Abstract: The paper presents the trends of Georgian hazelnut market development and analyses the competitive advantages which will help Georgia to enter international hazelnut market using modern technologies. The history of hazelnut crop development and hazelnut varieties in Georgia are discussed. For hazelnut supply analysis trends in hazelnut production are considered, trends in export and import development is evaluated, domestic hazelnut market is studied and analysed based on expert interviews and initial accounting materials. In order to achieve and strengthen its position in international market, potential advantages and disadvantages of Georgian hazelnut are revealed, analysis of export and import possibilities of hazelnut is presented. Recommendations are developed based on the conclusions, which are made through identifying the key factors that hinder development of Georgian hazelnut market.
Abstract: The paper shows the necessity of farm diversification
in accordance with the current trends in agricultural sector of
Georgia. The possibilities for the diversification and the
corresponding economic policy are suggested.
The causes that hinder diversification of farms are revealed,
possibilities of diversification are identified and the ability of
increasing employment through diversification is proved. Index of
harvest diversification is calculated based on the areas used for
cereals and legumes, potatoes and vegetables and other food crops.
Crop and livestock production indexes are analyzed; correlation
between crop capacity index and value added per worker and per
hectare is studied.
Based on the research farm diversification strategies and priorities
of corresponding economic policy are presented. Based on the
conclusions relevant recommendations are suggested.
Abstract: The paper discusses mineral water consumer market
and development policy in Georgia, the tools and measures, which
will contribute to production of mineral waters and increase its
export.
The paper studies and analyses current situation in mineral water
production sector as well as the factors affecting increase and
reduction of its export. It’s noted that in order to gain and maintain
competitive advantage, it’s necessary to provide continuous supply of
high quality goods with modern design, open new distribution
channels to enter new markets, carry out broad promotional activities,
organize e-commerce. Economic policy plays an important role in
protecting markets from counterfeit goods. The state also plays an
important role in attracting foreign direct investments. Stable
business environment and export oriented strategy is the basis for the
country’s economic growth.
Based on the research, the paper suggests the strategy for
improving competitiveness of Georgian mineral waters; relevant
conclusions and recommendations are provided.
Abstract: The effects of hypertension are often lethal thus its
early detection and prevention is very important for everybody. In
this paper, a neural network (NN) model was developed and trained
based on a dataset of hypertension causative parameters in order to
forecast the likelihood of occurrence of hypertension in patients. Our
research goal was to analyze the potential of the presented NN to
predict, for a period of time, the risk of hypertension or the risk of
developing this disease for patients that are or not currently
hypertensive. The results of the analysis for a given patient can
support doctors in taking pro-active measures for averting the
occurrence of hypertension such as recommendations regarding the
patient behavior in order to lower his hypertension risk. Moreover,
the paper envisages a set of three example scenarios in order to
determine the age when the patient becomes hypertensive, i.e.
determine the threshold for hypertensive age, to analyze what
happens if the threshold hypertensive age is set to a certain age and
the weight of the patient if being varied, and, to set the ideal weight
for the patient and analyze what happens with the threshold of
hypertensive age.
Abstract: Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
often experience social-communication difficulties that negatively
impact their social interactions with typical peers. However, unlike
other age and disability groups, there is little intervention research to
inform best practice for these students. One evidence-based strategy
for younger students with ASD is peer-mediated intervention (PMI).
PMI may be particularly promising for use with adolescents, as peers
are readily available and are natural experts for encouraging authentic
high school conversations. This paper provides a review of previous
research that evaluated the use of PMI to improve the socialcommunication
skills of students with ASD. Specific intervention
features associated with positive student outcomes are identified and
recommendations for future research are provided. Adolescents with
ASD are targeted due the critical importance of social conversation at
the high school level.
