Search results

The main purposes of this article are twofold: (1) to investigate the unexplored connections among destination gender personality, destination stereotypes, brand attachment and destination brand love and (2) to examine the moderating role of destination involvement in the association between destination stereotypes and destination brand attachment (DBA).

The conceptual model is evaluated using qualitative methods (i.e. three focus groups, six academic experts and a pilot study). In addition, using an empirical study with 610 international travelers who visited Egypt selected by systematic random sampling, 8 hypotheses were analyzed and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) by AMOS 23, confirmatory factor analyses and exploratory factor analyses.

The study’s results suggest that destination gender plays a vital role in enhancing stereotypes, stereotypes positively affect attachment and DBA positively affects destination brand love. Finally, the results show that destination involvement moderates the dual influence of the warmth and competence of stereotypes on destination attachment.

The research supports the contention that social perception mechanisms are crucial in destination brand perception. It offers new understandings of the association between customers' destination brand perceptions and their responses to destinations.

This paper contributes to the travel literature by analyzing a novel model of destination gender personality, stereotypes, DBA and destination brand love using both social role (SR) theory and a stereotype content model (SCM). Besides attempting this task, it explores the moderating role of destination involvement in the association between stereotypes and destination attachment using the elaboration likelihood model.

Presents a new B‐spline finite element for the dynamic analysis of unsymmetrical sandwich shells of revolution. The formulation takes account of the membrane and bending effects in isotropic or orthotropic elastic facings, and membrane, bending and transverse shearing effects in an isotropic or othotropic elastic core. Both geometry and local displacements are interpolated by a set of B‐spline functions. The main aspects added by the sandwich structure of the element are the transverse shearing and membrane‐bending coupling effects in the core. These are well represented by a set of new variables which are the mean end relative in‐plane displacements of the facing middle surfaces. Together with the transverse displacement, these variables constitute the degrees of freedom (dofs) of this new B‐spline sandwich element. The finite elements are grouped into super‐elements with C¹ continuity to obtain the whole finite element model. For each super‐element a total of five dofs per node is then obtained except for its end nodes where the derivatives of these dofs with respect to the meridional co‐ordinate are added. This choice reduces to a minimum the total number of dofs in comparison to existing sandwich elements. Evaluates the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed element through several benchmark examples. Compares the results with the analytical and numerical solutions found in the literature. A very satisfactory behaviour of the element was observed in all test cases.

This study aims to explore the determinants (bank-specific, industry-specific and macroeconomic) of income diversification across interest income and non-interest income as well as for non-traditional income sources (non-interest income) from 2004–2005 to 2021–2022.

An unbalanced data set comprising 110 Indian commercial banks with 1480 observations is sampled in this study. Because of the bounded nature of the dependent variables (proxies of income diversification), the panel Tobit regression model is used.

The findings reveal that income diversification is positively influenced by bank size, technological advancements, cost–income ratio, return on assets, market competition and inflation in the economy. However, the decision to diversify income sources is adversely impacted by the capital ratio, GDP and financial intermediation ratio. Moreover, factors such as asset quality (loan loss provisions) and liquidity ratio do not directly influence the diversification strategies in the Indian banking industry.

The present study uses an extensive set of variables to provide insights into key factors for bank managers, regulators and policymakers to consider before developing diversification strategies.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the various bank-specific and macroeconomic determinants that affect income diversification in the Indian banking sector. The current study also investigates new variables such as technological advancements and a market concentration index for measuring competition, which have not been investigated in existing literature concerning bank income diversification in the Indian context.

Low nickel austenitic stainless steel (ASS) has attracted much attention worldwide because of its economical price. This study aims to investigate the effect of different corrosive environments on the corrosion behavior of chrome-manganese (Cr-Mn) ASS. The tests were carried out as a function of H₂SO₄ concentrations, temperature and addition of ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄SCN) (0.01 M). Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques were used to study the corrosion behavior of Cr-Mn ASS. It was observed that with increasing H₂SO₄ concentration, temperature and with the addition of NH₄SCN solution, icorr, icrit and ipassive values increased. EIS data show decreasing charge transfer resistance value with increasing concentration and temperature. Higher corrosion rate with increasing temperature and concentration of H₂SO₄ is related to the anions (SO₄²⁻), which is responsible for reducing the stability of passive films. With the presence of 0.01 M NH₄SCN thiocyanate (SCN⁻ anion), there is a higher dilution of the passive film resulting in a higher corrosion rate. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis reveals the adsorption of sulfur on the surface in NH₄SCN containing a solution. The significant presence of counter ions and the adsorbed sulfur species on the steel surface play a vital role in corrosion behavior.

