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Neuroticism and intensity of religious affect among practising British pagans
No full textThe Williams Scale of Attitude toward Paganism (as a particularised measure of the affective dimension of religion) was completed by seventy-five participants at a Pagan camp in celebration of the Midsummer Festival, together with the abbreviated form of the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (including a recognised measure of neuroticism). The data demonstrated that, after controlling for sex differences (routinely found in indices of neuroticism), more positive religious affect was significantly associated with higher neuroticism scores, but was not significantly associated with extraversion scores, psychoticism scores, or lie scale scores. These findings from research conducted in a (specific) Pagan context are contrasted with the consensus from studies (employing a comparable measure of religious affect) that have tended to find that more positive religious affect was associated with lower neuroticism scores in a Christian context
The influence of the extensional viscosity of very low concentrations of high molecular mass water-soluble polymers on atomisation and droplet impact
Get PDFBackground
Water soluble polymers are commonly added to herbicide and pesticide formulations at very low concentrations (100-1000ppm) in order to control the spray characteristics, notably to reduce spray drift and influence droplet bounce.1,2 The incorporation of polymeric adjuvants improves the efficacy of the spray solutions, thus enabling crop growers to maximise the performance of agrochemical sprays at lower dose rates of active ingredient. It is important to establish a fundamental understanding of how polymers influence the processes involved in droplet deposition.
Results
The shear and extensional viscosities of a series of high molecular weight, Mw, polyacrylamides (Mw ~106 – 107) have been determined at very low concentrations (100 – 1000ppm). The polymer solutions demonstrated typical shear thinning characteristics under shear and strain hardening behaviour under extension above a critical strain rate. The presence of the polymers was shown to increase the size of droplets produced in atomization using an agricultural spray nozzle as measured by laser diffraction. This was attributed to the increase in the extensional viscosity at the strain rates generated under pressure in the spray nozzle and was a function of both polymer concentration and Mw. In addition the presence of polymer was found to have a significant influence on droplet bounce.
Conclusions
The presence of very low concentrations of high molecular weight polyacrylamides significantly influences the size of droplets formed on atomisation and subsequent bounce characteristics. Large extensional viscosities generated above a critical strain rate are responsible for both processes
Extended end-to-end cost metrics for improved dynamic route calculation
Get PDFThis paper considers the use of compound cost functions in routing calculations. Using an abstracted version of Cisco’s EIGRP as its basic model, it develops the theoretical principals of optimal end-to-end interior routing then details the limitations of conventional and current implementation. The requirements of an improved system are discussed and proposals for an enhanced Ant Colony Optimisation - DUAL protocol given. A comparative example is used to illustrate the points made and further work needed and other open questions are considered in conclusion. The paper has two purposes. In the main, it provides an analysis of current routing protocols and a model for future ones. In part, however, it is also intended to promote debate into many aspects of Internet routing and its ‘optimality’ in advance of long-term development of the new protocol
Creating reluctant academic intrapreneurs? A literature review
No full textThis working paper explores the changing roles of university lecturers, who are expected to act as intrapreneurs within their institutions. Through a literature review, this paper highlights the impact of academic capitalism on pedagogy, with lecturers balancing market relevance and academic rigour. It discusses the pressures on lecturers to embrace intrapreneurship, often driven by institutional demands, financial pressures, and performance metrics. These pressures can lead to the emergence of ‘reluctant academic intrapreneurs,’ who adopt entrepreneurial practices out of necessity rather than enthusiasm. The paper identifies key areas for further research, including the impact of academic capitalism on pedagogy, lecturers' adaptation to intrapreneurial roles, and innovation management within academic institutions. It also acknowledges the limitations of this theoretical review, emphasising the need for empirical validation to support the theories discussed. Overall, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on the evolving role of university lecturers in a higher education landscape driven by market forces, highlighting the opportunities and challenges of academic capitalism and intrapreneurship
“Why would we not want to keep everybody safe?” The views of family members of people who use drugs on the implementation of drug consumption rooms in Scotland
No full textBackground: People who use drugs in Scotland are currently experiencing disproportionately high rates of drug-related deaths. Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) are harm reduction services that offer a safe, hygienic environment where pre-obtained drugs can be consumed under supervision. The aim of this research was to explore family member perspectives on DCR implementation in Scotland in order to inform national policy.
