134 research outputs found
The 'conformorality' of residential displacement debates
No full textMuch scholarly discourse about the problems of and solutions to urban residential displacement has tended towards ‘conformorality’ and, in so doing, has overlooked certain key aspects for study. First, there has been a lack of interest in explaining the complex motives of displacers. Second, certain solutions to displacement have become so commonly espoused that their negative aspects have been obscured. Third, addressing these issues, this paper suggests new ways to confront ‘conformorality’ by encouraging scholars to engage with the deeper ethical and normative questions about displacement solutions that have, hitherto, not often been addressed. Through exploring these rarely discussed topics, scholars may be able create new or improved responses to displacement that target inherent issues
Living standards and plague in London, 1560–1665
No full textWe use individual records of 920,000 burials and 630,000 baptisms
to reconstruct the spatial and temporal patterns of birth and death in
London from 1560 to 1665, a period dominated by recurrent plague.
The plagues of 1563, 1603, 1625, and 1665 appear of roughly equal
magnitude, with deaths running at five to six times their usual rate,
but the impact on wealthier central parishes falls markedly through
time. Tracking the weekly spread of plague before 1665 we find a consistent
pattern of elevated mortality spreading from the same northern
suburbs. Looking at the seasonal pattern of mortality, we find that
the characteristic autumn spike associated with plague continued into
the early 1700s. Given that individual cases of plague and typhus are
frequently indistinguishable, claims that plague suddenly vanished after
1665 should be treated with caution. Natural increase improved as
smaller plagues disappeared after 1590, but fewer than half of those
born survived childhood
Revisiting the issue of residential displacement with a focus on housing contracts
No full textLAUREA MAGISTRALEIl dislocamento urbano è un argomento centrale per molte delle questioni abitative che sono così rilevanti oggi (come la gentrificazione, lo sfratto, ecc.). Eppure, per un argomento così importante, c'è ancora poco consenso tra gli studiosi su cosa sia esattamente il dislocamento, quali siano i tipi di dislocamento e quali siano le soluzioni ideali. Inoltre, ci sono molti aspetti poco studiati e poco enfatizzati del dislocamento, come le ragioni per cui i "dislocanti" possono dislocare altri e le realistiche soluzioni al problema che potrebbero essere trovate attraverso il diritto contrattuale.
Al fine di creare una base chiara per i dibattiti sul dislocamento, questa tesi propone una nuova definizione di dislocamento e una tipologia di fattori di dislocamento. La tipologia espone una verità più complessa: il dislocamento può essere estremamente dannoso per coloro che lo subiscono; tuttavia, a volte è anche necessario per il benessere di coloro che dislocano. Gli studiosi che sostengono il diritto al luogo - uno degli strumenti teorici più popolari contro il dislocamento - spesso non considerano i suoi possibili effetti su chi disloca. Pertanto, promuoviamo un "diritto alla protezione della casa", che mira a essere più realistico e a rispettare alcuni diritti dei proprietari e dei creditori.
Questo diritto potrebbe essere attuato in modo efficace apportando modifiche innovative ai contratti abitativi e al diritto contrattuale. Questi cambiamenti potrebbero garantire che le parti coinvolte nel contratto di alloggio siano su un piano di maggiore parità fin dall'inizio. Nel caso in cui non sia possibile raggiungere l'uguaglianza, i tribunali potrebbero considerare la vulnerabilità di coloro che devono affrontare il dislocamento e prendere decisioni basate sulla minimizzazione del danno arrecato a questi ultimi, soddisfacendo al contempo le esigenze di fondo di proprietari e creditori.Urban residential displacement is a subject central to many of the housing issues that are so salient today (such as gentrification, eviction, etc.). Yet, for such an important topic, there is still very little scholarly consensus about what displacement exactly is, what types of displacement there are, and what are the ideal solutions. Moreover, there are many understudied and underemphasized aspects of displacement – such as the reasons that “displacers” might displace others or the realistic solutions to the issue that could be found through contractual law.
In order to create a clear foundation for displacement debates, this thesis proposes a new definition of displacement and typology of displacement factors. The typology exposes a more complex truth: displacement can be extremely harmful to those it befalls; however, it is also sometimes necessary for the well being of those who displace others. Scholars who espouse rights to place – some of the most popular theoretical tools against displacement – often fail to consider their possible effects on displacers. Therefore, we argue for a “right to the protection of home,” which aims to be more realistic and respect certain rights of landlords and lenders.
This right could be effectively implemented by making innovative changes to housing contracts and contractual law. These changes could ensure that the parties involved in the housing contract are on a more equal footing from the start. In the event that equality cannot be achieved, courts could consider the vulnerability of those facing displacement and make decisions based on minimizing harm done to them while satisfying the underlying needs of owners and lenders
OIMB Term Photo: Fall 1991
No full textFall 1991
Back Row: Renee Knoll, Howard Crombie, Betty Berger, Betty Rogers, Mike Wilson, Jon Miner, Danielle Georgeson, Jill Rosenow, Sheree Watson, Adam Taubman.
