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Galerkin finite element approximation of a stochastic semilinear fractional wave equation driven by fractionally integrated additive noise
Get PDFWe investigate the application of the Galerkin finite element method to approximate a stochastic semilinear space–time fractional wave equation. The equation is driven by integrated additive noise, and the time fractional order α∈(1, 2). The existence of a unique solution of the problem is proved by using the Banach fixed point theorem, and the spatial and temporal regularities of the solution are established. The noise is approximated with the piecewise constant function in time in order to obtain a stochastic regularized semilinear space–time wave equation which is then approximated using the Galerkin finite element method. The optimal error estimates are proved based on the various smoothing properties of the Mittag–Leffler functions. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the consistency between the theoretical findings and the obtained numerical results
Ink on the tracks: Rock and roll writing
No full textA letter, published in the New Musical Express, complained that that venerable bastion of UK music journalism had lost its way and was not as good as it used to be. That letter was sent in 1953, a year after the title came into circulation. Almost as soon as the white hot elements of popular music criticism began to solidify, and then codify, into the discipline we now understand it to be, people have sought to announce its demise… and every announcement has been premature. We are in another such moment of the reading of last rites, and this chapter therefore sets out to truly test the health of this patient, while arguing rumours of its death have, once again, been greatly exaggerated.
This chapter will make its diagnosis by the examination of two major organs. Firstly, the NME itself. One of the symptoms of this apparent demise is this very title, and indeed this arises at Open Days for the Music Journalism programme at Chester: “Where are the jobs in music journalism,” concerned parents will cry, “even the NME has closed.” Except that it has not. The NME persists as an online proposition, serving consumers of music by utilising the medium they – predominantly young people – use. The internet. Further, it is, for the first time in many years, returning a profit in its current form and indeed is currently hiring. An analysis of this title, and other online music journalism will therefore form an important aspect to the chapter, encompassing the rise of music websites such as Stereogum in the US and Dork in the UK. While even a cursory overview of the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of Music Journalism in the 1970s will reveal all of three places where young music critics could be published – the NME, Melody Maker and Sounds – the limits of publishing now extend as far as the outer boundaries of the internet itself, from successful websites such as Pitchfork, (turning over $5million annually), to intriguing and innovative personal blogs from where new journalistic voices emerge. The chapter will also consider the energy to be found when music journalism is not merely written down, but spoken, with YouTube blogs such as Needle Drop now massively popular.
If NME is exhibit A, then the closure of Q is exhibit B. Notwithstanding the context of this business decision made during the global pandemic, an argument can be made that, rather like the 1970s NME journalists joyously ‘barbecuing the dinosaurs’ of their perceived dad rock, so it might be argued that it is also that very time for some of these big beasts of monthly music criticism, with the same cycle of cover stars, the same music featured within. On the plus side of the ledger, however, the resulting space in the market has allowed for an interesting and significant reappearance of the music inkie... local magazines like Bido Lito and The Skinny, but also semi-regional magazines such as Crack, Loud and Quiet and, indeed, the re-emergence of Sounds itself, as New Sounds.
Drawing on new primary interviews with some of the key personalities in this evolving story, and research into the commercial health of titles such as the NME, this chapter will serve as almost a 'State-of-the-Union' overview as to where we are with this industry and what the future might hold. Both The Guardian and New Statesman have run features about the more positive picture for music journalism than might commonly be read into the industry and it is therefore key that an academic title such as this should also offer scholarly insight into that story, and where we stand with music journalism, in the third decade of the new century. Ironically, with so much access to music, we indeed need critical assistance in cutting through the noise and getting to what is worth listening to. We must not allow those key decisions to be the preserve of algorithms; indeed, after all these years, such important decisions are best left to human judgement and taste and, after all the industry has been through, we might just find that events bring us all the way back around to where we started… and the fundamental role of the music journalist
Fabrication of superamphiphobic surface with re-entrant structures via self-assembly colloidal template-assisted electrochemical deposition
