Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Chain carrier'

Thesis: M. Eng. in Supply Chain Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Supply Chain Management Program, 2017.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 76-77).
This research analyzed freight performance to determine the groupings of attributes that influence carrier performance. Binary logistic regression and hierarchical clustering were used to identify individual and groupings of freight attributes that impacted performance success in terms of on time delivery, on time pick up, and first tender acceptance rate. From the analysis, three main performance groups of carriers were identified and their subsequent underlying attributes and strategies were analyzed. This research confirmed industry belief that differing strategies and freight profile roles result in different performance, specifically that more focused carriers tend to provide better service than unfocused carriers. Insights for shippers were gleaned from the analysis and comparison of a different shippers' carrier portfolios. From this, diversified portfolios with a higher proportion of more focused carriers were shown to have stronger performance. The significance of this research is that it offers a strategic review of groups of freight attributes that contribute to performance outcome. Within this strategic review, carriers were shown to have different underlying roles within shippers' portfolios which may suggest the need of different ways of measuring their performance.
by Caroline C. Bleggi and Frederick (Qian) Zhou.
M. Eng. in Supply Chain Management

Thesis: M. Eng. in Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Supply Chain Management Program, 2016.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 42-43).
This thesis analyzes the impact on prices and capacity of trucking industry due to the introduction of ELD mandate. This mandate requires truck drivers to record their working hours in a specified electronic device instead of a pen and paper method. This thesis utilizes the change in average truck driver working hours, cost of ELD equipment and distance from origin to destination of truck loads to determine the potential impact on trucking market. The models used provide an estimation of the impact on capacity and cost and the likelihood of impact on the economics of trucking industry.
by Chan How Law.
M. Eng. in Logistics

Thesis: M. Eng. in Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Supply Chain Management Program, 2016.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 90-91).
Multi-stop truckload has been gaining importance in recent years as part of a shift away from Less-than-truckload freight. In our research, we sought to understand how the price and carrier behavior vary as the number of stops increases. Rational economic theory says that these shipments will be more expensive, and experience shows that in practice they also tend to get rejected more often. This thesis tested these two likely results together with other factors known for affecting price and rejection rates, such as lead time, clustering of the stops, etc. We used logistics regression to predict the acceptance ratio and ordinary least squares regression to model the price based on historical data. We found that there is an inherent cost associated with multi-stops, which depends on the number of stops and whether the stop is a pick or a drop. The proximity of these stops as well as the stop-off charge can also impact the price. Carrier acceptance and routing guide depth depends on the price structure and load characteristics. As the number of stops increases, it takes longer for a tender to be accepted and the shipment performance also deteriorates with an increased likelihood of late delivery especially if the initial pickup is late. Therefore, companies need to be aware of the hidden costs associated with multi-stop truckloads as they plan their transportation network.
by Xiaojia (Amy) Chen and Shang Lin (Peter) Tsai Yang.
M. Eng. in Logistics

E-handel är en revolutionerande industri som växer ständigt och kommer med all sannolikhet att fortsätta växa i en accelererande fart. Syftet med denna studie är att få en överblick över vilka faktorer som påverkar svenska konsumenters köpbeteende i samband med e-handel. Samt vilka faktorer som spelar en anspelande roll vid val av leveransaktör för e-handelsföretagen. Studien visar hur valet av leveransaktör kan påverka både konsument och företag och vilka krav som ställs i samband med en leverans.  Insamlingen av teori och data genomfördes med hjälp av en litteratur studie, enkätundersökningar och intervjuer. De viktigaste faktorerna som påverkar konsumenternas köpbeteende vid hemsidans utformning visade sig vara websidans pålitlighet (säkerhet) och websidans användbarhet följt av interaktivitet Konsumenterna ansåg att en marknads mix och en estetisk tilltalande hemsida inte påverkar deras köp avsevärt.  Vid val av den logistiska aspekten så som frakt, ses en leverans som ankommer i tid, och en fri frakt vara av störst betydelse bland deltagarna. De angivna faktorerna visade sig även påverka återkommande köp från samma hemsida i framtiden. E-handelsföretagen ser inte leveransalternativet som ett konkurrensmedel bland sina konkurrenter då alla de ledande distributörerna erbjuder samma tjänster så som spårbar frakt, korta leveranstider och enkelhet. Vid val av leveransaktör har samtliga företag rangordnat leverans tid, möjligspårning och snabb respons tillsammans med pris och godsförlust/godshantering som dem två viktigaste faktorerna.

Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2014. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2014. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.
Title as it appears in MIT commencement exercises program, June 6, 2014: Reducing automotive supply chain complexity through analysis of demand and lead time variation. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 87-89).
Lead time information from suppliers influences decisions at every level of a supply chain, from sourcing and purchasing, to inventory policies, transportation, and plant design. Large volume, high complexity manufacturers, like those in the automotive industry, collect and store enormous amounts of data, but due to departmental boundaries, out-dated computing systems, and day-to-day priorities, they often do not analyze this valuable information. We analyze lead time data from Nissan on more than 13,000 SKUs and more than 400 suppliers, and apply the analysis to two supply chain and logistics problems: safety stock and transportation fleet sizing, identifying about $10MM of one-time and continuing savings opportunities. In both cases, we similarly are looking at creating a strategic buffer, either in terms of inventory or trailers, to account for variability in lead time. Much of the academic literature around lead time focuses on complex optimization algorithms, concepts far removed from the reality of Nissan's operations. We bridge the gaps between the rigor of academic analysis to practical application in the automotive industry. Our experiments with heuristic inventory policies to reduce space requirements, holding costs and expedited shipments, as well as our vehicle pooling simulation, should provide valuable transferable insights. Similarly, our experiences implementing these ideas and processes in a business environment and our observations on organizational structure should inform process change both in automotive and other industries.
by Jennifer Sarah Bolton.
M.B.A.
S.M.

