Effect of the raw material composition of fabrics on the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI)

The raw material composition of fabrics is one of the most important factors for LOI value. LOI value was determined in samples of varying composition composed of cellulose, protein, and synthetic fibers and their mixtures, based on ASTM D 2863-76. Cellulose fibers and their mixtures exhibited the lowest value, while synthetic fibers had the highest LOI value

ICT adoption model of chinese SMEs

Chinese SMEs have played an important role in stimulating economic growth, increasing employment, expanding exports and promoting science and technology innovations. In 2005 there were more than 10 million SMEs registered in the Industry and Commerce Department, accounting for 99 per cent of all registered corporations (UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific; China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, 2006). Further development of the Chinese as well as of all modern economies is dependent on the speed and effectiveness of the implementation of ICT based solutions in businesses. While large companies have been quick to adopt ICT solutions and technologies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have had more serious problems with the requirements and challenges of e-business. A number of ICT, e-commerce adoption methodologies have been suggested through literature most of this research, has however, focused on developed countries where the structure of the economy is common. There are only few studies that shed some light on prescribing strategies of ICT adoption for SMEs in developing countries, especially Chine. Furthermore, despite the enormous attention given to encourage SMEs to adopt ICT there has been little systematic research into the factors influencing, enabling and inhibiting the adoption of ICT within SMEs. In this article, author developed a model of ICT adoption of Chinese SMEs, founded on premises that the adoption and the use of ICT represent the fundamental source of competitiveness and the basis for firms’ survival in the world market. By applying the Qualitative-Comparative Analysis (QCA) method and Boolean algebra, author proposed a model of necessary and sufficient factors for ICT adoption by SMEs in Chine.Keywords: adoption models; Boolean Algebra; SMEs; case studies; ICT; qualitative comparative analysis (QCA)

ICT Adoption Policy of Australian and Croatian SMEs

Many SMEs are currently adopting information and communication technology (ICT) and services based on it. However, there is little systematic research into how they are doing this and what are the organisational and environmental factors associated with this adoption. In this article, the authors build the model of ICT adoption in Australian and Croatian SMEs, founded on premises that SMEs are the main economic developing factor in all modern economies and that the adoption and the use of ICT represents the fundamental source of competitiveness and the basis for their survival on the world market. By applying Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Boolean algebra, the authors developed a model of necessary and sufficient factors for ICT adoption by SMEs in Australia and Croatia.SMEs, ICT, adoption models, case studies, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), Boolean algebra

Criteria for the evaluation of business process simulation tools

This paper focuses on a process of simulation software packages selection in the context of business process change projects. The paper presents discrete event simulation, its relation to business process modelling and examples of its practical applications in business process change projects. Features of business process simulation tools are examined, the most important simulation features are identified and the criteria for their evaluation are defined. The guidelines that could help managers in the selection of business process simulation tools are proposed. The discussion addresses the limitations of the proposed guidelines. Finally, based on the conducted research and the evaluation criteria defined within the guidelines, some directions for the further improvement of business process simulation tools are given

Model Identification, Parameter Estimation, and Dynamic Flux Analysis of E. coli Central Metabolism

In this work are applied three global optimisation algorithms for adaptation of the mathematical model of the central metabolism of Escherichia coli to data obtained in the experiment with response to glucose impulse. Applied is the adaptive simplex method by Nelder-Mead, evolutionary algorithms of differential evolution, and simulated annealing. The original model has been modified by the following steps: closure of Entner- -Doudoroff pathway with pyruvate balance, introduction of phosphoenolpyruavate carboxylase and carboxykinase reactions in the balance of phosphoenolypyravate, account for loss of pyruvate in biomass synthesis, change in kinetic rate expressions for several enzymes, and partial re-estimation of the kinetic parameters by the global optimisation algorithms. The modified model correctly predicts observed oscillatory response to glucose impulse in concentrations of pyruvate and D-ribose-5-phosphate. To discern metabolic control, evaluated are dynamic intracellular fluxes by the model simulation around the following network branching metabolites: D-glucose-6-phosphate, 6-phospho-D-gluconate, glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate, and pyruvate. The simulation of the fluxes around phosphoenolypyruvate show that phosphoenolpyruavate carboxylase and carboxykinase (PEPCK) activity and phosphotransferase system (PTS) are closely dynamically tied, indicating that glycolysis and TCA metabolisms can not be separated under the given transient conditions. Overall model adequacy is evaluated by standarddeviations of the model predictions and experimental data for each metabolite

A systematic narrative review of literature on Catholic schools in Australia to better understand the role of School Leadership deploying and integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in this environment

