bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to Have Incredible Conversations with your Child
Authors: Gilmour Jane , Hohnen Bettina
Published: January 2025

You: “How was your day?”

Your child: “Fine.”

As a parent, you want to know what is going on in your child’s life, how school and friendships are going, if they’re feeling okay. As a kid you want to tell your parent what’s going on, but it can be hard to find the words. This book is brilliant because it makes finding those words easy, and you discover incredible stuff about each other.

How exactly do you make it happen? This accessible guide answers the million-dollar question by steering you, step by step through carefully supported and structured conversational platforms that encourage connection and strengthen relationship bonds. Written by two top clinical psychologists who have worked with families over many years they have, uniquely, designed it for you to read and experience, together.

Inside this book you will find a range of fun, illustrated child-friendly conversation activities, organised around four key themes: who are you? how are you? what helps? what gets in the way?

There is powerful evidence that building good parent-child communication skills improves emotional wellbeing, physical health, academic and employment success. It helps set up a trusting relationship so you can navigate adolescence and later life successfully. It’s important to start early because it takes time to learn skills.
100 Ways Your Child Can Learn Through Play
Authors: Durrant Georgina
Published: January 2025

Packed full of 100 creative and engaging activities for young children with special educational needs, this book enables you to have fun and enjoy developing your child's skill-based learning with them.

From building biscuit construction sites and rainbow ice towers to playing dentists, nail salons and post office workers, the variety and creativity featured on every page of this book means you'll never have a dull day with your child again! With activities for rainy days, in the garden, on walks and more, there's something new to learn wherever you go.

With charming black and white line illustrations to depict each activity, this is a great way to connect with your children with SEN, while building their life skills at the same time.
Emotion Coaching with Children and Young People in Schools
Authors: Gilbert Louise , Gus Licette , Rose Janet
Published: January 2025

Emotion Coaching (EC) is a universal communication strategy which supports children and young people to self-regulate and manage their stress responses. Originally noticed as an effective way parents communicated with their children around challenging behaviours, Emotion Coaching has been shown to be highly successful in educational settings too. This is why the authors pioneered the research and application of Emotion Coaching into UK (primary and secondary) schools and community settings.
Helping Children to Manage Stress
Authors: Plummer Deborah M.
Published: January 2025

Facilitating the healthy management of stress is crucial for the social, psychological, and emotional wellbeing and resilience in children. Based on over thirty years of expertise, Deborah Plummer provides varied and straightforward activities for teachers, parents, and therapists to healthily engage with children and help them manage stress. This activity book allows space to explore stress and help children identify some of their worries, whilst also providing help on how to build skills and strategies that will help them recognise normal signs of stress and how to respond to these appropriately. It also explores the potential benefits and enjoyments of positive stress, allowing children to have a healthy relationship with difficult feelings.

This book is one of a series based on the use of imagination (I), mindful play (MP) and creative thinking (CT) to enhance social, psychological and emotional wellbeing and resilience in children. The accompanying ebook Using Imagination, Mindful Play and Creative Thinking to Support Wellbeing and Resilience in Children describes the theory and approach behind how these activities can significantly influence children’s perceptions of themselves and the world.
Helping Children to Manage Transitions
Authors: Plummer Deborah M.
Published: January 2025

Change and transitions are inevitable but can be an overwhelming and intimidating time for children. Facilitating the healthy management of transitions is crucial for the social, psychological, and emotional wellbeing and resilience in children. Based on over thirty years of expertise experience, Deborah Plummer provides varied and straightforward activities for teachers, parents, and therapists to healthily engage with children and help them process and manage transitions. This activity book aids children in identifying their worries and fears about transitions and facilitates them in building skills and strategies that help them to cope during times of change. It also encourages children to explore the potential benefits and enjoyment that can sometimes be a result of change.

This book is one of a series based on the use of imagination (I), mindful play (MP) and creative thinking (CT) to enhance social, psychological and emotional wellbeing and resilience in children. The accompanying ebook Using Imagination, Mindful Play and Creative Thinking to Support Wellbeing and Resilience in Children describes the theory and approach behind how these activities can significantly influence children’s perceptions of themselves and the world.
Relationships, Sex and Health Education 101
Authors: Cabbin Kerry
Published: January 2025

Written by an experienced relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) trainer, this comprehensive guide to RSHE covers all you need to know to teach pupils aged 11+.

Covering peer pressure, effective communication, self-esteem, confidence building, and consent alongside the topics of contraception, sexually transmitted infections and more, this extensive guide offers information and inclusive teaching ideas, worksheets, and activities for groups of young people to learn and have fun at the same time.

