Academic literature on the topic 'Expansion of product range'

Bakgrund:                   För att stärka sin position på marknaden önskar Staples Sweden AB utöka sitt artikelsortiment till att omfatta 1 000 000 artiklar. För att möjliggöra sortimentsexpansionen behövs beslutsunderlag rörande hantering och kostnadsstruktur identifieras. Syfte:                          Syftet med studien är att utveckla en modell vid val och utformning av distributionssätt för att föreslå en distributionsslösning. Syftet är också att genom en kostnadsanalys identifiera orderkostnadsstrukturen för den föreslagna distributionslösningen. Metod:                        Vid genomförandet av studien tillämpades en fallstudiedesign. Det empiriska materialet samlades in genom intervjuer utförda på Staples Sweden AB. Slutsats:                      Vid tillämpningen av modellen som utvecklades i studien framkom att distributionslösningen ska utgöras av direktleveranser, konsoliderade direkleveranser, ”cross-docking”, ”cross-docking” med buffert och traditionell lagerhållning. Orderkostnaden skiljde sig mellan distributionssätten där ”cross-docking” var billigast och direktleveransvarianterna var dyrast.<br>Background:               To strengthen its position on the market, Staples Sweden AB seeks to expand its product range to include one million articles. The problem is that no one in the company knows how such a variety of items should be managed and how the structure of order costs would change. Based on these problems, the task for the study arose. Purpose:                      The thesis aims to develop a model for the selection and design of distribution methods for proposing a solution that can manage one million articles. It also aims to identify the structure of order cost for the proposed solution through a cost analysis. Methodology:             The study was conducted by applying a case study design. The empirical data were collected through interviews conducted at the Staples Sweden AB. Conclusion:                 In the application of the developed model showed that the distribution solution should consist of direct shipping, consolidated direct shipping, cross-docking, cross-docking with buffer and traditional warehousing. Order cost differed between distribution where "cross-docking" showed to be the cheapest and direct shipping variants were the most expensive.

Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2019, In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT<br>Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2019, In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT<br>Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.<br>Includes bibliographical references (pages 81-82).<br>To reach its long term revenue targets, EDSCO Fasteners must expand its smooth bar anchor bolt product line to increase revenue generation. In order to maximize profit during this expansion, an operational strategy must be developed to minimize total landed cost. This project will assess the current manufacturing processes and develop a realistic and practical model of the supply chain. Using data collected through pilot project implementation the model's parameters are calibrated and the model accuracy is validated. By developing this model as a linear optimization program it can be used as a decision support tool to inform the operational strategy. Likely expansion scenarios and decision points (consolidation, acquisition, capital expenditures, etc.) are considered as decision variables in the supply chain optimization model to minimize total landed cost. These results are used to inform a recommended scenario based strategy for product line expansion.<br>by Brian C. Martin.<br>M.B.A.<br>S.M.<br>M.B.A. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management<br>S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) is the causal agent of the devastating stem rust disease in wheat. In recent years, new super virulent races of the fungus have emerged causing large scale epidemics. In an attempt to clone the stem rust resistance gene Sr44, we generated and screened an ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) mutant population of an Sr44 wheat-alien introgression line. We identified twelve independent susceptible mutants from 1171 M2 families and sequenced the nucleotide binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes in ten of the mutants and the wild-type. However, sequence comparison did not reveal a clear candidate. To investigate meristem cell fate in wheat, we phenotyped the sister spikes of ten Sr44 M2 families which segregated for susceptibility in the main spike. Ninety-two percent of the tested spikes were found to be resistant suggesting that they are genetically distinct from the main tiller. To improve the immunity of barley against wheat stem rust, we transformed the previously cloned wheat Sr22, Sr33, and Sr45 genes into barley. The resultant transgenic lines expressed high-level resistance to Pgt indicating wheat Sr genes can be transferred into barley. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the Sr22 locus revealed that some alleles have undergone historical sequence exchange in the LRR region. We also generated and phenotyped wheat transgenics to confirm the gene postulation of two previously identified Sr22 alleles. Stacking of multiple Sr genes at a single transgene locus is expected to result in more durable resistance. We have attempted to use CRISPR/Cas9 to repair the hygromycin phosphotransferase II (HPTII) gene as a proof-of-concept to in vivo sequential stacking of multiple Sr genes. Super transformation of barley T0 and T1 transgenics containing a landing pad did not yield positive transformants. However, we identified one deletion event out of twenty-four calli of T0 transgenics, indicating functional CRISPR/Cas9 activity.

