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Performance optimization and entropy-TOPSIS evaluation of a thermochemical solar thermal power generation system based on packed bed reactor exothermic characteristics
Get PDFSolar thermal power generation technology has enormous potential in global low-carbon energy transition, but its large-scale development is still constrained by solar intermittency and system stability issues. This study focuses on diatomite-modified calcium-based materials, revealing that diatomite modification transforms the exothermic reaction mechanism from an A3 model to a D2 model, significantly reducing activation energy by 8.69% and increasing the pre-exponential factor by 18.19%. The exothermic process in packed bed reactors was thoroughly investigated, illustrating the evolution patterns of temperature field, reaction extent, and pressure field. An innovative design incorporating intermediate air pathways was proposed, reducing reaction time by 28.57%. A novel thermochemical solar thermal power generation (TSTPG) system was established to systematically examine its performance from the perspective of reactor heat release characteristics. Through a comprehensive 4E (energy, exergy, economy, and environment) analysis framework, the mechanism of reactor parameter optimization on system energy efficiency improvement, exergy loss reduction, CO2 emission reduction, and economic benefits was systematically investigated. A multi-dimensional evaluation methodology based on entropy-TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) was proposed, incorporating power generation capacity, energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, annual total cost, and carbon emission reduction. Results demonstrate that the newly established system achieved impressive energy and exergy efficiencies of 56.86% and 49.06% respectively under optimal conditions (650 K), along with power generation of 48.31 MWh and a total annual cost of 4.11 m$/year, showing promising prospects for engineering applications
A secure federated learning privacy method for industrial IoT edge networks
Get PDFThe rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) in industrial operations has driven the adoption of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), necessitating intelligent networks of edge devices to efficiently generate, analyze, and utilize data from sensors. However, secure transmission of data within edge networks presents significant challenges, including privacy concerns and difficulties in secure data sharing. Existing methods addressing these issues often impose high computational overhead, negatively impacting efficiency. To address these limitations, a novel method, Federated Learning with Enhanced Privacy for Industrial IoT Edge Networks (FLEPNS), is proposed to adopt the edge network system and enhance privacy preservation while optimizing training efficiency. This approach incorporates the Paillier algorithm to implement an information masking mechanism and a shared token system, ensuring secure and obfuscated multi-device data sharing. FLEPNS achieves robust privacy protection without compromising model training accuracy or imposing substantial computational overhead. Additionally, a masking algorithm (SET) is introduced to counter adversarial attacks and ensure data integrity during sensor deployment and transmission between edge servers and devices. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that FLEPNS outperforms compared techniques for accuracy, showing a value of 62% for PAFLM and 70% for FLEPNS. For efficiency of privacy preservation, the FLEPNS has a higher value of 77% compared to 74% 495 datasets per time from about 5 devices. Further evaluation reveals computational overhead and bandwidth usage by PALFM of 4.122MBps, in contrast to 3.1MBps for FLEPNS), showing significant advantage over compared techniques. These results highlight the distinct performance and practical benefits of FLEPNS in industrial edge network applications
A qualitative study of Japanese medical students’ perspectives on clinical practicum during coronavirus disease 2019
Get PDFIntroduction: Medical students are expected to contribute to society by applying their clinical knowledge and skills, particularly during times of crisis such as a pandemic. However, during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, Japanese medical students faced strict restrictions on clinical involvement, which limited both educational opportunities and their ability to contribute. This study aimed to explore Japanese medical students’ experiences of clinical training under these conditions and to investigate their awareness of social contribution.
Methods: This qualitative study involved semi-structured, peer-to-peer online interviews with 21 medical students from 19 universities across Japan. All participants had commenced hospital-based clinical training by September 1, 2022. Interviews were conducted between August and September 2022. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
Results: Three main themes were developed: (1) Commitment to supporting patients and healthcare teams; (2) Decline in direct clinical learning opportunities; and (3) Online practicum: balancing benefits and drawbacks. While many students were eager to contribute, legal uncertainty, lack of practical training, and concerns about how patients perceived them acted as psychological and institutional barriers. At the same time, students emphasized the value of in-person clinical experience and demonstrated a growing awareness of professional identity.
