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Migration, 'Climate Change Refugees' and Global Justice
Full text linkThe ill-effects of climate change caused by the emission of greenhouse gases are droughts; storm surges which destroy infrastructure, housing and crops; and rise in sea levels which adversely affect small island states which could eventually be submerged and force citizens who flee because of the ill-effects of climate change to be described as 'climate change refugees'. Refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are persons who cross borders and have a well-founded fear of persecution. Climate change refugees are persons who flee for reasons other than persecution and who do not have legal status. And yet, preventive responses of international law to climate change refugees raise issues of global justice. The objects of this paper are : (i) to evaluate the proffered extension of International Refugee Law to climate change refugees; (ii) to discuss the role of international human rights law as a complementary protection for climate change refugees; (iii) to evaluate the protection under international environmental law; (iv) to discuss the migration options; (v) to discuss disappearing states, statelessness and relocation; and (vi) to assess critically the feasibility and desirability of a Climate Change Treaty based on a monist-naturalist conception of global justice privileging human dignity as one of its guiding principles
Mental Chronometry: Do Imagined Times Merely Relate to Task Duration?
Full text linkProlonged movement time as a function of task difficulty (as defined by the Index of Difficulty [ID]) can be equally prevalent within executed and imagined movements ─ something referred to as the mental chronometry effect. This effect has been leveraged as support for functional equivalence, where an internal representation can be shared for execution and imagery. However, times tend to rise exponentially more for imagined, compared to executed, movements, which could be attributed to the time spent within a task. Fifteen participants attempted execution and imagery of a reciprocal aiming movement between two targets that assumed different levels of ID (4, 5, 6 bits). They did this either over 3 or 5 cycles of movement to generate short- and long-duration movements, respectively. Mean times and time-ID slope/gradient coefficients revealed that the time within imagery was generally no longer than execution. However, the rise in time as a function of ID tended to be even greater when undertaking 3 compared to 5 cycles within imagery, but not execution. Overall, these findings may counter the suggestion that time spent within imagery is positively related to duration. However, further research is perhaps warranted to help formulate broader recommendations for imagery across different durations
The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents’ (11–18 years) mental health and wellbeing in the UK: a scoping review
Full text linkThis paper reports on the findings of a study into the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 11–18 years in the UK. The study also explored the key factors contributing to any negative ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people’s mental health and wellbeing, and their self-care and coping strategies to counter these impacts. The research adopted a scoping review approach using a staged framework – identifying the research question; identifying relevant studies; study selection; charting the data; and collating, analysing and reporting the results. Based on the findings of the study, five priorities for action were proposed to improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing in the post-pandemic era: (1) to identify ways in which young people can be brought to the table in the formulation of policy responses to crises impacting on their lives; (2) to recognise the importance of policy responses targeted at the specific needs of different groups; (3) to prioritise resources to enable connectedness to school and relationships to be nurtured and sustained; (4) to spotlight the need for greater clarity regarding the roles of teachers in supporting young people’s mental health within a system of support and (5) to vigorously support the value of an equal focus on academic achievement and wellbeing in schools, an inclusive, holistic curriculum which balances all learning domains and rethinks the pressures of current assessment and testing regimes and implications for young people’s wellbeing
Review: Playing the Changes: Jazz at an African University and on the Road by Darius Brubeck and Catherine Brubeck.
No full textIn 1983 the American jazz pianist Darius Brubeck took an unexpected turn in his career, moving to Durban where he and his wife Cathy established the first university jazz degree programme in South Africa, along with other initiatives such as the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music. During their 23-year stay the Brubecks defied apartheid and promoted equality of opportunity through jazz education and performance. This is a review of the book they co-authored about their time in South Africa and the legacy of their work
Misconceptions about neurodevelopmental disorders among Italian special education teachers: A mixed-methods study
Full text linkLimited research explores Neurodevelopmental Neuromyths' prevalence and educational implications. This study examined Neurodevelopmental Neuromyths among 241 Italian Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) teachers and their potential instructional implications. A mixed-methods triangulated approach was employed, combining findings from the Neurodevelopmental Neuromyths questionnaire with qualitative open-ended responses on instructional practices. The results indicated a prevalence of approximately 27.9 % for Neurodevelopmental Neuromyths among teachers. Prior attendance in a neuroscience course and reading of scientific magazines served as protective factors. Qualitative analysis revealed four predominant themes in instructional practices to support needs of SEND students: (1) simplifying teaching, (2) personalizing teaching and assessments, (3) empowering school inclusion, and (4) modifying the school/classroom environment. While certain instructional practices aligned with evidence-based approaches, others appeared to be influenced by prevailing neuromyths. The study highlights the importance of targeted interventions, including increased neuroscience training to enhance the overall support for SEND students
Metabolomic Characterisation of Low-Density Lipoproteins Isolated from Iodixanol and KBr-Based Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: Salt-based density gradient ultracentrifugation (SBUC) is frequently used to isolate lipoproteins for their subsequent analysis. However, the addition of salts may disrupt their molecular composition. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the impact of SBUC upon the molecular composition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, compared to a validated non-salt method involving iodixanol gradient ultracentrifugation (IGUC). Methods: Whole human plasma was analysed for various lipid parameters before LDL particles were isolated using both SBUC and IGUC methods. Each fraction was then filtered to obtain low-molecular-weight compounds. The LDL molecular content of the resulting fractions from both methods was determined using untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in positive and negative modes. Results: A total of 1041 and 401 features were putatively identified using positive and negative modes, respectively. Differences were shown in the molecular composition of LDL prepared using SBUC and IGUC; in positive mode ionisation, the PLS-DA model showed reasonable fit and discriminatory power (R2 = 0.63, Q2 = 0.58, accuracy 0.88) and permutation testing was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings reveal distinct differences in the small molecule composition of LDL prepared using the two methods, with IGUC exhibiting greater variation. In negative mode, both methods detected phospholipids, long-chain sphingolipids, and ceramides, but IGUC showed higher fold differences for some phospholipids. However, in positive mode, non-native brominated adducts were found in LDL isolated using SBUC and evidence of potential bacterial contamination was discovered in samples prepared using IGUC, both of which have the capacity to affect in vitro experiments
Exploring motivation in English monolingual students for enrollment in an optional language module at one university in the United Kingdom
Full text linkThe decline in the number of students undertaking language degrees over the past decade has contributed to the lack of language capability in the United Kingdom (UK). In contrast, evidence indicates a steady interest from university students to learn a language, via integration of an optional credit-bearing language module known as the University Wide Language Programme (UWLP), in undergraduate university degree programmes.
