The ticking time bomb : H-Block, the connection between nationalism and violence

This thesis argues that due to the intractable nature of the questions of national (imperial) identity and belonging, actors on both sides of "the Troubles" turned to violence to broadcast their voices. Lacking legitimate or effective outlets to articulate their perspectives, members of the PIRA turned to violence against themselves and others as a political tool. Studies of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland and the H-Block Hunger Strike in 1981 are severely limited in scope and are primarily focused on providing a text-book style, all-encompassing history of the events. Most studies do not treat the H-Block Hunger Strike as a propaganda piece that embodies the connection between Irish republican nationalism and the consistent use of suffering as a method of rebellion against their perceived enemy, utilized by those who sought to fight against British imperialism. This thesis brings to light this connection while thoroughly examining the violent nature of the use of hunger strikes as a psychological weapon against the British government by the Provisional Irish Republican Army and their supporters. The central argument of this thesis focuses on the acts perpetrated by members of the Provisional IRA and the H-Block hunger strikers in 1981 and ties their use of the hunger strike to propaganda against the British government. This thesis is based on research conducted at the UK National Archives, the Irish Leftist Archive, and various writings by participants in the 1981 strike. The impact of this study will allow for further analysis of the utilization of hunger strikes and other violent methodologies as performative and psychological propaganda in historical and future nationalist endeavors similar to the 1981 H-Block Hunger Strike

VIRTUAL SIMULATION OF PMM TESTS INDEPENDENT OF TEST PARAMETERS

The dynamic planar motion mechanism (PMM) tests are simulated numerically using computational fluid dynamics for a prolate spheroid underwater vehicle (PSUV) to find the effects of test parameters: the amplitude, frequency and flow velocity, and make the simulation independent of them. An amplitude of the sinusoidal path of the pure sway and heave tests less than 0.01L and a frequency less than 0.03 Hz are necessary to find accurate results for the maneuvering hydrodynamic derivatives. A ratio of angular frequency to the flow velocity equal to one and an amplitude of less than 0.03L provide relatively accurate results for pure yaw and pitch tests. The calculated test parameters are validated using them for the simulation of the PMM tests for two SUBOFF submarine models to control and compare with the experimental results

EFFECT OF HYDROPLANE PROFILE ON HYDRODYNAMIC COEFFICIENTS OF AN AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE

AUVs are the most suitable tool for conduction survey concerning with global environmental problems. AUVs maneuverability should be carefully checked so as to improve energy efficiency of the vehicle and avoid unexpected motion. Oblique towing test (OTT) is simulated virtually in a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) environment to obtain hydrodynamic damping coefficients of a full-scale autonomous underwater vehicle. Simulations are performed for bare hull and hull equipped with four different hydroplanes. The hydrodynamic forces and moment are obtained to calculate hydrodynamic coefficients. Nonlinear damping coefficients are also obtained by using suitable curve fitting. Experiments of resistance and OTT are carried out in specific condition, for validation purpose. Following the extracting numerical results a mathematical model is developed to calculate hydrodynamic force for different sail type in order to predict autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) maneuverability. The results shows good agreement between theory and experiment

Infinite length hydrofoil analysis near the free surface

The hydrodynamic coefficients are obtained from the wing section theory reference books in the submarine conceptual design stage. These coefficients should be corrected when the vehicle is moving near the free surface. Based on the assumption of potential flow, a computer program has been developed to calculate the coefficient of hydrofoils with various sections in near the free surface using boundary element method. The results of computations comply with experimental and numerical results in the fully submerged and near the free surface conditions

Comparison of salivary testosterone levels in different phases of bipolar I disorder and control group