Abstract: Nitrogen fertilizer is the most used and often the most
mismanaged nutrient input. Nitrogen management has tremendous
implications on crop productivity, quality and environmental
stewardship. Sufficient nitrogen is needed to optimum yield and
quality. Soil and in-season plant tissue testing for nitrogen status are
a time consuming and expensive process. Real time sensing of plant
nitrogen status can be a useful tool in managing nitrogen inputs. The
objectives of this project were to assess the reliability of remotely
sensed non-destructive plant nitrogen measurements compared to wet
chemistry data from sampled plant tissue, develop in-season nitrogen
recommendations based on remotely sensed data for improved
nitrogen use efficiency and assess the potential for determining yield
and quality from remotely sensed data. Very good correlations were
observed between early-season remotely sensed crop nitrogen status
and plant nitrogen concentrations and subsequent in-season fertilizer
recommendations. The transmittance/absorbance type meters gave
the most accurate readings. Early in-season fertilizer recommendation
would be to apply 40 kg nitrogen per hectare plus 15 kg nitrogen per
hectare for each unit difference measured with the SPAD meter
between the crop and reference area or 25 kg plus 13 kg per hectare
for each unit difference measured with the CCM 200. Once the crop
was sufficiently fertilized meter readings became inconclusive and
were of no benefit for determining nitrogen status, silage yield and
quality and grain yield and protein.
Abstract: One of the best examples, in evolution of the public
procurement, from post-soviet countries are reforms carried out in
Georgia, which brought them close to international standards of
procurement. In Georgia, public procurement legislation started
functioning short after gaining independence. The reform has passed
several stages and came in the form as it is today. It should also be
noted, that countries with economy in transition, including Georgia,
implemented all the reforms in public procurement based on
recommendations and support of World Bank, the United Nations
and other international organizations.
The aim of first adopted law was regulation of the procurement
process of budget-organizations, transparency and creation of
competitive environment for private companies to access state funds
legally. The priorities were identified quite clearly in the wording of
the law, but operation/function of this law could not be reached on its
level, because of some objective and subjective reasons. The high
level of corruption in all levels of governance can be considered as a
main obstacle reason and of course, it is natural, that it had direct
impact on the procurement process, as well as on transparency and
rational use of state funds. These circumstances were the reasons that
reforms in this sphere continued, to improve procurement process, in
particular, the first wave of reforms began after several years. Public
procurement agency carried out reform with World Bank with main
purpose of smartening the procurement legislation and its
harmonization with international treaties and agreements. Also with
the support of World Bank various activities were carried out to raise
awareness of participants involved in procurement system.
Further major changes in the legislation were filed bit later, which
was also directed towards the improvement and smarten of the
procurement process. The third wave of the reform more or less
guaranteed the transparency of the procurement process, which later
became the basis for the rational spending of state funds. The reform
of the procurement system completely changed the procedures.
Carried out reform in Georgia resulted in introducing new
electronic tendering system, which benefit the transparency of the
process, after this became the basis for the further development of a
competitive environment, which become a prerequisite for the state
rational spending. Increased number of supplier organizations
participating in the procurement process resulted in reduction of the
estimated cost and the actual cost.
Assessment of the reforms in Georgia in the field of public
procurement can be concluded, that proper regulation of the sector
and relevant policy may proceed to rational and transparent spending
of the budget from country’s state institutions. Also, the business
sector has the opportunity to work in competitive market conditions
and to make a preliminary analysis, which is a prerequisite for future
strategy and development.
Abstract: Hurling a successful Construction and Demolition
Waste (C&DW) recycling operation around the globe is a challenge
today, predominantly because secondary materials markets are yet to
be integrated. Reducing, Reusing and recycling of (C&DW) have
been employed over the years, and various techniques have been
investigated. However, the economic and environmental viability of
its application seems limited. This paper discusses the costs and
benefits in using secondary materials and focus on investigating reuse
and recycling process for five major types of construction materials:
concrete, metal, wood, cardboard/paper and plasterboard. Data
obtained from demolition specialists and contractors are considered
and evaluated. The research paper found that construction material
recovery process fully incorporate a 3R’s principle contributing to
saving energy and natural resources. This scrutiny leads to the
empathy of grand challenges in construction material recovery
process. Recommendations to deepen material recovery process are
also discussed.
Abstract: In the paper, information on economic development
trends in developed countries are analyzed. The current status of
information society and economy of the country is reviewed and
some recommendations are given for future development.
