Abstract: This paper reports the prediction of the value of scintillation for six randomly selected cities in Nigeria – Calabar, Enugu, Kebbi, Abuja, Sokoto and Onitsha, based on the ITU-R scintillation prediction model. It was observed that the scintillation is highest in the coastal site of Calabar and lowest in Sokoto with r.m.s amplitude scintillation value of 0.2 dB and 0.07 dB respectively, and that it varies inversely with the elevation angle. It was also observed that scintillation is season and frequency dependent.

Abstract: Internet application has been used by many firms especially the low-cost airline service providers in supporting their marketing activities. Thus, it is crucial to know whether firms’ website is giving an added advantage that could trigger online purchase intention. In this study, we examine six website quality factors: usability, website design, information quality, trust, perceived risk and empathy as antecedents of online purchase intention of air ticket. A self-administered questionnaire was used and 208 usable responses were collected in Klang Valley, Malaysia areas. Correlations and regressions were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that empathy and trust are the most direct influential factors in predicting online purchase intention. To improve consumers online purchase intention, service providers should provide service with empathy and enhance customers’ trust. The results of study provide a valuable insight on the direct impact of website quality factors towards online purchase intention of air tickets.

Abstract: Our main purpose of this paper is to find the corresponding set of inequalities defining an optimal control of a system governed by Neumann problem for a class of pseudo differential operators with symbols defined in terms of conditionally exponential convex functions also we formulate the boundary control problem for a system governed by Neumann problem.

Abstract: In this article, we implement a relatively new numerical technique and we present a comparative study among Homotopy perturbation method and Adomian decomposition method, the variational iterational method. These methods in applied mathematics can be an effective procedure to obtain for approximate solutions. The study outlines the significant features of the three methods. The analysis will be illustrated by investigating the homogeneous Dispersive equation model problem. This paper is particularly concerned a numerical comparison with the Adomian decomposition and Homotopy perturbation method, the variational iterational method The numerical results demonstrate that the new methods are quite accurate and readily implemented.

Abstract: The costs of resources and impacts of waste could obviously affect the revenue, public image and environmental performance of the hotels sector. The hotel industry in Saudi Arabia is expanding quickly with increasing international arrivals and domestic tourist. Management of the hotel industry’s resources would contribute to the long term sustainability of the tourism sector. There has been no systematic study on resources use and its analysis in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, there is a need for conducting a study to assess the resource use and management in the hotels sector in Saudi Arabia. This study was conducted though the distribution of a questionnaire to 80 hotels on waste generation, and energy and water consumption. These results are compared with those in other countries. Benchmarks for efficient use of resources in the hotels sector in Saudi Arabia are presented in this paper. In addition, accomplishing increased productivity remains an important matter with many service firms. Therefore, in the second part of this paper the objective is to gain insights as to how mangers can improve the productivity of their hotel industry. This was implemented by applying the concept of Total Productivity Management to a real case study. The results of this paper can be used as a guideline for all hotels in Saudi Arabia for the efficient use and management of resources and to know how to apply the concept of the Total Productivity Management in order to achieve the management goals.

Abstract: Software organizations differ from other manufacturing organizations, since these software organizations depend mainly on individuals and team works rather than machines or raw materials. Enhancing individuals and team works capabilities is the key solution to improve quality and productivity levels. Hence, Individual engineers need a quality improvement technique to improve their performance by bringing discipline to the way they develop software and manage their work to produce quality products within budget and on schedule. This paper will propose a case study showing the application and evaluation of the Personal Software Process (PSP), which recommends applying some skills and methods that concerns the individual engineer her/himself, like understating the meaning of work quality, and how to estimate time and effort in order to be able to make the right project plans which contain some estimated data that are close to the actual data. Hence, in our study, PSP will focus on two principles, improving individuals’ productivity, and products and process quality.

Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to propose a new representation method of chromosomes using binary matrix and new fittest criteria to be used as method for finding the optimal solution for TSP. The concept of the proposed method is taken from genetic algorithm of artificial inelegance as a basic ingredient which has been used as search algorithm to find the near-optimal solutions. Here we are introducing the new fittest criteria for crossing over, and applying the algorithm on symmetric as well as asymmetric TSP, also presenting asymmetric problem in a new and different way.

