Glyndŵr University Research Online

Homelessness in Wrexham: Contemporary patterns and profiles of homeless people with complex needs

Caroline Hughes et al. — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:32:45 PST

This study, which was funded jointly by Wrexham Temperance Hall Trust, Wrexham Council Supporting People team and Wrexham and Flintshire Community Safety Office, explores patterns and profiles of homeless people with complex needs in Wrexham, North Wales.

The study draws primarily on the perceptions of a sample of providers of a wide range of services catering to the homeless in Wrexham, and on the perceptions of a sample of homeless people (including those who occupy supported accommodation). The aim of the study was to elicit key issues surrounding homelessness in Wrexham from the perspectives of these two groups. The presentation of key issues, in user accounts, is enhanced by the inclusion of five vignettes which tell abbreviated stories of a selection of some of the study’s participants.

In addition to service provider and user perceptions, the report presents statistical data from a range of services catering to the needs of homeless people in Wrexham. While these data do not provide a complete picture, nor are they comparable in that different agencies do not collect the same type of data in the same way, they do highlight some important issues for services and their users.

Finally, a literature review on homelessness, which focusses primarily upon the UK and on Wales in particular, provides context to some of the report findings.

Mending fences: reparation and the reorientation of young people in the secure estate

Sarah Dubberley et al. — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 07:35:28 PDT

The paper is informed by the findings of mixed method study of the Duke of Edinburgh intervention at selected secure estate establishments in England and Wales, drawing on the findings of an Attitude to Offending instrument (CRIMEPICS11) and accounts of young people and secure estate staff. Young people’s CRME-PICS responses are examined through qualitative data from focus groups with young people and interviews with staff delivering the intervention. The findings highlight the importance study participants placed on development of interpersonal relationships between young people, and between them and others within and outwith the secure estate. The authors suggest that, notwithstanding constraints on delivering interventions in the secure estate, reparation activities can be achieved with incarcerated young people, which may assist young offenders’ short-term strategies in managing day to day incarceration and longterm strategies of re-integration, acceptance by the community, and improved life opportunities in the future. The authors argue that while reparation activities, which do not involve face to face contact with victims, are often presented as a poor relative of restorative justice ‘proper’, they are not only more realisable in custody, but offer potential to facilitate development of fundamental social interpersonal skills which underpin young people’s rehabilitation.

Agreed Syllabuses

William K. Kay — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 07:04:20 PDT

This chapter describes the historical process by which agreed syllabuses in religious education in England and Wales were set up and how these syllabuses have since functioned.

The production of advanced fine-grained alumina by carbon nanotube addition

Fawad Inam et al. — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 04:40:09 PDT

Alumina and alumina+1vol.% carbon nanotube (CNT) composites were fully densified by spark plasma sintering. Post-sintering heat treatments (1300–1500 ◦C) were performed to completely oxidize CNTs and then densify the remaining 1 vol.% to produce fine-grained ceramics. The grain size and Vickers hardness of the heat-treated composites were compared with the monolithic alumina sintered without CNT addition. Compared to the initial powder particle size of alumina (D50: 356±74 nm), minimal grain growth (∼450 nm) was observed for the fully dense heat-treated composites. A 25% improvement in Vickers hardness and >10 times finer average grain size were observed for alumina produced by the heat treatment (1300 ◦C) of alumina+1vol.% CNT composite, compared to alumina sintered without CNTs.

Improving Oxidation Resistance of Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites for Aerospace Applications

Fawad Inam et al. — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:27:24 PDT

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based materials possess strong potential to substitute various functional materials developed exclusively for aerospace applications. However, because of the low oxidation temperature of CNTs (400-500 oC), using CNT based ceramic nanocomposites in high temperature applications can be problematic. Making ceramic-CNT nanocomposites by atomic layer deposition (ALD) method and field assisted sintering technology (FAST) is a good route to improve oxidative stability of CNTs. In this study, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) of alumina coated CNTs (prepared by ALD) and alumina-CNT nanocomposites (prepared by FAST) were carried out. 16% improvements were observed in the oxidation resistance for alumina-CNT nanocompo-sites prepared by ALD and SPS techniques. Different strategies to improve oxidation resistance are discussed.