Mosquitoes are vectors for many diseases that cause significant mortality and morbidity across the globe such as malaria, dengue fever and Zika. As mosquito populations expand their range into new areas, they may undergo mate-finding Allee effects such that their ability to successfully reproduce becomes difficult at low population densities. With new technology, creating target specific gene modification may now be a viable method for mosquito population control. We develop a mathematical model to investigate the effects of releasing transgenic mosquitoes into newly established low-density mosquito populations. Our model consists of two life stages (aquatic and adult), which are further divided into three genetically distinct groups: heterogeneous and homogeneous transgenic alleles that cause female infertility and a homogeneous wild type. We perform analytical and numerical analyses on the equilibria to determine the level of saturation needed to eliminate mosquitoes in a given area. This model demonstrates the potential for a gene drive system to reduce the spread of invading mosquito populations.<br>Master of Science

The use of heterogeneous networks is on the increase, fueled by consumer demand for more data. The main objective of heterogeneous networks is to increase capacity. They offer solutions for efficient use of spectrum, load balancing and improvement of cell edge coverage amongst others. However, these solutions have inherent challenges such as inter-cell interference and poor mobility management. In heterogeneous networks there is transmit power disparity between macro cell and pico cell tiers, which causes load imbalance between the tiers. Due to the conventional user-cell association strategy, whereby users associate to a base station with the strongest received signal strength, few users associate to small cells compared to macro cells. To counter the effects of transmit power disparity, cell range expansion is used instead of the conventional strategy. The focus of our work is on load balancing using cell range expansion (CRE) and network utility optimization techniques to ensure fair sharing of load in a macro and pico cell LTE Advanced heterogeneous network. The aim is to investigate how to use an adaptive cell range expansion bias to optimize Pico cell coverage for load balancing. Reviewed literature points out several approaches to solve the load balancing problem in heterogeneous networks, which include, cell range expansion and utility function optimization. Then, we use cell range expansion, and logarithmic utility functions to design a load balancing algorithm. In the algorithm, user and base station associations are optimized by adapting CRE bias to pico base station load status. A price update mechanism based on a suboptimal solution of a network utility optimization problem is used to adapt the CRE bias. The price is derived from the load status of each pico base station. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated by means of an LTE MATLAB toolbox. Simulations were conducted according to 3GPP and ITU guidelines for modelling heterogeneous networks and propagation environment respectively. Compared to a static CRE configuration, the algorithm achieved more fairness in load distribution. Further, it achieved a better trade-off between cell edge and cell centre user throughputs. [Please note: this thesis file has been deferred until December 2016]

From the late Sixties on, industrial development in Italy evolved through the spread of small and medium sized firms, aggregated in district networks, with an elevated propensity to enterprise and the marked presence of owner-families. Installed within the local systems, the industrial districts tended to simulate large-scale industry exploiting lower costs generated by factors that were not only economic. The districts are characterised in terms of territorial location (above all the thriving areas of the North-east and Centre) and sector, since they are concentrated in the "4 As" (clothing-fashion, home-decor, agri-foodstuffs, automation-mechanics), with some overlapping with "Made in Italy". How can this model be assessed? This is the crucial question in the debate on the condition and prospects of the Italian productive system between the supporters of its capacity to adapt and the critics of economic dwarfism. A dispassionate judgement suggests that the prospects of "small is beautiful" have been superseded, but that the "declinist" view, that sees only the dangers of globalisation and the IT revolution for our SMEs is risky. The concept of irreversible crisis that prevails at present is limiting, both because it is not easy either to "invent", or to copy, a model of industrialisation, and because there is space for a strategic repositioning of the district enterprises. The book develops considerations in this direction, showing how an evolution of the district model is possible, focusing on: gains in productivity, scope economies (through diversification and expansion of the range of products), flexibility of organisation, capacity to meld tradition and innovation aiming at product quality, dimensional growth of the enterprises, new forms of financing, active presence on the international markets and valorisation of the resources of the territory. It is hence necessary to reactivate the behavioural functions of the entrepreneurs.

The monograph examines a wide range of problems related to the origin and development of the Universe. An overview of the history of the study of astronomy from Stone Age observatories to modern space telescopes is given. The theories of the origin of the Universe are analyzed, evidence of the Big Bang, the expansion of the Universe, the cosmic effects of dark energy and dark matter are given. The origin and causes of the existence of planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies and other cosmic bodies in the Universe are considered. A large place is given to the analysis of the origin and development of the Solar system. The origin and functioning of the Sun, planets and other objects located in its gravitational field are considered. Among the planets of the Solar System, the greatest attention is paid to the Earth and the analysis of the factors that ensured the emergence and maintenance of various forms of life on it.&#x0D; For a wide range of readers interested in the origin and evolution of the universe. It can be useful for students, postgraduates and teachers of physics and mathematics universities.

AbstractGlobal rankings emerged in the early years of the millennium at a time of increasing globalisation of higher education. Initially touted as a transparency instrument, a source of information about higher education for students, parents and the public, rankings have succeeded by comparing quality and performance internationally. They soon became an indicator of university reputation and status and national competitiveness in a world in which knowledge and talent reign supreme. Over the past decades, there has been a close correspondence between their growing influence and the expansion of their product range in terms of rankings by world region, subject and discipline, reputation and impact.

Capitalism, in order to reproduce itself, must allocate more and more resources to the enhancement of the wealth already produced, rather than to increasing productive investments. The strategies for absorbing the surplus range from the reduction of supply to the creation of waste, from public spending to financialization. With the prevalence of these strategies, capitalism renounces to the maximum possible economic expansion in favour of its maximum expansion on society. It is a change that has consequences for environmental issues. The model of pure capitalism, in which the entire surplus is directed towards growth, is ecologically unsustainable. In today's historical capitalism, the goal of economic growth remains important, but it falls within that of increasing social power. Whether this is good or bad news for our biosphere will be discussed in other Chapters. Here we analyze the novelty.

