Paul Sturges, Vincent Teng and Ursula Iliffe
User privacy has taken on a fresh importance as digital resources and systems become increasingly important in libraries. Public and professional concern has been aroused by…
Abstract
User privacy has taken on a fresh importance as digital resources and systems become increasingly important in libraries. Public and professional concern has been aroused by numerous instances of the privacy‐threatening effects of current technical and legal developments. Not only do loan and other transactions leave traces in library management systems, but Internet use at public terminals in libraries is also vulnerable to intrusion. Whilst the UK data protection legislation offers protection to personal data, new legislation such as the 2000 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act suggest a different tendency. The Legal and Policy Research Group at Loughborough University’s Department of Information Science is working on a substantial investigation, funded by Re:source, of the issue of user privacy in the digital library environment. Guidelines on privacy matters for information professionals are being developed on the basis of the investigation.
Details
Keywords
Paulo Silva Lobo, Mariana Jesus and Paulo S.A. Freitas
In this paper a model for the prediction of the failure strain of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets is proposed, based on a significant database consisting of results reported…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper a model for the prediction of the failure strain of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets is proposed, based on a significant database consisting of results reported in the literature for concrete columns with circular cross-section confined with carbon, glass and aramid fiber reinforced polymers. This study aims to analyze the aforementioned model.
Design/methodology/approach
Significant experimental research on the confinement of columns externally wrapped with FRP has been carried out in the last decades. Several models of confined concrete have been proposed using different approaches for the prediction of the failure strain of FRP sheets. The majority of those proposals were developed to be simple, thus significant differences with experimental results can be found.
Findings
The results of a total of 572 specimens were considered. Statistical analysis was used to derive a regression model, which relates the outcome to a set of predictors of interest using linear assumptions.
Originality/value
The proposed model is shown to be more accurate than other proposals found in the literature.
Details
Keywords
Michel Lu and Allan D. Spigelman
A significant subset of patients (12 per cent) with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is BRCA mutation carriers, which can be identified through genetic testing. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
A significant subset of patients (12 per cent) with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is BRCA mutation carriers, which can be identified through genetic testing. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the referral practice for TNBC patients with reference to New South Wales (NSW) referral guidelines at the time of diagnosis and to assess the effectiveness of such guidelines in identifying BRCA mutations. Robust health governance requires monitoring of adherence to evidence-based guidelines such as those that underpin referral for cancer genetic testing in this clinical scenario.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a retrospective clinical audit of identified TNBC patients at St Vincent’s Hospital (SVH) between 2006 and 2016 in NSW, comparing referral practice to guidelines extant at the time of diagnosis. Family history was considered for age guideline-inappropriate referrals to SVH while the results of BRCA gene testing were assessed for all referred.
Findings
Overall, of the 17 patients eligible for referral based on the age criterion, 10 (58.5 per cent) were referred appropriately; however, there were substantial improvements from 2012 with 100 per cent referred. Of note, 12 (33.4 per cent) of 36 patients referred to SVH were referred outside of guidelines, pointing to other reasons for referral, such as patient age (OR 0.945; 95% CI 0.914–0.978) and calendar year (OR: 1.332; 95% CI: 1.127–1.575) at TNBC diagnosis. Referral guidelines captured 66.67 per cent of identified deleterious BRCA mutations in those tested.
Originality/value
Substantial under-referral of guideline-eligible patients was identified, with evidence-based guidelines effective in identifying high-risk individuals for BRCA mutation testing. There was, however, a substantial proportion of guideline-inappropriate referrals.
Details
Keywords
Kimberley Wriedt, Daryl Oehm, Brendon Moss and Prem Chopra
Women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities face barriers to accessing perinatal mental health care. Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) is a state-wide…
Abstract
Purpose
Women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities face barriers to accessing perinatal mental health care. Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) is a state-wide service in Victoria, Australia, that supports specialist mental health service providers to improve cultural responsiveness. VTMH provided training for perinatal health professionals in cultural responsiveness. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
A curriculum was specifically developed based on a literature review, consultation forum, and input from members of an industry-based reference group. An Evaluation Tool was designed to collect participants’ feedback regarding the perceived relevance of the training content and its impact on practice. Responses were analysed using quantitative techniques and thematic analysis.
