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Drawing on translation studies to advance cross-language research in organisation studies: Enriching transdisciplinary dialogue
Get PDFDespite longstanding calls for more transdisciplinary dialogue, there is still much to be gained from a closer collaboration between translation and organisation studies scholars. In this paper, we discuss how insights from translation studies can help advance cross-language research in organisation studies. We demonstrate how translation studies can provide valuable theoretical approaches, as well as concrete conceptual and methodological tools, to enrich the study of the movement and transformation of ideas and practices across cultures and languages. We also unpack how the nuanced approaches to translation developed in translation studies can be used to enhance what we call ‘translatorial awareness’ in organisation studies. This has significant implications for scholars, not only for designing, conducting and reporting cross-language research but also for theorising. We conclude by suggesting how translation studies scholars might seek motivation from our paper to engage in transdisciplinary work with organisation studies scholars and other social science disciplines
Mapping spatiotemporal variability of wet season surface water processes in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin, Namibia using stable isotopes
No full textWater stable isotopes are essential for tracing hydrological processes by identifying water sources, tracking evaporation loss, and assessing floodwater dynamics to improve water management and flood mitigation strategies. However, their application remains limited in sub-tropic lowlands. Here, we applied them in the ephemeral, endorheic Cuvelai-Etosha Basin (CEB), spanning northern Namibia and southern Angola, to evaluate their effectiveness in capturing spatial and temporal hydrological patterns, their timing and interactions during a medium flood condition (2017), and also contrasted with a drought year (2014). During the 2017 wet season 219 grab surface water samples were collected from ephemeral watercourses and ponds in four sampling campaigns (February, March, April and May), and additionally in a single campaign in May 2014 (63 samples). Samples were analysed for stable isotopes (δ²H and δ18O) at the University of Namibia laboratory using an off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscope (Los Gatos, DLT-100). Results for 2017 revealed a compositional range of -13.51 to 12.44 ‰ for δ18O and from -100.1 to 50.9 ‰ for δ2H. The 2017 samples plot along a low sloping line (δ2H = 5.19 δ18O - 13.91), indicating the dominance of the evaporation effect. Amount, seasonality, and latitude effects were also identified in the isotopic composition of the iishana water.The surface water loss to evaporation is in the range of 24 to 42% from March to April and 39 to 69% from March to May. The d-excess decreased from April and remains relatively low in May, which supports observations of evaporation losses. The overall large water losses from the system via evaporation reduces substantially the water availability for livestock and human consumption, and the impact is more pronounced in the western part of the basin than in the eastern. Since evaporative loss begins early, even during the rainy season, proactive technical solutions such as floodwater harvesting need to be planned accordingly to mitigate losses and optimise water use
In vivo and in vitro investigations provide insights into maleidride biosynthesis in fungi
Get PDFMaleidrides are a family of polyketide-derived natural products isolated from filamentous fungi, that can exhibit significant bioactivities. These compounds are classified according to the size of their central carbocyclic ring, to which one or more maleic anhydride moieties are attached. The studies described herein provide important insights into maleidride biosynthesis, in particular the pathways to the nonadrides scytalidin and castaneiolide, and the octadride zopfiellin. We propose a supportive role for isochorismatase-like enzymes, which are commonly encoded within maleidride biosynthetic gene clusters, in facilitating α-ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenase-mediated catalysis. This is evidenced by gene deletions as well as enzyme assays, for two maleidride biosynthetic pathways: that of zopfiellin, from Diffractella curvata; and of scytalidin, from Scytalidium album. These experiments collectively underscore the significance of the isochorismatase-like enzymes in the catalytic process of α-ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenases. Feeding studies with either scytalidin or an unsaturated analogue to D. curvata ΔzopPKS both gave the 5,6-diol, castaneiolide and the structure was confirmed by NMR and X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, a putative biosynthetic gene cluster for castaneiolide biosynthesis was identified from a de novo genome assembly of the native producer, Macrophoma castaneicola
Composite nonlinear feedback event‐triggered control of switched system with input saturation
Get PDFAbstractThis paper focuses on the composite nonlinear feedback (CNF) event‐triggered control of saturated switched systems. The proposed CNF event‐triggered control method can not only improve transient performance of systems but also decrease network bandwidth consumption. Here it is worth emphasizing that this event‐triggered mechanism is presented based on the inherent characteristics of CNF control and switched systems. Whether to sample the current state of system is determined by the specialized event‐triggered condition, and under this triggering condition, we obtain the practical stability of saturated switched systems via multiple Lyapunov functions method. Switching signal satisfies dwell time constraint. The proposed method can avoid Zeno behavior, and the specific proof has been provided. In addition, an example of turbofan engine model verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the given method