Abstract: Research on multi fingered robot hand (MFRH) is being carried out to accommodate a variety of tasks such as grasping and manipulation of objects in the field of industrial applications, service robots, and rehabilitation robots. The first step in realising a fully functional MFRH is mathematical modeling. In this paper, a MFRH model is proposed based on the biological equivalent of human hand where each links interconnect at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints respectively. The Kinematic and Dynamic modeling was carried out using Denavit Hartenburg (DH) algorithm and Euler Langrange formula for the proposed MFRH model.

Abstract: This paper presents new and easy to use versions of primal and dual phase 1 processes which obviate the role of artificial variables and constraints by allowing negative variables into the basis. During the process new method visits the same sequence of corner points as the traditional phase 1 does. The new method is artificial free so, it also avoids stalling and saves degenerate pivots in many cases of linear programming problems.

Abstract: Proposed in this study is a hybrid model for supporting the performance of a department within Amir Kabir University in Iran. The proposal is a two-stage model designed to fully rank the organizational departments where each faculty has multiple inputs and outputs. First, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) separately formulates each pair of units. In the second stage, the pair-wise evaluation matrix generated in the first stage is utilized to fully rank the units via the Analytical Network Process (ANP). Both the DEA and the ANP have limitations. Nevertheless, one hybrid model combines the best techniques of the two models. The DEA-ANP hybrid algorithm ranking does not replace the DEA classification model; rather, it extends the analysis by providing full ranking in the DEA context for all departments, whether they are efficient or inefficient.

Abstract: The role of small and medium scale enterprises as agents for building a resilient economic system have long been identified. This is shown in their flexibility, innovative and good relationship with other sectors of the economy especially large scale industries. In recent years, large scale industries have undergone many changes in their production environment by implementing various manufacturing techniques such as JIT, TQM, Six Sigma, Value methods and Lean manufacturing. These techniques are generally acceptable process improvement approaches for achieving exceptional results in areas like quality, cost, reliability and good value. A critical review of SMEs in both developed and developing countries indicates little application of these techniques. However, to sustain the link between SMEs and large scale industries, the need for appropriate manufacturing concepts in the SME sector was identified. Also, an increase in the demand for high quality products and exceptional business processes by large organization from SMEs has left no choice for smaller companies. This paper focuses on developing a function-oriented value method strategy required to implement the value methodology for SMEs in developing nations. The Value methodology has function and cost as the foundation upon which the technique operates. Therefore a toolkit with value methods as the central management tool was developed. The toolkit integrates few supporting techniques (return on investment, cost modeling, pareto analysis, value stream mapping, quality function deployment and target costing) within value methods. The aim of integrating these management techniques into a dynamic and competent hybrid is to increase the scope and applicability of the parent tool (Value methods). In addition, requirements for implementing value methodology in SMEs were highlighted.

Abstract: Poverty is a worldwide phenomenon, distinctly noticed in developing countries. Pakistan is facing poverty and its consequences. One fourth population in Pakistan is living below the poverty line. Drug abuse and poverty has a complex relationship. In majority of the cases, this relationship becomes direct. The principal objective of this paper is to analyze socio-economic and demographic indicators of narcotic abusers and to establish whether the relationship is direct or indirect with poverty. The scope of this study is to create awareness among youth and other members of the society along with healthcare decision makers, NGOs and other rehabilitation institutions. By assessing the available data, a correlation is established between poverty and above mentioned indicators. Specific secondary data available from 1994 to 2006 on narcotic use in Pakistan is evaluated. The drug abuse in the form of cocaine, hashish; heroine, opium, cannabis etc. are more used by the poor in Pakistan. Result reveals that the main causes of drug abuse are unemployment, illiteracy, income inequality and poverty in Pakistan.

Abstract: We give a setting for constructing a Weierstrass representation formula for simply connected minimal surfaces in the H2 x R. Using the spectral properties of the corresponding Dirac operators, the Willmore functional for surfaces in the H2 x R . We find the Willmore functional in relation to the energy of a surface in H2 x R. Mathematics Subject Classifications : 53C41, 53A10