• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.5 no.5
• /
• pp.808-818
• /
• 1994

Effects of ceria additive on the activity and thermal aging behavior of supported Ru catalysts were investigated using Ru/${\gamma}$-$Al_2O_3$and Ru/$CeO_2$-${\gamma}$-$Al_2O_3$. The catalysts were characterized by $^{129}Xe$-NMR and $H_2$ chemisorption. The cataltic activity for conversion of CO, HC and $NO_x$ was measured using simulated automobile engine exhausts under lean, rich and stoichiometric conditions. For both fresh and aged catalysts, Ru/$CeO_2$-${\gamma}$-$Al_2O_3$ was more active than Ru/${\gamma}$-$Al_2O_3$ for all three pollutants. Results of $^{129}Xe$-NMR and $H_2$ chemisorption indicated that sintering of Ru particles occurred to the same extent for both catalysts during the thermal aging process. After thermal aging at 673K, however, the catalytic activity of the aged Ru/$CeO_2$-${\gamma}$-$Al_2O_3$ was substantially higher than that of the fresh one, while the activity of Ru/${\gamma}$-$Al_2O_3$ decreased after the thermal aging. This finding may suggest new active sites were created during the thermal aging, probably in the vicinity of the interface between Ru and Ce. For more quantitative investigation of the effect of a cation such as Ce on the thermal aging of Ru metal particles, Ru catalysts supported on cation-exchanged Y-zeolites were used as the model catalysts. The results indicated that when Ba, Ca, La, Y or Ce was used for the cation exchange, the exchanged cation did not affect the thermal aging behavior of Ru in Y-zeolite, as evidenced by $^{129}Xe$-NMR and EXAFS.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.1-31
• /
• 2009

This paper empirically examines factors that potentially influence the success of a Web-based semantic search engine. A research model has been proposed that shows the impact of quality-related factors upon the effectiveness of a semantic search engine, based on DeLone and McLean's(2003) information systems success model. An empirical study has been conducted to test hypotheses formulated around the research model, and statistical methods were applied to analyze gathered data and draw conclusions. Implications for academics and practitioners are offered based on the findings of the study. The proposed model includes three quality dimensions of a Web-based semantic search engine-namely, information quality, system quality and service quality. These three dimensions each have measures designed to collectively assess the respective dimension. The model is intended to examine the relationship between measures of these quality dimensions and measures of two dependent constructs, including individuals' net benefit and user satisfaction. Individuals' net benefit was measured by the extent to which the user's information needs were adequately met, whereas user satisfaction was measured by a combination of the perceived satisfaction with search results and the perceived satisfaction with the overall system. A total of 23 hypotheses have been formulated around the model, and a questionnaire survey has been conducted using a functional semantic search website created by KT and Hakia, so as to collect data to validate the model. Copies of a questionnaire form were handed out in person to 160 research associates and employees working in the area of designing and developing semantic search engines. Those who received the form, 148 respondents returned valid responses. The survey form asked respondents to use the given website to answer questions concerning the system. The results of the empirical study have indicated that, of the three quality dimensions, information quality was found to have the strongest association with the effectiveness of a Web-based semantic search engine. This finding is consistent with the observation in the literature that the aspects of the information quality should serve as a basis for evaluating the search outcomes from a semantic search engine. Measures under the information quality dimension that have a positive effect on informational gratification and user satisfaction were found to be recall and currency. Under the system quality dimension, response time and interactivity, were positively related to informational gratification. On the other hand, only one measure under the service quality dimension, reliability was found to have a positive relationship with user satisfaction. The results were based on the seven hypotheses that have been accepted. One may wonder why 15 out of the 23 hypotheses have been rejected and question the theoretical soundness of the model. However, the correlations between independent variables and dependent variables came out to be fairly high. This suggests that the structural equation model yielded results inconsistent with those of coefficient analysis, because the structural equation model intends to examine the relationship among independent variables as well as the relationship between independent variables and dependent variables. The findings offer some useful implications for owners of a semantic search engine, as far as the design and maintenance of the website is concerned. First, the system should be designed to respond to the user's query as fast as possible. Also it should be designed to support the search process by recommending, revising, and choosing a search query, so as to maximize users' interactions with the system. Second, the system should present search results with maximum recall and currency to effectively meet the users' expectations. Third, it should be capable of providing online services in a reliable and trustworthy manner. Finally, effective increase in user satisfaction requires the improvement of quality factors associated with a semantic search engine, which would in turn help increase the informational gratification for users. The proposed model can serve as a useful framework for measuring the success of a Web-based semantic search engine. Applying the search engine success framework to the measurement of search engine effectiveness has the potential to provide an outline of what areas of a semantic search engine needs improvement, in order to better meet information needs of users. Further research will be needed to make this idea a reality.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.36-48
• /
• 2015

