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Exploring the complexities of black academic life in the UK using Bourdieu’s theory and critical race theory
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThis study examines the experiences of Black academics working in academia in the United Kingdom (UK), drawing on Bourdieu's theory of practice and insights from Critical Race Theory (CRT). It adopts a multilevel analysis of the experience of Black academics in the UK academic settings. The study expands Bourdieu's theory of linguistic capital by illustrating how accents, typically a disadvantage for migrants, can serve as an advantage for Black academics in the UK. At the meso level, group interactions are examined using Bourdieu’s theory of symbolic violence, focusing on how privilege is perceived and perpetuated through linguistic violence. At the micro level, the concepts of agency and symbolic violence are applied to analyse the dynamics and interactions among Black academics. Meanwhile, at the macro level, structural and institutional trends are explored through Bourdieu’s theory of fields. Critical Race Theory (CRT) addresses and analyses racial and structural barriers.
This thesis makes an original contribution by extending the theoretical understanding of the root causes, mechanisms, and struggles surrounding Black underrepresentation in UK academia. Through twenty-six interviews with Black UK academics, the research highlights the enduring impact of structural racism and systemic barriers while also addressing the role of fragmented networks and subtle forms of symbolic violence within academic institutions. Migratory differences in attitudes toward geographic mobility, particularly migration from the UK to US academia, further illuminate how Black scholars navigate these barriers. Participants' narratives underscore the impact of structural injustices, including fragmented networks, and the subtle yet pervasive nature of symbolic violence within academic and institutional settings in the UK. The findings underscore the importance of transformative, systemic change to dismantle institutional biases and foster inclusive academic environments that empower Black scholars. By intertwining Bourdieu’s theoretical framework with CRT, this study advances both fields, offering a nuanced understanding of race, academia, and social justice
Effect of heat treatment on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of eutectic Al-6Mg<inf>2</inf>Si alloy processed by laser powder bed fusion
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Data will be made available on request.It is critical to tailor specific schemes of heat treatment for alloys manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) according to their typical microstructural characteristics. In this study, systematic investigation was carried out to understand the influence of direct ageing (DA), annealing treatment (AT), and solution ageing treatment (SAT) on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of a L-PBFed Al-6Mg2Si alloy. The results demonstrated that the hierarchical microstructure of the L-PBFed Al-6Mg2Si alloy mainly consists of fine α-Al grains, Al/Mg2Si eutectic cellular structures, solute atoms, and high-density dislocations, providing yield strength (YS) of 363 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 436 MPa, and elongation (El) of 9.3 %. Under DA condition, the Al/Mg2Si cellular structure was preserved, promoting the precipitation of fine β'′ precipitates. The DA sample exhibited significant improvements (compared to L-PBFed sample) in mechanical properties, with YS, UTS, and El of 420 MPa, 496 MPa, and 9.5 %, respectively. In contrast, the eutectic Al/Mg2Si cellular structure was completely disappeared and subsequently transformed to coarsened Mg2Si particles after AT and SAT, resulting in decrease in strength. Direct ageing is a suitable heat treatment process to acquire a good strength-ductility synergy of the L-PBFed Al-Mg2Si alloy.Financial support from National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52071343) and Leading Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team of Zhejiang Province – Automotive Light Alloy Innovation Team (2022R01018) are gratefully acknowledged
Ten Years of the Hybrid Simulation Track: Reflections and Vision for the Future
Get PDFThe Hybrid Simulation (HS) track was included in the Winter Simulation Conference (WSC) proceedings as a full conference track for the first time in 2014. A decade has passed since that inaugural track, and HS research and practice has seen impressive advancements during this time. This paper, based on a high-level review of the published works in the last ten years of the HS track, reflects on its successes and challenges and sets the scene for the future of the field. The paper is authored by the HS track organizers, both past and present, who report on the track's history, the nature of HS applications, the modeling tools and software available, as well as implementation challenges and the users' perspective. Finally, the paper discusses the future of HS
Knowledge Distillation-Enhanced Behavior Transformer for Decision-Making of Autonomous Driving
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The data presented in this study are available upon request from the corresponding author.Autonomous driving has demonstrated impressive driving capabilities, with behavior decision-making playing a crucial role as a bridge between perception and control. Imitation Learning (IL) and Reinforcement Learning (RL) have introduced innovative approaches to behavior decision-making in autonomous driving, but challenges remain. On one hand, RL’s policy networks often lack sufficient reasoning ability to make optimal decisions in highly complex and stochastic environments. On the other hand, the complexity of these environments leads to low sample efficiency in RL, making it difficult to efficiently learn driving policies. To address these challenges, we propose an innovative Knowledge Distillation-Enhanced Behavior Transformer (KD-BeT) framework. Building on the successful application of Transformers in large language models, we introduce the Behavior Transformer as the policy network in RL, using observation–action history as input for sequential decision-making, thereby leveraging the Transformer’s contextual reasoning capabilities. Using a teacher–student paradigm, we first train a small-capacity teacher model quickly and accurately through IL, then apply knowledge distillation to accelerate RL’s training efficiency and performance. Simulation results demonstrate that KD-BeT maintains fast convergence and high asymptotic performance during training. In the CARLA NoCrash benchmark tests, KD-BeT outperforms other state-of-the-art methods in terms of traffic efficiency and driving safety, offering a novel solution for addressing real-world autonomous driving tasks.This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China under grants 52202495, 52202494, and 52394261; the Science and Technology Development Project of Jilin Province (No. 202302013); and the Open Fund Project of the Key Laboratory of Automotive Power Train and Electronics (Hubei University of Automotive Technology) (ZDK1202402)
