Large dimensional classical groups and linear spaces

Suppose that a group $G$ has socle $L$ a simple large-rank classical group. Suppose furthermore that $G$ acts transitively on the set of lines of a linear space $\mathcal{S}$. We prove that, provided $L$ has dimension at least 25, then $G$ acts transitively on the set of flags of $\mathcal{S}$ and hence the action is known. For particular families of classical groups our results hold for dimension smaller than 25. The group theoretic methods used to prove the result (described in Section 3) are robust and general and are likely to have wider application in the study of almost simple groups acting on finite linear spaces.Comment: 32 pages. Version 2 has a new format that includes less repetition. It also proves a slightly stronger result; with the addition of our "Concluding Remarks" section the result holds for dimension at least 2

Exploring Physicality in the Design Process

The design process used in the development of many products we use daily and the nature of the products themselves are becoming increasingly digital. Although our whole world is turning ever more digital, our bodies and minds are naturally conceived to interact with the physical. Very often, in the design of user-targeted information appliances, the physical and digital processes are formulated separately and usually, due to cost factors, they are only brought together for user testing at the end of the development process. This not only makes major design changes more difficult but it can also significantly affect the users’ level of acceptance of the product and their experience of use. It is therefore imperative that designers explore the relationship between the physical and the digital form early on in the development process, when one can rapidly work through different sets of ideas. The key to gaining crucial design information from products lies in the construction of meaningful prototypes. This paper specifically examines how physical materials are used during the early design stage and seeks to explore whether the inherent physical properties of these artefacts and the way that designers interpret and manipulate them have a significant impact on the design process. We present the findings of a case study based on information gathered during a design exercise. Detailed analysis of the recordings reveals far more subtle patterns of behaviour than expected. These include the ways in which groups move between abstract and concrete discussions, the way groups comply with or resist the materials they are given, and the complex interactions between the physicality of materials and the group dynamics. This understanding is contributing to ongoing research in the context of our wider agenda of explicating the fundamental role of physicality in the design of hybrid physical and digital artefacts. Keywords: Physicality; Digitality; Product Design; Design Process; Prototyping; Materials</p

Social marketing-based strategy for sun protection interventions

The promotion of sensible sun protection behaviours is constrained by:-The perception that skin cancer risk in the UK is low. The population is not sensitized to skin cancer as a major health risk in the same way as are Australasian populations -The lack of central government support for and endorsement or funding of interventions-Strong normative beliefs, particularly among young people about the social value of suntans and prevailing social norms regarding the attractiveness of suntans and acceptable behaviours modelled among peers -A lack of integration of messages and behaviours among stakeholder groups (e.g. schools, where there is evidence that policies are inconsistent and, in some schools, children may actually be discouraged from bringing sunscreen to schools).Additionally, recent media coverage hyping the benefits of Vitamin D as both a preventative and curative element (including cancers) will also impact on the way future interventions are received.Insights that led to the recommendations that follow are:-‘trigger’ moments are very important – sun protection is not something that is of major concern / top of mind in the UK winter, so linking activities to moments when sun protection is high on people’s agendas is important.- there are two main tasks to be done: first, gaining a general awareness that too much sun is harmful, but understanding this on its own is unlikely to shift behaviour. Second, creating specific propositions that people will accept – these offerings leading to lower risk behaviours in an acceptable way.In the short term, we recommend immediate implementation of:-activities that can leverage off the existing SunSmart UK brand -direct beach and other outdoor lifestyle face-to face-interventions-highly targeted communications at parents, teachers, young adults and outdoor workers to continue the long term task of building sustained awareness of skin cancer risks and appropriate behaviours. Ideally, this would be best achieved nationally through high profile mass media such as television, however funding for this appears unlikely. In the longer term, priority in developing and implementing interventions should be given to:-obtaining government assistance in raising awareness of the link between unwise sun exposure and skin cancer in the UK, and in the South West region in particular-ensuring integration of messages and actions among stakeholder groups and consistency with national, regional and local initiatives.-gaining media buy-in and support in promoting sensible sun protection behaviour, clarifying the link between sun exposure and vitamin D (and claims made for the latter)-addressing overall gaps in the population’s knowledge and awareness of safe sun exposure practices-focusing specifically tailored interventions on clearly identified segments, drawing on theoretical foundations and knowledge of the very different attitudes and beliefs held by each segment to develop appropriate messages-raising awareness of the need for early detection and treatment, supported by appropriate infrastructure to facilitate screening and referrals to specialist services where appropriate-utilising collaborative activity with appropriate organisations such as pharmacies, food retailers and sporting organisations to link with, and leverage off, their activity in this area and to ensur communication themes are consistent with ‘best practice’-setting benchmark measures ththe development of an on-going tracking prre intervention effectiveness and to enable intervee-tuned as necessaryimary research within each segment to deep insights and to enable programmes to be monitored over time

