Abstract: The first part of the paper analyzes the dynamics of
the total fertility rate both at the national and regional level, pointing
out the regional disparities in the distribution of this indicator. At the
same time, we also focus on the collapse of the number of live births,
on the changes in the fertility rate by birth rank, as well as on the
failure of acquiring the desired number of children. The second part
of the study centres upon a survey applied to urban families with 3
and more than 3 offspring. The preliminary analysis highlights the
fact that an increased fertility (more than 3rd rank) is triggered by the
parents’ above the average material condition and superior education.
The current situation of Romania, which is still passing through a
period of relatively rapid demographic changes, marked by numerous
convulsions, requires a new approach, in compliance with the recent
interpretations appropriate to a new post-transitional demographic
regime.
Abstract: We proposed a Hyperbolic Gompertz Growth Model
(HGGM), which was developed by introducing a shape parameter
(allometric). This was achieved by convoluting hyperbolic sine
function on the intrinsic rate of growth in the classical gompertz
growth equation. The resulting integral solution obtained
deterministically was reprogrammed into a statistical model and used
in modeling the height and diameter of Pines (Pinus caribaea). Its
ability in model prediction was compared with the classical gompertz
growth model, an approach which mimicked the natural variability of
height/diameter increment with respect to age and therefore provides
a more realistic height/diameter predictions using goodness of fit
tests and model selection criteria. The Kolmogorov Smirnov test and
Shapiro-Wilk test was also used to test the compliance of the error
term to normality assumptions while the independence of the error
term was confirmed using the runs test. The mean function of top
height/Dbh over age using the two models under study predicted
closely the observed values of top height/Dbh in the hyperbolic
gompertz growth models better than the source model (classical
gompertz growth model) while the results of R2, Adj. R2, MSE and
AIC confirmed the predictive power of the Hyperbolic Gompertz
growth models over its source model.
Abstract: Coal is an important non-renewable energy source of
and can be associated with radioactive elements. In Figueira city,
Paraná state, Brazil, it was recorded high uranium activity near the
coal mine that supplies a local thermoelectric power plant. In this
context, the radon activity (Rn-222, produced by the Ra-226 decay in
the U-238 natural series) was evaluated in groundwater, river water
and effluents produced from the acid mine drainage in the coal reject
dumps. The samples were collected in August 2013 and in February
2014 and analyzed at LABIDRO (Laboratory of Isotope and
Hydrochemistry), UNESP, Rio Claro city, Brazil, using an alpha
spectrometer (AlphaGuard) adjusted to evaluate the mean radon
activity concentration in five cycles of 10 minutes. No radon activity
concentration above 100 Bq.L-1, which was a previous critic value
established by the World Health Organization. The average radon
activity concentration in groundwater was higher than in surface
water and in effluent samples, possibly due to the accumulation of
uranium and radium in the aquifer layers that favors the radon
trapping. The lower value in the river waters can indicate dilution and
the intermediate value in the effluents may indicate radon absorption
in the coal particles of the reject dumps. The results also indicate that
the radon activities in the effluents increase with the sample
acidification, possibly due to the higher radium leaching and the
subsequent radon transport to the drainage flow. The water samples
of Laranjinha River and Ribeirão das Pedras stream, which,
respectively, supply Figueira city and receive the mining effluent,
exhibited higher pH values upstream the mine, reflecting the acid
mine drainage discharge. The radionuclides transport indicates the
importance of monitoring their activity concentration in natural
waters due to the risks that the radioactivity can represent to human
health.
Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to examine the most
critical and important factor which will affect the implementation of
Total Quality Management (TQM) in the construction industry in the
United Arab Emirates. It also examines the most effected Project
outcome from implementing TQM. A framework was also proposed
depending on the literature studies. The method used in this paper is a
quantitative study. A survey with a sample of 60 respondents was
created and distributed in a construction company in Abu Dhabi,
which includes 15 questions to examine the most critical factor that
will affect the implementation of TQM in addition to the most
effected project outcome from implementing TQM. The survey
showed that management commitment is the most important factor in
implementing TQM in a construction company. Also it showed that
Project cost is most effected outcome from the implementation of
TQM.
Management commitment is very important for implementing
TQM in any company. If the management loose interest in quality
then everyone in the organization will do so. The success of TQM
will depend mostly on the top of the pyramid. Also cost is reduced
and money is saved when the project team implement TQM. While if
no quality measures are present within the team, the project will
suffer a commercial failure.