Abstract Along with new types of protected cropping structures, materials and technology, the range and diversity of hydroponic crops grown are also expanding. While the greenhouse mainstays of nursery plants, tomatoes, capsicum, cucumber, salad vegetables and herbs will continue to expand in volume, newer, speciality and niche market crops are growing in popularity. These include new cut flower species, potted plants and ornamental crops, and a growing trend in the commercial production of medicinal herbs using high-technology methods such as aeroponics. Exotic culinary herbs such as wasabi, dwarf fruiting trees and spices such as ginger and vanilla are now grown commercially in protected cropping structures, while many home gardeners continue to take up hydroponics and protected cropping as both a hobby and a means of growing produce. Protected cropping and hydroponic methods will further their expansion into hostile climates which never previously allowed the production of food.

The novel mechanism CVT (Shaft Drive CVT, S-CVT) was developed by the authors. It transmits power by a traction drive same as the half toroidal CVT. S-CVT has parallel input/output shafts with conical or concave disks and the idler shaft having conical rollers at both ends, which is placed perpendicularly to the input/output shafts. All disks and rollers can move along each axis directions, and these movements produce the ratio changing by the changes of the rotational radii. The efficiency is the key evaluation function of CVT. To improve the efficiency, the backup roller mechanism was devised. Its effectiveness was confirmed by the experiment, and the efficiency of 95% was obtained by modified prototype S-CVT. This paper deals with the expansion of ratio range of S-CVT. In case of using the present disks, S-CVT has a difficulty to expand the narrow ratio range of 4 (0.5 to 2) because of the large slip brought by the spin. To expand the ratio range, the zero-spin disk/roller was devised. The shape of zero-spin disk/roller satisfies the condition that the spin does not occur at any speed ratio. According to the calculation, the slip rate becomes less than 1% at any speed ratio. To confirm the effectiveness, the prototype S-CVT with zero-spin disk was manufactured. It has the ratio range of 0.43 to 2.35. To obtain the slip rate the experiments were carried out at the speed ratio of 0.43, 1 and 2.35. At each speed ratio, the slip rate of less than 1% was obtained, and the effect of the zerospin disk was confirmed.

Innovation is a major driving force for the economic growth and expansion of companies and the need to innovate has become clear by now. The quality of the decisions during the design phase of a product development process is strongly connected with the assessment of the product, process and organisational innovation dimensions. The developed methodology addresses these three axes, using 30 innovation attributes, in order to obtain a product innovation profile through an innovation survey. This way a range of industry standard Innovation scores called PIP-SCORES (Product Innovation Profile scores -or innovation benchmarks) have been established. So far more than 600 companies coming from a range of industrial sectors that include creative industries, electrical/electronic, fire and safety, footwear, plastics, ceramics and textiles, have participated in this survey and their innovation profiles have been included in the database. The proposed tool benchmarks the product innovation profile of a company with the corresponding innovation scores from companies coming from the same sector. Next, the tool utilises a Design Structure Matrix, for mapping the dependencies between the Innovation Attributes. Furthermore an Innovation Improvement Impact Value for each Attribute is introduced. In order to improve the innovative profile of a company, a considerable amount of resources is needed. Provided that resources are usually limited to most companies, an optimal improvement strategy, based on the Innovation Improvement Impact values is proposed. The proposed tool (I-DSM, Innovation - Design Structure Matrix) aims at improving the innovative performance of a company, by minimizing the product development cycle and by improving the performance of the product development process.

This abstract summarizes the results of an investigation into the effects of finite amplitude acoustic disturbances or weak compression and expansion waves on compressible boundary layers. Specifically, the goal is to provide a theoretical model which predicts the increased heat transfer and skin friction associated with unsteady pressure disturbances. These pressure disturbances, which are produced by combustion instabilities, are present in most combustors. The magnitude of the fluctuating component relative to the stagnation pressure varies from the low acoustic range (0.05 %) to the weak shock range (5 %). The frequencies range from a few hundred Hz. for the longitudinal mode to a few thousand Hz. for the transverse mode. A simple but accurate theoretical model which predicts the enhanced heat transfer and skin friction for a wide range of frequencies and magnitudes is presented. The formulation yielded an unexpected result in that an approximate analytical solution is possible for the laminar flow case.

Abstract In this work, we analyze and design structures and materials that possess custom thermal expansion. These structures and materials are composed of a base unit inspired by the tensegrity “D-bar” (or double-pyramid) topology. We derive, for the first time, analytical equations for the linearized and geometrically exact coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of bi-material D-bar structures with arbitrary shape and complexity. Numerical results obtained using the geometrically exact CTE equations are compared with results obtained using the linearized CTE equations, showing that the latter are accurate only in cases where temperature changes are small. Further results show that D-bar structures of low complexity can produce a wide range of CTEs, including positive, zero, and negative values. These CTE values are exhibited for a range of materials that allows for easy manufacturing (materials with CTE ratios as low as 2). Thus, it is concluded that D-bar structures show promise for applications in aerospace engineering and other fields where new materials of tailorable thermal expansion are needed to decrease the substantial thermal stresses caused by large temperature changes.

