Abstract: The present study deals with the characterization of
CrSiN coatings obtained by PVD magnetron sputtering systems.
CrSiN films were deposited with different Si contents, in order to
check the effect of at.% variation on the different properties of the
Cr–N system. Coatings were characterized by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) for thickness measurements, X-ray diffraction.
Surface morphology and the roughness characteristics were explored
using AFM, Mechanicals properties, elastic and plastic deformation
resistance of thin films were investigated using nanoindentation test. We observed that the Si addition improved the hardness and the
Young’s modulus of the Cr–N system. Indeed, the hardness value is
18,56 GPa for CrSiN coatings. Besides, the Young’s modulus value
is 224,22 GPa for CrSiN coatings for Si content of 1.2 at.%.
Abstract: The present study seeks to investigate the application
of expansion strategy in Persian subtitles of English crime movies.
More precisely, this study aims at classifying the different types of
expansion used in subtitles as well as investigating the
appropriateness or inappropriateness of the application of each type.
To achieve this end, three movies; namely, The Net (1995), Contact
(1997) and Mission Impossible 2 (2000), available with Persian
subtitles, were selected for the study. To collect the data, the above
mentioned movies were watched and those parts of the Persian
subtitles in which expansion had been used were identified and
extracted along with their English dialogs. Then, the extracted
Persian subtitles were classified based on the reason that led to
expansion in each case. Next, the appropriateness or
inappropriateness of using expansion in the extracted Persian
subtitles was descriptively investigated. Finally, an equivalent not
containing any expansion was proposed for those cases in which the
meaning could be fully transferred without this strategy. The findings
of the study indicated that the reasons range from explicitation
(explicitation of visual, co-textual and contextual information),
mistranslation and paraphrasing to the preferences of subtitlers.
Furthermore, it was found that the employment of expansion strategy
was inappropriate in all cases except for those caused by explicitation
of contextual information since correct and shorter equivalents which
were equally capable of conveying the intended meaning could be
posited for the original dialogs.
Abstract: Friction stir welding and tungsten inert gas welding
techniques were employed to weld armor grade aluminum alloy to
investigate the effect of welding processes on tensile behavior of
weld joints. Tensile tests, Vicker microhardness tests and optical
microscopy were performed on developed weld joints and base metal.
Welding process influenced tensile behavior and microstructure of
weld joints. Friction stir welded joints showed tensile behavior better
than tungsten inert gas weld joints.
Abstract: This paper presents the influence of the vertical
seismic component on the non-linear dynamics analysis of three
different structures. The subject structures were analyzed and
designed according to recent codes. This paper considers three types
of buildings: 5-, 10-, and 15-story buildings. The non-linear
dynamics analysis of the structures with assuming elastic-perfectlyplastic
behavior was performed using RAM PERFORM-3D software;
the horizontal component was taken into consideration with and
without the incorporation of the corresponding vertical component.
Dynamic responses obtained for the horizontal component acting
alone were compared with those obtained from the simultaneous
application of both seismic components. The results show that the
effect of the vertical component of ground motion may increase the
axial load significantly in the interior columns and, consequently, the
stories. The plastic mechanisms would be changed. The P-Delta
effect is expected to increase. The punching base plate shear of the
columns should be considered. Moreover, the vertical component
increases the input energy when the structures exhibit inelastic
behavior and are taller.
