Mrunal Chavda, Harsh Patel and Hetav Bhatt
This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-based English textbooks and question papers in developing second-language…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-based English textbooks and question papers in developing second-language higher-order thinking skills (HOTS).
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive analysis establishes a causal relationship between learning objectives and second language (L2) writing proficiency. Content analysis is used to compare and analyze tabulated data for textbooks and question papers for the English language by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and CBSE. This method categorizes the materials and their assessments under HOTS and lower-order thinking skills to ascertain the relationship between learning objectives and L2 writing proficiency.
Findings
The study highlights teaching material and assessment shortcomings and their alignment with learning outcomes to enhance students' writing skills. It underscores the need for HOTS-focused materials, discussing their impact on writing skills. The study also explores how textbook–question paper mismatch hampers Bloom's taxonomy-based cognitive skills.
Practical implications
This research illuminates the efficacy of teaching and learning English as a second language (ESL) writing skills to improve the quality of education, which has real-world implications. The study highlights flaws in the educational system in India and suggests curricular and pedagogical changes.
Originality/value
The research examines NCERT and CBSE ESL textbooks and question papers to align teaching and assessment methods. The results aim to improve education through ESL writers' HOTS.
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Taofeek Tunde Okanlawon, Luqman Oyekunle Oyewobi and Richard Ajayi Jimoh
Blockchain technology (BT) is a relatively new technological innovation in all industries, including the construction industry, that is used to improve supply chain management…
Abstract
Purpose
Blockchain technology (BT) is a relatively new technological innovation in all industries, including the construction industry, that is used to improve supply chain management. Therefore, this study assesses the drivers for the implementation of BT in the construction supply chain management in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a quantitative research approach, with a questionnaire survey administered to professionals in the Nigerian construction industry using the snowball sampling method, yielding 155 respondents. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) while Cronbach’s alpha was used to evaluate the reliability.
Findings
The analysis revealed that all the identified drivers ranked higher than the average mean item score, with level of awareness of the new technology and data management ranking topmost. The identified drivers were clustered into five categories using EFA: technological driver, social-economic driver, management driver, transparency and security driver and information driver.
Research limitations/implications
This research was carried out in the Southwestern region which is one of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria using a cross-sectional survey method.
Practical implications
The findings will be extremely useful to both professionals and practitioners in the Nigerian construction industry in gaining knowledge about the potential drivers to the implementation of BT in construction supply chain management.
Originality/value
The research categorized the drivers into technological, social-economic, management, transparency and security and information driver. It also identified that level of awareness of BT as the major driver in the implementation of BT in construction supply chain management.
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Jinyi Zhou, Jong Gyu Park and Yawen Li
An anomaly of entrepreneurship literature was that, despite serious efforts required to manage a business, few studies had investigated entrepreneurs' health conditions at the end…
Abstract
Purpose
An anomaly of entrepreneurship literature was that, despite serious efforts required to manage a business, few studies had investigated entrepreneurs' health conditions at the end of their careers. This study investigated whether one's entrepreneurship in a lifetime enhanced their health after a career plateau.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors tested the main effect and mediating effects of entrepreneurs' life habits and self-esteem, respectively, using two longitudinal representative examples with 8,984 and 12,686 participants.
Findings
Results indicated that entrepreneurship significantly improved individuals' general lifetime health condition. Moreover, life habits (e.g. vigorous activities or sports, light activities, drinking habits and diet habits) and self-esteem significantly mediated the relationship between entrepreneurship and lifetime health. Entrepreneurs tended to have better health due to healthier life habits and higher self-esteem than salaried employees. In this paper, the authors also discussed theoretical and practical implications.
Originality/value
The authors proposed and found that, to counter the harsh requirements of entrepreneurial actions, entrepreneurs need to seek personal physical and psychological resources, and these resources can benefit their health even after decades.
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B. S. Yilbas, I.-H. Toor, F. Patel, Y. Al-Shehri and M. A. Baig
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion resistance of high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF)-sprayed Diamalloy 2002 coating on carbon steel. The coating microstructure is…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion resistance of high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF)-sprayed Diamalloy 2002 coating on carbon steel. The coating microstructure is examined in line with the corrosion resistance.
Design/methodology/approach
HVOF spraying of coating is achieved, and the coating response to electrolytic solution is measured experimentally in terms of corrosion resistance.
Findings
HVOF coating improves the corrosion resistance of the substrate such that the corrosion rate of the substrate is 7.1 mpy and the coating results in 4.5 mpy. However, presence of deep pit sites at the surface suggests the occurrence of preferential corrosion around the splat boundaries. In addition, closely spaced surface texture peaks act as crevice corrosion centers at the surface while initiating the formation of deep pit sites.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited by experimental investigations. In future, it may be extended to include model studies.
