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1 – 10 of 264
Article
Publication date: 1 February 1993

E.G. Sieverts, M. Hofstede, A. Nieuwland, C. Groeneveld and B. de Zwart

In this article, the sixth in a series on microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval, test results of nine programs are presented and various properties and…

Abstract

In this article, the sixth in a series on microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval, test results of nine programs are presented and various properties and qualities of these programs are discussed. We discuss additional programs for information storage and retrieval and for text retrieval from several of the various categories which have been looked at in previous instalments. One new (secondary) type of 1SR software is defined as administrative software. The programs reviewed in this issue are BRS‐Search, dtSearch, InfoBank, Micro‐OPC, Q&A, STN‐PFS, Strix, TINman and ZYindex. All but dtSearch and ZYindex can be regarded as primarily classical retrieval packages; Q&A boasts comprehensive administrative features as well; dtSearch and ZYindex are indexing programs. For ZYindex a new Windows version has been tested. All other programs run under MS‐DOS. For each of the nine programs about 100 facts and test results are tabulated. All the programs are individually discussed as well.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Article
Publication date: 5 February 2018

César Pacheco, Helcio R.B. Orlande, Marcelo Colaco and George S. Dulikravich

The purpose of this paper is to apply the Steady State Kalman Filter for temperature measurements of tissues via magnetic resonance thermometry. Instead of using classical direct…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply the Steady State Kalman Filter for temperature measurements of tissues via magnetic resonance thermometry. Instead of using classical direct inversion, a methodology is proposed that couples the magnetic resonance thermometry with the bioheat transfer problem and the local temperatures can be identified through the solution of a state estimation problem.

Design/methodology/approach

Heat transfer in the tissues is given by Pennes’ bioheat transfer model, while the Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF)-Shift technique is used for the magnetic resonance thermometry. The problem of measuring the transient temperature field of tissues is recast as a state estimation problem and is solved through the Steady-State Kalman filter. Noisy synthetic measurements are used for testing the proposed methodology.

Findings

The proposed approach is more accurate for recovering the local transient temperatures from the noisy PRF-Shift measurements than the direct data inversion. The methodology used here can be applied in real time due to the reduced computational cost. Idealized test cases are examined that include the actual geometry of a forearm.

Research limitations/implications

The solution of the state estimation problem recovers the temperature variations in the region more accurately than the direct inversion. Besides that, the estimation of the temperature field in the region was possible with the solution of the state estimation problem via the Steady-State Kalman filter, but not with the direct inversion.

Practical implications

The recursive equations of the Steady-State Kalman filter can be calculated in computational times smaller than the supposed physical times, thus demonstrating that the present approach can be used for real-time applications, such as in control of the heating source in the hyperthermia treatment of cancer.

Originality/value

The original and novel contributions of the manuscript include: formulation of the PRF-Shift thermometry as a state estimation problem, which results in reduced uncertainties of the temperature variation as compared to the classical direct inversion; estimation of the actual temperature in the region with the solution of the state estimation problem, which is not possible with the direct inversion that is limited to the identification of the temperature variation; solution of the state estimation problem with the Steady-State Kalman filter, which allows for fast computations and real-time calculations.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1997

Dirk Schoonbaert

Personal bibliographic systems (PBS) manage the input, storage, retrieval and output of bibliographic references, allowing for a number of different document types to accommodate…

Abstract

Personal bibliographic systems (PBS) manage the input, storage, retrieval and output of bibliographic references, allowing for a number of different document types to accommodate for journal articles, books, book chapters, dissertations, reports, unpublished documents, etc. Unlike general purpose database management packages they are made to measure for bibliographic information, featuring amongst other things a variety of import profiles for records downloaded from the major commercial databases and automatic generation of dozens of different output styles, including those used by the most popular journals. This paper concentrates on low‐cost mainstream bibliographic software for personal use or smaller libraries. Full‐scale integrated library automation systems and online public access catalogue (OPAC) software, which specialise in finding a specific title within a vast amount of book‐type references, are not discussed. This paper does not review or compare individual products but focuses on the various characteristics which, when available, make a PBS attractive. Special attention is paid to structural flexibility, retrieval options, input, display and output formats, and interface‐ and management‐related issues. A product‐independent table of desirable features is included as an appendix.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Article
Publication date: 4 November 2013

