C.M.C. Albuquerque, R.M.C. Miranda, V. Richter‐Trummer, M.A.V. de Figueiredo, R. Calçada and P.M.S.T. de Castro
The purpose of this paper is to study the fatigue crack growth (FCG) behaviour of the steel and weldments of a railway bridge.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the fatigue crack growth (FCG) behaviour of the steel and weldments of a railway bridge.
Design/methodology/approach
Tests were carried out on compact tension (CT) specimens using the thickness (B=32 mm) of a structural detail. The test matrix included three R values and three material conditions: base material (BM), heat affected zone (HAZ) and weld metal (WM). An evaluation of opening load behavior was carried out. The full field measurement of the residual stress perpendicular to the crack plane was performed using the contour technique. A simplified finite element analysis supported the interpretation of the results. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation of the fracture surface of BM and HAZ specimens was carried out.
Findings
Extensive crack closure effects were found in the welded specimens. Important through‐the‐thickness variation of residual stress was found using the contour technique. The residual stress fields of HAZ and WM specimens led to slowing down the FCG rate in the initial stages of crack propagation and to uncommon fracture surfaces. When the opening load effect was taken into consideration it was found that the da/dN vs ΔK of the different types of specimens are approximately identical. The ratio (striation spacing)/(da/dN) decreases up to approximately unity as a/W increases. In the specimens analyzed, FCG rates below approximately 2E‐7 to 3E‐7 m/cycle are associated with approximately constant striation spacing values, which could be considered a conservative upper bound of the real crack growth rate.
Originality/value
Fatigue crack growth behavior of thick welded steel CT specimens was analyzed on the basis of tests including full field residual stress measurements, crack closure behavior and striation spacing, allowing for the simultaneous consideration of all those aspects. It is shown that the striations spacing provides no more than a conservative upper bond of the real crack propagation rate.
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Ana Miranda, María Jesús Presentación, Rosa García and Rebeca Siegenthaler
Recent research suggests that multi-component and contextualized interventions are a good option for the treatment of children with ADHD. The primary goal of the present…
Abstract
Recent research suggests that multi-component and contextualized interventions are a good option for the treatment of children with ADHD. The primary goal of the present investigation was to examine the efficacy of a multi-component psychosocial intervention involving children, with ADHD, their parents and their teachers. Forty-two children with ADHD were distributed in two groups: one with 27 children who received the intervention (experimental group) and the other with 15 children who received no intervention (control group). The effects of the intervention program were evaluated in three basic developmental areas: school learning, emotional adjustment and social adjustment. Once the intervention was over, the learning problems of children with ADHD who participated in the intervention were significantly reduced, based on the observations of both parents and teachers. Furthermore, social adjustment of the treated group improved significantly at the posttest evaluation. In contrast, in the group of children with ADHD who did not receive treatment, the learning and social problems remained stable.
Caitlin McArthur, Reem T. Mulla, Luke A. Turcotte, Jessica Chi-Yen Chu, Micaela Jantzi and John P. Hirdes
Long-term care (LTC) homes are highly regulated settings that provide care to people living with complex health conditions who are often at the end of their lives. Mental health…
Abstract
Long-term care (LTC) homes are highly regulated settings that provide care to people living with complex health conditions who are often at the end of their lives. Mental health and quality of life are important concepts in LTC given the inherent poor health and diminished autonomy of residents living in this setting. The COVID-19 pandemic had the potential to further compound these issues through lockdowns limiting movement within and outside of LTC homes, increased fear of severe COVID-19 infections, staff shortages, and impaired communication through personal protective equipment. However, the evidence describing the effect of the pandemic on mental health and quality of life is mixed, with some studies describing increased rates of mental health concerns and others presenting modest increases or decreases. Creative strategies to mitigate negative mental health consequences of lockdown included technology supported and window or outdoor visits, increased access to volunteers, and supports for families. However, the evidence in this area continues to evolve as subsequent waves of the pandemic progress. Future research may present new evidence about other strategies that became important in different stages of the pandemic.
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Annor da Silva Junior, Priscilla de Oliveira Martins-Silva, Karina Santos Feu, Aline Chima Komino, Vitor Correa da Silva and Katia Cyrlene de Araújo Vasconcelos
This paper aims to investigate the viewpoint of undergraduate Management students at a Brazilian public university regarding the notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR)…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the viewpoint of undergraduate Management students at a Brazilian public university regarding the notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR). It theoretically articulates the notion of CSR and the formal education perspective to discuss managerial education.
Design/methodology/approach
Stude nts in the Management program were surveyed for their opinion on the notion of CSR. Data were collected through triangulation by combining the application of questionnaire and documentary research. There were 241 valid questionnaires, and this is the size of the sample. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS software (version 20), descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests.
Findings
Results reveal that, for undergraduate Management students, the most important CSR dimensions are, in hierarchical order, the philanthropic, the ethical, the legal and the economic. Thus, one can notice an inversion of the original CSR pyramid proposed by Carroll (1991).
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation is the conduction of research in the context of a single public university.
Practical implications
Results indicate a change in how CSR is understood, the philanthropic dimension becoming the main factor for the establishment of organizational goals.
Social implications
Considering that undergraduate Management students are the future members of the corporate world and decision-makers in society, these results indicate the stance these future professionals will take when confronted by dilemmas involving CSR.
Originality/value
This investigation is original in Brazilian context, for it identifies students’ opinion on CSR using a questionnaire whose development was based on the CSR pyramid.
