5,477 research outputs found

    On the fine structure of medium energy electron fluxes in the auroral zone and related effects in the ionospheric D-region

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    This study is based on measurements of trapped and precipitated electrons of energy &gt;30 keV and &gt;100 keV observed by polar orbiting environmental satellites during overpasses of the imaging riometer at Kilpisjärvi, Finland. The satellites are in sun-synchronous orbits of about 850 km altitude, recording the electron fluxes at 2-s time resolution. The riometer measures the radiowave absorption at 38.2 MHz, showing the spatial pattern within a 240 km field of view. <br><br> The analysis has focussed on two areas. Having found a close correlation between the radiowave absorption and the medium-energy electron fluxes during satellite overpasses, empirical relationships are derived, enabling one quantity to be predicted from the other for three sectors of local time. It is shown that small-scale variations observed during a pass are essentially spatial rather than temporal. <br><br> Other properties, such as the spectra and the relation between precipitated and trapped components, are also considered in the light of the theory of pitch angle scattering by VLF waves. It is found that the properties and behaviour depend strongly on the time of day. In the noon sector, the precipitated and trapped fluxes are highly correlated through a square law relationship

    Radicals in carbonaceous residue deposited on mordenite from methanol

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    It is shown that control of the degree of coking can lead to the observation of hyperfine structures in the carbonaceous residues deposited from methanol over mordenite (H-MOR) at temperatures relevant to the conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons. EPR measurements of the catalyst samples at various times on stream have been recorded, with a rich hyperfine splitting pattern observed in the early stages of the reaction. Interpretation of the EPR data with the aid of density functional theoretical calculations has afforded the first definitive assignment of the radical cations formed in high temperature coke. The results detail a shortlist of six species: 2,3/2,6/2,7-dimethylnaphthalenium, 2,3,6-trimethylnaphthalenium, 2,3,6,7-tetramethylnaphthalenium, and anthracenium radical cations whose proton hyperfine splitting profiles match the experimental spectra; 2,3,6,7-tetramethylnaphthalenium showed the best agreement. The observation of these particular isomers of polymethylnaphthalene suggest the formation of more highly branched polyaromatic species is less likely within the confines of the H-MOR 12-membered ring channel. These radicals formed when the catalyst is active may constitute key intermediates in the conversion of methanol to light olefins

    An investigation of the nature and reactivity of the carbonaceous species deposited on mordenite by reaction with methanol

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    An investigation of the nature of the carbonaceous species deposited upon mordenite by reaction with methanol has been undertaken. The nature of the species has been shown to be a strong function of both temperature and time on stream. Upon reaction at 300 degrees C a range of alkyl and aromatic species, consistent with the development of an active hydrocarbon pool, are evident and time on stream studies have shown that these are developed within 5 min. Upon reaction at 500 degrees C, a narrower range of hydrogen deficient aromatic species is evident. Thermal volatilisation analysis (TVA), not previously applied to the study of coked zeolites, is shown to be complementary to the more commonly applied C analysis, C-13 MAS NMR and TGA techniques

    Experimental and finite element dynamic analysis of incrementally loaded reinforced concrete structures

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    This is the author accepted manuscript. the final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordThis work investigates influence of damage in reinforced concrete (RC) structures on their dynamic properties through modal testing and non-linear finite element (FE) analysis. Five RC beams were designed with the fundamental flexural mode frequencies in the range of 6.5-18.0. Hz for the uncracked state. Mechanical properties of concrete, such as static and dynamic elastic moduli were determined from standard tests and ultra-sonic pulse velocity readings. The beams were incrementally loaded until the span/250 deflection limit was reached and their natural frequencies were measured from the free decay vibrations. The progressive damage reduced fundamental frequencies of tested beams by up to 25%. The non-linear FE analysis was carried out for RC beams and one two-span slab and the calculated reduced frequencies of the 1st and 2nd vibration modes were in excellent agreement with measurements. This led to the conclusion that, given that the non-linear analysis can capture degradation of dynamic stiffness due to cracking, the future dynamic performance and damage identification on the RC structure can be reliably determined from the same FE model. The results reveal potential of the combined modal testing and FE analysis to improve inspection and assessment of the in-service RC structures.University of Warwic

    Reaching older people with PA delivered in football clubs: the reach, adoption and implementation characteristics of the Extra Time Programme.

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    Background Older adults (OA) represent a core priority group for physical activity and Public Health policy. As a result, significant interest is placed on how to optimise adherence to interventions promoting these approaches. Extra Time (ET) is an example of a national programme of physical activity interventions delivered in professional football clubs for OA aged 55+ years. This paper aims to examine the outcomes from ET, and unpick the processes by which these outcomes were achieved. Methods This paper represents a secondary analysis of data collected during the evaluation of ET. From the 985 OA reached by ET, n=486 adopted the programme and completed post-intervention surveys (typically 12 weeks). We also draw on interview data with 18 ET participants, and 7 staff who delivered the programme. Data were subject to thematic analysis to generate overarching and sub themes. Results Of the 486 participants, the majority 95%, (n= 462) were White British and 59.7% (n=290) were female. Most adopters (65.4%/n=318) had not participated in previous interventions in the host clubs. Social interaction was the most frequently reported benefit of participation (77.2%, n=375). While the reach of the club badge was important in letting people know about the programme, further work enhanced adoption and satisfaction. These factors included (i) listening to participants, (ii) delivering a flexible age-appropriate programme of diverse physical and social activities, (iii) offering activities which satisfy energy drives and needs for learning and (iv) extensive opportunities for social engagement. Conclusions Findings emerging from this study indicate that physical activity and health interventions delivered through professional football clubs can be effective for engaging OA

    A comparative analysis of the mechanisms of ammonia synthesis on various catalysts using density functional theory

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    In this review, we present the recent progress in ammonia synthesis research using density functional theory (DFT) calculations on various industrial catalysts, metal nitrides and nano-cluster-supported catalysts. The mechanism of ammonia synthesis on the industrial Fe catalyst is generally accepted to be a dissociative mechanism. We have recently found, using DFT techniques, that on Co₃Mo₃N (111) surfaces, an associative mechanism in the synthesis of ammonia can offer a new low-energy pathway that was previously unknown. In particular, we have shown that metal nitrides that are also known to have high activity for ammonia synthesis can readily form nitrogen vacancies which can activate dinitrogen, thereby promoting the associative mechanism. These fundamental studies suggest that a promising route to the discovery of low-temperature ammonia synthesis catalysts will be to identify systems that proceed via the associative mechanism, which is closer to the nitrogen-fixation mechanism occurring in nitrogenases

    Assessing the impact of football-based health improvement programmes: stay onside, avoid own goals and score with the evaluation!

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    Health improvement is an important strand of the Premier League's 'Creating Chances' strategy. Through community programmes, professional football clubs offer health-enhancing interventions for a number of different priority groups at risk from a range of lifestyle-related health conditions. However, while national guidance recommends evaluating health improvement interventions, concerns remain about how to do this most effectively. This study aims to investigate the popularity of football-based health improvement schemes and assess the challenges associated with their evaluation. Adapted from existing methodologies, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to an 'expert' sample (n = 3) of football-led health evaluators. The sample was selected because of their experience and knowledge of performing evaluations of football-led health improvement programmes. Our 'experts' offered reasons for the popularity of football settings as channels for health improvement (including the reach of the club badge and the popularity of football), the justification for evaluating such schemes (including confirming effectiveness and efficiency) and the challenges of implementing evaluations (capacity, commitment and capability). Finally, a selection of key considerations for the evaluation of the impact of football-led health improvement programmes (obtaining expert guidance, building capacity and planning for evaluations) are discussed. © 2014 © 2014 Taylor & Francis

    Burton Albion Community Trusts, Golden Goal Over 50’s Activity Club – Project Report

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    Background: In England we have an ageing population and major health concerns for Older Adults (OA). The financial burden this places on the National Health Service (NHS), alongside government public spending austerity provides a compelling case for preventative medicine. PA offers a valuable method to tackle health concerns in OA. One approach to overcome OA barriers to PA opportunities has been to utilise football clubs as a vehicle to support OA in meeting recommended guidelines for PA. This report will detail an evaluation study that investigates the impact of Golden Goal Activity Club (GGAC), a pilot programme of PA-led health improvement for OA delivered by and at Burton Albion FC. Intervention: Sessions involved the delivery of a weekly moderate-intensity PA sessions led by health coaches employed by the club. Methods: At baseline and at week 12, participants (N=23 males (42.6%) and n=31 females (57.4%) with a mean age of 69.38 (±5.87) (n=40), ranging from 55-85 years engaged the evaluation) completed self-reports for demographics, health screening/complications and EQ5D (quality of life) using the EQVAS. Registers recorded attendance at 12 weekly sessions by the health coaches. Results: The mean attendance was 7.73 (±3.12) sessions for all (n=51). Participants with a number of health complications (two or more) (n=22, 42.3%) attended fewer sessions on average (6.91 ±3.322) compared to those reporting less than two health complications (8.65 ±2.694). EQVAS results highlighted self-rated health was much higher for women (87.32 ±9.573) compared to men (80.16 ±18.557). There was an increase in self-rated health scores by men between post-intervention compared to pre-intervention (81.16 ±17.270), while women reported a marginal decline (86.79 ±8.946). Conclusion: Burton Albion FC can recruit and engage both male and female OA. Whilst the participants appear predominantly healthy, GGAC was able to maintain engagement of those who reported a number of health issues throughout the duration of the intervention. Adopting flexible and varied, participant led PA opportunities worked for participants, notably those with two or more health complications. The key design characteristics of GGAC should be considered by other agencies delivering health improvement work with OA. The partnership with independent Public Health and Academic departments to inform delivery and evaluation of the intervention was both valuable to inform current and future delivery and is recommended. Whilst this pilot offered a unique insight in work of this ilk, further research and evaluation is needed to explore the potential of professional football clubs in engaging inactive OA into health-improvement programmes. Key words: Health, Older Adults, Football Clubs, Communit
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