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The proposal and application of a 2-Dimensional Fuzzy Monte Carlo Frontier analysis for estimating Islamic bank efficiency
No full textYesThe current study proposes a novel 2-Dimensional Fuzzy Monte-Carlo Frontier Analysis to estimate and compare the level of efficiency for a sample of 49 Islamic Banks across 25 countries worldwide over the period 2013-2021. Additionally, in the second stage, we propose a bootstrapped robust regression approach to comprehensively examine the determinants of efficiency. Our results show that there is heterogeneity in the level of efficiency within the Islamic banking sector. Furthermore, we find that the Islamic banks in the sample experienced an improvement in efficiency over the examined period. Finally, we find that bank size, bank liquidity (measured by the ratio between net loans and gross loans), and bank risk (proxied by the ratio between loan loss reserves and gross loans) have a significant and positive impact on Islamic bank efficiency. Policy implications based on our findings are provided
Has the skills mix promise been broken? A scoping review of the deployment of the support and assistant workforce within diagnostic imaging in the UK
Get PDFYesIntroduction: In the UK the development of skill mix in radiography at the end of the 20th century formalised the assistant practitioner role, separating it from the support worker function. The key aim was to increase imaging capacity whilst enabling opportunities for career progression within both the support and radiography workforce. There has been limited examination of these support and assistive roles and this review aims to explore the current evidence.
Methods: This scoping review used a systematic search strategy and interrogated MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus and Google Scholar. Primary research articles published in the English-language referring to studies conducted in the UK on assistant or support roles in radiography were sought. The sourced data was uploaded to a web-based review platform for screening.
Results: The literature search identified only 11 articles which met the search criteria, of which only one referred to the support worker role. Adopting a primarily qualitative approach the quality of the articles varied. Thematic analysis was undertaken using a priori themes role purpose, outcomes, aspirations and capacity building.
Conclusion: There is limited research evidence of capacity generation with most presenting individual perspectives. Job satisfaction and career aspirations within the support and assistive workforce are evident but there is still confusion over scope of practice and supervision.
Implications for practice: The support and assistive workforce are a key part of the diagnostic imaging workforce but limited research evidence examining these roles has been published. Further research exploring the impact of skill mix changes across all levels and imaging professions is required.The study was funded by the NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (I.D. NIHR133813)
Exploring Player Frustration: A Comparative Study of One vs. Multi-Level Difficulty in Video Games and the Short-Term Impact on Players
Get PDFWith the rise in popularity of challenging video games such as Elden Ring, belonging to the Souls genre known for its high difficulty level, the question arises regarding the immediate consequences players experience after frustrating encounters. Specifically, this study investigates the short-term consequences of frustration after playing action RPG video games with one difficulty level vs multiple difficulty levels and whether this affects the day-to-day life of the players. This research provides insights for players and game developers, shedding light on the potential consequences of frustration during gameplay and offering less frustrating game design alternatives. Based on the literature review of difficult video games, two versions of the same experimental video game were created to conduct a comparative analysis, version A with one level of difficulty and version B offering multiple difficulty options. An online survey was distributed to the players who played the experimental video game to gather data about the consequences of frustration after playing. The survey analysis demonstrated that playing video games with one difficulty level caused significantly more consequences on players than games with multi-level difficulty. The results indicate that players experienced significant consequences like laziness, less productivity, discomfort, and unwellness, which affected their day-to-day lives shortly after playing a game with one difficulty level. On this basis, it is recommended that players who don’t want to experience frustration should play games with multiple difficulty levels which cause less frustration. Further research is needed to identify the long-term consequences of playing games with one difficulty level
The use of Instance Parameters to Integrate BIM with both Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) tools for Bridge Projects using Dynamo Software
Get PDFThe architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors recognise the risks in complex structures and new building methods, emphasising the need for effective risk management. Traditionally, managing these risks faces challenges in the real
