• Journal of KIISE:Software and Applications
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.817-827
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• 2007

In the age of ubiquitous environment, huge number of devices and computing services are provided to users. Personalized service, which is modeled according to the character of each and every individual is of particular need. In order to provide various dynamic services according to user's movement, service unit and operating mode should be able to operate automatically with minimum user intervention. In this paper, we discuss the steps of offering approximate service based on user's request in ubiquitous environment. First, we present our simulator designed for modeling the physical resource and computing object in smart space - the infrastructure in ubiquitous. Second, intelligent agents, which we developed based on a FIPA specification compliant multi-agent framework will be discussed. These intelligent agents are developed for achieving the service goal through cooperation between distributed agents. Third, we propose an automated service discovery and composition method in heterogeneous environment using semantic message communication between agents, according to the movement by the user interacting with the service available in the smart space. Fourth, we provide personalized service through agent monitoring anytime, anywhere from user's profile information stored on handhold device. Therefore, our research provides high quality service more than general automated service operation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.5
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• pp.643-652
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• 2019

Protection of cultural heritage and carrying it to the future are at the top of the significant topics of research and implementation in engineering in the 21st century. There are several historical structures in the district of Ahlat located in the east of Turkey on the Lake Van Basin that has harbored many civilizations. Some of such works are the gravestones that are found in the Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery, which is the oldest and largest cemetery in the district. This study firstly provides information about the Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery and the gravestones found in it. Observation-based structural analyses were carried out on these gravestones that are found in this area that are known to have belonged to different civilizations based on their physical and constructional characteristics. These stones were built out of Ahlat stone as single pieces. Information is provided on the damages that have occurred on the gravestones in time and their causes. In general, losses of mass, abrasions, separations, collapses and calcifications due to natural conditions, as well as vegetative formations, were observed in the gravestones. To provide an example of other gravestones within the context of the study, the gravestone that is known to belong to the person named Nureddin Ebu Hasan was selected. As a result of the modeling that was carried out for this gravestone by using the finite elements method, modal analyses were carried out. With these analyses, for the gravestone, period, effective mass participation rates and stress values were calculated. The stress values that were obtained in this study were compared to the material safety stress values that were obtained in previous studies. Additionally, QR code application was created for the gravestone that was selected as an example in the study, and information on this gravestone was transferred to an electronic environment. The QR code application includes different language options, visuals of the gravestone and information on the gravestone. The QR application was also supported with a video of the cemetery where the gravestone is located. With this application, access to information about gravestones will be possible by using tablets and smartphones. With a QR code to be created for each gravestone, these gravestones will obtain identity cards.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2020

This paper presents a numerical study on the rotordynamic analysis of a dual-spool turbofan engine in the context of blade defect events. The blades of an axial-type aeroengine are typically well aligned during the compressor and turbine stages. However, they are sometimes exposed to damage, partially or entirely, for several operational reasons, such as cracks due to foreign objects, burns from the combustion gas, and corrosion due to oxygen in the air. Herein, we designed a dual-spool rotor using the commercial 3D modeling software CATIA to simulate blade defects in the turbofan engine. We utilized the rotordynamic parameters to create two finite element Euler-Bernoulli beam models connected by means of an inter-rotor bearing. We then applied the unbalanced forces induced by the mass eccentricities of the blades to the following selected scenarios: 1) fully balanced, 2) crack in the low-pressure compressor (LPC) and high pressure compressor (HPC), 3) burn on the high-pressure turbine (HPT) and low pressure compressor, 4) corrosion of the LPC, and 5) corrosion of the HPC. Additionally, we obtained the transient and steady-state responses of the overall rotor nodes using the Runge-Kutta numerical integration method, and employed model reduction techniques such as component mode synthesis to enhance the computational efficiency of the process. The simulation results indicate that the high-vibration status of the rotor commences beyond 10,000 rpm, which is identified as the first critical speed of the lower speed rotor. Moreover, we monitored the unbalanced stages near the inter-rotor bearing, which prominently influences the overall rotordynamic status, and the corrosion of the HPC to prevent further instability. The high-speed range operation (>13,000 rpm) coupled with HPC/HPT blade defects possibly presents a rotor-case contact problem that can lead to catastrophic failure.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.49-78
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• 2010

