International Journal of Business Performance Management to invite expanded papers from International Conference of Research and Studies in Finance (ICRSF'20) for potential publication

Extended versions of papers presented at the International Conference of Research and Studies in Finance (ICRSF'20) (3-4 March 2020, Fez, Morocco) will be invited for review and potential publication by the International Journal of Business Performance Management.

Special issue published: "Harmonisation Within Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling for Regulatory Purposes – Part II"

International Journal of Environment and Pollution 65(1/2/3) 2019

• The coupled chemistry-meteorology model BOLCHEM: an application to air pollution in the Po Valley (Italy) hot spot
• Evaluation of the NO2 burden within a joint street canyon and tunnel portal micro environment
• A new bottom-up emissions estimation approach for aircraft sources in support of air quality modelling for community-scale assessments around airports
• RIAT+, an integrated assessment tool useful for air quality planning: an application to Emilia Romagna region
• Numerical modelling of transient dispersion of air pollution in perpendicular urban street intersection with detail inclusion of traffic dynamics
• Parameterisation study of chemically reactive pollutant dispersion over idealised urban areas based on the Gaussian plume model
• Air exchange in urban canyons with variable building width: a numerical LES approach
• CFD studies of pollutant spatial distribution in a large office
• Evaluation of OpenFOAM against CODASC wind tunnel database and impact of heating on the flow in an idealised street canyon
• Emission projections and limit values of air pollution concentration - a case study using the EMEP4PL model
• On the comparison of urban canopy effects parameterisation
• Effects of increasing the surface reflectance over air quality levels using WRF-BEM/AEMM/CMAQ: application over the city of Madrid
• A solution of the time-dependent advection-diffusion equation
• Spatial representativeness evaluation of air quality monitoring sites by point-centred variography
• Modelling the air quality for assessing the health benefits of urban regeneration: a case of Tallinn city Centre, Estonia

First issue: International Journal of Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies (free sample issue available)

Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are now topics of substantial impact that academia and industry need to contemplate, exploit and adopt. The mission of the International Journal of Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies is to be the premier resource for the most innovative scholarly and professional research information pertaining to the management and use of blockchains and cryptocurrencies. Its articles will be essential for anyone interested in this area. IJBC is the first journal dedicated to the topic.

There is a free download of the papers from this first issue.

New Editor for International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology

Prof. Miadreza Shafiekhah from University of Vaasa in Finland has been appointed to take over editorship of the International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology.

Research pick: Smart software for smart devices - "Techniques to detect data leakage in mobile applications"

Almost everywhere one turns, one sees someone using a smartphone or other mobile, internet-connected device. Commonly, usage of such devices is not to make and receive phone calls as one might expect but the use of countless services that allow one to manipulate, share, download, view, listen to digital entities, such as emails, photos, videos, audio files, and so much more. Indeed, many users keep much of their personal, private, and business lives locked and synchronized in these powerful portable computers. But, there is a problem – data leakage. How can we be sure that our smartphones aren’t betraying our inner secrets to third parties with perhaps malicious intent or at best with their, not our, interest in mind?

Work published in the International Journal of Security and Networks discusses and assesses the techniques that can be employed to test whether a smartphone or device is leaking data. The team has surveyed the problem for the two main operating systems – Android and iOS. The team explains data leakage is defined as the unintentional or accidental distribution of sensitive information to a third-party entity. This might be leakage to the creators of a particular app or leakage via malware or hacking.

Ultimately, the team found, none of the current defenses against data leakage is perfect nor even entirely adequate. They point out that future developments in machine learning, so-called artificial intelligence, will most likely be the way forward for smart software to protect our purportedly smart devices.

Rocha, T., Souto, E. and El-Khatib, K. (2019) ‘Techniques to detect data leakage in mobile applications‘, Int. J. Security and Networks, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp.146-157.

