A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE APPLICABILITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY IN UK AND FINLAND TO SEE IF THEY ENCOURAGE THE INCLUSION OF IT SERVICE MANAGEMENT IN UNDERGRADUATE UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMES (37)

This research is based on a preliminary analysis to try to discover if there are any distinctive differences in the way in which education policy is designed and implemented in UK and Finland. If so, the investigation will try to show if it is then likely to influence the way in which IT Service Management content is likely to be included in computing and/or business information courses at undergraduate level in those countries or not

IT Service Management Practices in Education; a new breed of IT Professional Concept Paper

Statistics show that there is a need to create management professionals in the IT industry who have the ability to manage a portfolio of IT Services across the lifecycle. By including IT Service Management Practices at undergraduate and postgraduate level, it will increase the knowledge of those entering the industry and aspiring to management positions. Existing training is delivered by trainer-led courses implemented world-wide under license by the APM Group, usually to those already working in IT. Trainer-led courses, whilst built on competencies described by the British Computer Society; Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) and Blooms Taxonomy do not allow candidates to explore the material in full in different environments. The courses go a long way to help IT managers design services which are fit for purpose and fit for use. This paper is written to open up a discussion on how we can include IT Service Management Practices in education, whilst considering the development of capabilities of the IT Professional who can work in a global environment. This builds on existing offerings via e-skills UK1 IT Management for Business (ITMB) Programme which is currently running in several U.K. universities

Bioremediation of chromate in alkaline sediment-water systems

The poorly controlled disposal of chromium ore processing residue (COPR) is a globally widespread problem due to its potential to form chromium contaminated hyperalkaline (pH > 12) leachates. These highly oxidising leachates typically contain chromium in the Cr(VI) oxidation state as its chromate anion (CrO42-). This anion is highly mobile, toxic, carcinogenic, and exhibits a high degree of bioavailability. Under reducing conditions chromium exists in the non-toxic and poorly soluble Cr(III) oxidation state. Thus, the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) is often the goal of remediative strategies. In anaerobic subsurface environments where reducing conditions are established by the indigenous microbial population, chromium reduction can occur naturally. The microbial transformation of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) can be both a result of its direct use in microbial metabolism, or through its indirect reaction with microbially produced reduced species, e.g. Fe(II). This study has used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the biogeochemical influences on the fate and stability of Cr(VI) leaching from a site of COPR in the north of England. Reducing sediments encountered directly beneath the COPR waste were found contain elevated concentrations of chromium. These sediments were shown to be able to remove aqueous Cr(VI) from solution when incubated with contaminated site groundwater in microcosm incubation experiments. This removal is likely a result of the abiotic reduction by soil associated microbially produced Fe(II), followed by precipitation as insoluble Cr(III) hydroxides. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and electron microscopy confirms the association of chromium as Cr(III) with iron in these soils, hosted as a mixed Cr(III)-Fe(III) oxyhydroxide phase. Upon air oxidation, only minor amounts of chromium was remobilised from these sediments as Cr(VI). A diverse population of alkaliphilic microorganisms are indigenous to this horizon, capable of successful metabolism despite elevated pH values. This population was found to contain a consortium of microorganisms capable of iron reduction when incubated at pH 9 to 9.5. Microbial community analysis found taxonomic similarity to several known metal reducing alkaliphiles from the phylum Firmicutes. These results suggest that the novel action of iron reducing alkaliphiles indigenous to reducing sediments beneath COPR sites may provide zones of natural chromium attenuation via microbially mediated mechanisms of Cr(VI) transformation

Mechanical performance of reinforced concrete with different proportions and lengths of Basalt Fibres

This paper discusses the effect of the fraction (0.2-0.3% by volume) and length (22 mm and 24 mm) of basalt fibre on the mechanical properties of concrete. The paper aims to evaluate the effect of different combinations of basalt fibres on the mechanical properties of concrete, as well as identify the best basalt fibre length and content that have the optimum influence on concrete. This paper is considered to be distinct from other research work as it fills the literature gap by presenting new unknown facts and also adds new knowledge. For example, it identifies the best basalt fibre length and content combination that demonstrates an improvement in the mechanical properties of concrete. It suggests the use of a blend of 12 mm short and 24 mm long fibres as they have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of concrete, it validates the results obtained from the laboratory by using a statistical analysis of variance ANOVA software, as well as determine the correlation between the mechanical properties of concrete. The results showed that the optimum basalt fibre length and content that enhanced the mechanical properties of concrete is 24 mm long fibre with content of 0.2% by the total volume of concrete. It also show that changing basalt fibre length and content enhance not only both tensile and flexural strengths of concrete, but also reduce its compressive strength, workability and air content of concrete, as well as maintain the unit weight and modulus of elasticity values. In this context, the incorporation of basalt fibres within the mixture becomes an important parameter for strengthening concrete in the construction industry

Three applications of augmented reality technologies in structural engineering education

In technology terms, a real environment or personal space that is altered with digital media, such as images, is termed Augmented Reality (A.R.). From 2020 onwards, the next big thing in the technology sector will be A.R. The purpose of the current paper was to get ahead of the technology curve and develop applications of A.R. which could be used within structural engineering education both now and in the future. Three applications are presented. The first was a walking map/tour of Manchester and its buildings and bridges, whereby, at each stop, the tour is augmented with explanatory videos showing, amongst other things, structural load paths superimposed onto the actual structure. The second application was a structural engineering laboratory exercise that was augmented with videos explaining how to set up and use the apparatus from start to finish. The intention was to replace Lecturer/Technician assistance and make the exercise self-supporting. The final application used 360° video footage of a real construction site that was augmented with H&S/C.D.M. information. A unique 360° media suite at the University of Salford was used to display the video footage, which aided group work and also had a gaming element to the exercise whereby an X-box style controller was used to ‘point and shoot’ at perceived hazards and, if correct, pop ups would be revealed which would give mitigation measures and C.D.M. information. Quantative and qualitative means were used to measure the effectiveness of each application, with the general conclusion that further and continual refinement of the A.R. content would enhance effectiveness. There were no qualitative comments on the effectiveness of the technology, which implies that participants had few concerns about using the technology. There is promising potential of applying A.R. in structural engineering education in the future

Change management in public agencies to attain low carbon efficiencies

There is great impetus to implement change in all areas of the UK economy. Key aims are to reduce costs and CO2 emissions, and increase efficiency and growth. There are often difficulties in putting change into practice, evidenced by the perceived lack of progress on 1990s recommendations by Latham and Egan. Change can be most difficult in the public sector, whereby long established ways of working are culturally ingrained. The basis of this research is a comprehensive literature review. It forms the foundation for an electronic survey of practising professionals in a leading government agency that procures major construction projects; findings from this survey will be reported in subsequent work. The survey embraces the whole supply chain of the agency, since many authoritative sources call for integration, and for change to be implemented in partner organisations. The research will also be supported by interviews, both at early stages in the development of the main research instrument, and in later stages during interpretations of findings. The main analytical approach will be quantitative. There is a focus upon the role of leadership in implementing change and judgements are made about whether the knowledge level of practitioners is sufficient to allow them to drive new initiatives. Conclusions and recommendations are made regarding training, knowledge management and Building Information Modelling

What does a primary care annual review for RA include? A national GP survey

Letter to the edito