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Investigation of acousto-optic interaction with momentum mismatching considering acoustic anisotropy in birefringent crystal
Get PDFIn this work, the momentum mismatching based on which the acousto-optic (AO) transfer function and diffraction efficiency was acquired, was calculated considering the properties of AO crystals in AO interactions in acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF). Transfer functions were obtained using a 4f optical system combined with AOTF and compared with theoretical calculations. It demonstrated the influence of acoustic energy shift on the AO interaction which should be considered in the design of AOTF
In-person and online mixed method non-randomised studies exploring feasibility and acceptability of HEADS: UP, an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programme for stroke survivors experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression
Get PDFBackgroundDepression and anxiety are prevalent after stroke and associated with poor outcomes. We previously co-developed a stroke-specific self-management intervention, HEADS: UP (Helping Ease Anxiety and Depression after Stroke). The two studies reported here aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of the HEADS: UP course and supporting materials, and research processes ahead of a definitive trial.MethodsWe recruited community-dwelling stroke survivors (SS) ≥ 3 months post-stroke, with symptoms of mood disorder (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ≥ 8). Participants could ‘enrol’ a family member/ ‘other’ to take part with them, if desired. Study 1 tested HEADS: UP delivered in-person, and informed optimisation of research processes and intervention delivery and materials. In a pragmatic response to Covid-related socialising restrictions, HEADS: UP was then adapted for online delivery, tested in Study 2. The primary outcome (both studies) was the feasibility (acceptability, fidelity) of the intervention and of research processes. Quantitative data (including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) assessing mood and quality of life) and qualitative data were collected pre-/post-intervention. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data; a thematic framework approach was used to analyse qualitative data. Both studies received ethical approval prior to commencement.ResultsStudy 1Feasibility: 13 (59.1%) of 22 potentially eligible stroke survivors consented; aged 66 (median, interquartile range (IQR) 14); male (n = 9; 69%); 28 (IQR 34) months post-stroke. Of these, n = 10 (76.9%) completed PROMS pre-intervention; n = 6 (46.2%) post-intervention.Acceptability: Nine (69.2%) of the 13 participants attended ≥ 4 core intervention sessions. Aspects of screening and data collection were found to be burdensome.Study 2Feasibility: SS n = 9 (41%) of 22 potentially eligible stroke survivors consented; aged 58 years (median; IQR 12); male (n = 4; 44.4%); 23 (IQR 34) months post-stroke. Of these, n = 5 (55.6%) completed PROMS pre-intervention; n = 5 (55.6%) post-intervention.Acceptability: Five (55.6%) of the 9 participants attended ≥ 4 core sessions. They found online screening and data collection processes straightforward
RI-L1Approx: A novel Resnet-Inception-based Fast L1-approximation method for face recognition
Get PDFPerformance of deep learning methods for face recognition often relies on abundant data, posing challenges in surveillance and security where data availability is limited and environments are unconstrained. To address this challenge, we propose a novel few shot learning approach termed Resnet Inception-based Fast approximation (-Approx) for face recognition with limited number of image samples. The method relies on norm approximation of test sample with known class samples. Initially, facial features are extracted by leveraging ResNet-Inception hybrid network’s abilities to learn rich hierarchical representations from facial images. The extracted features are subsequently employed for norm approximation of known features, which are referred to as approximation samples. The norm approximation promotes sparsity by encouraging a subset of approximation samples to possess zero coefficients. This process helps in selecting the most discriminative and informative approximation samples, leading to improved classification capabilities. The proposed method is evaluated on benchmark facial recognition datasets, demonstrating its effectiveness. Comparative experiments with state-of-the-art techniques highlight its superior recognition accuracy. Remarkably, the -Approx model achieved high accuracy rates of 84.86% with just one sample per class and 96.144% with thirteen samples per class during experimentation. This is significantly better than existing deep learning approaches, which require a large amount of data to train the model for similar performance
‘Land is a huge integral part of our identity’: Patriarchy and the gender asset gap
Get PDFThe aim of this article is to examine female participation in farming and more specifically, the reasons for the low rate of female farm ownership in Ireland where only 13% of Irish farm owners are female. Females are excluded from the occupation of a farmer because land ownership is the key needed in most instances to being a farmer in one's own right. Females are farming, but too often, they are not owners of the farms they work on. We investigate the structural and cultural factors that alleviate or contribute to the inequality in Irish farm ownership. To address the research question, a qualitative study involving 35 semi‐structured interviews was carried out with both women and men in the Irish farming sector. This research recognises the positive role the state can play, as supported by cultural and institutional theory, by making legal and financial policy changes that can help effect change
Ecological risk and corporate sustainability: Examining ESG performance, risk management, and productivity
