bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internet application concept to trivialize EMF biomedical computing
Authors: Sawicki Bartosz , Chaber Bartosz , Starzyński Jacek , Szmurło Robert 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a new concept of a computer system devoted to simulations of electromagnetic fields inside the human body. The main idea is based on application of the cloud computing approach to the electromagnetic simulator for inexperienced operators.Design/methodology/approachModular design of the system is based on web technologies. The logic of simulation processes is stored in the form of scenarios consisting of several simple steps.FindingsThe authors found that a system based on a predefined, precise scenario will help an inexperienced user to solve realistic EMF simulations using state‐of‐the‐art technology. Highly modular application could be easily extended to the new functionality provided by independent programs (Processors) utilizing any type of a dedicated hardware platform.Practical implicationsThe remote computing is known by computer science for its early beginning, but extraordinary growth of the internet network is renewing this term for the whole societies. Nowadays all kinds of applications are moving out of the desktop computers. The concept presented in this paper extends this new approach into realistic EMF simulation software.Social implicationsThe authors have designed a system which is extremely easy to use and thus accessible to everyone. It means that the user front‐end should have low computer hardware requirements and it could be operated by an untrained person. It is assumed that it will be fully usable, even by the first‐time, incidental user.Originality/valueThe presented project is one of the very few examples of utilization of the web‐technologies for numerical simulations. The unusual user interface based on the sequence of predefined steps makes the system appropriate for a wide audience.
Equivalent circuit of photovoltaic generator using Newton‐Raphson algorithm
Authors: Theocharis Andreas D. , Charalampakos Vasilis P. , Drosopoulos Anastasios , Milias‐Argitis John 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a linearized equivalent electrical circuit of a photovoltaic generator. This circuit is appropriate to confront problems such as numerical instability, increased computational time and nonlinear/non‐canonical form of system equations that arise when a photovoltaic system is modelled, either with differential equations or with equivalent resistive circuits that are generated by electromagnetic transient software packages for power systems studies.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed technique is based on nonlinear and well‐tested ipv−vpv equations which are however used in an alternative mathematical manner. The application of the Newton‐Raphson algorithm on the ipv−vpv equations leads to uncoupling of the ipv and vpv quantities in each time step of a digital simulation. This uncoupling is represented by a linearized equivalent electrical circuit.FindingsThe application of nodal analysis equivalent resistive circuits using the proposed equivalent photovoltaic generator circuit leads to a system model based on linear algebraic equations. This is in opposition to the nonlinear models that normally result when a nonlinear ipv−vpv equation is used. In addition, using the proposed scheme, the regular systematic methods of circuit analysis are fully capable of deriving the differential equations of a photovoltaic system in standard form, thus avoiding the time‐consuming solution process of nonlinear models.Originality/valueIn this paper, a new method of using the ipv−vpv characteristic equations is proposed which remarkably simplifies photovoltaic systems modeling. Moreover, a very important practical application is that by using this methodology one can develop a photovoltaic generator element in electromagnetic transient programs for power systems analysis, of great value to power engineers who are involved in photovoltaic systems modeling.
Video management – mystified with the rest of us
Authors: Cottrell Terrance (Terry) 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThis paper aims to explain how library managers can better prepare and plan for the future institutional structural costs related to the management of seemingly limitless streaming video content.Design/methodology/approachDifferent strategies are provided as antidotes to the problem of information technology (IT) managers being given the default responsibility of managing internet video because of their current management of internet services within organizations.FindingsThe paper finds that the mindset that streaming video is simply another information source to be added to the library's already rich set of offerings is preferred over the assumption that since IT manages internet services it should also manage video being streamed over the web to researchers.Originality/valueThis paper reviews the situation of streaming video as a unique problem because of the popularity of sound and movement over the printed word. It provides four distinct managerial options for cost control and containment in terms of staffing and striving for political clout in this quickly‐growing area of information services.
The transport phenomena of semi‐permeable membrane for sport cloth
Authors: Havelka Antonin , Ku˙s Zdeněk 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the comfort properties of modern functional clothing, such as moisture and heat transport. Transport properties are evaluated for real barrier membrane clothes for sport application, under real weather conditions in Middle Europe.Design/methodology/approachThe different combination of functional clothing, with barrier membrane, were investigated under different temperatures and relative moistures inside and outside clothing layers. Water vapour permeability was measured under the steady‐state conditions, by sweating guarded‐hotplate test.FindingsThis paper describes the theoretical analysis of moisture transport, and its influence on thermal conductivity; the paper investigates various barrier fabrics for sport apparel, and their ranges of water vapour transport ability under real weather conditions.Research limitations/implicationsAll received results are based on the transport of water vapour through a semi‐permeable membrane and are supposed to be conducted mainly within a process of diffusion.Originality/valueThis paper is focused on the theoretical analysis of transport by diffusion of water vapour through porous semi‐permeable barrier textile material, and evaluates the real possibilities for sport applications. The level of transport is limited and mainly depends on the difference of the partial pressures of water vapours outside and inside the porous clothing material.
Evaluating reverse logistics programs: a suggested process formalization
Authors: Genchev Stefan E. , Glenn Richey R. , Gabler Colin B. 
Published: November 2014

PurposeSuppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers alike are still considering reverse logistics (RL) to be the “necessary evil” in their day‐to‐day operations rather than an opportunity for future performance. At the same time, a well‐structured RL program can create a substantial value‐added and positively affect the bottom‐line. Based on in‐depth investigation of best‐in‐class RL programs implemented in practice, the purpose of this paper is to offer a grounded flow charting approach for assessing the state of program development and, potentially, identifying areas for improvement across different companies in various industries.Design/methodology/approachThe current study utilizes rich qualitative research methodology based on the combination between a thorough review of existing literature and multiple field studies. The findings from existing research, semi‐structured interviews and observation at companies’ sites, and RL‐related documentation at those companies, provide the backbone for the development of the assessment tool.FindingsAlthough substantial variations exist in the way companies are setting up their RL programs, some common processes prevail. Formalizing these processes and related activities becomes the differentiating factor in RL program development and implementation. In addition, providing structure to the RL effort helps companies to strategically control the related value‐added.Originality/valueThe paper introduces process formalization as a necessary condition for the development and implementation of RL programs. The grounded flow charting approach, based on a qualitative inquiry in real business situations, aims to bridge the gap between theoretical developments and practical guidance for best‐in‐class RL operations.
Teaching/learning methods and students' classification of food items
Authors: Hamilton‐Ekeke Joy‐Telu , Thomas Malcolm 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a teaching method (TLS (Teaching/Learning Sequence)) based on a social constructivist paradigm on students' conceptualisation of classification of food.Design/methodology/approachThe study compared the TLS model developed by the researcher based on the social constructivist paradigm with the Regular Teaching Method (RTM) in use in the school. Students exposed to the TLS model constituted the experimental group, while the students exposed to the RTM constituted the control group. The design was a pre‐test/post‐test control design with a retention‐phase.FindingsResults before intervention revealed gross misconceptions of pupils' classification of food, while after intervention there was significant improvement of the TLS over RTM.Research limitations/implicationsThe context of the research is limited to students' conceptualisation of classification of food items into the five classes of food, i.e. carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin, and mineral. Although food group allocation was validated from previous literature, it is still a potential limitation as a single food item may contain more than one nutrient, which makes its classification in a single food class difficult.Practical implicationsUnderstanding whether students' conceptualisation of classes of food is changed by the information they received by established methods would be valuable when devising methods of delivering nutrition education.Social implicationsFood provision in schools must support the messages that pupils receive through the formal curriculum.Originality/valueEducation can be immensely helpful in the pursuit of better understanding by children regarding healthy eating.
Building access to healthcare in rural India: possibility and feasibility of low‐cost medicine
Authors: Dongre Yashavantha , Mahadevappa B. , Rohini R. 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the possibility of marketing specific low‐cost drugs across segmented markets in India.Design/methodology/approachThe study is empirical in nature, based on the primary data gathered through actual field survey. The study analyzes the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of five stockists, 50 physicians and 100 patients drawn from 20 healthcare organizations from different parts of the State of Karnataka in India.FindingsThe survey findings revealed that patients would be happy and would have better access to medicine if the same is offered at a lower price. Doctors are willing to prescribe generic drugs. Generic drug market has good economic feasibility. At present, the consumption of generic drugs to branded drugs in hospitals is found to be in the ratio 2:3 while for the stockist it is in the ratio 1:2. The study also revealed the fact that patients prefer to take generic medicines mostly on the basis of physicians' advice. They do consider cost but generally go by the prescriptions of the doctors.Practical implicationsPrescribing generic drugs would definitely contribute to greater use of medicine by the rural poor and thus better health conditions in rural areas. Low‐cost medicine is an opportunity for pharmaceutical companies because consumers of healthcare are increasingly concerned with the quality and the cost of drugs that they buy. This research enhances sales and marketing management in terms of creating awareness of the importance of doctors' perceptions. Healthcare providers would benefit from the findings of this paper.Originality/valueAs the generic drug market encompasses a variety of healthcare professionals and users, this paper establishes a practical methodology to have an understanding about the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of stockists, physicians and patients regarding the usage of such low‐cost drugs.
A brief introduction to grey systems theory
Authors: Liu Sifeng , Forrest Jeffrey , Yang Yingjie 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the elementary concepts and fundamental principles of grey systems and the main components of grey systems theory. Also to discuss the astonishing progress that grey systems theory has made in the world of learning and its wide‐ranging applications in the entire spectrum of science.Design/methodology/approachThe characteristics of unascertained systems including incomplete information and inaccuracies in data are analysed and four uncertain theories: probability statistics, fuzzy mathematics, grey system and rough set theory are compared. The scientific principle of simplicity and how precise models suffer from inaccuracies are also shown.FindingsThe four uncertain theories, probability statistics, fuzzy mathematics, grey system and rough set theory are examined with different research objects, different basic sets, different methods and procedures, different data requirements, different emphasis, different objectives and different characteristics.Practical implicationsThe scientific principle of simplicity and how precise models suffer from inaccuracies are shown. So, precise models are not necessarily an effective means to deal with complex matters, especially in the case that the available information is incomplete and the collected data inaccurate.Originality/valueThe elementary concepts and fundamental principles of grey systems and the main components of grey systems theory are introduced briefly. The reader is given a general picture of grey systems theory as a new method for studying problems where partial information is known, partial information is unknown; especially for uncertain systems with few data points and poor information.