Methods: Scotland-based family members of people who were currently or formerly using drugs were invited to take part in semi-structured interviews to share views on DCRs. An inclusive approach to ‘family’ was taken and family members were recruited via local and national networks. A convenience sample of 13 family members were recruited and interviews conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically using the Structured Framework Technique.
Results: Family members demonstrated varying levels of understanding regarding the existence, role and function of DCRs. While some expressed concern that DCRs would not prevent continued drug use, all participants were in favour of DCR implementation due to a belief that DCRs could reduce harm, including saving lives, and facilitate future recovery from drug use. Participants highlighted challenges faced by people who use drugs in accessing treatment/services that could meet their needs. They identified that accessible and welcoming DCRs led by trusting and non-judgemental staff could help to meet unmet needs, including signposting to other services. Family members viewed DCRs as safe environments and highlighted how the existence of DCRs could reduce the constant worry that they had of risk of harm to their loved ones. Finally, family members emphasised the challenge of stigma associated with drug use. They believed that introduction of DCRs would help to reduce stigma and provide a signal that people who use drugs deserve safety and care.
Conclusions: Reporting the experience and views of family members makes a novel and valuable contribution to ongoing public debates surrounding DCRs. Their views can be used to inform the implementation of DCRs in Scotland but also relate well to the development of wider responses to drug-related harm and reduction of stigma experienced by people who use drugs in Scotland and beyond
AI-Driven Design of Microwave Antennas with Case Studies
Get PDFWith the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), the design of microwave devices such as antennas has been expedited in terms of throughput and time-to-market. This is chiefly because design automation via optimization has replaced the use of time intensive manual design techniques which premise on trial and error without any guarantee of successful outcomes. For the rapid design of antennas via optimization, surrogate model-based optimization (SBO) methods tend to be at the forefront due to their efficiency improvement in terms of computational cost. The surrogate model assisted differential evolution for antenna synthesis (SADEA) algorithm family are a class of state-of-the-art SBO methods. In this paper, the use and advantages of the SADEA algorithm family is demonstrated using two cases of real-world antenna design problems as examples. The antenna design problems are the optimization of: a multi-layered compact
multiple-input and the multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array for wireless communications and a microwave imaging antenna for ultra wide band (UWB) body-centric applications. For both examples, the SADEA algorithm family obtained very good design solutions within an affordable time and the quality of the
obtained solutions are validated by the close agreement which exits between the simulated and measured results of the fabricated and ready-to-use prototypes of the antennas. In one of the cases (the microwave imaging antenna), the performance of the SADEA algorithm family when compared to 2019 Computer Simulation Technology - Microwave Studio (CST-MWS) optimizers (trust region framework (TRF) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO)) is reported. Results from the comparisons show that the SADEA algorithm family obtains very satisfactory design solutions in all runs using an affordable optimization time in each, whereas the alternative optimizers failed in all runs by not meeting the design requirements and/or generating designs with geometric incongruities
Trimethylplatinum(IV) complexes of dithiocarbamato ligands: an experimental NMR study on the barrier to C-N bond rotation.
