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1 – 10 of 12H. Kit Miyamoto, Amir S.J. Gilani and Akira Wada
School buildings have suffered disproportionate damage during past and recent earthquakes. For example, during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, many school buildings collapsed…
Abstract
Purpose
School buildings have suffered disproportionate damage during past and recent earthquakes. For example, during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, many school buildings collapsed, resulting in loss of life. School buildings in many other parts of the world are also susceptible to this type of widespread damage because of inadequate design, detailing, or poor construction quality. The purpose of this paper is to show how these fatal flaws can be mitigated prior to future catastrophe by using good engineering practice to retrofit vulnerable schools.
Design/methodology/approach
Conventional and innovative, cost‐effective, and reliable tools are available to prevent damage to schools. It is often necessary to examine a group of buildings or all structures in a locality and develop a comprehensive risk management plan for the vulnerable buildings. As an example, a comprehensive evaluation and retrofit project, under the auspices of the World Bank, is currently under way in Istanbul, Turkey, to address vulnerable school and hospital buildings as discussed in the paper. As part of this effort in Turkey, a guideline that relies on state‐of‐the‐art evaluation and retrofit methods has been developed to assist the local engineers.
Findings
Implementation of the program based on the uniform standards developed in the retrofit guidelines, has significantly reduced the seismic risk to schools in Istanbul.
Practical implications
The proposed evaluation and implementation technique can be utilized by governments worldwide to prevent further damage to key infrastructure and save millions of lives.
Originality/value
Innovative retrofits can be used to provide enhanced performance and provide seismic resiliency for cluster of school buildings.
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Nariakira Yoshida, Mitsuru Matsuda and Yuichi Miyamoto
The primary research question in this study concerns the establishment of a platform for intercultural collaborative lesson study, which promotes reciprocal dialogue between…
Abstract
Purpose
The primary research question in this study concerns the establishment of a platform for intercultural collaborative lesson study, which promotes reciprocal dialogue between culturally distinctive educational research groups. Therefore, this study aims to introduce a case of intercultural collaborative lesson study projects between Hiroshima University and Leipzig University and to illustrate the issues in intercultural collaborative lesson study.
Design/methodology/approach
This study reconstructed the sequence of the project as a case under the narrative structure. Data were retrieved from a collaborative project between Hiroshima University and Leipzig University, which corresponds to the theoretical framework, as they represent a clear cultural contrast. The description of the project is reconstructed and reduced into a linear storyline of procedure.
Findings
This study identifies three key issues: (1) sharing data and culture, (2) visualising methodology and process, and (3) responding to research questions and answers.
Research limitations/implications
This platform does require one cultural group neither throwing their own norms away nor creating an utterly new paradigm beyond their own cultures. It is a place “between” original places that enables groups to capture their own culture and another culture, which does not compel to change but effectively allows reflection and changing themselves.
Originality/value
Although several transcultural reports find that one cultural asset is imported and exported, the arena of bi-directional intercultural dialogue remains undeveloped. The collaborative project between Hiroshima and Leipzig is then introduced and examined to overcome the current problems in transnational lesson study.
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Shapoor Zarei, Hussain Marzban, Ali H. Samadi and Ahmad Sadraei Javaheri
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of news shocks on monetary policies using the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model. To this end, two kinds…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of news shocks on monetary policies using the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model. To this end, two kinds of news shocks (known as technology and consumer preferences) are defined according to Khan and Tsoukalas’ (2012) approach.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to construct and simulate the DSGE model to approaching the real conditions in a case study, consumption habits in the utility function were concerned based on the assumption of the zero-value obtained from multiplying the inflation by the real interest rate in the Fisher’s equation, whereas the real interest rates in the long run were appointed as negative remark in simulating the monetary policy models. The estimation and simulation results for the research models indicated that monetary policies using the interest rate instrument identified the news shocks less frequently than monetary policies using the monetary base instrument.
Findings
The approximate value of the social loss function in the optimal commitment and discretionary monetary policies suggests that the optimal commitment policy is estimated to be lower in both cases. Due to value of the social loss function in optimal monetary policies with nominal interest rate instrument in the presence of news shocks, this could be claimed that monetary policy with interest rate instrument is more appropriate than the monetary policy with a monetary base instrument.
