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: Network warfare is an emerging concept that focuses on the network and computer based forms through which information is attacked and defended. Various computer and network security concepts thus play a role in network warfare. Due the intricacy of the various interacting components, a model to better understand the complexity in a network warfare environment would be beneficial. Non-quantitative modeling is a useful method to better characterize the field due to the rich ideas that can be generated based on the use of secular associations, chronological origins, linked concepts, categorizations and context specifications. This paper proposes the use of non-quantitative methods through a morphological analysis to better explore and define the influential conditions in a network warfare environment.
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 the experimental results of salt fog ageing test of silicone rubber housing material for outdoor polymer insulator based on IEC 61109. Four types of HTV silicone rubber sheet with different amount of ATH were tested continuously 1000
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: Encoded information based on synchronization of coupled chaotic Nd:YAG lasers in master-slave configuration is numerically studied. Encoding, transmission, and decoding of information in optical chaotic communication with a single channel is presented. We analyze the robustness of the encrypted audio transmission in a channel noise. In order to illustrate this synchronization robustness, we present two cases of study: synchronization and transmission with a single channel without and with noise in the channel.
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.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new of cloud computing for individual computer users to share applications in distributed communities, called community-based personal cloud computing (CPCC). The paper also presents a prototype design and implementation of CPCC. The users of CPCC are able to share their computing applications with other users of the community. Any member of the community is able to execute remote applications shared by other members. The remote applications behave in the same way as their local counterparts, allowing the user to enter input, receive output as well as providing the access to the local data of the user. CPCC provides a peer-to-peer (P2P) environment where each peer provides applications which can be used by the other peers that are connected CPCC.
Abstract: In the queueing theory, it is assumed that customer
arrivals correspond to a Poisson process and service time has the
exponential distribution. Using these assumptions, the behaviour of
the queueing system can be described by means of Markov chains
and it is possible to derive the characteristics of the system. In the
paper, these theoretical approaches are presented on several types of
systems and it is also shown how to compute the characteristics in a
situation when these assumptions are not satisfied
Abstract: This study describes a capillary-based device
integrated with the heating and cooling modules for polymerase chain
reaction (PCR). The device consists of the reaction
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillary, the aluminum blocks, and is
equipped with two cartridge heaters, a thermoelectric (TE) cooler, a
fan, and some thermocouples for temperature control. The cartridge
heaters are placed into the heating blocks and maintained at two
different temperatures to achieve the denaturation and the extension
step. Some thermocouples inserted into the capillary are used to obtain
the transient temperature profiles of the reaction sample during
thermal cycles. A 483-bp DNA template is amplified successfully in
the designed system and the traditional thermal cycler. This work
should be interesting to persons involved in the high-temperature
based reactions and genomics or cell analysis.
Abstract: Vernonia divergens Benth., commonly known as
“Insulin Plant” (Fam: Asteraceae) is a potent sugar killer. Locally the
leaves of the plant, boiled in water are successfully administered to a
large number of diabetic patients. The present study evaluates the
putative anti-diabetic ingredients, isolated from the in vivo and in
vitro grown plantlets of V. divergens for their antimicrobial and
anticancer activities. Sterilized explants of nodal segments were
cultured on MS (Musashige and Skoog, 1962) medium in presence of
different combinations of hormones. Multiple shoots along with
bunch of roots were regenerated at 1mg l-1 BAP and 0.5 mg l-1 NAA.
Micro-plantlets were separated and sub-cultured on the double
strength (2X) of the above combination of hormones leading to
increased length of roots and shoots. These plantlets were
successfully transferred to soil and survived well in nature. The
ethanol extract of plantlets from both in vivo & in vitro sources were
prepared in soxhlet extractor and then concentrated to dryness under
reduced pressure in rotary evaporator. Thus obtainedconcentrated
extracts showed significant inhibitory activity against gram
negative bacteria like Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa but no inhibition was found against gram positive
bacteria. Further, these ethanol extracts were screened for in vitro
percentage cytotoxicity at different time periods (24 h, 48 h and 72 h)
of different dilutions. The in vivo plant extract inhibited the growth of
EAC mouse cell lines in the range of 65, 66, 78, and 88% at 100, 50,
25 & 12.5μg mL-1 but at 72 h of treatment. In case of the extract of in
vitro origin, the inhibition was found against EAC cell lines even at
48h. During spectrophotometric scanning, the extracts exhibited
different maxima (ʎ) - four peaks in in vitro extracts as against single
in in vivo preparation suggesting the possible change in the nature of
ingredients during micropropagation through tissue culture
techniques.
Abstract: Energy dissipation in drops has been investigated by
physical models. After determination of effective parameters on the
phenomenon, three drops with different heights have been
constructed from Plexiglas. They have been installed in two existing
flumes in the hydraulic laboratory. Several runs of physical models
have been undertaken to measured required parameters for
determination of the energy dissipation. Results showed that the
energy dissipation in drops depend on the drop height and discharge.
Predicted relative energy dissipations varied from 10.0% to 94.3%.