world. Information and Communications Technology (ICT), particularly Building Information Modelling (BIM), is increasingly used to tackle these challenges. BIM enables creating and sharing, of digital building models. However, integrating BIM into
risk management remains challenging. This research introduces a new systematic methodology by combining BIM with risk assessment tools for bridge construction. The methodology involves four steps: First, risks are organised using a Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS) and evaluated using Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Next, BIM information is categorised using instance parameters. Third, risks are embedded into BIM via Dynamo. Finally, a 4D model links construction activities to a 3D model, color-coded by risk levels. The findings indicate that integrating traditional methods with BIM creates a comprehensive risk management solution by linking external databases to BIM. This approach leverages traditional methods for structured data storage and BIM's capabilities like 3D visualisation and 4D to enhance early risk identification and assessment. The study introduces a novel approach to improving bridge construction management during the design and construction phases. It involves risk categorization via RBS, quantitative assessment using FMEA and AHP, overcoming Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) limitations with instance parameters, employing specific Dynamo codes, material-based simulations, and practical implementation at Libya's Jofra Bridge. This significantly advances BIM-based risk management.Libyan Governmen
A roadmap to alternative fuels for decarbonising shipping: The case of green ammonia
Get PDFYesDecarbonisation efforts in shipping have intensified amid recent regulations and net-zero emission pledges from governments and global supply chains. Green ammonia is one of the alternative fuels that can accomplish net-zero targets of the industry. However, considerable challenges exist for green ammonia adoption as the future clean energy source in maritime transport. This study scrutinises the success factors of the industry-wide adoption of green ammonia. We examine the structural relationship between success factors to explore antecedents, illustrate the precedence relationships between success factors, and present a roadmap. We first determine success factors and then employ Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC) to reveal relationship between success factors and suggest a roadmap. The success factors of an alternative fuel adoption are the availability of the fuel, the cost of the fuel, R&D in the fuel, safety regulations of the fuel, propulsion technology, port infrastructure for the fuel, stakeholder support, setting of carbon tax, public awareness on emissions and early adopter companies using the fuel. 48 experts completed the ISM survey for green ammonia. Results indicate that the most fundamental success factors are stakeholder support, carbon taxation, public awareness, and the number of early adopters. These fundamental success factors would pave the way to safety regulations of ammonia and R&D progress, which would then improve ammonia-powered propulsion systems and support a vast availability of green ammonia. Following the accomplishment of the above listed success factors, ammonia cost reduction and port infrastructure development can be delivered
A study on the influencing parameters in developing construction and demolition waste-based geopolymer concretes and their sustainability assessment
Get PDFYesConstruction and demolition waste (CDW) has been recently identified as a potential aluminosilicate source for geopolymers. However, the available research has mainly focused on developing CDW-based geopolymer pastes and mortars, while studies on geopolymer concretes sourced from CDW have been very limited. Thus, the current study aimed at experimentally identifying different CDW materials suitable for producing geopolymer concretes. Additionally, the study analysed the mechanical, microstructural, and environmental properties of CDW- based geopolymer concrete produced. In this regard, the effect of relevant parameters on the compressive strength development of CDW-based geopolymer concretes was comprehensively investigated, including those related to precursor types/fineness, alkali activator solution, aggregate type/size and curing regimes. Microstructural analyses were also conducted on the selected samples (100% brick waste, 100% tile waste, 100% concrete waste and 75% brick waste + 25% GGBS). Finally, the environmental impact of geopolymer concrete was assessed and compared with similar traditional concrete. Results showed that employing CDWs alone is not suitable to achieve sufficient strengths under all curing regimes. However, the inclusion of 25% GGBS significantly improved the strength performance of CDW-based geopolymer concrete, in comparison to other supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as Class-C fly ash and calcium hydroxide. The particle size of CDWs and concentration of alkaline activators highly affect the performance of CDW-based geopolymer concretes. Utilization of CDWs with particles finer than 75 μm and high concentrations of NaOH (12 M) is recommended to achieve good performance. The results also indicate that almost similar energy is needed for producing CDW-based geopolymer and OPC-based traditional concrete, whereas a huge reduction in CO2 emission (∼40%) was estimated in the case of geopolymers. The outcomes of the current study are expected to contribute to the advancement of geopolymer concrete derived from CDW in addition to providing valuable insights into this type of concrete for practitioners and academics
