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Wireless sensor networks (WSN) have emerged as a robust and cost-effective solution for buried pipeline monitoring due to the low cost (a maximum of a few tens of UK pounds (GBP)), low power supply capacity (in the order of 1 watt/hour) and small size (centimetre scale) requirements of the wireless sensor nodes. One of the main challenges for WSN deployment, however, is the limited range of underground data communication between the wireless sensor nodes of less than 3 m, which subsequently increases deployment costs for a utility owner for buried pipeline monitoring. A promising alternative to overcome this limitation is using low-frequency (<1 kHz) acoustic signal propagation along the pipe. This paper examines the feasibility of using low-frequency acoustic signal propagation along exposed and buried medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) pipes and makes predictions of the potential distances at which reliable data communication can be achieved. Quantification of the acoustic attenuation was performed using both analytical and numerical models in addition to laboratory and field experiments. The predicted acoustic data communication distance ranged between approximately 18 m for an exposed and approximately 11 m for a buried MDPE pipe. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using low-frequency acoustic signal propagation for achieving reliable wireless underground communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 15 years, productivity growth in advanced economies has significantly slowed, giving rise to the productivity paradox of the New Digital Economy – that is, the notion of increased business spending on information and communication technology assets and digital services without a noticeable increase in productivity. We argue that time lags are the most important reason for the slow emergence of the productivity effects from digital transformation. This paper provides evidence that underneath the slowing productivity growth rates at the macro level, signs of structural improvements can be detected. In the United States most of the positive contribution to productivity growth is coming from the digital producing sector. The Euro Area and the United Kingdom show larger productivity contributions from the most intensive digital-using sectors, although the United Kingdom also had a fairly large number of less intensive digital-using industries which showed productivity declines. We also find that increases in innovation competencies of the workforce are concentrated in industries showing faster growth in labor productivity, even though more research is needed to identify causality. Finally, we speculate that as the recovery from the COVID-19 recession gets underway the potential for significant productivity gains from digital transformation in the medium term is larger than during the past 15 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this theoretically oriented review is to examine the role of space and spatial thinking in the changing teaching and learning environments in higher education. The starting point is that educational space is not a pre-set institution or only a physical space but a social construction. As such, space is a crucial element in the learning process and student engagement. In the paper, basic concepts of educational space and spatiality are discussed. The complexity of the relations between spatial understanding and student engagement is demonstrated by referring to a specific drama and theatre course as a case example. The case was a joint master-level course between two European universities (in UK and Finland) where multiple online platforms were used. By the means of the learning space in the case, we discuss the nexus of spaces, comprising a dynamic spatial plurality across the learning environments. Blurring boundaries between formal and informal spaces seems to give room for meaningful and embodied experiences - social, situational and emotional connectedness with students in different places. Formal ICT solutions of digital learning do not automatically pay enough attention to spatial aspects of learning and engagement. Understanding the connections between spatial thinking and the meanings of engagement and senses of belonging brings vital elements to the development of digital learning and learning environments. Parallel with the discussions of the distinctive role of interaction and communication in digital environments, spatial understanding can offer an important contribution to increase understanding of personal meanings of learning. Based on the theoretical reflections of the presented case, bodily experiences of the sense of "sharing a space" appears to interrelate with the feelings of belonging and ownership in learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encryption protects digital information from unauthorized access by making it illegible to anyone without an encryption key. While this ensures the security of digital communications, it also prevents the government from accessing evidence it needs for national security investigations. This creates an apparent conflict between the private sector's desire for strong encryption and the government's interest in "back door" access, thus raising the normative question of whether governments should be able to legally require companies to maintain "back doors" to encrypted information. In view of the significant impact of this debate on economic, privacy, security, and diplomatic interests of states around the world, this Article explores two lines of inquiry: First, what legal frameworks should courts and legislators use to approach encryption? Second, which framework produces the best policy outcomes--in particular, which stakeholders are benefitted or harmed under each approach? To answer these questions, this Article examines legal approaches to encryption in the U.S. and U.K., countries with contrasting policies on the subject. It evaluates the pros and cons of each approach, situating encryption within existing legal frameworks. This includes the First Amendment argument of "code as free speech," government investigatory powers under the Fourth Amendment, and the U.K.'s Investigatory Powers Act permitting government-mandated back doors. This is the first paper clarifying, surveying, and comparing the legal approaches to encryption in the U.S. and U.K. Such a comparative analysis explaining the consequences of each legal approach could help countries choose the most effective approach to encryption. By applying existing laws to the novel problems posed by encryption, this Article generates new evidence against the implementation of encryption back doors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the introduction of interactive digital television (DTV) in the UK at the turn of the millennium, and its take-up and use by early audiences. It discusses whether the processes of television technological convergence went together with 'consumer behaviour convergence,'1 enhanced audience engagement with the interactive TV services offered, and participation. Based on findings from a UK-wide survey and in-depth interviews with early Sky digital subscribers conducted during the early days of the service, the article shows that early interactive DTV was taken up because of its multichannel offering and thematic orientation and, interestingly, was approached and appreciated mostly as a television content provider. It thus notes a divergence on industry's attempts to promote convergence in broadcasting and on the level and pace with which users adopt and adapt to such change. In so doing it highlights the evolutionary nature and slow rate of change of cultural habits and forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: During and since the Covid-19 pandemic there has been an intensified integration of digital technologies into the everyday lives of older people. We do, however, know little about the ways in which older people incorporate digital technologies and communications into their daily lives and their own meanings, embodiment