36633 research outputs found
Sort by
LOL, a Sonic Détournement of the CCTV Surveillance Network
No full textThe author elaborates on her approach in conceiving LOL, a site-specific sonic intervention delivered through the public address system of Middlesbrough’s CCTV surveillance network. The three-part audio collage addresses sociopolitical issues at the heart of British politics post-Brexit, using plundering and détournement techniques. Each public address speaker acts as a disruptive-sounding body, an acousmatic voice standing anonymously above the town
Advancing practice:a low-risk pregnancy group session antenatal fitness programme for the second trimester
No full textExercise in pregnancy has been shown to decrease macrosomia, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, caesarean delivery, low back pain, pelvic girdle pain and urinary incontinence (). Common examples of cardiovascular exercise include cycling, stair steppers, ellipticals, swimming, aerobic dance, walking and yoga. It is recommended that exercise should be vigorous enough to elevate the heart rate to approximately 110-120 beats per minute. This does vary with age: however, the average pregnant woman is between 18-35 years of age
Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer Coefficients in a Plate Heat Exchange for an Organic Rankine Cycle
No full textEnhancing the evaporator configuration of plate heat exchangers is essential for improving the overall efficiency of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems. To investigate the evaporator’s heat transfer characteristics, an experimental ORC test rig was developed. The experiments were conducted at saturation temperatures of 62.8–86.2 °C, mass fluxes of 5.0–16.6 kg/(m2·s), and heat fluxes of 3.1–9.2 kW/m2, spanning subcooled boiling, saturated two-phase, and superheating regions. The heat flux showed minimal variation with heat source temperature, whereas higher mass fluxes resulted in substantial increases in generator power and thermal efficiency due to enhanced convection and vaporization. The overall and refrigerant heat transfer coefficients rise with heat source temperature and mass flux, peaking under moderate conditions and declining as the superheating region becomes constrained. Comparison with existing correlations reveals pronounced deviations, indicating their limited applicability under the present operating conditions. A nondimensional correlation was established using dimensional analysis and multivariate regression to predict heat transfer across the subcooled boiling, saturated two-phase, and superheating regions. The proposed correlation yielded a mean absolute percentage error of 15.9%, demonstrating good predictive accuracy and providing a reliable theoretical basis for performance evaluation and design optimization of plate evaporators in ORC systems.</p
İnci Eviner
No full textIn the autumn of 2024 an enigmatic installation FIG.1 stood in London’s Regent’s Park. Resembling a small, tiered stage, the work appeared at once out of place and unexpectedly at home in the natural environment. Atop the structure was a collection of fragmented ceramic sculptures. These objects – comprising human and non-human body parts, such as torsos, tails and heads with pointed, bat-like ears – appeared ready for activation, as though caught on the verge of movement. Although individually fragile, collectively they conveyed a sense of latent power. Titled Materials of Mind Theatre, this installation was created by the Turkish artist İnci Eviner (b.1956) for Frieze Sculpture 2024. Working with ceramics students from the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul, Eviner produced twenty-five stoneware clay sculptures, conceiving each as a costume that embodies a particular persona, thought or emotion. Arranged on the stage, they coalesce into an exploration of bodies, identities and collective memory, while expanding the performative and narrative possibilities of sculpture ..