This approachable, flexible, and easy-to-use resource is an essential tool for anyone whose role it is to deliver relationships and sex education, in a classroom setting or in the wider community.
Helping Children to Manage Friendships
Authors: Plummer Deborah M.
Published: January 2025

Friendships and community are very important for the healthy social, psychological, and emotional development of young children. In this fun and accessible activity book, Deborah Plummer deploys over thirty years of expertise for parents, teachers, and therapists to facilitate healthy friendships between children. This activity book explores concepts around child friendships, community, and being part of a group whilst also including sections on cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

This book is one of a series based on the use of imagination (I), mindful play (MP) and creative thinking (CT) to enhance social, psychological and emotional wellbeing and resilience in children. The accompanying ebook Using Imagination, Mindful Play and Creative Thinking to Support Wellbeing and Resilience in Children describes the theory and approach behind how these activities can significantly influence children’s perceptions of themselves and the world.
The Teacher’s Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Authors: Bowler Amelia
Published: January 2025

Are you looking for effective strategies for cooperating with your ‘difficult’ students? Are you struggling to find motivational tools for students that appear to be angry, rude, cruel, erratic, or stubborn?

This book is an essential guide for school staff supporting students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Written by the author of The Parent's Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Your Questions Answered, this book debunks myths about ODD by providing psychiatric context, strength-based approaches and exploring the disorder through a holistic lens.

Supporting teachers in building and maintaining healthy relationships with ODD students, the book equips educators with the skillset to understand their students, identify and avoid common obstacles and prepare their students to thrive in and outside of the classroom. Packed with easy-to-use handouts, questionnaires and printable exercises, this guide is perfect for teacher training and group activities.
Creating Consent Culture
Authors: Baczynski Marcia , Scott Erica
Published: January 2025

Can you imagine a world where no one feared a violation of their boundaries? A world where everyone felt safe in their bodies and confident in asking for what they wanted? Teaching consent education is the way to achieve this vision, and this entry level book for educators helps you teach and discuss consent issues to young adults, from 10+. The fun, interactive exercises in this book focus on consent in all interactions, not just sexual ones, and explores skills that help young people to increase their relational intelligence and build positive, reciprocal relationships.

Drawing on their combined experiences of over 25 years as consent educators, the authors have seen that more respectful, generous and joyful ways of relating to one another are possible. In this vital book, they challenge common assumptions about consent and coercion, and invite educators of all walks to become instigators of a profound culture shift.
‘I can’t go to school!’
Authors: Rowland Suzy
Published: January 2025

There are many reasons why children and young people face barriers to attendance at school, ranging from anxiety, neurodivergence, mental health difficulties, through to bullying. Suzy Rowland’s “I Can’t Go To School!” a book for children with an accompanying guide for adults, contains a variety of accessible exercises and activities, alongside a range of friendly and reassuring illustrations, to spark conversation between children and the adults around them. Although some pupils may wish to read the book by themselves; ideally, they will be working through it with a parent carer or supported by a member of the school’s pastoral team.

I Can’t Go To School and its associated Companion Parent & Teacher Guide, skilfully introduces topics that children of a variety of ages might find difficult to talk about, relating to their school experiences, issues with friends or their inner world. Removing your child from full-time education isn’t an option for some parents. For others, it’s the only option. This book acknowledges different situations and helps parents and schools to work through a number of options on this sensitive issue. Unfortunately, some schools are inflexible about addressing the barriers to regular attendance, thankfully, others are more forward-looking. Whichever scenario you find yourself in, you are sure to find the content in the Companion Guides & The Children’s Workbook, insightful and positive.
Applying Dynamic Assessment In Schools
Authors: Lauchlan Fraser , Daly Clare Jones
Published: January 2025

Dynamic assessment is a collaborative, flexible approach to assessment which explores how a child learns and which aspects of their learning require intervention.

Learn how you can improve learning with a whole school approach to dynamic assessment complete with classroom ideas, resources, and strategies. The authors who frequently train in DA provide simple explanations of the contemporary model of dynamic assessment that make the links between theory and practice explicit. Each chapter has designated downloadable resources such as rating scales of affective and cognitive learning, checklists, goal ladders and more with easy-to-follow instructions on how they should be used.

This book will support you to understand DA principles and actively demonstrate mediated learning for meaningful interventions, consultations, clear support strategies and effective feedback and feedforward skills to not only help students learn, but to help them learn better.
Supporting Young People through Everyday Chaos
Authors: Luxmoore Nick
Published: January 2025

This book provides ways to support and counsel young people struggling to adapt and live with the constant possibility of things breaking down, of normal life being overtaken by chaos. Covering many different types of ‘everyday chaos’ including anxiety, bullying, mental health, trauma, anger and loss, this book is an incredibly useful guide for anyone working with young people at a time when these issues are more prevalent than ever. It was inspired by the author’s daughter’s accidental death aged 27. Written in a warm and down-to-earth tone, the chapters use a variety of case studies to lead through examples on a range of problems young people are facing.
How to Boost Reading and Writing Through Play
Authors: Durrant Georgina
Published: January 2025

Even if children know their phonics and ABC’s inside out and can read every book in their book bag, why is it still so difficult to get them to want to read and write? How do we begin to get our children excited about literacy? The answer might surprise you…let them play!

