Ion propulsion and Comet Halley rendezvous

Cometary rendezvous missions using ion propulsion is considered. The characteristics of the ion engine are discussed including the fuel efficiency and acceleration, and the design of the ion engine is described. The operation of the ion drive engine and an overview of its applications are presented

Exploration of Young People and Educators Views of Mental Health Literacy and Ways to Increase Mental Health Literacy Within Schools

The prevalence of common mental health (MH) problems is on the rise among the populations of western nations (Ohrnberger, Fichera & Sutton, 2017). Mental health problems (MHPs) can have serious consequences, including sleeplessness, drug and alcohol addiction, family conflict and suicide (Gaddis, Ramirez & Hernandez, 2017; Lo, Gupta & Keating., 2017). Furthermore, support for young people (YP) with MHPs within the United Kingdom (UK) is lacking (Frith, 2016). One way to facilitate YP accessing support for a MHP, is by increasing YPs knowledge of MH, reducing stigmatising views and increasing awareness of available support (Jung, Sternberg & Davis, 2016; Gaddis et al., 2017; Lo et al., 2017). These elements can be conceptualised as ones’ mental health literacy (MHL) (Jung et al., 2016). This research thesis was designed to investigate the extent of YPs MHL. A role for MHL programmes was explored, as were relationships between MH knowledge, stigmatising views and attitudes towards help seeking. Both pupil and educators’ views as to how best to raise MHL in schools were also explored. A mixed-method, 2 phased design was employed. Phase 1 consisted of the administration of a questionnaire which was composed of 3 measures: Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS), Evans-Lacko, Little, Meltzer, Rose, Rhydderch, Henderson and Thornicroft, 2010; Peer Mental Health Stigmatization Scale (PMHSS), McKeague, Hennessy, O’Driscoll & Heary, 2015; Mental Health Seeking Attitudes Scales (MHSAS), Hammer, Parent and Spiker, 2018. 398 participants aged 12-13 years took part in phase 1 and results were analysed using SPSS. Phase 2 consisted of 3 focus groups with 13 year old pupils (n=22). Phase 2 also included semi-structured interviews with 3 special educational needs coordinators (SENCos) which were thematically analysed. The results of this study identified an opportunity to enhance YPs MH knowledge (mean score = 20.4, where a score of 0 = completely incorrect MH knowledge, a score of 30 = totally correct MH knowledge and a score of 18 = neutral MH knowledge). Results also showed that perceptions of societal stigma (m = 10.4) were significantly higher than personal stigma levels (m = 6.2) where p<0.01. Phase 2 of this study identified barriers to receiving MH support, including limited MHL. Phase 2 identified prospective ways to increase the MHL of YP, including: staff training; parental involvement; integration of MH into curriculum; resources within school; links with external services. Implications of these findings were discussed, including the role of the educational psychologist

Classical Robustness of Quantum Unravellings

We introduce three measures which quantify the degree to which quantum systems possess the robustness exhibited by classical systems when subjected to continuous observation. Using these we show that for a fixed environmental interaction the level of robustness depends on the measurement strategy, or unravelling, and that no single strategy is maximally robust in all ways.Comment: 8 Pages, 2 figures, Version 2. Minor changes to wording for clarification and some references added. Accepted for publication in Europhysics Letter

The clinical utility of gene testing for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the largest cause of dementia, affecting 35.6 million people in 2010. Amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1 and presenilin 2 mutations are known to cause familial early-onset AD, whereas apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 is a susceptibility gene for late-onset AD. The genes for phosphatidylinositol-binding clathrin assembly protein, clusterin and complement receptor 1 have recently been described by genome-wide association studies as potential risk factors for late-onset AD. Also, a genome association study using single neucleotide polymorphisms has identified an association of neuronal sortilin related receptor and late-onset AD. Gene testing, and also predictive gene testing, may be of benefit in suspected familial early-onset AD however it adds little to the diagnosis of late-onset AD and does not alter the treatment. We do not recommend APOE ε4 genotyping

Computational Design of Chemical Nanosensors: Metal Doped Carbon Nanotubes

We use computational screening to systematically investigate the use of transition metal doped carbon nanotubes for chemical gas sensing. For a set of relevant target molecules (CO, NH3, H2S) and the main components of air (N2, O2, H2O), we calculate the binding energy and change in conductance upon adsorption on a metal atom occupying a vacancy of a (6,6) carbon nanotube. Based on these descriptors, we identify the most promising dopant candidates for detection of a given target molecule. From the fractional coverage of the metal sites in thermal equilibrium with air, we estimate the change in the nanotube resistance per doping site as a function of the target molecule concentration assuming charge transport in the diffusive regime. Our analysis points to Ni-doped nanotubes as candidates for CO sensors working under typical atmospheric conditions

Community Group-Based Models of Medication Delivery: Applicability to Cardiovascular Diseases.

The rising global burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has put a strain on healthcare systems globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries, which have seen disproportionate mortality rates due to non-communicable diseases. These deaths are in part due to challenges with medication adherence, which are compounded by lack of access to medication and weak community support systems. This paper aims to propose a potential solution using models of service delivery in HIV/AIDS, given the many similarities between NCD and HIV/AIDS. Models that have been particularly effective in HIV/AIDS are the community-based peer-support medication delivery groups: medication adherence clubs and community antiretroviral therapy (ART) groups. The positive outcomes from these models, including improved medication adherence and patient satisfaction, provide evidence for their potential success when applied to non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension and cardiovascular disease

Teaching Higher Education Courses in Further Education Colleges

It can be comprehended that the models and theories which are currently used to reinforce teaching depict the education practices of transmitting knowledge from teacher to students, which is more traditional, linear, input-output construction of teaching that has dominated adult education for decades including the last half century. As numerous studies (e.g. QAA, 2018) emphasizes that both the needs of learner and learning in enterprise and entrepreneurship education (EEE) context is different from other disciplines and mainstream higher education (HE). This requires further development of teaching methods and practices that can encourage the aspirations of the learner in this particular education setting. When investigating the theories and approaches that are used to examine teaching in HE, the relevance and adequacy of them to review teaching practices in this 21st century and EEE context is a question. Thus, the need of new theoretical models and frameworks can be clearly observed. For example, to investigate teacher’s role in EEE setting, there is a need of adopting more context specific, individual-focused research methods. When the recent outcomes associated with the UK higher education are taken into account, there is an emerging key debate; i.e. are universities actually turning off potential entrepreneurs. Whether these outcomes are due to teaching, learning environment or other activities within universities, is still largely a question, hence requires further research to find answers

Saga of a Freedom of Information Act search

Locating and gathering research materials may be the most difficult aspect of conducting historical accounting research studies. One must dig for archival materials in any fertile ground. An important source of data may often be overlooked by historical researchers due to the perceived difficulties of dealing with the bureaucracy of the federal government. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides a vital source of inquiry on many subject areas once the tricks of dealing with government agencies can be mastered