of newly discovered high velocity pseudo surface acoustic waves (HVPSAWs), has the potential of satisfying the high frequency requirements of the next generation of wireless communications. This CAREER proposal involves an integrated research and education plan for high radio frequency (RF) microwave acoustic devices. The research objective is to identify piezoelectric materials and specific orientations in which HVPSAWs exist, and to design, fabricate, and test prototype HVPSAW filters. Specific research tasks are: (i) search for piezoelectric materials and orientations in which HVPSAWs exist; (ii) characterize theoretical mode propagation; (iii) determine HVPSAW phase velocity, propagation loss, temperature behavior, electromechanical coupling, and power flow angle; (iv) experimentally verify the theoretically predicted HVPSAW properties; develop a theoretical model for the HVPSAW interdigital transducer (IDT) structure, and its experimental verification; (v) model and characterize integral HVPSAW filters structures, such as reflectors, multistrip couplers, guiding structures; (vi) integrate HVPSAW structure components into HVPSAW filter design; and (vii) fabricate and test prototype HVPSAW filters. The educational objective is to provide a learning experience in a fast moving state-of-the-art area to students ranging from high school to graduate level. The learning experience will range from team projects at the high school level to theses at the graduate level. In summary this project will not only provide the necessary research to realize the next generation of wireless communications but also educate students in a very relevant high need technology area which has applications ranging from cellular phones to high speed communication and signal processing systems

A concretização do estado de direito ambiental segundo a proposta da união internacional para conservação da natureza: limites e possibilidades

O objetivo do presente artigo é analisar os limites para a concretização do Estado de Direito Ambiental, conforme proposta formulada no Primeiro Congresso Mundial de Direito Ambiental promovido pela União Internacional para Conservação da Natureza (IUCN) e entidades ligadas ao Poder Judiciário Brasileiro, em abril de 2016. O artigo se justifica em razão da necessidade de problematizar acerca das possibilidades da implantação de um modelo de Estado que preze pela garantida da qualidade ambiental, diante dos paradoxos e contradições ligadas àafirmação de um direito fundamental ao meio ambiente e dos desafios impostos pela perda de centralidade que os processos de globalização impõem ao poder normativo do Estado. Para tanto, estabelecem-se, inicialmente, as diferenças entre as propostas de Estado de Direito e de Estado de Direito Ambiental, com ênfase nas funções comunicacionais dessa nova proposta e, em seguida se problematiza acerca de dois fatores endógenos ligados à proposição da IUCN: a natureza jurídica do direito fundamental ao meio ambiente e as dificuldades que representa para que possa esverdear o Estado de Direito, transformando-o em Estado de Direito Ambiental e um fator externo: o cenário geopolítico no qual se pretende construir o novo modelo de Estado. A pesquisa que deu origem ao presente trabalho é teórica, mediante consulta a fontes bibliográficas em diversos meios e o método adotado é o dedutivo. Conclui-se que o Estado de Direito Ambiental é um devir e que seu sucesso dependerá do alargamento da noção de direito ao meio ambiente, que necessariamente terá que considerar aspectos não humanos e da capacidade comunicacional do Estado em um contexto policêntrico imposto pela globalização econômica.Fil: Pereira, Reginaldo. Universidade Comunitária da Região de Chapecó; BrasilFil: Berger, Mauricio Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Rectorado. Instituto de Investigación y Formación en Administración Pública; Argentin

The millennial generation reshaping the workplace: what changes are needed for organizations to attract and retain employees ?

This report aims to measure how different is the Millennial generation from the Western world from their predecessors and identify ways in which firms should adapt in order to attract and retain these new talents. These recommendations will not only take into account generational aspects of this challenge, but also the overall environment and the different forces shaping the future of work. Two main challenges are to be linked with this generation in the workplace. The first one lies in the fact that the Millennial generation does not have the same expectations, needs and ambitions from a career. The second challenge is the cohabitation of four generations in the workplace, which will be challenging as they will not have a common language to speak with and could result in conflictual situations due to their differences. In order to answer to these identified challenges and for my recommendations to be viable, this work’s introduction set the overall context used to understand the global future of work, the different aspects of a firm’s structure and finally a thorough analyse of each generation which will need to collaborate in the workplace, namely the Baby-boomers, Generation X and the Millennials. The second part of this thesis analyses the results from my qualitative and quantitative research on the subject. The qualitative research represents four different interviews of firms from different industries and the qualitative research has been done through a survey sent to the particular Millennial population of Swiss apprentices, in order to complete the very thorough Deloitte research on Millennials, which does not take into account this population. Finally, my recommendations highlight how firms can adapt various aspects of their internal organization in order to attract and retain the talents of this Millennial generation, but also survive in the workplace of the future

