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Smart Grid 2.0 security
No full textSmart Grid 2.0 is the next generation of Smart Grid technology that leverages advanced communication and automation technologies to improve the efficiency and reliability of energy systems. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the security aspect of Smart Grid 2.0. By the end of this chapter, readers will understand the taxonomy of Smart Grid 2.0 and the security attacks that are associated with it. They will also gain an understanding of the privacy objectives of Smart Grid 2.0 and the standardization initiatives that are being developed to ensure its security and privacy. With this knowledge, readers will be able to assess the security and privacy implications of Smart Grid 2.0 and make informed decisions about its implementation
Teachers’ and students’ perspectives on the extent to which assistive technology maximises independence
Get PDFAssistive Technologies (ATs) are extensively used and integrated into society, mainstream and specialist education settings, more so with students who have learning disabilities. Everyone has a perspective on the extent to which these devices provide students with disabilities and specifically in this case study, students with visual impairments (VI) independence during their education. This case study indicates the importance of researching emerging technologies within specialist education such as tablets, multiple forms of braille, and screen readers, while utilising a constructivist paradigm to undertake the mixed methods research. This study triangulates through the use of qualitative and quantitative research tools to discover mixed views on the extent to which AT promotes the independence of students with vision impairment, ultimately discovering the extent is somewhat individualised to each and every student. This study was conducted in an English, special-mainstream partnership further education college. Four students and five teaching staff members were interviewed, alongside five classroom observations of each staff member interviewed. The foci of this article are teacher and student perspectives on the extent to which ATs provide students with VIs independence in their learning, and if ATs play a crucial role in these students’ educations. The findings revealed largely positive views surrounding ATs potential for students with VI. The extent to which the students benefit from these advantages is dependent on the individual. The students focused much of their attention on their personal feelings towards using technology, whereas the teachers elaborated on their feelings and went into detail about particular students’ successes and pitfalls when using ATs. As technology is constantly changing, the participants expressed their concerns for keeping up to date. Recommendations for further research include a longitudinal study at the college where this research took place to discover whether partnership further education facilitates inclusion
Article 28: Exclusion of certain provisions of the ECT from the settlement of disputes between contracting parties [2023]
No full textArticle 27 of the Energy Charter Treaty can be employed in relation to disputes concerning the interpretation and application of any of the provisions of the ECT, except for the ones excluded by Article 28 of the ECT: Article 5 on trade-related investment measures and Article 29 referring to interim provisions on trade-related matters, unless otherwise agreed by the Contracting Parties
Article 27: Settlement of disputes between contracting parties [2023]
No full textArticle 27 of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) provides for the adequate mechanism for the resolution of disputes between the Contracting Parties concerning the application and the interpretation of the ECT. Such disputes shall be submitted first to amicable resolution, through diplomatic channels, and if this proves unsuccessful, to ad hoc arbitration, as described by Article 27
Corporate communications: accounting, linguistics and semiotics
No full textCorporations tend to make many communications about their activities, some of which are required by law and others of which are informative. Needless to say, these corporations wish to make their activities appear in the best possible light. They are therefore carefully crafted to this effect. It is therefore necessary to interpret these corporate communications to get behind the actual words and data reported in order to understand actual implications. Although technical expertise is required to understand the actual financial information being provided, these are always surrounded by words, pictures etc. and this chapter is intended to show how an understanding of appropriate linguistic concepts and the basics of semiotics enables a much fuller understanding of what is being communicated, regardless of the intentions of the corporate representatives creating the communication
If you want to help us, you need to hear us
No full textContextual Safeguarding (CS) offers a framework where participation is crucial to keeping young people safe in their different contexts beyond their homes. Moving from this conceptual framework to the practical creation of a system that is meaningfully informed by young people, however, presents a number of research and ethical challenges. The creation and implementation of CS systems within local authorities in England and Wales provides an opportunity to explore methodological considerations of consulting with young people on initial system design. In this chapter, we will reflect on the current child protection system and the challenges it presents when embedding participatory practices and developing CS approaches that are informed by the views of young people. Reflecting on commenced efforts to adopt a CS approach within local authorities as part of the Scale-Up Project and drawing on research into the role of participation as protection, we will discuss a number of considerations for carrying out consultative research with young people and introduce some of the emerging themes from young people who participated in the Scale-Up research areas, which, we argue, are essential for developing CS, and advocate for meaningful participatory practice in child protection systems
