Abstract: This paper presents a rheological model for producing
shape-memory thermoplastic polymers. Shape-memory occurs as a
result of internal rearrangement of the structural elements of a
polymer. A non-linear viscoelastic model was developed that allows
qualitative and quantitative prediction of the stress-strain behavior of
shape-memory polymers during heating. This research was done to
develop a technique to determine the maximum possible change in
size of shape-memory products during heating. The rheological
model used in this work was particularly suitable for defining process
parameters and constructive parameters of the processing equipment.
Abstract: The phatic function of communication is a vital
element of any conversation. This research paper looks into this
function with respect to personal blogs maintained by Indian
bloggers. This paper is a study into the phenomenon of phatic
communication maintained by bloggers through their blogs. Based on
a linguistic analysis of the posts of twenty eight Indian bloggers,
writing in English, studied over a period of three years, the study
indicates that though the blogging phenomenon is not conversational
in the same manner as face-to-face communication, it does make
ample provision for feedback that is conversational in nature.
Ordinary day to day offline conversations use conventionalized
phatic utterances; those on the social media are in a perpetual mode
of innovation and experimentation in order to sustain contact with its
readers. These innovative methods and means are the focus of this
study. Though the personal blogger aims to chronicle his/her personal
life through the blog, the socializing function is crucial to these
bloggers. In comparison to the western personal blogs which focus on
the presentation of the ‘bounded individual self’, we find Indian
personal bloggers engage in the presentation of their ‘social selves’.
These bloggers yearn to reach out to the readers on the internet and
the phatic function serves to initiate, sustain and renew social ties on
the blogosphere thereby consolidating the social network of readers
and bloggers.
Abstract: Today architecture has become as a powerful media
for introducing cultures to the world, which in turn brings about a
change in the global insight, power gaining, investment, and
development. Islamic architecture is based on the language of Koran
and shows the depth and richness of Islam through the spiritual soul.
This is in a way that belief in monotheism and faith in Islamic
teachings are manifested as Islam's aesthetic thought in Islamic
architecture. Unfortunately, Islamic architecture has been damaged a
lot due to the lack of the necessary information, and also successive
wars that have overtaken the Moslems as well as the dominance of
colonizing counties.
Islamic architecture is rooted in the history, culture and
civilization of Moslems, but its deficiencies and shortcomings should
be removed through systematizing the Islamic architecture
researchers. Islamic countries should act in a way that the art of
Islamic architecture shows its true place in different architecture eras
and makes everybody aware that Islamic architecture has a historical
root and is connected eternally to the genuineness, religious art, and
Moslems' culture and civilization.
Abstract: The Chair of Thermal Engineering at Poznan
University of Technology has been conducted research works on the
possibilities of using carbon nanostructures in energy and mechanics
applications for a couple of years. Those studies have provided results in a form of co-operation with foreign research centres, numerous publications and patent
applications.
Authors of this paper have studied the influence of multi-walled
carbon nanostructures on changes in static friction arising when steel
surfaces were moved. Tests were made using the original test stand
consisting of automatically controlled inclined plane driven by
precise stepper motors. Computer program created in the LabView
environment was responsible for monitoring of the stand operation,
accuracy of measurements and archiving the obtained results. Such a
solution enabled to obtain high accuracy and repeatability of all
conducted experiments.
Tests and analysis of the obtained results allowed us to determine
how additional layers of carbon nanostructures influenced on changes
of static friction coefficients. At the same time, we analyzed the
potential possibilities of applying nanostructures under consideration
in mechanics.
Abstract: Let us consider that the entire universe is composed of
a single hydrogen atom within which the electron is moving around
the proton. In this case, according to classical theories of physics,
radiation, photons respectively, should be absorbed by the electron.
