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A customer makes an appointment to see her local general practitioner (medical doctor, GP) regarding the likelihood of a hereditary illness. As part of this process, the customer is required to return the following day for a blood test, and on the third occasion for a scan. After not hearing back from anyone regarding the results of the blood test, the customer is spoken to rudely by a nurse when she attempts to find out the results days later.The customer is then advised by the practice carrying out the scan that the full cost will be covered from her health insurance policy, only to find out after the scan takes place that it is not. How should the practice have handle this situation in terms of the information provided to the customer? And, how will the experience with the practice staff affect the relationship the customer has with her local health provider?

The purpose of this study is, to compare laser-based additive manufacturing and subtractive methods. Laser-based manufacturing is a widely used, noncontact, advanced manufacturing technique, which can be applied to a very wide range of materials, with particular emphasis on metals. In this paper, the governing principles of both laser-based subtractive of metals (LB-SM) and laser-based powder bed fusion (LB-PBF) of metallic materials are discussed and evaluated in terms of performance and capabilities. Using the principles of both laser-based methods, some new potential hybrid additive manufacturing options are discussed.

Production characteristics, such as surface quality, dimensional accuracy, material range, mechanical properties and applications, are reviewed and discussed. The process parameters for both LB-PBF and LB-SM were identified, and different factors that caused defects in both processes are explored. Advantages, disadvantages and limitations are explained and analyzed to shed light on the process selection for both additive and subtractive processes.

The performance of subtractive and additive processes is highly related to the material properties, such as diffusivity, reflectivity, thermal conductivity as well as laser parameters. LB-PBF has more influential factors affecting the quality of produced parts and is a more complex process. Both LB-SM and LB-PBF are flexible manufacturing methods that can be applied to a wide range of materials; however, they both suffer from low energy efficiency and production rate. These may be useful when producing highly innovative parts detailed, hollow products, such as medical implants.

This paper reviews the literature for both LB-PBF and LB-SM; nevertheless, the main contributions of this paper are twofold. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first to discuss the effect of the production process (both additive and subtractive) on the quality of the produced components. Also, some options for the hybrid capability of both LB-PBF and LB-SM are suggested to produce complex components with the desired macro- and microscale features.

Over the past decade, research into sharing economy platforms has gained prominence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of perceived value (both hedonic and utilitarian) in attracting consumer engagement in the sharing economy, as well as its link with trust.

This study used a survey method to empirically tested the proposed model using the partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling on data from 320 DiDi app users.

The study's findings revealed that both hedonic and utilitarian value had a significant effect on satisfaction and trust in the platform. Although the results showed no effect of hedonic and utilitarian values on trust in driver, the authors found trust in driver and platform, and satisfaction had significant influences on users’ continued intention to use the Taxi-hailing app. Interestingly, this study suggests that trust in the platform is transferred to trust in the driver.

The results from the Necessary Condition Analysis shows that satisfaction and utilitarian value are necessary conditions of continuance intention.

Our objective in this chapter is to examine the issues associated with measuring and evaluating the internationalisation of universities. To this end, we propose and critically examine a preliminary framework for categorising potential indicators for monitoring the nature and extent of institutional internationalisation. Our work draws from the Australian situation and the observation that, despite the explicit goal of internationalisation for many universities, there have been few reports of efforts to develop performance indicators in this area.

This paper aims to explore using the children’s accelerated trauma technique (CATT) in an adult intellectual disability population, with the aim of reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A service evaluation was completed to investigate differences between pre- and post-CATT trauma scores.

Scores on a measure of PTSD decreased significantly following CATT.

The findings support continued use of CATT in adults with intellectual disabilities, and they highlight the need to evaluate effectiveness in a larger sample.

This paper evaluates the novel application of a trauma treatment – developed for use with children – in an adult intellectual disability population and adds to the existing evidence base.

This paper aims to estimate the bearing capacity of a surface strip and circular footings lying on layered sand using numerical limit analysis.

Lower and upper bound limit analysis, as well as finite elements and second-order conic programming (SOCP), are used in this analysis. The yield criterion of Mohr-Coulomb is used to model soil behavior. Using this technique, stringent lower and upper bounds on ultimate bearing capacity can be achieved by assuming an associated flow law.

The obtained results indicate that the exact collapse load is typically being bracketed to within 6% about a mean of both the bounds. The obtained results are compared with the existing literature wherever applicable.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has used lower and upper bound limit analysis, as well as finite elements and SOCP, to estimate the bearing capacity of a surface strip and circular footings lying on layered sand.

Auditory hallucinations (“hearing voices”) are a relatively common experience, which is often highly distressing and debilitating. As mental health services are under increasing pressures, services have witnessed a transformative shift with the integration of technology into psychological care. This study aims to narratively synthesise evidence of technology-enhanced psychological assessment and treatment of distressing voices (PROSPERO 393831).

This review was carried out according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched until 30th May 2023. The Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool assessed methodological quality of studies.

Searching identified 9,254 titles. Fourteen studies (two assessment studies, twelve treatment studies, published 2010–2022, n = 1,578) were included in the review. Most studies were conducted in the UK, the USA or Canada. Technologies included avatar therapy, mobile apps, virtual reality, a computerised Web-based programme and a mobile-assisted treatment. Overall, technology-enhanced psychological assessments and treatments appear feasible, acceptable and effective, with avatar therapy the most used intervention. EPHPP ratings were “strong” (n = 8), “moderate” (n = 5) and “weak” (n = 1).

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic review to investigate these technologies, specifically for distressing voices. Despite the relatively small number of studies, findings offer promising evidence for the clinical benefits of these technologies for enhancing mental health care for individuals with distressing voices. More high-quality research on a wider range of technologies is warranted.