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People in prison and correctional officers perspectives on their lived experiences engaging with mental health services in selected correctional facilities in Nigeria: a hermeneutic phenomenological analysis.
Get PDFMental health issues (MHIs) are highly prevalent among people in prison (PIP) population, yet engagement with mental health services (MHS) remains low. Factors such as cultural and traditional beliefs, religious practices, stigma, ethnicity, and gender influence the help-seeking behaviours of PIP. Correctional officers (COs), play a critical role in supporting PIP with MHIs, functioning as essential gatekeepers in facilitating or hindering MHS engagement. However, in Nigeria, there is a notable gap in research examining the factors that influence PIP engagement with MHS and COs approaches to supporting PIP with MHIs. To explore the lived experiences and perceptions of Nigerian PIP and correctional officers engaging with mental health services. Data collection for Phase 1 and Phase 2 utilised one-on-one, in-depth, semi-structured interviews. In Phase 1, face-to-face interviews were conducted with eight People in Prison (PIP) experiencing mild to moderate MHIs, with lived experience accessing MHS. In Phase 2, six COs, with a minimum of 12 months of experience supporting PIP with MHIs, participated in telephone interviews. The interview transcripts were analysed using NVivo software, which facilitated the generation of preliminary codes and themes. The qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Analysis (HPA) was selected as the guiding framework, as it was considered most appropriate for understanding the qualitative data. This methodology enabled an in-depth exploration of the subjective meanings participants ascribed to their experiences, which provided rich, nuanced insights into participants' lived experiences. Phase 1 presented four superordinate themes 'Encapsulating the essence of MHIs as intrinsically linked to spiritual influence', 'Incarceration as an accelerant: amplifying the experience of trauma', 'Mental health services: A pathway to achieving mental health transformation' and 'The influence of power dynamics on MHS engagement'. These themes demonstrated that the cultural and traditional beliefs of PIP influenced their perception of MHIs and their help-seeking behaviour. Building on Phase 1, Phase 2 explored how correctional officers' cultural and traditional beliefs influenced their perspectives on the use of Westernised medicine. Phase 2 generated four superordinate themes 'Beyond their control', 'Exclusivity of psychotropic medication for mental stability and attaining psychological well-being', 'Mental health services: A pathway for empowerment and rehabilitation success' and 'Unravelling the challenges, pitfalls and strategies for successful mental health service delivery'. These themes depict that COs' cultural and traditional beliefs influenced their perception towards MHIs and MHS and acknowledged the superiority of Westernised medicine in facilitating rehabilitation success for societal reintegration. This study highlights the influence of cultural, traditional and religious beliefs in the delivery of MHS in CFs. It further emphasises the need for improvements in the delivery of MHS, including culturally sensitive approaches which integrate religious interventions into MHS delivery, enhanced mental health literacy, and strengthened support systems for PIP and COs. The findings contribute to empirical evidence on MHIs and MHS provision within Nigerian CFs, an underexplored area. Notably, this research is the first to apply the HPA framework to examine MHS engagement within Nigerian correctional settings, establishing a foundation for future investigations
Evaluating a novel explainability method for metaheuristics via a user study.
Get PDFIt is easy to point out why a method should not be a black box, but it is hard to define what would make it sufficiently transparent. In more practical terms, the aims behind explainability are not commonly agreed upon, and evaluating a novel XAI method is challenging. This is especially true in the case of explanations relating to metaheuristics, since much of the XAI literature focuses on machine learning, whereas this work is of particular interest to the evolutionary computation community. This paper will discuss the design of a user study to investigate if our explanatory material is useful to a user working with an optimization problem solved by a metaheuristic. The participants are presented with the solution produced by the algorithm and are tasked to modify it to satisfy new constraints. The resulting fitness of the new solutions is recorded, and additionally the users answer questions about their trust in the algorithm and in their decision. While the study is in its early stages, preliminary results show that the users found our explanations helpful
Thermo-physical behaviour of thermoplastic composite pipe for oil and gas applications.
