| 5461. |
- Knutsson, Håkan, 1963-, et al.
(författare)
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Is Innovation Redesigning District Heating? A Systematic Literature Review
- 2021
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Ingår i: Designs. - Basel : MDPI. - 2411-9660. ; 5:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The district heating (DH) industry has been characterized by continuous innovation for several decades, but there is limited knowledge on the characteristics of the sector’s innovation activities, arguably the most important information for understanding how the sector can continue to develop and further support the energy transition of society. We perform a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify the types of innovation, the levels of innovation and the relation between different innovations in the DH sector. A total of 899 articles are analyzed and coded into eight groups: fuel, supply, distribution, transfer, DH system, city system, impact and business. Most of the articles (68%) were identified in the groups: “supply”, “DH system,” and “impact”, with a focus on DH from a system or production perspective and its environmental impact. We find that there is limited research on DH firms” challenges, including management perspectives, such as asset management and customer focus. Despite this potential, we find only a limited number of articles related to innovation. Not much scholarly attention has been given to areas of large cost-saving, especially capital cost. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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| 5462. |
- Kobliakov, Vladimir, et al.
(författare)
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Distributed Queue Random Multiple Access Algorithm for Centralized Data Networks
- 2006
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Ingår i: Consumer Electronics, 2006. ISCE '06. 2006 IEEE Tenth International Symposium on. - Piscataway : IEEE Press. - 1424402158 - 1424402166 - 9781424402168 ; , s. 290-295
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The development of efficient media access control protocols for new generation networks, such as IEEE 802.16 metropolitan wireless system, is a challenging task nowadays. The problem of designing an efficient random multiple access algorithm for centralized data network, where subscriber stations transmit bandwidth requests to the base station in an uplink channel, is a focus of the paper. For this purpose special model for a centralized network is considered and new random multiple access algorithm is developed and analyzed. This algorithm, further referred to as distributed queue algorithm (multi-FS-ALOHA), is shown to provide higher tenacity and lower mean delay for the request transmission in comparison to binary exponential backoff, standardized in IEEE 802.16, as well as FS-ALOHA it is based on. Optimization of parameters for the developed algorithm is fulfilled; impact of the noise on its performance is investigated. The analysis is conducted by means of both analytical techniques and simulations
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| 5463. |
- Kobuszewski Volles, Barbara, et al.
(författare)
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The COO Effect in the International Brand Positioning Strategy
- 2016
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Ingår i: Future Studies Research Journal. - Sao Paulo : Future Studies Research Journal: Trends and Strategies. - 2175-5825. ; 8:3, s. 200-226
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: This study aims to develop a model in order to understand how Chinese companies strategically position their brands, considering the causes of the country of origin (COO) effect, when going through the process of internationalization.Design/methodology/approach: The study approach a qualitative case study that incorporates two different Chinese companies with subsidiaries settled in Brazil. It was conducted depth interviews with different components of the studied firms.Findings: In this way, it was developed a model that try to explain the positive and/or negative effect of general attributes from China (labor market, institution framework and education) on the brand positioning divers (value preposition, points of leverage, primary target and image reinforcement), which influences on the cost-benefit strategy approach of the brands when positioning internationally.Research limitations/implications: Considering that this research is a qualitative study of two Chinese companies, further qualitative and quantitative studies would be fruitful to the validity of the presented model.Originality/value: In order to contribute to the academic field, it was found that this research present a unique model considering different causes of the COO effect that might affect the international branding positioning.
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| 5464. |
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| 5465. |
- Koch, Christian, 1958, et al.
(författare)
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Heavy-duty construction equipment: dinosaurs of black energy?
