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A study exploring the effectiveness of a virtual coach to upskill underserved women
Get PDFAcknowledgements: We thank the team members of Weave Connect for supporting us to conduct this research for the benefit of their users. We also thank UKRI - Innovate UK and partners for seeing credibility in our work and for funding us to build this educational conversational AI for South Africa which was tested in this study.The use of learning chatbots has increased over the past decades, impacting the education of individuals across the globe as a virtual teaching coach. This study will increase our understanding of the significance of these chatbots in education enabling us to understand how it could heavily benefit individuals universally. To aid and assist underserved women globally, allowing them to achieve their goals on the platform using a conversational agent as a coaching tool. This study focuses on underserved women in South Africa, a sizeable user group with whom such a coaching tool has not been tested previously.
Two methods were undertaken: (1), the use of online surveys and (2), focus groups.
Eighty-eight participants took part in an online survey to measure and evaluate how they perceived the Virtual Coach post-interaction with the learning chatbot. Secondly, 19 female participants took part in online focus groups to discuss and express their views post-interaction with the Virtual Coach. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The survey results showed that participants were very positive about their interactions with the Virtual Coach and found it very useful, beneficial, engaging, and they now know what to learn next in their career journey. From the seven generated themes, it is clear that participants found the Virtual Coach friendly and trustworthy, they enjoyed interacting with the bot, and finding the guidance helpful as well as the support to navigate around the website. Participants also provided feedback to improve the Virtual Coach further. The Virtual Coach was highly perceived in a positive light by participants where many concluded they would be more inclined to use it again, suggesting the Virtual Coach’s positive impact on aiding individuals.Weave Connect; UKRI - Innovate UK and partners
The Determination of Bank Interest Rate Margins – Is There a Role for Macroprudential Policy?
Get PDFJEL Code Classification: E44, E52, E58, G21, G28The advent of macroprudential policy alongside monetary policy raises the issue whether macroprudential policy has an additional effect on bank interest rate margins to that of monetary policy, and if so, whether it accentuates or offsets the interest rate effect. In light of this, we estimate combined effects of macroprudential policies and monetary policies on bank interest margins for up to 3,723 banks from 35 advanced countries over 1990-2018. In the short run, tightening of both types of policy tends to narrow the margin, while in the long run, monetary policy typically widens the margin while effects of macroprudential policies are mostly zero or positive, suggestive of countervailing action by banks. There are also significant interactions between macroprudential and monetary policy for several macroprudential policies; a tighter monetary stance is widely found to offset the negative effect of macroprudential policies on margins while a loose monetary policy leaves the negative effects intact, with potential consequences for financial stability. These results are of considerable relevance to policymakers, regulators and bank managers, not least when monetary policies are tight to reduce inflationary pressures
Management Of Post Stroke Shoulder Pain: The Uk's First Commissioned Specialised Multidisciplinary Service
Get PDFConference poster presented at the 19th UK Stroke Forum Conference, 1st–3rd December 2024, Liverpool ACC, UK.Introduction: Post-stroke shoulder pain (PSSP) is a common challenge in stroke rehabilitation. PSSP is associated with poor rehabilitation outcomes and detrimental impact on stroke survivors’ quality of life. Four presentations of PSSP have been identified: frozen shoulder, spasticity, hypotonia and subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS). In April 2023, the first UK multidisciplinary service was established to manage PSSP. Method: Retrospective cohort analysis of patients in the service between April 2023 to February 2024. Anonymised patient demographic and service outcome data from the hospital’s database. Mean and standard deviations for pain on movement (POM) and external rotation passive range of movement (ERPROM) changes from baseline to third appointment were calculated, alongside total patients that achieved a minimally clinical important difference (MCID). Results: 81 patients assessed. Age 59.71yrs (SD=12.73yrs); Male:female 2.5:1; time since stroke 27.35 months (SD:41.87). The most common PSSP presentation was SAPS (33%) then frozen shoulder (28%). 46% presented with severe POM (=8|13). 70.37% received ultrasound guided intervention. Patients received up to 3 follow-up physiotherapy sessions. Re-assessment at third appointment (n=51; 81.96 days (SD:36.05) from initial): i) reduction in POM of 4.01 points (SD:2.95; p<0.001), with 66.67% achieving a MCID (-5.73 points (SD:1.80). ii) improvement in ERPROM of 15.20° (SD:13.89°; p<0.001) with 78.43% achieving a MCID (18.75° (SD:9.59°). Conclusion: Significant improvements in POM and ERPROM were made following multidisciplinary intervention for PSSP. These results, alongside qualitative data on patient’s service experience (reported separately), provide a framework to inspire national service development to optimise treatment strategies for PSSP and the betterment of stroke rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Using Virtual Gaming For Hospital And Home- Based Training For The Upper Limb In Acute And Subacute Stroke (Rhombus Ii): Results Of A Feasibility RCT
Get PDFConference poster presented at the 19th UK Stroke Forum Conference, 1st–3rd December 2024, Liverpool ACC, UK.Introduction: Current provision of upper-limb (UL) rehabilitation during the early period post stroke is insufficient to optimise potential for recovery. Virtual reality systems, such as the Neurofenix platform, can help increase the intensity of UL rehabilitation across the stroke pathway.
