Search results
21 – 30 of 59Jianming Zhang, Lei Han, Yudong Zhong, Yunqiao Dong and Weicheng Lin
This paper aims to propose a boundary element analysis of two-dimensional linear elasticity problems by a new expanding element interpolation method.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a boundary element analysis of two-dimensional linear elasticity problems by a new expanding element interpolation method.
Design/methodology/approach
The expanding element is made up based on a traditional discontinuous element by adding virtual nodes along the perimeter of the element. The internal nodes of the original discontinuous element are referred to as source nodes and its shape function as raw shape function. The shape functions of the expanding element constructed on both source nodes and virtual nodes are referred as fine shape functions. Boundary variables are interpolated by the fine shape functions, while the boundary integral equations are collocated on source nodes.
Findings
The expanding element inherits the advantages of both the continuous and discontinuous elements while overcomes their disadvantages. The polynomial order of fine shape functions of the expanding elements increases by two compared with their corresponding raw shape functions, while the expanding elements still keep independence to each other as the original discontinuous elements. This feature makes the expanding elements able to naturally and accurately interpolate both continuous and discontinuous fields.
Originality/value
Numerical examples are presented to verify the proposed method. Results have demonstrated that the accuracy, efficiency and convergence rate of the expanding element method.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Rafi, Zheng JianMing and Khurshid Ahmad
Digital library database resources have a significant impact on stimulating the research culture in higher education. The use of digital databases makes it possible to understand…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital library database resources have a significant impact on stimulating the research culture in higher education. The use of digital databases makes it possible to understand intellectual growth, research productivity, planning and identification of user information needs. Evaluating the effectiveness of user database resource utilization and research, the purpose of this study is to assist management in developing an excellent academic policy.
Design/methodology/approach
This study establishes a quantitative method to analyze the productivity of academic research using digital databases. The secondary data extracted from the databases of 52 universities provided by Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the literature published on the Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science. The statistical technique simple linear regression was used to analyze the data for understanding the impact of independent variables the “digital databases” on the dependent variable “research productivity”.
Findings
The result of the coefficient of multiple determination, R-squared, R2 0.679, indicated 67 per cent impact of the predictor on the outcome variable. However, the standardized coefficient Beta 0.824 revealed 82 per cent impact of the individual predictor on the outcome variable. Overall, the result of linear regression showed a significant effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. Besides, the result of correlation and the strength of association between the database resources and the academic publication was significant (p < 0.005).
Practical implications
This research work is a supportive tool for managing gaps and promoting the development of necessary measures to develop strategies and solutions to create a better academic environment. The ultimate use of standard database resources can foster higher academic research to develop innovative ideas and improve researchers’ cognitive abilities.
Originality/value
From Pakistan’s point of view, this study is the first one that gives insight into the intellectual growth of young researchers in higher education. The study provides first-hand information on the use of database resources and their significant impact on the productivity of academic research.
Details
Keywords
Khurshid Ahmad, Zheng JianMing and Muhammad Rafi
This study aims to propose a model based on philosophical thoughts of Dr S.R Ranganathan and the lean-startup method for the execution of big data analytics (BDA) in libraries…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose a model based on philosophical thoughts of Dr S.R Ranganathan and the lean-startup method for the execution of big data analytics (BDA) in libraries. The research paves a way to understand the role and required competencies of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals for the implementation of BDA in libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
In the BDA analytics context, a session with a proposed model was presented to the audience to get the response of librarians about the required competencies and skills. The research tool was developed based on the literature review to know the role of LIS professionals and their required competencies/skills for BDA. The questionnaire was distributed in the BDA session to collect the responses of the participating audience on the variables that focused on the role and core competencies of LIS professionals in BDA. In the analysis of results, the independent t-test was applied to know the mean value of the overall response rate.
Findings
The findings show that perceptions of LIS professionals in the understanding of BDA ranked high in data privacy, data availability, data organization and data literacy. Digital data curation, policies supervision and providing the data consultancy also showed a significant relationship among these variables. Besides, the correlation between the required skills for BDA, metadata skills, data ethics, data acquisition, data cleaning, data organization, data analysis, digital curation, data clustering, data protection rules and digital visualization also showed a beneficial relationship.
Originality/value
This study also helps to understand the perspective of LIS professionals for the implementation of BDA in libraries and to fill the literature gap in the respective.
