4208 research outputs found
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Novel Design of Conical-ShapedWireless Charger for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Full text linkThis work presents a novel wireless charging system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which employs conical-shaped coils that also function as landing gear. By integrating electromagnetic simulation, circuit modeling, and system-level evaluation, we introduce an innovative coil design that enhances wireless power transfer (WPT) efficiency while reducing misalignment sensitivity. The conical geometry naturally facilitates mechanical alignment upon drone landing, thereby improving inductive coupling. High-frequency simulations were carried out to optimize the coil parameters and evaluate the link efficiency at 6.78 MHz, an ISM-designated frequency. Our experimental testing confirmed that the proposed conical coil achieves high power transfer efficiency (up to 94%) under practical conditions, validating the effectiveness of the geometry. The characteristics of the designed coil make it highly suitable for use with Class EF amplifiers operating in the same frequency range; however, detailed amplifier hardware implementation and efficiency characterization were beyond the scope of this study and are reserved for future work. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed system for deployment in UAV field applications such as surveillance, delivery, and remote sensing
Supporting victim–survivors of police-perpetrated domestic violence: Insights from a process evaluation of a Welsh advocacy support intervention
Full text linkPolice-perpetrated domestic abuse (PPDA) presents unique challenges owing to inherent power dynamics that hinder survivors from disclosing, seeking justice and support. In addition, the very existence of PPDA substantially weakens public trust and confidence in policing. One key response to these challenges is the provision of specialised support for victim–survivors of PPDA. Until recently, such provision has been limited across the UK. However, an independent support service explicitly for survivors of PPDA – known as Tabw – is being piloted in two Welsh police force areas. This article draws on qualitative data from interviews conducted with key stakeholders ( n = 14) involved in the design and/or delivery of the service. Three overarching themes were identified from a thematic analysis: namely, the bespoke nature of Tabw; survivor-first provision; and building relationships and resources. Findings demonstrate that Tabw's provision of independent, confidential support enables victim–survivors to feel heard and believed, and more able to navigate the criminal investigation process. These findings inform the continuation of the pilot and support the potential replication of similar services across Welsh and English forces
Do You See My Trauma? - The lived realities of minority ethnic individuals
Full text linkThis report, Do You See My Trauma?, explores the lived experiences of racial trauma among minority ethnic individuals across Wales. Conducted by EYST Wales with support from ACE Hub Wales and the University of South Wales, the study gathered qualitative data from 147 participants, including refugees, asylum seekers, and British ethnic minorities.Findings reveal widespread racism and discrimination across health, education, policing, and public life, resulting in deep psychological, physical, and social harm. Participants described mistrust of institutions, isolation, and barriers to accessing support due to language, fear, and cultural misunderstanding. The report identifies major service gaps — particularly the lack of culturally competent, trauma-informed care — and calls for systemic change to ensure equality, dignity, and safety for minority communities.Recommendations include mandatory anti-racism and trauma-awareness training, inclusive reporting systems, better representation in public services, and co-production with community organisations. The report concludes that addressing racial trauma is essential to achieving an anti-racist and trauma-informed Wales
Optimisation of Magnesium Oxide and Silica Fume Blend for Sulphate Soil Stabilisation
Full text linkThe utilisation of magnesium oxide-based binders (M) as an alternative to hydrated calcium silicate materials is a promising avenue for binding methodologies. However, the efficacy of using silica fume (S) as a co-binder with magnesium oxide in sulphate soil stabilisation, along with their ideal blending ratio, has yet to be unveiled. Therefore, an array of artificial sulphate soil specimens was fabricated, each featuring varying combinations of magnesium oxide and silica fume. These specimens were subsequently subjected to comprehensive testing, including unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, linear expansion test, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The outcomes demonstrated that the co-utilisation of silica fume and magnesium oxide significantly improves the compressive strength and linear expansion of sulphate soil, and such an improvement was more efficacious at a stoichiometric amount of 5% magnesium oxide and 5% silica fume (5M5S). This outperforming threshold, characterised by the highest UCS (1834 kN/m2) and minimal expansion (0.2%), occurred through the consumption of surplus brucite and the formation of further magnesium silicate hydrate
The European Union, Aviation Security and Counter-Terrorism
