Abstract: Sputter deposition processes, especially for sputtering
from metal targets, are well investigated. For practical reasons, i.e.
for industrial processes, energetic considerations for sputter
deposition are useful in order to optimize the sputtering process. In
particular, for substrates at floating conditions it is required to obtain
energetic conditions during film growth that enables sufficient dense
metal films of good quality. The influence of ion energies, energy
density and momentum transfer is thus examined both for sputtering
at the target as well as during film growth. Different regimes
dominated by ion energy, energy density and momentum transfer
were identified by using different plasma sources and by varying
power input, pressure and bias voltage.
Abstract: Within the healthcare system, training and continued professional development although essential, can be effected by cost and logistical restraints due to the nature of healthcare provision e.g employee shift patterns, access to expertise, cost factors in releasing staff to attend training etc. The use of multimedia technology for the development of e-learning applications is also a major cost consideration for healthcare management staff, and this type of media whether optical or on line requires careful planning in order to remain inclusive of all staff with potentially varied access to multimedia computing. This paper discusses a project in which the use of DVD authoring technology has been successfully implemented to meet the needs of distance learning and user considerations, and is based on film production techniques and reduced product turnaround deadlines.
Abstract: Chemical industry project management involves
complex decision making situations that require discerning abilities
and methods to make sound decisions. Project managers are faced
with decision environments and problems in projects that are
complex. In this work, case study is Research and Development
(R&D) project selection. R&D is an ongoing process for forward
thinking technology-based chemical industries. R&D project
selection is an important task for organizations with R&D project
management. It is a multi-criteria problem which includes both
tangible and intangible factors. The ability to make sound decisions
is very important to success of R&D projects. Multiple-criteria
decision making (MCDM) approaches are major parts of decision
theory and analysis. This paper presents all of MCDM approaches
for use in R&D project selection. It is hoped that this work will
provide a ready reference on MCDM and this will encourage the
application of the MCDM by chemical engineering management.
Abstract: While the form of crises may change, their essence
remains the same (such as a cycle of abundant liquidity, rapid credit
growth, and a low-inflation environment followed by an asset-price
bubble). The current market turbulence began in mid-2000s when the
US economy shifted to imbalanced both internal and external
macroeconomic positions. We see two key causes of these problems
– loose US monetary policy in early 2000s and US government
guarantees issued on the securities by government-sponsored
enterprises what was further fueled by financial innovations such as
structured credit products. We have discovered both negative and
positive lessons deriving from this crisis and divided the negative
lessons into three groups: financial products and valuation, processes
and business models, and strategic issues. Moreover, we address key
risk management lessons and exit strategies derived from the current
crisis and recommend policies that should help diminish the negative
impact of future potential crises.
Abstract: This work proposes a novel market-based air traffic flow control model considering competitive airlines in air traffic network. In the flow model, an agent based framework for resources (link/time pair) pricing is described. Resource agent and auctioneer for groups of resources are also introduced to simulate the flow management in Air Traffic Control (ATC). Secondly, the distributed group pricing algorithm is introduced, which efficiently reflect the competitive nature of the airline industry. Resources in the system are grouped according to the degree of interaction, and each auctioneer adjust s the price of one group of resources respectively until the excess demand of resources becomes zero when the demand and supply of resources of the system changes. Numerical simulation results show the feasibility of solving the air traffic flow control problem using market mechanism and pricing algorithms on the air traffic network.
Abstract: We study in this paper the effect of the scene
changing on image sequences coding system using Embedded
Zerotree Wavelet (EZW). The scene changing considered here is the
full motion which may occurs. A special image sequence is generated
where the scene changing occurs randomly. Two scenarios are
considered: In the first scenario, the system must provide the
reconstruction quality as best as possible by the management of the
bit rate (BR) while the scene changing occurs. In the second scenario,
the system must keep the bit rate as constant as possible by the
management of the reconstruction quality. The first scenario may be
motivated by the availability of a large band pass transmission
channel where an increase of the bit rate may be possible to keep the
reconstruction quality up to a given threshold. The second scenario
may be concerned by the narrow band pass transmission channel
where an increase of the bit rate is not possible. In this last case,
applications for which the reconstruction quality is not a constraint
may be considered. The simulations are performed with five scales
wavelet decomposition using the 9/7-tap filter bank biorthogonal
wavelet. The entropy coding is performed using a specific defined
binary code book and EZW algorithm. Experimental results are
presented and compared to LEAD H263 EVAL. It is shown that if
the reconstruction quality is the constraint, the system increases the
bit rate to obtain the required quality. In the case where the bit rate
must be constant, the system is unable to provide the required quality
if the scene change occurs; however, the system is able to improve
the quality while the scene changing disappears.