Abstract: Objectives: To determine the nutritional status and
risk factors associated with women practicing geophagia in QwaQwa,
South Africa. Materials and Methods: An observational epidemiological study
design was adopted which included an exposed (geophagia) and nonexposed
(control) group. A food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and blood sampling were applied to
determine nutritional status of participants. Logistic regression
analysis was performed in order to identify factors that were likely to
be associated with the practice of geophagia. Results: The mean total energy intake for the geophagia group (G)
and control group (C) were 10324.31 ± 2755.00 kJ and 10763.94 ±
2556.30 kJ respectively. Both groups fell within the overweight
category according to the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of each
group (G= 25.59 kg/m2; C= 25.14 kg/m2). The mean serum iron
levels of the geophagia group (6.929 μmol/l) were significantly lower
than that of the control group (13.75 μmol/l) (p = 0.000). Serum
transferrin (G=3.23g/l; C=2.7054g/l) and serum transferrin saturation
(G=8.05%; C=18.74%) levels also differed significantly between
groups (p=0.00). Factors that were associated with the practice of
geophagia included haemoglobin (Odds ratio (OR):14.50), serumiron
(OR: 9.80), serum-ferritin (OR: 3.75), serum-transferrin (OR:
6.92) and transferrin saturation (OR: 14.50). A significant negative
association (p=0.014) was found between women who were wageearners
and those who were not wage-earners and the practice of
geophagia (OR: 0.143; CI: 0.027; 0.755). These findings seem to
indicate that a permanent income may decrease the likelihood of
practising geophagia. Key Findings: Geophagia was confirmed to be a risk factor for
iron deficiency in this community. The significantly strong
association between geophagia and iron deficiency emphasizes the
importance of identifying the practice of geophagia in women,
especially during their child bearing years.
Abstract: Processing of high-silicon bauxite on the base of the
traditional clinkering method is related to high power consumption
and capital investments, which makes production of alumina from
those ores non-competitive in terms of basic economic showings. For
these reasons, development of technological solutions enabling to
process bauxites with various chemical and mineralogical structures
efficiently with low level of thermal power consumption is important.
Flow sheet of the studies on washability of ores from the Timanskoe
and the Severo-Onezhskoe deposits is on the base of the flotation
method.
Abstract: This paper tries to answer to the questions whether or
not trade openness causes economic growth and trade policy changes
are good for Turkey as a developing country in global economy
before and after 1980. We employ Johansen co-integration and
Granger causality tests with error correction modeling based on
vector autoregressive. Using WDI data from the pre-1980 and the
post-1980, we find that trade openness and economic growth are cointegrated
in the second term only. Also the results suggest a lack of
long-run causality between our two variables. These findings may
imply that trade policy of Turkey should concentrate more on extra
complementary economic reforms.
Abstract: The research explores the relationship between
management responsibility and corporate governance of listed
companies in Kazakhstan. This research employs firm level data of
selected listed non-financial firms and firm level data “operational”
financial sector, consisted from banking sector, insurance companies
and accumulated pension funds using multivariate regression analysis
under fixed effect model approach. Ownership structure includes
institutional ownership, managerial ownership and private investor’s
ownership. Management responsibility of the firm is expressed by the
decision of the firm on amount of leverage. Results of the cross
sectional panel study for non-financial firms showed that only
institutional shareholding is significantly negatively correlated with
debt to equity ratio. Findings from “operational” financial sector
show that leverage is significantly affected only by the CEO/Chair
duality and the size of financial institutions, and insignificantly
affected by ownership structure. Also, the findings show, that there is
a significant negative relationship between profitability and the debt
to equity ratio for non-financial firms, which is consistent with
pecking order theory. Generally, the found results suggest that
corporate governance and a management responsibility play
important role in corporate performance of listed firms in
Kazakhstan.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship
between organizational commitment which is defined as a strong
belief in and acceptance of the organization’s goals and values, and
burnout syndrome and organizational cynicism. Accordingly, a field
research based on survey method was conducted on the employees of
a health institution operating in the province of Konya. The findings
of the research show that there is a positive statistically significant
relationship between organizational cynicism and burnout while
there is a negative statistically significant relationship between
organizational commitment and burnout. Furthermore, it has been
also realized that there is a negative and statistically significant
relationship between organizational commitment and organizational
cynicism.
Abstract: Since the last decade, there has been a rapid growth in
digital multimedia, such as high-resolution media files and threedimentional
movies. Hence, there is a need for large digital storage
such as Hard Disk Drive (HDD). As such, users expect to have a
quieter HDD in their laptop. In this paper, a jury test has been
conducted on a group of 34 people where 17 of them are students
who are the potential consumer, and the remaining are engineers who
know the HDD. A total 13 HDD sound samples have been selected
from over hundred HDD noise recordings. These samples are
selected based on an agreed subjective feeling. The samples are
played to the participants using head acoustic playback system, which
enabled them to experience as similar as possible the same
environment as have been recorded. Analysis has been conducted and
the obtained results have indicated different group has different
perception over the noises. Two neural network-based acoustic
annoyance models are established based on back propagation neural
network. Four psychoacoustic metrics, loudness, sharpness,
roughness and fluctuation strength, are used as the input of the
model, and the subjective evaluation results are taken as the output.
