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Optimization of fibre orientation for composite reinforcement of circular hollow section KT-joints
No full textPurpose
Composite materials are effective alternatives for rehabilitating critical members of offshore platforms, bridges, and other structures. The structural response of composite reinforcement greatly depends on the orientation of fibres in the composite material. Joints are the most critical part of tubular structures. Various existing studies have identified optimal reinforcement orientations for a single load component, but none has addressed the combined load case, even though most practical loads are multiplanar.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the optimal orientation of composite reinforcement for reducing stress concentration factors (SCF) of tubular KT-joints. The joint reinforcement was modelled and simulated using ANSYS. A parametric study was carried out to determine the effect of the orientations of reinforcement in the interface region on SCF at every 15° offset along the weld toe using linear extrapolation of principal stresses. The impact of orientation for uniplanar and multiplanar loads was investigated, and a general result about optimum orientation was inferred.
Findings
It was found that the maximum decrease of SCF is achieved by orienting the fibres of composite reinforcement along the maximum SCF. Notably, the optimal direction for any load configuration was consistently orthogonal to the weld toe of the chord-brace interface. As such, unidirectional composites wrapped around the brace axis, covering both sides of the brace-chord interface, are most effective for SCF reduction.
Originality/value
The findings of this study are crucial for adequate reinforcement of tubular joints using composites, offering a broader and universally applicable optimum orient
Factors influencing the extent of waste management on construction sites
No full textThe adoption of net-zero carbon goals and the increasing calls for sustainable management of waste, has resulted in construction companies developing diverse sustainable practices towards the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste from construction projects. Several factors influence the nature and adoption of such practices, and consequently the extent of sustainable waste management on site. Adopting a multiple case study approach involving 9 live projects, this research investigates the factors influencing the extent of waste management practices on sites through interviews, documentary analysis and observations. The study provides new evidence to suggest that, irrespective of the drivers of waste management, factors such as: site space, approach of senior management towards waste; early involvement of contractors in the design process; incentives for site teams; identification of alternative use of materials; attitude of site teams; level of waste management education; level of planning at the front-end; type of technology adopted; and complexity of design forms are important determinants of waste management on projects. Whilst some of these factors are shaped by organisational policy, the vast majority are project specific in nature. This indicates that construction companies must be flexible and focus on empowering site teams to develop effective project specific strategie
Square Dancing in Contemporary Urban China
No full textChinese square dance is an activity with distinct Chinese characteristics and typical Chinese elements, which is very popular among middle-aged and elderly people in China and usually takes place in public and open spaces in contemporary urban. This research aims to focus on an interdisciplinary investigation that aims to provide new insights into the square-dancing phenomenon in contemporary China, including exploring the characteristics of the dancing community, the body in dance, and defining the role of square dancing in contemporary urban China. This study obtained effective data through the qualitative research method combining off-site documentary research, on-site observation of multiple square-dancing teams and semi-structured interviews with dancers and audiences. The result delves into the origins of square dancing, focusing on its emergence as a form of collective activity among dama groups. It particularly examines the dynamics of dancing communities and their interactions with neighbourhood relationships, emotional connections, and political influences. Additionally, a notable finding is that square dancing serves not only as a means of fostering nationalist ideology and patriotic sentiment but also as a vehicle for transmitting and contextualising national values. Moreover, square dancing reflects an extreme shift in female body aesthetics during Mao Zedong’s revolution of femininity erasure and in a contemporary society characterised by brightly coloured patterns and flowers. Finally, this research discusses the definition of a square as a semantic expression of the location of square-dance activities, one that is floating and intangible. Overall, the study provides new knowledge in the interdisciplinary study of the phenomenon of square dancing and contributes to the inspiration and motivation of policymakers, cultural researchers, urban planners, landscape architects and other communities
The relationship between urban form and land-use regulation in China: the case of Nanjing
No full textUrban form is shaped by numerous factors interacting across various social strata, notably influenced by the dynamics of economic development and urban policy. Urban planning policies related to land use play a vital role in the change and management of urban form. In this context, this study examines the influence of land use regulations on urban form in China, using Nanjing as a case study. We investigate relevant urban planning policies at national, provincial, and local city planning administration levels. Depending on their impact on urban form, these policies can be classified as having a direct impact, an indirect influence or no effect, predominantly encompassing mandatory land use conditions, building layout and guiding principles for urban landscape organization. Focusing on land use regulations at the street- block and plot scale, we established a morphological model adhering to these regulations and a correlation evaluation chart. This correlation was validated using 142 plots and 5 street blocks in Nanjing’s historical city centre. Our findings reveal the implications of these policies on the specific physical structure of the urban form through theoretical and empirical analysis. This research significantly contributes to the method of morphological modelling and the revision of relevant urban policy and design specifications
Evolving radiographic practice: Identifying possible skill requirements for future radiographers practicing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
No full textAim
This study aims to identify the prospective skill requirements for future radiographers practising in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Such information will inform educational institutions, healthcare organisations, and policymakers in developing effective strategies.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving currently practising radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, sonographers, and radiation therapists in the UAE (n =74). A comprehensive survey questionnaire was developed and validated through piloting and expert consultations. Ethical approval was obtained, and data were collected through purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Chi-square tests, and factor analysis were employed in the data analysis.
