The impact of corporate characteristics on social and environmental disclosure (CSED):the case of Jordan

The corporate business environment is surrounded by strong public scrutiny from diverse stakeholder groups that are calling on businesses to accept accountability for not only their financial actions, but also the non-financial implications of their activities. Many corporate businesses are today paying attention to the needs of their stakeholders of social and environmental information. As such, in this study we examined how corporate characteristics could influence the amount of Corporate Social and Environmental Disclosure (CSED) in the manufacturing sector in Jordan. Firm size, profitability, audit firm, ownership, type of industry and financial market level are the main factors examined in this study. Drawing from Ernst and Ernst methodology, the study developed a disclosure index to measure the amount of CSED for three years (2010, 2011 and 2012). Using panel data regression, we model the relationship between disclosure amount and the key drivers of CSED via random effect estimation. The results of our model indicated that the firm size, type of audit firm and financial performance in Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) are significantly associated with the amount of CSED. On the other hand, we also find that firm profitability, age, type of industry and ownership are not related to the practices of CSED

Near Real Time Processing of NOAA AVHRR Satellite Data

This thesis describes near real time processing of NOAA AVHRR satellite raw data which includes automatic geocoding approach followed by cloud masking techniques and sea surface temperature extraction algorithm implemented over South China Sea. For geocoding of the images an orbital model has been used followed by Earth location determination algorithms. Different models have been implemented based on radiative transfer equations for extracting sea surface temperature fro m satellite data, namely single channel, split-window, spatiotemporal split-window technique and multichannel sea surface temperature. There are five cloud masking techn iques namely gross cloud check, spatial coherence method, dynamic visible and near infrared method, ratio of near infrared reflectance to visible reflectance and channel difference method have been implemented. The accuracy of the geocoding is within 2-10 km. Sea surface temperature from satellite data has been compared with ground truth data and standard deviation for sea surface temperature is within 0.1 - 0.75 degree Celsius. The cloud masking techniques are capable to produce non contaminated pixels in the imagery. All the works have been carried out by customization of EASI/PACE environment of PCI software and the developed techniques are fully automatic in nature. These developments can be used for fish forecasting and monitoring of oil spill over Malaysian sea water

In-Situ Studies of Polymer Processing for Optimised Structure and Properties

The transformation from a molten polymer to a crystalline solid product is a complex process. We show how special x-ray/rheology tools can be used to follow the development of structure during flow and the subsequent crystallization process and to identify the critical steps in this transformation. We have found that time-resolving x-ray scattering studies are a valuable approach, especially when coupled with other in-situ techniques such as neutron scattering and ex-situ methods such as electron microscopy.  We illustrate the use of these tools with a study of the crystallization of polyethylene blends after being subject to shear flow in the melt. The resultant crystal textures and hence properties are strongly dependent on the shear strain imposed in the melt. High shear strain in the melt leads to a high density of row nuclei which serve to template the subsequent crystal growth.  The microscopy on the final samples provides a complementary technique which offers valuable information on the spatial distribution of the morphology

Industrial location analysis of Sudan

The present study is a modest attempt to analyse industrial location in Sudan, and to explain existing location patterns and industrial localization. Future industrial location trends are examined in the light of past and present development. The commitment to non-industrialisation in Sudan during the colonial regime has had a pronounced impact on the post independence spatial distribution of industry. Thus investment policies and development in the pre-independence period are investigated with reference to the set objectives and prevailing opportunities in Chapter Two. Private capital investment was insignificant compared with the public sector which was under taking 'commercial plantation' and infrastructural capital outlay. However, business and trade was the domain of private entrepreneurship. Public and private sectors were nonetheless complementary to each other and their activities were co-ordinated in what is termed the 'charter government system'. Structural transformation and economic growth (Chapter Three) is seen as a manifestation of this co-ordination and partnership. Planned non industrialisation, 'growth through trade', and primary export base are all attributed to the development endeavour of this period. An industrial location theory specific to developing countries is expounded in the Prime Base theory (Chapter Pour). Localization of industry according to this theory seems inevitable in many other prime bases of developing countries. In the second part, Sudan's industrial activity is investigated within the context of contemporary urban and regional development. In Chapter Five the spatial organisation of the industrial activity in the Prime Base is analysed in some detail, and the regional distribution and pattern of industry in Sudan is examined in Chapter Six. The emergence of secondary bases is seen as part of the economic process, and could be developed to realise industrial regionalisation. Chapter Seven is a case study of cotton-seed oil to test existing localization as against the 'theoretical optimum' according to classical location theory. Chapter Eight analyses human and natural resources in relation to regional development and future prospects for industrial location. Some suggestions are offered, and policy issues are raised in the concluding remarks

Synthesis And Characterization Of Zno Nanostructures Using Physical Vapor Deposition And Electrochemical Deposition For Optoelectronic Applications

