264 research outputs found
Length-Biased Loai Distribution: Statistical Properties and Application
No full textA new distribution is proposed in this paper using the length-biased dis- tribution as a special case of the weighted distributions. It is called the length-Bias Loai distribution. The properties of this distribution are inves- tigated, including moments, moment generating function, and the reliability functions and many others. Various numerical studies are carried out, they show that the distribution right skewed and leptokurtic. Different methods of estimation are used to estimate the distribution parameters. A simulation study is carried out to see the efficiency of the estimation methods, it shows that the distribution’s parameters are approximately unbiased and consis- tent. An application to a real data set is conducted to show the goodness of fit for the suggested distribution. It illustrates that the proposed distribution fits this data better than the other competence distributions
Assessment of the Punching Shear Behavior of Interior Slab-Column Connections Strengthened by Hemp Fibers Sheet Fabrics
No full textMabsout, Mounir; Saad, GeorgeThe replacement of synthetic fibers by natural fibers such as hemp fibers in concrete has been investigated to achieve a sustainable construction material. Hemp fibers are extracted from the plant's stem, which makes them strong and stiff. These fibers are environmentally friendly and are used in the manufacturing of composite materials. In this research, the assessment of hemp fiber reinforced polymer (HFRP) fabric sheets' performance as punching shear strengthening material for interior slab-column connections is investigated experimentally. The experimental results were validated through numerical and analytical approaches. Twenty-four lab-scale interior slab-column connections (670x670 mm) were designed to experience punching shear failure. The main test variables are the slab thickness (55 or 75 mm), the ratio of steel reinforcement (1% or 1.5%), the width of hemp fiber fabric sheet (100, 150, or 200 mm), the number of layers of the HFRP sheets (one or two layers), the type of strengthening material (HFRP sheets or carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets), and the location of hemp sheets (adjacent or offset by 1.5d from the face of the column). All tested specimens were loaded centrally through the column stub using the MTS universal testing machine up to failure. The assessment was based on a comparison of load capacity, mode of failure, load-displacement history, and cracking patterns of different specimens with different test parameters. Three finite element models were developed using ABAQUS software to predict the behavior of simulated specimens: un-strengthened specimen, specimen strengthened by HFRP, and specimen strengthened by CFRP. The experimental results demonstrate that HFRP strengthening sheets led to a significant improvement in the slab-column connections' structural behavior, depending on the slab thickness, steel content, width and configuration for HFRP sheets. The improvement in the ultimate shear capacity ranged between 5.5% and 41.14%, while the increase in stiffness reached up to 56.8% relative to the control specimen. It was found that although the natural confining HFRP sheet led to lower improvement in the performance of the strengthened specimen as compared to the synthetic CFRP sheet, the same improvement could be reached by the HFRP sheets when applied in larger width or in different configurations. The numerical findings show that the models predicted the connections' behavior in good agreement with the test results. The comparison between test results, available analytical model, and ACI Code shows that the analytical model provides good predictions for the test specimens' punching shear capacity. However, the ACI equations provide conservative predictions for the punching shear capacity of the test specimens
The reality of applying the standards of governance in Palestinian non-governmental hospitals and its impact on their performance in the Hebron Governorate (Al-Mizan Hospital and Al-Ahly Hospital as a case study)
No full textThis study aimed to identify the reality of the application of governance standards in Palestinian non-governmental hospitals and its impact on their performance in the Hebron Governorate (Al-Mezan Hospital and Al-Ahli Hospital as a case study) from the viewpoint of providers and recipients of services in both hospitals.
To achieve the aims of the study, the researcher used the descriptive method in data collection and analysis, and the questionnaire was used as a tool for study and data collection, and two questionnaires were developed, the first for service providers and the second for service recipients in Palestinian non-governmental hospitals.
The study population consisted of all providers and recipients of the service (male and female employees, resident patients, auditors and visitors) in Palestinian non-governmental hospitals (Al-Mizan and Al-Ahli) in the Hebron Governorate during the period of data and information collection (1690), and the study sample was chosen from service providers (employees) By random stratification method, the study sample was chosen from the recipient of the service (patients) by the random random method, and the researcher distributed the two questionnaires to (236) between the providers and the service recipients in the two hospitals and (216) questionnaires valid for analysis were returned at a rate of (91.5%).
