Magnetic field simulation of golay coil

In the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), besides the main magnetic field and the radio frequency (RF) system, the gradient coils system also plays an important role in signal acquisition. Generally, there are 2 transverse gradient coils and 1 longitudinal gradient coil. In this research, the magnetic field (or gradient) generated by the conventional transverse coil, namely the Golay coil was mapped. The calculation algorithm of the magnetic field generated was written in C-programming language, compiled by the GNU-compiler collection (GCC) and was based on a forward analytical approach by using the Biot-Savart Law. The data was then visualized by Gnuplot. The magnetic field was successfully calculated and plotted using open-source softwares running under Ubuntu operating system and will provide valuable data especially for gradient coil designe

The impact of performance-related pay on employees’ performance: case studies of Omani public and private sector organisations

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.Performance-related pay (PRP) has witnessed growing interest over the past two decades in Oman, alongside increasing attention to human resource management (HRM) practices. However, despite its continued adoption in various cultural contexts, gaps in its effectiveness remain the subject of widespread controversy. Consequently, this thesis is an attempt to examine the impact of PRP on various Omani public and private sector organisations in the form of four case studies. Three of these are on companies in the private sector which form the backbone of the Omani economy and one on a public sector organisation. The study gap lies in both the lack of studies on PRP in the public and private sectors in Oman, and the few numbers of studies in the pay literature in general in the region. The original contribution being made in this thesis lies in the attempt to bridge the research gap by viewing PRP systems through several lenses: from theoretical framework, managers, employees, contextual and documents (document analysis) perspectives. The different characteristics of the included organisations and the relevant findings can also be considered as an enhancement element of the originality and contribution of the thesis. However, with respect to the reservations of the participating organisations and to preserve their anonymity and confidentiality, they will be referred as Organisation A, B, C and D. Organisation A is a distinguished global organisation operating in Oman, while Organisation (B) is a local organisation working in the private sector. Organisation (C) is characterised by being a wholly-owned government organisation that operates in the private sector, and finally, Organisation (D) is a government entity operating in the civil service. Three research questions were formulated to provide a basis for the thesis structure. Accordingly, the mixed-method approach was adopted as a data collection strategy. The primary approach was face-to-face interviews with middle managers, while survey questionnaires were used with employees to measure their attitudes. In addition, document analysis was used to diversify the data sources and to increase confidence in the results. The thesis examination is based on a comparison of findings from multiple perspectives; for example, from those of middle managers, employees, document analysis, and the theoretical framework of the most important theories underlying PRP. These perspectives were then considered in the light of the literature review to determine the effectiveness of PRP in each organisation. The findings reveal that PRP in Organisations A and B was effective and achieved its goals. The reasons for this can be attributed to the methodological approach adopted in the implementation and operation of the PRP system, which were consistent with the strongest theories underlying the system, such as the agency theory, expectation theory and goal-setting theory, in addition to the systematic activation of the role of HRM and the effective development and preparation of middle managers. On the other hand, the findings related to Organisations C and D show that they do not appear to have achieved the sufficient objectives of PRP. Although the results were somewhat mixed, they revolved around the issues of fairness, favouritism, bureaucracy and the role of HRM.Oman Government

Finite Element Evaluation of Elasto-Plastic Residual Stresses around Coldworked Fastener Holes

The present work on the simulation of cold-working process using finite element analysis was devoted to two parts. The first part concerns with axisymmetric finite element analysis of elastic-plastic 2024-T351 aluminium alloy. The material was considered isotropic and a Von Mises yield stress criterion with hardening rule was assumed. The commercial finite element software, LUSAS-13.1, was used to simulate the cold-working process in a 6 mm thick plate with a 6.35 mm diameter hole with 4% radial expansion for three different models. The second part deals with the effect of support position along the exit face on the residual stress distribution around the hole. Finite element analysis of eight axisymmetric models with different support positions was considered. The finite element results for first part of the analysis showed that the radial residual stresses were of a compressive nature, except for a thin layer on the entrance face of the specimen. Models 1 and 2 gave a lesser spread of compressive tangential residual stresses data than that obtained from model 3. The tangential residual stresses at the entrance face were tensile in nature while beyond 1 mm from the top surface through the rest of the thickness and along the edge of the hole they were compressive in nature. The results were compared with previous results in the literature and good agreement was obtained. The analysis of the second part showed that the distribution of the tangential residual stresses at the exit face suggest the superiority of the support conditions 7 and 8 compared to support conditions 1 to 6. The magnitude of the spurt in value of the residual stresses varied with support condition and finally reduced to zero for support condition starting from 15 to 20 mm from the edge of the hole

