Strip yield modelling of fatigue crack under variable amplitude loading

The results from 'strip yield' approach of the FASTRAN type models of plasticity induced crack closure effects of fatigue cracks subjected to variable amplitude loadings are presented. The strip yield results are compared with authors' finite element (FE) and experimental results. It has been observed that the strip yield model is seen to be fundamentally limited by choice of alpha (constraint factor) and corresponding to treat baseline closure effects. Double overload closure behavior is functionally similar for both strip yield and FE models. Under multiple overloads, an important functional difference is seen between FE and strip yield models. This has been linked to the absence of in-plane constraint in the strip yield model, which is seen to have a distinct decreasing influence on on-going closure effects.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Leadership of Integrated Health and Social Care Services

This research explores the lived experience of those individuals charged with leading the integration of health and social care services in Scotland. The research was primarily qualitative in nature – comprising of a qualitative survey of front-line managers of integrated health and social care services from a single partnership area. The survey explored the management and leadership tasks and activities expected of those leading health and social care teams. The research uncovers a sense that these new leadership positions are both overwhelming in the scope of tasks required and lack clarity in how these tasks should be undertaken. This highlights a need for coordinated support and training for staff who are charged with leading integrated health and social care teams. Three key recommendations have been drawn from the findings of this research: more support should be provided to managers working within these complex integrated systems; a joint training programme should be developed for managers across both partnering organisations and finally relevant policies and procedures should be compiled into one reference resource for managers of integrated services

The Solway Estuary: A socio-cultural evaluation of a coastal energy landscape

No abstract available

Focussed microwave heating using degenerate and non-degenerate cavity modes

Microwave ovens have long been recognised as a means of reducing heating times versus conventional convection ovens. The principle design feature is based on the procurement of uniform heating within any material placed in the interior of the microwave cavity oven. Materials within the oven are subjected to a degree of heating dependent on their electromagnetic properties. For many applications, it is desirable to maintain control over the distribution of heat deposition. This can be achieved through focussing of the electromagnetic field within the cavity. Two new mechanisms are identified where an increased level of control over the heating pattern and its location could be advantageous. The research described within this thesis aims to improve heating selectivity in microwave cavity ovens by the identification and enhanced control of modal patterns in degenerate and non-degenerate resonators. This is achieved through the analysis of two novel oven arrangements. The first of these addresses the requirement for highly selective heating in hyperthermia treatment. It is demonstrated that proper selection of a forced degenerate mode set can lead to an enhancement in field focussing within the centre of the cavity through constructive and destructive interference of the fields in each mode pattern. It is found that a highly selective peak of field can be produced within the centre of a large cylindrical waveguide cavity for the purpose of hyperthermia treatment. The peak is produced using a quasi degenerate mode set excited at approximately 1:3GHz. The second example presents an open oven design for the curing of epoxy and encapsulant materials within the micro-electronics packaging industry. It is intended that the oven be placed on the arm of a precision alignment machine such that the curing and placement stages of production be combined, suggesting an increase in production efficiency. Two excitation schemes are presented based on the coupling of quasi degenerate mode sets through a wide frequency range and the excitation of a single high order mode enabling uniform field distribution for heating of encapsulant material and increased selective heating through spatial alignment of modal field peaks, respectively. Experimental results demonstrate the viability of the open-ended microwave oven for curing. Both proposed excitation methods within the open oven design are investigated with results presented. Optimisation of the heating fields is achieved through inclusion of lowloss materials within the oven. Curing of an encapsulant material covering a commercial chip package is achieved and the overall design validated

The influence of power and class on the Biblical interpretation of church members

The thesis examines the biblical interpretation of church members in the light of evidence from social science and from liberation theology which suggests that such interpretation will be crucially affected by social background and by power relations within a society. It does so in the central chapters by a series of six bible studies conducted with groups of members from three different congregations within the Church of Scotland. Chapter one provides an introduction to the theme.; which inform this examination. Chapter two describes the research project and its methodology before chapters three to eight report the discussions held in the groups. Chapter nine looks at the results of the discussions in terms of biblical interpretation and chapter ten returns to many of the themes outlined in chapter one to see how they have been developed by the work done in the groups. It is argued that original suspicions concerning the influence of power and class have been largely strengthened and that we can see at work a dominant theology which universalizes from the experience of a particular group. This leaves those from without that group with the choice of accepting a theology based on the experience of others, or developing their own, local theology. Chapter eleven concludes the thesis by looking at how such a development could be encouraged and enabled

A randomised controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle training for stages I and II pelvic organ prolapse

Abstract Forty-seven women participated in a pilot study for a multi-centre randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for women with prolapse. Women with symptomatic stage I or II prolapse [measured by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q)] were randomized to a 16-week physiotherapy intervention (PFMT and lifestyle advice; n=23) or a control group receiving a lifestyle advice sheet (n=24). Symptom severity and quality of life were measured via postal questionnaires. Blinded POP-Q was performed at baseline and follow-up. Intervention women had significantly greater improvement than controls in prolapse symptoms (mean score decrease 3.5 versus 0.1, p=0.021), were significantly more likely to have an improved prolapse stage (45% versus 0%, p=0.038) and were significantly more likely to say their prolapse was better (63% versus 24%, p=0.012). The data support the feasibility of a substantive trial of PFMT for prolapse. A multi-centre trial is underway.This study was funded by the Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government (CZH/4/95)

Children in care or in need:educational progress at home and in care

By age 16 the attainment of most children in or on the edge of out of home care has fallen well behind the average for their age. This paper uses the English National Pupil Database to examine how much of this falling behind occurs before the age 7, and how any subsequent decline relates to time in care as against time outside it. We compare the previous progress of three groups of 16-year-olds: 5,175 looked after by the state (CLA), 17,392 in need but not in care (CIN), and 22,567 children matched with the CLA or CIN on initial attainment, special educational needs and eligibility for free school meals. We found that the attainment of the CIN and those CLA not yet in care was around one standard deviation below the cohort average at age 7. It then fell relative to their peers while their rate of unauthorised absences and exclusions grew. Removal from home to care appeared to halt or greatly reduce this decline but did not, on average, reverse it. We conclude that educational interventions for CLA should also include CIN, start before 7, target both school and family, and exploit the educational opportunity which care provides

The Solway Estuary: A socio-cultural evaluation of a coastal energy landscape

No abstract available