Get PDFThermoplastic composite pipes (TCP) consist of three distinct layers—liner, reinforcement, and coating—offering superior advantages over traditional industrial pipes, including flexibility, lightweight construction, and corrosion resistance. This study systematically characterises the thermal properties of TCP layers and their compositions using a multi-method approach. Thermal analysis was conducted through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for isothermal and non-isothermal crystallisation, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal stability, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for material identification. FTIR confirmed polyethylene as the primary component of TCP, with compositional variations across the layers. TGA results indicated that thermal degradation begins at approximately 200°C, with complete decomposition at 500°C. DSC analysis revealed a double melting peak, prompting further investigation into its mechanisms. On-isothermal crystallisation kinetics, analysed at cooling rates of 10°C/min and 50°C/min, revealed an anisotropic crystalline growth pattern. Although nucleation occurs uniformly, the subsequent three-dimensional crystalline growth is governed more by the degree of supercooling than by the crystallography of the glass fibres. This underscores the importance of precisely controlling the cooling rate during manufacturing to optimise the anisotropic properties of the reinforced layer. This study also demonstrates the value of FTIR, TGA, and DSC techniques in characterising the thermo-physical behaviour of TCP, offering critical insights into thermal expansion, shrinkage phenomena, and overall material stability. Given the limited body of research on this specific TCP formulation, the findings presented here lay a foundation for both quality enhancement and process optimisation. Moreover, the paper offers a distinctive perspective on the dynamic behaviour, thermal expansion, and long-term performance of TCP in demanding oil and gas environments
Multi-criteria decision-making approach to material selection for abandonment of high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) wells exposed to harsh reservoir fluids.
Get PDFPortland cement is the primary barrier material for well abandonment. However, the limitations of cement, especially under harsh downhole conditions, are necessitating research into alternative barrier materials. While several alternatives have been proposed, the screening process leading to their selection is scarcely discussed in the literature, resulting in the non-repeatability of the selection process. This study develops a dynamic multi-criteria decision-making technique for assessing the material options for the abandonment of high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) wells with exposure to harsh reservoir fluids. The material screening process is performed in ANSYS Granta and a combined technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach is used for ranking the shortlisted material alternatives based on seven material properties proven in the literature to be critical to the long-term integrity of well barrier materials. Nine alternative materials are ranked against Portland cement and high alumina cement. The results show that the top-ranking materials are from the phenol formaldehyde and polyamide–imide groups. Of these, the primary production CO2 of the polyamide–imide is, on average, about 25 times higher than the primary production CO2 of the phenol formaldehyde material. A sensitivity analysis of the methodology confirms that the criteria with the highest initial weights are the most impactful in terms of the final rank. The material property values also have an impact on the extent to which variations in their weights affect the hierarchical position of the materials in the TOPSIS-AHP analysis. Despite their higher cost per unit volume, the alternative materials consistently outperformed cement—even when average price was weighted more heavily than the most influential mechanical property
Vanishing histories: protecting Scotland's cultural heritage in an era of climate crisis: Orkney.
Get PDFAccording to the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2022, action is required, and research priority has been given to risks to cultural heritage (Sniffer, 2022). Scotland's vernacular architecture—rooted in local materials, climatic adaptation, and cultural traditions—embodies centuries of place-based knowledge. Yet, these historic structures are increasingly threatened by the accelerating impacts of climate change, including coastal erosion,flooding, and extreme weather. This paper investigates how the climate crisis jeopardises the physical integrity and cultural significance of Scotland's vernacular-built heritage, particularly in rural and island communities such as Orkney, the Hebrides, and Caithness. It explores the limitations of conventional conservation approaches in addressing the dynamic vulnerabilities of these buildings and advocates for climate-adaptive strategies grounded in the principles of vernacular resilience.By integrating architectural analysis, community-based heritage practices, and climate science, the presentation emphasises that safeguarding vernacular architecture is not merely about preserving the past but also about sustaining cultural identity and environmental stewardship in a changing world. The climate crisis is emerging as one of the most significant threats to cultural heritage in the 21st century. In Scotland, the increasing frequency of storms, rising sea levels, and changing moisture regimes are causing physical damage to historic buildings, while also endangering the intangible cultural practices embedded within them. Nowhere is this more evident than in the country's vernacular architecture— structures shaped over centuries by local materials, climatic conditions, and community knowledge. These buildings,from stone-built crofts to turf-roofed blockhouses, reflect deep-rooted relationships between people and place. Yet, they are frequently overlooked in national conservation strategies, leaving them highly vulnerable to environmental change. This paper focuses on the impact of climate change on Scotland's vernacular architectural heritage, examining both the physical degradation of these structures and the cultural erosion that follows. Through case studies from the Orkney Islands, the Western Isles, and Caithness, it explores the inadequacies of existing conservation frameworks. It proposes adaptive, community-based strategies that merge traditional practices with contemporary climate science. In doing so, the paper argues for a paradigm shift—from static preservation to dynamic resilience—in how we value, protect, and sustain vernacular heritage in a warming world
Tidelines. [Cyanotype print]
Get PDFThis is a handprinted cyanotype that forms part of an ongoing body of work documenting the flora and fauna around the Scottish coastline. This particular work is an example of the artist's experimentation with alternative processes
Total quality management implementation in culturally diverse contexts: an insights from the Nigerian five-star hotel industry.