GÊNERO E SEGREGAÇÃO NA GESTÃO UNIVERSITÁRIA NOS 50 ANOS DA UNIVERSIDADE REGIONAL DE BLUMENAU (FURB)

Neste trabalho investigou-se, com base em processos estudados por Acker (1990), o gênero predominante na estrutura organizacional da Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB), em seus 50 anos de existência. Ao invés de analisar o gênero a partir do indivíduo, Acker (1990) analisou o gênero nas estruturas e nas ocupações das organizações. A reprodução das desigualdades de gênero nas organizações, de acordo com Cohen e Huffman (2003), é a base para a desvalorização do trabalho das mulheres e a dominação dos homens (SANTOS; ANTUNES, 2013). Neste estudo utilizou-se da abordagem qualitativa, analisando-se por meio da análise de conteúdo, os documentos primários que foram coletados nos registros da instituição pesquisada. Este estudo se justifica pela pouca produção brasileira sobre o tema gênero e segregação na gestão universitária. Quanto aos resultados encontrados constatou-se que, na estrutura organizacional da FURB, o gênero predominante praticado tem sido o masculino. Por meio da distinção entre homem e mulher e pela reprodução e manutenção das desigualdades de gênero, o masculino tem sido favorecido em detrimento do feminino

ESTRATÉGIAS DAS GESTORAS DA UNIVERSIDADE REGIONAL DE BLUMENAU (FURB) PARA QUEBRAR O TETO DE VIDRO

Neste estudo investigou-se as estratégias utilizadas pelas gestoras para quebrar o teto de vidro, ou seja, para ascenderem aos altos cargos de gestão da Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB). A abordagem utilizada na pesquisa foi a qualitativa, em que o instrumento para a coleta de dados foi a entrevista semiestruturada. A entrevista, com base no estudo de Ragins et al. (1998), foi realizada com as sete mulheres que ocuparam os cargos de alta gestão da FURB. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio da análise de conteúdo. Este estudo se justificou pelo pouco número de mulheres em altos cargos de gestão, a escassez de estudos referente à gestão feminina no contexto educacional e, mais especificamente, em Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES). Quanto aos resultados encontrados constatou-se que, em relação às estratégias utilizadas, as entrevistadas afirmaram que excederam as expectativas de desempenho, tentaram encontrar uma maneira apropriada de trabalhar sem tornar desconfortáveis seus pares masculinos, porém sem precisar adotar uma postura masculina. Elas também afirmaram que participaram de tarefas difíceis e desafiadoras e tiveram pessoas que as apoiaram, mas sem depender delas para ascender na carreira. Porém, elas ainda não quebraram o teto de vidro da FURB

A SciFi tracker for the LHCb experiment

The quest to understand the prevalence of matter over antimatter in the observable universe drives the Large Hadron Collider Beauty (LHCb) Experiment at CERN, situated beneath the France-Switzerland border. This thesis focuses on a detector upgrade crucial to enhance the sensitivity of the LHCb Experiment. A key ingredient of this upgrade is the Scintillating Fiber Detector (SciFi) Tracker.The introduction of the SciFi replaced key components like the Outer and Inner Tracker, improving tracking efficiency and spatial resolution.To ensure SciFi's radiation resilience, comprehensive tests were conducted, that revealed effects on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), including speed degradation, leakage current, re-programmability loss, Single Event Upsets (SEU), and Single Event Latch-ups (SEL).Results indicated that speed degradation, leakage current, and SELs were manageable during the detector's lifetime. However, FPGAs became unprogrammable after a certain radiation exposure, necessitating operational planning. Mitigation strategies, like triple modular redundancy, reduced SEUs to an acceptable level.Mass-produced SciFi modules and readout electronics underwent their first particle beam test, allowing optimization of operating parameters of the front-end electronics, such as clustering coefficients, thresholds, and shaper settings.Resolution analysis demonstrated compliance with detector specifications. With an efficiency surpassing 99\% and a spatial resolution better than 70 µm, SciFi is validated for LHCb operation.As SciFi is commissioned, the configurations explored in this thesis offer valuable insights for optimizing the detector during commissioning and beyond

