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The Guitar Reimagined
No full textPerformers and instrument designers have been exploring ways in which to expand the possibilities of the guitar through electronics since at least the 1930s. The history of the classical guitar and electronics, however, is much less familiar to a general audience. This is despite the fact that a great many pieces that bring together the classical guitar and electronics in innovative and imaginative ways have been written, performed, and recorded by amateurs and professionals around the world. This chapter presents the contextual background for an integrated hybrid system for classical guitar and electronics, which exploits the guitarist’s existing skillset in order to control the electronic environment
Increased exposure to loading is associated with decreased plantar soft tissue hardness in people with diabetes and neuropathy
Get PDFAims
Literature indicates that altered plantar loading in people with diabetes could trigger changes in plantar soft tissue biomechanics which, in turn, could affect the risk for ulceration. To stimulate more research in this area, this study uses in vivo testing to investigate the link between plantar loading and tissue hardness.
Methods
Tissue hardness and plantar pressure distribution were measured for six plantar areas in 39 people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.
Results
Spearman correlation analysis revealed that increased pressure time integral at the 1st metatarsal-head region (r = -0.354, n = 39, P = 0.027) or at the heel (r = -0.378, n = 39, P = 0.018) was associated with reduced hardness in the same regions. After accounting for confounding parameters, generalised estimating equations analysis also showed that 10% increase in pressure time integral at the heel was associated with ≈ 1 unit reduction in hardness in the same region.
Conclusions
For the first time, this study reveals that people with diabetes and neuropathy who tend to load their feet more heavily also tend to have plantar soft tissues with lower hardness. The observed difference in tissue hardness is likely to affect the tissue’s vulnerability to overload injury. More research will be needed to explore the implications of the observed association for the risk of ulceration
Lockdown: Social Harm in the Covid-19 Era
No full textThis book asks whether the decision to lock down the world was justified in proportion to the potential harms and risks generated by the Covid-19 virus. Drawing on global, empirical data, it explores and exposes the social harms induced by lockdowns, many of which are 'hidden', including joblessness, mental health problems and an intensification of societal inequalities and divisions. It offers data-driven case studies on harms such as domestic violence, child abuse, the distress of being ordered to stay at home, and the numerous harms associated with the new wealth industries. It explores why some people weren't compliant with lockdown restrictions and examines the already vulnerable social groups who were disproportionally affected by lockdown including those who were locked in (care home residents), locked up (prisoners), and locked out (migrant workers, refugees). The book closes with a brief discussion on what the future might look like as we enter a post-Covid world, drawing on cutting-edge social theory
Carbon Capture Technologies for Gas-Turbine-Based Power Plants
No full textCarbon Capture Technologies for Gas-Turbine-Based Power Plants explores current progress in one of the most capable technologies for carbon capture in gas-turbine-based power plants. It identifies the primary benefits and shortcomings of oxy-fuel combustion CO2 capture technology compared to other capture technologies such as pre-combustion and post-combustion capture. This book examines over 20 different oxy-combustion turbine (oxyturbine) power cycles by providing their main operational parameters, thermodynamics and process modelling, energy and exergy analysis and performance evaluation. The conventional natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant with post-combustion capture used as the base-case scenario. The design procedure and operational characteristics of a radial NOx-less oxy-fuel gas turbine combustor are presented with CFD simulation and performance analysis of the heat exchanger network and turbomachinery. Overview of oxygen production and air separation units (ASU) and CO2 compression and purification units (CPU) are also presented and discussed. The most advanced stages of development for the leading oxyturbine power cycles are assessed using techno-economic analysis, sensitivity, risk assessments and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and analysing technology readiness level (TRL) and development stages. The book concludes with a road map for the development of future gas turbine-based power plants with full carbon capture capabilities using the experiences of the recently demonstrated cycles
High season, low growth: The impact of tourism seasonality and vulnerability to tourism on the emergence of high-growth firms
Get PDFBeneficial effects of tourism for growth are well known but the negative ones are also among increasingly investigated issues. One of open questions relates to individual channels through which tourism effects translate into local economic outcomes. Using datasets on population of firms and tourist arrivals over 2012-2019 period in small, tourism-led economy we show that seasonality and overall vulnerability of destination to tourism exert negative effects on the share of high growth firms consistent with recent findings of their effects on housing affordability. Several times stronger effects of seasonality can be associated with features such as capital underutilization, revenue instability and sensitivity to external shocks but future research is needed to corroborate on these issues across space and time
Everyday experiences of using fitness devices: A thematic analysis
Get PDFFitness devices such as Fitbits and Apple watches are designed to motivate people and their fitness, and are commonly worn on the wrist to help increase physical activity by monitoring aspects of health such as step count, energy expenditure and calories consumed (Canhoto and Arp 2017). Previous research has quantitatively measured elements of fitness devices such as the effectiveness and reliability, however, there has been a lack of research exploring people’s experiences of using these devices. Therefore, in this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen adults (eleven females, two males) aged 24-60 years old to explore their experiences. Four themes were identified which capture the participants’ experiences of using fitness devices: 1) Part of the individual, 2) Monitoring and validating health conditions, 3) Like a personal trainer and 4) Competition: with yourself and others. Whilst experiences of using fitness devices were mainly positive, there is potential for these devices to lead to a range of negative emotions. The importance of setting realistic and appropriate goals is highlighted to avoid potentially negative implications of not meeting targets. Implications for health promotion are discussed including the need for increased education and training on appropriate goal setting for fitness device users
