30793 research outputs found
Sort by
Waste Definition and Identification in Software Engineering: A Review
Get PDFDefining and identifying waste associated with software is a hot topic in the information technology industry. Therefore, on this paper we went through literature searching for definitions of software waste in general, then with more focus on waste in the context of software architecture. Then, we tried to identify the influential factors for the presence of waste along with its relationships with architectural technical debt and architectural bad smell. The majority of the definitions of waste focused on value delivery aspects of waste, as if the software component is not adding value to the end-users is considered as waste. Adding to that there were links between the presence of waste in the context of software architecture and architectural technical debt and architectural bad smell
Investigating socio-cultural influences on Saudi shoppers’ perspectives towards sustainability and ethical practices
Get PDFThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThis thesis investigates how cultural, religious, and institutional factors shape the way Saudi consumers understand and practice sustainable consumption. Most of existing literature on sustainable consumption is based on Western, individualist models that focus on environmental concern, and personal responsibility. However, these models do not fully reflect non-Western contexts such as Saudi Arabia, where social norms, religious beliefs, and government influence are deeply connected to consumers’ everyday choices.
The research adopts a qualitative, interpretivist approach based on social constructivism. In total, 40 participants took part in this study — 30 semi-structured interviews and a separate group of 10 shop-along interviews were conducted, all with Saudi citizen-consumers. Data were analyzed thematically using Lochmiller’s five-step method. Two main theoretical perspectives guided the study: Practice Theory, which focuses on the role of social routines and shared behaviors, and Multiple Modernities Theory, which emphasizes that different societies modernize in culturally specific ways.
Findings show that Saudi consumers prioritize affordability, need, and product quality over environmental concern. Many participants linked sustainability to Islamic teachings such as avoiding waste and practicing moderation. Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, emerged as a key driver of sustainability efforts, highlighting a strong reliance on state-led transformation rather than the individual or community efforts that were often the focus in earlier research.
This study contributes to sustainable consumption studies by offering a culturally grounded understanding of non-Western consumers’ perceptions on the role and responsibilities of various stakeholders for sustainability. I make a novel theoretical contribution in combining Practice Theory with a Multiple Modernities perspective to analyse non-Western consumers’ shopping practices in relation to sustainability concepts. The thesis argues for a more inclusive, context sensitive approach to sustainability research and policy that considers culture, religion, and structure not just individual attitudes
A New Fuzzy Clustering Algorithm for Image Segmentation
Get PDFData Availability Statement:
The authors declare that used data in this article are available.The fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm is widely used image segmentation but, has several limitations. It is sensitive to noise, demonstrates variable convergence rate depending on data distribution, and its reliance on Euclidean distance fails to account for intra-cluster variations, particularly in complex and color images. Furthermore, FCM’s non-adaptive distance metric struggles with diverse cluster shapes, and most FCM-based approaches face difficulties in color image segmentation due to the challenges in spatial information acquisition. To address these limitations, we propose an Improved Gustafson-Kessel (IGK) algorithm that offers superior robustness compared to both FCM and traditional Gustafson-Kessel (GK) clustering. Our approach first applies morphological reconstruction (MR) for grayscale images and multivariate morphological reconstruction (MMR) for color images to ensure noise immunity while preservation image details. We then replace the Euclidean distance metric with Mahalanobis distance to adapt to varying cluster shapes. The algorithm iteratively updates cluster centers, membership matrix, and positive definite symmetric matrices, followed by a median filter refinement of the membership partition matrix. Unlike previous approaches, IGK eliminates the need for computing distances within local spatial neighbors during clustering. Experimental results on both grayscale and color images demonstrate that the proposed IGK algorithm achieves superior segmentation performance compared to existing FCM-based methods.Not applicable
Ethical Integration of AI in Healthcare Project Management: Islamic and Cultural Perspectives
