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Wang, Zhiyong
2008 Beijing Olympic games impacts on hotel industry of co-host city Qinhuangdao
|School of Hotel and Tourism Management
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Hotels -- China -- Qinhuangdao Shi.
Olympic Games (29th : 2008 : Beijing, China)
|xii, 114 leaves : charts ; 30 cm.
|Beijing Olympic games is coming near by. The research object is the hotel industry of Qinhuangdao City influenced by 2008 Beijing Olympic games. The intent of this thesis is to make useful suggestions to hotels in Qinhuangdao to develop themselves using the Olympic opportunity by learning lessons from the previous host city of Olympic games. Some cases were taken to examine the Olympic impacts on hotel industry of host cities. The cities that has been chosen are Seoul. 1988,Barcelona, 1992,Atlantic 1996, Sydney, 2000,Athens, 2004. In these previous host cities, the supply of hotel room numbers had been increasing from the two years before to the Olympic year. But the occupancy rates were all decreased in the Olympic year. Interviews of experts from the tourism and hotel industry of Qinhuangdao were taken as complement. Predictions were made on Beijing Olympic impacts on hotel industry of Qinhuangdao, combined the lessons from the previous cities, the tourists behaviors with the interviews. Beijing Olympic Games is an important opportunity for hotels' development of Qinhuangdao. The investment and tourists would not increase significantly. The Olympic impacts on hotels of Qinhuangdao are on the proportion adjustment of different star hotels, alternation of the facilities and equipments, improvement of service quality, change of management and introduce hotel management group. Some measures were given on how to make use of Olympic opportunity to hotel industry and hotels in Qinhuangdao in the last part. First is to make adjustment of the different star hotels to meet needs of different consumers of segmentation markets. Second is to change management methods to get higher profits. Third is to build local famous hotel and join in hotel management group. Fourth one is to improve service quality by increasing training lessons. Fifth is to expand channels for sales by taking part in the Olympic information network platform. The last is to build Olympic hotel according to Olympic Mission.
Pan, Jianfei
A 2D variable reluctance planar motor
|Dept. of Electrical Engineering
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Planar transistors.
|xviii, 168 leaves : ill. ; 31 cm.
|High-precision, two dimensional planar motion is often required in the manufacturing industry. An ideal planar motor should have a simple and low-cost structure with fast response. Various types of planar motors have been designed, but none of them can fulfill the requirements such as low cost, stiff structure and working under a variety of environments. Switched Reluctance (SR) motor has a simple and robust structure, therefore it has been widely applied in many industrial applications. However, due to its highly nonlinear characteristics, it has not been used in direct-drive, planar motion applications. The aim of this project is to investigate the feasibility of employing SR technology in two dimensional, high-precision, position control applications. Under this goal, a prototype of SR planar motor has been built. Although some motor parameters are still required to be optimized, the initial machine is capable of achieving high-precision position and trajectory control under selected control algorithms. For the initial research stage, a thorough performance prediction and analysis have been made with finite element analysis. Simulation results show that the motor has good magnetic characteristics and there is zero mutual coupling between any of the adjacent phase windings, therefore each winding can be controlled independently. In order to fully understand the behavior of the planar motor prototype, detailed characterization experiments have been carried out. Flux-linkage measurement based on the Step Voltage method and the Alternate Current (AC) excitation method are both performed and their results are compared. Force profiles are measured by direct measurement with a load cell and its result is compared with the results from finite element method. Other magnetic characteristics including hysteresis, leakage flux-linkage and mutual coupling are also measured and verified. After reviewing various modeling techniques commonly used for SR motors, the nonlinear characteristics of the planar motor, flux-linkage vs. different current levels and positions are modeled with an exponential description function. The modeling precision is verified with its absolute error profile. Two different control algorithms have been applied to tackle the nonlinearity of the SR planar motor. The first position control algorithm is composed of a reduced size nonlinear force-current-position look-up table compensator with PID control strategy. The main benefit of this method is simple and straightforward implementation, and it is more suitable for industrial applications. The second control scheme is aimed at velocity regulation based on Auto-Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC). Experiment results show that the proposed position controller is capable of achieving good precision, and the velocity controller is highly robust, and it offers better performance than a traditional PID speed regulator.
Liu, Chui-pong
AC to DC conversion improvement techniques in switching converters and their applications
|Dept. of Electronic and Information Engineering
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Electric current converters.
|xviii, 135 leaves : ill. ; 31 cm.
|AC/DC conversion is usually found in two locations in a switching converter. The first one is at the input of the converter, the purpose being to convert the low-frequency AC voltage into a DC voltage which can be used by the subsequent high-frequency switching converter stage. The other AC/DC conversion is found at the output of the converter and its purpose is to rectify the high-frequency switched AC voltage and to provide suitable filtering in order to produce a smooth DC output. Usually, significant power loss and unwanted current harmonic distortions in these two locations are undesirably found under certain conditions, such as low input AC voltage, high input mains frequency and high output current. In this thesis, two new design approaches for AC/DC conversion are described, namely, "input rectifierless converter" and "output filterless converter". The goal is to have a higher conversion efficiency, lower current harmonics and reduced ripple in the two AC/DC conversion locations mentioned above. The input rectifierless converter approach has the advantages of eliminating rectifiers and avoiding crossover distortions. A general method for synthesizing input rectifierless converters using a minimum of two DC/DC converters is proposed. A detailed analysis on the requirement of the constituent converters is presented. A specific converter structure has been developed for aircraft power system applications using the basic configuration. The proposed basic configuration is also found suitable and proven to be a minimum configuration for general impedance synthesis. Prototypes have been tested and experimental results for synthesizing impedances are presented in this thesis. For the high-frequency AC/DC conversion at the output of a switching converter, a filterless AC/DC conversion technique based on overlapping AC voltage sources is proposed. A new topology has been created with high conversion efficiency and low output ripple voltage, which is suitable for high output current and low output voltage applications. The contributions of this thesis are summarized as follows: I AC/DC conversions at the input (low frequency) and the output (high frequency) of switching converters have been studied. II A general synthesis method for input rectifierless AC/DC converters based on a two-converter configuration has been proposed. The method forms the basis for systematic generation of new input rectifierless topologies that can eliminate the otherwise unavoidable distortions caused by the input rectifiers and the input current phase lead. III Using the synthesis method for input rectifierless AC/DC converters, a specific application circuit has been developed for aircraft power supply applications. IV The proposed two-converter configuration for rectifierless AC/DC conversion has been extended to general impedance synthesis. V A filterless AC/DC conversion technique has been studied. The technique eliminates the problems caused by conventional output filters, such as high conduction loss in high output current applications. In addition, a technique for reducing switching loss of the output rectifiers has been proposed. VI A specific converter topology has been derived to implement the filterless AC/DC conversion technique as well as the proposed switching loss reduction technique that improves both the converter efficiency, the ripple and noise specifications.
Feng, Bo
Adaptive methods for tropical cyclone prediction from time-series satellite data
|Dept. of Computing
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Cyclones -- Tropics -- Forecasting.
Time-series analysis -- Mathematical models.
|x, 104 p. : ill. ; 30 cm.
|A tropical cyclone is the generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low-pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation. Associated with the potential destructive winds and heavy rains, they primarily pose a threat to life and property to coastal zones. Their early identification would allow precautions to be put in place that would minimize the associated risks to people's lives and properties. In recent years, more and more research efforts have been involved in tropical cyclone forecasting, and lots of prediction models have been proposed to simulate the intensities of a variety of tropical cyclones, including statistical models, statistical-dynamical models and dynamic models. However, each approach has its own methodologies, assumptions and design goals, making it difficult to adapt to different application requirements. In this thesis, we aim at discovering new approaches in designing reformative forecasting models to predict tropical cyclones using methodologies at different levels that are more reliable for the collected data types, more efficient and effective in terms of predicted accuracy and computational costs, and more scalable to future system expansion. We propose a satellite interpretation based forecasting model, a neural network regression-forecasting model and a similarity retrieval model, each of which has its own background features. In the satellite interpretation-forecasting model, we introduce an integrated approach for tropical cyclone comparison based on typical spiral shapes using time warping technology. The position and the shape of a tropical cyclone extracted from a satellite image is the major concern. The Gradient Vector Flow (GVF) snake model is used to extract the contour points of a dominant tropical cyclone from the satellite image. The similarity of two tropical cyclones is compared using the angle features found among the successive contour points. Furthermore to achieve a better reflection of the spiral shape of tropical cyclones, we adopt a time warping approach to allow fast and accurate comparison of patterns. In the neural network regression forecasting model, we propose an integrated competitive neural network classifier to predict the maximum potential intensity of a tropical cyclone, based on a 10-year sample of western North Pacific tropical cyclones and monthly mean sea surface temperature. A large amount of feature variables are used in the network training including latitude, longitude, pressure, intensity, sea surface temperatures and so on. To deal with variety of variables, we design a variable selection procedure to choose the most important training variables to enhance the speed and accuracy of neural network training. In the similarity retrieval model, we present an approach to predict TC intensities using a feed-forward neural weight generator, which is adopted to generate a set of appropriate weights for various associated features of a tropical cyclone. We also propose the time-series similarity adjustment to measure the similarity of samples on consecutive observations of a tropical cyclone. Comparing with existing similar forecasting models, the experiments show that our proposed ones can achieve promising results.
