An operational open-end file transfer protocol for mobile satellite communications

This paper describes an operational open-end file transfer protocol which includes the connecting procedure, data transfer, and relinquishment procedure for mobile satellite communications. The protocol makes use of the frame level and packet level formats of the X.25 standard for the data link layer and network layer, respectively. The structure of a testbed for experimental simulation of this protocol over a mobile fading channel is also introduced

Improving access to health services – Challenges in Lean application

Purpose: Healthcare organisations face significant productivity pressures and are undergoing major service transformation. This paper serves to disseminate findings from a Lean healthcare project using a NHS Single Point of Access environment as the case study. It demonstrates the relevance and extent that Lean can be applied to this type of healthcare service setting. Design/methodology/approach: Action research was applied and Lean tools used to establish current state processes, identify wastes and develop service improvement opportunities based upon defined customer values. Findings: The quality of referral information was found to be the root cause of a number of process wastes and causes of failure for the service. Understanding the relationship and the nature of interaction between the service‟s customer/supplier led to more effective and sustainable service improvement opportunities and the co-creation of value. It was also recognised that not all the Lean principles could be applied to this type of healthcare setting. Practical implications: The study is useful to organisations using Lean to undertake service improvement activities. The paper outlines how extending the value stream beyond the organisation to include suppliers can lead to improved co-production and generation of service value. Originality/value: The study contributes to service productivity research by demonstrating the relevance and limitations of Lean application in a new healthcare service setting. The case study demonstrates the practical challenges of implementing Lean in reciprocal service design models and adds validity to existing contextual models

A study of bond stress between concrete and steel

Call number: LD2668 .R4 1963 W24

Interactive Internet Inter Bank Service System for Saving Account

The purpose of this project is to develop a prototype Internet Inter Bank System that allowing customer to perform transactions inter bank through a one stop web site. The transaction services provided by ths prototype system include account enquiry, fund transfer and bill payment. The transaction services are applicable for only saving account. This project uses development methodology called Web Page Development Methodology (WPD). Finally, this project discusses some problems, constraints and recommendations for future development

Investigation of Radar Subsurface Sounding through Seasonal Cycles Collected by Mars Shallow Radar (SHARAD) in the South Polar Area

Using an orbital-based ground-penetrating radar - SHARAD proves to be an effective method for imaging the Martian surface and subsurface layering at the south polar layered deposit. This investigation focuses on examining whether seasonal variation of CO2 thickness on the surface caused by accumulation during winter and sublimation during summer could be observed for the first time by analyzing SHARAD data. Travel time and amplitude analysis between the Martian surface reflection and a reference reflection in the subsurface were conducted on multiple orbital tracks corresponding to varying seasons. Results from the travel time analysis along all four cross-lines show that the average change in CO2 frost thickness ranged from 6.80 m to 9.58 m assuming a medium dielectric constant between 2.12 and 2.77. The CO2 thickness reaches its maximum during winter and minimum during summer likely because of the CO2 frost accumulation and retreat, respectively. This observation agrees with other studies. However, the magnitude of change in CO2 thickness estimated in this study is greater than values reported previously. This difference is attributed to the different locations of the Martian polar region examined in the various studies. Amplitude analysis does not show any relationship to seasonal variations on the Martian surface

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF FLOATING PLATFORMS SUBJECTED TO LONG-CRESTED AND SHORT-CRESTED WAVES

Spar and semi-submersible platforms are the common types of large floating offshore platforms operating in deepwater regions. Due to lack of sufficient analytical, experimental and statistical data regarding the performances of such platforms subjected to the real sea condition based on short-crested waves. These types of platforms are normally designed for long-crested waves. In the real sea condition, generally short-crested waves exist

Model Uncertainty and Mutual Fund Investing

Yee Cheng Loon’s dissertation abstract Model uncertainty exists in the mutual fund literature. Researchers employ a variety of models to estimate risk-adjusted return, suggesting a lack of consensus as to which model is correct. Model uncertainty makes it difficult to draw clear inference about mutual fund performance persistence. We explicitly account for model uncertainty by using Bayesian model averaging techniques to estimate a fund’s risk-adjusted return. Our approach produces the Bayesian model averaged (BMA) alpha, which is a weighted combination of alphas from individual models. Using BMA alphas, we find evidence of performance persistence in a large sample of US equity, bond and balanced mutual funds. Funds with high BMA alphas subsequently generate higher risk-adjusted returns than funds with low BMA alphas, and the magnitude of outperformance is economically and statistically significant. We also find that mutual fund investors respond to the information content of BMA alphas. High BMA alpha funds receive subsequent cash inflows while low BMA alpha funds experience subsequent cash outflows

Parametric Study for the Critical Tubular Joint of the Jacket Structure

The final year project titled 'Parametric Study for the Critical Tubular Joints of the Jacket Structure' was carried out with the aim of studying the trends of the joint of the submerged jacket structure accordingly to its conditions. To achieve the aim of the project, several objectives been designed. Firstly is to study different load case of the jacket and to determine the critical joint trends of the jacket when the jacket subjected to several different loading conditions. Extensive literature review was conducted in order to come up with ideas about the offshore structure, joint of the jacket structure, environmental forces and the SACS program review, which the software been used to run the analysis. The research been carried out for the five fixed jacket models with various loading conditions, as all the data been input to the SACS program, analysis been carried out on the jacket structure. The result of the joint can with the maximum unity check been focused and been analyzed. The results then been presented in the graphical form, which shows the relationship between depth of the critical joint and total weight of the model; and depth of the critical joint and the water depth. Environmental and the model weight were the significant elements that contribute to the depth of the critical joint. From the graphical results presented the trends of the critical joints been determined