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This paper, a theoretical article, aims to revisit the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) communication model and its transmission processes and interface as proposed by Lloyd, Quist and Windsor in 1990. More specifically, the focus of this paper is on the classifications of the SELECT (i.e. the means to select symbols) and TRANS (i.e. the means to transmit messages) components of the AAC transmission processes and interface.

The field of AAC is evolving at a rapid rate. As the field continues to evolve in terms of its clinical, social, research and theoretical underpinnings, it is incumbent upon academics and practitioners in AAC to be cognizant of terminological and theoretical changes that may be needed to keep pace with the evolution of the field.

The authors welcome feedback from academics and clinicians with the hope that a more thorough discussion will lead stakeholders to more accurate and descriptive terminology related to the means to select and transmit components of the AAC model transmission processes.

The goal of this article was to suggest that the aided versus unaided classification continue to be used to classify the means to select but a new taxonomy be adopted for the means to transmit, thereby eliminating the use of the terms high and low technology. Terminology developed to describe TRANS should be unambiguous, include both expressive and receptive communication and be clinically relevant. In the opinion of the authors, the proposed taxonomy meets all three of these criteria.

When the augmentative and alternative communication (ACC) model (Lloyd et al., 1990) was proposed, these components of symbols were not considered, nor were they contemplated when superordinate (Lloyd and Fuller, 1986) and subordinate levels (Fuller et al., 1992) of AAC symbol taxonomy were developed. The purpose of this paper is to revisit the ACC model and propose a new symbol classification system called multidimensional quaternary symbol continuum (MQSC)

The field of AAC is evolving at a rapid rate in terms of its clinical, social, research and theoretical underpinnings. Advances in assessment and intervention methods, technology and social issues are all responsible to some degree for the significant changes that have occurred in the field of AAC over the last 30 years. For example, the number of aided symbol collections has increased almost exponentially over the past couple of decades. The proliferation of such a large variety of symbol collections represents a wide range of design attributes, physical attributes and linguistic characteristics for aided symbols and design attributes and linguistic characteristics for unaided symbols.

Therefore, it may be time to revisit the AAC model and more specifically, one of its transmission processes referred to as the means to represent.

The focus of this theoretical paper then, is on the current classification of symbols, issues with respect to the current classification of symbols in terms of ambiguity of terminology and the evolution of symbols, and a proposal for a new means of classifying the means to represent.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon10.1108/JET-04-2021-0024

The purpose of this paper is to prepare nano size micro-emulsion co-polymer particles based on butyl acrylate (BA)/acrylic acid (AAc) with high monomer/surfactant ratio. The study involved the application of the prepared micro-emulsions co-polymers as textile pigment printing binders.

The micro-emulsion co-polymerisations processes were carried out with different mixtures of BA and AAc using modified process. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and potassium peroxy disulphate/glucose were used as emulsifier and redox initiator, respectively. The prepared emulsion co-polymer was characterized via spectroscopic measurements, FT-IR, 1H-NMR and transmission electron microscope (TEM), in addition to thermal analysis. The prepared micro-emulsion co-polymers were applied as binders for pigment printing process onto cotton fabric, polyester and cotton/polyester blend by using flat screen technique. The optimum curing conditions were determined, colour strength and fastness properties of pigment printed areas to light, washing, perspiration and rubbing were evaluated. In addition, stiffness of the prints was studied.

The achieved results indicated that particle size and homogeneity of the prepared micro-emulsions depend on monomers weight ratio, initiator and emulsifier concentrations. On the other hand, the prints obtained using the prepared binders with optimum conditions have satisfactory fastness, good handle and high colour yield.

Monomers were continuously and slowly added into the polymerising system with mild stirring to avoid disturbing the stability of the micro-emulsion. Also, emulsifier and initiator concentrations should be controlled to avoid coagulation.

The research provides textile pigment printing binder with nano particle size within the range of 24-48 nm. Using the prepared nano binders in pigment printing enhances the stiffness, handle, and fastnesses properties of the prints.

The prepared co-polymer binders showed high-performance physico-mechanical properties; in addition, the ultimate goal of this study is to prepare a nano size binder with high monomer/surfactant ratio using a modified micro-emulsion process.

Looks at the changes taking place in air traffic services due to the increasing amount of traffic and subsequent pressure from airlines. Describes limitations in using radar and satellite solutions provided by giving examples of satcoms used by airlines today. Details the current trials of ADS (automatic dependent surveillance).

The operating targets of the Next European Torus (NET) vary over the planned physics and technology phases of operation, which will be cyclic and dynamic. Using the Dynamic Systems Simulation Language a model is described which mimics the cyclic behaviour of the NET over the technology phase together with its dynamic behaviour. The simulation model represents a methodology that can be used to evaluate the reliability, availability and performance of the NET. A number of case studies are presented to demonstrate the underlying philosophy of the approach.

The study investigated the effect of big data analytics capabilities (BDACs) on reverse logistics (strategic and tactical) decisions and finally on remanufacturing performance.

The primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an online survey sent to South African manufacturing companies. The data were analysed using partial least squares based structural equation modelling (PLS–SEM) based WarpPLS 6.0 software.