'Adolf Island': The Nazi Occupation of Alderney
Get PDF'Adolf Island’ offers new forensic, archaeological and spatial perspectives on the Nazi forced and slave labour programme that was initiated on the Channel Island of Alderney during its occupation in the Second World War. Drawing on extensive archival research and the results of the first in-field investigations of the ‘crime scenes’ since 1945, the book identifies and characterises the network of concentration and labour camps, fortifications, burial sites and other material traces connected to the occupation, providing new insights into the identities and experiences of the men and women who lived, worked and died within this landscape. Moving beyond previous studies focused on military aspects of occupation, the book argues that Alderney was intrinsically linked to wider systems of Nazi forced and slave labour
A review of the potential of R&D tax policy to support the creative industries
Get PDFCreative industries represent a vital segment of the UK economy, contributing to the growth of local economies (Mateos-Garcia et al., 2018) and the country’s competitive advantage (HM Government, 2018). In 2018, the creative industries comprised 6.2% of the economy of the United Kingdom in terms of employment (DCMS, 2019) and 5.8% in terms of gross value added (GVA) (DCMS, 2020). Additionally, the creative industries are fast growing – employment in the creative industries grew by 30.6% over the period 2011 to 2018, while the GVA in real terms increased by 43.2% since 2010 (DCMS, 2020). Creative industries tend to be innovative (Bird et al., 2020) and can be highly productive, although they constitute a diverse sector of the economy embracing a wide range of productivity levels (see Section 2 below). Currently, the creative industries, and arts, humanities and social sciences more generally, are ineligible for R&D tax policy support in the United Kingdom (Bakhshi, Breckon and Puttick, 2021). This report will explore the potential of R&D tax policy to support the creative industries.
The first section of the report provides definitions of the creative occupations and the creative industries, identifying the main characteristics of both and the links between the two. Additionally, the features of the firms in the creative industries, especially features relevant for the purposes of the policy making, are discussed in detail in this section.
The second section discusses the creative industries in the United Kingdom – their importance, main characteristics, and R&D and innovation in the creative industries.
The third section discusses R&D tax policy more generally, how it can be used to promote innovation, and the effectiveness of the scheme. Additionally, the section will discuss the main applications of the policy in the United Kingdom and the changes over time.
The fourth section details public support measures for creative industries other than tax credits. Finally, Section 5 offers policy recommendations
Evaluation of the Sector Hub Action Research Project. Funded by the Community Renewal Fund Promoting care as a career – a pilot project devised and led by Acacia Training in Stoke on Trent
Get PDFThe Sector Hub Action Research Project (SHARP) is a pilot project designed to inform how providers can work collaboratively to address skills shortages in the adult, child, and domiciliary care sectors. The project was funded by the Government Skills for Growth Plan; a national programme, which seeks to promote the Levelling Up Agenda by improving skills, infrastructure, and innovation. The project had three strands, first was to promote care as a career, including care-focused outreach targeting under-represented groups delivered by Acacia Training and Acorn Training. Secondly, Acacia Training provided care-focused information, advice, and guidance on careers in care, job opportunities, transferrable skills, salary, and progression. Finally, Acacia Training developed a portfolio of care provider resources and actions which support job retention and career progression in the health and social care sector.
The evaluation led by Staffordshire University monitored and tracked the outreach, training, and support as well as navigation to employment in the target sector using an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) model. AI provided a rich tapestry of experiences of staff and trainees or potential care staff. The report includes findings from the surveys and interviews illustrating a direct correlation between support provided and outcomes. Six key themes are highlighted in the report, reiterating the impact Covid-19 had on employment relations which are particularly important in the health and social care system. The evaluation emphasised how lack of orientation opportunities influenced workflow and team management procedures during the pandemic. Other barriers identified have been cited in literature, such as the policies around enforced vaccination, the emotional labour of work in the care sector and unwillingness to engage with pride in jobs which involve personal care. The report also stresses the need for holistic support, with reference to enhancing digital access for potential trainees who may be motivated but do not have the technical resources and know how to engage with digital employment routes or systems.
The recommendations are linked to the holistic needs highlighted in the pilot and its evaluation, suggesting wrap-around support which enhances appreciation of the range of roles in the sector, the need for localised opportunities and established, attractive progression routes. Comprehensive training and development programmes that support skills, confidence and care as a career are also important
FDI spillover effects on innovation activities of knowledge using and knowledge creating firms: Evidence from an emerging economy
Get PDFThe beneficial effects of innovation for firm performance and competitiveness are well established but it has been suggested in recent years that innovation regimes differ between advanced and emerging economies. While advanced economies rely on knowledge generation, their emerging counterparts follow mainly knowledge use regime through the application of existing knowledge and technology. Climbing up the technological ladder can be helped through spillovers from foreign investors to local firms. We investigate whether FDI spillovers influence different phases of innovation process (from decision to innovate to productivity) among knowledge using and knowledge creating firms in an emerging European economy. The results show that innovation process in emerging economies is closer to imitation than creation of novel products. Local firms benefit from foreign counterparts in the early phase of innovation process. Stronger FDI effects are found on firms that undertake innovation through knowledge use than through knowledge generation
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