Wang, Juan Aaron
Advanced nonlinear finite element investigation into structural behaviour of composite beams
|Dept. of Civil and Structural Engineering
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Composite construction -- Mathematical models.
Finite element method.
|1 v. (various pagings) : ill. ; 30 cm.
|Objectives This thesis reports the findings of a four year research project using advanced nonlinear finite element modelling to investigate the structural behaviour of various types of composite beams with practical constructional features. The objectives of the research project are: ‧ To examine the structural behaviour of simply supported, continuous and semi- continuous composite beams through advanced nonlinear finite element modelling which incorporates the nonlinear deformation characteristics of shear connectors and tensile reinforcement. ‧ To provide detailed understanding on the structural behaviour of various types of composite beams based of the results of extensive parametric studies with advanced nonlinear finite element modelling. ‧ To develop integrated analysis and design models for composite beams with practical constructional features, and to provide guidance for practical design of composite beams. The major activities of the research project are summarized together with the associated findings as follows: Shear connectors A three-dimensional finite element model with solid and shell elements and with material, geometrical and boundary non-linearities is established to study the structural behaviour of shear connectors in conventional push-out tests. The proposed finite element model is used to simulate the push-out tests of 8 specimens with various material properties and geometrical configurations. Through the calibration of the numerical model with test data, the proposed model is verified to be able to predict nonlinear load-slippage curves of shear connectors accurately with little to moderate cracking in concrete at an end-slippage up to 5 mm. Nevertheless, a simplified approach with interfacial spring elements is adopted in the finite element models of composite beams and composite beam-column connections in the present project. This approach is verified to be able to model the flexibility effect of shear connectors in composite beams under limited slippage with sufficient accuracy. Simply supported composite beams A two-dimensional finite element model with material, geometrical and boundary non-linearities is established to predict the structural behaviour of simply supported composite beams, in which both steel sections and concrete flanges are modelled with two-dimensional plane stress elements while interfacial spring elements are adopted to simulate the flexibility effect of shear connectors. Through a calibration against 6 well documented tests on composite beams, it is shown that the numerical results of the composite beams compare well with the test data in terms of various load-deformation characteristics. This model is further extended to study the structural behaviour of perforated composite beams. Two perforated composite beams with full test documentation are simulated, in which one of the composite beams is with a solid slab while the other is with a composite slab. It is demonstrated that the finite element models are able to predict the ultimate loads of composite beams with rectangular web openings against 'Vierendeel' mechanism satisfactorily after careful calibration against test data. Furthermore, an extensive parametric study is also conducted to study the effect of flexible shear connectors on the overall structural performance of perforated composite beams. A close examination on the results of the finite element models reveals that pull-out forces exist in those shear connectors in the close vicinity of the web openings. Thus, it is essential to ensure structural adequacy of those shear connectors against combined shear and tension forces. Continuous composite beams Advanced finite element models with material, geometrical and boundary non-linearities are set up to study the structural behaviour of continuous composite beams. The accuracy of the proposed models is verified through a detailed calibration against a total of 10 tests on continuous composite beams with various material properties and geometrical configurations. Tests of both double-span and triple-span composite beams under point loads are covered in the calibration exercise. The results from the finite element analyses are also compared with those obtained from codified design rules. It is found that the codified design rules often under-predict the deflections of composite beams due to negligence on the flexibility of shear connectors. Hence, there are significant errors in determining the internal force distributions in continuous composite beams with structural indeterminacy. A comprehensive parametric study on 30 continuous composite beams is also conducted to examine the structural behaviour of continuous composite beams with various material properties and geometrical configurations. Composite beams with both ductile and non-ductile shear connectors are included to investigate the effects of the highly nonlinear deformation characteristics of the shear connectors on the overall structural behaviour of continuous composite beams. It is found that the non-ductile deformation characteristics of shear connectors has significant effects on the structural behaviour of continuous composite beams, which may lead to premature knock-down, especially for composite beams with deep steel sections and high strength steel. Semi-continuous composite beams Both three-dimensional and two-dimensional finite element models are established to predict the structural behaviour of composite end-plate connections. Finite element models are verified through a calibration against test results of 9 composite end-plate connections. A comprehensive parametric study is also conducted to examine the structural behaviour of composite beam-column connections as well as semi-continuous composite beams. A total of 33 composite end-plate connections and 36 semi-continuous composite beams with different material properties and geometrical configurations are studied. It is found that the non-ductile deformation characteristics of shear connectors and the rupture of tensile reinforcement have significant effects on the moment-rotation behaviour of composite beam-column connections. Moreover, significant reduction in both the hogging and the sagging moment capacities is also observed in semi-continuous composite beams with non-ductile shear connectors. This leads to overall non-ductile behaviour of semi-continuous composite beams. Furthermore, reduction in the hogging moment capacities due to the rupture of tensile reinforcement is also observed for semi-continuous composite beams with ductile shear connectors and tensile reinforcement with normal ductility. Significance of the project This project provides detailed understanding on the structural behaviour of simply supported, continuous and semi-continuous composite beams used in modern composite construction. The effects of nonlinear as well as non-ductile deformation characteristics of shear connectors and tensile reinforcement are also studied, which provides in-depth understanding of the effects of the shear connectors and the tensile reinforcement on the overall structural behaviour of composite beams. This extends the design provisions provided in codes of practice, and allows composite beams with material properties and geometrical configurations significantly different from those conventional arrangements to be designed accurately. A number of finite element models are also proposed for the integrated analysis and design of various types of composite beams with practical construction features, which are not readily covered in current codes of practice. This supplements the scope of the current codified design rules and leads to a more 'user-friendly' design of composite beams. Due to the high efficiency of the proposed finite element models, the computational efforts of those models are found to be acceptable in modern design offices. Structural engineers are strongly encouraged to employ the models in their practical work to exploit the full advantages offered by composite construction.
Cheng, Greenie
Agent-based airfreight planning system for IATA-compliant containers with bin packing heuristics and a genetic algorithm
|Dept. of Computing
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Aeronautics, Commercial -- Freight -- Data processing.
Aeronautics, Commercial -- Freight -- Planning.
Cargo handling -- Data processing.
|vi, 55 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|This dissertation aims to design an intelligent logistics system that supports the operations of a regional airfreight forwarding business with IATA-compliant containers. It utilizes the existing methods, such as the First-Fit and the Best-Fit heuristics, and a genetic algorithm to resolve the bin packing problem. Existing solutions on this type of problem are generally designed for two-dimensional rectangular items with relatively few restrictions regarding the physical placement; however, these approaches are insufficient for the airfreight forwarding industry. IATA-compIiant containers are restricted by the physical structure and form of an airplane; hence they have shapes that are relatively irregular to increase usable spaces. This leads to inefficient resource utilization when allocated with the generic approach. In our work, we explore the three-dimensional bin packing problem with irregular bins (IATA-compliant containers) and regular items (packages to be shipped). We aim to improve on the profits by always selecting a configuration that generates more profits by minimizing costs. In addition to the bin packing algorithms, the paper proposes using multi-agent systems and web services to extend this local problem onto a regional level. Through the communication module between the shipping centers, it provides a channel for information exchange and aims to optimize bin packing results in the global perspective. While the system achieves similar results in terms of costs for the three algorithms when experimented with a small sample data size, First-fit heuristic requires a significantly less amount of time for a large sample data size. Conversely, the genetic algorithm uses processing time in the unit of days and results with optimal configuration. Lies between the two algorithms are the best-fit heuristic. Although it consumes more time than the first-fit heuristic, its configuration optimization is comparable to that of the genetic algorithm at a much faster pace.
Wang, Jianxun
An agent-based framework to support collaborative product design
|School of Design
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
New products.
