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This study aims to fulfill the research gap by suggesting an appropriate and adaptable e-government (e-gov) maturity model for Pakistan not just in the abstract pattern relatively but also in a practical solution assured by the industry experts.

The qualitative research approach using key informants from the public sector domain; furthermore, e-gov performance artifacts were verified by the citizens through the process of focus group interviews.

The major finding of the study is the development of e-gov maturity model with implementations artifacts in proposed stages as follows: availability, interaction, integration, transactions and public participation.

This study contributes a qualitative meta-synthesis in the field of e-gov maturity models and could support researchers who are in a quest of knowledge and references to develop new maturity models for their specific countries by providing them with useful resources for further investigation and study.

This maturity model will strengthen the argument that the e-gov services are necessary for the acceptance behaviour of the citizens and the prosperous public administration by the Government in Pakistan. This research strengthens the science-policy interface that has prevented governments from delivering changes on the ground to the public, and it will also identify diversified opportunities for the e-gov sector that can reverse the lack of investment in this domain.

The study intends to provide directions to policymakers for the development of e-gov services for the citizens. Additionally, the public value of e-gov can be better understood in the form of citizens’ expectations from the government and this model will integrate public participation in the development of e-gov service.

The public value of e-gov can be better understood in the form citizens’ expectations from the government through this maturity model, furthermore, it can be recommended that the government can improve the relationship between the citizens and the state through the use of information and communication technologies which will strengthen the democratic process in Pakistan.

The purpose of this paper is to present two novel grey cluster evaluation models to solve the difficulty in extending the bounds of each clustering index of grey cluster evaluation models.

In this paper, the triangular whitenization weight function corresponding to class 1 is changed to a whitenization weight function of its lower measures, and the triangular whitenization weight function corresponding to class s is changed to a whitenization weight function of its upper measures. The difficulty in extending the bound of each clustering indicator is solved with this improvement.

The findings of this paper are the novel grey cluster evaluation models based on mixed centre-point triangular whitenization weight functions and the novel grey cluster evaluation models based on mixed end-point triangular whitenization weight functions.

A practical evaluation and decision problem for some projects in a university has been studied using the new triangular whitenization weight function.

Particularly, compared with grey variable weight clustering model and grey fixed weight clustering model, the grey cluster evaluation model using whitenization weight function is more suitable to be used to solve the problem of poor information clustering evaluation. The grey cluster evaluation model using endpoint triangular whitenization weight functions is suitable for the situation that all grey boundary is clear, but the most likely points belonging to each grey class are unknown; the grey cluster evaluation model using centre-point triangular whitenization weight functions is suitable for those problems where it is easier to judge the most likely points belonging to each grey class, but the grey boundary is not clear.

The wear of an abrasive single-crystal diamond (SCD) grit affects the machining quality of the sapphire wafer. This paper aims to investigate the influence of crystallographic orientation on the wear characteristics of SCD grit scratching on sapphire.

The wear characteristics of two SCD grits (SCD100 and SCD111) with different crystallographic orientations were systematically investigated. The wear mechanism involved in the scratching process was explored. The wear morphology, scratching forces and friction coefficient during the scratching process were measured and analyzed.

The experiment results show that the wear progress of the two SCD grits is obviously different. The wear resistance of SCD111 grit is greater than that of SCD100 grit in normal wear stage. However, the SCD100 grit could remove more sapphire material than SCD111 grit. The SCD grits mainly sustain extrusion stress and shear stress during scratching on sapphire. The crystallographic orientation of SCD grits plays a significant role in the wear progress during scratching on sapphire.

The results of the experimental studies could provide a theoretical foundation for improving the fabrication of abrasive diamond tools.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an imprinting perspective of the organizational culture evolution at a large state-owned heavy equipment manufacturer. It aims at exploring sensitive periods and the tension between persistence and decay of imprints.

It employs the case study approach. Both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (survey) data were collected, from the directors, middle managements, and grass-roots staffs of Dong Fang Turbine Co. Ltd. Based on the set of four scenarios, both within-scenario analysis and cross-scenario analysis were conducted following the “replication logic.”

New survival threats are more possible to develop sensitive periods with new imprints than transition periods, and the authors suggest organizational culture can be divided into two categories as the institutional sensitive and the local community sensitive.