Attribute reduction and decision‐making model based on gray dual‐information
Authors: Jie Zhang , Jian‐Jun Zhu 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to research attribute reduction and decision making by gray dual‐information, taking into account the attribute reduction of attribute decision unknown for the interval gray numbers.Design/methodology/approachThe authors obtain the attribute weights considering the consistency of experts’ judgment matrixes and the decision matrixes with gray information. They propose some experts’ attribute reduction ideas based on interval gray numbers of rough set. With the help of experts’ decision information, they consider attribute uncertainty ratio and attribute value ratio to reduce attribute. Finally, a numerical example shows its feasibility.FindingsSome experts’ attribute reduction ideas are proposed based on interval gray numbers of rough set. With the help of experts’ decision information, attribute uncertainty ratio and attribute value ratio to reduce attribute can be considered.Originality/valueAttribute reduction is keeping classified information systems under the same conditions and deleting redundant and irrelevant or unimportant attributes in order to solve the problem of decision making. This paper considers the attribute reduction based on gray dual‐information.
Multi‐objective location‐routing problem of reverse logistics based on GRA with entropy weight
Authors: Liu Hong , Wang Wenping , Zhang Qishan 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to realize a multi‐objective location‐routing network optimization in reverse logistics using particle swarm optimization based on grey relational analysis with entropy weight.Design/methodology/approachReal world network design problems are often characterized by multi‐objective in reverse logistics. This has recently been considered as an additional objective for facility location problem or vehicle routing problem in reverse logistics network design. Both of them are shown to be NP‐hard. Hence, location‐routing problem (LRP) with multi‐objective is more complicated integrated problem, and it is NP‐hard too. Due to the fact that NP‐hard model cannot be solved directly, grey relational analysis and entropy weight were added to particle swarm optimization to decision among the objectives. Then, a mathematics model about multi‐objective LRP of reverse logistics has been constructed, and a proposed hybrid particle swarm optimization with grey relational analysis and entropy weight has been developed to resolve it. An example is also computed in the last part of the paper.FindingsThe results are convincing: not only that particle swarm optimization and grey relational analysis can be used to resolve multi‐objective location‐routing model, but also that entropy and grey relational analysis can be combined to decide weights of objectives.Practical implicationsThe method exposed in the paper can be used to deal with multi‐objective LRP in reverse logistics, and multi‐objective network optimization result could be helpful for logistics efficiency and practicability.Originality/valueThe paper succeeds in realising both a constructed multi‐objective model about location‐routing of reverse logistics and a multi‐objective solution algorithm about particle swarm optimization and future stage by using one of the newest developed theories: grey relational analysis.
Grey relational evaluation of innovation competency in an aviation industry cluster
Authors: Zhu Yuming , Wang Rongrong , Hipel Keith W. 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose an evaluation model for evaluating the innovation competency in the Yanliang Aviation Industry Park, which is a typical example of an aviation industry cluster.Design/methodology/approachA subjective weighting method based on the order relation is used to determine the index weights, which are utilized in grey incidence analysis to measure the innovation competency of the aviation industry cluster.FindingsThe application of the index methodology to the Yanliang Aviation Industry Park demonstrates that the industry cluster possesses a strong innovation competency, as well as the feasibility and practicability of employing this approach.Practical implicationsThe method introduced in the paper can be used to solve practical problems. Moreover, it provides potential support for the development of the aviation industry in the future.Originality/valueIn this paper, the high technology aviation industry, which now plays a strategic industrial role in China, is systematically studied by using a new methodology based on grey systems. Additionally, a subjective weighting sequence model founded upon a grey relational analysis is utilized in place of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP).
A multi‐attribute decision analysis method based on rough sets dealing with uncertain information
Authors: Ming‐li Hu , Fei‐fei Shen , Ya‐huan Chen 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a multi‐attribute decision‐making method based on the concept of extended dominance relation and variable precision rough sets.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the definitions of extended dominance relation and variable precision rough sets are introduced in detail. Second, two types of extended dominance rules are obtained from the pairwise comparison table. Third, a scoring function is defined and sorted to score all the objects. Finally, a case about the emergency decision making after an earthquake is discussed to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the method.FindingsIt is found that the new method can deal with decision‐making problems with incomplete information. Numerical examples show that the method has good application prospects in public emergency decision making, including an earthquake emergency.Practical implicationsThe method shown in the paper can be used for solving decision‐making problems with incomplete information.Originality/valueThe paper develops a novel multi‐attribute decision analysis method dealing with incomplete information based on rough sets theory.
HCL Care: harnessing the out of warranty ICT service market
Authors: Mukherjee Jaydeep 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Marketing strategy, Decision making, After sales servicing.

