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Identification of volatiles during thermal degradation of epoxy resins for detection of incipient fire conditions in composites
No full textThis work reports the qualitative and quantitative identification of volatile products from thermal and thermo-oxidative decompositions of different epoxy resins to allow selection of the particular chemical species most likely to be detectable in situ by infrared and chemical sensors. Thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared analysis (TGA-FTIR) has been carried out on three resins at heating rates ranging from 20 to 70 °C/min in increments of 10 °C/min to understand the effects of the severities of different heating environments. Pyrolysis-FTIR has been conducted to complement the TGA-FTIR study under static atmospheric conditions hence revealing the volatile production under oxidative conditions. While the evolution of water, CO2, phenolic, carbonyl, aliphatic, aromatic and N-containing species could be observed in all resin types, the intensities and times of evolution of different components varied. Higher heating rates resulted in the evolution of volatiles occurring earlier and at greater intensities, but with a lower total amount of each product being evolved. From detection of CO, CO2 and aliphatic hydrocarbons in early stages of resin decomposition, i.e., prior to ignition, it can be inferred that sensors detecting these gases could be deployed in composites to provide a warning of any potential fires
Exploring the mental health challenges and support needs of nursing students
No full textWhy you should read this article:• To enhance your understanding of the mental health issues experienced by nursing students• To increase your knowledge of the coping strategies nursing students use to manage stress and distress• To reflect on the role of universities and placement settings in providing mental health support to studentsBackground Nursing students frequently experience significant mental health challenges, including high levels of stress, depression, anxiety, burnout and distress. A large mixed-methods study was undertaken at one university in England to investigate the factors that contribute to the mental health and well-being of students enrolled in nursing and non-nursing programmes. This article describes one specific aspect of the study.Aim To explore the mental health challenges and support needs of nursing students.Method Nursing students were asked to complete a mental health and well-being questionnaire that included structured items and space for free-text comments. Twenty-nine students undertaking a nursing degree or nursing apprenticeship programme completed the questionnaire and provided free-text comments. The free-text comments underwent thematic analysis and this article reports the qualitative findings that emerged from the analysis.Findings The analysis of respondents’ free-text comments revealed five themes: help with academic issues; experiences during clinical placement; personal issues related to family and finances; access to support services; and coping strategies. Respondents expressed a need for clearer communication from lecturers regarding academic expectations, better support during clinical placements and better financial support. Respondents used various coping strategies, including talking to family and friends, faith and physical exercise to manage mental health challenges.Conclusion Addressing the gaps in university support services and enhancing clinical and academic staff’s understanding of the mental health needs of nursing students are crucial steps towards improving students’ mental health, retention and academic performance
The G-CHIME model of addiction recovery an analysis of 20 individual addiction recovery stories
No full textPurpose.The purpose of this work is to analyse 20 individual addiction recovery stories to find evidence for the G-CHIME model (Growth, Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning in life and Empowerment) for analysing addiction recovery. It also shows that addiction recovery is a unique process.Design/methodology/approach.This research combines the findings from 20 individual addiction recovery stories, each having been reported separately using the same methodology for the purpose of publication in a book, or as part of a journal series. Patterns seen across the disparate narratives have been codified against the components in the G-CHIME model to produce a larger gestalt of the aggregated findings.Findings.Whilst each of the addiction recovery stories is unique, collectively they illustrate that recovery is a process which can be understood through the components of the G-CHIME model.Originality/value.This is the first paper to analyse the G-CHIME model by extracting the common features of the model from 20 addiction recovery stories
Predicting customer churn using a hybrid deep learning approach in the telecommunications sector
No full textThis research examines the customer churn issues in the telecommunications industry, which significantly impact companies by leading to revenue loss and high costs associated with acquiring new customers. Therefore, effective prediction and preventing churn are still significant challenges in the industry. This research utilises deep learning techniques to implement a model that can predict customer churn. The dataset used is the "Customer Churn Prediction" dataset from Kaggle, which contains 100,000 customer records with 100 features, including demographic information, service usage patterns, billing details, and customer behaviour metrics collected over a 12-month period from a major telecommunications provider. Moreover, the Genetic Algorithm is used as a feature selection technique to find the best features from the dataset and help to improve the model's performance. The most crucial factors that impact churn, such as customer usage patterns, network quality, and engagement with customer care, were identified. Moreover, the implemented Deep Learning model, Temporal Convolutional Network, used train and test data to calculate several metrics. Hyperparameters for TCN are used to improve model performance. The results are an accuracy of 70.4%, a sensitivity of 71%, and an AUC of 0.8. These results outperform the single models, such as Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Random Forests (RF), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), Logistic Regression (LR), K-nearest neighbours (KNN), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Naïve Bayes, and AdaBoost. The suggested model helps telecom companies keep their customers and reduce churn rates by providing a practical solution
