Alireza Ghanbari and Mohammadreza Mohammadzade Attar
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the film formation mechanism of zirconium-based conversion layer on mild steel. In this way, different approaches were used to show the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the film formation mechanism of zirconium-based conversion layer on mild steel. In this way, different approaches were used to show the self-limiting film formation mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
To determine this mechanism, film formation was detected using DC polarization, spectrophotometric technique and surface analysis techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Findings
DC polarization resistance of surface increased with increasing of mild steel immersion time in the conversion coating bath, reaching to a plateau region. On the other hand, zirconium ion concentration decreased during the beginning of the film formation process and continued with a constant concentration, showing the expiry of the process after some minutes.
Originality/value
This paper deals with the film formation mechanism of the zirconium-based conversion layer that includes valuable findings to monitor the process.
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Hamidreza Ghanbari Khorram and Alireza Kokabi
Several ultra-low power and gigahertz current-starved voltage-controlled oscillator (CSVCO) circuits have been proposed and compared here. The presented structures are based on…
Abstract
Purpose
Several ultra-low power and gigahertz current-starved voltage-controlled oscillator (CSVCO) circuits have been proposed and compared here. The presented structures are based on the three-stage hybrid circuit of the carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) and low-power MOSFETs. The topologies exploit modified and compensated Schmitt trigger comparator parts to demonstrate better consumption power and frequency characteristics. The basic idea in the presented topologies is to compensate the Schmitt trigger comparator part of the basic CSVCO for achieving faster carrier mobility of the holes, reducing transistor leakage current and eliminating dummy transistors.
Design/methodology/approach
This study aims to propose and compare three different comparator-based VCOs that have been implemented using the CNTFETs. The considered circuits are shown to be capable of delivering the maximum 35 tuning frequency in the order of 1 GHz to 5 GHz. A major power thirsty part of the high-frequency ring VCOs is the Schmitt trigger stage. Here, several fast and low-power Schmitt trigger topologies are exploited to mitigate the dissipation power and enhance the oscillation frequency.
Findings
As a result of proposed modifications, more than one order of magnitude mitigation in the VCO power consumption with respect to the previously presented three-stage CSVCO is reported here. Thus, a VCO dissipation power of 3.5 µW at the frequency of 1.1 GHz and the tuning range of 26 per cent is observed for the well-established 32 nm technology and the supply voltage of 1 V. Such a low dissipation power is obtained around the operating frequency of the battery-powered cellular phones. In addition, using the p-carrier mobility compensation and enhancing the rise time of the Schmitt trigger part of the CSVCO, a maximum of 2.38 times higher oscillation frequency and 72 per cent wider tuning range with respect to Rahane and Kureshi (2017) are observed. Simultaneously, this topology exhibits an average of 20 per cent reduction in the power consumption.
Originality/value
Several new VCO topologies are presented here, and it is shown that they can significantly enhance the power dissipation of the GHz CSVCOs.
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Reza Aalikhani, Mohammad Reza Rasouli, Hossein Ghanbari, Mohammad Fathian and Alireza Ali ahmadi
Interorganizational collaborations are crucial for delivering high-quality, integrated healthcare services. To maximize the benefits of these collaborative networks, effective…
Abstract
Purpose
Interorganizational collaborations are crucial for delivering high-quality, integrated healthcare services. To maximize the benefits of these collaborative networks, effective governance structures and mechanisms must be in place. While previous studies have extensively examined organizational-level factors, such as partner capabilities and backgrounds, this study focuses on network-level factors, including collaboration structures and tie characteristics that shape effective network governance.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to identify and synthesize the key network-level factors influencing governance structures and mechanisms in healthcare networks.
Findings
The review identified 22 critical factors, categorized into three primary groups that impact network governance. These findings offer a robust foundation for developing context-sensitive governance models tailored to healthcare systems.
Practical implications
This study provides valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, policymakers and researchers by highlighting key factors that can improve interorganizational collaboration within healthcare systems. The findings contribute to both theory and practice, with the potential to enhance healthcare service delivery and patient outcomes.
Originality/value
This study is the first to systematically identify and categorize the network-level factors that influence governance structures and mechanisms in healthcare networks, providing a comprehensive and novel contribution to the field.
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Mostafa Abbaszadeh, AliReza Bagheri Salec and Afaq Salman Alwan
This paper aims to introduce a new numerical approach based on the local weak form and the Petrov–Galerkin idea to numerically simulation of a predator–prey system with…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to introduce a new numerical approach based on the local weak form and the Petrov–Galerkin idea to numerically simulation of a predator–prey system with two-species, two chemicals and an additional chemotactic influence.
Design/methodology/approach
In the first proceeding, the space derivatives are discretized by using the direct meshless local Petrov–Galerkin method. This generates a nonlinear algebraic system of equations. The mentioned system is solved by using the Broyden’s method which this technique is not related to compute the Jacobian matrix.