The major obstacle many promising drugs struggle to overcome is the barrier imposed by the outer cell membrane. In addition to technologies such as liposomes and cell-penetrating peptides, more attention is being given to the class of proteins known as lectins to deliver therapeutic and antigenic proteins to the interiors of cells. Lectins bind to but do not modify sugars, and provide an efficient route to endocytosis. The galactose/N-acetyl-galactosamine specific lectin ricin B-chain (RTB) is especially attractive in possibly fulfilling a carrier role due to its well-characterized endocytotic trafficking and its efficacy over a wide range of cell types. By producing RTB recombinantly in plants it is possible to create a fully active, non-toxic carrier that does not rely on the processing of large amounts of toxic material (e.g. castor bean). Payload molecules such as small molecules and proteins can be attached to RTB via chemical conjugation at primary amine groups, without the loss of lectin or uptake activities. The biotin/streptavidin interaction and direct genetic fusion of polypeptides also provide efficient mechanisms for the attachment of payload proteins to RTB. An immunoglobulin domain-based scaffolding mechanism bridges modified RTB and payload proteins when co-expressed in Agrobacterium-infiltrated plant leaves. Carrier and payload proteins expressed in plants and E. coli, respectively, and purified independently are not able to assemble into an efficient carrier/payload arrangement. These findings show that plant cells are able to correctly produce the two components of the carrier/payload system and assemble them into an efficient and flexible capture and carry technology.
Ph. D.

INTRODUÇÃO: Neisseria meningitidis é uma das principais causas de meningite bacteriana em todo o mundo. No Brasil, a vacina meningocócica conjugada C foi introduzida no calendário básico do Programa Nacional de Imunizações em 2010 para a população abaixo de 2 anos de idade. Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a taxa de portadores sadios de meningococo em nasofaringe entre estudantes de medicina através de métodos fenotípicos e genotípicos. Além disso, foram analisados os fatores de risco associados ao estado de portador sadio. MÉTODOS: Trezentos e setenta e cinco (375) estudantes da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo foram submetidos à coleta de swabs de nasofaringe, de outubro a novembro de 2010: desta casuística, 190 estudantes foram submetidos à coleta de dois swabs. Os swabs foram encaminhados ao Laboratório de Investigação Médica (LIM) de Bacteriologia para isolamento e caracterização das cepas: o primeiro swab foi submetido a cultivo em meio seletivo, testes bioquímicos e reação em cadeia da polimerase com primers específicos para dois genes de Neisseria meningitidis, ctrA e crgA. O segundo swab foi submetido à extração direta de DNA, sem cultivo prévio. Todas as cepas isoladas foram genogrupadas com primers específicos direcionados aos genogrupos A, B, C, Y e W. RESULTADOS: A prevalência geral de portadores sadios foi 45,6%. A taxa de portadores obtida após cultivo em meio seletivo e testes bioquímicos foi 6,1%. A taxa de colonização resultante da PCR dos produtos de cultivo em meio seletivo foi 15.4%. Destas cepas, a maioria pertencia ao genogrupo B. A partir da extração direta de DNA de 190 amostras clínicas, obtivemos 69,5% de positividade de portadores sadios, sendo o genogrupo C predominante nestas amostras. A PFGE mostrou que todas as cepas isoladas eram policlonais. Não houve relação estatisticamente significativa entre os fatores de risco avaliados e o estado de portador sadio. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo avaliou a prevalência de portadores sadios em adultos jovens no Brasil antes da introdução da vacina meningocócica C conjugada no calendário vacinal de rotina. A prevalência variou de 6,1% a 69,5% dentre os diferentes métodos utilizados, com uma prevalência geral de 45,6%. Comparando-se os diferentes métodos, os métodos genotípicos mostraram-se superiores na detecção de portadores sadios, especialmente quando o DNA é extraído diretamente da amostra clínica
BACKGROUND: Neisseria meningitidis is one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis worldwide. In Brazil, the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine was introduced as a part of basic vaccination schedule in the public health system in 2010 to the population under 2 years old. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the rate of asymptomatic carriers of meningococci in the nasopharynx among medical students by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Furthermore, the risk factors for carriage were also analyzed. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-five (375) students from University of São Paulo Medical School underwent nasopharyngeal swab collection from October to November, 2010. From those students, 190 of them underwent collection of two swabs; they were sent to the laboratory for isolation and characterization of strains: the first one were submitted to culture on solid plates with selective medium, biochemical tests, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with specific primers for two genes of Neisseria meningitidis, ctrA and crgA. From the second swab, direct DNA extraction to PCR reactions were performed, with no previous culture. All strains isolated were genogrouped with specific primers targeting A, B, C, Y and W groups. RESULTS: The overall carriage rate was 45,6%. Carriage rate by culture on solid plates and biochemical tests was 6.1%. The rate obtained from PCR targeting genes ctrA and crgA of colony growth on selective medium was 15.4%. From those strains, the majority belongs to genogroup B. With direct extraction of DNA from 190 clinical samples, we obtained a positivity of 69.5% of meningococcal carriage, and the genogroup C was the main genogroup from those samples. The PFGE showed that the samples were polyclonal. CONCLUSIONS: This study has evaluated the rate of asymptomatic carriers in young people in Brazil before the vaccine introduction in the vaccine routine schedule of infants. The prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage by meningoccoci among medical students was 6.1% for the phenotypic method, 15.4% by PCR after growth in selective medium and 69.5% by PCR from DNA extracted from clinical samples. In the comparison of the phenotypic and genotypic methods, it was observed that genotypic are superior to phenotypic methods, especially when direct DNA extraction from clinical specimen is performed

The aim of this diploma thesis is system design of the horizontal drive carrier storage system LLH. In the first part describes the problems of storage of bars, complemented by an overview of commercially used vertical storage systems. Next part is devoted to build computational algorithm for t he design of the carrier drive system. With this algorithm, the device is designed in the final part.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to design the control picking unit for the storage system Multitower. This work deals with the storage of rods, safety requirements and design of structures. The design part solves the actuator design, choice of chain tensioning system and torque transmission. The strength analysis of important components is solved in last part.

