Electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) emerges from the Internet and web technology to facilitate the CRM implementation. It focuses on internet- or web-based interaction between companies and their customers. Especially, e-CRM enables service sectors to provide appropriate services and products to satisfy the customers so as to retain customer royalty and enhance customer profitability. This research is to explore the key research issues of e-CRM performance influence. A research model is proposed based on the widely applied technology- organization-environment (TOE) framework. Survey data from the questionnaire are collected to empirically assess our research model. With the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, the results show that e-CRM technology and organizational support are positively related to the e-CRM performance, while environmental pressure, though a drive to e-CRM adoption, does not impact the performance. More interestingly, it is observed that organizational support has a greater impact than e-CRM technology adoption. It is always a good principle to care customers¡¦ relationship more from human nature perspectives than from technology-oriented considerations. Also, in the aspect of organizational support, skilled and knowledgeable e-CRM personnel are the most important impacting factor among others. Finally, the contributions of our research lie in that not only the results can provide researchers a good starting point for e-CRM studies, but also can they provide practitioners of service sectors in Taiwan a good reference.

Emission of carbon dioxide gas has been a source of major concern for the construction industry. To curb this emission, geopolymer concrete has been deemed as a potential alternative in the recent studies. Previous research also indicates that silica and fibers provide strength benefits to ordinary Portland cement concrete OPC. This study was undertaken to recognize the benefits of adding silica and basalt fibers in Class F fly ash based geopolymer concrete and comparing it with OPC concrete. One OPC and four Geopolymer mixtures were prepared. The results show a tremendous potential of using geopolymer concrete in place of OPC concrete with Nano silica proving to be the most advantageous. Nano silica provided 28% increase in compressive strength, 8% increase in resistivity when compared with normal Fly ash based geopolymer concrete. The SEM analysis of geopolymer concrete indicates that nano silica improved the compactness of concrete providing a dense microstructure.

E-learning has emerged as a necessity to meet the challenges posed by the development of information technology and its potential for greater access to knowledge. The general hypothesis of this research is that; e-learning as an organizational activity started in the developed countries, and as such, the implementation models developed there are taken as a benchmark. The implementation barriers and the influential factors for adopting e-learning in different regions and societies may or may not be the same as those found in the developed countries (with varying degrees of intensity or importance). Hence, those available implementation models may not necessary be followed in all stages and steps when used by different countries and societies. Accordingly, the implementation barriers and the influential factor may differ from one case to another. Since e-learning is respectively new in Kuwait and no comprehensive studies about the adoption of e-learning or the important factors that would influence the adoption of e-learning in Kuwait (ref), the aim of this research is to investigate and find the main and important factors that would influence the acceptance and adoption of elearning in Kuwait as an example of a developing country. In order to realize the aim of this research, the e-learning literature was reviewed, and an exploratory study was conducted in Kuwait. The exploratory study explored the state of e-learning in Kuwait and investigated the influential issues to e-learning adoption. Then, a conceptual model was proposed based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, and amended it with the outcomes of the exploratory study to suit the context of the study. The proposed conceptual model was developed to study e-learning adoption in Kuwait and to offer a further explanation of the adoption of e-learning in the Kuwaiti context. Triangulation in data collection was used to examine and validate the conceptual model, where quantitative and qualitative methods were used. A questionnaire-based survey was firstly conducted, followed by an interview-based field study. This thesis concludes by highlighting the main findings of the research, and presenting the main contributions of this research.

The thesis deals with the design and subsequent construction of a special hermetic box for the treatment of biological substrates with the help of plasma discharge Gliding Arc. In the theoretical part of the thesis there is a summary of the basic information concerning the design of hermetic box, plasma, hexamethyldisiloxane as a precursor and wood as a lignocellulosic substrate. The experimental part of the thesis is focused on pilot measurements in which specimens were treated plasma and hexamethyldisiloxane. Furthermore, the effect of the treatment on the hydrophobic of the surface was investigated with the drop method. With the help of SEM microscopy was investigated the effect of modification on surface morphology

Metal sealing rings have been used widely in compressors, turbines and hydraulic devices. Such rings can extend out due to elasticity, and keep close contact with the valve wall, resulting in the formation of a functional seal under pressure. In this project, the failure of metal sealing rings is considered. Sealing component failure due to stress relaxation can threaten the safety of the whole steam turbine. The object of this study was to examine the stress relaxation response and corresponding changes in microstructure of metal sealing rings used in nuclear steam turbine under high temperature and applied stress. The two kinds of sealing ring samples were selected for GH4145 and GH2132. In this paper, all samples were tested by accelerated simulation experiment. The test temperature was controlled at 400℃, 600℃, and 800℃. The 400℃ experiments lasted for 10, 20, 30 and 40 hours, while the 600℃ and 800℃ experiments lasted for 5, 10, 15 and 20 hours. The surface morphology was observed by metallographic analysis. It was found that the two kinds of sealing ring samples presented with a continuous development of grain coarsening and a decrease of the twins when time and test temperature were increased. The prolongation of time and increase of test temperature will drive the grain coarsening and reduce the twins faster. Many precipitates and inclusions were observed on the surface. The composition of precipitation was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was further studied by testing samples with applied stress. The differences between the two tests and their influence on mechanical properties are discussed. The grain coarsening and twinning in the alloy will reduce the stress relaxation resistance of the material. Additionally, the precipitates and inclusions in the alloy may adversely affect the stress relaxation performance. Sealing rings using the nickel-based superalloys have stronger anti-stress relaxation performance than sealing rings made of iron-based superalloys.

