Abstract: In this paper, the problem of estimating the optimal
radio capacity of a single-cell spread spectrum (SS) multiple-inputmultiple-
output (MIMO) system operating in a Rayleigh fading environment
is examined. The optimisation between the radio capacity
and the theoretically achievable average channel capacity (in the
sense of information theory) per user of a MIMO single-cell SS system
operating in a Rayleigh fading environment is presented. Then,
the spectral efficiency is estimated in terms of the achievable average
channel capacity per user, during the operation over a broadcast
time-varying link, and leads to a simple novel-closed form expression
for the optimal radio capacity value based on the maximization
of the achieved spectral efficiency. Numerical results are presented to
illustrate the proposed analysis.
Abstract: Chicken feathers were used as biosorbent for Pb
removal from aqueous solution. In this paper, the kinetics and
equilibrium studies at several pH, temperature, and metal
concentration values are reported. For tested conditions, the Pb
sorption capacity of this poultry waste ranged from 0.8 to 8.3 mg/g.
Optimal conditions for Pb removal by chicken feathers have been
identified. Pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order equations
were used to analyze the experimental data. In addition, the sorption
isotherms were fitted to classical Langmuir and Freundlich models.
Finally, thermodynamic parameters for the sorption process have
been determined. In summary, the results showed that chicken
feathers are an alternative and promising sorbent for the treatment of
effluents polluted by Pb ions.
Abstract: The accomplished study is based on the appointment
and identification of ageing effects and according to this absorption
of moisture of aircraft cabin components over the life-cycle. In the
first step of the study ceiling panels from same age and from the
same aircraft cabin have been examined according to weight changes
depending on the position in the aircraft cabin. In the second step of
the study different aged ceiling panels have been examined
concerning deflection, weight changes and the acoustic sound
transmission loss. To prove the assumption of water absorption
within the study and with the theoretical background from literature
and scientific papers, an older test panel was exposed extreme
thermal conditions (humidity and temperature) within a climate
chamber to show that there is a general ingress of water to cabin
components and that this ingress of water leads to the change of
different mechanical properties.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine employee assessments of the usefulness/value of different types of information available to those employees during the process of organizational assimilation. Participants in the study were 247 “new" employees at Bangkok Bank. Bangkok Bank considers employees whose length of stay with the bank has been less than 18 months as new employees. Questionnaires were administered to all of the Bank-s new employees to obtain the data for this study. Repeated measures analysis was used to analyze the data. The data were summed and coded by using Statistical Package for Social Science. Newcomers indicate that social information is the most useful information, followed by job (technical, referent, and appraisal information), political, normative, and organizational information. Essentially, social, job, and political information are evaluated by newcomers as highly useful, while normative and organizational information are rated as moderately useful.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine and
compare physical fitness values of students engaged in different team
sport branches Totally 60 female, and 60 male athletes, that 20
athletes in each branch which are volleyball, basketball and football
participated the study as a volunteer. The mean ages of female and
male athletes were 21.20 ±1.87 and 21.61 ± 1.61 respectively. Age,
height, body weight, body mass index, flexibility, body fat
percentage, 30m sprint, maximum oxygen consumption capacity
(MaxVO2) and drop jump values were measured. As a result of
measurements, significant differences were found in height, weight,
MaxVO2, shuttle run speed between different sports branches in
female athletes. In male athletes, height, body weight, flexibility,
30m split speed and drop jump values were found significantly
different between sports branches.
As a conclusion and as a literature, it can be said that structure of
body has to be appropriate with the engaged sports branch. Physical
fitness values that required the sports branches can be expressed
clearly by increasing the number of subjects.
Abstract: This article is dedicated to the question of regionalism
and regionalization in contemporary international relations, with a
specific focus on Central Asia. The article addresses the question of
whether or not Central Asia can be referred to as a true geopolitical
region. In addressing this question, the authors examine particular
factors that are essential for the formation of a region, including those
tied to the economy, energy, culture, and labor migration.
Abstract: Implementing quality assurance in higher education establishments is the main focus of the reform process currently undertaken by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The reform agenda has involved attempts to improve academic quality and management processes in universities, technical institutions and colleges. The central challenge for the reform process is to produce change in higher education in a region where administration is described as centralized and bureaucratic. To make these changes, there should be a well-designed plans and follow up processes in order to monitor progress and develop responses to obstacles. Lack of skills, resources, political dilemmas, poor motivation, and readiness to face the consequences of change are factors which will determine the success of the reform process.
