Integrative Technology Research Articles

Information technology and firm performance: the role of supply chain integration

This study analyzes the correlation among integrative information technology (IT), supply chain integration (SCI), and firm performance. The results show that integrative IT is positively associated with firm performance through SCI. However, the results of this study show that integrative IT does not have a positive correlation directly with firm performance. It is considered that in the relationship between integrative IT and firm performance, a new approach such as business process-oriented view arguing that performance is yielded through the primary influence of IT is necessary rather than a traditional view that sets up their direct correlations. The findings have the following implications. First, this study presents an endeavor to investigate the consequences of integrative supply chain strategy. Second, this study provides implications in decision making so that supply chain managers can use IT in an effective way.

Grain size control method for the nozzles of AP1000 primary coolant pipes

AP1000 primary coolant pipe is made of 316LN austenitic stainless steel. It is a large special-shaped pipe manufactured by integral forging technology. Owing to non-uniform temperature and deformation during forging, coarse grains often occur in the boss sections of the pipe especially in the nozzles’ parts. In the present study, a new forging technology was proposed to control the grain size. The finite element method was used to optimize the forging speed and friction coefficient, then the scale-down experiments were performed for comparison. The forging speed is suggested to be less than 20mm/s, and effective lubricants should be used to decrease the friction coefficient. The errors of the grain size between the experiment and simulation are less than 20%.

Implementation of Fuzzy Based Frequency Stabilization Control Strategy in Raspberry Pi for a Wind Powered Microgrid

The microgrid has become an integral technology in the power systems, which eventually provide an option to integrate renewable technologies. The intermittent characteristics of these renewable energy based units are effectively utilized with the help of battery units. This paper deals with the development and implementation of a fuzzy logic based control strategy that manages the charging and discharging of battery units depending on the generation-demand mismatch and battery status in a wind powered microgrid to stabilize the frequency fluctuation. The proposed strategy is developed using Python 2.7 language and implemented in Raspberry Pi 3 development board.

Production and Biotransformation of Phytosterol Microdispersions to Produce 4-Androstene-3,17-Dione.

The current state of knowledge regarding phytosterols biotransformation to produce the steroid intermediate 4-androstene-3,17-dione (AD) shows different technologies. However, the initial concentration of phytosterols in batch cultures is limited due to its low solubility in aqueous media, causing serious difficulties for scaling up because of the low mass transfer. In this chapter, we describe a fermentation method of a phytosterol microdispersion with Mycobacterium sp. B3805 in the context of an integral technology for AD production. The microdispersion generation is based on a patent application that claims the production of an aqueous phytosterol microdispersion with an average size particle of 370nm, and high stability and solubility in water at high phytosterols concentrations (Harting et al., 2012/US0046254). Our results indicate that up to 20g/L phytosterols can be biotransformed with this technology allowing a good dispersion and stability of reactants in the fermentation broth.

University Students' Perceptions of Electronic Rubric-Based Assessment.

Integrating technology into assessment processes in university contexts can change educational practices, in some cases by fostering self-regulated learning and in others by enabling more interactivity and participation among users. In this paper, we examine the opportunity to use electronic rubrics (erubrics) to assess learning. We report a student perception analysis on the process of assessment with electronic rubric at the university level. In this study, erubrics are applied in a Preschool (3-6 year-olds) and Primary Education (6-12 year-olds) pre-service teacher context. 87 students from two Spanish universities enrolled in a quarterly course of Education Technologies in the Faculty of Education used erubrics (© Gtea) for self- and peer assessment. Through a design-based research, the study concluded that electronic rubric is an assessment facilitating resource for students as participants in the assessment process. Students tend to be satisfied with their use in both self- and peer assessment and acknowledge certain advantages regarding rubric features, implementation process and impact on learning process

Multi‐Year Professional Development Grounded in Educative Curriculum Focused on Integrating Technology With Reformed Science Teaching Principles

Visions of science teaching and learning in the newest U.S. standards documents are dramatically different than those found in most classrooms. This research addresses these differences through closely examining one professional development (PD) project that connects teacher learning and teacher practice with student learning/achievement. This study examines the effects on eighth grade science teachers and their students in the context of a PD focused on the integration of information communication technologies and reformed science teaching practices. Findings from this investigation suggest that teachers who participated in PD for two years learned more about technology, improved their practice, and their students’ achievement was significantly higher compared to teachers who participated in one year of the PD or non‐participating peers. Science educators face multiple challenges as they attempt to deliver instruction in fundamentally different ways than what they experienced as learners. The delivery of this professional learning suggest that PD for science teachers should include educative learning experiences if understandings of reforms supported by research are to be realized.

