DORA
DORA (De Montfort Open Research Archive) is De Montfort University's research repository. It forms the primary public and institutional record of DMU research outputs. The breadth of research at DMU means that these outputs include articles, conference papers, books, book chapters, and other material available in a digital form. The record for each item contains descriptive information as well as, where possible, a version of the final research output. DORA also provides access to DMU PhD theses. This includes most PhD produced from 2009 onwards.
Communities in DORA
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Recent Submissions
Surface Crack Analysis and Quality Enhancement of 30%13 (AISI 420) Martensitic Stainless Steel Gate Valve Shutters via Electrolytic Plasma Hardening
(Elsevier, 2025-04-16) Kombayev, Kuat; Nedobitkov, Alexandr; Gridunov, Ivan; Kozhakhmetov, Yernat; Khoshnaw, Fuad; Aibar, Kizatov
This study examines the mechanisms of crack formation in gate valve shutters, identifies the underlying causes, and proposes an effective prevention method through electrolytic plasma surface treatment technology. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) with a JSM-6390LV SEM were used to evaluate the chemical composition, morphology, structure, and surface defects of the shutters at nano- and microscale levels. To assess mechanical properties, Vickers microhardness testing (ISO 6507-1) was conducted using a DuraScan 20 microhardness tester, while the phase composition of 30Х13 steel (AISI 420) was examined through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results demonstrate a significant increase in surface microhardness in samples subjected to electrolytic plasma hardening, with values reaching up to 650 HV. Furthermore, the phase composition of the treated surface exhibited notable changes, including the dissolution of carbides in austenite and the formation of martensite as the predominant phase. Based on these findings, electrolytic plasma hardening is proposed as an effective alternative to traditional volumetric quenching methods. An optimal treatment mode has been developed for 30 × 13 steel, ensuring enhanced surface properties and improved durability. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of this approach in enhancing the mechanical performance and operational reliability of gate valves.
Queer Reproduction: Horror, Landscape and Myth
(De Montfort University, 2025-02) Chantry, James
This practice research project considers the connections and intersections of the supernatural, queerness, and art making that speculates queer futures and communities. The project began with an exploration of ghost stories and their connection to repressed sexuality and identity, and mediumship and its relationship to gender transgression. These explorations revealed how art making can embody supernatural queer male birth, and I utilised feminist theory to suggest allegorical modes of alternative birth. Through my specific and personal connection to a geographic location - the Lincolnshire Fens in the UK - liminality, landscape, a wealth of folklore and a connection to queerness, politics, and the queer body’s relationship to the land are central to this project. I claim these spaces as queer and interpreted their political and historical contexts as such. This landscape provided me with opportunities for ethnographic practice through storytelling and site-specific performance, documentation of which forms part of this project. My collaborations with other
performance artists garnered further insights into kinship and alternative forms of community. For example, when co-producing work for this project in Taiwan, I explored tangible queer spirituality and object relationships. Working in a transdisciplinary manner, I have produced charged and evocative time-based media artworks using methods of creation related to mediumship and the supernatural, and in particularly: performance, sculpture, drawing, and AI text and animation woven into installations. In this project, I propose queer
futures that challenge hegemony, examine queer identity, and celebrate the downright weird.
Professional experiences on use of the mental health act in ethnically diverse populations: a photovoice study
(BMJ, 2025-02-08) Bhui, Kamaldeep; Mooney, Roisin; Joseph, Doreen; McCabe, Rose; Newbigging, Karen; McCrone, Paul; Raghavan, Raghu; Keating, Frank; Husain, Nusrat
Background There are long-standing ethnic and racial inequalities in experiences and outcomes of severe mental illness, including compulsory admission and treatment (CAT).
Aims: To gather professional experiences about (1) remedies for ethnic inequalities in the use of the Mental Health Act ((MHA) 1983 and 2007) and (2) recommendations for improving care experiences and for reducing ethnic inequalities.
Method: We undertook a participatory research process using photovoice to gather experience data. Photographs were assembled and narrated by 17 professionals from a variety of disciplines. We undertook a thematic analysis.
