Reversing the decline? Trade union strategies in Britain during the 1980s

This thesis examines the responses of British trade unions to declining aggregate membership during the 1980s and early 1990s. It describes the development of union services, contributions policies and organising strategies, looking In particular at the implementation of organising campaigns at the local level. Drawing on interviews with union full-time officials, and an analysis of documentary and statistical material, the thesis shows that during this period union organising campaigns consisted of more than empty pronouncements by national leaderships. There was clear evidence of an attempt to prioritise organising activity at the local level, although there was an unevenness In the extent to which organising activity was effectively prioritised, both between and within unions. Whilst some recruitment gains were made as a result of the organising campaigns, such initiatives were insufficient in themselves to halt the decline in membership, since unions faced severe difficulties in consolidating recruitment gains and in winning recognition from employers in the adverse economic and political climate of this period. The findings are discussed in the context of the literature on union growth and union strategy. Some support is found for the view that union growth was largely constrained by environmental factors in the short term, although it was an open question as to whether union organising strategies could exert a significant independent influence on aggregate membership levels in the longer term, by extending union organisation into new job territories. In this respect, the limited achievements of the union organising campaigns by 1991 were only to be expected, and could not necessarily be taken to imply their failure in the longer term

WARWICKSHIRE (Reino Unido) (Inglaterra). Canales. 1792?. 1:48400

Comprende parte de los condados ingleses de Warwickshire y Midlands del OesteEscala gráfica de 4 millas, divididas en estadios [= 13,3 cm]. Orientado con lis en rosa de ocho vientosOrografía a trazosRelación de las principales parroquias que jalonan el recorrido del canal, indicadas por clave numéricaFigura una tabla con datos referentes a la longitud y caída de los distintos tramos de la obra proyectadaForma parte de la Colección Mendoz

Thermal degradation of Cross-Linked Polyisoprene and Polychloroprene

Polyisoprene and polychloroprene have been cross-linked either in solution or in solid state using free radical initiators. In the comparable experimental conditions higher cross-linking density was observed in the solid state process. Independent of the cross-linking method, polychloroprene tended to give a higher gel content and cross-link density than does polyisoprene. Infrared characterization of the cross-linked materials showed cis-trans isomerization occurred in the polyisoprene initiated by benzoyl peroxide, whereas no isomerization was found in the samples initiated by dicumyl peroxide. Polyisoprene does not cross-link by heating in a thermal analyzer, whereas polychloroprene easily undergoes cross-linking in such conditions. Infrared spectroscopy showed that in the case of polyisoprene, rearrangements occur upon heating which lead to the formation of terminal double bonds, while polychloroprene loses hydrogen chlorine which leads to a conjugated structure. There is apparently some enhancement of the thermal and thermal oxidative stability of polyisoprene because of the cross-linking. Cross-linked polychloroprene is less thermally stable than the virgin polymer. Cross-linking promotes polymers charring in the main step of weight loss in air, which leads to enhanced transitory char

Levelling of heating and vehicle demand in distribution networks using randomised device control

Rising demand from electrical heating and vehicles will drive major distribution network reinforcement costs unless 24-hour demand profiles can be levelled. We propose a demand response scheme in which the electricity supplier provides a signal to a “smart home” control unit that manages the consumer’s appliances using a novel approach for reconciliation of the consumer’s needs and desires with the incentives supplied by the signal. The control unit allocates demand randomly in timeslots that are acceptable to the consumer but with a probability biased in accordance with the signal provided by the supplier. This behaviour ensures that demand response is predictable and stable and allows demand to be shaped in a way that can satisfy distribution network constraints

HEREFORD AND WORCESTER (Reino Unido). Canales (1785?). 1:49100

Escala gráfica de 5 millas [= 16,4 cm]. Orientado con lis en rosa de ocho vientosOrografía a trazosRelación de las parroquias adyacentes al recorrido del canal, indicadas por clave numéricaFigura una tabla con datos sobre la longitud, elevación y caida de los diversos tramos del canalForma parte de la Colección Mendoz

