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Scheduling strategy of integrated energy system in desert considering electricity market transactions and extreme weather disasters.
No full textWith rising load demands, global warming, and an impending energy crisis, building a multi-energy complementary system is crucial to boost energy system flexibility. Against this backdrop, this study proposes a low-carbon optimal scheduling method tailored for the integrated energy system (IES) in desert areas, leveraging the cooperative operation of concentrated solar power (CSP) and hydrogen energy system (HES), along with the introduction of hydrogen-blended combined heat and power (CHP). This diversified utilization method of hydrogen energy (HE) aims to alleviate energy shortages and accelerate the development of new large-scale IES. It leverages the complementary strengths of CSP, HES, and hydrogen-doped CHP to enhance the overall efficiency and sustainability of the system. Firstly, an IES model considering the cooperative operation of CSP, HES and hydrogen-doped CHP was established in desert areas. An innovative electro‑hydrogen-thermal mechanism model integrating desert weather conditions and contractual constraints for hydrogen production was proposed. The generated electricity in IES was partly consumed by the local load, which participated in electricity market transactions under a stepped carbon trading mechanism, and the rest of the electricity was transmitted via HVDC. Secondly, due to the randomness, volatility, and frequent occurrence of extreme weather disasters associated with renewable generation outputs in deserts, as well as the uncertainty of loads, an Improved Conditional Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Network based on Gradient Penalty (ICWGAN-GP) model was used to combine the physical characteristics under extreme weather with the data-driven method to simulate several extreme weather scenarios. Finally, the IES in the desert was selected to verify the optimized scheduling scheme from different scenarios. The carbon emission sensitivity and comprehensive operating cost were analyzed from the perspectives of different hydrogen blending rates and different trading mechanisms. The results show that the model proposed specifically for desert regions in this paper can effectively reduce the operation costs of IES, increase the level of renewable energy consumption, and decrease carbon emissions
The incel mindset: entering and exiting inceldom.
No full textThis book delivers the first book-length qualitative analysis of incel communities, addressing a fast-evolving and under-researched area at the intersection of gender, technology, and radicalisation. Drawing on extensive interviews with former incels and systematic analysis of online forums, David S. Smith examines how cognitive distortions, group psychology, structural inequalities, hegemonic masculinity, and digital cultures shape men's experiences of romantic exclusion. The book situates inceldom within the broader manosphere, interrogating the appeal of red and black pill ideologies, the role of dating apps and algorithmic cultures, and the psychosocial dynamics that sustain these communities. Through detailed case studies and theoretical synthesis, Smith explores how incel spaces provide belonging while reinforcing fatalistic worldviews—and, in some cases, pathways to violence. Crucially, the book identifies mechanisms of disengagement and identity reconstruction, offering insights for prevention and intervention. Combining conceptual depth with empirical richness, The Incel Mindset is essential for scholars and advanced students in psychology, sociology, gender studies, criminology, and digital culture, as well as practitioners addressing online extremism and male mental health
Scenario planning for a sustainable reduction in construction delay and disruption disputes.
Get PDFAlthough the expected future impacts of climate change on the construction sector are significant and commonly accepted, the prospect and viability of contractual solutions to mitigate such effects lack investigation. Scenario planning enables leaders to prepare for the future by revealing the impending opportunities and threats to businesses and markets. This article offers analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of published literature and results from a scenario-planning workshop. The study reveals that climate change and profit margins are the main forces that will impact the construction sector in 2030. Evidential materials, contract provisions, and data repositories involving existing and emerging technologies are the three tenets of an innovative conceptual solution that can reduce delay and disruption disputes. This is significant because, inter alia, as the consequences of climate change are likely to increase, contract terms that allocate risks associated with it are likely to be modified, and insurance companies are liable to increase indemnification premiums, or become unable to cover such risks. The offered solution, namely the Trilateral Model, increases the sustainability of construction contracting in this context through a clear, impartial, acceptable, and effective risk allocation mechanism that mitigates the impact of those forces and offers contractual certainty
Understanding social gym intimidation and anxiety using the power-threat-meaning framework.
