26729 research outputs found
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Investigating the VR rollercoaster experience by applying AI models to biometric data
No full textDetecting emotional components within a Virtual Reality is crucial for evaluating the user experience. However, it’s not always easy to detect changes in emotional states during immersive scenarios. This paper investigates the use of an IoT stress detection device aimed at collecting heartbeat and galvanic skin data during the VR rollercoaster simulation, consisting of a moving chair and a synchronized visor, providing a 3D scenario with adjustable speed. The biometric data was processed by a machine learning model, accurately selected after a comparative analysis between three Clustering models, to identify the different stress levels felt by the participants during the ride. Their stress levels were then cross-referenced with their perceptions on the ride to demonstrate whether VR can have an impact on their emotions. The results show how the VR can affect the perceived levels of stress and how a VR simulation could be comparable to a real roller coaster
Movement patterns of women's national team rugby players across a series of matches
No full textGiven the increasing level of competitiveness of women's rugby union, it is crucial to better understand the physical demands of female players during match play. In this study, we examined the locomotor activities during 6 consecutive matches played by the Brazilian Women's National Team Rugby Union players to identify positional and temporal variations in distance and acceleration-based parameters. Thirty-nine women rugby players (20 backs and 19 forwards) participated in the study. Data were collected using a global positioning system, with a 10 Hz acquisition frequency, to analyze the players' locomotor activities during 6 international matches (i.e., total distance [TD], distance covered at different intensity zones, acceleration load, acceleration density, high metabolic load distance, and player load [PL]). The TD covered during the matches averaged 5,425 ± 629 m. Total distance, distances >20 km·h−1, acceleration load, and acceleration density were higher for backs in comparison with forwards (11, 11, 12, and 63% difference, respectively; p < 0.001). Higher TD, acceleration load, acceleration density, and PL values were observed in the first quarter compared with subsequent quarters (11, 13, 15, and 14% difference, respectively; p < 0.001). Coaches should consider these findings to design tailored training for backs and forwards. Regardless of their positions, players cover greater distances at varying speeds in the first quarter than in the subsequent quarters. These outcomes reinforce the need for specific training strategies to maintain the level of performance in later quarters and during critical moments of the match
LLM support for enterprise modelling based on integrating prompt and enterprise modelling meta-models
No full textLarge language models (LLMs) are considered by many researchers to be a promising technology for automating routine tasks in conceptual modeling, such as in enterprise modeling. Enterprise Mod-elling (EM) is a significant method-based endeavour that is often seen as a prerequisite to broader organisational programmes of work, such as digital transformation. Examples of tasks in EM that could be supported by LLMs include generating models from natural language descriptions provided by domain experts and transforming models into text to support non-modeling experts in applying models. For such tasks, it would be beneficial to ensure consistent terminology use across enterprise models, LLM prompts, and natural language descriptions. The research question addressed in this paper is: In the context of enterprise modelling, what is required to conceptually integrate prompt and enterprise modelling meta-models? From this exploration, the main contributions are (1) a novel and first such example of a conceptual meta-model for prompt engineering that integrates the concepts of the modelling domain under consideration with concepts from the modelling language applied, and the input and output of prompts, and (2) a demonstration of the applicability of the meta-model for different EM languages. The application of this meta-model, created using design science principles, is examined through an evaluation strategy comprising three evaluation episodes: internal to develop-ment team, external in the validation context and external in the application context. The proposed meta-model is potentially significant as it paves a route for the design for prompt modelling tools in an enterprise modelling context
Development of an impedance-based fast antimicrobial susceptibility test for Neisseria gonorrhoeae
No full textObjectives
Antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a serious threat to global health. Current N. gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is laborious and time consuming (≥2 days) leading to overprescription of last-resort, broad-spectrum antibiotics. In this proof-of-principle study, we developed a fast (<8 h) phenotypic, impedance-based AST for N. gonorrhoeae against frontline and experimental antibiotics.
Methods
WHO N. gonorrhoeae reference strains F, K, O, V, X and Y were exposed to EUCAST susceptibility breakpoint concentrations of ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and azithromycin for up to 5 h and to doubling dilutions of antibiotics for 4 h. The % cell count of antibiotic exposed compared with unexposed control samples, as measured by an impedance-based Fast Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test (iFAST®), was used to differentiate between susceptible and non-susceptible strains. Responses to novel antimicrobial compounds, including zoliflodacin and gepotidacin, were also measured by iFAST® and compared with published MICs.
Results
The protocol reported susceptibility profiles concordant with published data for all strain-drug combinations after 4 h of exposure. Dose–response curves generated using iFAST® for most strain-drug combinations were in essential agreement with published Etest MIC values. Novel compounds assessed using iFAST® showed higher antimicrobial activity than ciprofloxacin in the high-level resistant strain WHO X.