Cost-benefit analysis in UK hotels: A hybrid SOCP-MCDM approach
No full textYesPerformance evaluation has been an important topic of concern for tourism industry practitioners as well as academic researchers, and its investigation in the UK hotel sector is paramount because this industry has been experiencing a higher level of competition. The present study contributes to the previous literature on hotel performance evaluation in general by proposing an innovative hybrid method combining the second-order cone programming (SOCP) method and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method to estimate the performance of the UK hotel sector. The innovation lies in the synergistic combination of SOCP and MCDM methodologies, enabling a comprehensive assessment of hotel performance by managing a non-linear optimisation. Overall, this hybrid method benefits from the ability to be more flexible in addressing complex operational issues and provide more accurate results. This research provides a cost-benefit analysis within the proposed method, suggesting important policy implications in the tourism industry.The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 30 Aug 2026
Reminiscence respecified: A conversation analytic examination of practice in a specialist dementia care home
Get PDFYesAlthough discussion of reminiscence is prevalent in dementia care research, few studies have examined what actually occurs in these interactions, and how they are structured. This study examined how reminiscence activities are structured and negotiated in a care home environment. Informal one-to-one reminiscence interactions between people living with dementia and professional carers were transcribed from a larger video dataset. We used Conversation Analysis to examine reminiscence sequences in a novel relational approach that explored the interactional practices used by carers and people living with dementia. We identified divergences between manualised practice recommendations and observed interactional practices, such as the rarity of open questions, and frequent use of closed questions. This was contrary to current practice recommendations. These and other divergences demonstrate the value of interactional research in informing reminiscence practice and training manuals. By examining how reminiscence operates in practice, our approaches to conducting such activities can be more empirically informed. Our findings can be used to advise and guide those doing reminiscence work in care home settings, and improve the inclusiveness of reminiscence interactions. Through incorporating empirically informed techniques that both carers and people with dementia use in practice, we can facilitate interactions around memories which are supportive of people with dementia's identity.This research was supported by an ESRC doctoral studentship funded through the Midlands Graduate School DTP [ES/P099711/1] and Loughborough University. The data on which this paper draws were collected as part of a British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship [MC110142] awarded to Elizabeth Peel
Understanding dementia in minority ethnic communities: The perspectives of key stakeholders interviewed as part of the IDEAL programme
Get PDFYesFuture populations of older adults in the UK, those aged 65+, will demonstrate increased diversity in terms of their ethnic identity resultant from the ageing of the post-war migrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Caribbean. As a consequence, there will be an increase in the numbers of older adults from these communities living with age-related chronic diseases such as dementia. In response to these demographic changes, we need to develop a research, policy and practice agenda that is inclusive and provides evidence for the development of culturally diverse and effective models of service delivery. This requires engagement with three key stakeholder groups: (a) people with dementia; (b) their carers; and (c) the wider community. As part of the IDEAL research programme on living well with dementia, we undertook semi-structured interviews with twelve community leaders, defined as known and trusted individuals active in their respective communities, and six community members (two people living with dementia and four carers). We explored their understandings, experiences, and views of about dementia. Our analysis identified two overarching themes. The migrant lifecourse highlighted issues of not belonging, discrimination and racism. This framed our second theme, the cultural context of dementia, which addressed dementia knowledge and attitudes, service provision and service access, and how being part of a minority ethnic community made a difference to these experiences. Our study highlights how lifecourse experiences of negative hostile social and policy environments and services can be profound and long-lasting and provide a prism through which accessing dementia care is experienced. Our findings argue for the inclusion of diverse views and lifecourse experiences within the context of developing a dementia strategy for research, policy and practice that is appropriate for a multicultural and heterogenous society.This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, National Institute for Health and Care Research (ES/L001853/2), and Alzheimer’s Society (348, AS-PR2-16-001)
