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This paper describes an innovative method to provide a micro-electric tractor which has been developed as part of an initiative that aims to provide socially inclusive and affordable green energy solutions to smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa. It utilizes a 15.0-kW solar array and battery system to power micro-electric tractors for an agricultural practice called deep bed farming in Malawi. Deep bed farming increases smallholder crop yield by about two and half times, which increases revenue by up to 12 times. The extra revenue can then be used to perpetually purchase domestic energy from the solar array, creating a self-sustaining model for decentralized energy access. However, the requirement for land preparation is onerous, and mechanization is needed to help overcome barriers to entry. This paper describes the technical requirements of a solar base station and micro-tractor for use with the deep bed farming technique. The paper covers the 5.9 kWp modular solar design and a 10.0-kWh rated micro-tractor. Testing was undertaken at an isolated grid in Loughborough as a precursor for large-scale testing in Malawi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section presents an overview of articles published in the January 2004 issue of "Multilingua." The papers in this special issue were initially presented at the Politeness and Power conference held at Loughborough University in England in 2002. The papers range from studies that focus on variation in linguistic behavior within specific institutional contexts and those that address cultural variation in politeness behavior, to discussions that raise fundamental questions about the conceptualization and application of politeness as an analytical tool. Indeed, as the range of contexts within which politeness has been investigated has broadened, so too have the theoretical frameworks that are called on in order to be able to address the questions generated by the findings of such studies. The development of alternative frameworks for analyzing politeness has been triggered by a range of questions, but perhaps most significantly by recurring questions about what it is that we are analyzing when we focus on phenomena that we want to categorize as politeness. The debates that have been generated by this set of questions have a number of strands. Two that are picked up by the papers in this special issue are debates surrounding the distinction between politeness as a term used in scholarship and politeness as a term used by the speakers whose behavior is being subjected to analysis, and debates relating to the different conceptualizations of politeness that are proposed by scholars.

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the experiences of setting up an institutional repository at Loughborough University, focusing on some of the key issues that it was necessary to consider, the choices made and the challenges overcome. Design/methodology/approach -- The paper outlines the various decision processes involved during the 12-month pilot phase. These include: choosing appropriate software: customising DSpace: implementing licences; and gathering content for the repository. Findings -- The experiences highlight some of the challenges involved in setting up an institutional repository. Originality/value -- This paper gives a direct insight into the different types of work involved in the setting up of an institutional repository and is an example of a system set up outside the boundaries of project funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to investigate social mobility processes affecting the lives of 15 young adults in Loughborough (aged 20-30) who experienced poverty and disadvantage as children. Using biographical narrations, the interactions between the labour market, welfare, educational institutions and familial relationships will form the framework for assessing the applicability of poverty 'transmission' theories and mechanisms. The paper's concluding comments highlight the complexity and vulnerability of young people's lives, reveal the structural and individual constraints on social mobility and address the role that institutions play in constructing the past and current life experiences of those young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the potential role for research students in an institutional repository (IR). Face-to-face interviews with 34 research students at Loughborough University were carried out. Using a mixture of closed and open questions, the interviews explored the students' experiences and opinions of publishing, open access and the proposed Loughborough repository. As both authors and readers, students were most interested in access to complete theses, postprints and conference papers. The ability to disseminate their work and to receive feedback and commentary were the most important motivators to students depositing work in the IR, closely followed by the principle of open access. The greatest deterrents were the risk of being unable to publish elsewhere later, the ownership of copyright and plagiarism. Appropriate recommendations are made for the implementation of an institutional repository. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides information on an international conference on freedom and information, to be held on June 15 to 17, 2005 at Burleigh Court, Loughborough University in England. The conference will deal with the two concepts that are linked in the term Freedom of Information, providing an opportunity to explore the dimensions of the relationship between the two, and explore their significance for theory and practice in the field of information and communications. Organizers of the event are the Legal and Policy Research Group of the Department of Information Science at Loughborough University, in association with the Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression Committee of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. The conference is for practitioners and academics in the information, communication, computer, library and media domains, who are interested in ethical, legal and regulatory aspects. Abstracts of up to 400 words are invited from those interested in making a presentation at the conference. Topics could cover various aspects, such as freedom of expression, intellectual freedom, academic freedom, freedom of information laws, and transparency, among others.

