Abstract: Marketing is an essential issue to the survival of any
real estate company in Turkey. There are some factors which are
constraining the achievements of the marketing and sales strategies in
the Turkey real estate industry. This study aims to identify and
prioritise the most significant constraints to marketing in real estate
sector and new strategies based on those constraints. This study is
based on survey method, where the respondents such as credit
counsellors, real estate investors, consultants, academicians and
marketing representatives in Turkey were asked to rank forty seven
sub-factors according to their levels of impact. The results of Multiattribute
analytical technique indicated that the main subcomponents
having impact on marketing in real estate sector are interest rates, real
estate credit availability, accessibility, company image and consumer
real income, respectively. The identified constraints are expected to
guide the marketing team in a sales-effective way.
Abstract: Manganese steel (Hadfield) is one of the important
alloys in industry due to its special properties. High work hardening
ability with appropriate toughness and ductility are the properties that
caused this alloy to be used in wear resistance parts and in high
strength condition. Heat treatment is the main process through which
the desired mechanical properties and microstructures are obtained in
Hadfield steel. In this study various heat treatment cycles, differing in
austenising temperature, time and quenching solution are applied. For
this purpose, the same samples of manganese steel was heat treated in
9 different cycles, and then the mechanical properties and
microstructures were investigated. Based on the results of the study,
the optimum heat treatment cycle was obtained.
Abstract: Polyurethane foams (PUF) were formed by a chemical
reaction of polyol and isocyanate. The polyol was manufactured by
ring-opening hydrolysis of epoxidized soybean oil in the presence of
phosphoric acid under varying experimental conditions. Other
factors in the foam formulation such as water content and surfactant
were kept constant. The effect of the amount of solvents, phosphoric
acid, and their derivates in the foam formulation on the properties of
polyurethane foams were studied. The properties of the material were
measured via a number of parameters, which are water content of
prepared polyol, polymer density and cellular structures.
Abstract: The Brazilian legislation has only established
diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) in terms of Multiple Scan
Average Dose (MSAD) as a quality control parameter for computed
tomography (CT) scanners. Compliance with DRLs can be verified
by measuring the Computed Tomography Kerma Index (Ca,100) with
a pencil ionization chamber or by obtaining the kerma distribution in
CT scans with radiochromic films or rod shape lithium fluoride
termoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100). TL dosimeters were used
to record kerma profiles and to determine MSAD values of a Bright
Speed model GE CT scanner. Measurements were done with
radiochromic films and TL dosimeters distributed in cylinders
positioned in the center and in four peripheral bores of a standard
polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) body CT dosimetry phantom.
Irradiations were done using a protocol for adult chest. The
maximum values were found at the midpoint of the longitudinal axis.
The MSAD values obtained with three dosimetric techniques were
compared.
Abstract: In the current economy of increasing global
competition, many organizations are attempting to use knowledge as
one of the means to gain sustainable competitive advantage. Besides
large organizations, the success of SMEs can be linked to how well
they manage their knowledge. Despite the profusion of research
about knowledge management within large organizations, fewer
studies tried to analyze KM in SMEs.
This research proposes a new framework showing the determinant
role of organizational dimensions onto KM approaches. The paper
and its propositions are based on a literature review and analysis.
In this research, personalization versus codification,
individualization versus institutionalization and IT-based versus non
IT-based are highlighted as three distinct dimensions of knowledge
management approaches.
The study contributes to research by providing a more nuanced
classification of KM approaches and provides guidance to managers
about the types of KM approaches that should be adopted based on
the size, geographical dispersion and task nature of SMEs.
To the author-s knowledge, the paper is the first of its kind to
examine if there are suitable configurations of KM approaches for
SMEs with different dimensions. It gives valuable information, which
hopefully will help SME sector to accomplish KM.
Abstract: Interventional cardiologists are at greater risk from
radiation exposure as a result of the procedures they undertake than
most other medical specialists. A study was performed to evaluate
operator dose during interventional cardiology procedures and to
establish methods of operator dose reduction with a radiation
protective device. Different procedure technique and use of
protective tools can explain big difference in the annual equivalent
dose received by the professionals. Strategies to prevent and
monitor radiation exposure, advanced protective shielding and
effective radiation monitoring methods should be applied.
Abstract: This work presents a low-cost and eco-friendly
building material named Agrostone panel. Africa-s urban population
is growing at an annual rate of 2.8% and 62% of its population will
live in urban areas by 2050. As a consequence, many of the least
urbanized and least developed African countries- will face serious
challenges in providing affordable housing to the urban dwellers.
Since the cost of building materials accounts for the largest
proportion of the overall construction cost, innovating low-cost
building material is vital. Agrostone panel is used in housing projects
in Ethiopia. It uses raw materials of agricultural/industrial wastes
and/or natural minerals as a filler, magnesium-based chemicals as a
binder and fiberglass as reinforcement. Agrostone panel reduces the
cost of wall construction by 50% compared with the conventional
building materials. The pros and cons of Agrostone panel as well as
the use of other waste materials as a raw material to make the panel
more sustainable, low-cost and better properties are discussed.