Special issue published: "Cloud-Based Opportunities for Online Communities"

International Journal of Web Based Communities 15(3) 2019

• Automated question extraction and tagging for cloud-based online communities
• Identification of regression function and distribution model for denial of service attack in Second Life online community using simple network management protocol
• Energy efficient resource management techniques in cloud environment for web-based community by machine learning: a survey
• Dynamic ranking of cloud services for web-based cloud communities: efficient algorithm for rating-based discovery and multi-level ranking of cloud services
• An intelligent fuzzy-induced recommender system for cloud-based cultural communities

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Export Marketing

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Export Marketing are now available here for free:

• Recapturing images after a brand crisis through marketing communication in social networks: the Maggi controversy
• Strategic application of the hazard analysis and critical control point system for new export markets for Cyprus' small and medium food enterprises during the 2012 economic crisis
• Influences of international orientation and export commitment on the export performance of emerging market SMEs
• The coordination of export promotion networks for the creative industries

Special issue published: "IoT Based Next Generation Systems for Medical Internet Applications"

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations 21(2) 2019

• An energy efficient and secure data forwarding scheme for wireless body sensor network
• Improving the performance of MANETs to suit for IoT-based applications
• Complexity estimation by using multiparadigm approach: a proposed metrics and algorithms
• Intelligent decision making service framework based on analytic hierarchy process in cloud environment
• Future algorithm for optimised path selection and detection in MANET
• Controlling industrial parameters through server using Li-Fi and Wi-Fi communication protocols
• A comparative study of various existing malware analysis methods
• Survey on testing technique for modern web application-rookies vantage point

Research pick: Social media in a repressive society - "The transformative influence of social media: an exploratory case study of empowerment in repressive society"

Social media is affecting all our lives in ways we are only just beginning to recognise, whether it is the simple, but constant preoccupation many people have with sharing their digital lives or connecting with friends and family to the outpourings of politicians that are the vanguard of modern propaganda that seems to win elections. In what we might refer to as repressive societies, social media is also having an effect on society. Indeed, it is providing a medium for empowerment that has not existed before.

Research published in the International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, focuses on one particular aspect – the issues facing transgender entrepeneurs in India, a country considered to present particular restrictions to certain minority groups that may well not be of such concern in freer societies. Guruprasad Gadgil of the Francis Marion University, near Florence, South Carolina, and Gayle Prybutok and Victor Prybutok of the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA, explain that research in this area is lacking. They have now carried out a case study, which they say is a first step towards addressing the research gap.

“A key finding points out the important role that social networking plays in entrepreneurial success when the transgender entrepreneur’s skill set is an integral part of a small scale or family business endeavour,” the team says. “This study suggests future research directed at understanding the unique aspects of transgender entrepreneurism in India and informs on entrepreneurism and public policy in India about this population of entrepreneurs.” They conclude that “This research has filled an identified research gap and highlighted the challenges of this unique group of entrepreneurs.”

Gadgil, G., Prybutok, G. and Prybutok, V. (2018) ‘The transformative influence of social media: an exploratory case study of empowerment in repressive society‘, Int. J. Electronic Healthcare, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp.231-248.

Special issue published: "Energy and Environmental Friendly Applications"

International Journal of Global Warming 19(1/2) 2019

• A time-varying carbon intensity approach for demand-side management strategies with respect to CO2 emission reduction in the electricity grid
• Biogas production from sunn hemp
• Waste management and determination of carbon footprint of a marine port: a case study from Izmir, Turkey
• The effect of phase change material incorporated building wall on the CO2 mitigation: a case study of Izmir, Turkey
• Addressing environmental implications of crop stubble burning in Pakistan: innovation platforms as an alternative approach
• Estimation of emissions from crop residue burning using remote sensing data
• Photodegradation of olive mill wastewater with sunlight using nano-ZnO-SiO2 composite, its reusability and the quality of treated water
• Biodesign as an innovative tool to decrease construction induced carbon emissions in the environment
• Bioremediation of minkery wastewater and astaxanthin production by Haematococcus pluvialis
• Investigation of lipid, carbohydrate and protein production from Chlorella vulgaris in controlled environment minkery wastewater
• Investigation of microbial communities in the field-scale co-composting of sewage sludge and organic municipal solid wastes
• Development of seasonal solar radiation estimation models for Dokuz Eylul University campus area for controller of a two-axis solar tracker
• Techno-economic evaluation of a residential roof-mounted solar system and its power generation: a case study in Canada
• Impact of thermal mass for future energy consumption: case study in adobe house

