70015 research outputs found
Sort by
Frame-by-frame measurement and recording of DC partial discharge under different ramp excitations
No full textThis study presents a comparatively low-cost measurement system for recording, extracting, and processing partial discharge in a dielectric insulation material sample. The purpose of the measurement is to combine developed measurement tools and equipment through a method of synchronisation to capture partial discharge pulses, under direct current or unipolar excitation, in real-time with accurate timing information. A coupling capacitor-based detection method is used for measurement. Each partial discharge event was captured on a single oscilloscope frame and exported in a synchronised order. Results showed that sufficient resolution can be captured for all partial discharge events, where the trigger threshold is selectable
Design, preparation, and characterization of injectable thermosensitive polymer-based hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties for sustained liraglutide release
No full textWith increasing prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes and obesity, liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 agonist, has drawn much attention for its favorable effects. However, the fact that it requires daily subcutaneous administration results in low patient compliance. Herein, we aimed to develop injectable and thermosensitive Pluronic F127-based and chitosan-based hydrogels incorporating hyaluronic acid, Capryol 90, and β-glycerophosphate (β-GP) for long-term glycemic control. Incorporating hyaluronic acid, Capryol 90, and β-GP significantly influenced the rheological properties and morphologies of the hydrogels. In addition, both Pluronic-based and chitosan-based hydrogels exhibited excellent biocompatibility and acceptable injection forces. Pluronic-based hydrogels showed a mild burst release compared to chitosan-based hydrogels, which was attributed to their rheological properties, morphology, and molecular interactions between liraglutide and the hydrogel materials. Following a single subcutaneous administration in rats, Pluronic-based hydrogels exhibited favorable pharmacokinetics as well as a low initial burst release and prolonged drug exposure for 72 h, which was superior to chitosan-based hydrogels. In conclusion, injectable, thermosensitive Pluronic-based hydrogels incorporating hyaluronic acid and Capryol 90 demonstrated promising properties as controlled delivery systems for the weekly administration of liraglutide
Efficacy of biopesticides and fungicides against brown rot on cherry (Prunus avium) and plum (Prunus domestica)
No full textCherry and plum are prone to brown rot diseases. Synthetic fungicides are still the main management tool to control brown rot but there is a need to develop eco-friendly methods. Five commercial biopesticides including BioPK (Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum and T. longibranchum), BoniProtect (Aureobasidium pullulans), Trianum (T. harzianum), PreStop (Gliocladium catenulatum) and Serenade (Bacillus subtilis) along with Indar (fenbuconazole, a synthetic fungicide) were tested against Monilinia laxa which products applied before and after pathogen inoculation. Indar completely inhibited brown rot development. Serenade partially inhibited M. laxa when applied before pathogen inoculation. The efficacy of two indigenous strains (B. subtilis B91 and A. pullulans Y126) were evaluated under ambient conditions or 1°C; Indar and Serenade were used as control treatments. Cherry and plum were first treated with specific products, then wounded and inoculated with M. laxa. Indar completely inhibited M. laxa under both conditions. Under ambient conditions, only B91 reduced the incidence of disease. When stored at 1°C for 4 weeks, all biocontrol treatments reduced the incidence of disease. However, when fruits were left under ambient conditions for an additional 1 week, the incidence of disease did not differ between treatments. Post-harvest application of biopesticides under 1°C was studied with Rovral used as a control. Cherry and plum were submerged into individual treatments and stored at 1°C for 6 weeks. Rovral reduced the incidence of disease, whilst all biopesticides did not. In conclusion, Serenade, B91 and Y126 can partially inhibit M. laxa when applied before pathogen infection. The present study supports that these biocontrol proeducts should be used pre-harvest to reduce the extent of fruit latent infection by M. laxa, and an effective post-harvest cold chain management should be implemented to delay/minimise rot development
A protocol for mapping Blastocystis epidemiology and diagnostics from One Health perspective [version 3; peer review: 4 approved]
Get PDFBlastocystis is a globally prevalent gut protist colonising over a billion people worldwide, yet its epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and clinical significance remain underexplored. This protocol represents the first step of a large-scale effort to map Blastocystis epidemiology and diagnostic practices across Europe through the COST Action CA21105: Blastocystis under One Health. By assessing diagnostic methodologies across clinical, veterinary, and environmental sectors, this work sets the foundation for future research and standardisation. Here, we highlight key findings, challenges, and a roadmap for improving Blastocystis detection, ultimately influencing global health policies and microbial ecology studies