Featuring 40 engaging play-based activities, this book makes literacy so fun that children won’t notice they’re also actively developing reading and writing skills. From blow painting words to making paper chain sentences, each activity can be done using household items and they are adaptable for children of any age and ability, making learning accessible for all.

With charming black and white line illustrations to depict each activity, this is a great way to connect with children while helping to build their literacy skills at the same time.
Therapeutic Perspectives in Otosclerosis: Surgical Treatment versus Hearing Aids - a Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Amorim Miguel , Santos Ana Luísa , Neto Ana Isabel , Tomé David
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Otosclerosis is one of the causes of transmission hearing loss in adults, there are two types of rehabilitation, surgery or hearing aids use. Objective: Evaluate the results of rehabilitation with surgery and hearing aids use in otosclerosis treatment, comparing it with the reduction of air-bone gap. Method: For this study were selected 64 patients, 46 of them in the list of surgical treatment in ENT department of Hospital S. João de Deus, 18 patients were rehabilitated with hearing aids. Results: Surgery was performed in 71,9% of the cases and hearing aids use in 28,1%, shown medium results in reduction of air-bone gap better in patients with surgical treatment. Conclusion: Surgery was the rehabilitation technic more efficient reducing air-bone gap.
Influence of Financial Risk Tolerance on Investment Decision-making: A Conceptual Analysis and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Amponsah E. B. , Ntim Luther Adjei , Mensah Morris Ayaa
Published: January 2025

Although extensive research has been conducted on financial risk tolerance and investment decision-making, there is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the conceptualization of the role of financial risk tolerance in investment decision-making. This inconsistency underscores the need for a conceptual study that elucidates these concepts to make future research consistent and applicable. Therefore, this study sought to fill this gap by conceptually analyzing the influence of financial risk tolerance on investment decision-making. Specifically, the paper explored the determinants of financial risk tolerance, such as personality type, sensation seeking, and self-efficacy. Through a conceptual model, we proposed that sub-variables of financial risk tolerance —personality type, sensation seeking, and self-efficacy—positively influence investment decision-making. The study recommended that financial risk tolerance assessment should precede investment decisions to reduce an individual’s vulnerability to making suboptimal investment decisions that may lead to financial loss.
Graubünden wird klimaneutral
Authors: Vetter Bernhard
Published: January 2025

Frankfurt a.M. Graubünden ist nach eigenen Angaben der erste Kanton in der Schweiz, in dem regionale Lebensmittel klimaneutral produziert werden. In diesem Jahr endet die Pilotphase des Projekts „Klimaneutrale Landwirtschaft Graubünden“.
CO2-Transparenz für Schweine
Authors: Schultz Olaf
Published: January 2025

Frankfurt a.M. Ein brancheneinheitliches Vorgehen über QS will mehr Effizienz schaffen. Der Start ist im 1. Quartal 2025 geplant.
Yellow wattle (Acacia) - Three versions - English, Spanish, Indonesian
Authors: Campbell Ian , Lopez-Calvo Ignacio
Published: January 2025

Ian Campbell’s trilingual poem series explores the Acacia genus, Australia’s national floral emblem, across English, Spanish, and Indonesian. Inspired by Campbell’s family history and A.J. Campbell’s 1921 Golden Wattle – Our National Floral Emblem, the series examines the cultural and ecological significance of Acacia in Australia, Latin America, and Indonesia. Each version reflects linguistic and regional nuances, showcasing how the essence of a shared theme transforms across languages.
A Transcultural Experiment: U.S. Latino Studies at UTS
Authors: Allatson Paul
Published: January 2025

In 2001, shortly after I joined as a newly minted academic the Institute for International Studies at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the then founder and Director of the program, Professor David Goodman, approached me to canvas the possibility of a Latino USA Major in the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (BAIS) degree. These are my reflections on this transcultural experiment in international studies at UTS.
Horizons: On Discovering Other Worlds
Authors: Manganas Nicholas
Published: January 2025

This reflection explores the metaphorical significance of the horizon in inspiring ventures beyond the familiar. Through the lens of the International Studies program at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), it examines how students engage with new cultural and intellectual frontiers, expanding their ‘space of experience’ and ‘horizon of expectation’ in line with Reinhard Koselleck’s theoretical framework. This transformative journey challenges students to confront personal limitations, fostering growth and cultivating hope through meaningful encounters with otherness. Ultimately, the horizon is depicted not just as a boundary but as an invitation to discover new perspectives and worlds.
La transparencia legal en el siglo XIX: incorporaciones, copias y papel sellado en la Sección de Protocolos del A.H.P.L.P
Authors: Almeida-Ponce Soraya
Published: January 2025

Este trabajo analiza la incorporación de un instrumento público bicentenario en un protocolo incardinado en Lanzarote y que agrupa dos años de ejercicio, 1829 y 1830, bajo dos perspectivas: la tradición documental y la legislación sobre el estanco de los sellos aplicado a los libros notariales.
Denuncia social y corrupción en la obra del afrancesado Manuel José Centeno (1821)
Authors: Feria Lorenzo Diego José , Ramos Cobano Cristina
Published: January 2025

