Abstract: Iranians- imagination of heaven, which is the reward
of a person-s good deeds during their life, has shown itself in
pleasant and green gardens where earthly gardens were made as
representations of paradise. Iranians are also quite interested in
making their earthly gardens and plantations around their buildings.
With Iran-s hot and dry climate with a lack of sufficient water for
plantation coverage, it becomes noticeable how important it is to
Iranians- art in making gardens. This study, with regard to examples,
documents and library studies, investigates the characteristics of
Persian gardens. The result shows that elements such as soil, water,
plants and layout have been used in forming a unique style of Persian
gardens. Bagh-e Shah Zadeh Mahan (Mahan prince garden) is a
typical example and has been carefully studied. In this paper I try to
investigate and evaluate the characteristics of a Persian garden by
means of a descriptive approach.
Abstract: Grey mold on grape is caused by the fungus Botrytis
cinerea Pers. Trichodex WP, a new biofungicide, that contains fungal
spores of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai, was used for biological
control of Grey mold on grape. The efficacy of Trichodex WP has
been reported from many experiments. Experiments were carried out
in the locality – Banatski Karlovac, on grapevine species – talijanski
rizling. The trials were set according to instructions of methods
PP1/152(2) and PP1/17(3) , according to a fully randomized block
design. Phytotoxicity was estimated by PP methods 1/135(2), the
intensity of infection according to Towsend Heuberger , the
efficiency by Abbott, the analysis of variance with Duncan test and
PP/181(2). Application of Trichodex WP is limited to the first two
treatments. Other treatments are performed with the fungicides based
on a.i. procymidone, vinclozoline and iprodione.
Abstract: Experiments were carried out to evaluate the
influence of the addition of hydrogen to the inlet air on the
performance of a single cylinder direct injection diesel engine.
Hydrogen was injected in the inlet manifold. The addition of
hydrogen was done on energy replacement basis. It was found that
the addition of hydrogen improves the combustion process due to
superior combustion characteristics of hydrogen in comparison to
conventional diesel fuels. It was also found that 10% energy
replacement improves the engine thermal efficiency by about 40%
and reduces the sfc by about 35% however the volumetric efficiency
was reduced by about 35%.
Abstract: In this paper usefulness of quasi-Newton iteration
procedure in parameters estimation of the conditional variance
equation within BHHH algorithm is presented. Analytical solution of
maximization of the likelihood function using first and second
derivatives is too complex when the variance is time-varying. The
advantage of BHHH algorithm in comparison to the other
optimization algorithms is that requires no third derivatives with
assured convergence. To simplify optimization procedure BHHH
algorithm uses the approximation of the matrix of second derivatives
according to information identity. However, parameters estimation in
a/symmetric GARCH(1,1) model assuming normal distribution of
returns is not that simple, i.e. it is difficult to solve it analytically.
Maximum of the likelihood function can be founded by iteration
procedure until no further increase can be found. Because the
solutions of the numerical optimization are very sensitive to the
initial values, GARCH(1,1) model starting parameters are defined.
The number of iterations can be reduced using starting values close
to the global maximum. Optimization procedure will be illustrated in
framework of modeling volatility on daily basis of the most liquid
stocks on Croatian capital market: Podravka stocks (food industry),
Petrokemija stocks (fertilizer industry) and Ericsson Nikola Tesla
stocks (information-s-communications industry).
Abstract: Mobile marketing through mobile messaging service
has highly impressive growth as it enables e-business firms to
communicate with their customers effectively. Educational
institutions hence start using this service to enhance communication
with their students. Previous studies, however, have limited
understanding of applying mobile messaging service in education.
This study proposes a theoretical model to understand the drivers of
students- intentions to use the university-s mobile messaging service.
