Recommendations For Additional Studies Research Articles

Can bioenergy act as an entrepreneurial opportunity for the sustainable economic development of an emerging economy? A socio-technical approach.

Challenges in adopting renewable energy have become significant roadblocks to the country's sustainable progress. There is a shortage of studies examining how adopting biogas energy plants affects entrepreneurship in Pakistan's off-grid areas. This study aims to address this gap in the literature by investigating bioenergy as an entrepreneurial opportunity for the sustainable economic development of an emerging economy. Primary data comprising 305 respondents was used in Punjab Province by employing an inclusive questionnaire survey. The partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique validates the model and analyzes the designated hypotheses. Empirical outcomes reveal that enhanced social and entrepreneurial prosperity adopting biogas plants, sustainable economic development of entrepreneurial businesses adopting biogas plants, and adoption in entrepreneurship improve the standard of living positively and significantly associated with intention to enhance entrepreneurship performance through biogas energy adoption. On the contrary, the production-cost reduction of adopting biogas plants in entrepreneurial businesses had no significant effect on intention to improve entrepreneurship performance through biogas energy adoption. Meanwhile, the intention to enhance entrepreneurship performance through biogas energy adoption positively mediates the relationship among enhanced social and entrepreneurial prosperity adopting biogas plants, sustainable economic development of entrepreneurial businesses adopting biogas plants, biogas plant adoption in entrepreneurship improves the standard of living, and economic development of entrepreneurial activities adopting biogas technology. Correspondingly, social media and word of mouth significantly moderate the relationships between the intention to enhance entrepreneurship performance through biogas energy adoption and the economic development of entrepreneurial activities adopting biogas energy. The results of this study show how crucial it is to change societal norms surrounding entrepreneurship, raise entrepreneurs' awareness of these issues, reform regulatory systems, and emphasize the benefits of entrepreneurial activities offered by biogas energy plants that grow entrepreneurs' standard of living. Finally, the study's limitations and recommendations for additional studies are highlighted.

Relating biogas technology and environmental impact assessment: a roadmap towards clean energy for environmental sustainability.

Atmosphere contamination and fast weather change have compelled scientists and entrepreneurs to seek eco-friendly solutions for saving the earth. Increasing energy consumption depletes limited natural resources and harms the climate and ecology. In this regard, biogas technology contributes in two ways: satisfying energy needs and saving plants. Pakistan is a farming nation with enormous biogas-based energy generating potential. The primary objectives of this study are to identify the most significant barriers to farmers' investment in biogas technology. Non-probability sampling (purposive sampling) was utilized to establish the sample size. Ninety-seven investors and farmers were systematically sampled in biogas technology engaged in this survey. The planned questionnaire was practiced to obtain key facts via online interviews. The partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to evaluate designated hypotheses. The current research concludes that entire autonomous variables are substantial and interrelated with investment in biogas machinery, dropping energy disasters, and accomplishing environmental, financial, and maintenance government support objectives. The results also revealed that electronic and social media play a moderating influence. This conceptual model is considerably and positively affected by the chosen factors and their moderation. This study concludes that the primary tools for attracting farmers and investors in biogas technology are proper biogas technology awareness with relevant experts, financial and maintenance government responsibility, user efficiency and environmental concern of biogas plants, and the role of electronic and social media. The results also advised that the government should implement an incentive and maintenance policy to entice new farmers and investors in Pakistan to build biogas technology. Finally, the study's limitations and recommendations for additional studies are highlighted.

Energy parameters of corn drying in a hot air dryer powered by exhaust gas waste heat: An optimization case study of the food-energy nexus

