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Towards efficient structural and serviceability design of high-strength concrete t-beams
Get PDFA total of 10 HSC T-beams having a total length of 1700 mm, web breadth of 100 mm, height of 250 mm, and different flange dimensions, were experimentally tested until failure. The studied parameters were; flange dimensions, transverse reinforcement ratio, and longitudinal reinforcement ratio of the beam. A numerical model was developed to predict the flexural behaviour of the tested beams. The results indicated that increasing breadth, depth, and flange reinforcement ratio led to reduction in the overall deflection, and enhancment of the ultimate load capacity. An empirical equation, developed earlier by the authors for predicting effective moment of inertia for HSC T beams, was used successfully to predict load-deflection relationships for the studied beams. Comparisons were carried out between the load-deflecion curves predicted by the numerical model, those predicted by this equation, and those predicted by Branson equation which is currently used in the design codes. It was found that there was a close agreement between the experimental results, numerical results and those obtained by the authors’ equation. This research highlights the need for updating the Branson equation used in the design codes for deflection design of HSC T beams by adopting the equation proposed by the authors
Security and crime: converging perspectives on a complex world
No full textSecurity and Crime is an authoritative and multidisciplinary analysis of the relationship between security and crime, addressing much of the confusion about its nature and meaning, clarifying its relevance to criminological analysis, and giving due attention to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic. Providing a historical and prospective look at issues within security the book will: trace the development of 'security' across disciplines situate this contested concept within criminological discourse and concerns explore the rising attention in politics and academic scholarship to 'security' issues as they relate to crime examine the nature and organisation of interventions to deliver security establish clearly the relationship between security, crime and criminology. International in scope, and broad in coverage, Security and Crime sets out the need to broaden the study of security in a clear, concise style that is easy for students to digest. With comprehensive pedagogical feature including chapter overviews, key terms, study questions, further reading and a glossary, this book is essential for students studying security in criminology, criminal justice, international relations, and related disciplines
Are medical procedures that induce coughing or involve respiratory suctioning associated with increased generation of aerosols and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection? A rapid systematic review
Get PDFBackground
The risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from aerosols generated by medical procedures is a cause for concern.
Aim
To evaluate the evidence for aerosol production and transmission of respiratory infection associated with procedures that involve airway suctioning or induce coughing/sneezing.
Methods
The review was informed by PRISMA guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed for studies published between January 1st, 2003 and October 6th, 2020. Included studies examined whether nasogastric tube insertion, lung function tests, nasendoscopy, dysphagia assessment, or suctioning for airway clearance result in aerosol generation or transmission of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS, or influenza. Risk of bias assessment focused on robustness of measurement, control for confounding, and applicability to clinical practice.
Findings
Eighteen primary studies and two systematic reviews were included. Three epidemiological studies found no association between nasogastric tube insertion and acquisition of respiratory infections. One simulation study found low/very low production of aerosols associated with pulmonary lung function tests. Seven simulation studies of endoscopic sinus surgery suggested significant increases in aerosols but findings were inconsistent; two clinical studies found airborne particles associated with the use of microdebriders/drills. Some simulation studies did not use robust measures to detect particles and are difficult to equate to clinical conditions.
Conclusion
There was an absence of evidence to suggest that the procedures included in the review were associated with an increased risk of transmission of respiratory infection. In order to better target precautions to mitigate risk, more research is required to determine the characteristics of medical procedures and patients that increase the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Formal verification of authentication and service authorization protocols in 5G-enabled device-to-device communications using ProVerif
Get PDFDevice-to-Device (D2D) communications will be used as an underlay technology in the Fifth Generation mobile network (5G), which will make network services of multiple Service Providers (SP) available anywhere. The end users will be allowed to access and share services using their User Equipments (UEs), and thus they will require seamless and secured connectivity. At the same time, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) will use the UE to offload traffic and push contents closer to users relying on D2D communications network. This raises security concerns at different levels of the system architecture and highlights the need for robust authentication and authorization mechanisms to provide secure services access and sharing between D2D users. Therefore, this paper proposes a D2D level security solution that comprises two security protocols, namely, the D2D Service security (DDSec) and the D2D Attributes and Capability security (DDACap) protocols, to provide security for access, caching and sharing data in network-assisted and non-network-assisted D2D communications scenarios. The proposed solution applies Identity-based Encryption (IBE), Elliptic Curve Integrated Encryption Scheme (ECIES) and access control mechanisms for authentication and authorization procedures. We formally verified the proposed protocols using ProVerif and applied pi calculus. We also conducted a security analysis of the proposed protocols
“DNT LET ’EM H8 U!”: Applying the routine activity framework to understand cyberhate victimization among adolescents across eight countries
Get PDFRecent evidence shows that adolescents across the globe are increasingly encountering hateful material on the Internet. However, the factors that lead adolescents to fall victim to cyberhate are still not well understood. To address this gap in the literature and assist media education campaigns in developing theoretically-grounded prevention programs, the present study utilizes Routine Activity Theory to investigate whether witnessing cyberhate (exposure to motivated offenders), parental mediation of Internet use (capable guardianship), and adolescents’ online disclosure of private information (target suitability) predict cyberhate victimization among adolescents. Participants consisted of 6,829 adolescents ranging in age from 12 to 18 (Mage = 14.93; SD = 1.64) from Cyprus, Germany, Greece, India, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and the United States. Results showed that witnessing cyberhate was positively correlated with cyberhate victimization. Further, instructive parental mediation was negatively associated with cyberhate victimization, while restrictive parental mediation demonstrated the opposite effect, suggesting that the form of parental mediation matters when attempting to reduce adolescents’ risk for cyberhate victimization. Finally, online disclosure was positively associated with cyberhate victimization. Consequently, the present investigation confirms the usefulness of applying Routine Activity Theory to cyberhate victimization. Furthermore, the findings highlight the need for effective prevention programs. Based on the findings of this study, media education training that equips adolescents with the skills they need to manage cyberhate experiences, increase their critical attitudes about private information they share online, and inform parents to use effective mediation strategies to diminish dangers associated with cyberhate is suggested
Gimnopedia Rapsodica (Published Score)
No full textOriginally commissioned by the ensemble Les Muses de la Musique to complement a concert featuring
Debussy's Chansons de Bilitis, Gimnopedia Rapsodica is scored for a wonderful and peculiar ensemble of
piccolo, flute, two harps, celesta, and speaking voice.
