Advanced local area network concepts

Development of a good model of the data traffic requirements for Local Area Networks (LANs) onboard the Space Station is the driving problem in this work. A parameterized workload model is under development. An analysis contract has been started specifically to capture the distributed processing requirements for the Space Station and then to develop a top level model to simulate how various processing scenarios can handle the workload and what data communication patterns result. A summary of the Local Area Network Extendsible Simulator 2 Requirements Specification and excerpts from a grant report on the topological design of fiber optic local area networks with application to Expressnet are given

Electronic commerce e-fulfilment in Gulf Cooperation Council consumer markets

Paper originally presented at the 20th Annual Logistics Research Network Conference, 9th to 11th September 2015. This paper reports on an ongoing study investigating electronic commerce fulfilment (ECF) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets, and presents the theoretical background and empirical findings to date. The growth of online retailing in the GCC has motivated this current research

Investigating e-fulfilment in Gulf Cooperation Council business-to-consumer markets

Paper presented at 20th ISL, 5th – 8th July 2015, Bologna Italy This paper reports on a literature review and research objective development pertaining to a current PhD research project on electronic commerce (EC), specifically e-fulfilment, in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) business-to-consumer markets (B2C). The increase in the number of Internet users and GCC government investment has prompted this research to investigate how EC firms provide e-fulfilment services and what kind of logistical processes they implement. This research has also been motivated to explore e-fulfilment logistics in GCC countries, which have similar language, religion and beliefs. The overarching aim of this study is to suggest new strategies to make EC and e-fulfilment more efficient, effective and relevant in GCC countries. The study has the following three research objectives: 1. To investigate extant electronic commerce (EC) and related e-fulfilment logistics processes in GCC B2C markets; 2. To explore differences between international and GCC e-fulfilment purchase and delivery methods; and 3. To determine the extent of a cultural effect on e-fulfilment process in the GCC. This study investigates three categories of actors: pure player (PP) and multi-channel (MC) e-stores, third-party logistics (3PL) service providers, and consumers from different cities within the six GCC countries (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or KSA, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates or UAE, and Bahrain)

E-commerce fulfilment in the Gulf Cooperation Council

Paper delivered at the 21st Logistics Research Network annual conference 2016, 7th-9th September 2016, Hull. Abstract: Purpose: This paper reports on an exploratory study of electronic commerce fulfilment (ECF) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets based on three objectives: effective and efficient operations, a local and global purchase approach using reverse logistics processes, and consideration of cultural factors particular to the GCC countries including differences between small and large cities. Research Approach: There has not been much logistics and supply chain research in the Middle East in general, and the GCC countries in particular. Thus, this study used a qualitative approach to obtain respondent perspectives regarding e-commerce logistics, whether pure player and multi-channel, grocery or non-food, local or global third-party logistics companies (3PLs), or consumers to reflect a suitable model that could fit and help firms in GCC countries develop an online market. One of the cultural factors related to Arabic managers and owners preferring to speak rather than complete surveys or write, hence 55 interviews were conducted with 27 e-commerce firms, 10 3PLs and 18 consumers (men and women equally). Findings and Originality: This study found a lack of communication between e-commerce firms and 3PLs. However, despite this issue 3PLs were focussed more on business-to-business (B2B) activities and relationships rather than business to consumer (B2C). Local 3PLs firms have achieved some success by providing services regionally, with global 3PLs having an advantage in importing and then using local drivers for fast deliveries. Cash on delivery (COD), trust, policy and warehouse management emerged as major issues affecting e-fulfilment with a small scale of satisfaction in small countries like Bahrain and Kuwait and small cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Research Impact: This research enhances the logistics literature through presenting an in-depth study covering aspects of e-commerce in the GCC. Further, the study indicates that 3PLs will have to provide different types of services in these markets e.g. depending on whether they are working under global strategies in UAE or under agents in KSA. Finally, findings related to cultural factors in both business and consumer settings are important for e-commerce firms and 3PLs to consider in this marketplace. Practical Impact: This study investigated electronic commerce fulfilment (ECF) in the GCC, including pure-player and multi-channel e-retailers or Internet firms and global and local 3PL service providers, and provides guidance for all of them regarding the right factors for successful ECF in the GCC, including understanding policy regulation regarding global firms, helping local firms to become aware of the importance of logistic systems and their effectiveness, and dealing with consumer behaviours based on cultural factors

The Theatre of Religion: Jimmy Swaggart Within American Myth Discourse.

