New insights into the design and performance of combined weir-gate hydraulic structures, a crucial component of modern water-management systems, are discussed in the International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology. Weir-gate hybrid structures merge the functions of a traditional weir and a sluice gate and are now being widely used to regulate water flow, control flood risks, and aid in flow measurement.

Noor I. Khattab, Azza N. Altalib, and Arwa A. Mullah of the University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq, have now looked at a novel design for such structures, which incorporates a triangular shape with interior angles that can range from 60 to 180 degrees. Their findings explain how the configuration of these structures impacts their efficiency in managing water flow.

A weir is typically used to direct water over a barrier to control flow, while a sluice gate is designed to regulate flow beyond the barrier. By combining both functions into a single hybrid structure, engineers can maximize the benefits of each. The new work demonstrates how varying the angle within a triangular opening affects the flow of water and the efficiency of discharge measurement. The team used a key performance indicator, the discharge coefficient, is used to quantify the efficiency of the structure in controlling and measuring flow.

The researchers found that as the interior angle of the hybrid structure decreases, so the discharge coefficient increases. Under constant upstream head values, the discharge coefficient showed an average increase of 27% to 54% as the interior angle became more acute. The study also found that the shape and configuration of the structure, including the length of the crest and the specific type of flow, whether it flows over, under, or through the structure, affect overall performance. One of the important applications of these hybrid structures is the reduction of sediment accumulation beneath gates. The weir pushes materials out while the gate controls flow.

Weir-gate structures play a role in managing water: flood control, irrigation, water supply, and energy generation. If the design of these structures can be improved and optimized for specific purposes, then efficient and cost-effective infrastructure might be developed that is better equipped to handle fluctuating water conditions.

Khattab, N.I., Altalib, A.N. and Mullah, A.A. (2025) 'Hydraulic characteristics of combined weir-gate structure', Int. J. Hydrology Science and Technology, Vol. 19, No. 5, pp.1–17.
DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2025.144936

Research in the International Journal of Management in Education has looked at the various factors that affect a teacher's behaviour in terms of innovation. Innovation, the research explains, is an important part of improving educational performance in an increasingly competitive environment.

Jimmy Ellya Kurniawan, Kuncoro Dewi Rahmawati, and Evan Tanuwijaya of the Universitas Ciputra Surabaya in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, carried out research across private schools there and their findings offer a clearer understanding of how the attitudes of teachers as well as their motivation and the organizational culture within which they work can shape their willingness to engage in innovative practices.

Educational innovation can drive teaching quality and student outcomes, the team adds. However, the factors that lead to what drives teachers to be innovative has not been researched in detail until now. The current work focuses on two key elements: learning orientation culture and self-determination. The researchers used the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), a psychological framework that links behaviour to one's attitudes, social pressures, and perceived control, to show how these elements influence teachers.

TPB shows that our behaviour is affected not only by personal beliefs but also by societal norms and how much we feel in control of our actions. In the context of education, the researchers showed that the organizational culture of a school can help foster innovation. A learning orientation culture, where continuous learning and knowledge application are prioritized, encourages teachers to embrace this. Moreover, when coupled with self-determination or a sense of autonomy there is an even greater likelihood of engaging in innovative practices.

From a practical perspective, the study offers valuable insights for school administrators. It suggests that if they can create a positive environment that emphasizes a learning-oriented culture and support the autonomy of their teachers, they might significantly enhance innovative behaviour and so student outcomes as well as the job satisfaction of their teachers.

Kurniawan, J.E., Rahmawati, K.D. and Tanuwijaya, E. (2025) 'School teacher's innovative work behaviour model', Int. J. Management in Education, Vol. 19, No. 7, pp.1–36.
DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2025.144925

Digital tools continue to redefine much of modern student life and learning. Educational administrators could better serve their student communities if they had a clearer view of the emotions and opinions those students are expressing online. Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology, describes a deep learning-based method to analyse and categorize student sentiment in online content. The tools could offer invaluable insights for managing campus dynamics and enhancing the academic environment.

