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Preparation and characterization of core/shell-like intumescent flame retardant and its application in Polypropylene
No full textWith a shell of starch-melamine-formaldehyde (SMF) resin, core/shell-like ammonium polyphosphate (SMFAPP) is prepared by in situ polymerization, and is characterized by SEM, FTIR and XPS. The shell leads SMFAPP a high water resistance and flame retardance compared with APP in polypropylene (PP). The flame retardant action of SMFAPP and APP in PP are studied using LOI, UL 94 test and cone calorimeter, and their thermal stability is evaluated by TG. The flame retardancy and water resistance of the PP/SMFAPP composite at the same loading is better than that of the PP/APP composite. UL 94 ratings of PP/SMFAPP can reach V-0 at 30 wt% loading. The flame retardant mechanism of SMFAPP was studied by dynamic FTIR, TG and cone calorimeter, etc
The audio Uncanny Valley: Sound, fear and the horror game
No full textThe 1970 proposition that there is an Uncanny Valley which man-made characters inhabit as their human-likeness (both appearance and movement) increases has been a growing topic of debate in the fields of robotics, animation and computer games particularly since the turn of the century. However, what the theory and subsequent related writings do not account for is the role of sound in creating perceptions of uncanniness and fear, a particularly useful attribute in computer game genres such as survival horror. This paper has a dual purpose: to explore diverse writings on the uncanny as they relate to sound and to prepare the groundwork for future work investigating the possible relationship between sound and the Uncanny Valley. The paper comprises, in large part, a survey of selected works on the uncanny and the Uncanny Valley from a variety of disciplines. It emphasizes the link between uncanniness and negative emotions, such as fear and apprehension, and discusses the genesis of the term uncanny in early psychoanalytical writings, relating this to more modern theories on human emotion. Writings on the uncanny, or related emotional states, from psychoacoustics, textiles research, films and computer games are assessed as to their validity and potential application to the fostering of an aural climate of fear in computer games and, where such writings do not explicitly deal with sound, attempts are made to apply the ideas contained within to sound as it exists within computer games. In dealing with the theory of the Uncanny Valley, the paper points out the theory?s focus on appearance and movement to the exclusion of sound and suggests that there is an uncanny in sound that might, in future, be used to modify the Uncanny Valley theory. Throughout, there is the suggestion that the uncanny (and any future theory of an audio or audiovisual Uncanny Valley) can be harnassed to the design of horror computer games. Ultimately, it is hoped, such work will be of use to computer game sound designers who wish to create a greater perception of fear and apprehension through the canny use of uncanny sound. Some of the design tips presented at the end of the discussion are already used instinctively by sound designers across a range of media, including computer games, whereas others are less obvious in their origin and affect. Recently published empirical data is provided to strengthen the case for the latter. In some cases, the design tips must await the coming of procedural audio to computer games
Albert Rijksbaron, Plato: Ion or: On the Iliad, edited with Introduction and Commentary, Amsterdam Studies in Classical Philology, Brill, Leiden and Boston, 2007, Euros 99.00 / US$ 147.00
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Benefits arising from the impact of the introduction of Cisco's connected office work and accommodation style on the Audit and Risk Management Unit (ARMU) of Salford City Council.
