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House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Report : Impact of social media and screen-use on young people’s health
Get PDFExecutive Summary
This submission primarily reflects upon the use of mental health support services that are available online for children and young people. It specifically reflects upon recent research that highlights some of the positive potential for such resources. In summary:
Children and Young People will use the Internet and social media resources as a means to access health orientated support. Therefore professionals have to be ready to work in these environments.
Numerous online resources have been developed to support children and young people. These have evolved with professional co-ordination and include online counselling services and moderated forums (e.g. Kooth.com).
Online counselling services for children and young people (i) prove attractive to a wide variety of young people (including those who would not ordinarily access face-to-face support), (ii) potentially attract more vulnerable individuals to access support due to the anonymous nature of some services, and (iii) demonstrate that successful therapeutic relationships can be developed.
Online forums provide helpful environments for children and young people to support one another. Young service user can use these resources to provide information an emotional support. Moderation of such services can prove helpful in developing safer environments
Using identity structural analysis to mentor trainee teachers
No full textThis presentation considers the potential that a combination of Identity Structure Analysis (Weinreich and Saunderson 2003) and mentoring sessions hold for exploring teacher identity. The research argues for a combined approach as a way to augment current approaches to teacher professional development. This research also argues that Identity Structure Analysis (ISA) leads to more targeted mentoring sessions which supports individual transition and ultimately leads to an increase in trainee teacher retentio
Pressure to provide a solution: one-to-one support with an elite junior gymnast
Get PDFThis article presents a reflective case study, from the perspective of a trainee sport and exercise psychologist, of an applied consultancy experience with a 14-year-old gymnast. The case study highlights a number of applied challenges such as working with a client in an unfamiliar sport, questioning who the client is throughout the consultancy process, adopting a philosophy of practice different from the expectations of the parents, and further difficulties when including parents in the consultancy process. The case study also highlights how challenges to a practitioner’s philosophy of practice can be deeply uncomfortable and lead the practitioner to question his or her approach to service delivery. Although the intervention only lasted 3 sessions, there are a number of observations and lessons to be learned from an applied perspective, such as being aware of countertransference when building relationships with a client and understanding how the dynamics of the consultancy process might change when involving parents
Exploration of the impact of social networks on entrepreneurial self-efficacy in the course of the entrepreneurial process
No full textResearch roadmap for information integration in construction
Get PDFThis Roadmap is developed for a challenging Global environment where fundamental paradigms such as data generation and analysis, are shifting at a seismic rate, while change in Construction Industries across the Globe is, in the main, confined to large-scale projects and slow. Against this background, the authors set out to also give a ‘voice’ to small-to-medium-scale projects through which the construction output Worldwide is delivered. Hence, project scale was one of the key considerations throughout this Roadmap.
Moreover, the authors conceptualized data integration by taking the realities of ‘doing business’ in construction into consideration. The emergent framework facilitates the discussion of knowledge and data integration at organisational, team, operational and technical levels across key project phases. This approach recognizes that business is done through projects but change can only come about if appropriate organizational structures and processes are put in place.
Last, but not least, the authors strived to ensure that data integration was not considered solely from a technical perspective. Organisational, team and individual aspects of data integration were integrated in the research framework. Through our work the individual’s willingness to collaborate emerged as a critical driver for high levels of integration, while our survey did identify “Reluctance to work across professional boundaries” as a major barrier to integration. Hence, we conclude that research on integration should pay due attention to the individual
Nanomaterials enabled advanced renewable energy technologies
Get PDFThe impending environmental crisis necessitates a pressing need to develop the next
generation energy harvesting and generating technologies, ranging from the µW to W range.
To this effect, this thesis focuses on the development of materials, measurement and
analysis of devices for alternate energy devices ranging from energy harvesting
nanogenerators (µW-mW range) to fuel cells (mW-W range). The work has been carried
out in two parts, wherein part A encompasses seedless deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO)
nanosheets via a facile electrochemical deposition method and study of its inherent
piezoelectric and structural properties to fabricate piezoelectric and triboelectric effect
based nanogenerators. In part B, an in-depth comparative study of platinum catalyst loaded
on various two-dimensional (graphene nanoplatelets, graphene oxide) and one-dimensional
(multi-walled carbon nanotubes) carbon nanostructures was carried out for enabling
relatively inexpensive and stable materials for cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)
in fuel cell applications.