Get PDFData Availability Statement:
No new data were created or analysed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article.Artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare project management in Saudi Arabia, yet most deployments lack culturally grounded ethics. This paper synthesises global AI-ethics guidance and Islamic bioethics, then proposes a maqāṣid-al-sharīʿah-aligned conceptual framework for ANN-based decision support. Ethical signals derived from the preservation of life, dignity, justice, faith, and intellect are embedded as logic-gate filters on ANN outputs. The framework specifies a dual-metric evaluation that reports predictive performance (e.g., accuracy, MAE, AUC) alongside ethical compliance, with auditable thresholds for fairness (δ = 0.1) and confidence (α = 0.8) calibrated through stakeholder workshops. It incorporates a co-design protocol with clinicians, patients, Islamic scholars, and policymakers to ensure cultural and clinical legitimacy. Unlike UNESCO and EU frameworks, which remain principle-oriented, this study introduces a measurable dual-layer assessment that combines technical accuracy with ethical compliance, supported by audit artefacts such as model cards, traceability logs, and human override records. The framework yields technically efficient and Shariah-compliant recommendations and sets a roadmap for empirical pilots under Vision 2030. The paper moves beyond a general review by formalising an Islamic-values-driven conceptual framework that operationalises ethical constraints inside ANN–DSS pipelines and defines auditable compliance metrics. This paper combines a critical review of AI in healthcare project management with the development of a maqāṣid-aligned conceptual framework, thereby bridging systematic synthesis with an implementable proposal for ethical AI.This research received no external funding
A study to investigate the compressive strength and flow of alkali activated slag mortar using two curing regimes
Get PDFThis research investigates the potential for producing more environmentally friendly mortars by replacing cement with Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS). The study examines the influence of key factors on the properties of GGBS-based mortar activated using sodium silicate (SS) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Specifically, it explores: (1) the effect of different SS types—base and neutral type; (2) the sodium oxide (Na₂O) content, derived from both activators, with concentrations of 12% and 15%; (3) the impact of curing methods, including ambient temperature curing and full water immersion (submerged); and (4) the role of the water-to-binder (w/b) ratio, assessed at 43% and 48%. The performance of GGBS mortars was evaluated in terms of compressive strength and flowability. The results showed no significant difference between the two SS types; however, the base SS was recommended due to its lower NaOH content to reach the same Na₂O content, which leads to reduced generated heat when preparing the solution. Additionally, a 12% Na₂O concentration yielded higher compressive strength and enhanced flowability. While increasing the w/b ratio improved flowability, it had a detrimental effect on compressive strength. Furthermore, submerged curing significantly reduced compressive strength compared to ambient curing
Does the Market React to Greenwashing? The Impact of Alignment Between ESG Disclosure and ESG Performance on Capital Markets
Get PDFData Availability. From public sources.Working paper of 23 December 2024. Please do not quote or cite without the authors’ permission.JEL Classification. L1, M4, M14.This paper examines whether stock returns and bid-ask spreads are influenced by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) with two measures of ESG: (i) ESG related textual properties of 10-K filings for ESG disclosure; and (ii) Refinitiv scores for ESG performance. Using a U.S sample of 7,454 firm-year observations across all sectors from 2006 to 2021, our findings indicate that where the ESG content of 10-K filings are incongruent with Refinitiv ESG scores for greenwashers, there is a significant negative association with Cumulative Abnormal Returns (CARs). There is no market reaction where the 10-K filings are congruent with Refinitiv ESG scores. Bid Ask Spreads (BASs) are positively associated (i.e., higher uncertainty) with ESG content of modest green firms, but are negatively associated (i.e., lower uncertainty) with ESG content of non-green firms. Taken together, these results suggest stakeholders expect the ESG disclosures to be broadly positive but react significantly to corporate greenwashing as signs of weakness and doubt. Greater uncertainty is associated with modesty in ESG disclosures, but the view of non-green firms is shared more widely amongst investors. Overall, our results shed novel light on the market effects of ESG disclosure and performance with capital market reaction in terms of stock returns and uncertainty
A Comparison of design interventions in social enterprise ecosystems in the UK and South Korea
Get PDF..
