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Found in translation: empowering Chinese students in Anglo-centric pedagogical contexts
No full textThis research explored the impact of the implementation of translanguaging pedagogy through a fragmented approach for Chinese students in a business school in the North West of England as a pilot study. It examined the influence of bilingual academic support via social media on their performance, motivation, and engagement. Chinese international students in the UK face many challenges when they study in UK universities for the first time. Moreover, many factors could affect Chinese students’ expectation due to differences in cultural background and education system between China and UK. These factors include adjustment problems, perceived isolation, limited understanding of academic requirements, language barrier, etc. Nevertheless, communication difficulty was perceived as the main barrier by the Chinese students to study abroad. This research postulated that communication issues can be alleviated through adopting a translanguaging pedagogy by having different type of lecturers who know various languages and provide support through social media. Instead of having timetabled classes to give support, an education support worker (in this case an Associate Lecturer) who speaks both Chinese and English, provided support to students through social media. So students can make better use of their out of class hours (fragmented time) ask for help.Findings showed that the bilingual academic support via fragmented approach has positive impact on students’ performance, motivation, and engagement to empower students to achieve better results in higher education. There are total 21 Chinese students in business school in 2015-16 and 31 in 2016-2017. Two focus group (n=10*2) were conducted to explore and evaluate students’ expectation and perception before and after the bilingual academic support. These focus group lasted around 2 hours per session. Moreover, students’ assessments and exam results were compared between 2015-16 and 2016-17 to evaluate the before-after effect of this kind of support on their performance. Furthermore, questionnaires’ results were collected and analysed to assess the impact of this support on their engagement and motivation. This provides insights on university strategies to improve Chinese students’ satisfaction due to the effect of implanting bilingual academic support and fragmented approach
Case study analysis of sustainable supply chain redesign linking with new product development
No full textThis research seeks to investigate the new product development (NPD) approaches and the supply chain redesign strategies as part of the sustainable development. A systematic approach of literature review will be undertaken in order for effective gathering a set of structured data to act as a basis for the further discussions. The case of Boeing Dreamliner provides with a qualitative research method in order for critical analysis of the main concepts of the research. According to the inclusive Dreamliner’s development programme and the risks and threats associated with supply chain redesign, this paper defines a comprehensive framework in order to minimise the potential failures and delays within the future aircraft development approaches. The paper studies the supply chain redesign of NPD programme within the aircraft industry; therefore, there is a need for other types of industries to be investigated due to their different features and necessities. The systematic review of Dreamliner case provides an opportunity for creating a well-defined framework addressing supply chain sustainability and NPD project management challenges. All the supply chain entities especially within aircraft industries would benefit from the paper results in order to receive the best advantages from NPD practices and global supply chain methods
Three-dimensional weft-knitted textile fabrics-based capacitors
No full textWearable electronics have evolved from electronic components secured on the human body with straps and belts to partial electronic components integration onto textile structures. Cables and standard components defeat the purpose of the wearable approach by being bulky, rigid and especially not being able to withstand standard textile cleaning/care methods (washing, dry-cleaning, etc.). New 3D textile structures can provide a promising solution. In this research project, we examined the capacitive behaviour of specially prepared 3D weft knitted textile fabrics. The samples knitted specially for this project incorporated conductive outer layers and an insulating inner layer. The outer layers form the