The developed models are reasonably accurate in simulating both
training and test samples.
Abstract: Recently, numerous documents including large
volumes of unstructured data and text have been created because of the
rapid increase in the use of social media and the Internet. Usually,
these documents are categorized for the convenience of users. Because
the accuracy of manual categorization is not guaranteed, and such
categorization requires a large amount of time and incurs huge costs.
Many studies on automatic categorization have been conducted to help
mitigate the limitations of manual categorization. Unfortunately, most
of these methods cannot be applied to categorize complex documents
with multiple topics because they work on the assumption that
individual documents can be categorized into single categories only.
Therefore, to overcome this limitation, some studies have attempted to
categorize each document into multiple categories. However, the
learning process employed in these studies involves training using a
multi-categorized document set. These methods therefore cannot be
applied to the multi-categorization of most documents unless
multi-categorized training sets using traditional multi-categorization
algorithms are provided. To overcome this limitation, in this study, we
review our novel methodology for extending the category of a
single-categorized document to multiple categorizes, and then
introduce a survey-based verification scenario for estimating the
accuracy of our automatic categorization methodology.
Abstract: Research has shown that techno-entrepreneurship is
economically significant. Therefore, it is suggested that teaching
techno-entrepreneurship may be important because such programmes
would prepare current and future generations of learners to recognise
and act on high-technology opportunities. Education in technoentrepreneurship
may increase the knowledge of how to start one’s
own enterprise and recognise the technological opportunities for
commercialisation to improve decision-making about starting a new
venture; also it influence decisions about capturing the business
opportunities and turning them into successful ventures. Universities
can play a main role in connecting and networking technoentrepreneurship
students towards a cooperative attitude with real
business practice and industry knowledge. To investigate and answer
whether education for techno-entrepreneurs really helps, this paper
choses a comparison of literature reviews as its method of research.
After reviewing literature related to the impact of technoentrepreneurship
education on self-employment 6 studies which had
similar aim and objective to this paper were. These particular papers
were selected based on a keywords search and as their aim,
objectives, and gaps were close to the current research. In addition,
they were all based on the influence of techno-entrepreneurship
education in self-employment and intention of students to start new
ventures. The findings showed that teaching techno-entrepreneurship
education may have an influence on students’ intention and their
future self-employment, but which courses should be covered and the
duration of programmes, needs further investigation.
Abstract: This paper studies a mathematical model based on the
integral equations for dynamic analyzes numerical investigations of a
non-uniform or multi-material composite beam. The beam is
subjected to a sub-tangential follower force and elastic foundation.
The boundary conditions are represented by generalized
parameterized fixations by the linear and rotary springs. A
mathematical formula based on Euler-Bernoulli beam theory is
presented for beams with variable cross-sections. The non-uniform
section introduces non-uniformity in the rigidity and inertia of beams
and consequently, more complicated equilibrium who governs the
equation. Using the boundary element method and radial basis
functions, the equation of motion is reduced to an algebro-differential
system related to internal and boundary unknowns. A generalized
formula for the deflection, the slope, the moment and the shear force
are presented. The free vibration of non-uniform loaded beams is
formulated in a compact matrix form and all needed matrices are
explicitly given. The dynamic stability analysis of slender beam is
illustrated numerically based on the coalescence criterion. A realistic
case related to an industrial chimney is investigated.
Abstract: New and more powerful communications technologies
continue to emerge at a rapid pace and their uses in education are
widespread and the impact remarkable in the developing societies.