Knowledge Management (KM) is a relatively new terminology within the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, although certain aspects have always been practised within the industry. This paper conducts an exploratory study of how mergers and acquisitions affect knowledge management initiatives. The paper introduces the CLEVER conceptual framework that was developed at Loughborough University, UK. The conceptual framework is used to formulate the key aspects organizations should consider when implementing knowledge management initiatives. The paper presents case studies of AEC organizations that have recently undergone mergers and acquisitions. The case studies demonstrate what these companies are doing in terms of knowledge management, especially to collate and deploy the bodies of knowledge held in the hitherto separate organizations, to enhance their competitive advantage. The paper concludes by providing guidelines for companies to consider in developing knowledge management initiatives to cope with structural changes at an operational level. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent historiographical trends have ensured the continued relevance of the strike at the Mansfield Mills' hosiery factory in Loughborough in 1972. How this dispute, one of three in the East Midlands in two years dubbed 'race strikes' by the press, gained notoriety and were interpreted as an exemplar of British working-class racism requires re-evaluation. The article uses sources underutilized in previous studies, including the archive of the National Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers (NUHKW), to better understand the industry, the traditions of the hosiery craft, and how its processes of training and promotion differed from other industries that experienced 'race strikes'. This article relocates the dispute within the processes of deindustrialization, demographic and social change, workplace culture, and the importance of press reportage in shaping interpretations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study synthesizes evidence from the Loughborough Passing Test to evaluate the short-passing ability of soccer players and summarizes the reported variables that affect this ability to provide support for the development and improvement of short-passing abilities in soccer players. Methods: In this systematic review using the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCOhost from inception to July 2023 to identify relevant articles from the accessible literature. Only studies that used the Loughborough test to assess athletes' short-passing ability were included. The quality of the included studies was independently assessed by two reviewers using the PEDro scale, and two authors independently completed the data extraction. Results: Based on the type of intervention or influencing factor, ten studies investigated training, nine studies investigated fatigue, nine studies investigated supplement intake, and five studies investigated other factors. Conclusion: Evidence indicates that fitness training, small-sided games training, and warm-up training have positive effects on athletes' short-passing ability, high-intensity special-position training and water intake have no discernible impact, mental and muscular exhaustion have a significantly negative effect, and the effect of nutritional ergogenic aid intake is not yet clear. Future research should examine more elements that can affect soccer players' short-passing ability. Trial registration: https://inplasy.com/., identifier: INPLASY20237. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the 15th Advances in Reliability Technology Symposium (ARTS) at Loughborough University, England on April 8-10, 2003. Objectives of the ARTS series; Number of papers presented at the symposium.

