The solution of nonhomogeneous boundary value problems for a second-order singularly perturbed differential equation is constructed in this study. We use shooting method to solve boundary value problem with turning point. The variation of the solution of nonhomogeneous equation for different functions is observed.

This paper presents load flow solution by nature inspired algorithm. Load flow problem has great significance in analyzing power system network problems due to its significant role in planning and operation of electrical networks. Generally, Newton Raphson (NR) method has been a better choice for analyzing load flow problems due to its high efficiency and accuracy but some inherent drawbacks of NR method like incompetence of proper solution for highly loaded network i.e. assumption are required for initial values, thus causing abnormal operating conditions. In order to solve existing drawbacks of NR method, a recently developed swarm intelligence based algorithm, namely Gbest guided Artificial Bee Colony algorithm (GBest ABC) has been implemented to solve the load flow problem for IEEE 14-bus light load and real test system of 37-bus highly loaded networks. When, the reported results of GBest ABC have been compared with the results of NR method, the accuracy of GBest ABC in terms of unknown parameters such as voltage, angle and losses has been much competitive to the NR method

Paper presents the results of life cycle analysis of selected new-built family house in terms of used materials within the cradle to gate boundaries. The calculated environmental impacts reached the values of 1.37 kg Sb eq/m2, 0.10 kg PO43- eq/m2, 1.18×10-5 kg CFC-11 eq/m2, and 0.05 kg C2H4 eq/m2 for abiotic depletion, eutrophication, ozone layer depletion and photochemical oxidation, respectively.\nThe CO2 emissions (GWP) of the evaluated concrete-framed house have been calculated to be of 5.6×104 kg CO2eq in overall while GWP per 1 m2 reached the value of 253.9 kg CO2eq/m2. Total embodied SO2 emissions (AP) have been calculated to be of 191.59 kg SO2eq and 0.87 kg SO2eq/m2 per floor area. Human toxicity regarding the used materials is expressed by 1.1×104 kg 1,4-DB eq/m2 and eco-toxicity by 1.31 kg 1,4-DB eq/m2 for the fresh water aquatic eco-toxicity; 7.7×103 1,4-DB eq/m2 for the marine aquatic eco-toxicity and 1.48 1,4-DB eq/m2 for the terrestrial eco-toxicity. Metals representing 1.8 % of total material mass are responsible for the highest portions of environmental impacts achieving the highest negative scores for the human toxicity (97.7 %) following by the terrestrial eco-toxicity (79.9 %). The contributions of concrete materials to the total environmental impacts ranged from 7.3 to 47.8 % with average impact contribution of 22 %. Wood representing 45 % of all materials used contributed by small percentage to the overall environmental impacts. The highest percentage contribution of wood has been calculated for ozone layer depletion (7.22 %) and for eutrophication (7.16 %).

This study was carried out to determining reproduction of Japanese threadfin bream Nemipterus japonicus from December 2009 to November 2010 in the coasts of Bushehr and Khark island. About 714 fish samples were caught by gill nets (25 and 35 millimeter mesh size) and they were transported to the laboratory. Results showed that length range of females was 194.520-356.520 mm and their weight range was 46.900-305.200 gr. Males ranged 190.520-335.520 mm in length and 46.500-340.800 gr in weight. Maximum frequency of length group was 250-280 mm in every two station. Sex ratio was 2.17:1 (male/female). The mean absolute fecundity was 37056.141±23879.579 ova per female. The gonado-somatic index (GSI) suggests two spawning peaks which a minor one was in august and a major one was in march-april.

AIM: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was evaluated as a prognostic factor in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).\nMETHODS: Between December 2009 and April 2014, 14 female (35%) and 26 male (65%) MDS patients who were followed up in our hematology clinic were included in the study. The NLR during the diagnosis was noted. Since the total number of patients was low, the median value for the NLR was used. Patients were divided into two groups according to the NLR, and the correlation between mortality and NLR was evaluated. The prognostic significance of NLR on treatment outcome was evaluated with adjustment for known confounding risk factors. \nRESULTS: The mortality rate of the patient group was 55%, and median survival was 18 months. There was no significant correlation between mortality and NLR at a median value of 1.8 (p=0.75). Thrombocytopenia was observed to increase mortality (p=0.027), and there was a significant correlation between mortality and pancytopenia (p=0.017). Mortality was found to be higher in patients with ferritin levels>500 ng/ml (p=0.025). \nDISCUSSION: This is the first study investigating the correlation between NLR and mortality that does not show any significant results. In centres with limited access to genetic evaluation for the presence of pancytopenia and/or thrombocytopenia at the time of diagnosis, a platelet level less than 50×109/l and a ferritin level more than 500ng/ml appeared to be poor prognostic markers in MDS patients. In light of our findings, we suggest that chelation treatment should be started when a ferritin level over 500ng/ml is detected.

