26729 research outputs found
Sort by
Forearm motion and hand grasp prediction based on target muscle bioimpedance for Human-Machine Interaction
Get PDFThis paper introduces a novel methodology for simultaneously predicting hand grasp and forearm motion using target muscle bioimpedance measurements and regression models. A total of six channels, formed by nine electrodes, are employed for this multi-degree of freedom (DoF) prediction. Given the time-dependent nature of bioimpedance variation, the long short-term memory (LSTM) regression model is more competent in multi-DoF prediction, compared to linear regression (LR), support vector regression (SVR) and multilayer perceptron (MLP). In intra-subject cross-validation, MLP yields an average coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9256 for predicting hand grasping angle, while LSTM achieves an average R2 of 0.9483 for predicting random simultaneous forearm two-DoF motion. Operation by amputees without the need to train the regression models is possible by mapping muscle bioimpedance variation directly to the prediction angle, allowing for the approximate estimation of single-DoF motion. The efficacy of these prediction approaches is demonstrated in a real-time object grasping task
Biodeterioration of cultural heritage monuments: a review of their deterioration mechanisms and conservation
No full textGeochemical cycles result in the chemical, physical, and mineralogical modification of rocks, ultimately leading to the formation of soil. However, when stones and rocks form part of historic buildings and monuments, the effects are deleterious. In addition, microorganisms colonize these monuments over time, resulting in the formation of biofilms, while microbial metabolites cause physical weakening and discoloration of the stone. This process, known as biodeterioration, results in a significant loss of cultural heritage. Purification and 16S rDNA sequencing of bacteria growing on heritage monuments revealed that the most prominent taxa were closely related to Bacillus spp., Arthrobacter spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Paenibacillus spp. In addition to bacteria, some fungal strains of the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium and Alternaria were also reported. To formulate effective conservation strategies to prevent biodeterioration and restore monuments, it is important to identify the microorganisms colonizing the substrate and the energy sources they utilize for sustenance. With this perspective, this review focuses on studies that explored the process of biodeterioration, the mechanisms by which microbes colonize and impact monuments, the techniques used to assess biodeterioration and conservation strategies designed to preserve the monuments
Suicide and culture 2.0: understanding the context
No full textIntegrating the role of culture is critical in preventing suicide
Written by leading suicide researchers
Explores suicide in different cultural contexts
Highlights how to conduct culturally sensitive studies
Building on the seminal work of Colucci and Lester (2013), this volume examines the unique perspective of the role culture plays in suicide research and prevention. With the current domination of individual and largely biomedical approaches in the field, these leading social scientists and suicide researchers carefully show how important integrating sociocultural factors is in helping to prevent people from dying by suicide and support those who live with suicidality.
The first section addresses the fundamental issues of why “culture” is of vital importance in understanding and preventing suicidal behavior, what the “cultural meaning” of suicide is, and where current research and theory are taking us. It concludes with a thought-provoking perspective on suicide as a staged performance. The second section features a mixed-methods cross-cultural study on the meanings of suicide in Australian, Indian, and Italian cultures. Additional chapters explore a culturally specific form of suicide (i.e., sati in India), suicide among Roma and Irish Travellers, and a community-based suicide prevention strategy for different populations, including migrants and refugees and people from low-and-middle-income Asian countries. The authors conclude with insightful recommendations for conducting culturally sensitive and meaningful studies.
