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Mitigating financial risks in sustainable public–private partnership infrastructure projects : a quantitative analysis
No full textEconomic recession from the coronavirus outbreak continues to have negative rippling effects on local and international financial investments in public–private partnership (PPP) projects in Ghana, a developing country. Together with poor reports on operating cash-inflows for PPP projects such as those covering schools, hospitals, railways, fishing harbors, cocoa warehouses, recreational parks and affordable housing, there is an urgent need to develop and institutionalise sustainable and robust financial risk management measures. These measures are meant to mitigate financial losses, promote sustainability practices and prolong the longevity of infrastructure developments within PPP pacts. Therefore, this study aims to assess the mitigation measures of PPP infrastructure management in Ghana. Primary data from survey questionnaires were utilised in this study, with the data obtained from PPP practitioners and experts. Data were grouped into project type, sectors and practitioners of PPP projects to aid the analysis using tools such as the Kruskal–Wallis test, the Mann–Whitney U test and factor analysis. The results demonstrate sustainable and green finance, the innovative skills and competencies of project teams, green financial risk models and inclusive cost reduction strategies as crucial to minimising financial risks in PPP project delivery. These findings have significant implications for PPP practitioners and researchers in Ghana and similar developing countries to understand and develop measures to respond to financial risks for sustainable PPP project development and future research studies
[In Press] Platinum-based metal complexes as chloride transporters that trigger apoptosis
No full textIn this paper we demonstrate that Pt(II ) complexes can function as efficient transmembrane chloride transporters. A series of Pt( II) metal complexes with urea-appended isoquinoline ligands were synthesised and operate via classical hydrogen bonding interactions rather than ligand exchange. A number of the complexes exhibited potent transmembrane chloride activity in vesicle studies, while also showing strong antiproliferative activity in cisplatin-resistant cell lines via induction of apoptosis and inhibition of intracellular ROS
[In Press] On (not) being literate enough : the literacy experiences and literacy programme needs of people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness
No full textThis paper is focussed on literacy and the literacy experiences of people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. Drawing on 23 in-depth interviews with people who have lived experience of homelessness in Sydney, Australia, the paper examines literacy, literacy needs and interest in literacy programmes from a social practice perspective of literacy. Amartya Sen's (1999) capability approach is drawn on to examine the multidimensional barriers that impede access to literacy. Our findings show literacy needs and how literacy is understood and valued in the lives of people with lived experience of homelessness. We show the ways that spatial and temporal conditions enable and create (im)possibilities for the realisation of literacy as a capability. We also discuss how the capability is imagined to fit into existing worlds, as both an instrumental tool, as well as for personal satisfaction and broader participation in social life. Our interviewees also point to the possibilities of literacy learning and programmes supporting the realisation of other capabilities, emphasising the prospects of achieving multiple capability realisations through program design. We show how the findings bear out the principles of a social practices pedagogy in adult literacy programmes
Containment and decontainment of digital voice assistants
No full textHome-based digital voice assistants, or what Strengers and Kennedy (2020) call “smart wives,” are commonly coded “default” feminine by voice, name, personality traits, and traditional feminized roles and/or form. Devices such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa embody and contain these feminized personas within spheres and cylinders known as “dots,” “pods,” or “minis.” This paper situates digital assistants within a long history of artificial women as repositories of masculine ideals of perfected femininity, whether as beautiful gynoids, smart AIs and chatbots, or as maternal techno-spaces. It looks at the dynamics of containment and leakage of these digital assistants, which unquestioningly obey their users, but also pass data back to their corporate creators. While many science fiction narratives feature a “decontained” artificial woman who escapes her servile role and becomes a “threat that must be controlled” (Bergen 2016), we speculate on the possibilities of decontainment as a deliberate design process to reveal and disrupt the personalities, social roles, and biographies of current and emerging conversational agents
[In Press] Enhancing the humidity resistance of triboelectric nanogenerators : a review
No full textTriboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are sustainable energy resources for powering electronic devices from miniature to large-scale applications. However, their output performance and stability can deteriorate significantly when TENGs are exposed to moisture or humidity caused by the ambient environment or human physiological activities. This review provides an overview of the recent research advancements in enhancing the humidity resistance of TENGs. Various approaches have been reviewed including encapsulation techniques, surface modification of triboelectric materials to augment hydrophobicity or superhydrophobicity, the creation of fibrous architectures for effective moisture dissipation, leveraging water assistance for TENG performance enhancement, and other strategies like charge excitation. These research efforts contribute to the improvement of environmental adaptability and lead to expanded practical TENG applications both as energy harvesters and self-powered sensors. The efficacy of these strategies and future challenges are also discussed to facilitate the continued development of resilient TENGs in high humidity environments
Consumer-centred viable agri-food supply chain ecosystem and potential digital enhancements : an exploratory study
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions, especially in sourcing fresh agri-produce, leading to many agri-food supply chain (ASC) adaptations to ensure sufficient food for people. We studied these adaptations in Sri Lanka, which faced a prolonged disruption due to COVID-19 followed by an economic crisis, to understand how to ensure food availability during a long-term disruption. The various adaptation methods have helped the people source sufficient food during these two back-to-back disruptions that lasted for over two years. The study unveils regional disparity in disruption impact, with urban areas enduring the most severe consequences. The analysis reveals previously unconnected forms of physical and digital channels transforming into a symbiotic existence to ensure consumer demand for agri-food. This was enabled by digital information flow, empowering ASC stakeholders to adapt dynamically to suit disruptive conditions. From the insights gained, we propose a digitally enabled framework for creating viable ASCs