Dan Wang and Li Wang of the Gingko College of Hospitality Management in Chengdu, China, explain how deep learning techniques can be though of a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with a focus on understanding human language. By analysing content from different online platforms, such as social media, discussion forums, and website comment sections, the team suggests that it is possible to extract a clearer picture of the emotional and ideological landscape of student population.

The approach uses Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. CNNs can identify patterns and extract key features from textual data, while LSTMs are used to understand the relationships between words in long passages of text. By combining the strengths of these tools, it is possible to extract the nuance of ideas and emotions being shared online in the wider student discourse.

A key aspect of the new analytical model is the introduction of an "attention mechanism". This improves the model's ability to accurately interpret complex emotional expressions. In online communication, students often use irony, sarcasm, or metaphor to convey sentiments, as do we all. This is difficult to grasp with a simple analytical tool. The attention mechanism allows the system to focus on the most critical words or phrases in a given piece of text and this improves its ability to detect and decode these subtle emotional cues. For instance, the phrase "yeah, right" is familiar American vernacular and is commonly used as a sarcastic riposte to an apparently unbelievable comment. Taken literally, however, it would simply be interpreted as confirmation of the person reading the unbelievable and confirming their acceptance of it.

In addition to the nuances of the model and the AI tools on which it is built, the team has also created a large-scale, annotated dataset of student-generated content. This dataset, drawn from a wide range of platforms, allowed the team to train and validate their model with real data. The same data and model might be used off campus too, to analyse public online sentiment or perhaps within the corporate environment.

Wang, D. and Wang, L. (2024) 'Deep learning semantic understanding and classification of student online public opinion for new media', Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 25, No. 10, pp.62–76.
DOI: 10.1504/IJICT.2024.143335

A new approach to gear skiving, a specialized machining technique for producing internal gears, could improve the speed and accuracy with which gear teeth are formed. The work, described in the International Journal of Abrasive Technology, could be useful to industries reliant on high-precision gears, such as automotive and aerospace engineering.

Traditionally, manufacturing internal gears, whether spur gears, which have straight teeth, or helical gears, which have angled teeth, has been a complex, time-consuming process. Gear skiving, an advanced technique that uses a specialized cutting tool called a skiving cutter, has emerged as an effective solution.

Hiroki Yonezawa, Jun'ichi Kaneko, and Takeyuki Abe of Saitama University, and Naruhiro Irino, Yuta Shinba, and Yasuhiro Imabeppu of DMG MORI Co, Ltd., Japan, explain that unlike conventional machining methods, which often struggle with the precise geometry of gear teeth, gear skiving synchronizes the rotation of the workpiece with the motion of the cutter. This allows for a continuous and efficient cutting action. However, predicting the exact geometry of the tooth flanks, the surfaces that form the teeth of the gear, has long been a major challenge.

The new research introduces an innovative method for predicting the tooth profile after the skiving process is complete. The team analyses the shape of the material removed during machining, projecting the removal area from the perspective of the workpiece's "tooth lead" direction. The term "tooth lead" refers to the angle at which the teeth of the gear are shaped. This projection-based approach simplifies the analytical process, significantly reducing the computational resources needed to do the calculations when compared to conventional methods. The new approach focuses on the projection of the removal area, factoring in the rotation of the workpiece around its axis to estimate the final tooth profile more quickly and accurately than was previously possible.

The team explains that by providing more accurate and faster predictions of how gear teeth will form after the skiving process, manufacturers can improve the design of specialized tools such as profile crowning tools and chamfering tools. These tools are critical in ensuring the final gear has the desired geometry and performance characteristics for high-tech engineering applications. In addition, the same method can be used to assess the effects of tool wear or mounting errors on the gear's final tooth profile, allowing for better control over the production process.

