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Shared decision making
No full textIntroduction to shared decision making and language used in consultations for international medical graduates
Pharmacy students’ perceptions of natural science and mathematics subjects
No full textObjective. To determine the level of importance pharmacy students placed on science and mathematics subjects for pursuing a career in pharmacy.Method. Two hundred fifty-four students completed a survey instrument developed to investigate students’ perceptions of the relevance of science and mathematics subjects to a career in pharmacy.Pharmacy students in all 4 years of a master of pharmacy (MPharm) degree program were invited to complete the survey instrument.Results. Students viewed chemistry-based and biology-based subjects as relevant to a pharmacy career, whereas mathematics subjects such as physics, logarithms, statistics, and algebra were not viewed important to a career in pharmacy.Conclusion. Students’ experience in pharmacy and year of study influenced their perceptions of subjects relevant to a pharmacy career. Pharmacy educators need to consider how they can help students recognize the importance of scientific knowledge earlier in the pharmacy curriculum
Heating ethanol-response of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) with gradient pre-deformation and potential temperature sensor and anti-counterfeit applications
No full textIn this paper, the heating ethanol-response of a commercial poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is investigated. All PMMA samples are pre-deformed by means of impression (surface compression with a mold) to introduce a gradient pre-strain stress field. Two types of molds are applied in impression. One is a Singaporean coin and the other is a particularly designed mold with a variable protrusive feature on top. Two potential applications-temperature sensors to monitor overheating temperatures and anti-counterfeit labels with a water-mark that appears only upon heating to a particular temperature-are demonstrated. Since the heating-responsive shape memory effect (SME) is an intrinsic feature of almost all polymers, other conventional polymers may be used in such applications as well
Finite element simulation of flat nose low velocity impact behaviour of carbon fibre composite laminates.
No full textThe work detailed in this thesis includes an extensive finite element simulation of low velocity impact behaviour of carbon fibre reinforced laminated composite panels subjected to flat and round nose impacts. Carbon fibre composites are being widely used in aerospace structures due to their high strength and stiffness ratios to weight and potential to be tailored for structural components. However, wing and fuselage skins are vulnerable to foreign object impacts during manufacturing and service from tools maintenance tools and tool box drops. Such impacts particularly from flat nose tool drops inflict internal damages that are difficult to detect through routine inspections. The internal damage (barely visible) may cause severe degradation of material properties and reduction in compressive strength that might lead in unexpected catastrophic failures. Such failures result in loss of human lives and structural assets. That is a major concern for the aircraft industry. Most of the existing research is based on damage detection and control to improve integrity of structures so that an aircraft could reach nearest safe place to avoid failure after damage is detected. It is very difficult to evaluate overall structural congruity and performance as structural degradation and damage progression occur after impacts. The impact is a dynamic event which causes concurrent loading and re-distributions of stresses once a ply fails or damage occurs. Most of the reported studies are based on physical experiments which are expensive, time consuming, and limited. The efficient way to predict performance evaluation of an impacted structural component is through integrated computer codes that couple composite mechanics with structural damage and failure progressions. Computational models can be very useful in simulating impact events, interpreting results, and making available the fast predictive tools for pre-design analysis and post-impact damage evaluations.This investigation is primarily simulation based that integrates experimentally and numerically evaluated impact response of laminates manufactured by AircelleTM Safran Ltd and HexcelTM Composites. Literature review and basic mathematical formulations relevant to the impact of composite laminates were commented. Pre-assumed damage induced static load-deflections simulation using “PTC Creo SimulateTM” were carried out for eight,sixteen, and twenty four ply laminates subjected point, low, medium, and large nose impacts. The methodology used was based on previous experimental studies that assumed that impact damage provides the same stress concentration effect as crack, regions of degraded materials, or softer inclusions. The same assumptions were incorporated into simulation by inserting pre-assumed damage zones equivalent to impactors’ nose tips with within the volume of the laminates. Damage initiation, growth, and accumulation were investigated in terms of real scenarios with reference to the undamaged specimens. Several internal damage mechanisms were analysed via damage shift in multiple locations throughout the laminates’ volumes. The simulations can be useful to predict and correlate information on: existence, type, location, and extent of the damage in the impacted system to applied load. With this information and the loads applied to the system, measures can be proposed to reduce adverse effects of the impact induced damage. The compressive residual strength after impact was predicted via buckling simulation models. The in-plane buckling analysis was implemented into PTC Creo SimulateTM. Effects of the pre-assumed damage ply, damage zone, and coupled damaged-ply with damage zone were investigated via through-thickness re-locations. Critical buckling load and mode shapes were predicted with reference to the mid-surface of the laminates. Local buckling was simulated by introducing damage in a single ply adjacent to surface of the sub-laminate. Cases of pre-assumed delaminated ply from top to the mid-surface were simulated. Cases of mix-mode buckling analysis were simulated from coincident and combined effects of pseudo damaged ply as well as damage zones. The simulations predicted information can be useful to predict useful life remains (prognosis) of the damaged system. The information could also be useful to predict residual strength of similar cases at the beginning from material level, loading scenarios, damage progression to component and system level at various rates.Material property characterization tests were conducted to verify the industry provided input and used in drop-weight impact simulations. The properties were augmented with micro-macro mechanics formulations to approximate full range of engineering constants from reliably determined Young’s modulus. The drop-weight simulation of eight, sixteen, and twenty four ply specimens of quasi-isotropic lay-ups having different thicknesses and impacted from round and flat nose impactors were implemented in the ABAQUSTM software using explicit dynamic method. Two independent models were implemented in the software. The first model simulates displacement, velocity, and acceleration quantities. The second model computes in-plane stresses required to efficiently evaluate 3D stresses. The in-plane stress quantities were numerically integrated through-the-thickness utilising equilibrium to evaluate ply-by-ply through-thickness stresses. The evaluated stress values were then utilised in the formulation set of advanced failure criteria to predict damage progression and failure modes. Simulation produced results were compared and verified against experiment produced data. Drop-weight impact tests were conducted to verify the selected simulation produced results. Non-destructive techniques and advanced data filtering algorithms available in MATLABTM were utilized to filter the noisy data and predict damage zone and load threshold. The selected simulation results were compared against the experimental data, intra simulation results, and the results available in the literature and have to agree up to 90%. The investigation concludes that the simulation models could efficiently predict low velocity impact response of variety of carbon fibre composite panels that could be useful for design development with reduced testing
How do trainee teachers perceive the QTS numeracy test ?
