2821 research outputs found
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Trends in training progression: response to the study by Silkens et al.
Get PDFRecruitment and retention are of major concern to all in medicine. Improvement in recruitment to UK speciality training programmes does not directly translate into senior workforce capacity, which remains dependent on trainee progression. In 2021, Silkens et al undertook a mixed-methods study to investigate this and described a trainee-driven shift away from conventional training pathways and expectations. These findings suggest a need for a broad change in approach to careers, underpinned by commitment to reducing differential attainment, acknowledgment that trainees may have a range of unique needs, and development of a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion
Optimising Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and asset management strategies through Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies: the development and enhancement of Abu Dhabi power networks
Get PDFMaintenance has a significant impact on the business strategy of power organisations. Maintenance of power
plants aims to promote safe, cost effective, and reliable electricity supplies. This kind of maintenance has
complex activities and requires highly skilled maintenance staff; therefore, proper utilisation of technology is
critical to achieve both plant safety and availability. The implementation of modern maintenance strategies has a
positive impact on improving reliability and performance of power assets. Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
is an ideal approach to support the development and implementation of operation performance improvement.
Implementation of TPM programmes needs effective leadership and strategic planning skills. However, there has
been almost no research applied in this area within Middle-East power plants. The power industry in the United
Arab Emirates is in the early stages adapting proactive maintenance programmes, and the aim of this research is
to thus investigate the critical factors that affect successful implementation of TPM programme in the Abu Dhabi
power industry environment. The study is focused in the unique context of Abu Dhabi power organisations, and
seeks to formulate critical success factors and enablers for overcoming barriers and obstacles to successful TPM
implementation. To achieve the aim of this research, the researcher utilises a design of exploratory sequential
mixed methods, starting with a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16
employees, (including senior management, middle managers and senior engineers) to identify the technical and
cultural barriers that could affect TPM implementation across power plants. The quantitative approach included a
questionnaire which was distributed to 250 employees, comprising engineers, maintenance planners, technicians,
and operators using a hand-delivered questionnaire. Structural equation modelling, using partial least squares path
analysis (SmartPLS software version 3.0), was performed to test the hypothesised model. A sample of both
approaches comprising three participant organisations was selected based on their experience in operations and
maintenance of power plants, particularly in the power sector and included power generation, transmission as
well as distribution organisations. In short, the empirical results confirmed the role of organisational culture and
structural employee empowerment in participation of autonomous maintenance. Furthermore, this research is the
first empirical study to examine the potential impact of organisational culture and structural empowerment on
autonomous maintenance (operators) participation in maintenance activities in the context of the Abu Dhabi
power industry.
A novel approach combining TPM with prognostic and RCM models has been developed. The researcher utilised
a simulation approach (ReliaSoft’s Weibull simulation + Availability Workbench (AWB) Monte Carlo
simulation) to appraise the impact of effective prognostic techniques and examine the role of reliability centred
maintenance (RCM) on successful participation of autonomous maintenance (operators) in power plants using
maintenance optimisation models based on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Historical data (degradation
measurements + maintenance costs) from power transformers for critical power distribution substations were
collated to conduct the simulation approach. The analysis is based on degradation analysis, and failure mode
effective and criticality analysis (FMECA). Based on the analysis, remaining useful life (RUL) of critical power
assets (transformer paper insulation) was determined and preventive maintenance (PM) intervals and costs of
transformer tap changers (OLTCs) were optimised. Simulation results are presented to verify the analytical
approach and validate proposed operational procedures. The proposed maintenance optimisation models
performed good simulation results, and the latter show that the proposed models are really a new contribution in
the area of TPM implementation in the power industry. Moreover, the integration of AI technologies with TPM
implementation has enhanced the practice and theory of autonomous maintenance empowerment across power
plants. The novelty of model is to build a proposed approach and solution based on operational steps and
utilisation of a simulation model to empower and enable operator’s participation in maintenance activities in the
power industry. With respect to the simulation results of power transformers, the findings can contribute towards
improved equipment operations and successful implementation of TPM in power organisations. Furthermore,
based on the study findings cumulatively, an innovative operational framework with detailed plans for TPM
implementation was developed and formulated. This research has made several original contributions to
knowledge in the parlance of maintenance management, with particular reference to TPM implementation across
Abu Dhabi-based power industry organisations. The main contribution is the demonstration and establishment of
a sound practical approach and model to integrate methods and principles of AI technologies within prognostic,
RCM and TPM to support operators in decision making through identifying new policies for machine
maintenance or assessment and enhancement of existing maintenance plans and costs. The model also delivers
guidelines to operators for executing a practical, operational framework for TPM implementation
Resisting that Fascist Groove Thang - Sheffield as the epicentre for electronic music (1973-2020)
Get PDFTo the casual observer, late 1970s Sheffield was a grim place, littered with the charred decaying remnants of post-industrialisation and humming with the urban renewal of brutalist post-war dystopian architecture. Framed by the harsh northern landscape, it was seen as either the spectre of a dire past, or the vision of a romantic, technological future.
