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Article
Publication date: 24 September 2019

Qian Yee Ang and Siew Chun Low

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have aroused focus in medicinal chemistry in recent decades, especially for biomedical applications. Considering the exceptional abilities to…

Abstract

Purpose

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have aroused focus in medicinal chemistry in recent decades, especially for biomedical applications. Considering the exceptional abilities to immobilize any guest of medical interest (antibodies, enzymes, etc.), MIPs is attractive to substantial research efforts in complementing the quest of biomimetic recognition systems. This study aims to review the key-concepts of molecular imprinting, particularly emphasizes on the conformational adaptability of MIPs beyond the usual description of molecular recognition. The optimal morphological integrity was also outlined in this review to acknowledge the successful sensing activities by MIPs.

Design/methodology/approach

This review highlighted the fundamental mechanisms and underlying challenges of MIPs from the preparation stage to sensor applications. The progress of electrochemical and optical sensing using molecularly imprinted assays has also been furnished, with the evolvement of molecular imprinting as a research hotspot.

Findings

The lack of standard synthesis protocol has brought about an intriguing open question in the selection of building blocks that are biocompatible to the imprint species of medical interest. Thus, in this paper, the shortcomings associated with the applications of MIPs in electrochemical and optical sensing were addressed using the existing literature besides pointing out possible solutions. Future perspectives in the vast development of MIPs also been postulated in this paper.

Originality/value

The present review intends to furnish the underlying mechanisms of MIPs in biomedical diagnostics, with the aim in electrochemical and optical sensing while hypothesizing on future possibilities.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 39 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 12 September 2022

Hossein Omrany, Amirhosein Ghaffarianhoseini, Ali Ghaffarianhoseini and Derek John Clements-Croome

This paper critically analysed 195 articles with the objectives of providing a clear understanding of the current City Information Modelling (CIM) implementations, identifying the…

1162

Abstract

Purpose

This paper critically analysed 195 articles with the objectives of providing a clear understanding of the current City Information Modelling (CIM) implementations, identifying the main challenges hampering the uptake of CIM and providing recommendations for the future development of CIM.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts the PRISMA method in order to perform the systematic literature review.

Findings

The results identified nine domains of CIM implementation including (1) natural disaster management, (2) urban building energy modelling, (3) urban facility management, (4) urban infrastructure management, (5) land administration systems, (6) improvement of urban microclimates, (7) development of digital twin and smart cities, (8) improvement of social engagement and (9) urban landscaping design. Further, eight challenges were identified that hinder the widespread employment of CIM including (1) reluctance towards CIM application, (2) data quality, (3) computing resources and storage inefficiency, (4) data integration between BIM and GIS and interoperability, (5) establishing a standardised workflow for CIM implementation, (6) synergy between all parties involved, (7) cybersecurity and intellectual property and (8) data management.

Originality/value

This is the first paper of its kind that provides a holistic understanding of the current implementation of CIM. The outcomes will benefit multiple target groups. First, urban planners and designers will be supplied with a status-quo understanding of CIM implementations. Second, this research introduces possibilities of CIM deployment for the governance of cities; hence the outcomes can be useful for policymakers. Lastly, the scientific community can use the findings of this study as a reference point to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field and contribute to the future development of CIM.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 12 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2017

Herman Eliewaha Mandari, Yee-Lee Chong and Chung-Khain Wye

Generally, this paper aims to develop a model by identifying factors which will assist policy makers in implementing m-government in Tanzania. The paper identifies direct and…

Abstract

Purpose

Generally, this paper aims to develop a model by identifying factors which will assist policy makers in implementing m-government in Tanzania. The paper identifies direct and indirect factors which may influence adoption of m-government among the rural farmers in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducted a survey by using Drop Off/Pick Up method to collect data from rural farmers. Stratified and multi-stage sampling were used to collect 407 valid responses from rural farmers in Tanzania. Data collected were analyzed by using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The results show that government support has direct influence, while awareness has indirect influence through relative advantage, ease of use, compatibility and visibility. Furthermore, relative advantage, compatibility, ease of use, visibility and results demonstrability have direct influence on rural farmers intention to adopt m-government.