The challenges facing those charged with teaching mathematics to engineers are enormous. Faced with large groups of students possessing a considerable range of abilities, prior experiences, and motivations, it is incumbent upon the developers and deliverers of mathematics programmes to engineers to ensure that such programmes are as inclusive as possible and take into account the particular and often individual needs of the student. Often a mathematics lecturer is caught between the demands of an engineering department expecting students to know and apply advanced techniques, and the needs of groups of students who lack confidence, have serious gaps in their knowledge and sometimes lack ability in mathematics. This paper describes an innovative approach to these challenges which involves a mix of traditional and modern technologies and which has been used with some effect at Loughborough University, for the teaching of mathematics to first year undergraduate engineering students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the potential use of digital storytelling with marginalised groups, there are few examples of its application in homelessness or examinations of co-creative relationships in this context. Along with digital storytelling, this research used immersive media (virtual reality and 360 degree video) to explore place-based social exclusion. In the feasibility study, with four doctoral researchers at Loughborough University as participants, immersive digital stories were co-created. The aim of this study was to understand how to create place-based immersive digital stories, through adapting existing digital storytelling methods and the co-creation of virtual reality, to inform best practices for future studies involving participants who have experienced homelessness. Participants created maps and empathy timelines, shared stories, recorded voiceovers and edited footage. The researcher facilitated this and recorded the 360-degree filmed footage. The final stories proved to explore place-based social exclusion. Co-creative relationships were found to be more significant between the researcher and individual participant than amongst the participants as a group. With immersive media, the researcher's experience formed an active part of the finished pieces. Despite this, participants described their role as director, being ultimately in control. These findings will influence the methods that will be used in the future with those who have experienced homelessness in Loughborough. They also show how immersive media in digital storytelling can strengthen co-creation and acknowledge the researcher in the story. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes research carried out at Loughborough University in the UK into the areas of 'design for all' and accessible transport. The research addresses two common needs for designers and ergonomists working towards developing more inclusive products and environments, namely data on users that is accessible, valid, and applicable and a means of utilising the data to assess the accessibility of designs during the early stages of development. HADRIAN is a computer-based inclusive design tool that has been developed to support designers in their efforts to develop products that meet the needs of a broader range of users. Currently HADRIAN is being expanded to support transport design. This includes data on an individual's ability to undertake a variety of transport-related tasks, such as vehicle ingress/egress, coping with uneven surfaces, steps, street furniture and complex pedestrian environments. The subsequent use of this data will be supported either through a task analysis system that will allow a designer to evaluate a design for a part of the transport infrastructure (ticket barrier, train carriage etc.), or alternatively allow the designer or an end user to evaluate a whole journey. The 'journey planner' feature of the HADRIAN tool will compare an individual's physical, cognitive and emotional abilities with the demands placed upon that individual by the mode(s) of transport available and the route options selected. It is envisaged that these developments will prove extremely useful to users, designers, planners and all those involved with transport use and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now a recognised phenomenon in many British cities, studentification is the process by which specific neighbourhoods become dominated by student residential occupation. Outlining the causes and consequences of this process, this paper suggests that studentification raises important questions about community cohesiveness and that intervention may be required by local authorities if social and cultural conflicts are to be avoided. Detailing the social impacts of studentification in Loughborough, a market town in the English East Midlands, the paper accordingly considers recent housing policies designed to prevent the formation of exclusive 'student ghettos'. The paper concludes by suggesting that the type of `threshold analysis' utilised in Loughborough may well spread students more thinly across a city, but that the relationship between students and the wider community requires other forms of regulation if town-university tensions are to be effectively managed. Throughout, comparison is made between the Loughborough and other UK university towns where the challenges and opportunities associated with studentification have been differently addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an attempt to introduce greater variety into the learning experiences of students studying physics as part of a Science and Engineering Foundation Programme at Loughborough University. Approximately one-tenth of the content of a Foundation Year physics course was delivered in a supported self-study format instead of the usual lecture/tutorial mode. The outcomes were evaluated in terms of student achievement and student opinion. Achievement was mixed and opinion was divided. However, the student response was sufficiently encouraging for the initiative to be extended for a further academic year after which time re-evaluation will take place to determine the longer-term plans for course modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent deep learning frameworks draw strong research interest in application of ego-motion estimation as they demonstrate a superior result compared to geometric approaches. However, due to the lack of multimodal datasets, most of these studies primarily focused on single-sensor-based estimation. To overcome this challenge, we collect a unique multimodal dataset named LboroAV2 using multiple sensors, including camera, light detecting and ranging (LiDAR), ultrasound, e-compass and rotary encoder. We also propose an end-to-end deep learning architecture for fusion of RGB images and LiDAR laser scan data for odometry application. The proposed method contains a convolutional encoder, a compressed representation and a recurrent neural network. Besides feature extraction and outlier rejection, the convolutional encoder produces a compressed representation, which is used to visualise the network's learning process and to pass useful sequential information. The recurrent neural network uses this compressed sequential data to learn the relationship between consecutive time steps. We use the Loughborough autonomous vehicle (LboroAV2) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Toyota Institute (KITTI) Visual Odometry (VO) datasets to experiment and evaluate our results. In addition to visualising the network's learning process, our approach provides superior results compared to other similar methods. The code for the proposed architecture is released in GitHub and accessible publicly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to examine the effects of mental fatigue on the Yo-Yo test and Loughborough soccer passing and shooting tests performance using a meta-analysis. The search for studies was performed through eight bibliographic databases (Academic Search Elite, AUSPORT, Cochrane Library, PsycInfo, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science). The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the PEDro checklist. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for data analysis. After reviewing 599 search results, seven studies with a total of ten groups were included in the review. All studies were classified as being of good methodological quality. Mental fatigue reduced the distance covered in the Yo-Yo test (Cohen's d: −0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.66, −0.32). In the Loughborough soccer passing test, mental fatigue increased the original time needed to complete the test (Cohen's d: −0.24; 95% CI: −0.46, −0.03), increased penalty time (Cohen's d: −0.39; 95% CI: −0.46, −0.31), and decreased performance time (Cohen's d: −0.52; 95% CI: −0.80, −0.24). In the Loughborough soccer shooting test, mental fatigue decreased points per shot (Cohen's d: −0.37; 95% CI: −0.70, −0.04) and shot speed (Cohen's d: −0.35; 95% CI: −0.64, −0.06). Overall, the findings presented in this review demonstrated that mental fatigue negatively impacts endurance-based running performance as well as soccer passing and shooting skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a number of years, Loughborough's Mathematics Education Centre, recently awarded national Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning status, has worked with others to provide innovative learning resources to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics. This paper describes some of the uses we are making of technology to help and support our engineering undergraduates learning of mathematics; most are taught mathematics using the HELM (Helping Engineers Learn Mathematics) resources, which we briefly describe. HELM was a major curriculum development project involving a consortium of five UK universities led by Loughborough that uses interactive technology for teaching and assessment. Its success is evidenced by their considerable uptake at other institutions. Elearning is part of our overall learning and teaching strategy and a key component of our work is to develop the use of emerging modern technology in the delivery of mathematics at all levels, whilst pursuing the relevant pedagogic research. Consequently we describe some recent developments in our teaching with engineers; these include the use of Tablet PCs and electronic voting systems. We make significant use of our university's VLE to deliver the material, and ongoing developments include the use of podcasts and Moodle quizzes for formative assessment, which we outline. Finally, we comment on some of the issues involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a speech on the need for developing a National Information Policy by the Department of Information Science in Loughborough, England. Legislative and administrative changes on copyright policy; Several government initiatives on information policy; Need for coordination between information societies and government departments.