Product management.
|xv, 182 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|This thesis investigates the requirements of collaborative product design and proposes a new agent-based framework to support collaborative product development by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the management and coordination of collaborative product design processes. Collaborative design creates added values in the product development process by bringing the benefits of teamwork and cooperation in a concurrent and coordinated manner. Furthermore, it reduces the loss of efficiency resulting from potential conflicts and misunderstandings among team members. However, the effectiveness and the success of collaborative design are undermined by the difficulties arising from the differences between heterogeneous system architectures and information structures. Recently, agent technology has been recognised by more and more researchers as a promising approach to analyzing, designing, and implementing industrial distributed systems. The way in which software agents residing in a multi-agent system interact and cooperate with one another to achieve a common goal is similar to the way that human designers collaborate with each other to carry out a product design project. Thus, the hypothesis of this research is that a collaborative product design framework implemented by taking an agent-based approach will be capable of assisting human designers and design teams effectively and efficiently in a collaborative product design process. Based on the investigation of a collaborative design process, the requirements for a product design framework which functions particularly to support design collaboration are identified. Then, a new framework for collaborative design is proposed and it adopts an agent-based approach and relocates designers, systems, and supporting agents in a unified knowledge representation scheme for collaborative product design. In order to model the constantly changing design process and the rationales resulting from design collaboration, a Collaborative Product Data Model (CPDM) and a Collaborative Design Process Model (CDPM) are proposed to maintain the consistency of product data and assist designers in making good decisions. The CPDM is established by extending the traditional feature-based parametric Product Data Model (PDM) to include information related to the management and coordination of a collaborative product design process. It can take maximum advantage of mature technologies and makes the integration of traditional CAX systems easier. The advantage of the CDPM is that, by taking a constraint-oriented approach to modelling the collaborative design process, the collaborative design process can be more efficiently and effectively managed and coordinated because, in product design, most of the design requirements can be represented in computational design constraints. The CDPM helps designers understand the design rationale behind a design decision made by other designers who may be geographically dispersed. Based on the proposed CPDM and CDPM, the system architecture of an agent-based framework to support collaborative design is proposed, and a prototype system is implemented. This system is capable of assisting designers in the management and coordination of the collaborative design process via the cooperation of a network of agents including mainly management agents, communication agents, and design agents. Design experiments are carried out with the prototype system to validate the feasibility and applicability of the system. The results of these design experiments demonstrate how the proposed framework improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the management and coordination of a collaborative product design process. This research is located in collaborative product design and field of CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work) and CSCD (Computer Supported Cooperative Design) with an emphasis on evaluating the proposed framework using real design examples. It contributes to the development of new tools supporting collaborative product design using computational agents with unified data structures and software protocols in an integrated framework. The implemented framework with product design examples demonstrated the advantages of using agent technology to achieve better design cooperation, coordination, response, desired modularity, and improved software reusability in the process of product design collaboration.
Luo, Weidong
Ai-Times : a parallel web news retrieval system
|Dept. of Computing
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
News Web sites.
Web search engines.
Information storage and retrieval systems -- Newspapers.
|x, 88 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|The explosion in the availability of online information easily accessible through the Internet is a reality. As the available information increases, the inability to process, assimilate and use such large amount of information becomes more and more apparent. Online news information suffers from these problems. Currently available web news retrieval systems face a number of problems in that web-based news retrieval requires the ability to quickly and accurately process and update very large amounts of data that is constantly being updated. In this thesis, we present the design and implementation of Ai-Times, a parallel web news retrieval system the goal of which is to accurately retrieve and organize the web news information. This version of Ai-Times introduces the following novel algorithms: A novel optimized crawler algorithm whose fetching-speed is 6 times faster than that of the traditional crawler; A keen tag based extraction algorithm which can extract the data rich content with minimal manual effort and which also allows data to be classified as important or not important so that the crawler can revisit and update important data; A modified vector space model improved using query expansion and term reweighting and the most valuable contribution, an modified MapReduce improved by estimating the execution time of each subtask, which is proven to be able to reduce the number of the unusual tasks and shorten the whole job execution time.
Lui, Luen-fu
All-optical packet switching with all-optical header processing using fabry-perot laser diode
|Dept. of Electronic and Information Engineering
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Optical communications.
Packet switching (Data transmission)
|xvii, 162 p. : ill. ; 30 cm.
|In this work, we present recent results in all-optical packet switching, in which both header processing and packet routing are carried out in optical domain using multi-wavelength injection locking of a Fabry-Perot laser diode. First, by using a novel self-routing address format for the data packets and a special two-intensity level control signal, we demonstrated all-optical header processing and packet control signal generation with a single Fabry Perot laser diode (FP-LD). In the self-routing address scheme, each output port of all the nodes in a network is associated with a bit in the header address. Using this routing scheme, the header processing unit in a node of a network is only required to process the header bits of the incoming data packet that are associated with its output port. The special two-intensity level control signal can be generated by using two Mach-Zehnder intensity modulators and two pulse pattern generators. We also found that the relaxation oscillation of a directly current modulated DFB laser diode can be used as the special control signal. We then demonstrated that a single Fabry-Perot laser diode can simultaneously serve as an all-optical on-off switch and as all-optical header processor. The demonstrated header rate is 5 Gb/s and the payload rate is 10 Gb/s. However, because of the format of the address and the finite response time of the Fabry-Perot laser diode, part of the header bits of the "unwanted" data packets are able to pass through the FP-LD, thus limiting the cascadability of the switch. In order to eliminate the residual header bits problem when a single FP-LD is used, we used a two-stage implementation which uses a FP-LD as the header processor only and execute the packet switching at a separate stage. We also demonstrated an all-optical add-drop node which can be used to construct an all-optical packet switched networks. Finally, we successfully demonstrated all-optical packet switching using optical 2R regeneration after the optical signal is transmitted through 100 km of optical fiber.
Chang, Ching-yu Richard
An analysis of the Chinese group tourists' dining-out experiences while holidaying in Australia and its contribution to their visit satisfaction
|School of Hotel and Tourism Management
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Food habits -- China -- Hong Kong.
Chinese -- Travel -- Australia.
Consumer satisfaction -- China -- Hong Kong -- Case studies.
|x, 339 leaves ; 30 cm.
|Tourists have increasingly been interested in savouring gastronomy while travelling. It can be said that foods not only satiate tourists' hunger but also fulfil their experiential needs. However, the contribution of travel dining experience to tourist satisfaction has been overlooked in previous literature. On the other hand, there is a scarcity of research examining the influence of culture on travel eating behaviour, and how tourists with different cultural backgrounds evaluate travel dining experience. In order to close this gap, this study aims to investigate the impact of Chinese food culture on Chinese tourists' eating behaviour, to explore their dining out experience in Australia, and to scrutinise the contribution of travel dining experience towards tourist satisfaction. By following the phenomenological research philosophy, the inductive approach has been chosen as the research tool because existing theories are inadequate and incomplete, and this study attempts to uncover new theoretical insights into the tourists' dining experiences. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, focus group interviews and participate observation were employed to gather the primary data. The target samples of this study are group tourists from three selected regions, namely, Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, who were travelling to Australia. A computerised tool (NUD.IST) was utilised in order to synthesise data, prepare descriptive accounts, identify key dimensions and map the range and diversity of each phenomenon. Narrative analysis was adopted in contextualising the connections between categories and themes. Findings revealed that Chinese tourists' food preferences can be conceptualised into three predominate themes, namely, 'Chinese food', 'indigenous food', and 'non-fastidiousness of food'. In addition, healthy eating behaviour and family influence are the two aspects that were found to have significant influence on Chinese tourists' dining behaviour. A number of attributes that would affect Chinese tourists' travel dining experience were also identified, which included food cultural value, contextual factor, variety of food selection, perceptions about destination, intercultural service encounter, and tour guide's performance. Most importantly, findings indicated that dining out experience at a destination would significantly influence visitor satisfaction as tourists have regarded it more as a 'peak touristic experience' than merely as a 'supporting experience'. Furthermore, this study categorises Chinese tourists' eating behaviour into three typologies, namely, observer, browser, and participator. Based on the research findings, twelve propositions are postulated, thereby achieving the research objectives of this study. This study has contributed new knowledge about the interplay between food and tourism, as well as the characteristics of travel eating behaviour for Chinese tourists. Several suggestions are proposed for further research in extending the knowledge pertaining to the realm of travel dining experience. Recommendations are also suggested for destination marketers in developing their gastronomy products, and for travel agencies in facilitating optimal meal arrangements for group tourists.
Zhang, Fang
Analysis of vibration and squeal noise of a brake rotor using a simplified model
|Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Automobile driving -- Braking -- Noise.