Get PDFThe trimethylplatinum(IV) complexes of a number of dithiocarbamato ligands have been prepared. The complexes are dimeric in the solid-state and in solution, with the ligands acting in both a bridging and chelating fashion. Restricted rotation about the ligand C-N bonds in solution leads to the formation of four rotomers. The kinetics of the restricted rotation were measured by a variety of dynamic NMR techniques in the slow and intermediate exchange regimes. Two distinct processes are observed, namely the independent rotation about each C-N bond and correlated rotation about both C-N bonds. The free energies of activation, which are strongly dependent on the nature of the ligand substituents, are in the range 65 – 88 kJ mol-1 at 298 K. The origins of the barrier to rotation and the effects of the N substituents are discussed. The X-ray structures of fac-[PtMe3(Me2NCS2)]2 (2) and fac-[PtMe3(Ph(H)NCS2)]2 , (6) are reported
Isolation and characterisation of the pyridazine (pydz) bridged halogenotrimethylplatinum(IV) complexes [(PtXMe₃)₂(μ-pydz)] (X = Cl, Br or I). X-Ray structure of [(PtIMe₃)₂(μ-pydz)]
No full textThe bridged dinuclear platinum(IV) complexes [(PtXMe₃)₂( μ-pydz)] (X = Cl, Br, I) were isolated as minor products from the reaction between pyridazine (pydz) and the halogenotrimethylplatinum(IV) tetramers. The X-ray crystal structure of the iodo complex reveals both a double halide bridge and a pyridazine bridged structure with a Pt Pt non-bonded distance of 3.5937(5) Å. The platinum atoms show only a slight deviation from an idealized octahedral geometry, but the structure is folded in the equatorial plane by 51.5° to accommodate the iodines between the two platinum moieties
A detailed NMR study of the solution stereodynamics in tricarbonylrhenium(I) halide complexes of the non-racemic chiral ligand 2,6-bis[(4R,5R)-4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]pyridine (L¹) and the molecular structure of fac-[ReBr(CO)₃(L¹)]
Get PDF1 Tricarbonylrhenium(I) halide complexes of the non-racemic chiral ligand 2,6-bis[(4R, 5R)-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-yl]pyridine (L¹), namely fac-[ReX(CO)₃(L¹)] (X = Cl, Br or I), have been prepared. In these complexes the ligand is bound in a bidentate fashion, with the N atom of the pyridine ring and an O atom of one of the acetal rings co-ordinated to the octahedral metal centre. The bidentate mode is confirmed by the X-ray structure of fac-[ReBr(CO)₃(L¹)]. There are four possible diastereoisomers, depending on the configuration at the metal centre and at the acetal-carbon atom of the co-ordinated ring; the X-ray structure of fac-[ReBr(CO)₃(L¹)] shows that the SR diastereoisomer is present in the solid state. In solution, three of the four possible diastereoisomers are observed, namely SR, RR and RS; their relative populations are in the order SR > RR > SS. Above ambient temperature the complexes are stereochemically non-rigid. The fluxional kinetics have been measured by a combination of standard band shape analysis and selective inversion experiments. Two distinct processes are present: an acetal ring flip and exchange of the pendant and co-ordinated acetal rings. The latter process occurs via two independent mechanisms, namely tick-tock and rotation pathways. The activation energies for the stereodynamics are in the ranges 72 – 73 kJ mol⁻¹ (tick-tock), 77 – 78 kJ mol⁻¹ (acetal ring flip) and 83 – 90 kJ mol⁻¹ (rotation) at 298 K
A patient-focused evaluation of breast care nursing specialist services in North Wales
No full textBackground to the study: Breast care services for Wales have developed in response to government requirements that breast cancer care should be delivered only by specialist multi-disciplinary teams in cancer units treating at least 100 new breast cancer patients per year. Study aims: This paper presents the findings of the third stage of a three-stage project. The aim of this phase of the study was to evaluate the Breast Care Nursing Specialist (BCNS) service from the patients’ perspective. Methodological issues: A postal questionnaire was distributed to women with breast cancer who had experienced the BCNS service (n=172). The questionnaire included a 4-point, 28-item Likert scale as well as open and closed questions. Findings/conclusion: The findings revealed positive perceptions of the value of the BCNS service, particularly in relation to support around the time of diagnosis. Areas requiring improvement included meeting information needs of women with breast cancer, availability of BCNSs, and providing emotional support to family members and to women in the longer term as well as providing practical care. It is concluded that increasing the numbers of BCNSs, and providing training in counselling as well as access to information and how this can be shared with women, would do much to address these deficits in service provision