Traditionally, self-efficacy, burnout and engagement are defined as work related states of mind, and formally speaking, students are not employees. But, we assume that from a psychological perspective, student core activities can be considered work. Therefore, based on SCT(social cognitive theory), we examine the mediating role of self-efficacy in the prediction of student burnout and engagement, and also the mediation of burnout and engagement between self-efficacy and performance(GPA). There is no research to date wether there would be mediating role of these variables between past success and performance. These effects were analysed in the context of mediating role of the variables in a university in a sample of 438 students. This study utilized a convenience sample drawn from various major scholar area. Results of structural equation modeling analyses were consist with a full mediation model in which academic past success predicts self-efficacy, which in turn, predicts student burnout and engagement. Also our proposed model showed that burnout and engagement are partial or full mediating variables between self-efficacy and performance. Our study's findings provide evidence that engagement fully accounted for the relationship between self-efficacy and performance, and burnout partially explained the relationships. These findings aligns with the general theorizing supported by JD-R model and SCT(social cognitive theory). More specifically, it builds on the JD-R literature as it tests one of the proposed mechanisms in the relationship between job resources and work engagement. Implications of study are discussed, together with limitations and suggestions for future research.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.54-68
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• 2009

This study is to examine the structural relationships between relationship learning, their antecedents such as transaction specific assets, and environmental uncertainty, and long-term orientation, overall satisfaction and recontracting intention in the context of the foodservice franchise industry. The data is analyzed with structural equation modeling with Amos 5.0 and SPSS 14.0. The result of the overall model analysis appeared as follows: $x^2=57.75$, df=9, p=0.00, GFI=0.95, AGFI=0.81, RMSR=0.03, NFI=0.92, CFI=0.93. Since the result of the overall model analysis demonstrated a good fit, we could further analyze our data. The results of this study are as follows: First, information sharing of relationship learning had a significantly positive effect on long-term orientation. Second, information sharing of relationship learning did not have a significantly positive effect on overall satisfaction. Third, shared interpretation of relationship learning had a significantly positive effect on long-term orientation and overall satisfaction. Fourth, developing memories of relationship learning did not have a significantly positive effect on long-term orientation and overall satisfaction. Fifth, overall satisfaction had a significantly positive effect on long-term orientation. Sixth, long-term orientation and overall satisfaction had a significantly positive effect on recontracting intention. Finally, transaction specific assets and environmental uncertainty had a significantly positive effect on relationship learning. At the end of this paper, limitations, further research directions, and implications are suggested.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.47-57
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• 2016

This study was conducted to verify the relationships among the image of middle-low price chain hotels, service quality, consumption value, and customer emotion by using the AMOS 22.0 statistic package program. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling methods employed for identifying the formulated hypothesis model. According to results, first, it is seen that the image of middle-low price chain hotels has positive effect on the service quality. Second, the image of middle-low price chain hotels has positive effect on the consumption value, and the consumption value has positive effect on the service quality. Third, the service quality does not have positive effect on the customer emotion. Last, the image of middle-low price chain hotels has positive effect on the customer emotion. In this study, we attempted to establish the management strategy device of middle-low price chain hotels by analyzing how the image of middle-low price chain hotels affect the service quality, consumption value, and customer emotion. As a result, when it comes to the service quality according to the image of middle-low price chain hotels, the conviction, in other words, the belief of the hotel staffs was the biggest one. In addition, when it comes to the consumption value according to the image of middle-low price chain hotels, the functional value, the kind service of the hotel staffs was seen as the highest satisfaction. More practical and theoretical implications for developing marketing strategy in context of middle-low price chain hotels has been suggested in conclusions.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.73-94
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• 2008

When individuals collaborated in virtual settings, communication is medicated through a variety of communication technologies, and is associated not only with communication effectiveness but also with socio-emotional interactions among group members. In this regards, scholars have examined how technology-mediated communication systems can be designed and used to facilitated communication interaction. However, the empirical results of the previous studies have revealed inconsistencies in the effects of communication media on users' behavioral or attitudinal responses, and on their viable effectiveness in organizations. Some studies claim that computer-mediated communication(CMC) is task-oriented but not suitable for emotional expression since it hinders close interpersonal interaction. On the other hand, some studies argue that individuals are able to develop interpersonal relationships more effectively in a CMC environment than in an FtF-environment. Due to the different perspectives, a theoretical gap exists, and it leads to the inconsistent research findings. The purpose of this paper is to combine the two different perspectives into single unified model, thereby providing a more realistic and comprehensive understanding about virtual collaboration. The present study here sought to answers the following questions with organizational communication perspective: What are the major components of virtual collaboration? What factors affect the performance of virtual collaboration? And what kind of managerial efforts should organization make in order to facilitate CMC media effectiveness in virtual collaboration? Although there is a certain belief that new media, namely technology-mediated communication support would create new opportunities, the problem of "how" or "why" has been an important question that is still not fully addressed. In this regards, we collectively reexamined previous literatures with major issues which are still controversial and integrated various theoretical activity within computer-mediated communication domain: task-oriented approach, socio-emotional approach, and evolutionary psychological approach. Our first contribution is to develop a framework for virtual collaboration by combining two different perspectives into a single unified model, providing a more realistic and comprehensive understanding. The second main contribution is the joint modeling of both social presence and cognitive effort, and the effects on two distinct but important communication outcomes(i.e., take performance and relational development). We tested the research hypotheses which were developed based on the various CMC theories using data gathered through a self-administered mail survey of 127 individuals of 69 virtual workgroups. The proposed model was supported, providing preliminary evidence that the tension between two opposite view should be integrated. The results show that the individual's psychological processes(social presence and cognitive effort) in a virtual environment significantly mediated the effect of CMC inputs (media richness, user adaptation, and shared contest) on the CMC outputs (task performance and relational development). Furthermore, this study shows that the lack of perceived media richness of CMC media can be complemented by user adaptation and shared context. Based on the results, we discuss how communication system should be designed and implemented so as to promote virtual interaction as well as how a virtual workgroup should be composed to complement the lack of media richness. A virtual collaboration using CMC media may create new value by overcoming the logistical constraints. On the other hand, it may also generate various managerial risks such as communicational depersonalization, process dissatisfaction, and low cohesion. Therefore, this study suggests that organization managers should carefully choose the CMC mediums and monitor individual member's cognitive and affective psychological processes during virtual collaboration to reduce potential risks in virtual collaboration.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.229-253
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• 2009