The ZnO nanosheet structures were synthesised on various conductive substrates
using a low temperature electrochemical deposition process. The seedless deposition of
ZnO nanosheets on Al substrates exhibited a honeycomb network like morphology with an
additional plane of ZnO_Al.LDH with the layered double hydroxide (LDH) layer being
highly conducive for the fabrication of piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) devices. The
typical PENG devices developed using a metal/piezoelectric/metal structure with a
ITO/ZnO_Al:LDH/Al configuration exhibited a maximum open circuit voltage (Voc) of
~0.7 V and a current density (JSC) of ~0.50 mAm-2 under an applied force of 80 N. To
enhance the output power utilising the inherent piezoelectric properties of ZnO nanosheets,
the ZnO:Al substrates were used as a charge injection interfacial layer in a triboelectric
nanogenerator (TENG). A typical TENG comprising of a triboelectric negative composite of zinc stannate (ZnSnO3)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blended with an interfacial ZnO
nanosheet layer and a polyamide-6 (PA6) membrane as the triboelectric positive exhibited
significantly higher power output than the PENG devices. The phase-inversion process for
the synthesis of triboelectric membranes enabled a high piezoelectric coefficient for not
only the pristine PVDF fluoropolymer membranes (d33 ~ -44 pmV-1) but also for the
composite ZnSnO3/PVDF/ZnO:Al membranes (d33 ~ -74 pmV-1) as confirmed by piezo
force microscopy (PFM) analysis. At a comparative 80 N force, the ZnSnO3/PVDF/ZnO:Al
vs PA-6 TENG produced significantly higher Voc and Jsc of ~625 V and ~40 mAm-2 with a
corresponding charge density of 100.6 μCm-2, respectively. The PFM analysis confirmed
the interfacial dipole-dipole interactions occurring with the ferroelectric polarization of
ZnSnO3-PVDF, promoting the alignment of polar axis of ZnO. Under the compressive
stress during the TENG measurements, the piezoelectric potential produced in the ZnO
nanosheets provides charge injection onto the surface of ZnSnO3-PVDF membrane,
enhancing the charge density, which in-turn significantly enhances the power density from
0.11 to ~1.8 W/m2. Although the energy produced using this process is dynamic in nature,
i.e. depends on the contact release cycles, the operation and the fabrication of energy
harvesting devices is very economical and simple, thus making both the PENG and TENG
devices excellent candidates for realising energy harvesting and self-powered electronic
systems.
In the area of fuel cells, the literature points to a significant on-going debate over the
role of carbon supports in catalysing the ORR. The electrochemical performance of pristine
carbon supports, including graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), graphene oxide (GO) and multi
walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for catalysing ORR in an alkaline media (0.1M
KOH), were studied and compared in detail. Amongst these supports, the pristine MWCNTs
displayed a promising peak reduction current densities of ~3 mA/cm2, followed by GNP ~1.5 mA/cm2 and GO ~1.0 mA/cm2. The peak reduction potentials obtained by MWCNTs is
comparable to heteroatom N- and B-doped MWCNTs. Further a variable metallic Pt (Pt0)
loading values ranging from 20% to 50% was achived by using microwave-assisted polyol
process on pristine carbon supports. A Pt loading-normalised comparison of ORR current
densities shows that Pt/MWCNTs exhibited the highest linear sweep voltammetry (LSV)
reduction current density of ~ 900 A/g, much higher than ~ 510 A/g of the commercial Pt
carbon black supports, followed by Pt/GNP and Pt/GO that have the LSV value of ~500
A/g and ~200 A/g LSV, respectively. It is therefore suggested that the Pt/MWCNTs should
be given a favourable consideration in ORR for the future development of fuel cell
technologie
West Ham and the River Lea: A social and environmental history of London’s industrialised marshland, 1839–1914
No full textBook review of :West Ham and the River Lea: A Social and Environmental History of London’s Industrialised Marshland, 1839–1914,
by Jim Clifford, Vancouver, University of British Columbia Press, 201
Supporting adolescents with type 1 diabetes during the transition from child to adult services: A literature review
Get PDFThis literature review considers the personal and practice implications of type 1 diabetes amongst
adolescents. The review is part of a wider Post Graduate study and here 25 largely qualitative articles
are critically considered. The selection process and thematic review lead to the identification of the
themes: ‘social and emotional transition’ and ‘service related transition’. Social and emotional
transition relates to the experiences of adolescents diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. These included
increased risk of anxiety, depression and eating disorders which were exasperated during the
challenging adolescent period. The service related transition refers to this vulnerable group not fitting
well into child or adult services and the added pressures of managing the move from one to another.