In this paper we talk about the probable human eyes effects because of \nelectromagnetic fields. Also the human head and eyes simulated in spherical shape in \nHFSS software at 835 and 1900MHz and E-strength and Specific Absorption Rate \n(SAR) distribution simulated in eyes and head.

The aim of the work was to describe the volatility (vapour pressure and distillation characteristics) and oxidation stability of 1-butanol - gasoline blends. Because other oxygenates such as ethanol and ethers are used for gasoline blending their mixtures with 1-butanol and gasoline were also measured. 1-Butanol with hydrocarbons creates azeotropic mixture with the lowest boiling point and the highest vapour pressure. In opposite to the ethanol the highest vapour pressure increase in the 1-butanol blends was measured up to 1 kPa. Distillation characteristics for oxygenates+gasoline were measured. Oxidation stability of 1-butanol is excellent but some by-products from fermentation process can reduce its oxidation stability.

AIM: It was aimed to investigate hemogram parameters, ferritin, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels of patients above age 80 who applied to the hematology outpatient clinic. \n\nMETHODS: Leukocyte, hemoglobin, platelet, ferritin, vitB12 and folic acid levels of total 200 patients (108 (54%) female and 92 (46%) male) age 80 and older were investigated retrospectively.\n \nRESULTS: Out of 200 patients, 54 (27%) patients had normal hemogram. Hemoglobin levels of 58 (29%) cases were found normal, 138 (69%) were found low and 4 (2%) were found high. Leukocyte levels were normal in 144 (72%), leukopenia was detected in 28 (14%), and leukocytosis in 28 (14%) cases. Platelet levels of 129 (64.5%) cases were normal, 52 (26%) were assessed as thrombocytopenia and 19 (9.5%) as thrombocytosis. The deficiency anemia detected in 81 (58.7%) cases and the number of patients who has ferritin, vitB12 and folic acid deficiencies were 16 (19.7%), 27 (33.3%), and 19 (23.5%) respectively. Pancytopenia was detected in 18 (9%) patients and bicytopenia was detected in 30 (15%). \n\nCONCLUSION: The frequency of anemia is increased in the geriatrics population above age 80, deficiency anemia in particular. The present study is different from the literature since the most common deficiency was vitB12, following folic acid and iron deficiency. The importance of supportive treatment with vitB12 and folic acid replacement should not be underestimated in this population.

Within the framework of block self - organizing of geological bodies with use of deformation theory the mathematical solution of a problem for effective final speed is proposed. The analytical and numerical integrated solutions of Navier - Stokes equation for deformable porous space were obtained. The decisions of multi-scaled regional problems «on a flow basis» were also presented: from lithology of rock space - to a well and from a well - to petro - physics. The evolutionary transformation of the linear solution of the equation on mass conservation up to the energetically stable non - linear solution of the equation on preserving the number of movements is also offered. Basing upon the analytical solution of Navier - Stokes equation and model of A. N. Kolmogorov we have obtained the energy model of turbulence pulsing controlled chaos, conjugated with risk stability of average well inflow and cluster structure of Earth defluidization

This research aimed to determine the chemical constituents and bioactivities of the flower extracts of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth (Family Fabaceae ). Tests were conducted on diabetic rats. The extraction solvent used in this study was 95% ethanol. The chemical constituents of the flower extract were identified using the gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry method. Chemical constituents of flower extracts from Acacia auriculiformis (AAFE) were Caryophyllene, Hexadecanoid acid, n-Hexadecanoid acid, Hexadecanoid acid, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienic acid, Linoleic acid ethyl ester, Octadecanoic acid ethyl ester and 2,6,10,14,18,22-Tetracosahexaene. The bioactivity was examined in both sexes of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of AAFE at a dose of 250 mg/kg to the diabetic rats for a total period of six weeks was conducted. The results showed that AAFE reduced the blood glucose level but did not increase the body weight in diabetic rats. Creatinine, albumin, total protein, BUN, serum insulin, and pancreatic tissues in diabetic rats treated with AAFE were not different from normal rats. However, Hct, Hb, RBC and WBC, ALP, Cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein (LDL), High density lipoprotein (HDL) and Triglyceride with a significant difference at ( p<0.05) were higher than in normal and diabetic rats. The antioxidative capacity employing the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) assay revealed that ABSE possessed antioxidant activity with EC50= 2174.38 ±14.24 µg/ml compared to vitamin C 8.96±0.33 µg/ml. Total phenolic content of AAFE was found to be 76.71 mg gallic acid/g . Catechin and Quercetin in ABSE was 217.70±1.77 ug/g and 348.89±3.07 ug/g..

