19684 research outputs found
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Enfolded Journeys:A Virtual Walk Through Time
Get PDFEnfolded Journeys is a touring exhibition of 28 new artists’ books conceived and made in response to themes suggested by the title. Ones relating of travel, displacement, geographies and borders, and migration in recent times and in the past as the effects of such movements of peoples, whether compelled or voluntary, may resound through the generations
I Would Be an Improviser Even If I Were Born on the Moon:A Reflective Correspondence on Identity, Movement, and Community
No full textThis paper, presented as a series of email correspondences between the authors reflects on the complex intersections of identity, mobility, and community within the practice of improvisation, using personal experiences and cross-disciplinary insights to explore the layered nature of self-construction in both music and life. We begin by examining the ways in which one’s background, name, and career become building blocks for identity in brief encounters. This process reveals the multiplicity of self that emerges as we navigate different cultural, professional, and creative landscapes. Names, nationalities, and belonging are unpacked as evolving constructs, influenced by geography, heritage, and musical subcultures.The article addresses the professional challenges of performing fluid identities within institutional and commercial frameworks that demand categorisation. Drawing on “conceptual migration,” we suggest that improvised musics might embrace their richly multi-seeded, transitory nature while contending with the enduring borders imposed by genre and professional constraints. Through this exploration, the article considers improvisation as a site of continuous movement and negotiation—an art form shaped by the very forces of displacement and hybridity that define the lives of its practitioners
Sex differences in diet-induced MASLD - are female mice naturally protected?
No full textMales suffer more often from profibrotic changes in liver than females. The underlying mechanism for this sex difference in the prevalence and manifestation of Metabolic dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is not yet completely known. We studied male and female mice that were induced to develop MASLD by consuming a “fast food” diet (FFD) and assessed metabolic phenotype as well as liver histology and compared them with mice fed with a matched control diet (CD). Our aim was to check for sex-specific differences in MASLD development in a mouse model of diet-induced profibrotic changes in the liver. Our results demonstrate a clear difference in body weight, fat distribution and changes in liver tissue for male and female mice fed with FFD. We found that female mice stored lipids mainly in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue while males increased ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver which resulted in hepatomegaly and increased transforming growth factor β 1 (Tgfb1) and collagen I (Col1a1) expression concomitant to fibrosis development. This was absent in female mice. Analysis of estrogen receptor -α (Esr1) and -β (Esr2) expression revealed an upregulation of Esr2 in livers of male FFD-fed mice whereas in female liver tissue a higher expression in Esr1 could be observed. This study supports Esr1 and Esr2 as potential targets to reverse negative effects of diet-induced profibrotic changes in the liver
Metal Music and the Aesthetics of Heaviness:Sonic, Structural, and Affective Perspectives
No full textThis article examines heaviness in metal, drawing on interviews with 36 music professionals. Findings indicate that heaviness is shaped by acoustic, structural, and affective factors rather than representing a fixed sonic property. While performance and production extremes contribute to heaviness, perception is equally influenced by atmosphere, emotion, and listener expectations. Participants identified heaviness in other genres, challenging stylistic boundaries. Heaviness has not followed a linear trajectory of increasing sonic extremity; instead, its expressions have diversified. Future interpretations of heaviness might develop through novel combinations of musical features inherent to metal while expanding the sonic and stylistic palette beyond the genre
AI-Enabled Connected Autonomous Vehicles Sustainable Routing in Urban Areas
No full textRapid urbanisation exacerbates traffic congestion,posing significant challenges to economic productivity, environmental quality, and quality of life. Connected and AutonomousVehicles (CAVs) can support traffic authorities in addressingcongestion issues by directly affecting traffic movements bycommunicating paths and routes to vehicles navigating the controlled region. While AI-enabled CAV routing has demonstratedpotential in reducing congestion, the sustainability aspects ofthese strategies are usually overlooked, and require dedicatedapproaches.This paper extends a state-of-the-art AI-enabled routingframework to explicitly incorporate sustainability aspects, under the form of explicit emissions reduction. We evaluate theextended framework on real-world historical data for two urbannetworks, one in the UK and one in Italy. The results confirmthe ability of the designed optimisation approaches in reducingemissions
Enhancing Accuracy of Line-Structured Light Sensor for Narrow Weld Gap Measurement