3rd Row: Pat Malone, Brett Hubbard, Nicole Apelian, Annie Donnelly, Devon Jones, Kraig Slack, Jill Sheasley, Kerrie Ramsdell, Chris Uhtoff, Lynda Shapiro.
2nd Row: Arissa Oliveros, Kristen Oâ Brien, Nora Terwilliger, Stine Brown, Joel Clausen, Brad Allen, Mark Torchin, Gregor Durstewitz.
Front Row: Jim Oâ Reilly, Marge Lebow, An Phan, Jan Hodder, Clete Otoshi
An investigation of cochlear dynamics in surgical and implanation processes
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.The aim of this research is to improve the understanding of the impact on the
cochlear dynamics corresponding to surgical tools, processes and hearing implants
such that these can be designed more appropriately in the future. The results suggest that enhanced performance of implants can be achieved by optimisation of the location with respect to the cochlea and have shown that robotic surgical tools used
to enable precise, simplified processes can reduce harm and offer other benefits.
With an ageing population, and where exposure to noise on daily basis is increased
rather than industrial settings, at least two factors of age and noise, will contribute to a greater incidence of hearing loss in the population in the future.
In the research a mathematical model of the passive cochlea was produced to
increase understanding of the sensitivity and behaviour of the fluid, structure and
pressure transients within the cochlea. The investigation has been complemented by
an innovative experimental technique developed to evaluate the dynamics in the
cochlear fluids while maintaining the integrity of the cochlear structure. This
technique builds on the success of the state-of-the-art surgical robotic micro-drill.
The micro-drill enables removal of bone tissue to prepare a consistent aperture onto
the endosteal membrane within the cochlea. This is known as preparing a ‘Third
window’. In this technique the motion of the exposed endosteal membrane is treated
as the diaphragm element of a pressure transducer and is measured using a Micro-
Scanning Laser Vibrometer operating through a microscope. There are two principal outcomes of the research: First, the approach has enabled disturbances in the cochlea to be contrasted for different surgical techniques, which it is expected to allude preferential methods in future surgery in otology. In particular it was shown that when using the robotic micro-drill to create a cochleostomy that the disturbance amplitude reduces to 1% of that experienced when using conventional drilling. Secondly, an empirically derived frequency map of the cochlea has been produced to understand how the location of implants affects maximum power transmission over the required frequency band. This has also shown the feasibility of exciting the cochlea at a third window in order to amplify
cochlear response
Growth processes in the two Scottish populations of powan, Coregonus lavaretus (L.) (Eateleosteia, Salmonidae)
No full textThe powan, Coregonus lavaretus (L.) is endemic to only two
British waters, Loch Lomond and Loch Eck, Scotland. This
thesis describes the seasonal and longer term growth
processes of the two populations, concentrating on growth in
length back-calculated from scales, factors affecting
recruitment and mortality, reproductive cycles, and seasonal
deposition and mobilisation of storage products,
particularly lipid. The interrelationships of these cycles
is discussed. The populations differ in their diet and
duration of feeding, and it is shown that most of the inter-population differences in seasonal cycles of growth relate
to these feeding differences. The Loch Eck population is the
more variable. In addition to adult and immature powan, a
third category is identified, termed adolescents. These are
fish which are entering their first reproductive cycle.
Immature and adolescent fish are analysed separately and
compared with the adults. There are some differences in
seasonal cycles between the juveniles and adults, mainly in
relation to the presence or absence of the reproductive
cycle. A preliminary histological study of the ovaries of
adolescent females is carried out. Comparison of historical
data with the results of the present study shows that there
has been little change in the Loch Lomond powan in the past
200 years. Both lochs are coming under increasing human
pressure, and conservational measures urgently need to be
taken if the powan populations are to survive
New attempts at Electronic Documents in Transport. Bolero - the end of the experiment, the beginning of the future?