Originality/value
The approximate value of the social loss function in the optimal commitment and discretionary monetary policies suggests that the optimal commitment policy is estimated to be lower in both cases.
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The following annotated bibliography of materials on orienting users to libraries and on instructing them in the use of reference and other resources covers publications from…
Abstract
The following annotated bibliography of materials on orienting users to libraries and on instructing them in the use of reference and other resources covers publications from 1981. A few items from 1980 have been included because information about them was not available in time for the 1980 listing. A few items have not been annotated because the compiler was unable to secure copies of these items.
K.W. Platts and N. Song
Although cost savings are found by many researchers to be a major reason for sourcing from China, the actual cost savings may not be as great as expected. This paper aims at…
Abstract
Purpose
Although cost savings are found by many researchers to be a major reason for sourcing from China, the actual cost savings may not be as great as expected. This paper aims at studying and comparing the true cost of sourcing from China and companies' perceptions of the total cost of their China sourcing projects.
Design/methodology/approach
This research comprises six case studies and a mailed survey to 201 UK manufacturers with the experience of global sourcing from China. Comparisons of the findings from the cases and the survey are made.
Findings
The findings provide a comprehensive analysis of the total costs of outsourcing from China. Additional costs (additional to the quoted price), found from in‐depth case studies, averaged 50 per cent of the quoted price. The perception of additional costs, found from a survey, averaged 25 per cent of the quoted price. Taken together, these findings suggest that companies generally do not comprehensively measure the costs of global sourcing, and significantly underestimate the true costs incurred.
Practical implications
This has implications for decision making and ultimately profitability, and the paper suggests that more attention is paid to measuring the actual total acquisition costs. It confirms the benefit of a comprehensive cost framework, as a checklist that will prompt companies to think about all the possible sources of cost when sourcing globally. This should both guide their decision making, and also act to identify possible cost reduction activities.
Originality/value
This research is the first effort to establish the total cost of sourcing from China and to compare this with companies' perceptions of the cost of such sourcing. It is valuable in providing increased understanding of the sources and magnitudes of the costs of sourcing from China.
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Said Hadi, Meysam Alipour, Vahideh Aghamohammadi, Sahar Shahemi, Fatemeh Ghafouri-Taleghani, Niloufar Pourjavidi, Mona Foroughi and Mackaan Chraqipoor
The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) effect in diabetes has been investigated in animal studies, but results of clinical trials are inconsistent. Thus, this study aims to evaluate…
Abstract
Purpose
The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) effect in diabetes has been investigated in animal studies, but results of clinical trials are inconsistent. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effects of EGCG supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 50 patients with T2DM were recruited in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The eligible participants were randomly allocated to EGCG (n = 25) and placebo (n = 25) groups. The EGCG group received two capsules of EGCG (each capsule contained 150 mg; Shari Made®, Iran) and placebo group was administered two capsules of placebo (starch) for eight weeks. A three-day 24-h dietary recall and anthropometric and laboratory measurements were carried out at the beginning and the end of the study.
Findings
At the end of the trial, weight and body mass index (BMI) were decreased significantly in both groups, but the reduction was not statistically significant between the two groups. Fasting blood sugar decreased significantly in EGCG group. No significant between-group and within-group differences were found in insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index values. The high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was significantly reduced in the EGCG group (4.13 ± 0.48-3.93 ± 0.50, p = 0.003) compared to baseline.
Originality/value
This study showed that consuming 300 mg/day of EGCG for eight weeks in patients with T2DM caused a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, body weight, BMI and hs-CRP compared to baseline. Therefore, the EGCG supplementation may improve glycemic control, anthropometric and inflammation status in T2DM.
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Sherazede Bouderbala and Malika Bouchenak
This study aims to investigate the effect of Ajuga iva (Ai) on enzymes involved in the metabolism of cholesterol, in rat fed a cholesterol-enriched diet.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of Ajuga iva (Ai) on enzymes involved in the metabolism of cholesterol, in rat fed a cholesterol-enriched diet.
