Characterisation of the transverse thermoelastic properties of natural fibres used in composites

To predict the properties of a composite, it is necessary to identify the properties of the constituent materials, especially those of the fibre. Mechanical properties of natural fibres (NF) are anisotropic and cannot be characterised in the same way as isotropic materials. Therefore further characterisation of the natural fibres is needed to determine their transverse thermo-mechanical behaviour. An understanding of the thermoelastic anisotropy of natural fibres is important for defining their performance in potential composite applications. In this study, thermoelastic properties of flax and sisal fibres where determined through a combination of experimental measurements and micromechanical modelling. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and thermal mechanical analysis techniques were employed to characterise model unidirectional NF-epoxy composites over a range off-axis loading angles. These results were input into a number of micromechanical and semi-empirical models to determine the transverse and longitudinal thermoelastic properties of the fibre. The results confirm the high degree of anisotropy in properties of the flax and sisal fibres

An investigation into the enhancement of fingermarks in blood on fruit and vegetables

A number of studies have reported the successful enhancement of latent fingermarks on fruit and vegetables. A study was set up to identify the most effective technique for the enhancement of fingermarks in blood on various fruit and vegetables. The enhancement techniques targeted different components in blood and consisted of protein stains (e.g. acid black 1), peroxidase reagents (e.g. leuco crystal violet) and amino acid stains (e.g. ninhydrin). Different variables such as the ageing periods of the marks and a diminishing series were employed to assess the suitability and sensitivity of the enhancement techniques.Overall, the use of different protein stains appeared to be the most effective techniques for the enhancement of fingermarks in blood on fruit and vegetables. In addition, the aubergine and cucumber skins appeared to be the most responsive surface to the different chemical techniques during enhancement. On the contrary, little or no enhancement was achieved for fingermarks in blood on the nectarine fruit

An investigation into the detection of latent marks on the feathers and eggs of birds of prey

There are numerous enhancement techniques (physical and chemical) which have been developed for the successful visualisation of latent fingermarks. Nonetheless, problems arise when latent fingermarks require enhancement on difficult surfaces such as human skin, food stuffs, fabric and animals. The ability to develop latent fingermarks on the surface of bird of prey feathers and that of their eggs was investigated. Red and green magnetic fluorescent powders proved to be most suitable on the surface of bird of prey feathers whereas black magnetic powder was the most suitable technique on the eggs. These powders produced the highest quality of visible ridge-detailed developments over a controlled period of time

Family empowerment in public child welfare: an exploratory study of organizational culture as a barrier to implementation

Despite findings that public child welfare systems typically serve disempowered populations, no clear and explicit agenda to empower families is readily identifiable. In fact, over the last several years, child welfare researchers and reformers have advocated for the implementation of evidence-based and promising practice models that emphasize empowerment and have been found to contribute to the improvement of outcomes for families. Yet, this has not happened on the scale recommended. Historically, the system has struggled to adequately engage and empower families. In addition, child welfare employees themselves have reported negative views of the system and the effectiveness of their work (Zell, 2006) and organizational culture has been cited as a potential barrier to empowerment-based work (Hur, 2006). But previous research has not focused on workers' perspectives of family empowerment and how these workers understand the role of organizational culture in the adoption of a family empowerment approach. This qualitative research study fills these existing gaps in the literature. Data are collected from a total of 30 public child welfare workers and supervisors and 10 child welfare-involved caregivers in four counties in a mid-Western state. Child welfare workers and supervisors share their views concerning the use of family empowering interventions and their perspectives on the public child welfare system's readiness to change toward adoption of a family empowerment approach. The child welfare-involved family members also share their experiences with empowering interventions implemented within their county. The study combines a theory-driven and grounded theory approach, and leads to major findings regarding (a) a reliance on relational approaches to family empowerment, (b) the primacy of the child protective mission over family empowerment and (c) perspectives on change and responsiveness within public child welfare. Grounded theory analysis results in the development of a theoretical model of family empowerment in public child welfare, which highlights organizational leadership as the core factor that influences public child welfare agencies' implementation of family empowerment approaches. The findings suggest that the leader's values and management style are central in determining organizational direction and focus, and are therefore important for understanding worker approaches and ultimately, intervention with families

The Design of a Web Based Athlete Development and Monitoring System.

This thesis explores the available resources and research pertaining to the process of athlete monitoring as well as how this information can be used to build an internet based athlete monitoring system. There is currently no system available that provides proper communication tools while also providing the means to track numerous variables to include strength and conditioning programs, performance testing, competition performance, injuries, therapy, pharmaceuticals, medical procedures, psychological status, and academic standing. The objective of this thesis is twofold. First, is to review the literature and determine the needs of a web based athlete monitoring system. Second, is to provide a business plan that will be used in the process of web development and raising capital. This thesis has identified the needs of a web based athlete monitoring system, a business plan for commercial use has been created, and based upon this business plan web development is currently in progress