938 research outputs found
Sort by
An ultra-light, low-cost reflecting/absorbing dual-mode metasurface
No full textThis paper presents an ultra-light, low-cost reconfigurable metasurface functioning as both reflector and absorber, with mode switching via a lossy electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) layer. In reflection mode, the reflecting EBG (REBG) structure exhibits in-phase reflection characteristics at 2.48 and 5.84 GHz, with its dual-band operation achieved through a square patch configuration. In absorption mode, the integration of a lossy EBG layer atop the REBG enables relatively wideband absorption, while preserving insensitivity to polarization and exhibiting stability against varying incident angles. The absorption band fully encompasses the reflection band by employing an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven antenna optimization technique, specifically, the self-adaptive Bayesian neural network surrogate model-assisted differential evolution for antenna optimization (SB-SADEA) method. With a peak absorption rate reaching 99 %, the developed prototype sustains over 90 % absorption efficiency throughout the 2.2–7.28 GHz band. Additionally, this structure can isolate thermal infrared radiation, achieving both electromagnetic and infrared camouflage capabilities, with an infrared emissivity as low as 0.06. Two co-fabricated textile monopole antennas were experimentally characterized with the REBG to validate reflection behavior. The metasurface boosts realized gain by 5 dB at 2.48 GHz and 5.84 GHz. Consistent agreement between simulations and measurements proves the dual-mode metasurface’s efficacy
The next hurdle – Female jockeys, motherhood and the horse racing industry
No full textFeminist sport researchers examine the unique experiences of female athletes as crucial in promoting women's sport participation and parity in opportunities (Lebel et al., 2021). Insight into the unique stressors encountered by female jockeys in Ireland (Irl) and the United Kingdom (UK) may provide sport scientists, practitioners and policy makers with a greater awareness of the specific supports they need (Losty & Sreenivas, 2023). Deeply personal and complex decisions for female athletes, such as starting a family, can be shaped by various professional performance factors. The impact of becoming a mother while competing in sport and horseracing has had limited consideration, when sport psychologists and relevant governing bodies are required to assist athletes with personal, performance and transition issues. So, it is crucial that the field is responsive to the needs of jockeys who either have children or are contemplating pregnancy and parenthood (Losty & Sreenivas, 2023; Lebel et al., 2021). Using a constructivist-interpretivist approach, the current research explored the thoughts of 10 female jockeys in Irl and the UK about their prospect of combining motherhood and horseracing. Analysing their responses to a semi-structured interview using a reflexive thematic analysis identified three major themes: Racing and motherhood, Injury and motherhood, and Lacking role models. These themes project the concerns of female jockeys in Irl and the UK, and the complexities of navigating their career and starting a family, highlighting the need for robust safeguarding frameworks from relevant governing bodies and a more nuanced support for female jockeys
End-to-End Power Models for 5G Radio Access Network Architectures with a Perspective on 6G
No full text5G, the fifth-generation mobile network, is predicted to significantly increase the traditional trajectory of energy consumption. It now uses four times as much energy as 4G, the fourth-generation mobile network. As a result, compared to previous generations, 5G’s increased cell density makes energy efficiency a top priority. The objective of this paper is to formulate end-to-end power consumption models for three different 5G radio access network (RAN) deployment architectures, namely the 5G distributed RAN, the 5G centralized RAN with dedicated hardware and the 5G Cloud Centralized-RAN. The end-to-end modelling of the power consumption of a complete 5G system is obtained by combining the power models of individual components such as the base station, the core network, front-haul, mid-haul and backhaul links, as applicable for the different architectures. The authors considered the deployment of software-defined networking (SDN) at the 5G Core network and gigabit passive optical network as access technology for the backhaul network. This study examines the end-to-end power consumption of 5G networks across various architectures, focusing on key dependent parameters. The findings indicate that the 5G distributed RAN scenario has the highest power consumption among the three models evaluated. In comparison, the centralized 5G and 5G Cloud C-RAN scenarios consume 12% and 20% less power, respectively, than the Centralized RAN solution. Additionally, calculations reveal that base stations account for 74% to 78% of the total power consumption in 5G networks. These insights helped pioneer the calculation of the end-to-end power requirements of different 5G network architectures, forming a solid foundation for their sustainable implementation. Furthermore, this study lays the groundwork for extending power modeling to future 6G networks
Ecological Citizenship and the Co-Design of Inclusive and Resilient Pathways for Sustainable Transitions
No full textAchieving climate neutrality and the provision of a route to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero or below requires a significant shift from a focus on top-down technological solutions to a more holistic, people-centred approach. The research presented here explores the role of ecological citizenship (EC) in this shift, and specifically how a socially innovative, co-designed approach to facilitating EC and the systemic changes needed for carbon neutrality could or should take place. The paper presents EC as an evolving practice that emphasises the responsibility of individuals and communities towards ecological sustainability and social equity. The study examines how various stakeholders, such as industry practitioners, third-sector organisations, and community members, communicate, understand, and implement EC practices, projects, and solutions, using a mixed-methods approach that includes roundtable talks and workshops. As such, the study emphasises the value of user-centred, co-designed proposals that enable individuals to actively participate in positive climate action. It also looks at the opportunities and challenges of incorporating EC into wider societal and legislative norms. At the municipal, regional, and national levels, we feel the results offer useful insights into how design processes, environmental programs, and participatory governance approaches may promote more sustainable, inclusive transitions and support achieving carbon neutrality
The Timekeeper and the Hour Glass Artist Moving Image and Poetic Nonlinear Aspects of Time
No full textIn The Timekeeper and the Hour Glass the author, an interdisciplinary artist and academic whose practice embraces moving image explores poetic nonlinear aspects of time.
