Experimental Compression Tests on the Stability of Structural Steel Tabular Props

Experimental studies are presented in this paper on the stability of structural steel props. Three full-scale prop specimens with various geometric properties were constructed and tested statically and elastically in the lab, in order to obtain the elastic strength of the props. The total unsupported length is 6 m for the three props. The outer and inner diameters are 150 mm and 140 mm, 138 mm and 132 mm for the outer and the inner lengths, respectively. Each specimen consisted of two pipes, one sliding inside the other for a certain length, and tightened together by three 20 mm bolts. Three different (outer, inner and inserted) length combinations were tried in order to maximize the elastic buckling capacity of the whole prop. The three props were loaded up to elastic buckling using R.SM/RCS flat jack cylinders with 30 tons (295 kN) capacity. Based on the experimental results, it can be concluded that the typical failure mode of steel prop is the elastic global buckling. The elastic buckling strength of the prop was found to be sensitive to the inserted length of the upper pipe. The prop buckling capacity increases with increasing the inserted length

Agile Programming: as a CMS development Methodology

Content Management Systems (CMS) development is a fairly new concept in the field of web software engineering. Most CMS’s start as a free application that starts as developers on the net work on and modify the source code for the application. Developers from all parts of the world improve, adapt, and fix application bugs and issues. Developers work on voluntary basis on a project of their choice. As the need for new requirements becomes evident, the application is enhanced by adding new objects, modules by developers. This process is performed very rapidly compared to conventional software development methodologies. This paper shall follow an explorative approach to content management system development methodology using agile programming and introducing Extreme Programming (XP) as a Content Management System development methodology. Keywords: Agile Programming, Content Management System, Open Source System

The role of business intelligence in knowledge sharing: a Case Study at Al-Hikma Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company

This case study attempted to find the role of Business Intelligence (BI) in Knowledge Sharing at Al-Hikma Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company in Jordan. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to the number of (75) employees. A number of (68) questionnaires were returned, (7) were rejected for incomplete responses and (61) responses (81 percent response rate) were applied in data analyses. The results indicates that the impact of Online Analytical Processing on the Knowledge Sharing is significant. It also indicated that there is some sort of impact of Data Mining on Knowledge Sharing. Additionally the results shows that there was a significant impact of Data Warehousing on Knowledge Sharing. The findings of the study indicates that the Business Intelligence tools that had a greatest impact on Knowledge Sharing are, respectively: Online Analytical Processing, Data Warehousing, and Data Mining. Keywords: Business Intelligence, Knowledge Sharing, Pharmaceutical Industry

A Comparative Earthquakes Risk Assessment Approach Applied to the United Arab Emirates

This paper presents the preliminary results of a long research project on the assessment and mitigation of seismic risk in major cities in the UAE. UAE’s earthquake activity has long been recognized as one of the lowest in the world. All cities have experienced moderate earthquakes in the past, and will again do in the future. Recent earthquakes in Iran (e.g., Bam in 2003, --- in 2005) have killed thousands of people. Because of the different design and construction practices, different population density concentrations and economic activities in the UAE, different damages and losses are likely to be experienced. The impact of an earthquake is not limited to direct losses, such as the loss of life, loss of structures and business interruptions. Earthquakes also cause indirect losses by producing supply shortages and demand reductions in various economic sectors. In a country such as the UAE, which is undergoing an unprecedented constructionbased development with high-rise buildings being the main feature, a large earthquake in a major city can actually cause a considerable economic loss. In this study, a framework for assessing and comparing the risk associated with the adverse consequences of earthquakes in the UAE is presented. The framework is based on a simple risk-characterization model that is used to assess the health risks associated with toxic chemicals. The model: Risk = D × RF × Pop × ER, adopted to fit our purpose of estimating the risk associated with the consequences of earthquakes, the various parameters in the above mentioned model are translated as follows: Dose (D)= seismic “force” at a specific location or weighted for an area; Response Factor (RF) = degree of damage or losses per unit “force”; Population (Pop) = a factor representing exposed population. Equivalent populations may also include exposed environment or exposed infrastructure. Emergency Response (ER) = effectiveness of available emergency response programs to reduce risk immediately as the adverse effects take place. It should be noted that emergency response in this case is different than deliberate risk management. First, the earthquake hazard and risk in the UAE, including the estimation of the amplitudes of the ground motion parameters, is stochastically assessed. Then the comparative risk framework to assess the relative impacts on people and buildings in the seven emirates and the major cities of the UAE is applied. The result is a ranking system for risk that is being integrated within a geographic information system (GIS). The database is intended for detailed development to maximize benefits to the various stake holders in the community

