2821 research outputs found
Sort by
On the advantages of mixed formulation and higher-order elements for computational morphoelasticity
Get PDFIn this paper, we present a mixed displacement-pressure finite element formulation that can successively model
compressible as well as truly incompressible behaviour in growth-induced deformations significantly observed
in soft materials. Inf-sup stable elements of various shapes based on quadratic Bezier elements are employed ´
for spatial discretisation. At first, the capability of the proposed framework to accurately model finite-strain
growth-induced deformations is illustrated using several examples of plate models in which numerical results
are directly compared with analytical solutions. The framework is also compared with the classical Q1/P0
finite element that has been used extensively for simulating the deformation behaviour of soft materials using
the quasi-incompressibility assumption. The comparisons clearly demonstrate the superior capabilities of the
proposed framework. Later, the effect of hyperelastic constitute models and compressibility on the growthinduced deformation is also studied using the example of a bilayered strip in three dimensions. Finally, the
potential of the proposed finite element framework to simulate growth-induced deformations in complex threedimensional problems is illustrated using the models of flower petals, morphoelastic rods, and thin cylindrical
tube
Covid-19 transition, could Twitter support UK Universities?
Get PDFThis paper seeks to conceptually explore the use of social media platforms such as Twitter as a microblog to share Covid-19 prescribed knowledge through developing a conceptual framework of university ecosystem knowledge regime. The framework outlines three ecosystem artefacts; teaching, assessment, and student experience and what knowledge-sharing strategies that may help representing these artefacts to the wider community of the ecosystem. The paper provides valuable practical insight to UK Universities’ practitioners, students, and concerned stakeholders on the use of Twitter microblogs to share or retrieve knowledge required to cope with the current Covid-19 transition. The paper sheds light on the unique characteristics of knowledge sharing by UK Universities through Twitter in relation to the current Covid- 19 pandemic. The paper also highlights the unconventional use of Twitter by UK Universities to share Covid-19 prescribed knowledge with its stakeholders
A mighty capital under threat: the environmental history of London 1800-2000
No full textA Mighty Capital Under Threat is a synoptic overview of the environmental history of London from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the new millennium. This comprehensive collection is essential reading for London historians, scholars concerned with world cities in historical context, environmental historians and environmentalists, and all who are interested in the multiple processes of mass urbanization in the early twenty-first century
Organo-inorganic hybrid intumescent fire retardant coatings for thermoplastics based on poly(vinylphosphonic acid)
Get PDFThin coatings of crosslinked poly(vinylphosphonic acid), PVPA, display good adhesion
and excellent intumescent, fire-retardant barrier properties when applied to the surfaces of a typical
thermoplastic, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), but perform relatively poorly in water-soak tests.
To strengthen and further improve the barrier properties of the intumescent char and to make the
coating more hydrophobic, PVPA has been complexed with various inorganic and organic species.
The chars formed from coatings of some of these hybrid materials are less friable than chars from
coatings synthesized from crosslinked PVPA alone, and show higher levels of water tolerance with
no significant reduction in dry adhesion to the substrate
A study of Internet of Things (IoT) and its impacts on global supply chains
No full textThe objective of this research paper is to assess and produce a synthesis of peer and research findings towards a better understanding on the impacts of technology developments such as that of Internet of Things (IoT) in global supply chains. It examines on how they begin to converge as one integrated concept. The basis of the paper will revolve around (IoT) areas impact the Supply chain and in turn the management of the supply chain, it will also look at the growing innovation within (IoT) and large investments being made in the supply chain sector. It could further be argued that (IoT) is merely a repeatable exercise and merely an investment that any competitive market could undertake thus nullifying any genuine competitive advantage. Furthermore, it provides future researchers to explore the criteria that can be assessed by organisations towards the adoption and implementation of IoT services and its readiness
Bridging the skills gap: apprentice assistant practitioners having an impact in mental healthcare services. Part 2. The AAP experience
Get PDFIt is important to gain understanding in how Apprentice Assistant Practitioners (AAP) have an impact in mental health care services. This article is the second of a series of four looking at AAP’s in mental health care services focusing on the experiences of a group of AAP’s currently working towards their qualified AAP role. The challenge mental health care services face and their subsequent need for increasing the workforce will be introduced in terms of the developments in the AAP’s role.