Comparing indoor tracking of golf ball and club metrics:Consistency and absolute agreement of the Flightscope Mevo+ and Trackman 4 launch monitors
No full textBackground: This study aimed to compare the Flightscope Mevo+ launch monitor against a previously validated system (Trackman 4) during full golf swings in an indoor setting. Methods: Mevo+ and Trackman 4 were compared concurrently for driver (n= 118, 118, 174 shots, respectively). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) reported consistency and absolute agreement. Bland-Altman plots reported limits of agreement. Results: Moderate to excellent consistency was reported for all values for driver (ICC= 0.66-0.996), 7-iron (ICC= 0.50-0.996) and pitching wedge (ICC= 0.55-1.00) except angle of attack which was poor for both 7-iron and pitching wedge (ICC= 0.06 & 0.03, respectively). For absolute agreement, Mevo+ demonstrated moderate to excellent levels for most driver (ICC range= 0.58-0.98), 7-iron (ICC range= 0.83-0.94) and pitching wedge (ICC range= 0.77-0.999) variables. Driver swing plane (ICC absolute= 0.24), 7-iron angle of attack, clubhead speed, dynamic loft and spin rate (ICC absolute= 0.02, 0.44, 0.23, 0.49, 0.42, respectively) and pitching wedge angle of attack, dynamic loft, and swing plane (ICC absolute= 0.01, 0.25, 0.43, respectively) had poor agreement. Conclusion: Mevo+ is consistent with Trackman 4 for all variables except angle of attack. It does however provide different absolute values, but usually in a consistent, systematic manner, across a number of variables. Coaches, club fitters, golfers, and scientists should be aware of these systematic differences when attempting to compare performance across launch monitors or when solely using the Mevo+ system to aid performance, club building and fitting, or for research purposes
A Dissection of Factors Influencing Face Recognition Technologies
No full textTechnology like facial recognition can help society by reducing human interaction, decreasing crime, and enhancing safety and security. The enhancements in technologies have resulted in substantial developments in face recognition. However, achieving accurate and reliable face recognition across different conditions still proves problematic despite these developments. This review takes a closer look at the human face and how it can be improved for better facial identification systems. By integrating various literature sources, this study highlights some of the key factors responsible for influencing the accuracy of facial recognition such as cultural processes and holistic processing. It explains why overcoming these determinants is necessary for creating more efficient and dependable algorithms. As a complete review, it becomes apparent that adaptive face recognition technologies are needed to ensure good performance on diverse environments and user demographics. Strategies are provided for improving facial imaging techniques, an effort that can contribute towards the development of the field and its application areas
A Model of the Deformations of a Cross-Section of the Spinal Cord Due to Periodic Pressure Loadings
Get PDFChanges in the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the spinal cord can cause deformations of the spinal cord, which, in turn, may lead to the cord being damaged. In addition, the changes in the pressure of the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid can cause changes to the pressure of the extracellular fluid which saturates the spinal cord. The finite element method can be used to solve the differential equations, which describe both how the cord deforms and changes in the pressure of the extracellular fluid but often this requires a large number of time-steps to obtain an accurate and stable numerical solution.We present an alternative approach that uses a Fourier series method that avoids the need for using a time-stepping scheme and that can model how a pressure pulse affects the spinal cord
Promoting human–carnivore coexistence through outreach in Namibia's eastern communal conservancies
Get PDFEducation and community outreach are fundamental to raising conservation awareness in rural communities for alleviating human–wildlife conflict (HWC). Evaluating the impacts of programs aimed at reducing HWC is necessary to justify the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, and to provide feedback for designing sustainable conservation initiatives at the community level. We examined the impacts of an outreach program in four eastern communal conservancies in Namibia using questionnaire surveys administered to outreach workshop participants. Most participants experienced livestock losses (91.7%), which were caused primarily by predators and droughts. Following workshop attendance, significant declines in livestock losses were observed and perceptions regarding the abundances of predators in the area reflected the reality on the ground more accurately. These results suggest that workshops can be effective in teaching communities about predator ecology and mitigating depredation losses of livestock. Therefore, workshops can be used as an important strategy to promote conservation and sustainable livelihoods.</p
The Peer-to-Peer Model:A UK Institution’s Approach to Broadening and Embedding the Provision of Peer Learning and Support
Get PDFThis paper shares a UK institution’s research-informed peer-to-peer model for broadening and embedding a variety of peer learning and support activities into the curriculum and as co/extracurricular opportunities. Qualitative research explored the approaches, practices, and values of peer learning and support through a literature review, followed by mapping practices across the institution and conducting focus groups with students and staff. Thematic analysis of these findings, combined with reflections from the professional experience of the researcher, informed the development of the peer-to-peer model. The importance of institutions strategically leading and evaluating the embedding of peer learning and support within the curriculum across all courses, in addition to providing co/extracurricular opportunities, is discussed. Findings highlighted a wide variety of approaches to peer learning and support and identified five key stages to guide staff practice, including 1) co-design, 2) inclusive recruitment, 3) training and reward, 4) safeguarding and supervision, and 5) evaluation. Values were identified for framing peer-to-peer interactions as empowering, developmental, collaborative, exploratory, accountable, respectful, inclusive, transitional, compassionate, and motivational. Implications of the peer-to-peer model for institutions and practitioners are discussed, including its use for staff development, curriculum design and teaching, quality assurance and impact evaluation, and research. Next steps for further research and wider consultation are shared.</p