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1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Jenny Craven and Peter Brophy

The aim of the Longitude II project is to design and produce a web‐based toolkit which can be adopted by all UK public library authorities to evaluate the longitudinal impact of…

440

Abstract

The aim of the Longitude II project is to design and produce a web‐based toolkit which can be adopted by all UK public library authorities to evaluate the longitudinal impact of their IT‐based services to end users. The seminar presentation at the PM5 conference will explain the genesis of the project, describe the research activity to date, give an analysis of interim results and explain how the project will progress. The enormous increase in IT‐based services provided by UK public libraries, supported by major national policies and by significant funding streams, is undoubtedly having an impact on end‐users. However, systematic assessment of that impact is by no means straightforward, and a number of studies have been undertaken to try to elucidate significant impact indicators. The Longitude II project, undertaken by CERLIM, will not only provide a toolkit of techniques to enable impact to be assessed, but carry out longitudinal assessment so that changes over time can be measured.

Details

Performance Measurement and Metrics, vol. 5 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-8047

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2013

Miguel Gómez

Despite the emphasis on 21st century learning in our schools, the use of technology and the opportunity to think creatively is often lacking in our social studies curriculum…

Abstract

Despite the emphasis on 21st century learning in our schools, the use of technology and the opportunity to think creatively is often lacking in our social studies curriculum. Specifically, opportunities for students to apply the five themes of geography to the world around them is hard to undertake when teaching is primarily conducted via a traditional textbook or supplemented with only audio and visual materials. In order to give students an authentic opportunity to apply the five themes of geography and to build their 21st century learning skills through the use of creative thinking tasks, handheld global positioning system (GPS) devices were introduced to a middle grades classroom. This manuscript documents the steps taken with these handheld GPS devices over the course of a two-week unit on the five themes of geography. Following a detailed explanation of each day’s activity, a discussion highlights how the infusion of technology and the opportunity to think creatively created a culture of learning within the classroom.

Details

Social Studies Research and Practice, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1933-5415

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2015

Shing Yik Yim and Hexi Baoyin

The purpose of this paper is to design free return trajectories launching at lower-latitude launch site Wenchang and landing at relatively high-latitude landing site Siziwang…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design free return trajectories launching at lower-latitude launch site Wenchang and landing at relatively high-latitude landing site Siziwang Banner tailored to human lunar missions for China, and in general demonstrate the feasibility of high-latitude landings with acceptable entry range.

Design/methodology/approach

Free return trajectories satisfying all basic constraints were generated directly by a high-fidelity model with multiple differential corrections. Suitable initial assumptions, control parameters, constraints and stopping conditions were set. Method was developed to automatically converge unlimited trajectories accurately to the same constraints, and their characteristics affected by the ephemeris were analyzed.

Findings

Launching into lower Earth inclination plus high-latitude landing with acceptable entry range requires asymmetric trajectories with high inclination Earth entry only from the south. Periodic trends of parameters at launch, injection and entry were found and analyzed. Nominal trajectory covering phases from launch to landing for China human moon flight with minimum entry range were designed.

Practical implications

Such trajectories can be used by China’s future manned lunar missions. Spacecraft capability and ground station distribution shall adjust accordingly.

Originality/value

Previous studies mainly concentrated on symmetric free returns using low-fidelity models first. This paper investigates asymmetric free returns skipping simplified gravity model approximation to simultaneously achieve high-latitude landing and acceptable entry range, and accurate automated generation of feasible trajectories daily across 19-year lunar nodal cycle within every monthly launch window without trial and error to reflect the actual effect by the ephemeris only. Others include landing accurately by controlling entry direction and range (and altitude), minimizing entry range and designing an effective scheme of differential correction for full convergence.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 87 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2023

Jubril Olayinka Animashaun

This study investigates the observed resurgence in religious beliefs seen across many societies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the economic theory of religious clubs, the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the observed resurgence in religious beliefs seen across many societies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the economic theory of religious clubs, the author models religious participation during the pandemic as a mechanism for alleviating the financial distress associated with the health distress from the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey (NLPS) in Nigeria, the author investigates the economic motivation for religious intensity during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address endogeneity concerns, the author exploits geographic variables of temperature and longitudes as sources of COVID-19 risk.

