The impact of micro‐ and macroergonomics considerations on appropriate technology transfer decisions in developing countries: The case of Turkey

The research presented in this paper aims to support the decision process of appropriate technology transfer to industrially developing countries by improving a broader understanding of relationships between the key micro‐ and macroergonomics factors and the technology alternatives. The methodology involves knowledge acquisition, identifying and categorizing a holistic set of key criteria about technology transfer with respect to ergonomics. This work attempts briefly to identify factors affecting the success of technology transfer in order to reduce the potential of incompatibilities with respect to micro‐ and macroergonomics and to optimize the decision process of managers. The objective of the decision model, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), determines the global priority weights for different technology alternatives and examines the critical factors and benefits, which affect the appropriateness of technology transfer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 17: 1–19, 2007.     

Poly(Acrylamide-Sepiolite) Composite Hydrogels: Preparation, Swelling and Dye Adsorption Properties

Summary Polymer-clay hydrogel composite was prepared on the basis of polyacrylamide (PAAm) gel containing the clay mineral sepiolite. The properties of swelling and dye adsorption of poly(acrylamide-sepiolite) (AAm/Sep) composite hydrogel were investigated. The parameters of swelling and diffusion in water and dye solutions were calculated for the AAm and AAm/Sep hydrogels. It was found that the equilibrium swelling degree of obtained composite higher than that of AAm gel. Spectroscopic analysis of composite and composite-dye systems was done with FT-IR method. Adsorption of monovalent cationic dyes such as Basic Blue 12 (BB-12) Basic Blue 9 (BB-9), and Basic Violet 1 (BV-1), was studied on the composite. In the adsorption experiments, S (Sigmoidal) type for composite gel adsorption isotherms in the Giles classification system was found. Adsorption studies indicated that the amounts of adsorbed dyes on the AAm/Sep composite hydrogel were increased with following order; BB-12 > BB-9 > BV-1. The composite hydrogel may be considered as good candidate for environmental application to retain more water and dyes.     

Preparation and characterization of novel poly(glycidyl methacrylate) beads carrying amidoxime groups

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) beads with an average size of 350 μm were synthesized by suspension polymerization technique. The PGMA beads were first modified with iminodiacetonitrile (IDAN). Then, the IDAN‐modified beads were subsequently modified by hydroxylamine. The IDAN modification and the conversion of the nitrile groups to amidoxime were followed by FT‐IR spectroscopy. The surface morphology and thermal behavior of the PGMA and its modified forms were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis techniques, further confirming modification and amidoximation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Fractionation of transgenic corn for recovery of recombinant enzymes

Two germ-separation methods, dry-milling and density separation by flotation, were evaluated for recovering recombinant β-glucuronidase (rGUS) that accumulated primarily in the germ of transgenic corn. The dry-milling process consisted of (i) seed tempering, (ii) degerming with a horizontal-drum degermer/dehuller, (iii) particle size fractionation with standard sieves, (iv) germ and endosperm separation by roller milling and sifting, and (v) removal of hulls by aspiration. Sieves nos. 5, 6, and 7 retained the majority of germ, and subfractions from these sieves were pooled as a germ-rich fraction. Mass balances showed that the germ-rich fraction, which constituted 17% of the total dry-milled corn weight, contained 49% of rGUS activity and 64% of the total recoverable oil. Germ fractionation by flotation was tested as a proof-of-concept method aimed at separating corn fractions based on their difference in specific gravity (sp gr). The process consisted of impact-grinding of corn kernels followed by density separation using 1.15 or 1.3 specific gravity sodium nitrate solution. The oil-containing germ fraction floated, whereas the heavier endosperm fraction sedimented. The flotation method was simpler and resulted in higher enzyme recovery, that is, the germ-rich fraction was 20% (w/w) of the initial corn weight, and accounted for 80% of rGUS activity and 77% of total oil. The sodium nitrate solution did not have an adverse effect on the enzyme activity.     

Noise analysis of robot manipulator using neural networks

Due to a lot of robot manipulators application in industry, low noise degree is very important criteria for robot manipulator's joints. In this paper, joint noise problem of a robot manipulator with five joints is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The investigation is consisted of two steps. First step is to analyze the noise of joints using a hardware and software. The hardware is a part of noise sensors. The second step; according to experimental results, some neural networks are employed for finding robust neural noise analyzer. Five types of neural networks are used to compare each other. From the results, it is noted that the proposed RBFNN gives the best results for analyzing joint noise of the robot manipulator.     

Approximate periodic solutions for the Helmholtz-Duffing equation

Approximate periodic solutions for the Helmholtz-Duffing oscillator are obtained in this paper. He’s Energy Balance Method (HEBM) and He’s Frequency Amplitude Formulation (HFAF) are adopted as the solution methods. Oscillation natural frequencies are analytically analyzed. Error analysis is carried out and accuracy of the solution methods is evaluated.     

An interdisciplinary heuristic evaluation method for universal building design

This study highlights how heuristic evaluation as a usability evaluation method can feed into current building design practice to conform to universal design principles. It provides a definition of universal usability that is applicable to an architectural design context. It takes the seven universal design principles as a set of heuristics and applies an iterative sequence of heuristic evaluation in a shopping mall, aiming to achieve a cost-effective evaluation process. The evaluation was composed of three consecutive sessions. First, five evaluators from different professions were interviewed regarding the construction drawings in terms of universal design principles. Then, each evaluator was asked to perform the predefined task scenarios. In subsequent interviews, the evaluators were asked to re-analyze the construction drawings. The results showed that heuristic evaluation could successfully integrate universal usability into current building design practice in two ways: (i) it promoted an iterative evaluation process combined with multi-sessions rather than relying on one evaluator and on one evaluation session to find the maximum number of usability problems, and (ii) it highlighted the necessity of an interdisciplinary ad hoc committee regarding the heuristic abilities of each profession. A multi-session and interdisciplinary heuristic evaluation method can save both the project budget and the required time, while ensuring a reduced error rate for the universal usage of the built environments.     

Leveraging technological knowledge transfer by using fuzzy linear programming technique for multiattribute group decision making with fuzzy decision variables

Despite the importance of knowledge transfer for firms involved in foreign direct investment activities, this area has not received appropriate attention from the perspectives of both the knowledge transferor (i.e., MNC parent) and the knowledge recipient. To fill in the gap in the current literature we propose a model to understand the links between criteria complicating the transfer of knowledge and preferences that the company has to focus. This model is based on both the existing literature as well as views of company representatives and provides a useful methodology for identifying decision making problems on the transfer of knowledge. In this paper, we investigate the fuzzy linear programming technique (FLP) to analyze these links and for multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems with preference information on criteria. To reflect the decision maker’s subjective preference information and to determine the weight vector of attributes, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) developed by Hwang and Yoon (1995) and the linear programming technique for multidimensional analysis of preference (LINMAP) developed by Sirinivasan and Shocker (Psychometrica 38:337–369, 1973) are used.     

Dielectric properties of sol-gel derived Ta2O5 thin films

The dielectric constant and the dielectric loss of tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅) thin films, produced by sol-gel spin-coated process on Corning glass substrates, have been investigated in the frequency range of 20-10⁵ Hz and the temperature range of 183-403 K, using ohmic Al electrodes. The frequency and temperature dependence of relaxation time has also been determined. The capacitance and loss factor were found to decrease with increasing frequency and increase with increasing temperature. The activation energy values were evaluated and a good agreement between the activation energy values obtained from capacitance and dielectric loss factor measurements were observed.