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1 – 10 of 597
Article
Publication date: 21 July 2023

Sarah Adeyinka, Ine Lietaert and Ilse Derluyn

This paper aims to explore the role of family members in human trafficking and how their roles impact and are perceived by their children and wards.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of family members in human trafficking and how their roles impact and are perceived by their children and wards.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses data collected through a longitudinal, cross-country study. The study was conducted among 31 female, Nigerian victims of trafficking in Italy.

Findings

The authors argue that family members play important, howbeit diverse roles across space and time, in the different stages of the trafficking process, echoing a relational approach of their geographies.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the under-researched role of how family members may (wilfully or unknowingly) facilitate and aid the trafficking of their dependents and the consequences of their involvement on their children and wards.

Details

International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, vol. 19 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-9894

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2024

Yitian Xiao, Jiawu Dai and J. Alexander Nuetah

The purpose of this paper is to test the overshooting effects of monetary expansion on prices of agricultural products at farm production, processing and circulation stages in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the overshooting effects of monetary expansion on prices of agricultural products at farm production, processing and circulation stages in China, and to investigate the heterogeneity of the overshooting mechanisms in these three links.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical results are obtained through the vector error correction model and the overshooting framework proposed by Saghaian et al. (2002b). Specifically, we first apply the Dickey–Fuller generalized least squares (DF-GLS) method to test the stationarity of the key variables, and then use the Johansen’s (1991) method to conduct the cointegration test. Finally, the vector error correction model is employed to examine the overshooting hypotheses in the three stages of China’s agricultural sector.

Findings

Empirical results indicate that overshooting of prices relative to monetary expansion in China’s agricultural sector is a common phenomenon, but with significant heterogeneity. Firstly, at the stage of agricultural production, the overshooting degree and restoration rate of material price are greater than those of agricultural products price. Secondly, at the processing stage of agricultural products, both the purchase price of agricultural products and industrial producer price have an overshooting effect, but the overshooting effect of the former is more significant than the latter. Thirdly, at the circulation stage of agricultural products, the overshooting coefficient of the wholesale price index of agricultural products is the most significant, while that of the retail and purchase price of agricultural products is not significant.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to proposing a comprehensive framework on testing the overshooting effects for three main stages of agricultural sector in China and empirically investigating the heterogeneity of the overshooting mechanisms in different stages with time series methods.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 August 2023

Shakiba Narjabadi Fam and Ramona Massoud

Food safety is among the most important topics in the world. According to WHO guidelines, aflatoxins are one of the most hazardous food toxins. Therefore, their detection in food…

Abstract

Purpose

Food safety is among the most important topics in the world. According to WHO guidelines, aflatoxins are one of the most hazardous food toxins. Therefore, their detection in food products seems crucial due to health problems. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the different types of biosensors in aflatoxin determination.

Design/methodology/approach

Traditional detection methods are time consuming and expensive. As fast and accurate detection is important in monitoring food contaminants, alternative analytical methods would be essential. Biosensors are the intelligent design of sensitive sensors for precise detection of toxins in a short time. Various biosensors are being applied for aflatoxins detection in food products with many advantages over the traditional methods.

Findings

Biosensors are cost-effective, stable and have possessed high selectivity, specificity and accuracy in aflatoxins detection. Applying biosensors has been increased recently, so biosensing methods (optical, electrochemical, piezoelectrical, immunosensors, surface plasmon resonance and calorimetric) are discussed along with their advantages in this article.

Research limitations/implications

More efforts should be occurred to detect and decrease the aflatoxins by biosensors, and some traits like accuracy and selectivity would be the purpose of future projects. The combination of various techniques would also help in toxin detection issue in food products, so high efforts in this regard are also required for the upcoming years.

Originality/value

This article also reviews different types of biosensors simultaneously and explains their specificity for aflatoxin determination in different food products and also the future trends and requirements.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 53 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 July 2023

Rana Bahaa Elsayed, Eman EZZ Elsharkawy and Ahmed Abdelbaky Sharkawy

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and concentrations of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw buffalo milk samples obtained from four different seasons: winter…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and concentrations of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw buffalo milk samples obtained from four different seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn in Sohag City, upper Egypt, and compared the determined findings against the several regulations regarding AFM1 that have been legislated by the European Union, US Food and Drug Administration and Egyptian Regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

Simultaneous determination of aflatoxins in raw buffalo milk samples trailed in different seasons, in Sohag City, Egypt. The aflatoxin that has been included in this survey is AFM1. Milk samples were obtained from February to October 2021. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used as a methodology technique.