This volume is essential reading for anyone involved in suicide research and prevention and more broadly to those interested in the sociocultural and political contexts of mental health
Marketing sustainable lifestyles
No full textMarketing sustainable lifestyles requires a rapid reorientation away from perpetuating unsustainable behaviours and lifestyles with far-reaching implications for people and the planet. This chapter thus sets out to circumscribe how the enormous potential of the marketing discipline can be used as a positive force for sustainability. As a first step, this chapter defines sustainable lifestyles and differentiates them from specific sustainable behaviours before it delves into the principles of marketing sustainable lifestyles. It then outlines how marketing can evolve to accommodate and promote alternative ways of living within planetary boundaries by conceptualising a sustainable marketing mix tailored explicitly for sustainable lifestyles. Next, this chapter explores the motivations driving companies to market these lifestyles, the strategies that can be employed to promote sustainability, and the challenges or ‘lock-in’ factors businesses encounter in this endeavour. This chapter introduces the notion of a Lifestyle Change Support System as a vision and conceptual Northstar to provide businesses with a direction of travel. The concluding section summarises the key insights, underscoring the potential of marketing to foster sustainable behaviour and consumption
Photo-mural imagers from the Docklands Community Poster Project
No full textFive images from a sequence of photo-murals produced for the Docklands Community Popster Project
From virtue to algorithm: a reflection on moral drift in tech-driven enterprises
No full textChristopher Jensen’s research shows how a well-intentioned experiment to promote ‘moral uplift’ among rickshaw drivers in Colombo drifted from virtue and professionalism to driver isolation and the use of algorithms. He suggests that Christian organisations and businesses can learn from this cautionary tale that virtue grows businesses but is easily eroded by technology. Drift can be prevented by vigilance, reflection on our mission, and authentic engagement with the communities around us
Genome wide analyses corroborate cryptic speciation in Anurida maritima (Collembola, Poduromorpha)
Get PDFCryptic diversity is ubiquitous within Collembola (springtails). Numerous studies have reported substantial genetic divergence within morphological species. One potentially involved morphospecies is Anurida maritima (Guérin-Méneville, 1836). A. maritima is confined to the intertidal zone, where it often occurs in high densities. A recent study reported two distinct mitochondrial lineages from North-western Europe. One of the two mitochondrial lineages was found to be associated with Anurida bisetosa (Bagnall, 1949), a species that was synonymised with A. maritima in 1953. Here, genome-wide analyses are used to show that the observed mitochondrial divergence extends to the nuclear genome. Phylogenetic analysis of four natural populations using data on ~1500 single copy orthologous genes supported a separation of A. bisetosa sp. dub. and A. maritima. Genetic analyses using a Pool-seq approach corroborated the genome-wide differentiation. The four populations under investigation came from a relatively narrow geographical range (United Kingdom, The Netherlands). A. maritima has a Holarctic distribution and, hence, it is quite possible that the group includes further highly diverged genetic lineages or cryptic species. This study offers another compelling example of genetic divergence not necessarily leading to noticeable morphological change
RUDI: an evidence-based police-centric guide for approaching the development of algorithmic models in policing
Get PDFPolice are increasingly adopting or considering machine learning algorithms (MLAs) to enhance their processes, appealing for their ability to process large volumes of information and predictive capabilities. Lack of national guidance on developing and implementing algorithms means police forge ahead in an exploratory manner. To address this, we developed a practical police-centric framework and guide: RUDI (Rationale, Unification, Development, Implementation), a framework designed to mitigate concerns raised regarding the use of algorithms in policing. This report outlines our work with two police forces to develop RUDI, highlighting the challenges of algorithmic policing and how RUDI can mitigate these concerns
Creative sustainable solutions in cultural tourism attractions in London
No full textThis chapter contributes to the book by discussing creative sustainable solutions in cultural tourism attractions in London. Primary research is used to empirically support this chapter. A qualitative approach has been chosen due to the exploratory nature of this enquiry. For the purposes of this research, observation of creative sustainable solutions in the cultural tourism attractions in London is used. There are several implications of this research. First, in line with the scope of the book, cultural tourist attractions might look for best practices in the field, thus practitioners could make a use of this research. The best practices can then be applied to many different settings too, beyond the area of cultural tourist attractions, to other types of visitor attractions, maximising the potential impact of this research. This could include beneficiaries not only in London, but also in the rest of the United Kingdom as well as internationally, where a lot of the practices presented could be used in its current or adapted form. In fact, all types of tourism venues, small and large, might benefit from this chapter, using the best practices identified either in its current or adapted form
Faith in action: organisational spirituality as a strategic logic in hybrid faith-based social enterprises in Ghana
No full textPurpose (limit 100 words)
The purpose of this article is to explore how Organisational Spirituality (OS) functions as a strategic and institutional logic within Faith-Based Social Enterprises (FBSEs) in Ghana. Specifically, it examines how OS supports the integration of spiritual, social, and financial objectives in resource-constrained and complex hybrid contexts. The study aims to deepen understanding of how OS contributes to mission integrity, stakeholder legitimacy, and adaptive resilience. It also responds to calls for non-Western, contextually grounded perspectives in social enterprise research, offering theoretical and practical insights for advancing the discourse on hybridity and organisational values in faith-based settings.
