scholarly journals Biomass valorisation over metal-based solid catalysts from nanoparticles to single atoms

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 3764-3782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Mondelli ◽  
Gökalp Gözaydın ◽  
Ning Yan ◽  
Javier Pérez-Ramírez

Metal size and speciation strongly impact catalyst efficiency and robustness in biomass upgrading through redox and acid-mediated reactions, with the full potential of single atoms and low-nuclearity species still to be unlocked by future research.

10.28945/4327 ◽  
2019 ◽  

Aim/Purpose: Science is becoming a computational endeavor therefore Computational Thinking (CT) is gradually being accepted as a required skill for the 21st century science student. Students deserve relevant conceptual learning accessible through practical, constructionist approaches in cross-curricular applications therefore it is required for educators to define, practice and assess practical ways of introducing CT to science education starting from elementary school. Background: Computational Thinking is a set of problem-solving skills evolving from the computer science field. This work-in-progress research assesses the CT skills, along with science concepts, of students participating in a science program in school. The program pertains learning science by modeling and simulating real world phenomenon using an agent-based modeling practice. Methodology: This is an intervention research of a science program. It takes place as part of structured learning activities of 4th and 5th grade classes which are teacher-guided and are conducted in school. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations are parts of the mixed methods research methodology using a variety of evaluation technique, including pretests and posttests, surveys, artifact-based interviews, in class observations and project evaluations. Contribution: CT is an emerging skill in learning science. It is requiring school systems to give increased attention for promoting students with the opportunity to engage in CT activities alongside with ways to promote a deeper understanding of science. Currently there is a lack of practical ways to do so and lack of methods to assess the results therefore it is an educational challenge. This paper presents a response to this challenge by proposing a practical program for school science courses and an assessment method. Findings: This is a research in progress which finding are based on a pilot study. The researches believe that findings may indicate improved degree of students' science understanding and problem-solving skills. Recommendations for Practitioners: Formulating computer simulations by students can have great potential on learning science with embedded CT skills. This approach could enable learners to see and interact with visualized representations of natural phenomena they create. Although most teachers do not learn about CT in their initial education, it is of paramount importance that such programs, as the one described in this research, will assist teachers with the opportunity to introduce CT into science studies. Recommendation for Researchers: Scientific simulation design in primary school is at its dawn. Future research investment and investigation should focus on assessment of aspects of the full Computational Thinking for Science taxonomy. In addition, to help teachers assess CT skills, new tools and criteria are required. Impact on Society: STEM related professions are lacking the man power required therefore the full potential of the economy of developed countries is not fulfilled. Having students acquire computational thinking skills through formal education may prepare the next generation of world class scientists and attract larger populations to these fields. Future Research: The inclusion of computational thinking as a core scientific practice in the Next Generation Science Standards is an important milestone, but there is still much work to do toward addressing the challenge of CT-Science education to grow a generation of technologically and scientifically savvy individuals. New comprehensive approaches are needed to cope with the complexity of cognitive processes related to CT.


2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 1371-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Vesala ◽  
Seppo Tuomivaara

Lived experiences in organizational liminal spaces ‘betwixt-and-between’ have begun to attract scholarly attention, but the full potential of liminal spaces in contemporary mobile and fluid working life has remained unexamined. This article contributes to theory by showing how a liminal experience in an alternative work environment is created via three dimensions: the aesthetic experience of a different environment, situated practices, and changes to work and life rhythms. Interview material was gathered from creative professionals working temporarily in a rural archipelago environment. The results suggest that the contrast of working in a calm natural environment supported experimentation with work practices, nurtured the formation of a communitas, and spurred imagination and reflection. The arrangement’s temporary nature heightened the intensity of participants’ experiences. However, this intensity varied depending on work community configurations and participants’ personal needs for change. This study deepens the current understanding of liminal spaces by showing how the nuances of physical and social spaces contribute to liminality and how liminality alters work rhythms. Future research should focus on how liminal workspaces can be created for individuals seeking a change in routine and increased community support.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 203-214
Author(s):  
Bibi Alajmi ◽  
Hessah Alasousi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the levels of motivation and needs satisfaction of academic library employees, adopting Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to examine individuals’ motivation. Design/methodology/approach The study collects and analyzes quantitative survey data. The research population comprises 108 employees working across eight college libraries at Kuwait University. Findings While participants generally agreed that their needs were being satisfied at each of the five levels of Maslow’s hierarchy, they reported higher levels of satisfaction of their self-actualization and social needs. Self-actualization is the summit of Maslow’s motivation theory representing the quest for reaching one’s full potential as a person. Research limitations/implications One limitation is the relatively small sample size due to Kuwait having only one public university. Future research could overcome this limitation by investigating both private and public universities. Practical implications This research contributes significantly and in various ways to understanding motivation in a library setting. It elucidates many aspects of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory criticized in previous literature. Overall, the study’s results should be useful to scholars in the library field interested in motivation, to academic librarians and to managers in academia. Originality/value Though many prior studies have focused on motivation in a library setting, Maslow’s theory has been little considered in the context of academic libraries. This study uses a theoretical framework based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to understand and explain the levels of motivation and needs satisfaction of academic library employees.