Based on literature, more factors can be examined and added to
the model. In addition, more construction companies could be
surveyed in order to obtain more accurate results. Also this study
could be conducted outside the United Arab Emirates for further
enchantment.
Abstract: We report the microstructural and magnetic properties
of Ni50Mn39Sn11 and Ni50Mn36Sn14 ribbon Heusler alloys.
Experimental results were obtained by differential scanning
calorymetry, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry
techniques. The Ni-Mn-Sn system undergoes a martensitic structural
transformation in a wide temperature range. For example, for
Ni50Mn39Sn11 the start and finish temperatures of the martensitic and
austenite phase transformation for ribbon alloy were Ms=336K,
Mf=328K, As=335K and Af=343K whereas no structural
transformation is observed for Ni50Mn36Sn14 alloys. Magnetic
measurements show the typical ferromagnetic behavior with Curie
temperature 207 K at low applied field of 50 Oe. The complex
behavior exhibited by these Heusler alloys should be ascribed to the
strong coupling between magnetism and structure, being their
magnetic behavior determined by the distance between Mn atoms.
Abstract: Technology, multimedia in Open Educational
Resources, can contribute positively to student performance in an
online instructional environment. Student performance data of past
four years were obtained from an online course entitled Applied
Calculus (MA139). This paper examined the data to determine
whether multimedia (independent variable) had any impact on
student performance (dependent variable) in online math learning,
and how students felt about the value of the technology. Two groups
of student data were analyzed, group 1 (control) from the online
applied calculus course that did not use multimedia instructional
materials, and group 2 (treatment) of the same online applied calculus
course that used multimedia instructional materials. For the MA139
class, results indicate a statistically significant difference (p = .001)
between the two groups, where group 1 had a final score mean of
56.36 (out of 100), group 2 of 70.68. Additionally, student
testimonials were discussed in which students shared their experience
in learning applied calculus online with multimedia instructional
materials.
Abstract: In this paper, we will analyze the relationship between the neo-liberal concept of property rights and redistribution policy. This issue is back in the focus of interest due to the crisis 2008. The crisis has reaffirmed the influence of the state on the free-market processes. The interference of the state with property relations reopened a classical question: is it legitimate to redistribute resources of a man in favor of another man with taxes? The dominant view is that the neoliberal philosophy of natural rights is incompatible with redistributive measures. In principle, this view can be accepted. However, when we look into the details of the theory of natural rights proposed by some coryphaei of neoliberal philosophy, such as Hayek, Nozick, Buchanan and Rothbard, we can see that it is not such an unequivocal view.
Abstract: The safety and health performances aspects of a building are the most challenging aspect of facility management. It requires a deep understanding by the building managers on the factors that contribute to health and safety performances. This study attempted to develop an explanatory architectural safety performance model for stratified low-cost housing in Malaysia. The proposed Building Safety and Health Performance (BSHP) model was tested empirically through a survey on 308 construction practitioners using partial least squares (PLS) and structural equation modelling (SEM) tool. Statistical analysis results supports the conclusion that architecture, building services, external environment, management approaches and maintenance management have positive influence on safety and health performance of stratified low-cost housing in Malaysia. The findings provide valuable insights for construction industry to introduce BSHP model in the future where the model could be used as a guideline for training purposes of managers and better planning and implementation of building management.
Abstract: In this contribution a structure for high level lateral vehicle tracking control based on the disturbance observer is presented. The structure is characterized by stationary compensating side forces disturbances and guaranteeing a cooperative behavior at the same time. Driver inputs are not compensated by the disturbance observer. Moreover the structure is especially useful as it robustly stabilizes the vehicle. Therefore the parameters are selected using the Parameter Space Approach. The implemented algorithms are tested in real world scenarios.