No full textEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance is an essential indicator of sustainable corporate behaviour that balances short-term gains with long-term societal growth and ecological preservation. We scrutinise the influence of ESG performance on corporate risk-taking and the resulting impacts on firm productivity. Using data from Chinese listed firms from 2009 to 2020, our analysis indicates a significant negative relationship between corporate ESG performance and risk-taking, with a resultant increase in total factor productivity. Regional green innovation and environmental regulatory frameworks significantly augment the effects of ESG performance on risk management. The results extend the understanding of the intricate role of ESG commitments in risk management, and offer constructive insights for corporate decision-making and policy development aimed at confronting the environmental challenges of the 21st century
How to improve the perceived health, comfort, and well-being of primary school teachers? A quantitative self-reported survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland
Get PDFTeachers are among the most stressed professionals, for whom the built environment has an influence. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the pressure on schools, where enhanced ventilation is deemed essential to help reduce virus-laden particles in classrooms. Good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is required to maintain an adequate level of comfort, health, and well-being. Therefore, solutions to improve IAQ quickly and cheaply are essential. As such, the Scottish Government has funded Local Authorities to purchase CO2 sensors for school classrooms. This study explores two interventions designed to improve the quality of indoor air. The first one by raising the awareness of the teachers on ventilation strategies via a webinar. The second one by deploying devices that visually inform the occupants of the indoor conditions: Temperature, Relative Humidity, and CO2 levels in the classrooms. The novelty of this study is that it evaluated the influence of engaging teachers in the management of their working indoor environments. This paper presents the results of the perceived health, comfort, and well-being of teachers from two primary schools built before 1919 located in Edinburgh, Scotland. Visual feedback sensors improved the perceived air quality of teachers in their classrooms but increased pressure on their workload and were a potential distraction for their pupils. In contrast, raising the awareness of the teachers via the webinar improved their perception of their indoor environment without added pressure. Therefore, awareness programs should be devised to educate school staff on Indoor Air Quality in addition to the development of sensors with visual feedback
How is entrepreneurial marketing shaped by E-commerce technology: a case study of Chinese pure-play e-retailers
No full textPurposeThe focus of this study is on how online-only retailers, known as pure-play e-retailers, leverage e-commerce platforms to identify and pursue market opportunities. Through the perspective of entrepreneurial marketing, this study aims to explore the influence of e-commerce technologies on the decision-making process of entrepreneurial marketing. This exploration is conducted via a case study of pure-play e-retailers based in China.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilised a qualitative case study methodology to examine the complex processes of entrepreneurial marketing in an online environment. The study gathered detailed insights from both owner-managers and staff members of eight pure-play e-retail businesses. Additionally, the research involved a careful review of the firms' webpages and social media pages. This holistic approach facilitated a comprehensive understanding of their marketing strategies and practices.FindingsThe case study findings indicate that while many core aspects of entrepreneurial marketing remain important, there are distinct factors influencing the entrepreneurial marketing decision-making in the online marketplace. The online EM framework can be visualised as follows: (1) trend-orientated as well as innovative-orientated (2) data-orientated and entrepreneur-orientated (3) innovative-driven customer stimulation (4) orientated towards both platforms and proactiveness.Originality/valueThe paper provides an initial understanding of how digitalisation is enabling and transforming entrepreneurship in companies with high level digitalisation but low level digital development. Building on current entrepreneurial marketing literature, this paper develops an online entrepreneurial marketing framework to enhance understanding of the interaction between e-commerce technology and entrepreneurial marketing decision making
Translation and validation of the Czech Republic version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)
Get PDFBackgroundSatisfaction with the birth experience has been established to be critical for the wellbeing of the mother. The Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) is a brief and psychometrically robust multi-dimensional self-report tool designed to assess birth experience. The current investigation sought to translate and validate a Czech Republic version of the BSS-R (CZ-BSS-R).MethodsFollowing translation psychometric assessment of the CZ-BSS-R was undertaken using a cross-sectional design. A between-subjects design was incorporated in order to evaluate known-groups validity evaluation of the translated measure. Four hundred and sixty-five Czech-speaking women within the Czech Republic took part in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis was undertaken and divergent and convergent validity and internal consistency characteristics also evaluated.ResultsThe CZ-BSS-R was observed to have excellent psychometric properties and conceptually and measurement faithful to the original English-language measure. Consistent with previous investigations using the BSS-R significant differences were found in scores as a function of delivery type.ConclusionsThe CZ-BSS-R is a valid, robust and reliable measure of birth experience and suitable for use with Czech-speaking women in the Czech Republic. The study highlighted that instrument and emergency Caesarean section were associated with a lower level of birth satisfaction compared to vaginal delivery
Aberrant Behaviours of Drivers Involved in Crashes and Related Injury Severity: Are there Variations between the Major Cities in the Same Country?