Yonezawa, H., Kaneko, J., Abe, T., Irino, N., Shinba, Y. and Imabeppu, Y. (2024) 'Development of precision analysis method of tooth profile in gear skiving process with shape projection of removal area', Int. J. Abrasive Technology, Vol. 12, No. 5, pp.1–14.
DOI: 10.1504/IJAT.2024.144424

As we endeavour to address climate change issues, businesses must play an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A study in the International Journal of Business Performance Management, has looked at the net-zero emissions target and identified the difficulties businesses are encountering and suggests a tailored approach to solving the problems different sectors face.

Net-zero emissions mean balancing the amount of greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide and other compounds – a business releases with those it removes or offsets. Achieving a balance is part of a broader effort to curb climate change and lead us into a sustainable future. The study, by Luisa Huaccho Huatuco and Juan Ramon Candia of the University of York, Ruby Christine Mathew of York St John's University, and Graciela Zevallos Porles of the University of East Anglia, UK, included interviews with senior managers from various industries. The team found that while many organizations are taking steps towards net-zero, there are many obstacles in their way that are stymieing efforts in many instances.

The team found that businesses rely heavily on technological improvements and management changes as part of their strategy to reduce emissions. However, infrastructure limitations, a lack of government guidance, and insufficient funding are holding back the transition to a greener future. As such, targets are not being hit.

The team points out that classifying businesses according to their efforts can help identify the problems and perhaps help them in their greening efforts. For instance, most of the organizations referenced in the study were classified as 'opportunity-seeking,' meaning they view the transition to net-zero emissions as a chance to innovate and grow. By contrast, businesses in the agricultural sector were seen to be taking a 'conformance' approach. In other words, they were focused on meeting regulatory requirements rather than pursuing new opportunities through the transition. Fortunately, it seems that no businesses were actively resisting or delaying their net-zero efforts.

The bottom line seems to be that there is no off-the shelf approach to suit all types of business. In other words, the study suggests that businesses might benefit from more tailored support systems, with policies designed to address the unique needs of different industries.

Huaccho Huatuco, L., Candia, J.R., Mathew, R.C. and Zevallos Porles, G. (2025) 'Unravelling net zero practices, strategies and barriers among businesses in a UK region', Int. J. Business Performance Management, Vol. 26, No. 8, pp.1–22.
DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2025.144423

A study in the International Journal of Economics and Business Research has looked at the challenges facing one post-communist nation, Albania, in terms of its business start-up culture. The research investigates the role played by the country's business ecosystems but shows that while globally, start-ups are perceived as engines of economic growth, innovation, and job creation, Albania is lagging behind its European counterparts, particularly Estonia and Lithuania, in nurturing this part of its economy.

Valbona Mehmeti, Bajram Korsita, and Erisa Musabelli of the Aleksander Moisiu University of Durres in Albania, have compared the business environments of Albania, Estonia, and Lithuania, and specifically the relationship between each country's business ecosystem and the number of active start-ups. The researchers used time-series data, to rank ecosystem quality and innovation capacity, as well as the total number of active start-ups in each country. The findings reveal a strong, and perhaps not surprising, positive correlation between how conducive a country's business environment is to start-ups and the number of such active businesses.

Other post-communist nations such as Estonia and Lithuania have 1100 and 500 active startup companies per one million population. For Albania, the number is rather sobering. Albania hosts just 88 startups per million inhabitants. This enormous gap could be of great concern given the increasing importance of start-ups in driving economic growth globally. Indeed, the research suggests that this low level of startup activity is stifling economic development in Albania.

The researchers suggest that development could be nurtured by a more favourable business ecosystem, but this will take a lot of effort from government, policymakers, the extant businesses, and other stakeholder, perhaps even international partners. The point is that it is not simply about the raw data, but about the quality of start-ups. The study suggests that public institutions, the private sector, and society at large must now collaborate to create the right conditions for start-ups to flourish in Albania. Funding, supportive regulatory frameworks, and strong collaboration between universities, industry, and government are needed.

Mehmeti, V., Korsita, B. and Musabelli, E. (2025) 'Business ecosystems and development of start-ups in Albania: a correlational analysis', Int. J. Economics and Business Research, Vol. 29, No. 9, pp.1–12.
DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2025.144738

Family-run micro-enterprises in India rely on more than just business acumen for financial success, according to a study in the International Journal of Social and Humanistic Computing. Researchers have explored the key factors contributing to the success of such businesses and have found that social networks, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial ambition play important roles in driving financial performance.