Motor vehicles -- Brakes -- Testing.
|xvi, 268 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|Brake squeal is a very notorious noise phenomenon which occurs during the process of vehicle braking. Even now, consentaneous explanation of such phenomenon still evades researchers due to its fugitive nature and the complex physical interactions between different components involved in a brake system, among which the brake rotor is the most crucial one. This study proposes a simplified brake rotor model with an attempt to deepen the understanding on the generation of brake vibration and the high-frequency sequel noise. More specifically, structural analysis, response/stability analysis and sound radiation of the brake rotor system are investigated. The proposed brake rotor model is a combination of an annular plate and a cylindrical shell segment connected together by distributed artificial springs. This model is believed to be representative enough for high-frequency squeal noise problem on the one hand, and simple enough to be handled using a semi-analytical approach on the other hand. Compared with other existing models and simulation approaches, one of the obvious advantages of such a simplified model resides in the flexibility it offers to carry out various analyses. Based on a three-dimensional elasticity theory, a numerical procedure is established using variational principle and Rayleigh-Ritz method. Modal analyses show the existence of three types of modes, classified as plate-dominant-modes, shell-dominant-modes and strongly-coupled-modes. Each mode of the combined structure is also decomposed into a linear combination of the individual sub-structure modes, such providing a direct and systematic means to carry out modal classification and quantification. The dynamic interaction between the brake rotor and the pad is investigated based on a parametric excited vibration system, i.e. the combined structure under the excitation of a rotating spring-damper -mass (SDM) system. Time domain responses of the system are simulated through Green's function with results validated using Finite Element simulation data. The effects of various parameters on the response feature are thoroughly investigated through comparative studies among various excitation configurations. Such a model is shown to be able to predict the occurrence of instability in the brake rotor, which is mainly responsible for the generation of the high- frequency brake squeal. A comprehensive stability analysis is performed using Valeev's method when the excitation involves only a spring component. It is shown that instability occurs when the rotation speed and the natural frequencies of the system satisfy a certain condition. The general understanding on the vibration feature and the previously developed model are further used to study the sound radiation of the system. The radiation surface of the brake rotor is assumed to be rigidly baffled. Based on Rayleigh's formula, the modal radiation properties and modal coupling effect on sound radiation of the combined structure are discussed, and the time history of the sound power of the parametric excited vibration system is worked out. At last, the effect of the radiation damping incurred by the structure/fluid interaction is taken into account in the analysis. It is shown that structure/sound coupling may have a stabilization effect on this parametric excited system.
Wong, Kwong-ming
Application of fire dynamic simulator on the performance of a typical refuge floor in Hong Kong's residential buildings
|Dept. of Building Services Engineering
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Fire prevention -- China -- Hong Kong.
Dwellings -- Fires and fire prevention -- China -- Hong Kong.
Tall buildings -- Fires and fire prevention -- China -- Hong Kong.
|x, 94, [25] leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|A thorough review of residential buildings over 40 storeys built from 2000 to 2004 was reviewed. Among 84 blocks of these buildings, over 38% had 4 entraints and 8 flats per floor. It was found that the most common two layouts were 'Star-shape' and 'Cross-shape'. In consideration with accuracy of the simulation result and complexity of the building shape, the latter layout was identified for simulation. According to the past fire records in HK, the fire caused by stove overcooking was the second largest type of accidents and it severity was relative series. It represented 27%, 25% and 25% of the total fires in 2003,2004 and 2005, respectively. A fire simulation using Fire Dynamics Simulator was undertaken to model a kitchen fire with fire size of 2MW at one floor below a refuge floor. Two fire locations were simulated with different parameters of fire size and outdoor wind velocity, total 5 scenarios. The simulation result showed that smoke and fire were steadily filling into the refuge floor through the nearest external wall opening immediate above the fire sources. This caused temperature rising up and visibility reduced in the adjacent refuge area and the corridor. Smoke accumulated in the refuge area and descended from the ceiling to 1.54m above floor. By doubling fire size from 2MW to 4MW in Scenario 2, this parameter had a direct impact to temperature, visibility and radiant density. Temperature in the corridor and the refuge area immediate above the fire sources was over 50 oC and 87 oC, respectively. Similarly, the lowest visibility in the same locations was around 6m and 3m. Heat radiant in the refuge area was over 3.0kWm-2 to the maximum at 4.39kWm-2. On the other side of the corridor, its conditions were safe for evacuation provided the fire doors remained at a closed position. When outdoor wind velocity was double to 0.5144ms-1, it was found that this parameter had a few effect to temperature and visibility. However, its values were slightly better than those in Scenario 1. This phenomenon indicated that the cross-ventilation inside the refuge floor was not effective resulting in the smoke layer being developed. Conditions in the corridors of the refuge floor in Scenarios 4 and 5 were generally better than the former three scenarios. The main reason was that the smoke was moving upward rapidly to the upper floors through the entraint. Consequently, less smoke was entering into the refuge floor through the small opening immediate above the fire sources.
Pan, Yu-hong
Application of industrialized housing system in major cities in China : a case study of Chongqing
|Dept. of Building and Real Estate
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Industrialized building -- China -- Chongqing.
Housing -- China -- Chongqing.
|xiv, 259 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|Chongqing has been identified as a strategically important city for opening up the development of Western China. Its economy has grown on average by 9.9% per annum in recent years. The local construction industry is considered one of the major contributors to this development. However, whilst the local construction industry has played an important role in the economic development in Chongqing, it appears that over time the technology and practice in the industry has not advanced as significantly as expected. The Chongqing construction industry is still rather traditional and the deficiencies exist across many areas in the local industry. The typical problems include poor workmanship, a mismatch between design and supply chains, long construction time and inability to meet housing demands. These problems do not only affect the development of the industry as a whole, but also affect the construction reform programs promoted by the government. Housing not only concerns the construction industry, but has a strong association with social and economic development, and as such with the evolution of reform programs in China. Hence, housing is positioned as one of the most important strategic issues on both the central and local governments' agenda. This importance is particularly emphasized in large and densely populated cities such as Chongqing, where the demand for housing is pressing and huge. Against this background, both the central and local governments have been seeking more effective solutions to the efficient implementation of quality housing development. In this respect, industrialized housing has been identified as an alternative approach. The Chongqing Municipal Government has committed to the introduction of industrialized housing to meet the surging demand for accommodation. Housing industrialization has increasingly become a major alternative construction method in China. By adopting new technologies, materials and construction methodology, construction related activities take place both on- and off-site. Principles developed from factory production have been used to prefabricate off-site building components, elements and modules which are then fixed in position on site to efficiently form part of the completed building. However, the procedures of applying housing industrialization in the Chongqing construction industry have never been properly identified and categorized. For example, there are no housing systems or modular coordination specifications, no integrated design, and no standardized guidelines. In particular, the establishment of a specification scheme for the various types of housing systems is essential if the industrialization principles are to be successfully applied. Lack of the above has limited the application of housing industrialization in the local construction industry. The objective of this study is to develop a housing system, which is most suitable for the application of industrialized housing in Chongqing. Among other things, the study has performed the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to identify typical attributes for industrialized housing, the analysis of the components production methods for industrialized production, and a cost comparison between conventional and industrialized construction methods. It is anticipated that the achievement of economies of scale as a result of industrialization should contribute to the attainment of cost reductions and to meeting the rising aspirations for better quality housing among Chongqing's citizens. Solutions are suggested for enhancing the sufficient quality housing production. These solutions are formulated through a comprehensive examination of the availability and application of indigenous resources, such as labour, materials, tecchnologies, components and plants. The major findings of this research include the attributes affecting the application of industrialized housing development in developing countries, the identification of the most important factors on deciding suitable industrialized housing systems to facilitate application, the identification of the most suitable housing system for industrialized production in Chongqing. The results also have a strong bearing on any large and densely populated cities, and the cost advantages of using industrialized housing systems. This study contributes to the development of an industrialized housing system. The development of using industrialized housing method in the local industry can offer valuable references to other large cities in China.
Lau, Tsui-yan
Applications of chromatographic, chemometric techniques and in-vitro bioassay to investigate the Chinese medicines, Radix Ginseng, Radix Panacis Quinquefolii, Ganoderma amboinense, Danggui Buxue Tang and RDLP
|Dept. of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Medicine, Chinese.
