ASU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes most of the ASU Theses and Dissertations from 2011 to present. ASU Theses and Dissertations are available in downloadable PDF format; however, a small percentage of items are under embargo. Information about the dissertations/theses includes degree information, committee members, an abstract, supporting data or media.
In addition to the electronic theses found in the ASU Digital Repository, ASU Theses and Dissertations can be found in the ASU Library Catalog.
Dissertations and Theses granted by Arizona State University are archived and made available through a joint effort of the ASU Graduate College and the ASU Libraries. For more information or questions about this collection contact or visit the Digital Repository ETD Library Guide or contact the ASU Graduate College at gradformat@asu.edu.
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- Creators: Shen, Wei
- Creators: Kavazanjian, Edward
On the basis of prior research findings and the current situation of the Chinese securities industry, I first develop a theoretical model about the sources of competitive advantage for Chinese securities companies, and then compile a comprehensive list of observable indicators that can be used to assess a Chinese securities company’s core competency. Next, I conduct a quantitative analysis to assess the core competency and relative market positions of the leading Chinese securities companies using data from 2010 to 2014. Overall, the results suggest that market-driven M&As increases the core competency of the acquiring securities companies. I then conduct four in-depth case analyses to better understand the mechanisms through which M&As can help increase the acquiring firms' core competency. I conclude with a discussion of the findings and their implications for Chinese securities companies and the overseeing governmental agencies.
In this study, first, the water retention curve (WRC) and relative permeability in hydrate bearing sediments are explored to obtain fitting parameters for semi-empirical equations. Second, immiscible fluid invasion into porous media is investigated to identify fluid displacement pattern and displacement efficiency that are affected by pore size distribution and connectivity. Finally, fluid flow through granular media is studied to obtain fluid-particle interaction. This study utilizes the combined techniques of discrete element method simulation, micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (CT), pore-network model simulation algorithms for gas invasion, gas expansion, and relative permeability calculation, transparent micromodels, and water retention curve measurement equipment modified for hydrate-bearing sediments. In addition, a photoelastic disk set-up is fabricated and the image processing technique to correlate the force chain to the applied contact forces is developed.
The results show that the gas entry pressure and the capillary pressure increase with increasing hydrate saturation. Fitting parameters are suggested for different hydrate saturation conditions and morphologies. And, a new model for immiscible fluid invasion and displacement is suggested in which the boundaries of displacement patterns depend on the pore size distribution and connectivity. Finally, the fluid-particle interaction study shows that the fluid flow increases the contact forces between photoelastic disks in parallel direction with the fluid flow.
Firstly, the essay analyzes the relationship between the universities education and the supply and demand labor market by using the view of labor economics, and shows the mainly phenomenon and features of supply-demand imbalance. And then, the writer considered that universities talent cultivation development of China has gone through “absolute shortage”, “relative shortage” and “structural unbalanced” three stages. Thirdly, the survey results confirmed that the talent cultivation in universities does not match the demand of the labor market. On one other hand, over educated is a common phenomenon in the academic education. On the other hand, the graduates are lack of education skills training. Fourthly, the essay analyzes the reasons which lead to the unbalance. The unbalance is not only affected by the macro factors, but also by the micro factors. Fifthly, build up the interaction system model “UPT-LM” for the universities talent cultivation and the labor market, and separately building up the macro interaction system and the micro interaction system to analyze the balance of supply and demand. Based on this, it should strengthen the interaction on the feedback mechanism. At last, strengthening the connection of universities talent cultivation and labor market is a systematic program which needs the corporation from the government, the universities and the labor market.
Over the past decade, research has commenced on biologically-mediated solutions like microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and biologically-inspired solutions like EICP for non-disruptive ground improvement. Both of these approaches rely upon hydrolysis of urea catalyzed by the enzyme urease. Under the right environmental conditions (e.g., pH), the hydrolysis of urea leads to calcium carbonate precipitation in the presence of Ca^(2+). The rate of carbonate precipitation via hydrolysis of urea can be up to 〖10〗^14 times faster than natural process.
The objective of this research was to ascertain the effectiveness of EICP for soil improvement via hydrolysis of urea (ureolysis) catalyzed by plant-extracted urease enzyme. Elements of this work include: 1) systematic experiments to identify an optimum EICP treatment solution; 2) evaluation of the mechanical properties of EICP-treated soil under different treatment conditions and with varying carbonate contents; 3) investigation of the potential for enhancing the EICP stabilization process by including xanthan gum, natural sisal fiber, and powdered of dried non-fat milk in the EICP treatment solution; and 4) bench-scale studies of the use of EICP to make sub-horizontal columns of cemented soil for soil nailing and vertical columns of cemented soil for foundation support. As part of this research, the effect of three preparation methods (mix-and-compact, percolation, and injection) was also examined as was the influence of the grain size of soil. The results of this study should help make the EICP technique an attractive option for geotechnical engineers for ground improvement and stimulate the development and use of other biogeotechnical techniques for civil engineering purposes.