In this work, we give some theorems and general formulation for inextensible flows of spherical curves using its geodesic frame in 3-dimensional Euclidean space. Necessary and sufficient conditions for inextensible curve flows are expressed as a partial differential equation involving the geodesic curvature.

Introduction\nThe aim of this study was to examine the theory that oxidative stress might have an important mediatorship effect on the deleterious results of vitamin B12 metabolism deficiency seen throughout the body. \n\nMethod\nForty patients with vitamin B12 deficiency 19–82 years of age and 40 healthy volunteer controls 19–64 years of age were included in the study. Venous blood samples were collected from all participants to evaluate serum vitamin B12, homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) levels in pre- and post-treatment period.\n\nResults\nThere were no significant differences in TAS, TOS, or oxidative stress index (OSI) levels between the pre-treatment patient and control groups, and there were no significant differences in TAS or TOS levels between the post-treatment and control groups. In addition, there were no significant differences between the pre- and post-treatment TAS, TOS, and OSI levels of the patients. \n\nConclusion\nThese findings are remarkable in that cyanocobalamin treatment had no direct effect on oxidant and antioxidant status in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency and no other systemic diseases. The fact that there were no differences in oxidant and antioxidant status between the patients with vitamin B12 deficiency and the controls might suggest that oxidative stress does not play a role in the systemic negative effects of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Thin Film Transistors have undergone development, evolution and refinement, since thier conception in the field of electonics industry in more than several decades. TFTs had been used as switching systems, flat panel display, sensors, solar cells etc,. The new materials, structures and fabrication techniques were also introduced. this paper presents the Hybrid Operational Amplifier, using Poly Silicon TFT, and Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) TFT with MOSFET, designed to operate at 3V DC, implemented in Summing Amplifier. And the same design is used with CMOS Op-Amp, implemented to operate as Summing Amplifier for comparison. Further, we analyze and compare these results of Summing amplifiers, using HSPICE circuit simulator.

In this work the mathematical model of open queueing systems (OQS) combining Erlang multi-server model (M/M/m/0), classical multi-server model (M/M/m), and also multi-server model with limited queue (M/M/m/E) is offered. Mathematical formalization of the model in a steady-state regime of functioning has been carried out, the task of service organization in systems of this type has been formulated at the set requirements to the productivity and the algorithm of its solution has been developed, the unsteady-state operating mode of QS has been investigated.

This paper presents the effectiveness of DSATCOM in a distribution network with Direct Torque Control (DTC) induction motor drive as load. DSTATCOM proposed in this work is based on 12-pulse Z-source converter. The above-mentioned industrial drive being non-linear in nature, introduce harmonics into the distribution network. DSTATCOM being connected in shunt with the distribution network injects compensating current into the network so as to compensate the harmonics present in the source current. Simulation of 12-pulse Z-source converter based DSTATCOM; using PI controller has been performed in MATLAB/SIMULINK.

The topic of this study is to investigate behaviors of masonry walls strengthened with reinforced fiber plaster under diagonal tensile loads. Full blend brick 100x50x30 mm in dimensions were used to make masonry walls with dimensions of 400x400x100 mm. Three different samples were manufactured by plastering masonry walls with traditional style, with 3% polypropylene or with 5% steel fiber. All the samples were tested using ASTM 1391- 81 standards. The propagation of damage on samples caused by diagonal tensile load was observed and load-displacement graphs were plotted for each sample. A finite element software (ABAQUS) was used to obtain numerical values for all samples and crack patterns and load-displacement responses were obtained. Experimental and numerical results were compared.

This paper proposed multiple feature extraction based method for the recognition of cursive handwritten character. Modified projection based skew detection method is also introduced for normalization of word. Structural and statistical features extraction algorithms are used for training and recognition. A complete description of character is based on the combination of six different families of features. It aims to find discriminant features of character to perform classification. A single feature vector is generated from combination of multiple features for training of classifier and classification of segmented character. An artificial neural network is used as classifier and performance of this training process is also described. By using this proposed approach, the character recognition accuracy 85.4% has been achieved.

