Empirical Design Research Articles

ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ ПРОЦЕССА ПОЛУЧЕНИЯ БИОГАЗА ПРИ АНАЭРОБНОЙ ФЕРМЕНТАЦИИ ОРГАНИЧЕСКИХ ОТХОДОВ

The biogas extraction process's theoretical description during carbon containing agricultural waste's anaerobic digestion is considered. This proposed installation's work for biogas and organic fertilizers production during waste's anaerobic digestion is described. These anaerobic methods' advantage as biological treatment's unlike classical aerobic methods, when all bacteria work under the same conditions, with properly organized anaerobic processes is made, the separated bacteria in different physico-chemical conditions working. This makes it possible the anaerobic digestion process in productivity terms optimizing, managing and, ultimately, the waste processing quality improving. Based on the proposed biogas installation, the equations for the biogas yield determining are obtained. The of pig manure biogas output's theoretical results with crushed corn grain's addition are presented. This biogas installation's calculation method on the biogas output in dependence on empirical and technical parameters' design is based. The aim is biogas and biofertilizer's production during pig manure fermentation intensity increasing. The proposed biogas installation in psychophilic (3-25°C), mesophilic (25-40°C) and thermophilic (40-55°C) temperature conditions can operating. The substrate is heated by biogas through a vortex tube passing. The organic substances' anaerobic processing leads the biodegradable substances' main part into CO2, H2O and NH3 decompositing. Bacteria such as Bacillus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas and Clostridium play a key role in this process by enzymatic hydrolysis and acid's formation carrying out. The theoretical calculations show that the highest biogas producing with a content of solid particles in the fertilizer of no more than 8,8-10% and substrate's effective mixing is achieved. The organic waste processing into biogas is justify and preferable. This product (biogas) everywhere can be used, both on individual agricultural firms and in general in agriculture, where it will be the most effective using.

Laboratory Evaluation of Marginal and Industrial Waste Material in Geocell-Reinforced Pavements under Cyclic Loading

Abstract The availability of quality materials for the construction of pavements has been a problem in some regions. This scarcity enforced geosynthetic materials as one of the quests for su1stainability in the pavement industry. This study attempted to stabilize marginal (tunnel muck, reclaimed asphalt pavement material) and industrial waste (zinc slag) materials by employing high density polyethylene geocell to appraise the effectiveness of geosynthetic reinforcement in enhancing the characteristics of pavement materials and mitigating their rutting. The cyclic plate load tests are performed on marginal and industrial waste material with geocell-reinforced and unreinforced base layers over black cotton soil as the subgrade. The tests were conducted following the trapezoidal loading pattern with a 0.77-Hz frequency. The geocell-reinforced pavement performance was evaluated for resilient deformation, accumulated permanent deformation, rut depth reduction, traffic benefit ratio, and base layer thickness reduction. The mechanistic empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG) permanent deformation performance (PDP) model framework was used to predict the accumulated permanent deformation in unbound granular layers and to differentiate the rutting performance in geocell-reinforced and unreinforced sections. This study determined the material constants of the MEPDG PDP model for marginal and industrial waste materials used in the pavement section for quantifying the reduction in base layer thickness.

Analysis Of Grand Strategy Of Russia: A Case Study Of Putin’s Regime

The article revolves around the debate of Russian Grand Strategy with special focus on the Putin’s era. By using empirical designs based on interpretive approach, the research claims that modern day Russia is greatly transmuted by the Putin’s grand strategy. The dynamic shift of the Russian strategy has triggered the debate of resurgence of Russia, therefore it has changed the narrative from reserved assertiveness towards aggression by Putinism greatly prevailed through the 4 terms of his rule. Unlike Gorbachev Putin’s Russia rose through the remnants of cold war towards the dominance over the world but the western actions diverge it towards aggression as the security threats posed by NATO’s eastward expansionism. Russia pursues the objective to reclaim and hold its influence on its near abroad through challenging western ideals and pursuance of strategic ends across wide range of means.