This paper presents the energy parameters of corn drying in a convective crop dryer powered by exhaust gas waste heat. The empirical study was applied for drying 1,500 g batch size of an indigenous variety of maize grains (corn kernels). The study considered the impact of the drying air temperature and velocity on the energy indices (total and specific energy consumption, electric and thermal energy demand), drying rate, of the crop dryer, and the moisture diffusion coefficient of the studied samples. Tests were run at varying drying air temperatures (50, 55, and 60 °C) and air velocities (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m/s). Results obtained show that the drying parameters had a noticeable influence on the rates of heat transfer and moisture diffusion in the maize samples. The average drying rates varied between 0.83 and 1.4 g/min, whereas drying duration ranged from 305 to 515 min. The thermal efficiency of the drying process ranged from 4.23% to 8.07%. Its values had a direct relationship with the drying air temperature and an inverse relationship with the drying air velocity. The specific energy consumption, which varied between 129.95 and 227.63 kWh/kg increased with increasing air temperature and velocity. Drying air temperature had an inverse effect on the values of the electric energy consumption of the dryer system at constant air velocity. The maximum and minimum thermal energy values were obtained as 97.12 and 55.4 kW-hr, respectively. The activation energy and moisture diffusion coefficient values were in the range of 31.75 to 41.05 kJ/mol and 5.77×10−11 to 1.11×10−10 m2/s, respectively for the studied drying conditions. Prospects for commercial applications as well as recommendations for additional studies were stated.

The utility of peripheral blood smear review for identifying specimens for flow cytometric immunophenotyping.

Laboratory professionals are in an ideal situation to identify CBC and peripheral blood smear findings that raise the possibility of a hematolymphoid neoplasm, and based on this information make recommendations for additional studies, such as flow cytometric immunophenotyping. In some circumstances a definitive diagnosis can be established from the combined peripheral blood morphologic and immunophenotypic findings obviating the need for bone marrow evaluation, such as for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Occasionally flow cytometric studies are superior to morphologic assessment, such as in screening for hairy cell leukemia or identifying lymphocytic-variant hypereosinophilia. However, there is increasing recognition of small immunophenotypically unusual or abnormal populations of peripheral blood cells, particularly in older patients, which are of uncertain clinical significance, such as monoclonal B lymphocytosis and T-cell clonopathy. Therefore, it is important to integrate peripheral blood smear review findings with the clinical and other information before recommending flow cytometry. In addition, it is important to recognize situations where the results of peripheral blood smear review and flow cytometric immunophenotyping do not explain the clinical findings.

WHAT MOTIVATES PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS TO BECOME TEACHERS AND THEIR PERSPECTIVES OF ENGLISH TEACHING AS A CAREER OPTION

Teaching motivation issues are well-researched in several countries. However, these issues have been rarely investigated in the Indonesian context. This study investigated motivational factors that influence pre-service teachers to enter English teacher training and their perspectives of English teaching as a career option. It comprised a survey of 140 pre-service teachers from a teacher training institution in Bali and two semi-structured group interviews. The results suggest that the participants are more influenced by intrinsic and altruistic factors than extrinsic factors. These findings contradict earlier studies of teacher motivation in developing countries and what is generally believed in Indonesia. Moreover, the development of the tourism industry in Bali seems to have a great impact on the participants’ perspectives of English teaching in Bali in particular and in Indonesia in general. Most of those surveyed held positive views of the development of English teaching as a career option. Finally the study suggested implications and recommendations for additional studies within the Indonesian context.

Long-term axial capacity of deepwater jetted piles

Jetting is a technique commonly used to install well conductors, which is faster than the conventional drill and cement method. Conductors are designed to support the buoyed weight of the first string of casings (typically, 3–5 days after jetting) and later to provide the lateral stability for the well system against cyclic loading from environmental elements. The axial bearing capacity of a jetted conductor increases with time due to consolidation and thixotropy effects; however, the field data for set-up only extend to about 10 days. Installation of jetted conductors as piles and anchors may be an economic solution for offshore developments. The long-term axial capacity of jetted conductors was investigated through a series of centrifuge modelling and laboratory thixotropy testing. The centrifuge tests simulated jetting installation of four model conductors and measured capacities at set-up times ranging between 10 and 1000 days in a kaolin clay seabed with an undrained shear strength profile similar to that encountered in deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The centrifuge test results were compared to the field data in the Gulf of Mexico. The implications of the centrifuge test results for deepwater Gulf of Mexico conditions are discussed. A method is presented for estimating the long-term axial capacity of jetted conductors in Gulf of Mexico seabed conditions with recommendations for additional studies.