No full textThis article is not available on ChesterRepSuperamphiphobic surfaces with re-entrant structures have attracted widespread attention due to their superior water and oil resistance. However, current methods for fabricating superamphiphobic surfaces mostly rely on expensive equipment and cumbersome processes. This paper represents a facile and controlled preparation method for superamphiphobic surfaces with zinc oxide (ZnO) re-entrant structures using self-assembled polystyrene (PS) monolayer colloidal crystals (MCCs) as templates to assist electrochemical deposition of ZnO film. The prepared surface shows contact angles (CAs) larger than 150° and sliding angles smaller than 10° for water, glycerol, ethylene glycol (EG), and olive oil. The morphology and size of the re-entrant structures were modulated by the deposition potential and time, and the mechanism of the influence of the structures on the wetting properties was investigated. This superamphiphobic surface with re-entrant structures can be used as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate for molecular detection with a detection limit of 10−10 M for rhodamine (R6G), benefiting from the enrichment effect of the superamphiphobic surface and the Schottky barrier at the Ag/ZnO contact interface. We hope that this preparation method for superamphiphobic surface has broad application prospects in the fields of self-cleaning, anti-icing, anti-fog, corrosion resistance, microfluidics, photocatalysis and fluid drag reduction
FTIR and Rheology study of Alginate samples: Effect of Radiation
Get PDFTwo well characterised alginate samples with high and low M/G ratio were subjected to radiation decontamination dose at 15 kGy. Subsequently, a number of techniques were used to determine the effect of radiation on the gelling properties. These techniques include: (GPC-MALLS) gel permeation chromatography linked to a multi-angle laser light scattering and refractive index detector for the determination of molecular weight and distribution. To observe the mechanics, the deformation with flow of α-β alginates rheological measurements in the dynamic oscillation modes, and distinguish the functional group of the samples along with identifying the M/G ratio for quantitative determination of mannuronic and guluronic acid, the FTIR techniques were performed respectively. The results showed clear reduction in the molecular weight following irradiation which was also accompanied by a loss of the gelling properties as well as clear reduction intensity of FTIR peak at 1080-1400 cm -1 for carboxylic group, OH-bonding obtained at 1030 cm-1 (1026 and 1028 cm-1) while the weak signal and skeletal region is attributed at >2800 and < 700 cm-1 respectively. A sample (n = 1; H120L) is homopolyguluronic enriched (820 cm-1 in fingerprint region) with small amount of mannuronic acid fraction. Sample (n = 2; LFR-5/60) is heteropolyguluronic acid enriched in presence of tiny amount guluronic acid (814 cm-1 peak) i.e. comparatively high G to M in this fraction but %G is lower than n = 1. The rheological parameter storage modulus (G′ ) and loss modulus (G”) were noticed higher with the constant frequency mode, a solid-like nature gels was obtained with increasing the frequency in a certain time of relaxation. The gelling
properties of the samples calculated is M/G < 1 which able to make hard and rigid gel. Thus, radiation effects for rheology and FTIR in case of functional group distribution was significant
A Hermeneutic Study of a Paraprofessional Mental Health Initiative involving Medical Teams and Male Professional Footballers
No full textThe spotlight has only recently focussed on mental health in professional football. High-profile suicides alarmed the football community and players continue to take their own lives. Consequently, mental health disorders in professional football have become a topic of increasing interest in research, due to the serious consequences for quality of life, and the likelihood of the player’s predisposition to inflict serious self-harm.
Aims
Given the increased interest in and importance of mental health issues, mental health education and guidance for football medical teams is essential. The research aim was to investigate the role of the medical team in managing the mental health issues faced by male professional football players and establish whether a paraprofessional Solution Focussed Brief Therapy (SFBT) initiative could enhance that role. A total of thirty-four participants, working in Premier League and Championship level
professional football, took part in this two-phased study. Nineteen were contracted players, thirteen were members of medical teams and two were PFA representatives.
A Heideggerian hermeneutic approach was adopted and data was collected through fifteen in-depth interviews and four focus groups. In Phase 1, the problem of mental health disorders and mental healthcare in professional football was explored. In Phase 2, a pilot study investigated the feasibility of a SFBT intervention, delivered through a smartphone APP.
Results
All of the nineteen players declared mental health issues. De-selection, not injury, was the main reported issue. The majority of players and medics agreed that disclosing mental health problems could lead to de-selection from the team, for some further punishment, due to the value placed on maintaining a ‘mental toughness’. Therefore, if a sports psychologist was present at the club, the player may not seek help as it was dependent on trust in the individual. None of the players made use of the PFA counselling hotline, at any time, for mental health support.
The majority of players would speak to a member of the medical team if confidentiality was guaranteed. None of the medical team members had any mental health education, and yet engaged in unofficial paraprofessional mental healthcare. All medical team members thought paraprofessional mental health education would be of benefit. The SFBT APP intervention was unanimously well received as a paraprofessional mental healthcare aid.
