• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.60 no.1
• /
• pp.70-79
• /
• 2022

Biodiesel production has attracted attention as a sustainable source of fuel and is a competitive alternate to diesel engines. The glycerol that is produced as a by-product is generally discarded as waste and can be converted to green chemicals such as acetins to increase bio-diesel profitability. Acetins find application in fuel, food, pharmaceutical and leather industries. Batch experiments and analysis have been previously conducted for synthesis of acetins using glycerol esterification reaction aided by sulfated metal oxide catalysts (SO₄^2-/CeO₂-ZrO₂). The aim of this study was to optimize process parameters: effects of mole ratio of reactants (glycerol and acetic acid), catalyst concentration and reaction temperature to maximize glycerol conversion/acetin selectivity. The optimum conditions for this reaction were determined using response surface methodology (RSM) designed as per a five-level-three-factor central composite design (CCD). Statistica software 10 was used to analyze the experimental data obtained. The optimized conditions obtained were molar ratio - 1:12, catalyst concentration - 6 wt.% and temperature -90 ℃. A packed bed reactor was fabricated and column studies were performed using the optimized conditions. The breakthrough curve was analyzed.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.65-81
• /
• 2020

Purpose - This research aims to investigate how consumers' eco-friendly product choice ratio changes as the benefits of eco-friendly products are framed as (1) non-monetary benefits, (2) monetary gain integrated with the loss or (3) monetary gain segregated from the loss. Design/methodology/approach - A mixed-design, scenario-based choice experiment was conducted. A series of chi-square tests and residual analyses were conducted to analyze the data. Findings - When the monetary gain was larger or slightly smaller than the loss, the participants' eco-friendly product choice ratio was higher when the monetary gain was integrated with the loss than those in the other two conditions. When the monetary gain was significantly smaller than the loss, the participants' eco-friendly product choice ratio was lower when the monetary gain was integrated with the loss than those in the other conditions. The ratio did not differ between the latter two conditions. Research implications or Originality - This research shows that marketers should frame the benefits of eco-friendly products and their costs in different manners depending on the relative magnitudes of them. This research also complements the existing literature by comparing the effectiveness of non-monetary framing of eco-friendly product benefits with that of monetary framing following hedonic editing hypothesis.

• Journal of Korea Trade
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.43-64
• /
• 2023

Purpose - This paper studies whether CISG can be a suitable governing law for pure service contracts. When CISG was first drafted, there was little disagreement on the fact that contracts for the sale of goods and those for the provision of services were two different types of contract. Based on this understanding, CISG explicitly provides that the Convention will apply to contracts where the preponderant part of the contractual obligation is on the sale of goods, not services. However, as more sales transactions have come to include more elements of services, mainly due to the advancement of the IoT industry, the distinction between goods and services became more blurred. Based on the observation of recent changes, some scholars even argue that such a change supports the applicability and suitability of CISG to even pure service contracts. The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze and evaluate their argument. Design/methodology - This paper focuses on two separate but related issues: CISG's 'applicability' and 'suitability' to service contracts. For the first issue, this paper will examine the rules of interpretation of international treaties under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969, and will apply its rules to find the proper answer. For the second issue, this paper will perform logical and empirical analyses on the reasoning employed by scholars claiming the suitability of CISG to service contracts. Findings - This paper concludes that CISG does not, and should not, apply to pure service contracts. The argument that CISG applies to pure service contracts directly contravenes Article 3(2) of the Convention, which expressly states that it does not apply to a contract wherein the preponderant part of its obligation is about services rather than sales. Similarly, CISG is not a suitable governing law for pure service contracts because it aims provide rules specifically tailored to the needs of transactions of sales of goods, not services. Servitization of sales of goods transaction does not change this conclusion. Originality/value - This paper presents different views from those offered by some eminent scholars on the issue of applicability and suitability of CISG to service contracts. By doing so, it is hoped that the confusion caused in discussions so far are clarified. Hopefully, this paper can also provide practical guidance to practitioners engaged in the fields of international sales, services, and IoT industries.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.82-103
• /
• 2023

