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Article
Publication date: 15 June 2015

Muhammad Yousaf Khan, Saad B. Qaisar, Muhammad Naeem, Awais Aslam, Saleem Shahid and Ijaz Naqvi

The study aims at providing a reliable system of real-time monitoring for underground mine and tunnels which detects any structural change in the network and reconfigures it for…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims at providing a reliable system of real-time monitoring for underground mine and tunnels which detects any structural change in the network and reconfigures it for resuming the data delivery process. In high stress environments, e.g. underground mines and tunnels, real-time activity monitoring is an emerging issue. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) play a key role in ensuring the safety of people working in underground mines and tunnels. WSN not only provide real-time monitoring of underground environment but also detects any structural change in the network itself.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, results of empirical implementation of a re-configurable WSN, capable of self-healing approach, reconfigure the network connectivity upon failure or addition of nodes in the system. An open-source radio-frequency identification standard for WSN, named as DASH7, is used for practical implementation. The proposed system is capable of determining cluster breakage by sudden disruptions caused by roof falls, explosions and node failures, sensor coverage hole, node re-addition to the network and distress priority signal generation by the miner.

Findings

The proposed platform contributes to re-attain network state for establishing a communication link with fusion center in terms of: instant and accurate detection of collapse holes, acceptable error rate, time to re-attain network state, rapid distress signal propagation and low deployment cost. This platform is deployed in four different environments of anechoic chamber, hallway, outdoor and underground mine environment, to test the aforementioned scenarios using DASH7-compatible Bitsense Sensor Motes operating at 433 MHz. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been experimentally validated for the single and multiple adjacent and disjoint node failures in all the four environments.

Originality/value

The number of monitoring systems was implemented for safety assurance in high stress environments before, but the novelty of our platform is long range, cost effectiveness, quick response to any structural change in the network, rapid and accurate data delivery using WSN operated on DASH7 protocol stack.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 22 June 2021

John N. Moye

Abstract

Details

The Psychophysics of Learning
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80117-113-7

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the knowledge and attitudes of the physicians regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), to emphasize that these patients exist and they will exist in the future and to raise awareness so as to prevent that their rights to treatment are revoked.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey was conducted via a link sent through an online system. Random physicians from 81 cities of the country were invited to the survey. The survey has 41 questions regarding knowledge and attitudes in total, including epidemiological information such as age, gender and title.

Findings

A total of 3,107 physicians has voluntarily participated in the study. In total, 2,195 (70.7%) are internal physicians and 912 (29.3%) are surgical physicians among the participant physicians. In total, 1,452 (46.7%) of the participants are specialist physicians, 608 (19.6%) of the participants are practising physician and the rest of it is physician assistants, academicians and dentists, respectively.

Originality/value

In this study, it has been found out that the physicians have a lack of knowledge on HIV/AIDS and they adopt a discriminatory attitude towards HIV-positive persons. HIV-positive patients who are exposed to discrimination and scared of being uncovered refrain from applying to hospitals for treatment, which puts public health into jeopardy due to the high viral load and these patients are faced with difficulties in coping with both medical and emotional load of the disease.

Details

International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 February 2022

Hsuan Hsu and Kuo-Feng Tseng

Concerning the emergence of Industry 4.0 and the concept of “smartness”, the technology competence of hospitality practitioners that was previously neglected and overlooked should…

1077

Abstract

Purpose

Concerning the emergence of Industry 4.0 and the concept of “smartness”, the technology competence of hospitality practitioners that was previously neglected and overlooked should be explored. Therefore, this study aims to explore previous hospitality technology competence through a literature review and then to extend, strengthen and build a new framework of the required technology competencies for hospitality practitioners in terms of facing smartness.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the previous research on the characteristics of the required technology competencies for hospitality practitioners, this study carried out a systematic literature review (SLR) on works published from 2011 to 2020. Then, based on the SLR results, the required technology competencies for hospitality practitioners in terms of facing smartness was explored with 26 experts from the government, industry and academia. The data were analysed through thematic analysis based on the perspectives of task–technology fit, and then, the framework was constructed.

Findings

This study reconfirmed that technology competence has been neglected in the previous hospitality competence literature and that the current methods and ways of thinking cannot succeed in this smart era. Moreover, based on fundamental technology competence, a new framework with ten dimensions of technology competencies required for hospitality practitioners in terms of facing smartness was created.

