Kinetic surface roughening for the Mullins-Herring equation

Using the linearity property of the Mullins-Herring equation when the velocity is zero with a Gaussian noise, we obtain an analytic form for the global mean-square surface width and height-height correlation function. This can be used to read the critical exponents in any dimension. In particular for d=1 we show that although the surface is super rough the system exhibits Family-Vicsek scaling behavior.Comment: 5 page

The impact of cultural distance on local residents perception of tourism development: The case of Dubai in UAE

This study discusses the importance of understanding cultural differences between tourists and hosts for developing positive cross-cultural tourist interaction and its influence on the host\u27s perception of sociocultural impacts of tourism. A logistic regression model is used to identify the significant positive as well as negative impacts perceived by hosts who view a significant cultural distance between them and tourists versus those who do not. It is found that there is a significant relationship between the perceived cultural differences and the perceived sociocultural impacts of tourism. The majority of respondents who do not perceive cultural differences agree to most of the perceived positive impacts of tourism. The results of running the regression model have identified improved quality of life as the largest positive impact. Becoming more proud of their city comes next, then improved infrastructure, followed by an increased variety of leisure attractions, and lastly more shopping varieties and facilities. On the other hand, the study found that higher prices for goods and services are the largest perceived negative impact. Tourist\u27s failure to respect local customs and moral values comes next, followed by community conflict and tension, then loss of cultural identity, and increased crime. The implications of the results for tourism industry managements and marketers are presented as well as areas for future research

STUDIES OF LOW-LYING STATES IN 94ZR EXCITED WITH THE INELASTIC NEUTRON SCATTERING REACTION

The aim of nuclear structure studies is to observe and describe the structures and associated symmetries in nuclei, which in turn help us in understanding the nature of nucleon-nucleon interactions in a nucleus as a many-body quantum system. The protons and neutrons as constituents of a nucleus and their interactions are responsible for nuclear properties. The evolution of nuclear structure as a function of valence nucleon number, i.e., the number of nucleons beyond a magic number, can be inferred from the experimental level scheme and transition rates. In particular, the studies of low-lying, low-spin excited states in stable nuclei provide valuable information on the interplay of valence neutrons and protons in nuclear structure. The decay scheme and knowledge of transition strengths in the low-lying states become a benchmark for testing theoretical model predictions and understanding the underlying microscopic foundations of nuclear structure. Along with the experimental techniques, theoretical models have been developed to explain and describe the observed nuclear properties, e.g., shell model, Fermi-gas model, optical and liquid-drop models, and several “collective” models. 94/40Zr50 nucleus with 2 protons and 4 neutrons above the shell closures of the 88/38Sr50 core nucleus is considered as a nearly spherical nucleus. Such nuclei present a vibrational structure; surface vibration of the nucleus about a spherical shape. In addition to the symmetric excitations, in which proton and neutron oscillations are in phase, there are another class of excitations in which the wave function is not fully symmetric with respect to the exchange of protons and neutrons. These states are so called mixed-symmetry (MS) states. Such excitations have been observed in the N= 52 neighboring isotones. In this study, the low-lying structure of 94/40Zr has been studied with the (n, n\u27ƴ) reaction at the University of Kentucky and Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratories (TUNL) facilities, to identify symmetric and MS excitations in this nucleus. A decay scheme has been established based on excitation function and coincidence measurements. Branching ratios, multipole mixing ratios, and spin assignments have been determined from angular distribution measurements at En= 2.3, 2.8, and 3.5 MeV. Lifetimes of levels up to 3.4 MeV were measured by the Doppler-shift attenuation method (DSAM), and for many transitions reduced transition probabilities were determined. The experimental results were used for the identification of collective symmetric and mixed-symmetric (MS) multiphonon excitations. The 2+/2 state at 1671.4 keV has been identified as the lowest MS state in 94Zr; B(M1; 2+/ms → 2+/1 ) = 0.31(3) μ2/N. This state has an anomalous decay behavior, i.e., B(E2; 2+/ ms → 0+/1 ) = 7.8(7) W.u., which is unusually large compared to the B(E2; 2+/1 → 0+/1 ) = 4.9(3) W.u. More anomalies were identified in the states above the 2+/ms state. For example, the 4+/2 state at 2330 keV decays strongly to the 2+/1 state, B(E2; 4+/2 → 2+/1 ) = 20+3/−2 W.u., compared to the 4+/1 state at 1469 keV, B(E2; 4+/1 → 2+/1 ) = 0.878(23) W.u. The experimental results revealed additional interesting and unusual properties of the low-lying states in 94Zr. Shell model calculations were performed with the Oxbash code, using the Vlow k interaction. Also, the IBM-2 predictions in the vibrational limit were compared with the experimental results. The results from neither of these nuclear models were in good agreement with the observed transition strengths, e.g., the B(E2; 2+/ms → 0+/1 ) value. These observations may indicate that the contributions of valence nucleons in the low-lying excited states of 94Zr differ from what has been perscribed by the shell model and the IBM-2 model. The effects of the Z = 40 and N = 56 subshell closures should be also considered. In a simple interpretation, the excited states are classified in two distinct categories, i.e., those populating the 2+/2 state and those decaying to the 2+/1 state. This approach suggests that in 94Zr the low-lying states may be related to two-configurations coexistence