This study investigates Mobile Collaboration Learning Technique
(MCLT) on learners’ outcome among students in tertiary institutions
of developing nations (a case of Nigeria students). It examines the
significance of retention achievement scores of students taught using
mobile collaboration and conventional method. The sample consisted
of 120 students using Stratified random sampling method. Five
research questions and hypotheses were formulated, and tested at
0.05 level of significance. A student achievement test (SAT) was
made of 40 items of multiple-choice objective type, developed and
validated for data collection by professionals. The SAT was
administered to students as pre-test and post-test. The data were
analyzed using t-test statistic to test the hypotheses. The result
indicated that students taught using MCLT performed significantly
better than their counterparts using the conventional method of
instruction. Also, there was no significant difference in the post-test
performance scores of male and female students taught using MCLT.
Based on the findings, the following submissions was made that:
Mobile collaboration system be encouraged in the institutions to
boost knowledge sharing among learners, workshop and training
should be organized to train teachers on the use of this technique,
schools and government should consistently align curriculum
standard to trends of technological dictates and formulate policies
and procedures towards responsible use of MCLT.
Abstract: In this work, we attempt to associate firm
characteristics with innovative activity. We collect microdata from
listed firms of selected Eurozone Country-members, after the
beginning of 2007 financial crisis. The following literature, several
indicators of growth and performance were selected and tested for
their ability to interpret innovative activity. The main scope is to
examine the possible differences in performance and growth between
innovative and non-innovative firms, during a severe recession.
Additionally to that, a special focus will be held on whether
macroeconomic performance and national innovation system,
determines the extent of innovators' performance. Preliminary
findings, through correlation matrices and non-parametric tests,
strongly indicate the positive relation between innovative activity and
most of the measures used (profitability, size, employment),
confirming that even during a recessionary period, innovative firms
not only survive but also seem to succeed better economic results in
almost all indexes relative to non-innovative. However, even though
innovators seem to perform better in all economies examined, the
extent of that performance seems to be strongly affected by the
supportive mechanisms (financial and structural) that their country
provides. Thus, it is clear, that the technologically intensive 'gap'
between European South and North, during the economic crisis,
became chaotic, due to the harsh austerity measures and reduced
budgets in those countries, even in sectors with high potentials in
economic activity and employment, impairing the effects of crisis and
enhancing the vicious circle of recession.
Abstract: Predicting earnings management is vital for the capital
market participants, financial analysts and managers. The aim of this
research is attempting to respond to this query: Is there a significant
difference between the regression model and neural networks’
models in predicting earnings management, and which one leads to a
superior prediction of it? In approaching this question, a Linear
Regression (LR) model was compared with two neural networks
including Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and Generalized
Regression Neural Network (GRNN). The population of this study
includes 94 listed companies in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE)
market from 2003 to 2011. After the results of all models were
acquired, ANOVA was exerted to test the hypotheses. In general, the
summary of statistical results showed that the precision of GRNN did
not exhibit a significant difference in comparison with MLP. In
addition, the mean square error of the MLP and GRNN showed a
significant difference with the multi variable LR model. These
findings support the notion of nonlinear behavior of the earnings
management. Therefore, it is more appropriate for capital market
participants to analyze earnings management based upon neural
networks techniques, and not to adopt linear regression models.
Abstract: Environmental and functional conditions, sometimes,
necessitate the architectural plan of the building to be asymmetric,
and this result in an asymmetric structure. In such cases finding an
optimal pattern for locating the components of lateral load bearing
system, including shear walls, in the building’s plan is desired. In
case of shear wall in addition to the location the shape of the wall
cross-section is also an effective factor. Various types of shear walls
and their proper layout might come effective in better stiffness
distribution and more appropriate seismic response of the building.
Several studies have been conducted in the context of analysis and
design of shear walls; however, few studies have been performed on
making decisions for the location and form of shear walls in multistory
buildings, especially those with irregular plan. In this study, an
attempt has been made to obtain the most reliable seismic behavior of
multi-story reinforced concrete vertically chamfered buildings by
using more appropriate shear walls form and arrangement in 7-, 10-,
12-, and 15-stoy buildings. The considered forms and arrangements
include common rectangular walls and L-, T-, U- and Z-shaped plan,
located as the core or in the outer frames of the building structure.
