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Assessing and addressing domestic abuse by Ex-armed service personnel
Get PDFIn the context that separate peer-led services are increasingly being developed to meet the needs of Ex-armed service personnel (Ex-asp) in the criminal justice system, we explore whether such services should also be developed to address any tendencies towards domestic abuse. Based on interviews with 12 imprisoned Ex-asp and 10 service affiliated informants working with them, we found domestic abuse is not always recognised as a potential problem for Ex-asp. Nonetheless, respondents suggested that interventions to address the potential for domestic abuse by some Ex-asp would be useful and legitimate if they are provided by those with service affiliations. Considering our findings, however, we strike a note of caution about separate and peer-led approaches becoming the default option for working with Ex-asp in the criminal justice system. We suggest the gendered nature of military culture may be associated with concerns about the implications of re-engaging Ex-asp with their military identities. Moreover, being steeped in military culture, we suggest that without training some service affiliated staff may be unsighted on important aspects that the role gender expectancies play in domestic abuse and poorly placed to respond appropriately to this type of offending
Synthesis of Coupling Matrix for Diplexers Based on a Self-adaptive Differential Evolution Algorithm
Get PDFDiplexer coupling matrix synthesis often involves both analytical methods and optimization techniques. At present, general purpose optimization algorithms are used, but they need strong supporting information (e.g., high-quality starting points and very narrow search ranges) from analytical methods, which is not available or too complex to be obtained in many cases. Aiming to obtain the desired coupling matrix with highly reduced supporting information to relieve the pressure of analytical methods, a new optimization algorithm, called self-adaptive differential evolution for coupling matrix synthesis (SADEC), is proposed. Considering the landscape characteristics of diplexer coupling matrix synthesis problems, a new self-adaptive multipopulation search framework and a self-adaptive algorithm parameter control strategy are proposed and organized in a particular way. The performance of SADEC is demonstrated by two all-resonator-based narrowband diplexers using large search ranges only with the requirement of matching the diplexer topology and no ad hoc analysis is included. Experiments and comparisons show the high performance of SADEC and clear advantages compared with the state-of-the-art global optimization methods. SADEC is also applicable to filter coupling matrix synthesis and is downloadable
Interdisciplinary Research Unmasked: a new curatorial model for multi-audience engagement
Get PDFThis paper proposes a new curatorial model, presenting research as practice and combining publication with discussion and public exhibition, as a valuable tool in overcoming the communication challenges of contemporary interdisciplinary research, when the following criteria are met:
1. That the information to be communicated is technical and discipline specific.
2. That communication is between technical and non-technical multi-discipline audiences.
3. That high-level analysis of interdisciplinary opportunities is required.
4. That public and stakeholder engagement with interdisciplinary research is required.
The proposed model is situated with respect to theoretical models of communication and assessed with respect to its application at Carbon Meets Silicon, curated by Liggett and Corcoran at Oriel Sycharth, Wales, UK as part of the International Technologies and Applications Conference 2017. Three of the works presented through Carbon Meets Silicon are examined with respect to their alignment to the model’s criteria, and performance against its intended outcomes. The paper suggests applications of the new curatorial model, and further research required to support its development
Simulation and testing of a power converter for aircraft AC electric power generation system using software elimination of higher harmonics
Get PDFThis paper presents the results of simulation and practical tests of the inverter-based power converter with a sine output filter designed for implementation in an aircraft power system. In order to reduce the output voltage harmonic distortion, the converter utilises active software harmonics filtering. This work provides an analysis of the converter performance under two control algorithms applied for the active filtering operation. The first control algorithm is based on discrete Fourier transform (DFT) where the control system injects measured higher harmonics with inverse polarity into the inverter command voltage and DFT provides the measurement of the converter output voltage. The second control method is based on repetitive controller (RC) algorithms which adjusts the inverter command voltage using a self-learning approach. The second method significantly reduces the demand for CPU computational resources. The software filtering in both systems shows a good performance and ensures the converter output voltage with less than 5% THD under all load conditions. This paper discusses the structures for both proposed control systems as well as the implementation in MATLAB models and microcontroller software. Both algorithms are modelled in software and implemented in a practical microcontroller. The advantages of the RC-based control method are demonstrated through the software analysis and performance of the system
MIMO Antennas for Smart 5G Devices
