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The purpose of this paper is to discuss the constraints of and opportunities for the role of African community libraries in development, using an ecological framework for library development.

Drawing on a review of the literature and the three authors’ own experiences, the paper critically examines community libraries, mainly from Uganda and Ethiopia, and frames the analysis within an ecological framework of library development.

There are many examples of community libraries that realize various elements of the ecological framework (context/environment, equity/social justice, partnerships/interactions, and action/research).

The ecological framework further developed in this paper helps community library leaders to critically examine their programmes and services and develop strategies for further growth, and suggests closer collaboration between community librarians, local communities, and researchers.

This paper addresses the need to move beyond community library research on the predominant outputs (library statistics) and outcomes (societal value/impact) models, adding a critical perspective of the larger social and political structures that limit and shape the development of community libraries.

This conceptual paper aims to stimulate discussion on the growing influence of digital technologies on the success of learners in tertiary institutions.

The paper is grounded in a synthesis of the professional literature showing how learners entering tertiary institutions have been influenced by their pervasive use of digital technologies. This evidence suggests that a more integrated use of libraries is needed, and more collaboration among librarians, educators and learners will be fundamental to responding to the changing learning landscape.

The findings indicate that today's “new learners” expect more control of their learning situations, prefer active learning and they engage in networked communities for their social and professional lives. Research also shows that, while these learners are committed users of a wide range of digital technologies, they require support in developing their information and critical literacies. The paper also identified the tendency for educators to limit their uses of digital technologies for course management and the addition of online resources to their teaching, while resisting any fundamental change in the structure and delivery of courses. Academic libraries are responding to these challenges by creating more social learning spaces, integrating services for instructors and students and becoming more active partners in the educational community.

The limitations identified here include the widening gap between those living and learning with digital technologies and the majority of the world youth still struggling to gain full access.

The research is one of the few position papers to begin its argument with a description of today's digital learners and then to connect their learning needs with the many changes in libraries at the tertiary level. The paper attempts to conceptualize how libraries can take a leadership role in bridging the gap between the learning styles and needs of today's students and the challenges of building new learning landscapes in tertiary institutions.

With the development of 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM), curved layer fused deposition modeling (CLFDM) has been researched to cope with the flat layer AM inherited problems, such as stair-step error, anisotropy and the time-cost and material-cost problems from the supporting structures. As one type of CLFDM, cylindrical slicing has obtained some research attention. However, it can only deal with rotationally symmetrical parts with a circular slicing layer, limiting its application. This paper aims to propose a ray-based slicing method to increase the inter-layer strength of flat layer-based AM parts to deal with more general revolving parts.

Specifically, the detailed algorithm and implementation steps are given with several examples to enable readers to understand it better. The combination of ray-based slicing and helical path planning has been proposed to consider the nonuniform path spacing between the adjacent paths in the same curved layer. A brief introduction of the printing system is given, mainly including a 3D printer and the graphical user interface.

The preliminary experiments are successfully conducted to verify the feasibility and versatility of the proposed and improved slicing method for the revolving thin-wall parts based on a rotary 3D printer.

This research is early-stage work, and the authors are intended to explore the process and show the initial feasibility of ray-based slicing for revolving thin-wall parts using a rotary 3D printer. In general, this research provides a novel and feasible slicing method for multiaxis rotary 3D printers, making manufacturing revolving thin-wall and complex parts possible.

To examine how reading in electronic formats differs from traditional reading of print.

Concepts about digital print are discussed alongside research studies in fields related to multisensory technologies and electronic means of communication. A model of online reading is proposed integrating aspects of information foraging theory. Pedagogical applications are needed to integrate e-reading theory within classrooms.

With the varied text structures, directionality concerns, and interactive text features, our attention must turn to the theoretical foundations that underpin digital literacy learning today. Online foraging schemes can explain how information is sought and retrieved when reading new information from digital mediums.

Teachers must address the current, digital literacy needs of their students, thus preparing them for challenges in the 21st century. Varying text structures within digital formats as well as providing as-needed facilitation are the scaffolds that students need today. Using technologies such as digital games, tools, and contexts advances the mission of resource-based teaching and learning.

Gas insulated systems, such as gas insulated lines (GIL), use insulating gas, mostly sulfur hexalfluoride (SF₆), to enable a higher dielectric strength compared to e.g. air. However, under high voltage direct current conditions, charge accumulation and electric field stress may occur, which may lead to partial discharge or system failure. Therefore, numerical simulations are used to design the system and determine the electric field and charge distribution. Although the gas conduction shows a more complex current–voltage characteristic compared to solid insulation, the electric conductivity of the SF₆ gas is set as constant in most works. The purpose of this study is to investigate different approaches to address the conduction in the gas properly for numerical simulations.

In this work, two approaches are investigated to address the conduction in the insulating gas and are compared to each other. One method is an ion-drift-diffusion model, where the conduction in the gas is described by the ion motion in the SF₆ gas. However, this method is computationally expensive. Alternatively, a less complex approach is an electro-thermal model with the application of an electric conductivity model for the SF₆ gas. Measurements show that the electric conductivity in the SF₆ gas has a nonlinear dependency on temperature, electric field and gas pressure. From these measurements, an electric conductivity model was developed. Both methods are compared by simulation results, where different parameters and conditions are considered, to investigate the potential of the electric conductivity model as a computationally less expensive alternative.

The simulation results of both simulation approaches show similar results, proving the electric conductivity for the SF₆ gas as a valid alternative. Using the electro-thermal model approach with the application of the electric conductivity model enables a solution time up to six times faster compared to the ion-drift-diffusion model. The application of the model allows to examine the influence of different parameters such as temperature and gas pressure on the electric field distribution in the GIL, whereas the ion-drift-diffusion model enables to investigate the distribution of homo- and heteropolar charges in the insulation gas.

