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1 – 10 of 142Jonathan Núñez Aedo, Marcela A. Cruchaga and Mario A. Storti
This paper aims to report the study of a fluid buoy system that includes wave effects, with particular emphasis on validating the numerical results with experimental data.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report the study of a fluid buoy system that includes wave effects, with particular emphasis on validating the numerical results with experimental data.
Design/methodology/approach
A fluid–solid coupled algorithm is proposed to describe the motion of a rigid buoy under the effects of waves. The Navier–Stokes equations are solved with the open-source finite volume package Code Saturne, in which a free-surface capture technique and equations of motion for the solid are implemented. An ad hoc experiment on a laboratory scale is built. A buoy is placed into a tank partially filled with water; the tank is mounted into a shake table and subjected to controlled motion that promotes waves. The experiment allows for recording the evolution of the free surface at the control points using the ultrasonic sensors and the movement of the buoy by tracking the markers by postprocessing the recorded videos. The numerical results are validated by comparison with the experimental data.
Findings
The implemented free-surface technique, developed within the framework of the finite-volume method, is validated. The best-obtained agreement is for small amplitudes compatible with the waves evolving under deep-water conditions. Second, the algorithm proposed to describe rigid-body motion, including wave analysis, is validated. The numerical body motion and wave pattern satisfactorily matched the experimental data. The complete 3D proposed model can realistically describe buoy motions under the effects of stationary waves.
Originality/value
The novel aspects of this study encompass the implementation of a fluid–structure interaction strategy to describe rigid-body motion, including wave effects in a finite-volume context, and the reported free-surface and buoy position measurements from experiments. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the numerical strategy, the validation of the computed results and the experimental data are all original contributions of this work.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe an experimental staff training program called “Innovation Boot Camp” in which participants engaged in playful activities designed…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe an experimental staff training program called “Innovation Boot Camp” in which participants engaged in playful activities designed specifically to inspire, energize, and challenge them to become more innovative at work.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a case study of an innovation‐training program using interviews with participants and personal reflections by the authors on the efficacy and desirability of creativity training.
Findings
The paper demonstrates the value of nurturing and developing creative approaches to library work.
Research limitations/implications
Further research must be conducted to determine how a similar staff‐training program might evolve in other library settings.
Practical implications
Innovation is a core component of any learning organization – including libraries. By planting the seeds of innovation and nurturing creativity, it is better able to support its own and the users' learning.
Originality/value
Certainly, the profession supports innovative and creative ideas, but in many libraries innovation is happening only occasionally, haphazardly, and at an individual level. The paper has executed an original and engaging program to make creativity and innovation a more deliberate and pervasive part of everyday work.
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The purpose of this paper is to focus on selected presentations from the 29th Computers in Libraries (CIL) conference that took place at Washington Hilton hotel, Washington, DC…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on selected presentations from the 29th Computers in Libraries (CIL) conference that took place at Washington Hilton hotel, Washington, DC. In addition to its content, the CIL (2014) conference provided opportunities to discuss best practices and emerging issues with IT professionals, vendors and “techno” librarians, especially from North America. There was a conference within a conference – the Internet@Schools track integrated into CIL 2014 as Track E on Monday, April 7, and Tuesday, April 8.
Design/methodology/approach
Reports from the viewpoint of a first-time attendee of CIL (2014) present a summary of the selected presentations with more detail on networking events and the exhibition. The CIL (2014) conference attracted librarians from 13 countries other than the USA. It is difficult to document the entire conference happenings in a single report because of several tracks (A-E) and number of speakers; therefore, a selective approach is used.
Findings
The CIL (2014) in Washington, DC, is considered a major North American library technology conference for librarians and information managers. As a first-time attendee, the author found that CIL (2014) is informative; it covered technology applications in libraries and strategies to enhance communication – useful to librarians and information professionals both in the USA and internationally. The conference was full of innovative ideas and revealed the diversity of current developments in library service delivery, especially in North America.
