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Can a leopard change its spots? An investigation of mindfulness in relation to brain plasticity
No full textMindfulness is an adaptable state of consciousness that has been shown to be effective in the reduction of maladaptive cognitive schemas as well as in raising feelings of self-worth and self-esteem. Cultivating a mindfulness habit is seen to be fortuitous; however the research in this paper looked at the efficacy of a short intervention on improving the cognitive domains of self-esteem, mindful attention awareness, and general anxiety disorder. The study was conducted within a university setting with both students and support staff. An introduction to mindfulness was facilitated over a 90-minute session. Measures were completed by all participants pre- and post-intervention. The results show that there was a significant effect of a mindfulness session on the self-reporting of self-esteem, mindful attention awareness and general anxiety disorder
Estimating the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the greenhouse gas balance of soils in Wales under current and future climate
No full textThe Welsh Government is committed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural systems and combat the effects of future climate change. In this study, the ECOSSE model was applied spatially to estimate GHG and soil organic carbon (SOC) fluxes from three major land uses (grass, arable and forest) in Wales. The aims of the simulations were: (1) to estimate the annual net GHG balance for Wales; (2) to investigate the efficiency of the reduced nitrogen (N) fertilizer goal of the sustainable land management scheme (Glastir), through which the Welsh Government offers financial support to farmers and land managers on GHG flux reduction; and (3) to investigate the effects of future climate change on the emissions of GHG and plant net primary production (NPP). Three climate scenarios were studied: baseline (1961–1990) and low and high emission climate scenarios (2015–2050).Results reveal that grassland and cropland are the major nitrous oxide (N2O) emitters and consequently emit more GHG to the atmosphere than forests. The overall average simulated annual net GHG balance for Wales under baseline climate (1961–1990) is equivalent to 0.2 t CO2e ha-1 y-1 which gives an estimate of total annual net flux for Wales of 0.34 Mt CO2e y-1. Reducing N fertilizer by 20 and 40 % could reduce annual net GHG fluxes by 7 and 25 %, respectively. If the current N fertilizer application rate continues, predicted climate change by the year 2050 would not significantly affect GHG emissions or NPP from soils in Wales
Interdependence between Greece and other European stock markets: A comparison of wavelet and VMD copula, and the portfolio implications
No full textThe interdependence of Greece and other European stock markets and the subsequent portfolio implications are examined in wavelet and variational mode decomposition domain. In applying the decomposition techniques, we analyze the structural properties of data and distinguish between short and long term dynamics of stock market returns. First, the GARCH-type models are fitted to obtain the standardized residuals. Next, different copula functions are evaluated, and based on the conventional information criteria and time varying parameter, Joe–Clayton copula is chosen to model the tail dependence between the stock markets. The short-run lower tail dependence time paths show a sudden increase in comovement during the global financial crises. The results of the long-run dependence suggest that European stock markets have higher interdependence with Greece stock market. Individual country’s Value at Risk (VaR) separates the countries into two distinct groups. Finally, the two-asset portfolio VaR measures provide potential markets for Greece stock market investment diversification
Distilling determination of water content in hydraulic oil with a ZnO/glass surface acoustic wave device
No full textDetection of water content in hydraulic oil is critical to identify abnormal wear conditions for purpose of predicting possible machinery failure in hydraulic systems. The paper reports a feasibility study of measuring the water content in the hydraulic oil using a ZnO thin film surface acoustic wave (SAW) device combined with the standard distillation method. The shift of resonant frequency of the SAW device increases with the increase of water content in hydraulic oil, and reaches 919 kHz for 0.80 wt% water content in oil samples. The results indicate that the ZnO SAW sensor can detect water content in hydraulic oil with high sensitivity
The effect of rehabilitation strategies on the service life of asphalt pavements
No full textEfficient operations of highways are inevitably critical for the sustainable, fast and safe transportation of people and freight. Effective maintenance in particular is of primary importance for ensuring that a highway meets operational and safety standards and offers efficient services to its users. Road surface or pavement maintenance comprises of required actions for planning rehabilitation strategies and maintenance activities over a highway network, having as an objective to keep the network in an acceptable functional and structural condition. Therefore, pavement condition assessment and prediction of deterioration become mandatory prerequisites for deciding on maintenance programming and budget allocation.Improved models of that category would better decisions on maintenance activities and allocation of resources.In this context, this PhD research focuses on the development of novel, efficient models for assessing existing condition and predicting future damage of pavements. Particular research efforts include introduction of an approach for assessing existing pavement condition, as well as the development of new post-treatment pavement deterioration models. New tools and methods are developed for that purpose: first, a new method for assessing existing pavement structural health, using the dynamic stiffness modulus is introduced and evaluated. Next, a Bayesian duration based model is developed in an effort to predict remaining service life of pavements, following rehabilitation actions. A subsequent model is developed for forecasting asphalt cracking initiation, again following maintenance activities; this model is based on Artificial Neural networks. Explanatory parameters are identified in all models; these include treatment activities, weather and structural characteristics of pavements. A qualitative comparison of BDM and ANN techniques reveals conceptual differences: BDM refers to the temporal behavior of pavement deterioration while attempts to forecast the probability of deterioration given a set of inputs. On the other hand, the quantitative comparison yields strong statistical similarities between the outcomes of the two models, with respect to estimating post treatment deterioration timing
Towards a framework for the adoption of the problem based learning approach in law