Depending on the number of photons absorbed, the electron radius of
rotation around the proton is established. Until now, the principle of
photons absorption by electrons and the electron transition to a new
energy level, namely to a higher radius of rotation around the proton,
is not clarified in physics. This paper aims to demonstrate that
radiation, photons respectively, have mass and negative electrostatic
charge similar to electrons but infinitely smaller. The experiments
which demonstrate this theory are simple: thermal expansion,
photoelectric effect and thermonuclear reaction.
Abstract: The aim of this research was to reveal the link
between mental variables, such as spatial abilities, memory, intellect
and professional experience of drivers.
Participants were allocated to four groups: no experience,
inexperienced, skilled and professionals (total 85 participants). The
level of ability for spatial navigation and indicator of nonverbal
memory grow along the process of accumulation of driving
experience. At high levels of driving experience, this tendency is
especially noticeable. The professionals having personal
achievements in driving (racing) differ from skilled drivers in better
feeling of direction, which is specific for them not just in a short-term
situation of an experimental task, but also in life-size perspective.
The level of ability of mental rotation does not grow with the growth
of driving experience, which confirms the multiple intelligence
theory according to which spatial abilities represent specific, other
than logical intelligence type of intellect. The link between spatial
abilities, memory, intellect and professional experience of drivers
seems to be different relating spatial navigation or mental rotation as
different kinds of spatial abilities.
Abstract: In this paper, the actuality of the study, and the role of
subjective well-being problem in modern psychology and the
comprehending of subjective well-being by current students is
defined. The purpose of this research is to educe peculiarities of
comprehending of subjective well-being by students with various
levels of emotional intelligence. Methods of research are adapted
Russian-Language questionnaire of K. Riff 'The scales of
psychological well-being'; emotional intelligence questionnaire of D.
V. Lusin. The research involved 72 students from different
universities and disciplines aged between 18 and 24. Analyzing the
results of the studies, it can be concluded that the understanding of
happiness in different groups of students with high and low levels of
overall emotional intelligence is different, as well as differentiated by
gender. Students with a higher level of happiness possess more
capacity and higher need to control their emotions, to cause and
maintain the desired emotions and control something undesirable.
Abstract: It is an established fact that polymers have several
physical limitations such as low stiffness and low resistance to
impact on loading. Hence, polymers do not usually have requisite
mechanical strength for application in various fields. The
reinforcement by high strength fibers provides the polymer
substantially enhanced mechanical properties and makes them more
suitable for a large number of diverse applications. This research
evaluates the effects of particulate Cow bone and Groundnut shell
additions on the mechanical properties and microstructure of cow
bone and groundnut shell reinforced epoxy composite in order to
assess the possibility of using it as a material for engineering
applications. Cow bone and groundnut shell particles reinforced with
epoxy (CBRPC and GSRPC) was prepared by varying the cow bone
and groundnut shell particles from 0-25 wt% with 5 wt% intervals. A
Hybrid of the Cow bone and Groundnut shell (HGSCB) reinforce
with epoxy was also prepared. The mechanical properties of the
developed composites were investigated. Optical microscopy was
used to examine the microstructure of the composites. The results
revealed that mechanical properties did not increase uniformly with
additions in filler but exhibited maximum properties at specific
percentages of filler additions. From the Microscopic evaluation, it
was discovered that homogeneity decreases with increase in % filler,
this could be due to poor interfacial bonding.
Abstract: Evapotranspiration is one of the most important
components of the hydrological cycle. Evapotranspiration (ETo) is an
important variable in water and energy balances on the earth’s
surface, and knowledge of the distribution of ET is a key factor in
hydrology, climatology, agronomy and ecology studies. Many
researchers have a valid relationship, which is a function of climate
factors, to estimate the potential evapotranspiration presented to the
plant water stress or water loss, prevent. The FAO-Penman method
(PM) had been recommended as a standard method. This method
requires many data and these data are not available in every area of
world. So, other methods should be evaluated for these conditions.
