• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.307-315
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• 2019

Building prediction and control theory have been drawing the attention of many scientists over the past few years because design and control efficiency consumes the most financial and energy. In the literature, many methods have been proposed to achieve this goal by trying different control theorems, but all of these methods face some problems in correctly solving the problem. The Evolutionary Bat (EB) Algorithm is one of the recently introduced optimization methods and providing researchers to solve different types of optimization problems. This paper applies EB to the optimization of building control design. The optimized parameter is the input to the fuzzy controller, which gives the status response as an output, which in turn changes the state of the associated actuator. The novel control criterion for guarantee of the stability of the system is also derived for the demonstration in the analysis. This systematic and simplified controller design approach is the contribution for solving complex dynamic engineering system subjected to external disturbances. The experimental results show that the method achieves effective results in the design of closed-loop system. Therefore, by establishing the stability of the closed-loop system, the behavior of the closed-loop building system can be precisely predicted and stabilized.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.107-141
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• 2010

Visualization techniques are transformed into reliable representations through socio-technological processes which include the agreement on the instrument and the embodiment of practices in relevant scientific communities. Visual representations thus produced are justified by realistic and epistemic virtues in science. This paper analyzes different visual images presented in the scientific papers of two research groups who argue different theories about the mechanism of face perception. These two scientific groups use the same fMRI technology; yet, different experimental paradigms and visual stimuli change their hypotheses into distinct testable theories, which in turn lead to different evidences to support their own theories. Visual evidences are intermediate representations which lie between fMRI brain images and scientific theories, and theoretical models obtain the scientific value based on the consistency in the chain of visual representations. This study shows that representations in science tend to be good representations within the context of scientific communities. It will provide a chance to think of the value and limit of the scientific knowledge

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.418-426
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• 2008

A surface blasting method with a single tree face is currently used in Pasir Coal Mine in Indonesia. The single free face is usually the ground surface. This kind of blasting method is easy to use but inevitably causes enormous ground vibrations, which, in turn, can affect the stability of the slopes comprising the various boundaries of the open pit mine. In this regard, we decided to make a specific blasting guideline for the control of found vibrations to ensure the safety of the pit slopes and waste dumps of the mine. Firstly, we derived a prediction equation for the ground vibration levels that could be occurred during blasting in the pits. Then, we set the allowable levels of ground vibrations for the pit slopes and waste dumps as peak particle velocities of 120mm/s and 60mm/s, respectively. From the prediction equation and allowable levels, safe scaled distances were established for field use. The blast design equations for the pit slopes and waste dumps were $D_s{\geq}5\;and\;D_S{\geq}10$ respectively. We also provide several standard blasting patterns for the hole depths of $3.3{sim}8.8m$.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.45-71
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• 2011

This study aims at reviewing the effect of the non-verbal communication of salespersons at service encounter on customers' non-verbal communication and responses. The previous studies overlooked the correlation between salespersons' non-verbal communication and customers' non-verbal communication at service encounter, although non-verbal communication of salespersons has potentialities evoking customers' non-verbal communication and emotional responses in various ways. If it is a salesperson who a customer first encounters within a shop, the non-verbal communication of salesperson affects his/her non-verbal communication and these non-verbal communication affect his/her emotional responses, and these emotional responses affect his/her behavior. This phenomenon is based on the theory of emotional contagion, mimic, and face feedback. Therefore the non-verbal communication such as greetings, postures and eye-contact manners through the personal interactions between salespersons and customers, can be said to be an antecedent variable which affects the positive responses of customer. As a result of the study, the kinesic of salesperson's non-verbal communication was found to affect customers' non-verbal communication, and customers' non-verbal communication affect emotional responses experienced at service encounter, and customers' positive emotion affect customers' behavior responses. This result provides an opportunity which makes one turn eyes on salespersons' non-verbal communication at sales encounter both practically and scientifically, through introducing salespersons' non-verbal communication as an important factor which can enhance customers' positive responses but has been passed over by the previous studies.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.51-63
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• 2006