Thesis (S.M.M.O.T.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Management of Technology Program, 2002.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-104).
This thesis predicts the dynamics of value chains in the telecommunication industry and proposes telecommunication carriers' strategies in future converged networks. It predicts that large carriers will vertically integrate chains for the supply and management of network services. This will dis-integrate network service providers into back-end network providers and front-end service providers, pushing niche network service providers to outsource network operations from large carriers. Building on these forecasts, the thesis proposes the following strategies: First, carriers should do business as both front-end service providers and back-end network providers. Second, as a front-end service provider's strategy, carriers should reinforce their base of loyal customers by providing tailored supply and management services like "Dell Premier". Third, as a back-end network provider's strategy, carriers should create the value of a back-end network like "VISA", by providing services for the inter operation between front-end service providers. Fourth, carriers should also build complementary assets, such as "design-for-manageability" know-how/patents and the position to aggregate contents/applications/ ASPs, taking advantage of their operation volume in back-end network services.
by Masahisa Kawashima.
S.M.M.O.T.

Um total de 107 S. aureus isolados de casos de mastite, glândulas portadoras, pele do úbere, ordenhadores e insufladores, em rebanhos de São Paulo e Pernambuco, foram tipados por técnicas moleculares PCR-RFLP do gene coa e PCR de spa distinguiram seis perfis. Todas as amostras amplificaram genes coa, spa, icaA e 69% produziram biofilme glicose-induzido in vitro. PFGE identificou 31 perfis e 12 linhagens. Uma linhagem foi predominante (P < 0,0001) e amplamente disseminada em ambas as regiões. Um mesmo perfil foi isolado de mastite clínica, subclínica e portadoras. Houve heterogeneidade genética entre isolados de fazenda. Isolados de origem humana e animal constituíram populações distintas. Poucos isolados de leite, insufladores e pele do úbere tiveram igual perfil. Uma amostra extramamária, 77% dos isolados de leite e. 99% de S. aureus de portadoras produziram biofilme. Não foi detectada correlação entre produção de biofilme e CCS. O isolamento sucessivo do mesmo perfil de PFGE de glândulas assintomáticas por mais de 16 dias caracterizou o estágio de portador.
A total of 107 S. aureus isolated from bovine milk, udder skin, milkers and milking machine, from São Paulo and Pernambuco herds was typed by molecular techniques. PCR-RFLP coa gene and PCR spa gene distinguished six amplicons. All strains amplified coa, spa, icaA genes and, 69% produced in vitro glucose-induced biofilm. PFGE identified 31 pulsotypes, 12 lineages. One of the lineages was predominantly isolated (P<0.0001) and widely disseminated. A same pulsotype was isolated from clinical and, subclinical mastitis as well as from carriers. There was genetic heterogeneity among isolates from the herds. Strains from human and animal origin were genetically different. Few isolates from milk, milking machine and udder skin showed similar pulsotype. An extramammary strain, 77% of the milk isolates and, 99% of the S. aureus isolated from carriers produced biofilm. It was not detected any correlation between SCC and biofilm production. The successive isolation during more than 16 days of a same pulsotype from the asymptomatic glands characterized the carrier status.

Competition amongst companies in the global market has resulted in increased production of goods and services. Enterprises are now faced with the challenges of shipments of raw materials, spare parts from vendors, and the finished goods to consumers. Logistics companies are springing up to tackle transportation and other logistics problems. There are various logistics companies such as logistics intermediaries, carriers and third party logistics service providers in the market which are in one way or the other competing and at the same time cooperating within the supply chain in order to fulfill their assignments to their customers. Third party logistics service providers are experiencing rapid growth because of the advanced demand of services such as the desire to reduce lead time, inventory management, outsourcing, and a host of other functions. Not much has been written on the logistics firms. Besides, most studies on logistics firms and the third-party logistics providers focus more on such aspects like their skills, services, and their relationships with their customers. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the logistics service providers’ roles within the logistics firms’ supply chain by identifying how the expected roles are performed. In the frame of reference, the author searched several books and articles that are relevant within the scope of the thesis topic. Both qualitative and explorative data collection methods are used in the thesis and these involve conducting interviews, and reading the accounts of other people concerning the thesis topic. The conclusion shows that logistics service providers are able to perform their roles through vertical and horizontal cooperation with other firms and with other logistics firms respectively. Besides, logistics firms do live up to their roles. Carriers and the logistics intermediary now perform more roles than what people think they do, because networks connection and the urge to remain competitive make them to take up value-added services. Third-party logistics service providers add values for their customers through their value-added services in various ways such as time and place utility including tracking and tracing the goods to ensure that they are delivered.

