Disruptive Elements Research Articles

MAGICAL REALISM IN NEIL GAIMAN’S THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE NOVEL

This research discusses magical realism in Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane . The purposes of this research are to find out the characteristics and literary techniques and to explain the role of magical realism that is portrayed in the novel. This research uses theories of characteristics of magical realism by Wendy B. Faris and literary techniques and role of magical realism by Anne C. Hegerfeldt. The method that is applied is descriptive qualitative and the approach is post-structuralism. The data are obtained from the dialogues and narrations that relate to the topics that are being analyzed. The result of the analysis shows that the five primary characteristics of magical realism are found in the novel like the irreducible elements of magic, unsettling doubts, phenomenal world, merging realms, and disruption of time/space/identity. It also shows that the five basic literary techniques of magical realism are represented within the novel such as the adaptation of other genres and modes, magical realist focalizer, paradigm of knowledge, strategies of destabilization, and techniques of literalization. The result also shows the role of magical realism that is portrayed through the influence of magical phenomena in the narrator/protagonist’s life.

Disruption and Agility Dynamics in Project Management Processes: An Institutional Theory Approach

This study aims to contribute to the critical discourse on project management processes within the vein of institutional theory. Specifically, the study will focus on the dynamics between disruptive elements and agility which lead to process and organisational change. This empirical research will focus on how project professionals have had to adapt and adopt new organisational routines, particularly following COVID-19. The global coronavirus pandemic has had a profound and dramatic impact on working practices, especially in professional occupations who rapidly shifted to home-based working. Individuals, industries, and organisations of all sizes have had to re-evaluate their management processes and project priorities as a result of the disruptive impact of the pandemic crisis.

Interpopulation variation in sexual dichromatism in the Neotropical grasshopperSphenarium purpurascens(Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae)

AbstractCryptic coloration is an adaptative defensive mechanism against predators. Colour patterns appear cryptic through general background coloration matching or disruptive coloration. Disruptive coloration might evolve in visually heterogeneous microhabitats, whereas background matching could be favoured in chromatically homogeneous microhabitats. In this study, we used digital photography to explore the potential use of disruptive coloration and background matching in males and females of the Neotropical grasshopper Sphenarium purpurascens in different habitats. We found chromatic differences in three habitats and sexual dichromatism that might be explained by local adaptation. Although females and males were sexually dichromatic, interpopulation differences were found in the magnitude of the sexual dichromatism. In a highly contrasting environment, both males and females seemed to follow a disruptive strategy, whereas in a heterogeneous environments males and females followed different colour cryptic strategies, in which males were more disruptive than females, and females exhibited high background matching with fewer disruptive elements. Selective predation in different microhabitats and differences in mobility between the sexes might explain the colour pattern divergence between females and males.

Le portage de repas à domicile : processus d’installation et d’appropriation de ce service par les personnes âgées en perte d’autonomie

The onset of disabilities may lead older adults to delegate some daily activities to a caregiver. While a large majority of older people look forward to staying at home as long as possible, the loss of autonomy may constitute a disruptive element in a person's life. Objective. Our objective was to explore the setting-up and the appropriation processes of meals-on-wheels service among older adults. Method. Semi-directive interviews were conducted with 30 beneficiaries of meals-on-wheels service (21 women; 70-97 years old). Result. The thematic analysis of the interviews showed that the implementation of this service is often linked to a loss of functional capacity which limits older adults’ ability to do their food shopping. Two main situations were observed: for some participants, the implementation of this service is one step among others within in the gradual implementation of various care services, while for others the implementation of a meals-on-wheels service is sudden, often following hospitalization. This dynamic is influenced by the life situation of the older person and the presence/absence of relatives. In fact, the personal involvement of an older individual in the implementation of this service varies greatly from one person to another and can influence the perception of this service. Conclusion. Meals-on-wheels service may be improved by introducing “freedom spaces” such as provision of choice or individualized delivery service, considering the life situation of each beneficiary.

