Showing papers by "University of Macau published in 1999"

Doing Business in the 21st Century with the New Generation of Chinese Managers: A Study of Generational Shifts in Work Values in China

Abstract: Our goal is to develop a profile of Chinese managers, and in particular a profile of the New Generation of Chinese managers. The purpose for developing this profile is primarily to provide relevant information for non-Chinese business people, especially Westerners, who plan to engage in business in China. This profile is based on measures of individual values (Individualism, Collectivism and Confucianism) relevant to China and business. Our findings suggest that the New Generation manager is more individualistic and more likely to act independently, while taking risks in the pursuit of profits. However, these New managers are, likewise, not forsaking their Confucian values. Thus, they may be viewed as crossverging their Eastern and Western influences, while on the road of modernization.

Structuring for organizational learning

Abstract: The concept of organizational learning has taken its prominence in the past several decades as a way to achieve competitive advantage. Companies are urged to become “learning organizations” to develop their learning capability for survival and maintaining competitiveness. However, very few studies have addressed the issue of how organizational structure may contribute to organizational learning. This article attempts to bridge the gap in literatures by engaging in a theoretical debate to generate a synthesis of these two concepts.

Land-Supply Restrictions, Developer Strategies and Housing Policies: The Case in Hong Kong

Abstract: The Hong Kong residential market is unique in several aspects: restricted land supply, high price volatility, high appreciation rate, a small group of large developers, and a huge public housing sector. Assuming that higher price appreciation and volatility can be attributed to the limited land supply, this study examines the relationships among developers’ housing -supply decisions, government land-supply decisions, and public housing policies. Using data for the 1973-1997 period, our result shows that an increase in land supply by the Hong Kong government may not be a solution to the perceived shortage of housing supply in Hong Kong. This finding indicates that it is important to examine developers’ profit maximization strategies when enacting public policies related to property markets.

A consistent method for the solution to reduced fpk equation in statistical mechanics

Abstract: The solution of reduced Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov (FPK) equation resulted from the problems in statistical mechanics is formulated as an exponential function of polynomials in state variables Special measure is taken to satisfy the FPK equation in the weak sense of integration with the assumed function Examples are given to show the application of the method to the non-linear systems with additive random excitations and those with both additive and multiplicative random excitations The PDF solutions obtained with the proposed method and conventional Gaussian closure method are compared with the exact solutions in special cases Numerical results showed that the solutions obtained with the proposed method are much close to the exact solutions even for highly non-linear system and the system with both additive and multiplicative excitations The convergence of the approximate PDF solutions obtained with the method is also shown with numerical results

Universal custom power conditioner (UCPC) in distribution networks

Abstract: In this paper, a general powerful circuit of a universal custom power conditioner (UCPC), which is used to improve power reliability and quality applied to distribution networks, is presented in detail. The UCPC is based on series and shunt tri-level PWM converters with a battery energy storage system (BESS) for multi-function operations such as harmonic elimination, reactive power control, voltage sags compensation and uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The basic algorithm of system is deadbeat control with a repetitive compensation strategy based on the voltage space vector PWM method. Some simulation results are use to verify that UCPC can synthetically fulfill different compensation functions.

Confirmation of a four‐variable quality management model

Abstract: Most “quality management models” to date have been largely “experience‐based”. For example, Deming’s famous chain reaction model and Juran’s trilogy model are validated by the gurus’ own observations and experience in the industry. Such “experience‐based” models have laid the cornerstone for some more “theory‐driven” approaches to quality management, usually encompassing theories from other related disciplines such as motivational theories and group dynamics. Such approaches have, in turn, formed the basis for some widely accepted and implemented quality management models. The TQM model of the US Department of Defense is an excellent example of a blueprint of quality strategies adopted by outstanding companies worldwide. Very little literature to date has attempted to verify the veracity of such models using actual data collected from the industry. The present paper aims at presenting an interesting exercise in verifying and confirming one such model using structural equation modelling techniques.

Reconstruction and Physically-based Animation of Trees from Static Images

Abstract: Trees, in particular the dynamic waving of trees plays a very important role in the natural scenery of landscape. Unfortunately, due to the high level complexity of the structure of trees and the highly varying properties of trees’ components, physically-based simulation of trees’ motion becomes extremely a difficult task. As an effort in tackling such a problem, a solution is proposed and implemented in the paper. By this solution in the control and simulation of the motion of trees blown by wind, the behavior of moving branches of trees is simulated based on the contemporary non-linear mechanics, and that of waving branches based on the principle of mechanical wave.

Artificial neural network short-term electrical load forecasting techniques

Abstract: This paper presents some practical techniques for artificial neural network short-term load forecasting problems. The model described in this paper is a backpropagation based multi-layer perceptron including temperature factor. In order to expedite the training process, variable learning rate method and quasi-Newton method are employed. This paper also provides intelligent treatment to holidays and weekends in order to improve the forecasting accuracy.

