Comparing the motivations of Spanish and Finnish computer personnel with those of the United States

A survey of perceptions of IS personnel – managers, technical specialists and programmer/analysts – was conducted by the Association for Technical Information in Spain, using the JDS/DP, a modification of the job diagnostic survey instrument. Data were collected on fifteen job variables, related to four motivation aspects: job components, satisfaction levels, need for growth/achievement and goal participation/feedback. The results were compared with those of a similar survey for the same job types in Finland. Results were also compared with the norms developed for computer personnel in the USA. The survey revealed that personnel attracted to the computer field have a high need for growth and a low need for social interaction. It also revealed that the work itself was ranked highest among eleven motivating factors. For both Spain and Finland, the technical specialist job had a mis-match between the job's motivating potential and the employee's need for growth, compared with similar personnel in the USA. By examining the core job dimensions, managers can redesign the job to produce a match between these two major components of motivation.     

Analysis of brushless three-phase synchronous generator without exciter

Recently, a demand for small-capacity generators has been increasing as electric sources in small ships and automobiles or as portable electric sources driven by engines. It is desired that the structure of small-capacity generators be simple and robust, and that the generators be highly reliable, easily maintained and controlled. This paper describes an analysis of the original brushless synchronous generator without exciter. The output voltage can be adjusted in the wide range by controlling the stator dc current. To analyze the characteristics of this generator, the finite element method is applied. It is found that the results of theoretical analysis agree well with the experimental results.     

An automatic torque ripple compensation system for direct drive motors

A serious problem in motion control is the occurrence of torque ripple. Since a direct drive (DD) motor with a magnet rotor uses a rare-earth magnet, the torque ripple is more serious than that of conventional servomotors. This paper presents an auto-compensation of torque ripple using a software-implemented torque observer. The frequency and amplitude of torque ripple can be obtained in the controller by using the estimated torque from an observer, and the autonomous generation of a compensating current component for a torque ripple is possible. The proposed algorithm has been verified by experiments.     

A genetic‐based neuro‐fuzzy controller for blind equalization of time‐varying channels

This paper presents a neuro‐fuzzy network (NFN) where all its parameters can be tuned simultaneously using genetic algorithms (GAs). The approach combines the merits of fuzzy logic theory, neural networks and GAs. The proposed NFN does not require a priori knowledge about the system and eliminates the need for complicated design steps such as manual tuning of input–output membership functions, and selection of fuzzy rule base. Although, only conventional GAs have been used, convergence results are very encouraging. A well‐known numerical example derived from literature is used to evaluate and compare the performance of the network with other equalizing approaches. Simulation results show that the proposed neuro‐fuzzy controller, all parameters of which have been tuned simultaneously using GAs, offers advantages over existing equalizers and has improved performance. From the perspective of application and implementation, this paper is very interesting as it provides a new method for performing blind equalization. The main contribution of this paper is the use of learning algorithms to train a feed‐forward neural network for M‐ary QAM and PSK signals. This paper also provides a platform for researchers of the area for further development. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An objective comparison of the cost effectiveness of three testing methods

Branch testing is a well established method for exercising software. JJ-path testing, whilst employed by some practitioners, is less popular, and the testing of JJ-pairs finds few adherents. In this paper an objective, practical study of the cost-effectiveness of these three testing methods is reported. The effectiveness of each method is assessed, in the presence of infeasible paths, not only on its ability to cover the specific structural element of code that it targets, but also on its ability to cover the structural elements targeted by the other two methods – the collateral coverage it achieves. The assessment is based on the results derived from experiments in which each of the three methods is applied to 35 units of program code.     

Strategic appraisal of energy models for Mozambique

The needs that an energy supply system must meet are constantly changing, due to technological, social and political reasons. Effective energy planning is a dynamic process that is repeated periodically and adjusts to changing conditions. Energy decision makers and planners are no longer able to rely on inductive decision making since they have to investigate the effect of various decision parameters and possible future changes. To help in this process, models have been developed where estimates of future load growth, candidate power plants, fuels and other key factors can be introduced, from which the planners can evaluate decision parameters and the available alternatives. The paper presents the different methodologies and practices that are used by 11 energy models for energy demand forecasting, supply side management and generation expansion planning, demand side management and integrated resource planning. The paper concludes to the presentation of a strategic appraisal of the examined energy models appropriate for energy planning in Mozambique. Three models are proposed for conducting demand forecasting, generation expansion planning and demand side management. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy Trapping in Dications

The energy interaction curves of a number of diatomic and polyatomic dication systems were calculated in order to study their energy-trapping properties. Generally, the ab initio complete active space multiconfiguration self-consistent field method was used in an extended valence + polarization basis set, with compact effective potentials replacing the core electrons. The diatomic dications include all ten possible binary combinations of oxygen, sulphur, selenium, and tellurium. O₂²⁺ shows the largest exothermicity, measured from equilibrium to the monocation combination asymptote, and highest barrier to dissociation. The calculated equilibrium bond length and harmonic vibrational frequency agree very well with experiment. The O₂²⁺, SO²⁺, SeO²⁺, and TeO²⁺ series show progressively decreasing exothermicities but similar barrier heights. The non-oxides, in contrast, show similar exothermicities but decreasing barriers with increasing size of the atom constituents. These trends are interpreted in terms of both valence bond curve-crossing and molecular orbital bonding models. The ozone dication, O₃²⁺, is found to have a number of low-lying singlet and triplet stationary state structures spanning near-linear to D_3h2+ symmetries. Although the calculated exothermicity is even larger than for O₂²⁺, the barrier to O₂⁺ + O⁺ dissociation is predicted to be low in each case. O₂²⁺ surrounded by six argon atoms to model an isolating environment shows increased equilibrium O–O bond length, decreased exothermicity, and increased barrier to dissociation, relative to the bare dication. O₂²⁺ flanked at each end by a perpendicularly oriented H₂ molecule in a staggered conformation is obstructed from direct conversion to the water dimer dication by a high barrier. However, [(H₂O)₂]²⁺ dissociates smoothly from equilibrium to two water monocations with a large exothermicity but a small barrier.