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Preferentially-orientated gradient precipitates enable unique strength-ductility synergy in Mg-Sn binary alloys.
No full textConventional manufacturing approaches, including casting, thermal deformation and annealing, have faced great challenges in achieving both exceptional strength and ductility for Mg alloys. Herein, we report an effective strategy for simultaneously enhancing the tensile yield strength (YS = 341 ± 9.6 MPa) and elongation (EL = 15% ± 1%) of a Mg-4Sn (at.%) binary alloy at room temperature, which has been prepared by an ultrahigh-pressure treatment followed by Joule-heat treatment (UPJT). More attractively, the aging condition (80 μs, 500 Hz, 600 s) is the most time-efficient mode for aged Mg alloys. The reason is mainly associated with the presence of a unique preferentially-orientated gradient precipitate structure, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy observations, density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. Both experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that twin boundary-induced precipitation followed by precipitate-assisted twin boundary migration accounts for the formation of gradient precipitate structures. The fine Mg2Sn particles can effectively pin dislocation movement to enhance its strength. Comparatively, the coarse Mg2Sn particles can undergo plastic deformation and shear deformation, contributing to its high ductility. The strategy of preferentially orientated gradient structure provides a budding perspective for designing new Mg alloys with superior mechanical properties
Design and performance analysis of a hybrid grid-connected PV system: a case study of Wakanda Estate's 1.5MWh solar installation.
Get PDFDue to technological advancements, there are efforts globally to lessen the generation of carbon dioxide, one of the gases responsible for the greenhouse effect. Renewable energy has seen tremendous growth in recent years. In order to protect the environment from pollution and provide electricity from an endless source for future generations, renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy via photovoltaic systems have come to stay. This paper simplified the process, control mechanism and cost benefit of connecting solar farm (using a fictional European "Wakanda Estate" as case study) for hybrid applications, directly connected to the grid with an inverter during high power demand or as standalone off grid system using batteries for energy storage when supply to the grid is not needed. Due to the intermittent nature of solar irradiance, an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) is applied to the topology. The MPPT algorithm must strike a compromise between maximizing power extraction and power quality issues, especially harmonic distortion brought on by switching elements, when interacting with the grid to dynamically modify the operating voltage to harness the most power possible under a variety of environmental conditions. The control mechanism commonly adopts a cascaded structure where the MPPT determines appropriate voltage references while an inner current control loop manages grid synchronization. Filters play a dual role in the management of harmonics in solar PV system. Despite its usefulness in removing chopped signals, filter dynamics (usually LCL configurations) must be taken into consideration since they can present resonance issues that have the potential to also destabilize the system if not well managed, particularly when irradiance changes quickly. In order to preserve stability during grid disruptions and guarantee that power quality criteria are fulfilled by adaptive filtering, advanced MPPT implementations and include anti-islanding protection, low-voltage ride-through capabilities, and dynamic impedance matching. The process was investigated by modeling and simulating photovoltaic arrays in MATLAB-Simulink using solar cell block from SimElectronics where influence of variable elements such as solar radiation was checked against performance of photovoltaic cells
Shift-left security: integrating security in the initial phase of the DevOps methodology.
Get PDFTraditional software development practices often defer security implementation to later stages of the development cycle, leading to delayed vulnerability detection, increased remediation costs, and increased security risks. The emerging "Shift-Left" paradigm addresses these challenges by integrating security considerations early in the development process. This paper proposes a five-step approach to integrating security earlier in the DevOps development methodology. It utilises the STRIDE model during the planning phase of DevOps to elicit, specify, and validate security requirements early in the development process. To this effect, the research uses the CAIRIS platform to facilitate comprehensive requirements, security and usability engineering activities during the plan phase of the DevOps methodology. Our approach is validated through a detailed organisational case study of a globally deployed distributed management system that orchestrates stakeholder network operations. Through a comprehensive two-tier approach that combines qualitative interviews and experimental implementation, we systematically identified and analysed the threats and vulnerabilities of the system. Our intervention revealed distinct security threats across all five categories of the STRIDE methodology, each of which were mapped to corresponding mitigation strategies. These findings validate the practical benefits of our methodology in strengthening system security during the initial development phases
Exploring pathways for country-level blockchain-driven, federated, digital twining of social housing.
Get PDFThis paper outlines the development of a Existing Building Digital Twin system for social housing in Scotland. The project focuses on enhancing retrofit planning and execution. Research methodology involved stakeholder workshops, surveys, and case-based reasoning methods. Key findings highlight the need for a decentralised, secure digital system integrating diverse data sources. The paper proposes ten components addressing various aspects of DT development, aiming to create a robust, user-friendly tool for decision-making in retrofit projects, supporting the country's transition to net-zero carbon emissions. The system is expected to offer benefits including improved energy efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced living conditions
Hit or miss? Gender parity and the future of international humanitarian law (IHL).
