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New analytical approximation for the frequency‐dependent impedance matrix components of symmetric VLSI interconnect on lossy silicon substrate are derived. The results have been obtained by using an approximate quasi‐magnetostatic analysis of symmetric coupled microstrip on‐chip interconnects on silicon. We assume that the magnetostatic field meets the boundary conditions of a single isolated infinite line; therefore, the boundary conditions for the conductors in the structure are approximately satisfied. The derivation is based on the approximate solution of quasi‐magnetostatic equations in the structure (dielectric and silicon semi‐space), and takes into account the substrate skin‐effect. Comparisons with published data from circuit modeling or full‐wave numerical analyses are presented to validate the inductance and resistance expressions derived for symmetric coupled VLSI interconnects. The analytical characterization presented in this paper is well situated for inclusion into CAD codes in the design of RF and mixed‐signal integrated circuits on silicon.

In this paper a method for analysis and modelling of transmission interconnect lines with zero or nonzero thickness on Si–SiO₂ substrate is presented. The analysis is based on semi‐analytical expressions for the frequency‐dependent transmission line admittances. The electromagnetic concept of free charge density is applied. It allows us to obtain integral equations between electric scalar potential and charge density distributions. These equations are solved by the Galerkin procedure of the method of moments. This new model represents narrow and thick line interconnect behaviour over a wide range of frequencies up to 20 GHz. The accuracy of the developed method in this work is validated by comparing with the rigorous simulation data obtained by full‐wave electromagnetic solver and CAD‐oriented equivalent‐circuit modelling approach. The response of the proposed model is shown to be in good agreement with the frequency‐dependent capacitance and conductance characteristics of general coupled multiconductor on‐chip interconnects.

Simple and accurate high frequency modelling approach of on‐chip interconnects on a lossy silicon substrate, that considers conductor and substrate skin effects, is presented. The closed‐form formulas for the frequency‐dependent series impedance parameters are obtained using a closed‐form integration method and the vector magnetic potential equation. The proposed frequency‐dependent inductance L(f) and resistance R(f) per unit length formulas are shown to be in good agreement with the electromagnetic solutions.

An attempt will be made to shed light on the course and pattern of the decentralization process by analyzing the historical development of local government and the territorial-administrative reform of 2015-2020 in Albania and the factors that have been shaping it. The scope is to understand the impact of the reform elements on the subnational governments and in general their overall impact on the government. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap in the existing literature for Albania and at offering some insights on the administrative-territorial reform. Furthermore, it will contribute to the current debate on fiscal decentralization in South Eastern European (SEE) countries and the public management model implemented after the last reforms.

The first section analyzes the historical development of local government reforms from the 1990s to today and will help to identify if there is instrumentalism advocacy. The second section explains the determinants of the local government’s fiscal autonomy in Albania of the period from 2003 to 2016. Three indicators are used as proxies for fiscal decentralization: the proportion of subnational expenditure over national expenditure, of total subnational revenues over total revenues of central government and the indicator of own subnational revenues over total revenues of the central government. The data from the budget and the revised budgets are then compared.

Despite Albania’s commitment to decentralize its government functions, there is still work to do. The territorial and administrative reform has not generated the expected results. Almost 90 percent of the revenues still come from the central government’s unconditional transfers. Therefore, the Albanian Government should build capacities and skills, and train the employees of each level of government that currently benefit from international assistance.

The analysis represents a single case study on the territorial-administrative reform in Albania. Its implementation started in 2015 and it is probably too early to discuss outcomes. However, it might be useful to analyze the first results after a two-and-a-half-year period of implementation of reforms. Despite contributing to the existing gap in the literature, additional research will be necessary to better understand the decentralization process not only in Albania, but in all SEE countries.

It is necessary to first understand the lack of initial output, as well as the various challenges faced, in order to take the corrective measures on time.

This paper discusses in detail the reform adopted and the progress made by the Albanian local government units. The reform attempts to develop better relationships between the central and local governments and hence improve their service delivery, transparency and accountability. This paper is the first one that is attempting to analyze the initial output of the territorial-administrative reform of 2015-2020.

A new method for analysis of IC interconnects propagation parameters is suggested. A potential integral formalism is employed that enables us to express general solutions for the scalar potential in each layer of a multilayer model. These expressions for potential led to the derivation of an equation for calculating the line parameters of interconnect lines in such a multilayer configuration. This approach is verified by two‐dimensional examples of the integrated circuit interconnects with errors within 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent.

There is a lack of data about information literacy (IL) credit courses in US academic libraries. This paper aims to provide a detailed snapshot of IL credit courses, including percentages of libraries that offer credit courses, the number of credits offered, the audience and how public institutions differ from private nonprofits and for-profits.

