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In a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, one of the most time-consuming tasks is to identify and track the visible satellites. The paper aims to propose and examine in detail new and shorter identification patterns or lite pseudo-codes – pseudo-random numbers (PRNs) – that allow GPS receivers to reduce dramatically the computational effort to identify and track GPS satellites. Obtaining lite pseudo-codes is a multi-objective optimization problem that the paper resolves using genetic algorithms (GAs).

The lite PRNs are obtained by using NSGA-II and omni-optimizer multi-objective optimization techniques.

The new PRNs obtained with the proposed single/multi-objective solutions are always better than previously presented when the highest detection peak (DP) is required for the GPS receiver.

Results demonstrate that the problem of “obtaining lite pseudo-codes” is a multi-objective optimization problem. In other words, the solutions obtained with the single-objective approach could belong to a local minimum. The multi-objective approach provides a better solution than the single-objective approach in a 37 percent of the satellites while in other cases the multi-objective approach reaches the same DPs with a similar noise.

Business travel is key custom to many hotels. Value springs both from volume and relatively low rates of discounting and commission, but what type of strategies will make for success in the future? Three main themes emerge from a review of reported trends in provision: development of special brands, enhancement of special on‐site services and use of promotions.

The purpose of this study is to explore possible factors leading to a successful mediation in Chinese mediation shows. In China, media always play an indispensable role in information dissemination, morality advocacy and policy explanation.

This paper employed content analysis of 166 episodes of one representative mediation show, Gold Medal Mediation, and regression technique in data analysis.

Results of ordinal regression suggested that “secret talking”, rather than transparency, between disputants had significant influence on successful mediation. Function of mediators is limited in reaching full mediation. The effective factors leading to full mediation include compromise of rights, secret talking, attitude of the observer cohort. It suggests that the role of mediator is limited, rather than being over-exaggerated, in successful mediation. The successful mediation is largely dependent on disputants’ motivations. Additionally, “compromise of rights” by disputants is a key factor in solving disputes.

Findings of this study revealed the role of Chinese mediation shows in propagating mediation in contemporary Chinese society and supporting upheld morality values. Due to the nature of the chosen mediation show, some disputes take more than one episode to solve. However, this study looks at each episode without considering the integrity of the dispute. That is, if the disputes take two episodes, the coder codes the two episodes as two separate disputes instead of looking at it as one dispute.

By exploring various aspects of mediations shows, including the role of mediators, disputants and a cohort of observers, this study can both explicitly show predicted factors to successful mediations on the shows, and can implicitly examine the power and perceived justification of mediation in contemporary China via media.

This paper examines the swathe of voluntary self‐regulation which affects the day‐to‐day operation of banks' and building societies' retail businesses, especially in the light of the new Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) Mortgage Code and the third edition of The Banking Code, and examines whether such self‐regulation can be an effective alternative to legislation.

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to understanding modern monetary arrangements from a Marxist perspective that takes into account recent developments in the Marxist theory of world money. The paper treats the US dollar as a primus inter pares quasi-world money and challenges the argument of US hegemony by exploring the behavior of major capitalist states and selected developing countries, the BRICS, in so far as their official international reserves are concerned. The findings reveal a clear pattern in the behavior of major capitalist states in terms of the size and form of their reserves with the variations in them implying a hierarchical structure of the corresponding quasi-world moneys. The analysis focuses on developed countries and treats them individually. The merit of this approach, distinctive in the literature on international reserves, is that it reveals the above-mentioned pattern which is blurred when Japan is included. The results imply that current international monetary arrangements reflect and promote multipolarity and competition on the geopolitical scene, the evolution of which is historical.

The purpose of this work is to propose a new multi‐user detector which cascades the linear G‐SIC with some linear PIC stages to form a new linear hybrid multi‐user detector.

Multistage interference cancellation multi‐user detectors became an increasingly important area of research due to their relative low computational complexity. The performance comparison of the proposed linear HIC is studied and presented using matlab environment to investigate the bit error rates. For DS/CDMA system, each user is characterized by its own code. The signals from users are spread by appropriately design sequences and then transmitted over an AWGN channel with BPSK modulation.

By the cascade of the linear G‐SIC and the traditional PIC, a low complexity multi‐user detector is found capable of reducing the long detection delay compared with the linear G‐SIC. The advantages of the linear G‐SIC and PIC can be exploited substantially.

The paper proposes an algorithm that can combat the MAI with less complexity, and also can speed the convergence compared with other detectors.

The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into patrons' preferences for quick response code (QR code) design as well as data about their potential benefits.

A survey was used to learn whether patrons find it easy to use a QR code, to gather patrons' opinions about several possible library uses for QR codes, and to solicit additional ideas for using QR codes in libraries. A small-scale pilot project was implemented to learn whether the Libraries' patrons would make use of QR codes. To augment the data gained from the first two studies, five focus groups were facilitated.

The authors found that patrons generally find QR codes easy to use and would welcome a variety of library services on their mobile devices.

Further studies on a variety of mobile devices would be a useful way to gain more insight into how libraries can take advantage of mobile communication to provide services to patrons.

This paper would appeal to academic libraries considering implementing QR codes projects as there are only a very limited number of studies on library users' preferences of QR codes.

This paper aims to highlight how the prevention principle may affect the rights and responsibilities of contractors under Jordanian law. In many instances, the application of legal theories and terminology of the Jordanian civil code (JCC), such as penalty clauses and produces a similar result to that under common law, such as prevention principle, and even if in some cases the route by which the result is reached differs.

This paper is based upon library research on primary and secondary sources. The author adopted the interpretive paradigm with its underlying subjectivist assumption. This paradigm creates different meanings and therefore different realities. This is particularly evident when studying legal notions, such as parties’ autonomy and decennial liability, from a comparative law perspective.

In many instances, the application of legal theories and terminology of the JCC, such as penalty clauses and produces a similar result to that under common law, such as the prevention principle, and even if in some cases the route by which the result is reached differs. However, it is difficult for judges and lawyers in Jordan to understand the legal principles of certain terms in the common law. This requires, to a certain extent, an understanding of the legal terms and concepts, particularly those originated from English law. For example, a thorough grasp of the prevention principle in Jordanian law remains unclear. Apparently, this can be met by training and capacity building sessions.

As far as the author is aware, this issue has not been researched comprehensively before from technical and legal standpoints. This paper represents the first attempt to examine the issues arising in this difficult and important subject.

This paper investigates the impact of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) merger in Australia on existing and potential clients of the new merged firm. From prior theory it is expected that some existing clients may have an incentive to switch away from a newly merged firm as the same larger firm now audits close competitors once audited by separate firms. Prior theory also suggests that another group of potential clients should be attracted to the newly merged firm where the merger enhances or creates industry specializations. The expectation is that in both of these instances there will be increased switching activity associated with the newly merged audit firm. Contrary to expectations, a significantly lower level of switching behaviour was observed for the newly merged firm compared with that of the other Big 5 firms, suggesting that an advantage of enhanced specialization may not be the attraction of new clients but the retention of existing clients. When comparing the nature of the switches, some support was found for the view that the switches to the new firm were likely to be in enhanced areas of specialization, but no evidence was found to suggest that close competitors would switch away from this firm. The greater rate of retention of clients compared with other Big 5 firms was not associated with a more competitive audit pricing policy.