• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.5-15
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• 2018

Purpose - Nowadays customers have become empowered by information communication technologies. This state of customers has brought enormous pressure to bear on organizations, thus, organizations have to stay relevant, market-oriented and profitable. The insurance sector is one that is constantly challenged by its exposure to ICT and the associated need for e-services by myriad customers. With increasing competition in the health insurance environment, it is necessary for the sector to understand customer expectations and how they perceive the services offered. This study seeks to determine the role played by e-services in relation to customer satisfaction in health insurance industry in Botswana where a substantial investment has been made in the sector. Research design, data, and methodology - This study is conducted using two prominent medical aid schemes in Botswana namely BPOMAS and PULA. Subscribers of these medical schemes were the respondents whose views were sourced using both closed and open ended questionnaires. Systemic sampling technique was used to select the participants, while descriptive statistical techniques were mainly used to analyze socio-demographic data of the samples. Results - The results reveal that the level of usage of the medical insurance firm's website and email service is higher for PULA participants than for BPOMAS participants. Conclusions - The findings of this study have practical implications for managers who should understand customers' value perceptions regarding e-service quality in Botswana.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.1031-1036
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• 2015

Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers are widely used in industrial sites. Most tuning methods for PID controllers use an empirical and experimental approach; thus, the experience and intuition of a designer greatly affect the tuning of the controller. The representative methods include the closed-loop tuning method of Ziegler-Nichols (Z-N), the C-C tuning method, and the Internal Model Control tuning method. There has been considerable research on the tuning of PID controllers for single-input single-output systems but very little for multi-input multi-output systems. It is more difficult to design PID controllers for multi-input multi-output systems than for single-input single-output systems because there are interactive control loops that affect each other. This paper presents a tuning method for the PID controller for a two-input two-output system. The proposed method uses a real-coded genetic algorithm (RCGA) as an optimization tool, which optimizes the PID controller parameters for minimizing the given objective function. Three types of objective functions are selected for the RCGA, and each PID controller parameter is determined accordingly. The performance of the proposed method is compared with that of the Z-N method, and the validity of the proposed method is examined.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.911-921
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• 2021

Indonesian oil palm plantation industry has chance to increase a sustainable competitive advantage. The creation of a sustainable competitive advantage is determined by the ability of the palm oil industry to utilize limited resources and capabilities. The purpose of this study was to analyze the determinants of the creation of sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) in the palm oil industry in Riau, Indonesia. The model framework uses organizational-level SCA dimensions. Four dimensions are used to measure SCA in the palm oil industry in Riau, namely value, scarce resource, inability to replicate, irreplaceable. Questionnaires were distributed to oil palm industry players in Riau with 81 respondents. The analysis technique uses Structural Equation Model with Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS). The results showed that the SCA in the palm oil industry in Riau was at a moderate level. Although the competitive advantage of being sustainable in the palm oil industry in Riau is in the medium category, test results on SCA dimensions found that each latent variable forms a significant SCA framework with a reflective constructive relationship model. The three dominant and recommended dimensions that shape the construction of SCA in the palm oil industry are value, scarce resource, and irreplaceable.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.529-538
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• 2021

This article aims to describe the institutional structuring strategy of independent smallholders in accelerating sustainable economic development, by taking the example of the cow-coconut integration system (SISKA) problem in Sialang Palas Village, Riau. The method used identified stakeholders related to SISKA; the stakeholder's goals and interests, farmers' social and institutional bases, and self-help farmer socio-economic networks. First, identification of various factors through strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis techniques. Second, through the Modern Political Economy analysis technique. Third, imparting knowledge and skills to the farmers and village officials through a collective learning process in utilizing natural resource waste and social resources. The results showed that the farmer management strategy in the reform era started by clustering the interests of farmers. The dynamics of structuring group relations between the chairman and members with farmers outside the group are the basis for strengthening the local ideology of independence in the future. This institutional structuring strategy that focuses on access to farm power in the village decision-making process encourages a more integrated work of farmer organizations. The analysis above shows that the independent smallholder institutional engineering through regulation, organization, and resources are determined by the farmer household economic factors and the application of the value of local wisdom.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.787-796
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• 2017