The typical blasting method adopted in Pasir Coal Mine is a surface blasting technique with a single free face. It means that there is only one free face, which is usually the ground surface. This kind of blasting method is easy to use but inevitably causes enormous ground vibrations, which, in turn, can affect the stability of the slopes comprising the various boundaries of the open pit mine. In addition, the method also has the problem of lowering the overall blast efficiency compared to other methods such as bench blasting methods or ones with more than two free faces. In this respect, a project was launched to develop a new blasting method that is suitable for both controling the ground vibration and enhancing the blast efficiency. As a part of the project, we investigated the current blasting method of the mine, and have conducted field measurements of the ground vibrations from 12 biasts. This Paper presents the details of the typical blasting pattern and the Propagation characteristics of the ground vibration from the surface blasting in the mine. Especially, various predictive equations for peak Particle velocities that can be used to estimate the ground vibration level in the mine area were derived from the regression analyses using the measured ground vibration data.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.115-128
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• 2023

This study examines the effects of a new app-based intervention program for conversational skills of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants in this study comprised 26 children diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Participants were randomly assigned into a treatment group or a control group according to their ages, IQ, SCQ, and ASSQ scores. The treatment group met with teachers once a week for a single non-face-to-face class for nine weeks, along with conversation training at home using an app. The control group did not participate in any specific programs for conversational skills. Conversation data of all participants were collected before and after the intervention to compare the two groups based on changes in the conversational turn-taking and topic manipulation skills. When analyzed with respect to a Group X Period analysis of variance (ANOVA), the data indicated maintenance on the rate of appropriate listener's verbal responses in the treatment group, whereas the rate of inappropriate listener's verbal response significantly declined in the control group. In addition, the rate of conversation initiation and maintenance and the rate of appropriate initiation improved in the treatment group, whereas the rate of inappropriate initiation declined in this group. Overall, the study demonstrates promising effects of the novel App-based digital intervention on verbal conversational skills in children with high function ASD.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.23-43
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• 2021

Due to the recent transition to a non-face-to-face society, many organizations are quickly adapting to foster a smart work environment. The introduction of smart work does not simply end with incorporating ICT systems or solutions into business models since fundamental factors such as forms of employment and work styles need to be in line with the progression of technological advances. However, previous studies regarding smart work focus on improvements in productivity and efficiency from a technology acceptance perspective. Therefore, there is a lack of discussion on innovation resistance from employees and management control when ICT systems are introduced into the workplace. This study empirically analyzes the moderating effects of the organizational control method for employees and innovation resistance within a smart work environment. Additionally, this study aims to identify the structural characteristics that employees resist from an innovation resistance perspective when organizational innovation occurs. The empirical analysis of this study suggests that when smart work such as ICT technology is introduced into the workplace the level of innovation resistance decreases when there is a high level of relative advantage and self-efficacy, whereas the level of innovation resistance increases when there is a high level of use complexity. Moreover, this study revealed that the level of innovation resistance increases when the employees' behaviors were controlled. The results of this study intend to contribute to improving business management by suggesting factors worth considering when incorporating smart work into work places through a thorough case analysis.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.39-69
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• 2012