Drawing inspiration from this environment and fuelled on a cocktail of Roxy Music and A Clockwork Orange, electronic musical pioneers Cabaret Voltaire and the Human League appeared. These bands would establish a music lineage encompassing bands, clubs and labels through to the 21st century and placing Sheffield at the centre of the UK’s electronic music story
West African insurgents and religious conflict(s): causes, crimes and control – an evaluation of the role of ECOWAS
Get PDFInsurgency and religious conflict are one of the most serious challenges
threatening world peace, inclusive of West African states. The causes of these
conflicts vary across countries, with religious conflict in particular seeing accelerated
increase within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region.
These conflicts have gained the attention of conflict professionals from around the
globe in recent years. So far, however, there has been little discussion about
insurgency and religious conflict as a joint phenomenon, which has fallen short of
investigating the causation, crimes and methods of control within the ECOWAS
region, and from a policy perspective. This gap in knowledge has made it difficult
for various stakeholders and experts to come up with an appropriate framework that
will help curtail the escalating cases of extreme violence within the region.
This research employed a qualitative approach and implemented eight
stakeholder studies of a total of 21 participants, including four ECOWAS conflict
resolution professionals; four religious leaders (Christian and Muslim); four law
enforcement officers; two Peace and Conflict Institute professionals; four journalists
in the area of peace and conflict reporting; one staff member from the United Nations
Commission for Refugees; one staff member from the Nigerian Red Cross; and one
staff member from the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency. These
participants were selected as a result of their direct involvement with the research
focus. The ECOWAS staff included those from the Regional Security Department,
Early Response Department, Mediation and Dialogue Department, and Conflict
Prevention Department, who were directly involved in developing and applying the
conflict prevention and management framework for the ECOWAS Commission.
Religious leaders included ministers of faith who were involved in delivering teaching to the religious faithful in their respective denominations. The law
enforcement officers were from four separate institutions saddled with the
responsibility of maintaining law and order within the society, in relation to the
prevention of extreme violence. Data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews; direct observation and document analysis; and archival records to
provide empirical evidence of the causes, crimes and the role of ECOWAS in
mitigating against insurgency and religious conflict within the region. The data were
analysed using thematic analysis.
A number of important conclusions were obtained from the collected data.
Firstly, the results showed that whilst there are several definitions of insurgency and
religious conflict, there was agreement amongst all stakeholders interviewed about
the threat and crimes committed by these groups within the region. Secondly,
several variables are responsible for the causation of this conflict that includes the
economic, political, social and institutional dimensions. Thirdly, ECOWAS’s current
conflict prevention and management framework is not being adequately
implemented to meet the designed aim and objectives. Fourthly, the victims of these
conflicts are facing a great number of human rights violations. Furthermore, the
results revealed that some of the identified humanitarian challenges are causing
new wars in the host communities, largely perpetuated by those fleeing their homes.
The implications of the results are that ECOWAS and conflict management
and prevention professionals should endeavour to understand the dynamics of
insurgency and religious conflict, and as a result develop unique methods of
addressing the conflict that focus on such dynamics. ECOWAS should engage its
Member States and relevant stakeholders in developing a framework that is user friendly. ECOWAS should also place more emphasis on community stakeholders to improve security and the basic infrastructure within the Member States and
communities, and set up a mechanism for tracking the progress and implementation
rate of the relevant framework to raise the level of compliance and implementation
The Bolton Review: Issue 8: Zombies & Taffy Kisses (video)
No full textThe Bolton Review is a student-led creative magazine from the University of Bolton. It showcases some of the best work from Bolton’s up-and-coming: students and staff from all areas and all levels of the University buildings and other schools in the area
Acute medicine and pandemics: getting it right next time! Guest Editorial
No full textFor those of you who are not aware of what GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) is, let me start by saying it is a brilliant idea, genius perhaps. The vision of its founder, Professor Tim Briggs CBE, was to optimise orthopaedic care by using the most clinically and cost effective treatments, minimising waste, reducing variation and eliminating poor practice. Since 2014 in orthopaedics alone, operational and financial opportunities to save the NHS £696 million have been generated. Acute medicine, coupled with general medicine, has been part of the GIRFT programme since 2017. The mischievous reader might question the name, as clearly this is about getting things right at the second time of asking at the very earliest. Apart from that pedantic note, GIRFT is a force for good
Remarkable Lives : Paul Makin in conversation with Jerome Carson.
