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Enhancing Thermal and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Treated Borassus Husk Fibre Reinforced High-Heat Resistant Epoxy Composites
No full textNatural fibers from renewable resources offer a sustainable as well as biodegradable alternative to synthetic reinforcements in polymer composites. This study investigates the thermal and mechanical behavior of Borassus husk fiber-reinforced epoxy composites, fabricated via the hand layup method. The fibers were alkali-treated with 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for varying durations (0.5 to 2 h) to improve interfacial bonding. Thermal and dynamic mechanical properties were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Alkali treatment enhanced thermal stability, as indicated by increased char residue (up to 9.43%) and higher integral process decomposition temperatures (IPDT), with the 1-h treated sample achieving the highest IPDT of 554°C. Compared to neat epoxy and other natural fiber composites, Borassus fiber composites exhibited superior energy dissipation, stiffness, and mechanical strength. Although the glass transition temperature (Tg) decreased from 149°C in neat epoxy to between 122°C and 140°C in treated composites, the values remained competitive. The 0.75TBHFE demonstrated the best overall performance, with optimal storage modulus, improved damping and minimal mass loss. These findings underscore the potential of alkali-treated Borassus husk fiber/epoxy composites for high-performance applications, such as aerospace, while promoting environmental sustainability and supporting net-zero carbon emission goals
Becoming a mental health professional two autoethnographic accounts of the clinical psychology journey
No full textPurposeThis paper aims to highlight the arduous journey of becoming a clinical psychologist.Design/methodology/approachThe two authors provide autoethnographic accounts of their respective journeys to become clinical psychologists.FindingsA year after graduation, neither author had succeeded in their goal. They talk about the danger of getting stuck in “the doctoral rut”, where the ambition of becoming a clinical psychologist can take over the applicant’s life to the exclusion of other career options.Research limitations/implicationsThis is of course only the story of two clinical psychology applicants, yet it will resonate with the thousands of people who apply for clinical psychology training each year. Of the five mental health professions, there are more people wanting to become clinical psychologists. This represents a reservoir of talent wanting to enter the field of mental health.Practical implicationsThere needs to be other pathways for psychology graduates who want to work in the mental health field than just clinical psychology but which offer attractive career pathways.Social implicationsGiven the stigma attached to people with mental health problems, it is interesting that so many psychologists want to work in this field.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the commitment that many young psychologists have towards working in mental health services. While it reports on the stories of just two individuals, these accounts are typical of many clinical psychology applicants
A Framework For Public-Private Partnerships Empowerment Towards Zero Industrial Waste In The UAE
No full textThis study critically evaluates the strategic implementation of environmental management systems in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) construction industry and their contribution to zero carbon goals. As part of robust management systems, it is argued that generic best practice simultaneously promotes optimum outcomes in both-they are mutual and not independent of each other. The study adopted a quantitative research method approach. A questionnaire survey was conducted, with responses from 106 UAE construction professionals. There is emphasis in the research on the value of soft-systems research methodologies (non-technical) as a tool to investigate environmental problems rather than scientific or technical approaches. The findings indicate that reviews, audits and evaluations are essential for projects to sustain their specialist competence. These mechanisms assist project managers in navigating the evolving landscape of industry by leveraging accumulated expertise. Common challenges include a lack of clarity and executing tasks in an unordered manner, which can impede excellence involves refining operations and side-stepping mistakes. Technical environmental and zero carbon outcomes
Real-Time Detection of Domestic Violence Indicators on Twitter Using NLP and Deep Learning
No full textThis research applies natural language processing, machine learning, and deep learning techniques for the real-time detection of Domestic Violence using indicators from X (Twitter) data. For a dataset of over 2.9 million tweets, the study proposes a multi-step computational pipeline comprising data gathering, preprocessing, feature engineering, and model evaluation. The study also addresses data imbalance using SMOTE and uses topic modeling and TF-IDF feature extraction for meaningful representation. The methodology integrates classic models such as Decision Trees and Naïve Bayes with contemporary architectures such as LSTM, CNN, and a hybrid CNN-LSTM model. Comparative analysis using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score shows LSTM to be superior to all models. The findings point to the efficacy of deep learning for detecting subtle indicators of domestic violence, and the moral responsibility that accompanies automated detection. The research offers a baseline model for leveraging AI to inform early intervention and policy development, for the creation of safer online environments, and an evidence-based community response
