Vittitow v. City of Upper Arlington: As Mixed Questions of Law and Fact, Should Ordinances and Injunctions be Reviewed Under the Madsen and Frisby Standards of Review by Using a De Novo Standard or a Clearly Erroneous Standard?

This Comment concerns the appropriate standard of review for appellate courts in anti-abortion picketing cases. In Vittitow v. City of Upper Arlington, the Sixth Circuit used a de novo scope of review and applied the intermediate standard of review, developed for content-neutral limits to manners of protests. The Author argues that appellate courts should narrow their scope of review and could do so without risking any chilling effects on the First Amendment. Use of the “clearly erroneous” standard would speed up the enforcement of injunctions, make enforcement more certain and more equitable to all parties, and help ameliorate a climate that is becoming more and more violent

Enhancement of polymer light-emitting diode performance through doping and improved charge injection

Research into the performance enhancement of polymer light-emitting diodes, through techniques of doping and improved charge injection, is reported. Initial electroluminescent (EL) characterisation of all host polymers used; in particular poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) and α,ω-Bis[N,N-di(4-methylphenyl)aminophenyl]-poly(9,9-bis(2-ethylhexyl)fluoren-2,7-diyl) (PF2/6am4) in both mono- and bi-layer configuration is presented. For all studies indium tin oxide was used as the primary anode, with either aluminium or calcium as the cathode. The polymers are all soluble and were processed from spin coating to produce films of order 100 namometres in thickness. A range of protonated polyaniline thin films are characterised for use as hole-transporting layers (HTLs) with MEH-PPV. The HTL fermi level is found to be crucial to its effectiveness in facilitating hole injection. Following this the published studies of PF2/6am4 doping with highly efficient dopants (Rubrene and three metal-porphyrin derivatives) are presented. Techniques summarised in chapter 3 are used in order to convert the measured light output into optical units of candela per metre squared and lumens per watt. The external quantum efficiency for each configuration fabricated is also calculated. Previously reported studies of the dopants are used in order to aid discussion as to the key properties that make a dopant suitable for use in donor: acceptor systems. It is noted that the dopants' excited state lifetime is directly related to the current density at which peak performance is observed, and it is recommended that in order to avoid dopant saturation the dopants' excited state lifetime should be as small as possible without sacrificing emission efficiency. Having established the considerable challenges to be overcome for energy transfer systems to be commercially viable, an alternative doping technique is presented: host perturbation. First the effect of doping both MEH-PPV and PF2/6am4 with a range of rare earth lanthanide metal: organic complexes is investigated. The effect on the inter system crossing is observed to be highly host dependent, with improvements in efficiency only for MEH-PPV. These results are compared with theoretical predictions. In all studies we draw comparison from similar studies carried out by other groups where possible

Multi-user indoor optical wireless communication system channel control using a genetic algorithm

A genetic algorithm controlled multispot transmitter is demonstrated that is capable of optimising the received power distribution for randomly aligned single element receivers in multiple fully diffuse optical wireless communications systems with multiple mobile users. Using a genetic algorithm to control the intensity of individual diffusion spots, system deployment environment changes, user movement and user alignment can be compensating for, with negligible impact on the bandwidth and root mean square delay spread. It is shown that the dynamic range, referenced against the peak received power, can be reduced up to 27% for empty environments and up to 26% when the users are moving. Furthermore, the effect of user movement, that can perturb the channel up to 8%, can be reduced to within 5% of the optimised case. Compared to alternative bespoke designs that are capable of mitigating optical wireless channel drawbacks, this method provides the possibility of cost-effectiveness for mass-produced receivers in applications where end-user friendliness and mobility are paramount

An evolutionary approach to the optimisation of autonomous pod distribution for application in an urban transportation service

For autonomous vehicles (AVs), which when deployed in urban areas are called “pods”, to be used as part of a commercially viable low-cost urban transport system, they will need to operate efficiently. Among ways to achieve efficiency, is to minimise time vehicles are not serving users. To reduce the amount of wasted time, this paper presents a novel approach for distribution of AVs within an urban environment. Our approach uses evolutionary computation, in the form of a genetic algorithm (GA), which is applied to a simulation of an intelligent transportation service, operating in the city of Coventry, UK. The goal of the GA is to optimise distribution of pods, to reduce the amount of user waiting time. To test the algorithm, real-world transport data was obtained for Coventry, which in turn was processed to generate user demand patterns. Results from the study showed a 30% increase in the number of successful journeys completed in a 24 hours, compared to a random distribution. The implications of these findings could yield significant benefits for fleet management companies. These include increases in profits per day, a decrease in capital cost, and better energy efficiency. The algorithm could also be adapted to any service offering pick up and drop of points, including package delivery and transportation of goods

What are the main factors that are thought to impact upon the implementation of a whole school approach to student mental health and wellbeing in schools? A systematic review