Background: Testosterone is considered as a primary sex hormone, also known as an important anabolic steroid, that may involve in various mental disorders such as bipolar I disorder (BID). The goal of this study was to compare the testosterone salivary levels between different phases of BID and its association with the clinical features of BID. Materials and Methods: In a case–control study, 15 patients in the mania phase, 10 patients in the depression phase, and 16 in the euthymia phase were selected as patient groups. 18 healthy sex- and age-matched individuals were considered as healthy control group. Salivary samples obtained from all patients and control group and levels of testosterone were determined in saliva using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All statistical calculations were conducted with the software Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 (IBM Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The mean testosterone level in euthymia phase was 186.34 ± 182.62 pg/mL, mania phase was 239.29 ± 273.22 pg/mL, depression was 153.49 ± 222.50 pg/mL, and healthy participants was 155.73 ± 126.0 pg/mL; no significant difference was found between groups (P = 0.68.( No statistically significant differences were found between psychotic and nonpsychotic as well as between patients who attempted suicide and nonattempter patients in terms of testosterone levels (P > 0.1). Conclusion: Our findings do not reveal significant difference between different phases of BID in terms of salivary testosterone levels. However, more comprehensive studies with larger sample size are required to confirm our findings

EFFECT OF HYDROPLANE PROFILE ON HYDRODYNAMIC COEFFICIENTS OF AN AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE

AUVs are the most suitable tool for conduction survey concerning with global environmental problems. AUVs maneuverability should be carefully checked so as to improve energy efficiency of the vehicle and avoid unexpected motion. Oblique towing test (OTT) is simulated virtually in a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) environment to obtain hydrodynamic damping coefficients of a full-scale autonomous underwater vehicle. Simulations are performed for bare hull and hull equipped with four different hydroplanes. The hydrodynamic forces and moment are obtained to calculate hydrodynamic coefficients. Nonlinear damping coefficients are also obtained by using suitable curve fitting. Experiments of resistance and OTT are carried out in specific condition, for validation purpose. Following the extracting numerical results a mathematical model is developed to calculate hydrodynamic force for different sail type in order to predict autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) maneuverability. The results shows good agreement between theory and experiment

An investigation of the effects of different shift schedules on the fatigue and sleepiness of officers on oil tankers during cargo handling operations

Cargo handling is an operation, which requires a high level of performance from the officer of the watch (OOW). This study aimed to investigate the effect of different shift schedules on sleep quality, cognitive performance, and sleepiness of 139 OOWs on oil tankers with 4on–8off shifts, during the first shift of cargo handling. Sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)), level of sleepiness (the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS)), Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), and Arrow Flanker task performance were examined. The results showed that OOWs with (00:00–04:00, 12:00–16:00) and (04:00–08:00, 16:00–20:00) shifts had impaired cognitive performance and higher sleepiness during the cargo handling operation, and they also experienced impaired sleep quality. The results demonstrated that the circadian rhythm and homeostatic sleep drive have a greater impact on cognitive performance and sleepiness than time on shifts. These results suggest that allocating rest hours immediately before the cargo handling operation may reduce the risk of fatigue

Poor sleep quality, long working hours and fatigue in coastal areas: a dangerous combination of silent risk factors for deck officers on oil tankers

Background: The high number of marine incidents in port and coastal areas due to the tired deck officers’ erroneous actions are one of the major challenges of marine transportation. Approaching, berthing, and cargo handling (ABC) are the most stressful and exhausting operations of the ship in these areas, which are carried out consecutively and uninterruptedly. Materials and methods: This study examined Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) performance, Arrow Flanker Task performance and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) of 70 deck officers of ocean-going oil tankers with 4on–8off shifts at the end of the first shift of cargo-handling operations. In this case, they had worked more than 14 hours continuously. Also, their level of sleepiness was assessed using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) at the beginning, middle, and end of their first shift of handling operation. Results: The results were analysed according to the duration at sea and deck officers rank. PSQI, KSS, PVT mean reaction times and lapses, and also Flanker’s variables were higher among the chief and second officers who were present on board between 0–30 days. The state of officers who were present on board between 31 to 60 days was better than the officers with 0–30 and 61–90 days’ duration at sea. In addition, the results show that sleep quality during tour of duty affects cognitive performance and sleepiness of officers during cargo handling operations. Conclusions: The paper concludes by discussing possible solutions for reducing fatigue and human error among seafarers