C. Majorana, A. Natali and R. Vitaliani
The aim of the present work is to describe a numerical approach to the analysis of three‐dimensional reinforced concrete structures subject to prestressing. The finite element…
Abstract
The aim of the present work is to describe a numerical approach to the analysis of three‐dimensional reinforced concrete structures subject to prestressing. The finite element approach developed is described, with particular regard to the configuration of finite elements in relation to numerical model generation. An elasto‐viscoplastic material law is adopted. The non‐linear formulation is discussed, pointing out theoretical and numerical aspects. The computational examples, carried out using a specially developed code, aim at illustrating the characteristic aspects of the proposed approach.
This bibliography is offered as a practical guide to published papers, conference proceedings papers and theses/dissertations on the finite element (FE) and boundary element (BE…
Abstract
This bibliography is offered as a practical guide to published papers, conference proceedings papers and theses/dissertations on the finite element (FE) and boundary element (BE) applications in different fields of biomechanics between 1976 and 1991. The aim of this paper is to help the users of FE and BE techniques to get better value from a large collection of papers on the subjects. Categories in biomechanics included in this survey are: orthopaedic mechanics, dental mechanics, cardiovascular mechanics, soft tissue mechanics, biological flow, impact injury, and other fields of applications. More than 900 references are listed.
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Lorenzo Natali, Anna Berti Suman and Marília de Nardin Budó
This chapter explores how coming into contact with the narratives of environmental victims helps to develop different forms of reflexivity useful for imagining and confronting…
Abstract
This chapter explores how coming into contact with the narratives of environmental victims helps to develop different forms of reflexivity useful for imagining and confronting environmental crises. The generation and sharing of environmental data and of visual and narrative experiences of lived environmental harms by ‘ordinary people’ amounts to more than merely supplying robust data to fellow citizens, scientists and decision-makers. It is also a proactive claim for social and environmental justice, especially when these people are silenced or even criminalised. While forms of civic monitoring can be regarded as a contribution to environmental governance, they have instead often been labelled as ‘subversive’ or illegal practices. In this contribution, the authors explore how ‘green’ activist criminology may help in the challenge to have these voices enabled and listened. The challenge has to be taken up by developing an active listening attitude towards the voices of people (‘folk voices’) affected by/exposed to environmental harms, enhancing visual imagination and complexity about the contested notion of the environmental victim, together with new ways of taking care and a new paradigm of the ‘active victim’. In the conclusion, the authors acknowledge the potential of an art-based inquiry that is inclusive of civic imaginaries and knowledge. However, they also stress that cultural barriers and ideologies may hamper this potential. Critical attitude and integrity of any scientific approach should be sought and preserved.
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Yuri Yatsenko and Natali Hritonenko
Despite the existence of multiple asset replacement theories, the economic life replacement method remains a major practical technique for making rational machine replacement…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the existence of multiple asset replacement theories, the economic life replacement method remains a major practical technique for making rational machine replacement decisions. The purpose of this paper is to bridge this method with comprehensive data analytic tools and make it applicable it to modern business reality with abundant data on operating and replacement costs.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs operations research, discrete and continuous optimization, applied mathematical modeling, data analytics, industrial economics and real options theory.
Findings
Constructed stochastic algorithms extend the deterministic economic life method and are compared to the contemporary theory of stochastic asset replacement based on real options and dynamic programming. It is proven that both techniques deliver similar results when the cost volatility is small. A major theoretic finding is that the cost uncertainty speeds up the replacement decision.
Research limitations/implications
This research suggests that the proposed stochastic algorithms may become an important tool for managerial decisions about replacement of many similar machines with detailed data on operating and replacement costs.
Originality/value
Compared to the real options replacement theory, major advantages of the proposed algorithms are that they work equally well for any distribution of age-dependent stochastic operating cost. The algorithms are tested on a real industrial case about replacement of medical imaging devices. Numeric simulation supports obtained analytic outcomes.
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M. Hassapidou and Natali Papadopoulou
Nutritional status and health in pregnancy are a very important matter. Several studies have shown the importance of nutrition in prenatal development. Maternal nutrition…
Abstract
Nutritional status and health in pregnancy are a very important matter. Several studies have shown the importance of nutrition in prenatal development. Maternal nutrition significantly affects a woman’s health and the growth, development and health of the infant she carries. Studies in developed countries have shown that the diets of pregnant women, with the exception of those with a low socioeconomic status, are likely to have adequate amounts of most nutrients. The diets of pregnant women in Greece and Cyprus, however, where the Greek‐Mediterranean diet is traditionally followed, have not been adequately studied. Aims to assess the dietary intakes of adult, healthy, pregnant women in Cyprus, and to compare the results with the rest of the Greek population. Also aims to help assess whether the present dietary recommendations are followed, and if they emphasize the appropriate issues.