Die Arbeit befasst sich mit einem neuen textilverstärkten Zugmittel mit formschlüssiger Krafteinleitung. Im Grundlagenteil werden Aufbau, Eigenschaften und Dimensionierungsgrundlagen von Rollenketten und Zahnriemenantrieben erörtert, sowie textile und elastomere Werkstoffe betrachtet. Aus den Betrachtungen zum Stand der Technik, der Maschenware mit hochfesten Filamentgarnen und deren polymeren Beschichtungen wird der Entwicklungsansatz abgeleitet. Mit Hilfe eines Spezialkettenwirkverfahrens werden die textilen Zugträger als Recht/Links-Maschenware hergestellt. Das besondere daran ist die teilungsgenaue Einbindung der Bolzen in die Maschenstruktur bei der Fertigung. Eine anschließende elastomere Beschichtung verbessert die mechanischen Eigenschaften erheblich und fixiert die Bolzen axial. Dabei werden reaktive Polyurethane im Gießverfahren und thermoplastische Elastomere im Spritzgießverfahren eingesetzt. Drei ausgewählte textile Bindungen mit verschiedenen Beschichtungen wurden statisch und dynamisch, anhand von Proben und endlos verbundenen Zugmitteln, ausführlich untersucht. Die daraus abgeleiteten Bauteil-Wöhlerlinien und Leistungsdiagramme bilden die Grundlage zur Auslegung der textilverstärkten Zugmittel für Anwendungen im Maschinenbau
The dissertation deals with a new textile reinforced with form-closed force application. The basis of structure, properties and sizing basics of roller chain drives and belt drives are discussed and considered textile and elastomeric materials. From consideration of the prior art, the knitted fabric with high tenacity filament of polymeric coatings and their development approach is derived. Using a special knitting process, the textile chain tension members are produced as a right / left-knit fabric. The special thing about it is the exact distribution of involvement of the pins in the mesh structure during manufacturing. Subsequent elastomeric coating significantly improves the mechanical properties and fixes the bolt axially. These reactive polyurethanes by casting and thermoplastic elastomers are used in injection molding. Three selected textile bonds with different coatings were statically and dynamically examine in detail the basis of samples and associated endless traction means. The derived component S/N curves and performance charts are the basis for the design of textile-reinforced tension means for applications in mechanical engineering

Amblyomma americanum, the lone star tick, is an indigenous tick species in southern Indiana that harbors a diverse group of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms, including Borrelia lonestari, the putative agent for the southern tick associated rash illness (START) and a spotted fever group rickettsial endosymbiont. The purpose of this study was to implement the real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) as a molecular technique to examine the microbial diversity in A. americanum ticks by estimating abundances of different microorgansisms. A SYBR Green real-time PCR assay was designed to detect and quantify B. lonestari in A. americanum ticks, and a previously published TaqMan real-time PCR assay, designed to detect (not quantify) Rickettsia species in ticks, was validated for the detection and quantification of the spotted fever group rickettsial endosymbiont in A. americanum ticks. Many pitfalls associated with real-time PCR were experienced in this study, such as difficulties in assay design and problems with contamination, and appropriate modifications are recommended to laboratories routinely performing real-time PCR.
Department of Biology

Roll containers are widely used in transportation and delivery operations due to the high level of flexibility and agility they offer to supply chains. However, there is a negative side to the application of roll containers in industry which can be removed or minimized by proper ergonomic and technical considerations. In this thesis work, the safety problems, economic issues and environmental effects associated with roll containers being used in VGR-WESTMA organization are reviewed in order to come up with alternative solutions to the current way of using old roll containers in their supply chain. The analysis of the problem resulted in ergonomic, safety and technical recommendation on using roll containers within their associated supply chain. The appropriate technical design of roll containers that fits the organization facilities are introduced with the aim of streamlining the supply chain flow within the organization. However, cost is considered as a limiting factor for this organization. Hence, proper ergonomic awareness and use of appropriate accessories to the roll containers are considered as a contemporary alternative solution to replacing roll containers being used in this supply chain.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Lyme Disease (LD) bacteria in adult Ixodes pacificus ticks collected from the mountains of San Bernardino County in Southern California. Seven hundred fifty four I. pacificus adults were collected from the Pacific Crest Trail and adjacent areas. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to screen ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi infection by targeting two different DNA loci. Oligonucleotide primers targeting both the ospA and fla genes were used in the assay. Ticks were processed in pools of three, and genomic DNA from the ticks was extracted with a commercial mini-kit utilizing silica matrix spin-columns. All ticks tested negative for B. burgdorferi infection regardless of primer pair used. In addition, ticks were negative following examination by dark-field microscopy. This study confirms previous reports that the prevalence of LD in Southern California is quite low.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is molecular diagnostic method which allows the identification of lactic acid bacteria used in food industry. In this work species-specific PCR primers (targeted on highly conserved 16S rDNA region) were used for identification of bacteria of species Streptoccocus thermophilus in 10 randomly commercially accessible fermented milk products and for identification of species Streptococcus thermophilus in 25 lyophilisates collected in Culture Collection of Dairy Microorganisms Laktoflora (CCDM, Tábor, Czech Republic). The PCR products (968 bp) were detected using electrophoresis in 1,2 % agarose gel. Bacterial DNA was isolated from crude cell lysates by magnetic carriers P(HEMA co GMA) containing carboxyl groups. DNA was reversibly bind on their surface in the presence of high concentrations of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG 6000) and sodium chloride. Phenol extraction of DNA was used as control. Streptococcus thermophilus strains were identificated using PCR in all analysed samples.