Increased availability of evidence-informed, school-based, prevention and intervention programmes in the area of mental health and wellbeing promotion has contributed to a shift in research priorities from efficacy to implementation and dissemination. A central issue for school psychology research in moving research to practice is to ensure high quality implementation of both the intervention programmes and the support system that sustains it. The purpose of this review is to identify, appraise and synthesise research evidence using an implementation science framework in order to identify key contextual and ecological factors (facilitators and barriers) that impact upon the implementation process of whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing promotion. Nine studies that met inclusion criteria were synthesised and critically appraised. A total of eighty-seven facilitators and sixty-seven barriers were extracted across the nine studies. Limitations of findings and methodologies relative to the review questions are outlined and discussed

The implementation of a whole school approach to mental health and well-being promotion in the Irish primary school context

BACKGROUND:Schools are well recognised as critical contexts for the promotion of mental health and well-being and offer the potential to reach a large number of children at an early age, at a time when they are developing important attitudes and behaviours that may influence their future health. Ensuing from a number of large-scale epidemiological studies which have found that young Irish people are significantly struggling with their mental health and well-being, the Government of Ireland has committed to prioritising mental health promotion in schools through a multicomponent, preventive, whole school approach. OBJECTIVES: To obtain a detailed and integrated account of the implementation of a whole school approach to mental health and well-being promotion in the Irish primary school context. METHODS: A qualitative case study approach was undertaken employing in depth semi-structured interviews, document analysis and field notes. Thematic analysis was applied to all interview data and emerging themes were mapped on to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) domains. SETTINGS: Three Irish primary schools. RESULTS: Facilitators and barriers that emerged from the data related primarily to the schools’ economic and political context, organisational context, and internal and external partnerships and relationships. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that the implementation process in ‘real-world’ practice settings, such as schools, is dynamic, complex and exists within a multi-level system and requires careful consideration of the numerous ecological factors that can influence implementation

ENABLING ONLINE CASE-BASED LEARNING FOR MANAGEMENT STUDENTS USING BLACKBOARD

The project developed a directed/supported online case study for 33 internationally-dispersed, distance learning MBA students using the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE). The activities included:Devising, designing and producing a case study classroom using Blackboard.Publication of a case study that could be used on the project.Development of student resources that could be used on the project.Implementation of a student application process.Co-ordination of associate tutors and Faculty.Monitoring of student diaries.Establishing evaluation system comprising depth interviews, course statistics, user statistics, questionnaire of user attitudes and observation of online behaviours.Development of an article to discuss the implications of the study

Millimeter-wave communication for a last-mile autonomous transport vehicle

Low-speed autonomous transport of passengers and goods is expected to have a strong, positive impact on the reliability and ease of travelling. Various advanced functions of the involved vehicles rely on the wireless exchange of information with other vehicles and the roadside infrastructure, thereby benefitting from the low latency and high throughput characteristics that 5G technology has to offer. This work presents an investigation of 5G millimeter-wave communication links for a low-speed autonomous vehicle, focusing on the effects of the antenna positions on both the received signal quality and the link performance. It is observed that the excess loss for communication with roadside infrastructure in front of the vehicle is nearly half-power beam width independent, and the increase of the root mean square delay spread plays a minor role in the resulting signal quality, as the absolute times are considerably shorter than the typical duration of 5G New Radio symbols. Near certain threshold levels, a reduction of the received power affects the link performance through an increased error vector magnitude of the received signal, and subsequent decrease of the achieved data throughput

Evaluating the Consumption Tax Proposals: Changes in the Taxation of Interspousal Transactions, Use of Trusts, and Revising the Meaning of Tax Planning

This Article focuses on two proposals to revise the federal income tax system: the Armey flat tax and the USA tax. It compares these tax reform measures with the current Internal Revenue Code for income tax in three areas: (1) corporate stock redemptions and divorce; (2) the use of alimony trusts; and (3) nonqualified deferred compensation (so-called rabbi ) trusts. In assessing the proposed changes, the Article also addresses the amount of simplification that will be achieved, the possible undertaxation of recipients of profits, tax avoidance, and the extent to which one must cast aside conventional tax planning and tax policy concepts in the new tax regime

Optical wireless for intravehicle communications : incorporating passenger presence scenarios

Through the implementation of a simple linearly scalable 1-W infrared (IR) transmitter, which is centrally located on the ceiling of a sports utility vehicle (SUV), and for 15 passenger configurations, an analysis into the received power, power deviation, minimum bandwidth, and maximum root-mean-square (RMS) delay spread is provided for the regions of the vehicle most likely to benefit from the deployment of intravehicle optical wireless (OW) communication systems. Several specific regions, including the areas around a passenger's legs, arms, necks, and shoulders, are shown to have beneficial channel characteristics for the use of personal electronics equipment such as laptops, tablet PCs, or wireless headphones. Similarly, a region around the headrest of the front seat is shown to have potential for the deployment of in-car entertainment solutions independent of the passenger configuration. This analysis, which is the first to introduce the concept of channel variation from multiple passenger configurations, aims to show that OW is a potential candidate for future intravehicular communication systems