Results: Ineffective communications between inpatient and community services, insufficient staff capacity, a lack of continuity of care and language and cultural constraints meant MHA assessments were lacking information, leading to elevated perceptions of risk. Practitioners felt helpless at times of staff shortages and often felt CAT could have been prevented. They felt voiceless and powerless and unable to challenge stereotypes and poor practice, especially if they were from a similar demographic (ethnicity) as a patient. Interdisciplinary disagreements and mistrust led to more risk-aversive practices. The legislation created an inflexible, risk-averse and defensive process in care. Police involvement added to concerns about criminalisation and stigma. There were more risk-averse practices when team members and families disagreed on care plans. More rehabilitation and recovery-orientated care are needed. Legislative compliance in a crisis conflicted with supportive and recovery-orientated care.
Conclusion: Clear standards are needed, including specific protocols for MHA assessment, police interactions, alternatives to admission, early intervention and continuity of care.
Microplasma Sprayed Tantalum Coatings on Ti Grade 5 Extra-Low Interstitials: Investigation of Thickness and Porosity Control
(MDPI, 2025-04-15) Kombayev, Kuat; Khoshnaw, Fuad; Kozhakhmetov, Yernat; Tleuzhanova, Gulnur; Azamatov, Bagdat; Tabiyeva, Yerkezhan
This study investigates the microplasma deposition of molten tantalum (Ta) onto a rotating Grade 5 Ti Extra-Low Interstitial (ELI) alloy, producing multilayer film
coatings with a porous microstructure. Optimal parameters for microplasma spraying Ta were experimentally determined to improve the surface properties of elbow joint implants.
The physical and mechanical properties of the Grade 5 Ti ELI substrate and the Tabased coating were analyzed. Moreover, mathematical modeling was utilized to determine
the optimal parameters for the plasma coating process, including key factors such as spray distance, current, and rotational speed, which were systematically applied across
three experimental series. A Ta coating thickness of 250 μm was achieved at 35 A current, 410 mm spray distance, and 7 rpm rotation speed under optimized deposition conditions.
The results showed a microhardness increase on the Ta-coated surface, peaking above HV1000 with an average of HV742, while the Ti substrate averaged HV325. Additionally,
the XRD patterns revealed the presence of metallic Ta alongside Ta oxides, such as Ta2O and Ta2O5, in the Ta coatings.
Smart Farming Solutions: A User-Friendly GUI for Maize Tassel Estimation Using YOLO With Dynamic and Fixed Labelling, Featuring Video Support
(IEEE, 2025-03-26) Moshayedi, Ata jahangir; Wang, Zhonghua; Sharifdoust, Maryam; Sioofy Khoojine, Arash; Zhang, Wei; Kolahdooz, Amin
The integration of Autonomous Aerial Vehicles (AAVs) has significantly advanced image processing and remote sensing, particularly in precision agriculture. These technologies enhance data collection and agricultural yield estimation, benefiting banks, insurance companies, and government agencies in decision-making for budget allocation and quality assessments. This study addresses the challenge of accurately quantifying corn production by developing an enhanced YOLO-v8-based deep learning model, incorporating dynamic and fixed labeling techniques, tested on 810 images and video data for real-time detection. The research utilized two primary datasets totaling 570 images. The evaluation process comprised four distinct tests: Test 1, conducted on Dataset 1 with 200 images, assessed seven attention mechanisms (SE, CBAM, GA, LKA, CA, SA, and TA) using deep learning metrics (Precision, Recall, mAP50, mAP50-95,
F1-score) and statistical methods (Duncan’s test). Test 2 validated model performance on 370 images from external sources, where YOLO.SA achieved 97.48% accuracy, outperforming YOLO.LKA (95.13%). Test 3, comparing with the MTDC benchmark dataset, confirmed YOLO.SA’s accuracy at 95.93%, exceeding previous reports, while YOLO.LKA achieved 95.71%. Finally, Test 4, utilizing video-based evaluation via a developed GUI, demonstrated YOLO.SA’s superiority (95.77%) over YOLO.LKA (95.48%) and YOLO-v5 (95.72%), significantly outperforming the standard YOLO model (72.79%). This study advances computer vision in agriculture, offering a scalable, high-accuracy model for corn yield estimation, with broad applications in farming optimization, financial planning, and policy-making.