plates of the capacitor and the insulating layer plays a role of the dielectric material between the two plates. The structure of these 3D knits allows for inherent capacitive behaviour of the material. These 3D weft-knitted fabrics can be produced on usual existing knitting machines, without any need of dedicated, specialized or expensive equipment.The expected values of the capacitance, based on theoretical calculations, satisfactorily approach the values derived from the measuring process. The ability to customize the structure and hence the capacitance of the 3D fabrics-based capacitors is a positive point towards the design of the textile-based electronics systems in the future. Therefore, the development of textile capacitors based on the 3D fabrics is expected to be an essential contribution to the integration of the wearable system concept
Development of a Consumer Satisfaction Based Model for the Provision of Sustainable Rural Water Supply in Malawi
No full textThe overall aim of the current research is to develop a consumer satisfaction based practice framework for stimulation of consumer practices essential for sustainability of rural water supply. This is achieved in the current research by identification of sustainability structural pillars essential for supporting performance of rural water supply service level indicators. It involves identification of root causes of problems that fail the sustainability pillars, developing solutions and strategies for increasing consumer satisfaction and sustainability.Findings from rural water supply sustainability research have shown that consumers’ behaviour is important for sustainability of rural water supply. However, existing knowledge regarding consumer behaviour and rural water supply sustainability is weak and sketchy.In line with the current debate on universal access to water and sanitation as a human right across the globe and more specifically, the debate on the high percentages of people not having access to safe water in right quantities and within an acceptable distance; including the deadly consequences of having no access to safe drinking water, the current research sets to explore whether focusing on consumer satisfaction can stimulate positive consumer behaviour which is needed for rural water supply sustainability.Drawing upon findings from rural water sustainability studies among them Montgomery et al., (2009) and Ungwe (2015) and customer satisfaction studies from Oliver (1999) and others, the current research examines the behaviour benefits of consumer satisfaction on rural water supply sustainability. Thirteen factors are found to be root causes of sustainability failure and eighteen solutions have been developed to manage rural water sustainability. Six strategies for improving performance of service level indicators have been developed in the current research.Using a mixed methods approach for data collection and analysis, the current research used a survey method (n=384), and semi-structured interviews through focus group discussion (n=24) and twelve key informant interviews in a ten cases multiple case study to collect data. This was done with the aim to investigate and understand underlying problems behind low consumer satisfaction and poor borehole rural water supply systems sustainability. Boreholes are a predominant source of safe water in rural areas of Malawi.Results showed that there are thirteen root causes that are responsible for failing sustainability pillars and only if they are managed that is when sustainability and consumer satisfaction will improve. Eighteen solutions packaged with problem root causes as a prescription have been developed. The current research has concluded that focusing on improving consumer satisfaction is good because consumer satisfaction is a statistical predictor of consumer behaviour and that the more satisfied the consumers is, the more likely the consumer will display desired behaviours for rural water sustainability.Overall the findings explored the role that customers have to play in improving water supply sustainability and offered empirical evidence on linkages between consumer satisfaction and rural water supply sustainability, giving a new insight into the debate on rural water supply sustainability in Malawi and providing important implications for policy. The current research has offered a practical framework for project managers, donors, funders, government and other rural water supply service providers to adopt and use in order to reduce incidences of non-functionality of water systems in rural areas of Malawi
A critical evaluation of the strategic management for gas and electric and day-to-day maintenance at Bolton at Home.
