Abstract: This paper examines economic and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development influence on recently increasing Internet purchases by individuals for European Union member states. After a growing trend for Internet purchases in EU27 was noticed, all possible regression analysis was applied using nine independent variables in 2011. Finally, two linear regression models were studied in detail. Conducted simple linear regression analysis confirmed the research hypothesis that the Internet purchases in analyzed EU countries is positively correlated with statistically significant variable Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDPpc). Also, analyzed multiple linear regression model with four regressors, showing ICT development level, indicates that ICT development is crucial for explaining the Internet purchases by individuals, confirming the research hypothesis.
Abstract: This paper presents a new study on the applications of
optimization and regression analysis techniques for optimal
calculation of partial ratios of four-step helical gearboxes for getting
minimal gearbox length. In the paper, basing on the moment
equilibrium condition of a mechanic system including four gear units
and their regular resistance condition, models for determination of the
partial ratios of the gearboxes are proposed. In particular, explicit
models for calculation of the partial ratios are proposed by using
regression analysis. Using these models, the determination of the
partial ratios is accurate and simple.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine and identify the
type of Iranian financial market in terms of being symmetrical or
asymmetrical and to measure relationship between type of market
and the market's indices. In this study, daily information on the
market-s Share Price Index, Industrial Index and Top Fifty Most
Active Companies during the years 1999-2010 has been used. In
addition, to determine type of the financial market, rate of return on
Security is taken into account. In this research, by using logistic
regression analysis methods, relationship of the market type with the
above mentioned indices have been examined. The results showed
that the type of the financial market has a positive significant
association with market share price index and Industrial Index. Index
of Top Fifty Most Active Companies is significantly associated with
type of financial market, however this relationship is inverse.
Abstract: Iran is one of the greatest producers of date in the
world. However due to lack of information about its viscoelastic
properties, much of the production downgraded during harvesting
and postharvesting processes. In this study the effect of temperature
and moisture content of product were investigated on stress
relaxation characteristics. Therefore, the freshly harvested date
(kabkab) at tamar stage were put in controlled environment chamber
to obtain different temperature levels (25, 35, 45, and 55 0C) and
moisture contents (8.5, 8.7, 9.2, 15.3, 20, 32.2 %d.b.). A texture
analyzer TAXT2 (Stable Microsystems, UK) was used to apply
uniaxial compression tests. A chamber capable to control temperature
was designed and fabricated around the plunger of texture analyzer to
control the temperature during the experiment. As a new approach a
CCD camera (A4tech, 30 fps) was mounted on a cylindrical glass
probe to scan and record contact area between date and disk.
Afterwards, pictures were analyzed using image processing toolbox
of Matlab software. Individual date fruit was uniaxially compressed
at speed of 1 mm/s. The constant strain of 30% of thickness of date
was applied to the horizontally oriented fruit. To select a suitable
model for describing stress relaxation of date, experimental data were
fitted with three famous stress relaxation models including the
generalized Maxwell, Nussinovitch, and Pelege. The constant in
mentioned model were determined and correlated with temperature
and moisture content of product using non-linear regression analysis.
It was found that Generalized Maxwell and Nussinovitch models
appropriately describe viscoelastic characteristics of date fruits as
compared to Peleg mode.
Abstract: Entrepreneurship has become an important and
extensively researched concept in business studies. Research on
foreign direct investment (FDI) has become widespread due to the
growth of FDI and its importance in globalization. Most
entrepreneurship studies examined the importance and influence of
entrepreneurial orientation in a micro-level context. On the other
hand, studies and research concerning FDI used statistical techniques
to analyze the effect, determinants, and motives of FDI on a
macroeconomic level, ignoring empirical studies on other noneconomic
determinants. In order to bridge the gap between the theory
and empirical evidence on FDI and the theory and research on
entrepreneurship, this study examines the impact of entrepreneurship
on inward foreign direct investment. The relationship between
entrepreneurship and foreign direct investment is investigated
through regression analysis of pooled time-series and cross-sectional
data. The results suggest that entrepreneurship has a significant effect
on FDI.
Abstract: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes is an
important joining process widely used in metal fabrication
industries. This paper addresses modeling and optimization of this
technique using a set of experimental data and regression analysis.