Development and simulation of novel KevlarR®/Polypropylene composites for ballistic protection
No full textThe aim of the research programme was to develop novel Kevlar®/polypropylenecomposites for ballistic protection using a manufacturing process that enablesthrough-thickness reinforcement. The process involved two steps: (i)needlepunching to form nonwoven Kevlar®/polypropylene substrates, and (ii)compression moulding to manufacture the composites. Nonwoven substrateswere cut in 0°, 90°, -45⁰ and +45⁰ directions and moulded into unidirectional andquasi-isotropic composites with 8, 16, 24, and 32 plies. Optimal mouldingparameters — time, temperature, and pressure — were determined using designof experiments via Taguchi’s method. The test results showed that the throughthickness modulus of the composites was more than twice their tensile modulus,underscoring the effectiveness of the through-thickness reinforcement process.The Kevlar®/polypropylene composites were tested using spherical balls andbullets. The ballistic limits, V50 for 8, 16, and 24-ply composites against 1.1gstainless-steel balls were 352, 394, and 425 m/s, respectively. The 24-plycomposite met NIJ Level II requirements when tested with 9mm FMJ RN bullets(398 m/s, 349 m/s) and .357 Magnum JSP bullets (413 m/s, 403 m/s, 357 m/s).The 32-ply composite passed NIJ Level IIIA when tested with .357 SIG FMJ FNbullets at 440 ± 10 m/s. In both 24- and 32-ply panels, bullets were embeddedafter limited penetration, with low backface deformation due to strain distributionover a large area of the composites.The fractographic and failure analysis showed that tensile loading caused thecomposites to split into ply groupings before final fibre failure. After ballisticimpact, shear-induced fibre failure was observed on the impact side, while ductiledeformation of reinforcements in a bulging mode occurred on the back. In fullypenetrated samples, ductile deformation progressed to tensile (tear) failure.Additionally, 24- and 32-ply composites exhibited complex matrix/interfacecracking under ballistic impacts.Analytical models based on experimental data predicted the ballistic limit of 24-and 32-ply Kevlar®/polypropylene composites as proportional to areadensity^0.18, indicating that further increases in area density would not improveballistic performance.Finite element models for 24-ply composites under three-point bending andballistic impact showed good agreement with experimental results. Simulatedbending stiffness was slightly higher than experimental, as expected. Due to thesymmetrical configuration of the composite, natural axis i.e., zero bending stresswas placed in the middle of the composite, with approximately equal tensile andcompressive stresses at the top and bottom, respectively. Maximum S11(longitudinal) stress occurred in topmost and bottommost 0° plies, whilemaximum S22 (transverse) stress appeared in topmost and bottommost 90° plies.Ballistic simulations closely matched experimental deformation at 349 m/s(10.87 mm vs. 11 mm) but differed at 398 m/s (12.7 mm vs. 20 mm). Simulatedstress was localized and propagated through thickness. The ballistic simulationagreed with the experimental observation in that strain distributed over a largearea of the composites, which contributed to low backface deformation
The definition of terrorism Legal and conceptual clarity to the true meaning of terrorism - formulating a universally acceptable legal definition of terrorism
No full texthis research confronts one of the most intractable and politically weaponised failures in international law: the absence of a clear, coherent, and universally acceptable legal definition of terrorism. Far from constituting a mere semantic gap, this definitional crisis reveals a deliberate juridical strategy—engineered through geopolitical compromise, sustained by normative asymmetry, and operationalised to legitimise state violence, criminalise dissent, and erase subaltern resistance. Drawing on over 1,200 legal, political, media, and policy texts across five jurisdictions, this study empirically exposes how terrorism functions not as a neutral category of violence, but as a juridico-political artefact structured by power, ideology, and colonial residue. Guided by an interpretivist epistemology, the research triangulates Critical Discourse Analysis, Postcolonial Theory, and Constructivist International Legal Theory to interrogate the discursive, doctrinal, and structural dimensions of terrorism law. Through methodological triangulation, including doctrinal interpretation, comparative legal analysis, and multi-genre discourse coding, the study identifies five recurring but unresolved normative themes: unchecked power, distributive injustice, epistemic silencing, hegemonic framing, and the criminalisation of legitimate resistance. Rather than merely critique existing definitions, the research undertakes a normative and legal reconstruction of the concept. It proposes a rights-based, doctrinally precise, and politically contextualised definition of terrorism-one that excludes lawful self-defence, self-determination, and resistance recognised under international law. The proposed definition distinguishes between illegitimate coercion and emancipatory violence, thereby restoring the moral and legal boundaries currently obfuscated by dominant regimes of counterterrorism. In doing so, the research reframes terrorism law as a contested site of power and justice, and reclaims it as an instrument of liberation rather than repression
