Outsourcing and offshoring engineering projects:understanding the value, sourcing models, and coordination practices

In this paper, we review recent developments in the field of outsourcing and offshoring and the implications for engineering management. We examine three aspects involved in outsourcing and offshoring, namely, sourcing models, coordination, and value extracted from outsourcing projects. We conclude that additional research is needed on recent trends in outsourcing and the impact of such change process on the practice of engineering management. © 2011 IEEE.

Adhesive wear of modern and traditional engineering coatings

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

Excipient characterization and particle engineering to develop directly compressed orally disintegrating tablets

ODTs have emerged as a novel oral dosage form with a potential to deliver a wide range of drug candidates to paediatric and geriatric patients. Compression of excipients offers a costeffective and translatable methodology for the manufacture of ODTs. Though, technical challenges prevail such as difficulty to achieve suitable tablet mechanical strength while ensuring rapid disintegration in the mouth, poor compressibility of preferred ODT diluent Dmannitol, and limited use for modified drug-release. The work investigates excipients’ functionality in ODTs and proposes new methodologies for enhancing material characteristics via process and particle engineering. It also aims to expand ODT applications for modified drug-release. Preformulation and formulation studies employed a plethora of techniques/tests including AFM, SEM, DSC, XRD, TGA, HSM, FTIR, hardness, disintegration time, friability, stress/strain and Heckel analysis. Tableting of D-mannitol and cellulosic excipients utilised various compression forces, material concentrations and grades. Engineered D-mannitol particles were made by spray drying mannitol with pore former NH4HCO3. Coated microparticles of model API omeprazole were prepared using water-based film forming polymers. The results of nanoscopic investigations elucidated the compression profiles of ODT excipients. Strong densification of MCC (Py is 625 MPa) occurs due to conglomeration of physicomechanical factors whereas D-mannitol fragments under pressure leading to poor compacts. Addition of cellulosic excipients (L-HPC and HPMC) and granular mannitol to powder mannitol was required to mechanically strengthen the dosage form (hardness >60 N, friability <1%) and to maintain rapid disintegration (<30 sec). Similarly, functionality was integrated into D-mannitol by fabrication of porous, yet, resilient particles which resulted in upto 150% increase in the hardness of compacts. The formulated particles provided resistance to fracture under pressure due to inherent elasticity while promoted tablet disintegration (50-77% reduction in disintegration time) due to porous nature. Additionally, coated microparticles provided an ODT-appropriate modified-release coating strategy by preventing drug (omeprazole) release.

Bridging the Gap Between Human Language and Computer-Oriented Representations

Information can be expressed in many ways according to the different capacities of humans to perceive it. Current systems deals with multimedia, multiformat and multiplatform systems but another « multi » is still pending to guarantee global access to information, that is, multilinguality. Different languages imply different replications of the systems according to the language in question. No solutions appear to represent the bridge between the human representation (natural language) and a system-oriented representation. The United Nations University defined in 1997 a language to be the support of effective multilinguism in Internet. In this paper, we describe this language and its possible applications beyond multilingual services as the possible future standard for different language independent applications.

Multi-Agent Information Processing and Adaptive Control in Global Telecommunication and Computer Networks

The problems and methods for adaptive control and multi-agent processing of information in global telecommunication and computer networks (TCN) are discussed. Criteria for controllability and communication ability (routing ability) of dataflows are described. Multi-agent model for exchange of divided information resources in global TCN has been suggested. Peculiarities for adaptive and intelligent control of dataflows in uncertain conditions and network collisions are analyzed.

Virtual Instruments – Functional Model, Organization and Programming Architecture

∗ Thematic Harmonisation in Electrical and Information EngineeRing in Europe,Project Nr. 10063-CP-1-2000-1-PT-ERASMUS-ETNE.

The Cloud Computing and Computer Virology

Евгений Николов, Димитрина Полимирова - Докладът представя текущото състояние на “облачните изчисления” и “облачните информационни атаки” в светлината на компютърната вирусология и информационната сигурност. Обсъдени са категориите “облачни възможни информационни атаки” и “облачни успешни информационни атаки”. Коментирана е архитектурата на “облачните изчисления” и основните компоненти, които изграждат тяхната инфраструктура, съответно “клиенти” (“clients”), „центрове за съхранение на данни“ (“datacenters”) и „разпределени сървъри“ (“dirstributed servers”). Коментирани са и услугите, които се предлагат от “облачните изчисления” – SaaS, HaaS и PaaS. Посочени са предимствата и недостатъците на компонентите и услугите по отношение на “облачните информационни атаки”. Направен е анализ на текущото състояние на “облачните информационни атаки” на територията на България, Балканския полуостров и Югоизточна Европа по отношение на компонентите и на услугите. Резултатите са представени под формата на 3D графични обекти. На края са направени съответните изводи и препоръки под формата на заключение.