Hydrogeochemistry and Health Risks Assessment of Some Groundwaters Suitability for Drinking Within the Urban Region of Unguja Island, Zanzibar

Majority of the Island inhabitants depends on groundwaters for drinking therefore the hydrogeochemistry and health risks assessment with respect to WHO standards is absolutely essential for protection policy formulation. The groundwater samples for analyses were collected from selected four wells within each (Chukwani-Mbweni, DarajaMbovu - Amani and Mwanakwerekwe) suburb during the moderate rainy season of January 2020. The selection was based on their strategic positions taking into consideration relevant geographical and environmental factors commensurable with this study. Various contaminants and physiochemical parameters were determined using Atomic Absorption spectroscopy, GC/MS, Temp/pH/TDS/EC meter and DR/3900 spectrophotometer. Chemical Oxygen Demand values were also determined. Microbial contamination was determined using the MPN technique. The results show that these groundwaters are slightly alkaline, microbially contaminated, have high C.O.D. values ranging from 188.5 to 305.7 mg/L indicating the existence of some organic based endocrine disruptive elements, and disparities in water quality parameters with respect to the recommended WHO standards thus ascertaining possible public health risks. The research recommends the need for continuous monitoring, assessment and treatment of these raw groundwaters for drinking at the point of collection rather relying on the old conventional boiling method or drinking as it is.

Required Competences in Digitalized Commercial Workplaces

Digitalization leads in the commercial sector to changes of the structure of work situations and working activities. At the moment, it is very hard to forecast the consequences for the necessary activities and competences to manage these new situations in the different branches and enterprises. By an interview study, therefore, trainers in firms and teachers in commercial vocational schools are asked which effects they see for professional commercial education and training. The answers demonstrate the necessity of handling digital technologies and media together with a systemic understanding of internal and external firm processes especially with regard to disruptive elements. Work in agile organizational structures plays an increasing role.

Nature in Your Face - Disruptive Climate Change Communication and Eco-Visualization as Part of a Garden-Based Learning Approach Involving Primary School Children and Teachers in Co-creating the Future.

The paper describes an innovative structured workshop methodology in garden-based-learning (GBL) called “Nature in Your Face” (NiYF) aimed at provoking a change in citizens behavior and engagement as a consequence of the emotional activation in response to disruptive artistic messages. The methodology challenges the assumption that the change needed to meet the carbon targets can be reached with incremental, non-invasive behavior engineering techniques such as nudging or gamification. Instead, it explores the potential of disruptive communication to push citizens out of their comfort zones and into creative modes of re-creating futures. This is done by confronting us with consequences of consumption by means of art and eco-visualizations. The aim being to achieve awareness, mental flexibility, and spurring debate. Thus, we invite them to react – and act upon these reactions by communicating their feelings or thoughts. This is used as an entrance point for broader and/or deeper engagement in a structured three-step methodology; (1) Framing: A disruptive element is introduced into the local environment. This triggers an emotional reaction, which then is taken up in a process of framing the problem and working with solutions. (2) Twisting: in a guided process, the initial energy from the emotional confrontation is twisted into a creative exploration of innovative solutions, from the perspective of the children. (3) Using: The last stage is using the developed solutions in the local social system (or refining them further). The methodology is being applied in cooperation with a primary school, and is iteratively adjusted and evaluated in a formative, action-research based approach scenario. NiYF is to stimulate societal engagement through deliberately confronting stakeholders with unexpected and potentially upsetting appearances of nature, climate effects, or carbon-neutral lifestyle scenarios. We have verified the practical usefulness and potential of the methodology and found that NiYF triggers societal engagement and transition, negotiating responsibilities and unlocking action potentials. We also found that eco-anxiety, denial, self-efficacy and cognitive dissonance form children’s understanding of plastic. The project marks a paradigm shift from creating knowledge to using knowledge to create action, and a focus on learning from evaluating and adapting the approach in the field.

Automatic control of the synchronous generator converter with permanent magnets of a wind turbine

he work presents a method of automatic control of the frequency converter of the wind turbine generator so that it operates in the maximum power zone charged at a continuous and rapid wind speed variation to which is added as a disruptive element and the mechanical inertia of the turbine. The method is based on the control and knowledge of the current value in the intermediate circuit of the converter.

Continuous-Flow Extraction of Adjacent Metals-A Disruptive Economic Window for In Situ Resource Utilization of Asteroids?

For the in situ resource utilization (ISRU) of asteroids, the cost-mass conundrum needs to be solved, and technologies may need to be conceptualised from first principals. By using this approach, this Review seeks to illustrate how chemical process intensification can help with the development of disruptive technologies and business matters, how this might influence space-industry start-ups, and even industrial transformations on Earth. The disruptive technology considered is continuous microflow solvent extraction and, as another disruptive element therein, the use of ionic liquids. The space business considered is asteroid mining, as it is probably the most challenging resource site, and the focus is on its last step: the purification of adjacent metals (cobalt versus nickel). The key economic barrier is defined as the reduction in the amount of water used in the asteroid mining process. This Review suggests a pathway toward water savings up to the technological limit of the best Earth-based processes and their physical limits.