Get PDFThis paper presents the design of 8 x 8 MIMO antennas for future 5G devices such as smart watches and dongles etc. Each antenna of the MIMO configuration occupies 3 x 4 mm2 and is printed on the top layer of the substrate in the form of a rotated H-shaped patch. The substrate used for the design is a 31.2 x 31.2 x 1.57 mm3, Rogers RT-5880 board, with dielectric constant of 2.2. The top layer of the substrate has eight MIMO antennas whereas, the bottom layer is composed of ground plane. The ground plane is an Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) based structure designed for the enhancement of gain and efficiency. Each antenna is fed from the bottom layer of the substrate through vias to avoid any spurious radiation. The MIMO antennas resonate at 25.2 GHz with a 6 dB percentage bandwidth of 15.6%. The gain attained by the antennas in the entire bandwidth is above 7.2 dB with maximum value of 8.732 dB at the resonant frequency. Likewise, the value of efficiency attained by the antennas in the entire bandwidth is above 65% with maximum of 92.7% at the resonant frequency. The simulation and measurement results have substantiated a good performance of the MIMO antennas, thus making them suitable for compact 5G devices
Design of a Portable Drone for Educational Purposes
Get PDFThis paper discusses the design of a portable drone to be used by students for practical investigations of drone operating principles. The drone design is based on a Y6 frame module concept and takes into account the affordability and combinability of components which are widely available via the hobbyist drone manufacturing market. It is a foldable device and is protected against water ingress according standard DIN EN 60529 (IP01). The drone generates high thrust for a Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) of 5 kg and the propeller design has been investigated and analysed in detail to determine the optimum location required to provide maximum thrust
Ultrasonic sensor for UAV flight navigation
Get PDFUltrasonic transducers were utilized for the design and development of an alternative method for flight instrumentation measurement of the velocity of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). Current methods have been deemed to have significant shortcomings, such as the need for GPS thus leading to indoor UAV operations being incapable of velocity sensing. The proposed concept is developed from the utilization of ultrasonic transit-time flowmeters. A test bench has been produced to measure the accuracy and confirm the validity of the concept. Two key design variables were determined - the optimal transducer mounting configuration and the optimal angle of incidence for the transducer mountings. The mounting configurations were analyzed from common transit-time flowmeter sensor configurations and were tested using both CFD and acoustic simulations. The findings are presented and correlated based on these simulations and it was determined that a V-method configuration was the optimal choice. The correct angle of incidence was determined by an experimental methodology. The time-of-flight outputted from the transducers was compared to the calculated ideal value, and the findings revealed that an angle of 30° was the most accurate for the reflection of the emitted wave. The experimentation was conducted with a specially designed test bench and associated electronic hardware located in a wind tunnel. The test results have provided conclusive evidence that the overall design can produce accurate results comparable with current instrumentation sensors
The potential of painting: unlocking Disenfranchised Grief for people living with dementia
Get PDFAs part of the “Creative Well” programme at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHN) North Wales, artist/researchers Megan Wyatt and Susan Liggett qualitatively investigated how painting can access a means of communication for people living with Dementia. In a workshop setting within a gallery environment at Ruthin Crafts Centre, participants living with dementia were facilitated on a one to one basis the opportunity to paint alongside the artist/researchers. The participants were from a wellestablished art group called “Lost in Art” that is managed by Denbighshire Arts Service.
During the workshops, a number of experiences were articulated. These included experiences of illness, crisis and loss. They were captured through observations, interviews, visual art and video to contribute to new understandings and models of engagement through art for people living with dementia and their carers.
Focusing on theory and practice in arts based research and the social sciences, this paper investigates the potential of painting to unlock experiences such as disenfranchised grief for people living with dementia. The conclusions do not measure how and if participants felt disenfranchised grief but rather provide an alternative to augment the body of knowledge surrounding how people living with dementia can communicate feelings of disenfranchised grief through painting.
Objective: In this presentation I aim to outline the main findings from the above paper that is to be published in an academic journal later in the year on Illness Crisis and Loss published by Sage
What’s in it for me? Space Solutions for the Smithereens of Career Management in Education
Get PDFAdopting a discussion approach enables experiences of career management to be shared in a supportive manner with the potential to identify a number of practical solutions which reflect the complexity and time pressures experienced in the contemporary education sector. The notions of space, corralling, recovery and hindrance are introduced together with models with the potential to support peer coaching. Encouragement in order to set and prioritize goals, think in ink and garner support from available sources is debated as welcome contributions to prioritizing effective career management practices and subsequently limiting smithereens in workplace practices
A PWM Strategy for the Minimisation of Losses in a 3-level T-type Voltage Source Inverter
Get PDFThis paper discusses the approach for the witching loss minimisation in a 3-level inverter. It utilises a model predictive method which is used for evaluation of both the switching loss and voltage unbalance. The method is based on the cost functions implemented to provide simultaneous minimisation of loss and DC link voltage balance control. The simulation results shown that the total loss is reduced in 15% compared to a standard PWM strategy for a 3-level inverter operating at PWM frequency of 16 kHz