All the experiments were performed on a 3 mm thick sheet of Cr-Mn ASS (202 ASS) in hot rolled condition. The samples were then annealed at 1,050°C for 1 h, followed by water quenching. For microstructural examination, they were electrochemically etched in 10 Wt.% oxalic acid solution at 1 amp for 90 s. A computer-controlled Potentiostat (Biologic VMP-300) was used. After the cell was set up, the working electrode (WE) was electrostatically cleaned at −1 V vs saturated calomel electrode (SCE) for 30 s to remove the air-formed film. Then, WE were allowed to attain stable open circuit potential (OCP) for 1 h, following by the EIS test and potentiodynamic polarization test. The polarization test was started from a cathodic potential (−1.2 V vs SCE) and continued up to an anodic potential (1.6 V vs SCE) a scan rate of 0.1667 mV/s. EIS experiment was conducted on the same instrument by using a sinusoidal AC signal of 10 mV in a frequency range of 1,000,000 to 0.01 Hz at OCP.

Potentiodynamic polarization graph shows that with the increase in sulphuric acid concentration. Increasing temperature from 20°C to 80°C in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution increases the corrosion rate (icorr) of Cr-Mn ASS. On the addition of 0.01 M NH₄SCN to the sulfuric acid solution (0.1, 0.5 and 1 M) the corrosion rate increases drastically almost four to five times. EDS and XRD analysis shows the presence of sulfur over the oxide film and preferential site for dissolution of Cr and Mn at the steel surface when NH₄SCN is added to the sulfuric acid solution.

A study on the corrosion behavior of Cr-Mn ASS is scanty according to the author’s knowledge. Therefore, the present study will investigate the corrosion behavior of Cr-Mn ASS on SO₄⁻² anions, temperature and the addition of SCN⁻ ion in sulfuric acid.

An economic assessment was performed of the potential for clean energy options to contribute to the power and desalination needs in the State of Kuwait over the next 20 to 40 years. The paper aims to summarize two analyses that were performed for the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research to develop a strategy promoting renewable energy and evaluating alternative technologies including nuclear energy.

The analyses were performed using a power and water model for Kuwait that was constructed using the International Energy Agency – Energy Technology Systems Analysis Programme (IEA‐ETSAP) TIMES modeling framework. Data provided by the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) and the Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC) characterizes the projected demand for power and water; the existing and planned power generation and water desalination plants, including the expected retirement of existing plants; and future fossil fuel prices and availability. New power generation options – including renewable energy (RE), nuclear, combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) and reheat steam power plants (RHSPP) – were compared in this least‐cost optimization framework.

The model results indicate that by 2030 the cost‐effective RE share is 11 percent of electricity generation in the reference case and 8 percent in the case with the nuclear option. The RE technologies alone provide a 2030 net‐back value compared to the reference case of US$2.35 billion, while in the nuclear case they increase the 2030 net‐back value by an additional US$1.5 billion. Increasing the RE share, as a government policy, to 10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent, decreases the 2030 netback benefit by US$1.0, $3.6 and $8.3 billion, respectively.

Sensitivity runs based on scenarios that assume higher RE costs or lower availability, lower demand growth, lower oil and gas prices, higher nuclear plant investment costs, and RE capacity credit were analyzed.

The analysis provides a compelling economic basis for initiating a renewable energy program in the State of Kuwait. However, these forecasted benefits will only materialize to the extent the projected RE investments are achieved if they begin in earnest soon.

The analysis identifies a cost‐effective share of renewable energy use in Kuwait as about 11 percent of electricity generation in 2030. The investment in renewable energy provides the State of Kuwait with a net‐back value of US$2.35 billion, due to the fuel savings that are generated by using renewables.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze far and near field emitted field patterns through more exact calculation of the modes formed in finite periodic dielectric gratings.