Introduction: The 2018 Farm Bill changed the legal status of cannabis plants that meet the definition of industrial hemp and allowed for the rapid expansion of hemp-based products into commercial spaces. With an emphasis on industrial hemp as the source of naturally-occurring cannabinoid compounds, a niche market for cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products was quickly established in pharmacies and grocery stores. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has retained oversight of all cannabis-based products, labelling of hemp-derived products for retail markets remains largely unregulated. Under federal law, CBD cannot be added to foods, beverages, sold as a dietary supplement or marketed for a therapeutic benefit, however the perceived health benefits of CBD as an acceptable and safe ingredient contribute to the growing market for these health products. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the range of over-the-counter (OTC) hemp- and CBD-based products available to consumers and determine the prevalence of other pharmacologically active agents identified as ingredients in these products. Labels were scored for the presence of: active and inactive ingredients, percent CBD, full-spectrum hemp, full-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate. Methods: Two large pharmacy chains and one medium-sized grocery store located in the Pacific Northwest were surveyed between May 2020 and February 2021 and OTC hemp-derived products on display were recorded. Identification of pharmacologically active ingredients on the product label was validated using the National Medicines Comprehensive Database. Products that were noted to have CBD or hemp ingredients were included in the study, while any products that did not accurately report the amount of CBD in the product were excluded. Products that did not list the total weight of the product were excluded from the analysis. Results: Thirty-three unique products were recorded from 19 different manufacturers. 39% of product labels indicated the presence of Full-Spectrum Hemp as part of the base product, while 66% of products listed Hemp Extract as the base product. Text labels on CBD-containing products, on average, indicated more than 3 additional pharmacologically active ingredients were contained in each product. Topical CBD products were more likely to have other ingredients such as arnica montana, menthol and camphor, whereas products for oral ingestion were more likely to have only CBD as the primary active ingredient. Text labels on 52% of topical CBD products listed the presence of 10% menthol. Average concentrations of CBD in OTC products was found to be 1.12% ± 1.48 %, based on dry weight. Conclusion: Product text labels on OTC hemp-and CBD-containing preparations is varied and presented in a non-standardized format. Topical CBD products were more likely to contain other pharmacologically active natural products that can be used for the treatment of pain symptoms. Concentrations of arnica montana, menthol and camphor were as much as 10-fold higher than the proportion of CBD contained in these products. The absence of a standard format for labelling of OTC hemp- and CBD-derived products and the frequent presence of other active ingredients has the potential to create confusion and risk for the consumer.

Abstract Concurrent engineering is focused on improving the Product Realization Process by more effectively integrating manufacturing issues into engineering design. Expansion of the Concurrent Engineering paradigm to include a broader range of concerns is advocated, and this paper examines the integration of legal issues into the Product Realization Process. It describes a prototype legal expert system that focuses on product design based on defective design product liability law. The legal reasoning process is modeled using a fuzzy logic architecture. The goal for this prototype system is the development of a workstation based advisor to engineers that automates assessment of potential legal liability for defective design. As a Concurrent Engineering tool, this fuzzy system allows engineers to make modifications during preliminary design, thereby avoiding the more painful process of modifying designs after litigation. Results with this system are discussed, and it is concluded that the fuzzy logic architecture appears to offer a suitable approach.

Phase transitions and CTE of 10mol%Sc2O3-1mol%CeO2-ZrO2 ceramics sintered from two commercial powders produced by Praxair Surface Technologies, USA and DKKK, Japan are studied. Morphology of powders and grain structure of ceramics were studied by SEM and AFM. Ceramics produced from Praxair powder exist in cubic phase while DKKK-based ceramics exhibit slow phase transformation from cubic to rhombohedral (β) phase at temperatures 350–400°C. c-β Phase transition temperature is 440°C obtained by high temperature x-ray diffractometry (HTXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry. Coefficients of thermal expansion of cubic and β-phases were calculated from temperature dependence of lattice parameters obtained by HTXRD in the temperature range of 25–800°C. These results can be further used for the optimal design of SOFC layered structures as well as for determination of their reliability and durability under operational conditions.

