Mohamed A. Abo‐El‐Seoud and Matthias Frost
Investigates the assimilation and persistency of 14C‐parathionin an aqueous culture system. The radioactive pesticide was added to thenutrient medium of both soybean and wheat…
Abstract
Investigates the assimilation and persistency of 14C‐parathion in an aqueous culture system. The radioactive pesticide was added to the nutrient medium of both soybean and wheat plants grown under aseptic and controlled conditions. Total applied radioactivity to the nutrient solution of both soybean and wheat were 1670 and 418 Bg, respectively. After 48 hours a balance sheet for the transported and recovered radioactivity was calculated. Turnover rate of the studied pesticide was concluded on the basis of its conversion to polar and non‐polar metabolites, in addition to the non‐extractable residues. Indicates that parathion has moderate persistence in the studied aqueous culture system; most of the applied radioactivity was transported from the nutrient solution and detected in the grown plants; polar metabolites were the predominant fraction in the nutrient solution as well as plant tissues; and in general, p‐nitrophenol was found in comparatively higher proportions as end product rather than paraoxon. Minor differences were evident regarding the metabolic behaviour of the pesticide under investigation in both soybean and wheat cultivating systems.
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This paper aims to give the reader an insight into the evolution of a fast‐growing and innovative Internet company by helping to understand the web portal business in Germany and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to give the reader an insight into the evolution of a fast‐growing and innovative Internet company by helping to understand the web portal business in Germany and to identify and assess strategies to transform an Internet portal to an Internet communications enterprise.
Design/methodology/approach
The case is based on field research accomplished together with executives of the company.
Findings
The case shows that implementing a professional management structure and a continuous strategic analysis of the competitive environment are crucial for being successful in a dynamic Internet business.
Practical implications
Teachers can use this case study in advanced management courses for applying methodologies of strategic analysis, e.g. M. Porter's five‐forces‐model, value‐chain analysis, concept of key success factors, SWOT‐analysis. Students are expected to know basics about financial analysis, and information technologies. Managers can take the case as a best practice example for successful entrepreneurship in the Internet world.
Originality/value
The paper provides insights into the strategies of an innovative Internet company.
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Andreas Schwarz, Martin Ebner, Thomas Lohner, Karsten Stahl, Kirsten Bobzin, Tobias Brögelmann, Christian Kalscheuer and Matthias Thiex
This paper aims to address the influence of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on the frictional power loss of spur gears. It shows potentials for friction and bulk temperature…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address the influence of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on the frictional power loss of spur gears. It shows potentials for friction and bulk temperature reduction in industrial use. From a scientific point of view, the thermal insulation effect on fluid friction is addressed, which lowers viscosity in the gear contact due to increasing contact temperature.
Design/methodology/approach
Thermal insulation effect is analyzed in detail by means of the heat balance and micro thermal network of thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts. Preliminary results at a twin-disk test rig are summarized to categorize friction and bulk temperature reduction by DLC coatings. Based on experiments at a gear efficiency test rig, the frictional power losses and bulk temperatures of DLC-coated gears are investigated, whereby load, speed, oil temperature and coatings are varied.
Findings
Experimental investigations at the gear efficiency test rig showed friction and bulk temperature reduction for all operating conditions of DLC-coated gears compared to uncoated gears. This effect was most pronounced for high load and high speed. A reduction of the mean gear coefficient of friction on average 25% and maximum 55% was found. A maximum reduction of bulk temperature of 15% was observed.
Practical implications
DLC-coated gears show a high potential for reducing friction and improving load-carrying capacity. However, the industrial implementation is restrained by the limited durability of coatings on gear flanks. Therefore, a further and overall consideration of key durability factors such as substrate material, pretreatment, coating parameters and gear geometry is necessary.
