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The thesis deals with the modification of salicylaldoxime-based reagents used in
hydrometallurgical extraction, addressing rational ligand design to tune copper(II)
extractant strengths and also the development of reagents which are capable of
transporting transition metal salts.
Chapter 1 reviews current solvent extractant technology for metal recovery,
including the limited knowledge of the effect of substituents on extractive efficacy.
Advances in leaching technology have led to systems wherein increases in process
efficiency could be obtained using reagents which can transport both a transition
metal cation and its attendant anion(s), and the potential advantages of metal salt
extractants are discussed. The problems encountered when trying to extract
hydrophilic anions selectively into organic media are also considered.
Chapter 2 d...
Volz argues that the task of ethics can no longer be limited to the familiar questions
of moral theory in the age of modernity: the questions of morality or right conduct
for the autonomous individual (Volz, 1993; Kiesel and Volz, 2004). This is the
framework that has formed the conventional ethics of social work as an individual
therapy. Social work, Volz proposes, should now address itself to the task of
enabling the individual to choose and live a life as a member of a specific cultural
community, who at least potentially possesses a full and specific conception of the
good life particular to his biography and socio-cultural circumstances (Volz, 2003).
Such a move would recover the classical quest of philosophical ethics: for the good
life and human flourishing. Volz proposes that the ‘heart of social work’ should be a
‘Lebensführun...
Numerical and experimental investigations of tidal current energy extraction have
been conducted in this study.
A laboratory-scale water flume was simulated using commercial computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) code FLUENT. In the numerical model, the tidal current
turbine is represented with an actuator disk, which produces a pressure drop
associated with energy loss. The free water surface is considered in the model using a
volume of fluid method and is allowed to deform freely. Numerical results identified
that a localised wake is formed behind the tidal current turbine and there is
considerable localised flow acceleration around and most especially, under the
energy extraction device. A free water surface drop is visualised in the model results
due to the energy extraction and this free surface drop is believed to have an impact
on t...
Infertility is a serious personal, social and public health issue in developing countries such as Malawi. Infertility is
often a ‘hidden’ problem in this context as the policy and service emphasis is on issues like infant mortality and
family planning. Social expectations can also contribute to the problem. This research briefing reports on the first
in-depth qualitative study of infertility in Malawi. These findings aim to form a starting point for development of
services and programs that are based on people’s own views, local needs and go beyond family planning.
This briefing outlines some findings about current parenting practices and support for parents in Scotland from the
Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) study. It also puts the GUS data in the context of the literature around parenting.
Although it talks about ‘parents’, in many households mothers are more involved with the everyday care of children
than fathers. These findings were originally presented to the GUS annual conference earlier this year.
Older women, like younger women, experience domestic violence in large numbers and suffer significant physical,
emotional and social consequences. Because of existing attitudes about women and age, these older women have
been virtually invisible in policy and service provision. This briefing outlines findings of two projects that aim to
address older women’s invisibility, and start to develop a picture of what effective support for them might look like.
The promise of devolution was ‘to do politics differently’ by creating a more plural, consensual and participative political
landscape. In this context, it might be expected that post-devolution Scotland would provide a fertile environment for
fostering innovation in family policy-making. This study explores the role of civil society in family policy-making in postdevolution
Scotland, investigating who influences the family policy agenda and how political activity by civil society
impacts on government policy. This briefing details some of these findings and examines the role different groups
played in the development of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006.
Increasing numbers of couples live together and have children without being married. Those who argue for greater
protection for financially vulnerable cohabitants invoke evidence that suggests that modern cohabitations are often
just like marriages and should be treated as such by law. In social security legislation, the cohabitation or living
together as husband and wife rule treats cohabiting couples who claim means-tested benefits as if they are married.
However, this may not provide protection for financially vulnerable cohabitants who are not necessarily in the same
circumstances as married couples. Drawing on research with men and women who have had relevant personal
experience of ‘the cohabitation rule’, this briefing identifies problems with its underlying assumptions about unmarried
couples’ relationships and their financial s...
In the last two decades western societies have witnessed a new-found social and political interest in the promotion
of breastfeeding. Scotland has recently passed legislation to make breastfeeding in public a right. However,
breastfeeding remains controversial, and many mothers find it difficult or are reluctant to breastfeed. Research shows
that breastfeeding is beneficial for babies and so is an important component in tackling health inequalities. This
briefing outlines some of the key findings of a research project that investigated the impact of advice on increased
take-up of breastfeeding among mothers in Scotland. It was based on the analysis of data derived from the Growing
Up in Scotland (GUS) early years longitudinal study funded by the Scottish Government.
Consulting those who use children’s services, both
parents and children, has become a much more common
approach to improving children’s services. This research
briefing reports on some key findings of a consultation
undertaken in the local authority area of South
Ayrshire in Scotland, to find out about how to
conduct such consultations and which methods
to use. The consultation included those who
use services, including children and young
people and their parents, and staff providing
a range of services in health, social work,
education and voluntary organisations.
The research was commissioned
jointly by the local authority and
local health board.
