Exploring the role of marketing as a tool to aid smart meter adoption amongst fuel poverty and vulnerable groups

This study is concerned with exploring the role of marketing as a tool to improve smart meter adoption amongst different fuel poverty groups. The traditional view of marketing is that it is a process by which people and firms get what they require and desire by generating and trading value with others (Kotler and Armstrong, 2010). Nonetheless, a more recent view of marketing is that it provides a vehicle to aid the achievement of a wide range of social goals. In this instance, fuel poverty and energy efficiency. For example, social marketing could be used as a means of ‘engaging’ fuel poverty groups to improve the energy efficiency of their home. Despite this, few empirical studies have explored the role of marketing in alleviating fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency

Material handling systems for the fluidized-bed combustion boiler at Rivesville, West Virginia

The 300,000 lbs/hr steam capacity multicell fluidized-bed boiler (MFB) utilizes complex material handling systems. The material handling systems can be divided into the following areas: (1) coal preparation; transfer and delivery, (2) limestone handling system, (3) fly-ash removal and (4) bed material handling system. Each of the above systems are described in detail and some of the potential problem areas are discussed. A major potential problem that exists is the coal drying system. The coal dryer is designed to use 600 F preheated combustion air as drying medium and the dryer effluent is designed to enter a hot electrostatic precipitator (730 F) after passage through a cyclone. Other problem areas to be discussed include the steam generator coal and limestone feed system which may have operating difficulties with wet coal and/or coal fines

On the geographical correlation of orbit error

The orbit accuracies needed to support the global crustal dynamics project and recent satellite altimeter missions have placed unique demands on the data analysis and orbit analysis systems. These demands include accurate and well distributed observations, improved computational techniques and substantial enhancements in the force models which represent the satellite's motion. For example, the satellite altimeter mission (TOPEX), whose objectives will be: (1) to measure the time variable ocean surface topography, and (2) to demonstrate the ability to map the general ocean circulation, requires that the radial component of the satellite's orbit be known with an rms accuracy of 13 cm for the three year mission lifetime. The primary force model uncertainty which limits the contemporary orbit computation accuracy is the inaccuracy in the values assigned to the spherical harmonic coefficients used to model the Earth's gravity field

Understanding the role of cholinergic tone in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus

Genetically modified mice targeting the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) gene have been used as a tool to better understand the role of ACh signaling in specific regions of the brain (Prado et al., 2006; Guzman et al., 2011; de Castro et al., 2009). VAChT stores acetylcholine (ACh) in synaptic vesicles, and changes in this transporter expression directly interferes with ACh release. Here, we use a mouse line with VAChT deletion in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT) to evaluate the consequences of decreased cholinergic signaling from the PPT in vivo. Based on the efferent connectivity from the PPT, our hypothesis is that decreased cholinergic signaling from the PPT will affect specific behavioural outputs such as gait, motor control and sleep. Improving our understanding of cholinergic signaling from the PPT and how it relates to behavioural abnormalities may lead to the development of novel treatments for the symptoms of neurological diseases such as PD and PSP, which show degeneration of PPT neurons (Hirsch et al. 1987)

Examining the Efficacy of a Self-Paced Online Training for Goal Writing

Educational goals can control critical aspects of intervention and progress monitoring for students with disabilities and as such are a central feature of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Despite its importance, school staff frequently report not receiving enough training or support on IEP documentation. Rosborough and Brandel (2020) investigated the quality of IEP goals written in the state of West Virginia. Findings indicated that professional development activities needed to be designed and analyzed related to immediate and long-term efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a self-paced, online training for goal writing. Participants were recruited by word of mouth to partake in the study. A total of 16 speech-language pathologists responded and began the training. By the end of the study, five individuals completed the surveys and training in full, which included a demographic survey, pre-assessment, seven learning modules, and a post-assessment. Each participant was evaluated on their performance on a knowledge assessment, their ability to evaluate language goals using a rubric for which they completed training on how to use, as well as their ability to compose IEP goals. Results indicated that foundational knowledge, on average, increased by 14% after the training modules were completed. Overall, the ability to rate components of goals was mixed from the pre-assessment (mean = 50%) to the post-assessment as evidenced by a post-assessment mean score of 43% (SD: 18.7). Outcomes also suggested that the majority of participants were able to effectively include more short-term goal components within self-generated IEP goals. Patterns in the data regarding ratings for each short-term goal component supported previous research findings (Farquharson et al., 2014; Rosborough & Brandel, 2020). Additional research is needed to further establish the reliability and efficacy of the online training

For the Sake of St. Cecilia: Analysis and Re-Orchestration of Gerald Finzi\u27s For St. Cecilia, Op. 30

Gerald Finzi contributed few pieces to the field of choral music, however the works that have been made available are filled with charm and finesse. Similar to the manner of Duparc, his small output encompasses great depth, beauty, and ingenuity. One such work is For St. Cecilia, Op. 30. Hidden behind the veil of the tradition of English musical festivals, Finzi’s St. Cecilia along with other great works became otherwise lost or discarded in the milieu of nineteenth and twentieth century British composition. Uncovering Finzi’s ode, one might find the size of orchestra and chorus a bit daunting. However, in a day where accommodating editions and arrangements have become commonplace, there is a need to present a reduced and approachable orchestration. In addition to the need for bringing this work into the light is the need to perform the work. Studying Finzi’s manuscript and poetry revealed poetic and musical intent. These findings enhanced the overall understanding and performance level of the conductor and the ensemble that premiered the reduced orchestration. Furthermore, the discoveries made while researching this piece historically, musically, and poetically substantiated the new arrangement. The orchestration process navigated through many obstructions, but overall found a balance in its finality that hopefully complements Finzi’s original intent

If a Machine Could Talk, We Would Not Understand It: Canadian Innovation and the Copyright Act’s TPM Interoperability Framework

This analysis examines the legal implications of technological protection measures (‘‘TPMs”) under Canada’s Copyright Act. Through embedded computing systems and proprietary interfaces, TPMs are being used by original equipment manufacturers (‘‘OEMs”) of agricultural equipment to preclude reverse engineering and follow-on innovation. This has anti-competitive effects on Canada’s ‘‘shortline” agricultural equipment industry, which produces add-on or peripheral equipment used with OEM machinery. This requires interoperability between the interfaces, data formats, and physical connectors, which are often the subject of TPM control. Exceptions under the Act have provided little assistance to the shortline industry. The research question posed by this analysis is: how does the CanadianCopyright Act’s protection for TPMs and its interoperability exception impact follow-on innovation in secondary markets? Canada’s protection for TPMs and its interoperability exception is inadequate for protecting follow-on innovation in relation to computerized machinery and embedded systems. This is due to the Act’s broad protection for TPMs, yet limited conceptualization of interoperability as a process that exists only between two ‘‘computer programs”. In legally protecting TPMs which safeguard uncopyrightable processes, data formats and interfaces, the Act’s interoperability exception fails to address the need to access subjects of TPM protection that extend beyond computer programs. This results in an asymmetry of protection and renders the interoperability exception inadequate. This article proposes enacting regulations under the Act to provide new exceptions and limitations to TPM protections which would enable shortline innovation. Both the Copyright Act and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement envision such additional TPM exceptions where the effect of protection has adverse effects on competition in a secondary market. In exploring a path forward for Canada’s shortline industry, the article then examines approaches taken in the United States and France to illustrate potential avenues for TPM regulation in Canada