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Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 31 December 2024

Aimad Koulali, Paweł Ziółkowski, Piotr Radomski, Luciano De Sio, Jacek Zieliński, María Cristina Nevárez Martínez and Dariusz Mikielewicz

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemics, the demand for innovative and effective methods of bacterial inactivation has become a critical area of research, providing the impetus for…

201

Abstract

Purpose

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemics, the demand for innovative and effective methods of bacterial inactivation has become a critical area of research, providing the impetus for this study. The purpose of this research is to analyze the AuNPs-mediated photothermal inactivation of E. coli. Gold nanoparticles irradiated by laser represent a promising technique for combating bacterial infection that combines high-tech and scientific progress. The intermediate aim of the work was to present the calibration of the model with respect to the gold nanorods experiment. The purpose of this work is to study the effect of initial concentration of E. coli bacteria, the design of the chamber and the laser power on heat transfer and inactivation of E. coli bacteria.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the CFD simulation, the work combines three main concepts. 1. The conversion of laser light to heat has been described by a combination of three distinctive approximations: a- Discrete particle integration to take into account every nanoparticle within the system, b- Rayleigh-Drude approximation to determine the scattering and extinction coefficients and c- Lambert–Beer–Bourger law to describe the decrease in laser intensity across the AuNPs. 2. The contribution of the presence of E. coli bacteria to the thermal and fluid-dynamic fields in the microdevice was modeled by single-phase approach by determining the effective thermophysical properties of the water-bacteria mixture. 3. An approach based on a temperature threshold attained at which bacteria will be inactivated, has been used to predict bacterial response to temperature increases.

Findings

The comparison of the thermal fields and temporal temperature changes obtained by the CFD simulation with those obtained experimentally confirms the accuracy of the light-heat conversion model derived from the aforementioned approximations. The results show a linear relationship between maximum temperature and variation in laser power over the range studied, which is in line with previous experimental results. It was also found that the temperature inside the microchamber can exceed 55 °C only when a laser power higher than 0.8 W is used, so bacterial inactivation begins.

Research limitations/implications

The experimental data allows to determinate the concentration of nanoparticles. This parameter is introduced into the mathematical model obtaining the same number of AuNPs. However, this assumption introduces a certain simplification, as in the mathematical model the distribution of nanoparticles is uniform.

Practical implications

This work is directly connected to the use of gold nanoparticles for energy conversion, as well as the field of bacterial inactivation in microfluidic systems such as lab-on-a-chip. Presented mathematical and numerical models can be extended to the entire spectrum of wavelengths with particular use of white light in the inactivation of bacteria.

Originality/value

This work represents a significant advancement in the field, as to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first to employ a single-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach specifically combined with the thermal inactivation of bacteria. Moreover, this research pioneers the use of a numerical simulation to analyze the temperature threshold of photothermal inactivation of E. coli mediated by gold nanorods (AuNRs). The integration of these methodologies offers a new perspective on optimizing bacterial inactivation techniques, making this study a valuable contribution to both computational modeling and biomedical applications.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 January 2025

Federico Barravecchia, Luca Mastrogiacomo and Fiorenzo Franceschini

The aim of this study is to enhance the product quality management by proposing a framework for the classification of anomalies in digital voice of customer (VoC), i.e. user…

106

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to enhance the product quality management by proposing a framework for the classification of anomalies in digital voice of customer (VoC), i.e. user feedback on product/service usage gathered from online sources such as online reviews. By categorizing significant deviations in the content of digital VoC, the research seeks to provide actionable insights for quality improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes the application of topic modeling algorithms, in particular the structural topic model, to large datasets of digital VoC, enabling the identification and classification of customer feedback into distinct topics. This approach helps to systematically analyze deviations from expected feedback patterns, providing early detection of potential quality issues or shifts in customer preferences. By focusing on anomalies in digital VoC, the study offers a dynamic framework for improving product quality and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Findings

The research categorizes anomalies into spike, level, trend and seasonal types, each with distinct characteristics and implications for quality management. Case studies illustrate how these anomalies can signal critical shifts in customer sentiment and behavior, highlighting the importance of targeted responses to maintain or enhance product quality.