[In Press] 'I only eat because I have to—to live' : the impacts of dysphagia on quality of life from the perspectives of people with dysphagia, supporters of people with dysphagia and allied health professionals
No full textBackground: A recent literature review identified that past research has described the impacts of dysphagia on quality of life; but there is limited research on these impacts from the perspective of people with dysphagia, their supporters and allied health professionals. Recent qualitative research has provided details about these perspectives, but researchers have also called for verification of these findings with a larger group of participants. Aims: To expand upon the findings of the prior qualitative research on the views of people with dysphagia, supporters of people with dysphagia, and allied health professionals on the impacts of dysphagia and texture-modified food on quality of life. Methods & Procedures: An online survey of adults with dysphagia (n = 30), supporters of people with dysphagia (n = 4) and allied health professionals (n = 18) was conducted between November 2021 and February 2022. Categorical questions were analysed descriptively and open-ended questions were analysed for content categories of meaning. Outcomes & Results: Participants with dysphagia reported that dysphagia and texture-modified foods had a greater impact on their physical health than on their choice and control or social engagement. Supporters and allied health professionals viewed that dysphagia impacted the physical health and their choice and control of people with dysphagia. Across groups, participants considered that mealtime enjoyment, participation, and inclusion were influenced by the control the person had over their meals, the accessibility of the mealtime environment, and the attitudes of others. Conclusions & Implications: Dysphagia and its interventions negatively impact quality of life for people with dysphagia. People with dysphagia were the most affected by the physical impacts of dysphagia. Their perspectives contrasted with those of supporters and allied health professionals in some domains, high- lighting the need for people with dysphagia to be included in research. Future research exploring how these perspectives are integrated into person-centred dysphagia management is warranted
Research Handbook on the Sociology of Youth
No full textIn this groundbreaking Research Handbook on the Sociology of Youth, researchers from around the world examine the social, political, cultural and ecological processes that shape young people’s lives and how young people in turn shape the world. Contributors from the Global North and South challenge traditional frameworks as they document the diversity of ways young people now live. The Research Handbook highlights the active and creative responses of young people as they help shape the world and how they work to overcome inequality, adversity and crisis and aspire to flourishing societies and a healthy planetary future. This innovative Research Handbook offers reflective, critical and accessible analyses of contemporary youth sociology as well as insights into how policy-makers and professionals can apply these research findings to their practice. The Research Handbook highlights the diversity of theoretical, methodological and conceptual approaches now available reflecting how the field has become increasingly dynamic and ontologically open. The Research Handbook includes commentaries by young people from across the world and demonstrates how young people are already involved in and are attempting to address the significant issues of our time like climate justice, racism, socio-economic inequalities, forced migration, LGBTQI+ identities, disability, mental health, and violence. In presenting this breadth of new work on the sociology of youth, this groundbreaking Research Handbook offers a major new resource for researchers, teachers, policy-makers, practitioners and students alike
[In Press] Predicting urban tomorrow : CA-Markov modeling and district evolution
No full textThe global population is experiencing exponential growth, resulting in a substantial increase in urbanization and subsequent urban expansion. This uncontrolled expansion, often termed urban sprawl, poses significant challenges to sustainable urban development. Understanding the importance of this concern, obtaining precise information about changes in Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) becomes crucial. This research examines the transformative processes of LULC and urban expansion over a 20-year period in two distinct study areas. For this purpose, built-up areas are first analysed using satellite-derived land surface temperature data, revealing temperature increase over time attributed to urban expansion. To project future trends using CA-Markov model, the suitability maps for each LULC class aggregated through the Multi Criteria Evaluation (MCE) method. Subsequently, the CA-Markov simulates the LULC maps for 2017 and 2018 for each study area, with a focus on the year 2050. Model calibrated by comparing the simulated maps with the actual maps in both study areas, and the reliability is affirmed by high Kappa coefficients (> 80%). Consequently, the study predicts LULC maps for 2050, revealing that both areas will experience a continued increase in built-up areas, a decrease in forested areas, and a relative stability in agricultural zones over the next 33 years
Winnowing Light: for Clarinet and Marimba
No full textThis work follows Kate Fagan's poem, 'Evening Devotional,' in dialogue with symbolism surrounding swifts and their evening flights above the clouds. Author Helen Macdonald refers to what are known as 'vesper flights,' and Kate Fagan has woven this idea into her poem with references to the Magnificat, from Evensong or evening prayers. The music incorporates one of the plainchant melodies associated with the Magnificat, tonus peregrinus, 'the wandering tone,' associated as it also is with Psalm 113, 'When Israel came out of Egypt.' This seemed appropriate for birds who spend most of their life in the air and who migrate between continents. The musical colours and textures aim for an analogue of the swifts' winnowing of the light from the poem. Winnowing of grain in many places has traditionally taken place in the evening, when a breeze picks up to blow away the chaff. The ephemerality of wind and flight, in the liminal time of evening, seem emblematic of both our mortality and the limitlessness of the cosmos