When You Wear the Product, How Does It Project You? Assessing the Effectiveness of the Brand Equity Model for the GTP Brand in Ghana
No full textThe study explores Ghana Textile Printing company’s (GTP) adoption of the brand equity model to attract and retain customers to their brand in the face of the high influx of imported substitutes in Ghana. The researcher used a descriptive research method directed at the case study of GTP to explore how their strategies aligned with the four brand equity constructs: brand awareness, brand loyalty, brand associations, and perceived quality to make consumers aware of the brand products, knowledge about brand price, and quality, among others, to attract consumers to boost patronage of their fabrics. Convenience sampling was used to select GTP customers for the study, and they agreed to participate. The study used qualitative research methods with interviews, questionnaires, and secondary data as the instruments for data collection. Interviews were conducted with top management and retailers of GTP products, and archival information was used in data collection. The study found that the company’s attention is on improving the brand in terms of bringing out new designs in vibrant colours, social media presence, and collaborations with garment producers and media houses to project the GTP brand to consumers. In addition, the company is investing in technological applications for accessing and authenticating product quality to improve patronage of the company’s products. Apart from quality, the company did not label their strategies accordingly to the other constructs of brand equity, but the researcher classified the company’s strategies under the four brand equity constructs in line with the literature. The study suggests that local textile companies in Ghana give attention to the four brand equity constructs and adopt them to generate loyal customers, boost patronage and profitability to help ensure sustainability in business growth and development
An Autoethnographic Perspective on My Contributions to the Development of Mental Health Nursing in Hong Kong.
No full textThis critical commentary examines what I have achieved in my 45-year careerin mental health nursing in Hong Kong and my unique role in the profession’sdevelopment. The motivation for pursuing this doctoral programme stems froma strong personal connection to the profession, an awareness of the lack ofhistorical accounts of mental health nursing in Hong Kong, and a desire todocument my journey as both a participant and a contributor to the history ofmy profession.I have utilised autoethnography as a methodological approach to explore myprofessional journey. This commentary explores how I overcame challengesin my career and enhanced and adapted my professional practice. I have used‘I’ and ‘we’ in the narrative to reflect on my personal experiences and thecollective journey of my profession. Data have been collected from varioussources, including archival materials, personal communications, testimonials,and my reflections. These diverse sources help to establish connectionsbetween myself, my role in the mental health nursing profession, and myChinese culture.In this autoethnography, I highlight the important contributions of nurse leadersin developing the mental health nursing profession. Additionally, I emphasisethat mental health nurses’ roles are shaped not only by their professionalexpertise but also significantly by their organisation and societal perceptionsof their roles
From grit and resilience to academic tenacity
No full textIn this chapter the authors start by providing an overview of the concept of resilience and then examine its relevance for the field of education, mainly in the University sector. They review the linked concept of grit and its relevance for education. They describe three studies they conducted on grit. Although these studies show the importance of the concept of grit for university students, the authors claim that in order to thrive at university, students need other attributes. In their “thriving versus languishing” model, they highlight the importance of strengths use, persistence in the face of difficulty, resilience, a growth mindset, self-control and mental wellbeing. They conclude by describing a measure that combines these attributes into a single scale
DSPHR: A dynamic SDN-based Port Hopping Routing technique for mitigating SD-WSN attacks
No full textThis study introduces a Dynamic SDN-based Port Hopping Routing (DSPHR) technique to enhance the practical security defense of Software-Defined Wireless Sensor Networks (SD-WSNs) in wireless networks. DSPHR aims to thwart network probe and packet intersection attacks by formulating route hopping as a limitation resolution problem. The technique integrates the Compliance Quotient Theory (CQT) solver to establish constraints for achieving multiple routes, addressing capacity and overlap constraints. The SDN controller of the WSN, following a route hopping strategy and designated hopping slots, configures flow entries in OpenFlow switches along each transmission route. These entries enable the proper forwarding of secured communication flows. Simultaneously, the information regarding ports and addresses undergoes random alterations, ensuring not only random route hopping but also concealing original communication entity details. Theoretical analysis and experimental simulations validate DSPHR’s efficacy, demonstrating seamless and optimal route hopping with minimal communication latency. The technique significantly bolsters practical security measures, providing robust defense against interception and probe attacks in SDN-based wireless networks