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion are now available here for free:

• Examining a competency model of workplace learning: an assessment of participants' reactions
• Student engagement in Indian context: UWES-S validation and relationship with burnout and life satisfaction
• An exploration of global employability skills: a systematic research review
• Workplace flexibility and organisational citizenship behaviour: an investigation of the mediating role of engagement and moderating role of perceived fairness
• Selection and retention of talent
• Managing women's post retirement career in law enforcement organisations: lessons from developed nations for emerging economies
• Managing self towards managing people: role of perceived emotional competencies in healthcare organisations

Research pick: Planning a journey around your asteroid - "Optimal trajectory design for global exploration of an asteroid via bi-impulsive transfers"

Once you have your craft in space, what’s the best way to explore an asteroid? Research published in the International Journal of Space Science and Engineering sets out to answer that question. There have already been several successful missions to examine asteroids, the irregular and fast-moving chunks of rock that orbit our Sun that we consider too small to be called planets. Among them NASA’s NEAR, JAXA’s Hayabusa, and ESAs Rosetta. JAXA’s Hayabusa 2 and NASA’s OSIRIS-REx are currently exploring the asteroids 162173 Ryugu and 101955 Bennu, respectively.

The irregular shapes and mass distribution of an asteroid make their gravity fields remarkably complicated in terms of locating a spacecraft to close proximity with the object and navigating a global route around it with focus on particular points of interest. Now, Yu Shi, Yue Wang, and Shijie Xu of the School of Astronautics at Beihang University in Beijing, China, and Hao Peng of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA, point out that the trajectory must be optimised for scientific relevance as well as fuel efficiency.

They have found a way to optimise the trajectory for a future spacecraft based on an initial estimate of movements required based on assuming the asteroid is a simple point mass with a uniform gravitational field. They then expand on this using the well-known travelling salesman problem of planning a route that minimises distance covered but allowing the salesman, the spacecraft, to visit each place of interest in its journey around the asteroid. As proof of principle, they have designed an exploratory trajectory around asteroid 433 Eros. Of course, of major importance is that the trajectory avoids any collision between spacecraft and asteroid which would lead to summary termination of the mission.

Shi, Y., Peng, H., Wang, Y. and Xu, S. (2019) ‘Optimal trajectory design for global exploration of an asteroid via bi-impulsive transfers‘, Int. J. Space Science and Engineering, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp.205-222.

Special section published: "Computational Problems in Science and Engineering"

International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering 5(4) 2019

• Edge fixed edge Steiner number of a graph
• Stochastic maximum principle for mean-field type singular optimal control problem with discounted cost
• Discrete MDP problem in service facility systems with inventory management
• On the generalised degree distance of graphs

Regular papers

• A computerised framework for characterisation of breast tissue using mammographic images
• Contest of strength game-based algorithm for decline of active power loss
• A hybrid approach to metamorphic cryptography using KIMLA and DNA concept

Special issue published: "Advanced Intelligent Systems for Sustainable Development Applied to Agriculture and Environment"

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics 5(2/3) 2019

• Investigating the impact of drying parameters on the dandelion root using full factorial design of experiments
• Predictable consequences of climate change for varieties of strawberry plants grown in Morocco
• Type 2 fuzzy TOPSIS for agriculture MCDM problems
• Automated greenhouse system for tomato crop using deep learning
• Comparative study of the pathogenic variability of some Morrocan isolates of Botrytis cinerea
• Modelling potential impacts of climate change on the geospatial distribution of phytopathogenic telluric fungi
• How can data mining help us to predict the influence of climate change on Mediterranean agriculture?

