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Biocompatible scaffolds based on natural polymers for regenerative medicine
No full textThe chitosan and gelatine are commonly used biopolymers for the tissue engineering applications. In the previous methods for the cryogels synthesis, multistep preparation methods using toxic cross-linking agents such as glutaraldehyde are reported. Here, we present a two-step preparation method of gelatin macroporous cryogels and one-step preparation method of chitosan or gelatin cryogels. The physico-chemical properties of obtainedscaffoldswere characterized using FTIR, zeta potential, SEM and laser confocalmicroscopy. Non-toxic and biodegradable cross-linking agents such as oxidized dextran and 1,1,3,3-tetramethoxypropane are utilized. The onestep chitosan cryogels had degradation degree ~2 times higher compared to the cryogels prepared with a twostep method i.e. reduced by borohydride. Scaffolds cross-linked by glutaraldehyde had about 40% viability, whereas nine various compositions of cryogels showed significantly higher viability (~80%) of fibroblast cells in vitro. The cryogels were obtainedwithout using the harmful compounds and therefore can be used straightforward as biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds for the cell culturing purposes and other biomedical applications
Collective resilience and social support in the face of adversity: evidence From Social Psychology
No full textResearch into responses to mass emergencies (such as disasters and terrorist attacks) shows that those affected can behave much more resiliently than is often expected. Furthermore, evidence from a range of emergencies suggests that the notion of vulnerable behaviour (such as ‘mass panic’) is a myth that is not supported by detailed exploration of how people behave. Instead, a Social Identity Model of Collective Resilience (SIMCR) is suggested, where co-operative behaviour is the normative response. The SIMCR suggests that such resilience can develop as a result of a social identity that emerges from shared experiences of adversity, and is similar to recent theoretical developments in the field that argue for a more community-oriented approach to resilience. Furthermore, such shared experiences may have a beneficial role in helping those exposed to adversity, in that such common identities can help survivors support each other and reduce the risk of psychological trauma. Recent literature from the fields of Social Psychology and Resilience are explored, and the benefits of such mutual social support are discussed. Finally, the implications for emergency planning and management are discussed, with practical suggestions for how such collective resilience can be encouraged in disaster preparation and response
Introducing site sense:comparing situated knowledge in construction to coalmining
No full textThe acknowledgment of the use of tacit knowledge as a safety praxis in the mining industry has been in existence for over half a century. This is referred to as pit sense. On the contrary, the use of tacit knowledge and common sense for site safety is only gathering steam in the construction industry. As a relatively new concept and one that conflicts with official practices and policies, this type of knowledge still receives resistance from individuals in managerial roles. Common sense in construction and pit sense in coalmining substantial similarities including their heavy dependence on self-preservation and the use of a bottom-up approach i.e. both focusing on the discretion of the workers. The aim of this paper is to shed light on common sense safety in the construction industry as an approach to safety while juxtaposing with coalminers’ pit sense approach. Non-participant observations and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data on the practices of workers of micro construction firms in relation to common sense safety. This data was analysed in comparison to secondary data on coalminers’ pit sense safety. Findings from this study indicate that unlike common sense, pit sense has evolved from being regarded as a mere informal practice to being acknowledged by managers as a way of workers taking responsibility and accountability for their own safety. Thus even turning a blind eye to practices that fall outside the scope of official practices. Common sense and pit sense are both recognised as safety practices that are not formally taught but acquired through continuous practice. They are both situational knowledge that are gained through informal techniques and close interactions amongst workers. Lastly, in both schools of thought, it is widely known that experienced workers are proud to possess and demonstrate pit sense and common sense respectively
Researching admissions: what can we learn about selections of applicants from findings about students in difficulty on a social work programme
No full textThis paper explores the findings of a small‐scale empirical study of social work admissions data. It is designed to be exploratory in nature and used to illustrate key themes discussed in a previous paper. The study has been designed as a comparator to a Canadian study with the aim of building upon their findings within the current UK/England context. The research examines the relationship between applicants' pre‐admission information and their subsequent performance on the programme. Data relating to a sample of students and available at the pre‐admission stage (from application forms and interviewer report forms) and data relating to students on the programme who had been identified (by faculty) as having difficulties in one or more areas of their learning, are compared to a sample of those not identified as having experienced such problems. The two groups (total sample size=150) are drawn from one university in southern England and comprise students from both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Methodological issues are critically analysed and findings are explored and compared to that of the Canadian study. Key themes regarding the seemingly complex relationships between performance on the programme and academic background, extent of previous experience and a range of other factors are discussed and examined in relation to other available literature. Implications are explored in relation to current practice and development needs within social work education
Francis Hodgson
No full textNewfotoscapes seeks to navigate the the evolving topography surrounding the image in the twenty-first century; offering a focused eye on the contemporary creative author-curator and image-maker and on the possibilities afforded by an increasingly complex professional landscape. Newfotoscapes is a collection of curated texts arising form a series of in-depth conversations with key stakeholders in, and influential commentators on, photography. Perspectives and views cover a wide range of topics such as : agencies, appropriation, archives, community, curation, governance, licensing, mobile, networked-image, open education, photobooks, power and value
Nanoparticle formation in a free turbulent jet under high nucleation rate conditions
No full textAbstract The method of moments under the assumption of lognormal particle size distribution was applied to simulate nanoparticle formation, due to nucleation, condensation and coagulation, in a free turbulent jet. The cases of high nucleation rates and the coagulation-controlled growth of particles are considered. The weak sensitivity of the mathematical model to turbulent Prandtl and turbulent Schmidt numbers is demonstrated. The influence of the nozzle diameter on the aerosol characteristics formed in the jet is investigated. It is shown that using smaller nozzle diameters leads to a higher polydispersity of the formed aerosol
Numerical and experimental analysis of a gasoline fuel spray
No full textThe fully Lagrangian approach to the calculation of the number density of inertial particles in dilute gas-particle flowsis implemented into the CFD code ANSYS Fluent via User Defined Functions (UDF). The functionality testing of thenew version of this code is performed for a gas-particle flow around an infinite circular cylinder. In a steady-statecase, the results predicted using both Eulerian and the fully Lagrangian methods are almost identical for low inertiaparticles at small Reynolds numbers (based on the cylinder diameter) (Re = 1, Stk = 0:05). For larger values ofthese numbers (Re = 10, 100; Stk = 0:1, 0:2) the fully Lagrangian approach predicts higher values of the gradientsof particle number densities in front of the cylinder compared with the ones predicted by the Eulerian approach. Fortransient flows (Re = 200), both methods predict high values of the number densities between the regions of highvorticity and very low values in the vortex cores. For Stk 0:1 the maximal values predicted by the fully Lagrangianapproach are shown to be several orders of magnitude higher than those predicted by the Eulerian approach. Thefully Lagrangian method, implemented into ANSYS Fluent, has been applied to calculate the number densitiesof droplets in direct injection gasoline fuel spray. Preliminary results show good qualitative agreement betweennumerical simulation and experimental observations
"Countercultural" sport
No full textThis chapter analyses the concept of 'counterculture' in relation to sport. It provides conceptual clarification of the origins and uses of the term 'counterculture' and questions its applicability to a range of sport forms and practices. The examples of pillow fighting and urban golf are used to highlight the applicability of the concept to new sport forms. The chapter concludes by noting the analytical potential and problems associated with theorising 'countercultural' sport as 'spectacles of rebellion'