For the mode calculation, equations are newly defined by applying vertical boundary condition on the assumption that transverse electric modes are generated in the structure. After finding modes, near field patterns are calculated using the wave number and coefficient of the mode.

Additionally, the results from these calculations are compared with that of the rigorous-coupled method. Finally, far field patterns are derived by applying fast Fourier transform to near field patterns and also compared with the results of rigorous-coupled method.

For convenience of coordinate, we use rectangular coordinate, though the shape of radome is a hemisphere.

In this paper, the authors derive more exact near field patterns without the assumption of infiniteness so that these results can be used practically for a making real frequency-selective structure.

Conventional periodic finite dielectric gratings analysis has been done using Floquet–Bloch wave theory, coupled-mode, rigorous-coupled method which is based on the assumption of infiniteness of the structure.

Despite the sporadic evolution of artificial intelligence, the most valuable asset of any organization in the modern world is human resources. This study aims to reveal that partnerships between higher education institutions (HEIs) and employers will ease the process of employee mid-career development in Uganda's corporate employment sector by promoting work-based postgraduate training, and this additionally promotes human resources (HR) capacity-building for organizations.

The hypothesis is that contemporary employees seek out an academic mid-career development postgraduate programme that is blended to fit into the employees' work schedule. The study was a descriptive quantitative study, and a closed-ended questionnaire was sent out to groups of corporate employees online (N = 70) and 41 responded, giving a response rate of 58.5%.

Findings indicate a need for a flexible program for mid-career development and transition, the low standard deviation of (Neutral = 0.95, Disagreed = 2.64 and Agreed = 3.3) implies an insignificant deviation from the mean of responses. Indeed, over 95% agree that pursue further studies is needed but in a more flexible way.

The study design was limited by the sample selection process and study design. In the future, the authors recommend a mixed study for both quantitative and qualitative dimensions of such studies.

Irrespective of gender, hierarchy and experience, employees want flexible study modes for their postgraduate. This implies that institutions of higher learning should work with the labour industry and position themselves as work-based information and communication technology (ICT)-Integrated learning theatres.

The move towards a collaborative strategy between academia and the employment industry is very evident in this study.

Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. The range of applications of FEMs in this area is wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore aims to give the reader an encyclopaedic view on the subject. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains 2,025 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with the analysis of beams, columns, rods, bars, cables, discs, blades, shafts, membranes, plates and shells that were published in 1992‐1995.

Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element analyses of sandwich structures from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. Both isotropic and composite materials are considered. Topics include: material and mechanical properties of sandwich structures; vibration, dynamic response and impact problems; heat transfer and thermomechanical responses; contact problems; fracture mechanics, fatigue and damage; stability problems; special finite elements developed for the analysis of sandwich structures; analysis of sandwich beams, plates, panels and shells; specific applications in various fields of engineering; other topics. The analysis of cellular solids is also included. The bibliography at the end of this paper contains 655 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with presented subjects that were published between 1980 and 2001.

To develop new eco‐environmentally friendly surface treatments based on cerate compounds as alternatives to the process involving toxic chromates for the corrosion protection of magnesium alloys.

A treatment process in which a surface was alkaline‐etched prior to ceria treatment is proposed. The process involves cleaning, etching in potassium hydroxide followed by treatment in ceria conversion coatings. The effect of surface preparation prior to ceria treatment on the corrosion resistance of AZ91D in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution was measured using AC impedance spectroscopy and DC polarization techniques. Surface examination was performed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray.

It was shown that the ceria treatment can be used as a localized corrosion inhibitor for alloy AZ91D in NaCl solution. The level of inhibition strongly depended on the cerium concentration. Moreover, ceria treatments improved the pitting corrosion resistance due to the formation of protective oxide films which act as a barrier to oxygen diffusion to the metal surface. According to the EIS and polarization measurements, alkaline etching in KOH is more effective in reducing the pitting corrosion of AZ91D than was HCl. It was shown that surface treatment in alkaline solution (KOH) prior to ceria treatments played an important role in inhibiting the active surface sites, rejecting the chloride ions from the surface and forming uniformly distributed oxide film.

Ceria conversion coatings seem very promising as alternatives to toxic chromating for the corrosion protection of magnesium alloys in NaCl solution.