Conclusions
iFAST® AST results were concordant with the current clinical standards and measured in under 8 h. This method is therefore promising for the development of a rapid and accurate phenotypic N. gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility test
Towards an understanding of corporate heritage: its evolution from 2006 to 2019 and an agenda for future inquiry
No full textHaving a meaningful connotation with the longevity of the existence, the concept of heritage is being considered as a key element for international organisations to sustain the competitive advantage. The ample research on heritage made an enquiry to the domain of the research essential. Based on ISI Web of Knowledge, this paper evaluates the knowledge structure of corporate and brand heritage by reviewing 78 relevant articles with 941 citations in 50 journals from the business and management domain, between January 2006 and November 2019. By adopting co-citation analysis and multidimensional scaling, we identified five research groups. Co-occurrence network and algorithmic historiography were also utilised to identify the key themes, emerging and evolution of the seminal works. Based on the recent highly cited, a future model was proposed for researchers as well as international marketers that can provide insights on the evolving topics and trend areas within the research domain
Nurturing the future - holistic wellbeing and student midwife retention
No full textAddressing the student attrition crisis, this article advocates for a transition from individual resilience to systemic sustainability. By reframing support through
scaffolded learning, it shifts the onus of professional success from the student to the learning environment. At the heart of this shift is psychological safety: the lived assurance that students can show up as their whole selves without fear of being written off. Through partnership and proactive navigation of support ecosystems, we can foster a diverse workforce built to last
The case for the Commonwealth Games
No full textRecent decisions to relinquish hosting the Commonwealth Games have led to their continuation being questioned on the grounds of their prohibitive cost. However, such arguments tend to be based on narrow transactional economic calculations that do not properly consider the wider benefits of organised international sporting events. This paper presents the case for these less tangible sporting dividends and seeks to counter the growing narrative that the Commonwealth Games are anachronistic, irrelevant and not cost-effective
'Dissensus’ and the emergence of activist leadership in the baby room of UK early childhood settings
Full text linkIn the context of a chronically under-funded and fragmented Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector in England, there is an urgent need for models of leadership that emphasise action and advocacy. In the baby room, where pay, conditions and status are at their lowest, this is particularly the case. In this article, building on the model of activist leadership put forward by Woodrow and Busch (2008), we consider ‘dissensus’ as a foundation for activist leadership among baby room leaders working in English nurseries. Dissensus is the willingness to express and explore differences, disagreements and tensions. In gathering the perspectives and experiences of 15 baby room leaders, we identified three threads of dissensus which we consider in this article: 1) the desire for baby room educators’ contributions to be recognised as more than ‘just care’, 2) feelings of resentment around being overlooked and undermined by ECEC colleagues outside of the baby room and 3) questions around pay and conditions in the baby room. We consider these threads of dissensus as a potential starting point for activist leadership in the baby room
Assessment of air quality in the urban environment taking into account vegetation and building geometry
Full text linkIn this paper, the influence of a perpendicular structure in front of parallel buildings on the stabilization of pollutants is investigated, taking into account the porous medium. And to test the model, numerical simulation was carried out formulated using the Navier–Stokes governing equations. It is worth noting that attention is paid to configurations with a perpendicularly located box, in the middle of which there is a porous barrier simulating trees. Thus, this allows more realistically reproducing the conditions of the urban environment. The study is based on a test problem reproducing experimental conditions and the use of the RNG k-ε turbulent model. Simulation showed that the presence of perpendicular structures significantly affects the movement of air flows and the distribution of pollutant concentrations. Model adjustments for turbulent viscosity in critical areas were changed with the aim of improving forecast precision of impurity transport. Analysis of the vertical profile of concentrations revealed critical zones where harmful substances accumulate, especially at the level of y/H=1.26. The results were evaluated with experimental data and confirm the reliability of the numerical approach. Also, the distribution of concentration by height changes sharply and at the base of the wall (y/H = 0) it decreases to 0.4, and at y/H =1.26 it reaches a maximum showing a high level of pollution. The obtained results are relevant for the environmental analysis of the urban environment and can be used in planning measures to improve air quality. In the future, it is planned to expand the modeling to more complex urban areas taking into account the relief, multiple sources of pollution and weather conditions, which will improve the accuracy of forecasts and the effectiveness of environmental regulation
Battleground education: activism, protest and campaigning in diverse educational contexts
Full text linkThis Special Issue throws a spotlight on educational activism. It brings together an international collection of papers offering insights into struggles over education in a variety of contexts. Collectively, the papers capture the breadth and diversity of educational activism. They document battles fought by a range of different actors and illustrate how educational settings can become important sites for collective mobilisation and active citizenship. Beyond introducing the contributions to the collection, this opening paper serves two further purposes. First, we survey recent research in the field to build a picture of prominent areas of conflict in public education systems. And second, we present a novel conceptualisation of educational activism designed to aid further understanding and development of this important area of educational enquiry. Our ambition is for the collection to inspire further research in the field and encourage closer collaboration with campaigners engaged in struggles for educational and social justice