This work presents numerical simulation models for high voltage direct current GIL, where the conduction in the SF₆ gas is described more precisely compared to a definition of a constant electric conductivity value for the insulation gas. The electric conductivity model for the SF₆ gas allows for consideration of the current–voltage characteristics of the gas, is computationally less expensive compared to an ion-drift diffusion model and needs considerably less solution time.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.

The paper introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy.

The findings provide information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.

The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.

This study investigates the transformative role of Sora in education and libraries. This study aims to explore Sora’s capabilities and potential implications for enhancing learning experiences and enriching library resources.

Using an exploratory approach, this paper analyzes Sora’s functionalities, focusing on its ability to convert textual descriptions into dynamic video content swiftly and accurately. It examines the ways in which Sora can augment learning through interactivity, personalization and accessibility, as well as its capacity to digitize cultural heritage and promote literacy in library settings.

Sora emerges as a potential powerful tool for education and libraries, offering opportunities for diverse learning modalities, creativity and critical thinking. Its capacity to facilitate immersive storytelling and educational gamification holds promise for engaging users and fostering community involvement. However, ethical considerations such as bias mitigation and equitable access must be addressed to maximize Sora’s benefits.

This study contributes to the understanding of artificial intelligence’s potential in education and libraries, particularly through the lens of Sora.

The purpose of this study is to explore the association between select human resource management practices and employee performance in academic libraries in India.

The current study uses the quantitative method of research. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the results. The current study uses a cross-sectional approach by using a convenient sampling method. The sample size of the study was 163, which was adequate for conducting PLS-SEM analysis.

The study found a significant positive correlation between human resource management practices and employee performance in academic libraries. This suggests that the implementation of effective human resource management practices has a beneficial impact on various aspects of employee performance.

The study’s cross-sectional design may limit the ability to establish causality or determine the direction of the relationship between human resource management practices and employee performance. The study may have limitations regarding the sample size and its representativeness. If the sample is small or limited to specific academic libraries in India, it may not be possible to generalise the findings to a broader population of academic libraries in the country or to libraries in other regions or countries.

The study has practical implications for academic libraries in India. By recognising the significant correlation between human resource management practices and employee performance, libraries can prioritise the implementation of effective human resource management strategies. This includes aligning human resources practices with organisational goals, focusing on employee development and engagement and adopting best practices in recruitment, training and performance management.

This study can have broader social implications by promoting a supportive and productive work culture that positively impacts the academic library community.

The paper focuses on a quite important and largely unexplored area of human resource management within the academic libraries sector.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder that exacerbates the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus; some studies have indicated the beneficial effects of green tea on human health. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of green tea consumption on the MetS indicators in women.

A randomized clinical trial was carried out on 70 eligible women with confirmed diagnosis of MetS who visited Shabani Diabetes Clinic (Isfahan, Iran). Participants were randomly divided into two groups. Participants in the Green Tea Group were asked to consume three 200 cc of green tea in the morning, at noon and at night for eight weeks, while people in the control group were asked to take identical amount of lukewarm water at the same schedule. Anthropometric indicators, blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid profile, diet and physical activity were assessed at the beginning and the end of the study.

An independent t-test showed that weight (p = 0.001), body mass index (p = 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001) and waist–hip ratio (p = 0.02), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.04), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.01) and low density lipoprotein (p = 0.03) changed significantly more in the Green Tea Group than in the control group; but no such inter-group difference was observed in diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) values (p > 0.05).

Regular consumption of green tea for eight weeks significantly improved anthropometric indices, blood pressure, blood sugar and lipid profile in women with MetS. Therefore, this beverage can serve as part of an effective dietary strategy to control MetS.

The purpose of this paper is to study the corrosion rate for X52, X60, X65, X70 and X80 steel immersed in Mexican oilfield produced water. For the electrochemical characterization of the five steels rotating disk electrodes, 20°C, 30°C and 45°C of experimental temperature and 0, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 rpm of rotation speed were taken into account. The temperature dependence was analyzed using Arrhenius law. Thus, Rct values obtained from EIS data in comparison with the corrosion rate obtained from polarization curves data were taken into account. Hydrodynamic effects were analyzed by Rct and corrosion rate data.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization techniques were used to assess the electrochemical behavior for five pipe steels steel immersed in a natural solution.

The resistance and corrosion rate taken from electrochemical tests decreased as temperature and hydrodynamic condition also decreased. In addition, the Arrhenius parameter revealed that the natural solution increased the corrosion rate as the activation energy decreased. Typical branches related to reduction-oxidation reaction (dissolution-activation process or corrosion products dissolution) on steel surface were discussed. Optical images analysis shows that corrosion products for X65 steel exposed to oilfield produced water can be attributed to more susceptibility to corrosion damage for this steel grade (Quej-Ake et al., 2018), which is increased with the temperature and rotation speed of the working electrode.

Corrosion process of the five steels exposed to oilfield produced water could be perceptive when Arrhenius analysis is taken into account. This is because oilfield produced water is the most aggressive condition (brine reservoir and sour water) for internal pipelines walls and storage tanks (brine tanks). Thus, stagnant condition was considered as a more extreme corrosive condition because produced water is stored in atmospheric stationary tanks as well as it is transported under laminar condition in zones where oilfield produced water is maintaining in the bottom of the pipe during the production, transporting and storing of the crude oil. In addition, a brief operational process for Reynolds number and the flowrate of the stock tank barrel per day (Q in STBD) using field and Reynolds number data is discussed.