The results indicate that data generation capabilities (DGCs) have a strong association with strategic reverse logistics decisions (SRLDs). Data integration and management capabilities (DIMCs) show a positive relationship with tactical reverse logistics decisions (TRLDs). Advanced analytics capabilities (AACs), data visualisation capabilities (DVCs) and data-driven culture (DDC) show a positive association with both SRLDs and TRLDs. SRLDs and TRLDs were found to have a positive link with remanufacturing performance.

The theoretical guided results can help managers to understand the value of big data analytics (BDA) in making better quality judgement of reverse logistics and enhance remanufacturing processes for achieving sustainability.

This research explored the relationship between BDA, reverse logistics decisions and remanufacturing performance. The study was practice oriented, and according to the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study to be conducted in the South African context.

The purpose of this paper is to inform information and communication design for multi‐disciplinary multi‐national projects through the presentation of examples and recommendations based on lessons learned.

Experiences from action research involving field study with 20 organizations, together with survey research involving 30 external experts.

Shared understanding in multi‐disciplinary multi‐national projects can be better enabled through the application of information and communication design.

The action research involved only two cases.

Project participants need to have shared understandings in order to achieve project objectives. There are formidable inherent barriers to shared understanding in multi‐disciplinary multi‐national projects. Generic methods for the communication of information; such as use of gestures, speaking business English, and application of standard process charting; can be ineffective. Particularly, when inherent challenges are exacerbated by the introduction of new technological and/or business concepts. Information design seeks to improve the effectiveness of information. Communication design is concerned with the selection of media most suitable for carrying particular information to specific audiences/recipients.

The originality of the research reported in this paper is that it encompasses: inherent challenges in establishing shared understanding; limitations of generic methods for the communication of information; issues underlying information and communication design; as well as two cases of multi‐disciplinary multi‐national projects. The value of this paper is that it includes practical examples to inform information and communication design by personnel in project businesses. Further, practical recommendations for reducing time and cost are provided. Furthermore, these practical recommendations are related to the challenges highlighted by established theory.

Those parties who do become caught up in the sanctions and are blacklisted face a daunting situation. Their property and accounts are often blocked, and dealings with US parties, and frequently their overseas affiliates as well, are essentially cut off with little or no warning by virtue of decisions made by a relatively small and obscure office within the Treasury Department. US as well as foreign parties can be blacklisted, and these restrictions can even extend to a firm's employees. The practical consequence of being touched by one of the Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) economic sanctions programmes may be the economic equivalent of capital punishment. By virtue of the restrictions, the blacklisted business may cease to exist as a viable entity.

Higher education institutions increasingly have gained momentum in integrating sustainability into university curricula. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the approval, implementation and management process of the new university-wide, general education requirement in sustainability at the University of Vermont (UVM). The intent is to provide a case study to inform other institutions seeking to create similar university-wide sustainability requirements.

The authors applied a process framework focused on institutional dynamics and values to analyze UVM’s success in instituting a sustainability requirement across the curriculum. These two frameworks can provide a more general application of this case study to other institutional contexts.

The case study suggests that in the context of a diverse disciplinary and administrative environment at a university, the strategic unfolding, approval and implementation of UVM’s university-wide, general education sustainability requirement can provide a general model for other universities seeking to embed sustainability across the curriculum.

It is uncommon for research universities with multiple professional schools to offer a university-wide requirement in sustainability. This case study analyzes the creation of a sustainability requirement at UVM by using a process framework to organize the complex, multi-stakeholder activities and events that eventually resulted in a successful curricular change. Thus, it is potentially instructive for institutions seeking to integrate a learning outcomes-based sustainability requirement into a university curriculum because it is generalizable to other institutions and pushes forward our understanding of institutional change.

This paper aims to evaluate the morphology and thickness of oxides that form on the surfaces of tin whiskers. The problems related to the growth of tin whiskers are stated, and the relevance of oxide layers adhering to whiskers is discussed.

Modern laboratory methods including focused ion beam sectioning, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been used to characterise the composition of oxides present on the surfaces of 48-year-old whiskers. These very old whiskers had nucleated and grown on electronic equipment stored at ambient temperatures. They were compared to the oxide layers on newly grown 2-week-old whiskers.

A dual oxide film, consisting of stannous and stannic oxides, was found present on both the old and the new whiskers. Measurements of oxide thickness were established for both generations of whiskers and these were noted to be similar to those films present on pure, cleaned bulk tin.

Only very new and very old whiskers, and their oxide films, were the focus of this investigation. However, sufficient data were gained to predict the effect both kinds of oxide films would have during whisker bridging between conductors and the risk of short circuits. Thick oxide films (order of 30 nm) may have a greater resistance to shorting, but they will be more difficult to remove during solder dipping (with respect to whisker mitigation).

A knowledge of the oxide thickness on growing/gyrating tin whiskers will provide the electronics industry with data useful for establishing the risk of short circuits. It will also be useful during the forensic work associated with component and assembly failure analysis.

The data resulting from this study are unique. They are of value to others who may require knowledge of the morphology, composition and thickness of oxides present on tin whiskers of different vintage.