Abstract: The use of energy dissipation systems for seismic applications has increased worldwide, thus it is necessary to develop practical and modern criteria for their optimal design. Here, a direct displacement-based seismic design approach for frame buildings with hysteretic energy dissipation systems (HEDS) is applied. The building is constituted by two individual structural systems consisting of: 1) a main elastic structural frame designed for service loads; and 2) a secondary system, corresponding to the HEDS, that controls the effects of lateral loads. The procedure implies to control two design parameters: a) the stiffness ratio (α=Kframe/Ktotal system), and b) the strength ratio (γ=Vdamper/Vtotal system). The proposed damage-controlled approach contributes to the design of a more sustainable and resilient building because the structural damage is concentrated on the HEDS. The reduction of the design displacement spectrum is done by means of a damping factor (recently published) for elastic structural systems with HEDS, located in Mexico City. Two limit states are verified: serviceability and near collapse. Instead of the traditional trial-error approach, a procedure that allows the designer to establish the preliminary sizes of the structural elements of both systems is proposed. The design methodology is applied to an 8-story steel building with buckling restrained braces, located in soft soil of Mexico City. With the aim of choosing the optimal design parameters, a parametric study is developed considering different values of હ and . The simplified methodology is for preliminary sizing, design, and evaluation of the effectiveness of HEDS, and it constitutes a modern and practical tool that enables the structural designer to select the best design parameters.
Abstract: In this paper static scheme of under-frequency based load shedding is considered for chemical and petrochemical industries with islanded distribution networks relying heavily on the primary commodity to ensure minimum production loss, plant downtime or critical equipment shutdown. A simplistic methodology is proposed for in-house implementation of this scheme using underfrequency relays and a step by step guide is provided including the techniques to calculate maximum percentage overloads, frequency decay rates, time based frequency response and frequency based time response of the system. Case study of FFL electrical system is utilized, presenting the actual system parameters and employed load shedding settings following the similar series of steps. The arbitrary settings are then verified for worst overload conditions (loss of a generation source in this case) and comprehensive system response is then investigated.
Abstract: Freelancing in IT has seen an increased popularity
during the last years mainly because of the fast Internet adoption in
the countries with emerging economies, correlated with the
continuous seek for reduced development costs as well with the rise
of online platforms which address planning, coordination and various
development tasks. This paper conducts an overview of the most
relevant Freelance Marketplaces available and studies the market
structure, distribution of the workforce and trends in IT freelancing.
Abstract: The distribution of a single global clock across a chip
has become the major design bottleneck for high performance VLSI
systems owing to the power dissipation, process variability and multicycle
cross-chip signaling. A Network-on-Chip (NoC) architecture
partitioned into several synchronous blocks has become a promising
approach for attaining fine-grain power management at the system
level. In a NoC architecture the communication between the blocks is
handled asynchronously. To interface these blocks on a chip
operating at different frequencies, an asynchronous FIFO interface is
inevitable. However, these asynchronous FIFOs are not required if
adjacent blocks belong to the same clock domain. In this paper, we
have designed and analyzed a 16-bit asynchronous micropipelined
FIFO of depth four, with the awareness of place and route on an
FPGA device. We have used a commercially available Spartan 3
device and designed a high speed implementation of the
asynchronous 4-phase micropipeline. The asynchronous FIFO
implemented on the FPGA device shows 76 Mb/s throughput and a
handshake cycle of 109 ns for write and 101.3 ns for read at the
simulation under the worst case operating conditions (voltage =
0.95V) on a working chip at the room temperature.
Abstract: Entrepreneurs face different sort of difficulties
especially with customers, organizations and employees. Emotional
intelligence which is the ability to understand and control the
emotions is an important factor to help entrepreneurs end up
challenges to the result they prefer. So it is assumed that
entrepreneurs especially those who have passed the first challenging
years of starting a new business, have high emotional intelligence. In
this study the Iranian established entrepreneurs have been surveyed.
According to Iran Gem 2014 report the percentage of established
entrepreneur in Iran is 10.92%. So by using Cochran sample formula
(1%) 96 Iranian established entrepreneurs have been selected and
Emotional intelligence appraisal questionnaire distributed to them.
The SPSS19 result shows high emotional intelligence in Iranian
established entrepreneurs.
Abstract: This work proposes a data-driven multiscale based
quantitative measures to reveal the underlying complexity of
electroencephalogram (EEG), applying to a rodent model of
hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and recovery. Motivated by that real
EEG recording is nonlinear and non-stationary over different
frequencies or scales, there is a need of more suitable approach over
the conventional single scale based tools for analyzing the EEG data.
