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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. This research includes the development of a novel technique for measuring pressure distribution while under simulated loading conditions. Using this system, novel and smart 3D knitted spacer cushions were developed, with the following features: (1) a shaped/contoured surface was able to redistribute high pressure points normally located in vulnerable areas of an immobile and seated person. (2) Peak pressures were reduced and distributed evenly over a much larger area of the cushion than PU foam. (3) They are well-ventilated, comfortable, washable and non-flammable and can be easily recycled
Open peer commentary : Understanding design from a second-order cybernetics perspective: Is there a place for material agency?
No full textAssessing the efficacy of mobile health apps using the basic principles of cognitive behavioral therapy: systematic review.
No full textCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in its basic principle has developed itself as a stand-alone, substantial method of therapy. With effective application in therapy for a range of mental health issues, the spread of CBT methods to Web-based therapy sources is evident. The development of mobile phone apps using CBT principles is increasing within the research area. Despite the move to Web-based methods of therapy, it is argued that these methods lack the same efficacy of face-to-face therapy sessions. The aim of this review was to assess extent research findings with regard to the effectiveness of CBT-related mobile health (mHealth) apps. By assessing only studies employing a randomized controlled trial design, the review aimed to determine app efficacy within the highly regarded method of investigation. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across several databases. Search results were filtered, and results were subject to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria because of the nature of the review. Where possible, analysis of effect size was calculated and results reported. A total of 8 studies investigating the effectiveness of mHealth CBT-related apps across a range of mental health issues were reviewed. Three studies used the app against a control group, and 5 studies used the app intervention against another form of treatment or intervention. A range of effect sizes were seen across all included studies (d=-0.13 to 1.83; 0.03-1.44), with the largest effects often being seen when comparing the data from pre- to posttest for the app engaged group. The studies reviewed support the use of mHealth apps containing CBT principles for a range of mental health issues. However, the effectiveness over longer time periods should be assessed. Researchers and professionals should seek to collaborate effectively when creating new apps to enhance their effectiveness as a treatment for the general public
Direct evidence of multichannel-improved charge-carrier mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution.
No full textIn the field of photocatalysis, the high-charge recombination rate has been the big challenge to photocatalytic conversion efficiency. Here we demonstrate the direct evidence of multichannel-improved charge-carrier mechanism to facilitate electron-hole transfer for raising photocatalytic H2 evolution activity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), were used to characterize the as-fabricated samples. The result shows that the present design of Au/Pt nanoparticles (NPs) decorated one-dimensional Z-scheme TiO2/WO3 heterostructure composite nanofibers have been fabricated, which even exhibited excellent light absorption in the visible region and greatly enhanced photocatalytic activities on H2 generation comparing with pure TiO2, TiO2/WO3 and Pt/WO3/TiO2 nanofibers. This greatpromotion is mainly on account of the photosynthetic heterojunction system, which include the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Au nanoparticles, low overpotential of Pt nanoparticles, and more importantly, the one-dimensional multichannel-improved charge-carrier photosynthetic heterojunction system with Pt as an electron collector and WO3 as a hole collector. Transferring photoinduced electrons and holes at the same time, leading to effective charge separation was directly proved by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, photocurrent analysis and incident photon-to-electron conversion spectrum
The American Poetry You Want
No full textThe baby-faced, American Dickman twins rolled into Manchester on a Tuesday - and left that same Tuesday, one stop on their English-city- hopping promotional tour (London, Manchester, and a petrol station loo or two in between), touting their dual-authored Faber release, the red, white and blue tête-bêche (flip-book) Brother. Matthew has a bit of a squeeky voice and tatts on his arms; Michael is more nasal-voiced and may also have tatts, but his sleeves are rolled down this evening; Michael's jeans are ripped, purposefully, and his blazer is brown corduroy with a sort of superhero button on the left lapel; Matthew's jeans are rolled, his New Balance 998 Trainers are very clean, his NYC baseball cap is half-cocked (he takes the cap off for the reading, gentleman that he is, which leaves him with a bit of hathead); Michael wears green socks and a red check shirt; Matthew has a light blue dress shirt on, sleeves rolled (see above) and ankle socks; Matthew's lines are long; Michael's lines are short; Michael teaches at Princeton; Matthew is poetry editor at the American lit mag, Tin House; Matthew is the fun, accessible one; Michael is the serious, academic one; George is the quiet one; Ringo is the drummer. Faber, their publisher, appear to have found here a poetry book with a talking point (suicide...), part of a recent flush of collections that might access an audience beyond poetry's traditional readership by being topical (that readership is, as far as I can tell, limited to between three-hundred and one thousand people per country - size of country making no difference)
The use of storytelling by ESOL/Literacy trainee teachers