- 2021
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 37th Annual ARCOM Conference, ARCOM 2021. - Leeds : Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM). - 9780995546356 ; , s. 694-703
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Construction equipment emissions in civil engineering are a major sustainability issue. However, the industry continues investing in diesel (and/or biodiesel) machines - which, even if compliant with EU regulations, are far from “clean”. Cleaner technologies in construction equipment, like electrical engines, are considered more expensive investments; moreover, they are dependent on the available power supply while operating in confined areas. So, transitioning these machines sustainably involves changing technologies, business models, and public regulation. In Scandinavia, heavy-duty engines (over 25 tons) have only recently become (limitedly) available. Therefore, the current paper analyzes enablers and barriers for a sustainable transition of civil engineering construction equipment to onsite electrical machines in Scandinavia. The sustainable transition theory, combined with sustainable business models, serves as the framework of understanding. Empirically, a desk study of governance and regulation is combined with material from four fossil-free test building sites in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. The results highlight the importance of a public-private business model, where public client-driven transition is subsidy-supported (e.g., making electrical equipment available through concession, and encouraging small innovative machine manufacturers to develop electrical equipment), while waiting for international construction equipment players to become transition-ready. Recommendations for the transition thus include strengthening public-private collaboration.
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| 5466. |
- Koch, Christian, 1958-, et al.
(författare)
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Institutional forces in reporting practice – effects of sustainability and the EU-taxonomy on the Swedish Real Estate Market
- 2022
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This paper explores institutional forces in sustainability reporting (SR) practice, adopting an institutional field approach to an emerging field of sustainable real estate reporting of sustainable investments through the EU taxonomy, over-layering the mature exchange field of the real estate business. We study 29 listed real estate companies in Sweden and their process towards the first taxonomy reporting spring 2022. Three companies are obliged to report their future coverage of the legislation, while 14 report voluntary and 3 choose to report their degree of sustainability, thus showing clear elements of an emerging institutional field, and its active dynamics even where law is not obligatory. Similarly, the companies’ status of sustainability was evaluated from 2022 and previous years’ annual reports, shows that 16 appear to follow each other closely, 9 companies attempt to take a leading position while only 2 appear to attempt to downplay sustainability. Annual reports tend to have a character of mechanical compliance where new insight produced by taxonomy reporting is merely juxtaposed to other reporting standards, such as Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Only one company appear to attempt to establish crosscutting learning from the many sources of evaluation the different standards and legislation represent. Moreover, legislation is likely to have limited effect as the real estate companies are only limited dependent of Bank loans, having a series of other financial means at their disposal. Many companies also had their strongest financial year in 2021 and the timing of the arrival of a financial control instrument is less opportune.
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| 5467. |
- Koch, Kamilla, et al.
(författare)
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Farmland versus forest : comparing changes in Odonata species composition in western and eastern Sweden
- 2014
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Ingår i: Insect Conservation and Diversity. - Chichester, West Sussex : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1752-458X .- 1752-4598. ; 7:1, s. 22-31
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 1. Despite the loss of natural ecosystems in the developed world during the past millennia, anthropogenic landscapes still sustain much biodiversity. Our question was, whether ten year changes in regional Odonata faunas are comparable between farmland and forested areas, or if the species pool of farmland areas respond in other ways than that of forest.2. We used data of dragonfly larvae collected from 16 lakes in a farmland area in south-western Sweden in the years 2002 and 2011/12, and compared these to data from 34 lakes in a forest area in south-eastern Sweden in the years 1996 and 2006.3. The species-richness in the agricultural region increased by 17% but decreased by 13% in the forested region. The changes in occurrence and regional distribution were similar in both areas, affecting 71% and 69% of the species pool. Average extinction rates were comparable between the agricultural and the forested region (38% and 43%) while colonisation rates differed greatly (64% and 114%).4. The species composition differed between the regions; the forest lakes harboured a 29% larger species pool. It is possible that in the forested region, the regional species pool in areas surrounding the study sites could stabilise the extinction and have a positive effect on changes in species composition. We assume that the different habitat structures of the waters in the agricultural and the forest regions and changes in temperature are the main driving forces behind the shifts. The mean seasonal air temperature has increased by circa 0.5°C in both regions, when comparing ten-year periods before each sampling year.
