26207 research outputs found
Sort by
Feeling the Earthship house: Eliciting a perspective of posterity through immersive virtual reality
Get PDFPurpose: The surging cost of living and shortage of affordable and sustainable homes fuel the global housing crisis. Earthship buildings are marketed as the epitome of affordable and sustainable alternative housing. This paper aimed to elicit the perception of Earthship buildings among youngsters in the United Kingdom using immersive virtual reality technology. Additionally, the impact of virtual reality on perception compared with two-dimensional drawings was investigated in the study. Design/methodology/approach: A three-phase, experiment-based survey was adopted: Phase 1: literature review, Earthship house model conception and the virtual environment creation; Phase 2: two-dimensional drawing-based pre-visualisation survey; Phase 3: virtual reality–based post-visualisation survey. Findings: The findings indicated that youngsters had a remarkable, positive change in attitude towards the uptake of the Earthship houses after virtual reality visualisation. In contrast, sustainability experts shared more concerns regarding the concept's viability in the United Kingdom, even after the virtual reality visualisation. However, both youngsters and experts agreed with the pre-eminence of virtual reality over two-dimensional drawings. Originality/value: The lack of awareness about Earthship buildings for posterity was noted in previous studies, which could be attributed to there being very few Earthship buildings in the United Kingdom. The importance of this awareness among youngsters cannot be over-emphasised since youngsters are affected most by the shortage of affordable and sustainable homes. This gap was addressed by enlightening the youth about Earthship houses and imparting awareness through near-real-life virtual reality visualisation
Understanding how value, power and expertise circulates in (creative) knowledge exchange programmes
Get PDFThis paper uses the South West Creative Technology Network (SWCTN) in the South West, UK, as a case study to examine the diverse economies evident in knowledge exchange (KE) programmes delivering university-industry research and development (R&D). Counter to normative measures of success for KE programmes such as key performance indicators, and moving beyond evaluations that discount the diverse impacts of these programmes at interpersonal- or cross-sectoral- levels as ‘intangible’ or ‘spillover,’ this paper takes a cultural ecology perspective to deliberately make tangible the emergent dynamic relationships and multiple forms of value that KE programmes support and produce, and the wider implication of these for building regional creative sector capacity and cultural value. It highlights the multi-directional types of KE that happen between universities, creative industries and other sectors. It complicates linear models of innovation funding. The author draws on empirical data from interviews, surveys and ethnographic observation made possible through being embedded within the programme’s delivery team. The paper critically assesses the expertise and power that circulate, finding that the goals and ethos, as well as the economic and non-economic values in the programme created tensions, problems of inclusion, and contradictory notions of success for the delivery team and for participants
Mixed-sex civil partnerships: Developing a morality of love
Get PDFCivil partnerships were extended to mixed-sex couples in England and Wales at the end of 2019, shortly followed by Northern Ireland (2020) and Scotland (2021). Since then, thousands of mixed-sex couples have entered a civil partnership. While civil partnerships were favoured by politicians as an alternative to legal rights for cohabitants, we know little about why mixed-sex couples would choose a civil partnership. In 2020–21 we interviewed individuals and couples who had entered or were planning a mixed-sex civil partnership (MSCP) to explore this further. We find that MSCPs are constructed in opposition to the ‘traditional’ image of marriage/weddings and yet symbolic elements including dress, form and structure are necessarily relied on in constructing something new, via a process of bricolage. Moreover, through civil partnership motivation talk, mixed-sex couples are constructing an individual morality that is centred on resisting cultural norms, advocating equality and justice, and pragmatic love
Application of Data Mining Techniques to Rural Vernacular Buildings: A Methodology for Characterisation and Awareness
Get PDFData-mining techniques (DMTs) have been widely used in the context of existing buildings. However, studies comparing its application to different objects and using rural territories with vernacular constructions as case studies remain highly unexplored. This paper discusses a methodology applied towards characterising two rural settlements in Portugal and Spain using DMTs and GIS-based maps to support the interpretation of results. Conclusions such as the existence of outliers or the optimal number of clusters are drawn, as well as the nature of clusters and their pertinence in identifying buildings closer to the vernacular matrix. Adapting the numerical database is suggested as future research, reducing the number of variables to obtain more accurate insights into the identification of vernacular buildings. Investigations such as the one presented in this paper promote awareness concerning the conservation and improvement of rural settlements, ultimately stimulating action towards territorial cohesion and sustainable development through future rehabilitation actions in vernacular built heritage
Banks are different: Why bank-based versus market-based lending is a false dichotomy