No full textThis article analyses the reflections of trainee teachers’ experiences of using storytelling as part of their teaching practice in the English as a Second Language (ESOL) classroom in the further education and skills sector. It focuses on the evaluations and perceptions of the trainee teachers on the effectiveness of storytelling as a pedagogic tool to enhance the language and literacy skills development of their ESOL learners. Moreover, it also explores the impact of storytelling on trainee teachers’ professional development, using the theoretical framework of Linda Evans (2011; 2014). The findings indicate that trainees were able to implement storytelling in a wide range of contexts with various groups of learners from Entry 1 to Level 2. Storytelling as a pedagogical tool was used in various forms from not planned impromptu uses when demonstrating a grammatical or lexical point through to various more or less pre-planned anecdotal and routine classroom uses with innovative approaches and materials designed by the trainees themselves. The reflective accounts demonstrated a mostly positive impact of the implementation of storytelling on trainees' professional development that has been reflected mainly in the components of attitudinal and intellectual change with some evidence of behavioural change too
Customer Knowledge Management in organisations: developing a practice framework to achieve 360 degree view of customer
No full textWith emergence of knowledge economy and shift in power towards customers, the way of performing business and managing customer markets in organisations has changed significantly. Organisations which are typically reliant on internal knowledge have been setting their sight on customers as a valuable new source of external knowledge. This led to the wide acknowledgement of Customer Knowledge Management (CKM) in both business and academic fields within the last decade. Extant CKM literature has highlighted the need for 360 degree view of customer but there is significant gap regarding how to achieve this in organisations. Thus, the main motivation for this research is to develop theory in terms of practise framework to enable organisations to achieve 360 degree view of customer while taking into consideration the challenges identified in practising CKM. This thesis attempts to address the complex research problem – 'how to manage customer knowledge to achieve 360 degree view of customer in organisations'.The research problem developed for the study led towards interpretivist paradigm to interpret and understand various relevant organisational phenomena and research is carried out using qualitative approach. The empirical data is collected using case study research method from five large organisations from India, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In-depth case studies were conducted in Biocon, Daimler, Genpact, Honeywell-ADI, and University of Bolton. The empirical data collected was analysed using techniques from grounded theory approach.This thesis presents findings of the study in the form of five core categories and twenty seven constituent factors influencing the customer knowledge management practice in large organisations. The empirical findings associated with each of these core categories and identified factors have been discussed in the light of current literature. Based on these core categories and constituent factors, a comprehensive CKM practice framework has been developed to achieve 360 degree view of customer, among organisations. This thesis has been concluded with evaluative discussions on theoretical and practical contributions to knowledge, validity of the findings, limitations of the study, and implications for further research
Who sets the agenda? A new perspective on student experience, transition and engagement [Presentation]
No full textThe rise in UK university fees has prompted significant investment in the student experience, with increased emphasis on an agenda that promotes student engagement and partnership. Who sets this agenda and who are the stakeholders? This paper introduces emerging research on the topic of agenda setting in higher education, using a case study from a UK institution which is extremely diverse in its student profile and has several off-campus partnerships, both within the UK and internationally. Preliminary research focusses on how both on and off-campus students identify with the institution, it assesses their involvement in setting the student experience and engagement agenda and how they transition into higher education. This paper considers the impact of the terminology used in the UK higher education sector to describe the role of students. It presents a new perspective on partnership by raising important questions about the potential of higher education professionals to empower students to be at the heart of setting their own learning agenda
Ideas, concerns and expectations – a “whole of institution” approach to navigating transitions and mapping the student journey
No full textThis paper examines preliminary findings from a research project designed to employ a “whole of institution” (Kift, 2015) approach to mapping the student journey at the University of Bolton, UK. The institution is diverse: a significant proportion of students are mature, first-generation, part-time, from state schools and colleges and from low socio-economic backgrounds (NS-SEC 4-7). The journey mapping project applies the ICE Model (ideas, concerns, expectations) to understand the factors (perceived and real) that affect engagement and transition to university. The data is being used to design student experience interventions to facilitate adjustment to university and to inform an early intervention and transitional support model. Participants’ responses from questionnaires, focus groups and semi-structured interviews are analysed to determine perceptions of their adjustment to university, their expectations and their experience. The following discussion addresses how the data informs the application of transition pedagogy (Kift, 2009) in our own context
Constraints on the use of a conversational strategy to restructure the classroom
No full textOpen peer commentary on the article “A Cybernetic Approach to Contextual Teaching and Learning” by Philip Baron. Upshot: The introduction of conversational methods into the traditional classroom is a laudable undertaking. The ability of these methods to transform education is constrained by the educational management systems that determine many aspects of educational conversations