30793 research outputs found
Sort by
Inkjet-printed graphene oxide memory cells on paper for flexible electronics
Get PDFArticle highlights:
• Reduced Graphene oxide memory devices were fabricated using an inkjet printing technology; potential to make 3- dimensional (3D) Memory.
• Silver and reduced graphene oxide printed patterns are uniform, continuous and display an excellent surface coverage.
• Reduced Graphene oxide based printed devices exhibit a bipolar switching with on/off ratio of 3 order of magnitude.Data availability:
The corresponding author can provide data sets generated during the current study upon reasonable request.A number of two-dimensional (2D) materials have been explored for various applications, from electronic transistors to energy generation and storage. In this work, we explored the possibility of using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in emerging two terminal memory devices using a printing technique. The fabricated memory devices were analysed using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and in-depth electrical measurements. We experimentally demonstrated that rGO memory devices fabricated via inkjet printing exhibit bipolar switching without the required electroforming step, with an on/off ratio of 3 orders of magnitude. The inkjet-printed approach allows for the layering of memory devices on each other, leading to an increase in information storage density.We acknowledge funding from The Royal Society IES\R3\203157—International Exchanges 2020; The Royal Society SIF\R2\2320002—Royal Society Short Industry Fellowships and Higher Education Innovation Fund (HE00.11 & HE.0042.04) De Montfort University
Optimising the thicknesses of porous transport layers of a PEM fuel cell
Get PDFThis work presents a three-dimensional numerical study on the impact of geometrical parameters of the porous transport layers of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) on its overall performance using ANSYS Fluent, with the overall current density as the key performance indicator under typical operating voltages of an automotive PEMFC, meanwhile maintaining proper two-phase water transport throughout the transport layers on both electrodes. The coupled charge, mass, momentum, species and energy conservation equations with source terms due to electrochemical reactions and phase change among different phases of water were solved to obtain a steady-state solution, typically using over 1.5 million meshes for the fuel cell, with each transport layer “resolved” in the height direction measuring the layer thickness. The modelling approach is validated against the measured polarisation profile of a PEMFC. Optimising the thicknesses h’s of the porous transport layers is the focus of this study. Without changing other characteristics of these porous media, it would naturally be the first step to optimise the configuration of a fuel cell, which requires the least monetary and knowledge investment but potentially leads to substantial performance improvement, especially if the volume of the fuel cell can be reduced, which is important for automotive applications. Although past numerical studies that usually focused on one transport layer have offered valuable insights into optimising a fuel cell’s configutration to achieve optimal performance, it will be necessary to investigate a fuel cell as an integrated entity when performance optimisation is the objective, since realistic boundary conditions for all porous transport layers are determined in real time rather than assumed. Via an iterative approach, the present study has attempted to optimise the thicknesses of all porous transport layers of a single fuel cell. Optimal performance of the PEMFC was achieved with a reduction of its volume by 5.1%.The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article
Storytelling in Travel Vlogs: Scale Development, Validation, and Application
Get PDFTravel vlogs are inherently storytelling-centric videos. However, the ways in which travel vloggers can craft engaging stories and whether their storytelling effectively influences audiences’ travel decision-making have not been fully explored. To address this gap, this research developed a scale for measuring storytelling in travel vlogs using a three-phase exploratory sequential design. In Study 1, key storytelling elements in travel vlogs were identified through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 38 vloggers and audience members. In Studies 2 and 3, these elements were examined through exploratory factor analysis (n = 314) and confirmatory composite analysis (n = 544), resulting in the establishment of a 29-item scale across eight factors. Grounded in the Stimulus-Response theory, this scale effectively predicts audiences’ perceived destination image and destination visit intention. Practically, this research offers a comprehensive toolkit for travel vloggers on effective storytelling and provides destination marketers with actionable recommendations on leveraging travel vlog storytelling in destination promotion.The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article
State of the evidence on the impacts of fishing plastic waste to coastal communities: protocol for a Systematic Evidence Map
Get PDFData sharing
The interactive Tableau dashboards will be hosted on Tableau Public a free online platform to share interactive visualisations of public data. The underpinning database will also be made publicly available as supplementary material to an open access peer-reviewed scientific article as an Excel file.Supplemental material is available online at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2833373X.2025.2554973# .Background:
Fishing plastic waste (FPW) is known to cause multidimensional impacts to coastal communities globally. Detailed information on the environmental, socioeconomic and technical dimensions of effects to coastal communities caused by FPW has yet to be collated and considered in one place.
Methods:
The main aim of this study is to identify, organise and group existing primary evidence of the environmental, social, economic, political, and technical impacts of FPW on coastal communities and identify gaps in our knowledge about which types of FPW are most problematic.