Findings

The results of AFM1 presented the highest frequency of occurrence, with a detected incidence of 85.5% in winter samples, 64.2% in spring samples, 78.5% in summer samples and 78.5% in autumn samples. The positive samples showed concentration range levels of AFM1 between 0.0 and 0.9 µg/kg (12 samples) in winter samples, 0.03 and 1.2 µg/kg in spring milk samples (9 samples), 0.06 and 0.8 µg/kg in summer milk samples (11 samples) and lasted with 0.028 and 0.9 µg/kg in autumn milk samples (11 samples). The percentage of AFM1samples exceeded the maximum residues limit of Egyptian Standard Regulation 2010/7136 last updated, 78%, 57%, 100% and 64% in the four examined seasons, respectively.

Originality/value

The residue levels of AFM1 obtained in the investigated samples represented a serious concern about the health risk of consumers. Milk is introduced to the diet plan all over the people units especially the offspring ones as it is a complete food that contains a lot of important nutrients. So it is worth to set a regular schedule for monitoring and inspection of dairy products for aflatoxin residues.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 54 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 October 2022

Andrea Herrera, Paula Velandia, Mario Sánchez and Jorge Villalobos

This paper aims to propose a conceptualization of the supply chain resilience domain using conceptual modelling techniques formalized through a metamodel and illustrated through…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a conceptualization of the supply chain resilience domain using conceptual modelling techniques formalized through a metamodel and illustrated through an example.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses conceptual modelling techniques to build and modularize the metamodel, the latter to manage complexity. The metamodel was built iteratively and subsequently instantiated with an example of a yogurt factory to analyse its usefulness and theoretical relevance, and thus its contributions to the domain.

Findings

Conceptual modelling techniques can represent a complex domain such as supply chain resilience simply, and the proposed metamodel makes it possible to create models that become valuable decision support tools.

Originality/value

Consolidation and structuring of concepts in the supply chain resilience domain through conceptual modelling techniques.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 18 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 May 2022

Jianfang Qi, Yue Li, Haibin Jin, Jianying Feng and Weisong Mu

The purpose of this study is to propose a new consumer value segmentation method for low-dimensional dense market datasets to quickly detect and cluster the most profitable…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a new consumer value segmentation method for low-dimensional dense market datasets to quickly detect and cluster the most profitable customers for the enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the comprehensive segmentation bases (CSB) with richer meanings were obtained by introducing the weighted recency-frequency-monetary (RFM) model into the common segmentation bases (SB). Further, a new market segmentation method, the CSB-MBK algorithm was proposed by integrating the CSB model and the mini-batch k-means (MBK) clustering algorithm.

Findings

The results show that our proposed CSB model can reflect consumers' contributions to a market, as well as improve the clustering performance. Moreover, the proposed CSB-MBK algorithm is demonstrably superior to the SB-MBK, CSB-KMA and CSB-Chameleon algorithms with respect to the Silhouette Coefficient (SC), the Calinski-Harabasz (CH) Index , the average running time and superior to the SB-MBK, RFM-MBK and WRFM-MBK algorithms in terms of the inter-market value and characteristic differentiation.

Practical implications

This paper provides a tool for decision-makers and marketers to segment a market quickly, which can help them grasp consumers' activity, loyalty, purchasing power and other characteristics in a target market timely and achieve the precision marketing.

Originality/value

This study is the first to introduce the CSB-MBK algorithm for identifying valuable customers through the comprehensive consideration of the clustering quality, consumer value and segmentation speed. Moreover, the CSB-MBK algorithm can be considered for applications in other markets.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 52 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 August 2023

Allaeddine Athmani and Naida Ademovic

This paper aims to develop preliminary damage scenarios for unreinforced masonry buildings located in low to moderate seismic hazard areas in Algeria, taking into account the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to develop preliminary damage scenarios for unreinforced masonry buildings located in low to moderate seismic hazard areas in Algeria, taking into account the specific site effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Three soil types were considered in this analysis according to the definition of the Algerian seismic code (RPA99/2003). Peak ground acceleration values were assigned to each soil type issued from a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). To highlight the effect of soil conditions on the seismic vulnerability analysis of masonry buildings, a site vulnerability increment is carried out, and the macroseismic Risk-UE method has been adopted and applied by developing two main seismic scenarios according to both return periods of the PSHA, 100 and 475 years, respectively.

Findings

Based on the preliminary results of rock site condition, it can be outlined that the significant damage obtained for different earthquake scenarios discovered a substantial worldwide seismic risk to the building stock of the study area. Once the site effect is integrated into the analysis, more high values of vulnerability indexes and expected damages are obtained. Moreover, it can be concluded that soft soil (S3) is a little bit more influential than stiff soil (S2) on the final vulnerability index compared to (S1). However, the difference between the soil effect S2 and S3 on the vulnerability index can be neglected.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers are encouraged to test the mechanical approaches for more detailed outcomes of a specific building analysis.

Practical implications

This research proves to the Algerian decision-makers that due to the site effects and the vulnerability of the masonry buildings, an urgent intervention program is required even for existing buildings located in low to moderate seismic hazard areas.

