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Material integrity and fate of particulates released from carbon fibre composites containing nanomaterials during simultaneous fire and impact
No full textNanomaterials are usually incorporated in the polymeric resin matrix of the carbon fibre-reinforced composites (CFC) to enhance their mechanical and thermal performances. CFCs when exposed to heat/fire and impact such as in an aeroplane/transport vehicle crash, are known to release small carbon fibres, some of which could be of nanosized diameters and hence airborne. While this is still an under researched area, there is no information available on the fate of CFCs containing nanomaterials in such scenarios. To address this, we have recently developed a methodology to subject CFCs to simultaneous heat/fire and impact and collect all of the released debris from the front/back faces plus the effluents of the heated/burning composite. CFCs containing nanomaterials, namely layered double hydroxides (LDH), nanotubes (NT) and graphene oxide (GO) were subjected to varying radiant heat fluxes and 19J low velocity impact. Particle size distribution of released particles was conducted by image analysis of SEM micrographs and their agglomeration behaviour by zeta potential measurement. The presence of nanomaterials did not significantly affect the particle size distribution of the released particles; however, the heat duration and the fire had a noticeable effect, the particle size decreased with increasing heat flux and duration. From the particle size distribution and agglomeration behaviours their potential health hazards could be contemplated
Graduating in uncertain times: The impact of COVID -19 on recent graduate career prospects, trajectories and outcomes
No full textThis article examines the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on recent UK graduates' initial employment outcomes and how they experience the transition into a challenging labour market context. We draw on longitudinal survey and interview data, collected from recent graduates who had mainly graduated during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in summer 2020 that examines graduate perception of the labour market, impacts on labour market entry impacts and early career progression and effects of periods of unemployment or under-employment. The article shows some of the main impacts of the recent pandemic-affected labour market, including: widespread concerns about job opportunities and employer support, the perceived employment impacts of the pandemic and early signs of scarring and labour market disorientation amongst those who were struggling to find employment of their choice. Such experiences are clearly intensified during the specific COVID-19 context, but the policy implications they raise have wider relevance for supporting graduates during future periods of labour market volatility
Strategies for improving the sustainability of SMEs in the construction industry in Malawi
No full textThe Structural Adjustment Programme (SAPs) during the period 1980 to 2000 encouraged Governments to privatise non-strategic commercial activities, leading to the emergence of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, taking 95% of all trading entities and employing up to 40% of workforce in Sub-Saharan Africa.However, majority of SMEs in Africa fail within five years of starting and few last beyond 15 years and have no capacity to compete with International SMEs particularly in the construction industry. This research was to identify the leading factor in causing failure of SMEs in construction Industry in Africa; case of Malawi and develop a strategic legal framework to enhance sustainability of local SMEs. Literature reviewed confirmed a high frequency of failure and revealed twelve factors which cause negative impact on sustainability of SMEs generally. The National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) registers and regulates SMEs in the construction Industry and from their records there were 5,000 SMEs in 2015.Mixed methods was adopted collecting qualitative and quantitative data in three stages.A survey by questionnaire administered to a random representative sample of 800No, and data analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) established payment paralysis the leading factor in failure. 20SME failure cases were reached and responded to a questionnaire and interviews revealing the events and circumstances leading to payment paralysis. They posited that major drivers of payment paralysis are Corruption, Weak Contract laws, PEs skewing risks in their favour, poor bid evaluation and high bank interests. Interviews were then conducted with 5policy/opinion leaders who confirmed the major drivers of payment paralysis stated by the 20failed SMEs and gave their suggestions on contract and legal steps required to support the SMEs which were adopted in the design of the legal framework. The research findings were shared widely in awareness presentations in Malawi, Kenya and Zambia to Government, Academia, Legal Societies, SMEs MABCATA, MIE, IEK. . In 2015 Civil Engineering Contractors Association, (RACECA) appointed a team of lawyers and the author to seek solutions. In 2018 the author published these findings in the Kenya Engineer Journal.The concerted efforts of stakeholders resulted in 5No. Bills tabled in Kenya Parliament between May 2019 and October 2020 and happily, Bill No.5 was the Prompt Payment Bill sponsored by the Government. To date two of the five drivers were targeted
The Bolton Review: Issue 9: Rats and Revelry!
