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A–Z of prescribing for children: H – History taking
Full text linkThis series focuses on aspects of prescribing for neonates, children and young people, from A–Z. Aspects of pharmacokinetics will be considered, alongside legal considerations, consent and medications in schools
Sequential Elimination in Multi-stage All-pay Auctions
Full text linkI study a multi-stage all-pay auction in which the lowest bidder in each stage is eliminated. Elimination continues until only two bidders remain, one of whom wins the auction. I analyse optimal bidding behaviour and the seller’s expected revenue when bidders have independent and private values. In contrast to typical bidding strategies, the optimal bid in each stage is strictly decreasing in the number of bidders. For a fixed number of bidders, however, bids increase as bidders progress through the stages of the auction. Despite independent values, this multi-stage auction yields less expected revenue to the seller than its single-stage counterpart when there are more than three bidders
A–Z of prescribing for children: E – Excretion
Full text linkThis series focuses on aspects of prescribing for neonates, children and young people, from A—Z. Aspects of pharmacokinetics will be considered, alongside legal considerations, consent and medications in school
Environment-Driven Variability in Absolute Band Edge Positions and Work Functions of Reduced Ceria
Full text linkThe absolute band edge positions and work function (Φ) are the key electronic properties of metal oxides that determine their performance in electronic devices and photocatalysis. However, experimental measurements of these properties often show notable variations, and the mechanisms underlying these discrepancies remain inadequately understood. In this work, we focus on ceria (CeO2), a material renowned for its outstanding oxygen storage capacity, and combine theoretical and experimental techniques to demonstrate environmental modifications of its ionization potential (IP) and Φ. Under O-deficient conditions, reduced ceria exhibits a decreased IP and Φ with significant sensitivity to defect distributions. In contrast, the IP and Φ are elevated in O-rich conditions due to the formation of surface peroxide species. Surface adsorbates and impurities can further augment these variabilities under realistic conditions. We rationalize the shifts in energy levels by separating the individual contributions from bulk and surface factors, using hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) embedded-cluster and periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported by interatomic-potential-based electrostatic analyses. Our results highlight the critical role of on-site electrostatic potentials in determining the absolute energy levels in metal oxides, implying a dynamic evolution of band edges under catalytic conditions
Use of CO2-induced siderite and dolomite with nanoclay for soil improvement
No full textWe studied the precipitation of carbonate minerals used as cements for ground improvement. The carbonate minerals were prepared by combining divalent ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, and Fe2+) with carbonate ions (CO3 2-) induced by microbial activity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses observed the shapes and sizes of the minerals and attested the formation of dolomite (CaMg (CO3)2) and siderite (FeCO3). Consolidated drained triaxial tests (CD) were performed on treated specimens of silica sand with the CO2-induced siderite and dolomite cements with and without the addition of nanoclay. Specimens treated with siderite had higher strengths than dolomitetreated specimens. The addition of nanoclay further increased the shear strength of the specimens and reduced their brittleness. Moreover, it was found that the shearing resistance of fully saturated specimens was not considerably reduced compared to that of dry specimens, as it only decreased by 5–15% compared to that of dry specimens
Everyday Welfare in Modern British History: experiences, expertise and activism
No full textEveryday Welfare in Modern British History: experience, expertise and activism addresses forms of action and activism used by individuals and groups who undertake the work of experiential expertise in relation to welfare cultures. We conceive of “experiential experts” as individuals whose action and activism has been catalysed by their personal experiences and knowledge. These individuals have asserted an expert witness status in welfare practice and sought out new forums to expand the scope, inclusivity, and applicability of welfare services.
