Urban Morphology, Environmental Performances & Energy Use: A Holistic Transformation Approach Applied to Block 39 in Belgrade (Serbia) Via IMM.

Cities are responsible up to 75% of energy consumptions and 80% of CO2 emissions and due to the fact that the correlation between urban morphology and environmental stewardship has become crystal clear.In this scenario is framed the case study of block 39 in Belgrade in which an innovative methodology, IMM (Integrated Modification Methodology), has been applied in order to transform an existing urban context into a more efficient and sustainable one. The presented case study in Belgrade aims to became a more general paradigm for similar condition in East Europe, defining integrated new strategies based on IMM methodology to retrofit and transform the energy dissipative existing neighborhood in more efficient, liveable and integrated urban system.The city is considered as a single complex entity composed by heterogeneous components connected each other. A strictly sectorial approach could result in neglecting mutual dependencies of these demands. Conversely, an integrated approach can help to sharpen a better comprehension of the different performances of different urban assessment. IMM methodology through Phasing Process shows how incorporating a wide range of issues makes it possible to improve the metabolism of the city as well as its energy performance

Uncooled Infrared Detector Featuring Silicon based Nanoscale Thermocouple

The main focus of this dissertation is to improve the performance of thermoelectric (TE) infrared (IR) detectors. TE IR detectors are part of uncooled detectors that can operate at room temperature. These detectors have been around for many years, however, their performance has been lower than their contesting technologies. A novel high-responsivity uncooled thermoelectric infrared detector is designed, fabricated, and characterized. This detector features a single standalone polysilicon-based thermocouple (without a supporting membrane) covered by an umbrellalike optical-cavity IR absorber. It is proved that the highest responsivity in the developed detectors can be achieved with only one thermocouple. Since the sub-micrometer polysilicon TE wires are the only heat path from the hot junction to the substrate, a superior thermal isolation is achieved. A responsivity of 1800 V/W and a detectivity of 2 ? 10^8 (cm. sqrt(Hz)W^?1) are measured from a 20?m x 20?m detector comparable to the performance of detectors used in commercial focal planar arrays. This performance in a compact and manufacturable design elevates the position of thermoelectric IR sensors as a candidate for low-power, high performance, and inexpensive focal planar arrays. The improvement in performance is mostly due to low thermal conductivity of thin polysilicon wires. A feature is designed and fabricated to characterize the thermal conductivity of such a wire and it is shown for the first time that the thermal conductivity of thin polysilicon films can be much lower than that of the bulk. Thermal conductivity of ~110nm LPCVD polysilicon deposited at 620C is measured to be ~3.5W/m.K

Learning process analysis of absorptive capacity on organisational innovation: the influence of leadership styles

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University LondonThe research in this thesis investigates the learning processes of absorptive capacity (AC) as an element within organisation innovation. An analysis of leadership ‘styles’ is undertaken and factors for effective innovation adoption are considered. It is apparent that AC has been well researched in recent years but there is evidence that little attention has been given into important influences such as leadership. Consequently, AC is determined to involve managerial learning through three processes. These include: (1) exploratory learning as an ability to value and acquire external knowledge, (2) transformative learning to assimilate this knowledge, and (3) exploitative learning to use knowledge for innovation. However, there is little known about interventions of AC learning towards innovation and the effects of top and middle managers’ leadership styles on these processes. Therefore, the research initially attempts to investigate the relationship between AC, innovation, and leadership styles with a view to exploring valuable theoretical insights into the learning processes involved. A conceptual model is formulated which suggests a relationship between the learning processes of AC with different stages of innovation adoption. In this respect, the role of managers is investigated through attention to ‘transformational’ and ‘transactional’ leadership styles where the former changes employees’ values for achieving common goals and the latter encourages exiting practices. The methodology adopted involved a qualitative strategy with data collected through three substantive case studies from research sites in Iran. In total 31 Semi-structured interviews were conducted with respondents to explore the learning processes of AC and leadership styles on innovation. Secondary documents and non-participant observations provided further insights by triangulating the data. Data was analysed in two stages (i) a description of each case was reported (ii) a thematic analysis was used in order to compare the case companies collectively. The findings supported the effects of the learning processes of AC on innovation adoption. It was also found that the leadership behaviours of top and middle managers change from transformational to transactional leadership styles during the exploitative learning process. The influence of top managers’ knowledge, middle managers’ intention, and trust in middle managers also emerged as important constructs in the learning processes. The research contributed to the learning processes of AC and the influence of managerial leadership styles by adding new insights to organisational theory. The results will also be of value to practitioners by providing prescriptive analysis when using external knowledge effectively for adopting innovation. Keywords: Absorptive capacity, learning processes, innovation, and leadership style

