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Showing papers by "University of Westminster published in 2013"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore social barriers to the adoption of smart homes through the analysis of expert views and public attitudes, including how these vary by expertise, life-stage and location.

466 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that higher levels of green space in residential neighbourhoods, for this deprived urban population of middle-aged men and women not in work, are linked with lower perceived stress and a steeper (healthier) diurnal cortisol decline.
Abstract: Contact with green space in the environment has been associated with mental health benefits, but the mechanism underpinning this association is not clear. This study extends an earlier exploratory study showing that more green space in deprived urban neighbourhoods in Scotland is linked to lower levels of perceived stress and improved physiological stress as measured by diurnal patterns of cortisol secretion. Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured at 3, 6 and 9 h post awakening over two consecutive weekdays, together with measures of perceived stress. Participants (n = 106) were men and women not in work aged between 35–55 years, resident in socially disadvantaged districts from the same Scottish, UK, urban context as the earlier study. Results from linear regression analyses showed a significant and negative relationship between higher green space levels and stress levels, indicating living in areas with a higher percentage of green space is associated with lower stress, confirming the earlier study findings. This study further extends the findings by showing significant gender differences in stress patterns by levels of green space, with women in lower green space areas showing higher levels of stress. A significant interaction effect between gender and percentage green space on mean cortisol concentrations showed a positive effect of higher green space in relation to cortisol measures in women, but not in men. Higher levels of neighbourhood green space were associated with healthier mean cortisol levels in women whilst also attenuating higher cortisol levels in men. We conclude that higher levels of green space in residential neighbourhoods, for this deprived urban population of middle-aged men and women not in work, are linked with lower perceived stress and a steeper (healthier) diurnal cortisol decline. However, overall patterns and levels of cortisol secretion in men and women were differentially related to neighbourhood green space and warrant further investigation.

455 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings are more consistent with models of technology engagement that recognize facilitating or inhibiting conditions (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology; decomposed theory of planned behavior) than the classic technology acceptance model (TAM).
Abstract: This study examines factors associated with the use of learning technologies by higher education faculty. In an online survey in a UK university, 114 faculty respondents completed a measure of Internet self-efficacy, and reported on their use of learning technologies along with barriers to their adoption. Principal components analysis suggested two main barriers to adoption: structural constraints within the University and perceived usefulness of the tools. Regression analyses indicated both these variables, along with Internet self-efficacy, were associated with use of online learning technology. These findings are more consistent with models of technology engagement that recognize facilitating or inhibiting conditions (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology; decomposed theory of planned behavior) than the classic technology acceptance model (TAM). Practical implications for higher education institutions are that while faculty training and digital literacy initiatives may have roles to play, structural factors (e.g., provision of resources and technical support) must also be addressed for optimal uptake of learning technologies.

238 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In view of the worldwide economic and environmental issues associated with the extensive use of petrochemicals, there has been increasing research interest during the past decade in the value of residual biomass as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In view of the worldwide economic and environmental issues associated with the extensive use of petro-chemicals, there has been increasing research interest during the past decade in the value of residual biomass. Because of its renewable nature and abundant availability, residual biomass has attracted considerable attention as an alternate feedstock and potential energy source. To expand the range of natural bio-resources, significant progress related to the lignocellulose bio-technology has been achieved, and researchers have been re-directing their interests to biomass-based fuels, ligninolytic enzymes, chemicals, and biocompatible materials, which can be obtained from a variety of lignocellulosic waste materials. This review article focuses on the potential applications of lignocellulosic materials in biotechnology, including the production of bio-fuels, enzymes, chemicals, the pulp and paper, animal feed, and composites.

198 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The global mainstreaming of urban sustainability policy, since the early 2000s, points to a new phenomenon: the "ubiquitous eco-city" as mentioned in this paper, which includes the significant, global proliferation of eco city initiatives; increased international knowledge transfer activities involving both public and private actors; the centrality of carbon discourse guiding concepts, policy and practice; the marrying of green with smart technology systems; and a focus on achieving environmental innovation through economic growth.
Abstract: The global mainstreaming of urban sustainability policy, since the early 2000s, points to a new phenomenon: the ‘ubiquitous eco-city’. Its key features – based on the analysis of a census of 178 initiatives – include: the significant, global proliferation of eco-city initiatives; increased international knowledge transfer activities involving both public and private actors; the centrality of ‘carbon discourse’ guiding concepts, policy and practice; the marrying of ‘green’ with ‘smart’ technological systems; and a focus on achieving environmental innovation through economic growth. Among the implications is the need to moderate the ‘ubiquitous eco-city’ paradigm with strong local contextualisation and social sustainability measures.

