The ability for learners to interact online via their avatars in a 3-D simulation space means that virtual worlds afford a host of educational opportunities not offered by other…
Abstract
The ability for learners to interact online via their avatars in a 3-D simulation space means that virtual worlds afford a host of educational opportunities not offered by other learning technology platforms, but their use also raises several pertinent issues that warrant consideration. This chapter reviews the educational use of virtual worlds from a design perspective. Virtual-world definitions are explored, along with their key educational characteristics. Different virtual-world environments are briefly contrasted, including Second Life, Active Worlds, Open Sim, and Minecraft. A wide variety of virtual-world uses in schools and universities are examined so as to understand their versatility. Key educational benefits of virtual worlds are distilled from the literature, such as the ability to facilitate 3-D simulations, role-plays, construction tasks, and immersive learning. Emergent issues surrounding the use of virtual worlds are also analyzed, including cognitive load, safety, and representational fidelity. One higher education and one school level vignette are provided in order to offer more detailed insight into the use of virtual worlds in practice. Recommendations for learning design and implementation are presented, based on the thematic analysis of contemporary virtual-worlds research.
Simona Di Fraia, Nicola Massarotti and P. Nithiarasu
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive literature review on modelling electro-osmotic flow in porous media.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive literature review on modelling electro-osmotic flow in porous media.
Design/methodology/approach
Modelling electro-osmosis in fluid systems without solid particles has been first introduced. Then, after a brief description of the existing approaches for porous media modelling, electro-osmotic flow in porous media has been considered by analysing the main contributions to the development of this topic.
Findings
The analysis of literature has highlighted the absence of a universal model to analyse electro-osmosis in porous media, whereas many different methods and assumptions are used.
Originality/value
For the first time, the existing approaches for modelling electro-osmotic flow in porous have been collected and analysed to provide detailed indications for future works concerning this topic.
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Damian Tago, Henrik Andersson and Nicolas Treich
This study contributes to the understanding of the health effects of pesticides exposure and of how pesticides have been and should be regulated.
Abstract
Purpose
This study contributes to the understanding of the health effects of pesticides exposure and of how pesticides have been and should be regulated.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents literature reviews for the period 2000–2013 on (i) the health effects of pesticides and on (ii) preference valuation of health risks related to pesticides, as well as a discussion of the role of benefit-cost analysis applied to pesticide regulatory measures.
Findings
This study indicates that the health literature has focused on individuals with direct exposure to pesticides, i.e. farmers, while the literature on preference valuation has focused on those with indirect exposure, i.e. consumers. The discussion highlights the need to clarify the rationale for regulating pesticides, the role of risk perceptions in benefit-cost analysis, and the importance of inter-disciplinary research in this area.
Originality/value
This study relates findings of different disciplines (health, economics, public policy) regarding pesticides, and identifies gaps for future research.
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The synthesis of a series of disperse dyes containing a carboxy group is described. The dyes were applied to polyester, wool and wool-polyester blend fabrics and their dyeing and…
Abstract
The synthesis of a series of disperse dyes containing a carboxy group is described. The dyes were applied to polyester, wool and wool-polyester blend fabrics and their dyeing and fastness properties evaluated. The levelling and fastness properties of all dyed samples meet commercial requirements. The effects of the carboxy group on the colour, dyeing and fastness properties ofthe dyes are discussed.
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Sonali A. Deshmukh, Praveen Barmavatu, Mihir Kumar Das, Bukke Kiran Naik, Vineet Singh Sikarwar, Alety Shivakrishna, Radhamanohar Aepuru and Rathod Subash
This study has covered many types of solar-powered air-conditioning systems that may be used as an alternative to traditional electrically powered air-conditioning systems in…
Abstract
This study has covered many types of solar-powered air-conditioning systems that may be used as an alternative to traditional electrically powered air-conditioning systems in order to reduce energy usage. Solar adsorption air cooling is a great alternative to traditional vapor compression air-conditioning. Solar adsorption has several advantages over traditional vapor-compression systems, including being a green cooling technology which uses solar energy to drive the cycle, using pure water as an eco-friendly HFC-free refrigerant, and being mechanically simple with only the magnetic valves as moving parts. Several advancements and breakthroughs have been developed in the area of solar adsorption air-conditioners during the previous decade. However, further study is required before this technology can be put into practise. As a result, this book chapter highlights current research that adds to the understanding of solar adsorption air-conditioning technologies, with a focus on practical research. These systems have the potential to become the next iteration of air-conditioning systems, with the benefit of lowering energy usage while using plentiful solar energy supplies to supply the cooling demand.