The Zimbabwean healthcare sector faces huge challenges due to increased demands for improved services for a growing number of patients with fewer resources. The use of information and communications technologies, prevalent in many industries, but lacking in Zimbabwean healthcare, could increase productivity and innovation. The adoption of health management information systems (HMISs) can lead to improved patient safety and high-level patient care. These technologies can change delivery methods to be more patient focused by utilising integrated models and allowing for a continuum of care across healthcare providers. However, implementation of these technologies in the health care sector remains low. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the advantages to be attained by using HMISs in healthcare delivery and to ascertain the factors that influence the uptake of such systems in the public healthcare sector. A conceptual model, extending the technology, organization, and environment framework by means of other adoption models, underpins the study of adoption behavior. A mixed method methodology was used to conduct the study. For the quantitative approach, questionnaires were used to allow for regression analysis. For the qualitative approach, thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. The results showed that the critical success factors (namely, relative advantage, availability, complexity, compatibility, trialability, observability, management support, information and communication technology expertise, communication processes, government regulation, infrastructure support, organizational readiness, industry and competitive support, external support, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention to use) influenced adoption of HMISs in public hospitals in Zimbabwe.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.879-890
• /
• 2023

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the use of Megasphaera elsdenii (M. elsdenii) as a probiotic on rumen fermentation, production performance, carcass traits and health of ruminants by integrating data from various related studies using meta-analysis. Methods: A total of 32 studies (consisted of 136 data points) were obtained and integrated into a database. The parameters integrated were fermentation products, rumen microbes, production performance, carcass quality, animal health, blood and urine metabolites. Statistical analysis of the compiled database used a mixed model methodology. Different studies were considered random effects, while M. elsdenii supplementation doses were considered fixed effects. p-values and the Akaike information criterion were employed as model statistics. The model was deemed significant at p<0.05 or had a tendency to be significant when p-value between 0.05<p<0.10. Results: Supplementation with M. elsdenii increased (p<0.05) some proportion of fermented rumen products such as propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and valerate, and significantly reduced (p<0.05) lactic acid concentration, acetate proportion, total bacterial population and methane emission. Furthermore, the probiotic supplementation enhanced (p<0.05) livestock production performance, especially in the average daily gain and body condition score. Regarding the carcass quality, hot carcass weight and carcass gain were elevated (p< 0.05) due to the M. elsdenii supplementation. Animal health also showed improvement as indicated by the lower (p<0.05) diarrhoea and bloat incidences as well as the liver abscess. However, M. elsdenii supplementation had negligible effects on blood and urine metabolites of ruminants. Conclusion: Supplementation of M. elsdenii is capable of decreasing ruminal lactic acid concentration, enhancing rumen health, elevating some favourable rumen fermentation products, and in turn, increasing production performance of ruminants.

• Educational Technology International
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.257-281
• /
• 2012

This study aims to examine individual perceptions and lived experiences of the Net generation of student teachers and the previous generation of teachers about their technology use in education. The participants of this study include 106 pre-service teachers and 50 in-service teachers from one teacher education university in Korea. Employing a mixed methodology, we first empirically examined the participants' perceptions toward multiple variables related to technology use in education, namely (a) past ICT experiences in schools, (b) personal computer use, (c) constructivist belief, (d) computer efficacy, (e) attitude toward computer in education, and (f) prospective computer use. In addition, we conducted face-to-face interviews with selected participants for the in-depth investigation of their lived experiences about technology use, beliefs, and attitude. Results indicate that there are significant differences between in-service and pre-service teachers in their prior experiences with technology in schools. However, the pre-service and in-service teachers did not differ significantly in their beliefs, attitude and other technology-related variables, which may indicate the danger of generational determinism in the Net Generation debate. The analysis of interview narratives revealed two major themes about the interplay of one's agency and structural changes in the participants' lived experiences with technology use in education: (a) transition from negative past experiences to opportunities for positive computer use, and (b) attitudes formation and change through apprenticeship experiences and structural influences. In conclusion, this study suggests that the Net Generation debate should move beyond dichotomous or techno-centric thinking. There is a critical need to pay more attention to develop deeper understandings of the fundamental diversity existing within the generation itself. Implications for teacher education are also discussed.

