4101 research outputs found
Sort by
Applicability of Digital Tracking System on Third Party Logistics (TPL) Services
No full textThe objective of the paper is to evaluate the impact and applicability of digitalisation, especially digital tracking system, on third-party logistics (TPL). Over last few years, logistics activities have seen huge turn through the provision and outsourcing capabilities shared with third-party logistics providers (TPLs). More recently, the growth and disruption of digitalisation and digital technologies enabling the business processes and models, much of the TPL or 3PLs have been challenged to remain competitive in the market. Many of the current literature has been focussing on travel, retail and E-commerce platforms that has seen digital disruptions at more impactful nature, compared to wider supply chain and logistics management areas. The paper examines with the use of case study of a leading technology development company in Malaysia. The case adopts and implements tracking app to enable service standards are maintained through three stages - fundamental stage, development stage, and future improvement stage
A survey comparative analysis of cartesian and complexity science frameworks adoption in financial risk management of Zimbabwean banks
No full textTraditionally, financial risk management is examined with cartesian and interpretivist frameworks. However, the emergence of complexity science provides a different perspective. Using a structured questionnaire completed by 120 Risk Managers, this paper pioneers a comparative analysis of cartesian and complexity science theoretical frameworks adoption in sixteen Zimbabwean banks, in unique settings of a developing country. Data are analysed with descriptive statistics. The paper finds that overally banks in Zimbabwe are adopting cartesian and complexity science theories regardless of bank size, in the same direction and trajectory. However, adoption of cartesian modeling is more comprehensive and deeper than complexity science. Furthermore, due to information asymmetries, there is diverging modeling priorities between the regulator and supervisor. The regulator places strategic thrust on Knightian risks modeling whereas banks prioritise ontological, ambiguous and Knightian uncertainty measurement. Finally, it is found that complexity science and cartesianism intersect on market discipline. From these findings, it is concluded that complexity science provides an additional dimension to quantitative risk management, hence an integration of these two perspectives is beneficial. This paper makes three contributions to knowledge. First, it adds valuable insights to theoretical perspectives on Quantitative Risk Management. Second, it provides empirical evidence on adoption of two theories from developing country perspective. Third, it offers recommendations to improve Quantitative Risk Management policy formulation and practice
Thermal stability, flammability and mechanical performances of unsaturated polyester–melamine resin blends and of glass fibre-reinforced composites based on them
No full textA novel blend of unsaturated polyester (UP) resin with an inherently flame-retardant and char-forming melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin has been prepared with the aim of reducing the flammability of the former. MF resin, sourced as a spray-dried resin, was dissolved in diethyleneglycol solvent; the dissolved resin and the UP-MF blend were autocured by heating under conditions normally used for curing UP, i.e., room temperature for 24 h and post-curing at 80 ◦C for 12–24 h. The cured UP-MF blends, although heterogeneous in nature, were rigid materials having fire performances superior to those of the cured UP alone. The blends also burned, but with a much reduced smoke output compared with that from UP. Although the heterogeneity of the blends helped in improving the fire performances of the blends in terms of the MF domains forming a semi-protective char, acting as thermal barriers for the adjoining UP domains, and hence reducing their thermal degradation, the mechanical properties of composites based on them were impaired. Nevertheless, whilst UP/MF blends may not be suitable for use as matrices in glass-reinforced composites in load-bearing applications, they may lend themselves to applications as fire-retardant gel coats, especially in view of their low-smoke, char-forming attributes
Same Difference
No full textThis ambitious new collection from poet and critic Ben Wilkinson finds its author experimenting with poetic voice and the dramatic monologue. Carefully crafted yet charged with contemporary language, the book brims with everyone from cage fighters to boy-racers, cancer patients to whales in captivity.Several poems unpick the preconceptions and prejudices that can inform so many of our encounters – with the world, art, and one another – while others take a sideways glance at everything from male depression to the history of meat-eating; from the philosophy behind athletic competition to surreal yet familiar emotions.Notable here are poems that wrestle with the mystery of failed and successful relationships, both providing moments of transcendence and despair. There are well-observed pieces about sport, particularly the rewards of running, from a noted devotee.Wilkinson has also been deeply inspired by the French symbolist poet Paul Verlaine (1844-96), ‘stepping into the shoes’ and finding affinity with that poet’s astringent tone and ruthless clarity, borrowing his ‘punchy and musical’ phrasing. These add to the volume’s tonal and imaginative range.While empathetic and often moving, Same Difference is a collection that seeks to undermine the confessional mode, keeping the reader on their toes and asking just who is doing the talking. It is also formally elegant, often using traditional rhyme and metre to weave its arguments