Get PDFThis paper introduces modern readers to ‘banking theory’, that is, to the understanding of the banking system that was held by academics and practitioners in the early years of the twentieth century. This theory contrasts with the theoretic framework that views banks as intermediaries that receive deposits and invest deposits in assets. The basic elements of banking theory are related to the modern network effects literature, and a bank-centered view of the financial system is derived: all demand and short-term bank liabilities, including contingent liabilities, are potential money and near-money assets; and any non-bank liabilities that have monetary properties derive them from the banking system. This framework is then used to evaluate modern money markets, and the paper proposes that bank-liability–based measures of the money supply be developed, and that regulators recognize that contingent bank liabilities often function as a substitute for deposits and should be regulated similarly
A review of health monitoring and model updating of vibration dissipation systems in structures
Get PDFGiven that numerous countries are located near active fault zones, this review paper assesses the seismic structural functionality of buildings subjected to dynamic loads. Earthquake-prone countries have implemented structural health monitoring (SHM) systems on base-isolated structures, focusing on modal parameters such as frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios related to isolation systems. However, many studies have investigated the dissipating energy capacity of isolation systems, particularly rubber bearings with different damping ratios, and demonstrated that changes in these parameters affect the seismic performance of structures. The main objective of this review is to evaluate the performance of damage detection computational tools and examine the impact of damage on structural functionality. This literature review’s strength lies in its comprehensive coverage of prominent studies on SHM and model updating for structures equipped with dampers. This is crucial for enhancing the safety and resilience of structures, particularly in mitigating dynamic loads like seismic forces. By consolidating key research findings, this review identifies technological advancements, best practices, and gaps in knowledge, enabling future innovation in structural health monitoring and design optimization. Various identification techniques, including modal analysis, model updating, non-destructive testing (NDT), and SHM, have been employed to extract modal parameters. The review highlights the most operational methods, such as Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD) and Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI). The review also summarizes damage identification methodologies for base-isolated systems, providing useful insights into the development of robust, trustworthy, and effective techniques for both researchers and engineers. Additionally, the review highlights the evolution of SHM and model updating techniques, distinguishing groundbreaking advancements from established methods. This distinction clarifies the trajectory of innovation while addressing the limitations of traditional techniques. Ultimately, the review promotes innovative solutions that enhance accuracy, reliability, and adaptability in modern engineering practices
Are we capturing individual differences? Evaluating the test–retest reliability of experimental tasks used to measure social cognitive abilities
Get PDFSocial cognitive skills are crucial for positive interpersonal relationships, health, and wellbeing and encompass both automatic and reflexive processes. To assess this myriad of skills, researchers have developed numerous experimental tasks that measure automatic imitation, emotion recognition, empathy, perspective taking, and intergroup bias and have used these to reveal important individual differences in social cognition. However, the very reason these tasks produce robust experimental effects – low between-participant variability – can make their use as correlational tools problematic. We performed an evaluation of test–retest reliability for common experimental tasks that measure social cognition. One-hundred and fifty participants completed the race-Implicit Association Test (r-IAT), Stimulus–Response Compatibility (SRC) task, Emotional Go/No-Go (eGNG) task, Dot Perspective-Taking (DPT) task, and State Affective Empathy (SAE) task, as well as the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and indices of Explicit Bias (EB) across two sessions within 3 weeks. Estimates of test–retest reliability varied considerably between tasks and their indices: the eGNG task had good reliability (ICC = 0.63–0.69); the SAE task had moderate-to-good reliability (ICC = 0.56–0.77); the r-IAT had moderate reliability (ICC = 0.49); the DPT task had poor-to-good reliability (ICC = 0.24–0.60); and the SRC task had poor reliability (ICC = 0.09–0.29). The IRI had good-to-excellent reliability (ICC = 0.76–0.83) and EB had good reliability (ICC = 0.70–0.77). Experimental tasks of social cognition are used routinely to assess individual differences, but their suitability for this is rarely evaluated. Researchers investigating individual differences must assess the test–retest reliability of their measures
Impact of glucocorticoids on patients’ quality of life: A qualitative study assessing face validity and feasibility of the Steroid PRO in patients with inflammatory gastroenterology, respiratory and dermatology conditions