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Sahar Feili, H.R. Sabouhi, Hassan Sobhani and M. Traz
This study aims to propose a new scheme for designing a high-sensitivity optical biosensor. For this, two agents have been considered: reflection-type micro-resonators, which…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose a new scheme for designing a high-sensitivity optical biosensor. For this, two agents have been considered: reflection-type micro-resonators, which filter the noise of the pump, and coupled-ring reflectors (CRRs), which are coupled to partial reflecting elements in the bus waveguide to create Fano-resonance. These two agents improve the sensor sensitivity and have low-power optical switching/modulation.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model is based on the coupling of the CRRs with the Fabry–Pérot cavity. The slope of the Fano-resonance line shape and consequently the sensitivity of the proposed CRRs are higher than those of conventional microring resonators.
Findings
The proposed scheme has many characteristics: CRRs have been used to create a higher slope of the Fano-resonance line shape; the sensitivity of the sensor shows improvement on the basis of reflection-type micro-resonators and by the removal of the pump noise; the designed sensor has low-power optical switching/modulation; and the modeling and designing of a novel high-sensitivity resonator is based on coupling the CRRs with the Fabry–Pérot cavity.
Originality/value
This study has proposed a new scheme for designing a high-sensitivity optical biosensor. This method is based on the improvement of the sensitivity by two agents: reflection-type micro-resonators, which filter the noise of the pump, and coupled-ring reflectors, which are coupled to partial reflecting elements in the bus waveguide to create Fano-resonance.
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Show-Hui Huang, Wen-Kai Hsu, Thu Ngo Ngoc Le and Nguyen Tan Huynh
A popular production model for high-tech manufacturers is that they move most production lines abroad to produce formal products for sale and just keep a few production lines in…
Abstract
Purpose
A popular production model for high-tech manufacturers is that they move most production lines abroad to produce formal products for sale and just keep a few production lines in headquarters to manufacture sample products for new product development. Under such a production model, the paper aims to develop a selection model of International Air Express (IAE) for high-tech manufacturers in airfreight of sample products using the fuzzy best-worst method (BWM).
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, an assessment model based on the fuzzy BWM approach is proposed for high-tech manufacturers in selecting airfreight carriers for the shipping of sample products. Further, one high-tech electronic manufacturer in Taiwan was empirically investigated to validate the assessment model.
Findings
The result indicates that electronics manufacturer pays more attention to Promptness, Mutual trust, Freight rate and Financial status of fixed assets when selecting IAEs. Besides, FedEx is argued to be the most preferred IAE for the transportation of sample products. Based on the findings, some practical management implications were discussed.
Research limitations/implications
Some literature limitations should be addressed. Initially, the adoption of the fuzzy BWM assumes independence among criteria. Nonetheless, this assumption is not yet to confirm in this study. Accordingly, this limitation leaves room for improvement in future studies. Further, in this paper, five experienced experts from the Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation (ROEC) case were empirically surveyed. To ensure the validity of the surveying, this paper adopted an interviewing survey instead of a traditional mailed survey. However, more representative samples are still necessary to confirm the empirical results in future research.