The effect of knowledge sharing and its importance have been reported in the information systems literature. However, little has been learned about the impact of knowledgeexchange web sites. This study explores relationships between individual characteristics such as personal innovativeness in the domain of information technology (PIIT), computer selfefficacy (CSE), and computer anxiety (CA), user involvement (UI), and knowledge sharing in a knowledge.exchange website. In order to examine our research model, we adopted a survey research design based on the Structural Equation Modeling method. By analyzing 241 samples collected, we conclude that UI and CA are valuable to discuss in terms of their theoretical and practical implications. This study not only extends the research on personal innovativeness and knowledge sharing, but also suggests a need for focused research efforts to investigate real practices on knowledge sharing. This study initiates this kind of efforts to make a relevant tie between design of knowledge sharing applications and the success case in the commercial field to encourage users to share their knowledge.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1861-1864
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• 2016

Although early diagnosis of thyroid nodule type is very important, the diagnostic accuracy of standard tests is a challenging issue. We here aimed to find an optimal combination of factors to improve diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules before surgery. In a prospective study from 2008 to 2012, 345 patients referred for thyroidectomy were enrolled. The sample size was split into a training set and testing set as a ratio of 7:3. The former was used for estimation and variable selection and obtaining a linear combination of factors. We utilized smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) logistic regression to achieve the sparse optimal combination of factors. To evaluate the performance of the estimated model in the testing set, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized. The mean age of the examined patients (66 male and 279 female) was $40.9{\pm}13.4years$ (range 15- 90 years). Some 54.8% of the patients (24.3% male and 75.7% female) had benign and 45.2% (14% male and 86% female) malignant thyroid nodules. In addition to maximum diameters of nodules and lobes, their volumes were considered as related factors for malignancy prediction (a total of 16 factors). However, the SCAD method estimated the coefficients of 8 factors to be zero and eliminated them from the model. Hence a sparse model which combined the effects of 8 factors to distinguish malignant from benign thyroid nodules was generated. An optimal cut off point of the ROC curve for our estimated model was obtained (p=0.44) and the area under the curve (AUC) was equal to 77% (95% CI: 68%-85%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values for this model were 70%, 72%, 71% and 76%, respectively. An increase of 10 percent and a greater accuracy rate in early diagnosis of thyroid nodule type by statistical methods (SCAD and ANN methods) compared with the results of FNA testing revealed that the statistical modeling methods are helpful in disease diagnosis. In addition, the factor ranking offered by these methods is valuable in the clinical context.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.179-222
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• 2011

This research investigates the influence of relational characteristics on 'co-defection', customer defection following salesperson turnover, in the context of salesperson-customer relationship. Based on the social exchange theory, it was hypothesized that perceived relational benefits and switching costs affect directly the customer's intentions to defect. Key constructs in relationship marketing such as customer satisfaction, trust, and loyalty were hypothesized to affect the customer's intention to defect as well as perceived relational benefits and switching costs. The results of structural equation modeling using a survey sample of 503 insurance customers who purchased life insurance policies through salespersons unveiled that the customer satisfaction with salesperson and the customer trust in salesperson strongly influence the salesperson-owned customer loyalty. However, they did not have significant direct effects on co-defection intentions. All paths from salesperson-owned customer loyalty to perceived relational benefits and perceived switching costs were also significant. Salesperson-owned customer loyalty did not have significant direct effects on co-defection intentions, but it had significant indirect effects on co-defection intentions through relational benefits and switching costs. Three sub-dimensions of perceived relational benefits had significant positive effects on co-defection intentions while the perceived switching costs had significant negative effects on co-defection intentions. The significance of our research findings were verified by comparing the hypothesized model and the rival model in the past studies.