When sufficient or reliable data to solve the PM equation are not
available then Hargreaves equation can be used. The Hargreaves
equation (HG) requires only daily mean, maximum and minimum air
temperature extraterrestrial radiation .In this study, Hargreaves
method (HG) were evaluated in 12 stations in the North West region
of Iran. Results of HG and M.HG methods were compared with
results of PM method. Statistical analysis of this comparison showed
that calibration process has had significant effect on efficiency of
Hargreaves method.
Abstract: Rice bran is normally used as a raw material for rice
bran oil production or sold as feed with a low price. Conventionally,
the protein in defatted rice bran was extracted using alkaline
extraction and acid precipitation, which involves in chemical usage
and lowering some nutritious component. This study was conducted
in order to extract of rice bran protein concentrate (RBPC) from
defatted rice bran using enzymes and employing polysaccharides in a
precipitating step. The properties of RBPC obtained will be compared
to those of a control sample extracted using a conventional method.
The results showed that extraction of protein from rice bran using
enzymes exhibited the higher protein recovery compared to that
extraction with alkaline. The extraction conditions using alcalase 2%
(v/w) at 50 C, pH 9.5 gave the highest protein (2.44%) and yield
(32.09%) in extracted solution compared to other enzymes. Rice bran
protein concentrate powder prepared by a precipitation step using
alginate (protein in solution: alginate 1:0.016) exhibited the highest
protein (27.55%) and yield (6.84%). Precipitation using alginate was
better than that of acid. RBPC extracted with alkaline (ALK) or
enzyme alcalase (ALC), then precipitated with alginate (AL)
(samples RBP-ALK-AL and RBP-ALC-AL) yielded the precipitation
rate of 75% and 91.30%, respectively. Therefore, protein
precipitation using alginate was then selected. Amino acid profile of
control sample, and sample precipitated with alginate, as compared to
casein and soy protein isolated, showed that control sample showed
the highest content among all sample. Functional property study of
RBP showed that the highest nitrogen solubility occurred in pH 8-10.
There was no statically significant between emulsion capacity and
emulsion stability of control and sample precipitated by alginate.
However, control sample showed a higher of foaming capacity and
foaming stability compared to those of sample precipitated with
alginate. The finding was successful in terms of minimizing
chemicals used in extraction and precipitation steps in preparation of
rice bran protein concentrate. This research involves in a production
of value-added product in which the double amount of protein (28%)
compared to original amount (14%) contained in rice bran could be
beneficial in terms of adding to food products e.g. healthy drink with
high protein and fiber. In addition, the basic knowledge of functional
property of rice bran protein concentrate was obtained, which can be
used to appropriately select the application of this value-added
product from rice bran.
Abstract: The aim of this research is to clarify the difference by
industry segment or product characteristics as regards organisation
management for an open innovation to raise R&D performance. In
particular, the trait of the pharmaceutical industry is defined in
comparison with IT component industry segment. In considering open
innovation, both inter-organisational relation and the management in
an organisation are important issues. As methodology, a questionnaire
was conducted. In conclusion, suitable organisation management
according to the difference in industry segment or product
characteristics became clear.
Abstract: In the field of fashion design, 3D Mannequin is a kind
of assisting tool which could rapidly realize the design concepts.
While the concept of 3D Mannequin is applied to the computer added
fashion design, it will connect with the development and the
application of design platform and system. Thus, the situation
mentioned above revealed a truth that it is very critical to develop a
module of 3D Mannequin which would correspond with the necessity
of fashion design. This research proposes a concrete plan that
developing and constructing a system of 3D Mannequin with Kinect.