Securement Strength and Motion Reduction Properties of a New Novel Engineered Stabilization Device

The uncertainty of wind powers complicates the reactive power optimization in the distribution network. In this paper, the authors proposed a three-stage relaxation-weightsum-correction (TSRWC) based probabilistic reactive power optimization method to deal with the uncertainty and correlation of DFIG based wind generators in the distribution network. Firstly, by the inverse NataF transformation, an improved point estimate method is proposed to transform the uncertain wind speeds into a series of data samples with weights. The digital integral technology and root search method are employed to calculate the correlation matrix in the standard normal space. Then, with the consideration of active utilization of reactive power capability of DFIG based wind generators, the reactive power optimization problem in the distribution network corresponding to each data sample is formulated. Further, the three-stage relaxation-weightsum-correction solution method is proposed to solve the probabilistic reactive power optimization problem. Finally, the numerical simulation experiments are conducted on the real 19-node distribution network and the modified PG&E 69-node distribution network, respectively. The experimental results verified that by the proposed TSRWC based probabilistic reactive power optimization method, the expectation and deviation of power loss are more adjacent to the results from the Monte Carlo Simulation experiments than the scenario without the consideration of correlation. Meanwhile, no obvious increasement of consumed time appeared.© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Usage des technologies en mathématiques à l'école maternelle et connaissances professionnelles des professeurs

Integrating technology in mathematics implies for teachers designing new situations. Designing and implementing teaching units with these resources, in a fruitful way, is complex. It probably implies that these resources, along with teachers’ practices and professional knowledge, evolve. In this paper, we explore these aspects. Our research is based on the work of a group involving researchers, trainers and teachers, the MARENE group. This group develops sets of resources (software, tangible material, scenarios) for teaching numbers in kindergarten. I study the documentation work of a teacher who belongs to the group, implementing several sets of resources. I examine how she uses these sets and seek to determine the contribution of these uses to teacher’s professional development. Our theoretical framework refers to the documentational approach.

Software reliability control of airborne failure-free computers

Considered is the problem of software reliability control of up to date airborne failure-free computers of automatic management system, constructed on the basis of integral modular aircraft electronics technology during operation period. Described is the method of evaluation of probable software failure and serial calculating algorithm based on the determination of margins of software failures according to operational control data

Will Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry Become an Integral Technology in the Operating Room of the Future?

Cancer surgeons face on a daily basis the difficult task of determining the delicate boundary between cancerous and normal tissue. Additionally, they must decide how much noncancerous margin of normal tissue to resect along with the tumor. Among the factors considered when deciding the extent of tissue resection are tumor type, location next to vital structures, morbidity of aggressive resection, tumor aggressiveness, adjunct chemotherapies available, survival rates and the patients' medical background. In the majority of cancer surgeries, the resected tissue samples are sent to a nearby room, often called the “frozen room,” for tissue processing and evaluation. The tissue is quickly frozen, sectioned, stained and interrogated using light microscopy by an expert pathologist who carefully evaluates if the surgical margins contain cancer cells (positive margin) or not (negative margin). This process of intraoperative surgical margin evaluation has been performed in clinical practice for decades, although it has many challenges. Freezing artifacts occur during tissue processing and interfere with tissue structure and cell morphology, thus complicating pathologic interpretation. Moreover, certain tumor cells are very difficult to recognize due to their atypical pattern of growth and shape. Often more than one pathologist is involved to make a final and difficult decision on margin status. Logistically, in most hospitals in the US, the frozen room serves several operating rooms (ORs),4 and depending on the workload, a surgeon may need to wait an undesirable amount of time (over 30 min) for a final reading before deciding whether to conclude or continue a surgery. This process results in prolonged length of surgery and associated increase in anesthesia time, increasing the risk of surgical site infection and physiologic stress to the patient. In brain cancer surgery, surgical margin evaluation is critical because sparing normal marginal tissue may significantly impact postoperative quality of life. New …

FEM Analysis and Experimental Verification of the Integral Forging Process for AP1000 Primary Coolant Pipe

