Homogeneous and Isotropic Materials Failure Theory: A Critical Appraisal

The historical status of failure theory is surveyed and found to be close to chaotic. Abandoning that source, the constructive associations and operations that must be required in order to form a viable theory of materials failure are examined in critical detail. The consequent failure theory has been established and its future is discussed.

Pathogenic LRRK2 regulates ciliation probability upstream of tau tubulin kinase 2 via Rab10 and RILPL1 proteins

Mutations that activate LRRK2 protein kinase cause Parkinson's disease. We showed previously that Rab10 phosphorylation by LRRK2 enhances its binding to RILPL1, and together, these proteins block cilia formation in a variety of cell types, including patient derived iPS cells. We have used live-cell fluorescence microscopy to identify, more precisely, the effect of LRRK2 kinase activity on both the formation of cilia triggered by serum starvation and the loss of cilia seen upon serum readdition. LRRK2 activity decreases the overall probability of ciliation without changing the rates of cilia formation in R1441C LRRK2 MEF cells. Cilia loss in these cells is accompanied by ciliary decapitation, and kinase activity does not change the timing or frequency of decapitation or the rate of cilia loss but increases the percent of cilia that are lost upon serum addition. LRRK2 activity, or overexpression of RILPL1 protein, blocks release of CP110 from the mother centriole, a step normally required for early ciliogenesis; LRRK2 blockade of CP110 uncapping requires Rab10 and RILPL1 proteins and is due to failure to recruit TTBK2, a kinase needed for CP110 release. In contrast, deciliation probability does not change in cells lacking Rab10 or RILPL1 and relies on a distinct LRRK2 pathway. These experiments provide critical detail to our understanding of the cellular consequences of pathogenic LRRK2 mutation and indicate that LRRK2 blocks ciliogenesis upstream of TTBK2 and enhances the deciliation process in response to serum addition.

Attic Conversion – Hygrothermal Assessment of Historical Roof Truss

In the City of Prague centre, an investor had the intention to convert the unused attic space of a historical palace into office and exhibition floor. It was necessary to design such a solution that would not worsen the humidity conditions and would not jeopardize the original Renaissance roof truss. The requirements of the heritage protection agency and the architect predetermined the use of very efficient thermal insulation above the rafters. The paper introduces and assesses several design solutions for: (1) new roofing layers and (2) the critical detail near the eaves, including variants with active heating elements. The assessment was based on results of 2D steady-state hygrothermal modelling using two criteria: (1) the interior surface temperature under winter design boundary conditions and (2) the relative humidity in the area of the timber elements under average January boundary conditions. The results showed hygrothermal implications of different design measures and helped to identify acceptable solutions for further project phases.

Fatigue assessment based on hot-spot stresses obtained from the global dynamic analysis and local static sub-model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the fatigue process through the dynamic analysis of the global structural model and local static sub-modelling in a critical detail using the hot-spot stress approach. The detail was studied in three different positions at the “Alcácer do Sal” access viaduct, and the methodologies from the IIW and Eurocode EN 1993-1-9 were compared. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the fatigue life process based on the hot-spot stress approach was evaluated using a global dynamic analysis and a local sub-modelling based on a static analysis of welded connections in the “Alcácer do Sal” railway structure, Portugal, taking into consideration the recommendations from IIW and Eurocode EN 1993-1-9. The hot-spot stresses were calculated through the static analysis of the sub-model of the welded connection for each vibration mode with the aim to obtain the temporal stresses using the modal coordinates and modal stresses of the extrapolation points. The Ansys® and Matlab® softwares were used for the numerical analysis and the hot-spot stress calculations, respectively. Findings The proposed methodology/approach to obtain fatigue assessment is based on the modal analysis of the global structural model and local static sub-modelling. The modal analysis was used to extract the boundary conditions to be used in the local model to determine the temporal stresses of the extrapolation points. Based on the modal superposition method, the stresses as function of time were obtained for fatigue life evaluation of a critical detail by the hot-spot stress approach. The detail was studied in three different positions. Originality/value In the present study, a global-local fatigue methodology based on dynamic analysis of the global structural model and local static sub-modelling of the critical detail using the hot-spot stress approach is proposed. Herein, the modal analysis of the global structural model supported by the modal superposition method was used to obtain the matrix of modal coordinates. The static analysis of the local sub-model for each mode from the modal analysis of global structural model was done to estimate the hot-spot stresses. The fatigue damage calculation was based on S-N curve of the critical detail and rainflow method. The IIW recommendation proved to be more conservative compared to the proposed rules in the Eurocode EN 1993-1-9. The global-local modelling based on dynamic analysis is an important and effective tool for fatigue evaluation in welded joints.