No full textThe compulsory UK education sector (primary and secondary) or schools sector requires trainee teachers to complete a numeracy skills test in addition to holding a GCSE in mathematics at a minimum grade C. This article centres on the perception of the QTS numeracy test from the standpoint of those who undertake to be tested. Anecdotal evidence suggests that numeracy within teacher education programs is not favourably received or welcomed by trainee teachers.The research reported here primarily investigates the opinion and perception of numeracy tests presenting data collected from educational forums. These forums are online, open to public scrutiny and allow comments to be collected and analysed without the requirement for researcher participation. The researcher does not need to elicit responses and has no control over the comments produced, allowing for naturalistic data to be presented. The forum postings are treated as conversations or elements of conversational comment. Although analysis of conversation can also examine other elements, emphasis, for instance or body language, this is for the most part absent from forum postings. Trainee teachers have presented perceptions which are made up of different proximal and situational as well as personal factors. As trainees they must be supported to address their own level and depth of numerical comprehension whilst also examining the factors that surround the acquisition of this knowledge for their own students in the classroom to be successful as educators
Students as educators
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate peer assisted learning (PAL) in a pharmacy course context. PAL is interesting for educationalists as the technique offers reciprocity in learning between the student tutor and the student tutee. Both student tutor and student tutee have the ability to learn through the process. 14 students volunteered to be student tutors on a first year pharmacy practice module. The results are discussed from the perspective of both the student tutee and tutor. Although a small pilot study, the results from this project echo the themes of perceived benefits identified in the literature on PAL, most obviously with the three themes of confidence, collaboration, and learning. Challenges to the process are also discussed
High performance dual-wave mode flexible surface acoustic wave resonators for UV light sensing
No full textDual-mode flexible ZnO/polyimide surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based ultraviolet (UV) light sensors were fabricated and their performance was investigated. UV light sensing measurements showed that the responses of the dual wave modes of the sensors increase with the increase of light intensity and the frequency changes linearly with the change of light intensity. Under a 4.5 mW cm−2 UV light illumination, the resonant frequency of the Rayleigh wave decreased up to ~43 kHz, while that of the Lamb wave was approximately 76 kHz. The UV light sensitivities for the two resonant modes are 111.3 and 55.8 ppm (mW cm−2)–1, respectively. The resonant frequency, phase angle and amplitude of the two resonant modes exhibited a good repeatability in responding to cyclic change of the UV light, and an excellent stability up to a long duration of UV light exposure. The dual-mode flexible SAW resonators are simple in structure, more accurate in detection, and can be fabricated at low cost are, therefore, very promising for application in flexible sensors and electronics
Remarkable Lives: Caitlin Jenkins in conversation with Jerome Carson
No full textPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer a profile of Caitlin Jenkins.Design/methodology/approach – Caitlin gives a short biographical account and is then interviewed by Jerome. Areas covered in the interview include her interest in psychiatric diagnosis, the helpfulness of counselling and personal narrative.Findings – Caitlin believes that her recovery was only really possible when she was allowed to tell her own story, to be allowed the time and space to talk about events in her life. She mentions how psychodynamic therapy and CBT prevented her from truly exploring her personal story.Research implications/implications – While this is of course one person’s account, it will find resonance with many others.Practical implications – Reinforces the central role of narrative and its role in personal recovery.Social implications – It stresses the importance of a truly therapeutic relationship. As Caitlin states, this enabled her to begin “joining the dots of my experience to construct a meaningful personal narrative.” Originality/value – Counselling is often undervalued in contrast to more established therapies.This account demonstrates that what really matters to many individuals recovering from mental health problems, is being listened to and being helped to make sense of their experiences
Partnering in practice: an analysis of collaboration and trust
No full textMany authoritative sources are calling for collaborative and integrated working to be used as a vehicle to obtain better value, levels of quality and service delivery. However, clients in the current economic climate may feel vulnerable about entering into arrangements built on collaborative working practices, which could be deemed as taking unnecessary risk. The effects of recent austerity on collaborative working are explored in this study, with particular emphasis on the positioning of trust within such relationships and its manifestation in practice. A qualitative research methodology approach is adopted through interviews with eight senior UK construction professionals. Findings from the research suggest that construction clients have returned to traditional competitive procurement methods based on lowest cost, seeking to reduce risk in their practices and maintain control in uncertain times. Perceptions of collaborative working have shifted within the austerity context, and individuals have responded with a quest for job security, which has in turn developed risk-averse work practices and affected the establishment of long-term collaborative relationships. Sceptical considerations of collaboration have re-emerged, the abuse of collaborative relationships for financial benefits and employing austerity as leverage. Further research is recommended to examine the repercussions of this shift in both practice and philosophy