9,639 research outputs found
Meso-scale FDM material layout design strategies under manufacturability constraints and fracture conditions
In the manufacturability-driven design (MDD) perspective, manufacturability of the product or system is the most important of the design requirements. In addition to being able to ensure that complex designs (e.g., topology optimization) are manufacturable with a given process or process family, MDD also helps mechanical designers to take advantage of unique process-material effects generated during manufacturing. One of the most recognizable examples of this comes from the scanning-type family of additive manufacturing (AM) processes; the most notable and familiar member of this family is the fused deposition modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF) process. This process works by selectively depositing uniform, approximately isotropic beads or elements of molten thermoplastic material (typically structural engineering plastics) in a series of pre-specified traces to build each layer of the part. There are many interesting 2-D and 3-D mechanical design problems that can be explored by designing the layout of these elements. The resulting structured, hierarchical material (which is both manufacturable and customized layer-by-layer within the limits of the process and material) can be defined as a manufacturing process-driven structured material (MPDSM). This dissertation explores several practical methods for designing these element layouts for 2-D and 3-D meso-scale mechanical problems, focusing ultimately on design-for-fracture. Three different fracture conditions are explored: (1) cases where a crack must be prevented or stopped, (2) cases where the crack must be encouraged or accelerated, and (3) cases where cracks must grow in a simple pre-determined pattern. Several new design tools, including a mapping method for the FDM manufacturability constraints, three major literature reviews, the collection, organization, and analysis of several large (qualitative and quantitative) multi-scale datasets on the fracture behavior of FDM-processed materials, some new experimental equipment, and the refinement of a fast and simple g-code generator based on commercially-available software, were developed and refined to support the design of MPDSMs under fracture conditions. The refined design method and rules were experimentally validated using a series of case studies (involving both design and physical testing of the designs) at the end of the dissertation. Finally, a simple design guide for practicing engineers who are not experts in advanced solid mechanics nor process-tailored materials was developed from the results of this project.U of I OnlyAuthor's request
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Ensuring Access to Safe and Nutritious Food for All Through the Transformation of Food Systems
Anuário científico da Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa - 2021
É com grande prazer que apresentamos a mais recente edição (a 11.ª) do Anuário Científico da Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa. Como instituição de ensino superior, temos o compromisso de promover e incentivar a pesquisa científica em todas as áreas do conhecimento que contemplam a nossa missão. Esta publicação tem como objetivo divulgar toda a produção científica desenvolvida pelos Professores, Investigadores, Estudantes e Pessoal não Docente da ESTeSL durante 2021. Este Anuário é, assim, o reflexo do trabalho árduo e dedicado da nossa comunidade, que se empenhou na produção de conteúdo científico de elevada qualidade e partilhada com a Sociedade na forma de livros, capítulos de livros, artigos publicados em revistas nacionais e internacionais, resumos de comunicações orais e pósteres, bem como resultado dos trabalhos de 1º e 2º ciclo. Com isto, o conteúdo desta publicação abrange uma ampla variedade de tópicos, desde temas mais fundamentais até estudos de aplicação prática em contextos específicos de Saúde, refletindo desta forma a pluralidade e diversidade de áreas que definem, e tornam única, a ESTeSL. Acreditamos que a investigação e pesquisa científica é um eixo fundamental para o desenvolvimento da sociedade e é por isso que incentivamos os nossos estudantes a envolverem-se em atividades de pesquisa e prática baseada na evidência desde o início dos seus estudos na ESTeSL. Esta publicação é um exemplo do sucesso desses esforços, sendo a maior de sempre, o que faz com que estejamos muito orgulhosos em partilhar os resultados e descobertas dos nossos investigadores com a comunidade científica e o público em geral. Esperamos que este Anuário inspire e motive outros estudantes, profissionais de saúde, professores e outros colaboradores a continuarem a explorar novas ideias e contribuir para o avanço da ciência e da tecnologia no corpo de conhecimento próprio das áreas que compõe a ESTeSL. Agradecemos a todos os envolvidos na produção deste anuário e desejamos uma leitura inspiradora e agradável.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Estudo da remodelagem reversa miocárdica através da análise proteómica do miocárdio e do líquido pericárdico
Valve replacement remains as the standard therapeutic option for aortic
stenosis patients, aiming at abolishing pressure overload and triggering
myocardial reverse remodeling. However, despite the instant hemodynamic
benefit, not all patients show complete regression of myocardial hypertrophy,
being at higher risk for adverse outcomes, such as heart failure. The current
comprehension of the biological mechanisms underlying an incomplete reverse
remodeling is far from complete. Furthermore, definitive prognostic tools and
ancillary therapies to improve the outcome of the patients undergoing valve
replacement are missing. To help abridge these gaps, a combined myocardial
(phospho)proteomics and pericardial fluid proteomics approach was followed,
taking advantage of human biopsies and pericardial fluid collected during
surgery and whose origin anticipated a wealth of molecular information
contained therein.
