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Polymer degradation and the matching of FR chemistry to degradation
No full textIn fires, polymeric materials are consumed by flaming combustion which is a gas phase process. Thus the polymer must degrade to yield volatile combustible species to fuel the conflagration. To begin, this chapter first considers the various processes by which pure polymer systems degrade. Then any influence by which the presence of oxygen can affect these processes is discussed. The different structures of the various polymer types influence the end consequence of any decomposition and this will affect the resistance, if any, to combustion. At this point the polymer combustion cycle will be described
The computer games industry: women’s experiences of work role in a male dominated environment
No full textThis chapter focuses on the current position and experiences of women working within the computer games industry, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and the wider context of the Science, Engineering and Technology industry (SET). Global data collected as part of a larger quantitative study on women who are currently working in the male dominated computer games industry is reviewed, in relation to the long hour’s culture associated with the sector. In addition, the lack of females, especially females with families in the gaming industry, skills shortages, work life balance and flexible working will be discussed in the games industry context. The research discussed will be related to the question of attracting and retaining women, in the games development workforce of the future. The issues discussed will be of relevance to employers, professional bodies, policy makers and researchers of the games industry and the wider ICT and SET industries. Recommendations from the findings and future research directions are provided
Examining the sustainability issues in UKOER projects: Developing a sustainable OER ecosystem in HE
No full textThe development of open educational resources (OERs) is becoming a strategic priority for governments and education institutions around the world, in response to funding cuts and rising costs in educational provision. In the United Kingdom, a government-sponsored Pilot Programme on Open Educational Recourses (JISC/HEA, 2009) was launched in 2009 with an initial budget of £5.7m. This paper reviews the key sustainability issues identified by the projects including the different approaches and models that have been adopted in order to sustain the continuing development and release of OER once funding has ended. The analysis also considers the challenges relating to the development and implementation of policies and processes for sustainable OER practice within institutions and among academics. The paper concludes by drawing on the experiences from the wider United Kingdom and international OER communities to develop a sustainable OER ecosystem model that can facilitate discussions on future development of OER initiatives
Effect of Reinforcing Elements on Burning Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Polymeric Composites
No full textA series of fiber-reinforced epoxy-composite laminates with different weave structures and area densities was prepared and the effect of reinforcing fiber type and geometry on laminate burning behavior was studied. The epoxy resin curing cycle was determined using differential scanning calorimetry. Cone calorimetry (ISO-5660-1) was used to determine fire performance. Heavy carbon fiber gave the lowest peak heat release rate and shortest burning time. Aramid had a relatively low peak heat release rate and reduced burning propensity in fire, but burned longer. For glass/carbon and glass/aramid hybrid fibers, lay-up orientation affected several properties. The fire growth rate index indicated that aramid was safer than carbon or glass fiber in flame. The glass/aramid hybrid gave better performance than other hybrids
A tool for the auto-management of Units of Learning : the Linktool
No full textPrior to learning with an IMS LD Unit of Learning a run must be created, learners added, and a link to the run provided. In the context of Lifelong Learning or Open Learning Resources there may be no designated administrator available to manage access for the users who will participate in a UOL at any given time, or to provide links to the appropriate active run. In this case the user has to take responsibility for this process before they can start on the learning activities. There is therefore a need for new tools supporting the auto-management of UOLs conforming to the IMS LD specification. This paper presents a list of requirements arising from using Units of Learning in a pilot performed in the context of La Verneda School for adults in the Àgora association. We also present the first version of the tool developed according to the requirements and a summary of the results of using it in a second pilot in the same school
Placing the Student at the Heart of the Process: Using student lifecycle relationship management and service design techniques to enhance the student experience.
No full textThe Higher Education (HE) sector is currently under increasing pressure to respond to challenges from a number of quarters. Aside from the obvious economic factors, student expectations are also changing, particularly with regard to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). So how can the HE sector meet these changing (and challenging) expectations? One approach is to focus on the small-scale efforts that can be made to improve an institution’s effectiveness in enhancing the student experience.This paper describes how using techniques traditionally associated with customer relationship management in the commercial sector can be used in conjunction with the student lifecycle to meet the changing expectations of the student. It should be considered as an early announcement of the research from several of the JISC Relationship Management Programme projects, which have been trialing service design as an approach to Student Lifecycle Relationship Management (SLRM). Examples of some of the small-scale technological changes made are also provided. This approach places the student firmly at the heart of the process and may help institutions be more flexible, efficient and effective
Internet for music.
No full textInternet for music is an online tutorial designed to help students understand not only the range of quality music-related websites that may be relevant to them, but also to learn about techniques for appraising and evaluating online material. The tutorial forms part of the Intute Virtual Training Suite
Leadership for integrated children's services: a literature review for Bolton children's services
No full textThis review sets out to examine the published literature on the leadership qualities critical to developing integrated children's services, and how these qualities are best developed. In order to do this it asked two questions:i) What is 'integration' in the children?s services and what aspects of 'integration' need to be developed to lead to better services? ii) How can people be supported to lead improvement in services? How can the sorts of activities required, and the people that might do them, be categorised in order that some coherent workforce development programme be implemented
Leveraging organisation data through EII, ETL and data replication: methodologies and implementation
No full textData integration technologies underwent a series of evolutions. The move started by earlier attempts of integration within databases management systems. It is common in today’s organisation to find more than one form of data integration technology used together, sometimes with overlapping functionalities between these data integration tools and other Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) tools. Subsequently, it becomes more important to understand the differences and similarities between these data integration tools in order to help build a consolidated view of the corporate data. The paper will also address the impact of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) on the future of data integration