As per the Planning Commission report for the 12th Plan, the GDP growth rate of 9.0 per cent per year will require the energy supply to grow at about 6.5 and 7.0 per cent per year (2). Therefore, it is important to harness all the available resources to increase power generation and corresponding transmission systems to carry the power to the load/demand canters. The approach of tariff setting plays an important role for attracting investment in power generation. In line with the objectives of safeguarding consumer interest and to ensure recovery of cost of electricity in a reasonable manner, performance based cost of service regulation was adopted by the central Commission in previous tariff periods. The hybrid approach, consisting of norms on actual cost of service and pre-specified normative cost basis being followed to induce efficiency in financial and operational performance. This paper mainly cover commercial issues involve in determination of the cost of energy generated from thermal and hydel power stations. This paper also focused on distract features of Return on capital employed approach and Return on Equity approach for attracting the investment in the power sector by private investors.

The propagation of the optical solitons is usually governed by the nonlinear Schrödinger\nequations. In this article, the two variable (G0\nG ; 1\nG)-expansion method is employed to construct\nthe exact traveling wave solutions with parameters of two nonlinear PDEs namely, the (2+1)-\ndimensional nonlinear cubic–quintic Ginzburg–Landau equation and the (1+1)-dimensional\nresonant nonlinear Schrödinger’s equation with dual-power law nonlinearity which describe\nthe propagation of optical pulses in optic …bers. When the parameters are replaced by\nspecial values, the well- known solitary wave solutions of these equations rediscovered from\nthe traveling waves. This method can be thought of as the generalization of well- known\noriginal (G0\nG )-expansion method proposed by M. Wang et al. It is shown that the two variable\n(G0\nG ; 1\nG)-expansion method provides a more powerful mathematical tool for solving many other\nnonlinear PDEs in mathematical physics.

Multi Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (MDVRPTW) is a kind of NP-hard optimization problem, which is described as the problem of creating routes with optimum cost from one depot to a set of customer sites. Each customer has been visited just one time by only one vehicle within a proposed time interval, all routes start and finish at the same depot, and the routes cannot violate the capacity constraints on the vehicles. This paper addresses the problem of multi-depot vehicle routing in order to minimize the number of vehicles and the total travel cost. The proposed is a mixed integer programming model for the problem, and provides a computable MDVRPTW, in order to solve the problem; the genetic algorithm is the approach to this model

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the health beliefs of diabetic patients on metabolic control.\nBackground: In order for diabetic patients to successfully manage their illness on a daily basis, they must have sufficient knowledge and skills, anda positive attitude. Patients need knowledge which includes their beliefs and attitudes in orderto prevent complications, ensure effective treatment, and develop strategies.\nDesign: Descriptive study.\nMethods: The study was performed on type 2 diabetes patientswho were receiving treatment at the Endocrinology Department of Manisa State Hospital. Data collection in the study was performed using an Identifying Characteristics Form for Diabetic Patients and a Model Scale for Health Beliefs in Diabetic Patients. \nResults: It was established that the mean perceived sensitivity score was higher in patients whose postprandial blood sugar was poorly controlled and in patients whose BMI was classified as obese; mean scores on the subscale of activities recommended in relation to patients’ health were higher in patients whose HbA1c values were at a good level ofcontrol, and mean scores on the subscale of perceived seriousness were significantly higher in patients whose perceptions of conformity to diabetes treatment and perceptions of conformity todiet were poor.\nConclusions: It was shown in the study that patients’ health beliefs were at a negative level, and that they denied their lack of conformity to treatment.

The problem of estimation and prediction of the human-machine system’s state are considered in this paper by the minimaxing approach. A solution of the problem by simple algebraics equations are presented here instead of the linear programming. There is shown an example in this paper too.