Abstract: Titanium nitride (TiN) has been synthesized using the
sheet plasma negative ion source (SPNIS). The parameters used for
its effective synthesis has been determined from previous
experiments and studies. In this study, further enhancement of the
deposition rate of TiN synthesis and advancement of the SPNIS
operation is presented. This is primarily achieved by the addition of
Sm-Co permanent magnets and a modification of the configuration in
the TiN deposition process. The magnetic enhancement is aimed at
optimizing the sputtering rate and the sputtering yield of the process.
The Sm-Co permanent magnets are placed below the Ti target for
better sputtering by argon. The Ti target is biased from –250V to –
350V and is sputtered by Ar plasma produced at discharge current of
2.5–4A and discharge potential of 60–90V. Steel substrates of
dimensions 20x20x0.5mm3 were prepared with N2:Ar volumetric
ratios of 1:3, 1:5 and 1:10. Ocular inspection of samples exhibit
bright gold color associated with TiN. XRD characterization
confirmed the effective TiN synthesis as all samples exhibit the (200)
and (311) peaks of TiN and the non-stoichiometric Ti2N (220) facet.
Cross-sectional SEM results showed increase in the TiN deposition
rate of up to 0.35μm/min. This doubles what was previously obtained
[1]. Scanning electron micrograph results give a comparative
morphological picture of the samples. Vickers hardness results gave
the largest hardness value of 21.094GPa.
Abstract: A two-dimensional moving mesh algorithm is developed to simulate the general motion of two rotating bodies with relative translational motion. The grid includes a background grid and two sets of grids around the moving bodies. With this grid arrangement rotational and translational motions of two bodies are handled separately, with no complications. Inter-grid boundaries are determined based on their distances from two bodies. In this method, the overset concept is applied to hybrid grid, and flow variables are interpolated using a simple stencil. To evaluate this moving mesh algorithm unsteady Euler flow is solved for different cases using dual-time method of Jameson. Numerical results show excellent agreement with experimental data and other numerical results. To demonstrate the capability of present algorithm for accurate solution of flow fields around moving bodies, some benchmark problems have been defined in this paper.
Abstract: This study examined the underlying dimensions of
brand equity in the chocolate industry. For this purpose, researchers
developed a model to identify which factors are influential in
building brand equity. The second purpose was to assess brand
loyalty and brand images mediating effect between brand attitude,
brand personality, brand association with brand equity. The study
employed structural equation modeling to investigate the causal
relationships between the dimensions of brand equity and brand
equity itself. It specifically measured the way in which consumers’
perceptions of the dimensions of brand equity affected the overall
brand equity evaluations. Data were collected from a sample of
consumers of chocolate industry in Iran. The results of this empirical
study indicate that brand loyalty and brand image are important
components of brand equity in this industry. Moreover, the role of
brand loyalty and brand image as mediating factors in the intention of
brand equity are supported. The principal contribution of the present
research is that it provides empirical evidence of the
multidimensionality of consumer based brand equity, supporting
Aaker´s and Keller´s conceptualization of brand equity. The present
research also enriched brand equity building by incorporating the
brand personality and brand image, as recommended by previous
researchers. Moreover, creating the brand equity index in chocolate
industry of Iran particularly is novel.
Abstract: Competitive relationships among Bradyrhizobium
japonicum USDA serogroup 123, 122 and 138 were screened versus
the standard commercial soybean variety Williams and two
introductions P1 377578 "671" in a field trial. Displacement of strain
123 by an effective strain should improved N2 fixation. Root nodules
were collected and strain occupancy percentage was determined
using strain specific fluorescent antibodies technique. As anticipated
the strain USDA 123 dominated 92% of nodules due to the high
affinity between the host and the symbiont. This dominance was
consistent and not changed materially either by inoculation practice
or by introducing new strainan. The interrelationship between the
genotype Williams and serogroup 122 & 138 was found very weak
although the cell density of the strain in the rhizosphere area was
equal. On the other hand, the nodule occupancy of genotypes 671 and
166 with rhizobia serogroup 123 was almost diminished to zero. .
The data further exhibited that the genotypes P1 671 and P1 166 have
high affinity to colonize with strains 122 and 138 whereas Williams
was highly promiscuous to strain 123.
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 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 loosecoupling.
