The article discusses the strength of concrete and other brittle materials in the case of non-uniform biaxial type of compression (σ1 > σ2 > 0) and triaxial compression of σ1 > σ2 = σ3 > 0 type (it was assumed that σ> 0 corresponds to compression). It is noted that, when considering the biaxial loading in the accepted model, probabilistic nature of distribution of stresses along the contour of pores and inclusions, i.e. stress causing formation and propagation of cracks in the material, plays an important role. Moreover, the stress across the circuit pores was regarded as a three-dimensional random field of S(α,β,γ,ω),where ω - is a random argument. Considering the average number of overshoots NR we believed that the random field of S is not homogeneous (not stationary): its expectation is not constant, but is a function of nonrandom arguments Мs = Мs(α;β;γ). External load, corresponding to NR = const (and at the same time constant of level exceedance probability), first increases and then decreases a little. Heating up to 300оС (573K) and 400оС (673K) leads to violations, and long-term load leads to significant changes in the macro- and microstructure of concrete.

The connection between education and technology offers an exciting opportunity for universities to utilize social media marketing activities not only to recruit new students or to create brand image and reputation, but also to enhance student satisfaction. Despite having a large number of studies indicating the importance of social media as a tool for student recruitment, the studies on the importance of social media marketing activities (SMMA) for students who are already enrolled are rare. This study aims at examining the relationship between SMMA and student satisfaction, considering perceived quality as a mediator in the higher education sector in North Cyprus. Utilizing a cross-sectional online survey, the data for this study was collected during October- November 2020 from 424 international students enrolled in North Cyprus universities. The model was assessed and the data was analyzed using Structural Equation Model (SEM) in AMOS statistical software. The findings suggest that SMMA has a positive relationship with the perceived quality of education, and perceived quality mediates the relationship between SMMA and student satisfaction positively.

There are many researches on project selection field, but few of them have considered environmental criteria in their studies. Moreover, there are many articles in evaluating risk but there is no article that considers value at risk concept to evaluate the amount of risk in multi project selection. We propose a multi objective mathematical model to address a situation in which several projects are candidate to be invested completely or partially. Three objective functions are considered in this paper. The first objective maximizes sum of the net present value of pure cash flow obtained from selected projects. In this objective, we consider the factor of time and its impact on value of money. In addition, we use the concept of value at risk (VAR) as the present value for the first time in project selection problems. Although green projects are more interesting, there are few articles, which address environmental issues. Hence, we consider the objective, which are related to environmental issues as the final criterion. Multi-Objective Differential Evolution algorithm (MODE) algorithm is applied to solve a problem, which is known as robust and efficient algorithm. Then computational results are compared with solutions obtained by NSGA-II algorithm which is well-known algorithm in this field with respect to seven comparison metrics.

Aluminium alloy AlMg4.5Mn has got comprehensive acceptance in the manufacturing of light weight frames, marine structures which require high strength and worthy corrosion revulsion. The present investigation work focuses on friction stir welding process in which influences of operating parameters have been studied on friction stir welded butt joints. The FSWed joints specimens have been produced by experimentation at three levels of tool traverse speed and tool rotational speed keeping input force and tool tilt angle constant. Mechanical properties and microstructure of welded joints have been investigated in the present study. Change in the microstructure at different zones which transforms the mechanical properties of welded joints was due to the asymmetrical flow of material and thermal cycles around the pin. The second phase beta grains are formed as the very high temperature reached due to input parameters combinations. Traverse speed (TS) and tool rotational speed (TRS) are taken in a range of 16-40 mm/min and 500-1400 rpm, respectively. The best combination of parameters results in higher tensile strength which is well supported by the micro-hardness curve and the compact grains microstructure profile. Microstructure at different points and physical properties exhibited by the welded joint are well brought into line to summarize the effects of different parameters.