Get PDFWhile many gymgoers do not experience psychological barriers to gym use, some feel anxious and intimidated there in the presence of other users. Qualitative research has suggested gyms can be places of unequal power leading to threats to one's adequacy of self, and privilege certain users based on demographics, masculinity, size, fitness, performance, competence, etc. Social comparison and trait social anxiety have been suggested as contributing to gym anxiety. However, a theoretical approach is needed to provide a coherent explanation of gym anxiety which can inform interventions; there is no current theory in use in the research literature. I argue that gym anxiety is not the same as social physique anxiety (a limited concern about physique evaluation) nor social anxiety (often conceptualized as a mental health "disorder" rather than a response to the norm-laden setting of the gym). I propose that the most suitable theoretical framework to explain gym anxiety is Johnstone and Boyle's Power-Threat-Meaning Framework (PTMF), designed to explain psychological problems or distress. Gym anxiety or intimidation does not represent a disorder or pathology but an understandable response among some users to the power differentials of the gym environment. The PTMF explains how the negative operation of social power, in combination with societal and personal meaning-making, can lead to a perception of subtle threats to one's psychological needs, such as exclusion, invalidation, or rejection; the resulting "symptoms" such as anxiety, shame, hypervigilance, and avoidance are conceptualized as coping strategies called threat responses. By addressing one or more of power imbalances, perception of threat, meaning-making and threat responses, interventions have the potential to make gym anxiety more manageable by addressing some of its root causes, either in individual interventions or at wider group level, including by changes that can be made to specific gym settings
Transition from Further Education to Higher Education: experiences of students.
Get PDFAn articulation pathway exists between North East Scotland College (NESCol) and Robert Gordon University (RGU), enabling students who complete the HNC Social Services programme to enter directly into Year 2 of the BA (Hons) Social Work degree. This pathway forms part of wider efforts to widen access to higher education and support progression from further to higher education in Scotland. This report summarises the findings of a qualitative longitudinal study examining students' experiences of this transition. Researchers at Robert Gordon University conducted semi-structured interviews with students at two points: at entry to university and following completion of Semester 1 and first placement. The study explored expectations of university study, experiences of workload and assessment, perceptions of preparation and support from both NESCol and RGU, and students' sense of identity as direct entrants into second year. The report presents findings relating to transition, preparation and adjustment, and concludes with recommendations aimed at strengthening the articulation pathway between NESCol and RGU
Carbon trading in Africa: navigating the standardisation minefield.
No full textVoluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) are expected to be crucial in the global fight against climate change. However, VCMs are complex and involve a few intricate concepts and assumptions for determining the validity of projects (project validity) to assign carbon credits (CCs) to such projects. Similarly, having been awarded either removal or avoidance/reduction CCs, projects must be verified (project verification) to ensure that they are delivering the promised emissions abatement. Thus, given the multiplicity of VCM project opportunities in Africa, the role of CC validation and verification is critical to the success and credibility of VCMs on the continent. We undertake a systematic review of existing standards to appraise their applicability to carbon projects in Africa. The review considers the contextual factors that must be accounted for to ensure that the validation and verification processes provide assurance that projects awarded CCs deliver on carbon abatement targets without worsening subsisting socio-economic conditions in project locations. We opine that the third-party verification arrangements for ensuring the integrity of VCMs must involve building capacity among Africa's project communities to help them negotiate project benefits and overcome data availability barriers
Application of the systemic lessons learned knowledge model to learning in complex projects: how project practitioners are shaping their learning.