Study level/applicability
As part of a core marketing course; at post graduate level; marketing strategy courses where competition and co-operation business models are explored.

Case overview
The case focuses on HCL Care, which had the service competence and reach, but no marketing set up for attracting customers to its ICT products service facilities. The case explores the decision choices faced by the company in deciding its market strategy. The main challenge was the out of warranty offer planned by HCL Care. It was aimed at providing a one stop solution for consumers who owned various ICT devices of different brands that could not be serviced at one point. There was no specific validation of whether this proposed, more convenient and comprehensive offer was compelling enough for the consumer to switch from the service offered by the original equipment manufacturer or from the plethora of low priced offers from independent service providers in the Indian marketplace.

Expected learning outcomes
These include: how to organize the different types of market and company information available to segment the market and selecting the target market; developing a positioning platform and developing the market strategy; and choosing between competition versus cooperative business models.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available. Consult the librarian for access.
Implementing strategic stock to improve humanitarian aid response
Authors: Kembro Joakim 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Humanitarian logistics, aid response.

Study level/applicability
Master/advanced level; courses in: humanitarian logistics; port operations and management; supply chain management and logistics.

Case overview
Recently, the humanitarian organization Global Food Aid (GFA) has received criticism for slow response to the on-going drought in East Africa. One of the reasons is the long lead times to transport and distribute food. Therefore, GFA has launched a project called “Strategic stock” where food will be pre-positioned in strategic locations around the world. Because of its importance as a gateway for East Africa, the Port of Mombasa has been selected as the pilot project. Headquarters of GFA has engaged a team of logistics and warehouse experts to plan, run and evaluate the pilot project in Mombasa.

Expected learning outcomes
Through this case, the students (who take on the role of the experts) will gain knowledge in a wide range of areas. First, they will gain a thorough insight to coordinating a port operation in one of the major ports in Africa. Second, the case increases the understanding of working with logistics in a humanitarian aid context. Third, the students will learn how to work with logistics both on a strategic level (planning the implementation of strategic stock) and on an operational level (handling the different events that occur throughout the case). There is also a learning element related to risk management.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available.