Get PDFInternational humanitarian law has long been heralded as a safeguard for civilians in armed conflict, yet its gendered assumptions and application remain deeply contested. While legal frameworks such as the Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocols, and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 recognise the need for gender-sensitive protections, they often reinforce a victim-centric narrative. This narrative tends to limit women's roles to passive recipients of aid, rather than recognising them as active participants in conflict resolution and post-war reconstruction. This paper critically examines whether International Humanitarian Law, as currently structured, meaningfully addresses the complex realities of women in war or continues to fall short in achieving substantive gender parity. Using contemporary case studies, including the legal discourse surrounding the war in Gaza, this paper interrogates how gender is framed in the adjudication of war crimes, forced displacement, and genocide. It examines how International Humanitarian Law mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, address gendered experiences of conflict. This includes recognising sexual violence as a weapon of war and the exclusion of women from peace negotiations. The paper further critiques the efficacy of international adjudication in holding perpetrators accountable for gender-based war crimes and ensuring gender-sensitive reparations. This paper engages with feminist legal theory and critical approaches to international law. It argues that achieving genuine gender parity in International Humanitarian Law requires a paradigm shift. The focus should move from protectionist policies to frameworks that recognise and empower women as key stakeholders in conflict resolution. The research further contributes to broader debates on the future of international law. It proposes concrete reforms to strengthen gender-responsive legal mechanisms, ensuring that international humanitarian law evolves in alignment with principles of justice and impartiality
Food insecurity, diabetes self-management and support for self-management in high income countries: a qualitative systematic review and synthesis (2008 to 2024).
Get PDFPeople living with diabetes and food insecurity in high-income countries have poorer health-related outcomes than those who are food secure. Diabetes is a significant global health challenge. At the same time, the prevalence of household food insecurity continues to increase. This qualitative systematic review and synthesis explored the lived experience of diabetes self-management and support for self-management for people living with diabetes and food insecurity in high-income countries. Keywords and search terms were developed using the PICo framework with searches conducted between January 2008 and August 2024. Titles and abstracts were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the methodological quality of included papers was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research and CERQual. Findings from 18 articles (detailing 17 studies) identified four interlinked themes: structural challenges, day-to-day challenges, ways of being for people living with food insecurity and diabetes, and self and support for self-management needs. Structural challenges (poverty, sociocultural and discrimination) were identified as the main determinants of the day-to-day challenges for people living with diabetes and food insecurity. Those challenges included the following: (i)limited access to suitable foods and food management resources; (ii) stress, (iii) poverty and diabetes stigma, (iv) limited informal support, (v) perceived lack of appropriate support from healthcare practitioners, and limited knowledge, confidence and understanding and access to information. The resulting ways of being for people affected were characterised by experiences of subsisting, avoiding, balancing and prioritising. Self and support for self-management needs were characterised by two themes improve[ing] clinical conversations and, support beyond health services. People living with diabetes and food insecurity are adopting methods of self-management, due to economic necessity, which may not be appropriate from a healthcare perspective, and which may be impacting their short and long-term health. There is an urgent need to address these issues in the post COVID-19 pandemic context for effective diabetes prevention and management
Family carers' preferences for support when caring for a family member at the end of life at home: an integrative literature review.
Get PDFExtensive research reports caregiver burden and unmet needs when caring for a home-dwelling family member at the end of life. Interventions are often decided by professionals and are less focused on family carers. There remains a gap in understanding family carers' preferences for support in their caregiving role. This integrative review summarises family carers' preferences for support when caring for a home-dwelling family member at the end of life. We examined what helps family carers cope and the impact of the organisation of end-of-life care on their experiences. Seven databases were searched between January 2011 and March 2024. Thirty-seven articles were included in this review. Data were thematically analysed. "Care continuity" at the end-of-life features prominently and underpins four themes: (1) Family carers see themselves as a partner in care to ensure their loved one's needs were prioritised; (2) balancing the needs of their loved one alongside their caregiving responsibilities and attending to their own psychosocial needs was challenging; (3) timeliness of access to information, knowledge and appropriate services through the illness trajectory and shared decision-making were important in helping them cope; and (4) preparedness when death was imminent in terms of dealing with the dying process and support beyond bereavement. "Care continuity" can be conceptualised as personal and relational continuity (at microlevel, it is about individuals building relationships with healthcare professionals through recognising their carer's role, access to contactable and knowledgeable staff and agreed care plan), informational continuity (micro- and mesolevel refer to effective transfer of information and knowledge between individuals and between services) and organisational continuity (mesolevel is about organised and coordinated care, early involvement of specialist palliative care and bereavement support). Health professionals should recognise that meeting the needs of family carers is inextricably linked to addressing the needs of their loved ones
Divergent responses to training load in professional Australian football: are insights obtained from generic and running-based assessments complementary or redundant?