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| 5468. |
- Koch, Kamilla, et al.
(författare)
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Morphological differences in the ovary of Libellulidae (Odonata)
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Odonatology. - Oxford : Taylor & Francis. - 1388-7890 .- 2159-6719. ; 12:1, s. 147-156
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- All female Odonata have been assumed to produce oocytes continuously during their mature life span. However, a recent study of ovariole orientation and development led to the suggestion that Libellulidae are divided into two groups of species, one with continuous, the other with stepwise oocyte production. To find more evidence of this division, we compared the size variation and growth within the vitellarium of the ovary, studying oocytes, and follicle cells. We found that morphological characters discriminate between the two ovary types in eight of the 10 investigated species. In both types we found an increase in all measurements from the anterior to the posterior end of the vitellarium. The increase in oocyte width and follicle cell length was significantly higher in species with a continuous oocyte production. We also noted that follicle cells may have more than one nucleus and that their number can vary during vitellogenesis. Our study confirmed the hypotheses that two different ovary types exist in Libellulidae. The two species not fitting into this grouping could be an artefact of small samp le size due to intraspecific phenotypic plasticity, or else there might be more than two ovary groups, or even a continuum. We could not offer an explanation as to how the process of stepwise oocyte production differs from continuous based production on morphological characters.
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| 5469. |
- Koch, Kamilla, et al.
(författare)
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Morphology of follicle cells of Libellulidae (Odonata)
- 2011
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Ingår i: International journal of odonatology. - Leiden : Backhuys. - 1388-7890 .- 2159-6719. ; 14:3, s. 257-267
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In libellulids, mature oocyte size varies within and between individual ovaries. The regulating mechanism is not yet understood. Variations in the contents of the follicle cells, and thereby their ability to secrete material into the oocyte, might explain some of the observed differences in oocyte size. We therefore investigated the follicle cell surface, the interstitial space width between follicle cells and between follicle cells and oocytes, the number of nuclei, and the cell compartment proportions using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In all investigated species, the follicle cells were covered by a basal lamina. We found cytoplasmic microvilli and septate junctions. As we could not find any pores or other structures on the cell surface, endocytosis seems to be the only mechanism transporting material into the follicle cells. Larger follicle cells had larger interstitial gaps between follicle cells and oocytes, larger nuclei and a larger mitochondrial area. Larger interstitial spaces between follicle cells and oocytes may afford more room that can be filled with material from the follicle cell layer. More mitochondria could provide more energy/ATP needed for the transport of the material. The quantity of free ribosomes and the mean number of nuclei seemed to be even more important to the productivity of the follicle cell. All these variations in cell contents cause productivity differences among follicle cells and may explain some of the size differences between oocytes within individual ovaries in libellulids.
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| 5470. |
- Kochenborger Duarte, Eduardo, 1994-, et al.
(författare)
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Robot Self-defense : Robot, Don't Hurt Me, No More
- 2022
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Ingår i: HRI '22. - : IEEE Press. - 9781665407311 - 9781665407328 ; , s. 742-745
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Would it be okay for a robot to hurt a human, if by doing so it could protect someone else? Such ethical questions could be vital to consider, as the market for social robots grows larger and robots become increasingly prevalent in our surroundings. Here we introduce the topic of “robot self-defense”, which involves the use of force by a robot in response to violence, to protect a human in its care. To explore this topic, we conducted a preliminary analysis of the literature, as well as brainstorming sessions, which led us to formulate an idea about how people will perceive robot self-defense based on the perceived risk of loss. Additionally, we propose a study design to investigate how the general public will perceive the acceptability of a robot using self- defense techniques. As part of this, we describe some hypotheses based on the assumption that the perceived acceptability will be affected by both the entities involved in a violent situation and the amount of force that is applied. The proposed scenarios will be used in a future survey to evaluate participants’ perception of a social robot using self-defense techniques under varying circumstances, toward stimulating ideation and discussion on how robots will be able to help people to live better lives. © 2022 IEEE.
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