Our book takes Robert Pinker’s idea of “a state of welfare” as the springboard to re-conceptualise the history of everyday welfare in twentieth century Britain. Shifting attention from the welfare state to “a state of welfare” has important impact, allowing us to de-centre the privileging in histories of welfare of the welfare state, and instead to focus on the subjective and experiential dimensions of welfare. In doing so, we also engage anew with what Pinker argued was the need to consider welfare through the lens of people “faring well”. The chapters in the book offer routes into examining varied ways people identified with how to live a life where they “far[ed] well”, contested models of “faring well” that were applied to them through formal welfare provision, and protested perceived injustices around what it meant to “fare well”. Everyday Welfare offers a new framing for histories of welfare. It opens a more inclusive, diverse, and representative account of what the experience of welfare meant to people, how they felt about it and what they did with it, reconceptualising the centrality of welfare in daily life, and the embeddedness of activism within welfare cultures
CSR communication or branding strategy? Measuring the impact of CSR versus non-CSR communication on FMCG consumers in Egypt: the Theory of Reasoned Action and message-consumer congruence.
Full text linkConsidering changes in consumer behaviour and the emergence of new media, this thesis contributes to literature on CSR communication by comparing the effectiveness of CSR communication to non-CSR communication in Egypt among FMCG consumers. Whilst multitude of studies focused on various aspects of CSR communication in Western markets, their generalizability to markets of different sociocultural characteristics cannot be guaranteed. Coupled with the evolving nature of the sociocultural and consumption environment, the need for differentiated replications is addressed in this study.
Therefore, this thesis addresses this gap and is one of the first studies that examines, in a mixed-methods design, the impact of CSR and non-CSR communication on consumers’ brand attitudes and purchase intentions in Egypt. Theoretically, this study integrates multiple theories to propose a novel and comprehensive conceptual framework from which theoretical contributions have emerged. Specifically, drawing on the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Stimuli-Organism-Response framework, and the concept of value congruence, this research explores the impact of CSR communication strategies on brand attitudes and purchase intentions.
Therefore, the study contributes new knowledge on CSR brand communication effectiveness in an under-researched socio-cultural context in order to establish its applicability and effectiveness in a new market.
This study employed mixed research methods by conducting 2x2 factorial survey experiments to compare the effects of CSR to non-CSR communication and to examine the role of message-respondent congruence. The final data set included responses from 474 respondents. Following that, semi-structured interviews were conducted on a smaller sample to gain deeper insights on respondents’ perceptions of CSR communication.
Applying independent sample t-test, the comparisons between the groups revealed that all averages of the brand attitudes were significantly higher for consumers who were subjected to the CSR message. Based on structural equation modelling, there were direct positive effects of CSR communication on ad likeability, emotional brand attachment, brand trust and purchase intentions. Also, the qualitative data revealed a plethora of strategic suggestions for CSR communication.
The theoretical application in this study revealed that this study’s theoretical contribution asserts that for TRA to be applicable to different product types, attitudes towards the brand is necessary to measure. The study provided further evidence to attest to the fact that the concepts of attitude towards brand and attitude towards ad are important variables which influence intention to buy the advertised product confirming TRA assumptions in case of CSR communication.
Furthermore, the findings direct researchers to be aware that when applying TRA and SOR, some attitudes might have stronger effects on purchase intentions than others.
Practically, this study offers a number of implications. First, it confirmed that CRS communication appeal is more effective than non-CSR communication appeal in Egypt for a specific brand and hence brand managers can be confident that CSR appeals are more likely to lead to more positive brand and ad attitudes which in turn influence buying intentions.