ABSTRACT\nEnergy content and spectral analyses of shots were conducted in the Central Niger Delta. Charge sizes of 0.4kg, 0.8kg, 1.2kg and 2.0kg units of dynamite were detonated respectively in two pattern holes configuration and eight single-deep holes arranged equally on the inner and outer circumferences of two circles. Seismogram quality was verified by computer-aided visualization and analyses of monitor records. Analyses of the seismograms for pattern shots show that increasing the charge size from 0.4kg to 1.2kg at same depth enhances strong energy but reduces frequency. The 5-hole x 3.5m x 2.0kg pattern shot configuration was observed to depict the best seismogram quality. In highly built-up areas where non-seismic objects are unavoidably present, the adoption of a 3-hole x 3.5m x 1.2kg pattern is necessary in order not to loose the near bin population about these structures. Guided by the energy components, distinctive frequency and signal-to-noise ratio, 5-hole x 3.5m x 1.2kg or 5-hole x 3.5m x 2.0kg shot records are comparable to same charges loaded at 15m or 40.0m deep holes. This research is important for better acquisition and interpretation of seismic data to improve reservoir characterization and increase hydrocarbon production. \n\n\n\nKEYWORDS: Energy-Content, Spectral Analyses, Pattern Hole, Single-Deep Hole, Seismogram, Niger Delta

ABSTRACT\nAnisotropy in rock layer is manifested in seismic data as anomalies in travel time, waveform\nand amplitudes. Seismic wave travels generally in anisotropic medium, as the earth is\nfundamentally anisotropic, but most of the processing algorithms assume the ideal condition of isotropy. This faulty assumption leads to erroneous imaging and thus wrong interpretation. The anisotropy is hidden inside the hyperbolic moveout velocity and moveout looks hyperbolic, even though the layer is anisotropic. Better accuracy, higher resolution, wider spread length and improved ties between seismic and log require understanding and application of anisotropy, if conflicting results of the routine processing and interpretation objectives are to be reconciled. Here, we describe an approach for determination of δ (Delta) based on seismic and well velocity analysis within common midpoint gather for different offset ranges to extend anisotropic normal move out correction in processing steps. This paper is aim at estimating Thomsen’s Parameter (δ) for Vertical Transversely Isotropic (VTI) media in two depobelts. The estimation was done using checkshot and seismic velocity at same interval after seismic to well tie was done. In this paper, this parameter is derived from well log data comprising gamma ray, density, sonic, compressional and shear wave velocity logs, and checkshots from wells in the central depobelt of the Niger Delta. In order to completely characterize a VTI system in our area of study the values of the parameter delta (δ) estimated from wells lies within the range 0.0≤ δ ≤0.1. This correlates well with the values of the same parameter obtained analytically with a combination of seismic moveout velocity (VNMO) and vertical velocity (Vo) from checkshot data. Delta (δ) was found to be 0.1 in greater Ughelli and 0.0 in central swamp depobelts of the Niger Depobelt.\n\nKeywords; Anisotropy, depobelts, delta, central swamp, greater ughelli

In sensor nodes the structural elements are fully based on cost, resource, battery backup, packet transmission etc. In this paper we proposed a new framework model, aiming to reduce the software complexity in terms of routing without sacrificing the performance of the network. Since the sensor nodes are connected with base station. In our model the neighbouring node information is considered and maintained, which helps in packet forwarding in frequent intervals when the nodes are in wireless mode. Here, in our model the node holds the neighbour information and relay the next hop information in straight line, hence it is rechecked to next – hop relay. If the next hop is closest to the neighbour node or relay is hold on the neighbour node, then the hop will be considered as the node entity and routing packets are greedy in nature and forwarded to the next hop. CTS and RTS messages are sent to the neighbour node to discover the node and its identity. Our experimental results are denoted in terms of Simulation and the simulation topology shows that our framework outperforms the existing protocol in Wireless sensor network with 92% accuracy.

A mathematical and computer model for the transport of solute contaminants through a soil profile from the soil surface to the groundwater table is presented. The model simulates selenium species such as selenate, selenite, selenomethionine, organic selenium and gaseous selenium as well as pesticides and nitrogen. This model is based on the mass balance equation including convective transport, dispersive transport, surface adsorption, oxidation and reduction, volatilization, chemical and biological transformation. The governing equations are solved numerically by the finite difference implicit method with Crank-Nicolson approximation. VS2DTI1.3 model was used for the simulation of water flux and water content of soil. This model use finite difference method for the estimation of water content and water flux in porous media in saturated- unsaturated zone. The simulation results are in good agreement with measured values. The major finding in the present study indicates that as the time of simulation increases, the concentration of different selenium species approaches the measured values.

Today cities as indicators of modern life in communication era and centralization of services and quality of social and economical interactions require high modern information and communication technology. The expansion of these activities has led to revolution in different scopes. Cities are locations for creativity and movement, centralization and guidance of human creative power. This research aims to identify the efficient indicators in electronic urban management in investigating and solving urban problems in new ways by using analytical method and AHP components. The results show that innovation context in electronic urban management and culture dominated on managerial system has the highest effect on electronic creative management.

