Chunxia Qi, Mun Yee Lai, Lizhe Liu, Siyu Zuo, Haili Liang and Ruisi Li
This study explored how teachers change, what teachers learn and how they learn during the implementation of project-based learning through lesson study.
Abstract
Purpose
This study explored how teachers change, what teachers learn and how they learn during the implementation of project-based learning through lesson study.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, three university researchers, one doctoral student and six mathematics school teachers formed a lesson study team. Using a qualitative research method, this study employed a locally integrating networking strategy to combine the modified Interconnected Model of Teacher Professional Growth (IMTPG) and Bannister's framework to describe the teachers' knowledge change when participating in a lesson study on project-based learning.
Findings
The research revealed that the school teachers' knowledge about authenticity and assessment in the context of project-based learning was changed after the lesson study and how the changes were triggered.
Originality/value
The study demonstrates how the networking of two different theories—modified IMTPG and Bannister's framework—contributes to a better understanding of the process of teachers' collective practice, as well as the knowledge change in PjBL. This networking was done by combining the two theories, which were superimposed at the domain of practice.
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Keywords
Lin Sun, Chunxia Yu, Jing Li, Qi Yuan and Shaoqiong Zhao
The paper aims to propose an innovative two-stage decision model to address the sustainable-resilient supplier selection and order allocation (SSOA) problem in the single-valued…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to propose an innovative two-stage decision model to address the sustainable-resilient supplier selection and order allocation (SSOA) problem in the single-valued neutrosophic (SVN) environment.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the sustainable and resilient performances of suppliers are evaluated by the proposed integrated SVN-base-criterion method (BCM)-an acronym in Portuguese of interactive and multi-criteria decision-making (TODIM) method, with consideration of the uncertainty in the decision-making process. Then, a novel multi-objective optimization model is formulated, and the best sustainable-resilient order allocation solution is found using the U-NSGA-III algorithm and TOPSIS method. Finally, based on a real-life case in the automotive manufacturing industry, experiments are conducted to demonstrate the application of the proposed two-stage decision model.
Findings
The paper provides an effective decision tool for the SSOA process in an uncertain environment. The proposed SVN-BCM-TODIM approach can effectively handle the uncertainties from the decision-maker’s confidence degree and incomplete decision information and evaluate suppliers’ performance in different dimensions while avoiding the compensatory effect between criteria. Moreover, the proposed order allocation model proposes an original way to improve sustainable-resilient procurement values.
Originality/value
The paper provides a supplier selection process that can effectively integrate sustainability and resilience evaluation in an uncertain environment and develops a sustainable-resilient procurement optimization model.
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Liping Zhang, Anli Tian, Chunxia Wang, Fushun Bai and Shaohai Fu
The purpose of this study is to prepare nanoscale copolymer-silicon dioxide (SiO2) dispersion for formulating textile printing white ink.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to prepare nanoscale copolymer-silicon dioxide (SiO2) dispersion for formulating textile printing white ink.
Design/methodology/approach
Nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 dispersion was prepared via miniemulsion polymerization. The miniemulsion formulation was optimized for preparing stable SiO2/O/W miniemulsion and nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 dispersion. The nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 was investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal gravity (DTG) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The performance of white inks from this colorant was further investigated.
Findings
Nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 had a core-shell structure with about 45 nm encapsulated copolymer layer when it was synthesized under optimal miniemulsion formulation 60 per cent mass ratio of styrene (St) to KH570-SiO2, 5.0 per cent hexadecane to St and 2.0 per cent concentration of DNS-86. The nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 white ink had high thermal and centrifugal stability with high purity and color fastness.
Research limitations/implications
The miniemulsion polymerization conditions required a careful control before favorable results could be achieved.
Practical implications
The nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 dispersion and white ink prepared by this method showed excellent stability. This research could accelerate the textiles inkjet printing application.
Originality/value
The reactive stabilizer DNS-86 is innovatively introduced into the miniemulsion polymerization to improve the stability of the nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 dispersion. The white ink was formulated from nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 to improve the fastness of the printed fabrics.
