Creative Approaches Research Articles

Mixotrophic denitrification of waste activated sludge fermentation liquid as an alternative carbon source for nitrogen removal: Reducing N2O emissions and costs

Heterotrophic-sulfur autotrophic denitrification (HAD) has been proposed to be a prospective nitrogen removal process. In this work, the potential of fermentation liquid (FL) from waste-activated sludge (WAS) as the electron donor for denitrification in the HAD system was explored and compared with other conventional carbon sources. Results showed that when FL was used as a carbon source, over 99% of NO3−-N was removed and its removal rate exceeded 14.00 mg N/g MLSS/h, which was significantly higher than that of methanol and propionic acid. The produced sulfate was below the limit value and the emission of N2O was low (1.38% of the NO3−-N). Microbial community analysis showed that autotrophic denitrifiers were predominated in the HAD system, in which Thiobacillus (16.4%) was the dominant genus. The economic analysis showed the cost of the FL was 0.062 €/m3, which was 30% lower than that in the group dosed with methanol. Our results demonstrated the FL was a promising carbon source for the HAD system, which could reduce carbon emission and cost, and offer a creative approach for waste-activated sludge resource reuse.

Senior-Centric Object Detection for Independent Living

Abstract: The need for creative solutions that help seniors preserve their independence is growing as a result of the worldwide population aging issue. A major obstacle that many seniors encounter is the possibility of a loss in their physical and cognitive abilities, which can make it difficult for them to carry out everyday chores. This study introduces a senior-oriented object detecting system in order to address this urgent problem. The technology assists elderly people in recognizing and locating things in their living areas by utilizing sophisticated computer vision techniques and machine learning algorithms. It aims to improve seniors' safety and autonomy through real-time support, ultimately leading to a better quality of life. This system is carefully designed to accommodate the special requirements of senior citizens, providing a viable means of fostering autonomous live in a population that is aging. This initiative is a big step forward in the fight to empower seniors and improve their well-being in an aging society because of its creative approach and emphasis on user-centric design

Probability Driven Double-Edge Triggered Multibit Flip Flop and Clock Gating Integration

Abstract: The project delves into the using of Double Edge-Triggered Multi-Bit Flip-Flops (DETMBFFs) alongside Data Driven Clock Gating (DDCG) techniques to bolster power efficiency in digital circuit designs. DETMBFFs enable the data Capture on Both Up and Down Swings of a clock, optimizing throughput while conserving power. By grouping multiple flip-flops and employing a shared clock driver, DETMBFFs minimize redundant clock signals and reduce energy usage. The integration of DDCG selectively disables clock signals based on data activity, further enhancing power efficiency. A novel algorithm, grounded in the ratio of the data to clock toggling and probability-driven grouping of flip-flops within DETMBFFs, is developed to optimize power consumption. Through implementation using Xilinx software tool, the combined approach achieves remarkable power savings ranging from 17% to 23%. This creative approach not only enhances power efficiency but also maintains design integrity,making it a compelling solution for low-power design challenges in digital systems.

Entrepreneurs’ Innovative Behaviour Response in Rural Tourism Development. A Case Study of Local Service Providers in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Northern Vietnam

Tourism industry becomes the spearhead economy in the Vietnamese government's development strategies that compete with regional countries like Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia. Especially tourism in rural areas has been focused on and integrated into regional and national development programs in terms of creating a driving force for socio-economic development, high quality, diversified, and branded tourism products. Innovative efforts are necessary to further promote this industry so as to reap the full benefits and potential of this sector. Creativity and innovative approaches are essential for success. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of innovation on the effectiveness of entrepreneurs in the tourism industry and propose that strategic and behavioural innovativeness enhances performance of entrepreneurs. Based on semi-structure interviews with 15 local service providers, the existing business challenges facing the service providers were identified and innovation activities that they adopted in responding to the challenges for the development strategies of rural tourism in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. This research contributes to the understanding of innovative behaviour of participants and also some practical benefits as responses to their business challenges. However, the sample size of the study is quite small, new avenues for further research is highly recommended.