Abstract: An autonomous environmental monitoring system
(Smart Landfill) has been constructed for the quantitative
measurement of the components of landfill gas found at borehole
wells at the perimeter of landfill sites. The main components of
landfill gas are the greenhouse gases, methane and carbon dioxide
and have been monitored in the range 0-5 % volume. This monitoring
system has not only been tested in the laboratory but has been
deployed in multiple field trials and the data collected successfully
compared with on-site monitors. This success shows the potential of
this system for application in environments where reliable gas
monitoring is crucial.
Abstract: Amazing development of the information technology,
communications and internet expansion as well as the requirements
of the city managers to new ideas to run the city and higher
participation of the citizens encourage us to complete the electronic
city as soon as possible. The foundations of this electronic city are in
information technology. People-s participation in metropolitan
management is a crucial topic. Information technology does not
impede this matter. It can ameliorate populace-s participation and
better interactions between the citizens and the city managers.
Citizens can proffer their ideas, beliefs and votes through digital
mass media based upon the internet and computerization plexuses on
the topical matters to receive appropriate replies and services. They
can participate in urban projects by becoming cognizant of the city
views. The most significant challenges are as follows: information
and communicative management, altering citizens- views, as well as
legal and office documents
Electronic city obstacles have been identified in this research. The
required data were forgathered through questionnaires to identify the
barriers from a statistical community comprising specialists and
practitioners of the ministry of information technology and
communication, the municipality information technology
organization.
The conclusions demonstrate that the prioritized electronic city
application barriers in Iran are as follows:
The support quandaries (non-financial ones), behavioral, cultural
and educational plights, the security, legal and license predicaments,
the hardware, orismological and infrastructural curbs, the software
and fiscal problems.
Abstract: This article proposes a new methodology to be used by SMEs (Small and Medium enterprises) to characterize their performance in quality, highlighting weaknesses and area for improvement. The methodology aims to identify the principal causes of quality problems and help to prioritize improvement initiatives. This is a self-assessment methodology that intends to be easy to implement by companies with low maturity level in quality. The methodology is organized in six different steps which includes gathering information about predetermined processes and subprocesses of quality management, defined based on the well-known Juran-s trilogy for quality management (Quality planning, quality control and quality improvement) and, predetermined results categories, defined based on quality concept. A set of tools for data collecting and analysis, such as interviews, flowcharts, process analysis diagrams and Failure Mode and effects Analysis (FMEA) are used. The article also presents the conclusions obtained in the application of the methodology in two cases studies.
Abstract: Since the pioneering work of Zadeh, fuzzy set theory has been applied to a myriad of areas. Song and Chissom introduced the concept of fuzzy time series and applied some methods to the enrollments of the University of Alabama. In recent years, a number of techniques have been proposed for forecasting based on fuzzy set theory methods. These methods have either used enrollment numbers or differences of enrollments as the universe of discourse. We propose using the year to year percentage change as the universe of discourse. In this communication, the approach of Jilani, Burney, and Ardil is modified by using the year to year percentage change as the universe of discourse. We use enrollment figures for the University of Alabama to illustrate our proposed method. The proposed method results in better forecasting accuracy than existing models.
Abstract: Austenite and Martensite indicate the phases of solids undergoing phase transformation which we usually associate with materials and not with living organisms. This article provides an overview of bacterial proteins and structures that are undergoing phase transformation and suggests its probable effect on mechanical behavior. The context is mainly within the role of phase transformations occurring in the flagellum of bacteria. The current knowledge of molecular mechanism leading to phase variation in living organisms is reviewed. Since in bacteria, each flagellum is driven by a separate motor, similarity to a Differential drive in case of four-wheeled vehicles is suggested. It also suggests the application of the mechanism in which bacteria changes its direction of movement to facilitate single point turning of a multi-wheeled vehicle. Finally, examples are presented to illustrate that the motion due to phase transformation of flagella in bacteria can start a whole new research on motion mechanisms.
Abstract: The paper which is dedicated to describing the effect
made by the “significant other", presents the new model of
interrelation between self-reflection, the “significant other"
phenomenon and aggression. Tendencies of direction and type
frustration response developments in detail are discussed. New
results have been received through designing of the original
experiment. It is based on modifications of the “Picture – Frustration
Study" test by S. Rosenzweig.
Abstract: Characteristics of ad hoc networks and even their existence depend on the nodes forming them. Thus, services and applications designed for ad hoc networks should adapt to this dynamic and distributed environment. In particular, multicast algorithms having reliability and scalability requirements should abstain from centralized approaches. We aspire to define a reliable and scalable multicast protocol for ad hoc networks. Our target is to utilize epidemic techniques for this purpose. In this paper, we present a brief survey of epidemic algorithms for reliable multicasting in ad hoc networks, and describe formulations and analytical results for simple epidemics. Then, P2P anti-entropy algorithm for content distribution and our prototype simulation model are described together with our initial results demonstrating the behavior of the algorithm.
