Wojciech Jan Cynarski and John Arthur Johnson
This descriptive, non-experiment case study addresses the little-studied topic of martial arts tourism within the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK; i.e., North Korea…
Abstract
Purpose
This descriptive, non-experiment case study addresses the little-studied topic of martial arts tourism within the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK; i.e., North Korea) to determine if it is a form of non-entertainment tourism.
Design/methodology/approach
The current research focusses on a single subject (Singaporean female; 36 years of age (at time of interview); Taekwon-Do 4th degree black belt) who travelled to the DPRK three times to practice the Korean martial art Taekwon-Do. After the initial contact, a questionnaire was used and direct interviews via Skype and Facebook were performed. A broad thematic discourse, as well as analysis of the subject’s travel and practice notes and photographs from her stay in the DPRK, were also incorporated into the findings.
Findings
The subject developed new Taekwon-Do skills, which permitted her to obtain higher Taekwon-Do ranks as well as enriched her personality and changed certain conceptions. Self-realization and self-improvement through martial arts are the dominant motives of martial arts tourism. Therefore, the subject’s motivation confirms martial arts tourism can be a variation of non-entertainment tourism.
Research limitations/implications
This research is hindered by the standard case study limitations: it is difficult to generalize this study’s results to the wider DPRK population, the interviewee’s and researchers’ subjective feelings may have influenced the findings, and selection bias is definitely a factor because of the study’s population being a single female of non-DPRK origin.
Originality/value
As one of the first studies on DPRK martial arts tourism and practice, this research examines where research on the DPRK and martial arts tourism intersect. It is thusly unique in providing new insights into the DPRK’s intention for its tourism industry, as well as Taekwon-Do, arguably its most marketable cultural asset.
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Pujith Rajaguru Senapathy Vijayaratnam, John Arthur Reizes and Tracie Jacqueline Barber
Stent malapposition is one of the most significant precursors of stent thrombosis and restenosis. Adverse haemodynamics may play a key role in establishing these diseases…
Abstract
Purpose
Stent malapposition is one of the most significant precursors of stent thrombosis and restenosis. Adverse haemodynamics may play a key role in establishing these diseases, although numerical studies have used idealised drug transport models to show that drug transport from malapposed drug-eluting stent struts can be significant. This paper aims to study whether drug transport from malapposed struts is truly significant. Another aim is to see whether a streamlined strut profile geometry – with a 61% smaller coating but a 32% greater coating-tissue contact area – can mitigate the adverse haemodynamics associated with stent malapposition while enhancing drug uptake.
Design/methodology/approach
Two- and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations were used in this study. Unlike past simulations of malapposed drug-eluting stent struts, a qualitatively validated drug-transport model which simulates the non-uniform depletion of drug within the drug coating was implemented.
Findings
It was shown that even a 10-µm gap between the strut and tissue dramatically reduces drug uptake after 24 h of simulated drug transport. Furthermore, the streamlined strut profile was shown to minimise the adverse haemodynamics of malapposed and well-apposed stent struts alike and enhance drug uptake.
Originality/value
Unlike prior numerical studies of malapposed stent struts, which did not model the depletion of drug in the drug coating, it was found that stent malapposition yields negligible drug uptake. The proposed semicircular-profiled strut was also shown to be advantageous from a haemodynamic and drug transport perspective.
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Mark Ho, Guan Heng Yeoh, John Arthur Reizes and Victoria Timchenko
Interface distinct two-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations require accurate tracking in surface curvature, surface area and volume fraction data to precisely…
Abstract
Purpose
Interface distinct two-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations require accurate tracking in surface curvature, surface area and volume fraction data to precisely calculate effects such as surface tension, interphase momentum and interphase heat and mass transfer exchanges. To attain a higher level of accuracy in two-phase flow CFD simulations, the intersection marker (ISM) method was developed. The ISM method has cell-by-cell remeshing capability that is volume conservative, maintains surface continuity and is suited for the tracking of interface deformation in transient two-phase flow simulations. Studies of isothermal single bubbles rising in quiescent water were carried out to test the ISM method for two-phase flow simulations.
Design/methodology/approach
The ISM method is a hybrid Lagrangian–Eulerian front tracking algorithm which can model an arbitrary three-dimensional surface within an array of cubic control volumes. Fortran95 was used to implement the ISM method, which resulted in approximately 25,000+ lines of written code and comments. To demonstrate the feasibility of the ISM algorithm for two-phase flow simulations, the ISM algorithm was coupled with an in-house CFD code, which was modified to simulate two-phase flows using a single fluid formulation. The constitutional equations incorporated terms of variable density and viscosity. In addition, body force source terms were included in the momentum equation to account for surface tension and buoyancy effects.
Findings
The performance of two-phase flow simulations was benchmarked against experimental data for four air/water bubbles with 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mm of diameter rising in quiescent fluid. A variety of bubble sizes were tested to demonstrate the accuracy of the ISM interface tracking method. The results attained were in close agreement with experimental observations.
Practical implications
The results obtained show that the ISM method is a viable means for interface tracking of two-phase flow CFD simulations. Other applications of the ISM method include simulations of solid–fluid interaction and other immersed boundary flow problems.