Transforming the Creative and Social Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: The Broker Roles of Rural Collaborative Workspaces

Creative social enterprises are increasingly emerging in rural regions, motivated by a desire to take social responsibility through creative approaches. These enterprises integrate entrepreneurial activities with creative social attributes and are sometimes set in rural collaborative workspaces (CWSs) facilitating entrepreneurial activities. Under the frame of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs), we argue that CWSs can be seen as brokers, who (1) link resources as liaisons, (2) hold and pass resources as gatekeepers, (3) enhance resource flows as coordinators, and (4) reproduce experiences as representatives. Against this backdrop, this paper presents a case study of two creative social enterprises in a CWS with a cooperative structure in rural Upper Austria by analyzing entrepreneurial biographies about the demand and use of entrepreneurial resources. Through a comparison between before and after the emergence of the CWS, the findings suggest that the EE for creative and social entrepreneurship undergoes two different types of transformation, a radical and a gradual one. The brokerage process of the CWS enhances local resource networks’ transformation of EE and brings the transformation in terms of translocal resources and integral EE of enterprises in the CWS. Additionally, the CWS generates social impacts on the local community through social enterprises. This paper contributes to ecosystem literature by introducing an actor-centric perspective and giving new insights into social entrepreneurship and the transformative power of CWSs as brokers.

A study of the influence of professional judgment and creativity on the composition of financial reporting

The development of the accounting and reporting system in Russia at different historical stages mostly corresponded to the requirements of the time and the state of the economy. At some times, the balance sheet compiled in our country was a role model for other countries, at others, we needed foreign experience to draw up relevant and adequate reporting. Despite the differences between Russian (federal) accounting standards and international financial reporting standards, it should be noted that common approaches are used in the formation of most financial reporting indicators. In this regard, the purpose of this article is to study the circumstances that influenced the process of evolution of the balance sheet as the main source of information about the financial and economic activities of the organization, consisting of several stages, as a result of which the main form of reporting was modified and changed into the desire to meet the requirements placed on it by various users. Therefore, the main goal of the study was to study the most important changes in approaches to accounting and reporting in terms of the emergence of new types of assets, the transformation of evaluation criteria for property and liabilities. In this regard, the accountant is required not only to follow the requirements of regulations, but to apply professional judgment and a creative approach in each specific case, especially in terms of generating reporting that must be reliable, transparent and meet the requirements of various user groups. In this article, the author made an attempt to critically evaluate the evolutionary transformations of the main reporting document — the balance sheet and some of the advantages and disadvantages of professional judgment and creative approach used in its preparation; attention was paid to the consequences of unreliable reflection of indicators in financial statements on the business reputation of the company and its further development.

An Investigation on the Effectiveness of Employee Motivation at a Strategic Consulting Firm

Employee motivation is a critical component of organizational success since it influences productivity, job satisfaction, and overall performance. The goal of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of employee motivating strategies implemented at Mafoi Strategic Consultants Pvt. Ltd., a leading consulting firm noted for its creative approaches to human resource management.This study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including questionnaires, interviews, and a review of existing literature, to identify the key factors influencing employee motivation inside the organization. It also aims to investigate the effects of motivational strategies on employee engagement, job satisfaction, and retention rates. The findings of this study are likely to provide important insights into the current state of employee motivation at Mafoi Strategic Consultants Pvt.

‘Baby Ban’ and ‘we are not the same’: creative non-fiction dialogue exploring pregnancy and motherhood for a funded Paralympic and unfunded Olympic athlete

ABSTRACT Elite athlete mothers are an under researched population. This is remiss given their increasing prevalence, sporting successes, and importance as role models that challenge dominant and traditional views of pregnancy and women in sport. Indeed, sporting organisations are gradually adopting policies to support elite athlete mothers. That said, elite sport is part of a complex social and economic environment that is likely to shape support available to elite athlete mothers. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to explore the shared and different experiences of elite athlete mothers in and out of UK national funding programmes. Longitudinal semi-structured individual interviews with two elite athlete mothers, one Paralympian receiving funding and one Olympian not in receipt of funding, were conducted. Bengtsson’s 4-stage process was adopted to analyse data through the bioecological model. Data were merged and reorganised into two creative non-fiction dialogues; ‘Baby Ban’ and ‘We are not the same’. These reveal that national funding bodies’ pregnancy and motherhood guidelines, and funding policy were found to conflict, causing confusion and unsupportive experiences. Inconsistencies appeared in the exosystem guidelines and policy, and resulted in differences in communication, pressure, and support that prompted more positive interpersonal experiences for funded athletes than unfunded. Effective communication appeared as crucial for understanding athletes’ needs and to foster a supportive environment, irrespective of funding status. This study was the first to apply a creative non-fiction approach and a bioecological lens to elite athlete mothers’ postpartum experiences and explore the inequalities between those who are funded and unfunded.