Multi-scale reinforcement of composite materials is a topic a great interest owing to the several advantages provided, e.g. increased stiffness, improved aging resistance, and fracture toughness. It is well known, that the fracture toughness of epoxy resins used as matrix materials for CFRP composites can be increased by the addition of nano-sized fillers such as Carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs are particularly well suited for this purpose because of their nano-scale diameter and high aspect ratio which allow enhancing the contact area and adhesion to the epoxy matrix. On the other hand, CNTs can also be used to improve the interlaminar strength of composite, which is the resistance offered to delamination. Several fabrication techniques have been devised to this purpose, such as powder dispersion [51-53], spraying [54], roll coating [2] and electrospinning [55, 56]. The aim of this work is to extend the knowledge in this field. In particular, MWCNTs were dispersed throughout the interface of a carbon fiber composite laminate ([0o]16) through spraying and the resulting fracture toughness was investigated in detail. To this purpose, Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimens were fabricated by placing 0.5 wt.% CNTs at the interface of mid-plane plies and the fracture toughness was determined using the ASTM standard procedures. For comparison, baseline samples were prepared using neat prepregs. In order to corroborate the variation of fracture toughness to the modifications of interfacial damage mechanisms, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the failed surfaces was also undertaken. The results of this work have shown that functionalized MWCNTs can enhance the interlaminar fracture toughness; indeed, compared to the neat case, an average increase around 17% was observed. The SEM analysis revealed that the improved fracture toughness was related to the ability of the Nano-reinforcement to spread the damage through crack bridging, i.e. CNTs pull-out and peeling.

In this thesis work, some basic concepts about desulphurizationof hot metal have been done based on a literature study. Two experimentaltrials have also been carried out to study the slags: one consider as areference and in the other trial, the amount of calcium carbide was reduced by150 kg. The average carbide efficiency has been improved from 21.3% in trial 1 to 26.0% in trail 2. Metaldroplets containing iron oxides are found in three of eight heats and most ofmetal droplets are surrounded by Ti-compounds. The slags mainly consisted of (Ca,O, Si) and (Ca, S), with some low content of other elements.

The erosion or dissolution of stainless steel grade 304 as base metal by molten brazing fillermetal was investigated using one nickel and two iron based filler metals. The difference betweentwo iron filler metal is 5 % Manganese content in one of the filler metal. The Wettability of fillermetal is effected by oxidation of base or filler metal for which high vacuum or non reacting gasis used as a furnace atmosphere to reduce the partial pressure of oxygen. The furnace parameterseffecting erosion of base metal was observed e.g. peak temperature and brazing time. The effectof filler mass was also observed. The erosion depth was measured by light optical microscope.All the three filler metal shows different erosion behavior in nitrogen atmosphere compare tohigh vacuum. In high vacuum some of the elements evaporates at brazing temperature whichchanges the properties of filler metal. This change of composition in filler metal was observed byEDX analysis. SEM analysis was used to identify different element rich phases.

This thesis deals with the plasma functionalization of nanofiber materials for biomedical applications. Nanofibers of SiO2 and PCL was functionalized using a microwave plasma in order to establish amine functional groups. The work includes theoretical assumptions selection of these materials, their properties and current use with emphasis on biomedical applications. The paper also presents the theoretical foundations of plasma technology, their principles and practical applications. The experimental part of the work includes the optimization of process parameters for each nanofiber materials, review hydrophilisation surface and material degradation through SEM and private functionalization. In conclusion outlines proposals for further action beyond the experiments of this work.

Previous research in the Northern San Juan Region of the American Southwest has revealed a pattern of change in subsistence patterns from the Basketmaker II through Pueblo III periods. Jonathan C. Driver describes the pattern as: cottontail in Basketmaker III (500 to 750 CE) and Pueblo I (750 to 900 CE), deer in Pueblo II (900 to 1150 CE), and turkey in Pueblo III (1150 to 1350 CE). The transition from deer to turkey as the main subsistence has been recorded at several sites throughout the Northern San Juan Region and is thought to be caused by the overhunting of deer and increasing social strain. This combination is theorized to have caused the domestication of turkey as a last resort. Analysis conducted on faunal remains and eggshell recovered during excavation at Coal Bed Village by Brigham Young University et al. supports part of this pattern. Evidence of ritual display is evident in Basketmaker III and early Pueblo II contexts, with evidence of ritual or communal feasting in the early Pueblo II period. The rest of the assemblage appears to be domestic refuse. When compared to other large sites within the Montezuma Canyon, Coal Bed Village appears to have greater access to small artiodactyl throughout each of the periods. Contrary to expectations, adult turkey appears to have been eaten in the Basketmaker III, early Pueblo II, and Pueblo III periods. SEM analysis on turkey eggshell from each of these periods suggests that turkeys were domesticated since the Basketmaker III period, with the fresh eggs used as a protein supplement to the Puebloan diet throughout each of the periods. Changes to the amount of embryonic development suggest that, as the periods progressed, the Puebloans continued to use fresh eggs, but also increased the amount of eggs that developed to hatching.