International Finance Trilemma as a Tool for Balanced Development of an Economy

International financial trilemma is a challenge of balancing the governmental policies ensuring healthy financial sector for facilitating economic development of a country. The scientific purpose of the paper is to develop a model of the international financial trilemma, defining the three key pillars of the international financial trilemma, the corresponding relevant metrics of economy, as well as describing expansion of financial technology as a disruptive element on a trilemma balance. Taking into account the experience of other researches of trilemma concept, analogically to the Energy Trilemma index, the authors developed the trilemma concept for the financial sector. The paper proposes determining the Financial trilemma index basing it on the following pillars: financial stability, financial inclusion and transparency. The authors analyse FinTech services as disruptive element affecting the International Financial trilemma index. As statistical basis of the financial trilemma and its building blocks the set of data from publicly available databases, such as the Global Competitiveness index, the Financial Development index, Global Findex and Doing Business is determined. The generally accepted quantitative and qualitative methods of economic science, inter alia comparative analysis, parameter estimation, grouping, economically mathematical modelling, synthesis, inductive, deductive and logically constructive methods have been used for the research. The financial trilemma index could be used as a tool for modelling an impact assessment of planned policy actions, as well as for developing determined steps for rising values of particular trilemma elements.

Indonesian Horror Film: Deconstruction of Repetitive Elements of Indonesian Urban Legend for Cultural Revitalization, Creativity, and Critical Thinking

Currently, film remains the main media for public entertainment. Of the many genres of film in Indonesia, horror is still the most popular. Unfortunately, Indonesian horror films pay little attention to the creative aspects of the story but focus on cinematography, producing repetitive performances which often follow stock templates. The story typically begins with moving to an empty house, getting lost in the forest, and being haunted by female ghosts. Even so, horror films like this are required to encourage critical and creative thinking of observers and film producers. Therefore, this study aims to discuss the disruptive element through repetitive stories in horror films that are able to open up opportunities for the emergence of creative interplay and its relevance to creative education through horror films in Indonesia. This research uses Maruska Svasek’s perspective on transit and transition which will dissect cultural phenomena in Indonesian horror films. In addition, the viewpoint from Derrida is used to deconstruct repetitive thoughts by film audiences to show the demythologization that occurs in current horror films. Data is taken from literature studies of Indonesian horror films with temporal limitations 2017-2019. Data was also collected using a questionnaire with the decoding-encoding belonging to Stuart Hall perspective. The results of the study show that the repetitive story culture is caused by Indonesian people’s interest in legendary urban legend stories. Utilizing urban legend as the main idea of the story, through Svasek’s perspective, creates attention to the culture that provides an opportunity for cultural preservation and revitalization.
 Keywords: Indonesian horror film, urban legend, deconstruction, cultural revitalization, creativity

Transitions, disruptions and revolutions: Expert views on prospects for a smart and local energy revolution in the UK

Alongside ambitious targets for economy-wide decarbonisation, a ‘smart and local energy revolution’ narrative has recently emerged in energy policy and research. To consider the energy revolution proposition, this paper presents findings from a Policy Delphi survey of interdisciplinary energy researchers and stakeholders (n = 113) on alternative transition paths (disruptive or continuity-led) for the UK energy system. The paper includes quantitative and qualitative survey findings on a number of social and technical aspects of the energy revolution proposition: system governance, security and flexibility arrangements, power sector decarbonisation, the future of large supply firms and energy policy priorities. The results suggest that rather than a wholesale revolution the UK's energy transition over the next two decades will involve a mix of disruptive and continuity-led elements. Experts differ on a number of issues associated with the energy revolution proposition, including the impact of demand side response on whole system flexibility and whether energy systems are best governed at a local or national scale. However, rather than having fixed orientations to either disruption or continuity-led change, most experts respond on an issue-by-issue basis. The energy revolution proposition is socially constructed and contestable, and whole energy systems policy and research should go beyond uniform transition narratives.