Originality/value
The ISM method is a novel approach to front tracking, and the results shown are original in content.
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Su Han Chan, John W. Kensinger, Arthur J. Keown and John D. Martin
We examine the benefits for firms participating in collaborations funded via minority equity placements. Selling firms, on average, realize significant increases in share value �…
Abstract
We examine the benefits for firms participating in collaborations funded via minority equity placements. Selling firms, on average, realize significant increases in share value – strongly correlated with the size of the equity stake, its beta, and the relatedness of the two firms (by industry). Shares of purchasing firms, though, show neutral responses on average (but positive response for R&D intensive alliances). Further, purchasing firms have better financial performance than their industry peers in the years surrounding the announcement (suggesting, unlike joint ventures, that poor performance is not their motivation). Selling firms, however, may be motivated by poor operating performance.
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Abstract
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In its passage through the Grand Committee the Food Bill is being amended in a number of important particulars, and it is in the highest degree satisfactory that so much interest…
Abstract
In its passage through the Grand Committee the Food Bill is being amended in a number of important particulars, and it is in the highest degree satisfactory that so much interest has been taken in the measure by members on both sides of the House as to lead to full and free discussion. Sir Charles Cameron, Mr. Kearley, Mr. Strachey, and other members have rendered excellent service by the introduction of various amendments; and Sir Charles Cameron is especially to be congratulated upon the success which has attended his efforts to induce the Committee to accept a number of alterations the wisdom of which cannot be doubted. The provision whereby local authorities will be compelled to appoint Public Analysts, and compelled to put the Acts in force in a proper manner, and the requirement that analysts shall furnish proofs of competence of a satisfactory character to the Local Government Board, will, it cannot be doubted, be productive of good results. The fact that the Local Government Board is to be given joint authority with the Board of Agriculture in insuring that the Acts are enforced is also an amendment of considerable importance, while other amendments upon what may perhaps be regarded as secondary points unquestionably trend in the right direction. It is, however, a matter for regret that the Government have not seen their way to introduce a decisive provision with regard to the use of preservatives, or to accept an effective amendment on this point. Under existing circumstances it should be plain that the right course to follow in regard to preservatives is to insist on full and adequate disclosure of their presence and of the amounts in which they are present. It is also a matter for regret that the Government have declined to give effect to the recommendation of the Food Products Committee as to the formation of an independent and representative Court of Reference. It is true that the Board of Agriculture are to make regulations in reference to standards, after consultation with experts or such inquiry as they think fit, and that such inquiries as the Board may make will be in the nature of consultations of some kind with a committee to be appointed by the Board. There is little doubt, however, that such a committee would probably be controlled by the Somerset House Department; and as we have already pointed out, however conscientious the personnel of this Department may be—and its conscientiousness cannot be doubted—it is not desirable in the public interest that any single purely analytical institution should exercise a controlling influence in the administration of the Acts. What is required is a Court of Reference which shall be so constituted as to command the confidence of the traders who are affected by the law as well as of all those who are concerned in its application. Further comment upon the proposed legislation must be reserved until the amended Bill is laid before the House.
Prosecutions under Criminal Law, associated in the minds of most people with “criminal offences” of a serious nature—“crime” in the traditional sense—and undertaken by the police…
Abstract
Prosecutions under Criminal Law, associated in the minds of most people with “criminal offences” of a serious nature—“crime” in the traditional sense—and undertaken by the police authorities, constitute a very large and rather untidy body of public law. It includes a large and constantly growing number of offences in respect of which prosecutions are undertaken by various corporate bodies who, as in the case of local authorities, have a duty albeit with a power of discretion, to prosecute. There would appear to be little in common between such offences, as smoking in the presence of open food or failing to provide soap, nail‐brushes, etc, for food handlers, and the villainy and violence of the criminal, but their misdeeds are all criminal offences and subject to the same law. Other countries, such as France, have definite Criminal Codes and these offences against statutes and statutory instruments which in English Law are dealt with in the broad field of Criminal Law, are subject to special administrative procedure. It has obvious advantages. Although in England and Wales, prosecutions are undertaken by police authorities, local authorities, public corporations, even professional bodies and private individuals, with a few statutory exceptions for which the Attorney‐General's fiat or consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions is necessary, may instigate a prosecution against anyone if he can provide prima facie evidence to support it. In Scotland, prosecutions are instituted at the instigation of the various authorities by an officer, the Procurator‐Fiscal. Many advocate such a system for England and Wales, despite the enormous difference in the volume of litigation. Supervision of prosecutions on a much smaller scale is by the Director of Public Prosecutions, an office created in 1879, with power to institute and carry on criminal proceedings—this is the less significant of his duties, the number of such prosecutions usually being only several thousands per year—the most important being to advise and assist chief officers of police, clerks to the magistrates and any others concerned with criminal proceedings Regulations govern the cases in which DPP may act, mainly cases of public interest. The enormous growth of summary jurisdiction over the years, especially that arising from so‐called secondary legislation, is largely outside his sphere.