and experiences of the digital during and since the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: The aim of our research was to explore the use of digital devices during and since the Covid-19 pandemic and to identify facilitators and barriers to incorporating digital devices into everyday life. The research involved a series of online focus groups with people aged between 63 and 86 years living in the United Kingdom and were conducted in 2022. Each focus group lasted around 90 min and data was audio-recorded and transcribed. The data was analysed thematically. Results: From the analysis, three interconnecting whilst analytically distinct themes around the meaning and experiences of using digital devices in everyday life during and since the pandemic, are thematically presented as: (1) Incorporating the digital into everyday life; (2) Social and digital connectivity; and (3) Challenges and limitations of the digital in everyday life. Discussion: The research has provided insights into the way digital devices were used by older people during and since the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, we highlight the increasing importance of digital connectivity and the ways in which older people actively engage (and resist) technologies of communication in their daily lives; and the significance of embodied co-presence and the immediacy of shared space and/or time is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital communication between a patient and their clinician offers the potential for improved patient care, particularly for young people with long term conditions who are at risk of service disengagement. However, its use raises a number of ethical questions which have not been explored in empirical studies. The objective of this study was to examine, from the patient and clinician perspective, the ethical implications of the use of digital clinical communication in the context of young people living with long-term conditions.Methods: A total of 129 semi-structured interviews, 59 with young people and 70 with healthcare professionals, from 20 United Kingdom (UK)-based specialist clinics were conducted as part of the LYNC study. Transcripts from five sites (cancer, liver, renal, cystic fibrosis and mental health) were read by a core team to identify explicit and implicit ethical issues and develop descriptive ethical codes. Our subsequent thematic analysis was developed iteratively with reference to professional and ethical norms.Results: Clinician participants saw digital clinical communication as potentially increasing patient empowerment and autonomy; improving trust between patient and healthcare professional; and reducing harm because of rapid access to clinical advice. However, they also described ethical challenges, including: difficulty with defining and maintaining boundaries of confidentiality; uncertainty regarding the level of consent required; and blurring of the limits of a clinician's duty of care when unlimited access is possible. Paradoxically, the use of digital clinical communication can create dependence rather than promote autonomy in some patients. Patient participants varied in their understanding of, and concern about, confidentiality in the context of digital communication. An overarching theme emerging from the data was a shifting of the boundaries of the patient-clinician relationship and the professional duty of care in the context of use of clinical digital communication.Conclusions: The ethical implications of clinical digital communication are complex and go beyond concerns about confidentiality and consent. Any development of this form of communication should consider its impact on the patient-clinician-relationship, and include appropriate safeguards to ensure that professional ethical obligations are adhered to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“Social sensing” is a form of crowd-sourcing that involves systematic analysis of digital communications to detect real-world events. Here we consider the use of social sensing for observing natural hazards. In particular, we present a case study that uses data from a popular social media platform (Twitter) to detect and locate flood events in the UK. In order to improve data quality we apply a number of filters (timezone, simple text filters and a naive Bayes ‘relevance’ filter) to the data. We then use place names in the user profile and message text to infer the location of the tweets. These two steps remove most of the irrelevant tweets and yield orders of magnitude more located tweets than we have by relying on geo-tagged data. We demonstrate that high resolution social sensing of floods is feasible and we can produce high-quality historical and real-time maps of floods using Twitter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasingly, the NHS is embracing the use of digital communication technology for communication between clinicians and patients. Policymakers deem digital clinical communication as presenting a solution to the capacity issues currently faced by general practice. There is some concern that these technologies may exacerbate existing inequalities in accessing health care. It is not known what impact they may have on groups who are already marginalised in their ability to access general practice. Aim: To assess the potential impact of the availability of digital clinician-patient communication on marginalised groups' access to general practice in the UK. Design and Setting: Realist review in general practice. Method: A four-step realist review process was used: to define the scope of the review; to search for and scrutinise evidence; to extract and synthesise evidence; and to develop a narrative, including hypotheses. Results: Digital communication has the potential to overcome the following barriers for marginalised groups: practical access issues, previous negative experiences with healthcare service/staff, and stigmatising reactions from staff and other patients. It may reduce patient-related barriers by offering anonymity and offers advantages to patients who require an interpreter. It does not impact on inability to communicate with healthcare professionals or on a lack of candidacy. It is likely to work best in the context of a pre-existing clinician-patient relationship. Conclusion: Digital communication technology offers increased opportunities for marginalised groups to access health care. However, it cannot remove all barriers to care for these groups. It is likely that they will remain disadvantaged relative to other population groups after their introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systems are being developed with the aim of managing the use of copyright protected works within the digital communications network. Such fights management systems are considered integral for the commercial exploitation and control of protected works within the new media. A central technology in such systems is fights expression languages, computer languages used to define and represent legal rights and relationships central to protected works in electronic licences. An electronic licence constructed with a rights expression language, however, may have difficulty in adequately representing and implementing legal rights and relationships central to copyright law. This difficulty is illustrated by examining how mandatory copyright exceptions under UK law for databases and computer programs might be incapable of proper representation and implementation. The particular difficulties for databases and computer programs might be representative of a larger theoretical difficulty with the digital management of legal rights and relationships. In particular, the abstraction and distillation of fights and relationships by rights expression languages recalls difficulties encountered by developers of legal expert systems. Discussion of formalism and legal expert systems might be of assistance in appreciating the shortcomings of rights representation objectives, and, in a broader sense, the difficulties in using technology to represent legal rights and relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]