Francis E.H. Tay, Yadav P. Khanal, Kwok Kuen Kwong and Kim Cheng Tan
This paper focuses on the development of a distributed rapid prototyping system via the Internet to form a framework of Internet prototyping and manufacturing for the support of…
Abstract
This paper focuses on the development of a distributed rapid prototyping system via the Internet to form a framework of Internet prototyping and manufacturing for the support of effective product development. The proposed methodology is targeted at a wide audience using a disparate range of computer systems to access remotely located rapid prototyping facilities via the Internet for prototype fabrication. The methodology is useful for both educational research for teaching evolving rapid prototyping technologies and remote scientific visualization. This approach is based on the merger of object‐oriented modular software architecture and client server communications for the remote control of rapid prototyping hardware (called fused deposition modeling) via the Internet. Other Web tools are used to allow the remote user to have higher interactivity with the server applications that have a direct link with the front‐end terminals controlling the rapid prototyping hardware.
Details
Keywords
Nor Razinah Mohd. Zain, Oumaima Tounchibine and Houda Lechheb
Agriculture is one of the oldest socio-economic activities. It involves growing valuable plants and animals for human existence. Sustainable agriculture should be understood in…
Abstract
Agriculture is one of the oldest socio-economic activities. It involves growing valuable plants and animals for human existence. Sustainable agriculture should be understood in light of the global sustainable development movement, which emphasizes balancing environment, society and economics. With the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent war between Russia and Ukraine, sustainable agriculture can help eliminate food insecurity caused by food shortages and agricultural sector disruptions. Recently, investors, practitioners, academicians, researchers, regulators and financiers are increasingly interested in using Islamic financing products and qualified Shari'ah-compliance contracts to promote sustainable agriculture. Many Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) states still rely on agriculture for socioeconomic growth. These countries are major contributors to Islamic financial growth. This study assesses Islamic finance’s role in promoting sustainable agriculture in selected OIC countries. The researchers use qualitative methods and meta-analysis data to determine the constraints and benefits of implementing Islamic financial products for sustainable agriculture. This study suggests that OIC state governments should promote sustainable agriculture. OIC member states have different achievements relating to their sustainable agriculture. Based on socio-economic factors, agriculture policies or plans, leadership and political will, Islamic finance products and Shari'ah-compliance contracts are found underutilized in meeting sustainable agriculture and sector stakeholders’ needs. A solid Islamic financial framework for sustainable agriculture, good governance and improved agriculture policy are needed.
Details
Keywords
Mwajuma Muya, Bahati Ilembo and Mackfallen Anasel
This paper examines factors affecting the delivery care (DC) and postnatal care (PNC) services utilization in Tanzania using the predictive accuracy of the binary logit model by…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines factors affecting the delivery care (DC) and postnatal care (PNC) services utilization in Tanzania using the predictive accuracy of the binary logit model by including DC as among the predictors of PNC utilization.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used secondary data from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (2022) based on a sample of 13,266 women aged 15–49. Binary logit was used to analyze the association between independent variables and each binary dependent variable, followed by a stepwise likelihood ratio test for binary logistic regression analysis to select the most important predictors associated with DC and PNC. Odds ratios were used to predict the likelihood of the occurrence of significant explanatory variables in explaining the outcomes.
Findings
The results showed that the type of place of residence, wealth index, region, highest educational level, husband/partner’s level of education and respondent’s occupation were significant predictors of DC utilization. In contrast, the woman’s age, region, highest educational level, wealth index, DC and husband/partner’s educational level were significant predictors of PNC utilization. Public health interventions are needed to promote and increase the utilization of delivery and postal care services. The targets should be poor women and those residing in rural or remote areas.
Originality/value
Including DC as a predictor variable (which was not used before) in PNC utilization improved the predictive power of the model and the robustness of the results.
Details
Keywords
Kamran Mahroof, Amizan Omar, Emilia Vann Yaroson, Samaila Ado Tenebe, Nripendra P. Rana, Uthayasankar Sivarajah and Vishanth Weerakkody
The purpose of this study is to evaluate food supply chain stakeholders’ intention to use Industry 5.0 (I5.0) drones for cleaner production in food supply chains.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate food supply chain stakeholders’ intention to use Industry 5.0 (I5.0) drones for cleaner production in food supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a quantitative research design and collected data using an online survey administered to a sample of 264 food supply chain stakeholders in Nigeria. The partial least square structural equation model was conducted to assess the research’s hypothesised relationships.