• The Journal of Information Systems
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.45-68
• /
• 2024

Purpose This paper examines the role of local market-based communities in driving regional revitalization, using detailed analysis of online networks. We aim to dissect a local community's communication network, highlighting members with high engagement levels and exploring their characteristics. Our goal is to identify the conditions that allow local community networks to grow independently and to demonstrate how the activation of these networks contributes to regional revitalization. Design/methodology/approach We employ a mixed-methods approach, combining social network analysis with statistical techniques to investigate the structure of online communication networks. Specifically, we use ANOVA to determine the statistical significance of our findings, ensuring their reliability. To complement our quantitative data, we include qualitative insights from interviews, adding depth and context to our analysis. Findings Our results show that individuals with high centrality in the online network are crucial for maintaining active local communities. We find that leveraging local resources to create a supportive and adaptable environment is essential for the communities' sustainability and expansion. Importantly, our research draws a direct connection between the vitality of local community networks and the broader process of regional revitalization. We argue that energizing local communities is an effective way to address the risk of regional decline. By integrating quantitative analysis with qualitative feedback, this study contributes to the understanding of local market-based communities as key drivers of regional development. It emphasizes the importance of building vibrant, resourceful community networks to revitalize areas experiencing socio-economic challenges.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2024

Background: This study focuses on assessing occupational risk for the health hazards encountered during maintenance works (MW) in semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facilities. Objectives: The objectives of this study include: 1) identifying the primary health hazards during MW in semiconductor FAB facilities; 2) reviewing the methods used in evaluating the likelihood and severity of health hazards through occupational health risk assessment (OHRA); and 3) suggesting variables for the categorization of likelihood of exposures to health hazards and the severity of health effects associated with MW in FAB facilities. Methods: A literature review was undertaken on OHRA methodology and health hazards resulting from MW in FAB facilities. Based on this review, approaches for categorizing the exposure to health hazards and the severity of health effects related to MW were recommended. Results: Maintenance workers in FAB facilities face exposure to hazards such as debris, machinery entanglement, and airborne particles laden with various chemical components. The level of engineering and administrative control measures is suggested to assess the likelihood of simultaneous chemical and dust exposure. Qualitative key factors for mixed exposure estimation during MW include the presence of safe operational protocols, the use of air-jet machines, the presence and effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation system, chamber post-purge and cooling, and proper respirator use. Using the risk (R) and hazard (H) codes of the Globally Harmonized System alongside carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic classifications aid in categorizing health effect severity for OHRA. Conclusion: Further research is needed to apply our proposed variables in OHRA for MW in FAB facilities and subsequently validate the findings.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.54-66
• /
• 2024

Various new ITS Services to support autonomous vehicles. Infra-guidance service is also one of the new ITS services that have emerged to harmonize the traffic flow in mixed traffic by assisting autonomous vehicles. As a verification procedure to introduce a new ITS service, use cases and scenarios will be established for various spatial and situational ranges that may occur on the road, and limited test operations and living lab pilot operations will be performed. On the other hand, numerous cases occur depending on environmental factors such as the traffic volume at the time of service operation, weather and road geometric characteristics. This study presents a test scenario design method for verifying new ITS services, focusing on the infra-guidance service that is being researched as an emerging autonomous driving-supported technology.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.13-30
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the role of Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) in supporting healthcare infrastructure in rural Kazakhstan, and to identify the benefits and challenges of implementing LMIS in these settings. Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was used, combining both qualitative and quantitative data. A survey of healthcare professionals was conducted to gather data on current practices and challenges, while interviews with stakeholders provided additional insights into the potential benefits and limitations of LMIS. A literature review on LMIS in healthcare was also conducted to inform the study. Results: The study found that Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) can improve rural healthcare by enhancing resource allocation, patient care, and decision-making. However, challenges include infrastructure limitations, training needs, data privacy concerns, and financial constraints. Addressing these challenges can unlock LMIS's potential to transform rural healthcare. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of LMIS to improve healthcare access and quality in rural Kazakhstan. While there are implementation challenges, these can be addressed through targeted investments in infrastructure, training, and data security. The findings of this study have important implications for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders seeking to improve healthcare outcomes in rural areas.