It is chemical laser system that can be used for not only new strategic weapon system for the military purpose, but also a manufacturing tool in industrial areas due to the characteristic of high power laser beam in megawatt range. In order to increase laser beam power in the chemical laser system, mixing efficiency of fuel and oxidant should be higher and more excited molecules be produced by mean of chemical reaction. Basically, the production of a lot of excited molecules in the laser cavity results from the high mass flow rates of fuel and oxidant as well as high mixing and reaction efficiencies, however, it is difficult for the planar nozzle array which has been widely used until now to supply high mass flow to the chemical laser cavity. A radial expansion nozzle array as an innovated alternative of the planar nozzle system is designed. The laser beam generation in this system is achieved by mixing F atom from supersonic nozzle and D2 molecule from the holes of round-bended supply line which are distributed with zigzag configuration, hence the reaction surface will be stretched. Consequently, it is expected that more excited molecules will be produced and population inversion also be higher. Based on that the fuel injection angle with mainstream has a big influence of performance of supersonic combustor, the effects of D2 injection angles with the main F flow on mixing enhancement and laser beam power are numerically investigated. The results are discussed by comparison with three cases of D2 injection angles; 10°, 20° and 40° with the main flow direction. Major results reveal that the area where the DF(1) excited molecules as a representative product in the DF chemical laser system are produced becomes larger when the D2 injection angle increases. The reason is that the surface of chemical reaction is larger and the field temperature is higher with increase of the D2 injection angle. And in all the vibrational transitions, the distributions of the highest maximum small signal gains are observed near the inlet when the D2 injection angle is 40°. As the D2 injection angle increases, the values of the maximum SSG are higher and the area including the high gains is also wider for the most part of domain. Based on these maximum SSG distributions, the highest power of laser beam is expected to be generated when the D2 injection angle is 40°, namely higher. However, the range of population inversion becomes narrower as the D2 injection angle increases, because the collision of molecules or atoms happens more often so that the relaxation time will be reduced as the cavity pressure caused by the high D2 injection angle with the main flow direction increases.

The paper presents results of experiments of gas admixing foam spray drying of maltodextrin in co-current spray tower. Significant effect of feed foaming on particle sphericity, angle of repose, apparent and bulk density, Hausner ratio and porosity was found. Number of broken particles achieved 60 % for high foaming gas rate (GLR) and inlet air temperature due to particle overheating and bubble expansion. Analysis of the experiments results allowed to determine optimal range of operating conditions to reduce number of damaged particles, to around 15 % for the highest GLR and to minimize product degradation. Keywords: foamed materials, gas admixing, powder properties, powder quality

Abstract A 5-stroke engine was analyzed using an improved 2-zone combustion model utilizing an equilibrium combustion model to calculate the gas properties in each zone. The flows of inlet, exhaust, and transfer port are handled using quasi-steady 1-D flow models. Heat transfer in the transfer port is also considered. The results are reported as indicated thermal efficiency and power output over a range of operating points and design characteristics, including engine RPM, compression ratio, overall expansion ratio, expansion cylinder clearance volume, and transfer port volume. It was found that the transfer port volume had a significant effect on the overall indicated thermal efficiency. The results were compared with those of a baseline 4-stroke engine. The 5-stroke engine with a compression ratio of 9:1, and an overall expansion ratio of 27:1 achieves a peak indicated thermal efficiency of 47%, representing a 6% increase over the baseline 4-stroke engine with the same compression ratio.

Wildland fires result in a unique signal detectable by multispectral remote sensing and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). However, in many regions, such as Southeast Asia, persistent cloud cover and aerosols temporarily obstruct multispectral satellite observations of burned area, including the MODIS MCD64A1 Burned Area Product (BAP). Multiple days between cloud free pre- and postburn MODIS observations result in burn date uncertainty. We incorporate cloud-penetrating, C-band SAR-with the MODIS MCD64A BAP in Southeast Asia, to exploit the strengths of each dataset to better estimate the burn date and reduce the potential burn date uncertainty range. We incorporate built-in quality control using MCD64A1 to reduce erroneous pixel updating. We test the method over part of Laos and Thailand during April 2016 and found average uncertainty reduction of 4.5 d, improving 15% of MCD64A1 pixels. A new BAP could improve monitoring temporal trends of wildland fires, air quality studies and monitoring post-fire vegetation dynamics.

Forest health has never been a more urgent concern in California. A variety of forest ecosystem types have experienced extraordinary combinations of stressors and disturbances over the past century, which have resulted in significant changes to forest conditions. Current conditions are a product of multiple interacting factors, including fire exclusion, historic logging practices, increased wildland-urban-interface expansion and, more recently, the effects associated with climate change. The intersection of the factors has led to high severity fire, drought linked mortality, and pest infestation and disease in the affected forests. It’s increasingly clear that the expected effects of climate change will further impact California forest ecosystems, potentially compelling and, in some cases, forcing the application of targeted adaptation strategies and approaches in the years and decades to come.

Snow is an important resource for both communities and ecosystems of the Northeastern United States. Both flood risk management and water supply forecasts for major municipalities, including New York City, depend on the collection of snowpack information. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to summarize all of the snowpack data from ground-based networks currently available in the Northeast. The collection of snow-depth and snow water equivalent information extends back several decades, and there are over 2,200 active sites across the region. Sites are distributed across the entire range of elevations in the region. The number of locations collecting snow information has increased substantially in the last 20 years, primarily from the expansion of the CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow) network. Our summary of regional snow measurement locations provides a foundation for future studies and analysis, including a template for other regions of the United States.

