An ERP system performance assessment model development based on the balanced scorecard approach

Previously completed research has not been significant when regarding the aspect of deriving a model for measuring the performance of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Therefore, this research attempts to present an objective and quantitative assessment model based on the Balance Scorecard approach for the purpose of appraising the performance of the ERP system. The methodology used in this research involves the Grounded Theory, Expert Questionnaire, the Analytic Hierarchy Process, and the Fuzzy Theory to filter out and develop the KPIs for the ERP system performance assessment model. It is expected that such a model may be used by enterprises to assess the efficiency of the ERP system during the various stages of management and support within the system. Finally, this assessment model is verified in a case company through the examination of its unbiased and quantifiable assessment approach. This result allows us to further understand authentic efficiency, and explore if enterprises have fulfilled their proposed objectives after the introduction of the ERP system.     

Changing middle-school students’ attitudes and performance regarding engineering with computer-based social models

Women’s under-representation in fields such as engineering may result in part from female students’ negative beliefs regarding these fields and their low self-efficacy for these fields. In this experiment, we investigated the use of animated interface agents as social models for changing male and female middle-school students’ attitudes toward engineering-related fields, their self-efficacy for these fields, and their math performance. Students interacted with either a female or a male computer-based agent or they did not interact with an agent. The female agent increased interest, utility beliefs, self-efficacy, and math performance compared to control and, for boys, decreased stereotyping. Mediational analyses indicated that the female agent facilitated interest and math performance by enhancing self-efficacy. The findings indicate that interface agents may be used effectively as social models for influencing attitudes and beliefs and supporting performance.     

Biosynthesis and role of 3-methylbutanal in cheese by lactic acid bacteria: Major metabolic pathways,enzymes involved,and strategies for control

Branched chain aldehyde, 3-methylbutanal is associated as a key flavor compound with many hard and semi-hard cheese varieties. The presence and impact of this flavor compound in bread, meat, and certain beverages has been recently documented, however its presence and consequences regarding cheese flavor were not clearly reported. This paper gives an overview of the role of 3-methylbutanal in cheese, along with the major metabolic pathways and key enzymes leading to its formation. Moreover, different strategies are highlighted for the control of this particular flavor compound in specific cheese types.     

Microstructure, Flaw Tolerance, and Reliability of Ce-TZP and Y-TZP Ceramics

Ce-TZP and Y-TZP ceramics were heat-treated for various times and temperatures in order to vary the microstructure. Flaw tolerance was investigated using the indentation–strength test. Reliability was quantified using conventional two-parameter Weibull statistics. Some Ce-TZP specimens were indented at slightly elevated temperatures where no transformation was observed. Results indicated that the Ce-TZP specimens were extremely flaw tolerant, and showed a relatively high Weibull modulus that scaled with both R -curve behavior and flaw tolerance. Y-TZP, on the other hand, with very little if any R -curve behavior or flaw tolerance, had a low Weibull modulus. The results also show that flaw history, i.e., whether or not a transformation zone exists along the wake of the crack, has a significant influence on strength. Strength was much less dependent on initial crack size when the crack had an associated transformation zone, whereas strength was highly dependent on cracks typical of natural processing defects. It is argued that the improvement in reliability, flaw tolerance, and dependence on flaw history are all ramifications of pronounced R -curve behavior.     

Analysis of Structures in Fire as Simplified Skeletal Frames Using a Customised Beam Finite Element