Practical implications
Firstly, the proposed research model provides a systematic framework to the decision-making process, which assists high-tech manufacturers in identifying the most suitable IAEs based on multiple criteria. It has been illustrated that high-tech companies deliver their sample products requiring timely and secure means of transport. In practice, manufacturers can assess various IAEs considering some main factors, such as Operational Flexibility (OF), Partner Relationship (PR), Transportation Capability (TC) and Management, using fuzzy BWM. This process ensures the selection of IAEs aligning with their logistical needs and business priorities, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Secondly, empirical results from the ROEC case indicate that electronics manufacturer pays more attention to Promptness, Mutual trust, Freight rate and Financial status of fixed assets when selecting IAEs. Besides, FedEx is argued to be the most preferred IAE for transportation of sample products. In other words, ROEC should consider establishing long-term contracts with preferred IAEs (i.e. FedEx) to secure favorable rates and service commitments. On top of that, results not only provide practical information for manufacturers in selecting IAEs but also for IAE partners to improve their service policies.
Originality/value
The results not only provide practical information for high-tech manufacturers in selecting airfreight carriers but also for the airfreight carriers to improve their service quality.
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Pratima Verma, Vimal Kumar, Ankesh Mittal, Pardeep Gupta and Sung Chi Hsu
This study aims to identify SHRM (strategic human resource management) essential practices for the TQM (total quality management) program regarding an Indian tire manufacturing…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify SHRM (strategic human resource management) essential practices for the TQM (total quality management) program regarding an Indian tire manufacturing company and formulate an inclusive interrelationship to prioritize them.
Design/methodology/approach
Semistructured interview with ten experts from the company was made to give SHRM practices scores. The SLR (systematic literature review) and TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) techniques are used to establish the model for 12 key practices and rank them afterward.
Findings
The findings clearly show that strategic planning and staffing, teamwork and leadership development have appeared as the top three essential practices. Simultaneously, performance measurement and evaluation, work design and analysis and promotion are identified as the bottom three practices. These essential practices are identified as contributing attributes.
Practical implications
The findings prioritize the SHRM practices as contributing attributes that help other tire manufacturing industries identify their key practices. Moreover, it provides the necessary inputs comprised of ten experts' decisions to become more active and well prepared.
Originality/value
The novelty of this study is to identify the key practices by using SLR and measured by the TOPSIS method to rank and consider a tire manufacturing company as a case-based approach to gain high productivity and competitive advantage.
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Ranjan Chaudhuri, Sheshadri Chatterjee, Alkis Thrassou and Demetris Vrontis
The purpose of this study is to determine the antecedents of obesity among the younger generation of Indians (Generation Y) from a psychological and lifestyle consumer…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the antecedents of obesity among the younger generation of Indians (Generation Y) from a psychological and lifestyle consumer perspective. The study also investigates the moderating role of demography on the body mass index (BMI) of Indian youths.
Design/methodology/approach
The study initially develops a conceptual model, stemming from an extensive theoretical research, and subsequently validates this using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique with a sample size of 1,242 Indian youths.
Findings
The study concludes that consumers' food habits (FH) and physical activity (PA) positively impact consumers' physical health (PH), which influences their BMI levels (BLs). Anxiety (AX), depression (DE), stress (ST), peer pressure (PP) and work pressure (WP) impact individuals' mental health (MH), which also influences their BLs. Finally, there is a significant moderating impact of demographic factors, such as age (AG), gender (GE) and income levels (ILs) on the relationship between individuals' physical and MH and individuals' BLs.
Research limitations/implications
This study proposes a new model which highlights the issue of youth consumer obesity from the psychological and lifestyle perspectives. The model is effective as it has a high explanative power of 73%. The study investigates consumer obesity from emerging market like India perspective, but the study does not examine consumer food consumption behavior and obesity from developed market perspective.
Practical implications
Youth obesity could be considered a global pandemic, and obesity rates among the Indian youth are also increasing. This study provides valuable inputs and understanding of consumer markets to policy makers, consumer protection institutions, organizations related to the food and beverage industry, healthcare workers and consumers themselves regarding the antecedents of youth obesity (BL) in developing and emerging markets.
Originality/value
The study adds value to the body of literature related to consumer obesity, FH, consumer psychology and lifestyle through findings that are new in terms of findings' specificity, contextual focus and explication. Moreover, the study extends the cognitive theory of DE and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The research effectively offers significant theoretical and practicable market knowledge to both scholars and marketing practitioners, as well as policy makers and institutions dealing with youth obesity, particularly in emerging markets.