The model indicates that social influence, perceived control and
attitudes affect students- intention to use the university-s mobile
messaging service. It also provides five antecedents of students-
attitudes–perceived utility (information utility, entertainment utility,
and social utility), innovativeness, information seeking, transaction
specificity (content specificity, sender specificity, and time
specificity) and privacy concern. The proposed model enables
universities to understand what students concern about the use of a
mobile messaging service in universities and handle the service more
effectively. The paper discusses the model development and
concludes with limitations and implications of the proposed model.
Abstract: In this paper a class of numerical methods to solve linear and nonlinear PDEs and also systems of PDEs is developed. The Differential Transform method associated with the Method of Lines (MoL) is used. The theory for linear problems is extended to the nonlinear case, and a recurrence relation is established. This method can achieve an arbitrary high-order accuracy in time. A variable stepsize algorithm and some numerical results are also presented.
Abstract: This paper proposes a method that discovers time series event patterns from textual data with time information. The patterns are composed of sequences of events and each event is extracted from the textual data, where an event is characteristic content included in the textual data such as a company name, an action, and an impression of a customer. The method introduces 7 types of time constraints based on the analysis of the textual data. The method also evaluates these constraints when the frequency of a time series event pattern is calculated. We can flexibly define the time constraints for interesting combinations of events and can discover valid time series event patterns which satisfy these conditions. The paper applies the method to daily business reports collected by a sales force automation system and verifies its effectiveness through numerical experiments.
Abstract: We develop new nonlinear methods of
immunofluorescence analysis for a sensitive technology of
respiratory burst reaction of DNA fluorescence due to oxidative
activity in the peripheral blood neutrophils. Histograms in flow
cytometry experiments represent a fluorescence flashes frequency as
functions of fluorescence intensity. We used the Shannon-Weaver
index for definition of neutrophils- biodiversity and Hurst index for
definition of fractal-s correlations in immunofluorescence for
different donors, as the basic quantitative criteria for medical
diagnostics of health status. We analyze frequencies of flashes,
information, Shannon entropies and their fractals in
immunofluorescence networks due to reduction of histogram range.
We found the number of simplest universal correlations for
biodiversity, information and Hurst index in diagnostics and
classification of pathologies for wide spectra of diseases. In addition
is determined the clear criterion of a common immunity and human
health status in a form of yes/no answers type. These answers based
on peculiarities of information in immunofluorescence networks and
biodiversity of neutrophils. Experimental data analysis has shown the
existence of homeostasis for information entropy in oxidative activity
of DNA in neutrophil nuclei for all donors.
Abstract: The inherent complexity in nowadays- business
environments is forcing organizations to be attentive to the dynamics
in several fronts. Therefore, the management of technological
innovation is continually faced with uncertainty about the future.
These issues lead to a need for a systemic perspective, able to analyze
the consequences of interactions between different factors. The field
of technology foresight has proposed methods and tools to deal with
this broader perspective. In an attempt to provide a method to analyze
the complex interactions between events in several areas, departing
from the identification of the most strategic competencies, this paper
presents a methodology based on the Delphi method and Quality
Function Deployment. This methodology is applied in a sheet metal
processing equipment manufacturer, as a case study.
Abstract: Olomouc is a unique and complex landmark with
widespread forestation and land use. This research work was
conducted to assess important and complex land use change
trajectories in Olomouc region. Multi-temporal satellite data from
1991, 2001 and 2013 were used to extract land use/cover types by
object oriented classification method. To achieve the objectives, three
different aspects were used: (1) Calculate the quantity of each
transition; (2) Allocate location based landscape pattern (3) Compare
land use/cover evaluation procedure. Land cover change trajectories
shows that 16.69% agriculture, 54.33% forest and 21.98% other areas
(settlement, pasture and water-body) were stable in all three decade.
Approximately 30% of the study area maintained as a same land cove
type from 1991 to 2013. Here broad scale of political and socioeconomic
factors was also affect the rate and direction of landscape
changes. Distance from the settlements was the most important
predictor of land cover change trajectories. This showed that most of
landscape trajectories were caused by socio-economic activities and
mainly led to virtuous change on the ecological environment.
