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Perovskite LaNiO3/TiO2 step-scheme heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic activity
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•One-step synthesis of photocatalyst with LaNiO3/TiO2 structure.•The existence of S-scheme heterostructure was supported by active species experiment.•The samples exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance.
LaNiO3/TiO2 step-like composite heterojunction photocatalysts were synthesized via a facial in-situ sol‐gel method with different calcination temperatures. The crystal structure and performance of synthetic photocatalyst are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic spectroscopy (XPS). The results illustrate that binary structure of LaNiO3/TiO2 step-scheme heterojunction can be obtained at a calcination temperature of 700 °C, and it extends light‐absorption to the visible region. Moreover, the LaNiO3/TiO2 shows superior photocatalytic efficiency with respect to methyl orange (MO) degradation under visible light irradiation for 75 min, the degradation rate in MO solution of 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L are respectively 2 times and 3 times higher than pure LaNiO3. The synthetic photocatalyst also performed effective photocatalytic ability of antibiotic ciprofloxacin under visible light, and the degradation efficiency is higher than pure TiO2 and LaNiO3. Enhancement of organic degradation activity can be attributed to improvement of the electron-hole pairs separation rate caused by the formation of S-scheme heterostructure
Measuring forgiveness: Psychometric properties of a new culturally sensitive questionnaire. The Bolton Forgiveness Scale (BFS) - Submitted version
No full textForgiveness is a construct experienced by all people across the world. Hence, it is vital for a forgiveness measure to ensure good and diverse cultural representation and inclusivity in its development, validation and usage. The 15-item Bolton Forgiveness scale (BFS) was developed to assess dispositional forgiveness. Items for the scale came from interviews with 53 Nigerian and British people, from existing scales and from the research literature. In the subsequent three part study, exploratory factor analysis with a student sample (N= 733) formed part one. Confirmatory factor analysis with a general sample (N= 2,017) was part two. This indicated a robust three factor structure. The three factors were; coming to terms and letting go (CTLG), developing positive feelings (DPF) and giving benefit of the doubt (GBD). In part three, the BFS was administered along with the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Questionnaire, the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Scales and the mental health measures used by the Office of National Statistics. Finally, the current study provides a forgiveness definition as a process that involves developing and strengthening the capacity to give benefit of the doubt that enables the offended to come to terms with and let go of hurt with its negative affect thereby giving way gradually to positive feelings towards the transgressor. This measure offers a new culturally sensitive questionnaire to assess dispositional forgiveness.Keywords; Forgiveness, Culture, Questionnaire, Psychometrics
Organo-inorganic hybrid intumescent fire retardant coatings for thermoplastics based on poly(vinylphosphonic acid)
No full textThin coatings of crosslinked poly(vinylphosphonic acid), PVPA, display good adhesion and excellent intumescent, fire-retardant barrier properties when applied to the surfaces of a typical thermoplastic, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), but perform relatively poorly in water-soak tests.To strengthen and further improve the barrier properties of the intumescent char and to make the coating more hydrophobic, PVPA has been complexed with various inorganic and organic species.The chars formed from coatings of some of these hybrid materials are less friable than chars from coatings synthesized from crosslinked PVPA alone, and show higher levels of water tolerance with no significant reduction in dry adhesion to the substrate
Remarkable Lives : Stacey Withington in conversation with Jerome Carson.
