Archives-December  

The recent crisis for HRM, as the business partner model, has been identified as an opportunity, and the HRM managers should use the recession and prove their capacity for making sound strategic decisions. However, in the face of crisis, these managers have in practice focused on a set of short-term measures aimed at retrenchment strategy, which will have long-term negative effects on the employees, corporate sustainability and competitiveness. Therefore, assuming crisis to be a natural part of a business, this research seeks to develop a model of HRM measures with a strategic approach that enhances effectiveness and minimizes the negative effects of the measures. Reviewing the literature, we identified the effective measures to deal with crises, and due to the influence of cultural and structural factors on the measures, we performed a survey of the senior managers of 87 industrial enterprises so as to get an accurate recognition and interpretation of the measures. The results of the first step were presented to a group consisting of 7 experts and beneficiaries in order to perform a ranking of the set of measures with strategic approach and consideration of the effects of the measures on one another using the interpretive structural modeling method. The final model presented the measures in seven levels to deal with the crisis, namely: Soft measures, Strategic and Hard (Reduction) measures.

Epoxy/Unsaturated polyester (UP) blend is prepared with varying montmorillonite (MMT) clay (viz. 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% by weight) content. The chemical resistance of these nanocomposites to some acids, alkalis and solvents is studied. The hardness property of these nanocomposites is determined. The nanocomposites showed good resistance to acids and alkalis, but showed minimal resistance to solvents. The nanocomposite blend indicated better hardness at 3% clay when compared to other combinations considered in this study. The homogeneous morphologies of the UP toughened epoxy and epoxy/UP/clay nanocomposite systems are ascertained using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies. The above studies indicate that the Epoxy/UP/MMT clay nanocomposite can be used in applications like aerospace, automobiles and marine systems. The main objective of the study is to identify a low-cost, light-weight, eco-friendly and high-strength composite material that can be used for various engineering and commercial applications.

Low productivity of tef in Horro Guduru Wollega region is mainly attributed to lack of new technology and poor agronomic practices. Broad cast method of sowing has been pre dominantly used in the past and new agronomic practices should be placed to increase the productivity of the crop. An experiment was conducted at Shambu Agricultural Research Sites of Harato and Guduru animals’ production research center during 2015 main growing season to determine the appropriate intra row spacing and fertilizer rate on growth and yield of tef. The experiment was consisted of three intra row spacing (5cm, 10cm and 15cm) and four fertilizer rate (25kg, 50kg, and 75kg N/ha) and the field was laid out as randomized complete block design with replicated three time at each location. At both locations the growth and yield parameters of quincho variety was revealed significant difference. The wider plant spacing (15cm) and the higher application of nitrogen fertilizer (55kg N/ha) on the tef crop was produced highest number of tiller (10.25) and (13.31) at Harato and Guduru sites, respectively. But higher amount of tillers didn’t result more productivity. The highest grain yield of 17.9 quintal per hectares was obtained when 5cm intra row spacing and 45kg N/ha fertilizer used at Guduru and Harato research sites. Higher numbers of plants per hectares were given more yields. This study revealed that the optimum intra row spacing and fertilizer were found to be 5cm and 45kgN/ha for both locations.

Effect of Selenium (Se) concentration in the nutrient solution on quality and Nitrogen, Potassium concentration of Brussels sprout plants (Brassica oleracea, var Gemmifera) was evaluated. The Brussels sprout plants were treated with six concentration of Se as selenate sodium (Na2 SeO4., 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mg L-1). Treatments were arranged in a completely randomize design with four replicates. The total soluble solid, vitamin C increased by increasing Se concentration from 0 to 8 mg L-1. Also, results showed the effect of Se application (0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mg/l Se as Na2SeO4) increased nitrogen and potassium content of young and old leaves plants as compared with the control treatments in floating system. However they were reduced in 16 and 32 mg L-1 Se concentration. It can be concluded that Se supplements (8 mg L-1) improve yield, quality and Se concentration in the bud.

In the real world, most people are socially selfish; i.e., they are willing to forward packets with whom they have social ties but not to others, which varies with the strength of the social tie. A Social Selfishness Aware Routing (SSAR) algorithm to allow user selfishness and for having better routing performance in an efficient way is proposed. To select a forwarding node, SSAR considers both users’ willingness to forward and their contact based approaches, which results in a better forwarding method than purely contact-opportunities. SSAR also formulates the packet forwarding process as a Multiple Knapsack Problem with Assignment Restrictions (MKPAR) to satisfy user demands for selfishness and performance. Trace-based simulations show that SSAR allows users to maintain selfishness and it achieves better routing performance with low transmission cost.

