Saravanan G., Shanmugam S. and A.R. Veerappan
The purpose of this study is to investigate the physical, chemical and thermal characteristics of paraffin-blended fuels to determine their suitability as fuel in hybrid rockets.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the physical, chemical and thermal characteristics of paraffin-blended fuels to determine their suitability as fuel in hybrid rockets.
Design/methodology/approach
Wax fuels are viable and efficient alternatives to conventional rocket fuels, having excellent structural strength and thermal and mechanical properties. The authors report a study of the morphological, chemical and thermal properties of paraffin wax with and without additives for use as fuels in hybrid rockets. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used for the morphological and chemical characterizations of the fuel blends. The thermal stability and combustion characteristics were assessed under an atmosphere of nitrogen by the simultaneous application of thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry techniques.
Findings
The melting temperatures for pure paraffin and other formulations were around 61°C as seen in differential scanning calorimetry experiments. Variations in the compositions of monoesters, n-alkanes, fatty acids, carboxylic acids methyl and hydroxyl esters in the fuel samples were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The assessment criterion was chosen as the relative content of carbonyl groups, and the ratio of the stretching vibration of the C–C bonds to the deformation vibration of the aliphatic carbon–hydrogen bonds was taken as the basis for the quantitative calibration. The crystal phases identified by X-ray diffraction were used to identify nonlinear chemicals and alkane lengths. Scanning electron microscopy validated homogeneity in the paraffin-blended samples.
Originality/value
This study presents the thermal stability and other relevant characteristics of fuel formulations comprising unconventional blends.
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Steven Cavaleri, Joseph Firestone and Fred Reed
The purpose of this paper is to present a process for managing project problem‐solving patterns. It focuses on shifting the emphasis of project teams toward a more collaborative…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a process for managing project problem‐solving patterns. It focuses on shifting the emphasis of project teams toward a more collaborative and knowledge‐based style of dealing with challenges to project performance. The methods proposed in this paper encourage project managers to integrate processes for becoming more agile by tapping into lesson learned and knowledge gained to create higher quality solutions to problems.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a conceptual framework for recognizing problem‐solving patterns and transforming problem solving from an individual passive event to a more open, agile active, systemic process. Several actual case examples are provided to illustrate applications.
Findings
The paper examines how taking a more open approach to problem solving in projects leads to better solutions. The proposed method and lessons from actual cases offer support to these proposals.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed models in this paper originate from the conclusions and observations drawn by the authors over many years of experience. However, they are not the product of a systematic research effort. This paper is intended to provide a new lens for project managers to view projects. It does not purport to declare findings of any research or analyze any sort of research.
Practical implications
The conceptual framework provided in this paper is a practical one derived from the practices used in leading companies. The paper provides practical guidelines to aid project managers in recognizing and managing problem‐solving patterns to create better solutions to problems.
Social implications
Modern society is plagued by the effects of ineffective problem‐solving initiatives in business, government, and not‐for‐profit organizations. Flawed proposed solutions exact a toll on organizations, their members, and the constituents they serve. This paper proposes a way of improving the quality of problem‐solving processes that may benefit a broad scale of people.
Originality/value
The concept of a problem‐solving pattern and a typology of problem‐solving patterns presented in this paper, provide project managers with a new way of conceiving of how problem solving can be used to improve project performance and adaptability.
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ROBERT BROOKS, ROBERT FAFF and TOM JOSEV
In this paper we empirically investigate the tendency for beta risk to mean‐revert across industries. Using a sample of Australian stocks over the ten‐year period 1989 to 1998…
Abstract
In this paper we empirically investigate the tendency for beta risk to mean‐revert across industries. Using a sample of Australian stocks over the ten‐year period 1989 to 1998, our key results are as follows. We generally observe evidence of a mean reversion tendency — in particular, this seems most appropriate for the Gold, Energy, Finance and Consumer industry groupings. Moreover, there is some evidence that the mean reversion of beta is different across industries. Furthermore, we see that the maximum mean reversion beta occurs for the Gold industry — a value of approximately 1.4 (1.6) for the OLS (Scholes‐Williams) beta analysis. On the other hand, the minimum mean reversion beta based on the ‘All Stocks’ OLS analysis occurs for Miscellaneous Industries with a value of 0.4, while a similar minimum mean reversion beta based on the Scholes‐Williams analysis occurs for the Consumer industry grouping.
One of the most critical and active research areas in the field of climate change in recent years has been the interaction between land use and carbon emissions (LUCE). As there…
Abstract
Purpose
One of the most critical and active research areas in the field of climate change in recent years has been the interaction between land use and carbon emissions (LUCE). As there is a lack of data to represent the knowledge structure and evolution of LUCE between 1987 and 2018, this paper turned to CiteSpace in order to identify and visualize the cited references and keyword networks, the distribution of categories and countries and highly cited references in connection to LUCE research. Two indicators, betweenness centrality (BC) and citation burst (CB) embedded in CiteSpace, were utilized to investigate the knowledge structures.
Design/methodology/approach
Two indicators, BC and CB embedded in CiteSpace, were introduced to investigate the knowledge structures.
Findings
Firstly, pre-2000 papers provide the main theoretical foundation for LUCE research, and the innovation of computer technology also provides new ideas and methods for related research. Secondly, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are attracting more attention. As agriculture also involves food security, the pressure on agriculture to reduce carbon is enormous, and more research and policy investment will be needed in the future. Thirdly, although the natural sciences ranked highly on BC detection, social and humanities sciences have contributed more to the LUCE research with an increasing emphasis on regional and global governance to combat climate change. Finally, keen interest in carbon emissions and sustainable development in developed countries, particularly in Europe, has led to a large number of LUCE studies. Research being done in developing countries that are most affected by climate change is also outstanding.