The Politics of Visibility in Community-based Conservation: Insights from a Village Forest in West Kalimantan, Indonesia
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The data on which this paper was based is not publicly accessible due to privacy restrictions.Conservation organisations play a key role in portraying rural people and places to external audiences, driven by sectoral, political, and technological developments. While aiming to improve social and ecological outcomes, these policies and practices have been criticised for oversimplifying local realities to make them legible, ultimately exacerbating social inequality. However, critiques of legibility often focus on how conservation represents places to outsiders, neglecting the local power dynamics entangled with these representations. This paper shows how conservationist representations are co-produced by and, to varying extents, become visible to local communities. Through ethnographic engagement with the Manjau Village Forest in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, I elaborate on a political understanding of visibility. The politics of visibility is not just an imposition but the product of collaboration and contestation between local and external actors. As such, critiques of visibility can help illustrate the ambivalent relationships that exist between conservation and local communities, clarifying the micro-political risks and opportunities associated with community-based conservation.This research was generously funded by the Arcus Foundation Great Apes Programme (G-PGM-1607–1886) and Brunel University London
The Unified Thermo-Dynamic Similitude of Solid Continuum and its Aerospace Applications
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Career success: Exploring the relationship between competence and likability as predictors of career success
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThis research examines the interaction between competence and likability as predictors of career success, focusing on the Nigerian context. Competence, which includes skills, knowledge, and job performance, is traditionally seen as essential for early career advancement. However, this study identifies likability, characterised by interpersonal skills, warmth, and relationship-building, as a critical determinant of career progression, especially at senior levels. Despite career development practitioners implicitly highlighting the significance of likability in career strategies, the issue remains underexplored in career studies. Limited research has examined the factors contributing to an individual's likability and its impact on career progression; hence, the relationship between likability and career success remains inadequately explored. The study addresses a gap in the career development literature by examining how these two factors interact to shape career trajectories.
The aim of the study is to investigate how professionals perceive and experience the interaction between competence and likability across various industries, roles, and career stages. The objectives include understanding the relative importance of these determinants in career success, discerning how their influence shifts over time, and recommending strategies for individuals and organisations to leverage both for career progression. A qualitative research design was utilised, employing a multi-method approach that included a critical literature review, frame analysis, and thematic analysis. The research utilises semi-structured interviews with forty-seven (47) professionals from various public and private sector organisations in Nigeria, providing a comprehensive dataset that captures unique experiences, perceptions, and perspectives on career success. Participants were purposively chosen to reflect a variety of industries, career phases, and demographics, offering insights into the socio-cultural factors affecting career outcomes in Nigeria.
The findings indicate a dynamic relationship between competence and likability. Competence is the cornerstone of early career success, with technical expertise and performance being essential. Nonetheless, likability becomes progressively crucial as individuals rise within the corporate hierarchy, affecting their access to leadership positions, promotions, and professional networks. The study emphasises that likability is not an inherent trait but a skill that can be developed through intentional practice, including enhancing communication, empathy, and adaptability. The research reveals systemic biases associated with ethnicity, religion, and gender that affect job advancement. Confronting these biases is crucial for establishing equitable opportunities and promoting inclusive organisational cultures. This study, informed by social constructivism as a philosophical paradigm, expands the theories of impression management and social capital to the realm of career success, providing a refined comprehension of how professionals manage the interaction between technical competence and interpersonal influence.
From a practical standpoint, the research offers pragmatic insights for organisations. It advocates for the incorporation of interpersonal skills training within leadership development programmes, emphasising the equal importance of technical and relational competencies. Organisations are urged to cultivate settings that prioritise both competence and likability, while simultaneously enacting initiatives to alleviate workplace biases. This study’s originality lies in its examination of competence and likability as interdependent factors rather than isolated constructs, presenting a dynamic view on their evolving roles across career stages. Its value extends to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers by providing empirical evidence and actionable recommendations to improve career development practices
Menopausal symptom burden as a predictor of mid- to late-life cognitive function and mild behavioral impairment symptoms: A CAN-PROTECT study
Get PDFData Availability: At this time, the authors do not have ethical or legal permission to share the study data, including de-identified data. The study is still in its early stages, and a data access committee has not yet been established, nor has a data sharing policy been finalized. Upon study completion, the authors will seek legal review and submit an amendment to the ethics board. Addressing data sharing is a priority, contingent on obtaining stable funding for all study activities. While the authors are unable to publicly post the data at this time, they are open to sharing data with qualified investigators for validation purposes. Interested researchers may contact [email protected] to request access to the data.Background:
Recent evidence suggests the experience of menopausal symptoms (i.e., perimenopausal symptoms) may be associated with cognitive and behavioural changes. We investigated these two relationships in a sample of postmenopausal females.