This included expectation of increased autonomy and problems of poor self-management. There are
some examples of positive practice found in this review largely grounded in improved personal and
service transition. The review considers problems encountered and informs professionals of gaps in
practice, encompassing the distinct difficulties adolescents with type 1 diabetes may experience
Developing a new stock scoring model for Shariah-compliant investment
Get PDFThis study aims to develop a new stock scoring model, !_#%&' model, that based on the
musharakah parameters by using a momentum technique that separate the out-performing Shariahcompliant
stocks from the under-performing. Motivation for this study is centred towards the
performance dragged from Shariah-compliant stocks in relative to the conventional stocks during
the stock market recovery and the out-performance of Shariah-compliant portfolio attributed by a
few stocks only. Hence, separating the out-performing from the under-performing Shariahcompliant
stocks will enhance the portfolio returns. In doing so, a quantitative research in time series
analysis is designed to measure the momentum, periodical changes, of the musharakah parameters.
The essential musharakah parameters identified are industry performance, management style,
profitability ratios and capital growth. These musharakah parameters are then represented by the
financial indicators such as sector return, book value, cash flow, equity return, asset return, total
assets and enterprise value to determine the momentum of stock price returns.
There are several main findings based on the quantitative analysis of the research results. First, this
study has evidenced that musharakah parameters explain stock price returns since they have
monotonic positive relationship with the newly developed !_#%&' model. Second, the model
improves its statistical significance when the financial indicators are progressively added into the
equation. Importantly, the !_#%&' model requires all musharakah parameters to be included in
generating robust results. Third, there has been no concern on the temporal issue in the !_#%&'
model since it responds well to every stock market cycle and to diverse investment horizons. Fourth,
the !_#%&' model also has monotonic positive relationship with company size, stock orientations,
trading volume, stock price or leverage position. Fifth, the predictive power has improved
substantially when the !_#%&' model employs active investment strategies i.e. long-only and
long-short and has further improved when the restriction is relaxed by allowing short selling.
On another note, this study has contributed in several ways. On theoretical side; in contrast to
efficient market hypothesis theory, the !_#%&' model shows that stock market is inefficient and
therefore, stock price returns are predictable. Although past performance is no guarantee of future
returns, historical data remains the ideal tool to forecast the stock prices. As on the empirical side;
the !_#%&' model captures most of the financial information and helps process recent information
better. When applied to various portfolio strategies, the !_#%&' model has shown that active
investing produces higher excess returns than passive investing. Moreover, the !_#%&' model does
not discriminate stock specific characteristics like the company size, value or growth orientation,
liquidity, stock price and leverage position. On methodological side; unlike many other models,
using momentum of multiple financial indicators on !_#%&' model has addressed the concern of
single variable biasness. Furthermore, the !_#%&' model does not require long historical data to
produce robust results. In addition, the model is flexible to handle missing values and can withstand
the outliers. Accordingly, this study discovers that the !_#$%&' model can assist those investing in
Shariah-compliant stocks to make informed investment decisions by using the model as an
alternative investment analysis tool to forecast stock price returns, to determine market timing and
to construct profitable stock portfolio returns
The LEAP (Learning Excellence Achievement Pathway) framework: A model for student learning development in higher education
Get PDFThis article explores the development of the LEAP (Learning Excellence Achievement Pathway) framework at the University of Bolton, UK. It describes the nature of the project and focuses on the methodology involved in conducting an institution-wide audit of student learning development (LD) provision and producing a visual framework to stimulate a culture of LD within the organisation. Whilst most UK universities offer a student LD programme at undergraduate level, little work has been undertaken to develop and define a visual framework which underpins these programmes and assists students to conceptualise their progress. This paper explores the context for creating an LD framework and outlines how LD provision is mapped to align curricular LD opportunities with co-curricular student engagement initiatives. The article then considers the implementation of the LEAP framework. A mixed-methods evaluation activity was conducted, involving both staff and students, using a variety of data. Evaluation methods were used to assess the impact of the framework on student LD, revealing a number of positive changes to their LD behaviour and habits, their assessment of LD, the accessibility of help and support and their awareness of the context in which LD takes place. Finally, we identify future developments to the framework to embed it further within the institution