Originality/value
The results collected will assist scientific researchers to better understand the research status and frontier trends in this sector, thus permitting researchers to comprehend current research interests in the LUCE analysis field and providing useful information for further investigation and publication strategies.
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Kazem Vafadari, Mana Khoshkam, Yukio Yotsumoto, Peter Bielik and Alberto Ferraris
This study delves into the relationship between local food systems and food tourism destinations, with a specific focus on resilience. Drawing on stimulus-organism-response…
Abstract
Purpose
This study delves into the relationship between local food systems and food tourism destinations, with a specific focus on resilience. Drawing on stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory, we investigate the determinants of this relationship such as destination food image (DFI), food authenticity (FA), food culture (FC), food experience (FE), food traditional value (FTV), local food products (LFPs) and resilient food system (RFS) as crucial components influencing the resilience of the food system.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected in Oita Prefecture, Japan. The domestic, international tourists and local communities of six cities in this area were part of the surveys. A partial least squares approach (Smart-PLS 3.2.9) was used to analyse the data collected.
Findings
The results revealed that a destination’s food image, shaped by authenticity, traditional value and experiences, positively impacts the resilience of the food system, benefiting both the local community and tourists. The findings extend the literature by explaining the resilience of food systems in tourist destinations.
Originality/value
The study provides direction for policymakers and stakeholders to bolster the sustainability and resilience of local food systems as part of tourism.
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IN order to determine the performance of a ducted fan over a range of off‐design operating conditions it is possible to use the nomogram method of analysis described by J. F. M…
Abstract
IN order to determine the performance of a ducted fan over a range of off‐design operating conditions it is possible to use the nomogram method of analysis described by J. F. M. Scholes. The method requires the use of a number of charts, each one being applicable only to a single radius ratio. Moreover each chart depends on the aerofoil characteristics of the blade element, so that it applies only to a single section shape operating at a given Reynolds Number. No account is taken of interference effects or compressibility. Despite these limitations the nomogram method may be valuable if it is required to analyse a number of fans employing the same blade section over a similar range of Reynolds Numbers.
The purpose of this paper is to understand the critical factors associated with growing fertilizer usage culminating in contamination of soil/water in agriculturally intensive…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the critical factors associated with growing fertilizer usage culminating in contamination of soil/water in agriculturally intensive regions of Uttar Pradesh, India. The agriculture sector is seen as one of the major contributors in ensuring food security, however adoption of sustainable agriculture to protect water resources from contamination due to fertilizers and pesticides is becoming pressing to achieve long term environmental security.
Design/methodology/approach
A two staged study aimed at monitoring the soil quality status followed by stakeholder survey has been attempted. Attitude-behavior framework based on the theory of reasoned action has been tried to explain the fertilizer use behavior in the study. The results are analyzed through Analysis of variance.
Findings
Soil monitoring data showed nitrate and total nitrogen loadings beyond the permissible limit in the identified regions. A questionnaire aimed at determining farmer’s attitude toward fertilizer usage showed a significant influence of factors like net farm income, overall farm yield, extension services, farmer characteristics on one hand and risks associated with changing farming practices, costs of substitutes available, market-based instruments like subsidies and loans on the other. Divergent responses were observed with respect to farmer’s perceived risks from adopting to organic substitutes, linkages of fertilizer application with environmental degradation and the level of adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
Research limitations/implications
The study can be scaled up to study the inter-regional differences by benchmarking regional responses. It would be interesting to extend the work to find solutions from the farmers as alternative fertility management strategies. The items used in questionnaire are self-made; hence there is still a possibility of enhancing the robustness of scale by applying advanced statistical techniques.
Practical implications
Results of the study indicate excessive nitrogen loadings in farm soils which is an indicator of potential future nitrate contaminated zones or vulnerable zones emerging in agricultural intensive regions. Findings reinforce the role of education, knowledge transfer and awareness for long-term agricultural sustainability. The paper highlights the urgency for reorientation of the support system by the government and policymakers.
Originality/value
The paper attempts to understand the linkage between the agricultural productivity and the environmental implications followed by the reasons culminating in the agri-environmental imbalance. On-site monitoring study followed by assessment of reasons culminating in this scenario has not been attempted earlier and this paper contributes to understanding at dual level. This paper emphasizes on the insights of stakeholder which is instrumental in ensuring agricultural sustainability or otherwise. It takes the position that the farmer’s farm management behavior is strongly influenced by factors like food security and income, keeping environmental quality at second place. It also identifies the barriers for organic farming and other alternative systems as well as explores the economic, social, and philosophical aspects of sustainable agriculture.
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Rachel Delbridge and Shelagh Fisher
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of soft systems methodology (SSM) and review the ways in which the methodology has been applied by managers and researchers to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of soft systems methodology (SSM) and review the ways in which the methodology has been applied by managers and researchers to gain a broad understanding of library and information service (LIS) activity.
Design/methodology/approach
Seven detailed examples of the application of SSM to LIS activity show for each the aim, rationale for the use of SSM, operationalisation, findings and benefits of using SSM to understand problem situations.
Findings
Analysis of the application of SSM in LIS contexts demonstrates the extent of its efficacy in learning and understanding in “problem situations” and the resultant changes to LIS activities.
Practical implications
The paper draws together examples of studies which may prompt LIS professionals and researchers to consider the use of SSM in the management of LIS.
Originality/value
An in‐depth review of the processes and outcomes of the application of SSM to the understanding of LIS activity is provided.