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1 – 10 of 193Khalil Arshak, Olga Korostynska and John Henry
Indium oxide (In2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO) mixtures in the form of thick films pn‐junctions were investigated for gamma radiation dosimetry purposes. Polymer pastes of In2O3 and…
Abstract
Indium oxide (In2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO) mixtures in the form of thick films pn‐junctions were investigated for gamma radiation dosimetry purposes. Polymer pastes of In2O3 and SiO mixtures in various proportions were made of 92 wt per cent of functional material and 8 wt per cent of PVB, while ethyleneglycolmonobutylether was used as a solvent. Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) of the films readily endorse the formation of a mixed silicon oxide and indium oxide coating. All devices were exposed to a disc‐type 137Cs source with an activity of 370 kBq. The I‐V characteristics for the samples were measured after each exposure dose. Results show that the current is increased with the increase in radiation dose to a certain level, exceeding this level resulted in unstable dosimetric characteristics and device damage. The performance parameters of the devices, such as sensitivity to γ‐radiation exposure and working dose region, were found to be highly dependant on the composition of the materials used.
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K. Arshak, K. Twomey and D. Heffernan
This paper documents the development of a microcontroller‐based humidity sensing system. The humidity sensors are manufactured by thin film technology from a novel combination of…
Abstract
This paper documents the development of a microcontroller‐based humidity sensing system. The humidity sensors are manufactured by thin film technology from a novel combination of SiO/In2O3. The fabrication and characterization of the sensor samples is presented and discussed in this paper. The sensor pattern consists of an interdigitated conductor on top of which the sensing layer is deposited. A humidity sensitivity of 0.25%/RH% and a thermal sensitivity of 0.103%/°C has been measured. The samples exhibit a low drift over a one‐year time span (0.0013RH%/yr), low hysteresis (0.34RH%), good linearity (±2RH%) and a reasonably fast time response (18 sec). The entire sensor system has been analyzed mathematically and the necessary algorithms for error‐compensation have been developed. The resulting measurement system is efficient, accurate and flexible.
Reviews journal articles and worldwide hospitality and tourism trends research entries relating to three themes: business performance and performance measurement, process and…
Abstract
Reviews journal articles and worldwide hospitality and tourism trends research entries relating to three themes: business performance and performance measurement, process and quality improvement and teamworking. Draws on generic and industry‐specific material to identify “best practice” approaches adopted in other industries that might be applied in the context of hospitality and tourism settings.
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Daniel F. Twomey, Rosemarie Feuerbach Twomey and Hesan Quazi
This exploratory research examines environmental, institutional, and behavioral factors that affect interorganizational knowledge development and transfer between United Kingdom…
Abstract
This exploratory research examines environmental, institutional, and behavioral factors that affect interorganizational knowledge development and transfer between United Kingdom business schools and business. Three theoretical bases—transaction cost economics, extension of transaction cost economics, and power properties—are integrated in order to understand and identify the antecedents and dynamics of the interorganizational interface. Results support the hypothesis that interface collaboration and face‐to‐face communications are important mediators of academic‐business outcomes—learning business practices and cooperative research.
– This paper aims to explain the weaknesses and inconsistencies inherent in the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 (USA).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explain the weaknesses and inconsistencies inherent in the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 (USA).
Design/methodology/approach
The approach is entirely theoretical and multi-disciplinary (and relies on some third-party empirical research), and it consists of a literature review, critique and the development of theories which are applicable across countries.
Findings
The Dodd-Frank Act is inefficient and inadequate as a response to the global financial crisis. The Dodd-Frank Act has not resulted in significant economic growth and has increased transaction costs and compliance costs for both government agencies and financial services companies.
Originality/value
The author developed the theories introduced in the paper.
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Munezza Ata Khan, Umar Ansari and Murtaza Najabat Ali
Real-time monitoring of wound or injured tissues is critical for speedy recovery, and the onset of a cascade of biochemical reactions provides potential biomarkers that facilitate…
Abstract
Purpose
Real-time monitoring of wound or injured tissues is critical for speedy recovery, and the onset of a cascade of biochemical reactions provides potential biomarkers that facilitate the process of wound monitoring, e.g. pH, temperature, moisture level, bacterial load, cytokines, interleukins, etc. Among all the biomarkers, pH has been known to have a profound impact on the wound healing process, and is used to determine the incidence of bacterial infection of the wound (persistently elevated alkaline pH), proteolytic activity at the site of injury, take rate in skin grafting, wound healing stage and preparation for wound debridement.
Design/methodology/approach
This review highlights the significance of pH in determination of clinical parameters and for selection of an appropriate treatment regime, and it presents an in-depth analysis of the designs and fabrication methods that use integrated pH sensors, which have been reported to date for the real-time monitoring of wound healing.
Findings
For an expedited wound healing process, the significance of pH mandated the need of an integrated sensor system that would facilitate real-time monitoring of healing wounds and obviate the requirement of redressing or complicated testing procedures, which are both labor-intensive and painful for the patient. The review also discussed different types of sensor systems which were developed using hydrogel as a pH-responsive system coupled with voltammetry, potentiometry, impedimetric and flex-circuit inductive transducer systems. All of the mentioned devices have considerable potential for clinical applications, and there is need of in vivo testing to validate their efficiency and sensitivity under practical scenarios.
Originality/value
This manuscript is an original review of literature, and permission has been granted to use the figures from previously published papers.