This study is not only an exploitation of imprinting theories, but also provides a different understanding of organizational evolution, especially in terms of imprints dynamic. Meanwhile, the case shows how institutional environment and local community has shaped differently the organizational culture.

This study aims to characterize the behavior of blended concrete, including metakaolin (MK) and quarry dust (QD), as supplementary cementing materials. The study focuses on evaluating the effects of these materials on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete.

MK, a pozzolanic material, and QD, a fine aggregate by-product, are potentially sustainable alternatives for enhancing concrete performance and reducing environmental impact. The addition of different percentages of MK enhances the pozzolanic reaction, resulting in improved strength development. Furthermore, the optimum dosage of MK, mixed with QD, and mechanical properties like compressive, flexural and split tensile strength of concrete were evaluated to investigate the synergetic effect of MK and quarry dust for M20-grade concrete.

The results reveal the influence of metakaolin and QD on the overall performance of blended concrete. Cost analysis showed that the optimum mix can reduce the 7%–8% overall cost of the materials for M20-grade concrete. Energy analysis showed that the optimum mix can reduce 7%–8% energy consumption.

The effective utilization is determined with the help of the analytical hierarchy process method to find an optimal solution among the selected criteria. According to the AHP analysis, the optimum content of MK and quarry dust is 12% and 16%, respectively, performing best among all other trial mixes.

Casting is one of the well-known manufacturing processes to make durable parts of goods and machinery. However, the quality of the casting parts depends on the proper choice of process variables related to properties of the materials used in making a mold and the product itself; hence, variables related to product/process designs are taken into consideration. Understanding casting techniques considering significant process variables is critical to achieving better quality castings and helps to improve the productivity of the casting processes. This study aims to understand the computational models developed for achieving better quality castings using various casting techniques.

A systematic literature review is conducted in the field of casting considering the period 2000–2020. The keyword co-occurrence network and word cloud from the bibliometric analysis and text mining of the articles reveal that optimization and simulation models are extensively developed for various casting techniques, including sand casting, investment casting, die casting and squeeze casting, to improve quality aspects of the casting's product. This study further investigates the optimization and simulation models and has identified various process variables involved in each casting technique that are significantly affecting the outcomes of the processes in terms of defects, mechanical properties, yield, dimensional accuracy and emissions.

This study has drawn out the need for developing smart casting environments with data-driven modeling that will enable dynamic fine-tuning of the casting processes and help in achieving desired outcomes in today's competitive markets. This study highlights the possible technology interventions across the metal casting processes, which can further enhance the quality of the metal casting products and productivity of the casting processes, which show the future scope of this field.

This paper investigates the body of literature on the contributions of various researchers in producing high-quality casting parts and performs bibliometric analysis on the articles. However, research articles from high-quality journals are considered for the literature analysis in identifying the critical parameters influencing quality of metal castings.

The systematic literature review reveals the analytical models developed using simulation and optimization techniques and the important quality characteristics of the casting products. Further, the study also explores critical influencing parameters involved in every casting process that significantly affects the quality characteristics of the metal castings.

Heat transfer inside wavy fins is analyzed in this work. The paper aim to discuss this issue.

Six different types of wavy fins are considered. The fin equation for each fin type is solved using a high accurate finite difference method. Excellent agreement is obtained between the numerical solution under zero wave amplitude and the exact solution of the plain fin.

The following wavy fin types and conditions are found to produce larger heat transfer rate and its volumetric value than those for the plain fin and other wavy fins: short fins with parallel wavy profiles and large surface-wave frequency; long fins with symmetric wavy surface around the length axis, positive cross-sectional area gradient at the base, and large surface-wave frequency; and long fins with symmetric wavy profiles around the length axis, positive cross-sectional area gradient at the base, and small surface-wave frequency.

In addition, both fins with symmetric wavy surface around the width axis and parallel wavy surfaces along the width axis have same performance indicators. Also, these wavy fins possess higher fin efficiency than either that of the plain fin or those of the other types of wavy fins.

Finally, heat transfer enhancements in the studied wavy fins are increased by increases in the excess of the surface area, cross-sectional area gradient at the base, arc length and arc width relative to those of the plain fin.