Exploration of Identity Theory to Explain the Development of Personal Values

This paper functions as the preliminary literature review to explore social and personal development theory to investigate the value systems in people to investigate the foundation of knowledge for future research in this area. This objective will be achieved through the exploration and analysis of Erickson’s Psychosocial Developmental Stages and Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory respectively. In addition, cultural identity development theory and gender theory will also be explored to create a theoretical basis for this project. Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory will explain the development of personality, and review the psychosexual stages of development. It will also give evidence of negative aspects of the theory and discuss terms such as unconscious, conscious, transference, and repression and how they influence identity development. The rationale for identify development will establish at what stage do individuals identify values. The social relevance of this study is to attempt to gauge at that stage people began to value education. Future studies will offer the subsequent research to explore how the values of education impact academic achievement. The conclusion of this report will offer recommendations for additional studies and research that address this preliminary literature review.

Effect of blend composition and structure on biodegradation of starch/ecoflex-filled polyethylene films

A method to blend starches and polyethylene, and thus improve the environmental footprint, was investigated. Unlike traditional methods that utilize compatibilizers or rely on reactive extrusion to achieve the desired material compatibility, a high amylose starch, such as Gelose 80, was mixed with native starch, converted to thermoplastic starch, and compounded with Ecoflex and polyethylene. Films showed good integrity and were evaluated for mechanical properties, anaerobic biodegradability, and structure changes both before and after anaerobic sludge digestion. Mechanical properties were sufficient that these films might be utilized in a number of applications but were not recommended as a sustainable solution. Biodegradation was below the theoretical maximum, was not a linear function of the amount of biodegradable materials incorporated in the films, and was depressed further as the proportion of polyethylene increased due to an encapsulation effect. Structural evaluation showed the components of the blends remained as separate phases and the structure of the Gelose 80 was reminiscent of interphase material. Biodegradation yield appeared to be principally driven by connectivity of the starches within the films to the anaerobic sludge digestion environment. Recommendations for additional studies were given. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Measurement of Pavement Macrotexture with Circular Texture Meter

The results of tests conducted with the circular texture meter (CTMeter), which measures the profile of a circle approximately 800 mm in circumference, are discussed. It is shown that by analyzing the profile data obtained with the CTMeter one can obtain reliable predictions of volumetric mean texture depth (sand patch texture depth) and the outflow times of several designs of outflow meters. Data from 3 years of testing are used to evaluate the correlation of the mean profile depth obtained with the CTMeter to the volumetric mean texture depth and the outflow time. In all cases the correlation coefficients ( R2 values) were very high. Recommendations for additional studies that might be conducted to exploit additional information that can be obtained by processing the CTMeter profiles are made. In particular, the analysis of the directional properties of the surface texture as they may relate to wet pavement friction and tire-pavement noise is suggested.

Rate of compliance with recommendations for additional mammographic views and biopsies.

All recommendations for immediate additional studies and biopsies following routine mammography during a 6-month period were reviewed retrospectively to establish compliance rates and determine the time intervals for completion of the recommendations. During this period, 5,693 mammograms were obtained. Additional mammographic studies and biopsies were recommended for 364 (6.4%) and 180 (3.2%) of all patients, respectively. The compliance rates were 99.7% (n = 363) for additional studies and 98.9% (n = 178) for biopsies. Additional studies and biopsies were completed within 30 days of the recommendations in 98.4% (n = 358) and 91.7% (n = 165) of the patients, respectively. Compliance with recommendations for additional studies within relatively short periods can be maximized by having the mammographic facility schedule examinations directly with the patients. Compliance with biopsy recommendations can be optimized by directly contacting the referring physician. Follow-up written reports should specifically state that a biopsy is recommended and that this has been discussed directly with the referring physician.

Elastic, diffusional, and mechanical properties of carbide and nitride nuclear fuels — a review

The elastic, diffusional, and mechanical-properties data for carbide and nitride nuclear fuels, including UC, UN, (U, Pu)C, (U, Pu)N, and some mixed systems are summarized and critically reviewed. The review was written in an attempt to unify our understanding of these important materials as well as to provide an objective source of information for fuel-element designers. Important phenomena that have not been explored or are inadequately understood are cited, and recommendations for additional studies are made.

The study of attitudes about mental health in the community mental health center.

The assumption that a common ideology is shared by the staff of a community mental health center was tested using the Community Mental Health Ideology Scale. The scores of three groups were analyzed—service directors, line staff, and student aides. Marked discrepancies or lack of consensus in beliefs were found to exist among professional disciplines, between service units, and within each category. The implications of these findings on center functioning are discussed, and recommendations for additional studies are suggested.