Findings
This current work tries to bring forward a trustworthy and flexible numerical algorithm to simulate the system of predator–prey on the nonrectangular geometries.
Originality/value
The proposed numerical results confirm that the numerical procedure has acceptable results for the system of partial differential equations.
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Lila Rajabion, Amin Sataei Mokhtari, Mohammad Worya Khordehbinan, Mansoureh Zare and Alireza Hassani
The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive and detailed review of the state-of-the-art mechanisms of knowledge sharing (KS) in the supply chain (SC) field, as well as…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive and detailed review of the state-of-the-art mechanisms of knowledge sharing (KS) in the supply chain (SC) field, as well as directions for future research. Briefly, this paper tries to offer a systematic and methodical review of the KS mechanisms in the SC to provide a comparative summary of the selected articles, to collect and describe the factors that have the influence on KS and SC, to explore some main challenges in this field and to present the guidelines to face the existing challenges and outlining the key areas where the KS mechanisms in SC can be improved.
Design/methodology/approach
In the current study, a systematic literature review up to 2018 is presented on the supply chain’s mechanisms of KS. The authors identified 21,907 papers, which are reduced to 25 primary studies through the paper-selection process.
Findings
The results showed that the KS in SC helps to increase the success of the organizations, improve employee performance, increase competitive advantage, enhance innovation and improve relationships between supplier and consumer. However, there were some weaknesses, such as staff resistance to share knowledge in the SC because of fear of job loss.
Research limitations/implications
There are several limitations to this study. This study limited the search to Google Scholar. There might be other academic journals where Google does not find their paper and they can offer a more complete picture of the related articles. Finally, non-English publications were omitted from this study. It is possible that the research about the application of KS in SC can also be published in other languages. In addition, more studies need to be carried out using other methodologies such as interviews.
Originality/value
The paper presents a comprehensive structured literature review of the articles’ mechanisms of KS in SC. The paper’s findings can offer insights into future research needs. By providing comparative information and analyzing the current developments in this area, this paper will directly support academics and practicing professionals for better knowing the progress in KS mechanisms.
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Mojtaba Hidari, Hasan Valiyan, Mohammadreza Abdoli and Alireza Koushki Jahromi
As one of the dominant features in developing countries, gender inequality has driven individual development and the promotion of skills, behavioral and social competencies…
Abstract
Purpose
As one of the dominant features in developing countries, gender inequality has driven individual development and the promotion of skills, behavioral and social competencies largely based on the male gender. The audit profession is considered one of the jobs where gender inequality exists, especially in developing countries. This has made educational programs more inclined toward enhancing masculine abilities, followed by less well-regarded feminine functions in the field. This study aims to present a triple-strength model of female auditors empowerment in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a goal-oriented, descriptive-applied developmental research and a mix of data types. In the qualitative section, the three-dimensional empowerment proposition of women working in the field of internal auditing (IA) were identified based on the Dacum model approach participated by 15 research experts, using cross-sectional and Delphi analyses. A total interpretive structural model analysis was performed with the participation of 20 women as internal auditors of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE).
Findings
The purpose of this analysis was to prioritize the spectrum of the most influential indices of empowerment of female auditors in educational planning to the least effective ones in the form of the research model and to examine the relationships between them based on matrix comparisons. According to the results, 17 indices reached theoretical adequacy during the 2 rounds of Delphi analysis out of the initial 19 indices in the cross-mix analysis.
Originality/value
The results of the interpretive/structural analysis indicated that educational planning was selected to balance the other roles of women as internal auditors, and the most influential Dacum proposition was to enhance the capabilities of women in IA in listed companies in TSE.
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Atefeh Mirhoseini, Shahnaz Nayebzadeh and Alireza Rousta
The geographical location of Yazd province has significant potential for religious tourism. To make the most of this opportunity, it is important to develop an interpretive…
Abstract
Purpose
The geographical location of Yazd province has significant potential for religious tourism. To make the most of this opportunity, it is important to develop an interpretive structural modeling. This paper aims to outline a model for the development of religious tourism in Yazd province as a Global Religious Destination by identifying and analyzing the interaction of effective drivers in future religious tourism development.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology is based on the interpretative paradigm and is developmental in nature. It takes an exploratory-analytical approach through the adoption of an inductive method and uses mixed research (qualitative/quantitative) involving religious tourism experts and tourists. The study consists of three main steps. In the first step, effective drivers in future religious tourism development were identified through content analysis of published articles. In the second step, the identified drivers were finalized through a survey of experts. Using futures research and Micmac software, a model was designed to investigate the interaction of the future drivers of religious tourism development. In the third step of the research, 384 tourists who visited Yazd Global Religious Destination participated to check the accuracy of the presented model.