Design:
Cross-sectional observational study.
Setting:
Participant data was collected from the Canadian Platform for Research Online to Investigate Health, Quality of Life, Cognition, Behaviour, Function, and Caregiving in Aging (CAN-PROTECT) study.
Participants:
896 postmenopausal female participants.
Methods:
Menopausal symptom burden was operationalized by summing the total number of recalled perimenopausal symptoms experienced. Cognitive function was measured using the Everyday Cognition (ECog-II) Scale, with higher scores reflecting greater severity. Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI) was measured using the Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist (MBI-C), with higher scores reflecting greater severity. A negative-binomial regression model examined the relationship between menopausal symptom burden and cognitive function, while a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model examined the relationship between menopausal symptom burden and MBI symptoms. Models adjusted for age, years of education, age of menopausal onset, type of menopause, and hormone therapy (HT). Age of menopausal onset and use of HT in the two associations were investigated with moderation analyses.
Results:
Greater menopausal symptom burden was associated with higher ECog-II total scores (b [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 5.37 [2.85, 7.97]) and higher MBI-C total scores (b [95% CI] = 6.09 [2.50, 9.80]). Use of HT did not significantly associate with ECog-II total scores (b [95% CI] = -10.98 [-25.33, 6.35]), however, HT was significantly associated with lower MBI-C total scores (b [95% CI] = -26.90 [-43.35, -5.67]).
Conclusions:
Menopausal symptom burden is associated with poorer cognitive function and more MBI symptoms in mid- to late life. HT may help mitigate symptoms of MBI. These findings suggest that the experience of menopause may indicate susceptibility to cognitive and behavioural changes, both markers of dementia.CAN-PROTECT has been supported by Gordie Howe CARES (https://www.gordiehowecares.com/) and the Evans Family fund via the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (https://hbi.ucalgary.ca/) at the University of Calgary. ZI is supported by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/biomedicalresearchcentre/)
Effectiveness of Ghana’s COVID-19 policy responses and lessons learnt for the future: A multi-methods evaluation
Get PDFThis preprint reports new research that has not been certified by peer review and should not be used to guide clinical practiceGhana implemented various mitigating policies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This study examined the effectiveness of these policies to contribute to the ongoing discussions on proactive and pre-emptive interventions for similar future outbreaks.
A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the analysis. Data were drawn from multiple sources, including peer-reviewed and grey literature, and academic experts from Ghanaian universities. The data from the literature informed a questionnaire that was sent to independent academic experts to explore their opinions on whether the policies met their intended objectives. The experts’ opinions were collected on a 5-point Likert scale and from an open-ended question using an online data collection platform, Qualtrics. The data were evaluated using narrative synthesis, descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
We identified and evaluated eight key COVID-19 policy responses in Ghana: (1) partial lockdown of epicentres; (2) COVID-19 public awareness campaigns; (3) ban on public gatherings; (4) COVID-19 vaccination; (5) border closures; (6) entry border COVID-19 screening; (7) incentives for healthcare workers (HCWs); and (8) the Ghana Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support (GCARES). Two policies - the COVID-19 awareness campaigns and border closure - effectively improved public awareness of COVID-19 and helped to reduce COVID-19 case importation (median score ≥4).
Ghana’s COVID-19 public awareness campaigns and border closure policies could serve as a valuable model for informing proactive interventions to address future infectious disease outbreaks.The authors received no specific funding for this work
Experimental investigation for enhancing the performance of hydrogen direct injection compared to gasoline in spark ignition engine through valve timings and overlap optimization
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No data was used for the research described in the article.Recent advances in hydrogen internal combustion technologies highlight its potential for high efficiency and zero carbon emissions, offering a promising alternative to fossil fuels. This paper investigates the effects of valve timings and overlaps on engine performance, combustion characteristics, and emissions in a boosted direct-injection single-cylinder spark ignition engine using both gasoline and hydrogen. Optimized direct hydrogen injection effectively eliminates backfires and hydrogen slip during positive cam overlaps, significantly reducing the pumping mean effective pressure. The study’s primary finding demonstrates the potential of hydrogen to operate as a direct substitute for a gasoline engine without necessitating changes to the cam profiles at the high load operation. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that hydrogen leads to much higher thermal efficiencies across a wider range of engine loads when operated at a lean, air-to-fuel ratio of 2.75. The engine operating with such a lean-burn hydrogen mixture keeps the engine-out NOx emission at ultra-low levels. Compared to gasoline, hydrogen exhibits greater stability and a reduced reliance on camshaft timing during engine operation
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