The paper presents an analysis of the importance of studying graph algorithms, the reasons for the need to implement this project and its subsequent use. The existing analogues analysis is carried out, due to which a list of advantages and disadvantages is formed and taken into account in developing the virtual laboratory. A web application is created that clearly illustrates the work of graph algorithms, such as Depth-First Search, Dijkstra’s Shortest Path, Floyd- Warshall, Kruskal Minimum Cost Spanning Tree Algorithm. A simple and user- friendly interface is developed and it is supported by all popular browsers. The software product is provided with user registration and authorization functions, chat communication, personal cabinet editing and viewing the statistics on web- application use. An additional condition is taken into account at the design stage, namely the flexibility of the architecture, which envisaged the possibility of easy expansion of an existing functionality. Virtual laboratory is used at Kryvyi Rih National University to training students of specialty 121 Software Engineering in the disciplines “Algorithms and Data Structures” and “Discrete Structures”.

Integration of ICT significantly increases the possibilities of the educational process and extends the boundaries of the educational sphere as a whole. Publicly available resources, such as e-mail, blogs, forums, online applications, video hosting sites, can serve as the basis for building open learning and education. Informational educational technologies of learning foreign languages are in the focus of this study. The article represents the results of theoretical analysis of content on the subject of its personal- and didactic-definite orientation, as well as some aspects of the practical use of commonly used YouTube video materials in the process of teaching German as the first or second foreign language in higher education, namely at the pedagogical university. Taking into account the practical experience of using the materials of several relevant thematic YouTube channels with a fairly wide constant audience, a concise didactic analysis of their product is presented and recommendations on converting video content into methodological material in the framework of practical course of German language by future teachers are offered. Due to the suggested recommendations, the following tasks can be solved: enrichment of the vocabulary; semantization of phraseological units, constant figures of speech, cliché; development of pronunciation skills; expansion of linguistic competence; improving listening and speaking skills; increasing motivation to learn, etc.

Electric Roadways (ERs) or Dynamic Wireless Charging (DWC) lanes offer an alternative dynamic and wireless charging method that has the potential of giving electric vehicles (EV) limitless range while they are moving. Heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) are expected to be early adopters of the DWC technology due to the higher benefits offered to these vehicles that are traveling on fixed routes. The goal of this project was to assess the feasibility of ERs in Indiana and design a test bed for in-road EV charging technologies. The most suitable locations for implementing DWC lanes were identified on interstates that are characterized by high truck traffic. Using I-65 S as a case study, it was found that DWC can be economically feasible for the developer and competitive for the EV owner at high and medium future projections of EV market penetration levels. However, the existing substations are unlikely to serve future DWC needs for HDVs. Thus, consideration should be given to substation expansion to support EVs as market penetration expands. Implementing the DWC technology on interstates and jointly with major pavement preservation activities is recommended. Large scale deployment can significantly reduce the high initial investment. Renewable energy resources (solar and wind) deployed in the vicinity of ERs can reduce the electricity costs and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

