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Reflections on Cass Sunstein’s Beatlemania Article: Romantic Behaviouralism?
Get PDFIn the first edition of this journal, Cass Sunstein offered a behaviouralist reading of the Beatles audience. He suggested the band became a worldwide sensation based on the spread of endorsements by Beatles people acting in line with behavioural norms, such as trust in others’ aesthetic judgements and a need to be liked. This article aims to critically analyse Sunstein’s work by looking at the data sources he used, assessing the applicability of his claims, and considering the ideological effects of what I call a romantic behaviouralist approach. Alongside Sunstein’s ideas, a neo-Durkheimian reading is suggested to account for interesting regularities of fan behaviour. My aim is not to discredit mechanisms of human behaviour discussed by Professor Sunstein, but to question the grounding assumptions behind a behavioural approach to popular culture history, and suggest that the application of some proposed behavioural mechanisms may be limited by other elements at play
A posteriori error analysis of space-time discontinuous Galerkin methods for the ε-stochastic Allen-Cahn equation
Get PDFThis is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in [IMA Journal of Numerical Analysis] following peer review. The version of record [Antonopoulou, D., Egwu, B., & Yan, Y. (2023). A posteriori error analysis of space-time discontinuous Galerkin methods for the ε- stochastic Allen-Cahn equation. IMA Journal of Numerical Analysis, 44(3), 1862-1902] is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/imajna/article/44/3/1862/7234090In this work, we apply an \textit{a posteriori} error analysis for the space-time, discontinuous in time, Galerkin scheme which has been proposed in \cite{AIMA} for the \eps-dependent stochastic Allen-Cahn equation with mild noise \dot{W}^\eps tending to rough as \eps\rightarrow 0. Our results are derived under low regularity since the noise even smooth in space, is assumed only one-time continuously differentiable in time, according to the minimum regularity properties of \cite{Fun99}. We prove \textit{a posteriori} error estimates for the -dimensional problem, for a general class of space-time finite element spaces. The \textit{a posteriori} bound is growing only polynomially in \eps^{-1} if the step length is bounded by
a positive power of \eps. This agrees with the restriction posed so far in the \textit{a priori} error analysis of
continuous finite element schemes for the \eps-dependent deterministic Allen-Cahn or deterministic and stochastic
Cahn-Hilliard equation. As an application we examine tensorial elements where the discrete solution is approximated by
polynomial functions of separated space and time variables; the \textit{a posteriori} estimates there involve dimensions, and the space, time discretization parameters. We then consider the special case of the mild noise \dot{W}^\eps as defined in
\cite{weber1} through the convolution of a Gaussian process with a proper mollifying kernel, which is then numerically
constructed. Finally, we provide some useful insights for the numerical algorithm, and present for the first time some numerical experiments of the scheme for both one and two-dimensional problems in various cases of interest, and compare with the deterministic ones
A multidisciplinary approach to estimating wolf population size for long-term conservation
Get PDF© 2023 The Authors. Conservation Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology.The wolf (Canis lupus) is among the most controversial of wildlife species. Abundance estimates are required to inform public debate and policy decisions, but obtaining them at biologically relevant scales is challenging. We developed a system for comprehensive population estimation across the Italian alpine region (100,000 km2), involving 1513 trained operators representing 160 institutions. This extensive network allowed for coordinated genetic sample collection and landscape-level spatial capture–recapture analyses that transcended administrative boundaries to produce the first estimates of key parameters for wolf population status assessment. Wolf abundance was estimated at 952 individuals (95% credible interval 816–1120) and 135 reproductive units (i.e., packs) (95% credible interval 112–165). We also estimated that mature individuals accounted for 33–45% of the entire population. The monitoring effort was spatially estimated thereby overcoming an important limitation of citizen science data. This is an important approach for promoting wolf–human coexistence based on wolf abundance monitoring and an endorsement of large-scale harmonized conservation practices.Author sent AAM but as article was published OA the VoR can be uploaded. AAM removed and VoR uploaded to CR 04/08/202
From forbidden configurations to a classification of some axial algebras of Monster type
Get PDFIvanov introduced the shape of a Majorana algebra as a record of the 2-generated subalgebras arising in that algebra. As a broad generalisation of this concept and to free it from the ambient algebra, we introduce the concept of an axet and shapes on an axet. A shape can be viewed as an algebra version of a group amalgam. Just like an amalgam, a shape leads to a unique algebra completion which may be non-trivial or it may collapse. Then for a natural family of shapes of generalised Monster type we classify all completion algebras and discover that a great majority of them collapse, confirming the observations made in an earlier paper [12]