A SYSTEM FOR DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL PREPAREDNESS OF SOCIOCULTURAL SPECIALISTS FOR CREATIVE INTERACTION IN A DIGITAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Purpose. The article is dedicated to the issue of designing a system of developing preparedness of sociocultural specialists to creative interaction in the digital learning environment.
 Materials and methods. The author substantiates the relevance of designing this system by the need to integrate sociocultural, pedagogical and digital aspects of professional activities in the professional training. In the course of the study, an analysis of scientific literature related to the study problem was conducted. The findings were then systematized and generalized to create a comprehensive system that captures the interconnectedness of social, cultural, and digital aspects of the professional activities. The research methods included the analysis of theoretical sources, the study and generalization of researchers’ experience on the issues of professional training of sociocultural specialists, as well as the analysis of empirical research and system design.
 Results. The study describes a developed and pedagogically substantiated system for raising preparedness of sociocultural specialists to creative interaction in a digital learning environment, including the main structural elements of the system, methodological approaches and principles that determine the internal logic of its development, as well as the set of conditions that ensure its effectiveness.
 Scope of application of the results. The results of this study are aimed at increasing the quality and enhancing the system of organization of professional training of these specialists.

Unchaining supply chains: Transformative leaps toward regenerating social–ecological systems

AbstractThe worsening climate, biodiversity, and inequity crises have existential implications. To help resolve these crises, supply chains must move beyond a minimal harm approach. Instead, supply chains must make positive contributions to and harmoniously integrate with the living systems around them. Despite agreement on this urgent need, supply chain management research still lacks a shared roadmap for establishing economically sustainable supply chains that actively regenerate social–ecological systems. This essay deepens the understanding of regenerative supply chains, inviting supply chain scholars and practitioners to rally around timely questions and codevelop new answers. We first scrutinize the paradigmatic assumptions that continue to anchor contemporary research and practice in supply chain management, showing how these once helpful assumptions now hold the community back from seeking much needed solutions. We then offer real‐world examples and synthesize emerging arguments from multiple disciplines to propose three new principles of regenerative organizing: proportionality, reciprocity, and poly‐rhythmicity. We also delve into the implications of pursuing these regenerative principles for supply chain coordination, governance, and resilience. Finally, we reflect on the fit of empirical research designs and methods for examining the creation of new regenerative supply chains and the conversion of existing supply chains.

Training and Equipment for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Protection and Rescue System in Situations Involving CBRN Materials

Radiation and nuclear security and safety represent regulated and controlled area. First of all, because of the common importance for humanity. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an established legal, i.e. institutional framework, but due to the decentralized complex system, it is unclear whether CBRN teams have been formed, what tasks and roles they perform and whether the procedure is uniform. In this research, the main focus is on the analysis of the complexity of the system, and the role of the State Regulatory Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety as a central authority and the Federal Administration of Civil Protection as a lower entity body in training and equipping teams for incident situations related to CBRN materials. The research is of empirical character and qualitative design. With this research we will show the level of equipment of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina including measures and activities that are undertaken to prevent events and incidents in the broadest view, which will indicate recommendations for improving the preparedness and performance of institutions in preventing extraordinary events and incident situations.

Oil, Conflicts, and Political Economy of Migration in Africa: The Nigeria’s Niger Delta Experience

In most African countries, especially Nigeria, migration is driven by economic hardship, unemployment, poverty, and the search for greener pastures overseas. In Niger Delta, in addition to the factors above, migration is driven by recurrent attacks and conflicts between militants and the Nigerian state over oil. Indeed, negative environmental externalities and violence resulting from long years of oil exploration in this region have made many, especially youths leave the region for safety and livelihood. This article thus examined the implications of oil pollution and other environmental stressors for migrants leaving the region. The paper hypothesized and sought to understand how oil politics and environmental deplorable conditions in this region exacerbate the engagement of illiterate young girls and women to migrate or be trafficked to urban centers as child laborers and sex workers within and outside Nigeria. The paper appraised how oil conflicts and environmental degradation could intensify migration risks among this group of people leaving the region. Utilizing empirical qualitative research design, the paper tested if the migration of youth in this region is partly related to manipulation and the negligence by the Nigerian state to commensurate spending from oil on the development of the region. The paper concluded that the recurrent oil conflicts and environmental conditions in the Niger Delta bring into focus the political economy of migration, globalization, and indigenous, and minority rights and struggles for sustainable means of livelihood. Keywords: Conflicts, Livelihood, Migration, Oil, Political economy

How does climate risk affect corporate innovation? Evidence from China

AbstractThis paper investigates the effects of climate risk on corporate innovation in China. Employing a city‐level climate risk indicator that we constructed and a sample of 21,430 firm‐year observations of Chinese‐listed companies, we find that climate risk is negatively associated with corporate innovation investment and outcome. These results are robust to alternative empirical designs and identifications. Our mechanism analyses reveal that climate risk impedes corporate innovation by motivating firms to increase cash holdings as financial reserves. Additional analyses suggest that the adverse impact of climate risk on corporate innovation is more pronounced for high‐tech firms, and less salient for firms with higher financial constraints and female Chairperson or CEO. Furthermore, the decrease in corporate innovation due to climate risk can lead to a reduction in firm value. These findings contribute to the existing literature on climate risk and corporate innovation and inform regulators and listed firms concerning climate risk.