El clero afrancesado en 1808 apostaba por la monarquía Bonaparte esperando cambios en las rígidas estructuras del Antiguo Régimen en España. El reformismo de la Ilustración francesa era la esperanza depositada en la nueva dinastía josefina, sobre todo, en el orden económico, social y político del país. Con este trabajo pretendemos profundizar en el análisis de Memoria sobre los expósitos de Manuel José Centeno, en la que trataremos de detectar las denuncias de corrupción en las instituciones de beneficencia. Este grupo de clérigos apostó por las reformas ilustradas y por la humanización del cuidado de los expósitos y huérfanos, en las instituciones donde los ingresaban. La atención a las madres solteras y su seguridad fue otra de las preocupaciones que manifiestan en la obra, sobre todo para evitar los abortos clandestinos y los infanticidios, tan habituales en la época.
Relaciones sociales y estado de bienestar de los y las agentes de Policía Nacional Civil de El Salvador. Factores de protección y factores de riesgo
Authors: Chávez Alfaro Sara , Araujo Andrade Susana
Published: January 2025

In any society, police forces play a key role in maintaining peace and security. In the case of El Salvador, the National Civil Police (PNC) is the primary state agency responsible for serving and protecting the Salvadoran population, maintaining order and security from a human rights perspective. This task becomes more complex in a country where the homicide rate has reached high levels in recent decade.2015 was considered asone of the most violent years globally, recording a rate of 103 victims of violent acts per 100,000 inhabitants. In response to violence affecting the country, various administrations have implemented different security policies, with the PNC being the entity responsible for their execution.This article aims to look beyond the National Civil Police as a state corporation in charge of security, focusing instead on the individuals who comprise it, primarily police officers. The study seeks to investigate the various protective factors and risk factors affecting the well-being of officers within the different social relationships they engage in, including family relationships, work relationships, and interactions with the public. This is set within a social context marked by violence, in which they have been given a prominent role in addressing this issue.
Mujeres trans: Violencia, migración y salud mental
Authors: Brioso Díaz Larissa Jeannette , Menjívar Soriano Lidia María , Tejada Fuentes Iris Anabell
Published: January 2025

Trans women in El Salvador face significant risks and social disadvantages due to violence, exclusion, and discrimination. They often experience harassment, threats, and stalking from various actors, including family members, community members, gangs, and security forces. Due to their gender identity, the violence they experience can lead to forced displacement or migration. This qualitative and phenomenological study aims to analyze the conditions of vulnerability that trans women experience throughout their lives and the conditions in which their experience of forced displacement occurs. The study takes a gender, psychosocial, and intersectional approach to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of human rights organizations/institutions or those supporting victims of forced displacement and/or the LGBTIQ+ population. Additionally, five semi-structured interviews were conducted with trans women who were in a situation of forced displacement. The results indicate that trans women face systematic violations of their rights and experience multiple forms of violence throughout their lives, across various areas of their development. Forced displacement often occurs in situations of deep risk, which can have a significant impact on social relationships and development opportunities. This, in turn, can negatively affect physical, sexual, and mental health. In facing the crisis, trans women rely on personal resources and coping mechanisms, as well as support from organizations. However, a comprehensive and specific identity law is necessary to protect their rights and safeguard their lives and integrity in situations of forced migration. This would strengthen their support network and facilitate their social reintegration, with access to legal, psychosocial, and health support free from stigma and discrimination.
Phytochemical Profiling and GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Gyrocarpus americanus
Authors:   Department of Botany, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500 007, Telangana, India, Rahul K. , Sushama P.R. ,   Department of Botany, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500 007, Telangana, India, Vijjulatha M. ,   Department of Chemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500 007, Telangana, India
Published: January 2025

The study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and bioactive potential of Gyrocarpus americanus (Hernandiaceae) leaves through extraction, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and characterization using GC-MS. Phytochemical extraction was performed using solvents of varying polarities, including petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol, to determine their efficacy in extracting bioactive compounds. The extracts displayed diverse colors, indicative of the differential solubility of compounds, with methanol emerging as the most efficient solvent for polar compounds such as alkaloids, phenols, tannins, and saponins. Qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, and resins, with notable variation in their distribution based on solvent polarity. Quantitative analysis revealed methanol as the most effective solvent, yielding the highest concentrations of alkaloids (500 mg/g), phenols (450 mg/g), tannins (400 mg/g), and flavonoids (350 mg/g). The GC-MS analysis further identified a wide array of bioactive compounds, with a total of 25 major constituents. The most abundant compound, 5-Dimethyl(trimethylsilyl)silyloxytridecane, accounted for 22.67% of the total area, while 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, 2-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-1-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy] tridecane contributed 11.84%. Other notable compounds included ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, fumaric acid, and benzeneacetic acid derivatives, each possessing significant pharmacological potential, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study highlights the rich phytochemical diversity of G. americanus and its potential as a source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications. The findings provide a scientific basis for the traditional medicinal uses of the plant and pave the way for future studies on the isolation and biological evaluation of specific compounds.
Implementasi Pendekatan TaRL untuk Meningkatkan Berpikir Kritis
Authors: Nurjannah Siti , Siregar Rosliana , Ramli Amalia
Published: January 2025

Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui peningkatan kemampuan berpikir kritis peserta didik dengan mengimplementasikan pendekatan Teaching at Right Level (TaRL). Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas dengan melibatkan peserta didik kelas IX-3 yang berjumlah 29 orang.  Instrumen yang digunakan adalah tes tulis bentuk essay dengan indikator kemampuan berpikir kritis. Penelitian ini dilakukan dalam dua siklus, dan setiap siklus dilakukan dua kali pertemuan. Tahapan yang dilakukan dalam PTK yaitu: 1) permasalahan, 2) perencanaan pelaksanaan, 3) tindakan pelaksanaan, 4) pengamatan dan refleksi. Data dikumpulkan melalui lembar observasi dan dianalisis dengan rumus ketuntasan belajar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pendekatan TaRL dapat meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis peserta didik.  Sebelum dilakukan tindakan hasil kemampuan berpikir kritis peserta didik tergolong rendah dengan rata-rata kelas 63,1. Kemudian terjadi peningkatan pada siklus I dengan  rata-rata kelas 65,93. sedangkan pada siklus II juga terjadi peningkatan dengan rata-rata kelas 74,62.
Pengembangan Instrumen Tes HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) untuk Mengukur Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Siswa
Authors: Patricia Dwi , Elfitra Elfitra
Published: January 2025

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kevalidan dan reliabilitas instrumen tes HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) untuk mengetahui dan mengukur kemampuan berrpikir kritis siswa pada materi segitiga dan segiempat jajargenjang. Sample dalam penelitian ini adalah satu kelas yang terdiri dari 30 peserta didik. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah lembar instrumen tes yang terintegrasi soal HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) berbentuk uraian sebanyak 5 butir, lembar validasi ahli, dan lembar angket respon. Desain penelitian menggunakan model Borg dan Gall dengan melalui 8 tahapan. Hasil penelitian memperoleh instrumen tes memiliki kevalidan sangat tinggi dengan validitas isi 91% dan  validitas ke lima butir tes  menunjukkan thitung > ttabel dengan kriteria sangat tinggi. Hasil uji reliabilitas instrumen tes menggunakan Alpa-Cronbach sebesar 0,93 dengan kriteria korelasi sangat tinggi. Hasil kevalidan dan reliabilitas menunjukkan bahwa instrumen tes valid dan mampu mengukur kemampuan berpikir kritis peserta didik. Hasil kemampuan berpikir kritis peserta didik menggunakan indikator Facione menunjukkan terdapat 1 peserta didik (3%) memiliki kemampuan berpikir kritis sangat tinggi, 5 peserta didik (17%) memiliki kemampuan berpikir kritis tinggi, dan 6 peserta didik  (20%) memiliki kemampuan berpikir kritis sedang, 9 peserta didik (30%) memiliki kemampuan berpikir kritis rendah dan 9 peserta didik (30%) memiliki kemampuan berpikir kritis sangat rendah. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa instrumen tes HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) yang dikembangkan mampu mengukur kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa Sekolah Menengah Pertama.
Эстетическое содержание понятия «рациональность» в контексте концепции социального действия М. Вебера
Authors: Ибрагимова Мехин
Published: January 2025

В статье рассматривается эстетическое содержание концепта «рациональности» в контексте учения М. Вебера о социальном действии. Анализ проводится, исходя из модусов рациональности, заданных и идентифицированных в соответствующих трудах Макса Вебера. В качестве релевантного контекста привлечены также концепции целерациональности и ценностной рациональности. Проблема рациональности рассматривается и с точки зрения процессов социокультурной самоидентификации и смыслообразования.
Dressing Percentage and Carcass Characteristics of Fattening Yankasa Rams Fed Treated Groundnut (Arachis Hypogeae) Shell in a Complete Diet
Authors: M. D Bello , O. S Lamidi, , S. B Audu, , R. J Tanko, , L. M Maru, , A Mukhtar,
Published: January 2025