Originality/value
Today, more and more library users are using various innovative technologies including mobile apps, data visualization, application programming interfaces, open-source and multimedia. Phones (smart phones) and tablets are emerging as popular choices to access content. This report is a summary of selected educational sessions/presentations in CIL (2014) on diverse technology-related topics, especially mobile technology in libraries that will be of particular interest to readers and useful for professionals who did not attend CIL (2014) in Washington, DC.
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Pablo A. Caron, Marcela A. Cruchaga and Axel E. Larreteguy
The present work is a numerical study of a breaking dam problem. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of turbulence and surface tension models in the prediction of…
Abstract
Purpose
The present work is a numerical study of a breaking dam problem. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of turbulence and surface tension models in the prediction of the interface position in a long-term analysis. Additionally, dimensional effects are analyzed by carrying out both 2D and 3D simulations.
Design/methodology/approach
Finite volume simulations performed with the different models are compared between them and contrasted with numerical results computed using other numerical techniques and experimental data.
Findings
The reported numerical results are in general in good agreement with experimental results available in the literature. They are also consistent with numerical solutions of other authors obtained using different numerical techniques. The results show that the laminar simulations exhibit strong mesh size dependency, while the turbulence models seem to help in producing mesh-independent solutions. Surface tension modeling does not seem to play a relevant role in the interface evolution.
Practical implications
Model validation.
Originality/value
The value of the present work encompass the comparison of different flow conditions used to simulate a free surface problem and their validation by contrasting numerical results with experiments. Also, the results shown in the present work are a contribution to the understanding of the role of some specific aspects of the models in the simulation of the proposed problem.
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Hangduo Gao, Zhao Yin, Jun Liu, Quansheng Zang and Gao Lin
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the liquid sloshing behaviors in two-dimensional tanks with various porous baffles under the external excitation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the liquid sloshing behaviors in two-dimensional tanks with various porous baffles under the external excitation.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting the finite element method (FEM) and control variable method to study the impacts of the height, length, number, location, shape, porous-effect parameter of the porous baffle, the external load frequency and the shape of the tank on the liquid sloshing response.
Findings
The amplitude of the free surface can be reduced effectively when the baffle opening is appropriate. The anti-sway ability of the system increases in pace with the baffle’s height growing. Under the same conditions, the shapes of the baffles have an important effect on improving the anti-sway ability of the system.
Originality/value
As there exist the differences of the velocity potential between each side of the porous baffle, which means that there are two different velocity potentials at a point on the porous baffle, the conventional finite element modeling technologies are not suitable to be applied here. To deal with this problem, the points on the porous baffle are regarded as two nodes with the same coordinate to model and calculate.
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Carmel Cefai, Valeria Cavioni, Paul Bartolo, Celeste Simoes, Renata Miljevic-Ridicki, Dejana Bouilet, Tea Pavin Ivanec, Anatassios Matsopoulos, Mariza Gavogiannaki, Maria Assunta Zanetti, Katya Galea, Paola Lebre, Birgitta Kimber and Charli Eriksson
The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a resilience curriculum in early years and primary schools to enhance social inclusion, equity and social justice…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a resilience curriculum in early years and primary schools to enhance social inclusion, equity and social justice amongst European communities, particularly amongst disadvantaged and vulnerable ones, through quality education. It defines educational resilience in terms of academic, social and emotional growth in the face of life challenges; discusses the conceptual framework and key principles underpinning the curriculum; and presents the six major content areas of the curriculum. Finally, it presents the preliminary findings of a pilot project on the implementation of the curriculum in more than 200 classrooms in about 80 early and primary schools in six European countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The curriculum was first drafted collaboratively amongst the six partners on the basis of the existing literature in the promotion of resilience in early years and primary schools, with a particular focus to European realities. Once it was internally reviewed, it was piloted in 200 early years and primary school classrooms in six European countries, with each of the six partners implementing one theme. Data collection included teacher reflective diaries, classroom checklists, semi-structured interviews with teachers and focus groups with students.