EFFECT OF ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING ON RESILIENCE AMONG EARLY-ADOLESCENTS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of assertive training on early-adolescents‘ improvement of resilience. The training which consisted of 10 sessions of 50 minutes each was conducted at Army Day Secondary School in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. A total of 24 students aged 10-12 years were used for the study. Pre-test post test experimental and control group design was used with some observation also made. Randomisation assignment was used to draw the 14 (8 male and 6 female) students to experimental and 10 (male and female) student to control groups. Researcher made early-adolescents‘ resilience scale (P.R.S) were used as instruments. Experts in the field of Guidance and Counselling validated the instruments for both pre-test and post-test. A test retest was employed at interval of two weeks to test for the reliability co-efficient of the instrument; Spearman‘s product moment correlation method was used to test the result. The correlated coefficients of early-adolescents‘ resilience scale = 0.84. The summary of the research questions and hypothesis answered showed that there was positive effect of assertiveness training on improvement of resilience on respondents. The assertiveness training showed more improvement on resilience of the girls than that of the boys. From the statistical analysis, we conclude that the assertive training has been able to improve the level of resilience on the experimental group. This result shows that both the male and female was affected equally by the assertiveness training. There were higher scores from the experimental group and for that we attribute it to the effect of assertive training on them. The observation carried out by the researcher and the teachers has a positive outcome. Recommendation was made for the need of counselling units in schools

Optimization of Support Structures for Offshore Wind Turbines Using Genetic Algorithm with Domain-Trimming

The powerful genetic algorithm optimization technique is augmented with an innovative “domain-trimming” modification. The resulting adaptive, high-performance technique is called Genetic Algorithm with Domain-Trimming (GADT). As a proof of concept, the GADT is applied to a widely used benchmark problem. The 10-dimensional truss optimization benchmark problem has well documented global and local minima. The GADT is shown to outperform several published solutions. Subsequently, the GADT is deployed onto three-dimensional structural design optimization for offshore wind turbine supporting structures. The design problem involves complex least-weight topology as well as member size optimizations. The GADT is applied to two popular design alternatives: tripod and quadropod jackets. The two versions of the optimization problem are nonlinearly constrained where the objective function is the material weight of the supporting truss. The considered design variables are the truss members end node coordinates, as well as the cross-sectional areas of the truss members, whereas the constraints are the maximum stresses in members and the maximum displacements of the nodes. These constraints are managed via dynamically modified, nonstationary penalty functions. The structures are subject to gravity, wind, wave, and earthquake loading conditions. The results show that the GADT method is superior in finding best discovered optimal solutions

The Effect of Entrepreneurial Orientation Dimensions on E-Marketing Capability toward Social Media Application: A Case Study on YouTube Live Stream

This research aims to study the effects and impact of entrepreneurial orientation dimensions on e-marketing capability toward social media applications (SMAs), and the dimensions affecting the firm performance in the international airlines. 350 research questionnaires have been collected based on respondents of the international airline’s passengers. The Statistical (SPSS) version 22 was used analyze the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and descriptive analysis was directed statistics. The results illustrate that inequality in entrepreneurial orientation dimensions (EOD) impact on e-marketing capability. At the time that airlines tend to integrate their social media application to obtain a global view, encourage coordinated efforts throughout the different passenger's touch points. The results show that a significant effect of e-marketing capability, and YouTube for e-business services on the firm performance. This study concluded that contributes about how airlines passengers use social media applications from different airlines’ entrepreneurial orientation. Finally, the results show that entrepreneurial orientation dimensions (Innovativeness, Competitive aggressiveness, and Proactiveness) has a significant, positive effect on e-marketing capability, But the effects of autonomy on e-marketing capability are not significant Moreover, all of the four dimensions of group effectiveness have significant, positive effects on airlines performance. E-marketing capability and YouTube usage passengers also have significant, positive effects on airlines performance

What Impact does ahrefs.com has on Search Engine Optimization

Search engines optimization is the number one method for guaranteeing exposure on the world wide web. There are many tools out there used by Search Engine Optimizers (SEO’s). Search Engine Optimization involves using tools and techniques to improve the ranking and visibility of websites by search engines. Ahrefs is a useful tool used to investigate the Search Engine Optimization of websites by reviewing back links to and from websites. This research explores the hidden benefits and advantages of using Ahrefs as a tool for optimizing a website search engine indexing

Understanding the Knowledge Sharing Capabilities of LMS: an exploratory research

The objective of this research is to understand the knowledge sharing capabilities of Learning Management Systems among professors and researchers; this exploratory qualitative research was implemented on a focus group comprised of MIS and E-business professors at applied science university. The researcher used in depth interviews to collect research data from professors using an open source Learning Management Systems. Most of the professors thought that Learning Management Systems enhance Knowledge Sharing among their peers. Professors can share lecture notes, power point presentations, electronic books, quizzes, exam questions, case studies and other learning materials. Our research findings indicate that learning management systems are an excellent tools for the transfer of knowledge in a university setting and are considered a true source of knowledge creation, captures, transform, collaborate and share.&nbsp

Business Intelligence in the Mobile Era

Business intelligence is related to the use of computer applications to analyze and evaluate organization’s economic data. In simple terms Business Intelligence is the use of data mining, online analytical processing, querying and reporting on data warehousing to extract information needed for strategic decision making process at the organizational level thereby reducing costs and creating new business opportunities. Mobile Business Intelligence is the use of mobile devices, hand help pc’s and smart phones in addition to mobile networks to acquire business intelligence information that is needed for organization decision making process. This research shall explore the potential of using BI application in today’s volatile and expanding information technology advancements which shall be reflected in higher efficiency in business processes, improvement in employee productivity, better and faster decision making, better customer service, and delivery of real-time bi-directional data access to make decisions anytime and anywhere