Method: A feasibility RCT was undertaken to determine the safety, feasibility and acceptability of the Neurofenix platform. Stroke survivors with UL weakness were recruited from in-patient or early supported discharge stroke teams. Both groups received usual care, the intervention group also had the Neurofenix platform for 7-weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 7-weeks. Safety was assessed through adverse events (AEs), pain, spasticity and fatigue. Feasibility was determined through training and support requirements, and acceptability through intervention fidelity and a satisfaction questionnaire.
Results: 24 participants were randomised, n=16 to the intervention (13 women; mean (SD) age 66.5 (15) years; median (range) 9.5 (1-42) days post-stroke) and n=8 control group (4 women; mean (SD) age 64.6 (13.6) years; median (range) 17.5 (4-23) days post-stroke). 3 participants withdrew before 7-weeks, with 21 (intervention group n=15; control group n=6) included in the analysis. No significant between group differences in fatigue, spasticity, pain scores or total number of AEs. Median (IQR) time to train participants was 98 (64) minutes over 1-3 sessions. Participants trained with the platform for a median (range) of 11 (1-58) hours, equating to 94 minutes extra per week.
Conclusion: The Neurofenix platform is safe, feasible and well-accepted across the hospital and home settings, supporting increased dose and intensity of essential early UL stroke rehabilitation
From ruins to reconstruction: Harnessing text-to-image AI for restoring historical architectures
Get PDFData Availability:
The datasets created and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available, but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.Acknowledgements:
This research has previously been presented at the 2nd International Summit on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering (ISCSEE2024) held in Florence, Italy, on March 18-20, 2024. Extended version of the research has been submitted to Challenge Journal of Structural Mechanics and has been peer-reviewed prior to the publication.The preservation of cultural heritage has become increasingly important in the face of conflicts and natural disasters that threaten historical sites worldwide. This study explores the application of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically text-to-image generation technologies, in reconstructing heritage sites damaged by these adversities. Utilising detailed textual descriptions and historical records, this study employed AI to produce accurate visual representations of damaged heritage sites, bridging the gap between traditional documentation and modern digital reconstruction methods. This approach not only enhances the architectural design process across various disciplines but also initiates a paradigm shift towards more dynamic, intuitive, and efficient heritage conservation practices. The methodology integrates data collection, iterative AI-generated image production, expert review, and comparative analysis against historical data to evaluate reconstruction accuracy and authenticity. By integrating AI with traditional preservation practices, this study advocates a balanced approach to conserving cultural legacies, ensuring their preservation and revitalisation for future generations. Preliminary findings suggest that AI-generated imagery holds significant promise for enhancing digital heritage preservation by offering novel approaches for visualising and understanding historical sites. These findings also highlight the need to address ethical, technical, and collaborative challenges to enhance the precision, reliability, and applicability of AI technologies in the field of cultural heritage. This study contributes to digital humanities and archaeological conservation, demonstrating AI's potential to support and complement traditional heritage preservation methods and suggests a pathway for substantial methodological evolution in the field.The authors received no financial support for the research, author-ship, and/or publication of this manuscript
UK-China Creative Industries: Insights from AHRC SEED Fellowship
No full textThis book is the outcome of the UK-China Creative Industries Research and Innovation Hub Fellowship, funded by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI)/Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).UK-China creative industries research and innovation hub fellowship: the SEED Fellowship is funded by UKRI/ Arts and Humanities Research Council. ( AH/Y000722/1)
Witchcraft, Envy, and Norm Enforcement in Mauritius
Get PDFData Availability:
Data, materials, and pre-registration for study 1 are available online at: https://osf.io/rsb6f/ .
Data, materials, and pre-registration for study 2 are available here: https://osf.io/5c3dy/.Supplementary Information is available online at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12110-024-09484-4#Sec35 .Recent research has shown that an array of religious beliefs can be used to enforce socially normative behaviour, but the application of these theories to other supernatural beliefs, including witchcraft, is still nascent. Across two pre-registered studies in Mauritius, we examine how witchcraft is believed to be caused by envy and how this belief can create and enforce social norms around not causing envy. Data was collected in-person in Mauritius. In study 1 (N = 445), we found that both practicing witchcraft and being motivated by envy or self-interest increase perceptions of harm. These motivations also increase the rate with which people suggest a person was doing witchcraft, with envy having the stronger effect. Belief that someone was doing witchcraft increases the negativity with which one views that person and damages their reputation. In study 2 (N = 292), we found that when a person breaks a norm around causing envy, participants believe that a subsequent misfortune is cause by witchcraft, but not by God. When someone acts selfishly towards others a subsequent misfortune is believed to be caused by God but not witchcraft. This suggests that witchcraft beliefs, but not religious ones, are enforcing norms around preventing envy. Together, these studies suggest that witchcraft beliefs can support locally specific social norms, and that these norms might be different than those supported by religion.This work was supported by the John Templeton Foundation [60476] to DX, AKW, and KL and a BRIEF award to AKW through Brunel University of London
Telomere length and cognitive changes in 7,877 older UK adults of European ancestry
Get PDFFor the purpose of open access, the author has applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.Data availability statement:
This study was conducted using secondary data collected as part of the United Kingdom version of the PROTECT ongoing study. PROTECT data are available to investigators outside the PROTECT team after request and approval by the PROTECT Steering Committee. Requests to access these datasets should be directed to [email protected] material is available online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging/articles/10.3389/fragi.2024.1480326/full#h13 .Background: Telomere length (TL) has been linked to cognitive function, decline and dementia. This study aimed to explore whether both measured TL and genetic disposition for TL predict dimensions of cognitive performance in a longitudinal sample of older UK adults.