The Nationalization of Oil Industry from the Point of View of the International Law

Following the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry  on March 20,  1951 and the ouster of Anglo-Persian oil company, the British government (taking account of the content and the prescribed arrangements in the text of the agreement between Iran and the British petroleum company) believed that the law of the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry would be considered as a unilateral cancellation; consequently, to exert its political support against Iran the British government filed a Statement of Claim in the secretariat of the International Court of Justice on February 5, 1952 referring to  the declaration of the acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of  the International Court of Justice by Iran. The Iranian government in an opposing action prepared a reply under the title of " The Preliminary Considerations over the Rejection of Jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice by the Iranian Government" and submitted it to the International Court of Justice on March 6, 1952. The Iranian Government, mentioning some reasons, objected to the Jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to hear the case. To reject the Jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, the Iranian government addressed this issue that the decision related to the nationalization of oil is an issue associated with Iran's internal affairs (the 2nd paragraph of the article 7 of the Charter of the United Nations) and also mentioned the other reasons which were addressed in the text of that reply. Despite the reasoning of the both parties to the claim; anyway, the judgement of the International Court of Justice was rendered after discussion and consultation sessions. In this judgement the International Court of Justice, dismissing the claim and complaint made by the Britain government and putting emphasis on its incompetency over hearing the case, rendered an order for the benefit of Iran and the case was gotten off the agenda of the International Court of Justice.The present article is an attempt to investigate: the process of the formation of this case from the beginning to the declaration of the judgement of the International Court of Justice, the reasoning of the parties to the claim, and the judges of the International Court of Justice and that it is a confirmation for proving the legitimacy of the Iranian government and nation in the nationalization of oil industry from the approach of the International law

Personal status and exceptions of the national law enforcement regarding it

Personal status arises from Roman law and is consisted of two main elements being status and qualification .it is the result of a division that exists in the Roman Law System. Nowadays, it is considered as a core element of civil rights since the latter is divided into two divisions of personal status and objective status. By personal status it is referred to characteristics that determine an individual's personal and legal status and identity as well as the assignments of the person in society. The former status belongs to the self and is not separated from his/her social status. In addition, it is not exchangeable and cannot be turned into cash. For example, marriage and divorce or in other words anything that amplifies the relation between the person and his/her family are considered as personal statuses and on the other hand, anything related to financial relations is considered as objective status. Laws governing personal status are in general the same laws of the government; however this law has its exceptions including public discipline, minorities, genealogy, qualification and individuals with no citizenship which are discussed in the present article

A Reading of Joseph Conrad's The Tale

The Tale is a short story by Joseph Conrad. Typical of a Conrad story it is set at sea. The sea is symbolic of the unconscious and this story may be read as a story of the unconscious. On the outside, it seems simple; a man tells a woman a tale of the commanding officer of a patrol ship who gives false directions to another ship and sends it to its doom. In between the lines of the seemingly simple plot, however, can be read another tale; one which speaks of a human sea deeper than the sea of water; deeper, darker, and infinitely more mysterious. Man has navigated the sea of water but the unfathomed sea of his own being remains, for the most part, undiscovered. This is a sea different from the sea of this world and Conrad sets sail on it by telling a tale from another world. Sailing with Conrad, the reader can look out on the infinite vastness and try to form a picture of the infinite depth of a sea which is not visible to the human eye

A Reading of Flannery O’Connors “Everything that Rises Must Converge”

Everything that rises must converge is a short story which, without the aid of suspense that is often provoked in fiction by actions hanging on a bare thread in a whirling plot of intertwining – and perhaps incredible – events, catches the reader‟s attention until the very last word. The plot of the story could not be any simpler; a young bachelor takes his overweight mother by bus to a „reducing class‟ but before they reach the place the mother changes her mind, heads back home, has a stroke and is left by her helpless son dying or maybe dead as he goes to seek help. But parallel to the plot of events is a “plot" of revelation; as the insignificantly banal happenings take place, an unfolding of character slowly emerges before the reader‟s eyes