The results of the study showed that the reality of applying the standards of governance in Palestinian non-governmental hospitals in the Hebron Governorate (Al-Mezan and Al-Ahli) from the point of view of service providers and recipients came at a high degree; And the level of performance of Palestinian non-governmental hospitals in the Hebron Governorate from the point of view of providers and recipients of service was also high. The results showed that there is a positive correlation relationship with statistical significance between the reality of applying the standards of governance and the level of performance of Palestinian non-governmental hospitals in the Hebron Governorate from the viewpoint of service providers and recipients. While the results showed that there are no statistically significant differences at the level of significance (0.05≥α) to apply the standards of governance to the performance of Palestinian non-governmental hospitals in the Hebron governorate from the point of view of service providers and recipients attributable to gender, age, educational qualification and experience variables, they showed the existence of such differences in It relates to the hospital variable for the benefit of service recipients at Al Mizan Hospital, as well as for the housing variable for the benefit of service recipients from villages/towns. With regard to arranging the criteria for applying governance according to its importance from the point of view of service providers and recipients, the results of the study showed the response standard came in the first place from the viewpoint of service providers, and the standard of accountability came in the
lowest position, while the criterion of clinical effectiveness came from the viewpoint of the recipient of the service in the rank First, the integrity standard was ranked last.
In light of the results, the study came out with a set of recommendations, the most important of which are: non-governmental hospitals must commit to applying the standards of governance in their various operations in order to sustain the development of their performance, and the need to work to raise awareness of the standards of health and clinical management governance among hospital personnel and the Palestinian public, and the necessity Endeavor to provide a code of career conduct and educate employees about it and its importance, with the disclosure of special reports related to financial, material and achievements matters, and in all transparency, so that they are available to all; The need to work on drafting a code for hospital governance in Palestine and evaluation of hospitals by official and competent regulatory authorities based on their application, with importance given to standards of accountability and integrity; Appointing people with efficient and effective performance and experience in hospital governance so that this positively affects the performance of employees and the improvement of it and the services provided by hospitals, while working to activate the incentive systems for workers, which would reduce manifestations of corruption and violations
Experimental and Numerical Assessments of Slab-Column Connections Strengthened Using Bonded Hemp Fiber Fabric Sheets
No full textAbstract The replacement of synthetic fibers with natural fibers in concrete has been recently investigated to counter the growing environmental and sustainable issues. Hemp fibers are environmentally friendly and are used in the manufacturing of composite materials. This paper reports on the experimental assessment of using hemp fiber reinforced polymer (HFRP) fabric sheets as an alternative to carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets to strengthen interior slab-column connections. Small-scale interior slab-column connections were loaded centrally through the column stub up to failure. The main test variables were slab thickness, HFRP sheet width, number of HFRP layers, type of strengthening material (HFRP or CFRP sheets), and HFRP sheet's location relative to the column’s face. Assessment of the strengthening material was based on a comparison of load capacity, mode of failure, load–displacement history, and cracking patterns. The experimental results demonstrated that HFRP strengthening sheets led to improvement in the structural behavior of the slab-column connections depending on the slab thickness, width and configuration for HFRP sheets. Although the HFRP sheets led to lower improvement as compared to the synthetic CFRP sheets, however, the same improvement could be reached by the HFRP sheets if they are applied in larger width or different configurations. A finite-element model was developed using ABAQUS software to predict the behavior of simulated specimens. The numerical findings showed that the models predicted the connection behavior in good agreement with the experimental test results. In addition, an analytical model was calibrated to simulate the behavior of the tested specimens
IT governance stability in a political changing environment : exploring potential impacts in the public sector
No full textPublic sector organisations (PSOs) operate in information-intensive environments often within operational contexts\ud
where efficiency is a goal. What's more, the rapid adoption of IT is expected to facilitate good governance within public sector organisations but it often clashes with the bureaucratic culture of these organisations. Accordingly, models such as IT Governance (ITG) and government reform -in particular the new public management (NPM)- were introduced in PSOs in an effort to address the inefficiencies of bureaucracy and under performance. This work explores the potential effect of change in political direction and policy on the stability of IT governance in Australian public sector organisations. The aim of this paper is to examine implications of a change of government and the resulting political environment on the effectiveness of the audit function of ITG. The empirical data discussed here indicate that a number of aspects of audit functionality were negatively affected by change in political direction and resultant policy changes. The results indicate a perceived decline in capacity and capability which in turn disrupts the stability of IT governance systems in public sector organisations