The main objective of this Thesis is the study of the autoignition phenomenon of reactive mixtures from a theoretical and experimental point of view. A wide parametric study has been carried out in a Rapid Compression-Expansion Machine (RCEM) for different initial temperatures, compression ratios, equivalence ratios and molar fractions of oxygen (by using synthetic EGR) for different fuels. The ignition delay referred to cool flames (if it can be identified), as well as the ignition delay referred to the high-temperature stage of the ignition, have been experimentally obtained and their trends have been explained regarding the chemical kinetics of each fuel. The different effects of the species that compose the synthetic EGR on the ignition delay have been studied, decoupling the thermodynamic effects from the chemical ones. Different compositions have been taken into account to generate the synthetic EGR, and validation limits have been obtained for each mixture. The thermodynamic and the chemical effects have shown to be opposed, while the dominant one is different depending on the working temperature. Several chemical kinetic mechanisms have been validated by comparison to the experimental results. A detailed mechanism for iso-octane and n-heptane blends and a reduced mechanisms for n-dodecane have been analyzed. Moreover, a sub-model for the generation and decay of excited OH* has been validated by comparison to chemiluminescence and spectroscopy results. The different radiation sources have been studied for iso-octane and n-heptane by means of spectroscopy techniques. Besides, chemiluminescence measurements filtered at 310nm (OH* emission wavelength) have been performed in order to analyze the generalization and propagation velocity of the autoignition front. The ignition propagation has shown to depend on the thermodynamic conditions reached in the combustion chamber when the first ignition spot occurs and not on the global reactivity of the mixture. Furthermore, two different radiation sources have been found at 310nm in the spectroscopic analysis depending on the ignition intensity: the decay of the OH* radical from excited to ground state and the oxidation of CO to CO2 (CO continuum). However, these optical techniques have been applied only in the experiments carried out with iso-octane and n-heptane due to technical limitations. Finally, a new predictive model has been theoretically developed starting from the Glassman's model for autoignition. This method is based on modeling the accumulation rate of chain carriers up to reach their critical concentration (obtaining the ignition delay referred to cool flames) and, afterwards, modeling the disappearance rate of such chain carriers up to their consumption (when the maximum heat release rate is reached, obtaining the ignition delay referred to the high-temperature stage of the process). The predictive capability of the model has been compared to the ability of other methods that can be found in the literature, such as the Livengood & Wu integral method. The validity of each method has been tested, defining a working methodology to obtain reasonable predictions for the ignition delay.
El objetivo de esta Tesis Doctoral es el estudio del fenómeno de autoencendido de mezclas reactivas desde un punto de vista teórico y experimental. Se ha realizado un amplio estudio paramétrico en una Máquina de Compresión-Expansión Rápida (RCEM por sus siglas en inglés) barriendo diversas temperaturas iniciales, relaciones de compresión, dosados relativos y fracciones molares de oxígeno (mediante el uso de EGR sintético) para distintos combustibles. El tiempo de retraso del fenómeno de llamas frías (en el caso de existir), así como el tiempo de retraso de la etapa de alta temperatura, han sido obtenidos experimentalmente y sus tendencias explicadas mediante cinética química. Se han estudiado los diferentes efectos de las distintas especies involucradas en el EGR sintético sobre el tiempo de retraso, desligando aquellos de carácter termodinámico de los efectos puramente químicos. Se han tenido en cuenta distintas composiciones para definir dicho EGR, estableciendo límites de validez para cada una de las mezclas propuestas. Los efectos termodinámicos y químicos resultaron ser opuestos, siendo dominante uno u otro a distintos rangos de temperatura de trabajo. Varios mecanismos de cinética química han sido validados gracias a los resultados experimentales obtenidos. Además de un mecanismo detallado para mezclas PRF de iso-octano y n-heptano, se ha llevado a cabo la validación de otro mecanismo simplificado para el n-dodecano. Por otro lado, un submodelo de formación y decaimiento de OH* excitado ha sido validado contra resultados de quimioluminiscencia y espectroscopía. Se han estudiado las diferentes fuentes de radiación del proceso de autoencendido para el iso-octano y el n-heptano mediante técnicas de espectroscopía. Además, se han realizado medidas de quimioluminiscencia filtrada a 310nm (longitud de onda de emisión del radical OH*) para el análisis de la generalización y velocidad de propagación del frente de autoencendido. La propagación del encendido ha mostrado ser dependiente de las condiciones termodinámicas alcanzadas en la cámara de combustión en el instante de ignición más que de la reactividad de la mezcla. Se han encontrado dos fuentes de radiación distintas a 310nm mediante espectroscopía, dependiendo de la intensidad del encendido: el decaimiento del radical OH* de estado excitado a estado natural y la oxidación del CO a CO2 (continuo del CO). No obstante, estas técnicas han sido utilizadas solamente para los dos combustibles de referencia de la escala de octanaje debido a limitaciones técnicas. Finalmente, se ha desarrollado un nuevo modelo predictivo de manera teórica partiendo del modelo de Glassman para el autoencendido. Este método se basa en modelar primero la tasa de acumulación de portadores de cadena hasta su concentración crítica (obteniendo así el tiempo de retraso referido a la etapa de llamas frías) y, tras dicho instante, modelar la tasa de consumo de dichos portadores de cadena hasta su completa desaparición (instante en el cual se produce la máxima exotermia del proceso, prediciendo el tiempo de retraso referido a la etapa de alta temperatura del encendido). La capacidad predictiva del modelo ha sido comprobada para cada uno de los seis combustibles ensayados. Además, dicha capacidad predictiva ha sido comparada con la de otros métodos existentes en la literatura, como la integral de Livengood & Wu. La validez de cada uno de los métodos ha sido analizada, definiendo una metodología de uso para obtener predicciones razonables del tiempo de retraso.
L'objectiu d'aquesta Tesi Doctoral és l'estudi del fenomen d'autoencesa de mescles reactives des d'un punt de vista teòric i experimental. S'ha realitzat un ampli estudi paramètric en una Màquina de Compressió-Expansió Ràpida (RCEM per les seues sigles en anglès) cobrint diverses temperatures inicials, relacions de compressió, dosatges relatius i fraccions molars d'oxigen (mitjançant l'ús de EGR sintètic) per a diferents combustibles. El temps de retard del fenomen de flames fredes (en el cas d'existir), així com el temps de retard de l'etapa d'alta temperatura, han sigut obtinguts experimentalment i les seues tendències explicades mitjançant cinètica química. S'han estudiat els diferents efectes de les diferents espècies involucrades en l'EGR sintètic sobre el temps de retard, deslligant aquells de caràcter termodinàmic dels efectes purament químics. S'han tingut en compte diferents composicions per a definir aquest EGR, establint límits de validesa per a cadascuna de les mescles proposades. Els efectes termodinàmics i químics van resultar ser oposats, sent dominant un o un altre a diferents rangs de temperatura de treball. Diversos mecanismes de cinètica química han sigut validats gràcies als resultats experimentals obtinguts. A més d'un mecanisme detallat per a mescles PRF d'iso-octà i n-heptà, s'ha dut a terme la validació d'un altre mecanisme simplificat per al n-dodecà. D'altra banda, un submodel de formació i decaïment d'OH* excitat ha sigut validat contra resultats de quimioluminescència i espectroscopía. S'han estudiat les diferents fonts de radiació del procés d'autoencesa per a l'iso-octà i l'n-heptà mitjançant tècniques d'espectroscopía. A més, s'han realitzat mesures de quimioluminescència filtrada a 310nm (longitud d'ona d'emissió del radical OH*) per a l'anàlisi de la generalització i velocitat de propagació del front d'autoencesa. La propagació de l'encesa ha mostrat ser depenent de les condicions termodinàmiques aconseguides en la cambra de combustió en l'instant d'ignició més que de la reactivitat de la mescla. S'han trobat dues fonts de radiació diferents a 310nm mitjançant espectroscopía, depenent de la intensitat de l'encesa: el decaïment del radical OH* d'estat excitat a estat natural i l'oxidació del CO a CO2 (continu del CO). No obstant açò, aquestes tècniques han sigut utilitzades solament per als dos combustibles de referència de l'escala de octanaje a causa de limitacions tècniques. Finalment, s'ha desenvolupat un nou model predictiu de manera teòrica partint del model de Glassman per a l'autoencesa. Aquest mètode es basa a modelar primer la taxa d'acumulació de portadors de cadena fins a la seua concentració crítica (obtenint així el temps de retard referit a l'etapa de flames fredes) i, després d'aquest instant, modelar la taxa de consum d'aquests portadors de cadena fins a la seua completa desaparició (instant en el qual es produeix la màxima exotermia del procés, predient el temps de retard referit a l'etapa d'alta temperatura de l'encesa). La capacitat predictiva del model ha sigut comprovada per a cadascun dels sis combustibles assajats. A més, aquesta capacitat predictiva ha sigut comparada amb la d'altres mètodes existents en la literatura, com la integral de Livengood & Wu. La validesa de cadascun dels mètodes ha sigut analitzada, definint una metodologia d'ús per a obtenir prediccions raonables del temps de retard.
López Pintor, D. (2017). Theoretical and experimental study on the autoignition phenomena of homogeneous reactive mixtures [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/90642
TESIS