Abstract: Reducing the risk of information leaks is one of
the most important functions of identity management systems. To
achieve this purpose, Dey et al. have already proposed an account
management method for a federated login system using a blind
signature scheme. In order to ensure account anonymity for the
authentication provider, referred to as an IDP (identity provider),
a blind signature scheme is utilized to generate an authentication
token on an authentication service and the token is sent to an IDP.
However, there is a problem with the proposed system. Malicious
users can establish multiple accounts on an IDP by requesting such
accounts. As a measure to solve this problem, in this paper, the
authors propose an account checking method that is performed before
account generation.
Abstract: Despite of many scholars and practitioners recognize
the knowledge management implementation in an organizations but
insufficient attention has been paid by researchers to select suitable
knowledge portal system (KPS) selection. This study develops a
Multi Criteria Decision making model based on the fuzzy VIKOR
approach to help organizations in selecting KPS. The suitable portal
is the critical influential factors on the success of knowledge
management (KM) implementation in an organization.
Abstract: This paper provides an in-depth study of Wireless
Sensor Network (WSN) application to monitor and control the
swiftlet habitat. A set of system design is designed and developed
that includes the hardware design of the nodes, Graphical User
Interface (GUI) software, sensor network, and interconnectivity for
remote data access and management. System architecture is proposed
to address the requirements for habitat monitoring. Such applicationdriven
design provides and identify important areas of further work
in data sampling, communications and networking. For this
monitoring system, a sensor node (MTS400), IRIS and Micaz radio
transceivers, and a USB interfaced gateway base station of Crossbow
(Xbow) Technology WSN are employed. The GUI of this monitoring
system is written using a Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation
Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) along with Xbow Technology
drivers provided by National Instrument. As a result, this monitoring
system is capable of collecting data and presents it in both tables and
waveform charts for further analysis. This system is also able to send
notification message by email provided Internet connectivity is
available whenever changes on habitat at remote sites (swiftlet farms)
occur. Other functions that have been implemented in this system
are the database system for record and management purposes; remote
access through the internet using LogMeIn software. Finally, this
research draws a conclusion that a WSN for monitoring swiftlet
habitat can be effectively used to monitor and manage swiftlet
farming industry in Sarawak.
Abstract: Trust management and Reputation models are
becoming integral part of Internet based applications such as CSCW,
E-commerce and Grid Computing. Also the trust dimension is a
significant social structure and key to social relations within a
collaborative community. Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) is
a difficult task in the context of distributed environment (information
across different geographical locations) and multidisciplinary
decisions are involved such as Virtual Organization (VO). To aid
team decision making in VO, Decision Support System and social
network analysis approaches are integrated. In such situations social
learning helps an organization in terms of relationship, team
formation, partner selection etc. In this paper we focus on trust
learning. Trust learning is an important activity in terms of
information exchange, negotiation, collaboration and trust
assessment for cooperation among virtual team members. In this
paper we have proposed a reinforcement learning which enhances the
trust decision making capability of interacting agents during
collaboration in problem solving activity. Trust computational model
with learning that we present is adapted for best alternate selection of
new project in the organization. We verify our model in a multi-agent
simulation where the agents in the community learn to identify
trustworthy members, inconsistent behavior and conflicting behavior
of agents.
