Abstract: Aspect of visual perception occupies a central position
in shaping the physical structure of a city. This paper discusses the
visual characteristics of utopian cities and their impact on the shaping
of real urban structures. Utopian examples of cities will not be
discussed in terms of social and sociological conditions, but rather
the emphasis is on urban utopias and ideal cities that have achieved
or have had potential impact on the shape of the physical structure of
Nikšić. It is a Renaissance-Baroque period with a touch of classicism.
The paper’s emphasis is on the physical dimension, not excluding the
importance of social equilibrium, studies of which are dating back to
Aristotle, Plato, Thomas More, Robert Owen, Tommaso Campanella
and others. The emphasis is on urban utopias and their impact on the
development of sustainable physical structure of a real city in the
context of visual perception. In the case of Nikšić, this paper
identifies the common features of a real city and a utopian city, as
well as criteria for sustainable urban development in the context of
visual achievement.
Abstract: Composite steel shear wall is a lateral load resisting system which consists of a steel plate with concrete wall attached to one or both sides to prevent it from elastic buckling. The composite behavior is ensured by utilizing high-strength bolts. This paper investigates the effect of distance between bolts, and for this purpose 14 one-story one-bay specimens with various bolts spacing were modeled by finite element code which is developed by the authors. To verify the model, numerical results were compared with a valid experiment which illustrate proper agreement. Results depict increasing the distance between bolts would improve the seismic ever, this increase must be limited, because of large distances will cause widespread buckling of the steel plate in free subpanels between bolts and would result in no improvement. By comparing the results in elastic region, it was observed initial stiffness is not affected by changing the distance.
Abstract: This paper attempts to identify the significance of
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and
competitiveness to the profit efficiency of commercial banks in
Malaysia. The profit efficiency of commercial banks in Malaysia, the
dependent variable, was estimated using the Stochastic Frontier
Approach (SFA) on a sample of unbalanced panel data, covering 23
commercial banks, between 1995 to 2007. Based on the empirical
results, ICT was not found to exert a significant impact on profit
efficiency, whereas competitiveness, non ICT stock expenditure and
ownership were significant contributors. On the other hand, the size
of banks was found to have significantly reduced profit efficiency,
opening up for various interpretations of the interrelated role of ICT
and competition.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a geometric modeling of
illumination on the patterned image containing etching transistor. This
image is captured by a commercial camera during the inspection of
a TFT-LCD panel. Inspection of defect is an important process in the
production of LCD panel, but the regional difference in brightness,
which has a negative effect on the inspection, is due to the uneven
illumination environment. In order to solve this problem, we present
a geometric modeling of illumination consisting of an interpolation
using the least squares method and 3D modeling using bezier surface.
Our computational time, by using the sampling method, is shorter
than the previous methods. Moreover, it can be further used to correct
brightness in every patterned image.
Abstract: Automobile Industry has great importance in the
Spanish economy (8,7 % of the active Spanish population is
employed in this sector).The above mentioned sector has been one of
the principal sectors affected by the current economic crisis,
consistently, the budgets in advertising have been severely limited
(46,9 % less in the period of reference), these needs of reduction
have originated a substantial change in the advertising strategy (from
2007 the increase of the advertising investment in Internet is 251,6
%), and increase profitability. The growing use of social media by
consumers therefore makes online consumer conversations an
attractive additional format for Automobile firms to promote
products at a lower cost. This research analyzes the relation between
the activity in Social Media and the design in the car industry,
looking for relations between strategies of design based on Social
Media and sales and a channel of information for companies to know
what the consumer preferences. For this ongoing research we used a
longitudinal withdrawal of information has been used using
information of panel. Managerial and research implications of the
finding are discussed.
Abstract: The damage tolerance behavior of integrally and
conventional stiffened panel is investigated based on the fracture
mechanics and finite element analysis. The load bearing capability
and crack growth characteristic of both types of the stiffened panels
having same configuration subjected to distributed tensile load is
examined in this paper. A fourteen-stringer stiffened panel is
analyzed for a central skin crack propagating towards the adjacent
stringers. Stress intensity factors and fatigue crack propagation rates
of both types of the stiffened panels are then compared. The analysis
results show that integral stiffening causes higher stress intensity
factor than conventional stiffened panel as the crack tip passes
through the stringer and the integrally stiffened panel has less load
bearing capability than the riveted stiffened panel.
Abstract: Due to the non-linear characteristics of photovoltaic
(PV) array, PV systems typically are equipped with the capability of
maximum power point tracking (MPPT) feature. Moreover, in the
case of PV array under partially shaded conditions, hotspot problem
will occur which could damage the PV cells. Partial shading causes
multiple peaks in the P-V characteristic curves. This paper presents a
hybrid algorithm of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) MPPT algorithm for the detection
of global peak among the multiple peaks in order to extract the true
maximum energy from PV panel. The PV system consists of PV
array, dc-dc boost converter controlled by the proposed MPPT
algorithm and a resistive load. The system was simulated using
MATLAB/Simulink package. The simulation results show that the
proposed algorithm performs well to detect the true global peak
power. The results of the simulations are analyzed and discussed.
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.