81 research outputs found

    Why do School-leavers Study Engineering in the Technological University Dublin and How Do They Get There: a Report of a Survey of 390 First Year Engineering Students in the Technological University Dublin and a Summary of the Data Collected Since 2003.

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    This report sets out the findings of a survey of 389 first year engineering students who commenced studying in the Technological University Dublin (DIT) in September 2007. The questionnaire was completed online using WebCT. The background information on students is taken from DIT records.This data is based on the records of 525 students who were attending DIT courses in October 2007

    Effect of Glass Fibre Sizing on the Interfacial Properties of Composites Produced using In-Situ Polymerised Polyamide-6 Transfer Moulding

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    The fibre-matrix interfacial properties of glass-fibre/polyamide-6 (GF/PA-6) composites produced by thermoplastic resin transfer moulding (TP-RTM) were investigated. Two different fibre sizings were compared, a specially-developed novel reactive fibre sizing and a standard silane glass fibre sizing. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and a number of mass-loss techniques were employed to study the form, distribution, quantity and degradation temperature of the fibre sizings. Activated PA-6 monomer precursor materials with viscosities of ∼10 mPa s were injected into the glass-fibre fabrics, contained between heated press platens, and polymerisation occurred in-situ within several minutes. Glass-fabric laminates with fibre volume fractions of ∼53% and low void content were produced at a pressure of ∼4 bar, with the low viscosity of the monomer negating the need for expensive high-pressure injection. Similar quality between the laminates was demonstrated by measuring density, thickness, fibre volume fraction, void content and fibre bundle distribution. Transverse mechanical properties of the composites reinforced with the novel reactive sizing were 20–28% higher than those with the standard fibre sizings, demonstrating improved fibre-matrix interfacial properties. Average mode I fracture toughness was also measured to be 10–30% higher than with the standard fibre sizing. Scanning electron microscopy and 3D depth composition were used to investigate fracture surfaces and determine the surface roughness. The novel reactive fibre sizing resulted in improved fibre-matrix adhesion and improved fracture toughness

    Thermoplastic RTM: Impact Properties of Anionically Polymerised Polyamide 6 Composites for Structural Automotive Parts

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    This study investigates the impact behaviour and post-impact performance of polyamide-6 glass fibre reinforced composites, manufactured by thermoplastic resin transfer moulding. Impact test samples were extracted from quasi-isotropic laminates using two different glass fibre sizings, both with a fibre volume fraction of approximately 52%. A previous study showed that one of these sizings enhanced the interfacial strength and Mode I fracture toughness; however, the effects of the sizing on out-of-plane impact is of greater significance in terms of automotive applications. A drop-weight impact tester was used to determine out-of-plane impact performance for both sizings in terms of impact load-induced and energy returned from the striker. High-speed video of the impact response was simultaneously captured. Testing was carried out at three impact energy levels: two sub-penetration and one full penetration. The impact damage area was observed, and the post-damage compression properties of samples were measured to determine the reduction in their strength and stiffness. Results showed that the use of different sizing technologies had little effect on the post-impact compressive properties and that penetration led to only a 29% drop in compression strength. Overall, the outcomes of this work demonstrate the potential of these materials in automotive applications

    Patient views on asthma diagnosis and how a clinical decision support system could help:a qualitative study

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    Abstract Introduction Making a diagnosis of asthma can be challenging for clinicians and patients. A clinical decision support system (CDSS) for use in primary care including a patient‐facing mode, could change how information is shared between patients and healthcare professionals and improve the diagnostic process. Methods Participants diagnosed with asthma within the last 5 years were recruited from general practices across four UK regions. In‐depth interviews were used to explore patient experiences relating to their asthma diagnosis and to understand how a CDSS could be used to improve the diagnostic process for patients. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach. Results Seventeen participants (12 female) undertook interviews, including 14 individuals and 3 parents of children with asthma. Being diagnosed with asthma was generally considered an uncertain process. Participants felt a lack of consultation time and poor communication affected their understanding of asthma and what to expect. Had the nature of asthma and the steps required to make a diagnosis been explained more clearly, patients felt their understanding and engagement in asthma self‐management could have been improved. Participants considered that a CDSS could provide resources to support the diagnostic process, prompt dialogue, aid understanding and support shared decision‐making. Conclusion Undergoing an asthma diagnosis was uncertain for patients if their ideas and concerns were not addressed by clinicians and were influenced by a lack of consultation time and limitations in communication. An asthma diagnosis CDSS could provide structure and an interface to prompt dialogue, provide visuals about asthma to aid understanding and encourage patient involvement. Patient and Public Contribution Prespecified semistructured interview topic guides (young person and adult versions) were developed by the research team and piloted with members of the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group. Findings were regularly discussed within the research group and with PPI colleagues to aid the interpretation of data

    Clinician views on how clinical decision support systems can help diagnose asthma in primary care : a qualitative study

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    Funding This work was supported by Asthma & Lung UK under Grant AUK-PG-2018-404 and Chief Scientist Office under Grant CAF/17/01.Peer reviewe

    The Grizzly, September 23, 2004

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    Get Down in the Lounge • USGA Amendments Cause Controversy • Wismer Rumors Exposed • Family Day is Just Around the Corner • You got SERVed! • Medulla: Soul for Your Brain • Lead the Way: UC Leadership Studies Program • Care to Dance? • Opinions: Should More Public Places Move Towards a Complete No-smoking Policy?; Tattoo or not to Tattoo? • My Summer Vacation Camping at Death Pond • The Kobe Bryant Sagahttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1565/thumbnail.jp

    The Grizzly, November 18, 2004

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    Student Reactions to Sigma Pi • President Strassburger\u27s Letter to the Collegeville Community • Poe on Poe Recommended for Theater Festival Nomination • Ursinus College Dance Company Concert Debuts this Week • Men and Women for Feminism: Review of From the Belly • Review: What did the Moon See? • Major Highlight: Business and Economics • Opinions: Welcome to Dubya\u27s Fun World; The Wismer Incident: Issues of Food and Money; What\u27s Real About Reality TV • Success Does not Equal Playoff Contention for the Men\u27s Rugby Team • Wrestling Team Puts Yet Another Beating on its Oppositionhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1572/thumbnail.jp

    The Grizzly, October 14, 2004

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    Walk for AIDS Awareness • Tenure: How to Make Your Vote Count • Powderpuff Football Raises Money for Cancer Research • Ex Voto Artist Speaks on Campus • Princeton Review Wants Your Opinion • Ursinus Faith • Learning Versus Earning in the College Years • From Humor to Horror: Poe on Poe Preview • Opinions: Who is to Blame for the Vioxx Withdrawal?; Segregation in Wismer; Phone Phollies; Blurring the Lines in American Media • Women\u27s Soccer Team Fools the Oddsmakers • Conduct in Pro Sports Becoming an Issuehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1568/thumbnail.jp

    The Grizzly, October 28, 2004

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    Don\u27t Let Wismer Food Scare You; DSAC is Here to Help! • Senior Halloween Party Coming to a Barn Near You • RHA Halloween Decorating Contest Returns • Halloween not for Everyone • Omwake, a Haunted House for the Community • Cheap, Last-minute Costumes Down the Road • It\u27s a Witch! • Hobson Ghosts: Past and Present • Eastern State Penitentiary: Does it Frighten You? • Opinions: Are Halloween Costumes Just for Fun, or Can They be Offensive?; How Old is Too Old to Trick or Treat?; Halloween Hijinks • The Thompson-Gay Era and the Gym Named in Their Honor • Nightmares on Broad Streethttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1569/thumbnail.jp
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