1.1 Macroeconomic summary Economic recovery has consistently outperformed the technical staff’s expectations following a steep decline in activity in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, total and core inflation rates have fallen and remain at low levels, suggesting that a significant element of the reactivation of Colombia’s economy has been related to recovery in potential GDP. This would support the technical staff’s diagnosis of weak aggregate demand and ample excess capacity. The most recently available data on 2020 growth suggests a contraction in economic activity of 6.8%, lower than estimates from January’s Monetary Policy Report (-7.2%). High-frequency indicators suggest that economic performance was significantly more dynamic than expected in January, despite mobility restrictions and quarantine measures. This has also come amid declines in total and core inflation, the latter of which was below January projections if controlling for certain relative price changes. This suggests that the unexpected strength of recent growth contains elements of demand, and that excess capacity, while significant, could be lower than previously estimated. Nevertheless, uncertainty over the measurement of excess capacity continues to be unusually high and marked both by variations in the way different economic sectors and spending components have been affected by the pandemic, and by uneven price behavior. The size of excess capacity, and in particular the evolution of the pandemic in forthcoming quarters, constitute substantial risks to the macroeconomic forecast presented in this report. Despite the unexpected strength of the recovery, the technical staff continues to project ample excess capacity that is expected to remain on the forecast horizon, alongside core inflation that will likely remain below the target. Domestic demand remains below 2019 levels amid unusually significant uncertainty over the size of excess capacity in the economy. High national unemployment (14.6% for February 2021) reflects a loose labor market, while observed total and core inflation continue to be below 2%. Inflationary pressures from the exchange rate are expected to continue to be low, with relatively little pass-through on inflation. This would be compatible with a negative output gap. Excess productive capacity and the expectation of core inflation below the 3% target on the forecast horizon provide a basis for an expansive monetary policy posture. The technical staff’s assessment of certain shocks and their expected effects on the economy, as well as the presence of several sources of uncertainty and related assumptions about their potential macroeconomic impacts, remain a feature of this report. The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, continues to affect the public health environment, and the reopening of Colombia’s economy remains incomplete. The technical staff’s assessment is that the COVID-19 shock has affected both aggregate demand and supply, but that the impact on demand has been deeper and more persistent. Given this persistence, the central forecast accounts for a gradual tightening of the output gap in the absence of new waves of contagion, and as vaccination campaigns progress. The central forecast continues to include an expected increase of total and core inflation rates in the second quarter of 2021, alongside the lapse of the temporary price relief measures put in place in 2020. Additional COVID-19 outbreaks (of uncertain duration and intensity) represent a significant risk factor that could affect these projections. Additionally, the forecast continues to include an upward trend in sovereign risk premiums, reflected by higher levels of public debt that in the wake of the pandemic are likely to persist on the forecast horizon, even in the context of a fiscal adjustment. At the same time, the projection accounts for the shortterm effects on private domestic demand from a fiscal adjustment along the lines of the one currently being proposed by the national government. This would be compatible with a gradual recovery of private domestic demand in 2022. The size and characteristics of the fiscal adjustment that is ultimately implemented, as well as the corresponding market response, represent another source of forecast uncertainty. Newly available information offers evidence of the potential for significant changes to the macroeconomic scenario, though without altering the general diagnosis described above. The most recent data on inflation, growth, fiscal policy, and international financial conditions suggests a more dynamic economy than previously expected. However, a third wave of the pandemic has delayed the re-opening of Colombia’s economy and brought with it a deceleration in economic activity. Detailed descriptions of these considerations and subsequent changes to the macroeconomic forecast are presented below. The expected annual decline in GDP (-0.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 appears to have been less pronounced than projected in January (-4.8%). Partial closures in January to address a second wave of COVID-19 appear to have had a less significant negative impact on the economy than previously estimated. This is reflected in figures related to mobility, energy demand, industry and retail sales, foreign trade, commercial transactions from selected banks, and the national statistics agency’s (DANE) economic tracking indicator (ISE). Output is now expected to have declined annually in the first quarter by 0.3%. Private consumption likely continued to recover, registering levels somewhat above those from the previous year, while public consumption likely increased significantly. While a recovery in investment in both housing and in other buildings and structures is expected, overall investment levels in this case likely continued to be low, and gross fixed capital formation is expected to continue to show significant annual declines. Imports likely recovered to again outpace exports, though both are expected to register significant annual declines. Economic activity that outpaced projections, an increase in oil prices and other export products, and an expected increase in public spending this year account for the upward revision to the 2021 growth forecast (from 4.6% with a range between 2% and 6% in January, to 6.0% with a range between 3% and 7% in April). As a result, the output gap is expected to be smaller and to tighten more rapidly than projected in the previous report, though it is still expected to remain in negative territory on the forecast horizon. Wide forecast intervals reflect the fact that the future evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant source of uncertainty on these projections. The delay in the recovery of economic activity as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the first quarter appears to have been less significant than projected in the January report. The central forecast scenario expects this improved performance to continue in 2021 alongside increased consumer and business confidence. Low real interest rates and an active credit supply would also support this dynamic, and the overall conditions would be expected to spur a recovery in consumption and investment. Increased growth in public spending and public works based on the national government’s spending plan (Plan Financiero del Gobierno) are other factors to consider. Additionally, an expected recovery in global demand and higher projected prices for oil and coffee would further contribute to improved external revenues and would favor investment, in particular in the oil sector. Given the above, the technical staff’s 2021 growth forecast has been revised upward from 4.6% in January (range from 2% to 6%) to 6.0% in April (range from 3% to 7%). These projections account for the potential for the third wave of COVID-19 to have a larger and more persistent effect on the economy than the previous wave, while also supposing that there will not be any additional significant waves of the pandemic and that mobility restrictions will be relaxed as a result. Economic growth in 2022 is expected to be 3%, with a range between 1% and 5%. This figure would be lower than projected in the January report (3.6% with a range between 2% and 6%), due to a higher base of comparison given the upward revision to expected GDP in 2021. This forecast also takes into account the likely effects on private demand of a fiscal adjustment of the size currently being proposed by the national government, and which would come into effect in 2022. Excess in productive capacity is now expected to be lower than estimated in January but continues to be