'Us And Them': Pink Floyd and the British Music Media
Get PDFThis is an Accepted Manuscript of a book chapter published by Routledge in [The Routledge Handbook of Pink Floyd] on [28/09/2022], available online: http://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Handbook-of-Pink-Floyd/Hart-Morrison/p/book/9780367338275The Routledge Handbook of Pink Floyd is intended for scholars and researchers of popular music, as well as music industry professionals and fans of the band. It brings together international researchers to assess, evaluate and reformulate approaches to the critical study and interpretation of one of the world’s most important and successful bands. For the first time, this Handbook will ‘tear down the wall,’ examining the band’s collective artistic creations and the influence of social, technological, commercial and political environments over several decades on their work. Divided into five parts, the book provides a thoroughly contextualised overview of the musical works of Pink Floyd, including coverage of performance and sound; media, reception and fandom; genre; periods of Pink Floyd’s work; and aesthetics and subjectivity. Drawing on art, design, performance, culture and counterculture, emergent theoretical resources and analytical frames are evaluated and discussed from across the social sciences, humanities and creative arts. The Handbook is intended for scholars and researchers of popular music, as well as music industry professionals. It will appeal across a range of related subjects from music production to cultural studies and media/communication studies
Performance progression and variability in 100 m freestyle Paralympic swimmers: A comparison of medallists and para classifications
Get PDFThis is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Sports Sciences on 16/04/2023, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2023.2200584This study quantified the performance progression and variability of elite 100 m freestyle para swimmers according to classification and medal status. To depict progression, annual world ranking times from 2009 to 2016 were obtained for 253 male and 236 female para swimmers and expressed relative to their respective (2012 & 2016) Paralympic Games performances. Comparisons according to medalling status and para classification were made using linear mixed models. Although not always continuous, swimmers generally progressed year-on-year by≈0.53%. Medallists made significantly greater performance progressions (2.76 ± 0.63%) than non-medallists (2.15 ± 0.31%) over the years preceding a Paralympic Games. The most physically impaired swimmers (S1-S4 classes) made significantly greater performance progressions in the final 3 years before a Paralympic Games than all other subgroups (S5-S6, S7-S10 & S11-S13). Within-swimmer variation in swimmers overall, expressed as coefficient of variation, was 0.56 ± 0.39%, whilst between-swimmer variation was 0.9 ± 0.2%. In both scenarios, S1-S4 swimmers evidenced greater overall variation. These findings have implications for para swimmers, coaches and support staff when planning training and analysing competition outcomes. We also propose performance variation to be a useful metric in the identification of para swimmers warranting (re-)classification
“I am not really into the government telling me what I need to eat”: exploring dietary beliefs, knowledge, and practices among ethnically diverse communities in England
Get PDFBackground: Communities with diverse ethnicity in high-income countries are disproportionately affected by poor diet-related health outcomes. In England, the United Kingdom’s government’s healthy eating dietary resources are not well accepted and are underutilised among this population. Thus, this study explored perceptions, beliefs, knowledge, and practices around dietary intake among communities with African and South Asian ethnicity residing in Medway, England. Methods: This qualitative study generated data from 18 adults aged 18 and above using a semi-structured interview guide. These participants were sampled using purposive and convenience sampling strategies. All the interviews were conducted in English over the telephone, and responses were thematically analysed. Results: Six overarching themes were generated from the interview transcripts: eating patterns, social and cultural factors, food preferences and routines, accessibility and availability, health and healthy eating, and perceptions about the United Kingdom government’s healthy eating resources. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that strategies to improve access to healthy foods are required to improve healthy dietary practices among the study population. Such strategies could help address this group’s structural and individual barriers to healthy dietary practices. In addition, developing a culturally responsive eating guide could also enhance the acceptability and utilisation of such resources among communities with ethnic diversity in England
General Further Education Colleges: the continuing dilemma of organisational culture