Chromatographic analysis.
|xxvii, 184 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm.
|Chinese medicine (CM) is now regarded as potential supplements and alterative medicine throughout the world in the past decades. However, quality, safety and efficacy of CMs are of great concern owing to limited scientific evidence available about its chemical composition, pharmacology and related properties. In this study, hyphenated chromatographic, chemometric data processing and biological screening techniques were applied to investigate the CMs, Radix Ginseng, Radix Panacis Quinquefolii and Ganoderma amboinense, and two CM formulations of RDLP and Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) for both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Radix Ginseng and Radix Panacis Quinquefolii are two well-known and popular CMs and their dietary supplements can be found easily in health food stores. In this study, a fast extraction and a chromatographic procedure for high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-DAD-ELSD) were developed for introducing the basic concept of chemical analysis of natural products to tertiary students. The experiment designed was flexible for tertiary institute with different instruments. HPLC-DAD together with a chemometric method, evolving window orthogonal projections (EWOP) method was used to analyze the six nucleosides components, adenine, adenosine, inosine, guanosine, uracil and uridine, in the cap, the stipe and fruit body of Ganoderma amobinense (DH Lingzhi). Adenosine, guanosine, uridine and uracil, were identified in all the DH Lingzhi samples by using the experimental method. However, their accurate contents were difficult to determine by their peak areas as these their chromatograms were affected by the instrumental noise and other interferences. Hence, EWOP method was employed to eliminate the interferences in these data sets. As a result, both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the nucleosides components in DH Lingzhi samples were achieved. RDLP is a CM formulation developed by a Hong Kong CM practitioner and it is good for liver cancer. In this work, preparative HPLC-DAD and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay were applied respectively to analyze and fractionate the chemical constituents, and the safety and the anti-cancer activity of RDLP on liver cancer cell lines. The MTT cell proliferation assay was used as guidance for the fractionation of the chemical components of RDLP by PHPLC, so-called bioassay-guided fractionation approach. Four fractions of the RDLP extract were obtained, and their anti-cancer activities were studied. One of four fractions was found to contain potential bioactive components by us in RDLP. The RDLP extract was also less harmful to normal liver cell lines. DBT has been used for the improvement of the menopausal symptoms to woman since 1247 A. D. The formulation is composed by 10 qian Radix Astragali (Heungqi) and 2 qian Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui). In this investigation, HPLC-DAD combined with Multicomponent spectral correlative chromatographic (MSCC) method Similarity index (SI) were utilized for investigating the chemical constitutions of DBT and its two herbs. Their extracts were prepared by the boiled and soaked methods. Then they were measured by HPLC-DAD. Moreover, the chromatographic data acquired were further treated with MSCC and SI to find out the chemical compositions of the samples. The variation of the chemical components found in the two DBT extracts was helpful to evaluate the bioactivities of DBT.
Shi, Yuchen.
Applying paperless management in constructional engineering
|Dept. of Computing
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations
Construction industry -- Management
Management information systems
Workflow -- Management
|iii, 109 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|In order to actually record and reflect process of Construction Engineering from starting to constructing till ending, faithfully enhance the scientific and standardized management during the whole phase, the relative branch of the country issued Supervision Criterion for Construction Engineering (GB50319-2000) , Executive Quality Acceptance Inspection Unified Standard for Construction Engineering (GB50300-2001) and a complete set of quality acceptance inspection criterions for auxiliary projects. At the same time, the construction office of each province and duchy city published Forms for Construction Engineering Management according to the specialized local request. This dissertation will take Forms for Construction Engineering Management issued by Jiangsu Province for example to discuss the method of applying the paperless management in Construction Engineering according to its applying requirement and characteristics like the usage of different sub-forms and their workflows with the designing of the related tables / relations in the relational database model. In addition, this dissertation will put forward the assumption of development and implementation of the application of Forms for Construction Engineering Management and also the further development of the application.
Cheung, Kam-fun Anita
Applying RFID in logistics management : perception of telecommunication service providers
|Graduate School of Business
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Business logistics -- Management.
Radio frequency identification systems.
Telecommunication systems.
|196 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|Radio frequency identification ("RFID") has been considered the next wave in logistics management to replace the market position of using barcode in the future. RFID declares unique identities of each commodity for real time visibility, fewer stock-outs, better merchandising and faster checkout and services. RFID can track cumbersome pallets of goods clogging up warehouse and it is getting attention from logistics service providers for its ability to make every item under tracking even after the item has been out of the warehouse. By equipping mobile phones and electronic devices with GPS (Global Positioning Systems) or GPRS (General Packet Radio System) service, service providers can offer logistics industry a means of real-time tracking and enquiry on goods information, all the while bulking up on mobile service time and data usage. Since RFID has not been widely applied yet, it is important to investigate the views from its providers in order to analyze the cost/benefits of its utilization. This research is to analyze RFID potential value for service providers in telecommunication/RFID service in order to determine if it is worthwhile to implement RFID and its related Value-Added Service (VAS) in Hong Kong. The research uses business simulation to analyze cost and benefit data in decision making focusing on how this set of data can help service providers to support and enhance top-rated market propositions in four major areas: Promotion, VAS Packaging, Marketing Strategies and Solution Readiness. Quantitative numerical experiments are then used to determine the optimal usage level and expected total cost generating from usage in major operations: inbound/outbound transport, stock checking, stock picking and customs clearance. The new RFID-enabled logistics model defined in this research has shown enhancement on customs clearance and warehousing management via the use of RFID and telecommunication technology. In this research, RFID operations related total cost function is defined for a proposed RFID-enabled cross-border road freight model. Simulations are used to prove the RFID operations related total cost function is true and can be applied to any similar system model. Changing of system parameters during simulations determines the effect of operation factor (price of tag, depreciation rate of RFID equipment, number of RFID equipment, price of RFID equipment, quota for communication usage, average number of customer enquiry, etc). Business simulation with quantitative data is used to convince customers to understand the value parameters to adopt RFID and further gear up the right direction of resources in order to capture this potential market. Scenario analyses are carried out to verify that the total cost function is valid in all cases. These analyses show the RFID operations related total cost in business scenarios in order to motivate customers to apply RFID with VAS of telecommunication into their logistics processes. This study serves as guidance for a telecommunication to understand the business critical path for a successful RFID implementation. As a result, RFID, from the perception of telecommunication service providers, is becoming part of a huge wireless communications system and becoming a ubiquitous networked utility assisted in automation and process streamline.
Lau, K. K. Peter
Appropriate emotional display at work and climate for service : a multilevel study of Chinese retail sales associates
|Graduate School of Business
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Emotions -- Economic aspects.
Work -- Psychological aspects.
Service industries workers -- Attitudes.
|xii, 129 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|Emotional labor is a relatively recent affective construct (Barsade et al., 2003) in the study of organizational behavior. Beginning as a social psychological construct, emotional labor has been extensively examined in relation to potential personal burnouts (depersonalization, emotional exhaustion) resulting from emotional dissonance. Emotional dissonance necessitates the regulation of inner feelings that are incongruent with the organization's display rules. The service provider resolves emotional dissonance by surface acting and deep acting (Hochschild, 1983) to generate observable and appropriate emotions. The display of appropriate emotions is important in social interactions within the organization as well as with customers. Few researchers have specifically examined this observable emotional behavior. This study examined the sales associates' appropriate emotional display at work in an apparel retail environment requiring spontaneous emotional responses. The examination was made in relation to the sales associates' overall performance as an organizational outcome rated by their store managers (supervisors). The researcher posited that the psychological climate for service on the group level, and perceived organizational fairness on the individual level would influence the sales associates' appropriate emotional displays. Extant literature has uncovered significant emotional display determinants, which have included the individual differences of personalities (Goddard & Patton, 2004; Tan et al., 2003) and organization-related determinants such as company display rules (Diefendorff & Richard, 2006) and job-requirements contexts (Brotheridge & Lee, 2003). There has been little research exploring other types of possible organization-related contextual factors, such as perceived climate for service and perceived organizational fairness, which might also have an impact on the service providers' emotional display. The study results from a hierarchical regression analysis using MLwiN showed that appropriate emotional display fully mediated the path from climate for service to overall staff performance ratings. To deal with possible common method bias, the researcher constructed the employee's overall performance scale items to avoid cataloguing only the employee's service performance. In addition, the researcher conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to show the two constructs' distinctiveness. Based on recent research showing that perceived organizational injustice predicted counterwork behaviors such as the withdrawal of efforts (Conlon et al., 2005), the present study theorized that perceived low levels of organizational fairness would have an impact on the appropriate emotional display as well as overall staff performance rated by supervisors. However, the present study's data did not support the hypotheses related to organizational fairness perceptions. The researcher discussed these unexpected results in the Discussion Chapter.