significant and affected by high levels of uncertainty, as reflected in the wide forecast intervals. The possibility of new waves of the virus (of uncertain intensity and duration) represents a significant downward risk to projected GDP growth, and is signaled by the lower limits of the ranges provided in this report. Inflation (1.51%) and inflation excluding food and regulated items (0.94%) declined in March compared to December, continuing below the 3% target. The decline in inflation in this period was below projections, explained in large part by unanticipated increases in the costs of certain foods (3.92%) and regulated items (1.52%). An increase in international food and shipping prices, increased foreign demand for beef, and specific upward pressures on perishable food supplies appear to explain a lower-than-expected deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) for foods. An unexpected increase in regulated items prices came amid unanticipated increases in international fuel prices, on some utilities rates, and for regulated education prices. The decline in annual inflation excluding food and regulated items between December and March was in line with projections from January, though this included downward pressure from a significant reduction in telecommunications rates due to the imminent entry of a new operator. When controlling for the effects of this relative price change, inflation excluding food and regulated items exceeds levels forecast in the previous report. Within this indicator of core inflation, the CPI for goods (1.05%) accelerated due to a reversion of the effects of the VAT-free day in November, which was largely accounted for in February, and possibly by the transmission of a recent depreciation of the peso on domestic prices for certain items (electric and household appliances). For their part, services prices decelerated and showed the lowest rate of annual growth (0.89%) among the large consumer baskets in the CPI. Within the services basket, the annual change in rental prices continued to decline, while those services that continue to experience the most significant restrictions on returning to normal operations (tourism, cinemas, nightlife, etc.) continued to register significant price declines. As previously mentioned, telephone rates also fell significantly due to increased competition in the market. Total inflation is expected to continue to be affected by ample excesses in productive capacity for the remainder of 2021 and 2022, though less so than projected in January. As a result, convergence to the inflation target is now expected to be somewhat faster than estimated in the previous report, assuming the absence of significant additional outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff’s year-end inflation projections for 2021 and 2022 have increased, suggesting figures around 3% due largely to variation in food and regulated items prices. The projection for inflation excluding food and regulated items also increased, but remains below 3%. Price relief measures on indirect taxes implemented in 2020 are expected to lapse in the second quarter of 2021, generating a one-off effect on prices and temporarily affecting inflation excluding food and regulated items. However, indexation to low levels of past inflation, weak demand, and ample excess productive capacity are expected to keep core inflation below the target, near 2.3% at the end of 2021 (previously 2.1%). The reversion in 2021 of the effects of some price relief measures on utility rates from 2020 should lead to an increase in the CPI for regulated items in the second half of this year. Annual price changes are now expected to be higher than estimated in the January report due to an increased expected path for fuel prices and unanticipated increases in regulated education prices. The projection for the CPI for foods has increased compared to the previous report, taking into account certain factors that were not anticipated in January (a less favorable agricultural cycle, increased pressure from international prices, and transport costs). Given the above, year-end annual inflation for 2021 and 2022 is now expected to be 3% and 2.8%, respectively, which would be above projections from January (2.3% and 2,7%). For its part, expected inflation based on analyst surveys suggests year-end inflation in 2021 and 2022 of 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the inflation forecasts included in this report due to several factors: 1) the evolution of the pandemic; 2) the difficulty in evaluating the size and persistence of excess productive capacity; 3) the timing and manner in which price relief measures will lapse; and 4) the future behavior of food prices. Projected 2021 growth in foreign demand (4.4% to 5.2%) and the supposed average oil price (USD 53 to USD 61 per Brent benchmark barrel) were both revised upward. An increase in long-term international interest rates has been reflected in a depreciation of the peso and could result in relatively tighter external financial conditions for emerging market economies, including Colombia. Average growth among Colombia’s trade partners was greater than expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. This, together with a sizable fiscal stimulus approved in the United States and the onset of a massive global vaccination campaign, largely explains the projected increase in foreign demand growth in 2021. The resilience of the goods market in the face of global crisis and an expected normalization in international trade are additional factors. These considerations and the expected continuation of a gradual reduction of mobility restrictions abroad suggest that Colombia’s trade partners could grow on average by 5.2% in 2021 and around 3.4% in 2022. The improved prospects for global economic growth have led to an increase in current and expected oil prices. Production interruptions due to a heavy winter, reduced inventories, and increased supply restrictions instituted by producing countries have also contributed to the increase. Meanwhile, market forecasts and recent Federal Reserve pronouncements suggest that the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. will remain stable for the next two years. Nevertheless, a significant increase in public spending in the country has fostered expectations for greater growth and inflation, as well as increased uncertainty over the moment in which a normalization of monetary policy might begin. This has been reflected in an increase in long-term interest rates. In this context, emerging market economies in the region, including Colombia, have registered increases in sovereign risk premiums and long-term domestic interest rates, and a depreciation of local currencies against the dollar. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several of these economies; limits on vaccine supply and the slow pace of immunization campaigns in some countries; a significant increase in public debt; and tensions between the United States and China, among other factors, all add to a high level of uncertainty surrounding interest rate spreads, external financing conditions, and the future performance of risk premiums. The impact that this environment could have on the exchange rate and on domestic financing conditions represent risks to the macroeconomic and monetary policy forecasts. Domestic financial conditions continue to favor recovery in economic activity. The transmission of reductions to the policy interest rate on credit rates has been significant. The banking portfolio continues to recover amid circumstances that have affected both the supply and demand for loans, and in which some credit risks have materialized. Preferential and ordinary commercial interest rates have fallen to a similar degree as the benchmark interest rate. As is generally the case, this transmission has come at a slower pace for consumer credit rates, and has been further delayed in the case of mortgage rates. Commercial credit levels stabilized above pre-pandemic levels in March, following an increase resulting from significant liquidity requirements for businesses in the second quarter of 2020. The consumer credit portfolio continued to recover and has now surpassed February 2020 levels, though overall growth in the portfolio remains low. At the same time, portfolio projections and default indicators have increased, and credit establishment earnings have come down. Despite this, credit disbursements continue to recover and solvency indicators remain well above regulatory minimums. 1.2 Monetary policy decision In its meetings in March and April the BDBR left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%.