Conclusions
The SFBT intervention indicated it was clearly possible to develop a paraprofessional mental healthcare supporting role for players. Mental health issues of professional footballers could be managed more effectively if the appropriate education and SFBT intervention, from inside the medical team, was in place. This could potentially save lives. Recommendations for future strategies and further research have been detailed
Coping with Gendered Welfare Stigma: Exploring Everyday Accounts of Stigma and Resistance Strategies among Mothers Who Claim Social Security Benefits
Get PDFThis article has been published in a revised form in Social Policy and Society https://doi.org/10.1017/S1474746422000070. This version is published under a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND licence. No commercial re-distribution or re-use allowed. Derivative works cannot be distributed. © copyright holder.Drawing upon findings from a qualitative project exploring welfare stigma in the lives of women in Merseyside, this article examines experiences of stigma and resistance strategies among the mothers interviewed. The article provides insights into how gendered stigma manifests in the lives of mothers reliant on social security benefits in the present era of continued welfare reform. The mothers’ experiences of stigma are argued to revolve around the devaluation of caring labour, the perception that benefits are undeserved and the notion of ‘bad motherhood’. Furthermore, the article contributes to knowledge about stigma resistance strategies, including acknowledging the value of care and rejecting blaming narratives. Nonetheless, it is argued that owing to the power and pervasiveness of structurally-imposed stigma, individualised resistance strategies are limited and mothers must also engage in everyday stigma management techniques
A Practical Toolkit: Eight Steps to Identifying, Supporting and Celebrating Student-Parents
Get PDFUnlike many cohorts attending university under the Widening Participation agenda, student-parents are not considered by the Office for Students to be an underrepresented group. They are not, therefore, required to feature in institutional Access & Participation Plans, meaning that student-parents, and their needs, frequently go undetected by their institutions and departments. The eight steps in this toolkit represent a practical (yet research-informed) approach to identifying, supporting, and celebrating this committed and motivated cohort. It includes some practical tips on how institutions and/or departments can complete each of the recommended steps
Industrial Tomography: Systems and Applications
No full textThis chapter introduces the measurement, visualization, and characterization of settling slurry flow using Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT). It starts by presenting the physical mechanisms governing hydraulic transport of solid particles, along with the typical slurry flow patterns in a pipeline. It then explains the ability of ERT for characterization of solid–liquid flow through solids volume fraction measurement, solids axial velocity measurement, and solids flow visualization. By the end of the chapter, the ability of ERT and its utilization for estimation of some parameters related to stratified slurry flow, such as mean granular bed concentration, mean granular bed velocity, the height of granular bed, the height of shear layer and the height of turbulent zone at the upper part of the pipe, are fully discussed. The limitations of ERT in slurry flow measurement and visualization are also highlighted
A measurement and modelling investigation of the indoor air chemistry following cooking activities
Get PDFDomestic cooking is a source of indoor air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can impact on indoor air quality. However, the real-time VOC emissions from cooking are not well characterised, and similarly, the resulting secondary chemistry is poorly understood. Here, selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was used to monitor the real-time VOC emissions during the cooking of a scripted chicken and vegetable stir-fry meal, in a room scale, semi-realistic environment. The VOC emissions were dominated by alcohols (70% of total emission), but also contained a range of aldehydes (14%) and terpenes (5%), largely attributable to the heating of oil and the preparation and heating of spices, respectively. The direct cooking-related VOC emissions were then simulated using the Indoor Chemical Model in Python (INCHEM-Py), to investigate the resulting secondary chemistry. Modelling revealed that VOC concentrations were dominated by direct emissions, with only a small contribution from secondary products, though the secondary species were longer lived than the directly emitted species. Following cooking, hydroxyl radical concentrations reduced by 86%, while organic peroxy radical levels increased by over 700%, later forming secondary organic nitrates, peroxyacylnitrates (PANs) and formaldehyde. Monoterpene emissions were shown to drive the formation of secondary formaldehyde, albeit to produce relatively modest concentrations (average of 60 ppt). Sensitivity analysis of the simulation conditions revealed that increasing the outdoor concentrations of ozone and NOx species (2.9× and 9×, respectively) resulted in the greatest increase in secondary product formation indoors (≈400%, 200% and 600% increase in organic nitrates, PANs and formaldehyde production, respectively). Given the fact that climate change is likely to result in increased ozone concentrations in the future, and that increased window-opening in response to rising temperatures is also likely, higher concentrations of indoor oxidants are likely in homes in the future. This work, therefore, suggests that cooking could be a more important source of secondary pollutants indoors in the future
Pre-registration student nurses’ perceptions of their learning experiences during the Covid 19 pandemic – an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
Get PDFBackground
The Covid 19 (C19) pandemic led to social distancing and academic institutes moved to online delivery with changes made to practice placements. Student Nurses (SNs) faced unique challenges due to these changes and the full impact is still unknown.
Sample and Setting
Five SNs from one North West England university.
Data Collection and Analysis
Semi structured interviews were transcribed and analysed using the IPA approach.
Findings
Four Group Experiential Themes were created. The SNs perceived that they had experienced an Impoverished programme, isolation, fear, and financial hardship.
Conclusion
Although the full impact of the C19 pandemic is not yet known, the results of this study demonstrate gaps in practice, in both the practical and theoretical components. Although further research is necessary, the SNs did offer solutions to the issues they experienced.
Recommendations
Training in pandemic preparedness for academics, students and practice partners; mandatory digital training for students and academics; experience of online blended learning; a buddy system and small study groups to be created; extra curricula fun activities, specifically for SNs; mandatory mental health and motivational interviewing training for academics and students, with an exploration of how this can be delivered to practice partners; raising awareness of funding and lobbying for funding for exceptional circumstances
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