Abstract: Since the 1990s the American furniture industry faces a transition period. Manufacturers, one of its most important actors made its entrance into the retail industry. This shift has had deep consequences not only for the American furniture industry as a whole, but also for other international furniture industries, especially the Chinese. The present work aims to analyze this actor based on the distinction provided by the Global Commodity Chain Theory. It stresses its characteristics, structure, operational way and importance for both the U.S. and the Chinese furniture industries.
Abstract: Service quality has become a centerpiece for airline companies in vying with one another and keeps their image in the minds of passengers. Many airlines have pushed service quality through service personalization which includes both ground and on board especially from the viewpoint of retaining satisfied passengers and attracting new ones. Besides those, in-flight meals/food service is another important aspect of the airline operation. The in flight meals/food services now are seen as part of marketing strategies in attracting business or leisure travelers. This study reports the outcomes of the investigation on in-flight meals/food attributes toward passengers- level of satisfaction and re-flying intention. Taste, freshness, appearance of in-flight meals/food served and menu choices are important to the airlines passengers especially for the long haul flight. Food not only contributes to the prediction of the airline passengers- levels of satisfaction but besides other factors slightly influence passengers- re- flying intention. Airline companies therefore should not ignore this element but take the opportunity to create more attractive and acceptable in-flight meals/food along with other matter as marketing tools in attracting passengers to re-flying with them.
Abstract: High employee turnover rate in Malaysia-s retail industry has become a major issue that needs to be addressed. This study determines the levels of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intention of employees in a retail company in Malaysia. The relationships between job satisfaction and organizational commitment on turnover intention are also investigated. A questionnaire was developed using Job Descriptive Index, Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, and Lee and Mowday-s turnover intention items and data were collected from 62 respondents. The findings suggested that the respondents were moderately satisfied with job satisfaction facets such as promotion, work itself, co-workers, and supervisors but were unsatisfied with salary. They also had moderate commitment level with considerably high intention to leave the organization. All satisfaction facets (except for co-workers) and organizational commitment were significantly and negatively related to turnover intention. Based on the findings, retention strategies of retail employees were proposed.
Abstract: Risk management is an essential fraction of project management, which plays a significant role in project success. Many failures associated with Web projects are the consequences of poor awareness of the risks involved and lack of process models that can serve as a guideline for the development of Web based applications. To circumvent this problem, contemporary process models have been devised for the development of conventional software. This paper introduces the WPRiMA (Web Project Risk Management Assessment) as the tool, which is used to implement RIAP, the risk identification architecture pattern model, which focuses upon the data from the proprietor-s and vendor-s perspectives. The paper also illustrates how WPRiMA tool works and how it can be used to calculate the risk level for a given Web project, to generate recommendations in order to facilitate risk avoidance in a project, and to improve the prospects of early risk management.
Abstract: Elastic boundary eigensolution problems are converted
into boundary integral equations by potential theory. The kernels of
the boundary integral equations have both the logarithmic and Hilbert
singularity simultaneously. We present the mechanical quadrature
methods for solving eigensolutions of the boundary integral equations
by dealing with two kinds of singularities at the same time. The methods
possess high accuracy O(h3) and low computing complexity. The
convergence and stability are proved based on Anselone-s collective
compact theory. Bases on the asymptotic error expansion with odd
powers, we can greatly improve the accuracy of the approximation,
and also derive a posteriori error estimate which can be used for
constructing self-adaptive algorithms. The efficiency of the algorithms
are illustrated by numerical examples.
Abstract: Solutions are proposed for the central problem of estimating the reaction rate coefficients in homogeneous kinetics. The first is based upon the fact that the right hand side of a kinetic differential equation is linear in the rate constants, whereas the second one uses the technique of neural networks. This second one is discussed deeply and its advantages, disadvantages and conditions of applicability are analyzed in the mirror of the first one. Numerical analysis carried out on practical models using simulated data, and our programs written in Mathematica.