Search Strategy:
We will search several databases across four electronic academic indexes (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and EBSCOhost [Business Source Complete, CINAHL Plus, EconLit, GreenFile, and Humanities International Index]).
Eligibility Criteria:
Eligible studies must contain primary research investigating an environmental, social, economic, political, or technical impact of fragments of any size of plastic polymers (macro-, micro-, or nano-) originating from fishing equipment (i.e., capture and ancillary) that has been abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded in the marine environment, affecting any defined human or non-human (vertebrates, invertebrates, micro-organisms) individual, group or assemblage of individuals, relying on coastal and ocean resources. Environmental impacts include physical and physiological effects to biotic and abiotic elements of marine ecosystems. Social impacts include impacts to community health and wellbeing. Economic impacts include impacts to livelihood and trade. Political impacts include responses from local or regional governments to address FPW. Technical impacts include effects to techniques employed by fisherfolk or to the management of FPW at the local level.
Screening & Extraction:
Our search was optimised on Cadima. Articles will be screened at title and abstract, before a full-text review. All articles will be screened by a single reviewer, with two additional reviewers assessing articles for consistency. One out of ten articles will be screened by two additional reviewers in duplicate as a quality control. Data extraction will be performed on all articles included at full text, and articles that do not meet the eligibility criteria will be excluded. All articles excluded at full text will be confirmed by the two additional reviewers.
Study Mapping & Reporting:
Results will be published in a narrative summary and visualised in a publicly available, user-friendly, interactive and interrogable evidence map on Tableau.This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Doctoral Training Partnership grant Partnership grant [NE/S007229/1]
Students’ and graduates’ perspectives on skill development in higher education
Get PDFThe transition from higher education to employment is increasingly competitive, requiring graduates to possess more than academic qualifications. This study explores UK students’ and graduates’ perspectives on skill development within higher education institutions. Through semi-structured interviews with 10 students and 7 employed graduates, thematic analysis identified key themes regarding skill acquisition, employability challenges, and institutional support. Students highlighted difficulties in recognising and transferring soft skills such as communication and time management, often citing a lack of explicit teaching methods and practical application opportunities. Work placements and extracurricular activities emerged as vital for developing workplace readiness, yet accessibility and engagement varied. Graduates reflected on the disconnect between university education and workplace expectations, emphasising the importance of independent learning and industry-specific training. Career services, networking opportunities, and employer engagement were perceived as beneficial but underutilised. The study underscores the necessity for higher education institutions to enhance skill integration within curricula, increase awareness of employability resources, and foster stronger links between academia and industry. By addressing these gaps, institutions can better prepare students for the evolving demands of the labour market.The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article
System-wide assessment of plastic pollution in Indonesia: External stakeholder mapping
No full textSupplementary Information is available online at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10669-025-10059-6#Sec17 .A preprint version of the article is available online at Research Square (https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6264128/v1) licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. It has not been certified by peer review.Recent global initiatives, such as the Global Plastics Treaty, highlight the urgency for a systems-based approach to address the risks associated with plastic pollution. However, the implementation of such initiatives is often hindered by the absence of clear criteria for what constitutes a systemic approach and who is included within it. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of external stakeholders, those who are not directly engaged in the physical flow of plastics, contrasted with internal stakeholders, who play direct roles in the physical production, consumption and waste generation and management. While internal stakeholders have traditionally received increased attention in value chain studies, external stakeholders remain largely overlooked. To address this gap, this research introduces a novel approach, embedded in the systems-based method, called Complex Value Optimisation for Resource Recovery (CVORR), to identify, map and categorise external stakeholders in the plastics value chain in Banyuwangi, Indonesia, based on organisation type, activities, and interest. The study reveals a complex system of 111 external stakeholders consolidated into 11 groups that are engaged across various operational stages and spatial levels. By integrating stakeholder theory and analytical tools such as the Mendelow matrix, the study uncovers underlying power dynamics and significant lock-ins that arise where the emphasis on downstream waste management overshadows preventive upstream measures. The findings highlight the importance of fostering communication and collaboration among stakeholders and creating partnerships within and across stakeholder groups to drive systemic change. Engaging effectively throughout the plastics value chain can pave the way for tailored solutions to local challenges, thereby enhancing sustainability and facilitating alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. Ultimately, this study advocates for coordinated efforts, ensuring that policy interventions and local actions support a comprehensive, circular approach to effective plastics management.The research was financially supported by the PISCES research project and partnership programme (NE/V006428/1)
Correction of misalignment errors in the magnetic gradient tensor measurement system and its application in localization