Additional papers

• Current trends and challenges in the deployment of IoT technologies for climate smart facility agriculture
• Hybrid approach for fruits quality prediction using image processing and sensors technique

Special issue published: "Physical and Numerical Simulation of Materials Processing – Part II"

International Journal of Computational Materials Science and Surface Engineering 8(1) 2019

• Latest developments in virtual casting of lightweight metals
• Deformation control study on H-beam welded by a finite element model
• Numerical analysis of stress-induced and concentration-dependent carbon diffusion in low-temperature surface carburisation of 316L stainless steel
• The simulation for ultrasonic testing based on frequency-phase coded excitation
• Effect of Ni content and brazing temperature on the self-joining of ZrB2-SiC

Additional papers

• Comparative study on effects of slurry erosive parameters on plasma sprayed flyash-Al2O3 and flyash-SiC composite coatings on Al6061 alloy
• Mathematical model and optimisation for tensile strength of human hair reinforced polyester composites

International Journal of Modelling in Operations Management to invite expanded papers from International Conference on Logistics and Supply Chain (ICLS 2019) for potential publication

Extended versions of papers presented at the International Conference on Logistics and Supply Chain (ICLS 2019) (30 November - 1 December 2019, Beijing Wuzi University, Beijing, China) will be invited for review and potential publication by the International Journal of Modelling in Operations Management.

Special issue published: "Redesigning Higher Education: The Need for Change and Innovation"

International Journal of Learning and Change 11(2) 2019

• Role of blended learning environment towards student performance in higher education: mediating effect of student engagement
• Revitalising employee retention in Indian higher education industry: role of job embeddedness
• The effects of quality of work life on organisational commitment and job satisfaction: a study of academic professionals in higher education sector
• Whistleblowing in Indian higher education sector: a qualitative study
• A review on teachers eudaemonic well-being and innovative behaviour: exploring the importance of personality, work-life balance, self-efficacy and demographic variables
• The inclusion of visually impaired students in a Lebanese private school: a case study

First issue: International Journal of Healthcare Policy (free sample issue available)

The International Journal of Healthcare Policy serves as a forum for interdisciplinary discussion of leading issues in healthcare law, medicine and health policy. Emphasis is placed on issues such as legislative and regulatory environments, and plans and actions that are undertaken by organisations and agencies to achieve specific healthcare goals within society. This perspective is reflective of the broad range of efforts to advance the public's health.

There is a free download of the papers from this first issue.

Research pick: Waste management in developing cities - "Determinants of awareness and disposal habits of households for effective municipal solid waste management"

Waste is a big problem. It affects our environment, society, and the economy, as well as human health. Saurabh Srivastava and Divya Singh of the Jamwal School of Business at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, in Katra, India, have carried out an exploratory survey of more than 800 households to see what level of awareness exists and how the inhabitants of those homes deal with the disposal of their solid waste. They analysed the results with the appropriate statistical tools and techniques.

The team explains that their paper derives from the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and confirms the factors that would support the planning of effective management of solid waste. On the basis of their analysis, they suggest that there is a “need for a well-defined comprehensive and participative plan of action for resolving the issue of municipal solid waste management that can be implemented with defined objectives and timeline by the concerned municipal bodies.” The team found that where there was a general lack of awareness concerning the legal aspects of waste disposal, the potential for pollution, and the impact on human and environmental health, participation in an appropriate waste disposal regime was low.

The United Nations recommends that the impact of solid household waste must be incorporated into municipal plans from the social, environmental, and economic perspectives. All of these perspectives are complicated with many so-called stakeholders involved from the members of those households to the local governing bodies, landowners, and companies involved in collecting, recycling, and disposing of solid waste, and many others.

Srivastava, S. and Jamwal, D.S. (2019) ‘Determinants of awareness and disposal habits of households for effective municipal solid waste management‘, J. Global Business Advancement, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp.405-428.

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Computational Materials Science and Surface Engineering

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Computational Materials Science and Surface Engineering are now available here for free:

• Identifying the minimum corrosion conditions for friction stir welded dissimilar joints of aluminium-magnesium alloys
• The potential of using superhydrophobic surfaces on airfoils and hydrofoils: a numerical approach
• Experimental and numerical investigations on plasma sprayed ceramic coatings with varying coating thickness
• Simulation study on rapid solidification of eutectic Al-Cu alloy: a molecular dynamics approach
• Theory analysis of grinding fluid jet and its effect on surface roughness of workpiece