Logistics Transportation is an indispensable step that connects production, storage, and the final customers. Plenty of previous research has been done to achieve the goals such as low cost, high accuracy in timing, good customer service, and low damage rate, within the transportation system. However, most of those improvements are on the operational level. There are few supply chain collaborations that try to optimize logistics transportation from a strategic level. This thesis proposes a new collaboration policy, Carrier Managed Transportation (CMT). It is a coordinated relationship between the carrier and the clients in a supply chain. As opposed to the traditional approach, where the client decides when to request shipments of the products, in CMT, the carrier will make these decisions on their behalf through information sharing. Due to the complexity in relationships and responsibilities of chain members, we divide the business scenarios into four cases and discuss the impact of CMT on each case. Comparisons and numerical examples across cases are also provided, along with some conclusions regarding the implementation of CMT.

Transportation is important in making supply chain decisions. With the careful consideration of transportation expenses, the performance of each supply chain member, as well as the entire supply chain, could be improved significantly. The purpose of this research is: 1) to explore and identify the various situations that relate to replenishment and transportation activities; and 2) to reveal the strength of the connection between purchase quantity and transportation discounts, and integrate the two discounts to enhance supply-chain coordination. The problem is analyzed and categorized into four representative cases, depending on transportation. To aid the supplier or the carrier to determine the discount that should be offered, in light of the buyer's reaction to that discount, decision models are proposed under three different circumstances. First, assuming a single product, we investigate the quantity discounts from the supplier's perspective, via a noncooperative game-theoretical approach and also a joint decision model. Taking into account the price elasticity of demand, this analysis aids a sole supplier in establishing an all-unit quantity discount policy in light of the buyer's best reaction. The Stackelberg equilibrium and the Pareto-optimal solution set are derived for the noncooperative and joint-decision cases, respectively. Our research indicates that channel efficiency can be improved significantly if the quantity discount decision is made jointly rather than noncooperatively. Moreover, we extend our model in several directions: (a) the product is transported by a private fleet; (b) the buyer may choose to offer her customers a different percentage discount than that she obtained from the supplier; and (c) the case of multiple (heterogeneous) buyers. Numerical examples are employed, here and throughout the thesis, to illustrate the practical applications of the models presented and the sensitivity to model parameters. Secondly, we consider a situation with a family of SKUs for which the supplier will offer a quantity discount, according to the aggregate purchases of the product group. Management of those items is based on the modified periodic policy. From the supplier's point of view, what are the optimal parameters (breakpoint and discount percentage)? For deterministic demand, we discuss the cases in which demand is both constant and price-sensitive. First as a noncooperative Stackelberg game, and then when the two parties make the discount and replenishment decisions jointly, we illustrate the impact of price-sensitivity and joint decision making on the supplier's discount policy. The third approach studies the case in which transportation of the goods by a common carrier (a public, for-hire trucking company) is integrated in the quantity discount decisions. In reality, it is quite difficult for the carrier to determine the proper transportation discount, especially in the case of LTL (less-than-truckload) trucking. This is not only because of the "phantom freight" phenomenon, caused by possible over-declaration of the weight by the shipper, but also due to the fact that the discount relates to both transportation and inventory issues. In this research, we study the problem of coordinating the transportation and quantity discount decisions from the perspectives of the parties who offer the discounts, rather than the ones that take them. By comparison of the noncooperative and cooperative models, we show that cooperation provides better overall results, not only to each party, but also to the entire supply chain. To divide the extra payoffs gained from that cooperation, we further conduct a coalition analysis, based upon the concept of "Shapley Value." A detailed algorithm and numerical examples are provided to illustrate the solution procedure. Finally, the thesis concludes with comprehensive remarks. We summarize the contributions of this thesis, show the overall results obtained here, and present the directions that our research may take in the future.

