Embedding High Definition Videoconferencing in Higher Education to Create Global Graduates

Study abroad programmes designed to meet industry needs for graduates with inter-cultural skills and a global outlook have low participation rates in Canada and Ireland due mainly to financial barriers. Embedding the use of High Definition Interactive Videoconferencing (HD IVC) in higher education has the potential to create ‘Global Graduates’ with the skills sought by employers today. The ‘Global Class’ is a concept which has been developed at Durham College, Canada. Using HD IVC, students from different countries can participate in a ninety-minute class facilitated by Durham College and led by an invited thought leader with expertise in a specific domain. This paper documents the specific experience of first year undergraduate students from the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown (ITB), Dublin, who participated in a Global Class dealing with business ethics in November 2015. Feedback from a sample of the ITB students who participated in the class is encouraging. It points to an enriched cross-cultural learning environment, suggesting the approach provides a basis for the creation of ‘Global Graduates’. Additional research will serve to further validate the approach and the practicalities of deploying the concept systematically and persistently in course curricula

The role of coach-athlete relationship quality in team sport athletes’ psychophysiological exhaustion: implications for physical and cognitive performance

The present study aimed to examine associations between the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and athlete exhaustion by assessing physiological and cognitive consequences. Male and female athletes (N = 82) representing seven teams across four different sports, participated in a quasi-experimental study measuring physical performance on a 5-meter multiple shuttle test, followed by a Stroop test to assess cognitive performance. Participants provided saliva samples measuring cortisol as a biomarker of acute stress response and completed questionnaires measuring exhaustion, and coach-athlete relationship quality. Structural equation modelling revealed a positive relationship between the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and Stroop performance, and negative relationships between the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and cortisol responses to high-intensity exercise, cognitive testing, and exhaustion. The study supports previous research on socio-cognitive correlates of athlete exhaustion by highlighting associations with the quality of the coach-athlete relationship

Diet and risk of diverticular disease in Oxford cohort of European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC): prospective study of British vegetarians and non-vegetarians

Objective To examine the associations of a vegetarian diet and dietary fibre intake with risk of diverticular disease

Gas gun ramp loading of Kel-F 81 targets using a ceramic graded areal density flyer system

Kel-F 81 (PCTFE/Polychlorotrifluoroethylene) polymer targets were subjected to ramp loadings generated by a ceramic flyer accelerated into the targets by a gas gun in the plate impact configuration. This approach used a ceramic graded areal density flyer in conjunction with a ceramic buffer plate to induce a ramp loading in the target. The flyer was comprised of a rapid prototyped alumina ceramic. The loading was observed with embedded electromagnetic particle velocity gauges (PV gauges) with the results compared with ANSYS Autodyn™ hydrocode simulations. Experimental results show that ramp loadings of varying duration and magnitude were induced into the target. These loadings can be described as shockless compressions leading to shocked states within the material. In addition, numerical simulations provided further insight into the loading approach – with good agreement found with experimental data, opening the potential to design more complex loading systems in future

The cosmology of the Fab-Four

We have recently proposed a novel self tuning mechanism to alleviate the famous cosmological constant problem, based on the general scalar tensor theory proposed by Horndeski. The self-tuning model ends up consisting of four geometric terms in the action, with each term containing a free potential function of the scalar field; the four together being labeled as the Fab-Four. In this paper we begin the important task of deriving the cosmology associated with the Fab-Four Lagrangian. Performing a phase plane analysis of the system we are able to obtain a number of fixed points for the system, with some remarkable new solutions emerging from the trade-off between the various potentials. As well as obtaining inflationary solutions we also find conventional radiation/matter-like solutions, but in regimes where the energy density is dominated by a cosmological constant, and where we do not have any explicit forms of radiation or matter. Stability conditions for matter solutions are obtained and we show how it is possible for there to exist an extended period of `matter domination' opening up the possibility that we can generate cosmological structures, and recover a consistent cosmology even in the presence of a large cosmological constant

Analysis of parameters influencing build accuracy of a SLM printed compressor outlet guide vane

The paper describes the manufacture of an outlet guide vane (OGV) of jet engines by the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process, in view of current challenges for conventional machining approaches such as; high airfoil profile tolerances, limited tooling access and hard to machine materials like nickel-chromium-based super alloys. Within this paper, analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of build parameters on possible distortion during printing that affect the build accuracy. These parameters include the part orientation on the build plate, thickness change to the flanges and the positioning of the support structure of each part. The configurations are 3D printed using the SLM approach. The chosen material is IN625. The printed parts are 3D scanned and the results are compared to the original CAD design. The results confirmed the presence of distortions in printed parts and the effect of parameter changes. Furthermore, it was shown that improvements to the print parameters are necessary to achieve a satisfactory profile tolerance.Innovate U

Intimate Partner Violence, Suicidality, and Self-Harm: A Probability Sample Survey of the General Population in England

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a recognised risk factor for psychiatric disorder. This study examines IPV and self-harm and suicidality, for which there is little current evidence. Methods: Analysis of a 2014 probability sample survey of 7058 adults (16+) in the English general population. Multivariable logistic regression models quantified associations between different indicators of lifetime and past year IPV with past-year non-suicidal self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. Outcomes: A fifth (21·4%, n=1702) of adults reported lifetime experience of IPV; 27.2% of women (n=1243) and 15.3% of men (n=459). Among women, 19.6% had ever experienced emotional IPV, 18.7% physical, 8.5% economic, and 3.7% sexual. Prevalence in men was lower (8.6%, 9.3%, 3.6%, 0.3%, respectively). 15.9% of women and 5.0% of men had ever experienced more than one type of IPV. Lifetime prevalence of IPV was higher in those living in rented accommodation or deprived neighbourhoods. Among people who had attempted suicide in the past year 49·7% had ever experienced IPV, 23·1% experienced IPV in the past year (39·6% of women, 9·4% of men). After adjusting for demographics, socioeconomics, and lifetime experience of adversities, the odds of a past-year suicide attempt were 2·82 (95%CI:1·54-5·17) times higher in lifetime IPV victims than non-victims. Adjusted odds ratios for past-year self-harm (2·20, 1·37-3·53) and suicidal thoughts (1·85, 1·39-2·46) were also raised in those who had ever experienced IPV. Lifetime experience of sexual IPV was ten times more common in women than men, and an IPV type associated with particularly high odds self-harm and suicidality. Interpretation: IPV is common in England (especially among women) and strongly associated with self-harm and suicidality (especially sexual IPV). People presenting to services in suicidal distress or after self-harm should be asked about IPV. Interventions designed to reduce the prevalence and duration of IPV may protect and improve the lives of people at risk of suicide and self-harm

Technical note: Quantifying uranium-series disequilibrium in natural samples for dosimetric dating – Part 1: gamma spectrometry

Abstract. Dosimetric dating techniques rely on accurate and precise determination of environmental radioactivity. Gamma spectrometry is the method of choice for determining the activity of 238U, 232Th, and 40K. With the aim to standardize gamma-spectrometric procedures for the purpose of determining accurate parent nuclide activities in natural samples, we outline the basics of gamma spectrometry and practical laboratory procedures here. This includes gamma radiation and instrumentation, sample preparation, finding the suitable measurement geometry and sample size for a given detector, and using the most suitable energy peaks in a gamma spectrum. The issue of correct efficiency calibration is highlighted. The procedures outlined are required for estimating contemporary parent nuclide activity. For estimating changing activities during burial specific data analyses are required, and these are also highlighted. </jats:p