Results
The results showed that 73%, 47.3%, 43.2%, 40.5%, 39.2%, 33.8% interested in radiology safety, image interpretation, interprofessional and interpersonal skills, research and managerial skills, Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) administration and AI (Artificial Intelligence) and, clinical supervision and assessment, respectively. The factor analysis showed four factors factor considered for CPD training are training settings (15.12), training topics (1.88), CPD credits (1.72) and, presenter and expenses (1.49).
Conclusion
This study sheds light on the CPD requirements and aspirations of radiographers in the UAE, offering insights into their preferences and challenges. These findings can inform strategies for improving CPD opportunities and ensuring that radiographers are equipped to meet the evolving healthcare demands in the UAE, including performing enhanced practice.
Implications for practice
Development of flexible and comprehensive CPD programmes tailored to radiographers' career interests is required. Employers should provide financial support and flexibility in training options. Regulatory bodies should continue to mandate CPD, fostering a culture of lifelong learning. Supportive work environments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technological fluency are crucial. Emphasising patient-centred care, research opportunities, and continuous assessment further enhances radiography practice
Reflections on blending garment analysis with wardrobe interviews
No full textThis article presents my reflections on a method that attempts to bridge a methodological divide in fashion studies by blending garment analysis and wardrobe interviews. In doing so it presents the ways in which we can consider evidence from the subject, the object and the subject–object assemblage. Garment analysis is a method rooted in dress history and fashion curation, whereas wardrobe interviews grew out of anthropology and sociology. While wardrobe interviews do to some extent offset the preference for language in interviews, what is miss- ing was a systematic way of encouraging a deeper engagement with that garment. Interview techniques can provoke the wearers or owners of clothes to narrate their garments. With one method we consider the object, the other method the subject. My research gathers evidence from both the subject and the object by blending garment analysis with wardrobe interviews to uncover the meanings entangled in objects and memories, to interrogate what we can consider evidence from the subject, the object and the subject–object assemblage. My study explores how this methodological pluralism can allow movement between material, semiotic and affective interpretations of garments. I conclude by emphasizing the importance of both the physical garment and the embodied experience of wearing to fashion research and argue that ‘turns’ in the discipline should instead be considered as expansions that allow the coexistence of multiple approaches
Does firm-level political risk influence earnings management?
No full textThis study diverges from mixed findings in the literature on political uncertainty and earnings management by reporting a significant positive association between the firm-level political risk (FLPR) measure proposed by Hassan et al. (Q J Econ 134(4):2135–2202, 2019) and both accrual-based and real earnings management. This aligns with the predictions of agency theory and the political cost hypothesis, indicating that firms exposed to higher political risk are more prone to heightened earnings manipulation. Additionally, we find that in the face of increased political risk, firms tend to substitute accrual-based earnings management with real earnings management, which is relatively harder to detect. This study further identifies a non-linear ‘U’-shaped association between FLPR and both accrual-based and real earnings management, suggesting significant manipulation at both low and high political risk levels, with the least manipulation at a moderate level. This non-linear association is primarily observed in firms that are smaller in size, pay lower abnormal compensation to their CEOs and are less likely to be monitored by lenders. Thus, emphasising the role of external monitoring mechanisms in driving the non-linear association between FLPR and earnings management
Implementation of antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ghana using the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy
No full textWhy are socioeconomic health inequalities unacceptable? Studying the influence of explanatory framings on cognitive appraisals
No full textStudies of aversion to health inequality have found that this is often greater when health outcomes are presented as varying with socioeconomic conditions. We sought to understand better why this is by studying the cognitive appraisals made about health inequality when presented with distinct explanatory framings. Across two pre-registered studies (N = 1321), UK and US participants judged the acceptability of life expectancy differences attributed to distinct framings: income, education, social class, neighborhood, lifestyle choices, and genetics. Health inequality was least acceptable when attributed to the four socioeconomic framings, and most acceptable for lifestyle choices and genetics. Six appraisal dimensions —complexity, malleability, inevitability, and extent driven by biological, psychological, and sociocultural causes—varied with framing and predicted views on health inequality. These dimensions could explain most of the drop in acceptability for health inequality attributed to socioeconomic factors relative to a condition with no framing. This work illustrates for the first time the cognitive appraisals and causal intuitions that link different explanatory framings to views on health inequality. These framings are viewed as least acceptable because they reduce the perceived involvement of biological causes while increasing the perception that sociocultural and psychological factors contribute to health inequality
From pre-owned printers to pristine Porsches - A corpus linguistic analysis of eBay item descriptions
No full textRecent years have seen a considerable increase in e-commerce, with sales forecast to continue rising over the coming years. This study provides a corpus linguistic analysis of item descriptions on eBay’s UK website, on which both members of the public and businesses can offer goods for sale. It is based on two corpora of items sold on the site in 2015 and 2020 which together contain 412,601 item descriptions and over 57 million words of text. The analysis applies corpus linguistic methods to gain further insight into the diachronic development of language use on eBay, to explore linguistic features in item descriptions and across product categories, and to relate word choice to product selling price. Its findings offer new understanding of the changing language of online selling and indicate how a corpus linguistic methodology may be used to explore the impact of linguistic features on sales figures