Ultimate axial strength prediction of concrete-filled double-skin steel tube columns using soft computing methods

In this study, two hybrid models, grey wolf optimizer (GWO) combined with group method of data handling (GMDH) and random forest (RF) optimized by particle swarm optimization (PSO), are proposed to predict the ultimate axial strength of concrete-filled double-skin steel tube (CFDST) columns. 139 sets of data collected from the literature were used to build the proposed models. The proposed hybrid models were compared with other machine learning models as well as empirical equations and design specifications. The results show that for all datasets, the integral absolute error (IAE), root relative squared error (RRSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and coefficient of determination (R2) predicted by PSO-RF and GWO-GMDH models are 0.057, 0.092, 0.068 and 0.992; 0.068, 0.094, 0.110 and 0.989, respectively. Compared with the single RF and GDMH models, the IAE, RRSE and MAPE values of the proposed PSO-RF and GWO-GMDH models decreased by 3.91%, 13.66% and 6.34%; 37.81%, 48.78% and 39.24%, respectively, and the R2 value increased by 1.24% and 1.67%, respectively. In addition, the factors affecting the failure of CFDST columns are analyzed through the parameter sensitivity analysis.

Law Enforcement Against Traffic Law Violations Committed by Students in Ternate City

Traffic rules are created to guard the safety of everyone who travels on vehicles on the road every day. Rampantly occurring traffic violations that evoke concerns in society are traffic violations committed by students. This paper aims to analyze the factors that influence law enforcement against traffic law violations committed by students in the legal area of the Ternate City Police Resort Traffic Unit as well as the efforts carried out to prevent events of traffic law violations by students. This research used the empirical research design. It was an approach model in the form of an action to see the legal reality in society. In this research, the researchers collected the data using field research, literary study, and documentation methods. From these three types of data collection, the data obtained were divided into two, namely primary and secondary data. Research found that the factors which influence law enforcement against traffic law violations committed by students in the legal area of Ternate City Police Resort Traffic Unit are the family factor, the education factor, and the environmental factor. Legal efforts that may be applied to prevent the occurrence of traffic law violations committed by students in the legal area of Ternate City Police Resort Traffic Unit are: (1) Preventive efforts, by organizing socializations especially for parents to always supervise their children and prevent them from driving motorized vehicles as underage children are not eligible to obtain a driver’s license, as according to the law, a person must be at least 17 years old to obtain it and (2) Repressive efforts by giving a warning to students that violate the traffic laws. If perpetrators still commit violations after obtaining a warning, they will obtain a ticket

What makes higher education contribute to high-quality economic development - a synergy effect analysis based on scale, structure and quality elements

Abstract This paper explores how the synergistic effect of scale, structure and quality of Certain components can encourage postsecondary education for superior economic growth. Firstly, this study illustrates the synergistic effect of scale, structure, and quality factors in higher education by exploring the theoretical mechanisms of these elements in higher education to promote good economic development. Second, the conventional TOPSIS method is refined, and the entropy power-TO PSIS model is constructed by combining the entropy power method with the regression model built on the theoretical mechanism of the previous paper, and the empirical design is executed. The measurement of high-quality development of higher education and the economy is made possible by this. After building and finishing the evaluation index system for higher education and high economic, high-quality development, the development measurement is examined at the end. Based on the regression results, Analysis is done on the mediation and threshold effects of higher education for the establishment of high-quality economic growth, and pertinent policy recommendations are made. The scale structure and quality criteria of higher education are 40.1,303.1,9.9, and 60.2, respectively. The growth levels of the east, central, and west are 0.27,0.24, and 0.24, respectively, as is the proportion of the mediating influence to the total effect of 0.32 and 0.51. Through the factors of scale, structure, and educational quality, higher education works in concert to optimize technology and industry and, in turn, to foster the excellent growth of the economy.