Get PDFObjectives The Steroid PRO is a treatment-specific patient-reported outcome questionnaire which measures the impact of glucocorticoids on health-related quality of life. It has 15 items grouped into 4 domains (Social impact, Impact on Appearance, Psychological Impact and Treatment Concerns). Initially developed and validated in rheumatic diseases, the Steroid PRO demonstrates potential for broader application in patients with other inflammatory conditions. The objective of this study was to assess face validity, content validity and feasibility of the Steroid PRO in (1) patients treated with glucocorticoids for inflammatory respiratory, dermatological and gastroenterological conditions and (2) clinicians working within these specialties in the UK and USA.Design Qualitative study with semistructured cognitive interview methods.Setting Online or face-to-face interviews with participants from seven departments across three secondary care hospitals in the UK and USA.Participants Inclusion criteria: (1) Adult patients with inflammatory respiratory, gastroenterological and dermatological conditions treated with glucocorticoids and (2) healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in respiratory, dermatology and gastroenterology departments in the UK and USA.Results Purposive sampling to ensure a range of patient and HCP participants. A total of 42 patient participants were recruited, from respiratory/pulmonology (n=14, 33.3%), dermatology (n=13, 31.0%) and gastroenterology (n=15, 35.8%) medical departments; 32 in the UK and 10 from the USA. Mean age 48.2 years (range 22–71) and 19 (45.2%) were female. Patient participants had a range of inflammatory lung, skin and bowel conditions, with a spectrum of demographics and patterns of glucocorticoid use. 14 HCPs participated from the UK (9) and USA (5). Face validity: 97% (30/31) patients and 100% (14/14) HCPs reported the Steroid PRO was ‘relevant or very relevant’ to them and their disease. Feasibility: 97% (30/31) patients and 100% (14/14) HCPs reported the Steroid PRO was ‘easy or very easy to complete’. Patients reported that the four domains of the Steroid PRO had relevance to them and that it was validating to see their concerns represented: ‘It’s obvious you guys know what you’re talking about—these are my issues. It’s very validating when you realise it’s not just you. These problems are real and they matter.… These are not questions my doctor asks me about. Doctors never ask about psychosocial aspects. It would be really great if they used this’ (female patient with asthma). Patients and clinicians felt the Steroid PRO would be suitable for use in clinical practice within their specialties and would aid in understanding of the impact of glucocorticoids.Conclusions The Steroid PRO demonstrated face validity and content validity for assessing the impact of glucocorticoids in patients with inflammatory respiratory, gastroenterological and dermatological conditions. Additionally, the feasibility of using the Steroid PRO with both patients and HCPs has been established. Future work should include quantitative testing of the Steroid PRO as an outcome measure within clinical trials in these conditions.Trial registration number NCT06314451
The role of the gut microbiota in health, diet, and disease with a focus on obesity
Get PDFThe gut microbiota has been increasingly recognised as a critical determinant of human health, influencing a wide range of physiological processes. A healthy gut microbiota is essential for maintaining metabolic, immune, and gastrointestinal homeostasis, contributing to overall well-being. Alterations in its composition and functionality, often referred to as microbial dysbiosis, are strongly associated with the development of gut-related and systemic diseases. The gut microbiota synthesises several components and interacts with epithelial cell receptors, influencing processes that extend beyond nutritional status to the pathogenesis of diseases such as obesity, which extend beyond their known contribution to nutritional status. Therefore, this state-of-the-art review synthesises findings from recent studies on the composition, functions, and influencing factors of the gut microbiota, with a focus on its role in obesity. A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to ensure comprehensive coverage, while expert insights are incorporated to discuss emerging research directions and future perspectives in the field
Flexibility in nationally significant infrastructure planning in England: An implementation perspective on an ongoing planning dilemma
No full textDebates about flexibility in the granting of planning permission have a long history. Increased flexibility is often associated with pro-development planning and reduced control. However, flexibility can help to achieve enhanced planning outcomes and is sometimes necessary in managing uncertainty and complexity as development is built out. This paper explores this ‘flexibility dilemma’ within the English Nationally Significant Infrastructure Planning regime (NSIP) that was introduced in 2008 to fast-track the delivery of major infrastructure projects. Drawing on rigorous extensive and intensive primary research spanning consent and delivery, the study explores how government and developers have negotiated tensions around flexibility and certainty and the consequences for effective project delivery. In particular, the paper seeks to understand why opportunities have been limited for deviation and change post-consent when the NSIP regime is often seen as a pro- development reform.Focusing on the under-researched area of post-consent planning – and by researching across consent and implementation - this paper makes a distinctive and original contribution to international planning research. The application of a ‘post-consent perspective’ reframes the question of where and why flexibility might be needed and offers a more nuanced perspective on the flexibility dilemma in planning