Galleria mellonella as a drug discovery model to study oxidative stress
Get PDFData availability:
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.Biological systems are equipped with endogenous antioxidant defence mechanisms against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Accumulation of ROS usually overwhelms this, creating pathologic effects. Oxidative toxicity has been reported as a causative factor in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and diabetes mellitus (DM). However, developing an elaborate in vivo model system for mechanistic and therapeutic studies has been challenging. This present study sought to establish Galleria mellonella larvae as an ideal model for studying oxidative toxicity as a precursor to in vitro studies. We investigated Indole-3-propionic acid, Trolox, Resveratrol, Alpha tocopherol, Alpha lipoic acid, Orotic acid, Ginsenoside RB1, and Xanthohumol in this study, based on their antioxidant effects previously reported in different disease models. Tolerable concentrations of the compounds were established in vivo. Whilst no toxicity was recorded following treatment with Alpha tocopherol and Orotic acid, the remaining compounds displayed marked toxicity. We then conducted cell viability experiments in primary human fibroblast cell lines, and observed that tolerable concentrations in larvae produced 50–100% cell viability in vitro. Finally, Resveratrol and Alpha tocopherol were observed to rescue the larvae from juglone-induced oxidative toxicity. The larvae of Galleria mellonella can therefore be used for conducting oxidative toxicity and proof-of-concept studies of compounds.FJE was sponsored by the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat. ZR was supported by funding to SAV from the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) and Ataxia UK. RRMC was supported by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council New Investigator Award BB/V007823/1 and by the Academy of Medical Sciences/the Wellcome Trust/the Government Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy/the British Heart Foundation/Diabetes UK Springboard Award [SBF006\1040] and a Medical Research Council Grant MR/Y001354/1
Real Time Fractional Robust Adaptive Scheme for Frequency Regulation in Double Area Hybrid Power System With Renewables
Get PDFLoad frequency regulation in hybrid grid is a very crucial issue. This work introduces robust-adaptive control methodology to provide accurate response against any disturbances. Control scheme of two main parts has been introduced. The first one is a novel fractional order model reference adaptive controller where fractional calculus merits and e-modification robust algorithm have been merged with the adaptive skills creating the fractional order model reference robust-adaptive controller. This robust-adaptive controller has utilized output feedback approach that requires only the output state without detailed system model information. The fractional orders have been optimized using a nature-inspired algorithm named Artificial Rabbits. The second part of the control scheme is a disturbance rejection observer that is able to estimate and eliminate external and internal disturbances. For fair comparison, results of the proposed scheme have been compared to that of the most efficient controllers obtained from the literature named fractional order proportional integral derivative controller and integral controller. Furthermore, the integer version of the proposed controller has been tested and compared with the proposed controller to prove the robustness of the fractional modification. To validate the superiority of the proposed controller, five challenging scenarios have been considered, encompassing load fluctuations, integration of renewable energy sources, changes in system parameters and time delay attacks. The proposed controller effectively minimizes area control error achieving stability and showing cost function enhancement of 15% to 152% compared to other tested controllers in all scenarios. Thus, it is strongly recommended for load frequency regulation in multi-area power systems
Transforming managers with mindfulness-based training: a journey towards humanistic management principles
Get PDFData availability:
Confidentiality and anonymity were ensured throughout the study, with all data stored securely by the corresponding author and identifiable information removed during the analysis and reporting stages. The data that support the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author. However, they are not publicly available due to company restrictions, as they contain information that could compromise the privacy of company and research participants.This study examines the transformative impact of a 6-week mindfulness-based training program on managers within the framework of humanistic management principles. Implemented as a randomized controlled trial (RCT), the research involved 97 managers from the R&D department of a technology development company in Turkiye. Participants were allocated to either an intervention group (N = 47) or a waitlist control group (N = 50), with assessments conducted at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and a 16-week follow-up. The findings reveal significant improvements in empathy, mindfulness, and wisdom among managers who completed the program, compared to those who did not. While the impact on inclusive leadership was less pronounced, the results indicate potential benefits for organizational culture as a whole. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in fostering key elements of humanistic management—such as empathy, mindfulness, and wisdom—and underscores their broader implications for cultivating a more humanistically oriented workplace.No funding was received
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Open Research Online? Become a CORE Member to access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard! 👇