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
Abstract: This article examines the emergence and development
of the Kazakhstan species of humanism. The biggest challenge for
Kazakhstan in terms of humanism is connected with advocating
human values in parallel to promoting national interests; preserving
the continuity of traditions in various spheres of life, business and
culture. This should be a common goal for the entire society, the
main direction for a national intelligence, and a platform for the state
policy. An idea worth considering is a formation of national humanist
tradition model; the challenges are adapting people to live in the
context of new industrial and innovative economic conditions,
keeping the balance during intensive economic development of the
country, and ensuring social harmony in the society.
Abstract: This study explores how the mechanics of learning
paves the way to engineering innovation. Theories related to learning
in the new product/service innovation are reviewed from an
organizational perspective, behavioral perspective, and engineering
perspective. From this, an engineering team-s external interactions
for knowledge brokering and internal composition for skill balance
are examined from a learning and innovation viewpoints. As a result,
an integrated learning model is developed by reconciling the
theoretical perspectives as well as developing propositions that
emphasize the centrality of learning, and its drivers, in the
engineering product/service development. The paper also provides a
review and partial validation of the propositions using the results of a
previously published field study in the aerospace industry.
Abstract: Imperfect transmission conditions modeling a thin reactive 2D interphases layer between two dissimilar bonded strips have been extracted. In this paper, the soundness of these transmission conditions for heat conduction problems are examined by the finite element method for a strong temperature-dependent source or sink and non-monotonic temperature distributions around the faces..
Abstract: This paper examines whether or not immigration has a positive influence on the duration of unemployment, in a macroeconomic perspective. We analyse also whether the degree of labor market integration can influence migration. The integration of immigrants into the labor market is a recurrence theme in the work on the economic consequences of immigration. However, to our knowledge, no researchers have studied the impact of immigration on unemployment duration, and vice versa. With two methodology of research (panel estimations (OLS and 2SLS) and panel cointegration techniques), we show that migration seems to influence positively the short-term unemployment and negatively long-term unemployment, for 14 OECD destination countries. In addition, immigration seems to be conditioned by the structural and institutional characteristics of the labour market.
Abstract: Classical Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) codes C that contain their dual codes can be used to construct quantum stabilizer codes this chapter studies the properties of such codes. It had been shown that a BCH code of length n which contains its dual code satisfies the bound on weight of any non-zero codeword in C and converse is also true. One impressive difficulty in quantum communication and computation is to protect informationcarrying quantum states against undesired interactions with the environment. To address this difficulty, many good quantum errorcorrecting codes have been derived as binary stabilizer codes. We were able to shed more light on the structure of dual containing BCH codes. These results make it possible to determine the parameters of quantum BCH codes in terms of weight of non-zero dual codeword.
Abstract: The complex structure of lignocellulose leads to great
difficulties in converting it to fermentable sugars for the ethanol
production. The major hydrolysis impediments are the crystallinity of
cellulose and the lignin content. To improve the efficiency of
enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial pretreatment of corncob was
investigated using two bacterial strains of Bacillus subtilis A 002 and
Cellulomonas sp. TISTR 784 (expected to break open the crystalline
part of cellulose) and lignin-degrading fungus, Phanerochaete
sordida SK7 (expected to remove lignin from lignocellulose). The
microbial pretreatment was carried out with each strain under its
optimum conditions. The pretreated corncob samples were further
hydrolyzed to produce reducing glucose with low amounts of
commercial cellulase (25 U·g-1 corncob) from Aspergillus niger. The
corncob samples were determined for composition change by X-ray
diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),
and scanning electron microscope (SEM). According to the results,
the microbial pretreatment with fungus, P. sordida SK7 was the most
effective for enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis, approximately, 40%
improvement.
Abstract: Researchers investigate arious strategies to develop composite beams and maximize the structural advantages. This study
attempted to conduct experiments and analysis of changes in the
neutral axis of positive moments of a Green Beam. Strain
compatibility analysis was used, and its efficiency was demonstrated
by comparing experimental and analytical values. In the comparison of
neutral axis, the difference between experimental and analytical values
was found to range from 8.8~26.2%. It was determined that strain
compatibility analysis can be useful for predicting the behaviors of
composite beams, with the ability to predict the behavior of not only
the elastic location of the composite member, but also of the plastic
location
Abstract: There are many virtual payment systems available to
conduct micropayments. It is essential that the protocols satisfy the
highest standards of correctness. This paper examines the Netpay
Protocol [3], provide its formalization as automata model, and prove
two important correctness properties, namely absence of deadlock
and validity of an ecoin during the execution of the protocol. This
paper assumes a cooperative customer and will prove that the
protocol is executing according to its description.