Maths in Medicine: How to Survive a Science Fair

When talking to secondary school students, first impressions are crucial. Accidentally say something that sounds boring and you'll lose them in seconds. A physical demonstration can be an eye-catching way to begin an activity or spark off a conversation about mathematics. This is especially true in the context of an event like a science fair where there are hundreds of other exhibitors and stands, possibly involving loud music and/or dancing robots! In this article we describe three devices that were built to illustrate specific physical phenomena that occur in the human body. Each device corresponds to a simple mathematical model which contains both elements that are accessible to pupils in the early years of secondary education and more challenging mathematical concepts that might appeal to A-level students. Two of the devices relate to the Windkessel effect, a physical phenomenon that regulates blood flow, and the third demonstrates the elastic properties of ligaments and tendons

The Study of Tourism: foundations from psychology

This volume continues the tradition established by Nash in "The Study of Tourism Anthropological and Sociological Beginnings" (2005) previously published in this series. A significant number of the founding scholars whose work has defined and provided a platform for psychology and marketing studies in tourism contribute their reflective accounts on their initial work. They also locate the initial work they conducted within the milieu in which it was created and link the early work to contemporary concerns both of their own undertaking and more broadly. This is the only publication to collate views on the development of tourism study by all these historically important tourism scholars and provides a unique insight into how the context in which tourism scholars' work influences the studies they undertake. From the renowned "Tourism Social Science Series", it systematically and cumulatively contributes to the formation, embodiment, and advancement of knowledge in the field of tourism. This is a valuable piece of tourism literature for all in the areas of advanced marketing and applied psychology, philosophy of education, social science analysis, tourism marketing research and management

Reflections and directions

[Extract] All readers who have considered the autobiographies presented in the preceding pages are likely to have formed impressions of the researchers and their careers. The final section of this monograph provides my personal synthesis of some themes arising in these accounts. The views offered here are those of a participant observer rather than an outsider. Of course, as Simmel (1950) observed, the outsider can view any community through fresh eyes. If the themes I explore in the following remarks are not entirely the same as those identified by some readers, then that can be taken as a healthy sign that this monograph has at least prompted some unique engagement. First, the chapter draws together select observations from the autobiographies and provides links to the works of others who could not participate in this endeavor. Second, the discussion considers the more immediate future for the kinds of studies and interest areas pioneered by the representative authors

Universal dynamics of biological pattern formation in spatio-temporal morphogen variations

In biological systems, chemical signals termed morphogens self-organize into patterns that are vital for many physiological processes. As observed by Turing in 1952, these patterns are in a state of continual development, and are usually transitioning from one pattern into another. How do cells robustly decode these spatio-temporal patterns into signals in the presence of confounding effects caused by unpredictable or heterogeneous environments? Here, we answer this question by developing a general theory of pattern formation in spatio-temporal variations of ‘pre-pattern’ morphogens, which determine gene-regulatory network parameters. Through mathematical analysis, we identify universal dynamical regimes that apply to wide classes of biological systems. We apply our theory to two paradigmatic pattern-forming systems, and predict that they are robust with respect to non-physiological morphogen variations. More broadly, our theoretical framework provides a general approach to classify the emergent dynamics of pattern-forming systems based on how the bifurcations in their governing equations are traversed

Vandalism and tourism settings: an integrative review

Although wide agreement exists in the literature concerning the presence of vandalism in tourism, very little attention has been given to studying the phenomenon. This paper reviews published literature that addresses vandalism, its manifestation in tourism and its prevention. The review provides a comprehensive analysis of empirical research on the motivations for vandalism, deviant visitor behaviour and intervention strategies to manage such behaviours in tourism settings. The paper reviews the micro-level and macro level forces influencing vandalism and provides a definition, thematic analysis of current literature on motivation of vandalism and common themes in vandalism prevention. The analysis demonstrates a range of intervention strategies to curb vandalism. An evolution towards the use of more refined proactive techniques is apparent in recent work. The review provides a foundation for further work by theorists and practitioners

Tourist attractions in Bangkok and Singapore; linking vandalism and setting characteristics

The study adopts an exacting observational approach to vandalism and its site determinants in two pivotal Asian cities, Bangkok and Singapore. The study served three goals: to develop and evaluate an observational approach to auditing the damage to tourist attractions; to link the setting characteristics to the indicators of damage; and to explore the applicability of Western constructs of vandalism and control to these Asian settings. A cluster analysis identified five kinds of sites which differed systematically in levels of disrepair and the factors influencing that damage. Sites with higher and lower levels of vandalism appeared in both cities. Powerful factors limiting damage were identified. The western site determinants for vandalism applied to the Asian settings

