A study on the critical success factors for corporations embarking on knowledge community-based e-learning

Corporations have felt the pressure for fast-paced innovations and knowledge transfer as major driving forces in raising their sustainable competitive advantage and organizational total productivity. Thus, the development of the knowledge community through e-learning is an important strategy in implementing knowledge management policy. This paper illustrates an empirical study with which to conduct qualitative research of learning organization. From the case company’s real progress and practical experience, some core principles were extracted from four managerial aspects, such as: strategy, technology, process, and personnel. These aspects were analyzed in order to understand the value chain framework and the major concerns of knowledge community development. Further, the main benefits are addressed and certain critical factors are proposed and shown in this paper to ensure the success of corporations embarking on knowledge community-based e-learning.     

Preparation and properties of (BATB–ODPA) polyimide–clay nanocomposite materials

A series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials consisting of 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)‐2‐tert‐butylbenzene–4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (BATB–ODPA) polyimide (PI) and layered montmorillonite (MMT) clay were successfully prepared by an in situ polymerization reaction through thermal imidization up to 300°C. The synthesized PCN materials were subsequently characterized by Fourier‐Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of material composition on thermal stability, mechanical strength, molecular permeability and optical clarity of bulk PI and PCN materials in the form of membranes were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), molecular permeability analysis (GPA) and ultraviolet‐visible (UV/VIS) transmission spectra, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1072–1079, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of novel copolymers with acid‐labile ketal moieties derived from camphor

Novel diastereomeric acrylic ketal monomers derived from (+)‐camphor and (±)‐camphor were synthesized. To investigate the applications of the camphor derivatives on positive‐tone photoresists, the acrylic ketal monomers were copolymerized with methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and n‐butyl methacrylate. The optical activities of the chiral monomers and polymers were all evaluated. After UV irradiation and postexposure baking, the optical activity of the polymers decreased because of the decomposition of the acid‐labile pendant chiral groups. The existence of alicyclic camphyl groups increased the etching resistance of the photoresists. The thermogravimetric properties of the copolymers, the exposure curves, the lithographic evaluation of the positive‐tone photoresists, and the effects of alicyclic groups on the plasma etching resistance of the copolymers were all investigated. A resolution of a line‐and‐space pattern of 0.3 μm was achieved. Acid‐catalyzed dehydration crosslinking was also found in this system. Sufficient UV irradiation and heat treatment could cause the acid‐catalyzed dehydration crosslinking of pendant carboxyl groups and thereby increase the efficiency of the thermal resistance of the polymers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2969–2978, 2003     

Preparation and properties of heterocyclically conjugated poly(3‐hexylthiophene)–clay nanocomposite materials

A series of heterocyclically conjugated polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials that consisted of organic poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and inorganic montmorillonite (MMT) clay platelets were prepared by in situ oxidative polymerization with FeCl₃ as an oxidant. The as‐synthesized PCN materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction (WAXRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of the material composition on the anticorrosion, gas barrier, thermal stability, flammability, mechanical strength, and electrical conductivity properties of the P3HT and PCN materials were studied by electrochemical corrosion measurements, gas‐permeability analysis (GPA), thermogrametric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and a four‐point probe technique, respectively. The molecular weights of extracted and bulk P3HT were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with THF as an eluant. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3438–3446, 2004     

A Truncated Sum of Processing‐Times–Based Learning Model for a Two‐Machine Flowshop Scheduling Problem

Scheduling with learning effects has gained increasing attention in recent years. A well‐known learning model is called “sum‐of‐processing‐times‐based learning” in which the actual processing time of a job is a nonincreasing function of the jobs already processed. However, the actual processing time of a given job drops to zero precipitously when the normal job processing times are large. Moreover, the concept of learning process is relatively unexplored in a flowshop environment. Motivated by these observations, this article addresses a two‐machine flowshop problem with a truncated learning effect. The objective is to find an optimal schedule to minimize the total completion time. First, a branch‐and‐bound algorithm incorporating with a dominance property and four lower bounds is developed to derive the optimal solution. Then three simulated annealing algorithms are also proposed for near‐optimal solution. The experimental results indicated that the branch‐and‐bound algorithm can solve instances up to 18 jobs, and the proposed simulated annealing algorithm performs well in item of CPU time and error percentage. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enhanced corrosion prevention effect of polysulfone–clay nanocomposite materials prepared by solution dispersion