Research limitations/implications

Despite its contributions, the study has some limitations. The reliance on historical data may not hold in rapidly changing markets. Additionally, text mining techniques may miss implicit customer sentiment.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that companies can enhance their quality tracking tools by digital VoC anomaly detection into their standard practices, potentially leading to more responsive and effective quality management systems.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a novel framework for interpreting digital VoC anomalies within the Quality 4.0 context. By integrating text mining techniques with traditional quality tracking, it offers a novel approach for leveraging customer feedback to drive continuous improvement.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 February 2020

Johnny K.H. Kwok

The purpose of this paper is to study whether switching trading venues create value in the Hong Kong stock market.

800

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study whether switching trading venues create value in the Hong Kong stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

By using an event study, the paper investigates the abnormal returns (AR) earned by firms in the Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) relating to switching to the Main Board (MB). Two measures, turnover of the stock and Amihud’s (2002) illiquidity ratio, are used to examine the liquidity effects.

Findings

The switch is accompanied by a long-term increase in stock price for low liquidity firms only. High liquidity firms underperform with persistent negative excess returns after switching, while the transient negative excess returns in low liquidity firms reverse gradually. The results further show a significant increase in trading activity for low liquidity firms following the switch, while there is a significant decline in both trading activity and liquidity in firms with high liquidity. The overall results suggest that moving from GEM to the MB is beneficial to low liquidity firms but detrimental to high liquidity firms.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate whether moving from GEM to the MB creates value in the Hong Kong stock market.

Details

Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2515-964X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 29 September 2022

Jasvir S. Sura, Rajender Panchal and Anju Lather

The main aim of this paper is to examine the claim that economic value added (EVA) advocates its superiority over the traditional accounting-based financial performance measures…

4507

Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to examine the claim that economic value added (EVA) advocates its superiority over the traditional accounting-based financial performance measures, i.e. profit after tax (PAT), earnings per share (EPS), return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and return on investment (ROI) in the Indian manufacturing sector and at the same time, give empirical facts. It also tests and examines the information content of various performance measures and their relationship with stock returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the sample of 534 Indian manufacturing companies from the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) during the period 2000–2018. Multiple regression models are applied to examine the information content of EVA and traditional performance measures in explaining shareholders’ returns.

Findings

Relative information content tests revealed that traditional accounting-based measures such as EPS, ROE and ROA performed better than EVA in explaining the returns of Indian manufacturing companies. Incremental information content of EVA adds little contribution to information content above traditional performance measures. The claim of superiority of EVA over accounting-based measures in association with shareholder returns is proved invalid in Indian manufacturing companies.

Originality/value

This study concludes that EVA has no superiority over traditional accounting-based financial performance measures in explaining stock returns of Indian manufacturing companies. To achieve heftiness in outcomes, panel data are tested by using Breusch–Pagan–Godfrey (BPG) test for heteroskedasticity, Hausman’s test for fixed and random effect, variance inflation factor (VIF) test for multicollinearity and Durbin–Watson test for autocorrelation.

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 4 July 2023

Stutee Mohanty, B.C.M. Patnaik, Ipseeta Satpathy and Suresh Kumar Sahoo

This paper aims to identify, examine, and present an empirical research design of behavioral finance of potential investors during Covid-19.

18173

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify, examine, and present an empirical research design of behavioral finance of potential investors during Covid-19.

Design/methodology/approach

A well-structured questionnaire was designed; a survey was conducted among potential investors using convenience sampling, and 200 valid responses were collected. The research work uses multiple regression and discriminant function analysis to evaluate the influence of cognitive factors on the financial decision-making of investors.

Findings

Recency and familiarity bias are proven to have the highest significant impact on the financial decisions of investors followed by confirmation bias. Overconfidence bias had a negligible effect on the decision-making process of the respondents and found insignificant.

Research limitations/implications

Covid-19 is a temporary phase that may lead to changes in financial behavior and investors’ decisions in the near future.

Practical implications

The paper will help academicians, scholars, analysts, practitioners, policymakers and firms dealing with capital markets to execute their job responsibilities with respect to the cognitive bias in terms of taking financial decisions.

Originality/value

The present investigation attempts to fill the gap in the literature on the intended topic because it is evident from literature on the chosen subject that no study has been undertaken to evaluate the impact of cognitive biases on financial behavior of investors during Covid-19.