157 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present findings from 24 semi-structured interviews that focus on the everyday experiences of consumers in using self-service technology (SST) and identify risks when customers become partial employees.
Abstract: Purpose – Employees have traditionally played a major role in the customer ' s service experience. Yet self-service technology (SST) replaces the customer-service employee experience with a customer-technology experience. This paper seeks to use a service-dominant logic lens to gain fresh insight into the consumer experience of SST. In particular, it aims to consider the resources that are integrated when consumers use SSTs, their co-production role and what might constitute value. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents findings from 24 semi-structured interviews that focus on the everyday experiences of consumers in using SST. Both genders and all socio-economic categories within all adult age groups from 18 to 65+ were included. Findings – There is a danger that organizations embrace SST as an economic and efficient mechanism to “co-create” value with consumers when they are merely shifting responsibility for service production. The paper identifies risks when customers become partial employee...

138 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an exploratory study that examined the development of students' entrepreneurial skills over time within live projects and found that significant changes in students' perceptions of their skills were observed over time.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present an exploratory study that examined the development of students' entrepreneurial skills over time within live projects. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, students worked alongside real-life entrepreneurs and financiers. Students' perceptions of their skills were assessed using both quantitative and qualitative data, which were gathered during weeks 1, 6 and 12 of the programme. Findings – The results showed significant changes in students' perceptions of their skills over time. At the outset students were confident about their abilities across the 17 categories of entrepreneurial skills developed by Lichtenstein and Lyons and Lyons and Lyons. Later on in the projects, their confidence in certain skills declined significantly; what these were varied according to the time of data collection. The qualitative data provided more detailed accounts of students' perceptions of their skills and why they had changed over time. Originality/value – This study makes a contribution in providing insights into the nature and practice of an experiential learning approach. The results indicate that the development of entrepreneurial skills can be improved by providing a learning environment in which students interact with real business people in live projects. They also indicate that entrepreneurship education programmes may be improved by scheduling skills training in a more structured and timely manner than typically occurs now. Students' perceptions of their skills declined substantially over the course of the projects, with some variations, suggesting that educators need to provide different and more timely learning interventions to cater for the specific needs of students working in live projects.

131 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Oct 2013-Energy
TL;DR: In this paper, a combination of in-depth deliberative public workshops, expert interviews and a review of the existing literature is used to give an overview of services that smart homes can offer and reveal key barriers to smart home adoption such as interoperability, deregulated electricity supply industry, UK housing stock characteristics, tenure as well as reliability, security and cost of smart technologies.

126 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The tumor stromal architecture can differentiate between human tumor types that respond to a VEGF signaling inhibitor as single-agent therapy and may help to select solid tumor types with intrinsic sensitivity to aVEGFi or other vascular-directed therapies.
Abstract: Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the vascular and stromal architecture of preclinical tumor models and patient tumor specimens from malignancies with known clinical outcomes to VEGFi treatment, to gain insight into potential determinants of intrinsic sensitivity and resistance. Experimental Design: The tumor stroma architecture of preclinical and clinical tumor samples were analyzed by staining for CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Tumor models representative of each phenotype were then tested for sensitivity to the VEGFR2-blocking antibody DC101. Results: Human tumor types with high response rates to VEGF inhibitors (e.g., renal cell carcinoma) have vessels distributed amongst the tumor cells (a “tumor vessel” phenotype, TV). In contrast, those malignancies where single-agent responses are lower, such as non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), display a complex morphology involving the encapsulation of tumor cells within stroma that also supports the majority of vessels (a “stromal vessel” phenotype). Only 1 of 31 tumor xenograft models displayed the stromal vessel phenotype. Tumor vessel models were sensitive to VEGFR2-blocking antibody DC101, whereas the stromal vessel models were exclusively refractory. The tumor vessel phenotype was also associated with a better Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) response to bevacizumab + chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Conclusion: The tumor stromal architecture can differentiate between human tumor types that respond to a VEGF signaling inhibitor as single-agent therapy. In addition to reconciling the clinical experience with these agents versus their broad activity in preclinical models, these findings may help to select solid tumor types with intrinsic sensitivity to a VEGFi or other vascular-directed therapies. Clin Cancer Res; 19(24); 6943–56. ©2013 AACR .

