Abstract: Agricultural machinery industry plays an important
role in the industrial development especially the production industry
of the country. There has been continuing development responding to
the higher demand of the production. However, the problem in
agricultural machinery production still exists. Thus, the purpose of
this research is to investigate problems on fundamental factors of
industry based on the entrepreneurs’ point of view. The focus was on
the small and medium size industry receiving factory license type
number 0660 from the Department of Industrial Works. The
investigation was on the comparison between the management of the
small and medium size agricultural industry in 3 provinces in the
central region of Thailand. Population in this study consisted of 189
company managers or managing directors, of which 101 were from
the small size and 88 were from the medium size industry. The data
were analyzed to find percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard
deviation with independent sample T-test at the statistical
significance .05. The results showed that the small and medium size
agricultural machinery manufacturers in the central region of
Thailand reported high problems in every aspect. When compared the
problems on basic factors in running the business, it was found that
there was no statistically difference at .05 in managing of the small
and medium size agricultural machinery manufacturers. However,
there was a statistically significant difference between the small and
medium size agricultural machinery manufacturers on the aspect of
policy and services of the government. The problems reported by the
small and medium size agricultural machinery manufacturers were
the services on public tap water and the problem on politic and
stability of the country.
Abstract: Ensuring of continuity of business is basic strategy of
every company. Continuity of organization activities includes
comprehensive procedures that help in solving unexpected situations
of natural and anthropogenic character (for example flood, blaze,
economic situations). Planning of continuity operations is a process
that helps identify critical processes and implement plans for the
security and recovery of key processes. The aim of this article is to
demonstrate application of system approach to managing business
continuity called business continuity management systems in military
issues. This article describes the life cycle of business continuity
management which is based on the established cycle PDCA (Plan-
Do-Check-Act). After this is carried out by activities which are
making by University of Defence during activation of forces and
means of the integrated rescue system in case of emergencies -
accidents at a nuclear power plant in Czech Republic. Activities of
various stages of deployment earmarked forces and resources are
managed and evaluated by using MCMS application (Military
Continuity Management System).
Abstract: The goal of this paper is to specify factors influencing
the profitability of selected banks. Next, a model will be created to
help establish variables that have a demonstrable influence on the
development of the selected banks' profitability ratios. Czech banks
and their international parent companies were selected for analyzing
profitability. Banks categorized as large banks (according to the
Czech National Bank's system, which ranks banks according to
balance sheet total) were selected to represent the Czech banks. Two
ratios, the return on assets ratio (ROA) and the return on equity ratio
(ROE) are used to assess bank profitability. Six endogenous and four
external indicators were selected from among other factors that
influence bank profitability. The data analyzed were for 2001–2013.
First, correlation analysis, which was supposed to eliminate
correlated values, was conducted. A large number of correlated
values were established on the basis of this analysis. The strongly
correlated values were omitted. Despite this, the subsequent
regression analysis of profitability for the individual banks that were
selected did not confirm that the selected variables influenced their
profitability. The studied factors' influence on bank profitability was
demonstrated only for Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka and Société
Générale using regression analysis. For Československa Obchodni
Banka, it was demonstrated that inflation level and the amount of the
central bank's interest rate influenced the return on assets ratio and
that capital adequacy and market concentration influenced the return
on equity ratio for Société Générale.
Abstract: We have studied the temporal characteristics of
bistable perception of the stimuli of two types: one involves
alterations in a perceived depth and another one has an ambiguous
content. We used the Necker lattice and lines of shadowed circles
ambiguously perceived either as spheres or holes as stimuli of the
first type. The Winson figure (the Eskimo/Indian picture) was a
stimulus of the second type. We have analyzed how often the
reversals occurred (reversal rate) and for how long each of the two
interpretations, or percepts, was observed during one presentation
(stability durations). For all three ambiguous images the reversal rate
and the stability durations had similar values, which provide another
evidence for a significant role of top-down processes in multistable
perception.
Abstract: Political participation involves voluntary and
deliberate efforts by the members of a political system to determine
the kinds of political institution and individuals that will govern them
and equally influence the mobilization and allocation of the available
societal resources. Over the years, youths in Nigeria participate
actively in political party rallies and voting to elect their leaders and
representatives in governance. This paper examines categories and
nature of participation in politics as well as factors that drive youths
into politics in Sokoto State. A survey conducted, through focus
group discussions, interviews and questionnaire, in the six sampled
Local Government of Sokoto State identifies three category of
political participation; namely, active, moderate and apathetic
participation. The findings reveal that 63.57% of respondents are
apathetic to politics in the State and unemployed youth constitutes
34.74% of the entire responses. The paper establishes that lack of
attainment of need (63.22%) is one of the reasons that make youths
engage into participatory activities that encourage political thuggery
and manipulation of electoral outcomes. The paper recommends that
youths should be engaged into positive rational participatory
activities that ensure inclusiveness and promotion of good
governance in Nigeria. It is hoped that this will enlighten youths and
policy implementers on the constructive strategies in controlling
youths’ negative participation in politics in Nigeria.
