2821 research outputs found
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Conjunction of triboelectric nanogenerator with induction coils as wireless power sources and self-powered wireless sensors
Get PDFHere we demonstrate a magnetic resonance coupling based wireless triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and fully self-powered wireless sensors. By integrating a microswitch and an inductor with the TENG, the pulsed voltage output is converted into a sinusoidal voltage signal with a fixed frequency. This can be transmitted wirelessly from the transmit coil to the resonant-coupled receiver coil with an efficiency of 73% for a 5 cm distance between the two coils (10 cm diameter). Analytic models of the oscillating and coupled voltage signals for the wireless energy transfer are developed, showing excellent agreement with the experimental results. A TENG of 40 × 50 mm2 can wirelessly light up 70 LEDs or charge up a 15 μF capacitor to 12.5 V in ~90 s. The system is further utilized for two types of fully self-powered wireless chipless sensors with no microelectronic components. The technologies demonstrate an innovative strategy for a wireless ‘green’ power source and sensing
Novel metal complexes as potential synergists with phosphorus based flame retardants in polyamide 6.6
Get PDFAluminium (AlW), tin (II) (SnW) and zinc (ZnW) tungstates were previously found to increase char formation in polyamide 6.6 (PA66), but have never before been studied for their potential as synergists when present with phosphorus-containing (PFRs) flame retardants. We investigate this gap in the scientific knowledge in this publication. Tungstate-PFR interactions of PA66 composites were investigated by thermal analysis, limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL94, cone calorimetry and evolved gas analysis (TGA-FTIR). Of the three tungstates, AlW in the presence of aluminium diethylphosphinate (AlPi) or a mixture of AlPi and melamine polyphosphate (MPP), promotes the highest level of flame retardancy in terms of a balance of high LOI, V-rating and TGA residual char in air at 500oC and reduction in cone calorimetric peak heat release rate (RPHRR = 80%). This observation has been related to AlW having the highest Lewis acidic properties. While zinc tungstate displays the lowest levels of interaction with either PFR, it shows significant smoke suppressant properties. Elemental analysis of cone calorimetric chars suggests that while some loss of phosphorus occurred from SnW/AlPi/MPP-containing composites, most likely via volatile diethyl phosphinic acid formation, nearly 10% reduction also occurred in the Sn/W molar ratio indicating some volatilisation of tin. The TGA (in air)-FTIR results for carbon dioxide, ammonia and hydrocarbon fuel species evolution enabled discussions of the effect that each tungstate had on the flame retardant mechanisms operating
Our lives in three parts: an autoethnographic account of two undergraduates and their respective psychiatric careers.
Get PDFPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an autoethnographic account of the stories of a mental health professional and a mental health survivor.
Design/methodology/approach – Using the autoethnographic approach, Andrew and Jerome provide summaries of their respective psychiatric careers in three parts.
Findings – Andrew and Jerome studied at the same University, Reading. Andrew failed his Politics finals and embarked on a trajectory as a mental patient. Jerome graduated in Psychology and trained as a clinical psychologist. The recovery movement brought them together and they have now established an educational and personal bond.
Research limitations/implications – These are of course only two accounts, yet both authors have played a role in developing the recovery model in Britain. The accounts and story show the benefits of adopting a partnership approach between professional and service user.
Practical implications – Both accounts are recovery journeys in their own way. Both highlight the value of education for recovery.
Social implications – There is no doubt that clinical psychologists are both highly valued and well paid for their expertise. However, the expertise gained through Andrew’s life experience is equally invaluable for today’s mental health professionals to learn from, but perhaps not as well remunerated?
Originality/value – Both accounts stretch back over 45 years and have covered the move from institutional to community care. This paper presents two contrasting perspectives on these changes and the lives of the two people involved
Positive psychology in dual diagnosis recovery: a mixed methods study with drug and alcohol workers
No full textBackground: In traditional dual diagnosis treatment, the primary aim is to attend the substance use problem and tackle the mental health issues with little attention to the positive aspects of clients’ lives. This deficit-based approach, however, may bring about an ignorance of clients’ potentials. The present study primarily aimed at investigating practitioners’ views of their clients; acquiring information on how to improve a previously designed positive psychology intervention for dual diagnosis, and finding ways of integrating positive psychology with current approaches.
Methods: A positive psychology intervention developed for dual diagnosis individuals was delivered to two groups of psychosocial intervention workers (n = 17) at a drug and alcohol service. The study employed a mixed methods approach with a quantitative and a qualitative element (focus group).
Results: Participants reported a number of personal and professional benefits gained from the intervention, but also discussed the structure of the intervention, practitioner qualities, and difficulties of incorporation into existing treatment as challenges that may arise in terms of feasibility with this client group.