Details
Keywords
Kara Kockelman and Jianming Ma
Purpose: This chapter synthesises a variety of findings on the topic of aggressive driving and delivers a suite of strategies for moderating such behaviours. Examples and formal…
Abstract
Purpose: This chapter synthesises a variety of findings on the topic of aggressive driving and delivers a suite of strategies for moderating such behaviours. Examples and formal definitions of aggressive driving acts are given, along with specific techniques for reducing excessive speed and other aggressive behaviours.
Methodology: Key references from the literature are summarised and discussed, and two examples detailing how multi-parameter distributions and models compare with the negative binomial distribution and model are presented.
Findings: Speeding is the most common type of aggressive driving, and speeding-related crashes represent a high share of traffic deaths. Speeding relates to many factors, including public attitudes, personal behaviours, vehicle performance capabilities, roadway design attributes, laws and policies. Anonymity, while encased in a vehicle, and driver frustration, due to roadway congestion or other issues, contribute to aggressive driving.
Research implications: More observational data are needed to quantify the effects of the contributing factors on aggressive driving.
Practical implications: Driver frustration, intoxication and stress can lead to serious crashes and other traffic problems. They can be addressed, to some extent, through practical enforcement, design decisions and education campaigns.
Details
Keywords
Chun-Hin Chan and Alfred Ka Chun Ma
– The paper aims to investigate order-based manipulation that consists of order-placing strategies.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to investigate order-based manipulation that consists of order-placing strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the bid and ask record provided by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, a Level II dataset, the paper develops a methodology to obtain cancelled orders during regular trading hours. The paper examines the cancelled orders and potential order-based manipulation activities, as well as the corresponding behavior of different groups of stocks.
Findings
Empirical results show that the relationship between order cancellation and order-based manipulation is strong and deserves more attention.
Originality/value
The methodology can also be used by regulators and authorities to monitor suspicious activities in the market. This paper also suggests that analysis on high-frequency data does improve the understanding of trading activities in the stock market.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Rafi, Khurshid Ahmad, Salman Bin Naeem, Asad Ullah Khan and Zheng JianMing
Digital libraries promote and accelerate scientific research in academic institutions. The subscribed database resources of digital libraries have become an increasingly valuable…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital libraries promote and accelerate scientific research in academic institutions. The subscribed database resources of digital libraries have become an increasingly valuable asset for researchers. Database resources help generate new ideas, determine research directions and promote productive academic interaction between teachers and students in the information age. The purpose of this study is to examine the use of electronic resources by students in various databases, the research productivity of the faculty in the science network and the number of students who graduate each year.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a quantitative method to collect secondary data from the central database of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for the population of 26 universities for 2 years (2015–2016). In addition to the HEC digital library, data was also collected from the Web of Science to determine the quality academic performance of faculty and researchers. Moreover, in the study, the total strength of teaching staff and doctoral faculty was extracted from the HEC website for investigation. The authors applied the Spearman’s correlation test to the secondary data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.
Findings
The correlation results of the enrolled students and the downloaded papers from various databases were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). However, the result showed a positive correlation (p < 0.05) between the use of selected/known databases from a number of databases accessed by the HEC. More importantly, it turns out that the faculty’s productivity in the scientific network and the number of students who graduated from public and private universities are found to be insignificant (p > 0.05). However, the authors found a positive correlation (p < 0.05) between doctoral and non-doctoral faculties, which show that a significant number of non-doctoral faculties are still actively involved in teaching and research.
Originality/value
Research based on academic activities by faculties and students, performed for the first time on the basis of secondary data, will help the HEC and university management to determine the right direction and develop plans to improve academic performance and research quality.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Rafi, Zheng JianMing and Khurshid Ahmad
In the age of knowledge explosion, modern technology facilitates the acquisition, organization and effective dissemination of information to support academic research. To achieve…
Abstract
Purpose
In the age of knowledge explosion, modern technology facilitates the acquisition, organization and effective dissemination of information to support academic research. To achieve long-term educational goals, integrating digital resources into a knowledge management model (KMM) has become a necessary prerequisite for university management. The proposed KMM aims to combine resources and technology to facilitate resource management, navigation and cross-database search for advanced research.
