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The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework of an automatic bidirectional matching system that measures the degree of semantic similarity of job-seeker qualifications and skills, against the vacancy provided by employers or job-agents.

The paper presents a framework of bidirectional jobseeker-to-vacancy matching system. Using occupational data from various sources such as the WageIndicator web survey, International Standard Classification of Occupations, European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations as well as vacancy data from various open access internet sources and job seekers information from social networking sites, the authors apply machine learning techniques for bidirectional matching of job vacancies and occupational standards to enhance the contents of job vacancies and job seekers profiles. The authors also apply bidirectional matching of job seeker profiles and vacancies, i.e., semantic matching vacancies to job seekers and vice versa in the individual level. Moreover, data from occupational standards and social networks were utilized to enhance the relevance (i.e. degree of similarity) of job vacancies and job seekers, respectively.

The paper provides empirical insights of increase in job vacancy advertisements on the selected jobs – Internet of Things – with respect to other job vacancies, and identifies the evolution of job profiles and its effect on job vacancies announcements in the era of Industry 4.0. In addition, the paper shows the gap between job seeker interests and available jobs in the selected job area.

Due to limited data about jobseekers, the research results may not guarantee high quality of recommendation and maturity of matching results. Therefore, further research is required to test if the proposed system works for other domains as well as more diverse data sets.

The paper demonstrates how online jobseeker-to-vacancy matching can be improved by use of semantic technology and the integration of occupational standards, web survey data, and social networking data into user profile collection and matching.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of problem-solving approaches in maintenance cost management (MCM). In particular, the paper aims to examine characteristics of MCM models and to identify patterns for classification of problem-solving approaches.

This paper reflects an extensive and detailed literature survey of 68 (quantitative or qualitative) cost models within the scope of MCM published in the period from 1969 to 2013. The reviewed papers have been critically examined and classified based on implementing a morphological analysis which employs eight criteria and associated expressions. In addition, the survey identified two main perspectives of problem solving: first, synoptic/incremental and second, heuristics/meta-heuristics.

The literature survey revealed the patterns for classification of the MCM models, especially the characteristics of the models for problem-solving in association with the type of modeling, focus of purpose, extent and scope of application, and reaction and dynamics of parameters. Majority of the surveyed approaches is mathematical, respectively, synoptic. Incremental approaches are much less and only few are combined (i.e. synoptic and incremental). A set of features is identified for proper classification, selection, and coexistence of the two approaches.

This paper provides a basis for further study of heuristic and meta-heuristic approaches to problem-solving. Especially the coexistence of heuristic, synoptic, and incremental approaches needs to be further investigated.

The detected dominance of synoptic approaches in literature – especially in the case of specific application areas – contrasts to some extent to the needs of maintenance managers in practice. Hence the findings of this paper particularly address the need for further investigation on combining problem-solving approaches for improving planning, monitoring, and controlling phases of MCM. Continuous improvement of MCM, especially problem-solving and decision-making activities, is tailored to the use of maintenance knowledge assets. In particular, maintenance management systems and processes are knowledge driven. Thus, combining problem-solving approaches with knowledge management methods is of interest, especially for continuous learning from past experiences in MCM.

This paper provides a unique study of 68 problem-solving approaches in MCM, based on a morphological analysis. Hence suitable criteria and their expressions are provided. The paper reveals the opportunities for further interdisciplinary research in the maintenance cost life cycle.

This study aims to examine sociodemographic characteristics, levels and patterns of mortality experiences amongst Indian prisoners over the past two decades (1998–2018).

This study used prison statistics in India to analyze occupancy rate, percentage distribution, annual/decadal change, male–to–female ratios, prison mortality rate and causes of natural/unnatural deaths.

During 1998–2018, prisons in India grew by 18% and prisoners by 69%, leading to overcrowded jails. Males outnumbered female prisoners. Seventy percent of prisoners had an educational attainment level lower than 10th grade. In 2018, over 14 per 1,000 prisoners suffered from a mental illness and 384 per 100,000 died. Unnatural deaths accounted for 8%–11% of all prisoner deaths; 84% were by suicide. Illness accounted for 95% of all natural deaths in 2018; one–quarter was due to heart diseases.

The study did not establish an association between sociodemographic characteristics with mental illness and mortality due to the non-availability of data.

The pattern of a deteriorating living environment, rise in mental illnesses and mortality among Indian prisoners calls for immediate action from the authorities to protect them. Almost all unnatural deaths were by suicide (mostly by hanging). This detailed study would help authorities to take corrective measures for prisoner safety and well-being. There is also a need to develop a scientific database for this population.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine morbidity and mortality experiences of the prisoner population using national statistics.