No full textLocal authorities are under ever increasing pressure to provide better quality services at less cost. They need therefore to extract more value from their assets including people and real estate. Studies of teleworking show that the productivity of workers can be increased and real estate costs reduced.Salford City Council first explored a model from BT PLC called Agile Working but the business case did not work. Salford decided instead, to press on with a pilot implementation of a model from Cisco (the networking company) called The Cisco Connected Office. This model combines traditional teleworking concepts with a bespoke office design structure. The author.s unit (Audit and Risk Management Unit - ARMU) was selected as the pilot implementation.This dissertation sets out to track changing work patterns, gauge employee attitudes, establish any business benefits and identify any residual barriers to maximising the success of the pilot implementation.The pilot was planned to commence in a newly refurbished area of the main campus but unfortunately financial pressures first delayed the move and then necessitated a move to non-refurbished accommodation. Although the office areas required in the Cisco work style were provided, they were in discrete offices rather than an open plan one. The postponements resulted in a compressed settling in time during which the team could test the boundaries of the new work style and restricted the volume of test data
UNFOLD Deliverable D2 - Awareness raising resources: (Project Deliverable Report - Understanding New Frameworks of Learning Design UNFOLD)
No full textThis report describes the work carried out in the development of UNFOLD project awareness resources. These include handouts, posters, and other publications, but the principal action has been to create a Web server which both raises awareness of the project, and of the specifications which it seeks to promote. The planning and development of the resources is described and some conclusions provided
E-Learning adoption in organisations: a review of existing models and practices
No full textThis paper is an analytical review of the journey so far on e-Learning adoption by organisations, with a focus on identifying a model-based approach from existing research, and identifiable success factors. Every organisation needs to assess and identify where employee performance sits in their balanced scorecard in order to allocate sufficient resources, planning and strategy development for optimal success. This paper reviews the major trends in e- Learning for organisation while identifying critical elements that should be incorporated into every strategy framework or model developed. It discusses the need to adopt a preimplementation analysis based on identifying organisational requirements, objectives and learning goals. There are current practices among leading organisations that are worth adopting as they are proven to be effective and have addressed some of the challenges faced by organisations adopting e-Learning. This paper is not a field research using any methodology, but simply a review of e-Learning models that best describes learning needs of both learners and organisations
Effects of victim gender, victim sexual orientation, victim response and respondent gender on judgements of blame in a hypothetical adolescent rape.
No full textObjectives. Few studies have examined the judgements made towards adolescent rape victims, and none have investigated attributions towards gay male or lesbian adolescents. The current study examined the effects victim gender, victim sexual orientation, victim response, and respondent gender, on attributions of blame in the depicted rape of a 15-year old adolescent.Methods. A total of 164 respondents read details of this assault before completing 15 attribution judgments.Results. Respondents were expected to attribute more blame to a victim who was male, gay, and who failed to resist the perpetrator. Male respondents were also expected to be more blaming of the victim than females. Overall these hypotheses were supported.Conclusion. Results are discussed in relation to the role gender stereotypes and homophobia play within attributions blame in sexual assault cases. Specifically, it seems male adolescent rape victims are subjected to the same negative stereotypes as male adult victims. Implications and ideas for future research are considered
Extrusion of Polyethylene Through a Square Slot in Rotating Die Systems
No full textIn a melt extrusion process consisting of a static die (spinneret), the geometry of extrudate is mainly dependent upon die slot geometry, rheological properties of polymer, pressure drop and drawing conditions. However, in a patented Netlon® process, a static die is replaced by two counter-rotating dies in a melt extrusion process for producing a net structure. In the present study, a series of net structures was produced from a square die slot under a given set of experimental variables (melt flow index, screw speed, take-up speed, die rotational speed and die temperature) based upon the full factorial design. Subsequently, the filament geometry within the net structure was characterized in terms of shape and cross-sectional area. The filament shape was comparatively more complex, and thus it was characterized by means of `Wadell roundness'. Combined effects of two experimental variables were also analyzed on the filament geometry
The effect of cycle lanes on the proximity between motor traffic and cycle traffic
No full textAn experiment collected proximity data of motor traffic overtaking cycle traffic on roads with and without cycle lanes using an instrumented bicycle. The work enhances previous research which has considered the riding position of the cyclist and whether or not the cyclist was helmeted, while controlling for vehicle type. The analysis shows that significantly wider passing distances are adopted by motorists in the condition without a 1.45 metre cycle lane, with posted speed limits of 40mph and 50mph with a 9.5 metre wide carriageway. These findings were not replicated for a similar width road with a posted speed limit of 30mph and a 1.3 metre cycle lane. The results suggest that in the presence of a cycle lane, drivers may be driving within the confines of their own marked lane with less recognition being given to the need to provide a comfortable passing distance to cycle traffic in the adjacent cycle lane