The study was conducted to determine the effect of untreated, urea, lime and urea plus lime treated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) shell in a complete diet on dressing percentage and carcass characteristics in fattening Yankasa rams. The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm (Small Ruminants Unit of Animal Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Each kilogram of groundnut shell was treated with 5% urea and 5% lime for treatments 2 (UTGNS) and 3 (LTGNS) respectively. For treatment 4 (ULTGNS), 1 kg of groundnut shell was treated with 2.5% urea and 2.5% lime, but the shell in treatment 1 was not treated (UNTGNS). The urea and lime were diluted in water at 2 kg in 20 litres of water and sprayed on 40 kg of the groundnut shell. Four treatment diets were formulated containing 40% untreated, 40% urea treated, 40% lime treated and 40% urea plus lime treated groundnut shell. Sixteen Yankasa rams were used and randomly assigned to the four treatment diets with four animals per treatment in a completely randomized design (CRD). The diet was formulated to have 14% crude protein (CP) content. The fattening trial lasted for 90 days. The results showed that the live weight and weight after slaughter were significantly (P<0.05) higher in animals fed UNTGNS and those on ULTGNS diets compared to UTGNS and LTGNS. In hot carcass weight, rams fed UNTGNS diet were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed UTGNS, LTGNS and ULTGNS diets and rams fed the UTGNS diet were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those on LTGNS and ULTGNS diets. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) among the rams fed UNTGNS in dressing percent (53%) compared to rams on UTGNS and LTGNS diets which were significantly (P<0.05) T LTGNS than those on ULTGNS diet (49.21%). However, meat yield ratio was significantly (P<0.05) higher in rams fed the ULTGNS diet followed by those on LTGNS and the least was in rams on the UNTGNS diet. Results of the prime cuts shoed that the leg weight of the rams on UNTGNS and ULTGNS diets was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those on the other treatment diets. However, the chump weight was statistically higher (P<0.05) in the carcass of animals fed LTGNS diet than those in the other treatment groups. Rams on ULTGNS diet showed a higher value for loin which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the other groups. However, rams on the UNTGNS diet had the highest mean values of breast, neck, midrib, main rib and shoulder which were significantly (P<0.05) different from those in the other treatment groups. The use of untreated groundnut shells in the diet of fattening Yankasa rams is therefore recommended.
Research on Financing Constraints of Technology-Based SMEs Based on Supply Chain Finance
Authors: Shen Feng , Wei Liu Guan
Published: January 2025

The high financing thresholds have hindered the growth of technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, supply chain finance, as an innovative financing approach in the field of technology-based SME financing, has effectively alleviated their financing pressure and successfully reduced financing costs, opening up new financing channels for the development of technology-based SMEs. This paper conducts an empirical study using cross-sectional data from SME board-listed companies between 2013 and 2022 as samples. The research suggests that implementing this innovative supply chain finance model can effectively address the financing challenges encountered by technology-based SME，providing them with an alternative approach to overcome funding shortages. Through the collaborative efforts of governments banks enterprises，and third-party logistics companies，the unique potential of supply chain finance can be fully harnessed thereby fostering the steady growth of technology-driven SMEs.
Transforming vessel and fleet operations in oil and gas: A framework for integrated operations planning and efficiency optimization
Authors: David Chinalu Anaba  , Mercy Odochi Agho  , Ekene Cynthia Onukwulu  , Peter Ifechukwude Egbumokei
Published: January 2025

Efficient vessel and fleet management is critical for optimizing operations in the oil and gas sector, where the complexity of logistics, scheduling, and sustainability requirements presents significant challenges. This paper introduces a comprehensive framework for integrated operations planning and efficiency optimization, addressing key operational inefficiencies and sustainability concerns in vessel and fleet management. The proposed framework leverages advanced tools such as Primavera™ for project scheduling, NAVIGARE™ for fleet tracking and management, and predictive analytics to enable proactive decision-making. By integrating these technologies, the framework enhances operational efficiency by minimizing delays, optimizing fuel consumption, and aligning schedules with project milestones. Predictive analytics, powered by machine learning, forecasts potential disruptions and recommends optimal routes and schedules, thereby reducing downtime and associated costs. NAVIGARE™ offers real-time tracking and monitoring of vessel performance, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. Primavera™ streamlines project and logistics planning, allowing seamless coordination of fleet schedules with onshore and offshore operations. A central feature of this framework is its focus on sustainability. By prioritizing fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions through data-driven planning, the framework aligns with industry goals for sustainable operations. Case studies demonstrate how companies adopting this approach achieve significant cost savings and environmental benefits, underscoring its value in achieving operational excellence. The framework also emphasizes collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring that vessel and fleet management is adaptive to dynamic project requirements and external factors such as weather and regulatory constraints. This problem-solving model establishes a foundation for scalable solutions that can be tailored to diverse operational contexts in the oil and gas industry.
Keywords: Vessel and Fleet Management, Oil and Gas Operations, Primavera, Navigare Predictive Analytics, Sustainability, Integrated Operations Planning, Fuel Efficiency, Carbon Emissions Reduction, Real-Time Monitoring.
Risks in the PV Panel Supply Chain
Authors: KRECHOWICZ Maria , KRECHOWICZ Adam , LEPIARZ Małgorzata
Published: January 2025

