Macroscopic Noisy Bounded Confidence Models with Distributed Radical Opinions

In this article, we study the nonlinear Fokker-Planck (FP) equation that arises as a mean-field (macroscopic) approximation of bounded confidence opinion dynamics, where opinions are influenced by environmental noises and opinions of radicals (stubborn individuals). The distribution of radical opinions serves as an infinite-dimensional exogenous input to the FP equation, visibly influencing the steady opinion profile. We establish mathematical properties of the FP equation. In particular, we (i) show the well-posedness of the dynamic equation, (ii) provide existence result accompanied by a quantitative global estimate for the corresponding stationary solution, and (iii) establish an explicit lower bound on the noise level that guarantees exponential convergence of the dynamics to stationary state. Combining the results in (ii) and (iii) readily yields the input-output stability of the system for sufficiently large noises. Next, using Fourier analysis, the structure of opinion clusters under the uniform initial distribution is examined. Specifically, two numerical schemes for identification of order-disorder transition and characterization of initial clustering behavior are provided. The results of analysis are validated through several numerical simulations of the continuum-agent model (partial differential equation) and the corresponding discrete-agent model (interacting stochastic differential equations) for a particular distribution of radicals

The Home of Football: How Globalisation has Impacted the English Football Team

By winning the World Cup at Wembley in 1966, the England team created arguably the most prideful postwar moment for fans, who saw the team as a symbol of national success (Armstrong and Giulianotti 1999). Since then, the England national team has experienced many highs and lows, and in recent years there has been a growing disinterest with the national team because of poor performances at international competitions. As England is culturally far different from the country it was in 1966, this paper aims to discover the impact that globalisation has had on national identity through Tajfel and Turner’s Social Identity Approach (1979). This theoretical framework aims to explain how individuals behave and group themselves in regards to the social world. Drawing upon the ideas of the Social Identity Approach helped gain a better understanding of attitudes towards the English national team and what had caused these to change over time

The barriers of accepting Virtual Reality in Healthcare by older generation

Acute pain causes great anxiety in patients and is a significant challenge for the NHS staff. Chronic pain is a burden to the UK economy and causes substantial disability. Pain management is predicted to increase within the aging population in the UK. At the moment Pharmaceutical pain management techniques are commonly used, which are not only costly, but also resulting in significant side effects. Virtual Reality is an acceptable complement with minimal side effect. However there have been resistance in using VR amongst elderly population. This study explores the existing attitude and challenges expressed by elderly population in using VR technology for pain management. The study followed an experimental design and the finding indicated that pre-existing knowledge and experience of pain and VR, alongside the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the technology has an impact on elderly’s attitude and adoption of VR technology

Targeting a channel coating by using magnetic field and magnetic nanofluids

In this paper, the magnetic nanofluids and magnetic field are used to provide a coating around the wall of a channel. The magnetic field is induced by the direct current wire. Iron oxide is used as magnetic nanoparticles. A finite volume method is used to solve the Navier–Stokes equations, and the Eulerian–Lagrangian approach is employed to track the magnetic nanoparticles. The effects of magnetic strength, the position of current wire, and the diameter of magnetic nanoparticles on the trajectory of magnetic nanoparticles and coating efficiency are investigated by providing contours and diagrams. The results show that the length of coating decreases by about 55% with the increase in the particle diameter in the range of 500 nm to 1 μm. Further, the coating efficiency, defined as the ratio of the number of trapped particles on the wall to the number of injected particles at the inlet of the channel, improves by increasing the magnetic strength and decreasing the vertical position of the current wire

Job Stress and Work Ability Among Emergency Nurses in Isfahan, Iran

Background: Job stress is one of the most common health problems with clinical and psychological consequences, which can affect work ability among emergency nurses. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to shed light on the status of this disorder and its relevance to work ability in nurses in the emergency departments (EDs). Objectives: The current study aimed to determine job stress among emergency nurses and its association with work ability. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 in hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Two hundred nurses who worked in the EDs were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and special scales to assess their job stress and work ability. T-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean job stress and work ability scores were 151.09 ± 0.01 and 26.9 ± 8.2, respectively. Fifty-five percent of the subjects had high job stress and fifty-seven percent showed low work ability. A significant indirect correlation was found between job stress and work ability scores in the subjects (P = 0.015). Conclusions: Nurses working in the EDs experience a high level of job stress and low work ability. This may decrease the quality of care and patients’ safety. Fulfilling the staff shortage in ED and improving management behaviors are important in this regard