2014 ◽  
pp. 319-346
Author(s):  
Salahuddin Qazi ◽  
Farhan A. Qazi

Solar radiation is plentiful and a clean source of power. However, despite the first practical use of silicon based solar cell more than 50 years ago, it has not been exploited to its full potential due to the high cost of electrical conversion on a per Watt basis. Many new kinds of photovoltaic cells such as multi-junction solar cells dye –sensitized solar cells and organic solar cell incorporating element of nanotechnology have been proposed to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost. Nanotechnology, in the form of quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes, and grapheme, has been shown to enhance absorption of sunlight, makes low cost flexible solar panels and increases the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. The chapter reviews the state of current photovoltaic cells and challenges it presents. It also discusses the use of nanotechnology in the application of photovoltaic cells and future research directions to improve the efficiency of solar cells and reduce the cost.


Crowdsourcing ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 1419-1432
Author(s):  
Nina Helander ◽  
Hannu Kärkkäinen ◽  
Jari Jussila

In knowledge society the utilization of social media as a communication channel between people, groups and even companies is increasing. Current innovation and social media research has already shown the potential of crowdsourcing in the business-to-consumer (B2C) markets. The authors argue in this paper, however, that crowdsourcing has a great and yet partly undiscovered potential also in the context of business-to-business (B2B) markets. In order to get the full potential, a more detailed understanding of the logic of value creation in crowdsourcing activities between multiple stakeholders in B2B context is needed. This paper presents an exploratory study that is carried out as an empirical netnography-based multiple case study. The study opens up potential future research avenues by starting the discussion of value creation logic in B2B crowdsourcing. Practical implications are created through cases revealing what kind of value companies have already been able to gain from crowdsourcing in B2B context.


Author(s):  
Salahuddin Qazi ◽  
Farhan A. Qazi

Solar radiation is plentiful and a clean source of power. However, despite the first practical use of silicon based solar cell more than 50 years ago, it has not been exploited to its full potential due to the high cost of electrical conversion on a per Watt basis. Many new kinds of photovoltaic cells such as multi-junction solar cells dye –sensitized solar cells and organic solar cell incorporating element of nanotechnology have been proposed to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost. Nanotechnology, in the form of quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes, and grapheme, has been shown to enhance absorption of sunlight, makes low cost flexible solar panels and increases the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. The chapter reviews the state of current photovoltaic cells and challenges it presents. It also discusses the use of nanotechnology in the application of photovoltaic cells and future research directions to improve the efficiency of solar cells and reduce the cost.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farooq Naeem

AbstractCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in its current form might not be acceptable to service users from a variety of backgrounds. Therefore, it makes sense to adapt CBT when working with diverse populations. Contributors to this special issue of theCognitive Behaviour Therapisthave tackled the issues around the cultural adaptation of CBT from various perspectives, using a variety of methods, and have addressed topics ranging from cultural adaptation to improving access to CBT. Here, I briefly summarize and discuss the papers in this special issue. I start with a systematic review of CBT for social anxiety across cultures. Seven articles cover aspects of adaptation of therapies for people from different backgrounds. Three papers discuss the issues of gender and sexuality when using CBT, while another three papers focus on refugees, asylum seekers and the homeless, and two papers describe the application of CBT with religious populations. Finally, there are seven papers on issues related to service delivery, practice and training and supervision when working with a diverse population. Collectively, papers in this special issue provide us with sufficient evidence that cultural considerations play a vital role when using CBT, offer practical suggestions for improving cultural competence and most importantly, can catalyse future research. However, the full potential of culturally adapted interventions will not be realized until and unless access to CBT is improved. Therefore, there is a need to build robust evidence to convince funders, policy makers and service managers.


Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Arzola-Villegas ◽  
Roderic Lakes ◽  
Nayomi Z. Plaza ◽  
Joseph E. Jakes

Wood, a complex hierarchical material, continues to be widely used as a resource to meet humankind’s material needs, in addition to providing inspiration for the development of new biomimetic materials. However, for wood to meet its full potential, researchers must overcome the challenge of understanding its fundamental moisture-related properties across its many levels of hierarchy spanning from the molecular scale up to the bulk wood level. In this perspective, a review of recent research on wood moisture-induced swelling and shrinking is presented from the molecular level to the cellular scale. Numerous aspects of swelling and shrinking in wood remain poorly understood, sub-cellular phenomena in particular, because it can be difficult to study them experimentally. Here, we discuss recent research endeavors at each of the relevant length scales, including the molecular, cellulose elementary fibril, secondary cell wall layer nanostructure, cell wall, cell, and cellular levels. At each length scale, we provide a discussion on the current knowledge and suggestions for future research. The potential impacts of moisture-induced swelling pressures on experimental observations of swelling and shrinking in wood at different length scales are also recognized and discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 197-198
Author(s):  
Jacob A Richert ◽  
Jorge Y P Palencia ◽  
Clayton S Chastain ◽  
Morgan T Thayer ◽  
Brian T Richert ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the optimal level of Cordyceps mushroom powder inclusion in diets for nursery pigs. One-hundred sixty crossbred pigs [(Duroc × (York × Landrace)] weaned at 18.8 d of age and weighing an average of 5.94 kg were used in a 35 day, 4 phase growth trial to evaluate Cordyceps mushroom powder as potential alternative to carbadox in nursery pig diets. Pigs were allotted by weight, sex, litter, and assigned to body weight (BW) blocks. Within BW blocks, sex ratios were constant in each pen. Each pen within a BW block was randomly assigned a dietary treatment. Growth performance was analyzed as a RCB design using BW, ADG, ADFI, G:F using GLM procedure of SAS 9.4. There were 5 or 6 pigs/pen and 6 pens/treatment. Five diets were used in the study: a negative diet or a positive control (Carbadox, 55 ppm); 300 or 600 ppm mushroom powder, and a step down treatment (900, 900, 450, 300, 150 ppm mushroom powder during weeks 1 through 5, respectively). At various points of the study, pigs fed the 300 ppm and the step-down mushroom powder treatments tended to have improved (P < 0.10) growth performance compared with those fed the negative control diet. During Phase 4 of the study, pigs fed Carbadox had greater ADG (P < 0.02) and improved feed efficiency (P < 0.09) compared to pigs fed the negative control diet. However, overall data showed that there were no statistical differences among treatments (P > 0.05). In summary, pigs fed 300 ppm mushroom powder or the step-down treatment showed comparable growth performance to pigs fed Carbadox. However, future research is needed under a greater disease challenge to examine mushroom powder’s full potential as an alternative to antibiotics.


2014 ◽  
Vol 997 ◽  
pp. 375-378
Author(s):  
Zhong Dong Tao ◽  
Kai Huang ◽  
Dong Fang Wu

Mechanical strength of solid catalysts involves a complex multi-scale system consisting of micro, pellet, pellet-packing and reactor scales. The damage evolution from micro to reactor scale leads to eventual rupture at the reactor level. A multi-scale framework for the mechanics of the fixed bed catalysts is proposed in this article. Some recent developments on the description of the mechanical properties on various scales, factor analyses of the mechanical properties on various scales, correlations between the damaging effects/mechanical properties on neighboring scales, etc. are reviewed, and the proposals for future research are also put forward.


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