The aim of this paper is to present and analyze risks in the photovoltaic panel supply chain. The motivation was a fast grow of photovoltaics (PV), and the fact that its complex supply chain is prone to various risks. The void in the literature concerning research questions concerning risks in PV panel supply chain stated in this work, makes it important. The proposed methodology to find and analyze proper literature from Scopus database consisting of 8 steps led to answering 4 research questions, providing a fresh look at the current issues in PV supply chain, considering the horizon of the last eleven years (2014-until now). The study revealed a growing trend in the number of published articles, which highlights growing interest in risks in PV panel supply chain in the analyzed years. It was found out that over the years, many studies have been conducted that identified and analyzed various types of problems occurring at different links in the PV panel supply chain, among others: raw materials quality and availability problems, manufacturing problems, fire risk, PV modules degradation, breakdown of various elements of the PV installation, ethylene vinyl acetate discoloration, hot-spots, corrosion, delamination, bubbles, cracks, partial shading, improper design or installation, damages during transportation, late deliveries, and recycling issues. The study also revealed the global publication trends that the main authors coming from China published the most papers on the analyzed subject (22), and in the second place is the Australia (9).
Rain gauges and X-band radar hourly comparison under complex orographic conditions in Reunion Island during the passage of the cyclone Batsirai
Authors: Ramanamahefa Ambinintsoa Volatiana , Padmanabhan Thiruvengadam , Lesage Guillaume , Van Baelen Joël
Published: January 2025

Abstract. Weather radar observations and quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) are in the early stages of development in the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO) region, which is prone to heavy rainfall, particularly during the passage of tropical cyclones. Given the topography of SWIO islands, orography plays an important role in the spatial distribution of precipitation. The ESPOIRS project was designed to investigate such dynamics in Reunion Island, Seychelles, and Madagascar using a mobile X-band radar. Reunion Island served as a testbed to evaluate X-band radar retrieved QPE using specific comparisons between several radar approaches and available rain gauges. This is the first study to use an X-band dual-polarization radar in the SWIO region. Our research focuses on the intense tropical cyclone event Batsirai in Reunion Island and shows the effectiveness of dual-polarization radar when compared to single-polarization radar in mitigating reflectivity attenuation. Both the Hitschfeld and Bordan and the philinear algorithms were employed and evaluated for this purpose. As our study encountered challenges related to noisy and low-resolution differential phase (𝜙𝑑𝑝) data, we detailed the pre-processing steps used to extract reliable 𝜙𝑑𝑝 data from the observed measurements. Furthermore, we tested two precipitation estimators, R(Z) and R(kdp). We observed that the accuracy of R(Z) depends on the attenuation correction method. Additionally, using the extracted 𝜙𝑑𝑝, we calculated an empirical model for R(kdp) for Reunion Island. This model provided better results compared to the R(Z) estimates, which can be explained by the fact that kdp is directly linked to precipitation concentration and does not require attenuation correction. Our findings highlight that the accuracy of the radar QPE is strongly influenced by local topography, which in turn governs local rainfall patterns, while the accuracy of QPE also depends on the type of precipitation.
Review and syntheses: Ocean alkalinity enhancement and carbon dioxide removal through marine enhanced rock weathering using olivine
Authors: Geerts Luna J. J. , Hylén Astrid , Meysman Filip J. R.
Published: January 2025

Abstract. Marine enhanced rock weathering (mERW) is increasingly receiving attention as a marine-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology. The method aims to achieve ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) by introducing fast-weathering rocks into coastal systems. The latter is envisioned to act as a large natural biogeochemical reactor, where ambient physical and biological processes can stimulate rock dissolution, thus generating a concomitant alkalinity release and increasing the seawater's capacity to sequester CO2. Olivine has been put forward as the prime candidate mineral for mERW, but at present, no peer-reviewed results are available from larger-scale field studies in coastal areas, so the information about olivine dissolution in marine systems is largely derived from laboratory experiments. As a result, key uncertainties remain concerning the efficiency, CO2 sequestration potential, and impact of olivine-based mERW under relevant field conditions. In this review, we summarize recent research advancements to bridge the gap between existing laboratory results and the real-world environment in which mERW is intended to take place. To this end, we identify the key parameters that govern the dissolution kinetics of olivine in coastal sediments and the associated CO2 sequestration potential, which enable us to identify a number of uncertainties that still remain with respect to the implementation and upscaling of olivine-based ERW, as well as monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV). From our analysis, we conclude that the current knowledge base is not sufficient to predict the outcome of in situ mERW applications. Particularly, the impact of pore-water saturation on the olivine dissolution rate and the question of the additionality of alkalinity generation remain critical unknowns. To more confidently assess the potential and impact of olivine-based mERW, dedicated pilot studies under field conditions are needed, which should be conducted at a sufficiently large spatial scale and monitored for a long enough time with sufficient temporal resolution. Additionally, our analysis indicates that the specific sediment type of the application site (e.g., cohesive versus permeable) will be a critical factor for olivine-based mERW applications, as it will significantly impact the dissolution rate by influencing the ambient pore-water pH, saturation dynamics, and natural alkalinity generation. Therefore, future field studies should also target different coastal sediment types.
Technical note: Phase space depiction of CCN activation and cloud droplet diffusional growth
Authors: Grabowski Wojciech W. , Pawlowska Hanna
Published: January 2025