S. Bharathithasan and K. Sakthi Srinivasan of VIT University in Tamil Nadu, India, looked at the interactions between these factors and found that entrepreneurs with the strongest social networks, including connections with family, friends, and their local community, were more likely to achieve financial stability. Financial stability in this context being represented by a steady income, manageable debt, and overall financial security. Such stability then allowed those business owners to make better decisions to drive their company's long-term growth.

The researchers suggest that the importance of social networks in this context cannot be overstated. In environments such as those in which many Indian micro-enterprises find themselves, resources are limited and competition is fierce. Social capital, an essentially intangible asset drawn from one's personal and business relationships, plays a vital role in allowing business owners to face the many challenges. Strong connections within the community provide entrepreneurs with access to financial resources, business advice, and emotional support. Moreover, family and community ties offer micro-business owners a distinct advantage, helping them to mitigate risks, adopt new technologies, and respond more readily to market changes.

While social networks are clearly important, the researchers also showed that financial intelligence plays an important part in the success of micro-businesses. Financial intelligence refers to the ability to manage money effectively in terms of budgeting, investing, and making informed financial decisions. That said, the study found that the importance of financial literacy was not in terms of greater long-term financial success directly but rather in working synergistically with social capital.

The team adds that entrepreneurs with obvious ambition are more likely to take calculated risks and make decisions that contribute to sustainable growth. However, it is the foundational support of family and community that sets them up to realise their ambitions.

Bharathithasan, S. and Srinivasan, K.S. (2024) 'Building your network, building your wealth', Int. J. Social and Humanistic Computing, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp.253–276.
DOI: 10.1504/IJSHC.2024.143669

Emoji are cartoon representations of human faces, animals, and various objects that were in some sense an extension of the text-character based representations known as emoticons or smileys. The term derives from Japanese – e "picture" + moji "character", so the "emo" is a happy, and ironic, coincidence.

Emoji have become an integral part of digital communication, especially in the age of social media, helping convey emotions and tone in text-based interactions that often lack the nuances of face-to-face conversation. However, research in the International Journal of Social and Humanistic Computing suggests that inconsistency in the use of emoji can lead to confusion, frustration, and negative reactions, particularly in the context of social media.

Emmanuel Adu-Mensah, Solomon Odei-Appiah, and Raphael Amponsah of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in Accra, Ghana, surveyed 400 users to see how exaggeration, misapplication, and excessive use of emoji might distort communication and provoke unintended emotional responses. The team used the Cognitive Dissonance Process Model (CDPM) and found that discrepancies between a sender's intended meaning and the recipient's interpretation of a given emoji can create a sense of psychological discomfort, known as cognitive dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance occurs when there is a mismatch between a person's attitudes or beliefs and their behaviour, leading to mental discomfort. In this case, when the use of emoji does not align with the message being conveyed, it triggers negative emotions such as frustration, confusion, and irritation. The study reveals that these emotional responses not only affect the quality of communication but also have the potential to affect detrimentally the relationships between sender and recipient. Emoji are often used as shorthand for expressing one's feelings, but the study shows that their overuse or misapplication can cloud the original message.

A common issue that can arise is when a given user imagines a certain meaning for a specific emoji that isn't the usual interpretation and their correspondent understands the emoji to mean something else. In the language of text messaging a similar issue arises with the use of LOL for instance, most people understand the meaning to be "laugh out loud", but others infamously took it erroneously to mean "lots of love". Similarly, in the world of emoji, a sender might that sharing the aubergine/eggplant, cucumber, banana, avocado, peach, or pineapple emoji that they are innocently discussing fruit and veg, whereas others would place an entirely NSFW (not safe for work) interpretation on the use of those emoji. Other examples of potentially confusing emoji are given in the footnote.