Abstract: Rotary entrainment is a phenomenon in which the
interface of two immiscible fluids are subjected to external flux by
means of rotation. Present work reports the experimental study on
rotary motion of a horizontal cylinder between the interface of air and
water to observe the penetration of gas inside the liquid. Experiments
have been performed to establish entrainment of air mass in water
alongside the cylindrical surface. The movement of tracer and seeded
particles has been tracked to calculate the speed and path of the
entrained air inside water. Simplified particle image velocimetry
technique has been used to trace the movement of particles/tracers at
the moment they are injected inside the entrainment zone and
suspended beads have been used to replicate the particle movement
with respect to time in order to determine the flow dynamics of the
fluid along the cylinder. Present paper establishes a thorough experimental analysis of the
rotary entrainment phenomenon between air and water keeping in
interest the extent to which we can intermix the two and also to study
its entrainment trajectories.
Abstract: Monitoring the conditions of rotating machinery, such
as bearings, is important in order to improve the stability of work.
Acoustic Emission (AE) and vibration analysis are some of the most
accomplished techniques used for this purpose. Acoustic emission
has the ability to detect the initial phase of component degradation.
Moreover, it has been observed that vibration analysis is not as
successful at low rotational speeds (below 100 rpm). This because the
energy generated within this speed region is not detectable using
conventional vibration. From this perspective, this paper has
presented a brief review of using acoustic emission techniques for
monitoring bearing conditions.
Abstract: The Com-Poisson (CMP) model is one of the most
popular discrete generalized linear models (GLMS) that handles
both equi-, over- and under-dispersed data. In longitudinal context,
an integer-valued autoregressive (INAR(1)) process that incorporates
covariate specification has been developed to model longitudinal
CMP counts. However, the joint likelihood CMP function is
difficult to specify and thus restricts the likelihood-based estimating
methodology. The joint generalized quasi-likelihood approach
(GQL-I) was instead considered but is rather computationally
intensive and may not even estimate the regression effects due
to a complex and frequently ill-conditioned covariance structure.
This paper proposes a new GQL approach for estimating the
regression parameters (GQL-III) that is based on a single score vector
representation. The performance of GQL-III is compared with GQL-I
and separate marginal GQLs (GQL-II) through some simulation
experiments and is proved to yield equally efficient estimates as
GQL-I and is far more computationally stable.
Abstract: Despite all the wide research and literature on the
subject, changing and challenging times often present themselves
with new objectives, fluid politics, and everlasting point of views.
Much is said about the subject and the trend nowadays is watching
every European Union (EU) intervention as a form of neo
colonialism or a form of establishing new markets. The paper will try to establish a perspective on EU influences,
policies and impacts analyzed from multidimensional point of view,
not limiting itself on a narrow external dimension, focusing on a
broader understanding of it diverse contribution to global governance
and peace keeping. Tending to be critical, this paper tends to fall out of extremes,
nether holding a Eurocentric position, nor falling for cheap critic to
the whole failures and impact of EU policies. The ambition is to
show EU as a contributing factor while keeping in mind its nature as
a multi layered actor and with not necessarily coinciding interests
among its member states.
Abstract: The 1:1 cocrystal of 2-amino-4-chloro-6-
methylpyrimidine (2A4C6MP) with 4-methylbenzoic acid (4MBA)
(I) has been prepared by slow evaporation method in methanol,
which was crystallized in monoclinic C2/c space group, Z = 8, and a
= 28.431 (2) Å, b = 7.3098 (5) Å, c = 14.2622 (10) Å and β =
109.618 (3)°. The presence of unionized –COOH functional group in
cocrystal I was identified both by spectral methods (1H and 13C
NMR, FTIR) and X-ray diffraction structural analysis. The
2A4C6MP molecule interact with the carboxylic group of the
respective 4MBA molecule through N—H⋯O and O—H⋯N
hydrogen bonds, forming a cyclic hydrogen–bonded motif R2
2(8).
The crystal structure was stabilized by Npyrimidine—H⋯O=C and
C=O—H⋯Npyrimidine types hydrogen bonding interactions.
Theoretical investigations have been computed by HF and density
function (B3LYP) method with 6–311+G (d,p)basis set. The
vibrational frequencies together with 1H and 13C NMR chemical
shifts have been calculated on the fully optimized geometry of
cocrystal I. Theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the
experimental results. Solvent–free formation of this cocrystal I is
confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis.