New Audiences for the Arts: The New Audiences Programme Report

This 269 page report gives a detailed overview of a £20 million funding programme ‘New Audiences’, designed to foster new practice in audience development by arts organisations in England. It was the culmination of a five-year scheme which supported 1200 audience development initiatives across the country. Glinkowski was one of a team of seven researchers who compiled the report: ACE Research Officers, Clare Fenn, Adrienne Skelton and Alan Joy compiled the statistical information for the report appendices; the main body of the report, from Executive Summary to Conclusions, was written by a team of three consultant researchers, Glinkowski, Pam Pfrommer and Sue Stewart, working under the supervision of the ACE Head of New Audiences, Gill Johnson. The report was a summary, compilation and interpretation of key themes emerging from the material contained within around 1150 evaluations of projects funded by the £20 million ‘New Audiences’ programme during the 5-year period from 1998-2003. The interpretative work and writing up was undertaken collaboratively by the consultant researchers and Glinkowski’s particular input was to the Executive Summary; Introduction; General Audiences; Disability; Social Inclusion; Rural; Older People; General Findings; and Conclusion sections of the report. He was also the principal author (although in keeping with ACE practice on advocacy material, not formally credited) of the ‘New Audiences Advocacy Document’ (ISBN 0728710331), produced in conjunction with the main report with introduction by Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State, Department of Culture, Media and Sport and Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive of Arts Council England. The full report is published online, with a companion volume summarising all projects undertaken within the ‘New Audiences’ programme. Additionally, Glinkowski was commissioned to contribute case studies to the ‘New Audiences’ website (http://www.newaudiences.org.uk/index.php), including 'Open Studios/Artists Presentation Research' (http://www.newaudiences.org.uk/project.php?id=680)

Does exercise alleviate symptoms of depression?

Exercise reduces patient-perceived symptoms of depression when used as monotherapy (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [RCTs] with significant heterogeneity). It relieves symptoms as effectively as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or pharmacologic antidepressant therapy (SOR: B, meta-analysis) and more effectively than bright light therapy (SOR: B, meta-analysis). Resistance exercise and mixed exercise (resistance and aerobic) work better than aerobic exercise alone (SOR: B, meta-analysis). High-frequency exercise is more effective than low-frequency exercise (SOR: B, small RCT). Mindful exercise, which has a meditative focus, such as tai chi and yoga, also reduces symptoms of depression (SOR: B, systematic review of RCTs)

Evidence for the long term cost effectiveness of home care reablement programs

Background: The objectives of this study were to determine whether older individuals who participated in a reablement (restorative) program rather than immediately receiving conventional home care services had a reduced need for ongoing support and lower home care costs over the next 57 months (nearly 5 years). Materials and methods: Data linkage was used to examine retrospectively the service records of older individuals who had received a reablement service versus a conventional home care service to ascertain their use of home care services over time. Results: Individuals who had received a reablement service were less likely to use a personal care service throughout the follow-up period or any other type of home care over the next 3 years. This reduced use of home care services was associated with median cost savings per person of approximately AU $12,500 over nearly 5 years. Conclusion: The inclusion of reablement as the starting point for individuals referred for home care within Australia's reformed aged care system could increase the system's cost effectiveness and ensure that all older Australians have the opportunity to maximize their independence as they age

Emerging challenges and opportunities for irrigation managers

Presented at Emerging challenges and opportunities for irrigation managers: energy, efficiency and infrastructure: a USCID water management conference held on April 26-29, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.Includes bibliographical references.Water for irrigation at Mohave Valley Irrigation and Drainage District (MVIDD) is all pumped from the alluvial aquifer along the Arizona eastern side of the Colorado River. This groundwater pumping is administered as diversion from the Colorado River under a contract between the MVIDD and the US Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). Previous efforts to measure pumped flows have been largely unsuccessful due to multiple factors including corrosive agents present in the water, limited head availability and/or limited space availability for proper installation and operation of traditional canal measurement structures. Corrosive agents present in the pumped water have limited the service life for the various flow measurement technologies tried on District pumps. Open channel measurement structures that have been installed at selected sites as part of flow measurement demonstration efforts have met with limited success. Insufficient space between pump discharge and field turnouts or lateral off-takes is a problem for open channel structures at multiple sites. Available freeboard along lined canal sections has proven insufficient for even long-throated flumes, which pose the least head requirements of all critical-flow open channel flow measurement structures. In an effort to address this challenge, Reclamation's Water Conservation Field Services Program of the Yuma Area Office (YAO) worked with Reclamation's Hydraulic Investigation and Laboratory Services group (HILS) to devise a plan for measuring flow from each well within MVIDD using technologies that would have an acceptable service life and be cost-effective for an agricultural water system. A combination of venturi-type pipe meters and open channel flumes utilizing the venturi solution for either critical flow or submerged operation – all using bubbler sensors to minimize potential for sensor degradation due to contact with corrosive agents in the water – was devised for MVIDD. Installation of measurement equipment was performed by MVIDD staff in Spring and Summer of 2010. Reclamation began performing calibrations of measurement sites during Fall of 2010. Calibrations are expected to be completed by summer of 2011. When calibrations are completed, flow data will be telemetered real-time by radio from each site to the MVIDD office

