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Exploring IT professionals’ intention to use software development risk assessment framework
Full text linkThe paper builds on the Theory of Reason Action(TRA)
and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)to develop
a research model in exploring information technology (IT) professionals’ intention to use a risk assessment framework in the context of software development. A total of 150
survey questionnaires were distributed on a convenient basis to Malaysian IT professionals in a software company; 106 were received. Out of this number, only 100 were
used for analysis. There is evidence to suggest the application of TRA and TAM in explaining the intention to use a risk assessment framework in Malaysian software development environment. Other implications and future areas for research are discussed herei
Utilisation of pullulan active packaging incorporated with curcumin and pullulan mediated silver nanoparticles to maintain the quality and shelf life of broiler meat
Full text linkBroiler meat can provide an appropriate environment for the microbial intensification, resulting in the lipid and protein oxidation and physico-chemical degradation. The utilisation of the anti-oxidants prevents meat degradation and human health challenges by preventing meat physico-chemical characteristics. Pullulan active packaging incorporated with green silver nanoparticles, as anti-oxidants, has not been reported in broiler meat preservation. Therefore, the impact of pullulan active packaging, incorporated with curcumin and pullulan mediated silver nanoparticles (C-AgNPs, P-AgNPs) on broiler meat was determined in the current study for 14 days of refrigerated storage at 4 ± 1 °C. A total of 120 broiler birds were reared for clean meat production and divided into 4 treatment groups (PF-CTRL, PF-C-AgNPs, PF-P-AgNPs, PF-M-AgNPs). Pullulan active packaging maintained meat textural attributes and pigment stability and breast muscle pH (6.11). Broiler meat treated with pullulan active packaging incorporated with curcumin arbitrated AgNPs (PF-C-AgNPs) indicated significantly higher oxidative stability (p =.000), water holding capacity (p =.002), expressible fluids (p =.000), and shear force values (p =.000) along with significantly lower cooking losses (p =.000), pH (p =.000), and shear force energy (p =.000) as compared to the control (CTRL) and other treatment groups. Broiler breast meat samples treated with pullulan active packaging expressed a “lighter” appearance (53.61 ± 3.64) during the refrigerated storage of 14 days. Moreover, significant differences were recorded in the oxidative stability/MDA (mg/kg) concentrations amongst the controlled and the treated groups on day 7th (p =.000) and day 14th (p =.000) of refrigerated storage. The current study confirms that the pullulan active packaging, incorporated with curcumin arbitrated silver nanoparticles (PF-C-AgNPs) followed by pullulan active meat packaging incorporated with pullulan mediated silver nanoparticles (PF-P-AgNPs) maintained the textural and physico-chemical meat attributes along with minimal oxidative rancidity in 14 days of storage. It is concluded that PF-C-AgNPs and PF-P-AgNPs can be a safer antioxidant alternate to preserve broiler meat quality and oxidative stability with a prolonged shelf life.HIGHLIGHTS Pullulan active meat packaging, incorporated with C-AgNPs and P-AgNPs, should be considered as green and bio-degradable substitution of the hazardous synthetic antioxidant packaging. Pullulan active meat packaging (PF-C-AgNPs, PF-P-AgNPs) is able to maintain the textural characteristics, compositional integrity, and physico-chemical attributes of broiler meat. Broiler meat treated with PF-C-AgNPs and PF-P-AgNPs reflects better oxidative stability with prolonged shelf life
Duty cycle analysis and thermal simulation for a lightweight disc brake for a regenerative braking system
Full text linkOne of the stated advantages of electric vehicles (EVs), and hybrid vehicles (HVs) is their ability to recuperate braking energy. Regenerative braking (RB) would extend the working range of an EV or HV provided that any extra energy consumption e.g. from increased vehicle mass and system losses did not outweigh the saving from energy recuperation, also reduce duty levels on the brakes themselves, giving advantages including extended brake rotor and friction material life, but more importantly reduced brake mass, minimise brake pad wear. The objective of this paper is to define how much braking energy could be absorbed by a regenerative braking system (RBS) on a passenger car, hence defining the duty envelope of the friction brake. This will enable lighter brakes to be designed and fitted with confidence in a normal passenger car alongside a hybrid electric drive. In this paper, a mathematical analysis (MATLAB) is used to analyse the availability of regenerative braking energy during a single stop braking event. Secondly a computer simulation model based on Advanced Vehicle Simulator (ADVISOR) is used to simulate both single stop and drive cycle braking. Based on both sets of results it is shown how much of the total braking energy could be absorbed by the RBS of an example hybrid car in single stop braking and drive cycle braking. Thermal performance is a key factor which is studied using FEA simulations. Ultimately a design method for lightweight brakes suitable for use on any car-sized hybrid vehicle will be developed. Some results from an experimental lightweight brake disc are shown to illustrate the effects of RBS / friction combination in term of weight reduction
Perceptions of e- marketing, social media, individuals and purchase intention – what can we learn from research?
Full text linkSocial media began as a tool for people to communicate, engage socially and play. Although the enthusiasm in social media initially began with the younger age group, the interest has expanded to others as well. In the last two or three years, the role of social media has given rise to social commerce phenomenon. It has been pervasively associated as electronic marketing (e-marketing). Besides, it has been regarded as a powerful tool to enhance brand presence. Examples of social media presence at Websites include “visit us on Facebook” or “Follow us on Twitter”. In the next five years, retailers may expect further explosive growth of social media contributed through users’ use and view. Given the notion that social media has been the subject of much zeal to both researchers and practitioners, the research undertakes to examine the contexts of e-marketing perceptions and individuals’ characteristics in the context of social media. This in turn clarifies the e-marketing perceptions and aspects of individuals’ characteristics. Built on prior literature, the present research proposed, developed, tested and validated a theoretical model to explain purchase intention at social media. The results and implications for researchers and practice are discussed herein
New updates on the homological invariants of some groups of class two
No full textHomological algebra is the branch of mathematics that studies homology in a general algebraic settin