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Article
Publication date: 5 May 2023

Henry T. Ajibo and Jacinta C. Ene

The impact of COVID-19 on the educational systems across the globe was characterized by the shutdown of university education systems. In the post COVID-19 era, examining the…

Abstract

Purpose

The impact of COVID-19 on the educational systems across the globe was characterized by the shutdown of university education systems. In the post COVID-19 era, examining the prospect of on-line education becomes demanding with emphasis on promoting effective and uninterrupted university education sector in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed phenomenological and descriptive research design. The sample size for the study was 15, comprising university lecturers, students and school social workers. In-depth Interview (IDI) interview was the instrument for data collection.

Findings

Findings revealed that university education in Nigeria was adversely disrupted by COVID-19 lockdown during the pandemic. Similarly, the study revealed that online education will facilitate effective and uninterrupted university education in post-COVID-19 era. Challenges such as lack of access to laptops, smartphones, reliable internet services, electricity etc. are major obstacles to an effective transition to online education in the post-COVID-19 University education era. The students lamented that poor knowledge of ICT by their lecturers and inclusivity of indigent/disabled students were major concerns.

Originality/value

Revitalizing the education sector is a core concern for low-income countries. Online education presents the lasting solution to the constant interruption of university education in Africa. Promoting effective and uninterrupted university education is pegged on an adequate government education budgetary allocation targeted towards providing an enabling environment for online education to thrive. The study recommends that school social workers' engagement in the educational sector would help advocate for the availability of technological infrastructures and mainstreaming of the poor and disabled in the online education dispensation.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 23 February 2024

Yuliang Du

Auxiliary power system is an indispensable part of the train; the auxiliary systems of both electric locomotives and EMUs mainly are powered by one of the two ways, which are…

113

Abstract

Purpose

Auxiliary power system is an indispensable part of the train; the auxiliary systems of both electric locomotives and EMUs mainly are powered by one of the two ways, which are either from auxiliary windings of traction transformers or from DC-link voltage of traction converters. Powered by DC-link voltage of traction converters, the auxiliary systems were maintained of uninterruptable power supply with energy from electric braking. Meanwhile, powered by traction transformers, the auxiliary systems were always out of power while passing the neutral section of power supply grid and control system is powered by battery at this time.

Design/methodology/approach

Uninterrupted power supply of auxiliary power system powered by auxiliary winding of traction transformer was studied. Failure reasons why previous solutions cannot be realized are analyzed. An uninterruptable power supply scheme for the auxiliary systems powered by auxiliary windings of traction transformers is proposed in this paper. The validity of the proposed scheme is verified by simulation and experimental results and on-site operation of an upgraded HXD3C type locomotive. This scheme is attractive for upgrading practical locomotives with the auxiliary systems powered by auxiliary windings of traction transformers.

Findings

This scheme regenerates braking power supplied to auxiliary windings of traction transformers while a locomotive runs in the neutral section of the power supply grid. Control objectives of uninterrupted power supply technology are proposed, which are no overvoltage, no overcurrent and uninterrupted power supply.

Originality/value

The control strategies of the scheme ensure both overvoltage free and inrush current free when a locomotive enters or leaves the neutral section. Furthermore, this scheme is cost low by employing updated control strategy of software and add both the two current sensors and two connection wires of hardware.

Details

Railway Sciences, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2755-0907

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 June 2023

Mostafa Alani and Akel Kahera

This study explores the potential of computational design processes in creating contextually responsive envelopes for high-rise residential buildings in the Middle East. This…

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores the potential of computational design processes in creating contextually responsive envelopes for high-rise residential buildings in the Middle East. This includes considering both physical constraints and social preferences, with a focus on balancing sunlight exposure, privacy and views.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-phase simulation study analyzed various exterior envelope systems in Baghdad high-rise buildings. The first phase examined two commonly used exterior envelopes – fully glazed and window-based – to assess sunlight exposure, privacy and views. In the second phase, a multi-objective optimization process was applied to derive contextually optimized design solutions addressing the challenges identified in the first phase.

Findings

The study reveals that contextually optimized design solutions significantly improved direct sunlight exposure and privacy while maintaining satisfactory views. Although fully glazed exterior envelopes provided better-uninterrupted views, the optimized solutions offered more balanced performance across all factors, demonstrating the potential of computational design processes in creating contextually responsive building envelopes.