ToRoS: A Topology Optimization Approach for Designing Robotic Skins

Soft robotics offers unique advantages in manipulating fragile or deformable objects, human-robot interaction, and exploring inaccessible terrain. However, designing soft robots that produce large, targeted deformations is challenging. In this paper, we propose a new methodology for designing soft robots that combines optimization-based design with a simple and cost-efficient manufacturing process. Our approach is centered around the concept of robotic skins---thin fabrics with 3D-printed reinforcement patterns that augment and control plain silicone actuators. By decoupling shape control and actuation, our approach enables a simpler and cost-efficient manufacturing process. Unlike previous methods that rely on empirical design heuristics for generating desired deformations, our approach automatically discovers complex reinforcement patterns without any need for domain knowledge or human intervention. This is achieved by casting reinforcement design as a nonlinear constrained optimization problem and using a novel, three-field topology optimization approach tailored to fabrics with 3D-printed reinforcements. We demonstrate the potential of our approach by designing soft robotic actuators capable of various motions such as bending, contraction, twist, and combinations thereof. We also demonstrate applications of our robotic skins to robotic grasping with a soft three-finger gripper and locomotion tasks for a soft quadrupedal robot.

Multi-objective optimization design of anti-roll torsion bar using improved beluga whale optimization algorithm

PurposeThis study aims to reduce the redundant weight of the anti-roll torsion bar brought by the traditional empirical design and improving its strength and stiffness.Design/methodology/approachBased on the finite element approach coupled with the improved beluga whale optimization (IBWO) algorithm, a collaborative optimization method is suggested to optimize the design of the anti-roll torsion bar structure and weight. The dimensions and material properties of the torsion bar were defined as random variables, and the torsion bar's mass and strength were investigated using finite elements. Then, chaotic mapping and differential evolution (DE) operators are introduced to improve the beluga whale optimization (BWO) algorithm and run case studies.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that the IBWO has superior solution set distribution uniformity, convergence speed, solution correctness and stability than the BWO. The IBWO algorithm is used to optimize the anti-roll torsion bar design. The error between the optimization and finite element simulation results was less than 1%. The weight of the optimized anti-roll torsion bar was lessened by 4%, the maximum stress was reduced by 35% and the stiffness was increased by 1.9%.Originality/valueThe study provides a methodological reference for the simulation optimization process of the lateral anti-roll torsion bar.

Novel design modeling for vertical shaft impactors

The purpose of this article is to present a novel mathematical-physical model for the design of a new conical-shaped centrifugal rotor for vertical shaft impact crushers (VSI's) to reduce energy consumption. Many models of flat disced centrifugal rotors have been developed, however, these models do not use mathematical-physical relations to define the particle trajectory on the centrifugal rotor, which corresponds to the curvature of the shape of the centrifugal rotor chambers. The determination of particle movement on the outer mantel of a rotating conical-shaped centrifugal rotor depends on cone geometry, feed material, and operation parameters, which were thoroughly studied to design the new conical rotor. The equations which describe the particle motion on the centrifugal rotor are derived and utilized. The mathematical-physical relation equations were analyzed and given as a solvable model of the particle motion simulation using a program developed in C++ using Microsoft Visual Studio. It can be concluded that in order to improve existing empirical designs, energy consumption must be reduced by improving the material flow rate and avoiding material clogging inside the centrifugal rotor.

A general approach for predicting convective heat transfer coefficients in turbulent systems

A generalized approach for predicting turbulent convective heat transfer coefficients using large eddy simulation is presented. This model is based on semi-empirical transport theory, which links the local convective heat transfer rate to the local energy dissipation rate within the near-wall boundary layer. We apply these approaches to agitated tanks, pipe flow systems, cylinders in crossflow, and tube bundles. We validate the generality and reliability of the theoretical model against expectations from experimentally derived empirical design correlations.

Construction and demonstration of early-warning evaluation index system of poverty return from the perspective of rural revitalization

Abstract In order to achieve comprehensive poverty eradication, this paper analyzes the general structure of the poverty return early warning mechanism and the operation idea under the perspective of rural revitalization and explores the methods and systems of emergency decision-making for poverty return early warning. At the same time, based on the dynamics and scientific quantifiability, we have constructed the poverty return early warning indicator system, established the alarming degree of poverty return early warning, and combined the principal component analysis method and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. The empirical design is carried out on the basis of the design of the poverty return warning evaluation index system; the weight coefficients are derived from the principal component factors, and the fuzzy comprehensive score is calculated. The results show that the overall poverty return risk score is S={0.21, 0.27, 0.19, 0.18, 0.15}, and the risk early warning fuzzy evaluation value is 0.27, which is 87.4 points, and belongs to mild risk.

