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1 – 5 of 5Koyeli Girigoswami, Agnishwar Girigoswami, A. Harini and J. Thanujashree
Menstruation is a part of the female reproductive cycle that begins with adolescence. Menstruation is a natural change; it relates to several malpractices and misconceptions that…
Abstract
Purpose
Menstruation is a part of the female reproductive cycle that begins with adolescence. Menstruation is a natural change; it relates to several malpractices and misconceptions that may contribute to adverse health outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have searched relevant papers using Google Scholar and PubMed to write this mini review.
Findings
During menstruation, poor hygiene maintenance can cause serious illness, which includes the urinary tract and reproductive tract infection. Menstruation management is a hygienic system, and it is essential for females because poor hygiene maintenance during menstruation can cause some infections and numerous sexually transmitted diseases. There are a few nanotechnology-based products that have come into the market to offer some relief to females during their periods.
Originality/value
This mini review will help researchers to design innovative female hygiene products that can relieve the discomfort caused to women during their reproductive age.
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Rakesh Sai Kumar Mandala and R. Ramesh Nayaka
This paper aims to identify modern construction techniques for affordable housing, such as prefabrication and interlocking systems, that can save time and cost while also…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify modern construction techniques for affordable housing, such as prefabrication and interlocking systems, that can save time and cost while also providing long-term sustainable benefits that are desperately needed in today's construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The need for housing is growing worldwide, but traditional construction cannot cater to the demand due to insufficient time. There should be some paradigm shift in the construction industry to supply housing to society. This paper presented a state-of-the-art review of modern construction techniques practiced worldwide and their advantages in affordable housing construction by conducting a systematic literature review and applying the backward snowball technique. The paper reviews modern prefabrication techniques and interlocking systems such as modular construction, formwork systems, light gauge steel/cold form steel construction and sandwich panel construction, which have been globally well practiced. It was understood from the overview that modular construction, including modular steel construction and precast concrete construction, could reduce time and costs efficiently. Further enhancement in the quality was also noticed. Besides, it was observed that light gauge steel construction is a modern phase of steel that eases construction execution efficiently. Modern formwork systems such as Mivan (Aluminium Formwork) have been reported for their minimum construction time, which leads to faster construction than traditional formwork. However, the cost is subjected to the repetitions of the formwork. An interlocking system is an innovative approach to construction that uses bricks made of sustainable materials such as earth that conserve time and cost.
Findings
The study finds that the prefabrication techniques and interlocking system have a lot of unique attributes that can enable the modern construction sector to flourish. The study summarizes modern construction techniques that can save time and cost, enhancing the sustainability of construction practices, which is the need of the Indian construction industry in particular.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to identifying specific modern construction techniques for time and cost savings, lean concepts and sustainability which are being practiced worldwide.
Practical implications
Modern formwork systems such as Mivan (Aluminium Formwork) have been reported for their minimum construction time which leads to faster construction than traditional formwork.
Social implications
The need for housing is growing rapidly all over the world, but traditional construction cannot cater to the need due to insufficient time. There should be some paradigm shift in the construction industry to supply housing to society.
Originality/value
This study is unique in identifying specific modern construction techniques for time and cost savings, lean concepts and sustainability which are being practiced worldwide.
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Agnishwar Girigoswami, Poornima Govindharaj, Mahashweta Mitra Ghosh and Koyeli Girigoswami
Abstract
Purpose
In addition to agriculture, energy production, and industries, potable water plays a significant role in many fields, further increasing the demand for potable water. Purification and desalination play a major role in meeting the need for clean drinking water. Clean water is necessary in different areas, such as agriculture, industry, food industries, energy generation and in everyday chores.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have used the different search engines like Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed to find the relevant articles and prepared this mini review.
Findings
The various stages of water purification include coagulation and flocculation, coagulation, sedimentation and disinfection, which have been discussed in this mini review. Using nanotechnology in wastewater purification plants can minimize the cost of wastewater treatment plants by combining several conventional procedures into a single package.
