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1 – 10 of 780Khushairi Amri Kasim, Shabudin Mat, Iskandar Shah Ishak and Shuhaimi Mansor
This study aims to investigate the effects of propeller locations on the aerodynamic characteristics of a generic 55° swept angle sharp-edged delta wing unmanned aerial vehicle…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of propeller locations on the aerodynamic characteristics of a generic 55° swept angle sharp-edged delta wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) model.
Design/methodology/approach
A generic delta-winged UAV model has been designed and fabricated to investigate the aerodynamic properties of the model when the propeller is placed at three different locations. In this research, the propeller has been placed at three different positions on the wing, namely, front, middle and rear. The experiments were conducted in a closed-circuit low-speed wind tunnel at speeds of 20 and 25 m/s corresponding to 0.6 × 106 and 0.8 × 106 Reynolds numbers, respectively. The propeller speed was set at constant 6,000 RPM and the angles of attack were varied from 0° to 20° for all cases. During the experiment, two measurement techniques were used on the wing, which were the steady balance measurement and surface pressure measurement.
Findings
The results show that the locations of the propeller have significant influence on the lift, drag and pitching moment of the UAV. Another important observation obtained from this study is that the location of the propeller can affect the development of the vortex and vortex breakdown. The results also show that the propeller advance ratio can also influence the characteristics of the primary vortex developed on the wing. Another main observation was that the size of the primary vortex decreases if the propeller advance ratio is increased.
Practical implications
There are various forms of UAVs, one of them is in the delta-shaped planform. The data obtained from this experiment can be used to understand the aerodynamic properties and best propeller locations for the similar UAV aircrafts.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, the surface pressure data available for a non-slender delta-shaped UAV model is limited. The data presented in this paper would provide a better insight into the flow characteristics of generic delta winged UAV at three different propeller locations.
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Emmanuel E. Baro, Benake‐ebide C. Endouware and Janet O. Ubogu
The aim of this paper is to investigate whether undergraduate students in the College of Health Sciences in Niger Delta University are information literate, and to determine…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate whether undergraduate students in the College of Health Sciences in Niger Delta University are information literate, and to determine whether they are aware of and use different information resources including electronic ones, and to assess their ability to evaluate information before use.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaire and interview methods were used to collect data from the students.
Findings
The students mostly rely on textbooks, medical journals, the internet, colleagues, and the Nigerian National University Commission's virtual library for information. They rarely use electronic resources such as MEDLINE, HINARI, the Cochrane Library, and EbscoHost. This could be because of a lack of awareness and skills necessary to search databases. Problems such as lack of time, the challenge of locating “good citable stuff”, inability to use effectively the medical library, and poor skills in information searching were mentioned. The study recommends that medical librarians and faculty should collaborate in integrating information literacy skills into the medical school curriculum.
Originality/value
This paper may help inform discussion about students' competences for locating, selecting, evaluating and using information essential for lifelong learning.
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Addisalem Tebikew Yallew and Paul Othusitse Dipitso
In an ever-interconnected world dominated by discourses on the internationalization and marketization of higher education, concerns related to language and employability have been…
Abstract
In an ever-interconnected world dominated by discourses on the internationalization and marketization of higher education, concerns related to language and employability have been the focus of recent debates. There is, however, a dearth of research investigating how these dimensions relate to one another in recent comparative and international higher education research. By focusing on how issues related to language and employability have been presented in recent higher education research worldwide, this chapter aims to contribute to our understanding of this concern. To achieve this goal, we conducted a scoping literature review using the Web of Science, Scopus, and the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) databases, considering the years 2011–2020. The findings, perhaps not surprisingly, suggested that language skills are perceived to be valued by both graduates and employers though the discussions predominantly focused on one language, English. The research focus on English for employability in Anglophone contexts is understandable. However, the fact that the trend is observed in contexts where the language is not the primary or official language seems to indicate the influence of internationalization of higher education and global labor markets primarily dominated by English. The literature also suggested that (English) language training in higher education programs needs to move from solely linguistic and qualification-related content areas to a broader sphere of English for communication purposes that cover both specialized disciplinary content and broader generic employability skills. Considering this finding, we suggest that higher education systems and institutions incorporate recent developments in English for occupational purposes in their curriculum. We also recommend that there needs to be a shift from the overwhelmingly English language-dominated discussions to more inclusive research that assesses the impact of other dominant languages on employability-related concerns.
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Arthur Seakhoa-King, Marcjanna M Augustyn and Peter Mason
S.I. Lao, K.L. Choy, G.T.S. Ho, Y.C. Tsim and C.K.H. Lee
With the increasing concerns about food management, attention is placed on the monitoring of different potential risk factors for food handling. Therefore, the purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
With the increasing concerns about food management, attention is placed on the monitoring of different potential risk factors for food handling. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to propose a system that helps facilitate and improve the quality of decision making, reduces the level of substandard goods, and facilitates data capturing and manipulation, to help a warehouses improve quality assurance in the inventory‐receiving process with the support of technology.
Design/methodology/approach
This system consists of three modules, which integrate the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, case‐based reasoning (CBR), and fuzzy reasoning (FR) technique to help monitor food quality assurance activities. In the first module, the data collection module, raw warehouse and work station information are collected. In the second module, the data sorting module, the collected data are stored in a database. In this module, data are decoded, and the coding stored in the RFID tags are transformed into meaningful information. The last module is the decision‐making module, through which the operation guidelines and optimal storage conditions are determined.
Findings
To validate the feasibility of the proposed system, a case study was conducted in food manufacturing companies. A pilot run of the system revealed that the performance of the receiving operation assignment and food quality assurance activities improved significantly.
