Abstract: The emergence of mobile application services and App
Store has led to the explosive growth of user innovation, which users
voluntarily contribute to. User innovation communities where end
users freely reveal innovative ideas and needs with other community
members are becoming increasingly influential in this area. However,
user-s ideas in user innovation community are not enough to be new
service opportunity, because some of them can already developed as
existing services in App Store. Moreover, the existing services similar
to new service opportunity can be significant references to apply
analogy to develop service concept. In response, this research
proposes Case-Based Reasoning approach to matching the user needs
and existing services, identifying unmet opportunistic user needs, and
retrieving similar services with opportunity. Due to its intuitive and
transparent algorithm, users related to App Store innovation
communities can easily employ Case-Based Reasoning based
approach to their innovation.
Abstract: In the classical buckling analysis of rectangular plates
subjected to the concurrent action of shear and uniaxial forces, the
Euler shear buckling stress is generally evaluated separately, so that
no influence on the shear buckling coefficient, due to the in-plane
tensile or compressive forces, is taken into account.
In this paper the buckling problem of simply supported rectangular
plates, under the combined action of shear and uniaxial forces, is
discussed from the beginning, in order to obtain new project formulas
for the shear buckling coefficient that take into account the presence
of uniaxial forces.
Furthermore, as the classical expression of the shear buckling
coefficient for simply supported rectangular plates is considered only
a “rough" approximation, as the exact one is defined by a system of
intersecting curves, the convergence and the goodness of the classical
solution are analyzed, too.
Finally, as the problem of the Euler shear buckling stress
evaluation is a very important topic for a variety of structures, (e.g.
ship ones), two numerical applications are carried out, in order to
highlight the role of the uniaxial stresses on the plating scantling
procedures and the goodness of the proposed formulas.
Abstract: This research is a comparative study of complexity, as a multidimensional concept, in the context of streetscape composition in Algeria and Japan. 80 streetscapes visual arrays have been collected and then presented to 20 participants, with different cultural backgrounds, in order to be categorized and classified according to their degrees of complexity. Three analysis methods have been used in this research: cluster analysis, ranking method and Hayashi Quantification method (Method III). The results showed that complexity, disorder, irregularity and disorganization are often conflicting concepts in the urban context. Algerian daytime streetscapes seem to be balanced, ordered and regular, and Japanese daytime streetscapes seem to be unbalanced, regular and vivid. Variety, richness and irregularity with some aspects of order and organization seem to characterize Algerian night streetscapes. Japanese night streetscapes seem to be more related to balance, regularity, order and organization with some aspects of confusion and ambiguity. Complexity characterized mainly Algerian avenues with green infrastructure. Therefore, for Japanese participants, Japanese traditional night streetscapes were complex. And for foreigners, Algerian and Japanese avenues nightscapes were the most complex visual arrays.
Abstract: The effects of enzyme action and heat pretreatment on oil extraction yield from sunflower kernels were analysed using hexane extraction with Soxhlet, and aqueous extraction with incubator shaker. Ground kernels of raw and heat treated kernels, each with and without Viscozyme treatment were used. Microscopic images of the kernels were taken to analyse the visible effects of each treatment on the cotyledon cell structure of the kernels. Heat pretreated kernels before both extraction processes produced enhanced oil extraction yields than the control, with steam explosion the most efficient. In hexane extraction, applying a combination of steam explosion and Viscozyme treatments to the kernels before the extraction gave the maximum oil extractable in 1 hour; while for aqueous extraction, raw kernels treated with Viscozyme gave the highest oil extraction yield. Remarkable cotyledon cell disruption was evident in kernels treated with Viscozyme; whereas steam explosion and conventional heat treated kernels had similar effects.
Abstract: Short term electricity demand forecasts are required
by power utilities for efficient operation of the power grid. In a
competitive market environment, suppliers and large consumers also
require short term forecasts in order to estimate their energy
requirements in advance. Electricity demand is influenced (among
other things) by the day of the week, the time of year and special
periods and/or days such as Ramadhan, all of which must be
identified prior to modelling. This identification, known as day-type
identification, must be included in the modelling stage either by
segmenting the data and modelling each day-type separately or by
including the day-type as an input. Day-type identification is the
main focus of this paper. A Kohonen map is employed to identify the
separate day-types in Algerian data.
Abstract: The rheological properties, structure and potential synergistic interactions of whey proteins (1-6%) and inulin (20%) in mixed gels in the presence of CaCl2 was the aim of this study. Whey proteins have a strong influence on inulin gel formation. At low concentrations (2%) whey proteins did not impair in inulin gel formation. At higher concentration (4%) whey proteins impaired inulin gelation and inulin impaired the formation of a Ca2+-induced whey protein network. The presence of whey proteins at a level allowing for protein gel network formation (6%) significantly increased the rheological parameters values of the gels. SEM micrographs showed that whey protein structure was coated by inulin moieties which could make the mixed gels firmer. The protein surface hydrophobicity measurements did not exclude synergistic interactions between inulin and whey proteins, however. The use of an electrophoretic technique did not show any stable inulin-whey protein complexes.