No full textIn this thesis the author examines a 'revolution' taking place in the shipping industry brought on by the development of computerisation, electronic commerce and the change from paper documentation to electronic documentation in the carriage of goods by sea. The focus of the paper is on Bolero, a project of the European Community beginning in the early 1990s and which has been used commercially since September 1999. In this paper the author follows the Bolero project from its inception as an experiment through to its commercial application. The question is asked to what extent Bolero has become an alternative to, or in fact replaced paper documentation in the carriage of goods by sea. As an introduction the author looks at the paper bill of lading and other forms of sea transport documentation with a focus on their advantages and disadvantages. He then examines the development of EDI and paperless sea transport documentation, in particular Bolero and the history of its development. Following this is an in depth investigation of the Bolero system in its current form, the contractual relations involved and the position of Bolero in the surrounding legal framework in a South African and international context. Finally the author looks at the future of Bolero as a commercial enterprise
Student Culture and Binge Drinking
No full textNew Zealand student culture has had a strong tradition of alcohol use. Research, both in New Zealand and internationally, has identified halls of residence student drinkers as at more risk of alcohol-related harm than their same age non-resident and non-student peers. This research project investigates the relationship between student culture and binge drinking behaviour within the University of Waikato's halls of residence student population. It combines qualitative and quantitative methods encompassing focus groups, individual face-to-face interviews, and a survey questionnaire completed by sixty percent of the resident student population. The resulting data are set within the context of existing literature on student drinking behaviour and student culture, and the analysis is undertaken using a combination of grounded theory and statistical analysis.
The study reveals that binge drinking behaviour was viewed by the majority of residents as a normal component of student culture, with one-half of male residents who drink and one-third of female drinking residents becoming intoxicated on a weekly basis. Contrary to the popular perception that student drinking behaviour is an uncontrolled activity however, the majority of residents' practised 'controlled intoxication' while drinking. Overall, most residents enjoyed their drinking experiences and showed a high level of tolerance towards many alcohol-related harms. There is clear evidence that resident drinking behaviour impacts adversely upon residents, with one-half of residents having experienced academic and/or physical harms, and twenty percent reporting sexual encounters they later regretted. One-third of residents had also felt unsafe due to the drinking behaviour of others.
Adopting the precepts of a social-ecological approach, this thesis argues that a range of multi-level harm-minimisation strategies targeting resident drinking behaviour are required, in conjunction with renewed efforts to effect change in the New Zealand drinking culture. Fifteen alcohol-intervention initiatives are recommended which variously target the individual drinker, the halls of residence environment, the institutional environment, and the local community drinking environment. The national drinking environment is also pursued through recommendations advocating legislative change to make it an offence to be intoxicated in a public place, and through social marketing strategies which encourage peer feedback, the shaming of intoxicated behaviour, and the continued emphasis on the association between drinking and its adverse effects
We Should Talk: Consulting the Relationship Between Twitter and Sports Journalism
No full textabstract: This thesis documentary film takes a look at the dysfunctional but ongoing relationship between Twitter and sports journalism. The foundation of this relationship's dysfunction is what I have coined as the Twitter Outrage Cycle. In this cycle a sports broadcasting personality comments on a matter while on-air. Next, the program's audience where the comments were spoken becomes offended by the statement. After that, the offended audience members express their outrage on social media, most namely Twitter. Finally the cycle culminates with the public outrage pressuring networks and its executives to either suspended or fire the individual that said the controversial statements. This cycle began to occur on a more consistent basis starting in 2012. It became such a regular occurrence that many on-air talent figures have noticed and taken precautionary measures to either avoid or confront the Outrage Cycles. This documentary uses the voice of seven figures within the sports media and online interaction forum. Notable using the voices of three notable individuals that currently have a prominent voice in sports journalism. As well as a neutral social media curator who clearly explains the psyche behind these outraged viewer's mindsets. Through these four main voices their ideals and opinions on the matter weave together, disagree with each other at times but ultimately help the viewer come to an understanding of why these Outrage Cycles occur and what needs to be done in order for them to cease. We Should Talk: The Relationship Between Twitter and Sports Journalism is a documentary film that looks to illustrate a seemingly minimal part of many people's lives that when taken into perspective many people look at in a very serious light
A Study of Win Expectancy Estimators in Major League Baseball
No full textabstract: In recent years, advanced metrics have dominated the game of Major League Baseball. One such metric, the Pythagorean Win-Loss Formula, is commonly used by fans, reporters, analysts and teams alike to use a team’s runs scored and runs allowed to estimate their expected winning percentage. However, this method is not perfect, and shows notable room for improvement. One such area that could be improved is its ability to be affected drastically by a single blowout game, a game in which one team significantly outscores their opponent.
We hypothesize that meaningless runs scored in blowouts are harming the predictive power of Pythagorean Win-Loss and similar win expectancy statistics such as the Linear Formula for Baseball and BaseRuns. We developed a win probability-based cutoff approach that tallied the score of each game once a certain win probability threshold was passed, effectively removing those meaningless runs from a team’s season-long runs scored and runs allowed totals. These truncated totals were then inserted into the Pythagorean Win-Loss and Linear Formulas and tested against the base models.
The preliminary results show that, while certain runs are more meaningful than others depending on the situation in which they are scored, the base models more accurately predicted future record than our truncated versions. For now, there is not enough evidence to either confirm or reject our hypothesis. In this paper, we suggest several potential improvement strategies for the results.
At the end, we address how these results speak to the importance of responsibility and restraint when using advanced statistics within reporting. (abstract
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