Get PDFLine-structured light sensors (LLS) are widely used in measurement of multi-section bevels in thick plate weldments to ensure the structural integrity in shipbuilding and high-pressure vessels. However, in some engineering scenarios, it is necessary to select a large range LLS, which usually have poor resolution, making it difficult for traditional algorithms to obtain an accurate weld gap. This paper introduces a novel narrow weld gap measurement method utilizing key points identification and alignment. The method extracts key points by analyzing data from a LLS with large range, and aligns them with theoretical model for gap calculation. Experimental results demonstrate remarkable accuracy with 2D measurement errors as low as 0.0122 mm for weld gaps as narrow as 0.75 mm. The average 3D measurement error for 0.8 mm weld gaps is also remarkably precise at 0.0301 mm. This method offers a significant improvement for reliable and efficient narrow weld gap measurement in critical applications.</p
Biomimicry-Inspired Tourism:A Pilot Study Based On Dambulla Tourism Zone In Sri Lanka
No full textBy emulating nature's time-tested patterns, biomimicry can lead to environmentally friendly infrastructure, waste reduction, and energy-efficient practices in tourism. This approach not only preserves ecological integrity but also enhances the cultural and aesthetic value of tourist destinations. This study investigates the potential of biomimicry-inspired tourism as a sustainable pathway for developing the Sri Lankan tourism industry, with a focus on the Dambulla Tourism Zone. The research aimed to understand how hoteliers in the Dambulla region interpret and apply the concept of biomimicry, either knowingly or unknowingly, in their tourism practices. Using a qualitative approach, data was collected through ten semi-structured interviews conducted using the purposive and snowball sampling methods. The findings reveal a general lack of direct knowledge about the biomimicry concept among participants. However, most hoteliers have unknowingly implemented nature-inspired solutions as part of their sustainable practices. These include passive cooling systems, use of local and natural materials, rainwater harvesting, composting, and eco-friendly construction all of which align with biomimicry principles. Although biomimicry includes six core principles, the study identified that four of these are commonly applied by the hotels in Dambulla region: Resource Efficiency, Life-Friendly Chemistry, Integration of Development with Growth, and Being Locally Attuned and Responsive. Among them, Resource Efficiency and Life-Friendly Chemistry were the most widely observed. A key application found was the use of camouflage architecture, where hotel structures are designed to blend with the natural environment. These findings emphasize that while intentional adoption of biomimicry is limited, there is strong potential for future integration through increased awareness and policy support. Encouraging biomimicry-inspired practices can not only strengthen sustainability and resilience in tourism but also enhance the unique identity of destinations like Dambulla. This study calls for further research and institutional collaboration to mainstream biomimicry within Sri Lanka’s tourism development strategies.<br/
How Do Mental Health Nursing Students in the United Kingdom Experience Assessment Against the NMC Generic Standards of Proficiency? A Cross-Field Comparison
No full textIn 2018 the UK's Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) moved from field-specific to generic standards of proficiency in training all four fields of nursing practice. Some educators claim these proficiencies exclude field-specific content, but there is a lack of comparative evidence on student feedback across each field. This study examined student nurses experiences of being assessed against these generic proficiencies to identify whether there are any differences between the fields of nursing in the United Kingdom. In a cross-sectional study employing a mixed-methods anonymous online survey, 531 nursing students in the final 3 months of training were surveyed across UK universities in 10 regions of the United Kingdom. Significant differences between nursing fields were observed in students' feedback on the NMC proficiencies (p = 0.000). Mental health nursing students reported the lowest levels of practice confidence; significant barriers to achieving proficiencies; and exclusion of field-specific knowledge and skills, which devalued and threatened their professional identity. Adult nursing students reported high levels of practice confidence; fewer barriers to achieving proficiencies; variable experiences of placement support; and a preference for more focus on communication skills. Feedback indicates that students experience the generic proficiencies as a list of medical procedures that exclude communication and relationship management skills. The findings suggest that further evaluation and guidance are required to ensure that mental health proficiencies are included in practice assessment documentation.<br/
Demonstration of a Condition Monitoring Scheme for a Locomotive Suspension System
No full textA condition-based monitoring (CBM) system provides the possibility for the railway industry to guarantee reliability by executing prompt and low-cost maintenance. In this study, a simple model-based condition monitoring strategy for the railway vehicle suspension system is demonstrated. The method is based on a recursive least-square (RLS) algorithm regarding a deterministic parametric model. The fault detection approach for the locomotive suspension system is illustrated with three diagnostic modules. Multi-body simulation data are employed to validate the feasibility of this CBM strategy. The designed diagnostic model reveals that the suspension parameter estimates are consistent with the reference values. The corresponding demonstrator provides evidence that the monitoring system has potential applications and is suitable for further development
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