Benoit Bourguignon, Harold Boeck and Thomas Brashear Alejandro
Salespeople are at the forefront of the external environment where they act as the first responders to critical events and their resulting business turbulence. How the salesforce…
Abstract
Purpose
Salespeople are at the forefront of the external environment where they act as the first responders to critical events and their resulting business turbulence. How the salesforce responds to turbulence is, therefore, of great interest both theoretically and in practice. The paper aims to rekindle interest in agility selling, which is the most adequate behavioral sales model to exploit environmental uncertainty.
Design/methodology/approach
An organizational autoethnography complemented with data from in-depth interviews with key salespeople involved in turbulence resulted in the development of eight case studies.
Findings
Salespeople use agility selling through four possible responsive roles. They amplify, innovate, cooperate or mitigate turbulence to exploit its ensuing opportunity or minimize its negative effect for both the supplier and the customer. The article enhances the agility selling model by putting three core abilities in the forefront: (1) forecasting turbulence from critical events, (2) responding to changes quickly and adequately and (3) exploiting changes as opportunities.
Research limitations/implications
The article argues that critical events are the cause of the turbulence that the salesforce must deal with before it hits the dyad. Agility selling represents an untapped research opportunity in business-to-business sales, and sales management, as well as within the overall agile organization.
Practical implications
Sales organizations would greatly benefit in implementing training of agility selling’s core abilities because responsiveness is a valuable tool for salespeople in times of turbulence.
Originality/value
The study is the first to empirically demonstrate the existence of agility selling.
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Zaheer Doomah, Asish Seeboo and Tulsi Pawan Fowdur
This chapter provides an overview of the potential use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and associated artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in the land transport sector…
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the potential use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and associated artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in the land transport sector in an attempt to achieve related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. ITS applications that have now been extensively tested worldwide and have become part of the everyday transport toolkit available to practitioners have been discussed. AI techniques applied successfully in specific ITS applications such as automatic traffic control systems, real-time image processing, automatic incident detection, safety management, road condition assessment, asset management and traffic enforcement systems have been identified. These methods have helped to provide traffic engineers and transport planners with novel ways to improve safety, mobility, accessibility and efficiency in the sector and thus move closer to achieving the various SDG targets pertaining to transportation.
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Daniele Desideri, Alvise Maschio, Marco Bolzan, Marco Natali and Monica Spolaore
The purpose of this paper is to obtain a multidisciplinary characterization of nanostructured copper films for electromagnetic shields.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to obtain a multidisciplinary characterization of nanostructured copper films for electromagnetic shields.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural and electrical analysis have been applied, on copper nanometric films produced by a magnetron sputtering device.
Findings
Data are provided for copper films realized by magnetron sputtering deposition on glass, in different operating conditions.
Practical implications
A multidisciplinary comprehension of shielding effectiveness of nanostructured thin films can be important in many applications where there are electromagnetic compatibility problems.
Originality/value
The paper gives a valuable set of information for the characterization of nanometric copper thin films.
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Mamta Bhusry and Jayanthi Ranjan
The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the need for knowledge management (KM) in the teaching‐learning process in technical educational institutions (TEIs) in India, and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the need for knowledge management (KM) in the teaching‐learning process in technical educational institutions (TEIs) in India, and to assert the impact of information technology (IT) based KM intervention in the teaching‐learning process.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach of the paper is basically conceptual and descriptive. The paper studies the role of KM in facilitating knowledge sharing among stakeholders in TEIs in India and elaborates on the need for knowledge management in the teaching‐learning process. A KM framework for enhancement of knowledge sharing by the use of shared intellectual repositories (IRs) is proposed for the enhancement of teaching and learning in technical educational institutions in India.
Findings
The authors value the impact that KM can have in enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in TEIs, and underscore the need for credible research into the benefits and challenges that the implementation of IT‐based KM intervention will provide.
Research limitations/implications
The paper emphasizes the urgent need for improvement in quality of education in TEIs in India using the tools and processes of knowledge management. The importance of the proposed framework lies in augmenting the teaching‐learning process, improving productivity, enhancing communication among academia, researchers and professionals, enhancing student perception and understanding of subjects, and providing a common platform for pooling individual knowledge towards a common knowledge base.
Originality/value
The paper helps academicians to understand the importance of IT‐supported KM concepts, tools and practices towards quality teaching and learning. It provides useful inputs to TEIs, which must recognize that implementation of KM will influence knowledge sharing among faculty, researchers, practitioners, experts, professionals and students and enable quality education for students. Furthermore, the development of an IT‐based KM system will facilitate the promotion of institutional value in the competitive academic society. However there exists the need to evaluate the proposed framework in TEIs in India.