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K-shell X-ray spectroscopy of laser produced aluminum plasma
Get PDFOptimization of a laser produced plasma (LPP) X-ray source has been performed by analyzing K-shell
emission spectra of Al plasma at a laser intensity of 1013-1014 W/cm2. The effect of varying the laser intensity on the emissivity of the K-shell resonance lines is studied and found to follow a power law, E α I α with α=2.2, 2.3, 2.4 for Heβ, Heγ, Heδ respectively. The emission of these resonance lines has been found to be heavily anisotropic. A Python language based code has been developed to generate an intensity profile of K-shell spectral lines from the raw data. In theoretical calculations, the temperature is
estimated by taking the ratio of the Li-like satellite (1s2 2p-1s2p3p) and the Heβ (1s2
-1s3p) resonance line and the ratio of the He-like satellite (1s2p-2p2 ) and the Lyα (1s-2p) resonance line. To determine the plasma density, stark broadening of the Lyβ spectral line is used. Simulation was carried out using the FLYCHK code to generate a synthetic emission spectrum. The results obtained by FLYCHK are Te=160 eV, Th=1 keV, f=0.008, ne=5 x 1020 cm-3 and the analytical model resulted Te=260-419 eV and ne=3x1020
cm-3
Using risk sharing contracts for supply chain risk mitigation: A buyer-supplier power and dependence perspective
Get PDFThe paper aims to understand buyer-supplier power and dependence scenarios following a risk sharing contract. The study develops a supply chain risk sharing contract to mitigate demand uncertainty and price volatility related risks in a globalised business environment. An integer programming model is developed and analysed following an automotive case study to generate insights into buyer-supplier relationships. Multiple buyer-supplier power and dependence scenarios are considered to reflect the possible leverages involved in the decision-making. The situational strength evaluated through buyer-supplier power and dependence illuminates the inherent complexity in contract negotiation. Thus there is an evident need to develop risk sharing contracts for mitigating global risks. The developed relationship framework and risk sharing contract model are expected to help SC managers in better understanding behavioural aspects during contract negotiations. The risk sharing contract model proposed here also contributes to a potentially novel perspective on existing theory in buyer-supplier power and dependence by providing a relational perspective on the dynamics of supply chain design and collaboration
Barriers to the Development and Progress of Entrepreneurship in Rural Pakistan
No full textPurpose:
Focussing on entrepreneurs’ experiences inhibiting them from launching a business – at the micro level – the purpose of this paper is to identify issues that limit rural entrepreneurship in Pakistan and also, to identify the cultural, social, economic and religious traditions and settings that discourage entrepreneurship thus hindering economic development
Design/methodology/approach:
An ethnographic approach was used to obtain a picture of current problems and perspectives of rural inhabitants. Members of 84 families were interviewed.
Findings:
Religious, socioeconomic and structural forces play a significant role in suppressing social and cultural capital in rural areas of Pakistan, explaining the low level of entrepreneurship in these areas. Social and cultural capital requires a certain socioeconomic context for entrepreneurship to thrive.
Originality/value:
This study examines the determinants of very low levels of entrepreneurship in rural settings in the agro-based regions of interior Sindh, Pakistan; this contributes to the gap of understanding the context of rural entrepreneurs in agro-based economies. This study makes recommendations for policy makers to promote entrepreneurship in such areas
Pressure measurement based on multi-waves fusion algorithm
No full textMeasuring the pressure of a pressure vessel accurately is one of fundamental requirements of the operation of many complex engineering systems. Ultrasonic technique has been proposed to be a good alteration of non-intrusive measurement. Based on the study of acoustoelastic effect and thin-shell theory, it has been identified that the travel-time changes of the critically refracted longitudinal wave (LCR wave) and other reflected longitudinal waves are all proportional to the inner pressure. Considering the information redundancy in these waves, we proposed an approach for pressure measurement by using the information fusion algorithm on multiple reflected longitudinal waves. In the paper, we discussed the fusion algorithm in details and proposed a pressure measurement model, which represents an accurate relationship between the pressure and the travel-time changes of multiple waves. Through the experiment, the analysis of data collected from experiment system showed that the pressure measurement based on the multi-wave model is notably more accurate than the one based on the single-wave model (the average relative error (ARE) can be less than 7.24% and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) can be lower than 0.3MPa)
Region prioritization for the development carbon capture and utilization technologies
No full textIn recent years several strategies have been developed and adopted to reduce the levels of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions emitted to the atmosphere. The adoption of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies may contribute towards carbon sequestration as well as to the creation of high value products. This study presents a methodology to assess the potential of CO2utilization across Europe, and to identify the European regions with the greater potential to deploy nine selected carbon dioxide utilization technologies. The results show that Germany, UK and France at the first level followed by Spain, Italy and Poland are the countries where the larger quantities of available CO2 could be found but also where the majority of the potential receiving processes are located, and therefore with the greatest potential for CO2 utilization. The study has also revealed several specific regions where reuse schemes based on CO2 could be developed both in Central Europe (Dusseldorf and Cologne – Germany, Antwerp Province and East Flanders –Belgium and Śląskie – Poland) and in Scandinavia (Etelä-Suomi and Helsinki-Uusimaa –Finland). Finally, among all the selected technologies, concrete curing and horticulture production are the technologies with the higher potential for CO2 utilization in Europe
