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The Value of Stories
No full textThe therapeutic value in sharing a personal narrative of hardship can form an important part of an individual's healing process. It is here that growth can be achieved through finding meaning in events, that whilst grounded in the past can be constructively interpreted to influence present opinion and thoughts of the future (Mullet, Akerson, & Turman, 2013). From the perspective of the author, the re-telling of a self-reported account of adversity can help them move forward by making sense of what has happened. Here, the facts of the account do not change, but the way they are reflected on does. In this sense, the story becomes a powerful literary instrument that can help accept past hurts, give a voice to often suppressed aspects of self that are difficult to face and help identify moments of hope and courage that promote resilience (Mullet et al., 2013; Nurser, Rushworth, Shakespeare, & Williams, 2018)
Flame retardance of a bio-based furan resin: Effects of added flame retardants
No full text•Furan resin has low ignitibility, but burns readily only under forced combustion.•Inorganic P-containing FRs reduce flammability of resin by catalysing charring.•Organic P-containing FRs, RDP, BAPP and DOPO, are only minimally effective in resin.•Organic FRs show unexpected behaviours in TGA vs. LOI and cone calorimetric tests.•Differences in behaviour attributed to high boiling and flash points of organic FRs.A study of the flammability of a biobased furan resin via limiting oxygen index and UL-94 has shown its inherent flame retardant properties. In a cone calorimetric test at 50 kW/m2 external irradiance, however, it ignited within 50 s and burnt, producing 489 kW/m2 peak heat release and 24 MJ/m2 total heat release but minimal smoke production. The flame retardance of the furan resin was further improved by the addition of the phosphorus-containing inorganic flame retardants, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and melamine polyphosphate (MPP), and their well known condensed phase activity was further supported by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The organic flame retardants, resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) and bisphenol-A bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BAPP) had no effect on flame retardance, and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) had only minimal effects in LOI and cone calorimetric tests, which was at variance to the results of TGA tests. This disconnect between the tests involving flaming combustion (LOI and cone calorimetry) and slow controlled heating (TGA) was attributed to the low flash points and high boiling points of the organic flame retardants, respectively
How can UK public health initiatives support each other to improve the maintenance of physical activity? Evidence from a cross-sectional survey of runners who move from Couch-to-5k to parkrun
No full textPhysical activity improves physical and mental well-being and reduces mortality risk. However, only a quarter of adults globally meet recommended physical activity levels for health. Two common initiatives in the UK are Couch-to-5k (an app-assisted 9-week walk/run programme) and parkrun (a free, weekly, timed 5-km walk/run). It is not known how these initiatives are linked, how Couch-to-5k parkrunners compare to parkrunners, and the extent to which this influences their parkrun performance. The aims were to compare the characteristics and motives and to compare physical activity levels, parkrun performance and the impact of parkrun between Couch-to-5k parkrunners and parkrunners. Three thousand two hundred and ninety six Couch-to-5k parkrunners were compared to 55,923 parkrunners to explore age, sex, ethnicity, employment status, neighbourhood deprivation, motives, physical activity levels, parkrun performance and the impact of parkrun. Couch-to-5k parkrunners were slightly older, more likely to be female and work part-time, but similar in ethnicity, and neighbourhood deprivation compared with other parkrunners. Couch-to-5k parkrunners had different motives for participation and reported high levels of physical activity at registration, which remained to the point of survey completion. This group had slower parkrun times but, when registered for a year, completed a similar number of runs (11) per year. Larger proportions of Couch-to-5k parkrunners perceived positive impacts compared with other parkrunners and 65% of Couch-to-5k parkrunners reported improvements to their lifestyle. parkrun appears to be an effective pathway for those on the Couch-to-5k programme, and the promising positive association between the two initiatives may be effective in assisting previously inactive participants to take part in weekly physical activit
GREAT Deliverable 6.2. Dissemination and exploitation plan
No full textThis document provides detail of the instruments, tools and processes to be deployed by the Games Realising Effective Affective Transformation (GREAT) project partners and associates to engage stakeholders, raise awareness and leverage the project outcomes, outputs, findings and results.In conjunction with the supporting, associated, dynamic ‘activity plan’ the document will be used by the project to inform, manage and operationalise dissemination and exploitation activities.The core elements of the plan are:● To provide an integrated and consistent external profile for the project, to facilitate recognition, raise awareness and engage identified target groups.● To ensure visibility of the project’s actions, activities, outcomes, research findings, and events.● To disseminate extensively and intensively the achievements of the project and the effectiveness of the GREAT approach to targeted audiences.● To leverage the international networks that are linked to consortium members.● To provide a roadmap for successful commercial and non-commercial exploitation of the project outcomes.This first version of the deliverable (D6.2) will be updated and revised with a second iteration at a later point of the project in month 30. The updated version (D6.4) will incorporate specific details of activities undertaken, strategic updates and reflections informed by the emergent experience of the project as it progresse