125 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results support the conclusion that the vestibular system is heavily involved in MSS and that trait-anxiety may play a role in M SS but only in healthy subjects.
Abstract: Several studies have suggested that anxiety may play a role in motion sickness susceptibility (MSS) variability This study aimed to assess motion sickness susceptibility in healthy subjects and chronic vestibular patients and to investigate its relationship to gender, age and trait-anxiety Healthy subjects (n=167) and chronic dizzy patients with various vestibulopathies (n=94), aged from 20 to 92 years old, were asked to complete Motion Sickness Susceptibility questionnaire (MSSQ) and trait-anxiety questionnaire (STAI-B) When patients were divided into those who had vestibular loss (n=51) vs patients without vestibular loss (n=43), the MSSQ scores (mean ± SD) for patients with vestibular loss (188 ± 309) were lower than healthy subjects (364 ± 348), who were lower than vestibular patients without vestibular loss (590 ± 397) These significant differences could not be explained by gender, age, trait-anxiety, or interaction Women had higher MSS than men, and MSS declined with age for healthy subjects and vestibular patients The overall relationship between anxiety and MSS scores was weak and only reached significance in healthy subjects These results support the conclusion that the vestibular system is heavily involved in MSS and that trait-anxiety may play a role in MSS but only in healthy subjects

124 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined the relationship between low cost carriers (LCCs) and airports by undertaking a critical analysis of the academic research in this area and found that the LCC's choice of airport is very much determined by its operating model, although through time a wide variation of models have evolved which has complicated the situation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper explored the career strategies of 68 white women and BME legal professionals to understand more about their experiences in the profession and found that five of the six career strategies tend to reproduce rather than transform opportunity structures in the legal profession.
Abstract: The legal profession in England and Wales is becoming more diverse. However, while white women and black and minority ethnic (BME) individuals now enter the profession in larger numbers, inequalities remain. This article explores the career strategies of 68 white women and BME legal professionals to understand more about their experiences in the profession. Archer’s work on structure and agency informs the analysis, as does Emirbayer and Mische’s (1998) ‘temporally embedded’ conceptualization of agency as having past, current and future elements. We identify six career strategies, which relate to different career points. They are assimilation, compromise, playing the game, reforming the system, location/relocation and withdrawal. We find that five of the six strategies tend to reproduce rather than transform opportunity structures in the legal profession. The overall picture is one of structural reproduction (rather than transformation) of traditional organizational structure and practice. The theoretical frame and empirical data analysis presented in this article accounts for the rarity of structural reform and goes some way towards explaining why, even in contexts populated by highly skilled, knowledgeable agents and where organizations appear committed to equal opportunities, old opportunity structures and inequalities often endure.