Here, we present a new framework of complexity measures
considering changing dynamics over multiple oscillatory scales. The
proposed multiscale complexity is obtained by calculating entropies of
the probability distributions of the intrinsic mode functions extracted
by the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) of EEG. To quantify
EEG recording of a rat model of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
following cardiac arrest, the multiscale version of Tsallis entropy is
examined. To validate the proposed complexity measure, actual EEG
recordings from rats (n=9) experiencing 7 min cardiac arrest followed
by resuscitation were analyzed. Experimental results demonstrate that
the use of the multiscale Tsallis entropy leads to better discrimination
of the injury levels and improved correlations with the neurological
deficit evaluation after 72 hours after cardiac arrest, thus suggesting an
effective metric as a prognostic tool.
Abstract: A cold, thin film of liquid impinging on an isothermal
hot, horizontal surface has been investigated. An approximate
solution for the velocity and temperature distributions in the flow
along the horizontal surface is developed, which exploits the
hydrodynamic similarity solution for thin film flow. The approximate
solution may provide a valuable basis for assessing flow and heat
transfer in more complex settings.
Abstract: This paper presents dynamic models of distributed
generators (DG) and investigates dynamic behavior of the DG units
in the micro grid system. The DG units include photovoltaic and fuel
cell sources. The voltage source inverter is adopted since the
electronic interface which can be equipped with its controller to keep
stability of the micro grid during small signal dynamics. This paper
also introduces power management strategies and implements the DG
load sharing concept to keep the micro grid operation in gridconnected
and islanding modes of operation. The results demonstrate
the operation and performance of the photovoltaic and fuel cell as
distributed generators in a micro grid. The entire control system in
the micro grid is developed by combining the benefits of the power
control and the voltage control strategies. Simulation results are all
reported, confirming the validity of the proposed control technique.
Abstract: The paper is focused on the identification of limiting
environmental factors of individual industrial floors on which newly
developed polymer protection and repair systems with the use of
secondary raw materials will be used. These mainly include floors
with extreme stresses and special requirements for materials used. In
relation to the environment of a particular industrial floor, it is
necessary to ensure, for example, chemical stability, resistance to
higher temperatures, resistance to higher mechanical stress, etc. for
developed materials, which is reflected in the demands for the
developed material systems. The paper describes individual
environments and, in relation to them, also requirements for
individual components of the developed materials and for the
developed materials as a whole.
Abstract: Control of honey frauds is needed in Ecuador to
protect bee keepers and consumers because simple syrups and new
syrups with eucalyptus are sold as genuine honeys. Authenticity of
Ecuadorian commercial honeys was tested with a vortex emulsion
consisting on one volume of honey:water (1:1) dilution, and two
volumes of diethyl ether. This method allows a separation of phases
in one minute to discriminate genuine honeys that form three phase
and fake honeys that form two phases; 34 of the 42 honeys analyzed
from five provinces of Ecuador were genuine. This was confirmed
with 1H NMR spectra of honey dilutions in deuterated water with an
enhanced amino acid region with signals for proline, phenylalanine
and tyrosine. Classic quality indicators were also tested with this
method (sugars, HMF), indicators of fermentation (ethanol, acetic
acid), and residues of citric acid used in the syrup manufacture. One
of the honeys gave a false positive for genuine, being an admixture of
genuine honey with added syrup, evident for the high sucrose.
Sensory analysis was the final confirmation to recognize the honey
groups studied here, namely honey produced in combs by Apis
mellifera, fake honey, and honey produced in cerumen pots by
Geotrigona, Melipona, and Scaptotrigona. Chloroform extractions of
honey were also done to search lipophilic additives in NMR spectra.
This is a valuable contribution to protect honey consumers, and to
develop the beekeeping industry in Ecuador.
Abstract: Reliability of long-term storage products is related to
the availability of the whole system, and the evaluation of storage life
is of great necessity. These products are usually highly reliable and
little failure information can be collected. In this paper, an analytical
method based on data from accelerated storage life test is proposed to
evaluate the reliability index of the long-term storage products. Firstly,
singularities are eliminated by data normalization and residual
analysis. Secondly, with the preprocessed data, the degradation path
model is built to obtain the pseudo life values. Then by life distribution
hypothesis, we can get the estimator of parameters in high stress levels
and verify failure mechanism consistency. Finally, the life distribution
under the normal stress level is extrapolated via the acceleration model
and evaluation of the actual average life is available. An application
example with the camera stabilization device is provided to illustrate
the methodology we proposed.