11370 research outputs found
Sort by
Racialised political discourse as public pedagogy in the UK and Germany: the sanctioning of racial violence and reproduction of European whiteness
Get PDFThis paper explores the causes of anti-immigration riots via comparison between the riots in Southport, UK, in 2024, and those in Chemnitz, Germany in 2018. While previous research on anti-immigration riots has tended to focus on the role of the far-right or competition for resources, we find that in both cases examined here, in fact, mainstream political discourse normalises racism and legitimates racial violence. We conduct a Critical Discourse Analysis of politicians’ speeches, media commentary and policies relating to citizenship, migration and race in the years preceding these riots. To better understand the effects of mainstream political discourse, we interpret it as public pedagogy (Giroux 2000). This enables an understanding of political discourses as having pedagogical force that allocates racially polarised subjectivities to the population and lends political agency to those engaging in racialised violence. This comparative analysis allows us to examine the pedagogical role of political discourse in reproducing racial hierarchies and silencing systemic racism under the guise of far-right extremism or class-based deprivation. Drawing on theories of global white supremacy (Allen, 2001) and European whiteness (Blaagaard, 2008) we argue that the riots provide insights into the current nature of deeply embedded and structural white supremacy in both countries
Institutional ethnography and the accessibility of University spaces
No full textInstitutional Ethnography (IE) was a term first used by Dorothy E. Smith to describe the manner in which institutions intersect with people and their lives through policy, practice and procedure. Whilst rooted in feminist theory, this participatory workshop will explore how we can use IE to scrutinise the lived experiences of marginalised people in our Universities and ask ourselves if we are truly liberating people in the day to day experiences they have with us. Through a range of examples, the workshop will explore through an IE lens the impact that institutions can have on a persons before they ever start to obviously interact with the actors in the space and consider how the body politic impacts the body corporeal in its actions
Technical Note: A comparison of solvents for optimal extraction and morphological identification of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from sticky traps
Get PDFPassive sampling techniques such as sticky traps are recommended for research studies assessing colonisation patterns of forensically important flies. However, there are no standardised protocols for the optimal removal of flies to ensure accurate morphological identification to species level. This study assessed the use of four freely available solvents (mineral oil, vegetable oil, baby oil and an orange-based solvent) in terms of facilitating extraction from sticky traps, and potential effects on subsequent identification of three blow fly species of forensic importance, Calliphora vicina, Calliphora vomitoria and Lucilia sericata. Results indicated that species were differentially affected by the oils but, overall, the orange-based solvent had the least effect on the morphological features of each species, and therefore, was considered the best throughout the study. Additionally, the orientation of flies on the traps had no significant effect on the quality of morphological characteristics. It is recommended that the orange-based solvent method outlined in this paper is used for the removal of blow flies from sticky traps
A readiness assessment of lean six sigma implementation in the ceramic industry: India’s small and medium enterprises perspective
Get PDFIn present work readiness assessment for LSS implementation in ceramic industry (RALiCI) has been made using Fuzzy rules based on LSS readiness factors (enablers, criteria and attributes) and critical success factors (CSF). The CSF factors have been identified by conducting the questionnaire in 90 small and medium scale ceramic industries (SMEs) located in India. Both CSF and LSS readiness factors have been integrated with each other in RALiCI model. In RALiCI model total 3 enablers, 8 criteria and 54 attributes have been developed using literature and questionnaire. It has been observed that fuzzy readiness assessment for LSS implementation in ceramic industry is 2.59, 4.03, 5.46, which indicates that the industry is less ready. Therefore, essential corrective actions have been recommended for improvement by employing a fuzzy performance importance index (FPII) where 31 from 54 attributes have been observed as weaker attributes. The model will help the managers and researchers to check the potential of the industries
Predicting product sales performance using various types of customer review data
Get PDFToday, in the e-commerce world, product reviews are a critical part of influencing consumer buying decisions and offer valuable insight to determine sales quality. But many current methods do not make efficient use of heterogeneous usergenerated content (UGC) and those they predict with a unified model may ignore the different nature between various review types. In light of these limitations, this study introduces an integrated algorithmic framework that combines cutting-edge sentiment analyses and machine learning (ML) algorithms for sales quality prediction through automatic analysis of product reviews over the internet. The approach proposed will collect structured data from different sources during a systematic process and then consider the path of normalization, and sentiment analysis followed by feature selection to construct advanced prognosis models. The model proved highly effective, achieving an 88% accuracy rate in predicting sales quality. This strong performance indicates a significant correlation between sales performance and sentiment reviews. This new framework shows good promise that sentiment analysis in UGC can be used and deployed in e-commerce product evaluation and recommendation system.Further research should investigate the integration of regional and temporal dynamics to improve model accuracy
Spectrally-tailored hygroscopic hydrogels with Janus interfaces for hybrid passive cooling of solar cells
Get PDFEnergy-efficient thermal management is critical for addressing the inevitable heat generation and inefficient heat dissipation of conventional solar cells. Designing cooling systems that optimize optical windows, solar conversion, interfacial properties and aesthetic appeal for diverse photovoltaic technologies remains a significant challenge. Herein, passive cooling membranes are developed as “front surfaces” for both silicon-based (inorganic) and polymer (organic) solar cells. The LiCl-embedded hydrogel combines highly cross-linked and highly entangled polymers within a two-layered membrane. The salt-in effect of highly concentrated zwitterionic copolymers and large-volume swelling of hydrogels ensure high LiCl retention (max. 20 wt%) with negligible leakage, leading to stable evaporative cooling. This membrane is also distinguished by its Janus-like surfaces and tailored optical windows, integrating high transmittance (∼90%) for the sunlight absorption and high emissivity (∼98%) for sky radiative cooling. Our study represents one of the few examples of integrating hybrid cooling mechanisms on solar panels, achieving a maximized efficiency increase above 21% under natural sunlight while enhancing cooling power regeneration overnight. Moreover, its cooling power and durability enable ∼95% of efficiency retention over 10000 bending cycles in flexible solar cells. This study shines a light on developing hierarchically aligned hydrogels for self-contained and user-defined thermal management for diverse electronics
Dracula Returns to Derby
No full textThe world's most iconic vampire was made in Derby.