Journal ArticleDOI
18 Feb 2013
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reflect upon the shift away from linear understandings of peacebuilding, which assumed that Western "blueprints" could be imposed upon non-compliant elites.
Abstract: This article reflects upon the shift away from linear understandings of peacebuilding, which assumed that Western ‘blueprints’ could be imposed upon non-compliant elites. Today, it is increasingly suggested, in both policy and academic literatures, that there should be a shift towards non-linear approaches. Rather than focusing upon Western policy prescriptions intra-elite bargaining and formal institutional structures, these understandings stress non-linearity, hybridity, local societal processes and practices and the importance of ‘hidden’ agency and resistance. This article highlights that, while these approaches set up a critique of liberal linear approaches, they tend to reify hybrid, non-liberal or non-linear outcomes as the product of local inter-subjective attachments. In this way, they reproduce the voluntarist and idealist understandings of liberal peace, locating the problems or barriers to peace and development at the cognitive or ideational level rather than considering the barriers of economic and social context.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Diamond Open Access (DOA) as discussed by the authors is a non-profit academic publishing model that makes academic knowledge a common good, reclaims the common character of the academic system and entails the possibility for fostering job security by creating public service publishing jobs.
Abstract: This reflection introduces a new term to the debate on open access publishing: diamond open access (DOA) publishing. The debate on open access is a debate about the future of academia. We discuss the problems of for-profit academic publishing, such as monopoly prices and access inequalities and point at the limits of contemporary perspectives on open access as they are frequently advanced by the publishing industry, policy makers and labour unions. The article introduces a public service and commons perspective that stresses the importance of fostering and publicly supporting what we term the model of diamond open access. It is a non-profit academic publishing model that makes academic knowledge a common good, reclaims the common character of the academic system and entails the possibility for fostering job security by creating public service publishing jobs. Existing concepts such as “gold open access” have serious conceptual limits that can be overcome by introducing the new term of diamond open access. The debate on open access lacks visions and requires social innovations. This article is a policy intervention and reflection on current issues related to open access (OA) publishing. It reflects on the following questions: * What should the role of open access be in the future of academic publishing and academia? * How should the future of academic publishing and academia look like? * Which reforms of academic policy making are needed in relation to open access publishing? We want to trigger a new level of the open access debate. We invite further reflections on these questions by academics, policy makers, publishers, publishing workers, labour unions, open access publishing associations, editors and librarians. Twitter: #DiamondOA

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper examined the role of informational framing and individual differences on acceptance of the moon landings conspiracy theory (CT) and found that acceptance of CT was associated with the adoption of a conspiracist worldview and schizotypal tendencies.
Abstract: Two studies examined the role of informational framing and individual differences on acceptance of the moon landings conspiracy theory (CT). In Study 1, participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups in which they were exposed to different forms of information about the moon landings CT. Results showed that information critical of the moon landings CT resulted in attenuated conspiracist beliefs and that information supportive of the CT resulted in stronger conspiracist beliefs. In addition, stronger belief in the moon landings CT was associated with participants' belief in other CTs and openness to experience. In Study 2, participants completed a survey measuring their belief in the moon landings CT and a range of individual difference factors. Results showed that acceptance of the moon landings CT was associated with the adoption of a conspiracist worldview and schizotypal tendencies. Possibilities for conceptualizing the functional roles played by CTs are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of firm size and management formality to explain organizational commitment in British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high and low levels of employee satisfaction was investigated.
Abstract: This paper considers a large matched employee–employer data set to estimate a model of organizational commitment. In particular, it focuses on the role of firm size and management formality to explain organizational commitment in British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high and low levels of employee satisfaction. It is shown that size ‘in itself’ can explain differences in organizational commitment, and that organizational commitment tends to be higher in organizations with high employee satisfaction compared with organizations of similar size with low employee satisfaction. Crucially, the results suggest that formal human resource (HR) practices can be used as important tools to increase commitment and thus, potentially, effort and performance within underperforming SMEs with low employee satisfaction. However, formal HR practices commonly used by large firms may be unnecessary in SMEs which benefit from high employee satisfaction and positive employment relations within a context of informality.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it is shown that the Security Council-sanctioned intervention in Libya in March 2011 as evidence of the efficacy of the responsibility to protect (R2P) is not as profound as some have claimed, and that the intervention certainly coheres with the spirit of R2P, but it is possible to situate it in the context of a trajectory of Security Council responses to large-scale intrastate crises that predate the emergence of ROP.
Abstract: Many observers heralded the Security Council–sanctioned intervention in Libya in March 2011 as evidence of the efficacy of the responsibility to protect (R2P). Although there is no doubt that the intervention was significant, the implications of Resolution 1973 are not as profound as some have claimed. The intervention certainly coheres with the spirit of R2P, but it is possible to situate it in the context of a trajectory of Security Council responses to large-scale intrastate crises that predate the emergence of R2P. This trajectory is a function of the decisionmaking of the five permanent members of the Security Council (P5), a group guided by politics and pragmatism rather than principles. As a consequence, the Security Council’s record in dealing with intrastate crises is characterized by a preponderance of inertia punctuated by aberrant flashes of resolve and timely action impelled by the occasional coincidence of interests and humanitarian need, rather than an adherence to either law or norms. The underlying factors that contributed to this record of inconsistency—primarily the P5’s veto power—remain post-Libya, and thus the international response to intrastate crises likely will continue to be inconsistent.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The chicken IFITM3 protein restricts cell infection by influenza A viruses and lyssaviruses to a similar level as its human orthologue and is functional in chicken cells, suggestingIFITM proteins may provide a crucial barrier for zoonotic infections.
Abstract: Interferon-inducible transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is an effector protein of the innate immune system. It confers potent, cell-intrinsic resistance to infection by diverse enveloped viruses both in vitro and in vivo, including influenza viruses, West Nile virus, and dengue virus. IFITM3 prevents cytosolic entry of these viruses by blocking complete virus envelope fusion with cell endosome membranes. Although the IFITM locus, which includes IFITM1, -2, -3, and -5, is present in mammalian species, this locus has not been unambiguously identified or functionally characterized in avian species. Here, we show that the IFITM locus exists in chickens and is syntenic with the IFITM locus in mammals. The chicken IFITM3 protein restricts cell infection by influenza A viruses and lyssaviruses to a similar level as its human orthologue. Furthermore, we show that chicken IFITM3 is functional in chicken cells and that knockdown of constitutive expression in chicken fibroblasts results in enhanced infection by influenza A virus. Chicken IFITM2 and -3 are constitutively expressed in all tissues examined, whereas IFITM1 is only expressed in the bursa of Fabricius, gastrointestinal tract, cecal tonsil, and trachea. Despite being highly divergent at the amino acid level, IFITM3 proteins of birds and mammals can restrict replication of viruses that are able to infect different host species, suggesting IFITM proteins may provide a crucial barrier for zoonotic infections.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review covers current developments and applications of 3D composite scaffolds for BTE which exhibit the added capability of controlled delivery of therapeutic drugs or growth factors.
Abstract: Introduction: Next-generation scaffolds for bone tissue engineering (BTE) should exhibit the appropriate combination of mechanical support and morphological guidance for cell proliferation and attachment while at the same time serving as matrices for sustained delivery of therapeutic drugs and/or biomolecular signals, such as growth factors. Drug delivery from BTE scaffolds to induce the formation of functional tissues, which may need to vary temporally and spatially, represents a versatile approach to manipulating the local environment for directing cell function and/or to treat common bone diseases or local infection. In addition, drug delivery from BTE is proposed to either increase the expression of tissue inductive factors or to block the expression of others factors that could inhibit bone tissue formation. Composite scaffolds which combine biopolymers and bioactive ceramics in mechanically competent 3D structures, including also organic–inorganic hybrids, are being widely developed for BTE, where t...