The problems of Information Society and establishment of its
innovative economy are studied. In this turn, development trends
information economy in developed countries are analyzed.
Abstract: Evaluated nuclear decay data for the 217Po nuclide is
presented in the present work. These data include recommended
values for the half-life T1/2, α-, β-- and γ-ray emission energies and
probabilities. Decay data from 221Rn α and 217Bi β—decays are
presented. Q(α) has been updated based on the recent published work
of the Atomic Mass Evaluation AME2012. In addition, the logft
values were calculated using the Logft program from the ENSDF
evaluation package. Moreover, the total internal conversion electrons
and the K-shell to L-shell and L-shell to M-shell and to N-shell
conversion electrons ratios K/L, L/M and L/N have been calculated
using Bricc program. Meanwhile, recommendation values or the
multi-polarities have been assigned based on recently measurement
yield a better intensity balance at the 254 keV and 264 keV gamma
transitions.
Abstract: The elastic period has a primary role in the seismic
assessment of buildings. Reliable calculations and/or estimates of the
fundamental frequency of a building and its site are essential during
analysis and design process. Various code formulas based on
empirical data are generally used to estimate the fundamental
frequency of a structure. For existing structures, in addition to code
formulas and available analytical tools such as modal analyses,
various methods of testing including ambient and forced vibration
testing procedures may be used to determine dynamic characteristics.
In this study, the dynamic properties of the 32 buildings located in
the Madinah of Saudi Arabia were identified using ambient motions
recorded at several, spatially-distributed locations within each
building. Ambient vibration measurements of buildings have been
analyzed and the fundamental longitudinal and transverse periods for
all tested buildings are presented. The fundamental mode of vibration
has been compared in plots with codes formulae (Saudi Building
Code, EC8, and UBC1997). The results indicate that measured
periods of existing buildings are shorter than that given by most
empirical code formulas. Recommendations are given based on the
common design and construction practice in Madinah city.
Abstract: Currently, there is excessively growing information
about places on Facebook, which is the largest social network but
such information is not explicitly organized and ranked. Therefore
users cannot exploit such data to recommend places conveniently and
quickly. This paper proposes a Facebook application and an Android
application that recommend places based on the number of check-ins
of those places, the distance of those places from the current location,
the number of people who like Facebook page of those places, and
the number of talking about of those places. Related Facebook data is
gathered via Facebook API requests. The experimental results of the
developed applications show that the applications can recommend
places and rank interesting places from the most to the least. We have
found that the average satisfied score of the proposed Facebook
application is 4.8 out of 5. The users’ satisfaction can increase by
adding the app features that support personalization in terms of
interests and preferences.
Abstract: The 6th version of Universal modeling method for
centrifugal compressor stage calculation is described. Identification
of the new mathematical model was made. As a result of
identification the uniform set of empirical coefficients is received.
The efficiency definition error is 0,86 % at a design point. The
efficiency definition error at five flow rate points (except a point of
the maximum flow rate) is 1,22 %. Several variants of the stage with
3D impellers designed by 6th version program and quasi threedimensional
calculation programs were compared by their gas
dynamic performances CFD (NUMECA FINE TURBO).
Performance comparison demonstrated general principles of design
validity and leads to some design recommendations.
Abstract: Construction cost estimation is one of the most
important aspects of construction project design. For generations, the
process of cost estimating has been manual, time-consuming and
error-prone. This has partly led to most cost estimates to be unclear
and riddled with inaccuracies that at times lead to over- or underestimation
of construction cost. The development of standard set of
measurement rules that are understandable by all those involved in a
construction project, have not totally solved the challenges. Emerging
Building Information Modelling (BIM) technologies can exploit
standard measurement methods to automate cost estimation process
and improve accuracies. This requires standard measurement
methods to be structured in ontological and machine readable format;
so that BIM software packages can easily read them. Most standard
measurement methods are still text-based in textbooks and require
manual editing into tables or Spreadsheet during cost estimation. The
aim of this study is to explore the development of an ontology based
on New Rules of Measurement (NRM) commonly used in the UK for
cost estimation. The methodology adopted is Methontology, one of
the most widely used ontology engineering methodologies. The
challenges in this exploratory study are also reported and
recommendations for future studies proposed.