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Leah Halliday and Charles Oppenheim
Economic aspects of digital journal production and delivery were explored using Ithink Analyst, a modelling software package. Three models were developed and simulations were used…
Abstract
Economic aspects of digital journal production and delivery were explored using Ithink Analyst, a modelling software package. Three models were developed and simulations were used to monitor the effect of variations in the values of key model elements. The results suggest that scholarly journals can be produced and distributed for a modest fee as long as there are at least 500 subscribers. Alternative models such as author‐funded production are also viable. While a model that shares costs between authors and subscribers is viable, administration of two sets of fees would increase costs.
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Ana Miranda, Manuel Soriano and Rosa García
The present study analyzed the performance of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when carrying out reading comprehension and written composition tasks…
Abstract
The present study analyzed the performance of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when carrying out reading comprehension and written composition tasks. Thirty children with ADHD and 30 normally developing children without ADHD, matched on age, IQ, word retrieval and spelling, were selected. All of the subjects were evaluated using four types of reading comprehension tasks (literal comprehension, inferential comprehension, a fragment ordering task, and recall of story content), and a composition writing task. The results indicate that the two groups (ADHD and without ADHD) do not differ on literal comprehension or inferential comprehension. Nevertheless, our results show that children with ADHD perform significantly worse than the group without ADHD on the fragment ordering task, the recall of story content, and on different indicators of written language production, which depend primarily on self-regulation abilities necessary for organizing information and maintaining the level of effort. The findings suggest that the deficit observed in reading comprehension and written composition skills in children with ADHD may reflect deficiencies in executive processes. The methodology used in this research on the reading comprehension and written composition problems of children with ADHD presents a series of strengths and weaknesses. The reflections on the limitations identified in the study serve as a basis for establishing directions for future research.
Amy E. Ruhaak and Bryan G. Cook
Disruptive student behavior contributes to poor student outcomes, loss of classroom instructional time, and teacher burnout. Physical movement is an intervention that has been…
Abstract
Disruptive student behavior contributes to poor student outcomes, loss of classroom instructional time, and teacher burnout. Physical movement is an intervention that has been used to target and ameliorate disruptive student behavior for students with learning and behavioral disabilities. A review of two movement-based interventions – Brain Gym® and antecedent bouts of exercise – reveals different levels of research support. Brain Gym®, a commercial movement-based curriculum, is not supported by extant empirical research. Alternatively, a growing body of research empirically supports antecedent bouts of exercise as an effective behavioral intervention. This chapter provides a description and review of research for each intervention. Implications for instructional practice and recommendations are provided.
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L. Quintino, I. Fernandes and R.M. Miranda
The aim of this paper is to propose a model for international harmonization of the training and qualification of human resources for industrial professions. The outcome is a…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to propose a model for international harmonization of the training and qualification of human resources for industrial professions. The outcome is a system based on training guidelines and a quality assurance methodology that is now in use in 42 countries around the world.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes the motivations that led to the development of the International System for the Training and Qualification of Welding Personnel. The structure of this system and the documents on which it is based are outlined.
Findings
The approach used has gained wide international acceptance. The progress achieved is analysed in the final part of the paper. More than 150,000 qualifications have so far been awarded around the world.
Practical implications
The need for a harmonized International System for the Training and Qualification of Welding Personnel has been recognized by industry and the authorities. The reference to this system in international standards and the general recognition of its reliability by stake holders is leading to its widespread use in more countries and by more professionals.
Originality/value
The harmonized international system for the qualification of human resources in welding technology is unique in Europe. The methodology used has proved to be successful and can be benchmarked for application in human resources development for other professions.
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Khem Chand, Ajay Chandel, Rajesh Tiwari and Abshishek Singh Chauhan
This study presents an extensive bibliometric analysis aimed at delineating the landscape of research within the insurance literature from 2020 to 2024.
Abstract
Purpose
This study presents an extensive bibliometric analysis aimed at delineating the landscape of research within the insurance literature from 2020 to 2024.
Methodology
Leveraging methodologies such as keyword cooccurrence analysis, cocitation analysis, and bibliographic coupling, the study identifies pivotal clusters of research topics. The bibliographic data was sourced from Scopus, renowned for its comprehensive coverage across social, engineering, and natural sciences. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, 1,608 documents were initially scrutinized, resulting in a refined dataset of 714 documents. Utilizing VOSviewer for science mapping, the study underscores three predominant categories of analysis: keyword cooccurrence, cocitation, and bibliographic coupling. Employing a dual-pronged approach for keyword selection, the study began by examining five freely accessible publications. Analysis was conducted employing two primary bibliometric techniques: performance analysis, gauging the efficacy of research components, and science mapping, elucidating interdependencies among research entities. Notably, the study utilized VOSviewer and Biblioshiny—a web interface for bibliometrics based on the R programming language—as the principal tools for bibliometric analysis.
Findings
This comprehensive investigation sheds light on the thematic evolution and interconnectedness within insurance research, providing valuable insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers alike.
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S. Vinodh, G. Sundararaj, S.R. Devadasan, D. Kuttalingam and D. Rajanayagam
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption of rapid prototyping (RP) technology using three dimensional (3D) printer for infusing agility in traditional…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption of rapid prototyping (RP) technology using three dimensional (3D) printer for infusing agility in traditional manufacturing environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The computer aided design (CAD) model of a knob of an electronics switch is developed using Pro/E software. Keeping this model as a reference, CAD models of new six knobs are developed. A 3D printer is used to build the prototypes of five of those CAD models. The receptivity of the practitioners over adopting CAD models and 3D printer for achieving agility is investigated.
Findings
The sensitisation of the industry captains and employees of traditional manufacturing sector is the imperative for exploiting the power of 3D printer and achieving mass customisation.
Originality/value
The paper reports an original research in which the practicality of using 3D printer is investigated with the objective of enabling the traditional manufacturing companies to imbibe agile characteristics.