Moving experience: an investigation of embodied knowledge and technology for reading flow in improvisation

A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyThe thesis is concerned with the exploration of the notion of ‘flow’ from both a psychological and dance analysis perspective in order to extend the meaning of flow and move beyond a partiality of understanding. The main aim of the thesis recognises the need to understand, identify and interpret an analysis of the moments of flow perceivable in a dancer’s body during improvisatory practice, through technologically innovative means. The research is undertaken via both philosophical and practical enquiry. It addresses phenomenology in order to resolve the mind/body debate and is applied to research in flow in psychology by Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, and flow in movement analysis by Rudolf Laban and Warren Lamb. The significance of this endeavour can be seen in the reconsideration of the relation between mind and body, and art and science which informs the methodology for the research (Part One). The three main outcomes of the research are related to each of the three subsequent parts. The first research outcome is the articulation of a transdisciplinary approach to understanding flow and was developed by expanding on the current definitions of flow through an innovative transdisciplinary methodology (Part Two). Research outcome two addresses the intersubjective nature of flow, which was identified within improvisation. From this two methods were constructed for the collection and interpretation of the experience of the dancer. Firstly, through reflective practice as defined by Donald Schön. And secondly, an argument was provided for the use of motion capture as an embodied tool which extends the dancers embodied cognitive capabilities in the moment of improvisation (Part Three). The final research outcome was thus theorised that such embodied empathic intersubjectivity does not require a direct identification of the other’s body but could be achieved through technologically mediated objects in the world (Part Four). Subsequently, the findings from the research could support further research within a number of fields including dance education, dance practice and dance therapy, psychology, neuroscience, gaming and interactive arts

The Concept of Privacy and the Fourth Amendment

This Article attempts at a minimum to offer a common background and frame of reference for defining and comparing myriad facets of the law. If successful, they furnish a model for the integration of these many facets. This inquiry begins with an examination of the proposition that the essence of the fourth amendment is protection of a right of privacy. The concept of privacy is then defined and elaborated, both without and within the constitutional context. These conclusions are further extended in an exploration of mechanisms for defining the invasions and protection of fourth amendment privacy

Secondary Curriculum in the Time of Digitisation

This paper explores the consequences for the secondary curriculum of education’s forthcoming and fundamental transformation into the Digital Age. Piecemeal ICT “add-ons”, once seen as innovative and ingenious, have become dysfunctional distractions, no matter how powerful the research and marketing behind them. The requirement from now onwards is for a creative, comprehensive (and conceivably cosmopolitan) learner-driven secondary curriculum, determined, owned and enjoyed by the students and conveyed by their teachers. As the Global School—the universal lifelong educational experience—eventuates, the substance, practice and consequences of education can and should become much more equitable, ethical and enjoyable (and far less competitive, test-oriented and world-of-work-dominated). The justifications for specific post-primary “Computer Studies” programmes evaporate once all subjects are digitally-embracing. These and other implications of this ground-breaking “Education based upon Digitisation” reality are investigated, focussing upon the secondary phase

The Personal Development Process of Employees in a Community Hospital

The purpose of this action research project was to assess and understand the existing Personal Development Process at CU and identify and mitigate the causes of the confusion and variations in implementation of this tool. A collaborative group utilized questionnaires, focus groups, and a pilot process to diagnose the extent of the problem. The collaborative group with the help of the organization\u27s employees designed and implemented interventions, and evaluated the project. The project results yielded an employee personal development tool which was used organization wide for 4 years

Education and Democracy in the Time of Digitisation

With Digitisation, each of “democracy”, “education” and, consequently, and conclusively, “Education and Democracy” enters an exciting new dimension. Current considerations of how “government by the people” should be addressed, encouraged and embodied in schools are outdated, unless the realisation that nothing can ever be the same again becomes the starting-point. This paper explores the nature of that forthcoming and fundamental transformation, as made necessary and possible through contemporary technology and as embodied in The Global School. Just as piecemeal Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications are of limited significance, so also are isolated experiments with democratic educational initiatives now obsolete. Universal connectivity straddles schools worldwide and cuts across the institutional, societal and historical factors that gave rise to pernicious politico-socio-educational injustice. Propagating democracy is essentially undemocratic; moral education is the antithesis of morality. The need from now onwards is for a convivial learning-supporting pedagogy, delivering the creative learner-driven curriculum, with the open, well-informed and on-going debate as the fundamental methodology. The substance, practice and consequences of education may now become much more equitable, ethical and enjoyable (and far less competitive, test-oriented and world-of-work-dominated). These and other implications for “Education and Democracy” of this ground-breaking “Education embodying Digitisation” reality are investigated and welcomed

