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Children's Literature and Social Change: Some Case Studies from Barbara Hofland to Philip Pullman (review)
No full textA literature framework analysis of online hotel accommodation process factors
No full textThe Internet is rapidly becoming the dominant user decision making tool for the hotel accommodation purchase process. This paper critically reviews online hotel accommodation purchase processes literature and proposes a literature framework analysis of online hotel accommodation process factors. The objective of this research is to propose a statistically based framework based on clickstream/log file analytics of both the internal and external influencers of the process. The internal process influencers (the individual themselves, search engines, third parties/social media sites and hotel websites) and the external process influencers (online access devices and user visual interaction) are reviewed before being formulated into proposed framework of the online hotel accommodation process
Structural, optical, electrical and resistive switching properties of ZnO thin films deposited by thermal and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition
No full textIn this study, we report on a systematical investigation on the crystal structure, optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films grown by thermal and remote plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (Thermal ALD and PEALD) and their applications in resistive switching devices. The conductivity of ZnO films grown by Thermal ALD at 200 °C is ∼169 S/cm, demonstrating a good potential for the applications in transparent conducting films. It is possible to deposit ZnO films with good structural quality and few defects at lower temperatures by PEALD. The Al/PEALD-ZnO/Pt devices show good resistive switching properties, while the devices using Thermal ALD ZnO films failed to show any resistive switching behavior, but a perfect Ohmic behavior. The thickness ZnO active layer has a strong effect on the device properties. When the thickness of ZnO film is ∼23 nm, the high state-resistance to low state-resistance ratio maintains at larger than 103, while the current compliance for safe operation is ∼1 mA much smaller than those for devices with thick active layers. The results have demonstrated the PEALD grown ZnO films have the excellent properties for the applications in high-density 3D resistive random access memory
Unconfined compression strength of reinforced clays with carpet waste fibers
No full textThis paper presents results of a comprehensive investigation on the utilization of carpet waste fibers in reinforcement of clay soils. Effects of adding proportionate quantities of two different types of shredded carpet waste fibers to clay soils (i.e., 1, 3, and 5% by dry weight of the soil) were investigated and evaluated. The investigation was conducted on specimens prepared at their maximum dry unit weight and optimum moisture content, as well on specimens prepared at variable conditions of dry unit weight and moisture content. A comparison was also made on specimens prepared at the same fiber content by changing dry unit weight while moisture content was kept unchanged or by changing both dry unit weight and moisture content. The investigation revealed that inclusion of carpet waste fibers into clay soils prepared at the same dry unit weight can significantly enhance the unconfined compression strength (UCS), reduce postpeak strength loss, and change the failure behavior from brittle to ductile. The results also showed that the relative benefit of fibers to increase the UCS of the clay soils is highly dependent on initial dry unit weight and moisture content of the soil. Failure patterns were gradually transformed from the apparent classical failure for unreinforced soil specimens to barrel-shaped failures for reinforced specimens at 5% fiber content
Key factors in the promotion and obstruction of simulated learning in practice : an overview.
No full textBackground: Simulation has been part of clinical skills education since 1950s. However the use of simulated learning as a popular educational methodology is becoming widespread due to several drivers aimed at improving patient safety and learner competence. The aim of this study was to firstly examine the best available evidence on the critical factors promoting simulated learning in clinical practice. And secondly, to identify and analyse the perceived barriers hindering the effect of simulated learning.Methods: A quasi experimental pre-test post-test design was employed to compare learner perception of barriers hindering the simulated learning experience. A total of eighty two post registration staff attending a clinical skills training program participated in the study.Results: Pre- test findings revealed that the following barriers were perceived as significant by more than half the sample population ; identified lack of familiarity with the equipment (65.4%), fear of looking foolish (62.2%), inaccurate reflection of ability (57.3%), time pressures in undertaking the skill efficiently (56.1%), deficient knowledge in undertaking the skill correctly (54.3%), intimidating environment due to practice being observed (53.6%), lack of realism (51.8%) and fear of peer judgements (50%).The post- test results interestingly revealed significant changes in perception scores for most of the identified barriers. The success of simulated learning as an educational methodology relies on a carefully planned and appropriately implemented learning experience featuring the key characteristics that promote its effectiveness.Conclusion: The success of simulated learning as an educational methodology relies on a carefully planned and appropriately implemented learning experience featuring the key characteristics that promote its effectiveness
Does Raising Morning Rectal Temperature to Evening Levels Offset the Diurnal Variation in Muscle Force Production?