Through a processional and sober pace, this composition wishes to evoke the ancient Greek dance of the
gymnopedie. At the same time, its almost ceremonial composure is permeated by rhapsodic gestures, melodic
echos and musical memories. Towards the end of the piece, almost like an immaterial thought, a distant, off-stage
speaking voice contributes with verses drawn from Paul Valery's Dance and the Soul.
This piece can greatly complement a concert programme featuring fin-de-siècle, impressionist music, as well as
contemporary works using unusual instrumental combination
Prejudicial stereotyping and police interviewing practices in England: an exploration of legal representatives’ perceptions
Get PDFResearch studies suggest that at the initial stage of an investigation, negative stereotypes are triggered when officers make decisions concerning a suspect with their pre-existing racial/religious images for the group to which the suspect belongs. Such stereotyping is generally argued to be one of the major sources of partiality in criminal investigations. The present study examines the legal representatives’ perceptions of police interviewing practices when investigating suspects under caution. The present study conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with fifteen defence lawyers who had represented suspects from various ethnicities within England and Wales. The thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed that (as perceived by the legal representatives) prejudicial stereotyping can influence police officers’ attitudes towards suspects from stigmatised communities. Additionally, prejudicial stereotyping was perceived to produce guilt presumption, self-fulfilling prophecies, and confirmation bias. These findings suggest that further training of police officers seems necessary to make them more aware of the implications of such prejudicial stereotyping to improve their investigation skills, and in turn, case outcomes, and community cohesion
Paramedic students’ confidence and satisfaction with clinical simulations of an emergency medical care programme in South Africa: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: There has been an increase in the use of clinical simulations as instructional tools in healthcare education. This is because of their role in ensuring patients’ safety and quality-care provision.
Aim: This study investigated the paramedic students’ satisfaction and self-confidence in the clinical simulation of an emergency medical care programme.
Setting: The study was conducted at the Durban University of Technology in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The paramedic students’ satisfaction and self-confidence in the clinical simulation of an emergency medical care programme were the focus of the study.
Methods: The study used a cross-sectional research design. A convenience sampling method was used to select the 83-paramedic students who participated in the study. Data were collected between July and September 2017 using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages and Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient) and an inferential test, ordinal logistic regression analysis, were used for data analysis.
Results: High levels of paramedic students’ satisfaction and self-confidence in simulation activities were reported. Generally, the paramedic students’ demographics were associated with the satisfaction and self-confidence variables with p-values ≤ 0.04. Emergency medical care training undertaken by the paramedic students was significantly associated with self-confidence (p = 0.00).
Conclusion: Clinical simulation can bridge the theory-practice gap for paramedic students. It is a hands-on approach that promotes students learning of clinical skills through reflection
Pandemic preparedness and the role of infection prevention and control – how do we learn?
Get PDFIn the past year, infection prevention and control (IPC) services globally have faced unique epidemiological, operational, behavioural and policy challenges in preventing COVID-19 transmission in health and social care settings
Globalisation and world tourism cities
Get PDFThis second introductory chapter highlights how the process of globalisation affects cities, tourism in general, and world tourism cities in particular. Three initial dimensions of globalisation are identified and ways to measure them are examined (economic, political, and social). Later, three other factors in the PESTEL model are added and discussed (technological, environmental and legal/regulatory), and the impacts on city residents and visitors are considered as well.
The glocalisation concept is discussed as is how cities and tourism companies have adapted global concepts and ideas to better fit local circumstances. The merging of globalisation and localisation in tourism is illustrated through several good examples.
The connection of globalisation and world tourism cities is reviewed with respect to the gateway, influential, impactful, cosmopolitan, and recognised features. This is followed by a detailed discussion of six dimensions of globalisation, and the effects on city residents and visitors.
The chapter closes by deriving a summary from previous materials of the advantages and disadvantages of globalisation for tourism and world tourism cities across eight dimensions and perspectives (PESTEL-RV)