No full text‘Action learning’ is based on the concept that ‘through the process of reflection and action it is possible to solve problems’. (Savin Baden; 2004). The aim of this action research project was to investigate the use of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach within the Skills 102 module, for Law students to develop the appropriate skills required to become independent learners. The study highlights that despite it being on a small scale the students perceived PBL as a positive engaging experience. Hence it is worth investing further time in the context of the Skills 102 module. The recommendations include further improve the gains from the process these include intra-peer assessments within the PBL and review of the role of the facilitator
Plasma modification of the electronic and magnetic properties of vertically aligned bi-/tri-layered graphene nanoflakes
No full textSaturation magnetization (Ms) of pristine bi-/tri-layered graphene (denoted as – FLG) is enhanced by over four (4) and thirty-four (34) times to 13.94 × 10−4 and 118.62 × 10−4 emu g−1, respectively, as compared to pristine FLGs (Ms of 3.47 × 10−4 emu g−1), via plasma-based-hydrogenation (known as graphone) and nitrogenation (known as N-graphene) reactions, respectively. However, upon organo-silane treatment on FLG (known as siliphene), the saturation magnetization is reduced by over thirty (30) times to 0.11 × 10−4 emu g−1, as compared to pristine FLG. Synchrotron based X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy measurements have been carried out to investigate the electronic structure and the underlying mechanism responsible for the variation of magnetic properties. For graphone, the free spin available via the conversion of the sp2 → sp3 hybridized structure and the possibility of unpaired electrons from induced defects are the likely mechanism for ferromagnetic ordering. During nitrogenation, the Fermi level of FLGs is shifted upwards due to the formation of a graphitic like extra π-electron that makes the structure electron-rich, thereby, enhancing the magnetic coupling between magnetic moments. On the other hand, during the formation of siliphene, substitution of the C-atom in FLG by a Si-atom occurs and relaxes out the graphene plane to form Si–C tetrahedral sp3-bonding with a non-magnetic atomic arrangement showing no spin polarization phenomena and thereby reducing the magnetization. Thus, plasma functionalization offers a simple yet facile route to control the magnetic properties of the graphene systems and has potential implications for spintronic applications
Smart digital micro-capacitor based on doped nanocrystalline silicon with HFO2 high K insulator
No full textA digital variable capacitor has been designed and fabricated based on multi-cantilevers of doped nanocrystalline silicon with variable lengths, suspended over a bottom electrode on top of a high-k material, HfO2, to increase the tuning range of the capacitance. By applying a voltage between the electrodes, the electrostatic force pulls the beams in one-by-one, realizing a digital increase in capacitance. These devices were fabricated using a 4-mask process, and electrical tests confirmed the stepwise increase of the capacitance with voltage from the multi-cantilever digital capacitors
An assessment of risk management practices : A case of Evangelical Association of Malawi.
No full textToday, organisations operate in a more dynamic and uncertain environment that exposes them to all kinds of risks, thus making risk an important aspect of any entity strategy. Consequently risk management has begun a strategic tool for development as well as for achieving organisational goals.Despite numerous studies on risk management, currently, risk management is still a business practice that is under studied in the developing countries and more so in Faith Based Organisations. Hence, this study aimed to assess the risk management practices in EAM.The study adopted an interpretivist philosophy. A case study strategy and a multiple data collection tools and sources were used (triangulation) to collect data from twenty- five purposively selected key informants in EAM.Content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data collected. The analysis focused mainly on the themes that emerged from the data namely; value of risk management, potential risks, current risk management practices, critical success factors for an effective risk management in EAM.The findings reviewed inadequate funding, human resources, sustainability of projects, and economic instability risks as the most significant risks in EAM. In addition, it was observed that EAM has tried to put some measures to address some of its risks especially on financial matters. However, there is neither structured risk management process nor a wide-organisational risk management approach. The study identified risk management policy, appointment of risk manager, adequate resources allocation and capacity building on risk management as the most critical success factors for an effective risk management in EAM.This study recommends EAM to adopt an enterprise-wide approach to risk that ensures a more proactive, consistent and greater responsiveness to risk management approach
Genuiness as an element of sufficient interest
No full textAs is well known, in claims for judicial review, the sufficient interest requirement has been interpreted liberally by the courts. Generally, a claim that raises an issue of public importance will not be blocked on sufficient interest grounds. The rationale of this expansive approach is to protect the rule of law by ensuring that, where a prima facie case of government illegality is raised, the courts are prepared to hear it regardless of the personal interest of the claimant.One element in the development of this expansive approach to standing has been to recognise the genuineness of the claimant’s interest. For instance, in Rees-Mogg [1994] 1 All ER 457, the court accepted that the claimant had standing to bring the claim, noting his ‘sincere concern for constitutional issues.’ In Greenpeace (No 2) [1994] 4 All ER 329, the court acknowledged Greenpeace’s ‘genuine concern for the environment’.Yet, the genuineness of the claimant’s interest may also be used to deny standing to a claimant. In Walton [2012] UKSC 44, Lord Hope stated that a claimant should be permitted to bring a claim on environmental grounds, even though not personally affected, provided they can ‘demonstrate that they have a genuine interest in the aspects of the environment that they seek to protect …’ In Chandler [2009] EWCA Civ 1011, the claimant was denied sufficient interest to challenge the establishment of an academy school on the grounds that it breached public procurement rules because her real motive was a political objection to academy schools.In this paper, I examine the potential conflict between the requirement of genuineness in the assessment of a claimant’s standing and the underlying rationale of the expansive approach adopted by the courts: adherence to the rule of law