A low dimensional stability and poor bending strength properties were main problems in particleboard manufacturing. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of mixed wood species and urea-formaldehyde (UF) or urea-melamine-formaldehyde (UMF) resins on the physical and mechanical properties of three-layer particleboards. The ratio of face/core/back layer was 1 : 2 : 1. The resin content of 12% for both UF resins and UMF resins (UF/MF = 70/30% w/w) was used. The results of this study showed that the utilization of S.mahagony shaving using both UF and UMF resins caused a decrease in the thickness swelling and water absorption of the boards. Thickness swellings of particleboard made of Sengon/Sengon/Sengon (SSS), Mahogany/Mahogany/Mahogany (MMM), Sengon/Mahogany/Sengon (SMS), and Mahogany/Sengon/Mahogany (MSM) were in the range of 23%, 12~16%, 14~16%, and 13~21%, respectively. The board bonded with UMF resin demonstrated better dimensional stability than that bonded with UF resin alone. Modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of particleboards made of S. mahagony shaving in the surface layer in both MMM and MSM boards were better than those of the SSS and SMS. MOE of MMM and MSM board was in the ranges of 24,000 to $26,000kg.cm^{-2}$ and 18,000 to $21,000kg.cm^{-2}$ respectively. Meanwhile, the MOR of board was in the ranges of 200 to $240kg.cm^{-2}$ and 190 to $228kg.cm^{-2}$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.303-314
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• 2020

Gambir is a non-wood forest product with a potential of being used as wood adhesive, due to about 33% catechin in it. Meanwhile, catechins and sucrose have not been studied as adhesives. Therefore, basic characteristics of gambir-sucrose adhesives were investigated. In this research, adhesives were prepared by dissolving gambir and sucrose in distilled water, at different blending ratios of the gambir/sucrose such as 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75 wt%. Furthermore, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to determine the gambir chemical compositions, and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was carried out to identify chemical bonds. Particleboards with a target density of 0.8 g/㎤ were then manufactured by hot-pressing for 10 min at 200℃. The internal bond (IB) strength of particleboard was subsequently measured. Based on the GC-MS analysis, 31.11% of catechin was identified. In addition, the viscosity, density, solid content, and gelation time of the adhesives, and insoluble matter content (IMC) in boiling water were 7.30~33.24 mPa.s, 1.2~1.3 g/㎤, 25.56~28.44%, 73~420 min, and 29.75~62.10%, respectively. Adding sucrose to the adhesive was observed to raise the IMC from 49.05 to 62.10%, at 180℃ and 200℃. FT-IR analysis showed that the gambir absorption peaks occurred at approximately 1620 cm^-1, assigned to the C=O stretching of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, which tended to increase with the addition of sucrose. The reaction between gambir and sucrose was observed in the form of the dimethylene ether bridge. The 25/75 wt% gambir-sucrose adhesives and 200℃ hot-pressed temperature resulted in the highest IB strength (0.89 MPa), and met the requirement of JIS A5908-2003 type 18. Consequently, the gambir-sucrose adhesive could be used as a particleboard adhesive.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2017

Objective: To describe in vitro development of human embryos derived from an individual with a homozygous pathogenic variant in NLRP7 (19q13.42) and recurrent hydatidiform mole (HM), an autosomal recessive condition thought to occur secondary to an oocyte defect. Methods: A patient with five consecutive HM pregnancies was genomically evaluated via next generation sequencing followed by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo culture, and preimplantation genetic screening. Findings in NLRP7 were recorded and embryo culture and biopsy data were tabulated as a function of parental origin for any identified ploidy error. Results: The patient was found to have a pathogenic variant in NLRP7 (c.2810+2T>G) in a homozygous state. Fifteen oocytes were retrieved and 10 embryos were available after fertilization via intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Developmental arrest was noted for all 10 embryos after 144 hours in culture, thus no transfer was possible. These non-viable embryos were evaluated by karyomapping and all were diploid biparental; two were euploid and eight had various aneuploidies all of maternal origin. Conclusion: This is the first report of early human embryo development from a patient with any NLRP7 mutation. The pathogenic variant identified here resulted in global developmental arrest at or before blastocyst stage. Standard IVF should therefore be discouraged for such patients, who instead need to consider oocyte (or embryo) donation with IVF as preferred clinical methods to treat infertility.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.505-524
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• 2022