Abstract: It is very important for a developing nation to
developing their infrastructure on the prime priority because their
infrastructure particularly their roads and transportation functions as a
blood in the system. Almost 1.1 billion populations share the travel
and transportation industry in India. On the other hand, the Pakistan
transportation industry is also extensive and elevating about 170
million users of transportation. Indian and Pakistani specifically
within bus industry are well connected within and between the urban
and rural areas. The transportation industry is radically helping the
economic alleviation of both countries. Due to high economic
instability, unemployment and poverty rate both countries
governments are very serious and committed to help for boosting
their economy. They believe that any form of transportation
development would play a vital role in the development of land,
infrastructure which could indirectly support many other industries’
developments, such as tourism, freighting and shipping businesses,
just to mention a few. However, it seems that their previous
transportation planning in the due course has failed to meet the fast
growing demand. As with the span of time, both the countries are
looking forward to a long-term, and economical solutions, because
the demand is from time to time keep appreciating and reacting
according to other key economic drivers. Content analysis method
and case study approach is used in this paper and secondary data
from the bureau of statistic is used for case analysis. The paper
focused on the mobility concerns of the lower and middle-income
people in India and Pakistan. The paper is aimed to highlight the
weaknesses, opportunities and limitations resulting from low priority
industry for a government, which is making the either country's
public suffer. The paper has concluded that the main issue is
identified as the slow, inappropriate, and unfavorable decisions which
are not in favor of long-term country’s economic development and
public interest. The paper also recommends to future research
avenues for public and private transportation, which is continuously
failing to meet the public expectations.
Abstract: The floor beams of steel buildings, cold-formed steel
floor joists in particular, often require large web openings, which may
affect their shear capacities. A cost effective way to mitigate the
detrimental effects of such openings is to weld/fasten reinforcements.
A difficulty associated with an experimental investigation to establish
suitable reinforcement schemes for openings in shear zone is that
moment always coexists with the shear, and thus, it is impossible to
create pure shear state in experiments, resulting in moment
influenced results. However, Finite Element Method (FEM) based
analysis can be conveniently used to investigate the pure shear
behaviour of webs including webs with reinforced openings. This
paper presents the details associated with the finite element analysis
of thick/thin-plates (representing the web of hot-rolled steel beam,
and the web of a cold-formed steel member) having a large
reinforced opening. The study considered simply-supported
rectangular plates subjected to in-plane shear loadings until failure
(including post-buckling behaviour). The plate was modelled using
geometrically non-linear quadrilateral shell elements, and non-linear
stress-strain relationship based on experiments. Total Langrangian
with large displacement/small strain formulation was used for such
analyses. The model also considered the initial geometric
imperfections. This study considered three reinforcement schemes,
namely, flat, lip, and angle reinforcements. This paper discusses the
modelling considerations and presents the results associated with the
various reinforcement schemes under consideration.
Abstract: The rapid development technology and widespread
Internet make business environment changing a lot. In order to stand in
the global market and to keep subsistence, “changing” is unspoken
rule for the company’s survival. The purpose of this paper is building
up change model by using SWOT, strategy map, KPI and change
management theory. The research findings indicate that the company
needs to deal with employee’s resistance emotion firstly before
building up change model. The ways of providing performance
appraisal reward, consulting and counseling mechanisms that will
great help to achieve reducing staff negative emotions and motivate
staff’s efficiencies also. To revise strategy map, modify corporate
culture, and improve internal operational processes which is based on
change model. Through the change model, the increasing growth rate
of net income helps company to achieve the goals and be a leading
brand of precision machinery industry.
Abstract: Audio visual communication is a type of collective
expression. Due to inform the masses, give direction to opinions, and
establish public opinion, audio visual communication must be
subjected to special restrictions. This has been stipulated in both the
Constitution and the European Human Rights Agreement. This paper
aims to review freedom of expression and its restriction in audio
visual media. For this purpose, the authorization of the Radio and
Television Supreme Council to impose sanctions as an independent
administrative authority empowered to regulate the field of audio
visual communication has been reviewed with regard to freedom of
expression and its limits.
Abstract: Anaerobic digestion is a well-known technique for
sustainable energy recovery from sewage sludge. However, sewage
sludge digestion is restricted due to certain factors. Pre-treatment
methods have been established in various publications as a promising
technique to improve the digestibility of the sewage sludge and to
enhance the biogas generated which can be used for energy recovery.