Lastly, this study has some confounding variables such as prior consumer perception of the brand and price perception as they were not measured. Some questions related to other potential confounding variables were included to statistically control post data collection. Moreover, the cultural context of the study is specific to Egypt; hence, these experiments ought to be subjected to further differentiated replications in other countries to compare results between different cultures
CFD investigations on Multiphase Flow in Well-Control Operations
Full text linkMultiphase flow problem encountered during well control involves managing the circulating drilling fluid within the wells and avoiding kicks and blowouts as these can lead to loss of life and damage to the large-scale facilities. BP Deepwater Horizon disaster on April 20, 2010, is an iconic example of how destructive, costly, and deadly blowouts can be with eleven died workers in the explosion. Ninety-four crew members were rescued by lifeboat or helicopter, 17 of whom were treated for injuries. Since the Macondo explosion, kick detection has emerged as a primary concern. Around 172 million gallons of gas-saturated oil leaked during the 87-day rupture, which occurred at a depth of 1522 meters into the Gulf of Mexico. Modern days computational tools and simulation offer great opportunities to perform predictive simulations to improve the extant understanding of the intricacies associated with these problems. As such the current methodologies to model “kick” phenomena are limited by the assumption that only one gas bubble exists in the annulus that gradually rises after shut-in. This assumption over-simplifies the fluid flow models to satisfy the volumetric well control leading to erroneous pressure loss calculations. This thesis provides a comprehensive review of the work carried out in this important direction of research over the past 30 years outlining the progress on simulating multiphase fluid flow for well control operations. It then addresses the issue of multiphase fluid flow by proposing novel way to model this problem using computational fluid dynamics with assist of high-performance computing (HPC) system. Gas kick solubility in drilling fluid was considered in conjunction with the k-ε realizable turbulence model. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional flow simulations, integrated with a volume of fraction multiphase model, were conducted. These simulations aimed to predict and model both bottomhole pressure and gas kick magnitude. This comprehensive approach reflects a thorough consideration of fluid dynamics and multiphase interactions, providing a more accurate representation of the drilling process.
Flow simulations, incorporating two and three-dimensional models, were conducted to predict bottomhole pressure and gas kick magnitude. New fluid flow models, accounting for fluid miscibility and non-Newtonian properties, aimed at realistic kick treatment. This improved early kick identification, crucial for preventing gas blowouts. Gas ingress scenarios were analysed, focusing on phase interface precision between drilling fluid and gas. Temporal and spatial changes in wellbore flow patterns during gas inrush were discussed, considering rising gas density and solubility effects on flow appearance. The models closely matched experimental results, leading to enhanced understanding of gas kick formation and growth during drilling. The study also highlighted a shift in wellbore composition, with liquid fraction decreasing from 25% to under 9%, and gas void fraction increasing from 75% to over 91%, indicating a transition from liquid to gas dominance
Research on operation characteristics of wind supercharged solar chimney dust haze removal street light
Full text linkTo realize distributed dust haze removal in street canyons, an innovative wind supercharged solar chimney dust haze removal street light is proposed. The design couples solar chimney technology with municipal street lighting, utilizing thermal pressure, chimney effect and wind supercharged wheel to power the system, which achieves the dual function of lighting and dust haze removal. Operational testing on a small-scale model showed: the airflow warms up the most in the inlet area, and the model creates updrafts with a dust haze removal effect. The filtration system consists of various filter screens arranged by descending filtration efficiency: HEPA, primary filter cotton, activated carbon and nylon filter screens, with airflow velocity in the flow runner in the opposite order. The average filtration efficiency is positively correlated with the pressure drop and negatively correlated with the overflow airflow. A combination of different material filter screens is more effective than simply increasing the thickness of a single filter screen. A single layer of 10 mm primary filter cotton has the highest total mass flow of clean air, reaching 4.18 g. HEPA has the highest average filtration efficiency at 93.1 %. This innovative approach offers an efficient solution for urban air purification while maintaining street lighting functionality
Evaluation of Web-Based Digital Intervention to Change Individual’s Drinking Behaviours
Full text linkAlcohol Use Disorder is a complex and broad condition with multiple pathways to resolution. Only a small proportion of people with AUD seek formal treatment or support, whilst lower severity AUD is particularly under-addressed. In part, this reflects common misconceptions about AUD as an always severe condition requiring lifelong abstinence. The present study sought to investigate the impact of an online programme focused on supporting participants (n = 928) looking to change their drinking behaviors on outcomes of self-reported happiness with drinking and other well-being outcomes. Results showed that post-intervention, all participants reported significantly increased happiness with their drinking, greater drink-refusal self-efficacy, and improvements in how drinking impacted multiple well-being domains such as sleep and emotions. Importantly, it was found that all participants were happier with their drinking regardless of whether their goal was to abstain from drinking or to reduce their drinking. These results add to evidence highlighting the need to broaden the accessibility and range of options available to support a wider range of people with AUD, particularly via increasing understanding and acceptance of non-abstinent routes to AUD resolution