Get PDFThe role of organisational culture in supporting organisational outcomes is well documented in the further education (FE) sector within the UK. The benefits of a strong and unifying culture are recognised as having a positive impact on staff and students. However, a cultural institutional dichotomy has been acknowledged between the business and educational needs of colleges within the FE sector since the advent of incorporation in 1993. This paper utilised an interpretive, hermeneutical approach to analyse the perceptions of principals, middle leaders and teachers, within three general further education colleges (GFECs) in England to determine if that dichotomy exists in their current operating environment. The paper concludes that while there are elements of a clash of business and education ideals, general further education college (GFEC) culture has moved beyond the narrative of being corporate and driven solely by the concept of performativity. The article contributes to the ongoing debate on FE purpose and establishes the importance of aligning macro and subcultures into a set of professional working practices within GFECs to support positive student outcomes.AAM replaced by VoR 06/09/202
A multi-level analysis of prevalence and factors associated with caesarean section in Nigeria
Get PDFThe choice of caesarean section (CS) plays a significant role in maternal and neonatal health. However, suboptimal CS uptake suggests unmet obstetric care leading to adverse maternal and neonatal health. Considering that maternal health problems in Nigeria remain a public health problem, this present study aims to assess the prevalence and multilevel factors associated with caesarean section among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were analysed. Our analyses included 19,964 women of reproductive age, with their last birth within five years preceding the survey. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was carried out to examine the predictors of the caesarean section in Nigeria. The prevalence of CS among women of reproductive age in Nigeria was 3.11%. Women from the Yoruba ethnic group [aOR = 0.52; 95%(CI = (0.32–0.84)], with two children [aOR = 0.67; 95%(CI = 0.52–0.88)], three children [aOR = 0.49; 95%(CI = 0.36–0.66)], four children and above [aOR = 0.34; 95%(CI = 0.26–0.46)], those who practised Islam [aOR = 0.74; 95%(CI = (0.56–0.99)], and those that had a normal weighted baby [aOR = 0.73; 95%(CI = 0.60–0.99)] were less likely to report having a CS in Nigeria compared to those from Hausa/Fulani ethnic group, those who had one child, those who practised Christianity, and those who had a high weighted baby. Also, women residing in rural areas [aOR = 0.79; 95% (CI = (0.63–0.99)] and the South-South [aOR = 0.65; 95%(CI = (0.46–0.92)] were less likely to have CS compared to those residing in urban areas and North Central. The study concluded that several individual and community-level factors, such as religious belief, number of children, ethnicity, place of residence, and region of residence, were associated with CS utilisation in Nigeria. Our study highlights the need for different regional, local, and cultural contexts for evidence-based policy and programmatic efforts to facilitate equitable access to a caesarean section in Nigeria
High-velocity power training has similar effects to traditional resistance training for functional performance in older adults: a systematic review
Get PDFWhat is the effect of high-velocity power training (HVPT) compared with traditional resistance training (TRT) on functional performance in older adults? What is the quality of intervention reporting for the relevant literature? Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Older adults (aged > 60 years), regardless of health status, baseline functional capacity or residential status. High-velocity power training with the intent to perform the concentric phase as quickly as possible compared with traditional moderate-velocity resistance training performed with a concentric phase of ≥ 2 seconds. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), five times sit-to-stand test (5-STS), 30-second sit-to-stand test (30-STS), gait speed tests, static or dynamic balance tests, stair climb tests and walking tests for distance. The quality of intervention reporting was assessed with the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) score. Nineteen trials with 1,055 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with TRT, HVPT had a weak-to-moderate effect on change from baseline scores for the SPPB (SMD 0.27, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.53; low-quality evidence) and TUG (SMD 0.35, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.63; low-quality evidence). The effect of HVPT relative to TRT for other outcomes remained very uncertain. The average CERT score across all trials was 53%, with two trials rated high quality and four rated moderate quality. HVPT had similar effects to TRT for functional performance in older adults, but there is considerable uncertainty in most estimates. HVPT had better effects on the SPPB and TUG, but it is unclear whether the benefit is large enough to be clinically worthwhile. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2023 Australian Physiotherapy Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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