Findings

Overall, health distress stimulates religious intensity. Consistent with the economic theory of religious clubs, adverse health shocks stimulate financial distress, and the effect is stronger among religious participants. Similarly, people see God and not the government as a source of protection against COVID-19.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s model sees religious organizations as public goods providers, especially when governments and markets are inefficient.

Practical implications

The study’s recommendations support an expanded role for religious networks in healthcare delivery and more public funding to attenuate the post-pandemic resurgence of social violence in economically distressed regions.

Social implications

Despite the research interest in the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term implications, many of which relate to social behavior adjustments that cause individuals to identify more closely with their social group, need greater understanding. Suppose religious intensity is linked to economic distress. In that case, this is a major source of worry for countries whose economies are subject to higher fluctuations and where the governments and markets are inefficiently organized. These regions may be more susceptible to a resurgence in religious fundamentalism associated with the economic shocks from the pandemic. Consequently, these regions would require more public funding to attenuate the potential for costly activities like organized violence, suicide attacks and terrorist activities in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Originality/value

Prompted by the observation of the increase in religious identity through religious intensity during the pandemic, the author contributes by developing theoretically-based hypotheses that are incentive-compatible to provide a rational justification for the observation. The author empirically validates the hypothesis by taking advantage of the COVID-19 National Survey in Nigeria by specifically using survey rounds 4 and 7 which have more comprehensive religious items included.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-11-2022-0719

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 51 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 January 2007

Ren Yuan, Cui Pingyuan and Luan Enjie

This paper seeks to examine the development of the on‐board guidance law for multi‐revolutions orbit transfer spacecraft with low‐thrust propulsion systems.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the development of the on‐board guidance law for multi‐revolutions orbit transfer spacecraft with low‐thrust propulsion systems.

Design/methodology/approach

In the research, first, a set of equinoctial elements is utilized to avoid the singularities in dynamical equation of classical orbit elements. A thruster switch law is derived by analyzing the efficiency of the changing of each orbit elements. Second, by using the theory of Lyapunov feedback control, analytic expressions of thrust angles are derived. Finally, the weights of the Lyapunov function are adjusted by hybrid genetic algorithm to improve the performance of the guidance law.

Findings

First, the dynamical equations of classical orbit elements are always singularity during the orbit transfer. By using modified equinoctial elements, these singularities could be avoided. Second, the trajectory is sensitive to the weights in Lyapunov function. With reasonable weights, the key parameters under the control of the guidance law presented in this paper are very close to that of optimal trajectory.

Research limitations/implications

In further research, some dynamical weights methods will be used in the control law to improve the performance index, and approach the optimal solution.

Practical implications

The guidance law presented in this paper could be easily used as an on‐board algorithm for the multi‐revolutions orbit transfer or stationkeeping. Furthermore, it could also be utilized as an initial design method for low‐thrust orbit transfer.

Originality/value

Providing a low‐thrust guidance law by combining the concept of Lyapunov feedback control with hybrid genetic algorithm. This method has a super convergence and a low‐computational cost.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 79 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1989

JCSAT 1, Japan's first privately‐owned commercial communications satellite, launched by Ariane 4 rocket from French Guiana on 6th March, has now been manoeuvred into…

Abstract

JCSAT 1, Japan's first privately‐owned commercial communications satellite, launched by Ariane 4 rocket from French Guiana on 6th March, has now been manoeuvred into geosynchronous orbit over Longitude 150°E, with its antenna and solar arrays fully deployed.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 61 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2013

The purpose of this paper is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

In the early eighteenth century, an English carpenter and clock maker, John Harrison, was awarded a phenomenal sum of money – £15,000 – when he made a great scientific and technological breakthrough. Harrison invented the marine chronometer which determined ships' longitude at sea. The Longitude Prize was established after the likes of Edmond Halley and Isaac Newton had failed to come up with a solution. Recalling the story in the Harvard Business Review, Kevin J. Boudreau and Karim R. Lakhari make the point that this is really an early example of what we now call crowdsourcing – getting ideas or creating new products and services by enlisting the help of a large body of people.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 29 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2020

Sina Shokoohyar, Ahmad Sobhani and Anae Sobhani

Short-term rental option enabled via accommodation sharing platforms is an attractive alternative to conventional long-term rental. The purpose of this study is to compare rental…

1137

Abstract

Purpose

Short-term rental option enabled via accommodation sharing platforms is an attractive alternative to conventional long-term rental. The purpose of this study is to compare rental strategies (short-term vs long-term) and explore the main determinants for strategy selection.

