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Examining the Changes in Precipitation Patterns Across the Western Himalayan Region During the Winter Season
No full textThe Himalayas are associated with ever-challenging topography and changing dynamic climatic conditions. The climatological winter precipitation was studied over the Western Himalayan region (WHR) during two time periods spanning 30 years each (1961–1990 and 1993–2022) using ERA5 reanalysis. Analysis illustrates that the decline of the large-scale precipitation is much more prominent than convective precipitation over the WHR. Although large-scale precipitation decreases, a greater fraction of it falls as rain rather than snow, partially offsetting the reduction in snowfall. The study reveals that the atmospheric dynamics favours the influx of moisture into the study domain; however, the combination of the rising temperatures, which increase the water-holding capacity of the atmosphere, and the decreasing strength of vertical winds reduces the updraft, resulting in a greater decline in precipitation in recent times. Further, the decreased transport of moisture into the upper troposphere leads to a decline in the cloud micro-physical parameters that support large-scale precipitation. The study also revealed that, although the number of western disturbances (WDs) and WD days are on the rise, their track density passing through the WHR has declined due to a northward shift, resulting in a decrease in the large-scale precipitation. These findings indicate potential shifts in precipitation types and patterns, which could have significant climatic implications for the regional hydrological cycle
Simulation and Optimisation of Hydrogen Production from Biogas via Steam–Methane Reforming and Cryogenic Liquefaction Using DWSIM
Full text linkThis study presents an integrated, open-source process simulation for converting agricultural biogas into high-purity liquid hydrogen using DWSIM (Distillation, Water, Separation and Inorganic Modules), an open-source sequential-modular simulator. The model simulates a farm-scale biogas feed and is optimised to enhance liquid hydrogen yield while reducing specific energy consumption under set operating conditions. The proposed model links biogas upgrading via dual pressure swing adsorption, steam–methane reforming, two-stage water–gas shift, hydrogen purification, and cryogenic liquefaction within a single optimisation framework. Using a representative farm-scale feed (103.7 kg h−1 biogas containing 60 mol% CH4), the optimised process produces 16.5 kg h−1 of liquid hydrogen with 99.2% para-hydrogen purity while simultaneously capturing 104 kg h−1 of CO2 at 98% purity and 16 bar. Optimal operating conditions include SMR at 909 °C and 16 bar with a steam-to-carbon ratio of 3.0, followed by high- and low-temperature water–gas shifts at 413 °C and 210 °C, respectively. The overall cold-gas efficiency (LHV basis, excluding liquefaction electricity) reaches 78%, and the specific electricity demand for liquefaction is 32.4 kWh per kg of liquid hydrogen, which is consistent with reported values for small-scale hydrogen liquefiers. Sensitivity analysis over a methane content range of 40–75% confirms near-linear scalability of hydrogen output (R2 = 0.998), demonstrating feedstock flexibility without re-parameterisation. The developed process in this work provides a transparent and extensible digital twin for early-stage design and optimisation of decentralised biogas-to-hydrogen systems. Using the open-source DWSIM platform ensures full transparency, reproducibility, and accessibility compared with proprietary simulators
The Mechanical Behavior of Dual TPU/Nylon 3D Printed Parts
Full text linkThis study examines how material arrangement and infill geometry affect the mechanical performance of dual‐material fused‐filament fabrication (FFF) parts made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polyamide (Nylon). The goal was to identify printing strategies that balance strength, stiffness, and ductility for engineering applications. Specimens were printed in three configurations—Nylon‐outer with TPU core, alternating TPU–Nylon layers, and TPU‐outer with Nylon core—each using line, grid, and triangular infills. Tensile and flexural tests were conducted. Material arrangement was the dominant factor influencing performance. The Nylon‐outer structure achieved the highest tensile (~13.4 MPa) and flexural (~74 MPa) strengths but showed low elongation (~12%–27%). The TPU‐outer design improved ductility (up to ~34%) but reduced strength, while alternating TPU–Nylon layers provided a balanced response, combining high strength with ~30% elongation. Infill geometry further affected properties: line infill aligned with the load path enhanced both strength and ductility, whereas grid and triangular infills reduced performance. Nylon outer structures suit stiffness‐critical components, TPU outer designs are ideal for flexible or damping parts, and alternating layers offer the best strength–ductility compromise. These insights clarify how dual‐material FFF parameters can be tuned to meet specific mechanical requirements in engineered components
BASS.L. Near-infrared Data Release 3 : A Spectral Atlas and Characterization of AGN
Full text linkWe present an analysis of near-infrared (NIR) emission-line properties, AGN diagnostics, and circumnuclear gas dynamics for 453 hard X-ray selected (14195 keV) AGN from the BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS) NIR Data Release 3 (DR3; , $
Evaluation of Techniques for Measuring and Assessing Environmental Impacts of Agriculture
Full text linkThe role of deferred action in demystifying the ‘black box’ of human resource management during economic crises