No full textMuscle force production and power output in active males, regardless of the site of measurement (hand, leg, or back), are higher in the evening than in the morning. This diurnal variation is attributed to motivational, peripheral and central factors, and higher core and, possibly, muscle temperatures in the evening. This study investigated whether increasing morning rectal temperatures to evening resting values, by active or passive warm-ups, leads to muscle force production and power output becoming equal to evening values in motivated subjects. Ten healthy active males (mean ± SD: age, 21.2 ± 1.9 yrs; body mass, 75.4 ± 8 kg; height, 1.76 ± .06 m) completed the study, which was approved by the University Ethics Committee. The subjects were familiarized with the techniques and protocol and then completed four sessions (separated by at least 48 h): control morning (07:30 h) and evening (17:30 h) sessions (with an active 5-min warm-up) and then two further sessions at 07:30 h but proceeded by an extended active or passive warm-up to raise rectal temperature to evening values. These last two sessions were counterbalanced in order of administration. During each trial, three measures of handgrip strength, isokinetic leg strength measurements (of knee flexion and extension at 1.05 and 4.19 rad.s−1 through a 90° range of motion), and four measures of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) on an isometric ergometer (utilizing the twitch-interpolation technique) were performed. Rectal and intra-aural temperatures, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and thermal comfort (TC) were measured. Measurements were made after the subjects had reclined for 30 min and after the warm-ups and prior to the measurement of handgrip and isokinetic and isometric ergometry. Muscle temperature was taken after the warm-up and immediately before the isokinetic and MVC measurements. Warm-ups were either active (cycle ergometer at 150 W) or passive (resting in a room at 35°C, relative humidity 45%). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance models with repeated measures. Rectal and intra-aural temperatures were higher at rest in the evening (.56°C and .74°C; p p > .05). There was no significant effect of active or passive warm-ups on any strength or power variable, and subjects reported maximal values for effort for each strength measure. In summary, effects of time of day were seen in some measures of muscle performance but, in this population of motivated subjects, there was no evidence that increasing morning rectal temperature to evening values by active or passive warm-up increased muscle strength to evening values. (Author correspondence: [email protected]
Direct comparison of the gravimetric responsivities of ZnO-based FBARs and SMRs
No full textFilm bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) and solidly mounted resonators (SMRs) have the potential to significantly improve upon the sensitivity and minimum detection limit of traditional gravimetric sensors based on quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs) and surface acoustic wave resonators (SAWs). To date, neither FBAR nor SMR devices have been demonstrated to be superior to the other; hence the choice between them depends primarily on the users’ ability to design/fabricate membranes and/or Bragg reflectors. In this work, it is shown that identically designed FBAR and SMR devices resonating at the same frequency exhibit different responsivities to mass loadings, Rm, and that the SMRs are less responsive than the FBARs. For the specific device design and resonant frequency (~2GHz) of the resonators presented here, the FBARs’ mass responsivity is ~20% greater than that of the SMRs’, and although this value is not universal for all possible device designs, it clearly shows that FBAR devices should be favoured over SMRs in gravimetric sensing applications where the FBARs’ fragility is not an issue. Numerical calculations based on Mason's model offer an insight into the physical mechanisms behind the greater FBARs responsivity, and it was shown that the Bragg reflector has an effect on the acoustic load at one of the facets of the piezoelectric films which is in turn responsible for the SMRs’ lower responsivity to mass loadings
The possibility and value of coherence
No full textIt would seem axiomatic that the law should be coherent in the sense that it should be consistent and correspond to an underlying justificatory rationale. Indeed, coherence would appear to be a good, in and of itself, and give rise to other benefits which are desirable in a legal system. In this article, I explore the value and achievability of coherence. I argue that it is largely inevitable that common law legal systems are not coherent, but that each legal system will comprise areas of coherence. I examine whether it is possible to improve coherence through legislation or adjudication but conclude that any coherence attained through the former may be temporary and achieving coherence through the latter is difficult both in principle and in practice. In looking at the value of coherence, I contend that while coherence may have various intrinsic and instrumental benefits, its value should not be overstated; many of the benefits which coherence is said to provide are present in legal systems where it is lacking; other benefits depend on the awareness of a country’s citizens and I suggest that, outside of extremes, citizens are probably unaware of the degree to which their legal system is coherent. Moreover, full coherence may lead to characteristics which are undesirable in a legal system
Reache North West, 10 years of supporting refugee healthcare professionals
No full textReache North West is a hospital based unit which provides education and training for refugee and asylum seeking healthcare professionals. A multi-disciplinary team ( including clinicians and linguists) provides input at all levels from English language training to clinical requalification and professional registration with the General Medical Council and other professional registration bodies