From over 1800 and 750 proteins identified, respectively, in the myocardium
and in the pericardial fluid of aortic stenosis patients, a total of 90 dysregulated
proteins were detected. Gene annotation and pathway enrichment analyses,
together with discriminant analysis, are compatible with a scenario of increased
pro-hypertrophic gene expression and protein synthesis, defective ubiquitinproteasome system activity, proclivity to cell death (potentially fed by
complement activity and other extrinsic factors, such as death receptor
activators), acute-phase response, immune system activation and fibrosis.
Specific validation of some targets through immunoblot techniques and
correlation with clinical data pointed to complement C3 β chain, Muscle Ring
Finger protein 1 (MuRF1) and the dual-specificity Tyr-phosphorylation
regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) as potential markers of an incomplete
response. In addition, kinase prediction from phosphoproteome data suggests
that the modulation of casein kinase 2, the family of IκB kinases, glycogen
synthase kinase 3 and DYRK1A may help improve the outcome of patients
undergoing valve replacement. Particularly, functional studies with DYRK1A+/-
cardiomyocytes show that this kinase may be an important target to treat
cardiac dysfunction, provided that mutant cells presented a different response
to stretch and reduced ability to develop force (active tension).
This study opens many avenues in post-aortic valve replacement reverse
remodeling research. In the future, gain-of-function and/or loss-of-function
studies with isolated cardiomyocytes or with animal models of aortic bandingdebanding will help disclose the efficacy of targeting the surrogate therapeutic
targets. Besides, clinical studies in larger cohorts will bring definitive proof of
complement C3, MuRF1 and DYRK1A prognostic value.A substituição da válvula aórtica continua a ser a opção terapêutica de
referência para doentes com estenose aórtica e visa a eliminação da
sobrecarga de pressão, desencadeando a remodelagem reversa miocárdica.
Contudo, apesar do benefício hemodinâmico imediato, nem todos os pacientes
apresentam regressão completa da hipertrofia do miocárdio, ficando com maior
risco de eventos adversos, como a insuficiência cardíaca. Atualmente, os
mecanismos biológicos subjacentes a uma remodelagem reversa incompleta
ainda não são claros. Além disso, não dispomos de ferramentas de
prognóstico definitivos nem de terapias auxiliares para melhorar a condição
dos pacientes indicados para substituição da válvula. Para ajudar a resolver
estas lacunas, uma abordagem combinada de (fosfo)proteómica e proteómica
para a caracterização, respetivamente, do miocárdio e do líquido pericárdico
foi seguida, tomando partido de biópsias e líquidos pericárdicos recolhidos em
ambiente cirúrgico.
Das mais de 1800 e 750 proteínas identificadas, respetivamente, no miocárdio
e no líquido pericárdico dos pacientes com estenose aórtica, um total de 90
proteínas desreguladas foram detetadas. As análises de anotação de genes,
de enriquecimento de vias celulares e discriminativa corroboram um cenário de
aumento da expressão de genes pro-hipertróficos e de síntese proteica, um
sistema ubiquitina-proteassoma ineficiente, uma tendência para morte celular
(potencialmente acelerada pela atividade do complemento e por outros fatores
extrínsecos que ativam death receptors), com ativação da resposta de fase
aguda e do sistema imune, assim como da fibrose.
A validação de alguns alvos específicos através de immunoblot e correlação
com dados clínicos apontou para a cadeia β do complemento C3, a Muscle
Ring Finger protein 1 (MuRF1) e a dual-specificity Tyr-phosphoylation
regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) como potenciais marcadores de uma resposta
incompleta. Por outro lado, a predição de cinases a partir do fosfoproteoma,
sugere que a modulação da caseína cinase 2, a família de cinases do IκB, a
glicogénio sintase cinase 3 e da DYRK1A pode ajudar a melhorar a condição
dos pacientes indicados para intervenção. Em particular, a avaliação funcional
de cardiomiócitos DYRK1A+/- mostraram que esta cinase pode ser um alvo
importante para tratar a disfunção cardíaca, uma vez que os miócitos mutantes
responderam de forma diferente ao estiramento e mostraram uma menor
capacidade para desenvolver força (tensão ativa).
