The application of passive sampler (DGT) technology for improved understanding of metal behaviour at a marine disposal site

Metal behaviour and availability at a contaminated dredge material disposal site within UK waters has been investigated using Diffusive Gradient in Thin films (DGT) passive sampling technology. Three stations representing contrasting history and presence of maintenance dredge disposal, including a control station outside the disposal site, have been studied and depth profiles of fluxes of different metals (Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn) to the binding gel (Chelex 100) have been derived. Higher flux rates and shallower mobilisation of metals (Mn and Fe) to the binding gel were observed at the disposal stations compared to the control station. Here we describe metal mobilization at different depths, linking the remobilization of Fe2+ and Mn2+ to the sediment (re)supply of other heavy metals of interest with a focus on Cd, Ni and Pb and as they are on the Water Framework Directive (WFD) list of priority substances and OSPAR list of priority pollutants. Results showed that Cd, Pb and Ni exhibited signs of resupply at the sediment-water interface (SWI). There was a potential increased mobilisation and source to the water column of Pb and Ni at the disposal site stations, but there was no Cd source, despite higher total loadings. This information has the potential to improve our current understanding of metal cycles at disposal sites. This work can be used as an indication of likely metal bioavailability and also assist in determining whether the sites act as sources or sinks of heavy metals. This information could assist disposal site monitoring and dredge material licensing

Analisis Faktor -Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Simpanan Mudharabah pada Bank Mandiri Syariah Cabang Kota Pekanbaru

This research was conducted in Pekanbaru City in August 2013 to December 2013, with the target customers of Bank Syariah Mandiri branch in Pekanbaru which is located at Jalan Sudirman 450 and some other Branch spread in the city of Pekanbaru. This study aims to determine the factors that influence the Mudaraba Savings Bank Syariah Mandiri branchPekanbaru. This study was performed by using direct interviews to clients through a questionnaire. The samples were extracted using Slovin formulation with an error rate of 10%. The samples in this study were 97 samples of the customer savings and 96 samples of client deposits. Furthermore, the previous studies that underlie the Aulia Mustikasari 2007, concluded that only profit sharing have a positive and significant effect on mudaraba deposits, while income has no effect on Mudaraba Deposits. The results showed that the level of profit-sharing and avoid usury very influential on Mudaraba Deposits in Bank Syariah Mandiri branch Pekanbaru.Keywords: Mudaraba Savings, Profit Sharing Level, Rib

Pengaruh Suku Bunga Kredit dan Produk Domestik Regional Bruto terhadap Penyaluran Kredit Perbankan Bank Umum di Riau

Riau is a province that is actively regional development. The development aims to create a society that is advanced and independent Riau. The conditions need support from the banks, particularly in terms of lending. The purpose of this study was to determine lending rates and gross domestic regional product of the loan portfolio of commercial banks in Riau. The results showed that mortgage interest rates and gross domestic regional product significantly influence the commercial bank lending in Riau. Partially, variable lending rates both working capital loans, investment loans, and consumer loans, has a negative and not significant effect on total loans in Riau. While gross domestic regional product variable has a positive and significant impact on working capital loans, investment credit and consumer loans,. Simultaneously, the variable mortgage interest rates and gross domestic regional product has a significant effect on bank lending of commercial banks in Riau

Using assignment data to analyse a blended information literacy intervention: a quantitative approach

This research sought to determine whether a blended information literacy learning and teaching intervention could statistically significantly enhance undergraduates’ information discernment compared to standard face-to-face delivery. A mixture of face-to-face and online activities, including online social media learning, was used. Three interventions were designed to develop the information literacies of first-year undergraduates studying Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University and focused on one aspect of information literacy: the ability to evaluate source material effectively. An analysis was devised where written evaluations of found information for an assessment were converted into numerical scores and then measured statistically. This helped to evaluate the efficacy of the interventions and provided data for further analysis. An insight into how the information literacy pedagogical intervention and the cognitive processes involved in enabling participants to interact critically with information is provided. The intervention which incorporated social media learning proved to be the most successful learning and teaching approach. The data indicated that undergraduate students’ information literacy can be developed. However, additional long-term data is required to establish whether this intervention would have a lasting impact

The structure of gravel-bed flow with intermediate submergence: a laboratory study