Originality/value

This study identified the required technology competencies for hospitality practitioners, an area that has rarely been addressed in the previous literature. Moreover, specific competencies, especially those needed to face this smart era, are urgent and novel in the academic hospitality field.

面向智能时代的智能性:为酒店从业人员构建一项包含所需技术能力的理论框架

研究目的

关于工业4.0的出现和“智慧”的概念, 酒店从业者的技术能力在前人研究中经常被探索和忽视。 因此, 本研究旨在通过文献回顾, 然后扩展、加强和建立酒店从业人员在面对智能方面所需的技术能力的新框架来探索以前的酒店技术能力。

研究设计/方法/途径

为了调查之前关于酒店从业人员所需技术能力特征的研究, 本研究对 2011 年至 2020 年发表的作品进行系统文献综述 (SLR)。然后, 根据 SLR 结果, 酒店从业人员在面对来自政府、行业和学术界的 26 位专家关于智能进行了探讨。 基于任务-技术契合度 的视角, 通过主题分析和对数据进行分析, 然后构建框架。

研究结果

本研究再次证实, 在以往的酒店能力文献中, 技术能力一直被忽视, 当前的方法和思维方式无法在这个智能时代取得成功。 此外, 在基础技术能力的基础上, 本研究创建了酒店从业者面对智慧所需的十个维度技术能力的新框架。

研究原创性/价值

本研究确定了酒店从业人员所需的技术能力, 这是以前文献中很少涉及的领域。 此外, 特定的能力, 尤其是面对这个智能时代所需的能力, 在酒店管理的学术领域是紧迫而新颖的。

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 October 2021

Ali Hauashdh, Junaidah Jailani, Ismail Abdul Rahman and Najib Al-Fadhali

The largest share of a building maintenance budget goes towards preventing or repairing building defects. Also, building defects shorten a building’s lifetime, impact the user’s…

Abstract

Purpose

The largest share of a building maintenance budget goes towards preventing or repairing building defects. Also, building defects shorten a building’s lifetime, impact the user’s safety and health, prevent the buildings from performing their functions well and repairing building defects generates waste. Therefore, this study aims to specify the factors that affecting the number of building defects and how to reduce their negative impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was used as a research strategy and convergent parallel mixed methods were used as research design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently, followed by independent analyses of the quantitative and qualitative data, and then merged the two sets of results according to the procedure of using the convergent parallel design. Descriptive statistics analysed quantitative data, whilst qualitative data was analysed by the content analysis technique.

Findings

The findings of this study explored the factors that affect the number of defects in buildings, the significant factors were related to the building’s life cycle in terms of design, construction, operation and maintenance phase; relevant attributes were construction teams, building users and maintenance teams. The study also addressed the approaches to minimise the negative impacts of those factors. Their negative impacts mainly contributed to increased building defects that increase maintenance costs, affect users’ safety and health, reduce buildings’ lifespan and cause environmental impact due to resource extraction.

Originality/value

The existing studies have not adequately addressed the significant factors that affect the number of building defects. Also, emerging technologies and environmental sustainability considerations related to building defects have not been linked in previous related work. Therefore, the present study has contributed to filling this gap.

Article
Publication date: 13 July 2012

Muhammad Muzaffar Ali Khan Khattak, Ibrahim Abu Bakar and Layana Yeim

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of fasting on blood lipid profile in fasting obese and non‐obese subjects.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of fasting on blood lipid profile in fasting obese and non‐obese subjects.

Design/methodology/approach

Male and female subjects from the International Islamic University, Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan Campus were assessed for body compositional changes during Ramadan fasting. In total, 25 males and females volunteered to participate in this study in the holy month of Ramadan. The mean age of the volunteers was 26.5±5.86 years and the age range was 21‐45 years. The age, weight and height of the volunteers were recorded on day 1 of Ramadan and weight was also recorded on day 21. The volunteers were asked for donation of blood samples on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 of the Ramadan. The blood serum was separated and stored at −20°C immediately after each collection. The serum samples stored at −20°C were analyzed for serum glucose and lipid profile. The analysis of serum lipid profile was performed with the help of clinical kits from Bayer Health Care using Bayer Express Plus Clinical analyzer. The serum was used for the estimation of total cholesterol (TC), HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐c) and triglycerides (TG) concentrations using kit reagents from M/s Bayer Diagnostics, whereas low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c) was determined by calculation. The statistics were performed using MINITAB statistical software (release 8.2).