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Paul Makin.
In this case study, part of the Remarkable Lives series, Paul gives a short account of his background and is then interviewed by Jerome.
Paul talks about his recovery from alcohol addiction, then a period of complete wellness, until he developed a psychosis. He talks about how unbearable his admission was to an acute unit.
Every single story in the Remarkable Lives series teaches us something different about mental health problems. Paul’s story is no exception.
We need to think how we can make the admission process to hospital as peaceful and positive as we can. This is easier said than done.
Paul suggests we need to get more recovery stories out there to the general public, so they can see if is possible to make a recovery from mental health problems.
I am not sure I have come across many people like Paul. He battled for many years with an alcohol addiction, which he managed to overcome. He then slowly developed a psychotic illness, which led to an acute admission. The process of recovery has now started a second time
Addiction recovery stories : Jerome Carson in conversation with Lisa Ogilvie
Get PDFPurpose.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the accomplishments of those who realise addiction
recovery. It is the first in a series of recovery stories, where candid accounts of addiction and
recovery are examined. In doing so, shared components of recovery are considered, along
with the change and growth necessary to facilitate it.
Study design/methodology.
The CHIME framework comprises five elements important to recovery (Connectedness, Hope,
Identity, Meaning and Empowerment). It provides a standard to qualitatively study mental
health recovery, having also been applied to addiction recovery. In this paper an additional
element for Growth has been introduced to the model (G-CHIME), to consider both recovery,
and sustained recovery. A first-hand account of addiction recovery is presented, followed by
a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. This is structured on the G-CHIME model.
Findings.
This paper shows that successful and sustained recovery from alcohol addiction can be
effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. Each element was well represented in the
described process of reaching recovery
Happiness in a northern town
No full textWe all aspire to happiness, but happiness in Bolton? In the 1930s, the Mass Observation Happiness Project researched Bolton (anonymised as Worktown). The extensive papers from this exercise provide a vivid insight into the joys and disappointments of ordinary people in pre-War Bolton. This book looks at how have the dramatic changes since then have affected the aspirations of Boltonians and their perception of the good life. The Editors (themselves Boltonians) have assembled 15 chapters from 19 authors all active in the Bolton of today. These authors offer a diversity of insights into happiness. They look at the importance of exercise and fitness, the role of leisure and the part music plays in happiness. Art can enable happiness through expression of creativity. Religion can be a pathway to happiness, and forgiveness can aid recovery from despair. Addiction – often a barrier to happiness – can be conquered. Happiness matters at all stages in life. Two chapters outline programmes for schools. Social factors are shown to be important for adults in community groups. The northern theme is reinforced with details of the character and culture of ‘Northerners’. Results from a recent research study on the differences between the North and South are revealed. A repetition of the 1930s Mass Observation study highlights changes in aspirations since then. Suggestions on the way forward for the experience of happiness round off the book. Happiness in a Northern Town is a collection of different perspectives into happiness and wellbeing. It offers hope in overcoming barriers to happiness not only in Bolton but beyond
A simple extrapolated predictor for overcoming the starting and tracking issues in the arc-length method for nonlinear structural mechanics
Get PDFThis paper presents a simplified implementation of the arc-length method for computing the equilibrium paths
of nonlinear structural mechanics problems using the finite element method. In the proposed technique, the
predictor is computed by extrapolating the solutions from two previously converged load steps. The extrapolation is a linear combination of the previous solutions; therefore, it is simple and inexpensive. Additionally,
the proposed extrapolated predictor also serves as a means for identifying the forward movement along the
equilibrium path without the need for any sophisticated techniques commonly employed for explicit tracking.
The ability of the proposed technique to successfully compute complex equilibrium paths in static structural
mechanics problems is demonstrated using seven numerical examples involving truss, beam-column and shell
models. The computed numerical results are in excellent agreement with the reference solutions. The present
approach does not require prohibitively small increments for its success