Originality/value
Thermal insulation effect of DLC coatings was shown by theoretical analyses and experimental investigations at model test rigs. Although trial tests on gears were conducted in literature, this study proves the friction reduction by DLC-coated gears for the first time systematically in terms of various operating conditions and coatings.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2020-0257/
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Michael Freundlieb, Matthias Gräuler and Frank Teuteberg
This paper aims to outline a conceptual framework for the quality evaluation of web-based sustainability reports (SRs) aiding managers in determining and evaluating quality…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to outline a conceptual framework for the quality evaluation of web-based sustainability reports (SRs) aiding managers in determining and evaluating quality criteria for the sustainability report of their company.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews quality criteria in existing standards and guidelines on sustainability reporting and identifies research gaps. A conceptual framework including a multi-method approach for the quality evaluation of SRs is developed and evaluated.
Findings
Existing standards and guidelines on sustainability reporting mainly focus on the content of the reports and neglect common information systems (IS) acceptance criteria such as ease of use and visual appeal. The proposed framework directly involves different stakeholder groups and research methodologies into the quality evaluation process.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the research approach offer a number of starting points for future research. The proposed framework needs to be further evaluated by a larger number of test users in a more natural use setting.
Practical implications
The application of a multi-method approach as well as the direct involvement of the stakeholders allows for an in-depth quality evaluation of SRs, enabling reporting companies to meet the readers' demand for information on economic, environmental and social activities of the reporting company. Common acceptance factors from the field of IS should be integrated into existing standards and guidelines on sustainability reporting. Coaching of the users through help functions, wizards, instructional videos or avatars is desirable.
Originality/value
The proposed framework applies innovative technologies such as eye-tracking and software-supported attention analysis. By applying the framework to a set of sample reports, its usefulness and applicability are demonstrated.
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Marcus Maiwald, Christian Werner, Volker Zöllmer and Matthias Busse
The purpose of this paper is to highlight INKtelligent printed sensor structures using maskless depositition technologies.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight INKtelligent printed sensor structures using maskless depositition technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper begins with a general introduction to INKtelligent printing®. Starting with layout and ink development, the fabrication of printed sensors is described in detail.
Findings
Printed strain gauges, thermopiles and gas sensitive films are successfully fabricated with maskless deposition technologies, offering advantages for continuous non‐destructive measurement compared to conventional sensors.
Originality/value
This paper shows a new approach for customized sensor structures. The application of a resource efficient and flexible printing technique for sensor fabrication is demonstrated.
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Elizabeth Wilson and Kevin Besnoy
Social studies teachers possess a daunting task in a 21st century environment of economic-mindedness and technological infatuation. In a setting of individualism and instant…
Abstract
Social studies teachers possess a daunting task in a 21st century environment of economic-mindedness and technological infatuation. In a setting of individualism and instant gratification, enabling a future citizenry to realize the patterns of economic disparity and to accept their responsibilities towards other less fortunate citizens provides a formidable challenge. The authors interpret understandings of citizenship as being closely related to conceptualizations of economics and view methods by which classrooms employ instructional technology as paramount to exploring these associations. This paper conveys how technology represents an instructional resource that may foster exploration and examination of these relationships and describes a student-centered cooperative instructional model for its classroom implementation.
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Hella Abidi, Sander de Leeuw and Matthias Klumpp
The purpose of this paper is to identify the value of fourth-party logistics (4PL) services in a humanitarian supply chain. Furthermore, it shows a framework for a fourth-party…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the value of fourth-party logistics (4PL) services in a humanitarian supply chain. Furthermore, it shows a framework for a fourth-party humanitarian logistics concept.
Design/methodology/approach
The research paper presents a framework of fourth-party humanitarian logistics based on the four core components described by Christopher (2005) which was evaluated with a nonlinear approach called analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The AHP method explores qualitative and quantitative decision-making criteria in case of solving multi-attribute and complex problems. In total, seven experts from academia and practice have contributed to this research, resulting in a better understanding of the decisive needs of humanitarian supply chain actors for implementing and integrating a 4PL concept.
Findings
The research shows an increased value for humanitarian supply chain actors of establishing a 4PL concept. The results present a positive influence of 4PL in complex disasters environments and provide key drivers for increasing and simplifying collaboration between the humanitarian supply chain actors.
