Resource access needs and capabilities as mediators of the relationship between VC firm size and syndication

Drawing from the resource-based view and transaction costs economics, we develop a theoretical framework to explain why small and large firms face different levels of resource access needs and resource access capabilities, which mediate the relationship between firm size and hybrid governance. Employing a sample of 317 venture capital firms, drawn across six European countries, we empirically assess our framework in the context of venture capital syndication. We estimate a path model using structural equation modeling and find, consistent with our theoretical framework, mediating effects of different types of resource access needs and resource access capabilities between VC firm size and syndication frequency. These findings advance the small business literature by highlighting the trade-offs that size imposes on firms that seek to manage their access to external resources through hybrid governance strategies.

A comprehensive study of visual cryptography

In this survey, we will summarize the latest developments of visual cryptography since its inception in 1994, introduce the main research topics in this area and outline the current problems and possible solutions. Directions and trends for future VC work shall also be examined along with possible VC applications.

A quantitative research on S- and SO2-poisoning Pt/Vulcan carbon fuel cell catalyst

A quantitative research on S and SO2 poisoning Pt/Vulcan carbon (Pt/VC) catalysts for fuel cells was conducted by the three-electrode method. Pt/VC electrodes were contaminated by submersion in a SO2- containing solution made up of 0.2 mM Na2SO3 and 0.5 M H2SO4 for different periods of time, and held at 0.05 V (vs. RHE) in 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions in order to gain zero-valence sulfur (S0) poisoned electrodes. The sulfur coverage of Pt was determined from the total charge consumed as the sulfur was oxidized from S0 at 0.05 V (vs. RHE) to sulfate at >1.1 V (vs. RHE). The summation of initial coverage of S0 (S) and coverage of H (H) are approximately equal to 1 (H + S = 1) when 0.5

Exploring Virtual-Channel architecture in FPGA based Networks-on-Chip

A novel Networks-on-Chip (NoC) router architecture specified for FPGA based implementation with configurable Virtual-Channel (VC) is presented. Each pipeline stage of the proposed architecture has been optimized so that low packet propagation latency and reduced hardware overhead can be achieved. The proposed architecture enables high performance and cost effective VC NoC based on-chip system interconnects to be deployed on FPGA.

Ion-acoustic supersolitons in plasmas with two-temperature electrons: Boltzmann and kappa distributions

Acoustic supersolitons arise when a plasma model is able to support three consecutive local extrema of the Sagdeev pseudopotential between the undisturbed conditions and an accessible root. This leads to a characteristic electric field signature, where a simple bipolar shape is enriched by subsidiary maxima. Large-amplitude nonlinear acoustic modes are investigated, using a pseudopotential approach, for plasmas containing two-temperature electrons having Boltzmann or kappa distributions, in the presence of cold fluid ions. The existence domains for positive supersolitons are derived in a methodological way, both for structure velocities and amplitudes, in terms of plasma compositional parameters. In addition, typical pseudopotentials, soliton, and electric field profiles have been given to illustrate that positive supersolitons can be found in the whole range of electron distributions from Maxwellian to a very hard nonthermal spectrum in kappa. However, it is found that the parameter ranges that support supersolitons vary significantly over the wide range of kappa considered. VC 2013 AIP Publishing LLC. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4818888]

Value capture: a valid means of funding PPPs?

This paper considers the use of value capture (VC) as a means of financing public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the United Kingdom (UK). Although some VC techniques are used in the UK, they are employed more widely in the United States of America. After considering the traditional approach to financing UK PPPs, this paper describes the main VC finance instruments. The findings of a series of case studies are then presented and conclusions drawn. While VC financing may prove unpopular with those bearing the cost of infrastructure improvements, it is recommended that such instruments are considered by UK policy makers.