Factors Affecting Consumers’ Purchase Intentions Towards Recycled Products

The work executed addresses the status of recycling industry in Egypt and its relation to the current sustainability trends as well as climate change issues. It also identifies the main concerns of consumers when purchasing recycled products. Consequently, identifies the key pillars that need to be applied or communicated with the target consumers to enhance the concept of selling recycled products and increase its market share. Since this industry is significantly broad, the focus of the study was only on recycled PET plastic bottles (rPET), this is to ensure attaining accurate and reliable results. An interview and a site visit were conducted with the main and only producer of rPET in Egypt and MENA region, BariQ. Unveiling the recycling industry’s details starting from the primary source, revealing its struggles and benefits. Another two interviews were conducted with two selected secondary producers, the first is L’Oreal, focusing on their recycled shampoo bottles. The second is Nestle, focusing on their recycled water bottles. This is to get an overview on their market performance besides spotting their challenges and needs. After that, an online survey was constructed, targeting potential consumers of the mentioned brands to pinpoint the main factors affecting their purchase actions towards recycled products. Mainly questioning if the main factors were the brand, price, quality, an unknown feeling or other factors. The results showed that the producers are exerting huge efforts to improve the market of recycling, but are not receiving enough support from their consumers. They seek to have an identified system and clear frameworks to work with, in order to gain control on the whole process. Regarding the consumers insights, the survey results showed significant low awareness on Nestle’s water bottle to be only 24%, even though they created an online campaign. While L’Oreal got a mere 8.5% for awareness, which was due to not advertising for it, it was only claimed on the bottle. Even though the awareness is low, but supporting the idea of having recycled products in the market reached 75%, which is significantly high, specifically with a greater support for the recycled shampoo bottles. Consumers’ main concerns when purchasing Nestle’s recycled bottles were: 1. Quality, 2 & 3 Price and Brand. While the main concerns for L’Oreal’s recycled bottles were: 1. Effectiveness of shampoo, 2. Brand and 3. Price. Noting that the “Brand” of the product is in the top three requirements needed for making a purchase decision. This supports the stated hypothesis. Innovative marketing methods are recommended to ensure eliminating all the negative perceptions of consumers. Mainly by raising awareness on the recycled products, through discussing the key messages generated from the survey reflecting the consumer’s priorities, expectations and main concerns towards each specific recycled product. Execution can be through a mix of offline and online marketing channels. Eventually, the consumer should feel that purchasing recycled products is an action that creates a shared value and positively contributes to the development of the economy, environment and society

The impact of cultural distance on local residents perception of tourism development: The case of Dubai in UAE

This study discusses the importance of understanding cultural differences between tourists and hosts for developing positive cross-cultural tourist interaction and its influence on the host\u27s perception of sociocultural impacts of tourism. A logistic regression model is used to identify the significant positive as well as negative impacts perceived by hosts who view a significant cultural distance between them and tourists versus those who do not. It is found that there is a significant relationship between the perceived cultural differences and the perceived sociocultural impacts of tourism. The majority of respondents who do not perceive cultural differences agree to most of the perceived positive impacts of tourism. The results of running the regression model have identified improved quality of life as the largest positive impact. Becoming more proud of their city comes next, then improved infrastructure, followed by an increased variety of leisure attractions, and lastly more shopping varieties and facilities. On the other hand, the study found that higher prices for goods and services are the largest perceived negative impact. Tourist\u27s failure to respect local customs and moral values comes next, followed by community conflict and tension, then loss of cultural identity, and increased crime. The implications of the results for tourism industry managements and marketers are presented as well as areas for future research