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1 – 10 of over 1000

Abstract

Purpose

Aboriginal people across Australia have diverse practices, beliefs and knowledges based on thousands of generations of managing and protecting their lands (Country). The intimate relationship Aboriginal people have with their Country is explored in this chapter because such knowledge is important for building insight into the relationship between social and ecological systems. Often in research Aboriginal views have been marginalised from discussions focused on their lands to the detriment of ecosystems and human health. This chapter aims to understand if such marginalisation is evident in Western human–nature relationship discourses.

Approach

This chapter provides a critical literature review which examines whether Aboriginal people’s diverse understanding of their ecosystems have been incorporated into human–nature theories using the biophilia hypothesis as a starting point. Other concepts explored include solastalgia, topophilia and place.

Findings

Critiques of these terminologies in the context of Aboriginal people’s connection to Country are limited but such incorporation is viewed in the chapter as a possible mechanism for better understanding human’s connection to nature. The review identified that Aboriginal people’s relationship to Country seems to be underrepresented in the human–nature theory literature.

Value

This chapter emphasises that the integration of Aboriginal perspectives into research, ecological management and policy can provide better insight into the interrelationships between social and ecological systems.

Details

Ecological Health: Society, Ecology and Health
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-323-0

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2017

Khulod Elsahati, Edward Godfrey Ochieng, Tarila Zuofa, Ximing Ruan and Bekithemba Mpofu

In recent times, electricity as one of the most important energy sources has witnessed considerable decreases in consumption figures. These cutbacks have been mainly due to the…

Abstract

Purpose

In recent times, electricity as one of the most important energy sources has witnessed considerable decreases in consumption figures. These cutbacks have been mainly due to the growing increasing living standards, minimal governance and political fracture. Thus, this paper aims to appraise the supply of electricity side in an attempt to propose a sustainable electricity framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The reviewed literature identified a gap within the previous literature which had not previously been investigated; however, to carry out the investigation, a research strategy had to be formulated. Twenty semi-structured interviews were carried out with managers, engineers and electrical professionals. Prior to the commencement of the main study, a preliminary pilot study was carried out among ten senior practitioners in the General Electric Company of Libya. The purpose of the pilot study was to assess clarity of questions, timing and suitability of the respondents for the study, and to establish its reliability and validity.

Findings

From the aspect of the demand, the study found that there was a diverse set of factors that affect electricity demand in Libya. These included the average real price of electricity, the real value of the imported electrical appliances, gross domestic product, population, the temperature difference and the lagged electricity demand. Secondly, from the aspect of electricity supply, the study found that there was a diverse set of factors that affect electricity projects in Libya or even the development of existing projects. These factors included electricity demand, political effects, recession, oil prices and improved development of other infrastructure.

Research limitations/implications

Due to limitations in time and cost, political instability in the country and the lack of security, the entire analysis was only of the demand for electricity in Libya based on data collected from secondary sources and primary data resources. The ordinary least squares method of regression used for the purpose of quantitative analysis only included the factors related to the demand for electricity in Libya. It is worth noting that the research work did not include any quantitative analysis that comprised factors related to the supply of electricity in the country. Such an analysis could have technically carved the ways to augment the supply of electricity. Therefore, the context of the research work is one-sided that focuses primarily on the demand.

Practical implications

The problem confronting development of electricity projects in Libya has three components: The first is the national significance of the projects as a physical resource. The second is the conflict arising politically from within. The third is the lack of consideration given to the specific resource management issues associated with the projects within the government plans and policy statements. In addition, participants further claimed that there were three more independent factors that could affect the level of electricity demand in Libya. These were urbanisation, industrialisation and literacy rates.

Social implications

The participants also believed that as the rate of socio-economic development increases, the demand for electricity is expected to rise. Urbanisation, industrialisation and literacy rates are some of the developments which will exert more demand pressure on the electricity supply. The participants claimed that the government should take into account the urbanisation rates in Libya in the energy policy formulation. Electricity companies can also take a cue from the urbanisation trends and other socio-economic developments to plan the delivery of electricity according to the rising demand.