Design/methodology/approach (limit 100 words)
This study employs a participatory action research (PAR) methodology, engaging three Faith-Based Social Enterprises (FBSEs) in Ghana across three action cycles. Data collection involved interviews, focus groups, document analysis, and participant observation. The research is grounded in the Normative Business Model (NBM) and hybridity theory, enabling an exploration of how Organisational Spirituality (OS) is conceptualised, institutionalised, and practiced. Through iterative reflection and collaborative analysis, the study uncovers embedded organisational logics and strategic decision-making processes. The PAR approach not only generates rich empirical insights but also fosters organisational learning and capacity-building among participating FBSEs.
Findings (limit 100 words)
The study finds that OS is not merely a set of values but a dynamic organisational capability that shapes leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement, and pedagogy. OS enables FBSEs to navigate hybridity tensions by embedding ethical decision-making, faith-infused practices, and community responsiveness. The research highlights three mechanisms—values-based leadership, spiritual pedagogy, and embedded governance—that allow OS to function as a bridging logic. These mechanisms support the integration of multiple institutional logics while preserving mission coherence. OS enhances FBSEs’ ability to sustain legitimacy, build trust, and maintain resilience amid resource scarcity and competing priorities.
Research limitations/implications (limit 100 words)
While the participatory action research design offers deep contextual insights, the findings are based on a limited number of cases within the Ghanaian context, which may affect generalisability. Future research could extend this inquiry to other geographical and faith-based contexts to test the transferability of findings. The study also opens avenues for comparative research on spiritual logics in hybrid organisations. Methodologically, the study demonstrates the value of co-production and participatory approaches in organisational research, especially in capturing lived experiences and tacit spiritual practices often overlooked in conventional studies.
Practical implications (limit 100 words)
The findings offer practical guidance for FBSE leaders and practitioners on embedding spiritual values into organisational structures and processes. Emphasising ethical leadership, faith-based pedagogy, and inclusive governance can enhance organisational coherence and stakeholder trust. Policymakers and funders interested in supporting hybrid organisations may benefit from recognising OS as a valuable organisational asset rather than a liability. Development agencies and NGOs can adapt these practices to strengthen values-driven leadership and local legitimacy in faith-based initiatives. Training programmes and toolkits can also be developed to help leaders apply OS principles in managing hybridity tensions effectively.
Originality/value (limit 100 words)
This article makes an original contribution by positioning Organisational Spirituality (OS) as a core bridging logic in faith-based social enterprises, expanding current hybridity and social enterprise theory. It is among the first empirical studies to apply the Normative Business Model (NBM) in a Global South context, and to integrate spirituality as a strategic capability rather than a background value. By grounding the analysis in Ghanaian FBSEs, it responds to calls for decolonising management scholarship and enriching it with non-Western epistemologies. The study offers both theoretical innovation and actionable insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers engaged in hybrid and faith-driven enterprise.
Social implications (limit 100 words)
By illustrating how spirituality informs social innovation and community engagement, this study contributes to more holistic understandings of development rooted in local values and traditions. It affirms the role of faith-based organisations in fostering social cohesion, moral accountability, and sustainable livelihoods. OS practices strengthen relationships of trust and reciprocity, particularly in marginalised communities where formal institutions may be weak. The research highlights the importance of respecting spiritual worldviews in policy and practice, supporting pluralistic approaches to development that resonate with community beliefs and aspirations. This has implications for inclusive and culturally grounded development strategies