LICHFIELD (Reino Unido). Planos de población. 1781. 1:2400

Escalas gráficas de 440 yardas y 1320 pies [= 16,8 cm]. Coordenads de Lichfield referids al meridiano de Londres (N 52°41'/O 2°45'). Orientado con lis en rosa de ocho vientos prolongadosToponimia de calles y plazasIndica la parcelación del territorio municipalRelación de los principales edificios públicos civiles y religiosos, casas de preendados y puertas valladas, indicados por clave alfanuméricaTabla de distritos en que se divide la ciudad, señalando el número de casas y habitantes de cada uno de ellosAmplia leyenda explicativa sobre el nombre, situación, historia, gobierno municipal, ferias y mercados de la ciudadTítulo enmarcado en pedestal sobre el cual se asientan varias columnas, observándose un edificio al fondo ; al pie de aquél, mitra, manopla, casco y escudo y, en primer termino, libro de sermones de John HacketForma parte de la Colección MendozaInserta : "South West View of the Cathedra

Adolescents and health-related behaviour:using a framework to develop interventions to support positive behaviours

Abstract Background Experimentation is a natural part of adolescent maturation. In conjunction with increased exposure to behaviours such as alcohol or substance use, and the potentially intensified influence of peer groups, unhealthy behaviour patterns may develop as part of this experimentation. However, the adolescent years also provide considerable opportunity for behaviour to be shaped in positive ways that may improve immediate and longer term health outcomes. A systematic review carried out by the authors concluded that physiological changes during adolescence need to be considered when designing or implementing interventions, due to their influence on health behaviours. The aim of the study is to demonstrate how the six steps in quality intervention development (6SQuID) framework can be used, in conjunction with research or review findings, to inform the development of pilot or feasibility studies. Using the synthesised findings from our adolescent systematic review, we sought to illustrate how adolescent interventions might be designed to target specific health behaviours and augment positive adolescent health outcomes. Methods We applied the 6SQuID framework to the findings from a review of adolescent physiological influences on health behaviour. This involved following the process defined within 6SQuID and applying the sequential steps to build a proposed pilot study, based on the pre-defined findings of our systematic review. We used the Social Learning Theory to assist in identifying how and why change can be influenced, with and for adolescents. Results We devised a pilot study example, targeting teaching assistants, to illustrate how the detailed steps within the 6SQuID framework can assist the development and subsequent implementation of adolescent interventions that are likely to be effective. Conclusions This paper gives details of how the 6SQuID framework can be used for intervention development, using specific research findings, across a variety of adolescent health behaviours. This example provides details of how to operationalise 6SQuID in practical terms that are transferrable to other populations and situations. In this respect, we anticipate that this illustrative case may be of use in the design, development, and implementation of a wide variety of interventions

Making Legacy Thermal Storage Heating fit for the Smart Grid

Collaborative paper with Oxford University Environmental Change Institute and Energy Local Ltd. The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Thermal storage heaters, charged using overnight off-peak electricity, have been used for domestic space heating in the UK and other countries since the 1980s. However, they have always been difficult for consumers to manage efficiently and, with the advent of a high proportion of renewables in the electricity generation mix, the time of day when they are charged needs to be more flexible. There is also a need to reduce peaks in the demand profile to allow distribution networks to support new sources of demand such as electric vehicles. We describe a trial of a smart control system that was retrofitted to a group of six dwellings with this form of heating, with the objectives of providing more convenient and efficient control for the users while varying the times at which charging is performed, to flatten the profile of demand and make use of locally-generated renewable electricity. The trial also employs a commercially-realistic combination of a static time-of-day tariff with a real time tariff dependent on local generation, to provide consumers with the opportunity and incentive to reduce their costs by varying times of use of appliances. Results from operation over the 2015-16 heating season indicate that the objectives are largely achieved. It is estimated that on an annualised and weather-adjusted basis most of the users have consumed less electricity than before intervention and their costs are less on the trial tariffs. Critical factors for success of this form of system are identified, particularly the need to facilitate hands-on control of heating by thrifty users and the importance of an effective and sustained user engagement programme when introducing the technology, to ensure users gain confidence through a readily-accessible source of support and advice

Managing complexity in the smart grid through a new approach to demand response

CASCADE was a consortium project with Cranfield UniversityAdoption of weather-dependent renewable generation of electricity has introduced additional complexity to the challenge of maintaining a dynamic equilibrium between generation and electricity demand. At the same time the need for electricity to power heating and transport in place of fossil fuels will lead to congestion in distribution networks. Part of the solution will be to manage domestic electricity demand using signals between the smart grid and smart home, but this must be done in a way that does not provoke further instability. We use an agent-based model of household electricity consumption and supply to show how the complexity of domestic demand can be shaped allowing it to make a contribution to system stability. A possible role for this method in balancing conflicting interests between electricity consumers, suppliers, and distribution network operators is discussedEPSRC under the CASCADE project (EP/GO59969/1