The use of drama and theatre in enhancing communication skills of psychiatry trainees: a pilot study

AimsVarious methods have been employed in the development of communication skills. This pilot study was designed to assess the acceptability, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a specially designed workshop exploring the use of drama and theatre in enhancing the self-reported communication skills of psychiatry trainees. As a secondary aim, it assessed if the value of the improvements translated both into clinical practice and to training situations, including success in the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies (CASC) examination.MethodA three-day drama and theatre workshop was organised in the West Midlands Deanery in conjunction with specialist instructors from performing arts at the Hearth Centre, Birmingham. The Tension State technique developed by Jacques Lecoq and Forum Theatre approach, were some of the methods employed to enable participants to develop the softer, but essential communication skills required for effective practice. Work was also undertaken focussing on self-regulation. Fourteen trainees completed the first day of the workshop. This pilot study utilised a mixed methodology to evaluate participants’ views of the perceived impact of using drama and theatre to enhance their communication skills. Feedback was obtained from organisers and facilitators specifically relating to feasibility and cost effectiveness. Data were collected from participants using pre and post-workshop questionnaires and focus groups.ResultAll participants reported a positive and enjoyable experience, indicating that the approach was acceptable to those involved. The facilitators deemed this more novel approach to enhancing communication skills feasible, and cost effective and concluded that there was scope to incorporate it into routine psychiatry training in the area. It was however identified that the content of the workshop could be condensed, reducing the length therefore to two days. There was a notable increase in participants’ self-reported confidence in their communication skills post compared to pre-workshop. Trainees reported utilising the techniques in day-to-day practice. All of those participants who undertook the CASC examination during the workshop were successful, although it would be too presumptive to assume a causative effect. The workshop was completed without any adverse events and there were no concerns from a safety perspective.ConclusionDrama and theatre, as a novel approach, appears to have noticeable benefits in enhancing the communication skills of psychiatry trainees. The success of this pilot study in demonstrating acceptability, feasibility and cost effectiveness, suggests that drama and theatre techniques could be easily incorporated into psychiatry training and potentially other medical education programmes.

Effect of microstructure on the formability of Ti21S alloy

Titanium alloys find a wide range of uses, especially in the aeronautic industry because of a combination of favorable specifications in terms of strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance and performance at high temperature. If many works are interested in mechanical properties, as well as microstructure, few of them studied the effect of microstructure on formability. The aim of this work is to study the influence of the microstructure on the formability of β metastable titanium alloys (Ti21S) which are increasingly used in aeronautical applications. For this purpose, two different heat treatments are performed on Ti21S alloy in order to propose different microstructures. Based on uniaxial tensile tests, the elastoplastic hardening behavior and the limit strain in the uniaxial tension state are obtained and allow to determine one point of the forming limit curve (FLC). From these experimental observations, it is shown that the microstructure has an important effect on the formability: precipitation of α phase reduces the formability in comparison with full β phase microstructure. Finally, a finite element M-K model is used and calibrated to predict the whole FLC for the different investigated microstructures.

Evolution Mechanism of Transient Strain and Residual Stress Distribution in Al 6061 Laser Welding

Considering the harm that residual stress causes to the mechanical properties of a weld joint, the evolution mechanisms of transient strain and residual stress distribution are investigated in laser welding of Al 6061, considering that these originate from non-uniform temperature distribution and are intensified further by the unbalanced procedure of melting and solidification. Thermal-elastic-plastic finite element method is developed and analyzed, while the actual weld profile is novel fitted by a B-spline curve. Transient strain is extracted by strain gauges. Longitudinal strain starts from a fluctuating compressive state and progresses to an ultimate residual tension state at the starting and ending welding positions, respectively. The maximum fitting deviation of the weld profile is 0.13 mm. Experimental and simulation results of residual strain are 842.0 μ and 826.8 μ, with a relative error of 1.805% at the starting position and −17.986% at the ending position. Near the weld center, mechanical behavior is complexly influenced by thermal expansion and contraction in the weld zone and the reaction binding force of the solid metal. Within a distance between −10 mm and 10 mm, and longitudinal stress is in a tension state, transverse stress fluctuates with a high gradient (~100 MPa).

Change of tension state of electrolytic nickel under exposure to plasma

A study of the effect of cold air plasma on cathode nickel grade N-1 has been carried out. The changes in the microstructure, macro- and microstresses, as well as static displacements of atoms from equilibrium positions are investigated. By the method of aim metallography it was shown that the microstructure does not change under plasma exposure. X-ray structural studies have established that the level of microstresses does not change when exposed to plasma. A decrease in the magnitude of macrostresses is shown when exposed to plasma for 5 and 10 min. Macrostresses in this case vary from tensile stresses in the initial state to compressive stresses after exposure to plasma. The change in the static displacements of atoms from the equilibrium positions and their decrease when exposed to plasma have been established.

Transmission of Wellness Information Signals Using an Inerton Field Channel

We examine the nature of field signals capable to correct the functioning of the human body and the possibility to transmit such signals from a remote source. To understand this, the matter wave (i.e. the particle’s wave y-function) is expanded in two subsystems: the particle itself and a cloud of spatial excitations named inertons. They are inertons that carry fragments of mass and provide a short-range action between adjacent atoms. The existence of inertons has already been confirmed in many experiments. A system of entities (atoms or molecules) is filled with their own inertons and such system has to be considered as a casing filled with an inerton gas. These inertons indeed behave like a gas that fluctuates at the same frequencies as the molecules of the casing. It was shown previously that inertons periodically come from the mass state m to the tension state x. This means that inertons behave as a typical wave oscillating between the compression and stretching. Inerton wavelets are capable of being emitted from the system of vibrating entities. It is demonstrated that inerton wavelets can carry information to a remote receptor (distant even by many kilometres) transmitting to it the necessary information signals.