The paper reports an experimental study of the flow structure over an immobile gravel bed in open channel at intermediate submergence, with particular focus on the near-bed region. The experiments consisted of velocity measurements using three-component (stereoscopic) Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) in near-bed horizontal plane and two-component PIV in three vertical planes that covered three distinctly different hydraulic scenarios where the ratio of flow depth to roughness height (i.e., relative submergence) changes from 7.5 to 10.8. Detailed velocity measurements were supplemented with fine-scale bed elevation data obtained with a laser scanner. The data revealed longitudinal low-momentum and high-momentum "strips'' in the time-averaged velocity field, likely induced by secondary currents. This depth-scale pattern was superimposed with particle-scale patches of flow heterogeneity induced by gravel particle protrusions. A similar picture emerged when considering second-order velocity moments. The interaction between the flow field and gravel-bed protrusions is assessed using cross correlations of velocity components and bed elevations in a horizontal plane just above gravel particle crests. The cross correlations suggest that upward and downward fluid motions are mainly associated with upstream-facing and lee sides of particles, respectively. Results also show that the relative submergence affects the turbulence intensity profiles for vertical velocity over the whole flow depth, while only a weak effect, limited to the near-bed region, is noticed for streamwise velocity component. The approximation of mean velocity profiles with a logarithmic formula reveals that log-profile parameters depend on relative submergence, highlighting inapplicability of a conventional "universal'' logarithmic law for gravel-bed flows with intermediate submergence

Enhancing Science Impact in the Coastal Zone through Adaptive Learning

The impact of science to support coastal management may be reduced through social and institutional barriers. Some of these barriers include ineffective community engagement, lack of interaction between scientists and decision makers, and institutional decision-making tradition related to hierarchical mandates. A three-year project has commenced to examine the role of adaptive learning in overcoming some of these barriers to maximize pathways for science and improve decisions made in the coastal zone. Adaptive learning is one of five project areas targeted to enhance science impact, being undertaken by a consortium of nine Australian universities funded through the CSIRO Collaboration Fund. Two of the strategies being explored to maximize adaptive learning to improve science impact include: (i) development of an on-line toolkit for embedding adaptive learning within coastal organizations; and (ii) development and testing of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to improve adaptive learning interventions. While focused on an Australian context, the project addresses broad issues of social and institutional barriers that have relevance for many coastal scientists and decision makers around the globe

The Psy-Security-Curriculum ensemble: British Values curriculum policy in English schools

Framed as being in response to terrorist attacks and concerns about religious bias in some English schools, ‘British Values’ (BV) curriculum policy forms part of the British Government’s Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, 2015. This includes a Duty on teachers in England to actively promote British Values to deter students from radicalisation. This paper, first, traces the history of Britishness in the curriculum to reveal a prevalence of nationalistic, colonial values. Next, an ensemble of recent policies and speeches focusing on British Values is analysed, using a psycho-political approach informed by anti-colonial scholarship. Finally, we interrogate two key critiques of the British Values curriculum discourse: the universality of British Values globally, and concerns over the securitisation of education. Findings indicate that the constitution of white British supremacist subjectivities operate through curriculum as a defence mechanism against perceived threats to white privilege, by normalising a racialised state-controlled social order. The focus is on ‘British’ values, but the analytic framework and findings have wider global significance

Change in practice: a qualitative exploration of midwives' and doctors' views about the introduction of STan monitoring in an Australian hospital

The present study examines the introduction of an innovation in intrapartum foetal monitoring practice in Australia. ST-Analysis (STan) is a technology that adds information to conventional fetal monitoring (cardiotocography) during labour, with the aim of reducing unnecessary obstetric intervention. Adoption of this technology has been controversial amongst obstetricians and midwives, particularly as its use necessitates a more invasive means of monitoring (a scalp clip), compared to external monitoring from cardiotocography alone. If adoption of this technology is going to be successful, then understanding staff opinions about the implementation of STan in an Australian setting is an important issue for maternity care providers and policy makers.Using a maximum variation purposive sampling method, 18 interviews were conducted with 10 midwives and 8 doctors from the Women's and Children's Hospital, South Australia to explore views about the introduction of the new technology. The data were analysed using Framework Analysis.Midwives and doctors indicated four important areas of consideration when introducing STan: 1) philosophy of care; 2) the implementation process including training and education; 3) the existence of research evidence; and 4) attitudes towards the new technology. Views were expressed about the management of change process, the fit of the new technology within the current models of care, the need for ongoing training and the importance of having local evidence.These findings, coupled with the general literature about introducing innovation and change, can be used by other centres looking to introduce STan technology.M. E. Mayes, C. Wilkinson, S. Kuah, G. Matthews and D. Turnbul