In defence of the decriminalisation of drug possession in the UK

In this review article, we develop the case for the decriminalisation of drug possession in the UK by describing our ‘modest proposal’ to repeal the relevant sections of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its advantages. We defend this proposal against possible critiques from both conservative and radical positions. On the conservative side, these criticisms include that it would increase drug use and harm and that it would be illegal under international law. From the more radical position, we anticipate the criticisms that decriminalisation of possession would leave the harm associated with illegal drug supply to continue, that it would leave in place restrictions on the rights to use drugs, that it would forego the possible tax income from a legally regulated market, and that the drug laws would continue to act as tools of social control. In response, we argue that decriminalisation offers a feasible first step towards reducing the harm of drug control which would not increase drug-related harm

Combined palaeolimnological and ecological approach provides added value for understanding the character and drivers of recent environmental change in Flow Country lakes

The Flow Country peatlands receive national and international recognition and protection as a highly valued habitat, and also provide a number of important ecosystem services. While there has been much research on the terrestrial peatland habitat of the Flow Country, the area’s many hundreds of natural water bodies have been largely unstudied. The first part of this study therefore focuses on establishing the contemporary conditions at 18 Flow Country lakes, examining between-lake heterogeneity in terms of physical structure, water chemistry and biological communities. Temporal change in these lakes is then considered by combining contemporary ecological and palaeolimnological approaches. We examine how the diatom and chironomid communities of Flow Country lakes have changed since a time prior to the mid-nineteenth century. Results show that the lake communities today are different to those present pre-1850, containing more taxa tolerant of increased acidity and nutrient availability. General linear modelling (GLM) analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association between the extent of change in diatom communities and both dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate. Community shifts, though considerable, are shown to be complex and idiosyncratic and no shift between trophic states is indicated. The extent and type of coarse-scale community change we observed points to widespread bottom-up drivers such as land management, afforestation and/or atmospheric deposition rather than more localised management practices such as fish stocking. The benefits of combining approaches is discussed and palaeolimnological methods by which land management, afforestation and atmospheric deposition could be further disentangled are identified

Modification of stress-strain behaviour in aromatic polybenzoxazines using core shell rubbers

2,2-Bis(3,4-dihydro-3-phenyl-2H-1,3-benzoxazine)propane (BA-a) is blended with a commercial core shell rubber (CSR), Genioperl P52, based on a siloxane core and an acrylic shell, at a range of loadings (1–32 wt.%). Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis reveals an even distribution with good cohesion between the resin and CSR particles. Measurements carried out by dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis show modest improvements in glass transition temperature (6 °C) and significant enhancement of thermal stability (20%) when CSR (32 wt.%) was incorporated. Such improvements are linearly related to CSR content. Moderate reductions in modulus (30%) were observed with the highest (32 wt.%) loadings of CSR and were also linearly proportional to CSR content. Thermal analysis demonstrated a small inhibitory effect, with activation energy raised by 4% with the blend containing 32 wt.% CSR and 3% in the blend containing 8 wt.% CSR. It was found that mechanical stirring of the CSR particles into the molten BA-a monomer was the most practical solution for dispersion and effectively broke down CSR agglomerates in the bulk and produced void free samples upon curing, although some minor defects were apparent with higher loadings of core shell rubber. Four batches of dog bone specimens (containing 0, 8, 16 and 32 wt.% CSR) were manufactured and underwent tensile testing. An average increase in extension was observed from 0.82 mm for the pristine poly(BA-a), to 1.14 mm (32 wt.% CSR) was achieved. The introduction of CSR has a deleterious impact on tensile strength (24.67 MPa, pristine poly(BA-a) compared with 20.48 MPa containing 32 wt.% CSR; Young's modulus of 5.4 GPa for pristine poly(BA-a) compared with 3.1 GPa containing 32 wt.% CSR). Following tensile tests, scanning electron microscopy reveals rubber cavitation as the principal toughening mechanism

Neuropathic MORC2 mutations perturb GHKL ATPase dimerization dynamics and epigenetic silencing by multiple structural mechanisms

Missense mutations in MORC2 cause neuropathies including spinal muscular atrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. We recently identified MORC2 as an effector of epigenetic silencing by the human silencing hub (HUSH). Here we report the biochemical and cellular activities of MORC2 variants, alongside crystal structures of wild-type and neuropathic forms of a human MORC2 fragment comprising the GHKL-type ATPase module and CW-type zinc finger. This fragment dimerizes upon binding ATP and contains a hinged, functionally critical coiled coil insertion absent in other GHKL ATPases. We find that dimerization and DNA binding of the MORC2 ATPase module transduce HUSH-dependent silencing. Disease mutations change the dynamics of dimerization by distinct structural mechanisms: destabilizing the ATPase-CW module, trapping the ATP lid or perturbing the dimer interface. These defects lead to modulation of HUSH function, thus providing a molecular basis for understanding MORC2-associated neuropathies