Design/methodology/approach
Male Wistar rats (n = 12), weighing 120 ± 5 g were fed on 1 per cent cholesterol-enriched diet [hypercholesterolemic (HC)] for 15 days (d15). After this adaptation phase, HC rats (total cholesterol = 6.5 ± 0.6 mmol/L) were divided into two groups fed the same diet and treated (Ai-HC) or not with (HC) with Ai for d15.
Findings
At day 15, in Ai-HC group compared to HC, serum triacylglycerol (TG) values were 1.4-fold lower (p = 0.002), whereas unesterified cholesterol (UC) contents were 1.8-fold higher (p = 0.0001). Serum phospholipids (PL) and cholesteryl esters (CE) contents and liver TG, UC, PL and CE values were not sensitive to Ai. TC/HDL-C and LDL-HDL1-C/HDL-C ratios were, respectively, 1.8- and 4-fold lower (p = 0.006 and p = 0.04). HDL2-C and HDL3-C amounts were enhanced by 40 and 74 per cent, respectively (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0001). HDL3-UC was 1.6-fold higher (p = 0.006); whereas PL contents were 1.4-fold lower (p = 0.003). HDL3-apo and HDL2-CE contents were similar between groups. A decreased of hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activities (−44 and −25 per cent; p = 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively) were noted. Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity was 1.5-fold higher (p = 0.001).
Originality/value
In HC rat, Ai is able to induce hypotriglyceridemia. However, it turns out that Ai may reduce cardiovascular risk by decreasing the reports of atherogenicity and modifying the activities of enzymes involved in the cholesterol metabolism.
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Anne Honey, Katherine Boydell, Nathan Clissold, Francesca Coniglio, Trang Thuy Do, Leonie Dunn, Candice Jade Fuller, Katherine Gill, Helen Glover, Monique Hines, Justin Newton Scanlan, Barbara Tooth and Darren Wagner
This paper aims to explore the use of lived experience research in peer work.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the use of lived experience research in peer work.
Design/methodology/approach
A suite of user-friendly and engaging lived experience research resources was introduced to consumers by peer workers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 33 consumer participants and five peer workers about their experiences. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Findings
The role of the peer workers appeared critical in ensuring that participants, despite their varied needs, preferences and backgrounds, derived optimum benefit from each resource. Features in resource delivery that promoted a positive experience included presenting the resources in the context of an existing relationship, providing clear explanations, going through resources together, encouraging reflection, taking enough time; and flexible delivery. Peer workers viewed the resources as potentially useful in their everyday peer work and as a valuable addition to their peer work toolkit.
Practical implications
The benefit of lived experience research to consumers is likely to be optimised by supportive and thoughtful delivery of the resources. Peer workers have the skills and are in an ideal position to do this. Bringing lived experience research to consumers provides peer workers with a potentially unique and helpful approach for supporting and promoting recovery and is congruent with their overall practice.
Originality/value
Lived experience research has the potential to benefit consumers directly but is rarely brought to their attention. This paper is the first to examine the potential role of peer workers in introducing learnings from lived experience research to consumers.
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Fatemeh Shokrzadeh, Zahra Aslani, Abbas Rahimi-Foroushani and Sakineh Shab-Bidar
This paper aims to investigate whether the interaction between vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism and dietary patterns is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate whether the interaction between vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism and dietary patterns is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 304 Iranians were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Fasting serum glucose and lipid profile were also assessed. FokI polymorphism of the VDR gene was genotyped using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.
Findings
Individuals in third tertile of “Unhealthy Patterns had greater odds for MetS (odds ratio: 2.9; 95 per cent CI: 1.3, 6.1; P for trend = 0.03) compared to those in first tertile. Significant results disappeared after controlling for covariates (p = 0.09). There was no significant relationship between adherence to ‘Healthy Pattern’ and odds of MetS (p = 0.55). There were not any interactions between FokI polymorphism and major dietary patterns associated with MetS.
Originality/value
No evidence found for the interaction between polymorphism FokI and major dietary patterns associated with MetS and its components in Iranian subjects. Genome-wide association techniques are needed to assess the direct effect of this polymorphism on MetS.
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