Encouraging better hand drying hygiene

Electric hand driers have the potential to improve sanitation when using public toilets; if used properly, electric driers can dry hands more thoroughly than towels, and users do not come into physical contact with potentially contaminated objects. But electric driers are frequently used for just a few seconds--and so the potential advantage is lost. This paper describes the prototyping and evaluation of a system intended to encourage longer hand drying times in public toilets. The challenges are: to develop hygienic interfaces for use in toilet areas; to design simple to use software that is engaging enough to be used several times a day; and to conduct usability and system acceptance tests in an environment in which users are highly sensitive about privacy issues

The Monetary Transmission Mechanism in The United Kingdom: Pass-Through & Policy Ru

A number of recent papers have used policy simulations from small empirical macro models to assess the efficacy of inflation-forecast targeting. The macro models used to undertake the simulations differ significantly with the assumed degree of openness, an important factor for the analysis. However, the open economy models typically approach the pass-through from exchange rate to import prices and ultimately retail prices in a stylized manner, assuming full and instantaneous pass-through. This paper modifies the open economy macro model presented in Batini and Haldane (1999) to accommodate a variety of pass-through representations, considering time and state-(cycle)-dependent pass-through rules. While the model’s dynamics are affected, the main result of Batini and Haldane – that targeting an inflation forecast dominates targeting current inflation – is robust to the assumed rate of pass-through.

3D Interactive virtual environments for E-learning, teaching and technical support: Multiplayer teaching and learning games for the School of Art, Design & Architecture.

This paper outlines the key stages of a University funded teaching and learning project, the main objective of the project is to build an online 3D virtual Ramsden workshop (RW) game learning environment. Using 3D modeling software and interactive 3D game programming technologies the project team have accurately modeled and simulated the Ramsden workshop (RW) building; The 3D virtual RW workshop has been accurately built to scale and is fitted with virtual furniture, virtual computers, virtual engineering machinery. These components have been developed as an initial range of interactive game based learning tools. In this project the team has also begun to simulate Health and Safety procedures, created software CAD/CAM tutorials and are developing and testing innovative learning support tools for all levels of learners. The 3D Virtual Ramsden workshop (RW) game is part of ongoing research work that applies the use of 3D virtual software for developing appropriate interactive 3D spaces, avatars, objects and simulations for learning, teaching, training, exhibitions, experimental art and practice in virtual environments. Additionally within this project the research team also modelled a virtual Creative Arts Building and a University of Huddersfield virtual campus

La transformación de la peste : el laboratorio y la identidad de las enfermedades infecciosas

Las enfermedades infecciosas pueden ser, y son, identificadas de muchas maneras: a partir de su presentación clínica (signos, síntomas, datos de autopsia), mediante criterios epidemiológicos (modo y formas de difusión), a través de técnicas de laboratorio que aíslan el agente causal. En este artículo afirmó que la práctica de identificar enfermedades infecciosas mediante el laboratorio y sus procedimientos confiere a estas enfermedades identidades diferentes de las que poseen por el empleo de otros procedimientos. El laboratorio otorga a las enfermedades infecciosas identidades en las que el agente causal es la parte esencial y fundamental. Históricamente, por lo tanto, cuando se descubrió por medio de técnicas de laboratorio el "agente causal" de cada enfermedad infecciosa, se transformó la identidad de esta enfermedad. Muestro cómo sucedió esto en el caso de la peste, cuando Kitasato y Yersin dieron a esta enfermedad su identidad de laboratorio en Hong Kong en 1894. También sostengo que, debido a esta transformación de la identidad de las enfermedades infecciosas por el laboratorio, no nos es posible a los historiadores de la medicina comparar la peste pre-laboratorio con la peste moderna, o asumir que la identidad de la peste post-laboratorio puede aplicarse a la peste prelaboratorio

COVID-19 and the school-based mass preparticipation physical evaluation: The anvil that broke the camel’s back?

The preparticipation physical evaluation is required in the vast majority of states for participation in high school athletics. These examinations are commonly performed at school- based mass events. Given the current climate surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for social distancing, primary care and sports medicine providers should use this opportunity to encourage athletes to have their preparticipation physical evaluations performed by their primary care provider in their medical home in accordance with recommended best practices both now and in the future. The school-based mass preparticipation physical evaluation should not return in the post-COVID world.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155398/1/Cunningham main article.pdfDescription of Cunningham main article.pdf : Main articl