Implementation Analysis of the Youth Posyandu Program in Pekalongan City

This research aims to analyze the implementation of the Youth Posyandu/Integrated Health Post program in Pekalongan city. The research design used qualitative with in-depth interview techniques and data triangulation. The informants consisted of relevant officials, Posyandu cadres, and stakeholders. The results indicate that strategies for increasing youth participation include intensifying education, involving community leaders, creating a youth-friendly atmosphere, and strengthening the role of cadres. The barriers to participation can be resolved through a creative and collaborative approach. Adolescents' health awareness is increased through understanding their needs. Health information was delivered using an attractive digital platform according to teenagers' interests. Overcoming access barriers required stigma-free educational campaigns, supportive environments, and active youth involvement. The positive role of parents and the social environment creates norms that support adolescent participation. A youth-friendly environment was created through participatory design, adequate facilities, and organizing activities by teenagers. Moreover, evaluation of program effectiveness involved measurable performance indicators, comprehensive data analysis, and ongoing feedback to optimize impact on youth knowledge, behavior, and well-being.

Connection Between HIV and Mitochondria in Cardiovascular Disease and Implications for Treatments.

HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy alter mitochondrial function, which can progressively lead to mitochondrial damage and accelerated aging. The interaction between persistent HIV reservoirs and mitochondria may provide insight into the relatively high rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality in persons living with HIV. In this review, we explore the intricate relationship between HIV and mitochondrial function, highlighting the potential for novel therapeutic strategies in the context of cardiovascular diseases. We reflect on mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial DNA, and mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein in the context of HIV. Furthermore, we summarize how toxicities related to early antiretroviral therapy and current highly active antiretroviral therapy can contribute to mitochondrial dysregulation, chronic inflammation, and poor clinical outcomes. There is a need to understand the mechanisms and develop new targeted therapies. We further consider current and potential future therapies for HIV and their interplay with mitochondria. We reflect on the next-generation antiretroviral therapies and HIV cure due to the direct and indirect effects of HIV persistence, associated comorbidities, coinfections, and the advancement of interdisciplinary research fields. This includes exploring novel and creative approaches to target mitochondria for therapeutic intervention.

The Aesthetics of Peace: Complexity, Speculation, and Unknowing in Creative Peacebuilding Research

ABSTRACT Creative and artistic methods are increasingly popular in the study of peacebuilding, as scholars look for new ways to access the experiences and insights of communities in post-conflict societies. This article draws on recent creative peacebuilding work to create a three-point spectrum of aesthetic peacebuilding research approaches, with each point demonstrating an escalating commitment to creative approaches. The argument shows how deeper commitment to aesthetic research in peacebuilding raises increasingly foundational questions about the nature of peacebuilding, which have the potential to open up new avenues of peace research but may also undermine the entire project of peacebuilding.

NEW ECONOMIC REALITY AS A SUBJECT MATTER OF RESEARCH

The article reveals the trends of modern crisis processes in the economy, which more and more clearly highlight the signs of a new reality. The authors note that in recent years, political and economic contradictions have been growing at an accelerated pace, integration interactions are slowing down, social paradigm is aggravating, the environmental crisis is taking on global proportions, and the stagnation of the economy is increasing. These crisis processes alternate, intersect, are being resolved, however, the range of opportunities for solving accumulated problems and conditions for further development becomes critical. The authors explore many specific manifestations of the new economic reality, including the deepening gap between economic theory and practice, identifying the contradictions that arise here and attracting the possibilities of political economy theory, system economics, and the potential of interdisciplinary knowledge. These manifestations are considered in a continuous set of space and time of the subject matter of research. The authors demonstrate the necessity to comply fundamental developments in the field of economic theory with the need to develop the foundations of state economic policy, risk management assessment, and creative approach to human capital. Based on this, conclusions are drawn on the need for a holistic theoretical and methodological description of the new economic reality, the definition of its subject area, the use of the achievements of scientific and technological progress for the intensive development of the economy and the correct definition of methods and tools for solving the problems of the new reality. The authors believe that the new reality that emerged in the socio-economic system after the financial crisis of 2008–2009 and clearly manifested in strong shocks that hit the world community in 2020–2022 is pushing economic theory to move as quickly as possible to the level of development, meeting practical requirements. In the process of research, the authors used the possibilities of a dialectical method, systemic and evolutionary approaches, as well as such theories as: the mode of production; socio-economic transformations; creative and innovative economy; threshold measures in phenomenon development.

