This article focuses on the effects of music on sufferers of dementia as a means of communicating through familiar songs within a Welsh context. The fieldwork is based on the author’s experience singing to the accompaniment of the Celtic harp at an assessment unit for dementia and at resident homes for the elderly on the Llŷn Peninsula during the Summer of 2010 and presents insights gained from observing patients recalling familiar songs when conversation was difficult. On this basis, the article examines the way in which music can assist patients who suffer from this condition, describing and analysing the results.
'The Light shall Return': Music and dementia in Wales
Building Wales's bridges, Ben Barr (2008)
The paper reports on three epochs of bridge building in Wales. The first period, from Roman times to the start of the Industrial Revolution, was dominated by the use of local materials (stone and timber) by local craftsmen. The second period was an integral part of the Industrial Revolution when new bridge building materials (cast iron, wrought iron and steel) were developed and used in the construction of canal and railway bridges. The third period was associated with the growth of traffic following World War II when concrete and steel became the dominant bridge building materials during the development of the trunk roads and motorways. The paper shows, in simple terms, the fundamental structural engineering developments underpinning these developments as new materials became available for bridge building. In particular, the evolvement of various beam cross-sections, tubes and trusses is discussed. Attention is also given to the significant contribution of four world-renowned bridge builders: William Edwards who built the famous arch bridge at Pontypridd; Thomas Telford who built the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Menai Suspension Bridge; Robert Stephenson who built tubular bridges at Conway and over the Menai Straits and I. K. Brunel who built the unique Chepstow Railway Bridge and the railway timber viaduct at Landore, Swansea. Finally, the paper draws attention to some of the unique bridges of Wales.
Faith’s reaction to modern science
A version of this article appeared originally in The SCM Core Text on World Christianity in the 20th Century, co-authored with Dr Martin Conway (London: SCM Press 2008). Having set the debate between Science and Christianity in its historical context, it explores a range of contemporary scientific questions such as Quantum Theory and Relativity, Cosmology, The discovery of DNA, Genetic Manipulation and Advances in Medical Treatment. The final section examines Roman Catholic responses, Evangelical and fundamentalist approaches and ecumenical responses to some of these key issues. The article concludes by affirming that an engagement between Christian theology and contemporary developments in science is essential if the contemporary articulation of faith is to have meaning and coherence.
The effect of Translation Memories on the translation process: Effort and productivity in Welsh translation
Translation into Welsh has now grown into an important industry, and a number of researchers have linked translation to wider efforts in the field of language planning. This article therefore, keeping in mind the importance of translation to language planning in Wales, intends to investigate the effect that Translation Memories have on particular aspects of the process of translating into Welsh, asking whether there is a place for this technology in a professional context. What contribution can this technology make, then, to translation and language planning in Wales?
The role of stem cells in cardiac tissue regeneration: evaluating treatments and identifying risk
This article evaluates the potential of a range of stem cells in cardiac tissue regeneration following a heart attack. Following an initial review of relevant research, some of the main biological mechanisms involved in cardiac tissue regeneration are presented, including: the role of transcription factors, such as oxytocin and c-kit and paracrine transcription factors; studies on zebra fish that display mechanisms such as the regnerative role of cardionogen 1, 2- and 3- in reversing the effect of induced cardiac phenotypes that normally regulate heart development; delivery and engraftment mechanisms, including viral and plasmid vectors, electrical stimulation and nantoechnology. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments are reported that have shown the clinical potential of stem cells as well as their immunological and tumorgenic risks. At the time of writing (2012), while the clinical evidence is limited, complex therapeutic models are proposed for future development in the field.
Oes yn y Wladfa (1985)
Sgwrs ag Elias Garmon Owen a dreuliodd dri chwarter canfrif ym Mhatagonia, a chyfle i rannu rhai o'i brofiadau yno ac yn Nyffryn Conwy ei ieuenctid. ITV Cymru, 1985. Oherwydd rhesymau hawlfraint bydd angen cyfrif Coleg Cymraeg i wylio rhaglenni Archif S4C. Mae modd ymaelodi ar wefan y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol i gael cyfrif.