Abstract: Actual load, material characteristics and other
quantities often differ from the design values. This can cause worse
function, shorter life or failure of a civil engineering structure, a
machine, vehicle or another appliance. The paper shows main causes
of the uncertainties and deviations and presents a systematic
approach and efficient tools for their elimination or mitigation of
consequences. Emphasis is put on the design stage, which is most
important for reliability ensuring. Principles of robust design and
important tools are explained, including FMEA, sensitivity analysis
and probabilistic simulation methods. The lifetime prediction of
long-life objects can be improved by long-term monitoring of the
load response and damage accumulation in operation. The condition
evaluation of engineering structures, such as bridges, is often based
on visual inspection and verbal description. Here, methods based on
fuzzy logic can reduce the subjective influences.
Abstract: For the last decade, statistics show traumatic brain
injury (TBI) is a growing concern in our legal system. In an effort to
obtain data regarding the influence of neuropsychological expert
witness testimony in a criminal case, this study tested three
hypotheses. H1: The majority of jurors will vote not guilty, due to
mild head injury. H2: The jurors will give more credence to the
testimony of the neuropsychologist rather than the psychiatrist. H3:
The jurors will be more lenient in their sentencing, given the
testimony of the neuropsychologist-s testimony. The criterion for
inclusion in the study as a participant is identical to those used for
inclusion in the eligibility for jury duty in the United States. A chisquared
test was performed to analyze the data for the three
hypotheses. The results supported all of the hypotheses; however
statistical significance was seen in H1 and H2 only.
Abstract: In the paper, the results of sensitivity analysis of the influence of initial imperfections on the web stress state of a thinwalled girder are presented. The results of the study corroborate a very good and effective agreement of experiments with theory. Most input random quantities were found experimentally. The change of sensitivity coefficients in dependence on working load value is analysed. The stress was analysed by means of a geometrically and materially non-linear solution by applying the program ANSYS. This research study offers important background for theoretical studies of stability problems, post-critical effects and limit states of thin-walled steel structures.
Abstract: Despite the fact that B2c eCommerce has become
important in numerous economies, its adoption varies from country to
country. This paper aims to identify the factors affecting (enabling or
inhibiting) B2c eCommerce and to determine their quantitative
impact on the diffusion of online sales across countries. A dynamic
panel model analyzing the relationship between 13 factors
(Macroeconomic, Demographic, Socio-Cultural, Infrastructural and
Offer related) stemming from a complete literature analysis and the
B2c eCommerce value in 45 countries over 9 years has been
developed. Having a positive correlation coefficient, GDP, mobile
penetration, Internet user penetration and credit card penetration
resulted as enabling drivers of the B2c eCommerce value across
countries, whereas, having a negative correlation coefficient,equal
distribution of income and the development of traditional retailing
network act as inhibiting factors.
Abstract: This paper explores how Critical Systems Thinking and Action Research can be used to improve student performance in Networking. When describing a system from a systems thinking perspective, the following aspects can be identified: the total system performance, the systems environment, the resources, the components and the management of the system. Following the history of system thinking we observe three emerged methodologies namely, hard systems, soft systems, and critical systems. This paper uses Critical Systems Thinking (CST) which describes systems in terms of contradictions and conflict. It demonstrates how CST can be used in an Action Research (AR) project to improve the performance of students. Intervention in terms of student assessment is discussed and the impact of the intervention is discussed.
Abstract: The present study was designed to test the influence
of intrinsic ICT-motivation, perceived usefulness and ease of use on
business students- willingness to use a particular software package. A
questionnaire was completed by 196 business students in Norway.
We found that 34% of the variance in the students- willingness to use
the software could be explained by the three proposed antecedents.
Intrinsic ICT-motivation seems to be the most important predictor of
students- satisfaction willingness to use the software package.
Abstract: The paper makes part from a complex research project
on Romanian Grey Steppe, a unique breed in terms of biological and
cultural-historical importance, on the verge of extinction and which
has been included in a preservation programme of genetic resources
from Romania. The study of genetic polymorphism of protean
fractions, especially kappa-casein, and the genotype relations of
these lactoproteins with some quantitative and qualitative features of
milk yield represents a current theme and a novelty for this breed. In
the estimation of the genetic parameters we used R.E.M.L.
(Restricted Maximum Likelihood) method.
The main lactoprotein from milk, kappa - casein (K-cz),
characterized in the specialized literature as a feature having a high
degree of hereditary transmission, behaves as such in the nucleus under
study, a value also confirmed by the heritability coefficient (h2 = 0.57
%). We must mention the medium values for milk and fat quantity
(h2=0.26, 0.29 %) and the fat and protein percentage from milk
having a high hereditary influence h2 = 0.71 - 0.63 %.
Correlations between kappa-casein and the milk quantity are
negative and strong. Between kappa-casein and other qualitative
features of milk (fat content 0.58-0.67 % and protein content 0.77-
0.87%), there are positive and very strong correlations. At the same
time, between kappa-casein and β casein (β-cz), β lactoglobulin (β-
lg) respectively, correlations are positive having high values (0.37 –
0.45 %), indicating the same causes and determining factors for the
two groups of features.
Abstract: The increasing influence of traffic on building
objects and people residing in them should be taken into account in
diagnosis and design. Users of buildings expect that vibrations
occurring in their environment, will not only lead to damage to the
building or its accelerated wear, but neither would affect the required
comfort in rooms designed to accommodate people. This article
describes the methods and principles useful in designing and building
diagnostics located near transportation routes, with particular
emphasis on the impact of traffic vibration on people in buildings. It
also describes the procedures used in obtaining information about the
parameters of vibrations in different cases of diagnostics and design.
A universal algorithm of procedure in diagnostics and design of
buildings taking into account assurance of human vibration comfort
of people residing in the these buildings was presented.