Practical implications
The findings of this study are very useful for those working in the coating industry. However, HVOF coating is limited to high temperature protection in harsh environments.
Social implications
It is useful for the power industry, particularly for gas turbines.
Originality/value
It is an original work and describes the corrosion resistance of the coating surface. It is found that the coating improved the corrosion resistance of the steel surface.
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Sumant Kumar, Barsa Priyadarsinee Sahoo and Avanish Bhai Patel
Farmer suicide as a social issue has existed in India since past three decades. Though many studies have been conducted from different perspectives to understand the causes and…
Abstract
Purpose
Farmer suicide as a social issue has existed in India since past three decades. Though many studies have been conducted from different perspectives to understand the causes and consequences of farmer suicide, very few studies have looked at the issue from a multidimensional perspective. By using the Durkheimian view of suicide, this paper aims to analyse the subjective meaning behind the social fact of suicide. It accesses the nature and pattern of suicide and examines the determinants of suicide from a socio-ecological paradigm.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study mostly relies on National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data on “accidental deaths and suicide in India” for the year 2018, 2019 and 2020 for the analysis of pattern and determinants of farmer suicide in India. The analysis of the data has been done in Excel, and descriptive statistics have been presented through simple contingency table.
Findings
The study found that in the past ten years, there has been a steady decline in the number of farmer suicide in India; however, some states such as Maharashtra and Karnataka continue to report high incidence of farmer suicide. Using a socio-ecological paradigm, the paper found that the farmer’s social system which is constituted of individual characteristics and societal characteristics has a direct impact on the tendency of a farmer to commit suicide. It was observed that the stronger the relationship between an individual and its microsystem, there is less chance of a person to commit suicide.
Originality/value
This is an original paper based on NCRB data for the year 2018, 2019 and 2020. The data for the farmer suicide has been calculated including the suicide of the agricultural labourers and the farmers/the cultivators.
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Abstract
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Eleanor Quirke, Vitalii Klymchuk, Nataliia Gusak, Viktoriia Gorbunova and Oleksii Sukhovii
The ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine has had wide-ranging health, social and economic consequences for the civilian population. It has emphasised the need for comprehensive and…
Abstract
Purpose
The ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine has had wide-ranging health, social and economic consequences for the civilian population. It has emphasised the need for comprehensive and sustainable reform of the Ukrainian mental health system. The Ukrainian Government has approved a vision for national mental health reform. This study aims to draw on the lessons of mental health reform in other conflict-affected settings to identify areas of priority for applying the national mental health policy in conflict-affected regions in the direction of better social inclusion of people with mental health conditions (Donetsk and Luhansk regions, directly affected by the conflict).
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review was conducted to identify lessons from implementing mental health reform in other conflict-affected settings. Findings were summarized, and best practices were applied to the national and regional policy context.
Findings
The literature described emergencies as an opportunity to build sustainable mental health systems. A systematic and long-term view for reform is required to capitalise on this opportunity. For better social inclusion, implementation of the concept for mental health and mental health action plans in Donetsk and Luhansk regions should prioritise raising mental health awareness and reducing stigma; developing the capacity of local authorities in the development and coordination of services; tailoring mental health service provision according to the availability of services and population need; targeting the needs of particularly vulnerable groups and embedding the activities of humanitarian actors in local care pathways.
Research limitations/implications
This study summarises the literature on mental health reform in conflict-affected settings and applies key findings to Eastern Ukraine. This study has drawn on various sources, including peer-reviewed journals and grey literature and made several practical recommendations. Nevertheless, potentially relevant information could have been contained in sources that were excluded based on their publication in another language (i.e. not in English). Indeed, while the included studies provided rich examples of mental health reform implemented in conflict-affected settings, further research is required to better understand the mechanisms for effecting sustainable mental health reform in conflict-affected settings
Originality/value
The paper describes opportunities for developing a local community-based mental health-care system in Ukraine, despite the devastating effects of the ongoing war.
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Guotao Zhang, Weijie Cai, Xiaoyi Wang, Junpeng Xu, Yanguo Yin and Xicheng Wei
The purpose of this paper is to put forward the lubrication model of oil bearing and enrich the design theory under the condition of mixed lubrication.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to put forward the lubrication model of oil bearing and enrich the design theory under the condition of mixed lubrication.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed lubrication model of bilayer porous bearing is established. The effects of the working conditions on the lubrication performance and seepage behavior were analyzed.
Findings
Results show that the oil film pressure mainly occurs in the bearing convergence zone and contact pressure mainly occurs near the minimum film thickness. The oil infiltrates into the porous matrix in the contact area and precipitates out to the friction surface at the inlet of the contact area. The oil seepage velocity and dynamic pressure effect at the friction interface can be improved by reasonably matching the load and speed. With the decrease of the external load or increase of the rotating speed, the lubrication performance becomes well.