Areal surface texture data extraction from x-ray computed tomography reconstructions of metal additively manufactured parts
No full textMany applications that exploit the manufacturing flexibility of additive manufacturing (AM) produce surfaces, primarily internal features, which cannot be measured using conventional contact or line-of-sight optical methods. This paper evaluates the capability of a novel technique to extract areal surface data from micro-focus x-ray computed tomography (XCT) from AM components and then generate surface parameter data per ISO 25178-2. This non-destructive evaluation of internal features has potential advantages during AM product research and commercial production. The data extracted from XCT is compared with data extracted using a focus variation instrument. A reference dimensional artefact is included in all XCT measurements to evaluate XCT surface determination performance and dimensional scaling accuracy. Selected areal parameters generated using the extraction technique are compared, including Sa, for which the nominal difference between the value obtained using XCT and used the focus variation method was less than 2.5%
Family law update: current issues in proprietary estoppel - Part 2
No full textNatalie Gibson and Rebecca Kelly comment on (1) Davies (2) Davies v Davies [2016] EWCA Civ 463 and the doctrine of proprietary estoppel relating to parents and their daughte
3D Visual Tracking of an Articulated Robot in Precision Automated Tasks
No full textAbstract: The most compelling requirements for visual tracking systems are a high detection accuracy and an adequate processing speed. However, the combination between the two requirements in real world applications is very challenging due to the fact that more accurate tracking tasks often require longer processing times, while quicker responses for the tracking system are more prone to errors, therefore a trade-off between accuracy and speed, and vice versa is required. This paper aims to achieve the two requirements together by implementing an accurate and time efficient tracking system. In this paper, an eye-to-hand visual system that has the ability to automatically track a moving target is introduced. An enhanced Circular Hough Transform (CHT) is employed for estimating the trajectory of a spherical target in three dimensions, the colour feature of the target was
carefully selected by using a new colour selection process, the process relies on the use of a colour segmentation method (Delta E) with the CHT algorithm for finding the proper colour of the tracked target, the target was attached to the six degree of freedom (DOF) robot end-effector that performs a pick-and-place task. A cooperation of two Eye-to Hand cameras with their image Averaging filters are used for obtaining clear and steady images. This paper also examines a new technique for generating and controlling the observation search window in order to increase the computational speed of the tracking system, the techniques is named Controllable Region of interest based on Circular Hough
Transform (CRCHT). Moreover, a new mathematical formula is introduced for updating the depth
information of the vision system during the object tracking process. For more reliable and accurate tracking, a simplex optimization technique was employed for the calculation of the parameters for camera to robotic transformation matrix. The results obtained show the applicability of the proposed approach to track the moving robot with an overall tracking error of 0.25 mm. Also, the effectiveness of CRCHT technique in saving up to 60% of the overall time required for image processing
Humanitarian nursing with Médecins Sans Frontières: The dream job
No full textAim: This original oral history research explores the motivation for and experience of
humanitarian nursing. In doing so it demonstrates nursing’s role in relief work and offers a unique record of such remarkable nursing contributions in the late 20th and early 21st century. The formation of modern nursing is often associated with times of conflict, such as the Crimea and other wars, where nurses were drawn to offer
their services: this research adds to our understanding of the continuing attraction of
such work and its place in nursing history and practice.
Methods: Following ethical approval oral histories were recorded with 7 nurses, who
worked for Médecins Sans Frontières during this period. Analysis used the Listening Guide, a feminist approach employing four related readings of the data.
Results: The histories locate their extraordinary experiences within their life story and
identity as nurses: Escapism and moral outrage, combined with a love of travel and thirst for adventure, influenced their decision to becoming a Médecins Sans Frontières nurse. Once on a mission their narrative captures the contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary: familiar routine experiences side by side with
mortal danger. Returning to normal life required resilience and a reappraisal of their life story in order to locate their experiences and find meaning and peace in their post-mission world. An overarching theme of ‘dreams’ includes romance, nightmares and impossible dreams.
Conclusion: At a time of debate and challenge regarding the role and identity of nursing within society, this research records and analyses the oral histories of nurses working with Médecins Sans Frontières at this time
Disabled children’s childhood studies and leadership as experts by experience: learning activism in health and social care education
No full textPeople involved in disabled children’s childhood studies, and others who contribute their experience of using health and social care services, strongly object to being seen by professionals as ‘the problem’. In contrast Experts by Experience involved in a leadership project used strategies of mutual support towards change. We see learning activism as core to a professional practice that is also about change and explore critical pedagogy for students to directly experience such collaborative ways of working. The chapter begins and ends with reflections by the authors on sharing their personal and political concerns as part of collaborative learning encouraged by the opportunities to join and support the voices of disabled children and their families
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