The set of experimental data has been used to assess the influence
of GMAW process parameters in weld bead geometry. The
process variables considered here include voltage (V); wire feed
rate (F); torch Angle (A); welding speed (S) and nozzle-to-plate
distance (D). The process output characteristics include weld bead
height, width and penetration. The Taguchi method and regression
modeling are used in order to establish the relationships between
input and output parameters. The adequacy of the model is
evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. In the
next stage, the proposed model is embedded into a Simulated
Annealing (SA) algorithm to optimize the GMAW process
parameters. The objective is to determine a suitable set of process
parameters that can produce desired bead geometry, considering
the ranges of the process parameters. Computational results prove
the effectiveness of the proposed model and optimization
procedure.
Abstract: This paper analyzed the perception of e-commerce
application services by construction material traders in Malaysia.
Five attributes were tested: usability, reputation, trust, privacy and
familiarity. Study methodology consists of survey questionnaire and
statistical analysis that includes reliability analysis, factor analysis,
ANOVA and regression analysis. The respondents were construction
material traders, including hardware stores in Klang Valley, Kuala
Lumpur.
Findings support that usability and familiarity with e-commerce
services in Malaysia have insignificant influence on the acceptance of
e-commerce application. However, reputation, trust and privacy
attributes have significant influence on the choice of e-commerce
acceptance by construction material traders. E-commerce
applications studied included customer database, e-selling, emarketing,
e-payment, e-buying and online advertising. Assumptions
are made that traders have basic knowledge and exposure to ICT
services. i.e. internet service and computers. Study concludes that
reputation, privacy and trust are the three website attributes that
influence the acceptance of e-commerce by construction material
traders.
Abstract: Abrasive waterjet is a novel machining process capable of processing wide range of hard-to-machine materials. This research addresses modeling and optimization of the process parameters for this machining technique. To model the process a set of experimental data has been used to evaluate the effects of various parameter settings in cutting 6063-T6 aluminum alloy. The process variables considered here include nozzle diameter, jet traverse rate, jet pressure and abrasive flow rate. Depth of cut, as one of the most important output characteristics, has been evaluated based on different parameter settings. The Taguchi method and regression modeling are used in order to establish the relationships between input and output parameters. The adequacy of the model is evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. The pairwise effects of process parameters settings on process response outputs are also shown graphically. The proposed model is then embedded into a Simulated Annealing algorithm to optimize the process parameters. The optimization is carried out for any desired values of depth of cut. The objective is to determine proper levels of process parameters in order to obtain a certain level of depth of cut. Computational results demonstrate that the proposed solution procedure is quite effective in solving such multi-variable problems.
Abstract: The LMS adaptive filter has several parameters which can affect their performance. From among these parameters, most papers handle the step size parameter for controlling the performance. In this paper, we approach three parameters: step-size, filter tap-size and filter form. The regression analysis is used for defining the relation between parameters and performance of LMS adaptive filter with using the system level simulation results. The results present that all parameters have performance trends in each own particular form, which can be estimated from equations drawn by regression analysis.
Abstract: Implementation of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to study the effects of two factor (rubber clearance and round per minute) in brown rice peeling machine of The optimal BROKENS yield (19.02, average of three repeats),.The optimized composition derived from RSM regression was analyzed using Regression analysis and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). At a significant level α = 0.05, the values of Regression coefficient, R 2 (adj)were 97.35 % and standard deviation were 1.09513. The independent variables are initial rubber clearance, and round per minute parameters namely. The investigating responses are final rubber clearance, and round per minute (RPM). The restriction of the optimization is the designated.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to study the factors
that influenced the success of mobile phone entrepreneurs at Central
Plaza. The sample group included 187 entrepreneurs at Central Plaza.
A questionnaire was utilized as a tool to collect data. Statistics used
in this research included frequency, percentage, mean, and standard
deviation. Independent- sample t- test, one way ANOVA, and
multiple regression analysis. Data were analyzed by using Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences.The findings disclosed that the
majority of respondents were male between 25-40 years old, and held
an undergraduate degree. The average income of respondents was
between 15,001-25,000 baht. The majority of respondents had less
than 5 years of working experience.
