Boron-10 loaded inorganic shielding material

Shielding material containing Boron 10 and gadoliunium for neutron absorption has been developed to reduce interference from low energy neutrons in measurement of fission neutron spectrum using Li-6 fast neutron spectrometer

Proxy models of legal need: can they contribute to equity of access to justice?

Prioritisation of cases and resources as a means of rationing the limited legal aid budget has recently become a feature of access to justice in the UK. This article explores the utility of devising proxymodels of ‘legal need’ as a means of enabling the rational and equitable planning of legal services in these circumstances. Different conceptual and methodological approaches are considered, highlighting preliminary development work in Scotland. The likelihood of developing ‘legal needs’ measures that promote equity of access to appropriate legal services is discussed in the light of problems with defining ‘legal need’ and the diversity of services available for the resolution of legal problems

Incorporation of 3 μm SiCp into Titanium surfaces using a 2.8 kW laser beam of 186 and 373 MJ m-2 energy densities in a nitrogen environment

The formation of composite layers using a 2.8 kW laser beam of 186 and 373 MJ m−2 energy densities, on commercial purity titanium surfaces preplaced with 3 μm size, 1-4 vol.% SiCp powder in a 100% nitrogen environment, produced gold colour tracks. The tracks gave reflective surfaces after glazing at an energy density of 373 MJ m−2 and dull or a mixture of dull and shiny surfaces at 186 MJ m−2 energy density. Surface cracks were visible in tracks containing 1 and 2 vol.% SiCp, but none were observed in the 4 vol.% SiCp tracks glazed at both energy densities. In the track cross sections, vertical cracks were seen in the 373 MJ m−2 tracks but it was absent in 186 MJm−2 tracks. The SiCp particles completely dissolved in all the tracks processed in this investigation producing a complex and inhomogeneous microstructure of dendrites and needle particles. At the half way of the melt depth from the surface, the dendrites were larger and densely populated, especially after glazing at 373 MJ m−2. The hardness measurement of the MMC layer recorded a wide range of hardness values which gave loops in the hardness profiles. Hardness values ranging from 700 to 1000 Hv were observed up to a melt depth of 1 mm in many tracks and the maximum surface hardness of 2250 Hv was measured in the track containing 1 vol.% SiCp and glazed at 373 MJ m−2. The surface hardness developed 5.6-15 times the base hardness (150 Hv) depending on the dendrite population. The 3 μm size SiCp produced MMC layers 1.5-2 times greater than those previously observed with 6 μm SiCp. The large surface area for an equivalent volume fraction of the three micron carbide particles is considered to have a high laser coupling action and hence absorbed more heat energy to produce deeper melt depth compared to those produced using the 6 μm SiCp

A pilot evaluation of positive behavioural support workshops for families of adults with intellectual disabilities who present challenging behaviour: 'It should have been offered years ago'

Background: Positive behavioural support (PBS) workshops were designed for families supporting their adult son or daughter with an intellectual disability engaging in challenging behaviours. This was in recognition of the impact of their challenging behaviour, in particular the level of stress carers often experience and positive reports from other studies incorporating multi-family learning. Method and materials: Two sets of pilot workshops were completed, incorporating modules in PBS and physical interventions. Workshops included presentations and self-directed/group learning tasks, recorded in a specifically designed workbook. Results: Quantitative data was analysed using non-parametric tests. Positive results were found for changes in various areas including self-reported stress levels. Positive trends were also found in pre and post application of the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (Aman and Singh, 1994). Conclusions: This study showed very encouraging results in regard to the impact of this model of training for the carers involved. Further research is required to assess any longer term effects, and to explore the impact on larger numbers of participants

Working in the present moment: a phenomenological enquiry into the impact of mindfulness practice on trainee psychological therapists’ experience of therapeutic practice

This study explored the lived-experience and impact of a brief mindfulness meditation training intervention on trainee psychological therapists. Particular attention is given to participants’ experiences of relational depth, the cultivation of therapeutic qualities and their use of the self in the therapeutic relationship; as well as how they integrated mindfulness into their clinical practice. The qualitative methodology of interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to investigate participants’ lived-experience of mindfulness. Fifteen (out of nineteen) participants completed a two-month MBSR/MBCT mindfulness training, contextualised for therapists; followed by two focus groups, then eight individual interviews four months later. The findings suggested that a brief mindfulness training programme can have a significant impact, with participants experiencing a range of positive outcomes and meaningful effects at both a personal and professional level. The study indicated the potential of mindfulness as a complementary clinical training, in developing ‘being versus doing’ qualities and the potential to experience relational depth. Mindfulness facilitated participants’ confidence and ability to access and trust their own embodied experience or felt-sense of the emergent therapeutic process, in comparison to their core trainings where the emphasis was more on conceptual knowledge, theory and protocols. Although this research did not set out to build a model of mindfulness in the therapeutic encounter the findings were suggestive of a process model, where therapist intra-personal attunement facilitates therapist-client interpersonal attunement that in turn promotes client self-attunement, in a ‘co-created co-meditation space’. Participants experienced mindfulness as providing an embodied developmental opportunity that complemented their core trainings and modalities. Although participants proposed that mindfulness should be a training requirement for all psychological therapists the question of fit needs to be considered, with some participants finding this challenging at times both personally and in the context of jobs where adherence to a particular modality or process was required. It also seems that this training attracted those with a predisposition toward mindfulness; in contrast the four drop-outs indicate that this approach may not suit all. Thus future research needs to address these aspects. In a political context where therapist training is becoming more protocol driven, mindfulness appears to provide a way to redress this imbalance, providing a complementary training route for the practical cultivation of relational qualities that allows participants a greater sense of authenticity, empowerment and trust in themselves and the therapeutic process