Originality/value

This study appraised the supply of electricity side in Libya and proposed a sustainable framework that could be used by policymakers to address energy demand issues in Libya.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 28 June 2023

Xinru Liu and Honggen Xiao

Abstract

Details

Poverty and Prosperity
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80117-987-4

Abstract

Details

Positive Psychology for Healthcare Professionals: A Toolkit for Improving Wellbeing
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-957-4

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2018

Abdeldjabar Benrabah and Dianguo Xu

The purpose of this study is to improve the control performance of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverters with inductive-capacitive-inductive (LCL) filters by proposing a new…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve the control performance of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverters with inductive-capacitive-inductive (LCL) filters by proposing a new robust current control based on uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE).

Design/methodology/approach

The control strategy combines the capacitor current feedback with a UDE-based control to solve robust stability issues in the presence of parametric uncertainties and disturbances.

Findings

This paper provides guidelines for tuning the controller parameters where it is shown to be easy to implement by simply selecting the appropriate feedback coefficient, the reference model and an approximate lumped disturbance bandwidth. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller in terms of resonance damping, tracking performance and robust stability under grid uncertainties and disturbances.

Practical implications

This paper offers a new approach for designing implementable robust controllers for LCL-filtered grid-connected PV inverters.

Originality/value

A new UDE-based current control is proposed to improve the stability performance of grid-connected PV inverters. The advantages of UDE-based control are its simple structure, easy tuning and robustness under parameter uncertainties and disturbances. Simulation and experimental results support the theoretical findings.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 38 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2024

Zhongyi Wang, Xueyao Qiao, Jing Chen, Lina Li, Haoxuan Zhang, Junhua Ding and Haihua Chen

This study aims to establish a reliable index to identify interdisciplinary breakthrough innovation effectively. We constructed a new index, the DDiv index, for this purpose.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to establish a reliable index to identify interdisciplinary breakthrough innovation effectively. We constructed a new index, the DDiv index, for this purpose.

Design/methodology/approach

The DDiv index incorporates the degree of interdisciplinarity in the breakthrough index. To validate the index, a data set combining the publication records and citations of Nobel Prize laureates was divided into experimental and control groups. The validation methods included sensitivity analysis, correlation analysis and effectiveness analysis.

Findings

The sensitivity analysis demonstrated the DDiv index’s ability to differentiate interdisciplinary breakthrough papers from various categories of papers. This index not only retains the strengths of the existing index in identifying breakthrough innovation but also captures interdisciplinary characteristics. The correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.555) between the interdisciplinary attributes of scientific research and the occurrence of breakthrough innovation. The effectiveness analysis showed that the DDiv index reached the highest prediction accuracy of 0.8. Furthermore, the DDiv index outperforms the traditional DI index in terms of accuracy when it comes to identifying interdisciplinary breakthrough innovation.

Originality/value

This study proposed a practical and effective index that combines interdisciplinary and disruptive dimensions for detecting interdisciplinary breakthrough innovation. The identification and measurement of interdisciplinary breakthrough innovation play a crucial role in facilitating the integration of multidisciplinary knowledge, thereby accelerating the scientific breakthrough process.

Details

The Electronic Library , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 October 2016

Li Bian, Meixia Li, Yiwei Lian, Yongjing Hao and Juan Xie

This paper aims to report a novel preparation method of ZnO particles with different structures and their photocatalytic activity.

88

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to report a novel preparation method of ZnO particles with different structures and their photocatalytic activity.

Design/methodology/approach

ZnO powders are prepared by a facile, economical and environment-friendly aqueous solution route. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra are used to characterize the products. Photocatalytic activity of the samples is evaluated by degradation of organic pollutant pentachlorophenol under UV-vis irradiation.

Findings

It is found that three-dimensional ZnO hierarchical structures can be prepared via aqueous solution route without using any template or structure-directing agent, and the alkalinity of reaction solution is the key factor. All the as-prepared ZnO products have good catalytic activity under UV-vis light irradiation.

Originality/value

This report presents a simple method for the preparation of ZnO particles with excellent photocatalytic activity. Experimental results could provide useful reference for the treatment of chlorophenols in the future.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2017

Juan Xie, Yongjing Hao, Meixia Li, Yiwei Lian and Li Bian

This paper aims to report a novel preparation method of titanium dioxide (TiO2)/zinc oxide (ZnO) composites with different mole ratios of TiO2:ZnO and their photocatalytic…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to report a novel preparation method of titanium dioxide (TiO2)/zinc oxide (ZnO) composites with different mole ratios of TiO2:ZnO and their photocatalytic activity.