Design/methodology/approach
The published literature on digital resource integration was reviewed, and the status of resource organization was discussed with experts to compile research instruments together with the perspectives of serving professionals in universities. The data obtained was systematically processed to develop an integrated resource KMM. Data volume measurement was done with the SPSS software and AMOS was used for path analysis and modeling. After the conceptual model was developed, many assumptions were associated with it, and the software was run on the data set to validate the proposed theoretical model.
Findings
Library resources with four components (digital resources, information technology, financial planning and service promotion) have been successfully integrated into the knowledge management framework to organize resources and provide academic services for researchers. In addition to the organization of digital resources, the two components of knowledge management, such as the explicit knowledge of its technology-oriented nature and the tacit knowledge of its human-centered positions, remained useful to strengthen the integration process.
Practical implications
With the development of digital technology and the internet, information authentication, access and dissemination have become a complex task for information centers. As an integral part of modern digital libraries, the expansion of digital collections requires proper accessibility organization. Owing to the increasing number of digital resources, organization and management require thorough research and appropriate integration mechanisms. This integrated KMM helps to organize heterogeneous information resources and databases in libraries for long-term academic tasks.
Originality/value
Based on literature studies and discussions with academic experts, integration problems were identified, and raw data were obtained from the library management to find a solution. It is unique research owing to a lack of original work and extensive international literature on resource integration in connection with KMMs. This study has innovative findings that can add value to world literature.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to improve the D* algorithm which has been used usually in robotics for mobile robot navigation in unknown or dynamic environments.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the D* algorithm which has been used usually in robotics for mobile robot navigation in unknown or dynamic environments.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the model of 2D workspace with some obstacles is expressed in regularity grids. The optimal path is planned by using the improved D* algorithm by searching in the neighbor grid cells in 16 directions. It makes the robot that the smallest turning angle drops to π/8. The robot moving angle discrete precision is raised and the unnecessary cost of path planning is reduced so the robot motion path is smoother. Then, the improved D* algorithm is simulated in MOBOTSIM software environment and is tested by the WiRobotX80 mobile robot.
Findings
To search in the neighbor grid cells in 16 directions instead of eight directions by using D* algorithms for path planning.
Research limitations/implications
The map should be expressed in regularity grids.
Originality/value
The improved D* algorithm is effective and it can result in a higher quality path than the conventional D* algorithm at the same map environment.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Rafi, Zheng JianMing and Khurshid Ahmad
Digital literacy has become a widely studied topic for connecting people, participation in government and public affairs. It encourages library professionals to train students and…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital literacy has become a widely studied topic for connecting people, participation in government and public affairs. It encourages library professionals to train students and effectively acquire, preserve and disseminate knowledge. Academic libraries involve using digital technology improved the students’ level of digital literacy and technological skills. This paper aims to understand the students’ technological competence in using database resources and searching for online information. In addition, to evaluate the training contents and designated instructors on digital literacy education, the study also focuses on digitally exposed students’ learning behavior, the library management and students’ academic interaction on new technological trends.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a quantitative method for which primary data were collected from university students using a structured research questionnaire. Through targeted random sampling techniques, 1,500 printed questionnaires were distributed among students, and 1,266 (84.4%) responses were received. The authors applied descriptive statistics to analyze the demographic information of male and female students. The statistical technique Chi-square test (χ2) was applied using SPSS to determine the association between variables. Moreover, Bonferroni correction for the new a value [modified = 0.05/number of possible comparisons/analysis for each question shown in Tables (II-IX)] was also used to avoid a family-wise error.
Findings
The results inferred a strong association between students’ technological skill with using digital tools, utilization of database resources and browsing networked information on the Web. The association between universities in terms of recruiting designated instructors on digital literacy education, introducing ICT based curriculum and the association between library management in maintaining a regular training program on digital literacy demonstrated a negative association. Besides, the findings disclosed that student’s digital exposure is not the forcing factor in developing technological competence, but found to be a more encouraging factor. It was also concluded that library technological involvement significantly improves student technology-based learning skills.
Practical implications
The results obtained after the analyzed data may help library management in providing long-term strategy for improving digital literacy education and training for students in the effective utilization of technology for better academic performance and social integration.
Originality/value
The study was based on quantitative methods using a questionnaire. Extensive database coverage and digital literacy skills based on coach input can improve student performance and academic quality.
Details