Abstract: In the past few decades, researchers have witnessed a
paradigm shift in Human Resource Management-from individual
performance to organizational outcomes with the role of Human
resource (HR) managers becoming increasingly significant to the
organization. In such a context, it is important to examine HR
practices from a strategic perspective on the sustained competitive
advantage (SCA) of the organizations. The present study explores
how Indian organisations look at their human resources strategically
when faced with competitive environment. Also, it explores strategic
initiatives being taken to manage human resources within the
organisations and how these initiatives promote SCA in terms of
enhancing the overall customer-centric delivery of goods and
services.
Abstract: A traffic light gives security from traffic congestion,reducing the traffic jam, and organizing the traffic flow. Furthermore,increasing congestion level in public road networks is a growingproblem in many countries. Using Intelligent Transportation Systemsto provide emergency vehicles a green light at intersections canreduce driver confusion, reduce conflicts, and improve emergencyresponse times. Nowadays, the technology of wireless sensornetworks can solve many problems and can offer a good managementof the crossroad. In this paper, we develop a new approach based onthe technique of clustering and the graphical possibilistic fusionmodeling. So, the proposed model is elaborated in three phases. Thefirst one consists to decompose the environment into clusters,following by the fusion intra and inter clusters processes. Finally, wewill show some experimental results by simulation that proves theefficiency of our proposed approach.KeywordsTraffic light, Wireless sensor network, Controller,Possibilistic network/Bayesain network.
Abstract: This study examines the possibility to apply the theory of multidimensional accounting (momentum accounting) in a Brazilian Navy-s Services Provider Military Organization (Organização Militar Prestadora de Serviços - OMPS). In general, the core of the said theory is the fact that Accounting does not recognize the inertia of transactions occurring in an entity, and that occur repeatedly in some cases, regardless of the implementation of new actions by its managers. The study evaluates the possibility of greater use of information recorded in the financial statements of the unit of analysis, within the strategic decisions of the organization. As a research strategy, we adopted the case study. The results infer that it is possible to use the theory in the context of a multidimensional OMPS, promoting useful information for decision-making and thereby contributing to the strengthening of the necessary alignment of its administration with the current desires of the Brazilian society.
Abstract: Work stress causes the organizational work-life
imbalance of employees. Because of this imbalance, workers perform
with lower effort to finish assignments and thus an organization will
experience reduced productivity. In order to investigate the problem
of an organizational work-life imbalance, this qualitative case study
focuses on an organizational work-life imbalance among Thai
software developers in a German-owned company in Chiang Mai,
Thailand. In terms of knowledge management, fishbone diagram is
useful analysis tool to investigate the root causes of an organizational
work-life imbalance systematically in focus-group discussions.
Furthermore, fishbone diagram shows the relationship between
causes and effects clearly. It was found that an organizational worklife
imbalance among Thai software developers is influenced by
management team, work environment, and information tools used in
the company over time.
Abstract: Logistics is part of the supply chain processes that plans, implements, and controls the efficient and effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customer requirements. This research aims to investigate the current status and future direction of the use of Information Technology (IT) for logistics, focusing on Supply Chain Management (SCM) and E-Commerce adoption in Johor. Therefore, this research stresses on the type of technology being adopted, factors, benefits and barriers affecting the innovation in SCM and ECommerce technology adoption among Logistics Service Providers (LSP). A mailed questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from 265 logistics companies in Johor. The research revealed that SCM technology adoption among LSP was higher as they had adopted SCM technology in various business processes while they perceived a high level of benefits from SCM adoption. Obviously, ECommerce technology adoption among LSP is relatively low.
Abstract: Groundwater has become the most dependable source
of fresh water for agriculture, domestic and industrial uses in the past
few decades. This wide use of groundwater if left uncontrolled and
unseen will lead to overexploitation causing sea water intrusion in the
coastal areas and illegal water marketing. Several Policies and Acts
have been enacted to regulate and manage the use of this valuable
resource. In spite of this the over extraction of groundwater beyond
the recharging capacity of aquifers and depletion in the quality of
groundwater is continuing. The current study aims at reviewing the
Acts and Policies existing in the State of Tamil Nadu and in the
National level regarding groundwater regulation and management.