When things go wrong the "face with tears of joy" may well go all "sad face" and nobody will be "LOL" any more.

Adu-Mensah, E., Odei-Appiah, S. and Amponsah, R. (2024) 'When emojis go bad: emotional and cognitive concerns on their exaggeration, mis-application and excessive usage', Int. J. Social and Humanistic Computing, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp.277–306.
DOI: 10.1504/IJSHC.2024.143659

Footnote

More putatively confusing emoji

We could all get by with a little help from our friends, a new study on a novel networking protocol suggests. Research in the International Journal of Social and Humanistic Computing has looked at Friend-to-Friend (F2F) systems, which are decentralized networks that allow individuals to exchange computing power and storage. F2F systems are the kissing cousins of P2P, peer-to-peer networks that allow files to be shared. They allow resources, rather than simply digital entities (images, documents, video etc) to be shared without the need for a central server or any intermediaries.

The research by Pramod C. Mane of the Indian Institute of Management Rohtak in Haryana, India, highlights the role of network effects, known as externalities, in determining the flow of resources and how the formation of new connections between peers influences resource availability across the system.

For F2F systems, the value of a network increases as more participants join or interact within the system. In other words, each new friend has the potential to enhance the availability of shared resources. The research investigates both local and global network effects and the impact of new connections not only on the peers directly involved but also on other members of the broader network.

Mane has found that a crucial effect on the network is the distance between peers when a new link is formed. If the physical or logical distance between two connected peers is greater, so the local network effect, the benefits to friends, becomes weaker. Conversely, when peers are more closely connected, the best of friends one might say, there is more chance that the new link will positively impact the broader network, increasing the availability of resources to nearby participants.

However, it is worth noting that one can have too many friends. The density of the network, the number of active connections, has a complex relationship with resource availability. While adding more connections increases value it also introduces unpredictability. In highly dense networks, the creation of new links can negatively affect resource distribution. The research thus suggests that it is worth controlling network density or prioritizing connections that reduce the distance between peers. If no one told you life was going to be this way, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer to ensure the F2F system can continue to distribute resources reliably.

Mane, P.C. (2024) 'Network effects in friend-to-friend resource sharing network', Int. J. Social and Humanistic Computing, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp.232–252.
DOI: 10.1504/IJSHC.2024.143655

Research in the International Journal of Innovation and Learning has looked at the rapid transition to online learning at Hong Kong's tertiary institutions. The study sheds new light on the problems and opportunities presented by digital education and reveals that students from lower-income households face particular challenges.

Jessie Ming Sin Wong, William Ko Wai Tang, and Kam Cheong Li of Hong Kong Metropolitan University in Homantin surveyed 400 students in higher education to uncover what factors, such as access to technology, educator competency, learning environments, and privacy concerns, influenced the student experience.

One of the most striking findings is the disparity in the ability of different students to access and benefit from online learning. While most participants had the necessary devices, issues such as poor internet connectivity and disruptive home environments emerged as significant barriers to effective learning, particularly for students from lower-income families. These students were more likely to experience problems that hindered their academic performance. Many students noted that while they valued the flexibility of online classes, they struggled to maintain focus without the structure of in-person teaching. Social interaction, a key component of traditional classrooms, was another missing element that students cited as negatively impacting their overall learning experience.

Nevertheless, the team found that most students surveyed found that their instructors were reasonably proficient with the digital tools required for online teaching. Concerns about privacy were, however, often mentioned. Students expressed unease about the use of webcams and the security of their online interactions, particularly regarding data privacy. This finding underscores the need for institutions to not only address educational quality but also ensure that student privacy is protected.

The team suggests that a hybrid or agile-blended learning model, one that combines online education with in-person sessions, would give students more balance in their learning. This approach would allow universities to take advantage of the flexibility of online learning while also providing face-to-face interaction.

Wong, J.M.S., Tang, W.K.W. and Li, K.C. (2025) 'Digital transformation in higher education: tertiary students' perspectives on online learning and its implications for the future', Int. J. Innovation and Learning, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp.1-18.
DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2025.144600