Journal ArticleDOI
09 May 2013-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: Parallel findings in VO and VP thresholds imply little or no additional cortical processing and suggest that vestibular thresholds essentially reflect the sensitivity of the fused peripheral receptors, whereas a significant VO-VP dissociation for supra-threshold stimuli was found.
Abstract: Little is known about the vestibulo-perceptual (VP) system, particularly after a unilateral vestibular lesion. We investigated vestibulo-ocular (VO) and VP function in 25 patients with vestibular neuritis (VN) acutely (2 days after onset) and after compensation (recovery phase, 10 weeks). Since the effect of VN on reflex and perceptual function may differ at threshold and supra-threshold acceleration levels, we used two stimulus intensities, acceleration steps of 0.5°/s2 and velocity steps of 90°/s (acceleration 180°/s2). We hypothesised that the vestibular lesion or the compensatory processes could dissociate VO and VP function, particularly if the acute vertiginous sensation interferes with the perceptual tasks. Both in acute and recovery phases, VO and VP thresholds increased, particularly during ipsilesional rotations. In signal detection theory this indicates that signals from the healthy and affected side are still fused, but result in asymmetric thresholds due to a lesion-induced bias. The normal pattern whereby VP thresholds are higher than VO thresholds was preserved, indicating that any ‘perceptual noise’ added by the vertigo does not disrupt the cognitive decision-making processes inherent to the perceptual task. Overall, the parallel findings in VO and VP thresholds imply little or no additional cortical processing and suggest that vestibular thresholds essentially reflect the sensitivity of the fused peripheral receptors. In contrast, a significant VO-VP dissociation for supra-threshold stimuli was found. Acutely, time constants and duration of the VO and VP responses were reduced – asymmetrically for VO, as expected, but surprisingly symmetrical for perception. At recovery, VP responses normalised but VO responses remained shortened and asymmetric. Thus, unlike threshold data, supra-threshold responses show considerable VO-VP dissociation indicative of additional, higher-order processing of vestibular signals. We provide evidence of perceptual processes (ultimately cortical) participating in vestibular compensation, suppressing asymmetry acutely in unilateral vestibular lesions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that moderate delays between awakening and collection of saliva samples previously considered tolerable result in erroneous estimation of CAR magnitude and timing of the peak, and overestimation of the CAR magnitude on moderately non-adherent sampling days.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the utility of both the societal-level and individual-level dimensions of collectivism and individualism values for predicting ethical behaviors of business professionals was investigated. But, the authors found that values at the individual level make a more significant contribution to explaining variance in ethical behaviors than do values at a societal level.
Abstract: Is the societal-level of analysis sufficient today to understand the values of those in the global workforce? Or are individual-level analyses more appropriate for assessing the influence of values on ethical behaviors across country workforces? Using multi-level analyses for a 48-society sample, we test the utility of both the societal-level and individual-level dimensions of collectivism and individualism values for predicting ethical behaviors of business professionals. Our values-based behavioral analysis indicates that values at the individual-level make a more significant contribution to explaining variance in ethical behaviors than do values at the societal-level. Implicitly, our findings question the soundness of using societal-level values measures. Implications for international business research are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Comparisons of handedness patters support the view that population-level, human handedness, and its origin in cerebral lateralization is not a new or human-unique characteristic.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results corresponding to the minimum and maximum power load indicate that the proposed load forecasting model provides significantly accurate forecasts, compared to conventional neural networks models.
Abstract: Load forecasting is a critical element of power system operation, involving prediction of the future level of demand to serve as the basis for supply and demand planning. This paper presents the development of a novel clustering-based fuzzy wavelet neural network (CB-FWNN) model and validates its prediction on the short-term electric load forecasting of the Power System of the Greek Island of Crete. The proposed model is obtained from the traditional Takagi–Sugeno–Kang fuzzy system by replacing the THEN part of fuzzy rules with a "multiplication" wavelet neural network (MWNN). Multidimensional Gaussian type of activation functions have been used in the IF part of the fuzzyrules. A Fuzzy Subtractive Clustering scheme is employed as a pre-processing technique to find out the initial set and adequate number of clusters and ultimately the number of multiplication nodes in MWNN, while Gaussian Mixture Models with the Expectation Maximization algorithm are utilized for the definition of the multidimensional Gaussians. The results corresponding to the minimum and maximum power load indicate that the proposed load forecasting model provides significantly accurate forecasts, compared to conventional neural networks models.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a background to understand the regulation and function of cortisol, and issues arising in relation to its measurement in saliva, and make recommendations on the use of appropriate cortisol measures in the study of both acute and chronic stress.
Abstract: Cortisol, a neuroendocrine hormone measurable in saliva, responds to internal and external triggers In providing a peripheral ‘window on the brain’, it has been increasingly incorporated into social psychological studies Cortisol secretion can be studied in two main ways, examination of acute stress reactivity and examination of the basal circadian patterns These can inform aspects of acute and chronic stress exposure and relationships with health Within non-clinical populations, cortisol effects are largely driven by differences in the perception of threat For social psychologists, this provides an interesting avenue for the investigation of social factors that mediate perceptions of threat, such as social support, relationship processes, and group dynamics in acute and chronic stress This paper provides a background to understanding the regulation and function of cortisol, and issues arising in relation to its measurement in saliva It discusses and makes recommendations on the use of appropriate cortisol measures in the study of both acute and chronic stress Used and interpreted appropriately, stress reactivity and basal ambulatory measures of salivary cortisol can provide a valuable adjunct to self-report and observation in social psychological research