This paper presents a customised beam finite element and analysis formulation for structures in fire, where structures are modelled as skeletal frames, even for composite frames. This provides a simple and fast approach, suitable for design office analyses, with the objective of making structural fire design more accessible for consulting engineers. The methodology proposed has a generic formulation so is suitable for concrete, steel or composite structures. A single, resultant bending and axial stiffness is calculated for a generic cross-section. Stiffnesses are calculated about updated neutral axis positions, which can change during analyses. Thermal effects are applied using resultant pseudo forces. Three case studies are investigated with predicted and experimental deflections showing good correlation. Case Study 1 presents a concrete slab subjected to a standard fire, and deflections predicted by the proposed methodology are between 4.7% and 16.9% different from experimental results, comparable to an advanced modelling system. Two composite beams are considered in Case Study 2. Results for the first composite beam are almost indistinguishable from deflections predicted by a significantly more complicated 3D analysis method in the literature. The runaway failure that occurs during the second composite beam experiment is anticipated by the proposed formulation. In Case Study 3 a full composite floor slab subjected to a real fire is investigated. A novel contribution of the paper is demonstrated in that a slab experiencing tensile membrane action can be modelled using a series of beam elements. Predicted deflections are typically in the order of 12.7% different from experimental results (with both over and under predictions occurring), closer to experimental results than a contemporary full 3D analysis. The aforementioned case studies are carried out using subroutines coupled with a simple, commercially available, finite element program to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.     

Bactericidal and Anticorrosion Properties in PVK/MWNT Nanocomposite Coatings on Stainless Steel

A PVK/MWNT nanocomposite coating on stainless steel is developed and tested for antimicrobial and anticorrosion properties. The coating is prepared via electrochemical deposition onto SS surfaces and is monitored using cyclic voltammetry. High‐resolution XPS measurements of the C 1s and N 1s regions are used to estimate the film composition. AFM shows a homogeneous thin film of several µm thickness with well‐defined globular domains. The bactericidal functionality of the electrodeposited film is demonstrated by its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, even with low MWNT loading (≈6%). The excellent anticorrosion property of the coating is demonstrated after 7 d of exposure to NaCl (0.5 M ) solution.

     

Flood hydrology and methylmercury availability in coastal plain rivers

Mercury (Hg) burdens in top-predator fish differ substantially between adjacent South Carolina Coastal Plain river basins with similar wetlands coverage. In the Congaree River, floodwaters frequently originate in the Blue Ridge and Piedmont regions, where wetlands coverage and surface water dissolved methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations are low. Piedmont-driven flood events can lead to downward hydraulic gradients in the Coastal Plain riparian wetland margins, inhibiting MeHg transport from wetland sediments, and decreasing MeHg availability in the Congaree River habitat. In the adjacent Edisto River basin, floodwaters originate only within Coastal Plain sediments, maintaining upward hydraulic gradients even during flood events, promoting MeHg transport to the water column, and enhancing MeHg availability in the Edisto River habitat. These results indicate that flood hydrodynamics contribute to the variability in Hg vulnerability between Coastal Plain rivers and that comprehensive regional assessment of the relationship between flood hydrodynamics and Hg risk in Coastal Plain streams is warranted.     

Putting down roots: Afforestation and bank cohesion of Icelandic Rivers

Riparian vegetation is widely recognized as a critical component of functioning fluvial systems. Human pressures on woody vegetation including riparian areas have had lasting effects, especially at high latitude. In Iceland, prior to human settlement, native downy birch woodlands covered approximately 15%–40% of the land area compared to 1%–2% today. Afforestation efforts include planting seedlings, protecting native forest remnants, and acquiring land areas as national forests. The planted and protected nature of vegetation along rivers within forests provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the various taxa within riparian zones and the channel stabilizing characteristics of the vegetation used in afforestation. We investigated bank properties, sediment textures, and root characteristics within riparian zones along four rivers in forests in Iceland. Bank sediment textures are dominantly sandy loam overlying coarser textures. Undercut banks are common because of erosion of the less cohesive subsurface layer. Quantitative root data indicate that the woody taxa have greater root densities, rooting depths, and more complex root structures than forbs or graminoids. The native downy birch has the highest root densities, with <1 mm roots most abundant. Modeling of added bank cohesion indicates that willow provides up to six times and birch up to four times more added cohesion to the coarse sediment textures comprising stream banks compared to no vegetation. We conclude that planting and protecting the native birch and willow helps to reduce bank erosion, especially where long-term grazing exclusion can be maintained.