During recent decades searching for new geometrical innovations has been of great interest for contemporary ?architects, recent years have borne new era in architectural design. With the aid of various designing facilities, ?parametric architecture has begun to present new discourse in architecture. The purpose of this study is show ?this kind of architectural design can be present as an innovation route in Islamic architecture And using its ?facilities and tools can it take an action in conveying Islamic Architecture concepts, based on its current era ?time and place. Investigation answer following question: what extent using parametric architecture in Persian ?architectural designing can be influential in conveying Islamic architecture philosophy and concept? The aim of ?present investigation is to study theoretical principles of parametric architecture to obtain new approach to ?develop for of contemporary Islamic architect. According to findings of present research along with its applied ?and theoretical aspects, adapting parametric architecture shape grammar capabilities to formed equivalents of ?Islamic traditional architecture has been examined with geometrical approach. According to the finding of ?study it has been revealed that using parametric architecture is conditioned to comprehensive attention to all ?human and divine dimensions in Islamic architecture field, in a way that it would express logical and divine ?relationship between architecture and sacred concepts.?

With substantial growth in computer network during the past few decades, time series data are being collected continuously at high speed in the applications such as Electricity demand and supply, weather forecasting etc. Recent developments in Electricity market deregulation, the prices are not fixed. A learning model of Electricity demand and prices needs to be adaptive for dynamic changes in massive electricity data streams. This paper presents adaptive clustering Methodology for trend Analysis in Electricity Data Streams (ACMTA) to monitor the distribution of clusters over real data streams. A proposed methodology is built with major challenges such as change detection point, Clustering, Cluster Refreshing, learner adaptivity and trend analysis. Change detection points based on dynamic threshold value for smoothening and segmentation of data streams is proposed. A correlation based method produce clusters to handle unlabeled data and trend analysis. Cluster refresh algorithm at pre-generated end points is used in terms of deviations between past clusters and current ones and predicts future assumption. A proposed adaptive algorithm evaluated for the predictive ability and trend analysis on the real test set. Result of experiments using ACMTA data confirms maximum applicability of methodology.

This article highlights franchise-related relationships among governance structure, promotions, and proximate competitors for wealth creation, which requires increasing performance, measured as current and future mean sales growth for each store. Those relationships are based on organizational learning, which depends on the specific governance structures (i.e., portfolios of company-owned and franchised stores) in specific geographic areas where company-owned and franchised stores focus on exploitative and explorative learning, respectively. This research extends extant knowledge by considering the contributions of proximate competitors (market information) and franchised stores to the performance of each store in a franchising system. Proximate competitors and promotions strengthen current more than future performance, and the number of franchised stores contributes to current performance more than the number of company-owned stores. However, the number of company-owned stores attenuates the damage of promotions on future performance. With more proximate competitors, franchised stores are more sensitive to the effects of promotions on current performance. Support for these links comes from Taiwanese convenience store-level scanner data across 276 company-owned and 486 franchised stores, entered into time-series models. In a rigorous competitive marketplace, these findings have key implications for the design of promotions and governance structures, which in turn can improve the performance of each store.

In this study, we calculated the dual geodesic trihedron of the Viviani ruled surface expressing the parametric equation of it by dual means as given in [3]. We obtained derivation equations of that trihedron and by the help of dual geodesic curvature. We found the geodesic Darboux simul- taneous rotation vector and distribution parameter of the Viviani ruled surface. Then we expressed the tangent of the striction curve in terms of disribution parameter of the generator line and central distribution pa- rameter, calculating the natural trihedron and derivative equation of the Viviani ruled surface.

This paper presents the methodology of determining the compressive strength of wood briquettes. It is a fact that wood briquettes are renewable and sustainable products used in combustion the mechanical characteristics of which are less definite. From this point of view the compressive strength completes the characterization of wood briquettes that includes as well such properties as size, moisture content, density, abrasion, chemical contents etc. It also analyzes if the compressive strength is dependent on the density, considering whether the compressive strength remains an independent property or only an additional option of producers. For this study six different types of wood briquettes are used to get more consistent results and more objective findings. All the results prove that the compressive strength can be regarded as an individual property of wood briquettes, and that the influence of density upon the compressive strength is insignificant. Based on theoretical research the reference value value of compressive strength is also estimated. The paper results can be used in forestry and wood industry.