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 2013-Politics
TL;DR: The authors traces the ideological nature of discourses of resilience and traces their rise in international statebuilding approaches, and suggests that this shift to resilience follows disillusionment with liberal internationalist understandings that Western or international actors could resolve problems of development, democracy and peace through the export of liberal institutions.
Abstract: This article seeks to draw out the ideological nature of discourses of resilience, and traces their rise in international statebuilding approaches. It suggests that this shift to resilience follows disillusionment with liberal internationalist understandings that Western or international actors could resolve problems of development, democracy and peace through the export of liberal institutions. Interventionist discourses have increasingly stressed the importance of local capacities, vulnerabilities and agencies and, in doing so, have facilitated the evasion of Western responsibility for the outcomes of statebuilding interventions through problematising local practices and understandings as productive of risks and threats and as barriers to liberal progress.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the effects of different types of information and different art styles on understanding and aesthetic appreciation of abstract paintings by Max Ernst, relative to broad genre information, titular information, or no contextualizing information.
Abstract: A small body of work has suggested that understanding and appreciation of artworks are affected by the presentation of concurrent contextualizing information, such as titular and descriptive information. The present studies examined the effects of different types of information and different art styles on understanding and aesthetic appreciation. Study 1 showed that elaborate, content-specific information had the greatest impact on both understanding and aesthetic appreciation of abstract paintings by Max Ernst, relative to broad genre information, titular information, or no contextualizing information. Study 2 showed that the provision of content-specific information resulted in greater understanding and appreciation of abstract artworks by Pablo Picasso, but not representational paintings by the same artist. Study 3 showed that, compared with relevant information, the presentation of nonrelevant, content-related information about artworks did not result in improved understanding and appreciation. In each of the three studies, appraised ability to understand artworks fully mediated the relationship between information presentation and aesthetic appreciation. These results are consistent with a psycho-historical framework, which proposes that studies of aesthetic appreciation must take into account the impact of the art–historical context.