Joining the dots: Part 2. SEND and AP: Creating a second schooling system
No full textIn the first part of this article published in FORUM 66, 1 (2024), we noted that the English mass state education system, developing over 150 years, had created subsystems for (predominantly disadvantaged) children and/or young people who would not or could not function in mainstream schools.1 This followed the development of mass elementary schooling in the 1870s. It seemed then, as it often does now, that many teachers in mainstream schools – working in the six-standard age-related classes – increasingly struggled with the business of equipping children and/or young people to pass required tests while so called ‘disruptive, disabled or defective children’ were present. The expansion and associated costs of alternative (education) provisions (APs) for those labelled as having special needs or disabilities (SEND) – either in separate spaces, and/or offsite settings such as pupil referral units (PRUs) – always worried government and local authorities. At different points, and by different government agencies, concerns were raised about the quality of these provisions – especially applied to the extra funding given for those pupils of school age in APs.2 By 2022 the Conservative government, apparently appalled at the debt local authorities were accumulating to deal with expanding numbers of children and young people in these educational subsystems, decided to join SEND, PRUs and a growing array of APs together for planning and funding purposes, and to address official and unregulated forms of schooling.3 This second article examines, in more detail, how these subsystems have developed, the laments from politicians and the media that ‘the SEND system is broken’, especially through debt, and whether and how the efforts to link SEND and seemingly endless forms of AP more closely are working (or intended to work) under a recently elected Labour government. It concludes that although current policy suggests that there will be more ‘inclusion’ of children and young people regarded as concerns or disadvantaged by the education system, the organisation, funding and curriculum in separate spaces may mean that SEND and AP are a separate schooling system and will continue to be treated as such
Bridging the gap: Exploring the potential of virtual reality for supporting autistic individuals in interview and recruitment processes through a realist review
Get PDFThe aim of this realist review was to systematically analyse the peer-reviewed academic literature, reports and blogs to determine: (1) the mechanisms and contexts by which recruitment and early employment experiences lead to poor outcomes for autistic adults, and (2) how a Virtual Reality (VR) intervention might lead to positive outcomes within the recruitment and early employment experiences for autistic adults. Throughout, we worked with a PPIE group of autistic people who were fully involved in the realist synthesis process. We identified challenges across the employment journey including limited vocational guidance and employment readiness support, exclusionary job descriptions, and traditional interviews that disproportionately favour neurotypical social behaviours. These issues were further compounded by disclosure anxiety and lack of workplace adjustments. We also identified factors relevant to the development of VR scenarios: (1) the provision of tailored clear job information (2) structured interview preparation experience tailored to the role, and (3) materials to foster supportive workplace practices. Findings highlighted that holistic VR scenarios for employers and employees should include material to promote self-advocacy, build social skills, and address sensory challenges. VR scenarios would likely help autistic people practise and improve their ability to undertake job interviews and work-related tasks while promoting understanding and empathy amongst neurotypical work colleagues. Using the findings of this realist review, we considered the implications for the co-creation of a VR package that can prepare autistic individuals for employment, help educate employers and foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment
A malevolent force: A qualitative exploration of perceptions of changes in bodily function and sensations in complex regional pain syndrome
Get PDFResearch has established that people with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) experience profound changes in bodily function and sensations. However, the subjective perceptions of these changes to bodily function and sensations have not yet been explored. The current investigation aimed to qualitatively explore perceptions of changes in bodily function and sensations for people living with CRPS. The study comprised a secondary analysis of qualitative responses obtained from 288 people with CRPS from an online worldwide survey. Responses to two open-ended questions regarding the experience of changes in bodily function and sensations were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Two themes were generated, “An act of evil” and “Becoming sub-human”. Changes in bodily function and sensations were perceived by participants as a malevolent force, described by participants as volatile and hostile in nature. Furthermore, participants felt they had become sub-human due to the loss of autonomy, social exclusion, and the inability for their body to work ‘as it should.’ Future research should undertake a longitudinal examination of the experience of changes in bodily function and sensations associated with living with CRPS to fully understand the long-term impact of such changes on the individual and their quality of life. Perspective The impacts of changes in bodily function and sensations for people living with CRPS are profound, with participants describing them as a malevolent force which robs them of their humanity
