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Revisiting economic distance and its role in foreign subsidiary survival
Full text linkIn this study, we argue the coexistence of arbitrage and costs associated with economic distance engender a non-linear relationship between foreign subsidiary survival and economic distance. Specifically, we suggest that low to medium economically distant countries offer scope of economic arbitrage, whereas the cost of operating in medium to high economically distant countries is substantially high. We construct an index of economic distance using arguments from the eclectic paradigm of international production and organisational learning theory and base our measurement on the Mahalanobis method of distance calculation. Empirical analysis is conducted by applying the Cox's proportional hazard model to a sample of 1771 Finnish foreign direct investments. Results suggest that subsidiary survival has an inverted U-shaped relationship with economic distance. Firms with host country experience and wholly owned subsidiaries are able to mitigate the costs of operating in economically distant countries, while joint ventures are better suited for economically similar countries
Adaptive ankle impedance control for bipedal robotic upright balance
Full text linkUpright balance control is a fundamental skill of bipedal robots for various tasks that are usually performed by human beings. Conventional robotic control is often realized by developing accurate dynamic models using a series of fixed torque-ankle states, but their success is subject to accurate physical and kinematic models. This can be particularly challenging when external disturbing forces present, but this is common in unstructured robotic working environments, leading to ineffective robotic control. To address such limitation, this paper presents an adaptive ankle impedance control method with the support of the advances of adaptive fuzzy inference systems, by which the desired ankle torques are generated in real time to adaptively meet the dynamic control requirement. In particular, the control method is initialised with specific external disturbing forces first representing a general situation, which then evolves whilst performing in a real-world working environment by acting on the feedback from the control system. This is implemented by initialising a rule base for a typical situation, and then allowing the rule base to evolve to specific robotic working environments. This closed loop feedback and action mechanism timely and effectively configures the control system to meet the dynamic control requirements. The proposed control method was applied to a bipedal robot on a moving vehicle for system validation and evaluation, with robotic loads ranging from 0 to 1.65 kg and external disturbances in terms of vehicle acceleration ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 m/s, leading to robotic swing angles up to 7.6º and anti-disturbance timespans up to 8.5 s. These experimental results demonstrate the power of the proposed upright balance control method in improving the robustness, and thus applicability, of bipedal robots
COVID-19: self-reported reductions in physical activity and increases in sedentary behaviour during the first national lockdown in the United Kingdom
Full text linkPurpose: The United Kingdom (UK) government imposed its first national lockdown in response to COVID-19 on the 23rd of March 2020. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour levels are likely to have changed during this period. Methods: An online survey was completed by n = 266 adults living within the UK. Differences in day-to-day and recreational physical activity (at moderate and vigorous intensities), travel via foot/cycle, and sedentary behaviour were compared before and during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. Results: The median level of total weekly physical activity significantly reduced (− 15%, p £25,000). Conclusions: Now that the UK is transitioning to a state of normal living, strategies that can help individuals gradually return to physical activities, in accordance with the 2020 WHO guidelines, are of paramount importance to reducing risks to health associated with physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour
Exploring the views of UK regional primary care practitioners on the use and role of screening tools for learning disabilities in their services
Full text linkBackgroundPeople with learning disabilities are at increased risk of physical health conditions and mortality compared to the general population. Initiatives to address these health inequalities include the introduction of learning disability registers, through which people with learning disabilities can be identified and offered annual health checks and reasonable adjustments in their healthcare provision. A barrier to offering such initiatives to people with learning disabilities is that practitioners/providers may be unaware of the presence of a learning disability, and people who meet criteria may not be entered onto general practice learning disability registers. Screening tools can be used to help identify people with learning disabilities in order that they can be offered appropriate health services and reasonable adjustments. This study aimed to explore the awareness and views of UK primary care staff about the existence and role of screening tools for learning disability in their services.Materials and MethodsA qualitative approach was used; semi-structured online interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of primary care staff recruited via a regional professional network of primary care practitioners. Five general practitioners and one nurse practitioner, representing five primary care practices in the North-East of England participated. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsTwo themes and associated sub-themes were identified. Within Theme 1 (‘I haven’t had anything much to do with them’) two subthemes related to never using screening tools and reasons why screening tools were not routinely used. Theme 2 (‘I think they’re great that they exist’) comprised two subthemes that explored the benefits of screening tools, for example for those practitioners less experienced with people with learning disabilities, and also explored potential reluctance to use them.ConclusionsThe study found that most practitioners had some knowledge of screening tools and the general consensus was that they are beneficial. However, the tendency of participants was not to use screening tools in a consistent and/or systematic way, instead relying on informal approaches or other services for identifying the presence of learning disabilities. The study findings highlight the need for changes in practice to support primary care staff to access and systematically use evidence-based effective and efficient screening tools for learning disability