Este estudo levanta várias hipóteses na investigação da remodelagem reversa.
No futuro, estudos de ganho e/ou perda de função realizados em
cardiomiócitos isolados ou em modelos animais de banding-debanding da
aorta ajudarão a testar a eficácia de modular os potenciais alvos terapêuticos
encontrados. Além disso, estudos clínicos em coortes de maior dimensão
trarão conclusões definitivas quanto ao valor de prognóstico do complemento
C3, MuRF1 e DYRK1A.Programa Doutoral em Biomedicin
Gasificação direta de biomassa para produção de gás combustível
The excessive consumption of fossil fuels to satisfy the world necessities of
energy and commodities led to the emission of large amounts of greenhouse
gases in the last decades, contributing significantly to the greatest
environmental threat of the 21st century: Climate Change. The answer to this
man-made disaster is not simple and can only be made if distinct stakeholders
and governments are brought to cooperate and work together. This is
mandatory if we want to change our economy to one more sustainable and
based in renewable materials, and whose energy is provided by the eternal
nature energies (e.g., wind, solar). In this regard, biomass can have a main role
as an adjustable and renewable feedstock that allows the replacement of fossil
fuels in various applications, and the conversion by gasification allows the
necessary flexibility for that purpose. In fact, fossil fuels are just biomass that
underwent extreme pressures and heat for millions of years. Furthermore,
biomass is a resource that, if not used or managed, increases wildfire risks.
Consequently, we also have the obligation of valorizing and using this
resource.
In this work, it was obtained new scientific knowledge to support the
development of direct (air) gasification of biomass in bubbling fluidized bed
reactors to obtain a fuel gas with suitable properties to replace natural gas in
industrial gas burners. This is the first step for the integration and development
of gasification-based biorefineries, which will produce a diverse number of
value-added products from biomass and compete with current petrochemical
refineries in the future. In this regard, solutions for the improvement of the raw
producer gas quality and process efficiency parameters were defined and
analyzed. First, addition of superheated steam as primary measure allowed the
increase of H2 concentration and H2/CO molar ratio in the producer gas without
compromising the stability of the process. However, the measure mainly
showed potential for the direct (air) gasification of high-density biomass (e.g.,
pellets), due to the necessity of having char accumulation in the reactor bottom
bed for char-steam reforming reactions. Secondly, addition of refused derived
fuel to the biomass feedstock led to enhanced gasification products, revealing
itself as a highly promising strategy in terms of economic viability and
environmental benefits of future gasification-based biorefineries, due to the
high availability and low costs of wastes. Nevertheless, integrated techno economic and life cycle analyses must be performed to fully characterize the
process. Thirdly, application of low-cost catalyst as primary measure revealed
potential by allowing the improvement of the producer gas quality (e.g., H2 and
CO concentration, lower heating value) and process efficiency parameters with
distinct solid materials; particularly, the application of concrete, synthetic
fayalite and wood pellets chars, showed promising results. Finally, the
economic viability of the integration of direct (air) biomass gasification
processes in the pulp and paper industry was also shown, despite still lacking
interest to potential investors. In this context, the role of government policies
and appropriate economic instruments are of major relevance to increase the
implementation of these projects.O consumo excessivo de combustíveis fósseis para garantir as necessidades e
interesses da sociedade conduziu à emissão de elevadas quantidades de
gases com efeito de estufa nas últimas décadas, contribuindo
significativamente para a maior ameaça ambiental do século XXI: Alterações
Climáticas. A solução para este desastre de origem humana é de caráter
complexo e só pode ser atingida através da cooperação de todos os governos
e partes interessadas. Para isto, é obrigatória a criação de uma bioeconomia
como base de um futuro mais sustentável, cujas necessidades energéticas e
materiais sejam garantidas pelas eternas energias da natureza (e.g., vento,
sol). Neste sentido, a biomassa pode ter um papel principal como uma matéria prima ajustável e renovável que permite a substituição de combustíveis fósseis
num variado número de aplicações, e a sua conversão através da gasificação
pode ser a chave para este propósito. Afinal, na prática, os combustíveis
fósseis são apenas biomassa sujeita a elevada temperatura e pressão durante
milhões de anos. Além do mais, a gestão eficaz da biomassa é fundamental
para a redução dos riscos de incêndio florestal e, como tal, temos o dever de
utilizar e valorizar este recurso.