Further an analysis is made on the rights associated with the usage of
groundwater resources and the gaps in these policies have been
analyzed. Some suggestions are made to reform the existing
groundwater policies for better management and regulation of the
resource.
Abstract: Nowadays, where most of the leading economies are
service oriented and e-business is being widely used for their
management, supply chain management has become one of the most
studied and practiced fields. Quality has an important role on today-s
business processes, so it is important to understand the impact of IT
service quality on the performance of supply chains. This paper will
start by analyzing the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR)
model and each of its five activities: Plan, Source, Make, Delivery,
and Return. This article proposes a framework for analyzing Effect of
IT Service Quality on Supply Chain Performance. Using the
proposed framework, hypotheses are framed for the direct effect of IT
service quality on Supply Chain Performance and its indirect effect
through effective Supply Chain Management. The framework will be
validated empirically based on the surveys of executives of various
organizations and statistical analyses of the data collected.
Abstract: Sedimentation is a hydraulic phenomenon that is
emerging as a serious challenge in river engineering. When the flow
reaches a certain state that gather potential energy, it shifts the
sediment load along channel bed. The transport of such materials can
be in the form of suspended and bed loads. The movement of these
along the river course and channels and the ways in which this could
influence the water intakes is considered as the major challenges for
sustainable O&M of hydraulic structures. This could be very serious
in arid and semi-arid regions like Iran, where inappropriate watershed
management could lead to shifting a great deal of sediments into the
reservoirs and irrigation systems. This paper aims to investigate
sedimentation in the Western Canal of Dez Diversion Weir in Iran,
identifying factors which influence the process and provide ways in
which to mitigate its detrimental effects by using the SHARC
Software.
For the purpose of this paper, data from the Dezful water authority
and Dezful Hydrometric Station pertinent to a river course of about 6
Km were used.
Results estimated sand and silt bed loads concentrations to be 193
ppm and 827ppm respectively. Given the available data on average
annual bed loads and average suspended sediment loads of 165ppm
and 837ppm, there was a significant statistical difference (16%)
between the sand grains, whereas no significant difference (1.2%)
was find in the silt grain sizes. One explanation for such finding
being that along the 6 Km river course there was considerable
meandering effects which explains recent shift in the hydraulic
behavior along the stream course under investigation. The sand
concentration in downstream relative to present state of the canal
showed a steep descending curve. Sediment trapping on the other
hand indicated a steep ascending curve. These occurred because the
diversion weir was not considered in the simulation model.
Abstract: The electromagnetic imaging of inhomogeneous
dielectric cylinders buried in a slab medium by transverse electric
(TE) wave illumination is investigated. Dielectric cylinders of
unknown permittivities are buried in second space and scattered a
group of unrelated waves incident from first space where the scattered
field is recorded. By proper arrangement of the various unrelated
incident fields, the difficulties of ill-posedness and nonlinearity are
circumvented, and the permittivity distribution can be reconstructed
through simple matrix operations. The algorithm is based on the
moment method and the unrelated illumination method. Numerical
results are given to demonstrate the capability of the inverse
algorithm. Good reconstruction is obtained even in the presence of
additive Gaussian random noise in measured data. In addition, the
effect of noise on the reconstruction result is also investigated.
Abstract: This paper demonstrates an effort of a serviceoriented
engineering department in improving the sharing and
transfer of knowledge. Although the department consist of only six
employees, but it provides services in various chemical application in
an oil and gas business. The services provided span across Asia
Pacific region mainly Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei,
Thailand and Singapore. Currently there are no effective tools or
integrated systems that support the sharing or transfer and
maintenance of knowledge so the department has considered
preserving this valuable knowledge by developing a Knowledge
Management System (KMS). This paper presents the development of
a KMS to support the sharing of knowledge in a service-oriented
engineering department of an oil and gas company. The embedded
features in the KMS like blog and forum will encourage iterative
process of knowledge sharing among the employees in the
department. The information and knowledge being shared, discussed
and communicated will be then achieved for future re-use. The re-use
of the knowledge allows the department to reduce redundant efforts
in providing consistent, up-to-date and cost effective of the best
solution to the its clients.