This work has also indicated that the energy loss at drop is mainly
due to the mixing of the jet with the pool behind the jet that causes
air bubble entrainment in the flow. Statistical model has been
developed to predict the energy dissipation in vertical drops denotes
nonlinear correlation between effective parameters. Further an
artificial neural networks (ANNs) approach was used in this paper to
develop an explicit procedure for calculating energy loss at drops
using NeuroSolutions. Trained network was able to predict the
response with R2 and RMSE 0.977 and 0.0085 respectively. The
performance of ANN was found effective when compared to
regression equations in predicting the energy loss.
Abstract: This work presents an approach for the construction of a hybrid color-texture space by using mutual information. Feature extraction is done by the Laws filter with SVM (Support Vectors Machine) as a classifier. The classification is applied on the VisTex database and a SPOT HRV (XS) image representing two forest areas in the region of Rabat in Morocco. The result of classification obtained in the hybrid space is compared with the one obtained in the RGB color space.
Abstract: This paper analyses the unsteady, two-dimensional
stagnation point flow of an incompressible viscous fluid over a flat
sheet when the flow is started impulsively from rest and at the same
time, the sheet is suddenly stretched in its own plane with a velocity
proportional to the distance from the stagnation point. The partial
differential equations governing the laminar boundary layer forced
convection flow are non-dimensionalised using semi-similar
transformations and then solved numerically using an implicit finitedifference
scheme known as the Keller-box method. Results
pertaining to the flow and heat transfer characteristics are computed
for all dimensionless time, uniformly valid in the whole spatial region
without any numerical difficulties. Analytical solutions are also
obtained for both small and large times, respectively representing the
initial unsteady and final steady state flow and heat transfer.
Numerical results indicate that the velocity ratio parameter is found
to have a significant effect on skin friction and heat transfer rate at
the surface. Furthermore, it is exposed that there is a smooth
transition from the initial unsteady state flow (small time solution) to
the final steady state (large time solution).
Abstract: A physically based, spatially-distributed water quality model is being developed to simulate spatial and temporal distributions of material transport in the Great Lakes Watersheds of the U.S. Multiple databases of meteorology, land use, topography, hydrography, soils, agricultural statistics, and water quality were used to estimate nonpoint source loading potential in the study watersheds. Animal manure production was computed from tabulations of animals by zip code area for the census years of 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002. Relative chemical loadings for agricultural land use were calculated from fertilizer and pesticide estimates by crop for the same periods. Comparison of these estimates to the monitored total phosphorous load indicates that both point and nonpoint sources are major contributors to the total nutrient loads in the study watersheds, with nonpoint sources being the largest contributor, particularly in the rural watersheds. These estimates are used as the input to the distributed water quality model for simulating pollutant transport through surface and subsurface processes to Great Lakes waters. Visualization and GIS interfaces are developed to visualize the spatial and temporal distribution of the pollutant transport in support of water management programs.
Abstract: With optimized bandwidth and latency discrepancy ratios, Node Gain Scores (NGSs) are determined and used as a basis for shaping the max-heap overlay. The NGSs - determined as the respective bandwidth-latency-products - govern the construction of max-heap-form overlays. Each NGS is earned as a synergy of discrepancy ratio of the bandwidth requested with respect to the estimated available bandwidth, and latency discrepancy ratio between the nodes and the source node. The tree leads to enhanceddelivery overlay multicasting – increasing packet delivery which could, otherwise, be hindered by induced packet loss occurring in other schemes not considering the synergy of these parameters on placing the nodes on the overlays. The NGS is a function of four main parameters – estimated available bandwidth, Ba; individual node's requested bandwidth, Br; proposed node latency to its prospective parent (Lp); and suggested best latency as advised by source node (Lb). Bandwidth discrepancy ratio (BDR) and latency discrepancy ratio (LDR) carry weights of α and (1,000 - α ) , respectively, with arbitrary chosen α ranging between 0 and 1,000 to ensure that the NGS values, used as node IDs, maintain a good possibility of uniqueness and balance between the most critical factor between the BDR and the LDR. A max-heap-form tree is constructed with assumption that all nodes possess NGS less than the source node. To maintain a sense of load balance, children of each level's siblings are evenly distributed such that a node can not accept a second child, and so on, until all its siblings able to do so, have already acquired the same number of children. That is so logically done from left to right in a conceptual overlay tree. The records of the pair-wise approximate available bandwidths as measured by a pathChirp scheme at individual nodes are maintained. Evaluation measures as compared to other schemes – Bandwidth Aware multicaSt architecturE (BASE), Tree Building Control Protocol (TBCP), and Host Multicast Tree Protocol (HMTP) - have been conducted. This new scheme generally performs better in terms of trade-off between packet delivery ratio; link stress; control overhead; and end-to-end delays.
Abstract: Unsatisfactory effectiveness of software systems
development and enhancement projects is one of the main reasons
why in software engineering there are attempts being made to use
experiences coming from other engineering disciplines. In spite of
specificity of software product and process a belief had come out that
the execution of software could be more effective if these objects
were subject to measurement – as it is true in other engineering
disciplines for which measurement is an immanent feature. Thus
objective and reliable approaches to the measurement of software
processes and products have been sought in software engineering for
several dozens of years already. This may be proved, among others,
by the current version of CMMI for Development model. This paper
is aimed at analyzing the approach to the software processes and
products measurement proposed in the latest version of this very
model, indicating growing acceptance for this issue in software
engineering.