In this study, continuous flow microwave (MW) pre-treatment with
different intensities were compared by using 5 L semi-continuous
digesters at a hydraulic retention time of 27 days. We focused on the
effects of MW at different intensities on the sludge solubilization,
sludge digestibility, and biogas production of the untreated and MW
pre-treated sludge. The MW pre-treatment demonstrated an increase
in the ratio of soluble chemical oxygen demand to total chemical
oxygen demand (sCOD/tCOD) and volatile fatty acid (VFA)
concentration. Besides that, the total volatile solid (TVS) removal
efficiency and tCOD removal efficiency also increased during the
digestion of the MW pre-treated sewage sludge compared to the
untreated sewage sludge. Furthermore, the biogas yield also
subsequently increases due to the pre-treatment effect. A higher MW
power level and irradiation time generally enhanced the biogas
generation which has potential for sustainable energy recovery from
sewage treatment plant. However, the net energy balance tabulation
shows that the MW pre-treatment leads to negative net energy production.
Abstract: The post-rain puddles problem that occurs in the first
yard of Prambanan Temple are often disturbing visitor activity. A
poodle layer and a drainage system had ever built to avoid such a
problem, but puddles still did not stop appearing after rain.
Permeability parameter needs to be determined by using a simpler
procedure to find exact method of solution. The instrument modelling
was proposed according to the development of field permeability
testing instrument. This experiment used a proposed Constant
Discharge method. Constant Discharge method used a tube poured
with constant water flow from unsaturated until saturated soil
condition. Volumetric water content (θ) were monitored by soil
moisture measurement device. The results were correlations between
k and θ which were drawn by numerical approach from Van
Genutchen model. Parameters θr optimum value obtained from the
test was at very dry soil. Coefficient of permeability with a density of
19.8 kN/m3 for unsaturated conditions was in range of 3 x 10-6
cm/sec (Sr=68%) until 9.98 x 10-4 cm/sec (Sr=82%). The equipment
and testing procedure developed in this research was quite effective,
simple and easy to be implemented on determining field soil
permeability coefficient value of sandy soil. Using constant discharge
method in proposed permeability test, value of permeability
coefficient under unsaturated condition can be obtained without
establish soil water characteristic curve.
Abstract: Routing in adhoc networks is a challenge as nodes are
mobile, and links are constantly created and broken. Present ondemand
adhoc routing algorithms initiate route discovery after a path
breaks, incurring significant cost to detect disconnection and
establish a new route. Specifically, when a path is about to be broken,
the source is warned of the likelihood of a disconnection. The source
then initiates path discovery early, avoiding disconnection totally. A
path is considered about to break when link availability decreases.
This study modifies Adhoc On-demand Multipath Distance Vector
routing (AOMDV) so that route handoff occurs through link
availability estimation.
Abstract: In this paper, the unstable angle of attack of a
FOXTROT aircraft is controlled by using Genetic Algorithm based
flight controller and the result is compared with the conventional
techniques like Tyreus-Luyben (TL), Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) and
Interpolation Rule (IR) for tuning the PID controller. In addition, the
performance indices like Mean Square Error (MSE), Integral Square
Error (ISE), and Integral Absolute Time Error (IATE) etc. are
improved by using Genetic Algorithm. It was established that the
error by using GA is very less as compared to the conventional
techniques thereby improving the performance indices of the
dynamic system.
Abstract: Millions of girls are forcibly married during the
transitional period between puberty and adulthood. At a stage of
vulnerability cultural practices, religious rights and social standards
place her in a position where she is catapult into womanhood. An
advocate against forced child marriage could argue that child rights,
cultural rights, religious rights, right to marry, right to life, right to
health, right to education, right to be free from slavery, right to be
free from torture, right to consent to marriage are all violated by the
practice of child marriage. The author is this advocate and this paper
will present how some of these rights are violated and establish the
need for change.
Abstract: This paper discusses the thematic structure of Yoruba
popular music of Southwest Nigeria. It examines the use of themes
and variations in early and contemporary Juju music. The work is an
outcome of a research developed by the author in his doctoral studies
at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, with the aim of analyzing the
thematic and motivic developments in Yoruba popular genres.
Observations, interviews, live recordings and CDs were used as
methods for eliciting information. Field recordings and CDs of
selected musical samples were also transcribed and notated. The
research established the prevalent use of string of themes by Juju
musicians as a compositional technique in moving from one musical
section to another, as they communicate the verbal messages in their
song. These themes consist of the popular ‘call and response’ form
found in most African music, analogous to the western ‘subject and
answer’ style of the fugue or sonata form, although without the tonic–
dominant relations. Due to the short and repetitive form of African
melodies and rhythms, a theme is restated as a variation, where its
rhythmic and melodic motifs are stylistically developed and repeated,
but still retaining its recognizable core musical structure. The
findings of this study showed that Juju musicians generally often
employ a thematic plan where new themes are used to arrange the
songs into sections, and each theme is developed into variations in
order to further expand the music, eliminate monotony, and create
musical aesthetics, serving as hallmark of its musical identity. The
study established the musical and extra-musical attributes of the
genre, while recommending further research towards analyzing the
various compositional techniques employed in African popular
genres.