碩士
國立交通大學
影像與生醫光電研究所
102
Recently, solid-state light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) have attracted much attention since they have advantages such as low operation voltages, simple device structure and balanced carrier injection. Salts are commonly added in the emissive layer of LECs to provide additional mobile ions and thus to accelerate device response. However, in addition to modified ionic property, carrier balance of LECs would also be tailored by salt additives. In this work, we improve brightness and efficiency of LECs by incorporating imidazole-based salts bearing various alkyl chain lengths. As the alkyl chain length of the added salt increases, the device current decreases and the recombination zone approaches the anode. These results reveal that hole transport in the emissive layer of LEC containing a salt with a larger size would be impeded more significantly than electron transport. When doped with a salt possessing a proper size, nearly doubled device efficiency as compared to that of the neat-film device can be obtained due to improved carrier balance. This work demonstrates a feasible strategy to improve device performance of LECs and clarifies the physical insights of the effect of salt size on carrier balance of LECs.

碩士
國立交通大學
管理學院運輸物流學程
101
After the 1970s,Taiwan began to develop high-tech industries.It need to import a lot of raw materials for manufacturing and export finished goods for selling after producing.Therefore various high-tech industries are required to find the most suitable transportation mode to complete seamless supply chain.TFT LCD industry is one of key industry which Taiwan commit to develop for a long period.Sea transport way is the main shipping mode used in TFT LCD industry cause its product usually has big volume but not heavy,only urgent cargo will use more expensive air transport way.Thus, it is more flexible on timeliness compared with consumer electronics industry. After the global economic crisis in 2008, the technology industry towards the era of low profit margins, various manufacturers all do very strict control in terms of cost.How to strike a balance between cost control and target achievement is an important goal which high-tech industries concentrate continuously. Good supply chain operations rely on supply chain partners cooperate with each other, the completion of the finished product from the raw materials and equipment supplied to the export processing require qualified and reliable transport and logistics partners to provide high quality services to complete entire daily operation of supply chain. Not only cost control,but specifications on high quality service ,transit time limitation,cargo security,sailing frequency and so on which are TFT LCD industry focus on sea logistics sevice.Thus,how to find out suitable service partner among many carrier candidates is a very important topic. This research is using AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process)methodology and trying to construct the weight selection model for well known A company in TFT LCD industry to define the key criteria and factors on sea carrier vendor selection.The data was collected by expert questionnaires summarized in the following conclusions: 1.Case A company put great emphasis on cost control ability of shipping liners,followed by delivery ability,quality ability ,service ability and pay less attention on innovation and management ability. 2.To sort top ten service criteria which are important for case A company,we could find out the top one is shipping cost under the cost-ability level,followed by the lenth of shipping time under delivery-ability level.Then the top three is delivery accuracy under quality-ability level and top four is ability to handle emergency ,then is vessel capacity supply under service ability.The top six is reliability of sailing schedule and seven is safety and convenience of cargo transportation under quality ability.The top eight is intermodal transport capacity under delivery-ability level,then is payment term of cost ability.Finally,the last one is equipment acquirability(including container type,conditions and quantity)under service-ability level. It is easy to construct a scientific and logical weight model by this research for case A company can be applied to select shipping liners in the future.This model could speed up decision-making and avoid possible error caused from consideration factors is not comprehensive and personal preference.

碩士
東吳大學
企業管理學系
96
This study is mainly based on the airport cargo department of airline company as integrated with air transportation and concept of supply management chain. It would, first of all, appreciate air freight and relevant studies on the management of supply. Then, the study would collect information on the current status of airport cargo department of airline company through direct observation so as to brief on the importance of airport cargo department in the supply chain of air transportation. And the process model of supply chain by scholar Lambert would be applied to analyze the supply chain focus company of airport cargo department of airline company, investigate the structure and features of supply chain of air transportation, and then render definition to the supply chain of air transportation of air cargo department of airline company. Furthermore, it would make use of business process analysis to analyze problems of current status. Besides, “customer service process” questionnaire of Lambert would also be used to the comparison and analysis regarding opinion investigation of site personnel of air transportation and director for customer service. At the end, recommendation for improvement would be made with regard to each of the problems obtained from the analysis. This study has discovered that though each member of the supply chain system of air transportation is quite comprehensive it still lacks integration work. Since the air cargo department of airline company is located at the hub of the entire chain it can effectively integrate each member of the supply chain. As such, this study has sketched out the supply chain system chart of air cargo, while air cargo department of airline company at the airport is primarily defined as the air transportation supply chain. Nonetheless, before the integration of each member of air transportation supply chain it is necessary that cargo department of airline company at the airport must first strengthen its competence of coordination and decision as well as the training of its operation personnel so as to cope with the ever increasing sophisticated integration work of supply chain. About strengthening competence regarding coordination and decision making, the cargo department of airline company at the airport should be authorized to conduct the most beneficial decision making for the company or the integral supply chain on its own, and it is reckoned to be most important especially when something unexpected happens or when the person in-charge-of cannot be reached. In addition, about personnel training of cargo department of airline company at the airport it is most critical to place focus on SOP. As for evaluation, the competence of execution operation, attitude towards everyday work, and concentration must be embraced into the scope for evaluation. Besides, this study has also put forth suggestion to strengthen the entire supply chain upon present foundation, while the transmission and flow of information within the integral supply chain system are reinforced so that members of supply chain can more accurately and preciously master and keep abreast to the needs and requirements of the customers and have them provided for the reference of the industry. In such a way, the approach offered by this study can be used as references for future researchers who are to work on study of supply chain of air transportation.

