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1 – 10 of 195
Book part
Publication date: 12 July 2021

Shariffah Suhaila Syed Jamaludin

The objective of this study is to propose a functional framework for hydrological applications by treating flood hydrographs as functional data. Discrete flow data are transformed…

Abstract

The objective of this study is to propose a functional framework for hydrological applications by treating flood hydrographs as functional data. Discrete flow data are transformed into a smoothing hydrograph curve, which can be analysed at any time interval. The concept of functional data considered the entire curve concerning time as a single observation. This chapter briefly discussed the idea of descriptive statistics, principal components and outliers in a functional framework. These methods were illustrated in the flood study at Sungai Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia. The results showed that five main components accounted for almost 73.8% of the overall flow variance. Based on the results of the factor scores, the hydrograph curves for the years 1988, 1993 and 2014 may be said to have a unique cluster of their own, while the rest of the years which consider having the same pattern. Due to various shapes and magnitudes, the hydrograph curves of 1988 and 2014 are considered outliers. In conclusion, the functional framework has shown that it is capable of representing a wide range of hydrographs and is capable of extracting additional information found in the hydrograph curve that cannot possibly be captured using classical statistical methods.

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2019

Shankar Chakraborty and Ankan Mitra

The purpose of this paper is thus to develop a hybrid decision-making model for optimal coal blending strategy. Coal is one of the major resources contributing to generation of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is thus to develop a hybrid decision-making model for optimal coal blending strategy. Coal is one of the major resources contributing to generation of electricity and anthropogenic carbon-dioxide emission. Being formed from dead plant matter, it undergoes a series of morphological changes from peat to lignite, and finally to anthracite. Because of non-uniform distribution of coal over the whole earth and continuous variation in its compositions, coals mined from different parts of the world have widely varying properties. Hence, it requires an ideal blending strategy such that the coking coal having the optimal combination of all of its properties can be used for maximum benefit to the steel making process.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a multi-criteria decision-making approach is proposed while integrating preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations (PROMETHEE II and V) and geometrical analysis for interactive aid (GAIA) method to aid in formulating an optimal coal blending strategy. The optimal decision is arrived at while taking into account some practical implications associated with blending of coal, such as coal price from different reserves.

Findings

Different grades of coal are ranked from the best to the worst to find out the composition of constituent coals in the final blending process. Coals from the mines of two different geographical regions are considered here so as to prove the applicability of the proposed model. Adoption of this hybrid decision-making model would subsequently improve the performance of coal after blending and help in addressing some sustainability issues, like less pollution.

Originality/value

As this model takes into account the purchase price of coals from different reserves, it is always expected to provide more realistic solutions. Thus, it would be beneficial to deploy this decision-making model to different blending optimization problems in other spheres of a manufacturing industry. This model can further accommodate some more realistic criteria, such as availability of coal in different reserves as a topic of future research work.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 12 July 2021

Abstract

Details

Water Management and Sustainability in Asia
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-114-3

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 12 July 2021

Abstract

Details

Water Management and Sustainability in Asia
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-114-3

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2018

Hau Ching Phyllis Chung and Kemi Adeyeye

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate the flood impact on a detached dwelling based on physical attributes related to the positioning, form and orientation…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate the flood impact on a detached dwelling based on physical attributes related to the positioning, form and orientation of the house, and second, to investigate the effectiveness of property-level protection (PLP) to mitigate the direct structural damage of the house and the degree of floodwater ingress within the house.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods included modelling and simulation within the ANSYS Fluent® computational fluid dynamics software. Flooding scenarios with constrained parameters using theoretical modelling methods/tools were used to test the research hypotheses. Therefore, the results obtained will match the what-if scenarios considered if/based on the standard equations and assumptions made in the idealised model.

Findings

It was found that the position, orientation and form of an individual dwelling with brick and block construction informs the impact of the applied pressure on the structure and water ingress. Increase in pressure on the structure was noted from 0.3 m. All examined PLP mitigated the risk of structural damage if applied in consideration with other interventions e.g. mortar sealing. The use of non-return valves could potentially increase the pressure on the structure, but was also found to be effective in reducing water ingress. Findings should be considered in conjunction with the assumptions and exceptions of this study.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are that the findings are based on an idealised model of a single detached house, with no landscape obstruction to the watercourse. This mathematical approach concerned with developing the normative models may therefore not fully describe the real-world complex phenomena. But it provides the first vision and an objective basis to answer the questions under study, and to propose usable outputs. Flooding caused from internal sources (e.g. bursting of pipes, roof leaks) or seepage from the ground and moisture through the walls were excluded. Building content was not modelled.

Practical implications

Common property-level flood interventions are typically tested to mitigate water ingress to the house. This study extends this approach to include the prevention of structural damage to the external walls; this can help to avoid the indiscriminate use of property-level flood prevention solutions without full understanding of their degree of effectiveness or impact on the building’s structural integrity. This study is practically significant because it provides outputs and means to examine which intervention(s) are better for delivering flood protection to a standard brick/block detached house type. This knowledge is highly beneficial for relevant stakeholders who can use it to deliver effective property-level flooding resilience measures.