‘Nudging is as important as the right to use the language’: behaviour change and Welsh language policy
A behavioural approach to policy has already been applied to a range of public policy challenges. This article explores and develops the relationship between a behavioural approach to policy and the field of language policy and planning. The Welsh Government’s recent language strategies offer some evidence of an embryonic relationship between the two fields, with the ambitious target of a million Welsh speakers offering policy imperative to the application of behavioural insights in support of revitalization efforts. This article explains that efforts to revitalize the Welsh language have depended on an understanding of behaviour that emphasizes the rational characteristics of behaviour. It is argued that this dependence neglects alternative understandings of behaviour and associated nudge policies.
Lessons from Northern Ireland: A Welsh jurisdiction and the future of legal education in Wales
Devolution has led to significant divergences between the law of Wales and the law of England. Furthermore, the question of whether a separate Welsh jurisdiction is needed is increasingly being given serious consideration. With this in mind, this article examines the issue of legal education in Wales, and considers what developments are needed in order to meet the challenges and opportunities resulting from devolution, as well as any additional developments that would be needed if a Welsh jurisdiction were to be established in the future. In so doing, the article sets out some key findings from an empirical research project carried out in Northern Ireland, which as a small jurisdiction with a devolved government within the United Kingdom, provides an instructive point of reference.
Turbulence in the solar wind
The Cluster spacecraft are used in order to investigate the solar wind, and because there are four spacecraft, it allows a measurement of the 3-D structure of the solar wind. Since turbulence is a 3-D phenomenon, Cluster is ideal for investigating turbulence. These observations show that the turbulence at proton gyration scales are dominated by Kinetic Alfvén waves as well as magnetic vortices. This research strengthens the hypothesis that Kinetic Alfvén waves are present in the solar wind and suggests for the first time that waves and magnetic vortices can coexist in the solar wind.
‘Kaleidoscopic Variety’: Bilingual education in Wales today
Bilingual education (i.e. Welsh and English) occurs widely in Wales. By now, considerable variation exists in the provision of bilingual education and, as in the case of minority languages in other European regions, bilingual education in Wales is a combination of education in language heritage/ maintenance (1st Language Welsh) and immersion education (2nd Language Welsh). Because the bilingual education throughout Wales is characterised by “kaleidoscopic variation” (Baker 1993:15), teachers use a wide variety of teaching methods and bilingual teaching. Following interviews / observations at bilingual secondary and primary schools throughout Wales during 2007-2009, this paper will explain the aims and methodology of the research project in question, before moving on to discuss some initial findings. Specific reference is made to purposeful concurrent use of language, as teachers use both languages concurrently during the lesson. The conclusion is reached that further research is necessary into the 'kaleidoscopic variation' of bilingual educational practice in schools in Wales, as well as the analysis and evaluation of the bilingual teaching modules which were observed.
Are small peptides a nutrition source for plant and micro-organisms in the maritime Antarctic?
Nitrogen (N) is the most important element that controls plant growth. During the past twenty years, our understanding of which N species are important for plant growth has developed significantly but it is still thought that large nitrogenous molecules need to be broken down into their constituent amino acids to be available for plant and microbial growth. This paper builds on our understanding of this process and suggests that small peptides are equally important for microbial nutrition and that soil microbes outcompete plants for low molecular weight N compounds in maritime Antarctic soil.
Penwythnos Cyfarwyddo Theatr 2013 a 2014
Cyfweliadau gyda chyfarwyddwyr theatr blaenllaw a ffilmiwyd yn ystod Penwythnos Cyfarwyddo Theatr 2013 a 2014. Dyma brosiect cydweithredol a drefnir gan Brifysgol De Cymru.