AP1000 primary coolant pipes must be manufactured by integral forging technology according to the designer—Westinghouse Electric Co. The characteristics of these large, special-shaped pipes create nonuniform temperatures, effective stress, and effective strain during shaping of the pipes. This paper presents a three-dimensional finite element simulation (3D FEM) of the integral forging process, and qualitatively evaluates the likelihood of forging defects. By analyzing the evolution histories of the three field variables, we concluded that the initial forging temperature should be strictly controlled within the interval 1123 K to 1423 K (850 °C to 1150 °C) to avoid second-phase precipitation. In the hard deformation zones, small strains do not contribute to recrystallization resulting in coarse grains. Conversely, in the free deformation zone, the large strains can contribute to the dynamic recrystallization, favoring grain refinement and closure of voids. Cracks are likely to appear, however, on the workpiece surface when forging leads to large deformations. Based on the simulation results, an eligible workpiece with good mechanical properties, few macroscopic defects, and favorable grain size has been successfully forged by experiments at an industrial scale, which validates the FEM simulation.

Evolution of Design of Interbody Cages for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is one of the surgical procedures for the relief of chronic back pain, radiculopathy and neurogenic claudication in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease that is refractory to conservative therapy, low-grade spondylolisthesis and pseudo arthrosis. Over the past half century, both the surgical techniques and instrumentation required for ALIF have changed significantly. In particular, the designs of ALIF cage and the materials used have evolved dramatically, the common goal being to improve fusion rates and optimize clinical outcomes. The increasing popularity of ALIF is reflected by the increasing abundance of published studies reporting clinical outcomes, surgical techniques and grafting options for ALIF. Developments in cage designs include cylindrical Bagby and Kuslich, cylindrical ray, cylindrical mesh, lumbar-tapered, polyethyl-etherketone cage and integral fixation cages. Biologic implants include bone dowels and femoral ring allografts. Methods for optimization of cage design have included cage dimensions, use of novel composite cage materials and integral fixation technologies. However, the historical development and evolution of cages used for ALIF has not been extensively documented. This article therefore aims to provide an overview of the historical basis for the anterior approach, evolution in design of ALIF cage implants and potential future research directions.

The Integrative Technology Initiative (ITI) at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS).

The Integrative Technology Initiative (ITI) at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS).

Analysis of innovative methods application for production of composite integral parts

Innovative methods of preform manufacturing using the TFP technology, radial braiding as well as the description of equipment are presented. Efficiency of Siemens NX, FiberSim and PAMRTM (ESI Group) software for design and simulation of integral panels and technology is demonstrated.

Integrative technology of massage manipulations in physical rehabilitation of students with backbone pathology

Purpose:to analyze effectiveness of massage manipulations’ integrative technology in physical rehabilitation of higher educational establishments’ students with backbone pathology. Material: in the research 195 students of 19-20 years’ age participated. All students had periodical initial neurological symptoms of functional pathology and first stage osteochondrosis in different parts of backbone. We conducted a course of 10 sessions of therapeutic massage. Results: the sense of massage integrative technology is that every specialist shall have certain optimal set of skills and knowledge in technique of manipulation sessions of massage. Integrative technology of massage manipulations consists of psycho-corrective and manipulation parts. It considers psycho-somatic, mechanical and reflex rehabilitation aspects of patho-genesis of backbone functional disorders and vertebral osteochondrosis. Conclusions: depending on pathological process or backbone functional state of every person (peculiarities of his (her) psycho-somatic status or, even, his (her) bents). Individual approach in choice of strategy, tactic and methodological provisioning of massage session shall be used.

A formative evaluation of a Southeast High School Integrative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academy

A study was conducted to investigate to what extent an integrative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education program had an impact to high school students in a South East region of the United States of America (US). The program was a brainchild of three teachers in physics, mathematics, and engineering and technology who teamed up to offer an integrative STEM program within their high schools' STEM Academy. The teachers structured their curriculum content in themes of same topics studied in theory (Physics) and practice (Engineering and Technology) using timely Mathematical tools. A cohort of students within the STEM academy signed to participate. This paper presents findings of the student cohort participation through a trilogy lens, and teacher reflections. Twenty students participated in this study. The mean scores for the trilogy levels of engagement for STEM disciplines and STEM careers ranged from 4.10 to 6.21 on a seven-point scale indicating high levels of engagement. Capacity mean scores were 4.30 on Information and 4.35 on Knowledge and for the group. In this category White students had the highest mean scores in both Knowledge and Information. Further, female students were higher on Knowledge. The mean scores ranged from 2.50 to 4.00 on a five-point scale for continuity.