Findings
The preliminary results from the pilot evaluation of the curriculum in 199 classrooms totalling 1,935 students across six countries indicate that both the teachers and the learners overwhelmingly found the curriculum highly enjoyable, useful, relevant and easy to use. They looked forward to the possibility of having the programme on a full-time basis as part of the general curriculum in the future. The teachers reported a positive moderate change in learners’ behaviour related to the theme implemented and argued that for the implementation to be effective, it needs to take place throughout the whole year. A number of modifications have been on the basis of the teachers’ and learners’ feedback.
Originality/value
This is the first resilience curriculum for early years and primary schools in Europe. While it seeks to address the needs of vulnerable children such as Roma children, immigrant and refugee children and children with individual educational needs, it does so within an assets-based, developmental, inclusive and culturally responsive approach, thus avoiding potential labelling and stigmatising, while promoting positive development and growth. It puts the onus on the classroom teacher, in collaboration with parents and other stakeholders, in implementing the curriculum in the classroom.
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Joseph J. Branin, George D'Elia and Douglas Lund
“Integration” in this project focuses on both technical integration and organizational integration to bring a form of coherence and unity to the support and delivery of…
Abstract
“Integration” in this project focuses on both technical integration and organizational integration to bring a form of coherence and unity to the support and delivery of information services. Immediate success in integration did not happen. After six years, the Integrated Information Center is still evolving. Unexpected progress has been made with the end‐users. The technological issues have progressed very well. However, the organizational issues have been the most difficult to manage.
Rosa Arboretti and Paolo Bordignon
Packaging features have been shown to be of great importance for the consumer final choice of fresh products (Silayoi and Speece, 2007). Packaging is an extrinsic attribute, which…
Abstract
Purpose
Packaging features have been shown to be of great importance for the consumer final choice of fresh products (Silayoi and Speece, 2007). Packaging is an extrinsic attribute, which consumers tend to rely on, when relevant intrinsic attributes of the product are not available. In the current literature, studies on the influences of packaging features on consumer preferences are mainly related to classical preference evaluation methods like conjoint analysis (CA). The purpose of this paper is to apply both CA and the less known combination of uniform discrete and shifted binomial distributions (CUB) models to food packaging evaluations.
Design/methodology/approach
Starting from a real case study in this field, along with CA, the author apply CUB models (Iannario and Piccolo, 2010) as a useful tool to evaluate preferences. CUB models can grasp some psychological characteristics of consumers related to the “feeling” toward packaging attributes and related to an inherently “uncertainty” that affects the consumers’ choices. Both psychological characteristics “feeling” and “uncertainty” can be linked to relevant subject’s information. At first we detect preferred packaging attributes of fresh food by means of CA, then we apply CUB models to some relevant attributes from the CA study.
Findings
Results show that attributes like packaging material and size/shape of packaging are the most important attributes and that biodegradable packaging, reclosable trays/bags and long “best by” date are also valuable features for consumers. The introduction of covariates showed that specific demographic characteristics are linked to both feeling and uncertainty.
Originality/value
The “data driven” segmentation results give to the integrated approach “CUB models and Conjoint Analysis” the most important added value.
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Teresa D'Elia, Margaret Black, Barbara Carpio and John Dwyer
This commentary outlines the role and benefits of peer‐professional partnerships in developing and providing culturally competent health promotion services. There is evidence that…
Abstract
This commentary outlines the role and benefits of peer‐professional partnerships in developing and providing culturally competent health promotion services. There is evidence that both paid and voluntary peer leaders can effectively work with public health professionals, to increase reach, access and positive outcomes through culturally tailored interventions. This paper outlines many of the advantages of these partnerships for public health practice, while acknowledging some limitations and calls for a greater application and evaluation of peer‐professional models in preventative health services.
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