University-led innovative and inspirational engineering education

The UK Government and large employers have recognised the skills gap between learners leaving the education system and the requirements of employers. The current system is seen to be failing significant numbers of learners and has been accused of schooling but not educating our young people. University-led technical colleges are one part of the solution being developed to provide outstanding engineering education. This paper focusses on the learning experience that the Aston University Engineering Academy, the first University-led University Technical College (UTC), has created for entrants to the Engineering Academy in September 2012, when it opens in brand new buildings next to the University. The overall aim is to produce technically literate young people that have business and enterprise skills as well as insight into the diverse range of opportunities in Engineering and Technical disciplines. The project has brought University staff and students together with employers and Academy staff to optimise the engineering education that they will receive. The innovative model presented has drawn on research from across the world in the implementation of this new type of school, as well as educational practices from the USA and the Scandinavian countries. The resulting curriculum is authentic and exciting and expands the University model of problem-based learning and placements into the secondary school environment. The benefits of this close partnership for University staff and students, the employers and the Academy staff are expanded on and the paper concludes with a prediction of progression routes from the Academy.

Correlation between p-GaN growth environment with electrical and optical properties of blue LEDs

Two blue (450 nm) light–emitting diodes (LED), which only differ in top p-GaN layer growth conditions, were comparatively investigated. I-V, C-V, TLM, Electroluminescence (EL) and Photoluminescence (PL) techniques were applied to clarify a correlation between MOCVD carrier gas and internal properties. The A-structure grown in the pure N2 environment demonstrated better parameters than the B-structure grown in the N2/H2 (1:1) gas mixture. The mixed growth atmosphere leaded to an increase of sheet resistances of p-GaN layer. EL and PL measurements confirmed the advantage of the pure N2 utilization, and C(VR) measurement pointed the increase of static charge concentration near the p-GaN interface in the B structure.

Bioactive sol-gel glasses at the atomic scale:the complementary use of advanced probe and computer modeling methods

Sol-gel-synthesized bioactive glasses may be formed via a hydrolysis condensation reaction, silica being introduced in the form of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and calcium is typically added in the form of calcium nitrate. The synthesis reaction proceeds in an aqueous environment; the resultant gel is dried, before stabilization by heat treatment. These materials, being amorphous, are complex at the level of their atomic-scale structure, but their bulk properties may only be properly understood on the basis of that structural insight. Thus, a full understanding of their structure-property relationship may only be achieved through the application of a coherent suite of leading-edge experimental probes, coupled with the cogent use of advanced computer simulation methods. Using as an exemplar a calcia-silica sol-gel glass of the kind developed by Larry Hench, in the memory of whom this paper is dedicated, we illustrate the successful use of high-energy X-ray and neutron scattering (diffraction) methods, magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR, and molecular dynamics simulation as components to a powerful methodology for the study of amorphous materials.

Microporous polycaprolactone matrices for drug delivery and tissue engineering:the release behaviour of bioactives having extremes of aqueous solubility

Microporous polycaprolactone (PCL) matrices loaded with hydrophobic steroidal drugs or a hydrophilic drug - pilocarpine hydrochloride - were produced by precipitation casting using solutions of PCL in acetone. The efficiency of steroid incorporation in the final matrix (progesterone (56 %) testosterone (46 %) dexamethasone (80 %)) depended on the nature of the drug initially co-dissolved in the PCL solution. Approximately 90 % w/w of the initial load of progesterone, 85 % testosterone and 50 % dexamethasone was released from the matrices in PBS at 37°C over 8 days. Pilocarpine hydrochloride (PH)-loaded PCL matrices, prepared by dispersion of powder in PCL solution, released 70-90 % of the PH content over 12 days in PBS. Application of the Higuchi model revealed that the kinetics of steroid and PH release were consistent with a Fickian diffusion mechanism with corresponding diffusion coefficients of 5.8 × 10-9 (progesterone), 3.9 × 10 -9 (testosterone), 7.1 × 10-10 (dexamethasone) and 22 × 10-8 cm2/s (pilocarpine hydrochloride). The formulation techniques described are expected to be useful for production of implantable, insertable and topical devices for sustained delivery of a range of bioactive molecules of interest in drug delivery and tissue engineering.