No full textBolton at Home (BH) is a large housing association, helping vulnerable people to secure housing within Bolton. One of their key objectives is to provide homes and neighbourhoods they can all be proud of. One of the key departments to obtain their objectives is the repairs and maintenance department, as they will ensure that properties are safe and functional for their tenants to rent.This dissertation focuses on two divisions within the repairs and maintenance department. The two divisions gas and electric division and the day-to-day repairs division. They repair anything from broken toilet seats to faulty locks.The dissertation focuses on the response times of both divisions, including how the company uses strategy to priorities repairs and maintenance programs and also the cost of ‘‘no access’’. This is when operatives cannot gain access to a property that has been allocated an appointment slot.The problem areas within BH have shown that they are underperforming with their response times, especially with the day-to-day division who take much longer than their average response times. This could be due to the lack of technology to allocate and complete jobs. The lack of performance could hinder the tenant satisfaction level.BH’s current strategy is to concentrate more on responsive maintenance over planned maintenance which could hinder both divisions performance, as there will be too few operatives and too many jobs.The cost of ‘no access’ is a problem for both divisions in question and there is a need to control this as it is a cost to the company in both money and labour time. The company have devised strategies of how they could stop the cost of ‘no access’, for example, recharging the customer if they fail their appointments
Miniaturized balanced antenna with integrated balun for practical LTE applications
No full textA design of dual-band balanced antenna structure operating in the 700 and 2600MHz LTE bands is studied and investigated. The overall dimensions of the radiator are 50 × 18 × 7 mm^3 allowing it to be easily concealed within mobile handsets. A broad-band balun is designed and integrated with the antenna handset in order to provide the feeding network and perform the measurements of the antenna radiation performance. Prototypes of proposed antenna with and without balun are fabricated and verified. The simulated and practical results with and without the handheld effects in terms of reflection coefficient, power gain and radiation pattern, are studied and shown reasonable agreement
Recent developments in flame retardant textile finishes
No full textThis chapter concentrates on research reported over the last 10-15 years which has some possibility of commercial exploitation with a view to replacing some of the currently used textile flame retardant finishing treatments and formulations, especially those with environmental concerns. In selecting research for this review, the major criterion has been the ability of a novel treatment or process to enable an ignited fabric to self-extinguish in a vertical strip test after being exposed to some durability treatment, ranging from a simple water soak to a number of cycles of a standard wash procedure.Initially, strengths and weaknesses of currently used flame retardant treatments are discussed so that challenges posed in their replacement may be fully understood. This provides the basis for critically reviewing recent research into the replacement of formaldehyde-based finishes (particularly for cellulosics) and halogen-based textile back-coating formulations, for example. The more recent work into novel surface treatments, such as sol-gel, layer-by-layer and plasma-based research is also analysed in terms of the above criteria.The chapter concludes by noting that most of these challenges still remain because much of the published academic research does not take into account the reasons for the effectiveness of current treatments, the need for them to be applicable by available processing technologies, their durability and their effects on textile aesthetics and properties as well as their potential cost
Recent advances in three-dimensional pressure relieving cushions for the prevention of pressure ulcers
No full textPolyurethane (PU) foam is one of the most common materials used in the development of pressure relieving cushions. However, it suffers from reduced efficiency in terms of thermophysiological comfort, cost, recycling and importantly, creating a suitable environment for the prevention of pressure ulcers. The paper presents research carried out at the University of Bolton, in the development of pressure relieving cushion applications using three-dimensional (3D) warp knitted spacer fabrics. Three properties, pressure distribution, air permeability, and heat resistance of 3D warp knitted spacer fabrics are focused on, with particular emphasis on pressure distribution in the development of improved performance and efficacy of cushion applications. This research includes the development of a novel technique for measuring pressure distribution while under simulated loading conditions.Using this system, fully patented novel and smart 3D knitted spacer Airospring® cushions were developed, with the following features:1. The introduction of a shaped/contoured surface interface was able to re-distribute high pressure points normally located in vulnerable areas of an immobile and seated person.2. They are much better at reducing peak pressures than PU foam cushions and distribute pressure evenly over a much larger area of the cushion.3. They provide a well-ventilated and comfortable cushion.4. They can be laundered in a washing machine, are non-flammable and can be easily recycled
Male sexual assault survivors: lessons for UK services
No full textPurposeThe purpose of this article was to provide a concise, selective review of the current status of service provision for male survivors of sexual assault in the UK.Design/Methodological Approach This article explored to what extent services are equipped up support the specific and complex needs of the male survivor and highlighted key implications for research, policy and practice.Findings The review outlined the historical backdrop to how and why services for male survivors have been consistently lacking, the current status of UK service provision is reported, and suggestions for continued research in this developing area are made.Originality/value Despite a flurry of research in this area in recent years, UK service provision for male sexual assault survivors is inconsistent across locale. The value of the current article is that it provides an outline of relevant work to date, and provides important suggestions for future directions