The Strategic State: A case study of devolved government in Scotland
Full text linkRecent government failures and the persistent presence of wicked issues have shed a critical light on the performance of governments around the world. Increasingly there are calls for government to move away from new public management inspired reforms, towards more collaborative and joined-up forms of governance with government, business and third sector bodies working together to create public value and sustainable development. In the case of Scotland, these issues rose to prominence following devolution and received significant political support with the election (as a minority government), in 2007, of a political party (Scottish National Party) whose primary aim is to re-establish Scotland as an independent country. This created a window of opportunity for the Scottish Government to experiment with new strategic forms of government which were distinct from other parts of the UK. The results of these reforms are contested, but ongoing debates highlight some of the challenges inherent in developing a strategic state even in the context of a relatively small polity
On Application of a Positioning System Using Photosensors with User Mobility Support in HealthCare System
Full text linkAn indoor visible light positioning system using the received signal strength intensity method and the trilateration technique with user mobility support is proposed for applications, e.g. healthcare. Accurate position information of medical staffs and patients is required for data transmission, tracking, navigation, etc. Seamless data transmission while user is on the move has been conceptualized considering the optical network formed by photosensor (light emitting diode)-based transmitters. Efficiency of these services depends on the position accuracy. To investigate factors contributing to higher position errors in a practical environment, the proposed system is evaluated. Evaluation is done through simulation and experiment for different channel conditions, and the receiver rotation due to user mobility. Simulation results show an average two-dimensional position error of 0.32 m in a channel with a strong background light illumination level of − 60 dBm. Experimental results show that the mean position error is 0.7 m in a normal daytime indoor light condition
Care home workers experiences of stress and coping during COVID‐19 pandemic: A mixed methods study
Full text linkAim
The aim of the study was to explore the stress and coping experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) in care home settings in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design
A cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted using an online survey and interviews.
Methods
Mean scores were calculated for both stress and coping and t-tests used to explore possible links to demographics. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke's method.
Results
For 52 survey participants, the mean score for the PSS was M = 39.75 and CSE-M = 150.6 indicating high stress and medium coping skills. From the t-test, only absence of health issues was associated with higher levels of coping. Thirteen HCWs participated in one-to-one interviews. Qualitative data analysis generated four themes contributing to stress: 1. personal factors, 2. changed care environment, 3. amplified scrutiny and 4. psychological responses. Coping was represented as three main themes: 1. personal factors, 2. organizational culture and 3. safety and security. There is a critical need for a strategic approach to provide psychological support to care home staff both during and beyond the context of the pandemic
Sexting among British adults: a qualitative analysis of sexting as emotion work governed by ‘feeling rules’
Full text linkSexting has generated considerable public and professional interest with concerns centring on young people, and potential harms to mental and sexual health. Little research thus far has explored the practice among adults and none has focused on the cultural norms relating to the emotional experience of sexting across different ages and genders. We conducted 40 semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of adults aged 18-59 years in Britain on the role of digital technologies in participants’ sexual lives. In this paper, we draw on the accounts of 34 people with experience of sexting. We identified three main themes in participants’ accounts related to the emotional aspects of sexting: (1) trust, (2) desire/intimacy and (3) shame. Under each theme, we identified motivations, ‘feeling rules’, and examples of ‘emotion work’ relating to the self, the other and the dyad. We conclude that there are shared cultural norms that constitute what appropriate sexting should feel like. Interventions aiming to minimise harms arising from sexting need to build on commonly held cultural conventions regarding the ‘rules of the game’ concerning feelings as well as behaviours
Bereaved military families: Relationships and identity
Full text linkAn untimely sudden or violent death is a risk for those serving in the armed forces and can result in unique challenges for surviving military family members. This research considered how bereavement affects a range of relationships for military bereaved families in the UK and how they impact the reconstruction of a new identity in civilian life. A two-phase exploratory sequential design, involving semi-structured interviews (n = 15) and a mixed methods survey (n = 264) of military family members, was conducted. Findings revealed changing relationships with friends and family over time, reconstruction of identity, long-term impact on children, and loneliness