Neste trabalho, foi obtido novo conhecimento científico para suporte do
desenvolvimento das tecnologias de gasificação direta (ar) de biomassa em
leitos fluidizados borbulhantes para produção de gás combustível, com o
objetivo da substituição de gás natural em queimadores industriais. Este é o
primeiro passo para o desenvolvimento de biorrefinarias de gasificação, uma
potencial futura indústria que irá providenciar um variado número de produtos
de valor acrescentado através da biomassa e competir com a atual indústria
petroquímica. Neste sentido, foram analisadas várias medidas para a melhoria
da qualidade do gás produto bruto e dos parâmetros de eficiência do processo.
Em primeiro, a adição de vapor sobreaquecido como medida primária permitiu
o aumento da concentração de H2 e da razão molar H2/CO no gás produto sem
comprometer a estabilidade do processo. No entanto, esta medida somente
revelou potencial para a gasificação direta (ar) de biomassa de alta densidade
(e.g., pellets) devido à necessidade da acumulação de carbonizados no leito
do reator para a ocorrência de reações de reforma com vapor. Em segundo, a
mistura de combustíveis derivados de resíduos e biomassa residual florestal
permitiu a melhoria dos produtos de gasificação, constituindo desta forma uma
estratégia bastante promissora a nível económico e ambiental, devido à
elevada abundância e baixo custo dos resíduos urbanos. Contudo, devem ser
efetuadas análises técnico-económicas e de ciclo de vida para a completa
caraterização do processo. Em terceiro, a aplicação de catalisadores de baixo
custo como medida primária demonstrou elevado potencial para a melhoria do
gás produto (e.g., concentração de H2 e CO, poder calorífico inferior) e para o
incremento dos parâmetros de eficiência do processo; em particular, a
aplicação de betão, faialite sintética e carbonizados de pellets de madeira,
demonstrou resultados promissores. Finalmente, foi demonstrada a viabilidade
económica da integração do processo de gasificação direta (ar) de biomassa
na indústria da pasta e papel, apesar dos parâmetros determinados não serem
atrativos para potenciais investidores. Neste contexto, a intervenção dos
governos e o desenvolvimento de instrumentos de apoio económico é de
grande relevância para a implementação destes projetos.Este trabalho foi financiado pela The Navigator Company e por Fundos Nacionais através da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).Programa Doutoral em Engenharia da Refinação, Petroquímica e Químic
The determinants of value addition: a crtitical analysis of global software engineering industry in Sri Lanka
It was evident through the literature that the perceived value delivery of the global software
engineering industry is low due to various facts. Therefore, this research concerns global
software product companies in Sri Lanka to explore the software engineering methods and
practices in increasing the value addition. The overall aim of the study is to identify the key
determinants for value addition in the global software engineering industry and critically
evaluate the impact of them for the software product companies to help maximise the value
addition to ultimately assure the sustainability of the industry.
An exploratory research approach was used initially since findings would emerge while the
study unfolds. Mixed method was employed as the literature itself was inadequate to
investigate the problem effectively to formulate the research framework. Twenty-three face-to-face online interviews were conducted with the subject matter experts covering all the
disciplines from the targeted organisations which was combined with the literature findings as
well as the outcomes of the market research outcomes conducted by both government and nongovernment institutes. Data from the interviews were analysed using NVivo 12. The findings
of the existing literature were verified through the exploratory study and the outcomes were
used to formulate the questionnaire for the public survey. 371 responses were considered after
cleansing the total responses received for the data analysis through SPSS 21 with alpha level
0.05. Internal consistency test was done before the descriptive analysis. After assuring the
reliability of the dataset, the correlation test, multiple regression test and analysis of variance
(ANOVA) test were carried out to fulfil the requirements of meeting the research objectives.
Five determinants for value addition were identified along with the key themes for each area.
They are staffing, delivery process, use of tools, governance, and technology infrastructure.
The cross-functional and self-organised teams built around the value streams, employing a
properly interconnected software delivery process with the right governance in the delivery
pipelines, selection of tools and providing the right infrastructure increases the value delivery.
Moreover, the constraints for value addition are poor interconnection in the internal processes,
rigid functional hierarchies, inaccurate selections and uses of tools, inflexible team
arrangements and inadequate focus for the technology infrastructure. The findings add to the
existing body of knowledge on increasing the value addition by employing effective processes,
practices and tools and the impacts of inaccurate applications the same in the global software
engineering industry
Annals [...].