About Calculation Of Strength Of Reinforced Concrete Elements On Inclined Sections

The calculation model of the bearing capacity of reinforced concrete elements along an inclined section is based on empirical coefficients and the indefinite length of the projection of the inclined section onto the longitudinal axis. As a result of the analysis of numerous studies, the physical essence of empirical coefficients is revealed and the calculated values of the arguments of the strength function are justified. It is established that the numerical coefficients in the calculated function of the strength of inclined sections to the effect of shear force, parameter limitations and the slope of the calculated section depend on the ratio of concrete shear and tensile strength. It is proposed to normalize this ratio and use, when calculating, the assumption of equivalent strength of a normal section that collapses from a shear (shear), and an inclined section in an axial tension state. The improved model is tested on the experimental data previously obtained. The use of the proposed model with a clear physical meaning of the design parameters will help to clarify the assessment of the strength under the action of a transverse force when designing bent reinforced concrete elements.

Geographical-geodynamic specificity of the Caspian Sea and seismo-geotectonics of Azerbaijan sector

The Caspian Sea is a complicated and open natural geosystem. There are sole mechanisms of geodynamics of global and regional development combining both general energy sources and the energetics of only endogenic or only exogenous processes. Correspondingly, in the occurrence of endogenesis and exogenesis both general, sole mechanisms for them and the specific autonomous mechanisms characteristic for each of the aspect, as well as the complicated combinations of their interactions and interrelations including cascade-energetic systems of various types, levels and power are reflected. Thus, the Caspian phenomenon is a regional reaction to the general changes of global natural geosystem. The research aims studying the areas of modern tensions in the Caspian Sea lithosphere. The main task is the definition of tension state of the lithosphere and its analysis as well. Tectonic structure of the region has been reviewed and seismologic evaluation presented.

Changes in the stressed state of the framework of the metal ribbed-ring dome during the assembly process

Aims of research. To analyze the stress state of the metal structures of the ribbedring dome of a hemispherical shape during the assembly process of the dome frame in two fundamentally different ways - “top-down” and “bottom-up”. Since different design schemes arise at different stages of assembly of the dome frame, different assembly forces result in their structural elements. To demonstrate how assembly forces lead to the tension state of a ribbed-ring dome that is transformed during the construction process. To perform the analysis of the stress states of the considered assembly methods and to present their evaluation. Methods. A computer model of a metal ribbed-ring dome made of steel I -beams with rigid joints has been developed. Several additional assembly models of an incomplete frame have been created for studying the considered assembly at different stages. Computer calculations for the effect of its self-weight were made for each assembly model of the dome frame. As a result of the calculations, the stresses in the structural elements of the frames of the assembly schemes were determined, which were compared with similar stresses resulting from the self-weight in the frame of the design scheme. Results. Diagrams of changes in the stress state of structural elements of a metal ribbed-ring dome are presented. The efficiency of use of steel strength at different stages of installation is also shown in the diagrams. A comparative assessment is given for the stress conditions due to the assembly methods under consideration. The inevitability of installation stresses is noted and the most efficient assembly method of installation is chosen.

Rock-Breaking Properties Under the Rotatory Impact of Water Jets in Water Jet Drilling

Water jet drilling is widely used to develop coalbed methane reservoirs. The water jet drill bit is the core component, and a self-rotating bit is an economical bit because of its high rock-breaking efficiency and low energy consumption. Because the important parameters concerning the rock-breaking efficiency of these drill bits are unclear, this study carried out rock-breaking experiments on water jet rotation under different conditions of drill bit rotation speed, jet pressure, and jet impact angle. How the rock was fractured and eroded under these different conditions was analyzed. The results show that the volume of rock broken under rotary jet erosion increases exponentially with increasing jet pressure. The rock-breaking depth is the most important factor that influences the volume of rock broken, whereas the diameter of the area broken is a secondary factor. There is an optimum water jet rotation speed for the most efficient rock breakage, and this rotation speed is positively correlated with jet pressure. There is also an optimum water jet impact angle for rock breaking, and, in our experiments, this angle was 10°. The rotary impact of the water jet causes the rock to be in a three-way tension state, and this reduces the water cushion effect and jet reflection. This study can be used as a reference and guide for optimizing the design of self-rotating water jet bits and the determination of reasonable drilling parameters.

Damage characteristic of aluminum nanorod under hypervelocity impact

Understanding the dynamic behavior of materials under hypervelocity impact is of great importance to develop new materials or structures for protective applications. The present work gives insight into the damage characteristic of aluminum nanorod under hypervelocity impact based on atomistic simulations. First of all, the propagation of impact wave is found to experience a rapid decaying because of its release from the side surface, which leads to a complex three-dimensional stress wave and two tension regions inside the nanorod. The damage mode under this tension state is found to be very different from the classical spallation. Due to the interaction of two release waves from the side and end surfaces, a temporary spall damage is observed and its initial tensile strength is close to that of bulk material. However, that early spall damage does not develop into a complete spall fracture. More importantly, all generated voids are found to be closed eventually after their coalescence. Furthermore, the mass continues expanding outward from the impact plane and finally causes a radial annular fragmentation. The annular fragmentation shows a clear crystalline direction dependence for low impact velocities. The number and the size of final fragments are found to follow a power law relationship for all impact velocities.