Geometric structure and geodesic in a solvable model of nonequilibrium process

We investigate the geometric structure of a nonequilibrium process and its geodesic solutions. By employing an exactly solvable model of a driven dissipative system (generalized nonautonomous Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process), we compute the time-dependent probability density functions (PDFs) and investigate the evolution of this system in a statistical metric space where the distance between two points (the so-called information length) quantifies the change in information along a trajectory of the PDFs. In this metric space, we find a geodesic for which the information propagates at constant speed, and demonstrate its utility as an optimal path to reduce the total time and total dissipated energy. In particular, through examples of physical realizations of such geodesic solutions satisfying boundary conditions, we present a resonance phenomenon in the geodesic solution and the discretization into cyclic geodesic solutions. Implications for controlling population growth are further discussed in a stochastic logistic model, where a periodic modulation of the diffusion coefficient and the deterministic force by a small amount is shown to have a significant controlling effect

Personalised service? Changing the role of the government librarian

Investigates the feasibility of personalised information service in a government department. A qualitative methodology explored stakeholder opinions on the remit, marketing, resourcing and measurement of the service. A questionnaire and interviews gathered experiences of personalised provision across the government sector. Potential users were similarly surveyed to discuss how the service could meet their needs. Data were analysed using coding techniques to identify emerging theory. Lessons learned from government librarians centred on clarifying requirements, balancing workloads and selective marketing. The user survey showed low usage and awareness of existing specialist services, but high levels of need and interest in services repackaged as a tailored offering. Fieldwork confirmed findings from the literature on the scope for adding value through information management advice, information skills training and substantive research assistance and the need to understand business processes and develop effective partnerships. Concluding recommendations focus on service definition, strategic marketing, resource utilisation and performance measurement

Harnessing Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Pressurized Gyration for Hard and Soft Tissue Engineering

Organ dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Transplantation is typically the only definitive cure, challenged by the lack of sufficient donor organs. Tissue engineering encompasses the development of biomaterial scaffolds to support cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation, leading to tissue regeneration. For efficient clinical translation, the forming technology utilized must be suitable for mass production. Herein, uniaxial polyhydroxyalkanoate scaffolds manufactured by pressurized gyration, a hybrid scalable spinning technique, are successfully used in bone, nerve, and cardiovascular applications. Chorioallantoic membrane and in vivo studies provided evidence of vascularization, collagen deposition, and cellular invasion for bone tissue engineering. Highly efficient axonal outgrowth was observed in dorsal root ganglion-based 3D ex vivo models. Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes exhibited a mature cardiomyocyte phenotype with optimal calcium handling. This study confirms that engineered polyhydroxyalkanoate-based gyrospun fibers provide an exciting and unique toolbox for the development of scalable scaffolds for both hard and soft tissue regeneration

Territory, power and statecraft: understanding English devolution

In recent decades, the devolution of power to subnational regional authorities has formed a key element of what has been termed the ‘unravelling’ or ‘unbundling’ of the state in many parts of the world. Even in the United Kingdom, with its distinctive global reputation as a power-hoarding majoritarian democracy, the devolution of powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since 1998 can be located within this broader devolutionary dynamic. In recent years, this process has focused on ‘the English question’ and a reform agenda that claimed to offer a ‘devolution revolution’. This paper offers the first research-led analysis of the scope, scale and implications of these post-2015 reforms to English governance. It utilizes Jim Bulpitt’s statecraft approach to explore the changing nature of centre–periphery relationships within England. The main conclusion has been that a ‘rhetoric–reality gap’ currently exists and a ‘devolution revolution’ has not occurred

Local industrial strategy and skills policy in England: Assessing the linkages and limitations – a case study of the Sheffield City Deal

This paper examines changes in local economic development policy which occurred between 2010 and 2015, with a focus on the relationship between industrial strategy and skills policy. Under the Coalition Government, Local Enterprise Partnerships were established and tasked with facilitating local growth, and to do so many identified a set of (potential) growth sectors for industrial strategy to support. These sectors tended to be drawn from a relatively narrow range of industries which therefore often excluded a large proportion of the local economy. An important focus of the support for growth sectors for many has been through an ambition to influence the local skills system. Skills policy more broadly has been an important dimension of devolution, and a number of City Deals have included elements of skills policy. Echoing previous national policy however, the focus of local concerns with skills under devolution has been framed largely with reference to skills gaps and shortages. While specific skills gaps and shortages can be identified, this paper questions whether this default position is reflected widely, and as such, if a narrow focus on skills supply is a sufficient approach. It is argued that to support local growth across a broad base, greater attention needs to be paid to stimulating employer demand for skills through better integrating industrial and innovation policy with skills policymaking across a wider section of the local economy. To support these arguments we present a case study of the Sheffield City Deal

Delivering NEET policy packages? A decade of NEET policy in England

This article explores the way in which government policy shapes the lives of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). In particular it examines how the concept of NEETs is set within a specific infrastructure and discourse for managing and supporting young people. The article provides a brief history of the NEET concept and NEET initiatives, before moving on to scrutinise the policies of the Coalition Government. A key distinction is made between those policies and practices that seek to prevent young people becoming NEET from those that seek to re-engage those who are NEET. It is argued that the Coalition has drawn on a similar active labour market toolkit to the previous Labour administration, but that this has been implemented with fewer resources and less co-ordination. It concludes that there is little reason to believe that Coalition policy will be any more successful than that of the previous government, and some reason to be concerned that it will lead to young people becoming more entrenched within NEET