With the advent of communication technologies including electronic collaborative tools and conferencing systems provided over the Internet, virtual collaboration is becoming increasingly common in organizations. Virtual collaboration refers to an environment in which the people working together are interdependent in their tasks, share responsibility for outcomes, are geographically dispersed, and rely on mediated rather than face-to face, communication to produce an outcome. Research suggests that new sets of individual skill, knowledge, and ability (SKAs) are required to perform effectively in today's virtualized workplace, which is labeled as individual virtual competence. It is also argued that use of online social networking sites may influence not only individuals' daily lives but also their capability to manage their work-related relationships in organizations, which in turn leads to better performance. The existing research regarding (1) the relationship between virtual competence and task performance and (2) the relationship between online networking and task performance has been conducted based on different theoretical perspectives so that little is known about how online social networking and virtual competence interplay to predict individuals' task performance. To fill this gap, this study raises the following research questions: (1) What is the individual virtual competence required for better adjustment to the virtual collaboration environment? (2) How does online networking via diverse social network service sites influence individuals' task performance in organizations? (3) How do the joint effects of individual virtual competence and online networking influence task performance? To address these research questions, we first draw on the prior literature and derive four dimensions of individual virtual competence that are related with an individual's self-concept, knowledge and ability. Computer self-efficacy is defined as the extent to which an individual beliefs in his or her ability to use computer technology broadly. Remotework self-efficacy is defined as the extent to which an individual beliefs in his or her ability to work and perform joint tasks with others in virtual settings. Virtual media skill is defined as the degree of confidence of individuals to function in their work role without face-to-face interactions. Virtual social skill is an individual's skill level in using technologies to communicate in virtual settings to their full potential. It should be noted that the concept of virtual social skill is different from the self-efficacy and captures an individual's cognition-based ability to build social relationships with others in virtual settings. Next, we discuss how online networking influences both individual virtual competence and task performance based on the social network theory and the social learning theory. We argue that online networking may enhance individuals' capability in expanding their social networks with low costs. We also argue that online networking may enable individuals to learn the necessary skills regarding how they use technological functions, communicate with others, and share information and make social relations using the technical functions provided by electronic media, consequently increasing individual virtual competence. To examine the relationships among online networking, virtual competence, and task performance, we developed research models (the mediation, interaction, and additive models, respectively) by integrating the social network theory and the social learning theory. Using data from 112 employees of a virtualized company, we tested the proposed research models. The results of analysis partly support the mediation model in that online social networking positively influences individuals' computer self-efficacy, virtual social skill, and virtual media skill, which are key predictors of individuals' task performance. Furthermore, the results of the analysis partly support the interaction model in that the level of remotework self-efficacy moderates the relationship between online social networking and task performance. The results paint a picture of people adjusting to virtual collaboration that constrains and enables their task performance. This study contributes to research and practice. First, we suggest a shift of research focus to the individual level when examining virtual phenomena and theorize that online social networking can enhance individual virtual competence in some aspects. Second, we replicate and advance the prior competence literature by linking each component of virtual competence and objective task performance. The results of this study provide useful insights into how human resource responsibilities assess employees' weakness and strength when they organize virtualized groups or projects. Furthermore, it provides managers with insights into the kinds of development or training programs that they can engage in with their employees to advance their ability to undertake virtual work.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.71-75
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• 2009

Purpose: Recently, orbital wall fracture is common injuries in the face. Facial CT is essential for the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to reconstruct of the orbital wall. The objective of this study was to report the method for accurate measurement of area and shape of the bony defect in the blow-out fractures using facial CT in prior to surgery. Methods: The authors experienced 46 cases of orbital wall fractures and examined for diplopia, sensory disturbance in the area of distribution of the infraorbital nerve, and enophthalmos in the preoperation and followed 1 months after surgery, from August 2007 to May 2008. Bony defect was predicted by measuring continuous defect size from 3 mm interval facial CT. Copying from the defect model (template), we reconstructed orbital wall with resorbable sheet (Inion $CPS^{(R)}$ Inion Oy, Tampere, Finland). Results: One months after surgery using this method, 26 (100%) of the 26 patients improved in the diplopia and sensory disturbance in the area of distribution of the infraorbital nerve. Also 8 (72.7%) of the 11 patients had enophthalmos took favorable turn. Conclusion: This accurate and time-saving method is practicable for determining the location, shape and size of the bony defect. Using this method, we can reconstruct orbital wall fracture fastly and precisely.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.51
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• pp.465-495
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• 2011

Domestic franchised businesses have been showing relatively fast growth, but the growth is expected to slow down as in those developed countries. In face of this changing market environment, domestic franchisers will have to turn their eyes abroad to achieve sustainable growth. On the other hand, more international franchisors could pursue expanding into the Korean market due to economic or strategic reasons in their home countries. In general, enterprises are faced with several barriers when entering foreign markets by franchising their operation. Issues relating to such entry barriers can be broadly classified into legal and managerial. To begin, international franchising necessitates enterprises to handle various aspects of legal issues. There are no internationally unified rules for franchise agreements as in international goods purchase contracts. This forces franchisors to have deep knowledge of concerned regulations and practices of each of the individual target countries, in particular franchising practices which differ from those of their own countries in terms of rights and obligations of the involved parties. Having regard to this situation, this study reviewed the EU's PEL CAFDC and other domestic and overseas regulations governing franchising. From the results, several contractual obligations were derived that need to be taken into account when handling the issues around the international franchise agreement. In closing this paper mainly having in mind enterprises in various business lines seeking to expand into international franchising, some unmet needs are worth commenting. First, there is an urgent need to establish practical guidelines along with the model agreement addressing the issues of international franchising in the absence of any unified international rules. Second, to meet the first need above, it is needed that the relevant authorities conduct a comprehensive review of the existing franchising regulations available across overseas countries and, based on the results, embark on gathering good common elements in the existing franchising regulations in individual countries, ultimately developing the best possible guidelines and examples.