Findings
The authors provide empirical evidence to support the contributions of I5.0 drones for cleaner production. The findings showed that food supply chain stakeholders are more concerned with the use of I5.0 drones in specific operations, such as reducing plant diseases, which invariably enhances cleaner production. However, there is less inclination to drone adoption if the aim was pollution reduction, predicting seasonal output and addressing workers’ health and safety challenges. The findings outline the need for awareness to promote the use of drones for addressing workers’ hazard challenges and knowledge transfer on the potentials of I5.0 in emerging economies.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to address I5.0 drones’ adoption using a sustainability model. The authors contribute to existing literature by extending the sustainability model to identify the contributions of drone use in promoting cleaner production through addressing specific system operations. This study addresses the gap by augmenting a sustainability model, suggesting that technology adoption for sustainability is motivated by curbing challenges categorised as drivers and mediators.
Details
Keywords
Neeraj Kumar, Rama Tyagi, Sahaya Mercy Jaquline Robert, Akanksha , Mohd. Aqil, Mohd. Vaseem Ismail, Abul Kalam Najmi and Mohd Mujeeb
This study aims to present a great deal of interest in researching plant-based phytopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals as a possible alternative to synthetic medication, both to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present a great deal of interest in researching plant-based phytopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals as a possible alternative to synthetic medication, both to avoid their side effects and for financial reasons.
Design/methodology/approach
Mankind has used medicinal plants since the beginning of civilization. Nature has been explored as a source of therapeutic chemicals for thousands of years, and many modern drugs have been discovered from natural sources. The primary medical care system of resource-poor areas in India has continued to rely on traditional medicine as the most accessible and reasonably priced form of treatment.
Findings
Tinospora cordifolia is a plant that is frequently used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine throughout India. Although almost all of its parts are used in conventional medical systems, the leaves, stems and roots are the most significant ones used medicinally. All forms of existence can benefit from the versatility of T. cordifolia. It includes a wide variety of compounds that impact the body.
Originality/value
The goal of this review is to provide a concise summary of the knowledge about the pharmacological, phytochemistry, botanical, ethnopharmacology, toxicity study, marketed products and patents of the T. cordifolia plant.
Details
Keywords
Saroj Adhikari, Thunwadee Suksaroj, Orapin Laosee, Cheerawit Rattanapan and Piyapong Janmaimool
This study investigates the willingness of household heads in Madhesh Province, Nepal, to enroll in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and examines the contextual…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the willingness of household heads in Madhesh Province, Nepal, to enroll in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and examines the contextual barriers that may hinder this enrollment.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 319 household heads through face-to-face interviews from May 15 to June 13, 2023. The ability, motivation and opportunity (AMO) framework guided the assessment, employing bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses to identify significant factors influencing willingness.
Findings
Over 80% of respondents were willing to enroll in NHIP, driven by significant factors such as perceived susceptibility to health issues (AOR = 15.65) and knowledge about NHIP benefits (AOR = 2.20). However, contextual barriers such as the lack of enrollment assistants (73%) and inadequate healthcare package offerings (53%) were prevalent, highlighting that despite a strong desire to enroll, these barriers prevent many from taking action.
Research limitations/implications
The findings highlight the need to address contextual barriers, such as expanding NHIP benefit packages and enhancing enrollment support, to convert willingness into action.
Practical implications
To enhance enrollment rates, it is crucial to address these barriers by increasing the availability of enrollment assistants and improving healthcare packages.
Social implications
Strengthening NHIP can reduce high out-of-pocket expenditures and contribute to achieving universal health coverage in Nepal.
Originality/value
This study provides critical insights into the factors affecting NHIP enrollment in one of Nepal’s lowest-enrollment regions, offering actionable recommendations for policy improvements.
Details
Keywords
Temidayo O. Akenroye, Adegboyega Oyedijo, Vishnu C. Rajan, George A. Zsidisin, Marcia Mkansi and Jamal El Baz
This study aims to develop a hierarchical model that uncovers the relationships between challenges confronting Africa's organ transplant supply chain systems.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop a hierarchical model that uncovers the relationships between challenges confronting Africa's organ transplant supply chain systems.
Design/methodology/approach
Eleven challenges (variables) were identified after a comprehensive review of the existing literature. The contextual interactions among these variables were analysed from the perspectives of health-care stakeholders in two sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries (Nigeria and Uganda), using Delphi-interpretive structural modelling-cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) techniques.
Findings
The findings reveal that weak regulatory frameworks, insufficient information systems and a lack of necessary skills make it challenging for critical actors to perform the tasks effectively. The interaction effects of these challenges weaken organ supply chains and make it less efficient, giving rise to negative externalities such as black markets for donated organs and organ tourism/trafficking.
Research limitations/implications
This paper establishes a solid foundation for a critical topic that could significantly impact human health and life once the government or non-profit ecosystem matures. The MICMAC analysis in this paper provides a methodological approach for future studies wishing to further develop the organ supply chain structural models.