To complete various types of finish works with higher quality in much less time, TACT, which was mostly used for high-rise buildings, has been adapted to meet the needs for systematic schedule management in construction sites. However, the effectiveness of adapting TACT has not been shown as expected due to the different perspectives on productivity from both general contractor and subcontractors based on unforeseen conditions according to the types of site. Furthermore, not enough theoretical backgrounds, empirical data, and systematic approaches to solve the fundamental problems caused by each participants' different views on productivity has produced obstacles for establishing effective solutions. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the possible main reasons for having different point of views regarding productivity among various participants of residential building sites using TACT based on literature review, site survey, and interviews. Also, case study was conducted to propose obtainable productivity (OP) regression equation and productivity achievement ratio (PAR) with reduction factors (RFs) and actual productivity (AP) data from an actual construction site. The proposed outcome may assist general contractors converting output management with PPC to productivity management with actual data using PAR. On the other hand, subcontractors would be able to estimate theory-based maximum productivity of construction sites with TACT by using OP. The PAR will enhance the communication between general and sub-contractors for their decision making process. Finally, the main RFs derived from PAR could be used as essential keys for productivity management to increase the economical and operational effectiveness of the construction project.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.31
• /
• pp.347-374
• /
• 2011

Along with Hujiwara Seika(藤原惺窩), Hayashi Razan(林羅山) is called the founder of the Japanese Confucianism in the Eto(江戶) era. And it is necessary for us to grasp that how Razan understand the theory of I-Ki(理氣論), then we can investigate the characteristics of his thought. In ordinary, people understand that the theory of I-Ki, as a completed view of the world, is integration of the structure of theory of the neo-Confucianism. So a certain thinker's ideological attitude is determined according to how people understand the theory. And then we can grasp the structure of his view of the world and human. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study how Razan had understanded the I(理) and Ki(氣). In spite of a scholar of Zhu Xi(朱熹), Razan didn't accept Zhu's view of I-Ki, he seem to lean toward the view of Wang Yangmings'(王陽明) in the his early learning days. But that doesn't mean he is a scholar of doctrine of Wang Yangming. When he meets the logical contradiction under the process of investigating the problem of Sein and Sollen, he just only to explain it with logic of Ki(氣) which is closed by mind. Meanwhile if we suppose I(理) is pure goodness and there is no things outside of I(理), if so Razan doubts about that where is the root of evil and he try to investigate the answer. In his latter years, Razan takes Zhu Xi's doctrine again get out of the mental attitude to the view of I-Ki(理氣). The outcome of precedent study about Razan points a fact that Razan needs a little more digging into the ieda of 'Fact and Sollen' which had been the reason of ideal confusion of him. But his ideal confusion is not the point of issue. Point is that Razan had understanded I-Ki(理氣) with monistic of Shim(心) in his early years. As a result, that bring about the outcome which exclude ontological thinking, and had come to grips with aspects of Sollen of all things in understanding of the doctrine of Zhu Xi. And I think that is the clue to understanding of Razan's learning.