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Sound symbolism facilitates interspecies communication between humans and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris)
No full textThe evolution of human communication likely centred, in part, on shared intuitions about the mapping of sound to meaning. These sound-meaning intuitions, known as sound symbolism, can be seen for example in the bouba-kiki effect, where nonsense words carry inherent meaning about their likely referents (here, rounded vs. angular objects respectively). In our paper we suggest for the first time that sound symbolism can afford successful interspecies communication between humans and animals in certain circumstances. Over four investigations, including replications, we show that humans use sound symbolism significantly and pervasively to attempt to convey meaning to domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), specifically, by exploiting vocal prosody to signal elevation in space. In Study 1 we analysed recordings of amateur dog owners commanding their dogs to move upwards (e.g., “stand”) or downwards (e.g., “down”), finding higher mean pitch (fundamental frequency, f0) in the former versus the latter. In Studies 2 and 3a, we replicated this in competitive dog owners, both in self-report, and in acoustic voice-analyses recorded in competition. In addition, professionals also used further sound symbolism beyond amateurs, in their commands for the dog to “sit” (using higher pitch to denote sit up vs. sit down). Finally, in Study 3b, we demonstrate that sound symbolism appears to be mutually understood by dogs in certain useful circumstances. Dogs were faster to enact “down” commands with prosodic sound symbolism, compared to without, demonstrating that sound symbolism may sometimes underlie successful inter-species communication.</p
Advancing Sustainability and Resilience in Vulnerable Rural and Coastal Communities Facing Environmental Change with a Regionally Focused Composite Mapping Framework
No full textRural and coastal communities in areas of socio-economic deprivation face increasing exposure to compound climate-related hazards, including flooding, erosion and extreme heat. Effective adaptation planning in these contexts requires approaches that integrate physical hazard modelling with measures of social vulnerability in a transparent and reproducible way. This study develops and applies the Adaptive and Resilient Rural-Coastal Communities in Lincolnshire (ARRCC-L) framework, a sequential process combining data collation, two-dimensional hydraulic simulation using LISFLOOD-FP, and composite vulnerability mapping. The framework is versioned and protocolised to support replication, and is applied to Lincolnshire, UK, integrating UKCP18 climate projections, high-resolution flood models, infrastructure accessibility data and deprivation indices to generate multi-scenario flood exposure assessments for 2020–2100. The findings demonstrate how open, reproducible modelling can underpin inclusive stakeholder engagement and inform equitable adaptation strategies. By situating hazard analysis within a socio-economic context, the ARRCC-L framework offers a transferable decision support tool for embedding resilience considerations into regional planning, supporting both local adaptation measures and national risk governance.</p
Resilience Building Strategies in Autism Research: A Capabilities Resilience and Inclusion Model
No full textThe lack of inclusion and engagement of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the workplace is a key resilience building and sustainability challenge. Despite current research advocating for a range of models and practical interventions such as Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), ecosystem, strengths-based and nanotechnological approaches, the resilience problem faced by people with autism continues. Additionally, while Autism Work Peer Support Group (AWPSG) programs may deliver local governments’ cost-?efficiencies and help in strategizing resource value maximization, the support strategies provided for people with autism remain inadequate. This resilience gap in autism research is addressed by drawing on twenty-four jobseekers and two Disability Employment Advisors’ focus group data from one Department of Work and Pensions branch, UK. The results comprised of survey responses in which participants highlighted the benefits of making friends, developing increased confidence in their skills, being optimistic about finding and retaining employment. These were used to develop the study’s key contribution: a practical model referred to as ‘Capabilities Resilience and Inclusion Model’ (CRIM). The model comprises a four-stage set of actions that provide.</p
A Panel Analysis of Brent Oil Price Dynamics on Macroeconomic Effects: The Case of Some Selected Oil-Producing Countries