Get PDFLearning in projects is frequently emphasized in practice and the literature for knowledge creation, yet there is limited research on how project practitioners articulate learning particularly in complex projects. This study applies the Systemic Lessons Learned Knowledge model to investigate how project practitioners conceptualize learning in complex projects. The research method consisted of narrative inquiry which is considered insightful and useful in acquiring data through storytelling. The research establishes how beyond the alignment of the people and system elements (learning, culture, social, technology, process, and infrastructure), an awareness of complex project attributes can positively influence project practitioners' learning capability. This study also identifies and discusses the enablers and challenges of transferring lessons learned into knowledge
Aquatic exercise interventions in the treatment of musculoskeletal upper extremity disorders: a scoping review.
Get PDFTo identify literature on aquatic exercise therapy used to manage upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and identify key concepts, intervention components, and gaps in the evidence base. The comprehensive search included MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOHost), Embase (Ovid), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases and grey literature sources. JBI Scoping review methodology guided this review through protocol development, searching, screening, data extraction and analysis. Study Selection included: Participants – Adults with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders; Concept – Aquatic based exercise therapy; Context – any setting in any very highly developed nation. The search identified 5045 sources with 68 studies included in the final synthesis. Findings outlined shoulder problems were the most reported upper extremity condition treated (n = 78) especially following rotator cuff repair (n = 17), followed by the hand and wrist (n = 9), and elbow (n = 6). Range of movement (n = 36) and resistance exercises (n = 17) were the most common interventions reported for aquatic therapy, however compliance with reporting guidance across included studies was poor. Sixteen health domains were identified with range of movement (n = 21) and pain (n = 20) the most common, and 62 outcome measures were reported related to the identified domains. Qualitative aspects of aquatic interventions were evaluated in two papers. There is a need for more primary experimental and qualitative studies related to the upper extremity and aquatic therapy. Improved reporting quality of aquatic therapy exercise intervention is required as is the need to establish specific core outcome sets and domains in this area
Polyetherureas as aqueous binders for Li ion batteries.
No full textWe report here the application of polyetherureas as a new class of aqueous binder for the LiFePO4 positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries. Polyetherureas have been synthesized by ruthenium-catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling of polyethylene glycol diamine and methanol avoiding conventionally used toxic diisocyanate feedstock. The best binder performance was obtained when polyetherurea was used in combination with SBR (Styrene–Butadiene Rubber), exhibiting a coulombic efficiency of ∼99.9% and a cell polarization of 30 mV. Remarkably, the combination of polyetherurea/SBR as a binder demonstrates comparable performance as that of CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), which is a commonly used aqueous binder for lithium-ion batteries. Evidence of the involvement of polyetherureas in binder performance has been provided using IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Physical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties of the polyetherurea have been studied using TGA, DSC, powder XRD, cyclic voltammetry, nanoindentation, tensile testing, and 180° peel test that shed light on why this polymer acts as a good binder
A hybrid transformer-CNN framework for semantic behavioral modeling in Office malware detection.
Get PDFOffice documents have emerged as a prevalent attack vector, with adversaries increasingly embedding executable payloads and malicious macros to evade signature-based detection mechanisms. To address these challenges, this study presents a hybrid Transformer-CNN semantic behavioral modeling framework for Office malware detection. The proposed approach jointly captures semantic and contextual features from behavioral traces obtained through sandbox analysis of 140 753 real-world malicious Office samples. A composite feature selection strategy - combining Mutual Information, Random Forest Importance, and Chi-Square metrics - is employed to retain the most discriminative attributes. Furthermore, a domain-aware suspiciousness scoring mechanism integrates adversarial knowledge to improve explainability and contextual interpretation. By combining the Transformer's capability to model long-range dependencies with the CNN's strength in identifying localized behavioral patterns, the system effectively captures diverse malware behaviors. Experimental results demonstrate a detection accuracy of 98.37%, outperforming CNN and baseline transformers in precision, recall, and F1-score. In addition, interpretability studies of the learned features demonstrate that the model offers both resilience and explainability, contributing to a stronger foundation for future Office-based malware defense systems
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