In the content, ergonomic measurements of objective human features
could be attained real-time through the implement with depth camera
of Kinect, and then the mesh morphing can be implemented through
transformed the locations of the control-points on the model by
inputting those ergonomic data to get an exclusive 3D mannequin
model. In the proposed methodology, after the scanned points from the
Kinect are revised for accuracy and smoothening, a complete human
feature would be reconstructed by the ICP algorithm with the method
of image processing. Also, the objective human feature could be
recognized to analyze and get real measurements. Furthermore, the
data of ergonomic measurements could be applied to shape morphing
for the division of 3D Mannequin reconstructed by feature curves. Due
to a standardized and customer-oriented 3D Mannequin would be
generated by the implement of subdivision, the research could be
applied to the fashion design or the presentation and display of 3D
virtual clothes. In order to examine the practicality of research
structure, a system of 3D Mannequin would be constructed with JAVA
program in this study. Through the revision of experiments the
practicability-contained research result would come out.
Abstract: This study, for its research subjects, uses patients who
had undergone total knee replacement surgery from the database of the
National Health Insurance Administration. Through the review of
literatures and the interviews with physicians, important factors are
selected after careful screening. Then using Cross Entropy Method,
Genetic Algorithm Logistic Regression, and Particle Swarm
Optimization, the weight of each factor is calculated and obtained. In
the meantime, Excel VBA and Case Based Reasoning are combined
and adopted to evaluate the system. Results show no significant
difference found through Genetic Algorithm Logistic Regression and
Particle Swarm Optimization with over 97% accuracy in both
methods. Both ROC areas are above 0.87. This study can provide
critical reference to medical personnel as clinical assessment to
effectively enhance medical care quality and efficiency, prevent
unnecessary waste, and provide practical advantages to resource
allocation to medical institutes.
Abstract: Radial profiles of particle velocities were investigated
in a 6.1m high methanol-to-olefins cold model experimental device
using a TSI laser Doppler velocimeter. The effect of axial height on
flow development was not obvious in fully developed region under the
same operating condition. Superficial gas velocity and solid
circulating rate had significant influence on particle velocity in the
center region of the riser. Besides, comparisons among rising,
descending and average particle velocity were conducted. The particle
average velocity was similar to the rising particle velocity and higher
than the descending particle velocity in radial locations except the wall
region of riser.
Abstract: The article represents the results of isolation and
component chromatographic analysis of essential oils of Polygonum
L. plants growing in Kazakhstan in commercial reserves at the
territory of Kazakhstan. The results of research of antibacterial and
antifungal activity of isolated compounds have been represented.
Abstract: This paper presents an application of a “Systematic
Soft Domain Driven Design Framework” as a soft systems approach
to domain-driven design of information systems development. The
framework use SSM as a guiding methodology within which we have
embedded a sequence of design tasks based on the UML leading to
the implementation of a software system using the Naked Objects
framework. This framework have been used in action research
projects that have involved the investigation and modelling of
business processes using object-oriented domain models and the
implementation of software systems based on those domain models.
Within this framework, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is used as
a guiding methodology to explore the problem situation and to
develop the domain model using UML for the given business
domain. The framework is proposed and evaluated in our previous
works, and a real case study “Information Retrieval System for
academic research” is used, in this paper, to show further practice and
evaluation of the framework in different business domain. We argue
that there are advantages from combining and using techniques from
different methodologies in this way for business domain modelling.
The framework is overviewed and justified as multimethodology
using Mingers multimethodology ideas.
Abstract: Total Quality Management (TQM) refers to management methods used to enhance quality and productivity in business organizations. Total Quality Management (TQM) has become a frequently used term in discussions concerning quality. Total Quality management has brought rise in demands on the organizations policy and the customers have gained more importance in the organizations focus. TQM is considered as an important management tool, which helps the organizations to satisfy their customers. In present research critical success factors includes management commitment, customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, work culture and environment, supplier quality management, training and development, employee satisfaction and product/process design are studied. A questionnaire is developed to implement these critical success factors in implementation of total quality management in Indian industry. Questionnaires filled by consulting different industrial organizations. Data collected from questionnaires is analyzed by descriptive and importance indexes.