Get PDFThe magnetic gradient tensor measurement system (MGTMS) is critical for detecting and localizing ferromagnetic targets. However, its localization accuracy is closely linked to measurement precision, which is often compromised by sensor misalignment errors. To mitigate these errors, this study proposes a practical calibration method using a standard magnetic source, achieving effective misalignment correction with minimal system alteration. The proposed method is validated through both simulations and localization experiments. Simulation results indicate that the root mean square error (RMSE) of the calibrated tensor values is reduced by three orders of magnitude compared to the uncalibrated state. Experimental results further demonstrate that the average localization error decreases from 0.040 m to 0.019 m after calibration, corresponding to a 52.5% improvement in positioning accuracy. These results highlight the potential of improving the accuracy of MGTMS-based target localization in practical applications
Zinc and Copper Have the Greatest Relative Importance for River Macroinvertebrate Richness at a National Scale
Get PDFSupporting Information: The Supporting Information is available free of charge at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acs.est.4c06849/suppl_file/es4c06849_si_001.pdf (1.08 MB). Information about the data set, additional statistical methodological details, uncertainty, and rationale of the methods; number of the tested environmental variables’ observations and the percentage of the missing values; overall changes in family richness; ranking variable importance by different wastewater levels; results from the GAMM model; chemical concentration trends in northern England, and the geographic distribution of Zn and Cu; ranking variable importance excluding northern sites (PDF). erms & Conditions
Most electronic Supporting Information files are available without a subscription to ACS Web Editions. Such files may be downloaded by article for research use (if there is a public use license linked to the relevant article, that license may permit other uses). Permission may be obtained from ACS for other uses through requests via the RightsLink permission system: https://pubs.acs.org/page/copyright/permissions.html .It is important to discover what change led to the improvement in European macroinvertebrate biodiversity in the period from 1990−2000s and what prevents further desirable gains from taking place today. A 30-year data set from 1,457 macroinvertebrate monitoring sites spread across England, with 65,032 discrete observations was combined with 41 chemical, physical, habitat, and geographic variables. This data set was analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effect models and generalized additive mixed models. To include all combinations of the variables required to address each question, required over 20,000 model runs. It was found that no variables were more consistently and strongly associated with the overall family richness than Zn and Cu. Zn and Cu led both for the era of large gains in richness up to 2005 and also in the later period of 2006–2018 when few further gains were made.This work was supported by NERC under grant NE/S000100/1 for the ChemPop project, with additional support from Defra for project 30120 (RDE070)
Personalized Email Marketing with Agentic AI
Get PDFThis study presents an LLM-driven multi-agent framework designed to enhance email marketing effectiveness through Agentic AI-based personalization. The framework integrates specialized autonomous agents that generate, engage, and evaluate by generating marketing emails that specifically cater to the unique traits of different customer personas that are profiled through segmentation. LLM-powered persona modeling is used to simulate engagement responses and predict performance indicators as KPI indicators (open rates and click-through rates and conversion rates). Unlike traditional A/B testing, the LLM-driven engagement scoring model can enable pre-deployment optimization by estimating email effectiveness through persona-based simulations. Experimental results demonstrate that AI-personalized emails consistently outperform their non-personalized counter-parts. The study reveals how Agentic AI provides promising opportunities for email marketing advancements and LLM-driven engagement modeling in transforming scalable, data-driven email marketing strategies
A thematic analysis of Lay knowledge and beliefs about dementia among first-generation Black African immigrants from West Africa living in London: Informed by a grounded theory approach
Get PDFAcknowledgments:
The author would like to acknowledge the support of Dr. Wendy Martin, Professor Holly Nelson-Becker, and Professor Meriel Norris for their exceptional guidance and encouragement throughout this study. The author would also like to thank all the respondents who participated in the study. All names used are pseudonyms and do not represent the actual names of the participants.Background:
Many Black Africans live in the UK. More than 850,000 people live with dementia in the UK, and more than 25,000 people with dementia are from Black and minority ethnic groups. The study explores themes of lay knowledge and beliefs about dementia.
Design and Methods:
This study employs a qualitative research design and methods to explore lay knowledge and beliefs about dementia amongst Black African populations living in London. The research is philosophically underpinned by social constructionism and sociological and anthropological lay concepts of health and illness. The researcher interviewed 31 adult respondents, male and female, from the Black African community in London to generate rich data. Participants were first-generation immigrants from West Africa living in London and were mainly carers. Thematic data analysis informed by a grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data.
Results:
The findings show that dementia is a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon. Four key themes with subthemes emerged and were developed: (i) Traditional views, (ii) Disease and illness, (iii) Help-seeking, and (iv) Caregiving and treatment. The group’s understanding of dementia evolved from traditional views to a more medical perspective. This study added witchcraft to the dementia literature on BAME in the UK.
Conclusions:
The study concluded that the group does not lack knowledge of dementia. Their understanding and beliefs about dementia are evolving, and further efforts are needed to enhance awareness through education, training, and outreach to support individuals with dementia and their families within the Black African community.The author received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Open Research Online? Become a CORE Member to access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard! 👇