This paper reports empirical evidence of the implementation patterns of JIT purchasing developed by the Spanish auto components industry. An analytical framework distinguishing between operational practices, inherent in JIT environments, and complementary practices, characteristic of partnership sourcing arrangements, is proposed and used to guide the study of a sample of 150 manufacturers. Three stages of implementation are identified and the analysis of companies at each stage reveals that size and international presence are key factors. Furthermore, there seem to exist important synergies between JIT purchasing practices which make a holistic implementation more beneficial than the isolated introduction of selected practices.

Presents a mathematical model to assist companies in their decision to switch from the economic order quantity (EOQ) to the just‐in‐time (JIT) purchasing policy. Determines an upper limit for the JIT purchase price of an item below which the manufacturer will be better off using JIT purchasing. Also determines the annual demand level at which the costs of EOQ and JIT purchasing will be equal (the indifference point). For demand levels above this indifference point EOQ is the less costly method while JIT is preferable for demand levels below this point. The model also predicts that JIT will be preferred for inventory items with higher purchase price, holding costs, or ordering cost.

JIT purchasing, like many other trends in supply management, is not applicable to just any circumstances; rather, its implementation responds to particular factors. Focusing on the characteristics of the purchased products, this paper contributes to identifying some of these factors. Seven variables – the volume, specificity, technological complexity, essentiality, fragility, variability and economic value of procured products – have been analysed and their effects on JIT purchasing implementation have been tested over a sample of 152 Spanish auto component manufacturers. In order to specify such effects, four dimensions of JIT purchasing have been distinguished: operational, relational, involvement, and quality practices. Results show that companies do not pursue the minimisation of inventory maintenance costs, but they seem to be motivated by objectives such as quality, responsiveness, innovation or minimisation of circulating capital. Thus, operational JIT purchasing practices are mainly applied to fragile and expensive products, whereas the other complementary practices are applied to specific, technologically complex and essential purchases.

The purpose of this study to explore the teacher’s perception about family aggression and domestic abuse that can cause students psychotic trauma. Also, this article will further highlight the mitigating strategies for teachers to overcome those challenges which they faced while dealing with such female students.

In this exploratory study, a qualitative data collection tool semi-structured interviews were used. This research interviews were conducted from public school teachers of Pakistan. For data analysis thematic analysis approach was used to answer the targeted research questions.

The findings of the study reveal that the family aggression and domestic abuse have severe negative effect on female students’ mental health which cause them trauma and also negatively impact of their educational progress and overall growth. Also, several challenges have been identified from the findings such as difficulty in identification of such female students, lack of support and counselling skills and social constraints. Similarly, this study also suggests some interventional and mitigating strategies to overcome these challenges faced by teachers such as, awareness sessions for parents and society, teachers training for such skills, including such contents in curriculum etc.

The results of the current study are beneficial for the teacher and school administration to handle such female students they are affected due to abuse and domestic violence and improve their mental well-being and growth.

This is a unique study because there is very limited research done in the context of Pakistan which addresses this burning social issue, particularly adding the voices of teacher’s about identifying and dealing such female students they are victim of family aggression and domestic abuse.

The purpose of this study was to undertake a diagnostic investigation of the international health care logistical environment to determine if regulatory policies or industry procedures have hindered the implementation of just‐in‐time systems. The analysis was conducted in a systematic manner and compared the anticipated benefits with those validated in other industries from the implementation of just‐in‐time. The study also compared the health care industry environments of the USA, UK, and Germany with the manufacturing industry. The author focussed on answering: first, why has the health care industry not implemented just‐in‐time; second, is it feasible for a healthcare provider to implement a just‐in‐time logistical system; and third, what benefits will a health care provider achieve by implementing just‐in‐time. Concludes that controlling health care pricing requires reducing product cost or continues to place limits on product prices, quantities of services, or both. An alternative approach to controlling prices is to restructure the market for health services to encourage greater price competition among providers.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse how novel homicide defences predicated on contemporary neuroscience align with legal insanity.

Doctrinal analysis, systematic investigation of relevant statutes and cases, was used to elucidate how the law of insanity is evolving. Cases represent the first recorded instance of a particular neuroscientific defence. US appellate cases were categorised according to the mechanism of action of neurotransmitter relied upon in court. A case study approach was also used to provide a contextualised understanding of the case outcome in depth.

Findings broadly depict how the employment of expert testimony runs parallel with our contemporary understanding of key neurotransmitters and their function in human behaviour. Generally, medico-legal evidence concerning neuromodulating agents and violent behaviour was inconclusive. However, the outcome of defence strategy may depend on the underlying neurotransmitter involved.

This study shows that as more discoveries are made about the neurobiological underpinnings of human behaviour; this new knowledge will continue to seep into the US court system as innovative defence strategies with varying success. Medical and legal practitioners may gauge the success of a defence depending on the neuromodulating agent.

Many scholars have focused on the role of neuroimaging as neuroscientific evidence and how it is used is shaping US criminal jurisprudence. To the best of the author’s knowledge, no study has incorporated the true origin of neuroscientific evidence as being underpinned by the understanding of neurotransmitters.