Findings
Nine face-to-face training sessions were provided, in metropolitan and rural regions. In all, 174 professionals of various backgrounds (including midwives, mental health professionals, and maternal child health nurses) attended. In all, 161 completed evaluations were received and responses indicated that the training was of high relevance to the target workforce, that the training would have implications for their practice, and support was given for further training to be delivered using online methods.
Research limitations/implications
First, an assessment of the cultural competence of participants prior to enrolment in the course was not conducted, and no matched control group was available for comparison with the participants. Second, generalisability of these findings to other settings requires further investigation. Third, the sustainability of the project is an area for further study in the future. Fourth, other methods including direct interviews of focus groups with participants may have yielded more detailed qualitative feedback regarding the effectiveness of the programme.
Practical implications
To facilitate the sustainability of the project, following the face-to-face training, an online training module and a resource portal were developed, offering links to relevant web sites and resources for health professionals working in this field.
Originality/value
The training addressed a significant unmet need for cultural responsiveness training for a diverse range of practitioners in the field of perinatal mental health. Online training can be adapted from face-to-face training and it is anticipated that online training will facilitate the sustainability of this initiative.
Details
Keywords
Melissa A. Baker and Vincent P. Magnini
This paper aims to synthesize the services marketing and hospitality marketing literature, identify a gap in hospitality specific marketing models and develop the constituency…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to synthesize the services marketing and hospitality marketing literature, identify a gap in hospitality specific marketing models and develop the constituency model for hospitality marketing.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is a research through extensive review of relevant literature in hospitality marketing and services marketing.
Findings
This paper presents the constituency model of hospitality marketing which conceptualizes hospitality marketing activities as being predominately either external marketing (links between management and target market segments), interactional marketing (links between frontline providers and target market segments) or internal marketing (links between management and frontline providers). According to this model, each of these three areas has planning, implementation and control functions.
Research limitations/implications
Builds upon the hospitality literature by presenting the constituency model.
Practical implications
Practitioners, marketers and academics in the field of hospitality will find this useful in guiding the future growth of hospitality marketing literature and related pedagogy. The aim of this paper is to stimulate dialogue regarding the dominant paradigm in the field.
Originality/value
This research examines the hospitality and services marketing and presents a new model for hospitality marketing.
Details
Keywords
Mahfoud Touhari and Ratiba Kettab Mitiche
Covering a fiber-reinforced concrete column (fiber reinforced plastic (FRP)) improves the performance of the column primarily. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the…
Abstract
Purpose
Covering a fiber-reinforced concrete column (fiber reinforced plastic (FRP)) improves the performance of the column primarily. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the behavior of small FRP concrete columns that are subject to axial pressure loading, in order to study the effect of many parameters on the effectiveness of FRP couplings on circular and square concrete columns.
Design/methodology/approach
These parameters include the shape of the browser (circular and square), whole core and cavity, square radius of square columns, concrete strength (low strength, normal and high), type of FRP (carbon and glass) and number of FRP (1–3) layers. The effective fibrillation failure strain was investigated and the effect of effective lateral occlusion pressure.
Findings
The results of the test showed that the FRP-coated columns improved significantly the final conditions of both the circular and square samples compared to the unrestricted columns; however, improvement of square samples was not as prominent as improvement in circular samples. The results indicated that many parameters significantly affected the behavior of FRP-confined columns. A new model for predicting compressive force and the corresponding strain of FRP is presented. A good relationship is obtained between the proposed equations and the current experimental results.
Originality/value
The average hoop strain in FRP wraps at rupture in FRP-confined concrete specimens can be much lower than that given by tensile coupon tests, meaning the theoretical assumption that the FRP-confined concrete cylinder ruptures when the FRP material tensile strength attained at its maximum is not suitable. Based on this observation, the effective peak strength and corresponding strain formula for FRP concrete confined columns must be based on the effective hoop rupture strain composite materials.
