In-field Mechanical Handling Method for One-gallon Nursery Containers

This study is concerned with the development of a mechanical alternative to the manual in-field handling of one-gallon nursery containers. Several concepts were generated and an experimental handling mechanism was built and evaluated with respect to performance in placing and removing containers on the ground.Agricultural Engineerin

Hybrid nanomembranes for high power and high energy density supercapacitors and their yarn application

Ultrathin (thicknessnm) electrically conducting membranes can be used as electrodes for sensors, actuators, optical devices, fuel cells, scaffolds for assembling nanoparticles, and separation of biological macromolecules.1-6 Various approaches have been suggested for the fabrication of free-standing nanomembranes based on organic polymers and/or inorganic materials: spin-casting of films,7 layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers,8 cross-linking of self-assembled monolayers,9 and assembly of triblock copolymers.10,11 Loading materials such as gold nanoparticles12 or carbon nanotubes13 make membranes robust and electrically conductive. However, these methods are often time-consuming and have some limitations in terms of achievable electrical and electrochemical membrane performance as well as scale-up. Alternative approaches are needed for the preparation of mechanically robust, free-standing, conductive nanomembranes that could be easily manufactured

Evidence in support of the call to ban the tackle and harmful contact in school rugby: a response to World Rugby

In a paper published in BJSM (June 2016), World Rugby employees Ross Tucker and Martin Raftery and a third coauthor Evert Verhagen took issue with the recent call to ban tackling in school rugby in the UK and Ireland. That call (to ban tackling) was supported by a systematic review published in BJSM. Tucker et al claim that: (1) the mechanisms and risk factors for injury along with the incidence and severity of injury in youth rugby union have not been thoroughly identified or understood; (2) rugby players are at no greater risk of injury than other sports people, (3) this is particularly the case for children under 15 years and (4) removing the opportunity to learn the tackle from school pupils might increase rates of injuries. They conclude that a ban ‘may be unnecessary and may also lead to unintended consequences such as an increase in the risk of injury later in participation.’ Here we aim to rebut the case by Tucker et al. We share new research that extends the findings of our original systematic review and meta-analysis. A cautionary approach requires the removal of the tackle from school rugby as the quickest and most effective method of reducing high injury rates in youth rugby, a public health priority

An examination of the role of service quality and perceived value in visitor attraction experience

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between service quality, perceived value, satisfaction and behavioural intentions in the UK attraction context. Data was collected in the Midlands Region of the UK from two visitor attractions utilising a mixed-mode survey approach. A total of 507 usable questionnaires were analysed using ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship between the constructs. The findings confirm the cognitive-affective-conative order between the service constructs within the context of UK visitor attractions. This study has improved the understanding of the role of value in service experiences, particularly in the attraction context, providing evidence that value exerts substantial influence on satisfaction and behavioural intention. More specifically, emotional value exerts more influence on satisfaction and behavioural intention than other forms of value. Managers need to view the visitor experience holistically rather than concentrating on one or two service constructs