Details

Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, vol. 42 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-9899

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 December 2023

Flaviana Calignano, Alessandro Bove, Vincenza Mercurio and Giovanni Marchiandi

Polymer laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/P) is an additive manufacturing technology that is sustainable due to the possibility of recycling the powder multiple times and allowing…

1070

Abstract

Purpose

Polymer laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/P) is an additive manufacturing technology that is sustainable due to the possibility of recycling the powder multiple times and allowing the fabrication of gears without the aid of support structures and subsequent assembly. However, there are constraints in the process that negatively affect its adoption compared to other additive technologies such as material extrusion to produce gears. This study aims to demonstrate that it is possible to overcome the problems due to the physics of the process to produce accurate mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

Technological aspects such as orientation, wheel-shaft thicknesses and degree of powder recycling were examined. Furthermore, the evolving tooth profile was considered as a design parameter to provide a manufacturability map of gear-based mechanisms.

Findings

Results show that there are some differences in the functioning of the gear depending on the type of powder used, 100% virgin or 50% virgin and 50% recycled for five cycles. The application of a groove on a gear produced with 100% virgin powder allows the mechanism to be easily unlocked regardless of the orientation and wheel-shaft thicknesses. The application of a specific evolutionary profile independent of the diameter of the reference circle on vertically oriented gears guarantees rotation continuity while preserving the functionality of the assembled mechanism.

Originality/value

In the literature, there are various studies on material aging and reuse in the PBF-LB/P process, mainly focused on the powder deterioration mechanism, powder fluidity, microstructure and mechanical properties of the parts and process parameters. This study, instead, was focused on the functioning of gears, which represent one of the applications in which this technology can have great success, by analyzing the two main effects that can compromise it: recycled powder and vertical orientation during construction.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 30 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 March 2021

Maria Banagou, Saša Batistič, Hien Do and Rob F. Poell

Understanding employee knowledge hiding behavior can serve organizations in better implementing knowledge management practices. The purpose of this study is to investigate how…

4056

Abstract

Purpose

Understanding employee knowledge hiding behavior can serve organizations in better implementing knowledge management practices. The purpose of this study is to investigate how personality and work climate influence knowledge hiding, by examining the respective roles of openness to experience and relational (specifically, communal sharing and market pricing) climates.

Design/methodology/approach

Multilevel modeling was used with two distinct samples, one from Vietnam with 119 employees in 20 teams and one from The Netherlands with 136 employees in 32 teams.

Findings

In both samples, the hypothesized direct relationship between openness and knowledge hiding was not found. In the Vietnamese sample, only the moderating effect of market pricing climate was confirmed; in the Dutch sample, only the moderating effect of communal sharing climate was confirmed. The findings of the Vietnamese sample suggest that people with a high sense of openness to experience hide knowledge less under low market pricing climate. In the Dutch sample, people with high openness to experience hide knowledge less under high communal sharing climate. The authors conclude that, in comparison with personality, climate plays a stronger role in predicting knowledge hiding behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Small sample size and self-reported data might limit the generalizability of this study’s results.

Practical implications

The paper highlights how organizational context (relational climate) needs to be taken into account in predicting how personality (openness to experience) affects knowledge hiding.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a better understanding of the knowledge hiding construct by extending the set of known antecedents and exploring the organizational context in which such phenomena happen.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 25 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 August 2022

Bedour M. Alshammari, Fairouz Aldhmour, Zainab M. AlQenaei and Haidar Almohri

There is a gap in knowledge about the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) because most studies are undertaken in countries outside the Gulf region – such as China, India, the US and…

5381

Abstract

Purpose

There is a gap in knowledge about the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) because most studies are undertaken in countries outside the Gulf region – such as China, India, the US and Taiwan. The stock market contains rich, valuable and considerable data, and these data need careful analysis for good decisions to be made that can lead to increases in the efficiency of a business. Data mining techniques offer data processing tools and applications used to enhance decision-maker decisions. This study aims to predict the Kuwait stock market by applying big data mining.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used is quantitative techniques, which are mathematical and statistical models that describe a various array of the relationships of variables. Quantitative methods used to predict the direction of the stock market returns by using four techniques were implemented: logistic regression, decision trees, support vector machine and random forest.