The Anatomy of Dark Leadership: A Critical Analysis of Bashar al-Assad's Regime and Its Psychological Impact on Syrian Governance and Society
No full textBashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has been widely analysed for its authoritarian control, coercive governance, and psychological manipulation. This study critically examines dark leadership characteristics within Assad's rule, mainly through narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. It explores how Assad's leadership has manipulated political institutions, repressed opposition, and weaponised propaganda to maintain power, alongside the psychological and social consequences on Syrian society. This research uses qualitative research to incorporate political discourse analysis, thematic analysis of testimonies, and comparative studies of authoritarian regimes. The findings suggest that Assad's leadership has eroded political institutions, instilled long-term psychological trauma, and fragmented Syrian civil society. Additionally, the international community's response to Assad's rule has been inconsistent, reflecting broader challenges in addressing authoritarian leadership and human rights violations. This study contributes to political psychology, governance studies, and international relations, offering insights into the mechanisms of dark leadership and the challenges of dismantling authoritarian structures. The findings provide policy recommendations for rebuilding governance structures, addressing collective trauma, and mitigating the effects of autocratic rule in post-Assad Syria
Performance, integration and dynamic capabilities in supply chains: an interpretive investigation of their relationships
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate and provide in-depth understanding of the relationships between performance, integration and dynamic capabilities in the supply chain domain. The motivation of the study was that their combined relationships have not been explored, although they are closely related. Design/methodology/approach: Using multiple-case study research, data were gathered from practitioners in three distinct supply chains, achieving variation and diversity of cases. Several key grounded theory coding techniques and features were drawn upon for data coding, complementing the interpretive research. Findings: Sustainable performance is a trajectory - a trend believed to be a change catalyst in contemporary supply chain performance management and managing this requires a focused approach to developing integration and dynamic capabilities. The findings also revealed a cyclical approach to achieving robust supply chain performance rather than a purely linear view. Performance was found to depend upon input rather than output, informing the development of integration and dynamic capabilities. Research limitations/implications: Although the research is theoretically substantiated, the relationships of the phenomena can be tested to achieve statistical generalisation. Practical implications: The research provides insights for managers to improve sustainable supply chain performance using targeted integrative efforts while considering a special form of capability. This helps firms capitalise on efficiency while driving innovation, excelling in a changing business environment via an empirically grounded yet practitioner-friendly model. Originality/value: An emerging conceptual framework was developed, contributing to an extension of a middle-range theory. Using explanatory research to uncover the depth and richness of the phenomena under investigation is a novel approach, more common in quantitative studies
The association of compassion and positive psychology among people who offend: a scoping review of the literature
No full textPurposeGlobal recidivism rates remain high, with re-offending being a common issue. Traditional offender rehabilitation programmes often rely on the risk-need-responsivity model and cognitive behavioural therapy. However, the emergence of positive psychology and strengths-based approaches, such as the good lives model and desistance-based approaches, have started to challenge this dominant model, offering alternatives for reducing re-offending. Despite growing interest, the literature on positive psychology and compassion-based approaches in offender rehabilitation is still limited. This paper aims to explore the existing literature and assess its impact on offender populations.Design/methodology/approachA scoping review was conducted, which initially identified 925 articles. After removing duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, 46 articles were included in the final analysis.FindingsFour key themes emerged: the effects of compassion and positive psychology on emotions and traits, the role of relationships and identity, the connection between compassion and desistance, and the protective role of strengths in personal growth and reducing offending. The review underscores the potential benefits of integrating compassion and positive psychology into offender rehabilitation. However, the existing research is sparse, and further studies, such as randomised controlled trials or longitudinal research, are necessary to establish the long-term effects of these interventions on recidivism. Incorporating these approaches could signal a paradigm shift towards a more holistic, human-centred approach to offender rehabilitation.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review to explore both compassion and positive psychology-based interventions among people who offend