SENSORS: Detecting Microbial Pathogens with Novel Surface Acoustic Wave Devices in Liquid Environments

This SENSORS proposal integrates research and education to exploit the sensitivity of a new family of LGX crystal devices operated in novel Shear Horizontal Surface Acoustic Wave (SH-SAW) propagation directions by combining them with highly selective molecular padlock probes to detect specific nucleic acid sequences associated with bacteria such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhi, and Vibrio cholerae in aqueous solutions. The anticipated fundamental advances in sensor science and engineering will be relevant to numerous applications, including rapid response to bioterrorism, healthcare, epidemiology, agriculture, food safety, and pollution avoidance and mitigation. This SENSORS program builds upon the initial proof-of-concept results provided by an NSF SGER project funded by the divisions of Electrical and Communication Systems, and Bioengineering and Environmental Systems. The intellectual merit of this proposal rests in the creative, integrated research and education activities related to combining the recently identified LGX SH-SAW devices with molecular padlock probe technology to permit the design, fabrication, testing, and optimization of prototype biosensors. The specific research objectives of this SENSORS program are to: (i) Identify the surface density chemistry for increased sensitivity; (ii) Investigate and identify the optimal LGX SH-SAW orientation and device design for operation with the padlock technology; (iii) Study and develop the molecular padlock probe system to operate effectively in conjunction with the LGX SH-SAW device; (iv) Fabricate and test the prototype SH-SAW liquid biosensors; (v) Identify and optimize a procedure for sensor regeneration; and (vi) Characterize and optimize the sensor\u27s dynamic range and cross-effects due to temperature and other physical and chemical factors. The educational objective of this SENSORS program is to provide a multidisciplinary learning experience to students ranging from high school to graduate student level in the area of sensors in general, and biosensors in particular. Broader impacts will be achieved through the following programs and activities to: (i) Train and interact with high school audiences through two major ongoing programs at University of Maine (UMaine), NSF Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) and the GK-12 Sensors; (ii) Involve undergraduates from Maine and other institutions directly into the research project under the umbrella of the ongoing NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the UMaine; (iii) Expand existing undergraduate Sensor Technology and Instrumentation and Biochemical Engineering Engineering courses at the UMaine by adding modules relating to biosensors devices and systems; (iv) Identify appropriate Capstone projects for undergraduates involving cross-disciplinary research and design projects; (v) Enhance existing graduate level courses Microscale Bioengineering and Design and Fabrication of Acoustic Wave Devices by incorporating research results into the course; (vi) Contribute to the new interdisciplinary multi-institutional NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program in functional genomics, which involves UMaine, the Jackson Laboratory, and the Maine Medical Center Research Institute; (vi) Provide a experimental and/or theoretical thesis topics for Masters and Ph.D. students; (vii) Disseminate the research and educational material on a project website, and through conferences and printed literature. The SENSORS project proposed here is designed to result in tangible research and educational benefits. It will provide a knowledge base critical to creation of the next generation of biosensors for single unit production and future integration into arrays. It also seeks to establish a model program whereby cross-disciplinary education is integrated with a state-of-the-art research program, providing a rich learning experience for students ranging from high school to graduate student level. Finally, the project will help to strengthen U.S. research and educational capabilities in an area of high technology that currently is in need of highly trained industry and academic professionals

Exploracion de un metodo de gestion de inventario para el Departamento de Aprovisionamiento del Banco del Estado de Chile

86 p.En este trabajo planteamos la siguiente hipótesis: Es posible reducir los costos totales de inventario del Departamento de Aprovisionamiento del BECH, garantizando una ruptura mínima. Para demostrar esta afirmación, se realiza un análisis de los procesos del Departamento de Aprovisionamiento relacionados con las compras y distribución de artículos de escritorio Luego, se seleccionan algunos artículos de la bodega Stock, en la cual se almacenan los artículos de escritorio Con los datos contenidos en las tarjetas de existencia de los artículos seleccionados, se realiza una simulación de cinco métodos de gestión de inventario. Se evalúan y se selecciona el método que hubiese logrado el mejor equilibrio entre un bajo costo total de inventario y una mínima ruptura, durante el periodo en estudio. Finalmente, se realiza una comparación entre el método de gestión actual y el método seleccionado, para tener una idea de la magnitud de las mejoras y proponer una alternativa a seguir