Originality/value

The study provides useful insights for property owners and building professionals to explore suitable, cost-effective single property-level protection against flooding. Furthermore, the effective implementation of interventions can be used to achieve a customised, “fit for purpose” resilience retrofit.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 36 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 February 2018

Fellipe Silva Martins and Wagner Cezar Lucato

Studies on the performance of agribusiness cooperatives in Brazil focus on economic and financial aspects. The purpose of this paper is to further delve into such studies by…

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Abstract

Purpose

Studies on the performance of agribusiness cooperatives in Brazil focus on economic and financial aspects. The purpose of this paper is to further delve into such studies by investigating which commonly measurable structural production factors (horizontal, vertical and lateral diversification; operating area; number of associates; and time in operation) have greater impacts on the financial performance of such cooperatives.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve such a goal, a survey was conducted with a sampling pool divided by size (annual net revenues of US$ 50 million or higher), and the questionnaire was employed as a method of data collection. The sample was concentrated in the southern, south-eastern and mid-western regions of Brazil; classified by size; and deemed adequate after several adequacy tests.

Findings

The results were analysed using Spearman’s correlation, which showed that there were no significant correlations between the structural production factors considered in this study and the economic-financial performance of agricultural cooperatives, which leads to questions about the effectiveness of employing diversification strategies with a conjoint approach. Nonetheless, it was possible to identify several relationships not mentioned in the original hypotheses that might be addressed further in future studies.

Research limitations/implications

The data obtained should be interpreted with caution because heteroscedasticity was detected. Although the cause could not be clearly identified, the presence of heteroscedasticity could mean that smaller and similar cooperatives present similar variation in their diversification and production base strategies.

Originality/value

This work sought to generate knowledge regarding operations management, which was achieved by demonstrating that production diversification in a dynamic and relevant economic sector, that is, agricultural cooperatives, is limited in terms of financial return when performed in an isolated mode. Hence, cooperatives’ production managers should take into account the totality of structural production factors during their planning activities.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1948

THE Rainbow is the commercial adaptation of the XF‐12 photographic aeroplane the Republic Aviation Corporation completed for the Army Air Forces. In 1943, the Photographic Section…

Abstract

THE Rainbow is the commercial adaptation of the XF‐12 photographic aeroplane the Republic Aviation Corporation completed for the Army Air Forces. In 1943, the Photographic Section of the A.A.F. issued specifications for a new multi‐engined, long‐range, high‐speed, reconnaissance aeroplane to fly at very high altitudes. The required performance was so much beyond anything in existence at the time that it posed a real problem to designers of high performance aeroplanes. Republic engineers, who for years had specialized in high‐altitude, high‐speed pursuit planes, eagerly accepted the challenge. After exhaustive studies it was found that the performance required by the specification could only be met with a four‐engined machine using Pratt and Whitney R‐4360 engines, supercharged to carry full military power to 40,000 ft. Other combinations would either fail in speed, or in range, or in desired rate of climb or ceiling. A proposal based on four 4360 engines was submitted to the A.A.F., and in March 1944, the Company was awarded a contract for two XF‐12 aircraft. The first prototype was completed in December, 1945, and made its first flight on February 4, 1946.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Abstract

Details

Customer Development of Effective Performance Indicators in Local and State Level Public Administration
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83982-148-6

Article
Publication date: 1 November 1998

Victoria Catterson, Angela Robb and Catriona Semple

Presents the three winning entries from the 1998 Scottish Schools Essay Competition, organized by the University of Paisley Library and sponsored by John Smith & Son Bookshops…

260

Abstract

Presents the three winning entries from the 1998 Scottish Schools Essay Competition, organized by the University of Paisley Library and sponsored by John Smith & Son Bookshops Ltd. Victoria Catterson’s first prize winning entry discusses Jeanette Winterson’s Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit which explores the major themes of the novel: self‐identity, love and betrayal. Angela Robb discusses the theme of avariciousness, and the misfortunes that befall a family as a result of it, from John Steinbeck’s The Pearl. Catriona Semple discusses Jostein Gaarder’s The Solitaire Mystery where a Magic Island, Rainbow Fizz, the indigenous dwarfs and a pack of cards are found to be more akin to life on earth than you might at first expect.

Details

Library Review, vol. 47 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 11 August 2022

Salvatore Monaco

Sociological researches about tourism of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are growing in number. These studies are carried out mainly in Anglo-Saxon countries…

3690

Abstract

Purpose

Sociological researches about tourism of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are growing in number. These studies are carried out mainly in Anglo-Saxon countries, although nowadays tour operators, travel agencies, cruise and airline companies have started to reserve more and more services and promotions to this group of travellers all around the world. To fill this gap, the paper presents the results of a research that involved 650 Italian LGBT Millennial travellers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the exploratory technique of multiple correspondence analysis, the research focussed on the study of decision-making processes, finding out the factors that drive young LGBT people to prefer one destination over the others, distinguishing motivations between pull and push factors.

Findings

For Italian LGBT Millennials, tourism means more than just recreation. Tourism could also represent a strategy that gives them temporary escape from social prejudice and inequality, since tourist experiences provide an opportunity to re-build LGBT people' sexual identity and enjoy social freedom that LGBT people are deprived of whilst being at home.

Originality/value

The analysis allowed to underline some differences. Even if LGBT people share the burden of being as a member of a sexual and gender minority, LGBT people attribute a slightly different meaning to tourism, considering distinct push and pull factors.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 42 no. 13/14
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

1 – 10 of 195