Little is known about the initial motivational factors that contribute to a student’s choice to enroll onto this language module. In addition, when considering the critical juncture language learning in higher education (HE) is currently facing and the UKs chronic monolingualism, this optional module may provide an important pathway where the value and necessity of learning a language is increasingly recognised.
Utilising Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and its focus on three basic human needs (1) Autonomy, (2) Competence and (3) Relatedness in learning as its core theoretical framework, this study utilised a semi-structured questionnaire and Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) approach to investigate initial motivations of English monolingual students for enrollment in a UWLP module at one university in Northern England. Participants included 12 students who opted to enroll onto a UWLP module as part of their undergraduate degree programme in the 2021/2022 academic year.
Analysis revealed a series of initial motivations for enrolling onto a UWLP module such as plans to work abroad after graduating and uncovered English monolingual students’ reasons for wanting to learn a second language which included a dislike of English as a lingua franca and a desire to discard their monolingual identity; both of which have not been uncovered by literature until now. The analysis paved the way for the development of a tool- kit for professional practice.
In providing a further original contribution to this area of education, it is the intention that the developed tool-kit provides tutors involved in optional language modules (and other stakeholders including university management) an understanding of the initial motivations of English monolingual students who enroll onto these modules and propose guidance, through key recommendations, on how to support this motivation in the identified students. A second intention of the developed tool-kit is to promote the inclusion of research-based practices in HE and help tutors take ownership of their professional learning and enhance their practice for the benefit of students. The tool-kit, as a form of research-informed practice, draws on the key
2 findings of the current data as related to the core motivation elements of SDT to outline four recommendations for supporting the initial motivations of English monolingual students intending to enroll onto an optional language module
Recent patterns and trends in UK dog theft
Full text linkThe last few years have witnessed growing concerns in the UK over the offence of dog theft. Despite this comparatively little has been written on the phenomenon of dog theft in the UK. The aims of this article are (1) to identify variation in the extent of dog theft in the UK for the period 2020–2022 and (2) to determine patterns of dog theft during this period. To achieve these aims, the article presents an analysis of Police FOI data for the period 2020–2022 as well as data provided by the UK’s largest free national database of lost and stolen dogs, DogLost
An approach to Simulation & Navigation of Autonomous 2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in 3D
Full text linkDrone simulation refers to the emulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in a virtual environment, replicating 11 real-world conditions to study and test the behavior, performance, and functionalities of drones. This paper explores the simulation 12 of UAVs in the Unreal Engine environment using MAVProxy and the Python library DroneKit. By leveraging the computational 13 capabilities of computers, this approach enables precise visualization and control of UAV flight dynamics in three dimensions. The 14 use of Blueprints in Unreal Engine facilitates a cost-effective and accessible simulation process, allowing engineers and scientists 15 to refine their UAV designs before real-world deployment. Results shows the applicability of this approach vs different 16 environments where alternative approach also emerges as a viable option for visualizing textured buildings. This approach shows 17 the power of open-source collaboration in advancing innovative solutions in the dynamic field of science and technolog
Traveller engagement with aircraft flight tracker applications
Full text linkIn exploring flight trackers through a mobility lens, this study is situated at the nexus of the movements of people and objects, near real-time location-based navigational technologies, cartographic and mobile digital applications, and flows of information. Flight tracking applications (apps), allow users to see where aircraft are at any given moment from digital devices such as smartphones, yet little is known about their use, a gap which this paper starts to fill. This qualitative survey provides new insights into people’s actual day-to-day use of flight trackers. Within the context of critical mobilities and the right to information and movement, findings indicate (un)equal access to, and use of, flight trackers. Implications for the travel industry, particularly airports and airlines, include effectively integrating flight tracker and other information, through the digitalised and co-ordinated development of a seamless door-to-door journey, to enhance the experience for all travellers