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A comprehensive review of miscellaneous heat transfer enhancement designs of phase change material integrated heat exchanger
Get PDFThis comprehensive review focuses on the specific investigation of heat transfer enhancement with a primary objective of achieving more uniform melting/solidification within heat exchangers employing phase change materials (PCM). The paper begins highlighting the crucial role of heat exchangers and introduces the unique studies associated with achieving uniform phase changes. The main body of the paper seeks to explore heat transfer enhancement strategies, particularly within shell-and-tube structures and plate heat exchanger (PHE). Moreover, the study discusses the role of these strategies in achieving more uniform melting/solidification in phase change materials. Special attention is applied to examining advancements and methodologies aimed at optimizing heat transfer for improved performance in applications requiring control of phase changes. As a new contribution, the paper examines the application of PCM in PHEs, providing insights into their effectiveness in facilitating more uniform phase change and PCM usage in these heat exchangers. Notable improvements were also observed from literature studies with specific fin geometries, where longitudinal and spider-web-like structures reduced solidification times by as much as 63 % and enhanced melting uniformity by 47.9 %. Operational parameter optimization, particularly through increasing heat transfer fluid (HTF) inlet temperature by 10 °C, resulted in a 35 % decrease in charging time, underscoring the importance of temperature control in Thermal energy storage (TES) applications. The literature studies mentioned that enhanced PHE configurations, including corrugated and zigzag plate designs, have demonstrated up to nine times faster charging and discharging rates compared to traditional concentric systems due to increased surface area. This study provides essential insights for researchers and practitioners aiming to enhance heat exchanger designs for critical applications in thermal energy storages
Longitudinal Measurement Invariance of the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSoC): Evidence to Question Its Use?
Get PDFBackground
This study investigated the factor structure of the parenting sense of competence (PSoC), a measure of parenting self‐efficacy, in a sample of parents recruited when their infants were under 2 months old. Due to the lack of longitudinal analysis of the PSoC's factor structure over time, the study sought to establish if the published two‐factor structure was consistent over an 18‐month period.
Methods
Data collected from 536 parents who had participated in a randomised controlled trial of universal proportionate parenting support, delivered in five sites in England, were subject to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Results
CFA revealed that a three‐factor model was the best fit for the data. Longitudinal measurement invariance testing examined the stability of the three‐factor model across an 18‐month period. The results suggest that while the PSoC appeared to have configural variance, the metric and scalar variance were not supported. PSoC may be unstable across time and might be unreliable as a measure of parenting competence in parents of infants.
Conclusion
These findings are particularly salient for researchers and clinicians who are utilising the PSoC as a measure of change in routine practice or as part of evaluations of interventions. Further investigation of individual items is needed to refine the PSoC and improve its psychometric validity. Additional analyses are also needed to establish the invariance of the measure across different groups (age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic status)
International virtual sport coaching exchange: A mechanism for exploring pre-professional coaches’ interests and issues
Get PDFThe purpose of this practice paper is to share our experiences of, and reflections on, facilitating an international virtual exchange for pre-professional sport coaches, in a higher education context. Between January and May 2024, for 12 weeks, 21 coaches from both Leeds Beckett University (UK) and James Madison (USA) participated in a pilot project to supplement an internship experience which they were engaged in as part of their coursework. Using Flip, a video-based discussion app from Microsoft, coaches were encouraged to share and explore their problems of professional practice with others as they emerged. By doing this, we hoped that coaches would contribute to each-others’ framing and developing understanding of authentic and meaningful coaching issues, begin to form networks of support, become increasingly independent learners, and develop a more global outlook. From our position as internship architects and facilitators, we hypothesised that with a greater appreciation of coaches’ issues and interests we could more meaningfully offer timely and bespoke support. As we reflect on this novel project, we deliberate over the practical value of some of the underpinning ideas, limitations to supporting pre-professional coaches in this way, and future directions
Prevalence of Disordered Eating in National-Level Rugby: A Mixed-Methods Study of Male and Female Players in England
No full textBackground
Athletes are recognised as being at elevated risk of disordered eating (DE), with particularly high prevalence observed in ‘weight-sensitive’ sports. However, limited research has examined this issue within contact sports such as rugby, where unique physical demands and cultural norms may shape eating behaviours differently. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and contextual drivers of DE among national-level male and female rugby union and rugby league players in England. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional design was employed utilising an online questionnaire, incorporating the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ), the Muscularity Orientated Eating Test (MOET) and open-ended qualitative questions. Participants (n = 182) included current players from Premiership Women’s Rugby, Gallagher Premiership, Women’s Super League, and Men’s Super League. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and non-parametric statistics and qualitative responses underwent reflexive content analysis.