Originality/value
This study provides a reference for the design and application of oil bearing under harsh working conditions.
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Pengcheng Xiang, Xin Xia and Xianya Pang
The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel integrated risk assessment method from the system perspective to evaluate the risk of the cross-regional mega construction project…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel integrated risk assessment method from the system perspective to evaluate the risk of the cross-regional mega construction project (CMCP). Furthermore, this paper aims to confirm the core risk source factors and refine the risk management strategies of CMCPs through a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the analysis of the risk system of CMCPs, the concept model and risk assessment principles of integrated risk assessment were confirmed. The risk source factors and project objectives of the CMCP were identified from a literature review, export interview and case analysis. According to the vulnerability theory, the integrated risk assessment model was developed by involving vulnerabilities, threats, objectives and interaction of those factors synthetically. Then, ZW high-speed railway from China was analyzed to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Findings
As a result, 12 threat factors and 12 vulnerability factors were identified. Based on the case study, the main external threat comes from T13 (conflicts of interest between local governments) and T23 (harsh natural environment); the most easily exploited internal vulnerabilities were V11 (complexity of technology), V13 (lack of experience in technical application), V21 (inadequate experience) and V23 (lack of interest coordination mechanism). Moreover, the economic objective was most affected.
Practical implications
It is essential to develop an interest coordination mechanism for CMCPs. The harsh natural environment is a critical factor, but it also promotes technological innovation and iteration. Public opinions in different regions are critical for CMCPs, and more emphasis should be placed on public opinion surveys of CMCPs. Moreover, diverse and flexible environmental protection strategies should apply in CMCPs.
Originality/value
This research has the following three contributions. First, based on vulnerability theory, an integrated risk assessment approach of CMCPs is developed, which enriches the risk measurement method system and provides inspiration for future research on risk in the construction industry. Second, the risk sources of CMCPs are identified from the perspective of vulnerability and threat to provide clear guidance for the risk management of CMCPs. Third, the core risk source factors and management strategies confirmed by the case study will be beneficial for various governments in different regions and project managers to optimize the project management scheme, as they are transferable management experiences.
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Wasim Barham, Ammar AL-Maabreh and Omar Latayfeh
The influence of using magnetic water instead of tap water in the mechanical properties of the concrete exposed to elevated temperatures was investigated. Two concrete mixes were…
Abstract
Purpose
The influence of using magnetic water instead of tap water in the mechanical properties of the concrete exposed to elevated temperatures was investigated. Two concrete mixes were used and cast with the same ingredients. Tap water was used in the first mix and magnetic water was used in the second mix. A total of 48 specimens were cast and divided as follows: 16 cylinders for the concrete compressive strength test (8 samples for each mix), 16 cylinders for the splitting tensile strength (8 specimens for each mix) and 16 beams to test the influences of magnetized water on the flexural strength of concrete (8 specimens for each mixture). Specimens were exposed to temperatures of (25 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C and 600 °C). The experimental results showed that magnetic water highly affected the mechanical properties of concrete. Specimens cast and curried out with magnetic water show higher compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength compared to normal water specimens at all temperatures. The relative strength range between the two types of water used was 110–123% for compressive strength and 110–133% for splitting strength. For the center point loading test, the relative flexural strength range was 118–140%. The use of magnetic water in mixing concrete contribute to a more complete hydration process.
Design/methodology/approach
Experimental study was carried out on two concrete mixes to investigate the effect of magnetic water. Mix#1 used normal water as the mixing water, and Mix#2 used magnetic water instead of normal water. After 28 days, all the samples were taken out of the tank and left to dry for seven days, then they were divided into different groups. Each group was exposed to a different temperature where it was placed in a large oven for two hours. Three different tests were carried out on the samples, these tests were concrete compressive strength, flexural strength and splitting tensile strength.
Findings
Exposure of concrete to high temperatures had a significant influence on concrete mechanical properties. Specimens prepared using magnetic water showed higher compressive strength at all temperature levels. The use of magnetic water in casting and curing concrete can increase the compressive strength by 23%. Specimens prepared using magnetic water show higher splitting tensile strength at all temperatures up to 33%. The use of magnetic water in casting and curing can strengthen and increase concrete resistance to high temperatures, a significant enhancement in flexural strength at all temperatures was found with a value up to 40%.
Originality/value
Previous research proved the advantages of using magnetic water for improving the mechanical properties of concrete under normal conditions. The potential of using magnetic water in the concrete industry in the future requires conducting extensive research to study the behavior of magnetized concrete under severe conditions to which concrete structures may be subjected to. These days, there are attempts to obtain stronger concrete with high resistance to harsh environmental conditions without adding new costly ingredients to its main mixture. No research has been carried out to investigate the effect of magnetic water on the mechanical properties of concrete exposed to elevated temperature. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of using magnetic water on the mechanical properties of hardened concrete subjected to elevated temperature.