Findings
Content analysis and review of scientific documents have identified 14 effective drivers in future religious tourism development that have finalized in a layered model. The model identified factors from the most influential at level one to the least influential at level eight. the theoretical foundations of this research confirmed by 384 visitors participated.
Originality/value
developing religious tourism, whether in the form of a religious city, a religious value system, a religious ceremony and a religious business, requires a comprehensive view that includes tourist’s mental and visual imagery, destination brand’s ideals and visions, religious belief, governmental and formal activities and the material and spiritual capital that can offer religious life style in the world markets to audiences from all over the world in the best way and in the dynamic conditions of competition between destination brands, occupy the first rungs of the audience’s mental ladder.
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Ehsan Shekarian and Alireza Fallahpour
The housing sector is one of the main sources of economic growth in both developing and developed countries. Although many methods for modeling house prices have been proposed…
Abstract
Purpose
The housing sector is one of the main sources of economic growth in both developing and developed countries. Although many methods for modeling house prices have been proposed, each has its own limitations. The present paper aims to propose gene expression programming (GEP) as a new approach for prediction of housing price.
Design/methodology/approach
This study introduces gene expression programming (GEP) as a new approach for predicting housing price. This is the first time that this metaheuristic method is used in the housing literature.
Findings
The housing price model based on the gene expression programming is compared with a least square regression model that is derived from a stepwise process. The results indicate that the GEP‐based model provides superior performance to the traditional regression.
Originality/value
Data used in this study is derived from the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) in Iran that is conducted by the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI). Housing price model is estimated by administering the questionnaires of this survey in Hamedan Province. To show the applicability of the derived model by GEP technique, it is verified applying parts of the data, namely test data sets that were not included in the modeling process.
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Habib Jalilian, Leila Doshmangir, Soheila Ajami, Habibeh Mir, Yibeltal Siraneh and Edris Hasanpoor
Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the leading cause of death after lung cancer in the world. Considering the economic burden of cancers and their impact on…
Abstract
Purpose
Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the leading cause of death after lung cancer in the world. Considering the economic burden of cancers and their impact on household welfare, this study aims to estimate the cost of gastric cancer in Tabriz (Northwest city of Iran) in 2017.
Design/methodology/approach
This was an incidence-based cost of illness study which was conducted from the perspective of society with a bottom-up costing approach. The inclusion criteria for the study were all patients (n = 118) with gastric cancer at the period of the first six months after diagnosis that 102 patients participated. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.
Findings
The mean medical direct cost was US$3288.02, 18.19 per cent paid by the patient and 81.81 per cent paid by insurance organizations and governmental subsidies. The estimated out of pocket rate was 18.19 per cent. The mean non-medical direct cost estimated at US$377.54. The mean total direct cost was US$3665.56, 26.61 per cent paid by the patient. The mean indirect cost estimated at US$505.41 and the mean total cost was US$4170.97, 35.5 per cent which imposed on the patient. The mean total cost of gastric cancer within the first six months after diagnosis was equivalent to 0.81 GDP per capita.
Originality/value
Based on the findings, gastric cancer is a highly costly disease that despite insurance coverage imposes a high economic burden on the patients and their families.
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Vahid Rooholelm and Abbas Sheikh Aboumasoudi
Almost all projects in the world are delayed, and sometimes even lead to the full bankruptcy of their beneficiaries. These delays can be calculated using techniques, but most…
Abstract
Purpose
Almost all projects in the world are delayed, and sometimes even lead to the full bankruptcy of their beneficiaries. These delays can be calculated using techniques, but most importantly, there must be a fair and realistic division of delays between project beneficiaries. The most valid delay calculation techniques belong to the SCL Global Protocol, but they also have significant drawbacks, such as these: (1) They do not have the capability to prevent project delays (Delay Risk Management); (2) The protocol identifies and introduces any delays in activities with a ratio of one to one as a delay (Effective Delay); (3) It also does not offer the capability to share delays between stakeholders, which is a huge weakness. Floating in the base schedule activities is one of the cost control tools of projects, but it can hide project delays. In this paper, the researchers believe that the floating ownership belongs to the project and not belong to the stakeholders. This is the main tool for analyzing and sharing delays in this research.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology adopted included an extensive literature review, expert interviews, use of questionnaire and designing three innovative linked together models by researchers.
Findings
In this research, an integrated technique is introduced which has the following capabilities; delay risk control, result-based delay analysis and stakeholders delay sharing. This technique with an incursive and defensive approach implements claims management principles and calculates, respectively, non-attributable and attributable delays for each beneficiary.
Originality/value
This creativity led to the introduction of the Incursive and Defensive (In-De) technique; in the SCL protocol techniques, none of these capabilities exist.