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Stacey Withington.In this Case Study Stacey provides a short account of her life and is then interviewed by Jerome.Stacey details how she was able to transform her life, despite the traumas experienced in her life.While many of us will not have experienced the difficulties that Stacey has, we are all able to empathise with her story. We now have the gift of her story, to borrow the phrase from Dr Julie Leibrich (Leibrich, 1999).How many times must people complain about the delay in accessing counselling and mental health services, before something is done to tackle the problem? A Mum, a partner and a son, backed up by wonderful tutors and friends, helped Stacey find the strength and talent she possessed within.Stacey is the first person featured in this series to be called a SHEro. In truth and as Patricia Deegan has stated, “try and see the person with mental health problems that you are working with as a hero,” (Deegan, 1996). As Pat also says, “Could you have survived what that person has survived?” Stacey has not just survived, she is now flourishing
Policy, classroom practice and teacher training in the education of children with calculation operation skills difficulties: a case study in South Western Nigeria
No full textThe author of this thesis is a lecturer in Special Education in a teacher education institution in South Western Nigeria, and this research addresses problems which he has observed in the course of his practice with teachers of children with calculation operation skills difficulties. Some teachers were untrained and unprepared for the challenges they face when teaching young learners with calculation operation difficulties in mainstream classrooms. The research addressed this problem by carrying out a training intervention, validated by research evidence, to introduce new methods to teachers working in regular schools.A multi-site case study was carried out in three schools, each in a different state in South Western Nigeria, making use of a qualitative methodology. The investigation was structured by Stake’s ‘countenance of education’ model, which provides a method for the evaluation of educational interventions.The main findings of the research are that there is a gap between policy and practice in the support for learners with calculation operation difficulties in South-Western Nigeria. Two particular barriers to learning are identified. Firstly, the use of English in teaching learners with calculation operation difficulties is a problem for learners, and it is recommended that teachers should switch between the first languages of the learners and English, according to the pedagogic needs of the learner. The use of abstract teaching methods also hinders learners in acquiring calculation operation skills. The research shows that training can lead to changes in both the use of language and in the use of abstract methods.Two additional findings are that the way that education is organized in Nigeria makes it very hard to obtain a clear picture of practice, and that the value of the Teaching Practice Analysis Report checklist, which is widely used in South Western Nigeria, should be reassessed
A micropillar-based microfluidic viscometer for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids
No full textIn this study, a novel viscosity measurement technique based on measuring the deflection of flexible (poly) dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micropillars is presented. The experimental results show a nonlinear relationship between fluid viscosity and the deflection of micropillars due to viscoelastic properties of PDMS. A calibration curve, demonstrating this nonlinear relationship, is generated, and used to determine the viscosity of an unknown fluid. Using our method, viscosity measurements for Newtonian fluids (glycerol/water solutions) can be performed within 2–100 cP at shear rates γ = 60.5–398.4 s−1. We also measured viscosity of human whole blood samples (non-Newtonian fluid) yielding 2.7–5.1 cP at shear rates γ = 120–345.1 s−1, which compares well with measurements using conventional rotational viscometers (3.6–5.7 cP). With a sensitivity better than 0.5 cP, this method has the potential to be used as a portable microfluidic viscometer for real-time rheological studies.[Display omitted]•Novel viscosity measurement method: flexible micropillar displacement tracking.•Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids viscosity measurements with microliter sample volumes.•Sensitivity of device depends on micropillar arrangement.•Device sensitivity increases with high aspect ratio of micropillars
Pedobarograph based prefabricated orthotics reduces self-reported minor injuries and improves comfort whilst running
No full textCompensate for or Minimize Matrix Effects? Strategies for Overcoming Matrix Effects in Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Technique: A Tutorial Review
No full textIn recent decades, mass spectrometry techniques, particularly when combined with separation methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography, have become increasingly important in pharmaceutical, bio-analytical, environmental, and food science applications because they afford high selectivity and sensitivity. However, mass spectrometry has limitations due to the matrix effects (ME), which can be particularly marked in complex mixes, when the analyte co-elutes together with other molecules, altering analysis results quantitatively. This may be detrimental during method validation, negatively affecting reproducibility, linearity, selectivity, accuracy, and sensitivity. Starting from literature and own experience, this review intends to provide a simple guideline for selecting the best operative conditions to overcome matrix effects in LC-MS techniques, to obtain the best result in the shortest time. The proposed methodology can be of benefit in different sectors, such as pharmaceutical, bio-analytical, environmental, and food sciences. Depending on the required sensitivity, analysts may minimize or compensate for ME. When sensitivity is crucial, analysis must try to minimize ME by adjusting MS parameters, chromatographic conditions, or optimizing clean-up. On the contrary, to compensate for ME analysts should have recourse to calibration approaches depending on the availability of blank matrix. When blank matrices are available, calibration can occur through isotope labeled internal standards and matrix matched calibration standards; conversely, when blank matrices are not available, calibration can be performed through isotope labeled internal standards, background subtraction, or surrogate matrices. In any case, an adjusting of MS parameters, chromatographic conditions, or a clean-up are necessary