Development of continuous design education using the STEAM approach

Relevance. The relevance of this study lies in the growing interest of specialists in the reorientation and reconstruction of Ukrainian design education following the Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) approach. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the features of the STEAM approach and its application in the context of continuous design education. Methodology. The study employed theoretical research methods, including analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, comparison, systematisation, classification, and generalisation. Results. The study employed theoretical research methods, including analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, comparison, systematisation, classification, and generalisation. The main results highlighted the regulatory documentation on the development of a modern design system. The study found the of the New Ukrainian School (NUS) in the development of continuous design education and the need to study natural, mathematical, and humanitarian disciplines for effective design education. The educational, methodological, and software framework for secondary and higher design education in Ukraine were considered. Conclusions. The correct organisation of continuous education contributes to the development of students� motivation in studying design disciplines that meet the requirements of STEAM education. A vital stage of the STEAM system is the design of an integrated curriculum platform in the context of interdisciplinary learning, the application of the dynamics of mathematical, engineering, modelling, creative, and other design processes. A high-quality STEAM approach in design education will help to develop students� critical thinking and creative approach to problems. Keywords: thinking; integration; creative abilities; learning environment; art; project activity

Village Justice System Implementation and Performance among Selected Villages in Southern Leyte Province, Philippines

The successful implementation of the Village Justice System (Katarungang Pambarangay) relies on the effectiveness, efficiency, creativity, and resourcefulness of Village Justice Committees. With the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160), the authority to resolve community disputes was decentralized to the 42,025 villages nationwide. This study aimed to review and analyzed the implementation and performance of the Village Justice System in selected best perfoming villages of Southern Leyte Province. Specifically, it assessed the degree of law implementation, performance profile, significant relationships between variables, and the severity of problems. Employing both descriptive and inferential methods, the researcher selected top five best performing Village Justice Committees out of 500 in Southern Leyte, based on rankings provided by the DILG-Southern Leyte Provincial Office. The findings reveal excellent performance among the selected Village Justice Committees, demonstrated by high compliance with settlement procedures and deadlines, regular meetings, and quality case settlements. The study suggests a correlation between case settlement quality and committee performance in terms of adherence to procedures and meeting frequency. This exemplary performance is credited to the creative and resourceful approaches of committee members, utilizing best practices, innovative mediation techniques, robust communication strategies, and support system. However, there were problems due to lack of monetary remuneration and non-monetary incentive support as well as other administrative assistance given by Municipal/City Local Government Units (LGUs), National Government Agencies (NGAs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)/ Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Private Sector. A Development Action Plan is formulated to solve the problems.

САКРАЛЬНИЙ ПІДХІД КАЛАТРАВИ

The work of Santiago Calatrava is characterized by biomorphic imitation combined with engineering thought, an approach that has made him one of the foremost and renowned architects of contemporary times. The architect employed principles of symbolic imitation and historical resonance. The main form, in this project, for imitation was taken from the icon of the Virgin Mary with a Child, which the architect skillfully transformed into the silhouette of a church, while the idea of geometric analysis of the Virgin's Face with a halo inspired the creation of the plan. The principle of historical resonance is ubiquitous in the project, from the orientation of the church and adherence to liturgical traditions to the incorporation of distinctive elements from existing cultic objects of Byzantine sacred architecture. On the other hand, the architect did not overlook modern challenges and needs. By utilizing advanced technologies and creativity, the author and his studio adeptly use light to emphasize important elements of the structure in the interior and create a unique appearance of the church from the outside during the dark hours of the day. Indeed, the illumination of the church at night is another idea of imitating the church candle as a symbol of God's presence. Functionally, the church is equipped not only with liturgical spaces but also with areas that will serve the community and as a memorial to the tragedy of September 11. These volumes are harmoniously integrated by the western façade and have important visual connections with the Park of Freedom and the memorial complex itself. St. Nicholas Church in New York should be singled out as a successful example of the symbiosis of tradition, modern technologies, and the author's creative approach.

An Anticipatory Approach to Ethico-Legal Implications of Future Neurotechnology

This paper provides a justificatory rationale for recommending the inclusion of imagined future use cases in neurotechnology development processes, specifically for legal and policy ends. Including detailed imaginative engagement with future applications of neurotechnology can serve to connect ethical, legal, and policy issues potentially arising from the translation of brain stimulation research to the public consumer domain. Futurist scholars have for some time recommended approaches that merge creative arts with scientific development in order to theorise possible futures toward which current trends in technology development might be steered. Taking a creative, imaginative approach like this in the neurotechnology context can help move development processes beyond considerations of device functioning, safety, and compliance with existing regulation, and into an active engagement with potential future dynamics brought about by the emergence of the neurotechnology itself. Imagined scenarios can engage with potential consumer uses of devices that might come to challenge legal or policy contexts. An anticipatory, creative approach can imagine what such uses might consist in, and what they might imply. Justifying this approach also prompts a co-responsibility perspective for policymaking in technology contexts. Overall, this furnishes a mode of neurotechnology’s emergence that can avoid crises of confidence in terms of ethico-legal issues, and promote policy responses balanced between knowledge, values, protected innovation potential, and regulatory safeguards.