“I am secretary, therapist, maid, nurse”: A qualitative exploration of lived experiences of caring for a family member with a BPD diagnosis
Get PDFBackground: Informal caring is an increasingly common phenomenon. Experiences of mental health caring are not well-researched, and few studies focus on experiences of family carers supporting individuals with a Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) diagnosis.Aims: This research explores lived experiences of people in caring roles for family members diagnosed with BPD. Methods: Seventy-two participants who identified as carers to a loved one diagnosed with BPD completed an online qualitative survey. Six of these participants took part in follow-up interviews, and three completed a follow-up survey. Survey responses and interviews were compiled and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results: Two main themes were developed. ‘Labour of Love’ involved experiences of burden and strain, and ‘Self as Secondary’ incorporated feeling unheard and obliged to censor one’s own behaviours. Conclusions: Overall, this research broadens awareness of how a mental health diagnosis and a diagnosis of BPD specifically can have a broader, systemic impact on not only the individuals diagnosed, but their families and those providing support to them, and suggests that provision of support by healthcare providers to carers is necessary
Inferring structure of cortical neuronal networks from activity data: A statistical physics approach
Get PDFUnderstanding the relation between cortical neuronal network structure and neuronal activity is a fundamental unresolved question in neuroscience, with implications to our understanding of the mechanism by which neuronal networks evolve over time, spontaneously or under stimulation. It requires a method for inferring the structure and composition of a network from neuronal activities. Tracking the evolution of networks and their changing functionality will provide invaluable insight into the occurrence of plasticity and the underlying learning process. We devise a probabilistic method for inferring the effective network structure by integrating techniques from Bayesian statistics, statistical physics, and principled machine learning. The method and resulting algorithm allow one to infer the effective network structure, identify the excitatory and inhibitory type of its constituents, and predict neuronal spiking activity by employing the inferred structure. We validate the method and algorithm’s performance using synthetic data, spontaneous activity of an in silico emulator, and realistic in vitro neuronal networks of modular and homogeneous connectivity, demonstrating excellent structure inference and activity prediction. We also show that our method outperforms commonly used existing methods for inferring neuronal network structure. Inferring the evolving effective structure of neuronal networks will provide new insight into the learning process due to stimulation in general and will facilitate the development of neuron-based circuits with computing capabilities
Single-parameter concrete carbonation model for varying environmental exposure conditions
Get PDFCarbonation-induced reinforced steel concrete corrosion is a prominent concern related to engineering design and maintenance. The Durability Index (DI) approach was developed in South Africa to address this concern and enhance the durability performance of reinforced concrete structures. This approach relies on durability index tests, which are associated with transport mechanisms linked to specific deterioration processes. The carbonation of concrete is primarily influenced by the microstructure and transport characteristics of the concrete. Environmental exposure conditions also influence the rate of carbonation. The focus of the research reported here was to develop a carbonation model that could predict the rate of carbonation of concrete exposed to, or sheltered from, rain, with the permeability coefficient (k) from the Oxygen Permeability Index (OPI) test (DI test) as the key unifying variable. The model development was based on natural carbonation data and the drying profiles (experimentally measured) of 48 different concretes. Concrete microstructure was varied by varying the water-to-cement ratio, curing conditions, and by using SCMs. The resulting carbonation model was able to predict the rate of carbonation of concrete, allowing for different exposure conditions. A unique feature of this model is its use of a single material property, the 'k' value, to effectively address both CO2 diffusion and the drying process within concrete. The model displayed sensitivity towards the influence of variation in CO2 concentration, concrete microstructure, and the environmental exposure conditions, making this a simplified, effective and practical concrete carbonation prediction model