Abstract: Given the limited research on Small and Mediumsized
Enterprises’ (SMEs) contribution to Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) and even scarcer research on Swiss SMEs, this
paper helps to fill these gaps by enabling the identification of supranational
SME parameters. Thus, the paper investigates the current
state of SME practices in Switzerland and across 15 other countries.
Combining the degree to which SMEs demonstrate an explicit (or
business case) approach or see CSR as an implicit moral activity with
the assessment of their attributes for “variety of capitalism” defines
the framework of this comparative analysis. To outline Swiss small
business CSR patterns in particular, 40 SME owner-managers were
interviewed. A secondary data analysis of studies from different
countries laid groundwork for this comparative overview of small
business CSR. The paper identifies Swiss small business CSR as
driven by norms, values, and by the aspiration to contribute to
society, thus, as an implicit part of the day-to-day business. Similar to
most Central European, Mediterranean, Nordic, and Asian countries,
explicit CSR is still very rare in Swiss SMEs. Astonishingly, also
British and American SMEs follow this pattern in spite of their strong
and distinctly liberal market economies. Though other findings show
that nationality matters this research concludes that SME culture and
an informal CSR agenda are strongly formative and superseding even
forces of market economies, nationally cultural patterns, and
language. Hence, classifications of countries by their market system,
as found in the comparative capitalism literature, do not match the
CSR practices in SMEs as they do not mirror the peculiarities of their
business. This raises questions on the universality and
generalisability of unmediated, explicit management concepts,
especially in the context of small firms.
Abstract: This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of Teaching Games For Understanding (TGFU) in improving the hockey tactical skills and state self-confidence among 16-year-old students. Two hundred fifty-nine (259) school students were selected for the study based on the intact sampling method. One class was used as the control group (Boys=60, Girls=70), while another as the treatment group (Boys=60, Girls=69) underwent intervention with TGFU in physical education class conducted twice a week for four weeks. The Games Performance Assessment Instrument was used to observe the hockey tactical skills and The State Self-Confidence Inventory was used to determine the state of self-confidence among the students. After four weeks, ANCOVA analysis indicated the treatment groups had significant improvement in hockey tactical skills with F (1, 118) =313.37, p
Abstract: This paper reviews the model-based qualitative and
quantitative Operations Management research in the context of
Construction Supply Chain Management (CSCM). Construction
industry has been traditionally blamed for low productivity, cost and
time overruns, waste, high fragmentation and adversarial
relationships. The construction industry has been slower than other
industries to employ the Supply Chain Management (SCM) concept
and develop models that support the decision-making and planning.
However the last decade there is a distinct shift from a project-based
to a supply-based approach of construction management. CSCM
comes up as a new promising management tool of construction
operations and improves the performance of construction projects in
terms of cost, time and quality. Modeling the Construction Supply
Chain (CSC) offers the means to reap the benefits of SCM, make
informed decisions and gain competitive advantage. Different
modeling approaches and methodologies have been applied in the
multi-disciplinary and heterogeneous research field of CSCM. The
literature review reveals that a considerable percentage of the CSC
modeling research accommodates conceptual or process models
which present general management frameworks and do not relate to
acknowledged soft Operations Research methods. We particularly
focus on the model-based quantitative research and categorize the
CSCM models depending on their scope, objectives, modeling
approach, solution methods and software used. Although over the last
few years there has been clearly an increase of research papers on
quantitative CSC models, we identify that the relevant literature is
very fragmented with limited applications of simulation,
mathematical programming and simulation-based optimization. Most
applications are project-specific or study only parts of the supply
system. Thus, some complex interdependencies within construction
are neglected and the implementation of the integrated supply chain
management is hindered. We conclude this paper by giving future
research directions and emphasizing the need to develop optimization
models for integrated CSCM. We stress that CSC modeling needs a
multi-dimensional, system-wide and long-term perspective. Finally,
prior applications of SCM to other industries have to be taken into
account in order to model CSCs, but not without translating the
generic concepts to the context of construction industry.