Effects of a single interprofessional simulation session on medical and nursing students’ attitudes toward interprofessional learning and professional identity: a questionnaire study

Background Participation in simulation-based interprofessional education (sim-IPE) may affect students’ attitudes towards interprofessional learning (through gaining experience with others) and their professional identity (by increasing the ‘fit’ of group membership). We examined this in two questionnaire studies involving students from four universities in two areas of the UK. Method Questionnaire data were collected before and after students took part in a sim-IPE session consisting of three acute scenarios. Questionnaires included the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) and measures of professional identity derived from the social identity theory literature. In Study 1, only identification with Professional Group (doctor or nurse) was measured, while in Study 2 identification with Student Group (medical or nursing student) and the immediate interprofessional Team worked with in the simulation were also measured. Linear mixed effects regression analysis examined the effect of the simulation session, and differences between medical and nursing students, sites and identity measures. Results A total of 194 medical and 266 nursing students completed questionnaires. A five-item subset of RIPLS (RIPLSCore) was used in analysis. In both studies RIPLSCore increased for all groups following participation in sim-IPE, although this was larger for nursing students in Study 1. Nursing students had consistently higher RIPLSCore scores than medical students at one site. Effects of the session on identity varied between sites, and dimensions of identity. Notably, while positive emotions associated with group membership (Ingroup Affect) increased for Student Group, Professional Group and Team, the sense of belonging (Ingroup Ties) and importance (Centrality) of the group increased only for Team. Nursing students had consistently higher identification scores than medical students. Conclusions Participation in a sim-IPE session can improve attitudes towards interprofessional learning. It can also enhance professional identity, particularly as related to emotional aspects of group membership, with possible benefits for wellbeing. Changes in identification with the immediate Team suggest positive psychological consequences of ad hoc Team formation in the workplace. Differences between medical and nursing students suggest their differing opportunities to work with other professions during training may change baseline attitudes and identity. However, a single sim-IPE session can still have an additive effect

Spectral characteristics and the extent of paleosols of the Palouse formation

Three spectral models defining the spatial distribution of soil areas by levels of amorphous iron, organic carbon, and the ratio of amorphous iron to organic carbon were developed and field verification studies were conducted. The models used particular Thematic Mapper band ratios selected by statistical correlation with soil chemical data. The ability of the models to indicate erosion severity and to differentiate between iron enriched and carbonate paleosols is discussed. In addition, the effect of vegetation cover on paleosols is addressed

Facilitating the implementation of clinical technology in healthcare : what role does a national agency play?

Background: Accelerating the implementation of new technology in healthcare is typically complex and multi-faceted. One strategy is to charge a national agency with the responsibility for facilitating implementation. This study examines the role of such an agency in the English National Health Service. In particular, it compares two different facilitation strategies employed by the agency to support the implementation of insulin pump therapy. Methods: The research involved an empirical case study of four healthcare organisations receiving different levels of facilitation from the national agency: two received active hands-on facilitation; one was the intended recipient of a more passive, web-based facilitation strategy; the other implemented the technology without any external facilitation. The primary method of data collection was semi structured qualitative interviews with key individuals involved in implementation. The integrated-PARIHS framework was applied as a conceptual lens to analyse the data. Results: The two sites that received active facilitation from an Implementation Manager in the national agency made positive progress in implementing the technology. In both sites there was a high level of initial receptiveness to implementation. This was similar to a site that had successfully introduced insulin pump therapy without facilitation support from the national agency. By contrast, a site that did not have direct contact with the national agency made little progress with implementation, despite the availability of a web-based implementation resource. Clinicians expressed differences of opinion around the value and effectiveness of the technology and contextual barriers related to funding for implementation persisted. The national agency’s intended roll out strategy using passive web-based facilitation appeared to have little impact. Conclusions: When favourable conditions exist, in terms of agreement around the value of the technology, clinician receptiveness and motivation to change, active facilitation via an external agency can help to structure the implementation process and address contextual barriers. Passive facilitation using web-based implementation resources appears less effective. Moving from initial implementation to wider scale-up presents challenges and is an issue that warrants further attention