Research limitations/implications
Future research has to consider different disaster types and needs to further emphasize the added value for beneficiaries of implementing a 4PL concept in a humanitarian supply chain environment. Further research should preferably also consider case studies in order to analyse challenges, drawbacks and benefits of this concept (qualitative and quantitative factors) in a real-life humanitarian supply chain setting.
Practical implications
The research offers managerial insights into the use of a 4PL concept in the humanitarian supply chain environment to improve efficiency due to an improved collaboration between the humanitarian supply chain actors.
Originality/value
The research paper investigates an under-researched topic in the humanitarian supply chain environment. For humanitarian supply chain actors outsourcing their activities to a 4PL service provider could secure collaboration, increase service levels as well as efficiency and therefore create additional value.
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Rosalind Lau and Anastasia Hutchinson
Over the past 15 years, mental health organisations have taken steps to move towards providing services that are more recovery-oriented. This review was undertaken to explore what…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the past 15 years, mental health organisations have taken steps to move towards providing services that are more recovery-oriented. This review was undertaken to explore what is known about service users’ experience of services that have introduced a recovery-oriented approach to service provision. There is limited research evaluating consumers’ lived experiences of recovery-orientated care; a scoping review was chosen to provide an overview of the available research in this area (Munn et al., 2018). The purpose of this review was to summarize and synthesize current qualitative research exploring consumers’ experience of recovery orientated mental health care provision.
Design/methodology/approach
This scoping review was undertaken as outlined by Arksey and O'Malley (2005). The five steps consisted identifying the research question; searching for relevant studies; selecting the studies; charting the studies; and collating, summarising and reporting the findings.
Findings
Three key themes emerged from this review: translation of recovery policy to practice; ward environment; and recovery principles with five subthemes: engagement; not being listened to; shared decision-making; informational needs; and supportive and collaborative relationships. The themes and subthemes identified in each of the 18 studies are presented in Table 3.
Research limitations/implications
This review highlights the different degree to which service users have received recovery-oriented recovery care. In the majority of cases, most service users reported few opportunities for nursing engagement, poor communication, inadequate information provision, a lack of collaborative care and mostly negative experiences of the ward environment. Because of the limited studies on mental health service users’ lived experiences of a recovery-oriented service, more clinical studies are needed and in different cultural contexts.
Practical implications
On hindsight, the authors should have included service users in this review process as consumer inclusion is progressively emphasised in mental health educational and research activities. This review highlights that not all studies have involved service users or consumers in their research activity.
Social implications
Service users need relevant information in a timely manner to participate in decision-making regarding their treatment and care. This review found that either no information was provided to the service users or it was provided in a limited and fragmented manner. This review also found inpatients reported limited opportunities to have meaningful participation in decision-making about their care. These findings have important social implications, as greater consumer engagement in the design and delivery of mental health services will increase community trust in the care provided. This in turn has the potential to facilitate greater community engagement in preventative mental health care.
Originality/value
This is the first review to systematically synthesis consumers perspectives on the extent to which service providers are achieving the goal of implementing recovery-orientated practice into their service provision. Despite important policy changes, the findings of this review demonstrate that more work is needed to truly operationalise and translate these principles into practice.
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LIBRARIES of late have not had the radio publicity that was agreeably frequent at an earlier time. Occasionally there are broadcasts that are useful and, we believe, effective. A…
Abstract
LIBRARIES of late have not had the radio publicity that was agreeably frequent at an earlier time. Occasionally there are broadcasts that are useful and, we believe, effective. A good example was that given by Mr. Charles Nowell on the centenary celebrations on September 2 of the Manchester Public Libraries. He told in a familiar conversational manner of the achievements of the past and the work now being done, with what seemed to this listener to be excellent effect, his voice being, like his manner, admirable for the microphone. Another useful, well balanced broadcast was that given on October 8th on the Home Service programme by Mr. Daniel George on the National Central Library in which an outline of the part played in the library life of the country was put over with simplicity and, again, confidential familiarity. We hope the L.A. and others who can influence the matter will keep the advantages of radio still well in mind. There is also T.V. and what that may do for libraries, or reading in connection with the use of libraries.