Pedometrics: innovation in tropics; Legacy data: how turn it useful?; Advances in soil sensing; Pedometric guidelines to systematic soil surveys.Evento online. Coordenado por: Waldir de Carvalho Junior, Helena Saraiva Koenow Pinheiro, Ricardo Simão Diniz Dalmolin
Desarrollo de una herramienta integral de gestión de gases de efecto invernadero para la toma de decisión contra el cambio climático a nivel regional y local en la Comunitat Valenciana
Tesis por compendio[ES] Actualmente, los responsables de tomar decisiones contra el cambio climático carecen de herramientas para desarrollar inventarios de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) con suficiente rigor científico-técnico y precisión para priorizar e invertir los recursos disponibles de manera eficiente en las medidas necesarias para luchar contra el cambio climático. Por ello, en esta tesis se expone el desarrollo de un sistema de información territorial y sectorial (SITE) para monitorear las emisiones de GEI que sirva como herramienta de gobernanza climática local y regional. SITE combina las ventajas de los enfoques metodológicos descendente o top-down (de arriba hacia abajo) y ascendente o bottom-up (de abajo hacia arriba), para lograr un enfoque híbrido innovador para contabilizar y gestionar de manera eficiente las emisiones de GEI. Por tanto, en esta tesis se definen los diferentes desarrollos metodológicos, tanto generales como específicos de sectores clave del Panel Intergubernamental de Cambio Climático (IPPC) (edificación, transporte, sector forestal, etc.), un desarrollo informático para la parte de SITE que se ejecuta del lado del servidor, que de ahora en adelante denominaremos back-end del sistema, y siete implementaciones como casos de estudio representativos, a diferentes escalas y aplicados sobre diferentes sectores.
Estas implementaciones a diferentes escalas y sectores demuestran el potencial del sistema como herramienta de apoyo en la toma de decisión contra el cambio climático a nivel regional y local. Las diferentes implementaciones en casos piloto representativos, tanto a nivel regional en la Comunitat Valenciana como a nivel local en municipios grandes (València) y medianos (Quart de Poblet y Llíria) muestran el potencial de adaptación territorial y sectorial que tiene la herramienta. Las metodologías desarrolladas para los sectores específicos de tráfico rodado, edificación o sector forestal, ofrecen cuantificaciones con una resolución espacial con gran capacidad de optimizar las políticas locales y regionales. Por tanto, la herramienta cuenta con un gran potencial de escalabilidad y gran capacidad de mejora continua mediante la inclusión de nuevos enfoques metodológicos, adaptación de las metodologías a la disponibilidad de datos, metodologías concretas para sectores clave y actualización a las mejores metodologías disponibles derivadas de actividades de investigación de la comunidad científica.[CA] Actualment, els responsables de prendre decisions contra el canvi climàtic no tenen eines per aconseguir inventaris d'emissions de gasos d'efecte hivernacle (GEH) amb prou cientificotècnic rigor, precisió i integritat per invertir els recursos disponibles de manera eficient en les mesures necessàries contra el canvi climàtic. Per això, en aquesta tesis se exposa el desenvolupa un sistema d'informació territorial i sectorial (SITE) per monitoritzar les emissions de GEH com a eina de governança climàtica local i regional. Aquest sistema combina els avantatges dels enfocaments metodològics descendent o top-down (de dalt a baix) i ascendent o bottom-up (de baix a dalt), per aconseguir un enfocament híbrid innovador per comptabilitzar i gestionar de manera eficient les emissions de GEH. Per tant, en aquesta tesi doctoral es descriuen els diferents desenvolupaments metodològics, tant generals com específics de sectors clau del Panel Intergovernamental contra el Canvi Climàtic (edificació, transport, forestal, etc.), un desenvolupament informàtic per al back-end del sistema i set implementacions com a casos d'estudi representatius, a diferents escales, amb els diferents enfocaments metodològics i aplicats sobre diferents sectors. Això queda descrit en sis capítols.