The research is set within the context of contemporary art, arts and science research, feminist action, and site-responsive approaches. Through a complex interdisciplinary methodology incorporating the performative use of time-based media while engaging with philosophical enquiry, visual analysis and experimental research, the exploration here draws upon Julia Kristeva’s notion of intertextuality and Hito Steyerl’s artworks and essay documentaries. The paper aims to articulate the phenomena of culture and the unmeasurability of temporal and spatiotemporal objects of sensory experience as distinguished from the clock
Automatic deburring of 3D-printed parts using a delta robot and augmented reality
No full textThe strong demand for automated processes in modern manufacturing is driven by the need to replace manual and experience-based methods with emerging digital technologies to improve efficiency and performance. In mechanical engineering design, rapidly prototyped or 3D-printed parts are typically produced with excess material to ensure better print quality, necessitating a deburring step in the production process. While traditional deburring can be performed manually with tools, automating this process offers significant efficiency gains. This paper presents the automation of an application-specific deburring process through the integration of robotics, 3D-printing, and augmented reality systems. The programmed automatic deburring system deburred more than 100 3D-printed unmanned aerial vehicle parts (drone arms) under various settings to test and validate its performance. The results identified the optimal parameters as a robot speed of 43 mm/s, a grinder speed of 2,550 RPM, a grinder height of 78.5 mm, and a grinding tool diameter of 7.6 mm. The successful combination of robotics, 3D-printing, and augmented reality in this work strongly supports the Industry 4.0 paradigm, where industrial processes are expected to be more intelligent and collaborative, enhancing the interaction between machine tools and operators
Prototype Testing of Rim Driven Fan Technology for High-Speed Aircraft Electrical Propulsion
No full textThis paper presents the findings of the preliminary testing that has been conducted on a rim-driven fan, electric jet-engine device at Wrexham University (WU). The purpose of the testing was to demonstrate the feasibility of WU's electrical Fast-fan technology and to verify its performance and mechanical integrity. The results have demonstrated that the Fast-fan design is robust and operates very smoothly with minimum vibration. The fan also exhibited very good efficiency characteristics both electrically and thermodynamically. An overview of the fan's design and the test conditions is provided accompanied with a discussion of the results and conclusions. The testing also demonstrated that to obtain a high efflux velocity an element of the thrust must be sacrificed, or input power increased and discusses how the Fast -fan design is optimised to satisfy both of these conditions. This paper should provide confidence to individuals and organisations wishing to investigate or adopt rim-driven technology for aircraft electrical propulsion solutions
‘Hypercobalaminuria’ – Is urinary cobalamin loss a potential determinant of parenteral cobalamin (B12) efficacy in Pernicious Anaemia?
No full textIt is unknown why many patients with pernicious anaemia are satisfactorily treated with injections of hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin every 1–3 months whereas others require far more frequent replacement regimens, sometimes even weekly. A substantial but inconstant fraction of an injected dose of cobalamin is excreted in the urine within 72 h of injection, with subsequent loss of variable smaller amounts. We hypothesize the existence of ‘hypercobalaminuria’, whereby increased urinary cobalamin losses constitute a currently unrecognized factor influencing treatment refractoriness in some individuals. The hypothesis is testable by comparing cobalamin urinary losses in patients needing frequent as opposed to 1–3-monthly injections of cobalamin to remain symptom free. It implies that ‘less-responsive’ patients are likely to have significant hypercobalaminuria
Artificial Intelligence in Wireless Communications: An Overview of Present-day Paradigms
No full textThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into wireless communications is growing rapidly. This growth is primarily driven by machine learning (ML) techniques, which can be broadly categorized into supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Today, AI-based paradigms are transforming the field of wireless communications by enhancing various aspects, from the rapid design and optimization of components and devices to the robust analysis and characterization of entire systems and networks. This includes advanced systems such as present-day fifth-generation mobile (5G) and the upcoming sixth-generation mobile (6G) systems and networks. AI techniques also offer promising solutions to numerous design and development challenges in modern wireless communications. These challenges encompass enhancing power and energy effi-ciency, meeting stringent performance criteria, and improving the overall reliability of wireless communication devices, systems, and networks. This paper provides an overview of current paradigms demonstrating the application of AI, particularly ML techniques, in wireless communications
Resilience training to support teachers on a post-compulsory education and training programme
No full textThis study evaluates the implementation of a resilience training programme within a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Post-Compulsory Education and Training). The research aims to address low retention rates in both the academic programme and subsequent teaching roles. Existing literature highlights the barriers faced by student teachers and practising educators, including stress, increased workload, performativity measures, and inadequate support (Ofsted, 2019; EWC, 2020; Department for Education, 2018).
A pragmatic mixed-methods approach was adopted, using a convergent design to evaluate the impact of a resilience intervention based on themes from resilience training in other sectors. Interventions included Duckworth’s (2016) Grit questionnaire, hermeneutic dialogue circles, and reflective journaling.
The findings from this research suggest that while the Grit questionnaire has limitations as a diagnostic tool, the resilience training provided benefits such as improved self-awareness, critical reflection, and the value of collaborative safe spaces. However, translating these skills into professional practice remains challenging due to systemic pressures in the workplace (Jennings et al., 2017; Shaw et al., 2016). The study concludes that resilience training is beneficial but must be supported by organisational structures to be sustained post-qualification (Reivich et al., 2011; Precious & Lindsay, 2019)