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Intelligent Edge-Cloud Framework for Water Quality Monitoring in Water Distribution System
No full textEnsuring consistent high water quality is paramount in water management planning. This paper addresses this objective by proposing an intelligent edge-cloud framework for water quality monitoring within the water distribution system (WDS). Various scenarios—cloud computing, edge computing, and hybrid edge-cloud computing—are applied to identify the most effective platform for the proposed framework. The first scenario brings the analysis closer to the data generation point (at the edge). The second and third scenarios combine both edge and cloud platforms for optimised performance. In the third scenario, sensor data are directly sent to the cloud for analysis. The proposed framework is rigorously tested across these scenarios. The results reveal that edge computing (scenario 1) outperforms cloud computing in terms of latency, throughput, and packet delivery ratio obtaining 20.33 ms, 148 Kb/s, and 97.47%, respectively. Notably, collaboration between the edge and cloud enhances the accuracy of classification models with an accuracy of up to 94.43%, this improvement was achieved while maintaining the energy consumption rate at the lowest value. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed intelligent edge-cloud framework in optimising water quality monitoring, and the superior performance of edge computing, coupled with collaborative edge-cloud strategies, underscores the practical viability of this approach
BMERG: the role and types of assessment in instrumental music lessons
No full textProf. Martin Fautley (Birmingham City University) and Drs Luan Shaw and Adam Whittaker (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) – all part of the Birmingham Music Education Research Group – share their thoughts on assessment in instrumental lessons and on the multiple understandings of assessment in different contexts
Plants Monitoring API to Detect Tomato Leaf Diseases using Deep-Learning Algorithms
No full textIn the presented study, the challenge of detecting tomato leaf diseases, crucial for sustainable agriculture, is addressed. A Convolutional Neural Net-work (CNN) model has been developed, demonstrating a high accuracy rate of 97.29% on a variety of test datasets. The methodology employed includes a comprehensive literature review, meticulous collection and augmentation of datasets, and the development of an advanced CNN model. Through these techniques, early and precise detection of diseases in tomato plants is facilitated. The contributions of this research are pivotal in transforming agricultural practices, as evidenced by enhanced crop health, increased yield, and promotion of sustainable farming methods. The significance of this work lies in its potential to contribute to global food security and the evolution of agriculture in the digital era
A Structured Approach to the Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Eye Examination Simulation
No full textOphthalmoscopy is a required clinical skill which is difficult to learn. This paper describes the development of a VR ophthalmoscopy app to support learning of this skill. It was developed using the Unity game engine, Google CardboardTM and smart phone. Forty-eight clinicians agreed to evaluate it for system usability (SUS), technology acceptance and knowledge acquisition (pre and post quizzes). Twenty-seven volunteers undertook the quiz. Mean scores improved by all (6.3 ± 1.5 to 8.4 ± 0.8 p < 0.001); medical students (6.2 ± 1.5 to 8.5 ± 0.9 p < 0.001 n:20); doctors (6.4 ± 1.5 to 8.3 ± 0.8 p < 0.05 n:7). Overall, SUS was 74 ± 11 (n:33), medical students rating 72 ± 12 (n:20) and doctors 77 ± 9 (n:13). Forty-eight volunteers provided feedback on technology acceptance. All highly rated its ease of use and how it improved their confidence in being able to perform this diagnostic procedure. Regression analyses emphasized the importance of usability, ability to perform the task and ease of use as predictors of success. Ninety percent of users felt that this type of technology would benefit their clinical training but should not replace other forms of teaching. Owing to the lack of technical-focused development frameworks this study also defines an appropriate framework that ensures clinicians are central to the process
LoRaWAN-based hybrid internet of wearable things system implementation for smart healthcare
No full textThis study introduces the design and development of an Internet of Wearable Things-based Hybrid Healthcare Monitoring System (IoWT-HHMS) for smart medical applications. The system incorporates smart wearable sensing units for real-time, remote monitoring of vital health parameters such as Blood Pressure (BP), Heart Rate (HR), and Body Temperature (BT). A key innovation is the development of a hybrid wireless network communication mechanism within the IoWT-HHMS, utilising the FiPy microcontroller. This mechanism supports both short- and long-range connectivity and integrates an algorithm for efficient data acquisition and updating to the IoT platform. The IoWT-HHMS has undergone extensive testing and validation across various scenarios, including sensor functionality, performance of Wi-Fi and LoRaWAN networks, hybrid network connectivity, and accuracy assessment using the Datacake dashboard. The tests evaluated crucial aspects such as communication reliability, power consumption, and latency. The results demonstrate the system's high stability and accuracy in reading health parameters. Comparisons with reference devices reveal impressive accuracy levels for Systolic BP (SBP), Diastolic BP (DBP), HR, and BT, recording 96.37 %, 95.17 %, 97 %, and 98.57 % accuracy, respectively. Both Wi-Fi and LoRaWAN networks proved reliable in indoor and outdoor settings, maintaining data transmission over distances up to 1.5 km without data loss. In conclusion, the developed IoWT-HHMS shows great promise for efficient and effective real-time remote monitoring of patients' health conditions using an innovative hybrid wireless network communication mechanism
Life History Research
No full textThis entry converses with the life history method. Life history research is typically one among many biographical methods although it is commonly presented in its own right. It is located within qualitative research methodological design in the interpretivism paradigm. Life history is used in various social sciences and anthropology and is interested in individuals’ experiences, relationships, significant events, turning points, trajectories, perceptions, and socio-cultural contexts over time. It is an objective approach which involves collecting detailed, in-depth data about a person’s life, often spanning from childhood to adulthood and beyond. The purpose is to understand the complexity and richness of an individual’s life
Opportunity Recognition and New Venture Creation: A Narrative Inquiry into Black African Immigrant Entrepreneurs in the Urban Environment of the West Midlands
No full textThis research study explores the entrepreneurial activities of Black African immigrant entrepreneurs (BAIEs) concerning identifying opportunities and creating new ventures within the urban environment of the West Midlands. Research suggests that BAIEs in the United Kingdom (UK) have received comparatively less academic focus than other migrant groups. Previous studies categorised Black African and Caribbean migrant individuals as ‘Afro-Caribbean.’ Most Black African migrant research are conducted in densely populated areas of London. Furthermore, most research in this field prioritises quantitative data above entrepreneurs’ subjective experiences, necessitating methodological diversity. As a result, this study employs phenomenology to explore individual experiences. It uses the conceptual framework of social identity, self-categorisation, diverse forms of capital, and institutional theory. Ten BAIEs from Sub-Saharan Africa were selected—four were first-generation, and six were second-generation migrants. All of them resided in Birmingham, a city in the West Midlands. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with these participants.