Results
Data from the EDEQ showed 28% of female and 9% of male players exceeded clinical thresholds for DE, with the highest prevalence among front-row forwards and players with a self-reported body mass index of >25 kg/m². Muscularity-oriented DE was similar in both sexes (MOET mean scores: females = 13.8; males = 13.0). Athletes reported DE behaviours including binge eating (40% of participants), compulsive exercise (33%), vomiting (2%), and laxative use (1%). Qualitative findings revealed a perceived link between body composition and performance, with 82% of players attempting to manipulate their bodies in the previous 12 months. 63% of players reported pressure to change their body composition, commonly driven by coaches (17%) or intrinsic motivations (16%). 44% experienced body-related comments in the rugby setting, frequently perceived as insults/jokes (19%), with players reporting emotional distress in response (11%).
Conclusion
National-level rugby players – particularly females, forwards, and individuals with self-reported high-BMI – are at elevated risk for DE. The findings reveal a high-pressure sporting culture in which physical size is paradoxically required and ridiculed. To address this complex issue, comprehensive and system-wide prevention strategies are urgently needed. These include challenging harmful cultural norms, cultivating psychological safety, and prioritising the holistic health and wellbeing of players across both men’s and women’s national-level rugby
Supporting women in relation to menopause knowledge and awareness: lessons learned from a gender specific educational programme
No full textBackground:
International evidence suggests that women experience a range of health and wellbeing challenges during menopause, and perimenopause. Current literature highlights the need for women to be educated about menopause, yet limited evidence exists in England about community-based menopause programmes that focus on educating women on this issue.
Study’s objectives:
The objective of this study was to evaluate a gender-specific (women-only) menopause-focused educational programme delivered in one English local authority area.
Setting:
A bespoke educational programme on menopause was delivered to women (n= 146) living in one geographical area, via 10 voluntary and community sector organisations, between July 2023 and March 2024.
Method:
This mixed methods, co-produced evaluation gathered data using pre- and post-course questionnaires (n= 51), learning logs (n= 7), observations of meetings (n= 5) and semi-structured interviews (professionals n= 11; course attendees, n= 7). Differences between pre- and post-test scores were calculated using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and effect sizes were identified. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.
Results:
The programme met its aims. The evaluation data show that this community-based, women-only educational programme was valued by delivery partners and course attendees alike, all of whom noted learning through their participation. Women as course attendees increased their knowledge and were able to use this education to improve their health.
Conclusion:
The programme worked well for the women who accessed it. However, it did not reach all the women who may have needed it, and it was only funded for a short while. Longer term, more sustainable educational provision to educate and inform women about menopause is required
Influence of running wide on the bend on performance in 1500m finals at major championships
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to determine the influence of running wide on bends on performance during major championship 1500m events. Official final race 100-m split times of 1500m finalists from two World Championships (2013 and 2017) and the 2016 Olympic Games were obtained from the open-access World Athletics website. Extra distance covered on the bends was calculated using official videos from the championships and the total distance run was described as the minimum calculable distance. Based on this measure, theoretical mean speeds, theoretical finishing times and theoretical finishing positions were calculated. Theoretical finishing times were faster than official finishing times (P < 0.001). Men and women covered a mean extra distance on the bends of 0.31 ± 0.09 and 0.38 m ± 0.17 m, respectively. Finishing positions were also influenced by extra distance covered. These findings suggest reducing extra distance run whenever possible to achieve a better finishing position during major championship races
Cosmopolitan Hubs: Glocalization and Non-native culture brokers in the globalization of popular music cultures
No full textFrom 2013-2016, during ethnographic fieldwork on the globalization of flamenco, I visited Jerez de la Frontera in AndalucÍa, Spain for the annual Festival de Jerez – a 10-day flamenco spectacular featuring legends, innovators and up-and-comers of the Spanish scene. In the temperate days of late February, the city hosts performances across multiple venues, as well as lectures and lesson packages. Flamenco, as a culture or ‘art complex’ (Aoyama 2007), encompasses singing, guitar, dancing, percussion and audience involvement. Gestival activities run all day and night. The streets and tavernas are filled with sights and sounds of flamenco and its aficionados discussing festival events. However, despite the festival being a site for the celebration of Spain’s most iconic art form, one notices when wandering the various events that, while most performers and teachers are Spanish, the majority of attendees are foreign – an observation corroborated herein through interviews and participant observation. Some hail from nearby countries in Western Europe, others from as far afield as the Americas, Japan and Taiwan. While this demographic is perhaps surprising, it indicates a larger trend of non-Spaniards having a greater appreciation for flamenco, becoming its primary consumers at home and culture brokers abroad.