Carbon Nanotubes for Epoxy Nanocomposites: A Review on Recent Developments

Fawad Inam et al. — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 07:54:43 PDT

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the strongest and stiffest engineering fibres. Due to their unique combination of chemical and physical properties at an incredibly small size, they possess great potential to be used as nanofillers for many structural and functional materials, particularly in aerospace sector. Depending on the type, geometrical parameters, concentration, dispersion and many other factors, CNTs can significantly modify the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of epoxy based materials. This review paper, covering methods of synthesis, composite processing techniques and properties, presents an overview of develop-ments in the field of CNT/ epoxy nanocomposites in recent years.

A Parametric Study of the Low-Impulse Blast Behaviour of Fibre-Metal Laminates Based on Different Aluminium Alloys

Thuc Vo et al. — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:37:07 PDT

A parametric study has been undertaken in order to investigate the influence of the properties of the aluminium alloy on the blast response of fibre-metal laminates (FMLs). The finite element (FE) models have been developed and validated using experi-mental data from tests on FMLs based on a 2024-O aluminium alloy and a woven glass-fibre/polypropylene composite (GFPP). A vectorized user material subroutine (VUMAT) was employed to define Hashin’s 3D rate-dependant damage constitutive model of the GFPP. Using the validated models, a parametric study has been carried out to investigate the blast resistance of FML panels based on the four aluminium alloys, namely 2024-O, 2024-T3, 6061-T6 and 7075-T6. It has been shown that there is an approximation linear relationship between the dimensionless back face displacement and the dimensionless impulse for all aluminium alloys investigated here. It has also shown that the residual displacement of back surface of the FML panels and the internal debonding are dependent on the yield strength of the aluminium alloy.

Rapid Control Prototyping Platform for the Design of Control Systems for Automotive Electromechanical Actuators

Roustiam Chakirov et al. — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 07:10:08 PDT

This article introduces and discusses the development of a low-cost Rapid Control Prototyping Platform (RCPP). The aim of RCPP is to automate design of control algorithm of electromechanical actuators and simultaneous implementation it into a target microprocessor. The RCPP is stand-alone system containing software tools and electronic hardware in order to provide all development steps from system identification, model-based control design and code generation up to hardware implementation. The system can be used for development of a torque, speed or position controller for low power electromechanical actuators especially in the area of automotive application. The hardware of the platform is based on a 16-bit microcontroller and includes essential power semiconductor switches, sensors and communication interfaces. The presented RCPP system supports Real-Time-Work interface of MATLAB/Simulink and Calibration Protocol for CAN-Bus communication.

Salivary and fecal cortisol as measures of stress in horses

Tamsin Hughes/Young et al. — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 04:27:29 PDT

Valid measures of stress are needed in horses to determine over-all stress levels and to identify stress triggers, used to ensure management is kept within the animals’ ability to cope and welfare is not compromised. Levels of circulating cortisol reflect HPA-axis activity, and excretion into saliva and faeces allow non-invasive sampling. We validated an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for horse salivary and faecal cortisol and validated these as indicators of acute and over-all stress levels in riding horses. Saliva was swabbed every 30-minutes over three days in N=15 horses with eight in light exercise. Faeces were collected from N=9 working horses on stabled workdays and at rest at grass for three consecutive weeks. Immunological validity of the ELISA was demonstrated by high specificity, accuracy, precision and sensitivity. Biological validity of salivary cortisol was demonstrated by diurnal decline and elevation post-exercise both mirroring known patterns in plasma cortisol; and by a trend towards elevation following 10 minute exposure to a known stressor. Faecal cortisol was biologically validated by decline between working and rest days. Large individual differences in assay values were found and not all individuals followed the group means. Salivary cortisol was labile, and although it has a close temporal relationship to circulating cortisol, measures may be confounded by environmental disturbance, pulsatile release patterns and diurnal rhythm. Careful sampling protocols are therefore needed. Faecal cortisol as an index of circulating cortisol has a 24-hour time lag to excretion, and collection protocols must evenly sample total faecal mass due to uneven hormone distribution and be frozen immediately post-excretion to avoid degradation. With careful sampling, salivary cortisol may be used to measure acute stress responses to identify stress triggers, and faecal cortisol may be used to compare over-all stress levels over longer-term conditions.

Vibration and buckling of composite beams using refined shear deformation

Thuc P. Vo et al. — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 07:52:00 PDT

Vibration and buckling analysis of composite beams with arbitrary lay-ups using refined shear deformation theory is presented. The theory accounts for the parabolical variation of shear strains through the depth of beam. Three governing equations of motion are derived from the Hamilton’s principle. The resulting coupling is referred to as triply coupled vibration and buckling. A two-noded C1 beam element with five degree-of-freedom per node which accounts for shear deformation effects and all coupling coming from the material anisotropy is developed to solve the problem. Numerical results are obtained for composite beams to investigate effects of fiber orientation and modulus ratio on the natural frequencies, critical buckling loads and corresponding mode shapes.