CIA in data security
No full textCloud computing is a powerful tool that has enabled access to information and opportunities on a global level. With the advancements in technology and the development of smart phones for communication, it is essential for organizations to invest in robust cyber security solutions for their mobile devices. The CIA triad has been used to protect data in the cloud. This research is aimed at analyzing the application of CIA principles in protecting data. The framework for the cloud storage system proposed in this research uses a combination of asymmetric and symmetric keys together with RSA and AES encryption algorithms to transfer data among users in a safe cloud system. When compared to the existing model, the accuracy was increased by more than 8% (AES). This research indicates a system to attain high accuracy in cloud data protection
Contextualising African studies challenges and the way forward
No full textIn uncertain times, the focus on advanced economies overshadows the often-overlooked contributions of African economies. However, it is crucial not to underestimate Africa's paramount importance in the global economy. With a diverse economy shaped by historical, social, and cultural changes, Africa offers a rich and compelling narrative.Presenting ten exciting chapters delving into the socio-cultural aspects of African contexts and their profound impact on regional, national, and international business, Contextualising African Studies lays the foundation for a comprehensive exploration of Africa's business landscape. Examining contemporary issues, the authors shed new light on the intricate relationship between businesses, societies, and economics across various African societies. From researchers seeking fresh insights to business practitioners and policymakers, this edited text is a vital resource detailing the intricate workings of business and economics in Africa.The New Frontiers in African Business and Society series pioneers innovative reflections on the intricate interplay between business and society in Africa's emerging economy. Distinguished scholars contribute their expertise, offering crucial answers to the continent's challenges while uncovering new avenues of research and forging pathways forward
Flourishing, psychological distress and internalized stigma among parents of an adult son or daughter with schizophrenia
No full textBackground:Parents of adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, have been reported to have higher levels of psychological distress than the general population, and parents whose offspring have other mental or physical illnesses.Aim:This study examines the comparatively new construct of flourishing, and its relationship to internalized stigma and psychological distress.Method:A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July 2021 and March 2022, with an international sample of 200 parents of adult sons or daughters diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and three standardized inventories. These were the PERMA Profiler, which measures flourishing, the CORE-10, which measures psychological distress, and a new parental Internalized Stigma Scale. Sample characteristics of individuals of schizophrenia and their parents were examined using descriptive statistics, and the contributing factors affecting stigma were assessed through regression analysis.Results:The initial hypothesis that parents scoring high on internalized stigma, would have significantly higher levels of psychological distress and lower levels of flourishing, than parents with low-level internalized stigma, was confirmed. Overall, the flourishing levels were lower and psychological distress higher in these parents, than those of the general population. Regression analysis identified psychological distress and hopefulness as the two major predictors of flourishing, though in different directions. Interestingly, stigma did not determine flourishing, in spite of their close relationship
Andrew Voyce: A living tribute. “You can end up in a happy place.”
No full textThe main aim of this paper is to provide a Living Tribute of lived expert by experience and researcher Andrew Voyce.Andrew provided Jerome with a list of names of people he might approach to write a tribute on his behalf.The accounts describe the influence that Andrew has had both as an educator and as a trusted colleague for the people approached.In many ways the voices of people with mental health problems have been marginalised. Few mental health journals, with only some exceptions, encourage lived experience contributions.The mental health agenda continues to be dominated by professional groups. The remarkable individuals who continually battle with serious mental illness are often lost in official discourses.Despite the fact that the topic of mental health is now much more in the public domain, research tells us that the most effective anti-stigma strategy is contact with sufferers.The archivist Dr Anna Sexton co-produced one of the few mental health archives that only featured people with lived experience. Andrew was one of four people featured in it. This account ‘showcases’ the work of this remarkable man