COVID-19 health analysis and prediction using machine learning algorithms for Mexico and Brazil patients
No full textThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had social and clinical effects over the healthcare systems. Globally, over 178.602.416 confirmed cases and 3.868.228 deaths have been recorded as of 21st June 2021, based on the Dashboard updated by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. The continuous rise in the number of asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic and symptomatic patients has developed efficient and accessible models for prediction using Open Source Libraries and Cloud Services. This paper is proposes a different machine learning algorithms in order to analyse the COVID-19 OpenData Resources from Mexico and Brazil, which represent the two major Population, Economics and Affected by Disease countries in Latin America. This model uses only the COVID-19 patient's geographical, social conditions, economics conditions, clinical risk factors, symptoms reports and demographic data to predict the recovery and death. The model of Mexico has an accuracy of 93% and the perceived mean of the recall and the precision (F1 Score) of 0.79 on the dataset used. On the other hand, the model of Brazil has an accuracy of 69% and F1 Score of 0.75 on the dataset studied. The result considers data from patients under the age of 0 and 120 years. The contribution of the work is the application of Big Data technologies and Machine Learning algorithms using Open Resource Libraries and Amazon Cloud Services with the vision to improve the clinical diagnosis, even infectious Disease with mathematical approaches
Collaboration in times of crisis: leading UK schools in the early stages of a pandemic
No full textThis paper examines the political and relational dimensions of leading and managing schools in the early stages of pandemic-induced school closure in the four nations of the United Kingdom. It draws on in-depth interviews with 12 headteachers from primary, secondary and special schools. Headteachers used adaptive leadership strategies, including bridging, brokering and buffering, to recalibrate provision at pace. School closures demanded enhanced levels of coordination and communication around what mattered most. However, despite exercising creative agency, headteachers spoke of “clipped wings”, with some feeling “vulnerable” or “alone” in attempting to mitigate often unknown risks amid constantly shifting guidance
Heat Transfer Characteristics of Fullerene and Titania Nanotube Nanofluids under Agitated Quench Conditions
No full textDistilled water and aqueous fullerene nanofluids having concentrations of 0.02, 0.2, and 0.4 vol % and titania (titanium dioxide, TiO2) nanofluids of 0.0002, 0.002, and 0.02 vol % were analyzed for heat transfer characteristics. Quenching mediums were stirred at impeller speeds of 0, 500, 1,000, and 1,500 RPMs in a typical Tensi agitation system. During the quenching process, a metal probe made of ISO 9950 Inconel was used to record the temperature history. The inverse heat conduction method was used to calculate the spatial and temporal heat flux. The nanofluid rewetting properties were measured and matched to those of distilled water. The maximum mean heat flux was 3.26 MW/m2, and the quickest heat extraction was 0.2 vol % fullerene nanofluid, according to the results of the heat transfer investigation
Learning from digital adaptations to the pandemic: enhancing work-based higher education
No full textPurpose This paper examines how the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated digital developments in apprenticeship and work-based learning in higher education (HE), focusing on practices that have ongoing value. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was carried out on the theme of HE work-based and work-integrated learning during the pandemic, followed by minimally-structured interviews with UK university staff responsible for apprenticeship and other work-based programmes. Findings The pandemic has accelerated adoption of online and digital methods to support work-based and apprenticeship learning. There has been progress from emergency measures to more pedagogically consistent ones. A blended approach is becoming common, with the learning and logistical benefits from digital methods ensuring their continuing use. Progress is uneven and there is still a need for improved digital pedagogy and better integration of theoretical and practical learning. Practical implications More attention is needed to digital pedagogy and to effective use of online methods to support work-based learning with corresponding implications for staff development. There are institutional implications in terms of ensuring that systems and structures support what is, particularly for work-based learners, likely to be a permanent move towards digital, blended and online learning. Originality/value There has been limited research on the impact of the pandemic on work-based learning, with most of the literature focusing on placements and projects. This paper presents findings at a point when universities are considering how technologically-supported methods will be employed on a more permanent basis