This study explores the myth of the self-made man in American popular culture and how Jimmy Swaggart, the renowned televangelist, manipulates this myth in representing himself as an American hero. Central to such inquiry is Swaggart\u27s use of theatrical device in promoting his heroism. Three fundamental questions provide the focus for investigation: (1) How in general does the creation of myth serve the needs of culture? (2) How specifically does the myth of self-made-ness benefit American culture? and (3) How is Swaggart able to participate in this powerful myth (especially using theatrical modes) in order to gain cultural sanction? In addressing the first two questions, this project constructs a myth theory based primarily on ideas advanced in Roland Barthes\u27 Mythologies. For the last question (which mandates a look at the way Swaggart is read by both secular and evangelical factions), the ideas contained in Michel Foucault\u27s three masterworks Madness and Civilization, Discipline and Punish, and The History of Sexuality prove especially useful. Foucault\u27s discussion of the sacred position of the madman in medieval contexts, for example, gives us a productive analogue for exploring Swaggart\u27s relationship to the secular media. In terms of his evangelical readership, Swaggart\u27s attempt to advertise himself as a martyr is illuminated by Foucault\u27s explanation of the technique of confession in Western culture. This project concludes that the on-going carnival of Swaggart\u27s sexual improprieties will prove problematic to his survival as a practicing televangelist. However, Swaggart\u27s iconic presence (like that of Elmer Gantry or Aimee Semple McPherson) will live on in the American mind as simply an up-dated version of the mad religious performer

A Follow-up Study of Guidance and Counseling Graduates from South Dakota State University 1957-1966

To understand more fully the reasons for this Follow-up Study of Guidance and Counseling Graduates from South Dakota State University from 1957 to 1966, one must start looking at the history and development of the Guidance and Counseling program. The first guidance course offered at South Dakota State University was in 1928. The course was Vocational Guidance, and it dealt with the need for vocational guidance, duties of vocational counselors, methods of collection, preparing, and using occupational information for counseling, and vocational guidance in the small high school. This course was taught at the undergraduate level. The first real emphasis placed on guidance and counseling at South Dakota State University was in the summer of 1945. A three-day workshop was set up for guidance workers and teachers. Topics discussed at the three day workshop were: (1) The Role of School Personnel in a Guidance Program (2) Job Analysis of Counselor a. kind of person he should be and b. his relationship to other teachers (3) Individual Schools and Their Guidance Service Programs. Committees were set up to investigate a. Occupational information b. Counseling c. Test and Testing Procedures d. Organization and Administration of Guidance Services e. Individual Inventory and Veteran’s Problems. Early workshops did not offer college credit. Eventually the workshop was expanded to three full weeks and three credits were given. The workshop each summer was administered by Student Personnel until 1954. The person in charge of the summer workshop devoted half time to Summer Personnel and one-half time to the Education Department. In addition to his counseling duties this instructor taught psychology and guidance which was part of the curriculum offered by the Education Department. The Education Department took charge of the administration of the workshop in 1954. In 1957 the first solid program in Guidance and Counseling was introduced. Dr. E. L. Whitmore, advisor to this study, came to South Dakota State University that year and the Guidance and Counseling Program was put under his direction. Before this time there were few graduate courses offered in Guidance and Counseling. The reason for increased emphasis in this work area was: (1) a need for teachers trained in this area and (2) an increase in certification requirements. In 1957 the Master of Education Degree was offered with a major in English. The graduate student had a choice of two curriculums – Administration or Guidance and Counseling or a combination of the two. In the same year the summer workshop was shortened from three to two weeks. Two college credits were given for the workshop. In 1966 another full-time professor was added to the Guidance and Counseling Department. Before this time professors were shared with the Psychology Department. In 1966 the Guidance and Counseling major and the Administration Major were offered. Graduate students then had a choice of a Master of Education degree or a Master of Science Degree. The Guidance and Counseling Department is in the process of continual growth

Capabilities of logistics and ports in the Humber region

Paper presented at Logistics Research Network Annual Conference 2014, 3rd-5th September 2014, Huddersfield

The Simulation of Read-time Scalable Coherent Interface

Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI, IEEE/ANSI Std 1596-1992) (SCI1, SCI2) is a high performance interconnect for shared memory multiprocessor systems. In this project we investigate an SCI Real Time Protocols (RTSCI1) using Directed Flow Control Symbols. We studied the issues of efficient generation of control symbols, and created a simulation model of the protocol on a ring-based SCI system. This report presents the results of the study. The project has been implemented using SES/Workbench. The details that follow encompass aspects of both SCI and Flow Control Protocols, as well as the effect of realistic client/server processing delay. The report is organized as follows. Section 2 provides a description of the simulation model. Section 3 describes the protocol implementation details. The next three sections of the report elaborate on the workload, results and conclusions. Appended to the report is a description of the tool, SES/Workbench, used in our simulation, and internal details of our implementation of the protocol