Enhancing the Academic Prestige of Nonprofit Studies: Can impact case studies help?

This paper describes the evolution of an evidence-based management-research case study in the UK and has the potential to enhance the profile and status of nonprofit studies in the UK and beyond. Until recently the UK’s process to evaluate the research quality of Universities relied on journal quality lists to guide their ratings. However, in recent years, these have been revised to add impact case studies. In response the authors developed a methodology and template for writing impact case studies for the nonprofit sector. The first case study using the new template was produced at the end of 2016, which described an evaluation framework for the Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation ‘Place’ programme in the U.K. This complex regeneration project involved private, public and voluntary sectors and demonstrated the efficacy of the multi-dimensional collaborative approach taken to help communities regenerate after economic decline

Health of people who travel to work: the effect of travel time and mode of transport on health: What have we learnt from the Kent and Medway health and lifestyle survey?

This is the first study of the health of people travelling to work. The paper describes a study from the 2001 Kent & Medway Health and Lifestyle Survey. It focusses on the health of people commuting to London and those working elsewhere who were travelling for more than 45 minutes

Liquid-metal-piston MHD generator

Magnetohydrodynamic generator uses a slug or piston of liquid potassium as the working fluid. An expanding vapor of the metal is allowed to reciprocate the liquid-metal-piston through a magnetic field and the expansion energy is converted directly into electrical energy

Regulation of anti-inflammatory gene expression in vascular endothelial cells by EPAC1

Suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) is a potent inhibitor of pro-inflammatory pathways involved in atherogenesis and the development of neo-intimal hyperplasia (NIH), which contributes to the in-stent re-stenosis responsible for the failure of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. We have shown that cyclic AMP sensor EPAC1 triggers induction of the SOCS3 gene in vascular endothelial cells (VECs), thereby attenuating interleukin 6 (IL-6)-mediated pro-inflammatory signalling. We propose that EPAC1 localisation to the nuclear pore controls cyclic AMP-mediated activation of a C/EBPβ/c-Jun transcriptional complex, leading to SOCS3 induction and suppression of pro-inflammatory signalling. Future work in this area will involve an integrated approach to determine the wider significance of the EPAC1-C/EBPβ/c-Jun pathway in controlling human VEC function and identify new therapeutic targets for management of chronic inflammation in vascular settings

The effect of three practice conditions on the consistency of chronic dysarthric speech

This study investigated whether it is possible for people with chronic dysarthria to adjust their articulation in three practice conditions. A speaker dependent, speech recognition system was used to compare participants' practice attempts with a model of a word made from previous recordings to give a recognition score. This score was used to indicate changes in production of practice words with different conditions. The three conditions were reading of written target words, visual feedback, and an auditory model followed by visual feedback. For eight participants with dysarthria, the ability to alter speech production was shown, together with a differential effect of the three conditions. Copying an auditory target gave significantly better recognition scores than just repeating the word. Visual feedback was no more effective than repetition alone. For four control participants, visual feedback did produce significantly better recognition scores than just repetition of written words, and the presence of an auditory model was Significantly more effective than visual feedback. Possible reasons for differences between conditions are discussed

Reflexive Learning and Performative Failure

In this paper we emphasize the importance of context for student learning. Based on reflective logs and interview data, we explore how students learn outside of the classroom as they undertake an experiential dissertation project. We identify three different forms of reflexive learning and critique, all triggered by some form of performative failure; scholarly critique, engaged critique and engaged action. Drawing on Butler’s theory of performativity we illustrate how reflexivity is not purely the action of any individual student, rather it is a practice that is co-created within a certain context. As such, we contest individualistic understandings of reflexivity and encourage a careful consideration of the places students and managers are encouraged to be reflexive

Higher diversity of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae populations in arable soils than in grass soils

The bacterial genetic diversity after long-term arable cultivation was compared with that under permanent grassland using replicated paired contrasts, Pea-nodulating Rhizobium leguminosarum populations were sampled from pairs of arable and grass sites at four locations in Yorkshire, United Kingdom, isolates were characterized using both chromosomal (16S-23S ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism) and plasmid (group-specific repC PCR amplification) markers. The diversities of chromosomal types, repC profiles, and combined genotypes were calculated using richness in types (adjusted to equal sample sizes by rarefaction), Shannon-Wiener index, and Simpson's index. The relative differences in diversity within each pair of sites were similar for all three diversity measures, Chromosomal types, repC profiles, and combined genotypes were each more diverse in arable soils than in grass soils at two of the four locations. The other comparisons showed no significant differences. We conclude that rhizobial diversity can be affected by differences between these two management regimens. Multiple regression analyses indicated that lower diversity was associated with high potential nitrogen and phosphate levels or with acidity

Spectroradiometric calibration of the thematic mapper and multispectral scanner system

The results of an analysis that relates thematic mapper (TM) saturation level to ground reflectance, calendar date, latitude, and atmospheric condition is provided. A revised version of the preprint included with the last quarterly report is also provided for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner system

The effects of the atmosphere on propagating radiation must be known in order to calibrate an in orbit sensor using ground based measurements. A set of model atmosphere parameters, applicable to the White Sands (New Mexico) area is defined with particular attention given to those parameters which are required as input to the Herman Code. The radial size distribution, refractive index, vertical distribution, and visibility of aerosols are discussed as well as the molecular absorbers in the visible and near IR wavelength which produce strong absorption lines. Solar irradiance is also considered

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner system

The results of analyses of Thematic Mapper (TM) images acquired on July 8 and October 28, 1984, and of a check of the calibration of the 1.22-m integrating sphere at Santa Barbara Research Center (SBRC) are described. The results obtained from the in-flight calibration attempts disagree with the pre-flight calibrations for bands 2 and 4. Considerable effort was expended in an attempt to explain the disagreement. The difficult point to explain is that the difference between the radiances predicted by the radiative transfer code (the code radiances) and the radiances predicted by the preflight calibration (the pre-flight radiances) fluctuate with spectral band. Because the spectral quantities measured at White Sands show little change with spectral band, these fluctuations are not anticipated. Analyses of other targets at White Sands such as clouds, cloud shadows, and water surfaces tend to support the pre-flight and internal calibrator calibrations. The source of the disagreement has not been identified. It could be due to: (1) a computational error in the data reduction; (2) an incorrect assumption in the input to the radiative transfer code; or (3) incorrect operation of the field equipment