Geochemical and Radiological Baseline Studies and Environmental Impact of the Area Surrounding Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, UAE

Geochemical, mineralogical and natural radiation analysis techniques were used for establishment of geochemical and radiological baseline around Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, UAE. The natural radioactivity concentrations of 238U (226Ra), 232Th and 40K were measured for soil, shore and bottom sediment samples, using gamma spectrometry equipped with HPGe detector. In addition, alpha spectrometry was used to measure 234U/238U ratio for some selected samples. Furthermore, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy was used to measure the concentrations of heavy metals and Rare Earth Elements (REE). The grain size of the samples ranged from fine to coarse sand. The inverse relationship between grain size and heavy metal contaminations was validated. The results indicated the mean concentrations of heavy metals and REE are much higher in soil samples compared to bottom sediments, which in turn relatively higher than shore samples. All heavy metals concentrations were significantly below the UAE soil contamination safe limits. The levels of heavy metals and REE reported in the UAE were lower than the levels reported in the soil, shore and bottom sediments of several countries around the world. Enrichment factor calculated for heavy metals shows no to moderate enrichment (As and Cd), while the contamination factor (CF) was CF\u3c1 which indicates low contamination factor. Geoaccumulation results suggest uncontaminated area. Furthermore, the pollution load index, \u3e1, indicates no pollution in the area. With exception of La in shore samples, all the REE show no enrichment. Contamination factor for REE indicates a low contamination factor and geoaccumulation results indicate that the studied area was uncontaminated. Moreover, the pollution load index indicates no pollution in the area. The measured gamma activity concentrations in shore-sediment samples are much lower comparing to those concentrations in soil and bottom sediments. The average activity concentrations of 238U (226Ra) are 15.68±0.56, 4.43±0.39 and 4.73±0.47 Bq/kg, for 232Th are 8.3±0.23, 1.68±0.17 and 1.83±0.24 Bq/kg and for 40K, are 349.72±11.76, 106.3±7.27 and 105.23±10.03 Bq/kg in soil, shore and bottom sediment samples, respectively. Anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs is low than the detection limit in the studied area. The 234U/238U activity ratios show wide range from 0.59 to 2.24 indicating effects of sources and in situ processes. In addition, the hazard parameters such as Radium equivalent and absorption dose were estimated and all are below the world average. The spatial distribution for heavy metals, REE and natural radionuclides was generally more compact in the south compared to the north, with less severe contamination in the east and west. Relationships between heavy metals, REE and natural radioactivity concentrations were investigated and varied between soil, shore and bottom sediment samples. The previous relationships may indicate that uranium and thorium have detrital sources possibly associated with silicate minerals

The effect of building form on cooling load in hot and humid climate

High energy consumption correspondingly starts from an inefficient use of energy. The communities are increasingly concerned towards a better usage of energy for more comfortable life in future. Since past decades the standard of living has improved, people tend to expect a better comfort level which they consider the usage of air conditioning system is a must. The design of a building is required to provide comfort and efficient energy usage. The research objectives are to study the concept and influence of building form and geometry, investigate the cooling load in building space and to explore building form strategies in decreasing the cooling load. The research investigates the development and relationship of basic geometrical building form in lowering cooling load of a medium five-storey building. The manifestation of different thermal behaviour of each basic form was based on different volume, height and surface. The study manipulates the variables in three steps. The first step is the exploration and understanding of basic forms having the same height level, volume and different surface. The second step is investigating further on basic form by having different height levels but same overall volume. The final step explores the same volume, height level and surface area of the geometric forms. The study was conducted using computer simulation analysis program Autodesk Ecotect 2011. The outcome of the research reveals that compact shape and lower ratios of surface to volume result in lower cooling loads. The building with a different floor height but same overall volume shows the effect of lowering the cooling load. The increase number of floor zones will give lower cooling load. Experimentation of the basic forms reveals that an exposed surface area plays a huge role in lowering cooling load. Compact arrangement of spaces in a building also gives impact towards cooling load. The result of simulation model analysis shows the orientation aspect is less significant with 0.5 to 0.6 % difference towards lowering the cooling load compared to the exposed surface area of the form that shows 5 up to 19 % difference of cooling load from each geometry form. This research is significant in helping to accumulate the information regarding building form behaviour. Based on the result, the manipulation of exposed surface of the basic building form will reduce the cooling load