Design/methodology/approach

Using logistic regression, this study predicts the rental strategy with the highest rate of return for a given property in the City of Philadelphia. The modeling result is then compared with the applied machine learning methods, including random forest, k-nearest neighbor, support vector machine, naïve Bayes and neural networks. The best model is finally selected based on different performance metrics that determine the prediction strength of underlying models.

Findings

By analyzing 2,163 properties, the results show that properties with more bedrooms, closer to the historic attractions, in neighborhoods with lower minority rates and higher nightlife vibe are more likely to have a higher return if they are rented out through short-term rental contract. Additionally, the property location is found out to have a significant impact on the selection of the rental strategy, which emphasizes the widely known term of “location, location, location” in the real estate market.

Originality/value

The findings of this study contribute to the literature by determining the neighborhood and property characteristics that make a property more suitable for the short-term rental vs the long-term one. This contribution is extremely important as it facilitates differentiating the short-term rentals from the long-term rentals and would help better understanding the supply-side in the sharing economy-based accommodation market.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 32 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Achour Fatma, Anis Jedidi and Faiez Gargouri

One of the open questions is how to ensure the conceptual adaptation in the pervasive system. To answer this question, the authors needed to propose a generic model and a…

Abstract

Purpose

One of the open questions is how to ensure the conceptual adaptation in the pervasive system. To answer this question, the authors needed to propose a generic model and a mechanism to describe this system and also need generic and semantic rules to ensure the adaptation. This paper aims to propose a model to describe the pervasive information system. Second, the authors suggest an approach to divide this model so as to describe each category of contextual information separately and ensure the adaptation in the pervasive system. Finally, the authors present examples of semantic rules executed in the pervasive system.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes an approach to ensure the conceptual adaptation in the pervasive system. To do it, the authors proposed a model to design the pervasive system and used semantic Web services. They proposed to divide the model to six descriptions related to the pervasive system categories information.

Findings

Pervasive information system, conceptual adaptation, semantic Web services and OWL-S are presented in this paper.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is presented in the purpose of the pervasive information system conceptual adaption in the pervasive system. In this, later, semantic Web services were used to ensure the adaptation by the adding of contextual information in the semantic Web service description.

Details

International Journal of Pervasive Computing and Communications, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-7371

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 11 April 2018

Muhammad Iftikhar Ul Husnain, Arjunan Subramanian and Azad Haider

The empirical literature on climate change and agriculture does not adequately address the issue of potential endogeneity between climatic variables and agriculture, which makes…

4160

Abstract

Purpose

The empirical literature on climate change and agriculture does not adequately address the issue of potential endogeneity between climatic variables and agriculture, which makes their estimates unreliable. This paper aims to investigate the relationships between climate change and agriculture and test the potential reverse causality and endogeneity of climatic variables to agriculture.

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduces a geographical instrument, longitude and latitude, for temperature to assess the impact of climate change on agriculture by estimating regression using IV-two-stage least squares method over annual panel data for 60 countries for the period of 1999-2011. The identification and F-statistic tests are used to choose and exclude the instrument. The inclusion of some control variables is supposed to reduce the omitted variable bias.

Findings

The study finds a negative relationship between temperature and agriculture. Surprisingly, the magnitude of the coefficient on temperature is mild, at least 20 per cent, as compared to previous studies, which may be because of the use of the instrumental variable (IV), which is also supported by an alternative robust measure when estimated across different regions.

Practical implications

The study provides strong implications for policymakers to confront climate change, which is an impending danger to agriculture. In designing effective policies and strategies, policymakers should focus not only on crop production but also on other agricultural activities such as livestock production and fisheries, in addition to national and international socio-economic and geopolitical dynamics.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the growing literature in at least four aspects. First, empirical settings introduce an innovative geographical instrument, Second, it includes a wider set of control variables in the analysis. Third, it extends previous studies by involving agriculture value addition. Finally, the effects of temperature and precipitation on a single aggregate measure, agriculture value addition, are separately investigated.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 10 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

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