The skin effect in a rectangular bus‐bar is first computed by a direct method of three‐dimensional discretisation. A superior method based upon Huygens’ principle is then…
Abstract
The skin effect in a rectangular bus‐bar is first computed by a direct method of three‐dimensional discretisation. A superior method based upon Huygens’ principle is then presented; discretisation only of the surface is performed; the eddy currents are regarded as propagation from surface elements through a medium, whose attentuation is determined by the conductivity. Results are compared and the application of Huygens' principle is justified by savings in time and storage space.
Ray Ison and Sandro Luis Schlindwein
The governance of the relationship between humans and the biophysical world has been based on a paradigm characterized by dualistic thinking and scientism. This has led to the…
Abstract
Purpose
The governance of the relationship between humans and the biophysical world has been based on a paradigm characterized by dualistic thinking and scientism. This has led to the Anthropocene. The purpose of this paper is to reframe human-biosphere governance in terms of “cyber-systemics”, a neologism that is useful, the authors argue, not only for breaking out of this dualistic paradigm in human-environmental governance but also of the dualism associated with the use of systems and cybernetics.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper the authors draw on their own research praxis to exemplify how the intellectual lineages of cybernetics and systems have been mutually influencing their doings, and how new forms of governance practices that explore different framing choices might contribute to building innovative governance approaches attuned to the problematique of the Anthropocene, for instance through institutional designs for cyber-systemic governance.
Findings
The growing popularity of the Anthropocene as a particular framing for the circumstances, if it is to transformative and thus relevant demands informed critique if it is to help change the trajectory of human-life on earth. The authors offer arguments and a rationale for adopting a cyber-systemic perspective as a means to avoid the dangers in pursuing the current trajectory of our relationship with the biophysical world as, for example, climate change. The essay frames an invitation for a systemic inquiry into forms of governance more suited to the contemporary circumstances of humans in their relationships with the biophysical world.
Research limitations/implications
The research essay challenges many taken-for-granted epistemological assumptions within the cybernetics and systems intellectual communities. A case for radical change is mounted; the means to effect this change, other than through changes in discourse remain unclear though it is apparent that changes to praxis and institutional forms and arrangements will be central.
Practical implications
Cyber-systemic capabilities need to be developed; this requires investment and new institutions that are conducive to cyber-systemic understandings and praxis.
Originality/value
Understanding the global environmental crisis as an emergent outcome of current commitments to dualistic governance choices demands a reframing of much of what humans have done, re-investment in cyber-systemics offers a moral and practical response.
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Russel Poskitt and Peihong Yang
This study investigates the impact of the enhanced continuous disclosure regime introduced in December 2002 on several measures of information risk in NZX‐listed stocks. We employ…
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of the enhanced continuous disclosure regime introduced in December 2002 on several measures of information risk in NZX‐listed stocks. We employ two microstructure models and an intraday data set to measure information risk in a sample of 71 stocks. Our empirical results show that the reforms enacted in December 2002 had no significant effect on either the level of information‐based trading or the adverse selection component of market spreads in our sample of NZX‐listed stocks.
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Elizabeth M. Molyneux and Queen Dube
– The purpose of this paper is to provide an “inside” account of efforts to enhance the quality of care in a paediatric hospital department in Malawi.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an “inside” account of efforts to enhance the quality of care in a paediatric hospital department in Malawi.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors describe the problems they face as health workers in an overcrowded, under-resourced emergency departments in a low-income setting. Where it is helpful, the authors combine reports of their experience with reference to reports emanating from other African countries.
Findings
There is increased awareness of the need for a good health system to be able to provide quality care. The authors emphasise the importance of teamwork and the need for cross cutting activities that are not disease-centred or vertically driven. Task sharing and multi-tasking have helped fill the gaps left by inadequate staffing but specialists in emergency medicine are needed to advocate for the specialty and be role models in departments.
Practical implications
This paper is aimed at a broad audience of fellow clinicians, funders and policy makers, and those who have an interest in clinical governance in support of quality improvement in developing countries.
Originality/value
This is a firsthand account of efforts to enhance the quality of emergency care from a paediatric hospital department in Malawi.
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Panayiotis Platritis, Eleni Andreou and Dimitrios Papandreou
The paper aims to describe the effects of caffeine intake on exercise performance as well on diabetes, cirrhosis and asthma.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to describe the effects of caffeine intake on exercise performance as well on diabetes, cirrhosis and asthma.