Abstract: Growing world population has fundamental impacts
and often catastrophic on natural habitat. The immethodical
consumption of energy, destruction of the forests and extinction of
plant and animal species are the consequence of this experience.
Urban sustainability and sustainable urban development, that is so
spoken these days, should be considered as a strategy, goal and
policy, beyond just considering environmental issues and protection.
The desert-s climate has made a bunch of problems for its residents.
Very hot and dry climate in summers of the Iranian desert areas,
when there was no access to modern energy source and mechanical
cooling systems in the past, made Iranian architects to design a
natural ventilation system in their buildings. The structure, like a
tower going upward the roof, besides its ornamental application and
giving a beautiful view to the building, was used as a spontaneous
ventilation system. In this paper, it has been tried to name the
problems of the area and it-s inconvenience, then some answers has
pointed out in order to solve the problems and as an alternative
solution BADGIR (wind-catcher) has been introduced as a solution
knowing that it has been playing a major role in dealing with the
problems.
Abstract: It is essential to have a uniform and calm flow field
for a settling tank to have high performance. In general, the
recirculation zones always occurred in sedimentation tanks. The
presence of these regions may have different effects. The nonuniformity
of the velocity field, the short-circuiting at the surface and
the motion of the jet at the bed of the tank that occurs because of the
recirculation in the sedimentation layer, are affected by the geometry
of the tank. There are some ways to decrease the size of these dead
zones, which would increase the performance. One of the ways is to
use a suitable baffle configuration. In this study, the presence of
baffle with different position has been investigated by a finite volume
method, with VOF (Volume of Fluid) model. Besides, the k-ε
turbulence model is used in the numerical calculations. The results
indicate that the best position of the baffle is obtained when the
volume of the recirculation region is minimized or is divided to
smaller part and the flow field trend to be uniform in the settling
zone.
Abstract: The distinction among urban, periurban and rural areas represents a classical example of uncertainty in land classification. Satellite images, geostatistical analysis and all kinds of spatial data are very useful in urban sprawl studies, but it is important to define precise rules in combining great amounts of data to build complex knowledge about territory. Rough Set theory may be a useful method to employ in this field. It represents a different mathematical approach to uncertainty by capturing the indiscernibility. Two different phenomena can be indiscernible in some contexts and classified in the same way when combining available information about them. This approach has been applied in a case of study, comparing the results achieved with both Map Algebra technique and Spatial Rough Set. The study case area, Potenza Province, is particularly suitable for the application of this theory, because it includes 100 municipalities with different number of inhabitants and morphologic features.
Abstract: While financial institutions have faced difficulties
over the years for a multitude of reasons, the major cause of serious
banking problems continues to be directly related to lax credit
standards for borrowers and counterparties, poor portfolio risk
management, or a lack of attention to changes in economic or other
circumstances that can lead to a deterioration in the credit standing of
a bank's counterparties. Credit risk is most simply defined as the
potential that a bank borrower or counterparty will fail to meet its
obligations in accordance with agreed terms. The goal of credit risk
management is to maximize a bank's risk-adjusted rate of return by
maintaining credit risk exposure within acceptable parameters. Banks
need to manage the credit risk inherent in the entire portfolio as well
as the risk in individual credits or transactions. Banks should also
consider the relationships between credit risk and other risks. The
effective management of credit risk is a critical component of a
comprehensive approach to risk management and essential to the
long-term success of any banking organization. In this research we
also study the relationship between credit risk indices and borrower-s
timely payback in Karafarin bank.
Abstract: This paper adopts a notion of expectation-perception
gap of systems users as information systems (IS) failure. Problems
leading to the expectation-perception gap are identified and modelled
as five interrelated discrepancies or gaps throughout the process of
information systems development (ISD). It describes an empirical
study on how systems developers and users perceive the size of each
gap and the extent to which each problematic issue contributes to the
gap. The key to achieving success in ISD is to keep the expectationperception
gap closed by closing all 5 pertaining gaps. The gap model
suggests that most factors in IS failure are related to organizational,
cognitive and social aspects of information systems design.
Organization requirement analysis, being the weakest link of IS
development, is particularly worthy of investigation.
Abstract: There is lot of work done in prediction of the fault proneness of the software systems. But, it is the severity of the faults that is more important than number of faults existing in the developed system as the major faults matters most for a developer and those major faults needs immediate attention. In this paper, we tried to predict the level of impact of the existing faults in software systems. Neuro-Fuzzy based predictor models is applied NASA-s public domain defect dataset coded in C programming language. As Correlation-based Feature Selection (CFS) evaluates the worth of a subset of attributes by considering the individual predictive ability of each feature along with the degree of redundancy between them. So, CFS is used for the selecting the best metrics that have highly correlated with level of severity of faults. The results are compared with the prediction results of Logistic Models (LMT) that was earlier quoted as the best technique in [17]. The results are recorded in terms of Accuracy, Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). The results show that Neuro-fuzzy based model provide a relatively better prediction accuracy as compared to other models and hence, can be used for the modeling of the level of impact of faults in function based systems.