Design/methodology/approach

TiO2/ZnO composites are prepared by a facile route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and ultra-violet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) are used to characterize the products. Photocatalytic activity of the samples is evaluated by degradation of persistent organic pollutant pentachlorophenol under ultra-violet (UV) irradiation.

Findings

It is found that all the as-prepared TiO2/ZnO composites not only have good catalytic activity under UV light irradiation, but also have excellent circulation stability. The optimal mole ratio of TiO2:ZnO is 0.75:1.

Originality/value

This report presents a simple and rapid method for the preparation of TiO2/ZnO composites with excellent photocatalytic activity. Experimental results could provide useful reference for the treatment of chlorophenols in the future.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2021

Radha S., G. Josemin Bala and Nagabushanam P.

Energy is the major concern in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for most of the applications. There exist many factors for higher energy consumption in WSNs. The purpose of this…

Abstract

Purpose

Energy is the major concern in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for most of the applications. There exist many factors for higher energy consumption in WSNs. The purpose of this work is to increase the coverage area maintaining the minimum possible nodes or sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has proposed multilayer (ML) nodes deployment with distributed MAC (DS-MAC) in which nodes listen time is controlled based on communication of neighbors. Game theory optimization helps in addressing path loss constraints while selecting path toward base stations (BS).

Findings

The simulation is carried out using NS-2.35, and it shows better performance in ML DS-MAC compared to random topology in DS-MAC with same number of BS. The proposed method improves performance of network in terms of energy consumption, network lifetime and better throughput.

Research limitations/implications

Energy consumption is the major problem in WSNs and for which there exist many reasons, and many approaches are being proposed by researchers based on application in which WSN is used. Node mobility, topology, multitier and ML deployment and path loss constraints are some of the concerns in WSNs.

Practical implications

Game theory is used in different situations like countries whose army race, business firms that are competing, animals generally fighting for prey, political parties competing for vote, penalty kicks for the players in football and so on.

Social implications

WSNs find applications in surveillance, monitoring, inspections for wild life, sea life, underground pipes and so on.

Originality/value

Game theory optimization helps in addressing path loss constraints while selecting path toward BS.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 48 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 April 2023

Berrak Gülmüş, Burak Muratçobanoğlu, Emre Mandev and Faraz Afshari

The purpose of this study is to numerically and experimentally survey the thermal efficiency of a block-type heat exchanger operated in different working conditions by using pure…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to numerically and experimentally survey the thermal efficiency of a block-type heat exchanger operated in different working conditions by using pure water and two nanofluids as heat transfer fluids.

Design/methodology/approach

An aluminum block-type heat exchanger integrated with Peltier thermoelectric element was designed and installed to operate in a cycle, and the thermal performance of the heat exchanger, heat transfer rate, Nusselt and heat transfer coefficient variations were examined at different bath water temperatures by using recycled nanofluids. New generation surface-modified Fe3O4@SiO2-mix-(CH2)3Cl@Imidazol/water nanofluid was used as heat transfer fluid in the cycle. In addition, CFD simulation was performed using ANSYS/Fluent to investigate the temperature distribution and fluid flow structure in the used heat exchanger.

Findings

Experiments were carried out by using numerical and experimental methods. In the experiments, the operating conditions such as flow rate, volume fraction of the nanofluid and water bath temperature were changed to find the effect of each parameter on the thermal efficiency. The Reynolds number varied depending on the test conditions, which was calculated in the range of approximately 100 < Re < 350. In addition, Nusselt number and heat transfer coefficient of test fluids were very close to each other. For 0.4% nanofluid, the maximum h value was obtained as 3837.1, when the Reynolds number was measured as 314.4.

Originality/value

In the scientific articles published in the field of heat exchangers operated by nanofluids, little attention has been paid to the stability of the nanofluids and sedimentation of particles in the base fluids. In addition, in most cases, experiments were implemented using an electrical resistance as a heat source. In this research, stable surface-modified nanofluids were used as heat transfer fluids, and it was found that the Peltier thermoelectric can be used as heat sources with acceptable efficiency in flat-type heat exchangers and even non-circular channels.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

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