Transition regime analytical solution to gas mass flow rate in a rectangular micro channel

Kokou S. Dadzie et al. — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 04:00:17 PDT

We present an analytical model predicting the experimentally observed gas mass flow rate in rectangular microchannels over slip and transition regimes without the use of any fitting parameter. Previously, Sone reported a class of pure continuum regime flows that requires terms of Burnett order in constitutive equations of shear stress to be predicted appropriately. The corrective terms to the conventional Navier-Stokes equation were named the ghost effect. We demonstrate in this paper similarity between Sone ghost effect model and newly so-called ‘volume diffusion hydrodynamic model’. A generic analytical solution to gas mass flow rate in a rectangular micro channel is then obtained. It is shown that the volume diffusion hydrodynamics allows to accurately predict the gas mass flow rate up to Knudsen number of 5. This can be achieved without necessitating the use of any adjustable parameters in boundary conditions or parametric scaling laws for constitutive relations. The present model predicts the non-linear variation of pressure profile along the axial direction and also captures the change in curvature with increase in rarefaction.

Nanomagnetic domains of chromium deposited on vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes

Andrew C. Wright et al. — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 02:06:11 PDT

The drive to create ever smaller magnetic memory devices has led to the development of new nanomagnetic domains on surfaces. This paper reports the development of nano-chromium magnetic domains obtained using electrodeposition on vertically aligned carbon nanofibers arrays. Attempts to achieve this using conventional aqueous solutions were unsuccessful even after thin nickel underlayers were applied. The use of a novel electrolyte, a deep eutectic solvent, made from choline chloride: chromium (III) chloride enabled highly conformal overcoatings of chromium on individual bare carbon nanotubes to be obtained. Very high aspect ratio metal microstructures could be obtained by this novel technology. Magnetic imaging of the coated nanoarrays showed there to be clear magnetic character to the coating when the thin coatings were applied but this disappeared when the deposits were thicker and more contiguous.

How Can Visual Arts Help Doctors Develop Medical Insight?

Kathy Edmonds et al. — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 07:54:05 PDT

This research project examines how using the visual arts can develop medical insight, as part of a pilot programme for two groups of medical students. It was a UK study; a collaboration between Liverpool and Glyndwr University’s and Tate Liverpool’s learning team. Tate Liverpool is the home of the National Collection of Modern Arts in the North of England and one of the largest galleries of modern and contemporary art outside London. The project adapted Tate Liverpool’s Opening Doors course in devising and piloting a single day programme that engaged students in exploring perception, communication, emotion and narrative. Opening Doors introduces participants to modern and contemporary art and empowers them to work in new ways with groups and individuals. The exercises used as part of the programme allowed us to observe what connections and interpretations were made, and to discuss with the participants what influenced student choice and decision making in relation to specific works of art.

This article will focus on the use of gallery education to highlight examples of contemporary culture to develop links between art and medicine, alongside the development of transferable skills. The study is of professional interest because it is using a cross-disciplinary approach, broadening the disciplines involved in teaching medical skills; and could form a model for further cross-curricular and cross discipline work.

Using complex adaptive systems and technology to analyse the strength of processes and cultural indicators: a method to improve sustained competitive advantage

E Ehmann et al. — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:29:29 PDT

This paper generalises and strengthens the investigation of capturing intangible data for the benefit of organisations encouraging learning environments and self-organisation practices. It suggests current technological and algorithmic analysis may aid an organisation’s quest for sustained competitive advantage through the identification of previously unobservable data including cultural nuances. However, the implementation of such an approach presents challenges of which we summarise in our conclusion.

A case study using a methodological approach to developing user interfaces for elderly and disabled people

Rich Picking et al. — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 01:54:15 PDT

In this paper, we present a case study on the development of interfaces for elderly and disabled users. The domain of the case study was situated in the home environment, where we focused on producing affordable technologies to enable users to interact with and to control home appliances. We have developed ambient user interfaces that are integrated in familiar home artefacts, such as televisions and digital picture frames. These interfaces are connected remotely to a home network and are adaptive to users’ expected increasing physical and cognitive needs. To support the development of the project, we created a novel methodology that is grounded in the ethical issues associated with a project of this nature. Our success with it has led to us presenting it here as a practical approach to developing user interfaces for a range of interactive applications, especially where there may be diverse user populations. This paper describes our journey through this project, how the methodology has been used throughout and the development of our user interfaces and their evaluation.

