Archives-March 2013

The identification of linear structures are done in geophysical images. The problem of identification of curvilinear structures in real and synthetic geophysical images is faced for the first time. Here we propose a method for automatic enhancement and detection of curvilinear structures. The accurate identification of line structures in geophysical images plays an important role in geophysical interpretation and the detection of subsurface structures. The method was applied on geophysical images in an effort to recognize the linear patterns of subsurface architectural structures that exist in archaeological sites. The method efficiently combines a rotation and Scale-invariant filter and a pixel-labelling method, providing a robust enhancement and detection of mostly line structures in 2-D gray scale images. Mainly they are used in archaeological sites.

Ultrasonic velocity, absorption and EPR measurements are carried out with manganous sulphate (MnSO₄) & vanadyl sulphate (VOSO₄) salts in water-glycerine mixtures in the concentration range 0.1-0.6 (w/w). The results are discussed on the basis of Hall’s two state model and molecular interaction due to complex formation between water-glycerine and water-paramagnetic ions. The spin Hamiltonian parameters for MnSO₄ & VOSO₄ from EPR spectra have been evaluated.

There has been tremendous growth in wireless technology in the last decade. This advancement has changed people do business in mobile environment (M-Business). This is where M-Commerce or Ubiquitous Commerce (U-Commerce) step in which promises to allow shoppers to purchase goods and have services using mobile phones, wearable PCs and handhelds and in the same way brings challenges for both individuals and society. This paper is intended to bring out the facts about the feasibility of M-Commerce today; the strength and opportunities, the weaknesses and threats lying ahead. The highlight of this paper is to explore the issues that arise from the effects of M- commerce and the challenges lying ahead from which in future, the researchers may spell-out the ways to serve M- commerce as drivers of the growing market demand in the long-term.

Naturalism was a literary movement taking place from the 1880s to 1940s that used detailed realism to suggest that social conditions, heredity, and environment had inescapable force in shaping human character. It was depicted as a literary movement that seeks to replicate a believable everyday reality. Whereas realism seeks only to describe subjects as they really are, naturalism also attempts to determine "scientifically" the underlying forces influencing the actions of its subjects. Naturalistic works often include sordid subject matter, frankness about sexuality along with a pervasive pessimism. Naturalistic works exposed the dark harshness of life, including poverty, racism, violence, prejudice, disease, corruption, prostitution, and filth. This study focused on the Sadegh Choobak's Short Story A Man in the Cage from the viewpoint of literary naturalism. In this regard, the story's naturalistic features represented and discussed.

Equity markets are the reflection of macro-economic policies of the state is generally considered as a controversial hypothesis. Therefore it is required to explore the relationship among economic variables and equity prices in context to Pakistan economy. This study comprised on monthly data regarding to the period (6/2004-6/2010). Variables under study are Foreign exchange rate, Money supply M1, Inflation rate, Interest rate, Industrial production index and Karachi stock exchange (KSE 100 index). Descriptive statistics, Augmented dickey fuller test, Johansen’s cointgeration test is used to test the hypothesis and for the purpose of impact study, Ordinary least squares applied. The results indicate that only Interest rates have long run relationship to the equity market. All remaining variables have negative while interest rate has a positive, but having insignificant impact on the equity returns. The results are not favored in predicting the equity returns in Pakistan context.

The aim of this article is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of extending the retirement age for employees in Malaysia. Retirement falls under as one of the phases of career development, which happens to be the last phase of an individual’s career. As the last phase of employment, people have different views regarding the retirement period. Some can easily accept it as it is and some other may find it hard to face. This article will emphasize on the pros and cons of extending the retirement age as some organizations feel that it is necessary, while some other organizations refuse to. The article highlights the different point of views of different countries on this matter.

Owing to the poor academic performances of students in Secondary Schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria, the study examined gender differences and the influence of parenting styles on the academic performances of secondary school students in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A sample of 116 participants comprising of 62 males and 54 females with ages ranging from 13 to 16 years and a mean age of 15.2 years was drawn from among the students of Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. The 20 items Parental Care Scale developed by Baumrind (1971) to measure what children perceive as the styles or approaches that their parents dominantly use in taking care of them was administered on the students and it was found out that parenting style influences children’s academic performances, with authoritative parenting style being most influential [ t (113) = 20.95, p <.01]. No significant difference was found in the academic performances of males and females owing to differing parental styles. Findings were therefore discussed in light of available literature and recommendations were made.

It is a well-known fact that solar resource or solar radiation varies spatially as well as temporally across the face of the earth. Hence, resource assessment is a preliminary step for all solar applications. In this study, a flat plate surface solar collector of dimension 2 m2, hinged on a horizontal support for quick adjustment of inclination from 0o to 80o was fabricated and marked out at 0.5o intervals on a telescopic leg graduated in degrees. Measurement of the solar radiation, varying degrees of inclination were taken between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for 7 days of each month at clear sky hours. The measurements were made for five months of the year in Tabriz, East-Azerbaijan Province, Iran. These months selected because they have maximum average solar radiation energy in Iran. At each 0.5 degree of inclination, the solar radiation intensity was replicated three times at each hour and the average value was taken. The flat plate was set truly facing south with an engineering prismatic compass. The result showed that the optimum tilt angle of a flat plate for maximum collection of solar radiation intensities in each month. This work also revealed that the average angle of inclination at which a flat plate surface solar collector will be mounted at fixed position in Tabriz is 31o approximately in studied months. The analysis indicated that when a flat surface was located at the forecasted optimum tilt angle for each of five months, solar radiation intensity was increased, when compared with solar radiation intensity harnessed by the same flat plate collector on other angles and under the same condition. Moreover this improvement impose no extra-cost. Comparison of the measured and calculated optimum values of tilt angle of a flat plate surface for trapping maximum solar radiation intensity for each of five months indicated a high correlation with R2 of 0.98 approximately.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is at the heart of any E-Business activity. All of the companies doing business electronically through their websites emphasize upon the various aspects of e-CRM (Electronic CRM) including the organization of information on the websites, website customization, order tracking and delivery channels, security and safety measures, registration and login procedures, ease of checkout, customer support (Email, live chat, telephone) etc. This study elaborates the various activities/features of e-CRM adopted by the Kiddicare, olivers and Babyboodle for the promotion of their business and market share. The result emphasize on enhancing the Customer’s satisfaction through revised e-CRM strategies.

Ions concentration of seventeen wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) in NaCl salinity (16 dS m-1 and two weeks exposure) was assessed to evaluate the ability of these traits in salt screening. There was an increase in Na+ concentration and decrease in K+ concentration in salinity stress compared to control condition in shoot parts. Even thought, there was a clear relation between salt tolerance or salt sensitivity and Na+ concentration in shoot plant. It seems that the increase in concentration of Na+ concentration can be criteria to distinct salt tolerance in the shoot of early wheat plant. Therefore Na exclusion measurement can be applied with other trait such as yield and yield components to screen wheat cultivars in salinity condition.