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Wenhua Guo, Xinmin Hong and Chunxia Chen
This paper aims to study the influence of aerodynamics force of trains passing each other on the dynamic response of vehicle bridge coupling system based on numerical simulation…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the influence of aerodynamics force of trains passing each other on the dynamic response of vehicle bridge coupling system based on numerical simulation and multi-body dynamics and put forward the speed threshold for safe running of train under different crosswind speeds.
Design/methodology/approach
The computational fluid dynamics method is adopted to simulate the aerodynamic force in the whole process of train passing each other by using dynamic grid technology. The dynamic model of vehicle-bridge coupling system is established considering the effects of aerodynamic force of train passing each other under crosswind, the dynamic response of train intersection on the bridge under crosswind is computed and the running safety of the train is evaluated.
Findings
The aerodynamic force of trains' intersection has little effects on the derailment factor, lateral wheel-rail force and vertical acceleration of train, but it increases the offload factor of train and significantly increases the lateral acceleration of train. The crosswind has a significant effect on increasing the derailment factor, lateral wheel-rail force and offload factor of train. The offload factor of train is the key factor to control the threshold of train speed. The impact of the aerodynamic force of trains' intersection on running safety cannot be ignored. When the extreme values of crosswind wind speed are 15 m·s−1, 20 m·s−1 and 25 m·s−1, respectively, the corresponding speed thresholds for safe running of train are 350 km·h−1, 275 km·h−1 and 200 km·h−1, respectively.
Originality/value
The research can provide a more precise numerical method to study the running safety of high-speed trains under the aerodynamic effect of trains passing each other on bridge in crosswind.
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This study aims to examine the effect of ownership structure on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of ownership structure on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from audited financial statements of 39 commercial banks in Kenya for the period 2009–2020.
Findings
Regression results found evidence of ownership structure explaining commercial banks’ financial performance. The results found a negative association between state ownership and net interest margin, a negative association between management ownership and net interest margin and a negative association between institutional ownership and return on assets.
Practical implications
Based on the findings, commercial bank management should therefore devise ownership structure policies that are geared toward boosting their financial performance both in the short run and the long run. Second, this study recommends a minority shareholding of the state in commercial banks to deter political interference, protect investors’ wealth from erosion and allow the majority shareholders to adopt a strong corporate governance mechanism for higher financial performance. Banks with a high percentage of state ownership should consider partial privatization to improve corporate governance practices. Third, banks should adopt a managerial ownership policy limiting the proportion of equity stock held by executives to limit their powers in strategic decision-making. Fourth, this study proposes a percentage limit on the equity stock of an institutional investor to eliminate bureaucracy in strategic decision-making and protect investors’ wealth.
Originality/value
The study finding is meant to inform regulation and operation policies in the banking sector and contribute to the literature on ownership structure, especially in the banking sector.
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Jianpeng Wu, Biao Ma, Heyan Li and Chengnan Ma
The purpose of this paper is to study friction and wear properties of three types of steels against paper-based friction disc, including 65Mn, 20#steel and 30CrAl, so as to obtain…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study friction and wear properties of three types of steels against paper-based friction disc, including 65Mn, 20#steel and 30CrAl, so as to obtain the appropriate working conditions for different friction materials in the transmission system.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on actual working conditions, pin-on-disc tests are conducted on a universal material tester. The two evaluation indexes, including average friction coefficient and variation coefficient, are introduced to analyze the different friction properties among three types of steel. Furthermore, the temperature-dependent wear pattern and wear depth are subsequently studied.
Findings
The results show that 65Mn is more suitable for working under heavy load and low velocity, but 30CrAl and 20#steel are suitable for working under light load and high velocity. Moreover, wear primarily occurs on paper-based material and peaks at about 325.
Practical implications
This research of different materials and friction property for friction pairs is helpful to improve the performance and prolong the service life of transmission systems.
Originality/value
Suitable working conditions of different friction materials are obtained, and the correlation between wear and decomposition in high temperature is verified.