Opening up openings: Zooming in on improvisation in the Theater of Home

This article presents a qualitative analysis of the opening section of an online improvisation session. The session, which was organized by the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, included an international group of musicians. It took place during the global COVID-19 pandemic where the participants were experiencing lockdown conditions. Phenomenological reflexive analysis and video elicitation techniques were utilized to develop a number of key themes related to the multimodal improvisation strategies identified as emergent in the session. The results highlight how technical, physical, and psychological constraints of online practice can facilitate new creative insights and approaches to improvisation. Particular emphasis is placed upon how an improvisation begins and the role of distributed and collaborative creativity within the overall process. The importance of the domestic environment, what we term The Theater of Home, is central to these new ideas, as is how particular scenarios/items function as psychological and creative boundary objects. The spontaneous multimodal integration of text, visual, and audio material within the domestic and virtual environment can be seen to support a new type of creative collaboration and one that draws out features of social improvisation.

Methodological system for the formation of meta-subject skills of primary school students in the context of STEM education

The significance of this study lies in fostering skills among school students that enables them to process information from several academic subjects, utilize science and technology at the same time, create new innovative projects, think critically and creatively, achieve meta-subject and personal outcomes, apply their abilities and knowledge to solve real-life problems, and make decisions based on current information utilizing available digital technologies. The main goal of this research is to propose a methodological system for the formation of meta-subject skills in primary school students in the context of STEM education. This framework encompasses several essential stages: a conceptual foundation for the formation of meta-subject skills of primary school students; methods of teaching through STEM; and interdisciplinary, meta-subject tasks and integrated projects aimed at fostering meta-subject skills. Moreover, the study describes an elective course program called “Secret of the World.” This course is intended for second grade learners and serves as a practical implementation of the proposed methodology. This course focuses on the promotion of integrated learning based on common topics, application of scientific and technical knowledge, enhancement of critical thinking and problem solving, stimulation of curiosity in science and technical subjects, and utilization of creative and innovative approaches to projects.

Earthworm-Inspired Ultra-Durable Sliding Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Bionic Self-Replenishing Lubricating Property for Wind Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Intelligent Sports Monitoring.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), a promising strategy for harvesting distributed low-quality power sources, face inevitable bottlenecks regarding long-term abrasion and poor durability. Herein, both issues are addressed by selecting an earthworm-inspired self-replenishing bionic film (ERB) as the tribo-material of sliding-freestanding TENGs (SF-TENGs), it consists of an interconnected 3D porous network structure capable of storing and releasing lubricant under cyclic mechanical stimuli. Thanks to the superiority of self-replenishing property, there is no need for periodic replenishment and accurate content control of lubricant over the interfacial-lubricating SF-TENGs based on dense tribo-layers. Additionally, an SF-TENG based on ERB film (ERB-TENG) demonstrates remarkable output stability with only a slight attenuation of 1% after continuous operation for 100000 cycles. Moreover, the ERB-TENG displays a distinguished anti-wear property, exhibiting no distinct abrasion with an ultra-low coefficient of friction (0.077) and maintaining output stability over a prolonged period of 35 days. Furthermore, integration with an energy management circuit enables the ERB-TENG to achieve a 39-fold boost in charging speed. This work proposes a creative approach to enhance the durability and extend the lifespan of TENG devices, which is also successfully applied to wind energy harvesting and intelligent sports monitoring.

Single Stage Autonomous Solar Water Pumping System Using PMSM Drive

Water supply technology has advanced significantly with the development of autonomous solar water pumping devices. These solar-powered systems offer a dependable and sustainable way to pump water in remote and off-grid areas. They are the perfect solution for solving problems with water delivery in places with restricted access to power because of their capacity to function independently and without the requirement for grid electricity. Autonomous solar water pumping systems present a viable and creative approach to a sustainable water supply at a time when demand for renewable energy solutions is only expected to increase. Sustainable and effective agricultural techniques have advanced significantly with the introduction of autonomous solar water pumping equipment. These solar-powered devices provide an economical and environmentally responsible way to address the problems of declining water supplies and growing energy expenses. Adoption of autonomous solar water pumping devices will be essential to maintaining the productivity and long-term sustainability of our world's food supply as the agricultural sector develops.