Conclusions: Despite limited clinical opportunities, Japanese medical students deepened their sense of professional responsibility and desire for social contribution during the pandemic. Medical education should provide clearer role definitions, institutional support, and hybrid models incorporating hands-on training to prepare students for future healthcare emergencies
Moral dilemmas in the practice of aspiration management: coping strategies among Swiss and Finnish street-level bureaucrats providing integration services to refugees and migrants
Get PDFThis paper examines the moral dilemmas faced by street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) as they engage in aspiration management while providing integration services to migrants and refugees. European integration policies prioritise rapid employment, often directing refugees toward low-skilled jobs, which may conflict with their higher professional and educational aspirations. Drawing on case studies from Switzerland and Finland, we investigate how SLBs navigate these moral dilemmas. Two primary coping strategies emerge: first, an “owning” (or paternalistic) strategy, where SLBs guide refugees to lower their ambitions and justify this as a way to protect them from failure; and second, a “disowning” strategy, where SLBs shift accountability to external policies or institutions. This study highlights the complexities of balancing policy requirements with refugee aspirations and calls for more nuanced approaches in integration programmes that better accommodate refugees' long-term goals
Guidelines for ensuring meaningful engagement of early career researchers in scientific collaborations: recommendations from and for marine and polar scientists
Get PDFThere is an increasing recognition of the importance of involving early career researchers (ECRs) in scientific positions of trust within national and international organizations, collaborative research projects, networks, and working groups. While the inclusion of ECRs in positions traditionally dominated by more established scientists is a welcome development to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in science, ECRs are often brought into different processes without consideration of the differences in career stages and unfamiliarity of newcomers to projects and processes. These challenges are particularly felt by ECRs with multiple disadvantaged statuses or identities (e.g. ECRs from ethnic minorities, the Global South, and those with caring responsibilities). This paper presents ten guidelines prepared as a participatory process of 12 marine and polar science early career networks, aiming to provide a comprehensive framework for various stakeholders involved in the academic and research ecosystem to improve ECR engagement in collaborations and institutional processes. These guidelines are intended to be adaptable to various contexts, ensuring that all those engaging with ECRs can effectively support their development and well-being. By following these guidelines, members of the scientific community and associated organizations can contribute to a nurturing and productive working environment that benefits the entire research community. This, in turn, will contribute to the long-term success of individual researchers, their institutions, and ultimately science itself
Understanding barriers to influenza vaccination among parents is important to improve vaccine uptake among children
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered public perceptions of vaccines, particularly among parents. In high-income countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia, factors such as misinformation, the expedited approval process of COVID-19 vaccines and unique local challenges have contributed to vaccine hesitancy, resulting in uneven uptake across various vaccination programmes. Despite efforts like school-based influenza vaccination programs in the UK and free influenza vaccines in Australia, vaccination rates continue to decline. This is especially concerning given the concurrent circulation of COVID-19 and influenza during the winter months, which places additional strain on healthcare systems. Drawing on existing evidence, this commentary examines key factors influencing childhood vaccination rates and provides preliminary policy recommendations to address these challenges. Three actionable recommendations are outlined, including strategies to counter misinformation, improve accessibility, and strengthen public trust in vaccination programmes. These insights aim to guide the development of effective interventions to increase vaccination uptake
Ancient Philosophy
No full textShelley’s translation of Plato’s Symposium as The Banquet, composed with great speed over ten days in July 1818, radically transformed the poet’s thoughts on love, translation, originality, and ancient philosophy. Shelley became Shelley through Plato. Rather than an arbiter of Forms and banisher of poets from his ideal republic, Shelley’s Plato is himself a poet, as he claims in ‘A Defence of Poetry’. Through his reading and translation of the ancients – and particularly Plato – philosophy and poetry become concomitant for Shelley. Ultimately, Shelley is indebted to the philosopher’s use of literary forms over any straightforward adoption of his philosophy of Forms. This chapter looks before and after Shelley’s translation of Plato’s Symposium to trace the poet’s reading of the ancients from 1812 until his accidental death in 1822, revealing the lasting, shifting influence of ancient philosophy on Shelley’s poetry
East Midlands RSA Inclusive Growth forum
No full textThe first in a series of RSA Fellow-led forums to discuss what inclusive growth might look like in the new East Midlands County Combined Authority.
Designed for participants to have the chance to hear a diverse range of perspectives and discuss the potential future of the region, including its identity, challenges and opportunities.
The forum design, and delivery was chaired by Dr Rhiannon Jones FRSA (Head of Civic and Communities, University of Derby) and Rich Pickford FRSA (Manager of Nottingham Civic Exchange, Nottingham Trent University) alongside Callum Bate, RSA.
The event was open to RSA Fellows and the general public, and will take place at the New Horizon Centre and will be streamed on Zoom. Refreshments will be provided for those attending in-person.
This event was associated with the RSA East Midlands Inclusive Growth Commission
Exploring the psychosocial dimensions and impacts of infertility in Africa: a commentary on Roomaney et al’s scoping review of current evidence
Get PDFMaintenance techniques to increase solar energy production: A review
Get PDFThis review explores advanced maintenance techniques aimed at improving solar energy production efficiency. The study analyzes the rapid growth of solar energy and the challenges posed by environmental factors such as soiling, harsh climate conditions and hotspots, which reduce photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) system performance. Predictive models for solar energy generation and soiling detection, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms and Internet of Things (IoT), are discussed as means for optimizing energy production and reducing maintenance costs. It is also emphasized the role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to capture images for fault detection and failure prediction, enhancing maintenance accuracy and minimizing downtime. The study concludes by analyzing the role of these techniques to reduce water consumption in cleaning tasks, as well as solutions to increase the operational lifespan and performance of solar plants such as anti-soiling coatings, robotic cleaning systems and accurate predictive models