Direct Carbonization of Tobacco Straw Cores to Prepare Porous Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications

A large amount of tobacco straw residues is produced around the world every year. These tobacco straw residues are usually incinerated or landfilled directly, which cause environmental pollution and waste of resources. Therefore, it is necessary to find a green way to recycle these tobacco straw residues. Converting tobacco straw residues into biomass carbon materials for supercapacitor electrode materials is an appropriate way. In this study, tobacco straw core carbon (TSC) was obtained from tobacco straw core waste, which was carbonized directly in the tube furnace without N2. The tobacco straw core carbon had a higher specific surface area because of the self-activation of the H2O and CO2 in the carbonization. A variety of analytical instruments were used to characterize the prepared porous carbon. Herein, this work can provide new ideas for energy materials, and solve the problem of the disposal of tobacco straw residues. What’s more, it also can provide a sustainable development opportunity for tobacco farmers to alleviate poverty, dig potential and transform.

Leadership: Tertiary Libraries and the New Library Professional

<p>Research Problem: The library workforce is rapidly aging and many library leaders will be lost as they retire. This is exacerbated in tertiary libraries, which traditionally attract an older workforce. Libraries face constant change that requires leaders to negotiate. Doubts have been expressed about new library professionals’ willingness to take on leadership roles. To understand how problematic this situation is in New Zealand’s tertiary sector, this research examined the attitude of new library professionals’ toward leadership. Methodology: The research used a survey method incorporating quantitative and qualitative questions. For the purpose of this research a new library professional is defined as someone who began studying for a library qualification within the last five years, or who has completed a library qualification within the last five years. Results: 32 eligible participants took part. The results show a desire for access to mentoring and while the attitudes toward leadership are dependent on confidence, experience and involvement in development opportunities, most participants expressed a positive attitude to taking on a leadership role either now or in the future. Implications: Access to leadership development opportunities builds knowledge and confidence, and attitudes are negatively impacted without this. Mentoring is a key development opportunity that the majority of new librarians currently lack. These findings positively reinforce the leadership and mentoring opportunities currently offered by the LIANZA, although regular reminders to new professionals of these opportunities would help. The findings suggest the proposed changes to the MIS library curriculum of incorporating a practicum for all students is an additional development opportunity that will add to new professionals’ experience.</p>

Leadership: Tertiary Libraries and the New Library Professional

<p>Research Problem: The library workforce is rapidly aging and many library leaders will be lost as they retire. This is exacerbated in tertiary libraries, which traditionally attract an older workforce. Libraries face constant change that requires leaders to negotiate. Doubts have been expressed about new library professionals’ willingness to take on leadership roles. To understand how problematic this situation is in New Zealand’s tertiary sector, this research examined the attitude of new library professionals’ toward leadership. Methodology: The research used a survey method incorporating quantitative and qualitative questions. For the purpose of this research a new library professional is defined as someone who began studying for a library qualification within the last five years, or who has completed a library qualification within the last five years. Results: 32 eligible participants took part. The results show a desire for access to mentoring and while the attitudes toward leadership are dependent on confidence, experience and involvement in development opportunities, most participants expressed a positive attitude to taking on a leadership role either now or in the future. Implications: Access to leadership development opportunities builds knowledge and confidence, and attitudes are negatively impacted without this. Mentoring is a key development opportunity that the majority of new librarians currently lack. These findings positively reinforce the leadership and mentoring opportunities currently offered by the LIANZA, although regular reminders to new professionals of these opportunities would help. The findings suggest the proposed changes to the MIS library curriculum of incorporating a practicum for all students is an additional development opportunity that will add to new professionals’ experience.</p>

Analisis Pengaruh Kualitas Layanan terhadap Kepuasan dan Loyalitas Mahasiswa di Universitas AMIKOM Yogyakarta

This research aims to know the influence of quality service toward the students’ satisfaction and loyalty at AMIKOM Yogyakarta University. Research method is Quantitative Associative. The research participants of this research were 454 students who were chosen by purposive sampling technique. This research used a questionnaire that contained 41 questions. The result of this research was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the help of smartPLS v.3.2.8 program. The result of the analysis process showed: (1) Quality service had a significant and positive effect on the students’ satisfaction with coefficient value of path analysis was 0.566. T statistic was 12.737 and the p-value was 0.000. Self Development Opportunity Dimension was the dimension which had the biggest influence toward the students’ satisfaction, and internationalization dimension has the smallest influence toward the students’ satisfaction, (2) Quality service had a significant and positive effect toward the students’ loyalty with coefficient value of path analysis was 0.242, T statistic was 4.834 and the p-value was 0.000. Self Development Opportunity Dimension was the dimension which had the biggest influence toward the students’ satisfaction, and internationalization dimension has the smallest influence toward the students’ satisfaction, (3) The students’ satisfaction had significant and positive effect toward the students’ loyalty with coefficient value of path analysis was 0.,516. T statistic was 10.919 and p-value was 0.000, (4) Students’ satisfaction is partial mediation of the influence of quality service toward the students’ loyalty with total effect value was 0,534.

Peer teaching as bioinformatics training strategy: incentives, challenges, and benefits.

As biomedical research becomes more data-intensive, bioinformatics is becoming essential to understanding biological processes, systems, and diseases. In this paper we describe the use of a series of peer teaching workshops as a strategy to respond to the bioinformatics training needs at a research-intensive institution. In addition to the data collected from the workshops, we also used personal experiences of researchers who participated as peer teachers to understand the incentives, challenges, and benefits of peer teaching. Developing communication skills such as confidence in teaching, explaining complex concepts, and better understanding of the topic emerged as primary benefits that the teachers obtained from this experience. Lack of time for teaching and the struggles of classroom management were identified as two major challenges. We suggest that peer teaching can be beneficial not only to train researchers in bioinformatics, but also as a professional development opportunity for graduate students and postdoctoral trainees.

LAND GRABBING OR RICE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY? THE CASE OF WANBAO PROJECT IN GAZA, MOZAMBIQUE

Demand for agricultural land by foreign investors has been increasing in Mozambique over the last years and the Wanbao project is an example. The implementation of this project in Gaza has divided opinions between the government, civil society and academia. This study aims to contribute to the debate on whether Wanbao project can be considered as land grabbing and the extent to which the project contributes to the development of small-scale agriculture in Gaza Province. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire in December 2019 and January 2020, covering a total of 66 household affected by the Wanbao project. The data were analyzed by a descriptive statistic and a cross-check of the Mozambican land law, the available literature on land grabbing and the information collected on the ground from the farmers affected by the project. The results show that the land concession to Wanbao was made without any consideration of customary rights, however, it was found that the contract farming program can increase rice productivity in the short term, but its sustainability remains questionable. Thus, if the Mozambican government intends to transform agriculture through large investments, it must ensure that the concession of land respects customary rights and the companies involved ensure the transfer of technologies in an effective and sustainable manner.