In terms of personality, the findings revealed that expression and
agreement were ranked at the highest level. Whereas, emotion
stability, consciousness, open to new experience were ranked at high.
From the hypotheses testing, the findings revealed that different
genders had different success in their mobile phone business with
different income from the last 6 months. However, difference in age,
income, level of education, and experience affected the success in
terms of income, number of customers, and overall success of
business. Moreover, the factors of personalities included expression,
agreement, emotion stability, consciousness, open to new experience,
and competitive strategy. From the findings, these factors were able
to predict mobile phone business success at 66.9 percent.
Abstract: User satisfaction is one of the most used success
indicators in the research of information system (IS). Literature
shows user expectations have great influence on user satisfaction.
Both expectation and satisfaction of users are important for Hospital
Information Systems (HIS). Education, IS experience, age, attitude
towards change, business title, sex and working unit of the hospital,
are examined as the potential determinant of the medical users’
expectations. Data about medical user expectations are collected by
the “Expectation Questionnaire” developed for this study.
Expectation data are used for calculating the Expectation Meeting
Ratio (EMR) with the evaluation framework also developed for this
study. The internal consistencies of the answers to the questionnaire
are measured by Cronbach´s Alpha coefficient. The multivariate
analysis of medical user’s EMRs of HIS is performed by forward
stepwise binary logistic regression analysis. Education and business
title is appeared to be the determinants of expectations from HIS.
Abstract: There are several approaches in trying to solve the
Quantitative 1Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) problem.
These approaches are based either on statistical methods or on
predictive data mining. Among the statistical methods, one should
consider regression analysis, pattern recognition (such as cluster
analysis, factor analysis and principal components analysis) or partial
least squares. Predictive data mining techniques use either neural
networks, or genetic programming, or neuro-fuzzy knowledge. These
approaches have a low explanatory capability or non at all. This
paper attempts to establish a new approach in solving QSAR
problems using descriptive data mining. This way, the relationship
between the chemical properties and the activity of a substance
would be comprehensibly modeled.
Abstract: Riprap is mostly used to prevent erosion by flows
down the steep slopes in river engineering. A total of 53 stability tests
performed on angular riprap with a median stone size ranging from
15 to 278 mm and slope ranging from 1 to 40% are used in this study.
The existing equations for the prediction of medium size of angular
stones are checked for their accuracy using the available data.
Predictions of median size using these equations are not satisfactory
and results show deviation by more than ±20% from the observed
values. A multivariable power regression analysis is performed to
propose a new equation relating the median size with unit discharge,
bed slope, riprap thickness and coefficient of uniformity. The
proposed relationship satisfactorily predicts the median angular stone
size with ±20% error. Further, the required size of the rounded stone
is more than the angular stone for the same unit discharge and the
ratio increases with unit discharge and also with embankment slope
of the riprap.
Abstract: The purposes of this research were 1) to study
consumer-based equity of luxury brands, 2) to study consumers-
purchase intention for luxury brands, 3) to study direct factors
affecting purchase intention towards luxury brands, and 4) to study
indirect factors affecting purchase intention towards luxury brands
through brand consciousness and brand equity to analyze information
by descriptive statistic and hierarchical stepwise regression analysis.
The findings revealed that the eight variables of the framework which
were: need for uniqueness, normative susceptibility, status
consumption, brand consciousness, brand awareness, perceived
quality, brand association, and brand loyalty affected the purchase
intention of the luxury brands (at the significance of 0.05). Brand
Loyalty had the strongest direct effect while status consumption had
the strongest indirect effect affecting the purchase intention towards
luxury brands. Brand consciousness and brand equity had the
mediators through the purchase intention of the luxury brands (at the
significance of 0.05).