Originality/value

This study contributes to knowledge because no study in this area has been conducted in developing countries to examine factors that influence adoption of m-government. Furthermore, this study tests the mediating effects of perceived characteristics of innovation which have not yet been investigated to date.

Details

Journal of Systems and Information Technology, vol. 19 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1328-7265

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2008

Ming‐Sze Tong, Tae‐Gyu Chang and Ronan Sauleau

To perform studies and comparisons on the electromagnetic band‐gap (EBG) structures, which are constructed by using a combination of inductive and capacitive elements printed on…

Abstract

Purpose

To perform studies and comparisons on the electromagnetic band‐gap (EBG) structures, which are constructed by using a combination of inductive and capacitive elements printed on guided‐wave transmission lines, and by applying a chirping‐and‐tapering technique.

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐house solver based on finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method is adopted for analysis. Conventionally, EBG characteristics are formed by a series of perforations, considered as capacitive elements, on the ground plane(s). To enhance the performance, an additional inductive element is implemented, which is realized by narrowing the strip over the respective perforated regions. For further enhancement, a chirping‐and‐tapering technique is applied on the combined EBG structures for comparisons.

Findings

Through scattering parameter analysis, it was found that the EBG structures using combined inductive and capacitive elements exhibit a band‐gap behavior superior to the ones built with only inductive or capacitive elements. In another set of comparisons, the modified EBG structures combined with a chirping‐and‐tapering technique resulted in further widening of band‐gap, as well as lower side‐lobes and a smoother transition towards the band‐gap region.

Research limitations/implications

Research was mainly limited to studying solely the EBG structures printed on guided‐wave transmission lines.

Practical implications

The proposed EBG structures may be applied into various areas, such as microelectronics and mobile communications for harmonic suppressions, and into other practical electronic circuit structures.

Originality/value

The ideas on applying combined inductive and capacitive elements on various guided‐wave transmission lines to induce EBG characteristics, together with applications of a chirping‐and‐tapering technique on the combined EBG structures give rise to the research originality.

Details

Microelectronics International, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-5362

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

Ming‐Sze Tong, Yinchao Chen, Yilong Lu, Viktor Krozer, Kenichi Kagoshima, Hyeong‐Seok Kim and Tae‐Gyu Chang

To demonstrate the flexibility and advantages of a non‐uniform pseudo‐spectral time domain (nu‐PSTD) method through studies of the wave propagation characteristics on photonic…

Abstract

Purpose

To demonstrate the flexibility and advantages of a non‐uniform pseudo‐spectral time domain (nu‐PSTD) method through studies of the wave propagation characteristics on photonic band‐gap (PBG) structures in stratified medium

Design/methodology/approach

A nu‐PSTD method is proposed in solving the Maxwell's equations numerically. It expands the temporal derivatives using the finite differences, while it adopts the Fourier transform (FT) properties to expand the spatial derivatives in Maxwell's equations. In addition, the method makes use of the chain‐rule property in calculus together with the transformed space technique in order to make the algorithm flexible in terms of non‐uniform spatial sampling.

Findings

Through the studies of the wave propagation characteristics on PBG structures in stratified medium, it has been found that the proposed method retains excellent accuracy in the occasions where the spatial distributions contain step of up to five times larger than the original size, while simultaneously the flexibility of non‐uniform sampling offers further savings on computational storage.

Research limitations/implications

Research has been mainly limited to the simple one‐dimensional (1D) periodic and defective cases of PBG structures. Nevertheless, the findings reveal strong implications that flexibility of sampling and memory savings can be realized in multi‐dimensional structures.

Practical implications

The proposed method can be applied to various practical structures in electromagnetic and microwave applications once the Maxwell's equations are appropriately modeled.

Originality/value

The method validates its values and properties through extensive studies on regular and defective 1D PBG structures in stratified medium, and it can be further extended to solving more complicated structures.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Ming‐Sze Tong, Yinchao Chen, Yilong Lu, Hyeong‐Seok Kim, Tae‐Gyu Chang and Ronan Sauleau

To study the photonic band‐gap (PBG) characteristics constructed by periodic conducting vias on various guided transmission‐line structures.