Huang, Jie
Arrangements of medical savings accounts and equity in access to health care : assessing two MSA programs in China
|Dept. of Management and Marketing
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Medical savings accounts -- China -- Evaluation.
|xi, 162 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|Social security has become an important topic not only for developed nations, but also developing nations because of the fast growing health expenditures and high risks modern society bears considering the outbreak of some contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely. In the recent decade, China government pushes Medical Savings Account (MSA) health insurance reform in entire urban areas. For a city-based health insurance plan, considerable variations in the benefit coverage and cost-sharing between individual accounts and social insurance fund could be found in different China cities. The aim of the study is to examine how the adoption of some MSA arrangement influences insured's access and equity in access to health care. Using primary data from the controlled group informants in Zhenjiang and Hefei, this thesis empirically assesses the extent to which two typical MSA arrangements separately achieves its stated goals. Only non-financial access is considered here based on the probability of visiting. Our findings show that insured on higher position have more chance to use diagnosis service. Insured that report better health status have more chance to use emergency service. Under Tongdao MSA program, insured tend to use more emergency service than that under Bankuai program. And different MSA arrangements do have effect on the relationship between insured's education and their probability of emergency service visiting. Under Bankuai MSA program, access to emergency service is more equitable across education subgroup. We also could see the tendencies that Bankuai MSA arrangement shows more equitable access to health care than the Tongdao MSA arrangement in general. While in some instance, especially for diagnosis using, the insured under Tongdao MSA arrangement report more equitable access pattern. Although it indicates that Tongdao MSA arrangement helps to improve access to outpatient service, emergency service, and inpatient service, it may induce overuse and even moral hazard transferring outpatient service to inpatient service based on the findings of equity improvement.
Chan, Wah-ho
Artificial intelligence integrated construction simulation method
|Dept. of Civil and Structural Engineering
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Building -- Computer simulation.
Construction industry -- Data processing.
Artificial intelligence.
|vii, 75, [24] p. : ill. ; 30 cm.
|On one hand, the interactive, complicated system environment of a construction site renders the conventional site layout planning and scheduling techniques inadequate in coping with the materials handling system design in construction. On the other hand, simulation provides a promising solution to construction planning by predicting the future state of a real system from computer model based experiments. However, the complexity and time requirement involved in constructing a simulation model along with the difficulty in decoding simulation output data keep practicing engineers from employing simulation tools in practice. In an attempt to facilitate simulation application in construction, this thesis research has (1) formalized the procedure of setting up a construction operations simulation model in accordance with the Simplified Discrete-Event Simulation Approach (SDESA) and (2) experimented with data mining and knowledge discovery from the data produced by valid construction simulations by applying Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Implementation and validation of the research findings are based on a real world case for improving the effectiveness of the materials handling system on a precast viaduct construction project in Hong Kong. How to apply the simulation methodology of SDESA is elaborated and illustrated step by step, with the case study. Particular emphasis is placed on the procedures of establishing a simulation model, the validation of the simulation model, the design of simulation experiments, and the analysis of simulation results. With the same case of simulation modeling, this research further demonstrates the application of neural networks (NN)-based sensitivity analysis in support of construction operations simulation modeling. Four input factors relevant to operations and logistics planning in site are identified and assessed, namely (1) the number of trailer trucks rented for hauling segments, (2) one-batch vs. two-batch precast segment delivery modes, (3) the proportion of segments placed in the remote storage area, and (4) the haul duration from the remote storage area to the working span. The NN-generalized input sensitivity information was corroborated by experienced site managers and engineers, which in turn (1) helped validate the operations simulation model, (2) provided valuable insight into the behavior of the operations simulation model, and (3) enhanced the understanding of the real construction system. On the case study project, the field managers were convinced of the functionality and effectiveness of the artificial intelligence integrated construction simulation method being proposed. They took advantage of findings from the research in designing the actual materials handling system. In short, it is hoped that by implementing the simplified, intelligent construction simulation method as developed, practicing engineers would be capable and confident to draw up the best construction plan that would lead to the enhancement of cost-effectiveness and productivity in the field.
Cheng, Chak-kit
Assessing response of thermal sensitive elements by a wind tunnel
|Dept. of Building Services Engineering
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.
Fire prevention.
Fire sprinklers.
Wind tunnels.
|76 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
|Thermal sensitive elements for fire protection systems including glass bulb sprinkler heads and fusible links were tested in a hot air wind tunnel. Procedure following the plunge method was adopted. Three different temperature ratings of sprinkler heads, 68oC, 79oC, 93oC, and two response types including standard and fast were tested under three different air velocities and temperatures of hot air stream. Locally made fusible link were also tested for determining the characteristics for activation of such thermal sensitive elements. An important parameter, the response time index (RTI) describing how fast these elements would be activated will be determined. RTI is a useful parameter for justifying how fast the fire protection system can be actuated. The response time indices for different temperature ratings of glass bulb sprinkler heads and fusible links were determined. It is recommended that this parameter should be included in the local fire codes in designing fire protection systems in Hong Kong.
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Post the economic recession, credit cards have seen a rebirth across the market. Money and check usage is anticipated to decline by 40 percent in the next 5 years, states a current Fed research. PYMNTS sat down with Vikas Bansal, Vice President and Credit Product Leader, Fiserv to obtain his understanding into which market forces are driving the use of credit, why SME credit card use is also expected to rise, and how Fiserv will play a function in shaping future charge card trends.
Charge card spending, which fell previously in 2014, seems to have actually resurged in the industry. In your opinion, what are the market forces driving the use of credit?
VB: As you stated, the credit card industry has undoubtedly come back with a bang. In fact, the market is growing at its fastest rate ever, and there are numerous forces that are driving this growth.
The first is the ongoing shift in invest from money and inspect to cards as customers and small businesses end up being more comfy in utilizing the cards, even for small ticket purchases. If you look at the newest projections from The Nilson Report, in the next 5 years, money and check use will decline by a tremendous rate of 40 percent. Charge card use will grow by 65 percent. These are impressive numbers.
Second, the recent financial recuperation has led customers to increase their spending. A significant part of their discretionary invest goes to credit cards. Monetary organizations are also preparedgoing to extend more credit than they did during the economic downturn, as confirmed by a 4 percent boost in card balances in 2014.
Lastly, charge card are now utilized more often as a payment instrument instead of a loaning instrument. Per our current consumer research through Raddon Financial Group, virtually 40 percent of everyday spend is recorded on charge card. So all these trends are driving this development that we're seeing in the marketplace today.
According to the National Federation of Independent Companies, 79 percent of small businesssmall company owners make use of credit cards as a source of funding. However as access to credit has become more toughharder, lots of are forced to make use of individual credit for business purposes. Will this trend continue, and why aren't there more business charge card offerings in the market?
VB: Small businessSmall company owners are increasingly planning to unsecured credit rather than standard loans as a much faster and more hassle-free financing system. Credit cards offer complimentary money circulation for virtually 45 days, and in addition, they leverage money back or reward points, which are practical to offset future business expensesoverhead.
But as you mentioned, lots of companies still use personal credit cards. I believe this was because of credit tightening throughout the recession and likewiseas well as the limited company card availability in the market today. The credit tightening up was more severe for little company owners and as an outcome, those owners were required to utilize their individual cards.
Second of all, when we take a look at monetary institutions outside of the Top 5 issuers, traditionally, they haven't concentratedconcentrated on the little company section. ButNow, this trend is changing quickly. In the new world, FIs are more eager to lend and have actually startedbegun to develop the right items. If you look at current studies, they all suggest that small businesssmall company relationships are more successful total, and for FIs, providing an item like charge card includes to their success. Close to interest income, company charge card deliver exceptional interchange and cost earnings which is mainly due to appealing features on these cards.
Small companySmall company cards are different; they need a different underwriting technique to evaluate creditworthiness, and likewiseas well as require distinct functions for the account holder – investing limit controls and more comprehensive statements. I anticipate this trend to change and we'll see more business cards in the market. It's a win-win for FIs and small businesses.
Both consumers' and businesses' credit cards are extremely controlled. What challenges along with chances does regulation present to monetary organizations aiming to enhance profits streams and client engagement?
VB: The charge card industry is managed – there's the Card Act, Reg Z, Reg E, PCI, and there are numerous more – and policies can be overwhelming. On the one side they are definitely consumer-friendly, but on the FI side, they develop operational and monetary difficulties. There are restrictions on how rate of interest and charges can be evaluated and how credit limitscredit line can be altered.
The expense of general compliance has actually increased significantly – per current surveys, costs have increased by nearly 87 percent. However, charge card in particular are lucrativepay – the reason for that is due to the fact that they get interchange and costs. There is certainly an income chance in consumer engagement, but it has actuallyneeds to be done in the right method. For instance, FIs need to offer the best product and marketing mix based upon consumer section habits. Upscale customers desire an appealing rewards card, and on the contrary, balance rollers want an attractive APR card.