Tourist Experience and Fulfilment: insights from positive psychology

What makes life worth living? Many people would argue that it is fulfilling experiences. These experiences are characterised by feelings of joy and pleasure, positive relationships and a sense of engagement, meaning and achievement. Tourism is arguably one of the largest self-initiated commercial interventions to promote well being and happiness on the global scale but yet there is absence in the literature on the topic of fulfilling tourist experiences from psychological perspectives. Drawing on insights and theories from the research field of positive psychology (the study of well being), this is the first edited book to evaluate tourist experiences from positive psychology perspectives. The volume addresses the important topic of fulfilment through the lens of the world's largest social global phenomenon tourism. In doing so, the book refreshes and challenges some aspects of tourist behaviour research. The chapters are grouped under three broad sections which reflect a range of positive psychological outcomes that personal holiday experiences can produce, namely; happiness and humour; meaning and self-actualisation and health and restoration. The book critically explores these fulfilling experiences from interdisciplinary perspectives and includes research studies from wide range of geographical regions. By analysing the contemporary fulfilling tourist experiences the book will provide further understanding of tourist behaviour and experience. Written by leading academics this significant volume will appeal to those interested in Tourism and Positive Psychology

Shining a light on Asian night markets: vendors’ and visitors’ views

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to build on both the theoretical work concerning the co-creation of experiences, and the need for micro-businesses to adopt a consumer-friendly orientation. The researchers examined the compatibility of vendors’ views of their visitors’ perspectives and the visitors’ own assessments of two Hong Kong night markets. Using a large sample survey with over 1,900 tourists and 120 vendors, and examining the data through mean difference testing and factor analysis, the comparability of the views was examined. Key findings were that vendors consistently overestimated the positivity of the visitors’ views. Value for money, trustworthiness of the vendors and product variety were items indicating strong differences where vendors assumed visitors perceived night markets more favorably than did the visitors themselves. The work challenges some assumptions of service design logic and speculates that the durability of night markets is at risk without better vendor understanding of the visitors’ perspectives. Design/methodology/approach: The study builds on both the theoretical work concerning the co-creation of experiences, and the need for micro-businesses to adopt a consumer-friendly orientation. The researchers examined the compatibility of vendors’ views of their visitors’ perspectives and the visitors’ own assessments of two Hong Kong night markets. Using a large sample survey with over 1,900 tourists and 120 vendors and examining the data through mean difference testing and factor analysis, the comparability of the views was examined. Findings: Key findings were that vendors consistently overestimated the positivity of the visitors’ views. Value for money, trustworthiness of the vendors and product variety were items indicating strong differences where vendors assumed visitors perceived night markets more favorably than did the visitors themselves. The work challenges some assumptions of service design logic and speculates that the durability of night markets is at risk without better vendor understanding of the visitors’ perspectives. Research limitations/implications: For the present work, it would be desirable to ascertain that the figures reported apply to other night markets in Hong Kong and China. Further, the generalizability of the results for different market types, those that offer food or cater to specific interests needs examination. The possibility exists that the general night market will fold as specific tailored options, such as craft, art, flower and homewares themed spaces replace the basic all-purpose format. Practical implications: The implications from this work are that vendors may have to form new group alliances to understand and then deliver the overall atmosphere, quality of goods and service interactions prized by tourists. Vendors need to sustain their appeal and sales through maintenance of these overall night market characteristics. The vendors may be able to escape individual censure and rejection for a while due to the transient customer base, but broader destination and attraction image concerns are likely to be a longer-term force requiring attention. Social implications: The implications from this work are that vendors may have to form new group alliances to understand and then deliver the overall atmosphere, quality of goods and service interactions prized by tourists. Vendors need to sustain their appeal and sales through maintenance of these overall night market characteristics. The vendors may be able to escape individual censure and rejection for a while due to the transient customer base, but broader destination and attraction image concerns are likely to be a longer-term force requiring attention. Originality/value: The broad aim of the study can be identified as the desire to examine the compatibility of vendor and tourists’ views, and the more specific aims of this broad agenda will be articulated after reviewing the core conceptual ideas driving the work

Minds on the move: new links from psychology to tourism

This review, which is organised according to key themes, suggests that tourism researchers can profit from contemporary developments in mainstream psychology. The themes addressed are motivation and destination choice, attitudes and satisfaction, memory, and personal growth. Patterned and dual processing approaches to behaviour are highlighted. Additionally a framework for advancing the analysis of minds on the move should consider a range of dimensions including emic and etic approaches, transects across domains of inquiry, social as well as individual processes, longitudinal work, pan-cultural analysis and contextual classifications. It is argued that accessing psychology scholarship can build the capacity of tourism researchers