Near Term Computer Management Strategy For Hospitality Managers and Computer System Vendors

In his dialogue - Near Term Computer Management Strategy For Hospitality Managers and Computer System Vendors - by William O'Brien, Associate Professor, School of Hospitality Management at Florida International University, Associate Professor O’Brien initially states: “The computer revolution has only just begun. Rapid improvement in hardware will continue into the foreseeable future; over the last five years it has set the stage for more significant improvements in software technology still to come. John Naisbitt's information electronics economy¹ based on the creation and distribution of information has already arrived and as computer devices improve, hospitality managers will increasingly do at least a portion of their work with software tools.” At the time of this writing Assistant Professor O’Brien will have you know, contrary to what some people might think, the computer revolution is not over, it’s just beginning; it’s just an embryo. Computer technology will only continue to develop and expand, says O’Brien with citation. “A complacent few of us who feel “we have survived the computer revolution” will miss opportunities as a new wave of technology moves through the hospitality industry,” says ‘Professor O’Brien. “Both managers who buy technology and vendors who sell it can profit from strategy based on understanding the wave of technological innovation,” is his informed opinion. Property managers who embrace rather than eschew innovation, in this case computer technology, will benefit greatly from this new science in hospitality management, O’Brien says. “The manager who is not alert to or misunderstands the nature of this wave of innovation will be the constant victim of technology,” he advises. On the vendor side of the equation, O’Brien observes, “Computer-wise hospitality managers want systems which are easier and more profitable to operate. Some view their own industry as being somewhat behind the times… They plan to pay significantly less for better computer devices. Their high expectations are fed by vendor marketing efforts…” he says. O’Brien warns against taking a gamble on a risky computer system by falling victim to un-substantiated claims and pie-in-the-sky promises. He recommends affiliating with turn-key vendors who provide hardware, software, and training, or soliciting the help of large mainstream vendors such as IBM, NCR, or Apple. Many experts agree that the computer revolution has merely and genuinely morphed into the software revolution, informs O’Brien; “…recognizing that a computer is nothing but a box in which programs run.” Yes, some of the empirical data in this article is dated by now, but the core philosophy of advancing technology, and properties continually tapping current knowledge is sound.

The (Un)Folding of Multidomain Proteins Through the Lens of Single-molecule Force-spectroscopy and Computer Simulation

Proteins are specialized molecules that catalyze most of the reactions that can sustain life, and they become functional by folding into a specific 3D structure. Despite their importance, the question, "how do proteins fold?" - first pondered in in the 1930's - is still listed as one of the top unanswered scientific questions as of 2005, according to the journal Science. Answering this question would provide a foundation for understanding protein function and would enable improved drug targeting, efficient biofuel production, and stronger biomaterials. Much of what we currently know about protein folding comes from studies on small, single-domain proteins, which may be quite different from the folding of large, multidomain proteins that predominate the proteomes of all organisms.

In this thesis I will discuss my work to fill this gap in understanding by studying the unfolding and refolding of large, multidomain proteins using the powerful combination of single-molecule force-spectroscopy experiments and molecular dynamic simulations.

The three model proteins studied - Luciferase, Protein S, and Streptavidin - lend insight into the inter-domain dependence for unfolding and the subdomain stabilization of binding ligands, and ultimately provide new insight into atomistic details of the intermediate states along the folding pathway.

Bit-index sort: A fast non-comparison integer sorting algorithm for permutations

This paper describes a fast integer sorting algorithm, herein referred to as Bit-index sort, which does not use comparisons and is intended to sort partial permutations. Experimental results exhibit linear complexity order in execution time. Bit-index sort uses a bit-array to classify input sequences of distinct integers, and exploits built-in bit functions in C compilers, supported by machine hardware, to retrieve the ordered output sequence. Results show that Bit-index sort outperforms quicksort and counting sort algorithms when compared in their execution time. A parallel approach for Bit-index sort using two simultaneous threads is also included, which obtains further speedups of up to 1.6 compared to its sequential case.