Findings

The serum triglyceride concentration was significantly reduced and the reduction was 17.48 percent from day 1‐21. The serum TC concentration also reduced from day 1‐21 and the reduction was 15.93 percent. The serum LDL‐c concentration also significantly reduced from day 1‐21 and the reduction was 21.67 percent. The serum HDL‐c concentration decreased in the first weak and second week but an improving trend was observed on day 21 of the Ramadan.

Research limitations/implications

This study was not a controlled one and was conducted on free‐living individuals and therefore there is need to have controlled or adjusted physical activities studies in fasting individuals. It is always difficult to conduct experiment on human beings in the metabolic area. Furthermore, in this study it was not possible since it was a religious fasting. Another limitation is that the size of the sample was smaller than is advisable for this kind of study. However, the results were confirmed in the following month of Ramadan, as described in the paper.

Originality/value

The paper takes into consideration the effect of Ramadan fasting on blood lipid profile, which has ever been studied in obese individuals.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 42 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2020

Hariprasath Manoharan, Adam Raja Basha, Yuvaraja Teekaraman and Abirami Manoharan

In recent days, there is a huge loss in the income of farmers due to the reasons such as low water lever and increased pesticide attack. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to…

Abstract

Purpose

In recent days, there is a huge loss in the income of farmers due to the reasons such as low water lever and increased pesticide attack. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to establish an efficient reliable low-cost information gathering Reliable Low-Cost Information Gathering Protocol (RLCIG) protocol for agricultural water irrigation using optimal clustering and path selection technique where the RCIG protocol wrinkles the expedient statistics about the moisture and temperature of the soil and it will be installed few inches below the pipeline. Thereafter, the congregated data will augment the irrigation of water by using a decision-making algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

The projected model has been inscribed mathematically by underlying the wireless sensor networks (WSN) framework with deliberation of contemporary challenges. Furthermore, the energy, cost and expanse optimization framework in the WSN framework is presented. The projected technique has been tested using network simulator and the results are also integrated MATLAB.

Findings

Recently, for efficacious management in the field of agriculture, the WSN has been successfully assimilated. This instigation accomplishes the irrigation management in terms of energy, cost and communication distance. The simulation result shows that the proposed model yields better results in terms of both the transmission range and cost with efficient lifetime improvement in comparisons with existing techniques.

Originality/value

Agriculture is the need of the time whatever invention happens in the scientific world without food production no lives survive on the earth, hence, the scientific invention should also focus on agriculture, in this contrast, the authors have proposed an efficient low-cost information gathering (RCIG) protocol for agricultural water irrigation using optimal clustering and path selection technique.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 April 2022

Michael Sony, Jiju Antony and Olivia McDermott

The pandemic has reinforced the need for revamping the healthcare service delivery systems around the world to meet the increased challenges of modern-day illnesses. The use of…

2960

Abstract

Purpose

The pandemic has reinforced the need for revamping the healthcare service delivery systems around the world to meet the increased challenges of modern-day illnesses. The use of medical cyber–physical system (MCPS) in the healthcare is one of the means of transforming the landscape of the traditional healthcare service delivery system. The purpose of this study is to critically examine the impact of MCPS on the quality of healthcare service delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses an evidence-based approach, the authors have conducted a systematic literature review to study the impact of MCPS on healthcare service delivery. Fifty-four articles were thematically examined to study the impact of MCPS on eight characteristics of the healthcare service delivery proposed by the world health organisation.

Findings

The study proposes support that MCPS will positively impact (1) comprehensiveness, (2) accessibility, (3) coverage, (4) continuity, (5) quality, (6) person-centredness, (7) coordination, (8) accountability and (9) efficiency dimension of the healthcare service delivery. The study further draws nine propositions to support the impact of MCPS on the healthcare service delivery.