Originality/value
In summary, the major contribution of this paper is to develop an effective infrastructure for managing food‐receiving process and facilitating decision making in quality assurance. Integrating CBR and FR techniques to improve the quality of decision making on food inventories is an emerging idea. The system development roadmap demonstrates the way to future research opportunities for managing food inventories in the receiving operations and implementing artificial intelligent techniques in the logistics industry.
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This paper seeks to illustrate designation of a real‐time oil spill monitoring and management system using computer system, GIS models, internet and a variety of other…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to illustrate designation of a real‐time oil spill monitoring and management system using computer system, GIS models, internet and a variety of other technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
Appropriate models in GIS, together with monitoring technologies and internet‐based communication infrastructure, facilitate oil spill early warning, situational analysis, risk analysis and damage analysis in addition to management and disaster response in real‐time. The system architect includes command and control module, designed for managing and coordinating oil spill accidents response. The structure also includes an accident data dissemination scheme, through an internet portal which distributes disaster thematic products and facilitates communication between oil spill disaster players and the administration office.
Findings
The functionality of such a system through its components including database, central repository, disaster models, command and control and communication schemes covers all the stages of spill management before, during, and after an accident.
Originality/value
The system acts as a single umbrella of control and administration for efficient and effective oil spill accident management and enhances oil spill accident early warning and alert mechanisms. The system will also enhance decision supports for quick emergency responses and improve real‐time communication and information sharing between responsible agencies.
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This study explores the different survival strategies employed by family-owned small and medium-sized businesses in Nigeria. The study delves into the dynamics of ensuring…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the different survival strategies employed by family-owned small and medium-sized businesses in Nigeria. The study delves into the dynamics of ensuring business continuity from founders to successors and identifies the success factors that can facilitate seamless leadership transition outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilised a qualitative multiple-case study approach, with the population consisting of founders from three medium-sized family businesses in Nigeria. Semi-structured interviews were the primary data collection tool used in the study. Furthermore, company documents were analysed to gain further insights into the leadership transition strategies employed in the selected businesses.
Findings
Successful transition and survival of family businesses are dependent on the founder's desire and support for transition, successor preparation, building trust and credibility in successors, and instilling a clear vision for the business.
Research limitations/implications
The study's findings will provide valuable insights to leaders of family-owned SMEs, specifically in the development of effective leadership transition action plans. It should be noted that the study is limited to three family-owned businesses in two locations in Nigeria, which may restrict the generalisability of the findings. Despite this, the study offers novel contributions to the current literature by presenting practical strategies for achieving the survival of family businesses in an emerging economy.
Originality/value
This study proposed strategies for business survival, continuity, sustainability and seamless leadership transition for small and medium-sized family-owned businesses. Importantly, the study recommends action plans for present and prospective family business leaders to deepen succession pathways.
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This paper argues that policymakers and academics should place more emphasis on maximising the additional benefit created by entrepreneurial support programs and impact…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper argues that policymakers and academics should place more emphasis on maximising the additional benefit created by entrepreneurial support programs and impact investments. It demonstrates a robust approach to advancing this field of research by using qualitative methods to determine the variables that may predict the additional benefit a firm will gain from funding.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on 60 semi-structured interviews averaging 1.5 h each; 45 with entrepreneurs that did or did not receive funding from a business plan competition in Nigeria, 15 with relevant elites. Detailed World Bank panel data on program participants further validated responses and supported conclusions.
Findings
Numerous factors that may explain additional benefit were uncovered, including those that vary the need for external funding and those that vary access to it.
Research limitations/implications
Qualitative methods explored variables previously assumed to be unobservable. Future studies are necessary to test the results quantitatively.
Social implications
Understanding the characteristics that indicate ex ante which firms would most benefit from support will help policymakers, impact investors and development institutions to more effectively allocate capital.
Originality/value
This paper addresses the paucity of research into increasing additional impact and demonstrates the value of pursuing it. Methods used to suggest additionality variables for such programs and many of the factors highlighted are unique to this study. The research is also based on unique access to the participants and un-anonymised data from a significant World Bank study, and on substantially more interviews than previous papers.
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Mojtaba Tahani, Mehran Masdari and Ali Bargestan
This paper aims to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics as well as static stability of wing-in-ground effect aircraft. The effect of geometrical characteristics, namely…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics as well as static stability of wing-in-ground effect aircraft. The effect of geometrical characteristics, namely, twist angle, dihedral angle, sweep angle and taper ratio are examined.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic code is developed to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of the effect. The turbulent model is utilized for characterization of flow over wing surface.
Findings
The numerical results show that the maximum change of the drag coefficient depends on the angle of attack, twist angle and ground clearance, in a decreasing order. Also, it is found that the lift coefficient increases as the ground clearance, twist angle and dihedral angle decrease. On the other hand, the sweep angle does not have a significant effect on the lift coefficient for the considered wing section and Reynolds number. Also, as the aerodynamic characteristics increase, the taper ratio befits in trailing state.
Practical implications
To design an aircraft, the effect of each design parameter needs to be estimated. For this purpose, the sensitivity analysis is used. In this paper, the influence of all parameter against each other including ground clearance, angle of attack, twist angle, dihedral angle and sweep angle for the NACA 6409 are investigated.
Originality/value
As a summary, the contribution of this paper is to predict the aerodynamic performance for the cruise condition. In this study, the sensitivity of the design parameter on aerodynamic performance can be estimated and the effect of geometrical characteristics has been investigated in detail. Also, the best lift to drag coefficient for the NACA 6409 wing section specifies and two types of taper ratios in ground effect are compared.
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