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A financially distressed homeowner considers bankruptcy filing, either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, to delay foreclosure. On one hand, Chapter 13 filing takes longer processing time…
Abstract
Purpose
A financially distressed homeowner considers bankruptcy filing, either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, to delay foreclosure. On one hand, Chapter 13 filing takes longer processing time, spreads mortgage arrearages over the debt repayment period, and increases the possibility of loan modification. On the other hand, Chapter 7 filing discharges unsecured debt, which provides additional disposable income for mortgage payments. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The author uses fixed-effects (within variation), random-effects, and generalized estimation equation models with time dummies on the panel data of US counties.
Findings
The results show that mortgage delinquency increases Chapter 7 filings, while it has positive but statistically insignificant effect on Chapter 13 filings. In addition, a county’s mortgage debt to income and proportion of mortgage borrowers increase its Chapter 7 filings.
Originality/value
The contribution of the paper is to assess the effect of mortgage credit on the bankruptcy chapter choice using the county-level data.
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Jorge Alejandro Silva and María Antonieta Andrade
The purpose of this paper is to analyse how solar energy is harnessed and implemented in Mexico. This paper presents a diachronic analysis of the divergent literature presented…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse how solar energy is harnessed and implemented in Mexico. This paper presents a diachronic analysis of the divergent literature presented into the subject with the themes being divided substantially.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used at least five methods in the identification of the studies with the first being the use of the SCImago Institution Ranking followed by the use of Scopus for journal evaluation. SCImago was used to determine the efficiency of the journals with the Newcastle Ottawa scale allowing for the evaluation of the different case study articles presented on Mexico. The fourth tool was a 21-item STROBE checklist after which the Web of Science was used to determine the authenticity levels of the identified articles.
Findings
The implementation of solar energy technologies is still novel in Mexico with private and public entities working together towards building sustainable options. In addition, it cites the divergent merits that might stem from the use of solar energy technologies.
Originality/value
A myriad of articles has been presented concerning solar energy in Mexico, but no attempt has been made to synthesize the evidence and arguments made in this significant body of research. The subsequent review is original with its findings being valuable for current and future research.
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Amin Esmaeili, Charles McGuire, Michael Overcash, Kamran Ali, Seyed Soltani and Janet Twomey
The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed accounting of energy and materials consumed during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed accounting of energy and materials consumed during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Design/methodology/approach
The first and second stages of ISO standard (ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006) were followed to develop life cycle inventory (LCI). The LCI data collection took the form of observations, time studies, real-time metered power consumption, review of imaging department scheduling records and review of technical manuals and literature.
Findings
The carbon footprint of the entire MRI service on a per-patient basis was measured at 22.4 kg CO2eq. The in-hospital energy use (process energy) for performing MRI is 29 kWh per patient for the MRI machine, ancillary devices and light fixtures, while the out-of-hospital energy consumption is approximately 260 percent greater than the process energy, measured at 75 kWh per patient related to fuel for generation and transmission of electricity for the hospital, plus energy to manufacture disposable, consumable and reusable products. The actual MRI and standby energy that produces the MRI images is only about 38 percent of the total life cycle energy.
Research limitations/implications
The focus on methods and proof-of-concept meant that only one facility and one type of imaging device technology were used to reach the conclusions. Based on the similar studies related to other imaging devices, the provided transparent data can be generalized to other healthcare facilities with few adjustments to utilization ratios, the share of the exam types, and the standby power of the facilities’ imaging devices.
Practical implications
The transparent detailed life cycle approach allows the data from this study to be used by healthcare administrators to explore the hidden public health impact of the radiology department and to set goals for carbon footprint reductions of healthcare organizations by focusing on alternative imaging modalities. Moreover, the presented approach in quantifying healthcare services’ environmental impact can be replicated to provide measurable data on departmental quality improvement initiatives and to be used in hospitals’ quality management systems.
Originality/value
No other research has been published on the life cycle assessment of MRI. The share of outside hospital indirect environmental impact of MRI services is a previously undocumented impact of the physician’s order for an internal image.
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Mahmud Akhter Shareef, Yogesh Dwivedi, Jashim Uddin Ahmed, Uma Kumar and Rafeed Mahmud
This paper aims to address procurement, logistics management, inventory control and distribution of perishable items, i.e. vegetables, fruits, flowers and fishes, during the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address procurement, logistics management, inventory control and distribution of perishable items, i.e. vegetables, fruits, flowers and fishes, during the social isolation period of the Covid-19 era to identify conflicting interests among the channel members; present inventory and information sharing scenario; and reveal organizational dispute and existence of redundant, nonessential and corrupted members in the supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses an exploratory investigation to evaluate the relations among the members of the supply chain of perishable food items. In this context, it is designed to investigate the field, observe the members of the existing supply chain from rural and remote places and capture their interviews to accomplish the objectives.
Findings
This study identified that although the supply chain of perishable food items is controlled truly by private parties, from a realistic view, the private–public partnership is essential where the government should play the coordinating role. In this context, continuous interaction, coordination and information sharing among the members to establish an optimum and scalable network and remove any redundant nodal points is a key success factor for managing an efficient supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
Theoretical and managerial implication of this research is enormous. The existence of functional and dysfunctional conflicts in the same supply network and how it can be detrimental to the performance of the members are exposed in this study, which can be an excellent source to be investigated. Practitioners and researchers can gain a greater understanding to identify the root causes of conflicts in the existing structural dynamics, shedding light on organizational interactions, power and group behavior during the Covid-19 era.
Originality/value
From the light of management and inter-organizational conflicts, this is a pioneer study that has detected the redundant channel members, their source of power and how their removal can present an optimum channel with group coherence and synergistic interest.
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