Social implications
In society, we need to avail clean water to meet our everyday, industrial and agricultural needs. Purification of grey water can meet the clean water scarcity and make the environment sustainable.
Originality/value
This mini review will encourage the researchers to find out ways in water remediation to meet the need of pure water in our planet and maintain sustainability.
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Erhan Ada, Halil Kemal Ilter, Muhittin Sagnak and Yigit Kazancoglu
The main aim of this study is to understand the role of smart technologies and show the rankings of various smart technologies in collection and classification of electronic waste…
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of this study is to understand the role of smart technologies and show the rankings of various smart technologies in collection and classification of electronic waste (e-waste).
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents a framework integrating the concepts of collection and classification mechanisms and smart technologies. The criteria set includes three main, which are economic, social and environmental criteria, including a total of 15 subcriteria. Smart technologies identified in this study were robotics, multiagent systems, autonomous tools, smart vehicles, data-driven technologies, Internet of things (IOT), cloud computing and big data analytics. The weights of all criteria were found using fuzzy analytic network process (ANP), and the scores of smart technologies which were useful for collection and classification of e-waste were calculated using fuzzy VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR).
Findings
The most important criterion was found as collection cost, followed by pollution prevention and control, storage/holding cost and greenhouse gas emissions in collection and classification of e-waste. Autonomous tools were found as the best smart technology for collection and classification of e-waste, followed by robotics and smart vehicles.
Originality/value
The originality of the study is to propose a framework, which integrates the collection and classification of e-waste and smart technologies.
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Tutku Ekiz Kavukoğlu and Emre İşci
Evaluating the operational outcomes of hospitals is critical concerns for hospital managers. The realization of these evaluations through the principles of Total Quality…
Abstract
Purpose
Evaluating the operational outcomes of hospitals is critical concerns for hospital managers. The realization of these evaluations through the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) is important so that decision-makers can base their decisions on rational grounds. To achieve TQM principles, hospitals need innovative processes that can adapt to changing patient expectations. Innovation activities that will lead to business excellence can be achieved with the strategic planning awareness of healthcare professionals. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effect of organizational innovation on business excellence and to reveal the role of strategic planning awareness in this relationship in hospitals.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected using a quantitative questionnaire to 450 healthcare professionals working in private hospitals operating in Istanbul (Turkey). The data were analyzed using the AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structures) 23.0 and SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) for Windows 25.0 program. In addition to the reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis was performed using the AMOS program to test the construct validity of the scales. The model established in line with the research hypotheses was tested with path analysis and mediator role analysis.
Findings
The results confirm that organizational innovation has a statistically significant and positive effect on strategic planning awareness and business excellence. In addition, it has been determined that strategic planning awareness has a statistically significant and positive effect on business excellence. Moreover, the research model confirms that strategic planning awareness plays a mediating role in the relationship between organizational innovation and business excellence.
Research limitations/implications
The limitation of the study is that it was conducted only in private hospitals. A comparative study that includes the public health sector can further strengthen the research framework.
Practical implications
Hospitals that invest in innovative activities can get the reward of their efforts as business excellence. However, this is affected by the strategic planning awareness of healthcare professionals. Research results present the role of strategic planning awareness on the way to business excellence led by organizational innovation. Achieving business excellence in complex and constantly changing environmental conditions depends on an appropriate strategic plan for hospitals. In order to achieve these goals included in the strategic plans, the education of healthcare professionals that contributes to their strategic perspectives should be supported and their participation in decision-making processes should be ensured.
Originality/value
The research contributes to the literature on the relationship between organizational innovation and business excellence in the health sector. In addition, revealing the role of strategic planning awareness of healthcare professionals in this relationship is the originality of the research. In addition, the research supports the literature that allows performance evaluation in hospitals to be carried out with a business excellence model based on TQM.
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