Conclusions: Through a strengths-based positive approach, a more balanced treatment would enable the recognition and appreciation of both the vulnerabilities and the emerging potential of clients. This would lead to better outcomes with clients achieved by a healthier workforce
Measuring up? Metrics and research assessment in UK teacher education
No full textThis paper offers a multi-dimensional analysis of publication outputs from teacher education research published in the UK between 2000 and 2013. The analysis draws on a sample of 727 articles published in 39 journals. Using metrics data extracted from Elsevier’s Scopus database, the analysis outlines the distribution of outputs and explores characteristics associated with productivity and influence. Conceptual and methodological issues with the enumeration of research quality and impact are identified, including quality criteria, citation practices and coverage in leading bibliometric databases. Several contextual factors are taken into consideration. These include author affiliation at the time of publication, university research ranking, Education subject ranking and the size of intake for programmes of initial teacher education. The analysis confirms an association between publication productivity and institutional type, with an inverse relation between large-scale engagement in the practices of teacher education (represented by student numbers) and the production of research on teacher education that is judged to be of high quality. This has implications for how the activities of university Schools of Education are valued and the prospects for research-informed teacher education in the UK
Students as Partners in E-Content Creation: A case study exploring student-staff partnership for learning and student engagement using digital applications for co-creation of e-learning materials.
Get PDFIn order to enable learners to take control of their learning needs and actively contribute in their learning processes, educators can partner with students in various reciprocal student-staff partnership (SSP) settings where students can be co-creators, co-producers, curators or co-deliverers of the curriculum. This case study, undertaken to enhance the curriculum as part of teaching qualification, places emphasis on educators partnering with first-year undergraduate students over e-content creation within an existing module using readily accessible digital applications in order to promote active learning in students and improve student engagement. The extent to which SSP as an approach to the creation of e-learning materials using digital applications, enhanced learning and student engagement in an existing module, was evaluated. Results indicated, students’ perceived SSP to be an excellent platform for learning, actively engaging in the classroom as well as for developing various skills. However, some concerns were expressed with regards to overcoming the power hierarchy barrier within an SSP initiative
Macro-maturity factors and their influence on micro-level BIM implementation within design firms in Italy
Get PDFBased on conceptual models of macro-BIM adoption, several factors have been proposed as indicators of BIM maturity at the national level. Such macro-level BIM maturity indicators drive policy and the institutional imperatives for smooth adoption of BIM at the micro-level (within organisations). The Italian BIM landscape is slowly progressing with several initiatives towards meeting European Union (EU) directives. It, however, remains unclear which macro-level implementation factors are most relevant to organisations in their BIM implementation. Furthermore, there is a dearth of studies exploring the relevance of proposed macro-level BIM implementation factors to BIM implementation at the micro-level. In addressing this gap, this study uses the Italian scenario to explore the role of macro-BIM maturity factors on facilitating micro-level implementation effectiveness in design firms. To achieve this aim, an exploratory study of the literature was conducted to identify macro-level factors required at the national level for BIM implementation and ascertain which of those factors are most important to design firms through a questionnaire survey of professionals within design firms, which yielded 162 responses. The research found that steps are being undertaken to improve Italy’s macro-BIM maturity with professionals having an overall good degree of awareness and positive attitude towards BIM. Based on statistical analysis, the most important macro-level initiatives to design firms is the need for embedding BIM into education curriculum as well as availability of standard deliverables and components such as BIM objects, libraries and standards that regulate their development and use
Construction project performance in Zambia : a case study of public high schools
Get PDFThe study considers construction project performance in Zambia, through a case study of
public high schools, constructed between the years 2006 to 2016. The quality of the built
infrastructure has been in question for years, where resources spent do not match up with
the life span. The cycle of replacing rapidly deteriorating infrastructure for the country is not
sustainable.
The study aimed at establishing a framework to improve quality management of school
infrastructure projects. In its objectives, it investigated the relationships between certified
quality management systems and performance levels in project environments: the state of
building elements in constructed schools by looking at defects, the overall project
performance, by assessing quality management systems of stakeholders, and the role each
played towards quality achievement.
Data was collected through: (i) the questionnaire, where 33 of the target 50 school
administrators participated, (ii) observation, where 33 of the target 50 schools were
observed, and (iii) structured interviews with key stakeholders, involving 3 client institutions,
2 consulting architects, and 5 contractor representatives.
Triangulation of data collected from end-users and through observation confirmed the
presence of defects in the ‘sub-surface’, ‘construction’, and ‘materials’ deficiency categories.
Other findings included incomplete quality management systems in some construction firms,
fragmented application of quality management at project level by key stakeholders, and a
lack of or weak application of existing regulation.
In its contribution to knowledge, the study has proposed a remedial framework which
addresses noted gaps by recommending a ‘review process’ of stakeholder QM input in the
high school projects. Information obtained should be used to fill up gaps in stakeholder
participation in project life cycle QM. It should equally be used to set up a National QM data
base aimed at enhancing efforts to define, plan and implement QM in project life cycles