Removal of Mid Spatial-Frequency Features in Mirror Segments

Guoyu Yu et al. — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:06:52 PDT

BoX grinding technology has been adopted in our E-ELT segment process. The mid-spatial frequency features generated can be removed by several 'smoothing' processes. We have reported here a novel method that can smooth these features whilst avoiding edge down-turn. This process can be scaled up to E-ELT segment fabrication time-scale. It has been experimentally demonstrated that the surface quality is good enough for subsequent Zeeko form correction technology to achieve form specifications.

Misfit of rigid tools and interferometer subapertures on off-axis aspheric mirror segments

Ci Song et al. — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:42:15 PDT

Rigid tools can confer advantages at certain stages of manufacturing off-axis mirror segments, but the misfit due to surface asphericity and asymmetry poses constraints on their application. Types of misfit are classified and, using least squares, the best-fit tool forms with different distances from the pole of the parent asphere are calculated. The outer mirror segment for the European extremely large telescope is taken as a case-study, assuming a rigid tool size of 150 mm. A simple independent approximation validates the calculation. A close parallel is wavefront misfit in subaperture interferometry, which is also considered.

Approach of a UML Profile for Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC)

Christian Benjamin Ries et al. — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 01:35:34 PDT

Despite the current enormous hype and popularity of Grid Computing environments like Amazons EC2 or Microsoft’s Windows Azure, there exist open-source and free of cost software frameworks which allow to create high performance computing installation by means of Public Resource Computing (PRC). One PRC framework is BOINC (Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing) for solving large scale and complex computational problems. Each computer works on its own workunits independently from each other and sends back its result to a project server. Installing, configuring, and maintaining a BOINC based project however is a highly sophisticated task.

Scientists and developers need a lot of experience regarding the underlying communication and operating system technologies, even if only a handful of BOINC related functions are actually needed for most applications. In this paper we present a Unified Modeling Language (UML) profile for BOINC called Visu@lGrid profile (VGP). A BOINC project installation for one or more hosts, a role-based access control, and modeling of scientific application is feasible by use of VGP. Based on our approach we provide a specification that allows the creation of BOINC projects with less development and implementation effort.

A novel scale of behavioural indicators of stress for use with domestic horses

Tamsin Young et al. — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 03:44:24 PDT

Behaviour scores (BS) offer non-invasive, objective and easy to use ways of assessing welfare in animals. Their development has, however, largely focused on behavioural reactions to stressful events (often induced), and little use of physiological measures has been made to underpin and validate the behavioural measures. This study aimed to develop a physiologically validated scale of behavioural indicators of stress for the purpose of welfare assessment in stabled domestic horses. To achieve this, behavioural and physiological data were collected from 32 horses that underwent routine husbandry procedures. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the behavioural and physiological data revealed three meaningful components that were used as the basis of the scale. Analysis of video clips of the horses’ responses to the husbandry procedures was undertaken by a panel of equestrian industry professionals using a free choice profiling (FCP) methodology. These results were added to the scale along with key definitions from relevant literature. Salivary cortisol levels were significantly correlated with the BS confirming the scale was meaningful and reflected physiological stress. The scale offers an easy to use ‘tool’ for rapid, reliable non-invasive welfare assessment in horses, and reduces the need for potentially invasive physiological measures.

Effect of microwave post-curing upon the micromechanics of model Kevlar/epoxy composites

Richard Day et al. — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:26:11 PDT

Microwave processing of materials has the potential to deliver several major advantages over conventional thermal processing. One of these is an decrease in the time necessary for manufacture since the microwave energy is absorbed throughout the body of the material rather than relying on thermal conduction and convection. Another potential advantage is that the power is directed to the sample, this together with the decrease in processing time leads to lower energy being consumed. One question which needs to be addressed in the case of polymer composites is whether microwave processed materials are of as good quality as the thermally processed ones. In this work the interfacial properties of model Kevlar fibre reinforced epoxy composites post-cured by both conventional and microwave heating have been examined. Raman spectroscopy was employed to measure the fibre strain distributions along embedded fibres and from this information the interfacial shear stress distribution was calculated. The results show that the interfacial shear strengths and critical lengths of the microwave post-cured composites are comparable to those for thermally post-cured ones. This is potentially of interest in the commercial manufacture of composites since the process could be considerably shortened by the use of microwave post-curing leading to lower cycle times and costs without any deterioration in the interfacial properties of the composites.