A series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials containing polysulfone (PSF) and layered MMT clay were successfully prepared by effectively dispersing inorganic nanolayers of MMT clay in an organic PSF matrix via a solution dispersion technique. The synthesized PCN materials were subsequently investigated with a series of characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The prepared PCN coatings with low clay loading (1 wt %) on cold‐rolled steel (CRS) were found to be superior in corrosion prevention to those of bulk PSF, based on a series of electrochemical measurements of corrosion potential, polarization resistance, corrosion current and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a 5 wt % aqueous NaCl electrolyte. The effects of material composition on the molecular barrier, mechanical strength and optical clarity of PSF and PCN materials, in the form of membranes, was also studied by molecular permeability analysis (GPA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and UV‐Visible transmission spectra, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 631–637, 2004     

Equilibrium and kinetic studies of the extraction of chelated copper(II) anions with Aliquat 336

The equilibrium and kinetics of solvent extraction of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions containing equimolar EDTA with Aliquat 336 in n‐decanol and kerosene at 298 K were investigated. The concentrations of Cu²⁺ (8–50 mol m^?3), Cl^? (5–60 mol m^?3), and Aliquat 336 (20–100 mol m^?3) were varied. A semi‐empirical model with three parameters was proposed to describe the equilibrium behavior, in which the non‐idealities in both aqueous and organic phases were considered. Over the ranges studied, the model agreed reasonably well with the experimental data (standard deviation, 15%). The forward and backward reaction rate constants were determined as (5.31 ± 0.16)×10^?6 m^9/4 mol^?3/4 s^?1 and (2.62 ± 0.09)×10^?7 s^?1, respectively, at 298 K. An interfacial reaction mechanism was proposed, which revealed that the reaction between the chelated anions and trimeric amine molecules at the interface was rate limiting. The derived rate laws were consistent with the experimental results. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

An investigation on the hot extrusion process of magnesium alloy sheet

This study investigates the hot extrusion of magnesium alloy sheets at various temperatures, material, speed and lubricant. A multi-speed method is applied to extrude a magnesium alloy sheet at a high extrusion ratio. The experimental results are analyzed to optimize the processing conditions, increase the tensile strength and reduce the extrusion load on the magnesium alloy thin sheet. Nowadays, most magnesium alloy products are manufactured by industrial die casting. Hot extrusion is seldom used to finish magnesium products because the extrusion speed, temperature and extrusion load significantly effect the properties of the product. In this study, the Taguchi experimental method with the orthogonal array is applied. ANOVA is used to investigate how parameters affect the extrusion process. All possible mechanical properties of the product are analyzed to obtain the optimal process parameters. In addition, magnesium alloys with different compositions are experimentally tested to determine the mechanical properties of the extruded product and obtain the relationship between the process parameters and the properties of the material.     

Weaknesses and improvements of the Yoon–Ryu–Yoo remote user authentication scheme using smart cards

Remote user authentication scheme is a procedure which allows a server to authenticate a remote user through insecure channel. Recently, Yoon, Ryu and Yoo made an enhancement based on Ku–Chen’s remote user authentication scheme by using smart cards. The scheme has the merits of providing mutual authentication, no verification table, freely choosing password, involving only few hashing operations and parallel session attack resistance. In this paper, we point out security flaws of Yoon–Ryu–Yoo’s protocols against masquerading attack, off-line password guessing attacks and parallel session attack. An improvement to enhance Yoon–Ryu–Yoo’s security scheme is proposed.     

Human-centred approaches in slipperiness measurement.

A number of human-centred methodologies--subjective, objective, and combined--are used for slipperiness measurement. They comprise a variety of approaches from biomechanically-oriented experiments to psychophysical tests and subjective evaluations. The objective of this paper is to review some of the research done in the field, including such topics as awareness and perception of slipperiness, postural and balance control, rating scales for balance, adaptation to slippery conditions, measurement of unexpected movements, kinematics of slipping, and protective movements during falling. The role of human factors in slips and falls will be discussed. Strengths and weaknesses of human-centred approaches in relation to mechanical slip test methodologies are considered. Current friction-based criteria and thresholds for walking without slipping are reviewed for a number of work tasks. These include activities such as walking on a level or an inclined surface, running, stopping and jumping, as well as stair ascent and descent, manual exertion (pushing and pulling, load carrying, lifting) and particular concerns of the elderly and mobility disabled persons. Some future directions for slipperiness measurement and research in the field of slips and falls are outlined. Human-centred approaches for slipperiness measurement do have many applications. First, they are utilized to develop research hypotheses and models to predict workplace risks caused by slipping. Second, they are important alternatives to apparatus-based friction measurements and are used to validate such methodologies. Third, they are used as practical tools for evaluating and monitoring slip resistance properties of footwear, anti-skid devices and floor surfaces.