Abstract: This paper presents a numerical analysis of the
performance of a three-bladed Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbine
based on the DU91-W2-250 airfoil. A complete campaign of 2-D
simulations, performed for several values of tip speed ratio and based
on RANS unsteady calculations, has been performed to obtain the
rotor torque and power curves. Rotor performances have been
compared with the results of a previous work based on the use of the
NACA 0021 airfoil. Both the power coefficient and the torque
coefficient have been determined as a function of the tip speed ratio.
The flow field around rotor blades has also been analyzed. As a final
result, the performance of the DU airfoil based rotor appears to be
lower than the one based on the NACA 0021 blade section. This
behavior could be due to the higher stall characteristics of the NACA
profile, being the separation zone at the trailing edge more extended
for the DU airfoil.
Abstract: This paper explains how mobile learning assures sustainable e-education for multicultural group of students. This paper reports the impact of mobile learning on distance education in multicultural environment. The emergence of learning technologies through CD, internet, and mobile is increasingly adopted by distance institutes for quick delivery and cost-effective purposes. Their sustainability is conditioned by the structure of learners as well as the teaching community. The experimental study was conducted among the distant learners of Vinayaka Missions University located at Salem in India. Students were drawn from multicultural environment based on different languages, religions, class and communities. During the mobile learning sessions, the students, who are divided on language, religion, class and community, were dominated by play impulse rather than study anxiety or cultural inhibitions. This study confirmed that mobile learning improved the performance of the students despite their division based on region, language or culture. In other words, technology was able to transcend the relative deprivation in the multicultural groups. It also confirms sustainable e-education through mobile learning and cost-effective system of instruction. Mobile learning appropriates the self-motivation and play impulse of the young learners in providing sustainable e-education to multicultural social groups of students.
Abstract: Experiments have been carried out at the Latvia
University of Agriculture Department of Food Technology. The aim
of this work was to assess the effect of thermal treatment in flexible
retort pouch packaging on the quality of potatoes’ produce during the
storage time. Samples were evaluated immediately after retort
thermal treatment; and following 1; 2; 3 and 4 storage months at the
ambient temperature of +18±2ºC in vacuum packaging from
polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) and aluminum/polyethylene
(Al/PE) film pouches with barrier properties. Experimentally the
quality of the potatoes’ produce in dry butter and mushroom
dressings was characterized by measuring pH, hardness, color,
microbiological properties and sensory evaluation. The sterilization
was effective in protecting the produce from physical, chemical, and
microbial quality degradation. According to the study of obtained
data, it can be argued that the selected product processing technology
and packaging materials could be applied to provide the safety and
security during four-month storage period.
Abstract: This article is an extension and a practical application
approach of Wheeler-s NEBIC theory (Net Enabled Business
Innovation Cycle). NEBIC theory is a new approach in IS research
and can be used for dynamic environment related to new technology.
Firms can follow the market changes rapidly with support of the IT
resources. Flexible firms adapt their market strategies, and respond
more quickly to customers changing behaviors. When every leading
firm in an industry has access to the same IT resources, the way that
these IT resources are managed will determine the competitive
advantages or disadvantages of firm. From Dynamic Capabilities
Perspective and from newly introduced NEBIC theory by Wheeler,
we know that only IT resources cannot deliver customer value but
good configuration of those resources can guarantee customer value
by choosing the right emerging technology, grasping the right
economic opportunities through business innovation and growth. We
found evidences in literature that SOA (Service Oriented
Architecture) is a promising emerging technology which can deliver
the desired economic opportunity through modularity, flexibility and
loose-coupling. SOA can also help firms to connect in network which
can open a new window of opportunity to collaborate in innovation
and right kind of outsourcing. There are many articles and research
reports indicates that failure rate in outsourcing is very high but at the
same time research indicates that successful outsourcing projects
adds tangible and intangible benefits to the service consumer.
Business executives and policy makers in the west should not afraid
of outsourcing but they should choose the right strategy through the
use of emerging technology to significantly reduce the failure rate in
outsourcing.