Floods represent extreme hydrological phenomena that affect populations, environment, social, political, and ecological systems. After the catastrophic floods that have hit Europe and the World in recent decades, the flood problem has become more current. At the EU level, a legal framework has been put in place with the entry into force of Directive 2007/60/EC on Flood Risk Assessment and Management (Flood Directive). Two years after the entry into force of the Floods Directive, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), has adopted a Regulation on the types and content of water protection plans, which takes key steps and activities under the Floods Directive. The "Methodology for developing flood hazard and risk maps" (Methodology) was developed for the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the methodology used in the majority of EU member states, but with certain modifications to the country's characteristics. Accordingly, activities for the preparation of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment for each river basin district were completed in 2015 for the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Activities on the production of hazard maps and flood risk maps are in progress. The results of probable climate change impact model forecasts should be included in the preparation of the Flood Risk Management Plans, which is the subsequent phase of implementing the Flood Directive. By the foregoing, the paper will give an example of the development of the hydrodynamic model of the Zujevina River, as well as the development of hazard and risk maps. Hazard and risk maps have been prepared for medium probability floods of 1/100 as well as for high probability floods of 1/20. The results of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) recording were used to create a digital terrain model (DMR). It was noticed that there are big differences between the flood maps obtained by recording LiDAR techniques in relation to the previous flood maps obtained using georeferenced topographic maps. Particular attention is given to explaining the Methodology applied in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.680-688
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• 2018

Objective : To mitigate the risk of iatrogenic instability, new posterior decompression techniques able to preserve musculoskeletal structures have been introduced but never extensively investigated from a biomechanical point of view. This study was aimed to investigate the impact on spinal flexibility caused by a unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression, in comparison to the intact condition and a laminectomy with preservation of a bony bridge at the vertebral arch. Secondary aims were to investigate the biomechanical effects of two-level decompression and the quantification of the restoration of stability after posterior fixation. Methods : A universal spine tester was used to measure the flexibility of six L2-L5 human spine specimens in intact conditions and after decompression and fixation surgeries. An incremental damage protocol was applied : 1) unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression at L3-L4; 2) on three specimens, the unilateral laminotomy was extended to L4-L5; 3) laminectomy with preservation of a bony bridge at the vertebral arch (at L3-L4 in the first three specimens and at L4-L5 in the rest); and 4) pedicle screw fixation at the involved levels. Results : Unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression had a minor influence on the lumbar flexibility. In flexion-extension, the median range of motion increased by 8%. The bone-preserving laminectomy did not cause major changes in spinal flexibility. Two-level decompression approximately induced a twofold destabilization compared to the single-level treatment, with greater effect on the lower level. Posterior fixation reduced the flexibility to values lower than in the intact conditions in all cases. Conclusion : In vitro testing of human lumbar specimens revealed that unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression and bone-preserving laminectomy induced a minor destabilization at the operated level. In absence of other pathological factors (e.g., clinical instability, spondylolisthesis), both techniques appear to be safe from a biomechanical point of view.

• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-26
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• 2023

This article will analyze and forecast important variables and dynamics in global power politics after the war in Ukraine. It tries to use several perspectives to analyze international relations, particularly liberal internationalism and structural realism. In short, core variables are as follows; First, how is the US-led liberal international order and globalization being adjusted? Second, how will the U.S.-China strategic competition, which is the biggest and structural variable, cause changes in the international order in the future? The third variable, how stable are Sino-Russia relations in the context of a structuring U.S.-China-Russia strategic new triangle? Fourth, to what extent will third middle hedging states outside the U.S. and China be able to exercise strategic autonomy in the face of multipolarization? To summarize, the first of these four variables is the largest basic variable at the global political and economic level in terms of its impact on the international community, and it has been led by the United States. The second variable, in terms of actors, seems to be the most influential structural variable in global competition, and the US-China strategic competition is likely to be a long game. Thus the world will not be able to escape the influence of the competition between the two global powers. For South Korea, this second variable is probably the biggest external variable and dilemma. The third variable, the stability of Sino-Russia relations, determines balance of global power in the 21st century. The U.S.-China-Russia strategic new triangle, as seen in the current war in Ukraine, will operate as the greatest power variable in not only global power competition but also changes in the international order. Just as the U.S. is eager for a Sino-Russia fragmentation strategy, such as a Tito-style wedge policy to manage balance of power in the early years of the Cold War, it needs a reverse Kissinger strategy to reset the U.S.-Russia relationship, in order to push for a Sino-Russia splitting in the 21st century. But with the war in Ukraine, it seems that this fragmentation strategy has already been broken. In the context of Northeast Asia, whether or not the stability of Sino-Russia relations depends not only on the United States, but also on the Korean Peninsula. Finally, the fourth variable is a dependent variable that emerged as a result of the interaction of the above three variables, but simultaneously it remains to be seen that this variable is likely to act as the most dynamic and independent variable that can promote multilateralism, multipolarization, and pan-regionalism of the global international community in the future. Taking into account these four variables together, we can make an outlook on the change in the international order.