The rapid growth in the energy consumption at individual level has given rise to a dramatic increase in both air and water pollution problems. The automobile is probably the most notorious source of atmospheric air pollution on a total mass basis. Under the Indian Conditions two and four wheelers have become the most popular mode of transport. In the present work catalytic converter was chosen for SI engine emission control, to reduce CO, HC and NOx emission. A catalytic converter has to be designed and introduced in the exhaust line of the SI engine. In the present work Maruthi omni engine is chosen for emission control study using an electrically heated catalytic converter. The objective of the electrically heated catalytic converter is to reduce the cold start emission of CO, HC and NOx in the exhaust gas of the engine. The catalytic converter is made of stainless steel plate. The plate is coated with copper, Nickel and Chromium catalytic materials. These emission levels will be measured using the AVL exhaust gas analyzer and the results will be analyzed.

In this paper, It examines the Face detection and recognition system using three fast CFV modules which are face skin verification module, face symmetry verification module, and eye template verification module. The three verification modules can eliminate the tilted faces, the backs of the head, and any other non-face moving objects in the video. Only the frontal face images are sent to face recognition engine. The frontal face detection reliability can be adjusted by simply setting the verification thresholds in the verification modules. Then three hybrid feature sets are applied to face recognition. Experiments demonstrated that the frontal face detection rate can be achieved as high as 95% in the low quality video images. The overall face recognition rate and reliability are increased at the same time using the proposed ensemble classifier in the system. An ensemble classifier scheme is proposed to congregate three individual Artificial Neural Network classifiers trained by the three hybrid feature sets.

This paper describes an approach for formulation of approximate, generalized field data based mathematical model (FDBM) for the process of PVC pipe manufacturing at some industries. The present work is aimed at establishing mathematical relationship between the responses and inputs at the operation of PVC pipe manufacturing process using single screw extruder. For this purpose various small scale PVC pipes manufacturing industries are visited. The operation of PVC pipe extrusion is studied. The study is focused on an extrusion line starting from its electric motor, extruder hopper, barrel, extruder screw up to the extruder die. First of all the various dependent variables in form of responses and the independent variables in the form of inputs are decided. The categorization of these variables are made in terms of pi terms viz. ?1 ?2 ?3 as independent and ?D1, ?D2, ?D3, ?D4 as dependent variables. Then the field observations are taken and accordingly data collection process is completed. After this step, an approximate, generalized field data based mathematical models are developed. This work presents an approach to check the reliability of models, which is executed by comparing error frequency graphs of various mathematical models formed. After that the influence of the various independent pi terms in the models are studied by analyzing the indices of the various pi terms. Through the technique of sensitivity analysis, the change in the value of a dependent pi term caused due to an introduced change in the value of independent individual pi term is evaluated. The ultimate objective of this work is not merely developing the mathematical models but to find out the best set of independent variables, which will result in maximization or minimization of the objective functions. This is achieved by applying the technique of optimization. Thus the objects of these models are tested to optimize the inputs required for satisfying the various responses. The comparative analysis is made of the outputs of the network with observed data and the data calculated from the mathematical models. This modeling and simulation approach enables entrepreneur of small scale PVC pipes manufacturing industries to get system wide view obtained by deliberately making local changes in their manufacturing system. They can predict its impact on performance of their machines. With the help of the models, one can find a method to improve the productivity of the industry. The results obtained from experiments are also analyzed by the development of different polynomial mathematical models and its related graphs. Recommendations with respect to improvement in the current operation are suggested and future changes are proposed.

The present investigation was to develop and characterize orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) of cinnarizine using sublimation technique. ODT of cinnarizine were prepared using different subliming agents like camphor, thymol and different concentrations of menthol using direct compression method. Compatibility study between drug and excipients was done by DSC techniques, found compatible. The porous sublimed and non sublimed granular blends were examined for angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index and Hausner’s ratio. The prepared tablets were evaluated for general appearance, content uniformity, hardness, friability, taste evaluation, mouth feel, wetting time, in vitro disintegration time, and in vitro dissolution studies. Tablets with menthol at 10.0% concentration have shown desired disintegrating features, i.e., within 20s. The dissolution study revealed that menthol at a concentration of 10.0 %W/W of the dosage form weight was able to improve the release of cinnarizine. The study concludes that sublimation technique is a useful to enhance the disintegrating and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug like Cinnarizine.

Mary Shelley, the daughter of “two persons of distinguished literary celebrity” - Mary Wollstonecraft, author of A Vindication of Rights of Man, and William Godwin, author of Caleb William – was a 19th century writer. Her first novel Frankenstein is a gothic story about the creation of a monster, produced by an unconventional and unorthodox scientific experiment. It represents the author's notions of life, humanity and the society of her own time. It is suggested that the story has hues of Mary Shelley’s own life. Much has been discussed on her feministic view in the theme of novel, but little attention has been given to the reflection of her own travels which molds the setting of the story. Mary Shelley traveled widely in her lifetime and used to keep journals and letters of her travels as a tourist; Shelley’s letters showcase her friends and family, her cares and concerns, her daily life and her life as a romantic author. The primary focus of the present study is on the elements of tourism which comprise the setting of the story and help to create the theme and atmosphere of a story in which theme and setting are interwoven and function as a character throughout the novel. This character represents the life of the author as a tourist.