Abstract. A novel way to represent cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activation and cloud droplet growth by the diffusion of water vapor is introduced. The key is to apply a phase space diagram that plots the radius of a liquid droplet (deliquesced CCN or cloud droplet) versus the difference between the ambient supersaturation and the equilibrium supersaturation corresponding to the droplet radius. The latter combines the droplet and environmental characteristics, and it determines whether a droplet grows or evaporates. The diagram can be used to depict in a straightforward way key microphysical processes of CCN activation and deactivation, as well as a haze or cloud droplet transition from growth to evaporation. To show its utility, the diagram is applied to an idealized simulation of CCN activation and cloud droplet growth inside a rising turbulent air parcel and to simulations of microphysical processes inside a laboratory apparatus, the Pi cloud chamber. The adiabatic parcel mimics microphysical processes near the base of a natural cumulus or stratocumulus cloud. The Pi chamber simulations represent microphysical transformations in moist turbulent Rayleigh-Benard convection with CCN proceeding through cycles of activation, growth, evaporation, and deactivation. A more general version of the phase diagram that is independent of the CCN dry radius is also developed. The phase diagram allows simple interpretations of key microphysical processes and highlights differences between droplet formation in natural and laboratory clouds.
Incorporation of multi-phase halogen chemistry into Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model
Authors: Kim Kiyeon , Song Chul Han , Han Kyung Man , Yarwood Greg , Beardsley Ross , Kim Saewung
Published: January 2025

Abstract. Recent studies have revealed that halogen radicals (Cl, Br, and I) significantly influence atmospheric oxidation capacity, affecting O3 formation or destruction. However, understanding of halogen chemistries remains limited. To better investigate atmospheric halogen chemistries, we incorporated halogen processes into the Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model: (i) emissions of Cl2, HCl, Br2, and HBr from anthropogenic sources, and Br2, I2, HOI, and halocarbons from natural sources; and (ii) 177 multi-phase halogen reactions. After developing the model, we examined its performance against observed data. The results demonstrated significant improvements in simulating observed nitryl chloride (ClNO2) mixing ratios at supersites. The index of agreement (IOA) improved from 0.41 to 0.66, and the mean bias (MB) decreased from -159.36 ppt to -25.07 ppt. These improvements were driven by four atmospheric key reactions: (i) ClO + ClO → Cl2; (ii) HOBr + Cl- → BrCl; (iii) different parameterization of γN2O5; and (iv) 2NO2 + Cl- → ClNO + NO3-. We then examined the net Ox production rate (P(Ox)), which increased from 3.08 ppb/h to 3.33 ppb/h on land and decreased from 0.21 ppb/h to 0.07 ppb/h over ocean in the presence of halogen radicals. Further analysis of the impacts of halogen processes on key atmospheric species revealed that levels of OH, HCHO, and NOx increased by ~0.007 ppt (5.5 %), ~0.03 ppb (1.6 %), and ~0.29 ppb (2.9 %), respectively, while levels of HO2 and VOCs decreased by ~0.45 ppt (5.3 %) and ~0.71 ppb (5.9 %), respectively.
Future changes in compound explosive cyclones and atmospheric rivers in the North Atlantic
Authors: Lopez-Marti Ferran , Ginesta Mireia , Faranda Davide , Rutgersson Anna , Yiou Pascal , Wu Lichuan , Messori Gabriele
Published: January 2025

Abstract. The explosive development of extratropical cyclones and atmospheric rivers plays a crucial role in driving extreme weather in the mid-latitudes, such as compound windstorm–flood events. Although both explosive cyclones and atmospheric rivers are well understood and their relationship has been studied previously, there is still a gap in our understanding of how a warmer climate may affect their concurrence. Here, we focus on evaluating the current climatology and assessing changes in the future concurrence between atmospheric rivers and explosive cyclones in the North Atlantic. To accomplish this, we independently detect and track atmospheric rivers and extratropical cyclones and study their concurrence in both ERA5 reanalysis and CMIP6 historical and future climate simulations. In agreement with the literature, atmospheric rivers are more often detected in the vicinity of explosive cyclones than non-explosive cyclones in all datasets, and the atmospheric river intensity increases in all the future scenarios analysed. Furthermore, we find that explosive cyclones associated with atmospheric rivers tend to be longer lasting and deeper than those without. Notably, we identify a significant and systematic future increase in the cyclones and atmospheric river concurrences. Finally, under the high-emission scenario, the explosive cyclone and atmospheric river concurrences show an increase and model agreement over western Europe. As such, our work provides a novel statistical relation between explosive cyclones and atmospheric rivers in CMIP6 climate projections and a characterization of their joint changes in intensity and location.