The key findings highlight that traits such as entrepreneurial passion, education, and previous work and industry experience are positive inclinations towards entrepreneurial activities fundamental to the identity of the BAIEs involved in this research. Social networks, comprising family, friends, professionals, suppliers, and customers, significantly impact the entrepreneurial process of BAIEs. Additionally, regulative, normative, and cognitive institutions influence the entrepreneurial process. These entrepreneurs mentioned facing limitations, connected to their identities as ‘Black’ and ‘migrant,’ which are frequently subject to discrimination and institutional marginalisation. At a cultural level, there is a restriction in business opportunities due to collective heritage and cultural economy. At a personal level, the ability to turn adversity into business opportunities positively affects tenacity and resiliency when confronted with exceptionally high barriers in the West Midlands urban environment.
Unlike studies that focus on a limiting ethnic dependence framework, such as the mixed embeddedness theory for migrant opportunities, this research advocates for a more nuanced understanding of the social and economic status of BAIEs. It underscores the significance of examining how social identity, self-categorisation, various forms of capital, and institutional influences interact within complex and biased social frameworks
Co-opted Boards and Corporate Cash Holdings
No full textWe study the relationship between board co-option and corporate cash holdings. We find that as the fraction of co-opted board members (those appointed after a CEO assumes office) increases, firms opportunistically maintain higher cash holdings, indicating an agency problem of board co-option. The effect of gaining one co-opted board member is comparable, in magnitude and significance, to that of losing an independent board member. The agency problem of cash holdings arises once a board is co-opted, regardless of whether it is classified as independent based on conventional and legal definitions. We further discover that abnormal cash holdings under co-opted boards are driven by flexibility motives, but not precautionary motives. The positive effect of board co-option on cash is more pronounced in financially unconstrained firms and firms with high information asymmetry. In addition, board co-option leads to a significantly lower marginal value of cash and reduced dividend payouts. Finally, we find that alternative governance mechanisms, such as institutional ownership and analyst coverage, dampen the documented effects. We address the endogeneity problem with a variety of methods including exogenous events of CEO sudden deaths
Exploring the role of personality, perfectionism, and self-compassion on the relationship between clinical decision-making and nurses’ wellbeing
No full textBackground
Clinical decision-making is a core competency of the nursing role, with nurses having to make decisions surrounding patient care and patient safety daily. With decision-making being linked to psychological outcomes, it is important to consider potential areas that may support or hinder nurses’ wellbeing whilst navigating clinical decisions.
Aim
The present study sought to investigate the relationship between clinical decision-making and moral distress, and further explore the role of personality, perfectionism, philotimo (a virtue describing the desire to do right by oneself and others, aligning with one’s sense of morality), and self-compassion.
Design
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted using Qualtrics. Associations between clinical decision-making and moral distress, burnout, personality, perfectionism, philotimo, and self-compassion were examined using univariate and multivariate statistics.\ud
Methods
One hundred and forty-three nurses from the United Kingdom completed an online questionnaire. Eligibility criteria included individuals who had practised in the nursing profession for a minimum of six months. To ensure that all participants were practising across the United Kingdom, the eligibility criteria was made clear in the study advertisement, and the consent form. The consent form required participants to confirm that they reached these criteria to proceed with the study.
Results
Results revealed that clinical decision-making was associated with moral distress experience, and that both openness to experience, and philotimo mediated this relationship, independently. In addition to this, self-compassion was significantly associated with clinical decision-making across senior banded nursing roles, but this was non-significant for junior banded nursing roles.
Conclusion
Findings highlight the role of individual differences when looking at the impact of clinical decision-making upon nurses’ wellbeing and offers explanation for any variance in moral distress experience across nursing professionals. This research identifies fundamental differences between junior and senior nurses in relation to clinical decision-making and self-compassion that should be considered in future research