The article reviews the articles "Taking it to the streets: hucksters and huckstering in early modern Southampton, circa 1550-1652," by D. Pennington, which appeared in the periodical "Sixteenth Century Journal" and "Working in an early-modern small town: Loughborough, 1580-1650," by D. Postles, which appeared in the periodical "Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society Transactions."

Patients had generally had and responded to clozapine previously at doses of up to 400mg/day however two patients were clozapine-naïve. Three patients had IM clozapine administered in the first two weeks of it being prescribed for them; all of these were patients being initiated onto clozapine, and for two of them, their initial clozapine dose was via the IM route. The only medication error involving clozapine IM so far is where a ward medic changed the dose of oral clozapine but did not make a commensurate change to the IM clozapine dose. A sub-analysis also demonstrated that in 53 (56%) of patients were on risky medicines did they have changes to their medicines, (e.g. dose increase or newly started drug) preceding the falls. [Extracted from the article]

A review of the article “The politics of diffuse authority in an early modern small town,” by D. Postles, which appeared in volume 45 of the periodical “Canadian Journal of History,” is presented.

Lecturers and students in the Civil and Building Engineering Dept. at Loughborough Univ. were surveyed to gain an understanding of how they expected the literature review element of final year projects to be undertaken. The results showed a disparity in the number and type of resources expected to be used; in the problems they anticipated when undertaking a literature review; and in the confidence levels students had in the use of information tools. Recommendations are made to improve the teaching of the literature review [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For 40 years, the Water, Engineering and Development Centre of Loughborough University has trained engineers in the practical requirements for infrastructure services in low- andmiddle-income countries. This was started to rectify a mismatch between what was being taught in universities and what was being done in practice. Often this gap was addressed by ad hoc, uncoordinated, costly and often ineffective training courses. Thismismatch is still apparent and so researchers explored why training providers are not meeting employers' needs. The action research went behind training needs analysis to examine the dialogue between the 'suppliers' (universities) and the 'demands' of the employers (local authorities and water utilities), across the water and sanitation sector in Uganda, through a series of forums, interviews,workshop appraisals and case studies, as well as trialling innovative training techniques. The research identified areas for improvement, especially in the area of employer engagement, skill needs and the management of human resource development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the history of sickness and disease in Loughborough, England during the 17th century. It is based on research into churchwardens' accounts. This enables a more longitudinal method of analysis, providing another perspective on information derived from surveys of the poor. Issues studied include the type of help provided to the sick by local institutions, the duration of illnesses, and demographic patterns. Some of the characteristic limitations of the data, which need to be taken into consideration when analyzing the churchwardens' accounts, are also addressed.