Findings

The results are all variables statistically significant at the 5% level except gold price and oil price. Also, the variables that do not have an influence on the direction of the rate of return of Boursa Kuwait are money supply and gold price, unlike the Kuwait index, which has the highest coefficient. Furthermore, the height score of the variable that affects the direction of the rate of return is the firms, and the accuracy of the overall performance of the four models is nearly 50%.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the limitations identified for this study are as follows: (1) location limitation: Kuwait Stock Exchange; (2) time limitation: the amount of time available to accomplish the study, where the period was completed within the academic year 2019-2020 and the academic year 2020-2021. During 2020, the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), which was a major obstacle, occurred during data collection and analysis; (3) data limitation: The Kuwait Stock Exchange data were collected from May 2019 to March 2020, while the factors affecting the stock exchange data were collected in July 2020 due to the corona pandemic.

Originality/value

The study used new titles, variables and techniques such as using data mining to predict the Kuwait stock market. There are no adequate studies that predict the stock market by data mining in the GCC, especially in Kuwait. There is a gap in knowledge in the GCC as most studies are in foreign countries, such as China, India, the US and Taiwan.

Details

Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, vol. 40 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-9899

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 7 November 2023

Dorota Podedworna-Tarnowska

The purpose of this article is to present the results of empirical research concerning the identification of the impact of the transfer of companies from the alternative market to…

677

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present the results of empirical research concerning the identification of the impact of the transfer of companies from the alternative market to the regulated market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange on their operating and net performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted based on the empirical data of the companies that changed the listing place on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Data regarding the years before the transfer were collected from the prospectuses of companies prepared mandatorily in connection with the transition to the regulated market. Data regarding the years of the event and subsequent years were obtained from companies' annual reports. As in other studies in the analysis, the operational metrics were used (operating return on sale, operating return on assets, total asset turnover), which was further extended to net profitability ratios (net return on ale, net return on asset, net return on equity). The significance analysis was based on the Student's t-test and Wilcoxon’s test.

Findings

The results show that before the transfer from the alternative market to the regulated market, companies improved financial performance. As a result of the change of listing venues, the results already collapsed in the year of the event. The downward trend continued in the following two years, with a noticeable improvement in the third year after the transfer.

Originality/value

The literature lacks such studies based on the Polish market. To the best knowledge of the author, this is one of the first studies in Poland showing the changes in operating and net performance of companies changing the stock listing venues. The research is based on a large group including all companies that have changed listing venues since the beginning of the alternative market in Poland. The article presents an original empirical result that can be used both by managers and investors in their decisions.

Details

Central European Management Journal, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2658-0845

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 January 2025

Manuel Sardinha, Luís Ferreira, Hermínio Diogo, Tânia R.P. Ramos, Luís Reis and M. Fátima Vaz

This study aims to investigate the tensile strength and compressive behaviour of two thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments produced via material extrusion (ME): TPU 95A and…

161

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the tensile strength and compressive behaviour of two thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments produced via material extrusion (ME): TPU 95A and Reciflex (recycled).

Design/methodology/approach

Tensile strength and compressive behaviour are assessed. The influence of extrusion temperature and infill pattern on these properties is examined, supported by thermal characterization, surface morphology analyses and a comprehensive comparison with existing literature. An analytical method is presented for estimating the solid ratio of ME parts, using an ellipse model to describe the material bead geometry.

Findings

Reciflex is generally stiffer than TPU 95A in both tensile and compressive tests. Specimens loaded orthogonally in compression tests exhibited stiffer behaviour than those loaded parallelly, and higher tensile properties were typically observed when material beads were deposited parallel to the load direction. Unlike TPU 95A, Reciflex is sensitive to extrusion temperature variations.

Social implications

By comparing recycled and virgin TPU filaments, this research addresses waste management concerns and advocates for environmentally sustainable production practices in the broadly used filament/based ME technique.

Originality/value

This study provides an extensive comparison of computed values with existing literature, offering insights into how different materials may behave under similar processing conditions. Given ongoing challenges in controlling melt flow during extrusion, these results may offer insights for optimizing the production of ME parts made with thermoplastic elastomers.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 31 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

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