Smith & Wood's Employment Law

Smith & Wood’s Employment Law draws on the extensive teaching and practical experience of its authors to provide students with a clear explanation of essential legislation and case detail while also offering incisive academic commentary and critical detail to help with essay preparation and class work. Throughout the book, topics are carefully explained in their social and historical context, providing readers with an insight into the fast-paced development of employment law and offering perceptive analysis of its future direction. This fifteenth edition has been produced against the background of the 2019 election, the ensuing coronavirus crisis, and of course the largest elephant in the room: the continuing uncertainties of the details of our departure from the EU. Where appropriate it contains speculation as to possible effects. At the opposite end of the spectrum, this edition also contains the up-to-date case law on detailed employment law developments that continue in spite of such macro matters, for example in relation to the extent to which workers and unions have legal protection in cases involving what is generally referred to as the ‘gig economy’. In particular, the chapters on discrimination in employment, work–life balance and redundancy/reorganization and business transfers have been subject to substantial rewriting. Finally, the changes to the style and layout of the book adopted in the last two editions have been maintained and expanded upon by the addition of a ‘Context’ section at the beginning of each chapter, in order to aid accessibility for the reader, given the ever-increasing complexity of the law itself here.

Herstories

Raymond Williams remains, thirty years after his death, one of the most influential thinkers in contemporary cultural studies. What is perhaps less known is that throughout his life he also devoted himself to the writing of novels: Border Country (1960), Second Generation (1964), The Fight for Manod (1969), The Volunteers (1978), Loyalties (1985), People of the Black Mountains: The Beginning (1986), and People of the Black Mountains: The Eggs of the Eagle (1990). In his career as a novelist, Williams returned repeatedly to the complex theme of a Welsh social and geographical diaspora. Within this narrative context, Williams consciously sought to break with the conventional male hegemony of the novel by focusing on how the clash between the political and the personal is played out in the intersections of class, gender and Welsh ethnicity. Williams investigates this nexus through the role of the women, who experience the correlation of patriarchal and class power in their everyday lives. This article is therefore an attempt to explore in critical detail the ways in which Williams succeeded in dramatizing the convergence of and conflict between individual and collective through the alternative Herstories that are woven into his novels.

Smith & Wood's Employment Law

Smith & Wood’s Employment Law draws on the extensive teaching and practical experience of its authors to provide students with a clear explanation of essential legislation and case detail while also offering incisive academic commentary and critical detail to help with essay preparation and class work. Throughout the book, topics are carefully explained in their social and historical context, providing readers with an insight into the fast-paced development of employment law and offering perceptive analysis of its future direction. This thirteenth edition has been produced against the background of the 2015 election and the end of the Coalition government, and of course with the largest elephant in the room of the result of the referendum on membership of the EU. The meaning of the latter remains a matter of almost complete uncertainty at the time of writing, and indeed is likely to remain so for much of the currency of this edition, but where appropriate it contains speculation as to possible effects. At the opposite end of the spectrum, this edition also contains the up-to-date case law on detailed employment law developments such as ACAS early conciliation, tribunal fees, whistleblowing, discrimination law as the Equality Act 2010 beds in, and the whole question of the effect of modern phenomena such as social media use on traditional areas of employment law. On the legislative front, this edition considers the reforms to collective labour law contained in the Trade Union Act 2016. There have also been changes to the style and layout of the book in order to aid accessibility for the reader, given the ever-increasing complexity of the law itself here.

Contracting for integrated health and social care: a critical review of four models

Purpose – Service transformation of health and social care is currently requiring commissioners to assess the suitability of their contracting mechanisms to ensure goodness of fit with the integration agenda. The purpose of this paper is to provide a description and critical account of four models of contracting, namely Accountable Care Organisations, the Alliance Model, the Lead Provider/Prime Contractor Model, and Outcomes-based Commissioning and Contracting. Design/methodology/approach – The approach taken to the literature review was narrative and the results were organised under an analytical framework consisting of six themes: definition and purpose; characteristics; application; benefits/success factors; use of incentives; and critique. Findings – The review highlighted that while the models have relevance, there are a number of uncertainties regarding their direct applicability and utility for the health and social care agenda, and limited evidence of effectiveness. Research limitations/implications – Due to the relative newness of the models and their emerging application, much of the commentary was limited to a narrow range of contributors and a broader discussion is needed. It is clear that further research is required to determine the most effective approach for integrated care contracting. It is suggested that instead of looking at individual models and assessing their transferable worth, there may be a place for examining principles that underpin the models to reshape current contracting processes. Practical implications – What appears to be happening in practice is an organic development. With the growing number of examples emerging in health and social care, these may act as “trailblazers” and support further development. Originality/value – There is emerging debate surrounding the best way to contract for health and social care services, but no literature review to date that takes these current models and examines their value in such critical detail. Given the pursuit for “answers” by commissioners, this review will raise awareness and provide knowledge for decision making.