Originality/value

Several seismic vulnerability types of research have been conducted in Algeria for the unreinforced masonry buildings in moderate to high seismic areas in which generally the soil effect is neglected. In this context, this research paper proves that due to the site effects and the vulnerability of the masonry buildings, special attention is required even for existing buildings located in low to moderate seismic hazard areas. With this conclusion, the requirement of taking into account the soli effect in the high seismic areas is even more pronounced and should be conducted.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 December 2022

Mitja Garmut, Simon Steentjes and Martin Petrun

Small highly saturated interior permanent magnet- synchronous machines (IPMSMs) show a very nonlinear behaviour. Such machines are mostly controlled with a closed-loop cascade…

Abstract

Purpose

Small highly saturated interior permanent magnet- synchronous machines (IPMSMs) show a very nonlinear behaviour. Such machines are mostly controlled with a closed-loop cascade control, which is based on a d-q two-axis dynamic model with constant concentrated parameters to calculate the control parameters. This paper aims to present the identification of a complete current- and rotor position-dependent d-q dynamic model, which is derived by using a finite element method (FEM) simulation. The machine’s constant parameters are determined for an operation on the maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) curve. The obtained MTPA control performance was evaluated on the complete FEM-based nonlinear d-q model.

Design/methodology/approach

A FEM model was used to determine the nonlinear properties of the complete d-q dynamic model of the IPMSM. Furthermore, a fitting procedure based on the nonlinear MTPA curve is proposed to determine adequate constant parameters for MTPA operation of the IPMSM.

Findings

The current-dependent d-q dynamic model of the machine models the relevant dynamic behaviour of the complete current- and rotor position-dependent FEM-based d-q dynamic model. The most adequate control response was achieved while using the constant parameters fitted to the nonlinear MTPA curve by using the proposed method.

Originality/value

The effect on the motor’s steady-state and dynamic behaviour of differently complex d-q dynamic models was evaluated. A workflow to obtain constant set of parameters for the decoupled operation in the MTPA region was developed and their effect on the control response was analysed.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. 42 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 6 February 2024

Aminuddin Haji Marzuki and Sharifah Nurul Huda Alkaff

The current study investigates perceptions of street harassment from a linguistic perspective. With regard to the theory of speech acts, some may deem street remarks as…

Abstract

Purpose

The current study investigates perceptions of street harassment from a linguistic perspective. With regard to the theory of speech acts, some may deem street remarks as compliments instead of catcalls. There is a lack of linguistic research regarding the issue conducted with a Bruneian demographic. This study recognises the difference in the use of language by men and women and aims to find whether there is a difference in their perceptions of street remarks.

Design/methodology/approach

A method of triangulation between questionnaire surveys and focus group interviews was carried out to actualise these aims. Thirty-two female and thirty-two male respondents from the survey were used to conclude quantitative findings, whereas three male and three female participants were recruited for the focus group interview. Data were analysed through a t-test and discourse analysis consecutively.

Findings

Quantitative data (p = 0.398) reveal that both men and women perceive street remarks almost equally as a form of street harassment. However, qualitative data reveal that male language and behaviour portray a more positive and tolerant attitude.

Practical implications

This study provides evidence of the difference in perceptions between men and women towards street harassment.

Originality/value

This study explores a relatively unexplored area, that is investigating street remarks in a non-Western context, where the demographic could have different perceptions towards street remarks.

Details

Southeast Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1819-5091

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 2 August 2023

Gabrielle Pannetier Leboeuf and Anaïs Ornelas Ramirez

This chapter offers feminist perspectives on the violence exercised by female avengers in popular audiovisual products about narcotrafficking from Mexico and Colombia. Through the…

Abstract

This chapter offers feminist perspectives on the violence exercised by female avengers in popular audiovisual products about narcotrafficking from Mexico and Colombia. Through the case studies of the narcotelenovela Rosario Tijeras (RCN Televisión, 2010) and the B movie Sanguinarios del M1 (Alonso Ortiz Lara, 2011), we explore how recent Latin American narco-narratives rearticulate the ‘rape-revenge’ film. Following Valencia's conceptualisation of necroempowerment (2012), we argue that female characters respond to rape with ruthless methods in an effort to regain agency. We combine existing literature in feminist film studies with postcolonial readings of the specificities of rape-revenge in the narco-universe where the violence these heroines use as retaliation is already the norm for their male counterparts. A close reading of revenge sequences underscores how vengeance can constitute a cathartic outlet for enraged female characters, challenging stereotypes of feminine passiveness and subverting gender hierarchies. However, it also perpetuates a patriarchal order based on toxic ideals of individual power achieved through bloody methods. We examine how empowerment can entrap female protagonists and serve to differentiate the types of violence that each gender has access to, and we discuss the problematic representation of rape as a transformative moment necessary for women to later become powerful.

Details

The Emerald International Handbook of Feminist Perspectives on Women’s Acts of Violence
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-255-6

Keywords

1 – 10 of 597