Let's talk particularly about Fiserv. Provided the intense competition that exists today in the industry, how is Fiserv assisting financial institutions better compete in the marketplace and grow their portfolios?
VB: The credit card growth has actually captured the attention of institutions of all sizes. Large FIs have actually rolled out feature-rich cards, and the competition is more intense than ever. We at Fiserv are well placed to allow our clients to provide the providings that satisfy the requirements of their customers. Among the key differentiators with Fiserv is that we have a remarkable credit-processing platform that is integrated with our core processing platforms and digital possessions. When you integrate all of those, you can provide a consistent and real-time experience throughout all channels.
An example of that is when a charge card holder transfers a payment at a branch, and it is reflected in real-time on their account which enhances their open-to-buy right away. They don't need to wait till the next day to shop – they can do so right away.
We also have the ability to offer a 360-view of the customer – when we incorporate the card information with payments data and core banking data, we can develop powerful understandings to enable our clients to drive higher acquisitions and loyalty on their cards. Our credit platform is a really gooda great alternative to the resellers- we possess and manage our own software. Fiserv can produce distinct solutions for our customers, since each customer has their own distinct needs.
One of our distinctive featuresdistinguishing characteristics is our capability to do card-level processing. This is really effective. It enables you to create separate card numbers for each card on an account. We believeOur team believe that it's not possible to provide customized experiences and improve client engagement without this. So when you put it all together, we offer an extremely competitive providing that allows best-in-class efficiency for our financial organizations.
What trends are shaping the future of credit cards, and exactly what function does Fiserv play in forming it?
VB: Many trends are forming the future – we all are seeing the proliferation of digital wallets and new ways to pay, and everybody is concernedinteresteded in security. Another essential trend is that a growing number of consumers will rely on their primary monetary institution to meet all their financial requirements, and they wantwish to purchase all their monetary products from that institution. So, releasing credit cards with integrated value proposals will certainly enable FIs to fulfill their consumer needs when and how they need them. Last but not least, the proliferation of credit cards with benefits.
Fiserv is truly at the forefront of all of these trends. I'll offer you a couple of examples. We was among the first to launch tokenization and Apple Pay for our customers, and at the exact same time we're continuing to see other arising innovations to enable brand-new methods to pay. We understand that customers and consumers are expecting this. Also, our recent CardValet item puts customers in control and engages them in a special way to avoid rising fraud. CardValet is an app that will allow a cardholder to turn their card on or off, set alerts, and set controls on where, when, and how their card is utilized.
OfferedConsidered that we own our core banking and card platforms – and have considerable online, digital and mobile assets – we are distinctly placed to satisfy the requirements of customers who want to buy all their items from one FI.
I likewise mentioned the expansion of rewards. When you look at the marketplace today, 90 percent of all credit card acquisitions involve rewards, but that had not been always the case recalling 5 or 10 years. Our UChoose Benefits offering is very strong and can provide a special value proposal to the customer.
Fiserv is at the leading edge of these trends and is shaping the future of payments and the credit card industry.
To pay attention to the full podcast, click right here.
Vikas Bansal
Vice President and Credit Product Leader, Fiserv
Vikas Bansal is Vice President of Item Management for Card Services at Fiserv. His responsibilities consist of driving charge card portfolio growth and broadening the Fiserv credit card solution suite.
An industry veteran of credit and payments, Vikas was formerly the head of Visa Card Conveniences Solutions where he handled card options for credit, debit and industrial item lines. Vikas also held positions with American Express and KPMG.

subset: commoncrawl


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Travel topics: Budapest hotels
Atrium Fashion Hotel
The Atrium Fashion #Hotel is a 4 star category place. It can be an ideal base when you visiting #Budapest, Hungary. It's very close to Keleti Palyaudvar (train station). This place was inaugurated in 2007 and is situated in the
City Hotel Pilvax
Why its #hotel name Pilvax? The reason is a historical background. Pilvax is a very famous name of a coffe house. Sandor Petofi and his companions discussed the details of Hungarian Revolution in 1848. The City Hotel Pilvax is an
City Hotel Matyas
Location of City Hotel Matyas City Hotel Matyas is a three star but not an average #hotel in the heart of the beauty amazing #Budapest. This hotel is located on the Pest side of the city near the Danube at
Hotel Castle Garden
Hotel Castle Garden location and accessibility If you do looking for a nice hotel in the 1st district of #Budapest, that's your match. It's near to the famous tourist attraction of Buda Castle. I think this #Hotel Castle Garden would
Hotel Benczur
Hotel Benczur facilities and surroundings How about a long walking around #Budapest sights? Hotel Benczur is really close to World Heritage site Andrassy Avenue and the Heroes' Square. The hotel offers 90 standard and 58 #superior rooms, 4 superior apartments
Mercure Budapest Korona Hotel
Where is Mercure Budapest Korona Hotel location? The 4 star Mercure #Budapest Korona #Hotel is located at an exclusive surrounding in the very heart of the historical and business center. The famous Vaci street – pedestrian area is a step
Hotel Papillon
The Hotel Papillon location The three-star #Hotel Papillon is situated on the #Buda side of the Danube, a few steps from the city center, in one of the greenest and quietest parts of #Budapest. One hundred years ago there used


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Emission Sources Included
Ideally, to control carbon emission using a price on carbon, all emission sources should be included. The primary emission sources in the U.S. in 2012 as plotted by the EPA are shown in the illustration on the right.
The three primary sources are electricity generation, transportation and industrial. Some pricing schemes, like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), in effect in nine northeastern U.S. states, is only on power generation which covers 20% of total emissions; by contrast, the California cap and trade extended in 2015 into transportation and covers 85% of emissions. Most global pricing schemes include power generation and industrial, but only a few include transportation (California, Quebec, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, and Shanghai). Percentage of emissions covered by a carbon pricing scheme in each geographic entity is shown below.
Click on figure to enlarge. Data in figure from the World Bank.
Most schemes cover in the range of 30-40% of emissions where they apply. To be most effective in modifying behaviors and business, the proportion of emissions covered needs to be much closer to 100%.
According to the World Bank, total emissions covered by all the pricing schemes shown is ~6 Gt CO2e, or about 12% of annual global GHG emissions.


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WW2: Unicorn's 'WRENS'
Ships are traditionally feminine, and are always referred to as 'she' (see below!) but they are also usually 'manned' by a male ship's company. Unicorn had an unusual distinction during the Second World War as she was very largely 'manned' by the Womens Royal Naval Service, the 'WRENS'.
These Wrens were partly ship's company and partly training classes, as Unicorn served as a training school for communication Wrens, who lived ashore in the Mathers Hotel in Whitehall Crescent (for many years the sadly derelict Tay Hotel, but about to be transformed into one of the world-renowned Malmaison Hotels).
To this day there are displays and photographs onboard explaining Unicorn's unusual feminine connection, and we are always delighted to meet one of her old ship's company Wrens who may be able to indentify names in the photographs.
The Dundee Wrens formed a lively and active association after the War, and although the association officially 'decommissioned' in 2004, their comradeship is such that the group continues to meet, on the last Tuesday of each month in the Queens Hotel, as organised by the indefatigable Babs Rickmann.


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More than two years ago, in the midst of tumultuous time at Marylhurst, faculty from across campus put together a faculty rank and advancement policy, which outlined the expectations for faculty rank and mapped out a pathway for professional advancement.
Another perspective to Oregonian article
By Jay Ponteri I'm an associate professor of English and director of Creative Writing at Marylhurst University, and I feel some concern over the Dec. 26th article, "Enrollment plunges at Marylhurst University, as feuds, financial losses threaten recovery." I'd like
Special year-end message from the Board of Trustees
Dear Marylhurst community, As 2015 comes to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on the amazing accomplishments of Marylhurst University, and to look ahead to the next year. As the Board of Trustees, comprised of alumni, Sisters of
Big initiatives this fall
What's happening at MU? People are asking us that question quite a bit lately, and with good reason. Change creates anxiety and there IS a lot of change happening all over campus. But change is also exciting and there are


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Now you can play songs intuitively, not just one note or chord at a time. Fret Zeppelin helps you to play through entire songs on the FIRST try! After you play a note, our app detects the sound and lights up where you put your fingers next. Pretty cool, right?
The Fret Zeppelin app introduces intuitive learning with an impressive suite of features that we'll continuously be improving to make the best guitar learning environment on the market! Coming soon for Android and iOS devices.