Full text linkPurpose – This research investigates how and why human resource (HR) adjustments are made during times of significant crisis and analyses choices HR managers make to enhance business performance during crises. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative data (23 interviews and four years' financial performance data) were gathered from multiple sources. Organisational documents were also used as secondary data. Collective analysis was undertaken of the above Jordanian banks' data on their performance especially those that survived the global financial crisis. Findings – The findings reveal that before the crisis, the investigated banks had made HR policy choices that emphasised flexibility to respond to changes in the business environment during the crisis. We also unveil the role that cultural and economic pressures played in decisions about the deployment and adjustment of HR policies. Finally, HR departments played the role of business partners and employee champions during the crisis. Research limitations/implications – Findings confirm the relevance of HR as a business partner and an employee champion. We demonstrate how soft and hard human resource management (HRM) practices can be used to drive firm performance, especially as HR function tends to be viewed less as an organisational asset and more as an administrative cost. Originality/value – We uncovered the role of deferred HR action in organisations' crisis response strategies, finding that a combination of soft and hard practices enhances performance under such conditions. We contribute to a new dimension of HR flexibility: policy flexibility and highlight the role played by societal, cultural and economic pressures in the decisions these firms made about their HR practices
WEAVE imaging spectroscopy of NGC 6720 : an iron bar in the Ring
Full text linkWe present spatially resolved spectroscopic observations of the planetary nebula NGC 6720, the Ring Nebula, taken during the science verification phase of WEAVE, a new instrument mounted on the William Herschel Telescope on La Palma. We use the instrument's Large Integral Field Unit (LIFU) to obtain spectra of the Ring Nebula, covering its entire optically bright inner regions as well as parts of its much fainter outer molecular halo. We report the discovery of emission from [Fe~{\sc v}] and [Fe~{\sc vi}] confined to a narrow ``bar'' extending across the central regions of the nebula. No lines of other elements share this morphology or, at the spectral resolving power used (), the same radial velocity. The extent to which iron in this bar is depleted is presently unclear; comparison with JWST-detected dust continuum emission suggests that some dust grain destruction may be occurring in the region, but there is currently no observational evidence for the 50~km\,s shock waves or ~K X-ray emitting gas needed to enable this. Where the bar is located along the line of sight through the nebula, and how it was created, are new puzzles to be solved for this iconic planetary nebula
From Repertoires to Recipes: Rethinking Political Organisation in the Long 19th Century
Full text linkThis article examines approaches to the history of 19th‐century politics in Britain and Ireland in order to propose fruitful directions for further debate. It argues that historians should return to a more holistic view of the practices of political action and democratisation, reframing the divide between social movements, parties and popular politics through a focus on organising. We propose a shift from foregrounding franchise extension as the principal narrative of the 19th century and to focus instead on forms of organising political participation as means of asserting and developing practices of popular sovereignty throughout the period. Recipes – rather than repertoires – offer a metaphor for variety and change in the ingredients and environments for organising. This article emphasises a comparative and global framework for understanding practices of politics, including organising, in the British Isles
Sources and preferences for nutrition information among older adults: A scoping review.
Full text linkA nutritionally adequate diet is essential for older adults to support healthy ageing and reduce the risk of malnutrition. With over a million older adults in the UK affected or at risk, understanding where they source nutrition information is critical for designing effective public health interventions. This scoping review mapped existing studies on the sources and preferences for nutrition information among older adults. A comprehensive search of PUBMED, Scopus, and CINAHL (March 2023; updated February 2025) yielded 8936 records, of which 15 studies reporting on 14 research projects met inclusion criteria. The majority of studies reported on multiple sources including magazines, family and friends, television, dietitians, general practitioners, internet and embodied knowledge (hidden and unconscious gained from personal experience). Educational level, gender, and trust was found to influence uptake and use. Further research is needed to assess the impact of these information sources and identify strategies to support older adults in making informed food choices that promote healthy ageing
Optimizing building heating demand through solar-air temperature integration: A comprehensive analysis of free heating potential and energy savings
Full text linkThis study presents an innovative methodology for estimating building heating demand by incorporating the solar-air temperature concept into heating degree hour (HDH) and free heating degree hour (HDHfree) calculations. Unlike conventional methods that rely solely on ambient temperature, this approach integrates for solar radiation and radiative heat loss, providing a more accurate assessment of heating demand and free heating potential. The results indicate that lowering indoor setpoint temperatures to 18 °C can reduce annual heating demand by 25-40%, while optimizing the heat transfer coefficient (ho=1.8 W/m²K) results in an 82% increase in HDHfree. This increase is attributed to a reduction in conductive heat losses through the building envelope, allowing solar gains to be retained for a longer period while maximizing passive heating effectiveness. Lower ho values also minimize radiative and convective heat losses, enabling the absorbed solar energy to remain within the building for an extended duration, ultimately enhancing free heating efficiency. The study also highlights the importance of material properties, with higher solar absorptivity (0.7) leading to a 40% improvement in energy savings and lower surface emissivity (0.35) contributing to better heat retention. The methodology was validated using data from Muğla, Turkey, demonstrating significant energy cost savings and carbon footprint reductions, especially in electricity-based systems. Future research should focus on refining the solar-air temperature model by incorporating building-specific variables and expanding its application to different climates. This approach offers a valuable contribution to sustainable building design by optimizing passive heating and reducing reliance on mechanical systems