Abstract: Enzymatic hydrolysis of starch from natural sources
finds potential application in commercial production of alcoholic
beverage and bioethanol. In this study the effect of starch
concentration, temperature, time and enzyme concentration were
studied and optimized for hydrolysis of Potato starch powder (of
mesh 80/120) into glucose syrup by immobilized (using Sodium
arginate) α-amylase using central composite design. The
experimental result on enzymatic hydrolysis of Potato starch was
subjected to multiple linear regression analysis using MINITAB 14
software. Positive linear effect of starch concentration, enzyme
concentration and time was observed on hydrolysis of Potato starch
by α-amylase. The statistical significance of the model was validated
by F-test for analysis of variance (p ≤ 0.01). The optimum value of
starch concentration, enzyme concentration, temperature, time and
were found to be 6% (w/v), 2% (w/v), 40°C and 80min respectively.
The maximum glucose yield at optimum condition was 2.34 mg/mL.
Abstract: Formulation of biological profile is one of the modern roles of forensic anthropologist. The present study was conducted to estimate height using foot and shoeprint length of Malaysian population. The present work can be very useful information in the process of identification of individual in forensic cases based on shoeprint evidence. It can help to narrow down suspects and ease the police investigation. Besides, stature is important parameters in determining the partial identify of unidentified and mutilated bodies. Thus, this study can help the problem encountered in cases of mass disaster, massacre, explosions and assault cases. This is because it is very hard to identify parts of bodies in these cases where people are dismembered and become unrecognizable. Samples in this research were collected from 200 Malaysian adults (100 males and 100 females) with age ranging from 20 to 45 years old. In this research, shoeprint length were measured based on the print of the shoes made from the flat shoes. Other information like gender, foot length and height of subject were also recorded. The data was analyzed using IBM® SPSS Statistics 19 software. Results indicated that, foot length has a strong correlation with stature than shoeprint length for both sides of the feet. However, in the unknown, where the gender was undetermined have shown a better correlation in foot length and shoeprint length parameter compared to males and females analyzed separately. In addition, prediction equations are developed to estimate the stature using linear regression analysis of foot length and shoeprint length. However, foot lengths give better prediction than shoeprint length.
Abstract: The paper investigates the relationship between the foreign direct investment (FDI) and the corporate governance or transparency by investigating the country-level FDI flows, FDI inward performance, corporate governance and transparency variables. From the regression analysis with Newey-West estimator of 28 country panel data from 1990- 2002, we find strong positive relationships between corporate governance or transparency level of hosting countries and FDI inward performance within hosting countries. A strong positive relationship is found between anti-director rights level or number of analysts of hosting countries and FDI inward performance within hosting countries. Also, we find a positive relationship between the number of analysts of hosting countries and FDI inflows. The empirical results are consistent with stock market liberalizations and corporate governance explanations of reasons for FDI.
Abstract: An inflation–extension test with human vena cava
inferior was performed with the aim to fit a material model. The vein
was modeled as a thick–walled tube loaded by internal pressure and
axial force. The material was assumed to be an incompressible
hyperelastic fiber reinforced continuum. Fibers are supposed to be
arranged in two families of anti–symmetric helices. Considered
anisotropy corresponds to local orthotropy. Used strain energy
density function was based on a concept of limiting strain
extensibility. The pressurization was comprised by four pre–cycles
under physiological venous loading (0 – 4kPa) and four cycles under
nonphysiological loading (0 – 21kPa). Each overloading cycle was
performed with different value of axial weight. Overloading data
were used in regression analysis to fit material model. Considered
model did not fit experimental data so good. Especially predictions
of axial force failed. It was hypothesized that due to
nonphysiological values of loading pressure and different values of
axial weight the material was not preconditioned enough and some
damage occurred inside the wall. A limiting fiber extensibility
parameter Jm was assumed to be in relation to supposed damage.
Each of overloading cycles was fitted separately with different values
of Jm. Other parameters were held the same. This approach turned out
to be successful. Variable value of Jm can describe changes in the
axial force – axial stretch response and satisfy pressure – radius
dependence simultaneously.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship
between the customers- issues in company corporate governance and
the financial performance. At the beginning theoretical background
consisting stakeholder theory and corporate governance is presented.
On this theoretical background, the empirical research is built,
collecting data of 60 Czech joint stock companies- boards
considering their relationships with customers. Correlation analysis
and multivariate regression analysis were employed to test the sample
on two hypotheses. The weak positive correlation between
stakeholder approach and the company size was identified. But both
hypotheses were not supported, because there was no significant
relation of independent variables to financial performance.