The development of solution-processable semiconducting polymers has brought mankind’s long-sought dream of plastic electronics to fruition. Their potential in the manufacturing of lightweight, flexible yet robust, and biocompatible electronics has spurred their use in organic transistors, photovoltaics, electrochromic devices, batteries, and sensors for wearable electronics. Yet, despite the successful engineering of semiconducting polymers, we do not fully understand their molecular behavior and how it influences their doping (oxidation/reduction) properties. This is especially true for donor-acceptor (D-A) p-systems which have proven to be very efficient at tuning the electronic properties of organic semiconductors. Historically, chain-length dependent studies have been essential in uncovering the relationship between the molecular structure and polymer properties. Discussed here is the systematic investigation of a complete D-A molecular series composed of monodispersed and well-defined conjugated molecules ranging from oligomer (n=3-21) to polymer scale lengths. Structure-property relationships are established between the molecular structure, chain conformation, and redox-active opto-electronic properties for the molecular series in solution. This research reveals a rod-to-coil transition at the 15 unit chain length, or 4500 Da, in solution. The redox-active optical and electronic properties are investigated as a function of increasing chain-length, giving insight into the nature of charge carriers in a D-A conjugated system. This research aids in understanding the solution behavior of conjugated organic materials.

Dissertação de mestrado em Marketing e Gestão Estratégica
A presente tese tem como alvoavaliar o papel da logística na cadeia de abastecimento, tendo como exemplo a empresaNorbert Dentressangle Portugal, durante o ciclo Passion Rouge entre 2008 e2010 Esta tese apresenta um estudo de caso com o exemplo de uma empresa, de modo a cimentar conclusões sobre esta relação, frisando um enquadramento teórico acompanhado de uma estrutura de auditoria ao focar a empresa em exposição. A avaliação é feita através de uma análise mista. A primeira fonte é quantitativa na recolha de dados fornecidos pela empresa, assim como fontes externas. Segundo, de fonte qualitativa devido à natureza do estudo explorátorio sobre a temática deste sector, baseada em entrevistas com os principais dirigentes da empresa em Portugal e a nível Ibérico. A análise conduzida conclui que existe uma covergência de pensamento sobre a relação direta entre a gestão logística e a cadeia de abastecimento, com efeitos causaconsequência que se reprecutem também no composto de marketing. Tendo como exemplo o caso de uma empresa do setor logístico e em particular o serviço de destribuição capilar. É destacado o papel da colaboração intra e interfirma na horizontalidade de forma a criar laços informais baseados na confiança. A cadeia de abastecimento cosntitui uma rede complexa, adaptável e sensível ao mercado, em que a razão de Service-Dominant logic, procura reconhecer uma maior preocupação com a relação entre as diversas partes da cadeia e o seu papel no processo de criação de valor sobre o produto, no entanto o foco ilumina o papel dos bens intangíveis.
This thesis has its main target to stress the role of logistics strategic management in the supply chain, focusing the Norbert Dentressangle Portugal as an example during its cycle Passion Rouge. This analysis presents itself as a case study to evaluate the role of logistics strategic management in supply chain. The theoretical analysis is followed by an auditing structure focusing Norbert Dentressangle Portugal as a model on implementing this kind of strategy. The given study it is made through a mixed analysis, gathering information with qualitative and quantitative sources. Due to an exploratory nature the given example with Norbert Dentressangle Portugal, the need for interviews in depth with company main directors, was of vital knowledge. A convergence of thought concerning the connection between logistics strategic management and the supply chain was not only proved, as it shows a direct connection cause-effect, with impact in all structures of a company. It is also made clear the role of informal cross-functional collaboration as the basis for a process of trust, building relationships which are presented as the main focus as well in competences. The supply chain constitutes a complex network, adaptable and sensingresponding to the market, on which the Service-Dominant logic, seeks to recognize a stressed focusing into the diverse supply chain relationships on the creation of value to services, enlightening the target as being an intangible good.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
The Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, has a complex system that allows it to thrive in the harsh and distinct environments of its tick vector and mammalian host. Although it has been known for some time that the Borrelia oxidative stress regulator protein (BosR) plays a necessary role in mammalian infectivity and functions as a transcriptional regulator of alternative sigma factor RpoS, very little is known about its mechanism of action, other than the suggestion that BosR activates rpoS transcription by binding to certain upstream regions of the gene. In our studies, we performed protein degradation assays and luciferase reporter assays for further understanding of BosR function. Our preliminary findings suggest that BosR is post-transcriptionally regulated by an unknown protease and may not need to bind to any rpoS upstream regions in order to activate transcription. We also describe the construction of luciferase reporter systems that will shed light on BosR’s mechanism of action. We postulate the provocative possibility that unlike its homologs Fur and PerR in other bacterial systems, BosR may not utilize a DNA-binding mechanism in order to fulfill its role as a transcriptional regulator to modulate virulence gene expression.