The last couple of years have brought a rise in the number of institutional repositories throughout the world and within UK Higher Education institutions, with the majority of these repositories being devoted to research output. Repositories containing teaching and learning material are less common and the workflows and business processes surrounding these types of repositories were unclear. The user motivations to contributing to and downloading from repositories were also unknown. This article reports on two studies: a wide- scale survey carried out with HE staff to identify barriers and incentives to contributing to teaching material repositories; and inter- views carried out as part of a workflow study at Loughborough University, to identify existing practice in the creation and sharing of teaching material. Confusion is reported with regard to the difference between a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and a repository. However, many different purposes of a teaching and learning material repository are highlighted. This article discusses how repositories could successfully interoperate with other institutional applications and highlights the benefits of teaching material repositories to the user, through scenarios. Recommendations relating to the key aspects of the design and implementation of a repository service are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In October 1996 the Mathematics Learning Support Centre at Loughborough University was established as part of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The purpose of the Centre was to provide a range of resources and services for students, over and above those normally available. Almost immediately it proved to be an asset to Loughborough and it is now supported by all faculties and caters for students throughout the university. This article describes the philosophy behind its development and details a wide range of practical issues. As such, it is a case study of one particular support centre. The author hopes that the information contained herein will be of interest and help to those considering developing supplementary ways of supporting the learning of mathematics in their own institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the interdisciplinary systems engineering course at Loughborough University of Technology in Loughborough, England. Five-year sandwich course leading to the award of a Master of Engineering degree; Interlocked elements of the systems modules; Emphasis on encouraging creativity in engineering.

Discusses the changes in the structure of the teacher training courses in Loughborough University. Teaching practice; Running a partnership primary school; Methods used in the study; Evaluation of students' work; Limitation of the study.

Presents an overview of the findings of a survey of archives and record offices included in the Department of Information and Library Studies at Loughborough University of England's research project `National Preservation Policy: Policies in Archives, Libraries and Record Offices.' Managerial issues concerning organizational responsibilities.

The existing performance gap between the design and the real energy consumption of a building could have three main origins: the occupants' behaviour, the performance of the energy systems and the performance of the building envelope. Through the estimation of the in-use Heat Loss Coefficient (HLC), it is possible to characterise the building's envelope energy performance under occupied conditions. In this research, the estimation of the HLC of two individual residential buildings located in Gainsborough and Loughborough (UK) was carried out using an average method. This average method was developed and successfully tested in previous research for an occupied four-story office building with very different characteristics to individual residential buildings. Furthermore, one of the analysed residential buildings is a new, well-insulated building, while the other represents the old, poorly insulated semidetached residential building typology. Thus, the monitored data provided were filtered in order to apply the abovementioned average method. Even without fulfilling all the average method requirements for these two residential buildings, the method provides reliable HLC values for both residential buildings. For the house in Gainsborough, the best estimated HLC value was 60.2 W/K, while the best approach for Loughborough was 366.6 W/K. Thus, despite the uncertainty sources found during the analysis, the method seems promising for its application to residential buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the 9th Loughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC 2013) that will take place at the Burleigh Court International Conference Centre at Loughborough University in Loughborough, England from November 11-12, 2013.

The article focuses on meetings and events related to dermatology in Great Britain. It mentions that the Annual Evidence Based Update Meeting 2011: Psoriasis will held in Loughborough, England on May 12, 2011, and the Fondation René Touraine Fellowships 2011 will give away 18,000 euros to support research laboratories and clinical departments. Furthermore, the British Skin Foundation Small Grant is available to anybody who wish to accomplish British-based research into skin disease.

The article announces several activities and congresses related to dermatology including the "Annual Evidence Based Update Meeting 2010: Eczema" to be held at Holywell Park in Loughborough, England on May 13, 2010, the "22nd World Congress of Dermatology" to be held in Seoul, Korea on May 20-24, 2010, and the "90th Annual Meeting of the British Association of Dermatologists" to be held in Manchester, England on July 6-8, 2010.

Provides tips for time management for school administrators in Loughborough, England. Tasks of school administrators; Examination of the goals and values of the administration; Tools for time management.