Perceptions and processes influencing the transition of medical students from pre-clinical to clinical training

BackgroundThe transition from pre-clinical to clinical medical training is often characterised by several challenges which may have different impacts on students’ well-being and learning experiences. To ensure smooth transition, it’s important to understand how these students navigate through the challenging processes.MethodsThis study employed a mixed-methods design using a survey, focus groups and interviews among medical students who had entered their first clinical year of study (Year 4). Using a 5-point Likert scale, survey participants rated items which related to their transition experience in the areas of professional socialisation; workload; patient contact; knowledge and skills; and learning and education. The qualitative questions explored challenges in transition, coping strategies and recommendations to foster smooth transitioning. The survey data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics while thematic analysis was used to establish emerging themes from the qualitative data. The Westerman Transition Framework was utilised in the triangulation of study findings.ResultsA total of 141 students participated in the survey while 12 students participated in the focus group discussions and interviews. The quantitative part of the study showed that the students were anxious about the process and considered the workload to be heavy while also identifying gaps in their knowledge. Similarly, the qualitative findings revealed that workload and professional socialisation were identified as disruptive novel elements and the students also reported feelings of inadequacy and incompetence due to perceived knowledge gaps. These shortcomings and challenges were tackled by seeking support from peers and senior medical students as a way of coping with the anxiety and stress. As the students progressed, they admitted and accepted that the transition was a gradual process and an essential learning curve.ConclusionThe process of transitioning from preclinical to clinical years is considered stressful and abrupt with the introduction of disruptive novel elements that create feelings of incompetence and unpreparedness in students. Educators need to consider developing social and developmental strategies that emphasise nurturing and empowering clinical learning environments and facilitate reflective and transformative life-long learning opportunities for students.

Rituals of world politics: on (visual) practices disordering things

ABSTRACT Rituals are customarily muted into predictable routines aimed to stabilise social orders and limit conflict. As a result, their magic lure recedes into the background, and the unexpected and disruptive elements are downplayed. Our collaborative contribution counters this move by foregrounding rituals of world politics as social practices with notable disordering effects. We engage a series of ‘world pictures’ to show the worlding and disruptive work enacted in rituals designed to sustain the sovereign exercise of violence and war, here colonial treatymaking, state commemoration, military/service dog training, cyber-security podcasts, algorithmically generated maps, the visit of Prince Harry to a joint NATO exercise and border ceremonies in India, respectively. We do so highlighting rituals’ immanent potential for disruption of existing orders, the fissures, failures and unforeseen repercussions. Reappraising the disordering role of ritual practices sheds light on the place of rituals in rearticulating the boundaries of the political. Rituals can generate dissensus and re-divisions of the sensible rather than only impose a consensus by policing the boundaries of the political, as Rancière might phrase it. Our images are essential to the account. They help disinterring the fundamentals and ambiguities of the current worldings of security, capturing the affective atmosphere of rituals.

The Temporal Nature of Mobile Push Notification Alerts: A Study of European News Outlets’ Dissemination Patterns

Push notifications provide news outlets with direct access to audiences amid concerns around information overload, disinformation, and heightened competition for reader attention. Such news distribution is relevant because it (a) bypasses social media and news aggregators, reaching readers directly; (b) alters the agency and control of temporal news personalisation; and (c) reinforces mobile as the locus of contact between news organisations and audiences. However, push notifications are a relatively under-researched topic. We explore news organisations’ use of alerts, considering whether they attempt to integrate with existing mobile-user behaviour patterns or seek to be a disruptive element, garnering attention when audiences are not typically using devices. Through quantitative content analysis, this study examines the temporality of push notifications (n = 7092) from nine Northwestern European countries, comprising 34 news outlets. These data allow for comparisons at two levels: publisher type and national context. The study shows how the temporal patterns of push notifications’ dissemination align with existing news consumption behaviours; concepts of content-snacking and audiences’ rhythms and rituals are a useful lens through which these immediate, concise texts can be considered. Our findings show that news organisations use the mobile channel for attracting and maintaining users’ attention, with varying interpretations of temporal customisability.

Design Thinking in Responding to Disruptive Innovation: A Case of Cork Stopper Industry Veteran

How can the design thinking approach assist incumbent firms in developing response strategies to gaining momentum disruptive innovations, along the lines of effective exploiting the established technologies and corresponding product/service? Such exploitative response strategies, implying successful strengthening and leveraging the disrupted firm’s existing technology without embracing the disruptive elements, have been to a large extent overlooked in the disruptive innovations literature. Using an inductive analysis of a critical case (a major cork-stopper veteran), the current study aims at developing a systematic understanding of exploitative strategic options and the role of design thinking in enabling them. The findings shed light on the effectiveness of the design thinking mindset to respond to disruptive innovations. In addition, we present evidence that a design thinking method can be successfully applied to process innovation. Finally, we demonstrate that to achieve a radical innovation based on design thinking principles, the establishment of design discourse is required.