Get PDFThis research investigates the implementation of Total Quality Management within Nigeria's five-star hotel sector, a context characterised by significant cultural diversity. It addresses a notable gap in the quality management literature by examining TQM in an under-researched sub-Saharan African hospitality context and exploring how cultural diversity influences managerial practices and operational performance. Grounded theoretically in Cameron and Quin's (2011) Competing Values Framework, Synergy (Forrester, 1961) and systems (Bertlanffy, 1968) thinking, the study aims to identify the principal barriers, critical success factors, and cultural dynamics shaping the adoption and effectiveness of TQM in this setting. Methodologically, a qualitative approach was employed, comprising semi-structured interviews with 12 senior hotel professionals across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. These interviews provided detailed data and analysed thematically using NVivo software to ensure rigorous coding and robust theme development. Findings reveal that TQM implementation faces substantial barriers, notably strong unionisation, cultural misalignment between imported quality practices and local norms, and significant resource constraints, particularly in staff training and infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, several context-specific enablers emerged, including cultural competence training programmes that enhance cross-cultural understanding and multilingual workforce strategies that improve communication and consistent service delivery across linguistic groups. The research also uncovers distinct cultural factors influencing managerial decision-making, specifically workplace spirituality shaping employee values, clan-based governance prioritising community and familial obligations, and a hierarchical leadership style reflecting high power-distance norms. These insights underpin the proposed explanatory framework that refines the CVF by incorporating participative leadership, accommodation of religious practices, and cultural feedback mechanisms. This framework dynamically aligns TQM processes with evolving cultural expectations, representing a sophisticated theoretical contribution by extending Cameron and Quinn's (2011) CVF to suit culturally diverse environments better. Practically, the research provides hotel managers with strategic guidelines for reconciling global quality standards with local cultural imperatives. Critically, the study advances scholarly debate on the relationship between national culture and quality management, highlighting significant implications for management practice by challenging its universal assumption. It concludes by advocating longitudinal and quantitative research to validate and further refine the proposed model, emphasising the necessity for continued examination of TQM's cultural adaptability across diverse contexts
Strategies to integrate design and fabrication through discretisation.
Get PDFThis thesis explores the transformative integration of digital discretisation and computational methodologies within architectural design and practice. By delving into advanced computational tools, it articulates a new paradigm where architectural form and function transcend traditional limitations through adaptability, sustainability, and responsiveness to societal needs. The research highlights how digital tools not only refine design and assembly processes but also critically address broader environmental and social imperatives. Through a mixed-method approach involving literature review, classification development, comparative case study analysis, and prototyping using parametric modelling environments, this study demonstrates the practical and theoretical implications of digital discretisation in redefining the role of architects—from designers to orchestrators of data and algorithms. The findings identify and evaluate key discretisation strategies based on segmentation logic, interdependency, and materiality, revealing their potential to enhance architectural expressiveness and fabrication feasibility. The proposed classification framework supports a more intentional application of these strategies within early-stage design. This thesis contributes to architectural discourse by advocating a shift towards a more holistic practice that harmonizes digital innovation with traditional craftsmanship to create spaces that are both aesthetically compelling and functionally significant
Review of machine learning application in porous transport layers for the design of fuel cells and electrolyzers.
Get PDFGas diffusion layers (GDLs) of fuel cells and porous transport layers (PTLs) of electrolyzers are central to mass transportation, heat management, and longevity in electrochemical energy systems. Their microstructures, being porous or sintered, present challenges to traditional simulation methods due to multiscale and nonlinear transport phenomena. Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a potential substitute in the last few years for modeling, optimization, and reconstruction of such porous media. This review consolidates 69 peer-reviewed articles that applied ML techniques such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), artificial neural networks (ANNs), physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), and generative models to GDLs and PTLs. Bibliometric analysis indicates a dramatic explosion in publication after 2020, with a preponderance of interest in GDLs in PEM fuel cells and little interest in PTLs in water electrolyzers. Across the literature, CNNs and ANNs dominate while generative and physics-aware techniques are underrepresented. Key challenges are shortage of datasets, generalizability of material, and rare explainability or quantification of uncertainty. We highlight the need for benchmark datasets, physics–ML hybrid models, transfer learning between domains, and digital twin platforms for real-time deployment. Our review provides a blueprint towards merging ML with physical laws to accelerate porous material design in fuel cells and electrolyzers
Why teacher educators stay: the power of PERMA in practice. [Blog post]
Get PDFTeacher educators (TEs) are a unique group of academics who balance the job's usual paperwork, teaching, research, and service parts with the additional complex pressures of preparing and supervising student teachers on placement (and all that it entails). As such, they often feel bogged down by admin or overwhelmed by external pressures, including high-stakes inspections and re/accreditation procedures and the need to simultaneously publish high-impact research in quality peer-reviewed journals. Against the backdrop of reduced funding and resources across the sector, managing these many responsibilities will likely get harder before it gets better. This combination of push and pull factors leads to fatigue, stress, or burnout
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