The authors surveyed a stratified random sample of libraries at higher education institutions across all categories from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Qualtrics software was used to create and distribute the email survey. The response rate was 39 per cent (n = 691).

In all, 19 per cent of the institutions in the survey have IL credit courses taught by librarians. Large institutions, public institutions and those granting doctoral degrees are the most likely to offer IL credit courses. The majority of these courses are undergraduate electives of 1-2 credit hours offered under the library aegis, although a significant minority are required, worth 3-4 credit hours, and taught within another academic department or campus-wide program.

The findings update previous surveys and provide a more granular picture of the characteristics of librarian-taught credit-bearing courses, the types of academic institutions that offer them and compensation teaching librarians receive. This survey is the first study of credit-bearing IL instruction to include for-profit colleges and universities.

Although Iran is one of the largest producers and exporters of saffron in the world, the organic saffron market in Iran is still in its early stages, and there is scarce empirical evidence in this regard. Therefore, the study's primary purpose is to segment the organic saffron market in Mashhad, Iran using neobehavioristic theory and machine learning methods.

Considering the neobehavioristic theory of consumer behavior, the organic saffron market was segmented using crisp and fuzzy clustering algorithms. Also, to assess the relative importance of the factors affecting the intention to buy organic saffron in each market segment, a sensitivity analysis was performed on the output of the artificial neural network (ANN). A total of 400 questionnaires were collected in Mashhad, Iran in January and February 2020.

In contrast to the belief that psychological factors are more important in market segmentation than demographic characteristics, findings showed that the demographic characteristics of consumers, especially education and income, are the dominant variables in the segmentation of the organic food market. Among the 4 A’s marketing mix elements, the results showed that a low level of awareness and accessibility are obstacles to organic saffron market development. Advertising, distribution channel improvement, package downsizing and online business development are suggested strategies for expanding the organic saffron market in Iran.

The results of the present study will help policymakers and suppliers of organic saffron to identify their target markets and design short- and long-term marketing strategies to develop the organic saffron market.

Machine learning methods and the neobehavioristic theory of consumer behavior were used to segment the organic food market.

Despite widespread adoption of business process reengineering (BPR) for better delivery efficiency of public services, a structured approach continues to elude the most value-adding phase of BPR: business process redesign. From another viewpoint, the rising currency of Whole-of-Government (WoG) and “shared services” initiatives signal an unmissable trend toward resource reuse across public service agencies (PSAs) through business process standardization (BPS). This research invokes BPS into process redesign to produce a process redesign framework (PRF) and deploys the same to build a standard process model (SPM) for services of the government of Albania (GoA).

The methodology follows the design science research (DSR) paradigm, wherein best practices extracted from literature are synthesized with stakeholder inputs to design the PRF and SPM, both of which are then evaluated with case study research.

Adoption of PRF/SPM on a WoG basis will not only reduce service lead time but also enable a variety of public services to share the same process, thereby further saving costs for GoA. The research outputs will accelerate reengineering and subsequent digitalization of public service operations.

Implementing SPM will maximize resource reuse and help offer uniform and integrated public services to GoA's customers. It will also enable demand-driven staff mobilization across GoA agencies. The proposed PRF/SPM have limitations in that they consider only flow aspects of service processes with aspects of conversion being ignored.

This research fulfills the need for a systematic approach to process redesign and prepares GoA for a WoG treatment to its BPR efforts.

The goal of this research is to look at how urban microfinance affects livelihood transformation in terms of poverty reduction, living standards, social well-being, empowerment and entrepreneurship.

This paper analyses the role of urban microfinance towards livelihood with special reference to Western Uttar Pradesh. Primary data were collected from 321 respondents who are users of a microfinance programme using a standardised questionnaire. The data were collected using a stratified random sampling technique, and the data were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Urban microfinance has a considerable impact on poverty reduction, the standard of living, social well-being, empowerment and entrepreneurship in the urban poor, according to the findings.

The fact that the majority of the borrowers were uneducated was the most significant barrier to them filling out the questionnaire. Their anxiety was the most significant psychological obstacle to successfully answering the questions, and it took time. As a result, it is urged that proper counselling be conducted before the poor borrowers fill out the questionnaire.

The current study highlights the factors that lead to the utilisation of microfinance services. This research will aid MFIs in selecting the appropriate products and services for the urban poor. The results of this study will aid them in understanding and meeting the expectations of microfinance CEOs.

This is a first study conducted in Northern zone of India measuring the roles urban microfinance institutions (MFIs) in uplifting the livelihood of urban poor.