No full textThe Bolton Review is a student-led creative magazine from the University of Bolton. It showcases some of the best work from Bolton’s up-and-coming: students and staff from all areas and all levels of the University buildings and other schools in the area
Therapeutic gaming for adolescent anxiety: development and evaluation of a mobile intervention
No full textAnxiety is a common mental health problem in adolescents with significant short-, medium- and long-term implications if left untreated. Existing therapeutic interventions have proven effective but are associated with a number of barriers to access, engagement and maintenance of gain. Therapeutic games represent an opportunity to address barriers to treatment in a challenging population. This thesis assessed user-perceptions of existing relaxing and informative games to aid the development of a new gamified intervention. This uniquely combines aspects of cognitive-behavioural therapy and attention-bias modification, delivered via mobile devices and utilising remote data-capturing to facilitate access and engagement.After initial usability and acceptability assessment, followed by game-improvement, a pre- vs post-intervention evaluation with follow-up investigated the anxiolytic capabilities of the new intervention over both a two-week structured intervention and at two-month follow-up. Further investigation during follow-up was conducted to assess the extent and impact of self-directed play. Results revealed that the game made significant improvements to self-reported state- and trait-anxiety as well as threat-detection bias post-intervention which were maintained at follow-up.Additionally, self-directed play was predictive of outcome at follow-up stage.Limitations of the findings are discussed in addition to suggestions for future researc
Future role of sustainable innovative technologies in crisis management
No full textThe increasing use of innovative technologies by global businesses has sparked debate about their application in crisis resolution. Resolution tools can be used by global businesses to manage various types of crisis situations, such as natural disasters, information security issues, economic downturns, health crisis situations, and sustainability issues in education, among others. Further study and consideration of the uses of technology in the areas of crisis and change management and intra-company communication practice in the context of global business must be done to ensure successful and sustainable businesses.Future Role of Sustainable Innovative Technologies in Crisis Management raises awareness of the multifaceted field of new technology in crisis management that has resulted in a paradigm shift in the way contemporary industries and global businesses communicate and conduct their daily business operations. This book defines the scope of innovative technologies as the application of new technologies to support the resolution of various types of crisis situations to achieve regulatory compliance and improved risk management in an effective and automated manner. Covering topics such as sustainable business and disaster scenarios, this reference work is ideal for managers, entrepreneurs, researchers, academicians, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students
European university students' mental health during Covid-19: Exploring attitudes towards Covid-19 and governmental response
No full textThe effects of Covid-19 have been felt worldwide and one population that are of increasing concern are university students. University students have endured unique and drastic changes to their everyday and academic lives. It is important to understand how university students in different parts of the world have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and how it has affected their mental health? A cross-sectional study was conducted during the first wave of Covid-19, in May 2020 with 2,006 university students from the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain. Participants were recruited online and were asked to complete a series of standardised measures of psychological distress, anxiety, flourishing and wellbeing. Attitudes towards Covid-19 were measured using a new scale. The factor structure and reliability of this new scale was confirmed using this European sample. Results indicated that all university students were suffering from poor mental health, considerably below pre-pandemic norms. There were many geographical differences in the way that university students perceived the Covid19 pandemic, in terms of their fears, anxieties, loneliness and positivity. There were also significant mental health comparisons between students from the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain. Student beliefs that their government had provided effective leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic were strongly related to numerous mental health outcomes. A picture of university students' mental health is provided and discussed. Geographical comparisons are discussed, as are the implications for practice and future directions.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-02854-0
Distributed ledger based blockchain technology for reliable electronic voting system with statistical analysis
No full textIn today's society, voting is crucial to choose the representatives of the people. The current voting process is filled with a vast array of disputes and manipulations. The leader must be selected by precise manner without any malpractices. In addition, the people and authorities are not happy with the election results and label them unpredictable. We offer a better solution to the current problems, such as tampering, non-residents voting outside of the polling place, quick results analysis, quick counting, and reduced use of staff and funds during the electoral franchise process. In this offer, blockchain technology is used to create the distributed application (dApp) framework that will be used for the proposed e-voting system. Additionally, it offers unique characteristics like immutability, transparency, privacy, and reception freedom that reduces crimes involving the processing of sensitive data in the electoral process. Ganache, Metamask, and specified dagger hashing algorithm are used to develop the dApp. A key strength of this paper is the statistical analysis of transactions on the blockchain. Moreover, it also provides security to voters' individuality and leads to immediate acceptable counting results with more accuracy
Surface Modification of Commingled Flax/PP and Flax/PLA Fibres by Silane or Atmospheric Argon Plasma Exposure to Improve Fibre−Matrix Adhesion in Composites
No full textChallenges faced by natural fibre-reinforced composites include poor compatibility between hydrophilic fibres such as flax and hydrophobic polymeric matrices such as polypropylene (PP) or poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and their inherent flammability. The former promotes weak interfacial adhesion between fibre and matrix, which may be further compromised by the addition of a flame retardant. This paper investigates the effect that the added flame retardant (FR), guanylurea methylphosphonate (GUP) and selected surface treatments of commingled flax and either PP or PLA fabrics have on the fibre/matrix interfacial cohesive forces in derived composites. Surface treatments included silanisation and atmospheric plasma flame exposure undertaken both individually and in sequence. 1-, 2- and 8-layered composite laminates were examined for their tensile, peeling and flexural properties, respectively, all of which yield measures of fibre-matrix cohesion. For FR-treated Flax/PP composites, maximum improvement was obtained with the combination of silane (using vinyltriethoxysilane) and plasma (150 W) treatments, with the highest peeling strength and flexural properties. However, for FR-treated Flax/PLA composites, maximum improvement in both properties occurred following 150 W plasma exposure only. The improvements in physical properties were matched by increased fibre-matrix adhesion as shown in SEM images of fractured laminates in which fibre-pullout had been eliminated
South and North. Teacher Education Policy in England and Scotland: a comparative textual analysis.
No full textTeacher education in the UK is undergoing a period of active development. In order to identify the rationale offered for change and the direction of travel this article reports a textual analysis of two key policy texts recently published in England and Scotland: the English Schools White Paper The Importance of Teaching (Department for Education, 2010a) and Teaching Scotland’s Future (Donaldson, 2011 ). These influential documents are explicitly relevant to the study of teacher education in transition, specifically the extent to which policy formation is premised on different forms of deliberation, different models of professionalism and different visions of a socially just education system. The analysis presented here is ‘critical’ in the sense that it interrogates the claims made in policy language and explores their constitutive effect. Key themes include the construction of ‘partnership/collaboration’ and ‘professionalism’ within these texts and how the ‘re-conceptualisation’ of both is informed by different sets of interests and values. Whilst the focus here is on teacher education, this analysis raises wider questions about the relative health of the public sphere in different jurisdictions of the UK