No full textGeneric neuromuscular assessments are widely used to monitor training responses in team sports. Emerging running-based measures have been proposed to offer greater sensitivity to residual neuromuscular training effects by aligning more closely with the exercise dose, yet their practical utility remains ambiguous. Concurrent evaluation is thus necessary to identify athlete monitoring assessments that best capture meaningful responses. We examined within-athlete relationships among common training response measures and their associations with prior weekly external training load in professional Australian Football athletes. Repeated-measures, observational. Methods: Forty-three male athletes were regularly assessed over two pre-seasons following 48-hours of no training. Outcome measures were derived from maximal performances in adductor strength and countermovement jump (CMJ) assessments, the final minute of a continuous-fixed submaximal fitness test (CF-SMFT: 3-minutes, 12 km⋅h–1), and the plateau-phase of a high-intensity intermittent-fixed run (HI-IRplateau: 50 m, ~ 25 km⋅h–1). External loads were derived from Global Navigation Satellite Systems. Repeated-measures correlations assessed relationships between the response measures, while linear mixed-effects models evaluated measurement variability. Generalised Additive Models examined associations between prior weekly external training loads and the response measures. Adductor strength and CMJ measures showed low within-athlete variability (coefficient of variation, CV = 4.3–6.6%) and limited associations with weekly external loads. Conversely, 2 standard deviation (SD) increases in weekly total distance were associated with reductions in CF-SMFT HRex of − 1.3%-points (95% Confidence Intervals, CI: − 0.9, − 1.8), and as large as − 3.2%-points. Similarly, 2 SD increases in very-high speed running (> 25 km.h–1) were associated with declines in HI-IRplateau velocity of − 0.4 km·h–1 (95% CI: − 0.1, − 0.8), and as much as − 1.2 km·h–1. Both effects exceeded thresholds of practical significance, as indicated by the typical error of measurement. Accelerometer-vector measures presented inconsistent associations. Weekly external load changes were reflected in CF-SMFT HRex and HI-IRplateau velocity, supporting their practical utility for athlete monitoring; whereas measures derived from generic neuromuscular tests (adductor strength, and CMJ) showed limited responsiveness. Associations between external loads and accelerometer-derived measures presented significant uncertainty, which currently limits confident recommendations on the utility of these emerging techniques
A longitudinal study of psychological distress during and after COVID‐19 restrictions in caregivers of children with intellectual disability in the UK.
No full textThe current study explored longitudinally whether child behaviours that challenge and caregiver coping strategies was associated with psychological distress in caregivers of children with and without intellectual disability during and after lockdown. An online survey was completed by caregivers who had children with and without intellectual disability during Time Period 1 (T1; August-December 2021, n = 171) and then again during Time Period 2 (T2; January–March 2022, n = 109). Child behaviours that challenge and caregiver psychological distress reduced in T2 compared to T1. Child behaviours that challenge, emotion focussed coping and avoidant coping was associated distress at both time points in caregivers of children with and without intellectual disabilities. The study shows that both child behaviours that challenge and caregiver psychological distress reduced as lockdown ended. However, caregiver coping strategies may have contributed to psychological distress, which has potential implications for interventions and support for caregivers
Exploring the transition experiences of recently qualified health visitors to understand their support needs and future career aspirations: an interpretative description study.
No full textTo explore the transition experiences of recently qualified health visitors to understand their support needs and future career aspirations. Recently qualified health visitors, nurses who have completed post-graduate training to become health visitors, are vital to ensure robust and sustainable health visiting services. Nevertheless, little is known about their transition experiences, the support they require as they transition from nursing into health visiting, and their future career aspirations. Universal health visiting services are well-placed to support the health and well-being of children and their families from pre-birth to preschool. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise internationally in children with developmental delay concerns, with an increased demand for health visiting services to help mitigate this impact. However, health visiting services are stretched with an ageing population and staffing shortages. An interpretative description design was adopted using individual qualitative interviews to understand the transition experiences of recently qualified health visitors. Ten participants were recruited from an NHS Board in Scotland, using purposive sampling. Ethical approval was gained from the university ethics panel and the NHS Research and Development department. Reflexive thematic analysis was utilised to determine the patterns and meanings within the dataset. The study identified two factors that significantly impacted the transition experiences of the participants: continuity and the construction of a new professional identity. Continuity in the relationships with children and families related to how caseloads were allocated and the impact of the universal pathway level the participants were working on. Furthermore, relational continuity was found to be vital in both formal and informal support. However, this study found the participants experienced variability in their access to and the availability of this support. The construction of a new professional identity proved challenging for participants in determining their physical appearance and developing a narrative to explain their health visiting role to families. Also, the unanticipated level of responsibility from the health visiting role was found to have negatively impacted the well-being of some of the participants. Nonetheless, the future career aspirations of most of the participants were to consolidate their health visiting skills and progress to roles within the health visiting service. These findings support the addition of five components to the existing Fisher's (2012) Process of Transition, forming a bridge over the curve of emotions. The five components of formal organisational support, informal, impromptu support, construction of professional identity, stability and partnership in decision-making, and compassionate leadership are underpinned by relational continuity. These components were found to help reduce the curve of emotions the participants in this study experienced during their transition from nursing to health visiting. A key recommendation is a transition plan for recently qualified health visitors to support and facilitate their transition
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