Delivering technological literacy to a class for elementary school pre-service teachers in South Korea

This study was conducted with the aim of creating a new introductory course emphasizing the development of technological literacy for elementary school pre-service teachers. This study also aimed to investigate elementary school pre-service teachers’ attitudinal transition toward elementary school technology education (ESTE) and its implementation. An introductory ESTE program within Practical Arts Education was developed through a procedure consisting of preparation, development, and improvement. The program was implemented among 127 elementary school pre-service teachers for 7 weeks in South Korea. The learning contents based on the ESTE research and national curriculum included (1) technology learning units in the Practical Arts textbooks, (2) technology and invention, (3) drawing and design, (4) wood products, (5) basic electricity and electronics, and (6) integrative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics/science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education. These contents were delivered via an instructor’s lecture, hands-on activities on technological design, and cooperative learning. A pre- and post-test on the study participants’ attitudes toward ESTE and on their knowledge, competency, and anxiety in relation to the six learning contents were conducted. The research results indicated a stable improvement in the study participants’ attitudes toward ESTE, their level of knowledge about ESTE, and their competency to teach ESTE. The developed program also decreased their anxiety in relation to teaching ESTE. The study findings may provide useful insights into the professional development of elementary school teachers in connection with ESTE, and into the implementation of technology education in the elementary school setting.

Closing the loop: integrative systems management of waste in food, energy, and water systems

Modern food, energy, and water (FEW) systems are the product of technologies, techniques, and policies developed to address the needs of a given sector (e.g., energy or agriculture). Wastes from each sector are typically managed separately, and the production systems underlying FEW have traditionally treated pollution and waste as externalities simply diffused into the ambient environment. Integrative management that optimizes resource use presents opportunities for improving the efficiency of FEW systems. This paper explains how FEW systems can be optimized to (1) repurpose or cycle waste products, (2) internalize traditional externalities, and (3) integrate wastes with resource inputs across systems by diverting waste by-products from one system to meet demands of another. It identifies the means for “closing the loop” in production systems. Examples include management of legacy wastes from fossil fuel industries (coal and natural gas) and integrative designs for advanced renewable systems (biogas from waste, bioenergy from CAM plants, and solar). It concludes with a discussion of how studying the governance of such systems can assist in tackling interconnected problems present in FEW systems. New governance arrangements are needed to develop solutions that can align with regulatory frameworks, economics incentive, and policies. Four aspects of governances (property rights, policy design, financing, and scale) emerge as tools to facilitate improved institutional design that stimulates integrative management, technology innovation and deployment, and community development. The conclusion offers a framework through which integrative management of FEW systems can be linked to value chains in closed-loop systems.

Integrative Technology and Inspection Planning of Medical Devices

Medical devices show great promise for future medicare. Due to strict legal requirements to ensure the functionality of high-risk medical devices, both manufacturing costs and quality costs contribute significantly to total production costs. Thus, quality costs have to be taken into consideration during the stage of technology planning. Due to the high variety of potential interactions between individual component properties as well as between component properties and manufacturing processes, the analysis of the influence of the manufacturing history on an efficient design of inspection processes is extremely complex. Furthermore, the effects of test strategies and quality costs on the planning of manufacturing process sequences can not be modeled to date. As a consequence, manufacturing and testing processes are designed separately and thus a high cost reduction potential remains untapped.In this paper an approach for an integrative technology and inspection planning is presented. At first, existing approaches with regard to technology and inspection planning are reviewed. Afterwards, a model to depict the manufacturing history including alternative inspection pro-cesses will be introduced. On the basis of this descriptive model a mathematical model to determine the expected production costs of alternative technology and test sequences will be developed. Thus, the complex causalities between technology planning, manufacturing history and inspection planning are systematically explained by analytical models enabling a cost-effective, integrative technology and inspection planning.

Development and Uncertainty Evaluation of Calibrating System for Digital Energy Setting

The power measurement mode has made fundamental changes with the development of smart substation, traditional energy metering analog devices are replaced by digital devices according to the requirements of digitalized information substation. Creating traceability between digital measuring value and analog measuring value and developing relevant calibration devices are key issues in smart substation construction. A new device for calibration digital energy meters using integral calibration technology is described in this paper. Based on the Standard Comparison Method, the device establishes a connection between the digital power and the traditional analog power with the integral calibration technology, and solves the problem that digital power was not able to be traced. The device is designed with final measuring voltage level: 220kV/110kV, measuring current range: 5A~5000A, and extended uncertainty less than 0.05%. Furthermore, the estimating process of the uncertainty of the device is discussed emphatically.