Journal ArticleDOI
15 Mar 2013-Vaccine
TL;DR: Progress in developing inexpensive production platforms will make antiviral mAbs more widely available and affordable, and this work will help to overcome issues of neutralization escape.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings from a study commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency suggest that a single format may encourage consumers to use front-of-pack labels in making healthy food choices and suggest that the existence of multiple formats in the marketplace may impede consumer comprehension and discourage use.
Abstract: Background: Nutrition labels are a potentially valuable tool to assist consumers in making healthy food choices. Front-of-pack labels are a relatively new format and are now widely used across many European countries, but it is unclear which of the many formats in use are best understood by consumers. It is also unclear whether the existence of multiple formats impedes understanding and use. This article addresses this question with findings from a study commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency to provide evidence to inform policy decisions in this area. Methods: In-depth qualitative interviews were used to explore consumers’ decision-making processes when using two different front-of-pack label formats to judge the relative healthiness of a pair of products. Participants were presented with product pairs differently labelled and a series of structured prompts were used to access their internal dialogues and to identify any difficulties encountered. Results: The interviews revealed that making product comparisons using different label formats was challenging for participants and particularly for those product pairs where there was not an obvious answer. When the label formats on the product pairs lacked a common element, such as text, this also caused difficulties and misinterpretation. The comparisons also took time and effort that would be a deterrent in real-life situations. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the existence of multiple front-of-pack label formats in the marketplace may impede consumer comprehension and discourage use. They suggest that a single format may encourage consumers to use front-of-pack labels in making healthy food choices.

Journal ArticleDOI
27 Jun 2013-Stress
TL;DR: This is the first review to examine studies which, although limited in number, offer a relatively coherent emerging story about state factors that influence the CAR and the impact of the CAR on daily functioning and highlights areas that require greater clarification.
Abstract: The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is a much studied but poorly understood aspect of the circadian pattern of cortisol secretion. A Scopus search of "cortisol" and "awakening" reveals 666 publications in this area since 1997 when it was first identified by Pruessner and colleagues as a "reliable biomarker of adrenocortical activity". The primary focus of the majority of these studies is centered on its utility as a biomarker associated with a range of psychosocial, physical and mental health variables. Such studies typically examine differences in the CAR (studied on 1 or 2 days) between healthy participants and other comparator groups of interest. Fewer studies (25 in our estimation) have examined correlates of day-to-day variation in the CAR in healthy participants, informing its role and regulation within the healthy circadian pattern of cortisol secretion. This is the first review to examine these studies which, although limited in number, offer a relatively coherent emerging story about state factors that influence the CAR and the impact of the CAR on daily functioning. Greater understanding of these issues helps illuminate the utility of the CAR as a promising biomarker in psychophysiological and epidemiological research. The review also highlights areas that require greater clarification and points to potentially fruitful areas of further research.