Practical implications

This study can be used by stakeholders as a guide point while using MCPS in healthcare service delivery systems. Besides, healthcare managers can use this study to understand the performance of their healthcare system. This study can further be used for designing effective strategies for deploying MCPS to be effective and efficient in each of the dimensions of healthcare service delivery.

Originality/value

The previous studies have focussed on technology aspects of MCPS and none of them critically analysed the impact on healthcare service delivery. This is the first literature review carried out to understand the impact of MCPS on the nine dimensions of healthcare service delivery proposed by WHO. This study provides improved thematic awareness of the resulting body of knowledge, allowing the field of MCPS and healthcare service delivery to progress in a more informed and multidisciplinary manner.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 34 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 March 2020

Kofi Agyekum, Emmanuel Adinyira and Godslove Ampratwum

Sustainability has become a topical issue in many countries, with emphasis on green buildings. Though Ghana has recently adopted green buildings, there is lack of its speedy…

Abstract

Purpose

Sustainability has become a topical issue in many countries, with emphasis on green buildings. Though Ghana has recently adopted green buildings, there is lack of its speedy implementation. There is little literature on the adoption of green certification of buildings, especially in a developing country like Ghana. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that drive the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts face-to-face and telephone interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide among ten built environment professionals. Qualitative responses to the interview are thematically analysed using Nvivo 11 Pro analysis application software.

Findings

The findings suggest that “observability of the benefits of green certified buildings”, “commitment of Government to green building initiatives”, “incorporating green certification of buildings into the code of practice of professional bodies”, “green building certification incentives”, “public acknowledgement of the green building concept”, “policies and regulations to enforce the adoption of the concept” and “effective communication and source of information on the concept” are the factors that drive the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the understanding of the factors that drive the adoption of green building certification in Ghana. With these findings, stakeholders and industry practitioners can make informed decisions regarding how they can put in place strategies to ensure the effective adoption of green certification of buildings. Though this study was conducted within the context of Ghana, its findings and implications can be useful to policy makers, stakeholders and practitioners in other developing countries.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2015

Hasan Fauzi and Sami R.M. Musallam

This study aims to examine the effects of corporate ownership (government-linked investment companies, GLICs), linearity of GLICs, board ownership and linearity of board ownership…

4011

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of corporate ownership (government-linked investment companies, GLICs), linearity of GLICs, board ownership and linearity of board ownership on company performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data from companies that are listed on the Malaysian Stock Exchange during the period of 2000 to 2009, this study uses weighted least square models.

Findings

The results show that GLICs ownership is positively and significantly related to company performance, while board ownership is negatively and significantly related to company performance. These findings suggest that GLICs ownership improves company performance, while board ownership destroys company performance. The results also show that while GLICs ownership has an inverted U-shaped relationship with company performance, board ownership has a U-shaped relationship with company performance.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical implication of this study is that agency problem decreases in companies with low and high levels of board ownership concentration, while it increases in companies with middle level of board ownership concentration. Furthermore, agency cost decreases in companies with a certain level of GLICs ownership concentration as the government’s New Economic Model (NEM) expects. However, agency cost increases in companies after a certain level of GLICs ownership concentration.

Practical implications

In practical perspectives, this study provides evidence to policy makers that the government’s proposal to reduce GLICs’ investments in Malaysia and diversify them aboard as mentioned in NEM is supported because the decrease in GLICs stakes in certain level may increase company performance. On the other hand, if the policy of the government is to increase GLICs stakes, the company performance may decrease after a certain level of ownership concentration. This study also provides evidence that investors can invest in companies with low and high board ownership concentration. Furthermore, the NEM policy gives investors an opportunity to invest in the companies with GLICs. Reducing GLICs stakes in the Malaysian market and putting them in the international markets, as mentioned in the Malaysian Government’s NEM policy, will create more opportunities for international investors to invest their fund in the Malaysian market. Thus, the emerging markets exist. In addition, the NEM policy also encourages institutional ownerships like domestic and foreign to increase their stakes instead of GLICs in the Malaysian market.

Originality/value

So far, most of the previous studies on GLICs and board ownerships in the Malaysian setting focused on the relationship of the ownership structure with company performance. However, no study has been done to examine the linearity effects of GLICs and board ownerships on company performance. The study is very important to perform to provide the policy makers and investors with clear guidance before their decisions.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

11 – 20 of 25