2,159 research outputs found
Interaction of laser generated ultrasonic waves with wedge-shaped samples
Wedge-shaped samples can be used as a model of acoustic interactions with samples ranging from ocean wedges, to angled defects such as rolling contact fatigue, to thickness measurements of samples with non-parallel faces. We present work on laser generated ultrasonic waves on metal samples; one can measure the dominant Rayleigh-wave mode, but longitudinal and shear waves are also generated. We present calculations, models, and measurements giving the dependence of the arrival times and amplitudes of these modes on the wedge apex angle and the separation of generation and detection points, and hence give a measure of the wedge characteristics
Exploring taboo issues in professional sport through a fictional approach
While the need to consider life course issues in elite sport research and practice is increasingly recognised, some experiences still seem to be considered too dangerous to explore. Consequently, stories of these experiences are silenced and the ethical and moral questions they pose fail to be acknowledged, understood or debated. This paper presents an ethnographic fiction through which we explore a sensitive set of experiences that were uncovered during our research with professional sportspeople. Through a multiâlayered reconstruction, the story reveals the complex, but significant, relationships that exist between identity, cultural narratives and embodied experiences. After the telling we consider how the story has stimulated reflective practice among students, researchers and practitioners. While there are risks involved in writing and sharing taboo stories, the feedback we have received suggests that storytelling can be an effective pedagogical tool in education and professional development
Density Effects on Soil-Water Characteristics, Soil-Gas Diffusivity, and Emissions of N<sub>2</sub>O and N<sub>2</sub> from a Re-packed Pasture Soil
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Thin liquid water clouds: their importance and our challenge
Many clouds important to the Earthâs energy balance contain small amounts of liquid water, yet despite many improvements, large differences in retrievals of their liquid water amount and particle size still must be resolved
Understanding childrenâs constructions of meanings about other children: implications for inclusiveeducation
This paper explores the factors that influence the way children construct meanings about other children, and especially those who seem to experience marginalisation, within school contexts. The research involved an ethnographic study in a primary school in Cyprus over a period of 5 months. Qualitative methods were used, particularly participant observations and interviews with children. Interpretation of the data suggests that children's perceptions about other children, and especially those who come to experience marginalisation, are influenced by the following factors: other children and the interactions between them; adultsâ way of behaving in the school; the existing structures within the school; and the cultures of the school and the wider educational context. Even though the most powerful factor was viewed to be the adultsâ influence, it was rather the interweaving between different factors that seemed to lead to the creation of particular meanings for other children. In the end, it is argued that children's voices should be seen as an essential element within the process of developing inclusive practices.<br/
Facilitators and barriers to co-research by people with dementia and academic researchers: findings from a qualitative study
Background Public and patient involvement (PPI) is now established in dementia research. Barriers and facilitators to engagement from family carers and people in early stages of dementia have been explored. However, specific barriers and facilitators to coâresearch with people with dementia have not previously been investigated. Objective To discover the facilitators of, and barriers to, involving people with dementia as coâresearchers, from the perspectives of people with dementia, gatekeepers (family caregivers, ethics committee members, service providers) and researchers. Design Thematic analysis of data from individual interviews about the coâresearch experience. Results Four themes emerged from interviews with 19 participants (five people with dementia): âgetting one's head round itâ (assumptions about research and dementia; different forms of language); practicalities (eg transport; accessibility of communication); âthis feeling of safetyâ (perceptions of danger, protectiveness and opportunities for building trust); and motivations (âmaking a differenceâ and âkeeping doingâ). Conclusions Findings both replicate and extend previous knowledge on PPI in dementia. Cognitive capacity of potential coâresearchers with dementia is only a part of the picture, with attitudes and expectations of researchers, gatekeepers and people with dementia also forming barriers. Researcher education, adequate resourcing, and both creativity and flexibility are needed to support recruitment of coâresearchers with dementia and to enable meaningful coâresearch
A comparative analysis of the cultural representation of disability in school textbooks in Iran and England
The paper details the findings of a study which focused on the analysis of the cultural representation
of disability in school textbooks in Iran and England. The paper argues that whilst inclusive education
could facilitate the incorporating of disabled pupils into mainstream schools, there needs to be deeper
examination as to how this transition should take place for children aged 3-13. The paper suggests that
in such examinations school textbooks might be of significance in familiarizing non-disabled pupils,
teachers and authorities with the issues related to disability and disabled pupils
Lamb wave near field enhancements for surface breaking defects in plates
Near field surface wave ultrasonic enhancements have previously been used to detect surface breaking defects in thick samples using Rayleigh waves. Here, we present analogous surface wave enhancements for Lamb waves propagating in plates. By tracking frequency intensities in selected regions of time-frequency representations, we observe frequency enhancement in the near field, due to constructive interference of the incident wave mode with those reflected and mode converted at the defect. This is explained using two test models; a square based notch and an opening crack, which are used to predict the contribution to the out-of-plane displacement from the reflected and mode converted waves. This method has the potential to provide a reliable method for the near field identification and characterisation of surface breaking defects in plates
Improving smoking cessation care in pregnancy at Aboriginal Medical Services: 'ICAN QUIT in Pregnancy' step-wedge cluster randomised study
Objectives This study aimed to examine the impact of the
âICAN QUIT in Pregnancyâ intervention on individual health
providers (HPs) smoking cessation care (SCC) knowledge,
attitudes and practices in general, and specifically
regarding nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) prescription.
Design Step-wedge clustered randomised controlled
study. HPs answered a preintervention and 1â6 months
postintervention survey.
Setting Six Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) in three
states of Australia.
Participants All HPs were invited to participate. Of 93
eligible, 50 consented (54%), 45 completed the presurvey
(90%) and 20 the post (40%).
Intervention Included three 1-hour webinar sessions,
educational resource package and free oral NRT.
Outcomes HPs knowledge was measured using
two composite scoresâone from all 24 true/false
statements, and one from 12 NRT-specific statements.
Self-assessment of 22 attitudes to providing SCC were
measured using a five-point Likert scale (Strongly disagree
to Strongly agree). Two composite mean scores were
calculatedâone for 15 general SCC attitudes, and one for
7 NRT-specific attitudes. Self-reported provision of SCC
components was measured on a five-point Likert scale
(Never to Always). Feasibility outcomes, and data collected
on the service and patient level are reported elsewhere.
Results Mean knowledge composite scores improved
from pre to post (78% vs 84% correct, difference 5.95,
95%CI 1.57 to 10.32). Mean NRT-specific knowledge
composite score also improved (68% vs 79% correct,
difference 9.9, 95%CI 3.66 to 16.14). Mean attitude
composite score improved (3.65 (SD 0.4) to 3.87 (SD 0.4),
difference 0.23, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.41). Mean NRT-specific
attitudes composite score also improved (3.37 (SD 0.6) to
3.64 (SD 0.7), difference 0.36, 95%CI 0.13 to 0.6). Selfreported practices were unchanged, including prescribing
NRT.
Conclusions A multicomponent culturally sensitive
intervention in AMSs was feasible, and might improve HPs
provision of SCC to pregnant Aboriginal women. Changes
in NRT prescription rates may require additional intensive
measures
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