Abstract: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are one of the major
treatment modalities that play important role in the management of a
number of different cancers. This study for the first time evaluates the
toxicity of these treatment modalities and its impact on quality of life
of cancer patients in Pakistan. The study also for the first time
determines what cancer patients of different ages and cancer stages
believe would be an effective intervention to manage their
psychosocial needs and treatment induced toxicity. The article also
provides evidence based approach for the use of variety of
interventions to mange cancer treatment induced morbidity and
toxicity. In light of the present study and reviewed research data,
evidence based recommendations are also made for selection of
appropriate interventions to manage Pain, Nausea and Vomiting,
Anxiety and Depression, Fatigue and Overall QOL of cancer
survivors.
Abstract: This paper will examine the need for more aggressive
public policies around bodily, reproductive and sexual health
education for young people with disabilities in the United States.
This paper will consider the policies around sexuality education
for students in the United States and the recommendation for national
standards around sexuality education. We will investigate the
intersection of these policies and recommendations for students with
disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA): what this means for students with disabilities’ access to
comprehensive sexuality education and how it affects their behaviors
and outcomes.
Abstract: It is widely believed that mobile device is a promising technology for lending the opportunity for the third wave of electronic commerce. Mobile devices have changed the way companies do business. Many applications are under development or being incorporated into business processes. In this day, mobile applications are a vital component of any industry strategy.One of the greatest benefits of selling merchandise and providing services on a mobile application is that it widens a company’s customer base significantly.Mobile applications are accessible to interested customers across regional and international borders in different electronic business (e-business) area. But there is a dark side to this success story. The security risks associated with mobile devices and applications are very significant. This paper introduces a broad risk analysis for the various threats, vulnerabilities, and risks in mobile e-business applications and presents some important risk mitigation approaches. It reviews and compares two different frameworks for security assurance in mobile e-business applications. Based on the comparison, the paper suggests some recommendations for applications developers and business owners in mobile e-business application development process.
Abstract: Given the dynamic nature of the higher education
landscape, induction programmes for new academics has become the
norm nowadays to support academics negotiate these rough terrain.
This study investigates an induction programme for new academics
in a higher education institution to establish what difference it has
made to participants. The findings revealed that the benefits ranged
from creating safe spaces for collaboration and networking to
fostering reflective practice and contributing to the scholarship of
teaching and learning. The study also revealed that some of the
intentions of the programme may not have been achieved, for
example transformative learning. This led to questioning whether this
intention is an appropriate one given the short duration of the
programme and the long, drawn out process of transformation. It may
be concluded that the academic induction programme in this study
serves to sow the seeds for transformative learning through fostering
critically reflective practice. Recommendations for further study
could include long term impact of the programme on student learning
and success, these being the core business of higher education. It is
also recommended that in addition to an induction programme, the
university invests in a mentoring programme for new staff and extend
the support for academics in order to sustain critical reflection and
which may contribute to transformative educational practice.
Abstract: Fuzzy inference method based approach to the
forming of modular intellectual system of assessment the quality of
communication services is proposed. Developed under this approach
the basic fuzzy estimation model takes into account the
recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union in
respect of the operation of packet switching networks based on IPprotocol.
To implement the main features and functions of the fuzzy
control system of quality telecommunication services it is used
multilayer feedforward neural network.
Abstract: Recommendation systems are widely used in
e-commerce applications. The engine of a current recommendation
system recommends items to a particular user based on user
preferences and previous high ratings. Various recommendation
schemes such as collaborative filtering and content-based approaches
are used to build a recommendation system. Most of current
recommendation systems were developed to fit a certain domain such
as books, articles, and movies. We propose1 a hybrid framework
recommendation system to be applied on two dimensional spaces
(User × Item) with a large number of Users and a small number
of Items. Moreover, our proposed framework makes use of both
favorite and non-favorite items of a particular user. The proposed
framework is built upon the integration of association rules mining
and the content-based approach. The results of experiments show
that our proposed framework can provide accurate recommendations
to users.