No full textThe study investigates the macroeconomic effects of Brent oil price dynamics on the economies of ten major oil-producing countries, representing over 65% of global crude production across four economic regions, namely, Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, OECD, and BRICS. The study focuses on the transmission of Brent oil price shocks through macroeconomic variables - real GDP, fiscal deficit, oil rent, external debt, and trade balance from 1981 to 2021. Using a Panel Vector Autoregressive (PVAR) model, the study effectively captures the dynamic relationships between these regions while tackling issues like endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity. The findings reveal region-specific channels through which oil price shocks are transmitted: fiscal deficits in Sub-Saharan Africa, trade balances in MENA, real GDP in OECD countries, and external debt in BRICS. Impulse response functions and variance decomposition reveal varying sensitivities to oil price changes across these economies. Focusing on Nigeria, the study suggests robust fiscal rules and a sovereign wealth fund management strategy to boost fiscal stability and long-term sustainability. This research contributes to the policy discussions on managing oil wealth and addressing economic vulnerabilities in resource-dependent countries, emphasizing the importance of contextualized fiscal frameworks to mitigate the negative impacts of oil price fluctuations.</p
Green Financial Derivatives - Option-Based Solutions Promoting Behaviour-Driven Household Energy Efficiency
No full textCurrently, there have been a large number of books focusing mainly on technical-based strategies to promote energy sustainability. These strategies aim to reduce inputs for production processes via enhancing resource productivity or achieving closed-loop material cycles (i.e., substitute unsustainable materials with materials consistent with nature), whereas few look into and address energy sustainability from the energy demand aspects. However, behavior-based strategies are more cost-effective as they usually require less initial investment. Therefore, it is necessary to publish a book proposing and investigating human behavioral-based energy-saving interventions that can tackle the issues. With comprehensive comparisons against conventional energy-saving strategies, the main aim of this book is to develop a holistic market-based household energy-saving intervention via energy behavior change to promote energy saving in the residential building sector. Specifically, the objectives of this book are as follows:1. To develop the framework of well-structured household energy-saving intervention. 2. To identify relevant determinants of residents' decision-making towards the acceptance of the innovative intervention. 3. To investigate the influencing path of the intervention on changing households’ energy-related behaviors.4. To propose optimization strategies for the proposed household energy-saving intervention.</p
Father-inclusion: a sensitising concept and framing strategy for addressing the systemic exclusion of men as-fathers across services
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This article explores systemic exclusions of men as-fathers and caregivers by services, introducing the concept of father-inclusion as a sensitising concept and framing strategy with transformative potential across diverse contexts of social welfare. Drawing on empirical data generated with a diverse sample of young fathers in the UK, aged 25 and under, and multi-agency professionals, the article highlights the social welfare contexts where men as-fathers experience exclusion, as well as how the language of father-inclusion, as a corollary, might be mobilised for the purposes of progressive and systemic institutional and societal change. Building on a socio-genesis of father involvement and engagement, father-inclusion is introduced as a new concept for fatherhood research that 1) connects the diverse interests and perspectives of researchers, social welfare practitioners, and policymakers to promote systems change, and 2) increases recognition and facilitation of fathers' involvement in family dynamics, child development, and family and other social interventions.</p
Animal welfare information frames US public perceptions of precision technology use on dairy farms
No full textWith increased interest in precision livestock farming (PLF) by dairy producers, a clearer understanding of public perceptions is needed to ensure that use of these technologies is socially sustainable. This study sought to (1) characterize public perceptions toward precision dairy technologies (PDT), trust in farmers using PDT, and likelihood to purchase (LTP) dairy produced with PDT; and (2) describe how these perceptions may be influenced by information framing about the potential effects of PDT use; and (3) evaluate the influence of demographic characteristics of the participant sample. In an online survey distributed to US residents (n = 2,365), participants randomly received 1 of 8 vignettes, each containing either positively or negatively valenced information about hypothetical PDT effects on human-animal relationship, data transparency, and animal welfare. Perceptions toward PDT were assessed with Likert item questions before and after vignette exposure and through representational thematic text analysis of open-ended responses (n = 80 randomly selected) justifying the Likert responses. Linear models were selected using backward selection to assess significant predictors of baseline and shifts in perceptions toward PDT, farmer trust, and LTP. Baseline perceptions toward PDT, trust, and LTP were generally positive, with more positive perceptions associated with higher incomes, rural