Originality/value

This paper emphasizes the importance of considering both physical and social contexts in the development of algorithms for architecture in the Middle East. This paper supports a progressive interpretation of traditional building references and demonstrates how computational design processes can create contextually responsive building envelopes that satisfy social needs and provide better-performing buildings for inhabitants.

Details

Open House International, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2002

A.K. Oudjida, S. Titri and M. Hamerlain

Matrix product is a compute bound problem that can be efficiently handled by elementary systolic algorithms. From a theoretical point of view, most of the algorithms are very…

Abstract

Matrix product is a compute bound problem that can be efficiently handled by elementary systolic algorithms. From a theoretical point of view, most of the algorithms are very simple and sometimes even trivial. However, the task of designing efficient implementation on a fixed‐connection network, such as on FPGA where resources are very limited, has been more demanding, and sometimes quite tedious. The objective of this paper is twofold: we first describe a full‐systolic algorithm for matrix product that has the merit over its existing counterparts, to require no preloading of input data into elementary processors (EPs) and generates output data only from boundary EPs. The resulting architecture can accept an uninterrupted stream of input data and produces an uninterrupted one with a latency of 2N‐1 for N×N matrix product. This architecture is also scalable and complies with the constraint of problem‐size independence (ψ). Secondly, we present a methodology for generating a family of very compact MP arrays on FPGA based essentially upon manual mapping at CLB level coupled with VHDL structural level.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2009

Ron McLachlin, Paul D. Larson and Soaleh Khan

This paper primarily aims to address the following research question: Are techniques and practices developed for uninterrupted, for‐profit supply chains adaptable to the…

3168

Abstract

Purpose

This paper primarily aims to address the following research question: Are techniques and practices developed for uninterrupted, for‐profit supply chains adaptable to the not‐for‐profit (NFP), interrupted context? In other words, can the managerial tools of business logistics be used in humanitarian relief logistics?

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of grounded research and case‐based research methods is used. Grounded research methods involve coding interview data to enable constant comparison of the data with emerging categories. Three managerial representatives of a single case organisation, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), are interviewed.

Findings

MCC is a small NFP organisation operating in interrupted environments. As a matter of strategy, it pursues economic and social objectives. Strategic partnerships with “like‐minded” organisations are critical to achieve these objectives. To assess its achievements, MCC needs a wide range of performance measures.

Research limitations/implications

Since the paper is based on a single case, it is difficult to generalise the results beyond MCC, a small, faith‐based NFP providing humanitarian assistance. There are future research opportunities to study more cases and search for additional themes.

Practical implications

Partnerships and performance measurement are important elements of supply chain management (SCM) in humanitarian relief, characterised by NFP operations in interrupted environments. SCM tools and techniques created in the for‐profit or business context, for partnership formation (e.g. “how to commit”) and performance measurement (e.g. balanced scorecard), should be adapted for the humanitarian context.

Originality/value

There is a growing literature on supply chain interruptions, but very little research on NFP sector supply chains, despite pressing needs for effective SCM within the NFP context. Also, there are relatively few studies on adapting business logistics practices for the humanitarian logistics context. The paper addresses these issues.

Details

Management Research News, vol. 32 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0140-9174

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1993

Jean‐Charles Chebat and Pierre Filiatrault

Since consumers feel that time is becoming an increasingly scarcerresource, service organizations are also becoming increasingly sensitiveto the economical and psychological costs…

1529

Abstract

Since consumers feel that time is becoming an increasingly scarcer resource, service organizations are also becoming increasingly sensitive to the economical and psychological costs which they impose on their clients in waiting lines. Reports a study aimed at examining the relations between two variables which are controllable by banks (i.e. service interruption and clients′ participation in the service process) upon the perceived time spent in waiting lines, clients′ mood and perceived service quality. Results show that individuals who find the waiting time “unacceptable” have a very significantly lower mood and perceived the service as being of lower quality. Concludes that perceived waiting time can be modified through managerially controllable variables which also influence strategically important variables such as client mood and perceived service quality.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 14 December 2023

José Ignacio Giménez-Nadal, José Alberto Molina and Almudena Sevilla

This chapter analyzes detailed 24-hour diary data from the United States to provide evidence on the relationship between workers' effort and well-being while at work. In doing so…

Abstract

This chapter analyzes detailed 24-hour diary data from the United States to provide evidence on the relationship between workers' effort and well-being while at work. In doing so, we first measure workers' effort in terms of the amount of on-the-job leisure, number of on-the-job leisure episodes, and the time working until consuming on-the-job leisure. Second, we link these three measures of worker effort to data on instantaneous well-being while at work. We find that the less time devoted to on-the-job leisure and the number of on-the-job leisure episodes, and the more time workers spend working until on-the-job-leisure, the higher the levels of stress during their work tasks. In analyzing workers' effort and stress during market work activities, we contribute to the scant literature on the determinants of worker happiness while at work, positing the consumption and the frequency of on-the-job leisure as affective factors.

