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Carbonation for enhancement of fine recycled aggregate applied to mortar
Get PDFSome of the challenges faced by the construction industry related to sustainability are the generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW), environmental impacts caused by the demand for natural aggregates, and associated carbon (CO2) emissions. One potential solution is recycling CDW as recycled aggregates (RA). Though, RA generally performs poorly compared to natural aggregates (NA) in concretes. Researchers suggest that CO2 curing via accelerated carbonation may improve the properties of RA. However, further investigation is needed to understand the impact of CO2 curing on mortar made with fine recycled aggregates (FRA). This study explores the effects of CO2 curing on FRA under three different moisture content conditions (0 %, 30 %, and 50 %) in combination with accelerated carbonation. The CO2 curing was then tested in five mortar mixes: 0 % RA, 50 % FRA, 100 %FRA, 50 % CO2-cured FRA, and 100 % CO2-cured FRA. The aggregate physical properties were analysed while CO2 curing was assessed through mass gain, differential thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The mortar mix performance was evaluated through physical, mechanical and durability properties. The results revealed the 30 % moisture condition produced the highest carbonation results, leading to a reduction in FRA porosity. Also, mortars with CO2-cured FRA demonstrated better overall performance compared to non-carbonated RA, and in some cases even outperformed mortars made with NA. These findings suggest that CO2 curing could be an effective strategy to enhance the properties of FRA, expanding their potential applications in the construction industry
It\u27s a marathon, not a sprint: completing dental school whilst managing your mental health
No full text\u27Under the Strategic Command of One Admiralissimo\u27: British Visions of Leadership and International Co-operation at Sea
No full textEtomidate and its derivatives: time to say goodbye?
No full textEtomidate, an intravenous hypnotic used for anaesthesia and critical care, is known for its undesirable side effects, including pain on injection, myoclonus, and adrenocortical depression. Despite its continued clinical use due to its hemodynamic stability and rapid onset and offset, alternatives like propofol, ketamine, and remimazolam offer fewer drawbacks. Recent efforts to improve etomidate through chemical modifications, such as methoxyethyl etomidate hydrochloride (ET-26), have shown limited success, with persistent issues like involuntary muscle movements and adrenocortical suppression. We suggest that it might be time to move on from etomidate and focus on developing new anaesthetic agents
Generating training events for building cyber-physical security skills
Get PDFAs the threat of cyber attacks increases, the cyber security sector continues to train professionals as one form of mitigation. Gamification and infrastructure like cyber ranges have been proven useful in training cyber security specialists to detect and react to cyber-attacks in information technology. However, a subset of all digital threats target cyber-physical systems, not just information systems, and these threats have been growing rapidly in recent years. While those threats are increasing, training specific to cyber-physical threats is not growing as quickly as information technology training solutions. While cyber ranges are useful for training and supporting events like cyber defence exercises and capture the flags events, limitations to cyber ranges make it more difficult to make an immersive event for cyber-physical training. This paper demonstrates how to devise a cyber-physical training environment using a combination of cyber ranges and cyber-physical system testbeds,and how to devise an accompanying immersive scenario to improve cyber-physical security skills through cooperative learning. To do this, an example training was created and implemented. This paper concludes with the results of running this event four times
Virtual reality game-based training for preventing falls among community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a pilot randomized control trial study
Get PDFUsing a Virtual Reality (VR) game-based application represents an innovative approach to falls prevention in community aged care service. The study investigated the effects of VR training on falls prevention among community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effects of full-immersive VR training with group-based exercise (Baduanjin) training on falls prevention. Eighteen participants were recruited through convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to either the VR group or the non-VR exercise group. Both groups participated in 16 falls prevention training sessions over eight weeks. Participants, identified with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), underwent three fall risk measurements. They had been screened using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (HK-MoCA). The primary outcomes assessed included changes in physical risk factors of falls (i.e. functional mobility, walk speed and postural balance), and the secondary outcomes assessed included changes in executive function and fall efficacy. The measurement of physical outcomes was Time Up and Go test (TUG), Berg balance scale (BBS) and Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT). The participants’ executive function and fear of falling were assessed through the Trail marking test (TMTA and TMTB) and the Fall Efficacy International scale (FES-I). The results showed that the VR group had significantly greater improvement than the non-VR group on measures of cognitive-motor performance, such as global cognition, functional mobility, balance and walk speed over time. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in executive functions and the fall efficacy. The study provides potential evidence that VR game-based cognitive-motor training can be effective for fall prevention in community dwelling older adults with MCI. However, the findings do not support significant improvements in secondary outcomes. Despite this, the growing trend of VR research suggests increasing interest and potential for future applications in aged care and rehabilitation services
The Meaning of Travel: An Exploration Within the ‘Baby-Boomer’ Generation
No full textThis qualitative research explored the underresearched area of subjective meaning(s) of travel for U.K. baby-boomers, from an occupational perspective. Using a descriptive phenomenology, a convenience sample of eight baby-boomers was recruited using social media. Participants took part in semistructured interviews, and narratives were analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes were generated: (a) travel is important to me, (b) travel changes through time, (c) travel facilitators and barriers and (d) travel as a shared experience. Participants perceived travel as a meaningful and health-promoting occupation that represented freedom, choice, independence, connection and achievement. Greater comfort was sought with age while financial constraints and deteriorating health were considered barriers to travel. The therapeutic value of travel as a meaningful occupation should not be underestimated. Travel providers might consider providing meaningful, accessible and desired travel opportunities for this cohort while examining their potential economic benefits to society
Barriers and facilitators to engaging with academia: A Black Dental Student perspective – Pilot study.
No full textIntroduction This pilot study investigates barriers and facilitators to Black dental students\u27 engagement with academic careers in dentistry, focusing on underrepresentation in academia despite efforts to diversify the workforce. Methods and results Through qualitative analysis of focus group discussions with Black dental students from two UK dental schools, several key themes emerged. Participants highlighted the importance of active patronage in addressing underrepresentation, advocating for proactive support systems beyond mere mentoring. They also emphasised the significance of various forms of capital – economic, cultural, and social – in shaping career trajectories and success in academia. Intersectionality, encompassing experiences of sexism, racism, and classism, emerged as a significant barrier, particularly affecting Black female students. Cultural specificity and individualism versus collectivism were also explored, revealing how cultural influences shape career choices and perceptions of academia. Conclusion The study underscores the need for greater cultural competence and understanding among stakeholders to reduce barriers and promote inclusivity. While the study offers valuable insights, its limitations, such as sampling bias and cultural homogeneity among participants, should be acknowledged. Nevertheless, the findings call for concerted efforts from universities, policymakers, and research institutions to provide explicit support, foster inclusive environments, and promote diversity in dental academia. By addressing these challenges, academia can better reflect the populations it serves and ensure equitable opportunities for all aspiring dental professionals