Highly accurate mismatch-free SC delay circuits with reduced finite gain and offset sensitivity

Abstract: Novel switched-capacitor (SC) delay circuit architectures, all insensitive to capacitance ratio mismatch, nonideal amplifier's DC offset and 1/f noise with also either narrow or wideband compensation of finite gain error, will be proposed in this paper. A rigorous comparison of the different structures with respect to magnitude, phase and offset errors will be presented for illustrating their effectiveness. Finally, a flexible implementation of arbitrarily longer delay by the proposed circuits will be further developed in some design examples of unit and double unit delay circuits with only one amplifier and unchanged accuracy performance.

Mass transport of progressive edge waves: a comparison between the full and shallow-water waves theories

Abstract: The differences between the full and shallow-water wave theories for edge waves are reviewed. Detailed comparisons between the solutions of the second-order mass transport velocities within the laminar boundary layer obtained through the two theories are carried out for the first three edge-wave modes. The results clearly show that the error of the shallow-water approximation is larger as the mode number gels larger, and/or the beach slope gets steeper. It is also found that the magnitude ofshallow-water approximation error increases in the offshore direction first, then it decreases as the distance approaches further offshore due to the energy decay in that direction. The affecting area of the shallow water approximation is relatively larger for the longshore transport than for the cross-shore transport in higher-mode edge waves. The significant differences between the full and shallow water-wave solutions in the near shore region identified in the present study issue a warning to the modellers ofcoastal hydrodynamics and nearshore topography, who utilize the shallow water approximation.

High performance multirate SC circuits with predictive correlated double sampling technique

Abstract: This paper proposes the design of multirate switched-capacitor (SC) filters with the employment of the predictive correlated double sampling (CDS) as a means of achieving higher accuracy, good linearity and higher dynamic range as well as lower power dissipation for high frequency and/or low voltage CMOS applications. Such a new technique will be first explored by proposing the novel fundamental building blocks: unit delay circuit and accumulator for multirate SC circuits with the reduction of the effects of op-amp imperfections with respect to the input referred DC offset voltage, 1/f noise as well as finite gain, and then be consolidated by implementing a specific video application.

Look before you leap: On some fundamental issues in software engineering research

Abstract: In science, clear definition and rigorous representation are of prime importance. Recently, Briand et al. (IEEE TSE 22 (1) (1996) 68–85) proposed to clarify ambiguous software quality concepts such as size and complexity through a definition based on their intuitive properties. A seemingly rigorous and generic system representation, suitable for analyzing software described with existing tools, is also advanced. We justify that their property-based definitions for these concepts are logically untenable and practically misleading. We demonstrate further that their representation is still vague and searching for a general system representation is doomed to failure and cases of refutation are provided. In addition, we prove that all the system definitions, even for the very limited practical case of programs, are flawed. Finally, we elucidate with Briand et al.'s examples that theoretic representation must be validated, set theory seems incompatible with programs, and reasoning by analogy could be misleading. Our in-depth analysis illustrates that formality is but skin-deep and we must be aware of the danger of ignoring the most important methodological rigor in software engineering research.

Adaptable Splatting for Irregular Volume Rendering

Abstract: By employment of a footprint table in conducting intensity integration, splatting method has been very successful in rendering regular data volumes. Recently, the method has also been extended to render irregular data volumes. However, since samples in irregular volumes vary greatly in size and shape, the footprint table is unable to be employed in an efficient manner. This hinders the application of splatting approach from being used in the irregular volume case. In this paper, an adaptable splatting method is proposed, which provides an efficient way to integrate color intensity in terms of footprint table for the samples in various sizes. Experiments show that the new method may be used to produce better images without extra expense.

Offset- and gain-compensated and mismatch-free SC delay circuit with flexible implementation

Abstract: A novel SC delay circuit is presented that is insensitive to the DC offset and finite gain errors of operational amplifiers (OAs) as well as the capacitance ratio mismatch. The effectiveness is illustrated and consolidated by computer simulations. A comparison with typical compensated and uncompensated circuits in terms of magnitude, phase and offset errors is also presented. The circuit is also further extended to realise a wideband and very accurate successive-anticipatory gain compensation scheme and to flexibly implement arbitrary delay with only one OA.

A boost PWM soft-single-switched converter average switch model for small signal and transient analysis

Abstract: An average switch model for a newly proposed boost PWM soft-single-switched converter operating in continuous conduction mode is developed to enable small signal and transient analysis. This model is implemented by a PSPICE sub-circuit. Results of DC and transient analysis on this model and on a straight forward cycle to cycle model are compared to verify its validity, and very good results are obtained. Small signal analysis results are also given. Using this model the required simulation time is drastically reduced.

'Permanent' Fundamental Rights in a Legal System in Transition - The Case of Macau

Abstract: The paper discusses the impact on the fundamental rights of the transition of Macau from a territory under Portuguese Administration to a Special Administrative Region of the People´s Republic of China. It argues that, due to several «transition guarantees», in what concerns fundamental rights the situation is of continuity thus being «permanent» fundamental rights rather than rights in transition. The paper addresses several contextualizing issues such as the transition period and the principle of continuity proceeding to a comparaison of the legal tissue on the subject before and after the transfer of full sovereignty over Macau to China.