Relation, Exploitation, or Function? Developing a Measurement Scale and Assessing Perceptions of Non-Profit/Business Partnerships
Get PDFThis research examines non-profit organizations’ (NPOs) attitudes and intentions for engaging in business partnerships for their first time. A randomly selected, nationally representative survey of NPOs in the United States ( N = 533), Canada ( N = 399), and France ( N = 139) was conducted online. Scales were created to assess NPO perceptions along three dimensions: relational, avoiding exploitation, and functional. Scales created herein are shown to be a valid means of assessing partnership perceptions, and the research results replicated across these three developed countries. Results demonstrate that NPOs considering business partnerships for the first time are primarily seeking concrete, functional benefits. They approach business partnerships with optimism, expecting positive relationships with little fear of exploitation. This suggests an inclination to participate. It also suggests potential vulnerability at the hands of a stronger business partner
Intestinal microbial eukaryotes at the human, animal and environment interface in rural Iraq
Get PDFIntestinal microbial eukaryotic parasites represent a significant public and veterinary health burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries, yet their transmission dynamics at the human–animal–environment interface remain poorly characterized in certain countries. This study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of key microbial eukaryotes, including Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis spp., Entamoeba histolytica, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi, in a rural village in Iraq. Samples collected from humans (n = 50), livestock (sheep and goats, n = 50), water (n = 20), and soil (n = 20) were analysed using microscopy and molecular methods (qPCR and nested PCR). Blastocystis spp. (78% animals, 16% humans, 45% soil, 5% water) and Cryptosporidium spp. (26% animals, 12% humans, 5% soil, 15% water) were the most frequently found microeukaryotes using either microscopy and/or molecular detection. Molecular methods identified Cryptosporidium parvum in humans and sheep, hinting at zoonotic transmission potential. Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Giardia were also found. Cryptosporidium ubiquitum and E. bieneusi genotypes BEB6 and COS-I, respectively, were detected exclusively in sheep, suggesting roles as potential reservoirs. Blastocystis ST1 was detected in humans, while ST4 and ST10 occurred in sheep. Notably, molecular detection rates of Blastocystis were much lower than those of microscopy. Entamoeba histolytica was not detected. The detection of the same organisms in humans, animals and the environment suggest zoonotic and environmental transmission pathways, which warrant further investigation using the One Health approach
Cross-genre musicking in individual and collaborative group contexts: lived experience and musical identity
No full textWhat is it like for a performer to encounter and engage with an unfamiliar network of influences, whilst simultaneously being located within their own habitus of music performance? How does cultural background and training shape an individual's sense of musical identity? This chapter explores the lived experiences of specialist musicians aged 19–33 working inside and outside their primary musical tradition and in cross-cultural scenarios where musical traditions intersect. Reference to two case study settings functions as a prelude to a broader consideration of the impact of sociocultural background upon experiential modes shaping the acquisition of musical skills and subjective sense of musical identity. The first case study centres on the individual engagement of undergraduate improvising musicians from western classical, north Indian classical and jazz backgrounds with unfamiliar musics across a period of three weeks as part of a pilot project at a UK conservatoire, designed to afford an immersive exploration of unfamiliar musics. The second centres on subjective experiences of a cross-genre collaboration between Arabic music specialists, classical string players and a jazz quintet. Phenomenological characteristics of experiences are considered with relation to an ecological framework
Slurry flow measurement using Coriolis flowmeters incorporating analytical and data-driven modelling
No full textCoriolis flowmeters are effective for single-phase flows; however, their accuracy degrades in case of multiphase flows. Slurry is a complex multiphase flow and limited studies have been conducted for slurry flow metering using Coriolis flowmeters. In this study, a review of the existing slurry flow measurement techniques is given, together with the associated technical issues of Coriolis flowmeters for slurry flow metering. Phase decoupling and asymmetric damping are identified as the significant factors contributing to measurement inaccuracies in Coriolis flowmeters for slurry flow measurement.