Despite the rare use of the term ‘strategy’ in public and voluntary sector organizations, recent research has seen the use of both the strategy and strategy-as-practice concepts in regulating the innovation perspective within the public sector. The available literature on innovation, strategy, and service delivery within the public sector offers positive insights into forming a new concept of innovation within the public organization sphere. Using a systematic review, we aim to understand the integration of the strategy-as-practice perspective into the public service ethos to drive the innovation perspective forward. The review was performed in two stages, 855 documents were retrieved in the first stage that covered a five-year time span, while 8,620,000 documents were retrieved in the second stage that covered a twenty-three-year time span. We further supported our argument through a quantitative questionnaire with 93 respondents from Kuwait. The findings of the research indicate that public sector policymakers need to pay attention to the social complexity of their context in order to innovate delivered public services. Furthermore, policymakers need to adopt new innovative schemes including innovative strategy practices, digital governance, reform ethos, and mutual constitution in their strategies in order to ensure the innovative public services that are required by their communities.

The aim of this paper is to study the dynamics of the real exchange rate deviations of G7 countries by capturing nonlinearity and long memory features. In this context, we used fractionally integrated STAR (FISTAR) models proposed by Van Dijk et al. (2002) [Van Dijk, D., Franses, P.H., Paap, R., (2002), A nonlinear long-memory model with an application to US unemployment, Journal of Econometrics, 110, 135-165.] for a case with an exponential transition function. Indeed, this study can take into account procedures characterized by several dynamic regimes and persistence phenomena. Empirically, the elements of both fractional long memory and threshold non-linearity are present for the real exchange rates of the G-7 countries against the US, notably in the EU countries.

Data mining is the technique to find hidden patterns from a very large volume of historical data. Association rule is a type of data mining that correlates one set of items or events with another set of items or events. Another data mining strategy is clustering technique. This technique is used to create partitions so that all members of each set are similar according to a specified set of metrics. Both the association rule mining and clustering helps in more effective individual and group decision making for optimal inventory control. Owing to the above facts, association rules are mined from each cluster to find frequent items and then loss profit is calculated for each frequent item. Initially, the clustering algorithm is used to partition the transactional database into different clusters. Apriori, a classic data mining algorithm is utilized for mining association rules from each cluster to find frequent items. Later the loss profit is calculated for each frequent item. The obtained loss profit is used to rank frequent items in each cluster. Thus, the ranking of frequent items in each cluster using the proposed approach greatly facilitate optimal inventory control. An example is illustrated to validate the results.

The Framework for the Rational Analysis of Mobile Education (FRAME) model explains mobile learning features as a process in terms of mobile technologies, human learning capacities, and social interaction. It describes various issues of information overload, knowledge navigation, and cooperation in learning. The framework gives insight for development of future mobile devices as well as learning materials, and an appropriate design of learning and teaching strategies for the purpose of mobile education. The proposed study of this paper implements the FRAME model in Iranian banking industry. The study has been implemented among a sample of 160 regular employees who worked for Bank Maskan in province of Alborz, Iran. To validate the questionnaire, we use content validity ratio (CVR) and verify the questionnaire using Cronbach alphas. Using t-student test, the study has determined that the firm was ready to adopt mobile learning in terms of device, social and learner aspects. In our survey, learner aspect was number one priority followed by device and social aspects.

The present study reviews different studies on inventory control of deteriorating items in chain supply published over the period 1963- 2013. The study investigates supply chain of the items in terms of various perspectives. Finally, the summary of the studies is shown in two tables for one-echelon and multi-echelon supply chain including the main information and assumptions of each paper. In the mentioned tables, the papers were classified in terms of the type of demand rate, deterioration rate, solution procedure and findings. It can be said that no analysis on the results was done in the present study and it can be only used as a good reference in the study field for other researchers.

Exchange rates always affect the prices of the imports and export of products and services in which countries are trading with other parts of the world. Therefore, exchange rate calculation is one of the essential issues for making appropriate policies. This research investigates the determinants of trade, i.e. import, export, industrial growth, consumption level and oil prices fluctuation, which bring changes in exchange rate and their influence eventually on balance of payments. Data of defined variables was collected on yearly basis for China and USA for thirty one years. By applying cointegration, it is estimated that there existed a long run relationship in both countries. USA and China had significant and correct signs on the short run dynamic and some of the factors did not. Exchange rate did not granger cause balance of payment and balance of payment did not granger cause exchange rate. In conclusion, we found that determinants of balance of trade could affect the exchange rates, also, these rates had considerable effect (positive or negative) on balance of payments. In this twofold study, we found relationship of exchange rate with selected determinants of trade, and also examined their bilateral effect, and then made contrast of both countries.