A small group of AAP’s approaching completion of the Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care (FdA H & SC) were voluntarily recruited to take part in filling out a questionnaire followed by a focus group. All participants currently work in mental health care services and consented to take part. They were asked to outline in the questionnaire how long they had worked in the service alongside the specific area they specialise in. This was followed by a focus group, which explored their experiences of engaging in the AAP programme and how this currently affects their role and that of the wider team. They were asked to give their opinion on the role development from commencement of the programme up to the final stages of the apprenticeship
Leveraging antibacterial efficacy of silver loaded chitosan nanoparticles on layer-by-layer self-assembled coated cotton fabric
Get PDFThe present study relates to forma self-assembled coating on cotton fabric using layer-by-layer (L-B-L) technique to impart antimicrobial property. Poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and synthesised silver loaded chitosan (CS-Ag) nanoparticles were used as anionic and cationic agents, respectively, for the L-B-L electrostatic assembly of polyelectrolytes. The alternate L B-L deposition of PSS and CS-Ag nanoparticles on fabric was done up to 15 bi-layers, which was confirmed by measuring the change in depth of colour of fabric after each single layer deposition. Scanning electron micrographs showed the successful deposition of CS-Ag nanoparticles as the topmost surface layer of coated fabric, which was further reaffirmed by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Results of both qualitative and quantitative analysis showed enhancement in the antibacterial activity of fabric coated L-B-L with CS-Ag nanoparticles (using minimal loading of silver) with respect to that of fabric coated L-B-L with chitosan (CS) nanoparticles. This was further substantiated by sustained release of Ag+ from fabric coated L-B-L with CS-Ag nanoparticles, as observed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Besides, no adverse effect on the physical and mechanical properties of the fabric, such as air-permeability, tensile strength and bending (flexural) rigidity, was observed after L-B-L coating of nanoparticles
A portable triboelectric nanogenerator for real-time respiration monitoring.
Get PDFAs a reliable indicator of human physiological health, respiratory rate has been utilized in more and more cases for prediction and diagnosis of potential respiratory diseases and the respiratory dysfunction caused by cystic fibrosis. However, compared with smart mobile electronics, traditional clinical respiration monitoring systems is not convenient to work as a household wearable device for real-time respiration monitoring in daily life due to its cumbersome structure, complex operability, and reliance on external power sources. Thus, we propose a wearable wireless respiration sensor based on lateral sliding mode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) to monitor respiratory rates by sensing the variation of the abdominal circumference. In this paper, we validate the possibility of the device as a respiration monitoring sensor via an established theoretical model and investigate the output performance of the sensor via a series of mechanical tests. Furtherly, the applications of the respiration sensor in different individuals, different breathing rhythms, different active states, and wireless transmission have been verified by a lot of volunteer tests. All the results demonstrate the potential of the proposed wearable sensor as a new alternative for detecting and monitoring real-time respiratory rates with general applicability and sensitivity
Aristotle, Montaigne, Kant and the others : How friendship came to be conceived as it is conceived in the Western tradition
Get PDFConcepts of inter-personal relations are most elusive. They conceal assumptions, norms, beliefs and various associated notions, and become even more opaque and potent when they transcend the language in which they are used and come to reflect a culture or a tradition. Escaping the critical gaze of those “in” the tradition, these concepts and their theoretical baggage remain largely alien to those outside it. This gap fosters a sense of alienation, if not of exclusion, on the part of those living outside what they often regard as a charmed circle. No doubt, friendship is unlikely to figure on the danger list of such concepts. Yet, the concept is not innocent. It reflects philosophical and social presuppositions accumulated in the course of its long history and bears the weight of the paradigm shifts it underwent. This essay identifies some of these presuppositions built into it, outlines major steps in its development, and offers reasons why this particulate inter-personal relation came to be conceived the way it is conceived in “the Western tradition”