I was invited to the festival by a British flamenco dancer who attended annually to receive lessons and watch performances. Christine would come to learn new skills and routines and to meet artists and gathering knowledge that informed her teaching, performances and events in Cheshire. I joined Christine and other foreign aficionados on the routes of the festival, enjoying the official performances and classes, as well as tavern jam sessions and peñas. On one memorable occasion, I participated in an impromptu 5am dance-off between a Taiwanese friend and some bakers just as the day’s fresh rolls were coming out of the oven. My interviews and participant observations with Jerez flamenco aficionados suggested that, while locals considered the festival good for business and an appropriate depiction of the art complex, activities were not typically marketed towards the Spanish and were priced higher than local audiences could afford. Subsequent interviews with flamenco practitioners in nearby Spanish cities revealed they would never consider attending because of the price.
At one of the world’s biggest flamenco festivals, attended by 20,000 yearly, in a country that has popularised the art complex as a symbol of national identity, why is the target audience mainly foreign? While some visitors are wealthy, curious tourists consuming exoticism, others, such as Christine, have a pre-existing passion and visit to be able to return to their homelands with skills and cultural knowledge. I will later describe these individual non-native culture brokers as ‘cosmopolitan hubs’, uniting Kiwan and Meinhof’s (2011) ‘human hubs’ and Hannerz’s (1990) ‘globalization of cosmopolitanism’ to denote a proclivity towards experiencing aspects of global cultures. Foreign flamenco scenes exist globally and are typically perpetuated by these cosmopolitan hubs rather than by Spanish practitioners.
Although foreign interest in flamenco is particularly evident at the Festival de Jerez, it exists across Spain’s various local flamenco scenes: flamenco is a cultural industry sustained by local professionals and foreign fascination. But how have these foreigners developed such an affinity that they travel afar to experience it then bring it back to sustain scenes in their home countries? The answer lies in a complex web of music globalization processes, tourism and assumed or assigned national identities arbitrated by individual culture bearers
Mapping Sense of Belonging ‘Moments’ on University Students’ Journey
Get PDFIt is widely established that arriving at university can be a confusing and disorientating experience; a world away from sixth form and college. Educators, researchers and policy makers within higher education, are in agreement that developing a sense of belonging is fundamental to students’ settling-in, engaging and achieving academic success. This paper examines undergraduates’ university journey and their perceptions of university belonging. Three hundred and fifty first year undergraduate students on BA (Hons) business and
management at Leeds Business School, part of Leeds Beckett University, participated in a qualitative study to explore students’ sense of belonging from their unique perspective. They were asked to upload their own sense of belonging ‘moments’ through a mixed media digital noticeboard, representing their journey from pre-arrival to the middle of the second semester. It was found that there were opportunities for academic and services staff, and the students themselves, to create belonging moments during this time. The moments fell into three categories; first, moments in classrooms and lecture theatres; secondly moments ‘at home’ in student accommodation; and finally, moments on nights out, at student societies and during other social activities. In response to the findings, Sense of Belonging Moments are being promoted through fresh interventions, including a new-look induction, a video to signpost
services; and student-led tours to promote awareness of campus spaces and facilities
LILAC Stories: Exploring the long-term impact of the LILAC Conference on the Information Literacy Community
Get PDFAims and Objectives
The aim of this research is to demonstrate the value of the LILAC Conference to employers in all sectors to support future applications for attendance and participation.
“Other barriers that make it challenging to justify the costs of conference attendance are related to the measurable impact of conference attendees’ learning. It can be difficult to assess learning from conference attendance. And it can be difficult to measure the impact of conference attendance on the employee and potential beneficiaries, such as patrons, students, and researchers” (McGowan et al., 2021, p. 551).
This has indeed proved difficult; gathering data in a formal way that is ethically sourced, with participant understanding of use of this data, as opposed to anecdotal evidence, has proved extremely challenging and may demonstrate that whilst this conference (and presumably other professional events and organisations) are esteemed and valued by their communities, there is little to no motivation to engage with research surrounding them outside of individual goodwill towards the event from those members who are already heavily involved within it
Revisiting the ‘Menten Affair’: Poland’s 1950 Extradition Request to the Netherlands
Get PDFThis article analyses the Dutch legal response to Poland’s 1950 extradition request of Pieter Menten and the questions underpinning the reasoning of the authorities and courts, along with other less visible issues then in play. The article begins with an overview of Menten’s activities in pre- and WW2 Poland, which include his involvement in massacres in 1941, as well as the looting of art. The Dutch court’s position on the matter reveals larger questions about the Dutch approach towards accountability for war crimes in the immediate post-WW2 period. The article adopts an international historical methodology in its analysis to demonstrate how concepts of extradition and war crimes were underdeveloped in the post-WW2 period. In this case, the intertwining of constitutional, criminal, and international laws provided a way for the political decision to prevail. Extradition, because it is an interplay between law and politics, was at odds with international criminal justice discourse during this period
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