Covid-19: Early Lessons From A New Paradigm in The Globalization Process

In this research, Covid-19 is analyzed as a disruptive element of the globalization process, which as a result of this pandemic has been demanding profound changes in the structures of global society. For the purposes of this purpose, the present investigation uses a mixed, descriptive type approach, with emphasis on a narrative design, taking into account that the events reported are living history, seen from the perspective of experts and specialists, in the scientific and economic areas. and historical, immersed in the full development of the events related to the pandemic, either as witnesses of exception or as analytical observers. Among the main conclusions of the research, the need to implement structural changes in the neoliberal economic development model is highlighted, to convert it or be replaced by another more integrative model with the environment, responding with greater solidarity among members in global society. The practical conception, under the new paradigm in the globalization process, is that they aim at the design of more inclusive, ethical and respectful, ecologically responsible global public policies, prioritizing the sectors: health, education, economic and financial, that seek to reinforce the systems of man-nature ecosystem, man-nature health, man-nature agriculture, man-nature education, man-nature trade, man-nature infrastructure and continuing investment in man-nature scientific research.

Development of a new virtual reality test of cognition: assessing the test-retest reliability, convergent and ecological validity of CONVIRT

BackgroundTechnological advances provide an opportunity to refine tools that assess central nervous system performance. This study aimed to assess the test-retest reliability and convergent and ecological validity of a newly developed, virtual-reality, concussion assessment tool, ‘CONVIRT’, which uses eye-tracking technology to assess visual processing speed, and manual reaction time (pushing a button on a riding crop) to assess attention and decision-making. CONVIRT was developed for horse jockeys, as of all sportspersons, they are most at risk of concussion.MethodsParticipants (N = 165), were assessed with CONVIRT, which uses virtual reality to give the user the experience of riding a horse during a horserace. Participants were also assessed with standard Cogstate computer-based concussion measures in-between two completions of the CONVIRT battery. The physiological arousal induced by the test batteries were assessed via measures of heart rate and heart rate variability (LF/HF ratio).ResultsSatisfactory test-retest reliability and convergent validity with Cogstate attention and decision-making subtests and divergent validity in visual processing speed measures were observed. CONVIRT also increased heart rate and LF/HF ratio, which may better approximate participant arousal levels in their workplace.ConclusionsCONVIRT may be a reliable and valid tool to assess elements of cognition and CNS disruption. The increased ecological validity may also mean better informed ‘return-to-play’ decisions and stronger industry acceptance due to the real-world meaningfulness of the assessment. However, before this can be achieved, the sensitivity of the CONVIRT battery needs to be demonstrated.

Christian Slavery: Conversion and Race in the Protestant Atlantic World

Christian Slavery: Conversion and Race in the Protestant Atlantic World

Development of enteric polymer-based microspheres by spray-drying for colonic delivery of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.

Antibiotics are well-known disruptive elements of the intestinal microbiota and antibiotic-associated diarrhea appeared as the most common complication related with post-antibiotic dysbiosis. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) strain is very effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children and adults. However, as any probiotics, it is concerned by the loss of viability during storage and gastrointestinal transit. The aim of this study was to develop an encapsulation system suitable for the specific colonic delivery of LGG strain after oral administration. For this purpose, spray-dried Eudragit® S100 microparticles encapsulating LGG bacteria were developed by using an aqueous based spray-drying approach, avoiding the use of organic solvents. Carbohydrates were added to the formulation since they are widely used as protective agents of bacteria against the harmful effect of dehydration stress. Here, both Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and conventional plate count methods showed that carbohydrates increased the survival ratio of bacteria after spray-drying from 3 to more than 50%. Moreover, these protective agents ensured low residual moisture content thus providing great stability of the cells in the spray-dried powder during storage. Significant improvement of the cell viability in simulated gastro intestinal fluid (SGIF) was observed for encapsulated cells as compared with free LGG bacteria for which no viable cell was detectable after 1h incubation in gastric fluid only. As a consequence, 4.5×107 CFU/g of encapsulated LGG were found viable after incubation of microparticles 1h in Simulated Gastric Fluid followed by 6h in Simulated Intestinal Fluid, corresponding to less than 3 log reduction of viable cells during the 7h incubation in Simulated Gastro Intestinal Fluid. These results attested that the developed encapsulation system is suitable for its use as a bacteria carrier for specific colonic delivery.