backgrounds, and dairy consumers more knowledgeable about production; in contrast, baseline perceptions were more negative among participants with higher levels of concern toward animals. Across the sample, participants experienced slight negative shifts in PDT perceptions after vignette exposure, with those who indicated a voting preference for the Democratic party (e.g., politically liberal) and who had more positive attitudes about animal protection more vulnerable to negative perception shifts. Generally, information about data transparency did not shift perceptions of PDT in either direction. However, the valence of animal welfare information strongly predicted the direction of perception shifts, such that negative information was particularly influential in generating worsened perceptions of PDT, even if participants received positive information about other attributes. Similarly, the perceived effect of PDT on cows was the most frequently raised theme in the qualitative responses, though participants also focused on ethical acceptability of the technology itself and how it might affect farmers. We suggest that for the dairy industry to maintain its social license to operate, it will benefit from more closely engaging with public concerns regarding potential effects of PDT on animal welfare and the relationship between farmers and animals.</p
Formalising HR Practices in Family-Owned SMEs. Integrating Environmental Factors and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and use of Technology (UTAUT) Model
No full text Extant literature indicates that the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) sector in South Africa plays a significant role in employment generation and economic development. As a result, the South African government has over the years leaned on the sector as an additional source of tax revenue, as an empowerment tool for marginalised Black majority and as a reliable contributor to employment generation. When it comes to employment creation, the contribution of family-owned accommodation SMEs is above average given the labour-intensive nature of their operations. Sadly, authorities agree that the economic contribution of these SMEs is often hampered by the informal nature that characterise their business practices. T </p
Environmental Stewardship Education in Tuvalu Part 2: Insights into Curriculum Integration and Classroom Realities
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This commentary is the second in a two-part series on Environmental Stewardship Education (ESE) in Tuvalu. While Part 1 examined the alignment between education and environmental policies, this follow-up focuses on how those policies are—or are not—translated into formal curriculum and classroom practice. Drawing on both academic research and professional experience in government, this article explores the gap in curriculum design, student engagement, and teaching strategies. It argues for the early integration of ESE in primary education, greater inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge, and participatory teaching approaches. These insights are grounded in Tuvalu’s context but offer valuable lessons for other small island developing states striving to align sustainability policy with educational delivery.</p
Enhancing Wellbeing in Cancer Care: Engagement in Smart- Messaging Programmes for Symptom Management
No full textBackground: Despite improved survival rates, cancer patients often face physical and mental health challenges during and post-treatment. With cancer care services under pressure, these issues may go unnoticed.Holistic Needs Assessments attempt to address such problems but can have limited impact, necessitating corresponding interventions.Automated, personalised text-messaging interventions, successful in health monitoring, may be an effective solution but evidence is lacking on their integration into cancer care settings.Objective: To assess the initial effectiveness of and engagement in personalised smart-messaging programmes to manage common cancerrelated issues.Methods: Recruitment occurred via clinician referrals and flyers in cancer care services. A mixed-method approach integrated engagement data, clinical outcome measures, and qualitative interviews. A workshop involving patients and referring staff explored factors affecting programme implementation.Results: Twenty-seven patients enrolled, exhibiting varied engagement levels. Clinical scores indicated symptom reduction particularly linked to higher engagement. The analysis of qualitative interviews on participant experience of the programmes resulted in themes related to enrolment rationale, sustaining engagement, and participation outcomes; and factors facilitating engagement included the practical and psychological dimensions of programme delivery. Twenty-seven participants responded to 49.95% of messages where responses were possible across 42.90% of enrolled days. The workshop emphasised the need for improved promotional materials and staff training.Conclusion: A tailored text messaging intervention shows promise in alleviating cancer-related symptoms, yet enrolment and active engagement remain obstacles. Enhanced promotional strategies are required to increase programme visibility and impact. Further research and integration into routine care are recommended.</p