A Conceptual Framework for Accountability in Cloud Computing Service Provision

This paper uses a comprehensive review of the academic and professional literature in relation to accountability in the area of cloud computing service provision. It identifies four key conceptual factors that are necessary for an organisation to be considered as accountable. The four factors were found to be: responsibility, assurance, transparency and remediation. A key finding of the paper is that in order to be considered as an accountable cloud service provider, all four factors need to be implemented and be demonstrable by the organisation

Developing a career in the Malaysian hotel industry : a narrative analysis of the career experiences of local middle managers

The career pathways and aspirations of the next generation of hotel managers have not been previously documented or studied thoroughly, primarily because the majority of available studies have focused on the success stories of current hotel general managers. Many career-related studies have highlighted the importance of career development, and the purpose of this study was to address this gap in the research in the hotel industry by exploring the career pathways of middle managers through the understanding of their educational and training background, career experiences, factors that contribute and opportunities available for them. A qualitative study, using interviews and narrative analysis, was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with 14 current hotel middle managers (the heads of hotel departments), 11 former middle managers and three hotel general managers. Participants were contacted via the professional social media platform, LinkedIn. Using Career Construction Theory (Savickas (2005) and its three components of vocational personality, life theme and career adaptability as the meta-theory, this research examined the career experiences of participants to understand middle managers’ career pathways and aspirations from their own career stories or narratives. Each interview was recorded and transcribed and the responses were then coded by using the Atlas.ti™ software. The findings were used to discuss and address the research questions set for this research. The results were also linked to the managers’ career development opportunity structures, which may have influenced their decision to stay, progress or leave the industry. Several contributions were highlighted which include the importance of education and training, the personal narratives of each manager on their work experiences, the varied extent of the available opportunities, and the skills development of the middle managers in this research. Overall, it can be concluded that the middle managers’ career aspirations were individually constructed, contextualised by the opportunities available to them, continuous learning experiences, skills development, changes in their life stages, support that they received and the extent to which they were successful in adapting the challenges involved in their career transitions

Core elements in information security accountability in the cloud

This paper proposes 9 core elements of information security accountability in the area of cloud computing. The core elements were determined via a series of 18 case studies with Omani government organisations that were actively using and/or providing cloud computing. 36 interviews were conducted and then analysed using a grounded theory methodology As a result of the analysis, responsibility, transparency, assurance, remediation, accountability support environment, flexible change process, collaboration, mechanisms and commitment to external criteria. The research also found that the emphasis on specific core elements is context-dependent and that there was considerable variation in emphasis amongst the case study organisations

Literature-based analysis of the influences of the new forces on ISMS: A conceptual framework

This paper presents an analysis that arose from a comprehensive review of the academic and professional literature of two areas – information security management systems (ISMS) and information resources – and their relationship with information security. It analyzes the role of ISMS in protecting an organization’s information environment and infrastructure. It has identified four key areas that strongly influence the safety of information resources: cloud computing; social media/networking; mobility; and information management/big data. Commonly referred to as ‘new forces’, these four aspects are all growing exponentially and are not easily controlled by IT. Another key finding of the paper is that organizations aiming to protect their information resources need to adapt their ISMS in an environment where these new forces have exposed them to a range of external entities and influences

Assessment of Academic Research Utilization for National Development in Field of Environment

Last few years has shown increased interest of researchers in knowledge and technology transfer. However facts show poor utilization of research into practice. This article focuses on assessment of academic research produced by highly qualified academicians working in universities in Sindh offering degrees in field of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Engineering. The article presents a methodology for assessment of academic research utilization for national development based on various criteria including purpose of research, funding bodies of research, relevancy of research with environmental issues, development mode of research, end users of research, mediator source for research utilization and intellectual property rights for research. This research is based on analysis of semi-structured interviews by using case study approach. Findings show that researchers have produced and published papers at larger number but very few of academic research have been utilized for national development. Academic research has been utilized by different national & international organizations (EPA, IUCN, WWF, SIDA, KDA). The research is utilized in the form of PhD thesis reports and other project reports funded by HEC, Universities and other national and international organizations. The outcomes of research utilization are either in form of new developed processes, services or policy guidelines under protection of copyrights. The findings also revealed co-operation of academicians with other stakeholders. However, none of the research has been utilized in the development of new Product or new technology under protection of industrial designs or patents. Keywords: Academicians, Academic Research, Utilization, National Developmen