Full text linkThis compelling book critically examines how the EU has expanded its counter-terrorism remit to include aviation security in the twenty-first century. Briony Callander, Christian Kaunert and Sarah Léonard analyse the EU’s increasing involvement in aviation security following the 9/11 attacks.Callander, Kaunert and Léonard explore post-9/11 regulation and control of the formerly inter-governmental area of aviation security by supranational institutions with no prior involvement in the sector. They illustrate the highly technical and globally interlinked nature of the field, highlighting how this has resulted in EU policies affecting areas beyond the borders of EU member states. The book provides a comprehensive definition of aviation security, tracing its evolution before and since 9/11 and presenting cutting-edge research on how EU engagement in aviation security can be further developed and enhanced.Scholars and students of European politics and policy, international relations, international security, terrorism and counter-terrorism, political geography and geopolitics will greatly benefit from this insightful book. It is also an essential resource for policymakers and practitioners in counter-terrorism, security and criminology, as well as those working in non-governmental and civil society organizations
Plain living and high thinking: The ethics and economies of Gissing’s vegetarians
Full text linkIn this article I explore one strand of the rich matrix of food and eating in George Gissing's works: vegetarianism, its food and its followers, drawing on examples from The Odd Women (1893), two short stories, “Simple Simon” (1896), “A Poor Gentleman” (1899), The Crown of Life (1901) and Will Warburton (1905). Do these characters and their diets function as part of the texts’ surface realism? Does vegetarianism serve, as various readers assert, as a euphemism for “poverty, a marker of genteel deprivation and barely concealed desperation”? This article explores the motivations, realities, and consequences of meat avoidance in Gissing’s works
A review of light sources used for laser speckle reduction in display and imaging applications
Full text linkLaser speckle is greatly influenced by the chosen light source and how or if its emission is manipulated. A laser with intrinsically high coherence generates high speckle contrast (SC, a quantitative measure of speckle) leading to low image fidelity. However, by destroying the laser’s temporal or spatial coherence and/or applying beam diversity, SC can be reduced whilst retaining many of the benefits of low power laser illumination in holography, triangulation, cinematic projections, and in a variety of imaging applications. Thus, careful consideration of the choice of light source and SC reduction method is critical. This review summarizes the light sources commonly used by researchers in SC reduction applications. It was found that the output of laser didoes can be manipulated using the largest variety of techniques and, thus, offer the greatest flexibility in applying spectral, spatial, and/or angular diversity. This flexibility is found to be highly effective in reducing SC particularly when combining several techniques simultaneously
Determinants of ICT Adoption and Performance in Healthcare: The Role of Individual Attributes and Organizational Contextual Factors
Full text linkImplementing Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the healthcare sector faces several barriers, and the pace of adoption may vary depending on several factors, including individual attributes such as competence and experience, along with contextual factors such as size, type, and location of the organization. We conducted a global survey involving healthcare professionals (n =204) to understand the role of various determinants in adopting ICTs and their implications for organizational performance. Data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and multiple regression for micro-level constructs. Findings indicate that while individual attributes positively influence organizational performance, the direct impact of ICT adoption on performance is limited. While front-end technologies enhance performance, base technologies may occasionally hinder it. This stresses the necessity of thoroughly assessing specific technology applications to ensure they operate effectively. Furthermore, the relationships between competence and experience in ICT adoption were not statistically significant, indicating that individual attributes may have less influence on ICT adoption; this implies that technological advancements typically occur through management decisions in collaboration with the relevant IT department, emphasizing the importance of increased user participation and the process of adoption and effective use, which are distinct aspects while evaluating individual aspects. Future research should focus on detailed and specific applications of technology and nuanced, long-term performance outcomes
An Introduction to Sickle Cell Disease and Beta Thalassaemia
Full text linkThis article, the first of four in the series, is an introduction to the genetic inheritance, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestation of SCD and beta thalassaemia. The second and third papers focus on nursing assessment and clinical management of sickle cell disease and beta thalassaemia respectively, and the fourth outlines the revised genetic competencies for generalist midwives and for midwives and nurses who specialise in this area