Cornelia Rauschenbach, Stefan Krumm, Markus Thielgen and Guido Hertel

The ongoing demographic changes in many industrialized countries affect managerial decisions in many ways, and require sound knowledge of systematic age differences in central…

6390

Abstract

Purpose

The ongoing demographic changes in many industrialized countries affect managerial decisions in many ways, and require sound knowledge of systematic age differences in central work-related variables. The current paper aims to address age differences in the experience of work-related stress. Based on life-span approaches, the authors focus on age differences in different components of the work-related stress process and meta-analyze existing empirical studies on the relationship between age and short-term indicators of work-related stress (i.e. irritation).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct both a literature review and a meta-analysis of age and indicators of work-related stress.

Findings

The literature review revealed that age might affect several components of the stress process at work. However, as these effects are partly conflicting, they might nullify each other in the overall relation between age and stress. Indeed, the conducted meta-analysis showed no general correlation between age and irritation as a short-term indicator of work-related stress. Instead, this relationship was significantly moderated by type of occupation and gender.

Research limitations/implications

The meta-analytic results are limited to short-term indicators of stress. Based on both the literature review and the meta-analytical findings, the authors introduce a research agenda for future research, including a call for more thorough research on the whole work-stress process and the integration of life-span theories.

Practical implications

A more differentiated understanding of age differences in different stages of the stress process at work facilitates the implementation of age-differentiated stress prevention and intervention strategies.

Originality/value

This study is the first meta-analysis on the relationship between age and short-term consequences of work-related stress.

Details

Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol. 28 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-3946

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 September 2016

Catherine Hellemans and Barbara Lapthorn

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the antecedents of work ability among cleaning workers, especially older cleaning workers. The objective is to understand the physical and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the antecedents of work ability among cleaning workers, especially older cleaning workers. The objective is to understand the physical and psychological working conditions related to low work ability in order to improve those making it difficult to carry out the work.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 603 Belgian cleaning workers complete the work ability index and other questionnaires on perceived health, competence, and physical and psychological work conditions.

Findings

The results confirm that older workers are a risk group in terms of work ability. Beyond the perceived health and skills, the results emphasize the contribution of pleasure at work to understand work ability. Pleasure at work itself is explained by different physical and psychological working conditions among age subgroups. Among workers under 40 years old, work pace and overload are the best predictors of pleasure at work. Among 40-49 years old, use of knowledge and opportunities for training, as well as opportunities for participation, are the best predictors of pleasure; among the oldest workers, however, repetitive movements and social support are the best.

Originality/value

This paper argues that consideration needs to be given to the fact that different psychological working conditions, especially pleasure at work, are necessary depending on a worker’s age, as well as prevention action for improving work ability.

Details

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8351

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1994

Hilary Dyer

Information technology (IT) has been hailed as a great time and paper saver. How far is this true? Are you benefiting as much as you could from the computer on your desk or are…

Abstract

Information technology (IT) has been hailed as a great time and paper saver. How far is this true? Are you benefiting as much as you could from the computer on your desk or are you wasting time learning how to use complex software when it would be more cost‐effective to buy in expertise? This paper looks at what, for some, may be novel ways of using a PC and indicates areas where computer use may not be beneficial. The article is geared towards special libraries, but may have wider applications.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2020

Thanu HP, Rajasekaran C and Deepak MD

Construction industry is one of the leading causes of pollution generation in today's context. But the fact that the development of construction industry leads to the country's…

Abstract

Purpose

Construction industry is one of the leading causes of pollution generation in today's context. But the fact that the development of construction industry leads to the country's economic and social development cannot be unobserved. Hence, there is a need to develop a sustainable construction methodology, and while doing so, measures must be considered so as to not disturb the natural habitats. With the greater prominence shown toward the concept of green and sustainable construction developments, various tools have been developed in recent years in order to measure the performance of such sustainable and green buildings. In the Indian context, the assessment tools developed to measure the performance of the green building are found to be scanty in addressing various economic and social impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims at developing a building performance score (BPS) model concerning the sustainability model built on the triple bottom priorities considering all the three vital components, viz. environmental, economic and social factors. In this study, the different phases involved in the complete life cycle of the project are recognized and then all the phases are assessed considering all the three major components mentioned in the BPS model.

Findings

The outcome of this study specifies that various indicators, such as the topographical and climate change, health and safety of the construction workers, project management consultancy, risk management, security measures and solid waste management, form a chief source of a sustainable building, and these indicators are not being assessed in the existing assessment tools. Also, consideration of environmental, economic and social factors is also equally important in construction industry. Moreover, these indicators are also required to be assessed and included in the evaluation process while assessing the performance of the building.

Originality/value

The BPS model developed in the study will assist to improve in assessing the building performance with respect to all indicators in the complete life cycle of the project.

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1994

George Válas

Until recently there were very few publications dealing with comparison of different CDROM information retrieval software packages (Richards & Robinson 1993). The few exceptions…

Abstract

Until recently there were very few publications dealing with comparison of different CDROM information retrieval software packages (Richards & Robinson 1993). The few exceptions (e.g. Harry & Oppenheim 1993; Jacsó 1991; McFaul 1992; Tian‐Zhu 1991; Zink 1991) mostly deal only with the principles of such comparisons, not with actual comparisons, and mostly only with user interfaces, not with the software as a whole. They usually give collections of rules — how to rank the CDROM publications, how to give ‘award marks’ to them — but this usually characterises CDROM publications and databases, not the software itself. Moreover, the performance factors, the properties most important for professional searchers, are usually completely missing from these collections of rules.

Details

Online and CD-Rom Review, vol. 18 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1353-2642

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 May 2019

Judith H. Semeijn, Marjolein C.J. Caniëls and Daniël Kooistra

Sustainable employability is an important goal for individuals and organizations alike. However, scarce knowledge is available on possible cross-lagged relations of resilience…

2847

Abstract

Purpose

Sustainable employability is an important goal for individuals and organizations alike. However, scarce knowledge is available on possible cross-lagged relations of resilience among police officers and different aspects of their sustainable employability over time. Based on assumptions of COR theory, the purpose of this paper is to test these relations in a two-wave design.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 532 police officers participated in a time-lagged survey design (time interval of six months) concerning their resilience and relevant aspects, i.e., self-reported vitality, workability and organization-reported individual absenteeism rates. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results indicate cross-lagged effects between resilience and vitality with an acceptable model fit. Thus, the level of resilience at T1 affected the level of vitality at T2 and vice versa. In addition, a nearly significant negative effect of vitality on T1 was found on absenteeism on T2.

Research limitations/implications

More measurements over time are needed to test reciprocal relations and possible gain spirals. Different samples are needed to assess generalizability. Cross-lagged effects may indicate a reciprocal relation between resilience and vitality that can be further facilitated.

Practical implications

For example, resilience can be addressed explicitly in training.

Originality/value

This study is the first to test the cross-lagged relations between resilience and indicators of sustainable employability among police officers. It is important to further study this for the sake of both police officers, as well as society as a whole.

Details

Policing: An International Journal, vol. 42 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 April 2010

Chiara Panari, Dina Guglielmi, Silvia Simbula and Marco Depolo

This paper aims to extend the stress‐buffering hypothesis of the demand‐control model. In addition to the control variable, it seeks to analyse the role of an opportunity for…

4380

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to extend the stress‐buffering hypothesis of the demand‐control model. In addition to the control variable, it seeks to analyse the role of an opportunity for learning and development (L&D) in the workplace as a moderator variable between increased demands and need for recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was administered to 199 employees (middle managers and clerical workers) at the district court of a region in North Italy during a period of training activities on stress management.

Findings

The results show that control and personal development perform a moderating role in the relationship between workload and the need for recovery by reducing exhaustion.

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation concerns the cross‐sectional design of the study, which does not make it possible to establish the direction of the causal relations hypothesised. Moreover, further research will be necessary to identify organisational strategies able to develop the personal competence of workers and manage learning at work.

Practical implications

The understanding of the importance of learning at work has practical implications for strategies of human resources management. Organisations that encourage personal learning by workers at the same time modify themselves, so that they become better able to adapt to changes and external demands.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the importance attributed to learning opportunities has a role in promoting work satisfaction and, specifically, in enhancing the quality of work life.

Details

Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-5626

Keywords

1 – 10 of 264