Strategic Market Orientation and Creation of Cultural Entrepreneurship: Case Study of Chinese Entrepreneurs

This study aims to reveal that the strategic market orientation and creation of cultural entrepreneurship plays a role in the performance of Chinese entrepreneurs in the covid-19 pandemic. The behavioral elements of market orientation are formed by innovative behavior based on the cultural values of Chinese entrepreneurs. Cultural values are strategically providing a resource management perspective of Chinese entrepreneurs for development of cultural innovative behavior towards to the strategic market orientation. Strategic market orientation configurates the development of cultural entrepreneurship creativity in the Covid-19 pandemic. This research is in the setting of Chinese entrepreneurs in West Java, Indonesia. This study uses a postpositivist paradigm with holistic design of case studies on three Chinese entrepreneurs in a small-medium business. Semi-structural interviews with an open format on three Chinese entrepreneurs are used as data collection. The data analysis technique used Miles and Huberman's interactive model. The results of the study are in the form of an empirical model design that reveals the strategic behavioral elements of market orientation based on cultural innovative behavior in the development of cultural entrepreneurship. Research findings contribute theoretically to the concept of strategic orientation management and cultural entrepreneurship in the context of market orientation that interactions in entrepreneurship has a great complexity, one of which is based on the cultural innovative behavior inherited in the development of behavioral elements of market orientation, cultural entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial sustainability

Temperature effect on fatigue behavior of high-modulus asphalt concrete (HMAC)

This study investigated the effect of temperature on the fatigue behavior of high-modulus asphalt concrete (HMAC). The impact of temperature on the Wöhler’s curve parameters, especially with respect to the slope and intercept, was studied to evaluate the accuracy of current methodologies used to estimate them in mechanistic–empirical pavement design tools (M-E PD). Four series of tension–compression (TC) fatigue tests were conducted on HMAC samples at four temperatures (-8.3 °C, 1.4 °C, 11.3 °C, and 21.0 °C). The findings indicated a significant impact of temperature on the intercept; the slope did not exhibit any statistically significant effect.

Economic integration and stock market linkages: evidence from South Africa and BRIC

PurposeThis study examines the impact of regional economic integration (REI) on stock market linkages in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) economic bloc. In this type of study, the BRICS framework is an appealing empirical case, given its uncommon characteristics. For example, BRICS member states come from remote geographic locations (Africa, Asia, Europe and South America) and have contrasting socioeconomic profiles.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical design is framed from the perspective of bilateral trade between South Africa and BRIC. The author accepts trade intensity as a proxy of regional economic integration and then examines the resulting effect on the stock market co-movement within BRIC. The study applies a two-step econometric procedure of the BEKK-MGARCH and panel data models.FindingsOverall, bilateral trade, as a proxy of economic inwctegration, is associated with an increase in stock market integration. This positive relationship is particularly observed during episodes of surplus trade, and more interestingly, was initiated three years after BRICS’ existence and continues to grow at an increasing rate.Practical implicationsThe study outcome should benefit international trade practitioners and global investors interested in portfolio diversification or concerned with risk spillovers.Originality/valueFirst, notwithstanding South Africa's significant economic presence in the African continent, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to empirically evaluate the BRICS economic integration on their stock market linkages from the perspective of South Africa. The value of this contribution is that further work may investigate the bidirectional spillover impact conveyed by South Africa's trade interactions within the juxtaposition of Africa and BRICS economies. Second, given that research on REI and stock market integration has historically concentrated on mature regional blocs of Europe, Asia, South and North America, the current study advances knowledge while correcting the prevailing literature imbalance.

The ADDIE Model in Instructional Design: NUST MISIS Case Study

Theoretical and methodological analysis of research devoted to pedagogical design has revealed a shortage of empirical design model implementation descriptions. The article examines the case of ADDIE model application to design an «English Language» course for master degree students at University of Science and Technology MISIS. New approaches to course design are vital to raise education competitiveness, which in turn is subject to objective contemporary social trends. The first stage of ADDIE model (Analysis) was based on needs assessment conducted among master degree students in the form of questionnaires, as well as 2020-2023 course curricula analysis in terms of competencies indicated by major courses departments for the subject area “English Language” in accordance with the FSES HE 3++ requirements. The article gives insight into course description, structure and principles which reflect the coherent progress of Design, Development and Implementation stages. Evaluation process is demonstrated through post-course questionnaire analysis to assess the dynamics of student satisfaction, as well as the analysis of course examination/completion results in 2020-2021 approbation year, after conceptual and content changes were made. The data show that the program fully complies with the expectations of master degree students of non-linguistics majors from the «English Language» course, allows to ensure positive foreign language acquisition and enhanced course completion. The conclusion drawn is that the application of five-stage-ADDIE framework makes for smooth and clear course design, given 1 semester and mixed-level master degree students of different non-linguistics majors.