Abstract

Purpose

To study the photonic band‐gap (PBG) characteristics constructed by periodic conducting vias on various guided transmission‐line structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite difference time domain (FDTD) method is adopted to analyze various PBG via structures. Conventionally, PBG characteristics on guided‐wave structures, such as microstrip lines or coplanar waveguides (CPW), are constructed through a series of perforations on the ground plane(s). PBG characteristics can, however, also be realized through periodic arrangements of conducting vias located on the respective ground planes.

Findings

Through studies of the scattering parameters, it has been found that all analyzed PBG via structures exhibit strong band‐gap characteristics in a particular frequency range. Different harmonic patterns are also observed when the dimensional sizes of the conducting vias vary with respect to the PBG period.

Research limitations/implications

Research has been mainly limited to study solely the PBG via structures, guided‐wave transmission lines. More studies may be conducted in analyzing the overall performance when they are combined with other microwave components.

Practical implications

The proposed PBG via structures can be applied to various microwave areas, ranging from signal suppressions in microelectronics and mobile communications, to electro‐magnetic interference studies in other practical electronic circuit structures.

Originality/value

The ideas of applying conducting vias on the guided‐wave transmission lines and the proposed via patterns to induce the PBG characteristics are the research's claim to originality one.

Details

Microelectronics International, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-5362

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 December 2021

Melati Nungsari, Kirjane Ngu, Jia Wei Chin and Sam Flanders

Youth entrepreneurship has been identified as a key driver in overcoming the economic crisis spurred by youth unemployment. However, the understanding of youth entrepreneurship is…

Abstract

Purpose

Youth entrepreneurship has been identified as a key driver in overcoming the economic crisis spurred by youth unemployment. However, the understanding of youth entrepreneurship is largely based on research in high-income countries. Furthermore, entrepreneurship studies to date are largely limited to the independent effects of individual traits on entrepreneurial intention (EI). Hence, this study aims to model the cognitive and social conditions, mediating processes and interactions to understand how youth EI can be formed and strengthened in an emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional sample of 295 Malaysian youths participating in an online entrepreneurship program were included to assess their family socioeconomic background, individual personality traits and EI using regression, mediation and moderation models. Within the sample, 29 youths who completed the program were examined for pre- and post-training intervention differences to identify whether entrepreneurial traits can be developed.

Findings

Results showed that a proactive personality or proactiveness was a key mediator in how an internal locus of control (ILOC) and self-esteem influence EI. Furthermore, ILOC and proactiveness were found to compensate for the lack of parental financial support in the formation of EI among low-income youth. Finally, there was a significant increase in proactive personality scores post-intervention, indicating that this trait can be strengthened through entrepreneurship programs.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on parental income as an indicator of family socioeconomic background, which may not accurately represent the diversity of the socio-ecological environment of an individual. Therefore, future research should assess the multi-dimensional indicators of socioeconomic status and their relations with psychological attributes in shaping EI. Furthermore, this study observed a small sample size for the pre- and post-intervention analysis. Hence, more studies with large sample sizes are needed to examine the impact of entrepreneurship education.

Practical implications

Considering that entrepreneurship is envisioned as an instrument to lift youths out of poverty, this study has important implications for entrepreneurship programs that target low-income youths. The findings suggest that such programs need to first emphasize developing ILOC and proactiveness among these youths, thus enabling them to overcome various structural barriers toward entrepreneurship, as opposed to a purely knowledge-based learning approach.

Social implications

To effectively lift youths out of poverty through entrepreneurship, policymakers and educational institutions need to first recognize that the EI of youth from varying socioeconomic backgrounds are formed differently. Hence, the approach of entrepreneurship programs catered toward youth from lower socioeconomic backgrounds will differ from programs catered to youths who are financially secure. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, entrepreneurship programs targeted at low-income youths must first emphasize building their mindsets of ILOC and proactivity to overcome financial challenges as opposed to focusing solely on building entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.

Originality/value

The findings offer a more holistic and nuanced view of the contingencies where the efforts of policymakers, educational institutions and practitioners are more likely to succeed in stimulating EI among youths in emerging economies. In addition, the study also bridges the gap between the theoretical understanding of EI and the practical implications of developing effective entrepreneurship programs by combining the cross-sectional analysis and pre- and post-intervention test in the same study. Importantly, the study highlighted the importance of considering youth’s socioeconomic background in the design and implementation of entrepreneurship programs.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

Keywords

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