The classic image of Dracula was invented at Derby's Grand Theatre in 1924. His cloak, evening dress and even his charming manner derive from Hamilton Deane's pioneering adaptation of the famous vampire novel.
This 52 page full colour fully illustrated A5 book allows you to explore the development of Count Dracula in Derby.
Through it you can learn about the city's links with Bram Stoker, Sir Henry Irving, Florence Stoker, Edmund Blake and Bela Lugosi.
Includes unseen photos and bonus audio performances of excerpts from the 1924 play and a map of the self-guided Dracula Trail around Derby.
This book was part of Dracula Returns to Derby, an Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded research project. For more information please visit: www.derby.ac.uk/dracula, or follow www.facebook.com/thederbydracula or www.instagram.com/derbydracula
The effect of exposure to alcohol media content on young people’s alcohol use: a qualitative meta-synthesis
Get PDFAlcohol harm continues to present a public health priority. Whilst we know a relationship exists between exposure to content and alcohol initiation and use in young people, the mechanism behind this effect is not well understood. Using the Social Identity approach as a meaning-making lens, a systematic review of the qualitative literature and meta-synthesis was conducted using Medline (All years), Embase (All years), and PsycINFO (All years). Inclusion criteria were studies which qualitatively explored the effect of exposure to content or marketing in young people (aged <26). Twenty-two articles were identified and included in the synthesis and assessed for Bias using the Downe and Walsh checklist. Four themes were identified: Normalisation of alcohol use, branding and identity, marketing strategies, & acting in identity congruence. A line of argument was constructed arguing that alcohol content & marketing is often targeted at and works through social identities & cultural norms to normalise alcohol use and lead to increased consumption, through embedding content and marketing in culture. These findings have implications for stricter regulations around alcohol marketing and the protection of young people from alcohol content
Reclaimed brick masonry waste recycling in macro–micro amelioration of cemented clayey soil: an eco-friendly construction waste solution
Get PDFReclaimed brick masonry makes up a noteworthy portion of construction and demolition waste (CDW), totaling approximately 31%, even exceeding concrete waste. This study proposes using reclaimed brick masonry to enhance the micro- and macro-properties of clayey soil. Extensive laboratory testing was conducted to evaluate the performance of reclaimed brick powder (BP) along with 5% cement content. The cement was used to generate chemical bonds with BP and soil grains. Micro-testing like XRF, XRD, EDAX, and SEM analyses confirmed the formation of CSH and CAH compounds which strengthened soil structure and enhanced its brittleness. However, after 10% BP, the addition of coarser grains converted the soil structure from dense to porous. Macro-properties assessment confirmed that 10% BP with 5% cement content is an optimum combination for selected soil. The addition of BP reduces the required amount of cement for soil stabilization, making it an eco-friendlier solution. The addition of the optimum combination decreased the wL, IP, FSI, wopt, and Cc and increased the γdmax, qu, CBR value, and σy significantly. It is also confirmed by the specimen’s failure morphology analysis that BP with cement in clayey soil curtailed cement generated brittleness and enhanced ductility
Investigating the state of autonomous vehicles on supply chain: a literature review
Get PDFThis study focuses on the analysis of the economic impact of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on beverages and food supply chain costs in Europe. AVs are going to have huge potential impacts both on supply chains and transport. Thus, this research studies how AVs can help resolve existing logistical challenges by boosting efficiency, minimizing operational costs, enhancing supply chain resilience, and reducing delivery time. Through secondary data analysis and the economic model’s assessment, the benefits and cost savings that AVs can provide to businesses are measured. The findings of this research are intended to inform industry leaders, lawmakers, and academics about the transformative potential of AVs implementation and their future impact on supply chain management in Europe