Young people, gangs and paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland
No full textYouth gangs and paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland, John Pitts, citing research undertaken over several decades in Northern Ireland, considers the legacy of the ‘Troubles’ for the children, young people and families who live in the sectarian strongholds of the Province. He endeavors to explain something of the mindset of many of the people living in these areas, their sense of victimization and the burden this places on the younger generation. By way of example, he charts the history of the Tartan youth gangs that morphed into a faction of the ‘Loyalist’’ Ulster Defence Association and notes that despite the 1996 peace accord young people continue to be recruited into both Loyalist and Nationalist organizations which may then involve them in fund-raising via drug-dealing and violent street demonstrations. He concludes with a consideration of how re-framing this situation as a children’s rights issue could constitute part of the solution
The Frail-LESS (LEss Sitting and Sarcopenia in Frail older adults) intervention to improve sarcopenia and maintain independent living via reductions in prolonged sitting: a randomised controlled feasibility trial protocol
Get PDFBackground Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalised loss of muscle mass and function with advancing age and is a major contributor to frailty. These conditions lead to functional disability, loss of independence, and lower quality of life. Sedentary behaviour is adversely associated with sarcopenia and frailty. Reducing and breaking up sitting should thus be explored as an intervention target for their management. The primary aim of this study, therefore, is to examine the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) that evaluates a remotely delivered intervention to improve sarcopenia and independent living via reducing and breaking up sitting in frail older adults. Methods This mixed-methods randomised controlled feasibility trial will recruit 60 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years with very mild or mild frailty. After baseline measures, participants will be randomised to receive the Frail-LESS (LEss Sitting and Sarcopenia in Frail older adults) intervention or serve as controls (usual care) for 6 months. Frail-LESS is a remotely delivered intervention comprising of tailored feedback on sitting, information on the health risks of excess sitting, supported goal setting and action planning, a wearable device that tracks inactive time and provides alerts to move, health coaching, and peer support. Feasibility will be assessed in terms of recruitment, retention, and data completion rates. A process evaluation will assess intervention acceptability, safety, and fidelity of the trial. The following measures will be taken at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months: sitting, standing, and stepping using a thigh-worn activPAL4 device, sarcopenia (via hand grip strength, muscle mass, and physical function), mood, wellbeing, and quality of life. Discussion This study will determine the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of evaluating a remote intervention to reduce and break up sitting to support improvements in sarcopenia and independent living in frail older adults. A future definitive RCT to determine intervention effectiveness will be informed by the study findings
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among pregnant women in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFTo estimate prevalence of HIV infection in Nigeria and to examine variations by geopolitical zones and study characteristics to inform policy, practice and research. We conducted a comprehensive search of bibliographic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Global Health, Academic Search Elite and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) and grey sources for studies published between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2019. Studies reporting prevalence estimates of HIV among pregnant women in Nigeria using a diagnostic test were included. Primary outcome was proportion (%) of pregnant women living with HIV infection. A review protocol was developed and registered (PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019107037). Twenty-three studies involving 72 728 pregnant women were included. Ten studies were of high quality and the remaining were of moderate quality. Twenty-one studies used two or more diagnostic tests to identify women living with HIV. Overall pooled prevalence of HIV among pregnant women was 7.22% (95% CI 5.64 to 9.21). Studies showed high degree of heterogeneity (I2 =97.2%) and evidence of publication bias (p=0.728). Pooled prevalence for most individual geopolitical zones showed substantial variations compared with overall prevalence. North-Central (6.84%, 95% CI 4.73 to 9.79) and South-West zones (6.27%, 95% CI 4.75 to 8.24) had lower prevalence whereas South-East zone (17.04%, 95% CI 9.01 to 29.86) had higher prevalence. While robust national prevalence studies are sparse in Nigeria, our findings suggest 7 in every 100 pregnant women are likely to have HIV infection. These figures are consistent with reported prevalence rates in sub-Saharan African region. WHO has indicated much higher prevalence in Nigeria compared with our findings. This discrepancy could potentially be attributed to varied methodological approaches and regional focus of studies included in our review. The magnitude of the issue highlights the need for targeted efforts from local, national and international stakeholders for prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment
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