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Non-destructive technologies for sustainable assessment and monitoring of railway infrastructure: a focus on GPR and InSAR methods
Get PDFHealth monitoring of ballast in railway infrastructure is crucial to assure long-term structural stability. An efficient and sustainable management of maintenance operations is therefore fundamental for asset owners in setting up strategic and effective action plans. Amongst the available methods to assess the conditions of railway infrastructure, non-destructive technologies (NDT) are gaining popularity due to their capability to overcome main drawbacks from conventional routine methods, such as digging trenches and visually inspecting sections along the track. The present study reports an overview on the use of the ground penetrating radar (GPR) and the interferometric synthetic aperture (InSAR) technologies for a sustainable monitoring of railway infrastructure. Main conventional and non-destructive methods utilised for maintenance of railway ballast materials are presented, with a special focus on their sustainability. A review about research methods on the use of GPR and InSAR technologies for railway infrastructure monitoring is also reported, including main investigations carried out in the laboratory and the real-life environments. Furthermore, a conceptual framework based on an integrated approach between satellite-based and ground-based investigations is proposed, where network- and local-level information can be merged for a more effective detection of critical sections and the implementation of an advanced predictive maintenance system.The present study reports an overview on the use of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture (InSAR) technologies for a sustainable monitoring of railway infrastructures. Specifically, main conventional and non-destructive methods utilisedd for maintenance of railway ballast materials are presented, with a special focus on their sustainability. A review about research methods on the use of GPR and InSAR technologies for railway infrastructure monitoring is also reported, including main investigations carried out in the laboratory and the real-life environments. Furthermore, a conceptual framework based on an integrated approach including satellite-based and ground-based investigations is proposed, where network and local level information can be merged for a more effective detection of critical sections and the implementation of an advanced predictive maintenance system
Evaluation of community perspectives on national health insurance policy to health service delivery in Ghana
No full textThe paper aims to examine National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) policy from the perspective of local communities. Qualitative data from nine key informant interviews and seventy-two community respondents in nine focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted. The FGDs took place in seven different communities in seven regions of Ghana. The data were analysed using thematic network approach. The findings noted a disconnection between NHIS policy and community life. More so, the findings showed an explicit link between equity and access with its impacts on health outcomes. The qualitative results indicated lack of voice and understanding as features limiting people from accessing the NHIS facilities. Understanding of equity as a key theme revealed: first, lack of stakeholder engagement and consultation or participation in the NHIS decision making process. Second it was established that while the policy indicated a will to include all the core poor for an equitable NHIS, there is lack of willingness to implement this aim fully. Finally, despite being a pro- poor intervention by name, practical management of the NHIS is transmitted down vertical silos from the national level, with the lack of joined-up government at the centre undermining local partnerships. Thus, not only are national expectations being dashed locally, local expectations are dashed nationally. The paper proposes that community viewpoints should be given higher priority given that NHIS has since its inception been associated with medical treatments and biomedical paradigm. Promoting community participation, understanding and voices should be recognised to shape the future NHIS policy and practice
Bass | the wider frontier: low-end stereo placement for headphone listening
Get PDFThe placement of low-end spectra in popular mixes has ranged from dogmatic centrality to extreme staging, but current developments in production workflows, stylistic evolution and increasingly personalised modes of consumption have resulted in alternative—if less polarised—approaches to low- end production. The authors question how contemporary practitioners ‘sculpt’ bass in their mixes, the strategies that are deployed to secure translation, and the relationship between innovation in the bass spectrum and sensible mix architecture. The aim is to investigate the aesthetic and pragmatic causality behind the phenomenon, but also to examine and theorise on the creative possibilities for future bass staging
Innovation in music: future possibilities
No full textInnovation in Music: Future Opportunities brings together cutting-edge research on new innovations in the field of music production, technology, performance and business. Including contributions from a host of well-respected researchers and practitioners, this volume provides crucial coverage on a range of topics from cybersecurity, to accessible music technology, performance techniques and the role of talent shows within music business.