ZnO nanostructures were grown by simple techniques to develop ZnO-based semiconductor photodetectors (PDs) for UV detection. This work employed two techniques, first, physical vapor deposition (PVD) and second, electrochemical deposition (ECD) techniques. In the PVD process, condensed Zn vapor is reacted with oxygen via vapor solid mechanism in three-zone tube furnace. The source material for PVD was pure Zn powder evaporated under different reaction conditions. Variations in the reaction time, substrates, and temperature in the furnace were found to control the growth mechanism and morphology of the ZnO nanostructures. For instance, high quality 1D ZnO nanostructures (Rods) were achieved on SiO2 using ZnO thin film as a buffer layer. Also, it was possible to grow tetrapods-like ZnO (TPs) and nanowires with different diameters and lengths as confirmed via SEM imaging. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements at room temperature showed a dominant peak related to a near-band-edge emission at approximately 376 nm with an additional peak related to green-band emission at approximately 520 nm.The highest near-band emission to green band emission ratio of 1D ZnO nanostructures grown on Si(111) could result from the high crystallinity of the fabricated nanostructure. Raman spectra measurements show four peaks, of which E2 high was the dominant peak. The shift in this dominant peak from 437 cm-1 provided accurate information of the stress in the ZnO film lattice

Innovation and Adaptation: The Primary Digital Initiatives of Morocco in Education, Teleworking, and E-Administration for Enhanced Management of the Covid-19 Crisis

The Covid-19 pandemic constituted an unprecedented disruption to the Moroccan economy and society, forcing public authorities to accelerate the digital transition in order to ensure the continuity of essential services and productive activities. Although digital tools have proven to be opportune in addressing health challenges, they have also revealed the extent of the digital divide with the exclusion of rural populations from online platforms. Teleworking has demonstrated its operational efficiency but raises managerial challenges such as remote management of employees. The crisis has disrupted traditional management patterns, requiring in-depth reflection on the evolution of digital-based management methods. Regarding the education sector, the assessment of ICT equipment in schools predicted the inability to deploy distance learning accessible to all in an equitable manner. This partial digitalization has hindered the objective of pedagogical continuity. In summary, while digital technologies have enabled the continuation of activities, this crisis reveals the need to accelerate digital transformation in Morocco to bridge the digital divide and adapt managerial practices to the new challenges of teleworking.  The Covid-19 pandemic constituted an unprecedented disruption to the Moroccan economy and society, forcing public authorities to accelerate the digital transition in order to ensure the continuity of essential services and productive activities. Although digital tools have proven to be opportune in addressing health challenges, they have also revealed the extent of the digital divide with the exclusion of rural populations from online platforms. Teleworking has demonstrated its operational efficiency but raises managerial challenges such as remote management of employees. The crisis has disrupted traditional management patterns, requiring in-depth reflection on the evolution of digital-based management methods. Regarding the education sector, the assessment of ICT equipment in schools predicted the inability to deploy distance learning accessible to all in an equitable manner. This partial digitalization has hindered the objective of pedagogical continuity. In summary, while digital technologies have enabled the continuation of activities, this crisis reveals the need to accelerate digital transformation in Morocco to bridge the digital divide and adapt managerial practices to the new challenges of teleworking. &nbsp

Customer Engagement Plans for Peak Load Reduction in Residential Smart Grids

In this paper, we propose and study the effectiveness of customer engagement plans that clearly specify the amount of intervention in customer's load settings by the grid operator for peak load reduction. We suggest two different types of plans, including Constant Deviation Plans (CDPs) and Proportional Deviation Plans (PDPs). We define an adjustable reference temperature for both CDPs and PDPs to limit the output temperature of each thermostat load and to control the number of devices eligible to participate in Demand Response Program (DRP). We model thermostat loads as power throttling devices and design algorithms to evaluate the impact of power throttling states and plan parameters on peak load reduction. Based on the simulation results, we recommend PDPs to the customers of a residential community with variable thermostat set point preferences, while CDPs are suitable for customers with similar thermostat set point preferences. If thermostat loads have multiple power throttling states, customer engagement plans with less temperature deviations from thermostat set points are recommended. Contrary to classical ON/OFF control, higher temperature deviations are required to achieve similar amount of peak load reduction. Several other interesting tradeoffs and useful guidelines for designing mutually beneficial incentives for both the grid operator and customers can also be identified

Problem-based learning to enhance students’ understanding and motivation for learning mechanics

This action research study sets out to investigate whether Problem-Based Learning (PBL) would enhance the technical students’ level of conceptual understanding and motivation for learning the subject of mechanics. This action research study involved a single classroom from a technical college where the instructional intervention was implemented for about 4 weeks (a total of 8 lessons). Quantitative data was generated through the administration of Pre and Post-tests, rubrics and questionnaires, while qualitative data was collected through lesson observations and interviews. Based on the results obtained, the sample students in general were found to make the desired improvement in their level of conceptual understanding of Mechanics. Comparison made based on a phase-test with a parallel group also showed that the sample students performed better than their immediate counterparts. With PBL, the students felt that focusing authentic engineering problems made the subject more relevant to their interests while the collaborative learning approach in the PBL setting made students share ideas and support each other thus enabled them to grasp the conceptual understanding required