Details

Time Use in Economics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-604-7

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 18 February 2022

Serhat Yüksel, Hasan Dinçer, Çağatay Çağlayan, Gülsüm Sena Uluer and Anton Lisin

It is predicted that the bitcoin system will enter many areas of our lives in the future. Although it has many benefits, the most criticized issue of this system is excessive…

Abstract

It is predicted that the bitcoin system will enter many areas of our lives in the future. Although it has many benefits, the most criticized issue of this system is excessive energy consumption. Since an excessive amount of energy is used in this process, it is vital that the preferred energy is environmentally friendly. For example, mining bitcoin with fossil fuels is likely to release a significant amount of carbon gas into the atmosphere. This will cause serious environmental problems. Therefore, great attention should be paid to the type of energy that will be used in bitcoin mining. In this study, it was stated that it would be beneficial to prefer nuclear energy in bitcoin mining. As a result of the use of nuclear energy, no carbon gas is released into the atmosphere. This will help reduce environmental pollution to a significant extent. Another dimension of nuclear energy being preferred in bitcoin mining is that the energy produced is continuous. The main reason for this is that nuclear energy is not affected by climatic conditions and temperature differences. Thanks to the preference of nuclear energy in bitcoin mining, it will be possible to contribute to the uninterrupted progress of this process.

Details

Multidimensional Strategic Outlook on Global Competitive Energy Economics and Finance
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80117-899-0

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2006

Joy Schneer and Frieda Reitman

This study examines the impact of employment gaps on career success for men and women managers. Women have had concerns about their ability to achieve career success in managerial…

629

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the impact of employment gaps on career success for men and women managers. Women have had concerns about their ability to achieve career success in managerial careers that had required uninterrupted commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes mail survey data collected in early post‐MBA career from men and women MBAs. Two cohorts of alumni were sent surveys containing questions on career and demographic factors. Career success was assessed using an objective measure (yearly income) and a subjective measure (career satisfaction).

Findings

MBAs with employment gaps earned less than those continuously employed for both the early and recent cohorts. This income penalty appears to be worse for men. Career satisfaction is not impacted by an employment gap for the recent cohort.

Research limitations/implications

Since the sample is geographically limited, the findings may not apply to other regions of the US or other countries.

Practical implications

There is still a bias against managers with discontinuous work histories. While the managers themselves have accepted alternate career patterns, employers have not. The nature of career paths is changing and organizations need to accept this.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the career literature by providing analyses of two data sets from different decades with the same controlled educational background. It seems that women and men can achieve a satisfying managerial career even with time out of work although there are still some income penalties.

Details

Equal Opportunities International, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0261-0159

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2020

Joanna Grace

This paper aims to identify the characteristics practitioners consider essential to effective multisensory rooms and the barriers they experience when trying to realise the…

509

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the characteristics practitioners consider essential to effective multisensory rooms and the barriers they experience when trying to realise the potential of such rooms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents semi-structured interviews with 27 multisensory room practitioners from a range of backgrounds followed by analysis to identify key characteristics and barriers.

Findings

Eleven positive room characteristics were identified. The three deemed most significant were that the rooms are dark, activity associated and uninterrupted spaces. Two negative room characteristics were identified: inaccessible design and broken equipment. Ten barriers to effective multisensory room practice were identified and grouped according to themes of logistics, suboptimal usage and practitioner capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses on a small self-selecting sample, coded by one person acting independently of any institution. This is an under researched area which would benefit from further more rigorous investigation.

Practical implications

This research enables practitioners to remove barriers to effective multisensory room practice and to focus on the characteristics most significant in generating benefits for room users. Understanding of the essential characteristics and potential barriers to effective practice will allow practitioners to better exploit limited resources of time, money and staffing.

Originality/value

Past research into multisensory rooms has focused on specific user groups or specific multisensory environments. This research examined multisensory room practice across both a range of environments and a range of users, giving an original overview of current multisensory room usage in the UK.

1 – 10 of over 3000