Practical implications
The study provides valuable insights for experts and policymakers on where to prioritise efforts in designing interventions to strengthen organ transplantation supply chains in developing countries.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to empirically examine the challenges of organ transplant supply chains from an SSA perspective, including theoretically grounded explanations from data collected in two developing countries.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to examine the stock return behaviour around the bonus issue announcements in eight emerging markets for 2010–2019 by addressing the signalling, cash substitution…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the stock return behaviour around the bonus issue announcements in eight emerging markets for 2010–2019 by addressing the signalling, cash substitution and liquidity hypotheses.
Design/methodology/approach
Besides using the standard event study technique to test the presence of an anomaly, country-based regression analyses are performed. Firm-specific factors are used to understand the motive behind the anomaly observed pre- and post-announcement periods. Also, the Amihud illiquidity measure examines the liquidity hypothesis, while standardized profitability and investment ratios compare the long-run operational performance of bonus issuers to test the validity of signalling.
Findings
The findings provide evidence that abnormal returns can be detected ten days before the announcement in some countries, which is a sign of information leakage. The presence of the effect continues only in two countries after the announcement is released. The size of the bonus issue is found strongly significant in most countries, while a weak relation between abnormal return and other factors is detected. Moreover, the signalling hypothesis does not hold in the sense of long-run profitability increase, while liquidity assertion is partially presented.
Research limitations/implications
Due to an inadequate number of announcements in other emerging markets, the number of sample countries is limited by eight.
Originality/value
The research is novel regarding analyzing a wide range of emerging countries with various variables. Also, the paper is distinguished from other studies by applying multiple set of regressions under nine different event windows.
Details
Keywords
Anton Saveliev, Egor Aksamentov and Evgenii Karasev
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the development of a novel approach for automated terrain mapping a robotic vehicles path tracing.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the development of a novel approach for automated terrain mapping a robotic vehicles path tracing.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach includes stitching of images, obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle, based on ORB descriptors, into an orthomosaic image and the GPS-coordinates are binded to the corresponding pixels of the map. The obtained image is fed to a neural network MASK R-CNN for detection and classification regions, which are potentially dangerous for robotic vehicles motion. To visualize the obtained map and obstacles on it, the authors propose their own application architecture. Users can any time edit the present areas or add new ones, which are not intended for robotic vehicles traffic. Then the GPS-coordinates of these areas are passed to robotic vehicles and the optimal route is traced based on this data
Findings
The developed approach allows revealing impassable regions on terrain map and associating them with GPS-coordinates, whereas these regions can be edited by the user.
Practical implications
The total duration of the algorithm, including the step with Mask R-CNN network on the same dataset of 120 items was 7.5 s.
Originality/value
Creating an orthophotomap from 120 images with image resolution of 470 × 425 px requires less than 6 s on a laptop with moderate computing power, what justifies using such algorithms in the field without any powerful and expensive hardware.
Details
Keywords
Zeinab Hosseini, Mohammad Taghi Ghaneian, Mahin Ghafourzade and Abbasali Jafari Nodoushan
This paper aims to evaluate the bioremediation [chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color removal] of the effluent from the cardboard recycling industry in Yazd, central province of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the bioremediation [chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color removal] of the effluent from the cardboard recycling industry in Yazd, central province of Iran, using mixed fungal culture.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the effluent samples from the cardboard recycling industry were cultured on potato dextrose agar medium to isolate native fungal colonies. The grown colonies were then identified using morphological macroscopic and microscopic characteristics to choose the dominant fungi for bioremediations. The mixed cultures of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium digitatum were finally used for bioremediation experiments of the cardboard recycling industry. A suspension containing 1 × 106 CFU/ml of fungal spores was prepared from each fungus, separately and their homogenous mixture. Sewage samples were prepared and sterilized and used at 25%, 50% and 90% dilutions and pH levels of 5, 7 and 8 for bioremediation tests using mixed fungal spores. Following that, 10 ml of the mixed fungal spores were inoculated into the samples for decolorization and COD removal and incubated for 10 days at 30°C. The amount of COD removal and decolorization were measured before incubation and after 3, 6 and 10 days of inoculation. In this research, the color was measured by American Dye Manufacturer Institute and COD by the closed reflux method. The results of the present study were analyzed using SPSS 21 statistical software and one-way ANOVA tests at p-value < 0.05.
Findings
The results of this research showed that the mean decolorization by mixed fungal culture over 10 days at pH levels of 5, 7 and 8 were 44.40%, 45.00% and 36.84%, respectively, and the mean COD removal efficiency was 71.59%, 73.54% and 16.55%, respectively. Moreover, the mean decolorization at dilutions of 25%, 50% and 90% were 45.00%, 31.93% and 30.53%, respectively, and the mean COD removal efficiency was 73.54%, 62.38% and 34.93%, respectively. Therefore, the maximal COD removal and decolorization efficiency was obtained at dilution of 25% and pH 7.
Originality/value
Given that limited studies have been conducted on bioremediation of the effluent from the cardboard recycling industry using fungal species, this research could provide useful information on the physicochemical properties of the effluent in this industry.