Research literature within school education present school leaders with a range of roles deploying and integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Roles range from being critically important for success, being needed but to a lesser extent, through to not being needed at all. Australian Catholic schools operate in the same political and social context as schools from other sectors but assimilate the Catholic mission in what they do. To determine if the role of school leadership deploying and integrating ICT in Australian Catholic schools reflected literature from the broader education environment, this study carried out a systematic narrative literature review of nine recent relevant articles published in peer-reviewed journals. None of the studies reviewed were specifically about the role of school leaders deploying and integrating ICT, however, four reasons emerged from further analysis, as to how literature on Catholic schools describe the relationship between school leaders and ICT. Firstly, the relationship is one of many contexts relevant to schools. Secondly, it is one of many contexts of leadership. Thirdly, the relationship may or may not be considered relevant to researchers and subsequently considered, inferred or ignored in research design. Finally, there is ongoing Professional Development (PD) to support teachers deploy and integrate ICT in the classroom, but it is not clear to what extent, if any, is carried out for school leaders. Further questions arising from the study may reflect a greater need to better understand the role of leadership in Australian Catholic schools and influences deploying and integrating ICT

Numerical Study of Effects of Tsunami Wave Generated on Nankai Trough

Numerical techniques to simulate tsunami waves are described, and numerical results are introduced. A finite difference method is applied to shallow water equations to analize the propagation of tsunami wave. Numerical results to simulate a tsunami wave generated on the Nankai Trough are introduced

El diseño va al colegio: Oportunidades de Aplicación del Proceso de Diseño en la Educación Escolar Chilena [Design goes to school: Opportunities to apply the design process in Chilean school education]

El estado de desarrollo económico del país requiere de la formación de capital humano que domine habilidades de pensamiento superior, como pensamiento analítico, resolución creativa de problemas y colaboración; todas competencias que se despliegan ampliamente durante el proceso de diseño. A nivel escolar, esto no se resuelve solo con cambios curriculares, sino que requiere de la capacitación de profesores. Hay evidencia empírica de la aplicación en el extranjero de design thinking en el ámbito educativo, entre estudiantes y profesores. Sin embargo, su importación puede no resultar efectiva dadas las diferencias culturales y particularidades del sistema educacional chileno. Este proyecto busca identificar oportunidades para transferir el pensamiento de diseño a la educación chilena, así como desarrollar y testear un programa de capacitación en conjunto con profesores y directivos de colegios, de distintos niveles de dependencia. Para esto se diseñó una intervención -en modalidad de programa de capacitación-, que fue realizada por 20 profesores (cuatro de ellos con cargo directivo y/o administrativo). También, se generó una batería de recursos que permitieron recoger, sistematizar y analizar la información (ejercicios prácticos, cuestionarios, entrevistas, grupos focales, matrices, etcétera). En este artículo, se presentan los resultados preliminares del proyecto “developing human capital for 21st century economies: introducing design thinking to chilean schools”, que ha permitido identificar problemáticas en el ámbito curricular, de convivencia escolar y a nivel organizacional. Estas fueron abordadas por los profesores, aplicando herramientas entregadas en la capacitación. [The state of economic development of the country requires the formation of human capital that dominate higher-order thinking skills, as analytical thinking, creative problem solving and collaboration; all skills deployed extensively during the design process. At the school level, this is not resolved only with curricular changes, but requires teacher training and support. There is empirical evidence of the international application of design thinking in the field of education among students and teachers. However, directly importing such models may not be effective given the cultural differences and particularities of the chilean educational system. This project seeks to identify opportunities for the transfer of design thinking to chilean education, as well as develop and test a training program in conjunction with professors and directors of schools of various levels of dependency. An intervention was designed—in a training program mode—which was experienced by 20 teachers (four of them with managerial and/or administrative positions). A range of resources was used to collect, systematize and analyze the information (practical exercises, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, arrays, etc.). In this article, we present the preliminary results of the project "developing human capital for 21st century economies: introducing design thinking to chilean schools", which has allowed us to identify problems in the field of curricula, school atmosphere and at the organizational level. These problems were addressed as opportunities by the teachers, applying tools delivered in the training.

Definition of Time Induction of Self-Ignition of the Substance on the Prognostic Extrapolation Depending on the Basis of Indicators Fire and Explosion Hazard

In this article the research directed on development of a technique of definition of time of induction of the self-ignition of substances and materials which is an indicator of the beginning of development of an emergency is conducted. The experiment consisting in supervision over process of self-ignition of coal and oil deposits was the basis for research. On the basis of experimental data the curve expressing analytic - expected dependence of size of temperature of ignition on induction time was constructed. Proceeding from graphical representation of process, functional dependence of time of induction on a temperature indicator was received: y=16920•x{0.537}. By means of known indicators of such substances as bitumen oil oxidized (the combustible solid substance received by oxidation of residual product of oil refining) and tar oil (the combustible solid substance which is residual product of oil refining) and the received algorithm, verification of reliability of the received dependence and a technique of definition of time of induction of spontaneous ignition of deposits of oil in general was carried out. The practical importance of the conducted research is that having data on time of induction of process of self-ignition, by means of preventive measures becomes possible to avoid and prevent accidents in oil and oil processing branches, at the same time loss of property and loss of human life

Letter to an Unknown Hero of Kiev

A letter of solidarity to the besieged in Kiev, from Mustafa Ceric, Ph.D. Grand Mufti Emeritus of Bosnia