Methods: We analysed data from PROTECT study participants aged ≥50 years without a dementia diagnosis, who had completed longitudinal cognitive testing. We calculated polygenic scores for telomere length (PGS-TL) for 7,877 participants and measured relative telomere length (RTL) in a subgroup of 846 participants using DNA extracted from saliva samples collected within 6 months either side of their baseline cognitive testing. Latent growth models were used to examine whether RTL and PGS-TL predict both baseline and longitudinal changes in cognitive performance (4 time-points, annually).
Results: In the whole sample, we did not observe significant associations between either measure of telomere length and initial or longitudinal changes in cognitive performance. Stratifying by median age, in older adults (≥ ∼62 years), longer baseline RTL showed a nominal association with poorer baseline verbal reasoning performance (n = 423, Mintercept = 47.58, B = −1.05, p = .011) and PGS-TL was associated with performance over time (n = 3,939; slope factor, Mslope = 3.23, B = −0.45, p = .001; slope2 factor, Mslope2 = 0.21, B = 0.13, p = .002).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest either the absence of a significant relationship between telomere length (RTL and PGS-TL) and cognitive performance (baseline and change over time), or possibly a weak age-dependent and domain-specific relationship, in older adults of European ancestry. More research is needed in representative and ancestrally diverse samples over a longer assessment period. Alternative biological ageing indicators may still provide utility in the early detection of individuals at risk for cognitive decline (e.g., pace-of ageing epigenetic clocks).This paper represents independent research coordinated by the University of Exeter and King’s College London and is funded in part by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Center at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London. This research was also supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Exeter Clinical Research Facility. This work was funded in part by the University of Exeter through the MRC Proximity to Discovery: Industry Engagement Fund (External Collaboration, Innovation and Entrepreneurism: Translational Medicine in Exeter 2 (EXCITEME2) ref. MC_PC_17189). Genotyping was performed at deCODE Genetics. AP is supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [Grant No. BB/T008709/1] as part of a LIDo PhD studentship. TP is supported by the MRC (UKRI) as part of a New Investigator Research Grant [MR/W028018/1]
HRM Algorithms: Moderating the Relationship between Chaotic Markets and Strategic Renewal
Get PDFSupporting Information is available online at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-8551.12852#support-information-section .HRM algorithms can profoundly impact organizations in the digital economy era. In the face of turbulent and complex market conditions, strategic renewal is regarded as one of the most important organizational mechanisms for dealing with market uncertainty and a turbulent environment. However, the existing research remains elusive about the relationship between market-level conditions and firm-level strategic renewal. Our paper addresses this important gap by examining the potential enhancement of agile strategic renewal in high-uncertainty environments through the implementation of HRM algorithms. Drawing on Chaos Theory, we argue that HRM algorithms have the potential to support the self-organization capacity of a workforce, supporting better alignment with changing environments. Using covariance-based structural equation modelling on a survey of over 500 Spanish firms, our findings provide partial support for the modelled hypotheses by showing that the use of HRM algorithms positively moderates the relationship between market turbulence and strategic renewal, but does not appear to moderate the relationship between market complexity and strategic renewal. The study contributes to our understanding of the importance of adopting internal business analytics systems to stimulate agility and align the workforce more effectively with changing environments, but also highlights their less substantive role in deciphering complex external factors.Ferran Vendrell-Herrero acknowledges support by the Spanish State Research Agency (SRA), Ministry of Science and Innovation (Reference: PID2022-136235NB-I00). Oscar F. Bustinza acknowledges support from the Ministry of Universities of Spain within the framework of the State Program to Develop, Attract and Retain Talent, State Mobility Subprogram, of the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2021-2023 (Reference: PRX22/00176)
Market power, optimal scale and competition promotion in banking: Analysis in the GCC region
Get PDFData Availability Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in S&P Global Market Intelligence. The link is available via: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijfe.2990#open-research-section .We propose an approach to identify optimally scaled banks and analyse the competition levels among banks in different stages of production in six countries of the Gulf region. The empirical results show that the global financial crisis curbed the rise in the market power of banks, but the market power continued to increase straight after 2009. Also, we show that the existing methods fail to identify that a significant proportion of banks across different countries, up to 90%, are operating at an optimal scale. Finally, we discuss the misclassification of banks by the traditional approach to scale analysis and its implications for decision-making by competition authorities and central banks that assess and promote competition in banking. We advocate a more nuanced approach to competition policy that recognizes the potential impact of various phases of banks' production process on the competition
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