Case Library Reduction Applied to Pile Foundations

Abstract: The case-based reasoning paradigm is applied in support of decision making processes related to pile foundations. Based on this paradigm, the system accumulates experience from previously realized pile foundations. This experience can be drawn when new situations with similar attributes of geotechnical situation of the site and geometric characteristics of the piles are encountered. Two case libraries were created based on previously realized sites. The representativeness of the case libraries and the efficiency of the search process are facilitated by the use of a genetic algorithm reduction.

Specification and simulation of a concurrent real-time system

Abstract: Interval temporal logic (ITL) is a real-time logic for specifying and verifying real-time systems. In this paper, ITL is used to specify a concurrent real-time system: an assembly line which is an abstract model of industrial robot control systems. We can specify the abstract properties of the system in ITL as well as the system design using the executable subset of ITL, Tempura. Compared with other approaches, the first advantage of this methodology is that the concurrent real-time systems can be naturally specified in a true concurrent model rather than an interleaving model. The second is that the specification of the system design is executable so that the simulation can be obtained in the same formal framework. Therefore, both the properties of the system and the consistency of the specification can be checked before verification.

A real-time generation algorithm for progressive meshes in dynamic environments

Abstract: This paper presents an efficient method for real-time generation of progressive mesh. In our algorithm, only the current mesh and local information of each vertex, such as vertex position, edge length, neighboring vertices, adjacent faces, and face normals are considered at each simplification step. All edge collapse costs are calculated and sorted into a binary tree using heap sort algorithm at initial stage. The whole complexity of the algorithm is O(n*lg(n)). Other properties such as vertex color and face texture are processed in the same way as geometry. Test shows that the algorithm is viable in real-time simplification for medium scale virtual models on PC platforms.

A 120 MHz SC 4th-order elliptic interpolation filter with accurate gain and offset compensation for direct digital frequency synthesizer

Abstract: This paper proposes an optimum design of a high frequency Switched-Capacitor IIR interpolation filter for Direct Digital Frequency Synthesizer systems. The circuit is formed by the combination of novel double sampling recursive direct-form II and non-recursive polyphase structures embedding mismatch-free analog delay lines with accurate, wideband gain- and offset-compensation achieved by Predictive Correlated-Double Sampling techniques. This filter is designed with optimized speed of the analog components in AMS 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS technology, occupies about 0.4 mm/sup 2/ active area and consumes about 22 mW at 3.0 V supply.

Hybrid control methodology with applications to robotic integrated systems

Abstract: The paper employs the Hybrid Communicated Sequential Programming Language, HCSP, for specification of a robotic integrated system. Robots and their peripheral equipment construct a typical hybrid system which has many phase transitions between control laws driven by the internal or external events. Using a hybrid control methodology can not only elucidate the issues clearly but also make the hybrid controller perform better during the control process. Based on the hybrid control method, an experiment which involves robots and their peripheral equipment has been made in our laboratory.

Active feedback amplifier approach for microwave filter

Abstract: In this paper, a novel microwave active filter based on the traditional lumped and transversal filter architecture is presented. This new filter adopts an active feedback amplifier topology in order to provide higher selectivity. Also, an alternative filter synthesis is derived from this topology for the conventional lumped and transversal filter. In order to demonstrate its usefulness, a L-band active filter is designed at GSM1800 center frequency 1.8 GHz with 30 MHz 3 dB bandwidth and evaluated in terms of computer simulation. These simulated results demonstrate that the proposed filter architecture has superior performance when compared with the traditional lumped and transversal filter.

Digital circuit macromodeling with PSPICE

Abstract: Ordinary algebra is used to represent Boolean algebra on logic variables with states 0 and 1, so to achieve a unify approach to simulated both digital and analog circuit in PSPICE. Result on mixed A/D simulation shows a save in memory but generally longer run time.

New microwave bandstop filter using lumped and transversal network

Abstract: A new approach for microwave bandstop filters design using the conventional lumped and transversal filtering network is presented. The applicability of the proposed design method is demonstrated with an experimental circuit of a 1.1 GHz bandstop filter of 2.5% bandwidth with a 55 dB notch rejection.

Low cost automation and local CIMS the automation development direction for medial and small enterprise

Abstract: In order to stay competitive in the world market, reforming manufacturing industry is essential. Indeed, it's very important to adopt overall CIMS, Low Cost Automation (LCA) and Local CIMS (LCIMS) automation technology for reforming manufacturing industry and related industries as well. Overall CIMS model is only suitable for automation development in larger enterprises. LCIMS and LCA models are suitable for automation development at medial and small enterprises. A survey of overall CIMS, LCA and LCIMS and a case study of LCIMS for the garment industry are presented in this paper.

Case-Based Reasoning, Genetic Algorithms, and the Pile Foundation Information System

Abstract: Case-based support of decision making process relating to pile foundation is one of the most important parts of the Pile Foundation Information System. Case-based reasoning (CBR) can draw a lesson from a previously realized pile foundation of the similar attributes (geotechnical situation, as well as the geometric characteristics of the piles). Two case libraries were created based on previously realized sites. Representativeness of the case libraries and intensification of the search process is facilitated by genetic algorithm technology.