Aquestes implementacions a diferents escales i sectors demostren el potencial del sistema com a eina de suport en la presa de decisió contra el canvi climàtic a nivell regional i local. Les diferents implementacions en casos pilot representatius, tant a nivell regional a la Comunitat Valenciana com a nivell local en municipis grans (València) i mitjans (Quart de Poblet i Llíria,) mostren el potencial d'adaptació territorial i sectorial que té l'eina. Les metodologies desenvolupades per als sectors específics de trànsit rodat, edificació i forestal, ofereixen quantificacions amb una resolució espacial amb gran capacitat d'optimitzar les polítiques locals i regionals. Per tant, l'eina compta amb un gran potencial d'escalabilitat i gran capacitat de millora contínua mitjançant la inclusió de nous enfocaments metodològics, adaptació de les metodologies a la disponibilitat de dades, metodologies concretes per a sectors clau, i actualització a les millors metodologies disponibles derivades de activitats de investigació de la comunitat científica.[EN] Currently, regional and local decision-makers lack of tools to achieve greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions inventories with enough rigor, accuracy and completeness in order to prioritize available resources efficiently against climate change. Thus, in this thesis the development of a territorial and sectoral information system (SITE) to monitor GHG emissions as a local and regional climate governance tool is exposed. This system combines the advantages of both, top-down and bottom-up approaches, to achieve an innovative hybrid approach to account and manage efficiently GHG emissions. Furthermore, this thesis defines the methodologies developed, a computer proposal for the back-end of the system and seven implementations as representative case studies at different scales (local and regional level), with the different methodological approaches and applied to different sectors.
Thus, these implementations demonstrate the potential of the system as decision-making tool against climate change at the regional and local level as climate governance tool. The different implementations in representative pilot cases, both at the regional level in the Valencian Community and at the local level in large (Valencia) and medium-sized municipalities (Quart de Poblet and Llíria) demonstrate the potential for territorial and sectoral adaptation of the system developed. The methodologies developed for the specific sectors of road transport, building and forestry, offer quantifications with a spatial resolution with a great capacity to optimize local and regional policies. Therefore, the tool has a great potential for scalability and a great capacity for continuous improvement through the inclusion of new methodological approaches, adapting the methodologies to the availability of data, specific methodologies for key sectors, and updating to the best methodologies available in the scientific community.Lorenzo Sáez, E. (2022). Desarrollo de una herramienta integral de gestión de gases de efecto invernadero para la toma de decisión contra el cambio climático a nivel regional y local en la Comunitat Valenciana [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/181662TESISCompendi
The Impact of a Play Intervention on the Social-Emotional Development of Preschool Children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Practitioners working with children have emphasized that play is vital to children’s development, Links between children’s social-emotional development and play have been widely documented. However, rigorous research evidence of these links remains limited. This study’s objectives were to measure the impact of play on children’s social-emotional development in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia; identify teachers’ viewpoints around the use of play intervention; and understand the children’s experience of play intervention. Fifty-nine children aged between five and six years, with mean age of 5.5 (SD 3.376) and eight teachers participated in the study. The study used a mixed-method strategy including questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Children’s social-emotional development was measured by using the Strengths and Difficulties Questioner (SDQ). A pre-/post-test counterbalanced design was used to measure the impact of the play intervention on children’s development. Teachers’ perspectives on play were obtained by interviewing eight teachers. Children’s views were gathered through focus group discussions. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to determine the differences in the SDQ score over three time points. Results showed that using unstructured loose parts play had positively impacted children’s social-emotional development. After participation in the play intervention, scores from the SDQ indicated that children demonstrated significantly less problematic emotional, conduct and peer relationship issues. They also scored significantly higher in their positive prosocial behaviour. These positive effects were sustained after six weeks of stopping the intervention. The play intervention did not however impact children’s hyperactivity level. The interviews analysis illustrates four main themes: concept and characteristics of play, play functions, developmental benefits of play, and play and practice. Regarding children’s discussion, affordance emerged as a main theme; this includes emotional, social, and functional affordances. Unstructured loose parts play intervention was demonstrated to have positive impacts on children’s social-emotional development. The study’s findings support the view that play is a way to increase children’s development
Material Economies of South Yorkshire. The Organisation of Metal Production in Roman South Yorkshire.
This thesis aims to develop a model for the social organisation and production of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in South Yorkshire during the Roman period. This characterisation of the organisation of metallurgical activities is achieved through a combined methodology that will gather data from grey literature, published literature, as well as chemical, visual and microstructural analysis of metallurgical debris. The metallurgical practices in the study area are primarily rural in nature. These results are looked at through the lenses of Agency, Habitus, and the social construction of craft production. The movement of materials and people within the study area and local specialist practices are central in the interpretation of regional metalworking practices. Furthermore, models of craft production are critiqued, and an alternative modelisation process is suggested to characterise and understand the organisation of metal production in Roman South Yorkshire
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