Get PDFCrash data analyses based on accident datasets often do not include human-related variables because they can be hard to reconstruct from crash data. However, records of crash circumstances can help for this purpose since crashes can be classified considering aberrant behavior and misconduct of the drivers involved. In this case, urban crash data from the ten largest Italian cities were used to develop four logistic regression models having the driver-related crash circumstance (aberrant behaviors: inattentive driving, illegal maneuvering, wrong interaction with pedestrian and speeding) as dependent variable and the other crash-related factors as predictors (information about the users and the vehicles involved and about road geometry and conditions). Other two models were built to study the influence of the same factors on the injury severity of the occupants of vehicles for which crash circumstances related to driver aberrant behaviors were observed and of the involved pedestrians. The variability between the ten different cities was considered through a multilevel approach, which however revealed a significant variability only for the inattention-related crash circumstance. In the other models, the variability between cities was not significant, indicating quite homogeneous results within the same country. The results show several relationships between crash factors (driver, vehicle or road-related) and human-related crash circumstances and severity. Unsignalized intersections were particularly related to the illegal maneuvering crash circumstance, while the night period was clearly related to the speeding-related crash circumstance and to injuries/casualties of vehicle occupants. Cyclists and motorcyclists were shown to suffer more injuries/casualties than car occupants, while the latter were generally those exhibiting more aberrant behavior. Pedestrian casualties were associated with arterial roads, heavy vehicles and older pedestrians
A women-centred exploration of postpartum perineal pain when the perineum is diagnosed as intact: A French Gadamerian research study
Get PDFBackgroundPostpartum perineal pain is a frequent symptom (90%) with consequences on postnatal health regardless of whether the perineum remains intact. The impact of that pain on both short and long-term health has been studied and literature suggests midwives have a role to play in addressing this issue. However, the determinants of perineal pain when no lesions are identified are under researched and there is little understanding of women's views on this topic. Aim and objectives The aim of the study was to gain an understanding of postpartum perineal pain when the perineum is considered to be intact. The objectives were •To gain an understanding of postpartum pain and its consequences on health and well-being •To explore women's views and understanding of perineal pain postpartum •To gain an understanding of the determinants of postpartum perineal pain when no anatomic lesion is diagnosed. MethodsA Gadamerian hermeneutic approach was used to achieve a shared understanding of the issue. Participants were recruited from two maternity hospitals in the French area of Vaucluse. All women aged 18 to 45 years old, having given birth vaginally to a single live child and diagnosed with an intact perineum, were invited to participate in face-to-face interviews. Eleven participants were interviewed once, six of whom agreed to a second interview which took place over the telephone due to Covid lockdown. FindingsThe findings identified three major themes 1. Can't honestly call it pain, 2. Reassurance in normality, 3. Managing the unexpected. The use of the word pain to describe perineal sensations in postpartum was questioned by the participants, who used inner resources to deal with these sensations. Fostering self-confidence, having the possibility to explain the sensations and qualifying them as normal were some approaches women used to manage their postpartum perineal sensations in a positive manner
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