Exploring the impact of shared domain knowledge on strategic alignment in the Australian public sector
No full textIn this age of ever-increasing information technology (IT) driven environments, governments/or public sector organisations (PSOs) are expected to demonstrate the business value of the investment in IT and take advantage of the opportunities offered by technological advancements. Strategic alignment (SA) emerged as a mechanism to bridge the gap between business and IT missions, objectives, and plans in order to ensure value optimisation from investment in IT and enhance organisational performance. However, achieving and sustaining SA remains a challenge requiring even more agility nowadays to keep up with turbulent organisational environments. The shared domain knowledge (SDK) between the IT department and other diverse organisational groups is considered as one of the factors\ud
influencing the successful implementation of SA. However, SDK in PSOs has received relatively little empirical attention. This paper presents findings from a study which investigated the influence of SDK on SA within organisations in the Australian public sector. The developed research model examined the relationship of SDK between business and IT domains with SA using a survey of 56 public sector professionals and executives. A key research contribution is the empirical demonstration that increasing levels of SDK between IT and business groups leads to increased SA
The Role of Microsatellites in Streptophyta Gene Evolution
No full textMicrosatellites form hotspot regions for recombination. In this research, we investigated whether genic microsatellites can be responsible for generating new genes by enhancing crossover between gene containing microsatellites and other genomic regions. We tested our hypothesis on 33,531 UniGene entries containing microsatellites. Each sequence was divided into microsatellites upstream and downstream fragments, and each pair of sequences was compared to study the microsatellites effect. The candidate pairs of genes are supposed to share a high similar fragment in one side of the microsatellites, while the other fragments should be completely different. This in silico approach detected 448 valid pairs of sequences in which both of them showed semi-resemblance nature. The synteny analysis for the detected sequences against 55 plant genomes indicated low representation of them across plant kingdom. Our results will add a body of knowledge toward understanding the role of microsatellites in gene evolution
Overexpression of two ATNAC3-related genes improves drought and salt tolerance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
No full textThe NAC family is a multigene family that present uniquely in plants and whose members are involved in many important cellular processes including abiotic stress tolerance. In this study, sequences of two ATNAC3-related genes (SlNAC3) were identified in the tomato genome using different bioinformatics approaches. Phylogenetic analysis clustered 84 tomato identified NAC proteins into 19 different subfamilies that included 5 subfamilies for stress-related NAC genes with SlNAC3 members clustered with previously characterized ATNAC3 members from Arabidopsis. Gene expression analysis of SlNAC3 genes indicated that both of them are expressed in response to drought and salinity stress conditions. The over-expression of two stress-related SlNAC3 in tomato plants resulted in enhanced drought and salt tolerance when compared with wild type plants. The identified stress-related NAC genes could be a useful tool to improve tomato productivity under stress conditions
Optimising COBIT 5 for IT governance : examples from the public sector
No full textControl Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT) has grown to be one of the most significant IT Governance (ITG) frameworks available and also the best suited for audit, as it provides comprehensive guidance around IT processes and related business goals. However, given the constraints of both time and resources within which the Australian public sector is forced to operate, implementing an audit framework the size of COBIT in its entirety is often considered too large a task. As an alternative to full implementation it is not uncommon for the public sector to “cherry pick” controls from the framework in an effort to reduce its size. This paper reports on research undertaken to evaluate the potential to use an optimised sub-set of COBIT 5 for ITG audit in Australian public sector organisations. A survey methodology was employed to determine the control-objectives considered to be the most important to a selection of public sector organisations. Twelve control-objectives were identified as being most important to Queensland public sector organisations. As ten of these were also identified by previous studies, it appears possible to derive an optimised sub-set from COBIT 5 that would be both enduring and relevant across geographical and organisational contexts
An exploratory study into audit challenges in IT governance : a Delphi approach
No full textInformation technology (IT) has been playing a powerful role in creating a competitive advantage for organisations over the past decades. This role has become proportionally greater over time as expectations for IT investments to drive business opportunities keep on rising. However, this reliance on IT has also raised concerns about regulatory compliance, governance and security. IT governance (ITG) audit leverages the skills of IS/IT auditors to ensure that IT initiatives are in line with the business strategies. ITG audit emerged as part of performance audit to provide an assessment of the effective implementation of ITG. This research attempts to empirically examine the ITG audit challenges in the Australian public sector. Based on literature research and Delphi research, this paper provides insights regarding the impact of, and required effort to address these challenges. The authors also present the ten major ITG audit challenges facing Australian public sector organisations today
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