Details
Keywords
Abdurra’uf M. Gora, Jayaprakash Jaganathan, M.P. Anwar and H.Y. Leung
Advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been increasingly used over the past two decades for strengthening, upgrading and restoring degraded civil engineering…
Abstract
Purpose
Advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been increasingly used over the past two decades for strengthening, upgrading and restoring degraded civil engineering infrastructure. Substantial experimental investigations have been conducted in recent years to understand the compressive behaviour of FRP-confined concrete columns. A considerable number of confinement models to predict the compressive behaviour of FRP-strengthened concrete columns have been developed from the results of these experimental investigations. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of experimental investigations and theoretical models of circular and non-circular concrete columns confined with FRP reinforcement.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews previous experimental test results on circular and non-circular concrete columns confined with FRP reinforcement under concentric and eccentric loading conditions and highlights the behaviour and mechanics of FRP confinement in these columns. The paper also reviews existing confinement models for concrete columns confined with FRP composites in both circular and non-circular sections.
Findings
This paper demonstrates that the performance and effectiveness of FRP confinement in concrete columns have been extensively investigated and proven effective in enhancing the structural performance and ductility of strengthened columns. The strength and ductility enhancement depend on the number of FRP layers, concrete compressive strength, corner radius for non-circular columns and intensity of load eccentricity for eccentrically loaded columns. The impact of existing theoretical models and directions for future research are also presented.
Originality/value
Potential researchers will gain insight into existing experimental and theoretical studies and future research directions.
Details
Keywords
Do Young Pyun, Hyungil H Kwon and Chul-Won Lee
This study assessed the mediation effect of perceived brand quality and the moderation effect of consumer ethnocentric tendency in the proposed consumption model of a global…
Abstract
This study assessed the mediation effect of perceived brand quality and the moderation effect of consumer ethnocentric tendency in the proposed consumption model of a global sports brand. The English Premier League was selected as a global sports brand and four hypotheses were established to explain how consumers' perceived brand globalness affected their watching intention. Data were collected from 302 collegians in Republic of Korea. Results showed that perceived brand quality partially mediated the relationship between perceived brand globalness and watching intention, and ethnocentrism played a moderating role. The findings contribute to our understanding of consumption activities of global sport brands.
Details
Keywords
Wai Ming To and Vincent W.S. Leung
Restaurant dining is an important part of people's live, and the restaurant industry is one of the largest industries in the hospitality sector. Thus, this study explores the…
Abstract
Purpose
Restaurant dining is an important part of people's live, and the restaurant industry is one of the largest industries in the hospitality sector. Thus, this study explores the effects of restaurant diningscape on customer satisfaction and word of mouth.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a literature review on restaurant servicescape and special functions of dining spaces, diningscape was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct. Data were collected from 378 restaurant patrons using snowball sampling in Macao, China. The validity and reliability of constructs were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modeling was used to validate the proposed hypotheses between constructs.
Findings
Results showed that diningscape has a second-order factor structure consisting of five dimensions, namely food and drinks, service quality, servicescape, social functions and soundscape. Diningscape positively influences customer satisfaction and word of mouth.
Practical implications
Social function is the dominant factor of diningscape while female customers are more sensitive towards food and drinks, service quality, servicescape and soundscape. Thus, restaurants should not overcrowd their premises. Additionally, restaurants must strive to provide a wide variety of food and drinks, show service intimacy and be decorated specially with appropriate sonic environment as female customers can have a big influence on where to dine.
Originality/value
The study reveals that diningscape is multidimensional and shall be characterized in a holistic manner. Additionally, it helps restaurant managers to focus on the more important features, such as social functions, and food and drinks that customers value most.
Details
Keywords
Sedigheh Moghavvemi, Lee Su Teng and Huda Mahmoud
This chapter will introduce the concept of the gig economy. It begins with a brief discussion of technological changes and their impact on the workforce and labour market…
Abstract
This chapter will introduce the concept of the gig economy. It begins with a brief discussion of technological changes and their impact on the workforce and labour market, demonstrating how the trend shifts towards the gig economy. It then examines the trends that are influencing this transformation and discusses various perspectives and the attractiveness of the gig economy for workers and businesses. This chapter will also discuss the gig economy, platform economy, digital platform, and gig worker categories. It concludes with a brief discussion of some of the opportunities, issues, and challenges associated with the gig economy.