Favorite perk ($199)
The Fret Zeppelin
You get one (1) Fret Zeppelin at the special low Kickstarter price! Free domestic shipping. If you share this campaign on Facebook or Twitter, you will also get a FREE cell phone stand!


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UBS ETF In order to proceed, you must confirm that you are a qualified or institutional investor based in the United Kingdom.
UBS ETF Factor Matters Latest Insights into smart beta investing with UBS ETFs
This series aims to provide investors with insights into factor investing (phrased also as smart beta investing) and discusses how these can be accessed through ETFs.
March 2016: The Not-So-Passive Ways of Low Volatility Investing
The third edition of UBS ETF Factor Matters analyzes passive low volatility investing in some detail:
- Two competing frameworks have recently been developed within investible equity indices which address low volatility investing: the risk-weighted approach and the minimum volatility approach. We review in detail risk-orientated indices (incl. MSCI Risk Weighted vs MSCI Minimum Volatility), and highlight their key differentiating features. Both frameworks are accessible with the use of ETFs.
- The two frameworks are built on different foundations: the risk-weighted approach is model-free as well as optimization-free. In contrast, the minimum-volatility is model-based and uses optimization-based framework. Although both share certain similarities, there is still a considerable difference when looking at their factor attributions, i.e. the basic risk-weighted method also admits stocks with above-average volatility with virtually equal weight which drives the so-called size effect (overweight of smaller caps).
- The basic risk-weighted framework can however be slightly refined so that the selection of low volatility candidates is more dynamic (the MSCI Select Dynamic 50% Risk Weighted index). This easy-to-rationalize refinement proves to be a powerful approach for passive low volatility investing.
Previous ETF Factor Matters publications - 2015
Undervalued Healthy Stocks = Prime Value Investing
- The second edition of UBS ETF Factor Matters analyzes in some detail the value strategy: The first generation of growth and value style indices splits each respective parent index equally into growth and value sets, to cover complete market capitalization. This symmetric approach results in overlaps, thus diluting the tilt.
- The newest generation of indices (also known as alternative beta or smart beta) aims to purify exposure via more stringent selection and ranking criteria, thus weighting the most suitable stocks according to their value strength.
- We review some recently developed value indices (incl. MSCI Enhanced Value vs MSCI Prime Value), highlighting the key differentiating aspects. The wide range of available value-orientated indices requires investors to understand key differences, when deciding which strategy is more suitable.
The first edition analyzes in some detail the shareholder yield indexed strategy. Many investment strategies target high yielding stocks for income and capital enhancement, even though this is not without risk. Ideally, companies should strike the right balance between cash distributions and reinvestments to ensure future business growth. Recent index development capturing the performance of stocks with above-average dividend yield and/or buyback yield merits a comparative study. Indices differ in their construction methods, and this paper looks to shed some light on the key differences.
Particular attention is placed upon how shareholder yield is financed. The MSCI Total Shareholder Yield Index is derived from equity-debt considerations, thus building on a more holistic view of each respective company's capital structure. When seeking long-term shareholder value, the key is to focus on companies that finance dividends and/or buybacks from free cash flow, rather than from capital structure arbitrage.


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The anxiety, that I held deep inside, was so heavy that I felt like I couldn't sit still. My whole body feared the change. I couldn't sleep, my skin was too tight or itchy, my stomach turned flips like a circus performer, my legs were as restless as my soul. The whole flight felt like endless hours of impending doom.
Don't get me wrong, I was super excited! But I also had to keep all my feelings to myself, or so I thought. I needed to be strong for my hubby and kids. I needed to be prepared to exude sunshine on the cloudiest of days. I didn't know what lay ahead, but I knew it fell to me to cover it in glitter and make it fun and special. Who knew I was taking on too much for any one person to handle alone?
When we landed in Cairo, after a full two days of no sleep for me, we were met with the absolute chaos of the Cairo Airport. My whole world was a blur of burkhas and bearded men. There were thousands of people pushing us so they could jump the line, and I was hazy and holding my tired children for dear life. It was not the happy, easy way you want to enter the country. It was a cattle call and I was a wee calf.
Finally, I saw our luggage on the carousel and the familiarity was instant comfort. Our luggage made it! We made it! We would have jammies and pillows tonight that would bring the smell of home to our new home. We were met outside by SuperHub's new boss, who was lovely and welcoming. The van was loaded with our ten pieces of luggage, and off we went, zooming through the Cairo night to our new home.
The first glimpses of Cairo were equally exciting and terrifying. I remember distinctly flying down the highway, with no discernible traffic patterns, passing cars without headlights that appeared out of nowhere, the sounds and smells of firecrackers in the air (celebrating the weddings that happen nightly in a city of 20 million people), and just hoping we would make it safely.
When we got to our apartment, I exhaled for the first time in two days. THIS I could do. I tore open the space bags that held the kids linens, and quickly made their beds. Within an hour, they were snuggled up in their beds, holding their glow seahorses and drifting off to sleep in familiar comfort. I went through the kitchen, making sure we'd have something to eat in the mornings and the ability to make coffee after jet lag set in. Thankfully, our sponsor made sure we had toast and coffee fixin's.
From that first night, Cairo was home. Home is where your family is. I was determined to enjoy our time here and, as the last two years have creeped by, I really have. Since becoming a mother, nothing has changed me so much as living here. I conquered not only my fears, but I settled in and made this place home. We haven't just made it through, we've been successful here at living. We've enjoyed it. We've let it change us.
It feels like a huge accomplishment.
It feels like an anniversary.
Two years in Cairo.
I can't be more grateful for this experience and SO excited for the next one.


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Key Skills 11.2.15
Here is the key skills for the week:
Literacy: This week your task is based on Kinetic Letters. We have learnt all the letters in the jumper family. The jumper family contains the letters: h, b, r, n, m and p. Can you practise the letters using the branches to make sure they are the right height? Write each letter 3 times and tick the one you think is the best. Don't forget to Move it, Say it, Write it! After your letter practising, how many different words can you write down that contain only these letters?
Mathematics: We would like you to practice your times tables this week as we will be testing you against a time limit after half term. Your tables will be tested in a mixed up order with only 5 seconds to answer each question.
Use the grid in your book to practice each times table. How long did it take you to complete each row?
After half term we will be making a sword for 'battle' on our Roman day (23rd February). If possible, could you provide your child with an old cereal box or something similar to create their sword.


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Located midway between Caseville and Port Austin the wilderness arboretum offers over 120 acres of woods, dunes, marsh connected by a intensive trail system. This offers a glimpse of the upper thumb has it appeared 100 years ago. Alternating sand dune ridges, (now with mature growth), and wide areas of pine, oak, fern and huckleberry.
There is no charge to visit and walk the trails. Donations are welcomed.


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Income Tax Lawyers in Enterprise, Alabama
In Enterprise, Alabama, an income tax is imposed on a certain percentage of the income of all individuals and businesses. Typically, income from all sources can be taxed. The federal government has the power to impose an income tax thanks to the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, enacted in 1916 after the Supreme Court had, on more than one occasion, found a federal income tax to be unconstitutional. Of course, before and after the creation of the federal income tax, states, including Alabama were free to impose income taxes of their own.
Everybody in the U.S. is subject to the federal income tax. But you are only subject to the income tax of the state in which you reside. Some states have no income tax at all. You should speak with an accountant or tax attorney in Enterprise, Alabama if you don't know what the tax system is here.
For years, rumors have circulated that the federal income tax is illegal or unconstitutional. These rumors are false: the federal government has explicit constitutional authority to tax income under the 16th Amendment. Still, "tax protesters" employ some fringe constitutional arguments, none of which have been successful. In Enterprise, Alabama, failing to pay your income tax can, and likely will, result in criminal prosecution.
Income Tax Deductions in Enterprise, Alabama
A tax deduction is simply a reduction in the portion of a person's income which is taxable. For example, if someone makes $50,000 per year, and gets a $1,000 tax deduction, their taxable income is $49,000.
There is also something called a tax credit, which is treated as a partial payment of the income tax. A tax credit almost always results in a lower tax bill than a deduction of the same amount.
Lots of expenses that are common in Enterprise are tax deductible. Federal tax deductions include mortgage interest, union dues, interest paid on mortgages, and others.
If your state imposes an income tax, some or all of these expenses might be deductible, as well. However, this will depend on the law of Alabama
Find a Enterprise Lawyer that Specializes in Your Area of Need:
How Can A Enterprise, Alabama Tax Attorney Help?
Income tax laws can get pretty complex. If you are in Enterprise, Alabama and have any questions about your taxes, you should consult with an accountant or local tax attorney to avoid tax problems, such as audit or wage garnishment.