This study proposes an analytical model that studies the most significant forces acting on the solid particles of two-phase slurry while flowing through Coriolis tubes. Based on the force analysis a decoupling ratio equation is proposed. An error compensation scheme is then developed by combining the decoupling ratio and asymmetric damping effect of slurry on Coriolis tubes for slurry flow metering. This study also presents data-driven models that are incorporated into Coriolis flowmeters for mass flowrate, density and solid volume fraction (SVF) measurement of slurry. Three different data-driven models based on support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), and Gaussian process regression (GPR) are established through training and testing.
To examine the behaviour of Coriolis flowmeters under slurry flow conditions, a laboratory scale slurry flow test rig has been upgraded. A series of experimental tests were performed on the test rig for a range of mass flowrates (5,435-18,582 kg/h) and SVFs between 0% and 4.8%. The effects of Coriolis tubes geometry and orientation conditions are also examined by installing two Coriolis flowmeters on horizontal pipe sections with their measuring tubes in upward and downward orientations. Negative errors were observed up to -3.4% and -5.8% for mass flowrate and density measurement of slurry for both orientations, respectively. This also agrees with the theoretical analysis of decoupled motions between solid and liquid phases. Additional factors leading to measurement errors, including density difference, asymmetry, damping, Coriolis tube geometry, and orientation conditions, are also practically evaluated.
Experimental results revealed that the proposed analytical model yields a relative error within ±0.5% and ±1.3% for mass flowrate and density measurement of slurry for both orientations of Coriolis flowmeters, respectively, under all test conditions. The performances of SVM, ANN, and GPR models are also assessed in comparison with the reference readings. A data augmentation technique is also applied to generate unseen condition data with ±5% deviation from the original data. The experimental results show that the GPR models are superior to the SVM and ANN models in terms of measurement accuracy. For GPR models, the majority of errors are within ±0.2% while the rest of them are no greater than ±0.6% for mass flowrate, density and SVF measurement of slurry for both original and augmented data, respectively.
Finally, it can be concluded that this research outcome has effectively extended the applicability of Coriolis flowmeters to two-phase slurry flow measurement
Lessons from caring for Syrian refugees
Get PDFMariam, a 32-year-old mother of three from Aleppo, Syria, once lived a peaceful life before war shattered her world. After her husband went missing, she fled with her children, crossing into Turkey on foot, surviving treacherous conditions, and facing malnutrition, infections, and psychological trauma. Upon reaching Canada, Mariam encountered new challenges: language barriers, navigating a foreign healthcare system, and battling severe anxiety and depression. But her determination to rebuild a life for her children was unwavering
MOVING THE IMMOVABLE: an analysis of architectural projection and the fostered interrelationships between light, architecture and the spectator
No full textThis thesis explores projection and projection mapping as mediums through which relationships between light, architecture, and spectatorship are activated and redefined. While projection mapping has rapidly proliferated over the last two decades, becoming central to festivals, commemorations, and public spectacles, it is frequently treated as a novelty of digital culture. This research demonstrates that the practice has a far deeper lineage, emerging from centuries of experimentation with projected light, from magic lantern shows and son et lumière to cinema, installation art, and protest projection. Situating projection mapping within this ancestry establishes the historical and theoretical context for its contemporary situation.
Through a detailed literature review and critical practice analysis, three interrelated characteristics are identified as fundamental to understanding projection mapping: site, light, and audience. By exploring the contribution of each of these, a proposal is offered for analysing the way projection mapping operates - whether as an architectural augmentation, a narrative device, or a collective spectacle. A review of seminal projects shows how practitioners variably emphasise these components, but also reveals a lack of coherent methodological reflection within theory and practice.
Addressing this gap, this thesis adopts a practice-based research methodology, developing a series of experimental pilot studies and a major case study project. Each project tests a different methodological approach to projection mapping, examining how projected light can transform architectural space, and how audiences interpret and engage with these transformations. Through critical reflection on these investigations, this thesis proposes a structured framework for categorising projection mapping methodologies, offering tools for both academic analyses and artistic practice
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Kent Academic Repository? Access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard!