Engineering geology maps of the UK

School and university students of geology, engineering geology and geotechnical engineering generally have less knowledge of engineering geological conditions than those who have had experience of hands-on research or practice. In the UK, the number of geology, geoscience and earth science departments has reduced over the past 25 years. Engineering geology has a very weak academic base and geology is taught less to civil engineering students than previously

Initial geological considerations before installing ground source heat pump systems

The performance of an open- or closed-loop ground source heat pump system depends on local geological conditions. It is important that these are determined as accurately as possible when designing a system, to maximize efficiency and minimize installation costs. Factors that need to be considered are surface temperature, subsurface temperatures down to 100–200 m, thermal conductivities and diffusivities of the soil and rock layers, groundwater levels and flows, and aquifer properties. In addition, rock strength is a critical factor in determining the excavation or drilling method required at a site and the associated costs. The key to determining all of these factors is an accurate conceptual site-scale model of the ground conditions (soils, geology, thermogeology, engineering geology and hydrogeology). The British Geological Survey has used the modern digital geological mapping of the UK as a base onto which appropriate attributes can be assigned. As a result it is possible to generate regional maps of surface and subsurface temperatures, rock strength and depth to water. This information can be used by designers, planners and installers of ground source heat pump systems. The use of appropriate geological factors will assist in creating a system that meets the heating or cooling load of the building without unnecessary overengineering

The effect of stress & fractures on fluid flow in crystalline rocks, Cumbria, UK

In 3 volumesAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DXN062926 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

A descriptive case study of the impact of 9/11 on international student visa policy in the 20 months following the attacks.

International students in the U.S. have consistently been treated in public policy as educational diplomatic and economic assets. In the year before 9/11, a national policy endorsing international education, including support for international student flows to the U.S., received presidential and Congressional support. After 9/11, however, the system by which international students obtain visas, enter and stay in the U.S. was identified as a national security problem. Within two months, legislative action mandated tracking of international students though the new Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This was followed in the next 18 months by a cascade of other legislation, regulations and rules. These buffeted international students, the advocacy community which serves the international education exchange arena, and the administrators who work on a daily basis with international students on U.S. campuses. This case study describes the impact in three arenas: (1) The flow of policy and regulation was rapid, dense with procedures and deadlines, and mandated implementation of largely unpiloted programs and events. (2) The advocacy community responded by accepting SEVIS and some visa reforms in the name of national security, despite previous opposition. They continued to work to shape legislation, SEVIS features and visa policies; to provide extensive support for practitioners struggling to implement the new policies and regulations; and to collect data on the impact of the new policies on international students and scholars. (3) During this chaotic period, administrators in the field, as reported in in-person interviews, experienced deep changes in the work of their offices, with implementation of SEVIS the most demanding event; they also worked to protect and support their students and to represent this population positively to their campuses and the media. They reported a variety of positive outcomes as well as difficulties. Several policy process constructs inform the results of the descriptive data, particularly those related to agenda shift following a focusing event. Other policy constructs which deepen understanding of the case include the characteristics of punctuated equilibrium, shifts in the tone of a policy's image, and use of causal stories to affect an issue's position on the governmental agenda

AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A MULTI-PROCESSOR SCHEDULING SYSTEM

The scheduling of jobs through a multi-processor system is important from many aspects. It is often assumed that jobs are scheduled on the basis of some simple rule, such as First-Come First-Served, or Shortest Processing Time First. In earlier work we found some evidence to suggest that use of a more sophisticated strategy, based on the use of it Genetic Algorithm (GA) to 'look ahead', could enhance system performance. Here we investigate this idea more thoroughly

Human perception and the built environment : a proposed Autism Life Learning Centre for Durban.

Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.Buildings affect people both physically and psychologically, this study analyses this impact which the built environment has on people's lives. This interrelationship between people and the built environment is based on human perception. The study explores this relationship further in order to develop an understanding of the ways in which architecture influences peoples' moods, behaviours and experiences. By determining the importance of this interrelationship and developing a better understanding of it, a deeper analysis of the specialized needs of individuals with altered or impaired perceptions is developed. Focus is placed on individuals with autism spectrum disorders, who are known for their difficulties with perception. In addition, despite its overwhelming prevalence, they have a history of being inadequately catered for within the built environment because their wide range of complex needs are poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to establish an understanding of the unique needs of this particular user group, to interpret the implications of these needs with regards to the built environment, to assess existing facilities in regards to these findings and to provide information which can be used to develop guidelines for creating positive environments which can enhance the daily lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The research was carried out by way of a review of existing relevant literature on the subject of perception, experience and autism spectrum disorders, a review of relevant precedent studies, a critical analysis of relevant case studies and interviews with parents, teachers and principals who have had first-hand experience with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The built environment, which plays a large role in people's lives, must be carefully considered and designed to ensure that the needs of its users are met and their overall wellbeing is maintained. In contemporary society, where human needs are often ignored, built environments have become ego-driven objects of visual seduction (Pallasmaa, 2005). This study calls for re-humanising architecture, considering human aspects in design and catering for all human needs. By focusing on responding to users particular needs, throughout the design process, buildings which make significant, positive contributions to the lives of individuals can be made

Exploring the expectations and experiences of first year students undergoing a tailored transition initiative

Successful transition for students commencing university is a focus of increasing institutional interest and resourcing to optimise student success and retention. Investigation of student expectations of university commencement and their lived experience provides an opportunity for identification of a potential mismatch which has received less scrutiny. The Bachelor of Sport Development has an integrated transition initiative with an employability and academic skill development focussed curriculum, designed to support students\u27 successful transition into university. The transition initiative was informed by the Five Senses of Success and First Year Curriculum Principles. This article reports student expectations in week one and at the completion of the first semester after experiencing the transition initiative. Students reported changes in their expectations, assessment concerns, and the assistance they expected from lecturers over this period. Students’ early exposure to employability-focused curriculum provided valuable insights into their future profession, consequently reinforcing their long-term goal of employment in the sport sector. Results highlight the effectiveness of the supportive, student focused strategies embedded within the tailored transition initiative in the first semester of study

A Model of the Deviation between the Intended and the Actual Experiences with Interactive Installations

Interactive installations engage people in different ways, many of which are different than originally intended by the designer. We present a model that illustrates the differences between the intended experience and the actual experience of people. The model is demonstrated through the analysis of one interactive installation at the Science Museum (London) and the various parameters are mapped and visualized. We suggest that the participants of interactive installations engage differently than originally intended by the designer, which can be defined here as "deviation". There are several levels of deviation, and the proposed model will illustrate the critical interaction stages and visualize the deviations. This model offers new tools for designers and curators alike

The Role of Tobacco-Derived Carcinogens in Pancreas Cancer

The extremely poor outcome from pancreas cancer is well known. However, its aetiology less well appreciated, and the molecular mechanisms underlying this are poorly understood. Tobacco usage is one of the strongest risk factors for this disease, and this is a completely avoidable hazard. In addition, there are well described hereditary diseases which predispose, and familial pancreas cancer. We have sought here to summarise the role of tobacco-derived carcinogens and the mode of their tumorigenic action on the pancreas. There is compelling evidence from animal and human studies (laboratory including cell line studies and epidemiologic) that tobacco derived carcinogens cause pancreas cancer. However, the manner in which they do so is not entirely apparent. There is also compelling evidence that synergism with genetic and other life-style factors—like diet obesity—results in a multifactorial causation of the disease. Ascertaining the role of tobacco carcinogens in the development of this cancer and their interaction with other risk factors will enable novel therapeutic and preventative strategies to improve outcome from this appalling malignancy

Social networks, work and network-based resources for the management of long-term conditions: a framework and study protocol for developing self-care support

Background: increasing the effective targeting and promotion of self-care support for long-term conditions requires more of a focus on patient contexts and networks. The aim of this paper is to describe how within a programme of research and implementation, social networks are viewed as being centrally involved in the mobilisation and deployment of resources in the management of a chronic condition. This forms the basis of a novel approach to understanding, designing, and implementing new forms of self-management support.Methods: drawing on evidence syntheses about social networks and capital and the role of information in self-management, we build on four conceptual approaches to inform the design of our research on the implementation of self-care support for people with long-term conditions. Our approach takes into consideration the form and content of social networks, notions of chronic illness work, normalisation process theory (NPT), and the whole systems informing self-management engagement (WISE) approach to self-care support.Discussion: the translation and implementation of a self-care agenda in contemporary health and social context needs to acknowledge and incorporate the resources and networks operating in patients' domestic and social environments and everyday lives. The latter compliments the focus on healthcare settings for developing and delivering self-care support by viewing communities and networks, as well as people suffering from long-term conditions, as a key means of support for managing long-term conditions. By focusing on patient work and social-network provision, our aim is to open up a second frontier in implementation research, to translate knowledge into better chronic illness management, and to shift the emphasis towards support that takes place outside formal health services.<br/