Innovation in Music: Future Opportunities is the perfect companion for professionals and researchers alike with an interest in the music industry
Racist morbidities: A conjunctural analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFThis article aims to offer a preliminary theorization of some of the on-going effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic on minorities. Drawing on Antonio Gramsci's famous characterization of the crisis as an ‘interregnum’ in which various ‘morbid phenomena’ appear, we suggest that one of the main underpinning logics of the current crisis could be thought of in terms of racist morbidities. Framing the article within Stuart Hall's reading of Gramsci, we discuss two empirical cases: the disproportionate morbid effects of the pandemic on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) in the UK – that we name ‘political morbidities’, and the Moscow municipality's measures addressing migrant workers during the pandemic – that we name ‘socio-spatial morbidities’. The concept of racist morbidities, we conclude, can be a useful exploratory concept to analyse the current and other moments and structures of crisis
Social problems in the UK: an introduction. 2nd edition
Get PDFSocial Problems in the UK: An Introduction contextualises the most pressing social problems of our times drawing upon the disciplines of sociology, social policy, education studies and health studies. This much-needed textbook brings together a comprehensive range of expertise in the applied social sciences to discuss the social myths and moral panics that surround many popular debates. This is an accessible text that carefully guides students through the methodology of social construction and related theories to introduce key topics in the areas of:
‘Race’ and ethnicity
The Future of work
Poverty and Homelessness
Inequalities in education
Health, public health and mental health
Ageing and the ‘third age’
This completely revised and up-to-date Second edition covers the most urgent social issues facing the UK today, including an analysis of the Black Lives Matter movement, the Covid-19 health crisis, and the new ‘gig’ economy. The Second edition maintains the accessible style and easy to read format of the first edition, integrated with Key Points and Further Reading elements to further aid student learning. Situated firmly in the new post-pandemic, post-Brexit world, this text contains new chapters on all the most pressing questions raised in the media and in public debates. It will help readers understand the background and broader context of the UK’s key social problems
The frequency of urinary tract infections and the value of antiseptics in community-dwelling people who undertake intermittent urinary catheterization: A systematic review
No full textBackground
This systematic review had 2 aims. First to identify the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and bacteriuria in people undertaking intermittent catheterization (IC), second to determine the effectiveness of antiseptic cleaning of the meatal area prior to IC in reducing the incidence of UTI and bacteriuria.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted. Medline and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature electronic databases were systematically searched between January 1, 1990 and January 31, 2020, to identify studies that reported either the incidence of UTI or bacteriuria or the impact of using antiseptics for meatal cleaning prior to IC on incidence of these same outcomes.
Results
Twenty-five articles were identified for the first aim, 2 articles for the second. The proportion of participants experiencing ≥1 UTIs per year ranged from 15.4% to 86.6%. Synthesis of these studies suggest a combined incidence of 44.2% (95%CI 40.2%-48.5%) of participants having ≥1 UTIs per year. One of the 2 studies exploring the benefit of antiseptics in reducing UTI suggest some potential benefit of using chlorhexidine in reducing UTIs. Both studies have significant limitations, making interpretation difficult.
Conclusions
A large proportion of people undertaking IC in the community have UTIs each year. Evidence on the role of antiseptics in the prevention of UTI for people who undertake IC remains unclear
The BBC and Covid-19 The politicisation of a pandemic?
No full textThe difficulty faced by journalists in mediating this unusual event was compounded by limited access to Government sources, a problem which took on greater proportions as the story developed and as the relationship between Ministers and the ‘Lobby' became more strained. Interviews with Government officials would fall within this frame of the accountability interview. The majority cited health and safety concerns (40%), closely followed by adherence to Government narratives (35%). Access to official sources was also seen as a barrier (20%). Access was clearly an issue for the majority of journalists throughout the pandemic, as evidenced in the discussion on the Daily Briefings. It is also noteworthy that the closure of Parliament during the crisis exacerbated the lack of access to Government sources, creating further difficulties for political journalists. The sample referred to covers a period of four weeks and focuses on episodes from 15 March, 22 March, 29 March and 5 April 2020
Teaching here and there, pilot episode
No full textWelcome to this pilot episode of a podcast series called 'Teaching Here and There'
Presented by Dom Pates, James Rutherford & Dr Ivan Sikora, this podcast will begin with our personal introductions and a conversation around our individual connections to hybrid teaching.
We will look at the aims and objectives of the podcast series, how often it should be available and how listeners can get in touch to contribute
What are the experiences and the perceptions of service users attending emergency department for a mental health crisis? A systematic review
Get PDFHistorically, dualistic healthcare systems have resulted in limited mental health care provision within physical health settings, with service users reporting poor care specifically while attending emergency departments in a mental health crisis. Modern approaches to healthcare recognise these inequalities and are moving toward integrating healthcare systems that allow more holistic and seamless experiences for service users. This mixed-method review examines the experiences and perceptions of service users attending emergency departments for a mental health crisis. Systematic searches of eight databases on two platforms (EBSCO, OVID) and grey literature databases (Open Grey, Base) were conducted. Studies were systematically screened for inclusion based on predetermined eligibility criteria and quality assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were tabulated and synthesised using thematic synthesis. Ten studies consisting of qualitative and mixed-method designs were included in the review. Five overarching themes emerged from the synthesis: social constructs, service provider, service provision, effectiveness, and emotional impact. The findings from this review show that service users continue to have negative experiences in emergency departments due to stigmatising attitudes and low skill in managing mental health needs. Whereas more positive experiences are attributed to the availability of mental health liaison services. Tackling stigma, improving communication and staff training, providing calm environments, addressing structural issues that promote better interagency working and reduce gaps in services are needed to improve mental health service user experience. Future research should focus on trauma-informed approaches in emergency departments to improve person-centred care for service users experiencing a mental health crisis