Comparison of seismic behaviors of the buildings, including
maximum roof displacement and particularly formation of plastic
hinges and their distribution in the buildings’ structures, have been
done based on the results of a series of nonlinear time history
analyses, by using a set of selected earthquake records. Results show
that shear walls with U-shaped cross-section, placed as the building
central core, and also walls with Z-shaped cross-section, placed at the
corners give the building more reliable seismic behavior.
Abstract: The purpose of the study is to find out relation of
moral massage between the authority and globalization in proverb.
Proverb is one of the many forms of cultural identity of the
Indonesian/Malay people filled with moral values. The values
contained within those proverbs are beneficial not only to the society,
but also to those who held power amidst on this era of globalization.
The method being used is qualitative research through content
analysis which is done by describing and uncovering the forms and
meanings of proverbs used within Indonesia Minangkabau society.
Sources for this study’s data were extracted from a Minangkabau
native speaker in the sub district of Tanah Abang, Jakarta. Said
sources were retrieved through a series of interviews with the
Minangkabau native speaker, whose speech is still adorned with
idiomatic expressions. The research findings show that there are 30
existed proverbs or idiomatic expressions in the Minangkabau
language often used by its indigenous people. The thirty data contain
moral values which are closely interwoven with the matter of power
and globalization. Analytical results show that the fourteen moral
values contained within proverbs reflect a firm connection between
rule and power in globalization; such as: responsible, brave,
togetherness and consensus, tolerance, politeness, thorough and
meticulous, honest and keeping promise, ingenious and learning,
care, self-correction, be fair, alert, arbitrary, self-awareness.
Structurally, proverbs possess an unchangeably formal construction;
symbolically, proverbs possess meanings that are clearly decided
through ethnographic communicative factors along with situational
and cultural contexts. Values contained within proverbs may be used
as a guide in social management, be it between fellow men, between
men and nature, or even between men and their Creator. Therefore,
the meanings and values contained within the morals of proverbs
could also be utilized as a counsel for those who rule and in charge of
power in order to stem the tides of globalization that had already
spread into sectoral, territorial and educational continuums.
Abstract: Three purified diets were formulated using fish meal,
soya bean, wheat flour, palm oil, minerals and maltose. The
carbohydrate in the diets was increased from 5 to 15% by changing
the cellulose content to study the effect of dietary carbohydrate level
on the growth parameters of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. The
protein and the lipid contents were kept constant in all the diets. The
results showed that, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio, net protein
utilisation and hepatosomatic index of fish fed the diet containing
15% cellulose were the lowest among all groups. Addition, the fish
fed the diet containing 5% cellulose had the best specific growth rate,
and food conversion ratio. While, there was no effect of the dietary
cellulose levels on condition factor and survival rate. These results
indicate that Nile tilapia fingerlings are able to utilize dietary
cellulose does not exceed 10% in their feed for optimum growth.
Abstract: Analyzing the relation networks between the hospital
buildings which have complex structure and distinctive spatial
relationships is quite difficult. The hospital buildings which require
specialty in spatial relationship solutions during design and selfinnovation
through the developing technology should survive and
keep giving service even after the disasters such as earthquakes. In
this study, a hospital building where the load-bearing system was
strengthened because of the insufficient earthquake performance and
the construction of an additional building was required to meet the
increasing need for space was discussed and a comparative spatial
evaluation of the hospital building was made with regard to its status
before the change and after the change. For this reason, spatial
organizations of the building before change and after the change were
analyzed by means of Space Syntax method and the effects of the
change on space organization parameters were searched by applying
an analytical procedure. Using Depthmap UCL software,
Connectivity, Visual Mean Depth, Beta and Visual Integration
analyses were conducted. Based on the data obtained after the
analyses, it was seen that the relationships between spaces of the
building increased after the change and the building has become more
explicit and understandable for the occupants. Furthermore, it was
determined according to findings of the analysis that the increase in
depth causes difficulty in perceiving the spaces and the changes
considering this problem generally ease spatial use.