Design/methodology/approach
The review includes the most updated studies found in Pub‐Med all of which are in relation to caffeine and exercise performance as well as its effects on disease issues.
Findings
The majority of studies show that caffeine ingestion of about 6 mg of body weight mass may have a positive effect on endurance and anaerobic exercise performance. In addition, if it is consumed together with carbohydrates, it may also improve post‐recovery glycogen synthesis. Intake of caffeine was also found to have a positive effect on the prevention of liver cirrhosis, reducing asthma attacks and lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Originality/value
The paper gives information to nutritionists, clinical dietitians and sports nutritionists on the newest data about the effects of caffeine on exercise performance and disease issues.
The different types of estimators of rational expectations modelsare surveyed. A key feature is that the model′s solution has to be takeninto account when it is estimated. The two…
Abstract
The different types of estimators of rational expectations models are surveyed. A key feature is that the model′s solution has to be taken into account when it is estimated. The two ways of doing this, the substitution and errors‐in‐variables methods, give rise to different estimators. In the former case, a generalised least‐squares or maximum‐likelihood type estimator generally gives consistent and efficient estimates. In the latter case, a generalised instrumental variable (GIV) type estimator is needed. Because the substitution method involves more complicated restrictions and because it resolves the solution indeterminacy in a more arbitary fashion, when there are forward‐looking expectations, the errors‐in‐variables solution with the GIV estimator is the recommended combination.
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Karlene Saundria Nelson and Yolanda V. Tugwell
This study investigated how students of the Faculties of Humanities and Education and Social Sciences at a Caribbean University sought information during the COVID-19 pandemic…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated how students of the Faculties of Humanities and Education and Social Sciences at a Caribbean University sought information during the COVID-19 pandemic, identified challenges they experienced in seeking information for academic tasks and how satisfied they were with the Library's provision of electronic resources and services during this period.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative survey design was adopted for this study. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data.
Findings
This study revealed that undergraduates relied upon lecture notes to complete assignments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Undergraduate students have developed a definite information-seeking pattern, which did not change during the pandemic. They tend to use information channels that require the least effort. Postgraduate students used a variety of Library information channels but primarily used electronic journals. On the whole, students experienced challenges while seeking information via the channels provided by the Library. Students were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the Library's provision of electronic resources and services.
Research limitations/implications
The study used non-probability sampling and only included students from two faculties at one university. As a result, the findings may not be generalized to the entire student population or all Caribbean universities.
Practical implications
The results of this study can be used to identify the difficulties students are having in accessing information from the Library and gauge service delivery.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the scholarship from the Caribbean written to show whether students' information-seeking behaviour changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Megan Vladoiu, Pnina Fichman and Jieli Liu
This article examines if there is evidence of racial or gender bias in email reference services in American public and academic libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
This article examines if there is evidence of racial or gender bias in email reference services in American public and academic libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a two-by-two study design and an unobtrusive data collection, the authors conducted two studies in which the authors sent 1,960 email requests to 505 academic and public libraries. Requests in both studies differed in the perceived identity of the user as indicated by their name, and the counterbalanced method was utilized to control for intervening variables. Based on content analysis of the responses, the authors examined the statistical significance of the differences by race, gender and race by gender.
Findings
Overall, the authors found equitable service to users regardless of their race and gender; at times, however, there was evidence of favorable service to the White female in academic and public libraries and to the Black male in academic libraries.
Originality/value
There is little research into potential bias in email reference services in both academic and public libraries in the United States of America. Yet, following the rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020, there has been an increased focus on racial equality in library services and the American Library Association (ALA) Code of Ethics was modified accordingly. The authors' study makes significant contributions to the increasing body of research on racial and gender equality in online library services.
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Robert Detmering, Anna Marie Johnson, Claudene Sproles, Samantha McClellan and Rosalinda Hernandez Linares
This paper aims to provide an introductory overview and selected annotated bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy across all library…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide an introductory overview and selected annotated bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy across all library types.
Design/methodology/approach
It introduces and annotates English-language periodical articles, monographs, dissertations and other materials on library instruction and information literacy published in 2014.
Findings
It provides information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship and highlights sources that contain unique or significant scholarly contributions.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.