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AHRC Music and Disability Networking Grant Provocation 4: Beyond Access - Creating Meaningful Inclusion in Music Education
No full textFactors associated with modern contraceptives use in Nigerian women: a systematic review of quantitative studies
No full textBackground Contraceptive use is essential for promoting sexual and reproductive health, directly impacting publichealth and national development through effective fertility management. In Nigeria, however, the adoption of moderncontraceptive methods remains consistently low, contributing to high maternal mortality rates despite a broad awarenessof contraceptive options among women of reproductive age. The systematic review synthesised key factors associatedwith the utilisation of modern contraceptives among Nigerian women of reproductive age, identifying specific influenceson contraceptive uptake to guide future health interventions.Method A comprehensive search was conducted across three databases, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, toidentify studies examining the determinants of modern contraceptive use among Nigerian women. Eligible studies wereassessed and manually extracted, and findings were consolidated in a narrative review format.Results From the literature search, ten studies met the criteria for inclusion. The synthesis highlighted a generally highlevel of awareness regarding contraceptive methods among Nigerian women, although modern contraceptive preva-lence remains significantly low. The male condom emerged as the most known and utilised contraceptive method, whileimplants and injectables were mostly used by women.Key factors influencing contraceptive uptake were categorised into sociodemographic, economic, cultural, and religiousdomains. Barriers to modern contraceptive use included a strong desire for additional children, concerns about sideeffects, spousal opposition, limited access to contraceptive services, and a lack of comprehensive knowledge.Conclusion Collaborative efforts between health agencies, community leaders, and advocacy groups should priori-tise raising awareness, particularly through culturally sensitive education, to help mitigate sociocultural and economicobstacles. Additionally, it is crucial to involve male partners in these initiatives, as their support and understanding cansignificantly influence contraceptive decisions, helping to overcome some of the barriers to use. Strengthened advocacyefforts and inclusive educational programs are imperative to improving contraceptive uptake and ultimately enhancingreproductive health outcomes in Nigeria
Conversation analysis as a creative research methodology
No full textConversation analysis (CA) has become increasingly prevalent in early childhood education research interested in exploring children’s everyday interactions with others. Positioning CA as a creative methodology, this article demonstrates one practical and applied way of ‘doing’ CA research with early childhood teacher-practitioners that facilitates authentic ways of listening to children’s voices and offers direct implications for practice. Aligning with a children’s rights philosophy, CA requires rigorous transcription of children’s naturally occurring interactions to document their verbal and gestural participation in situ with a wide range of interlocutors, making visible children’s participation. As such, this article outlines how the use of CA in ECEC research has a significant capacity to influence knowledge and practice with children. Using a CA approach affords rigorous documentation of children’s contributions and lived experiences, revealing their competencies and interests across a wide range of cultures, languages and abilities, offering inclusivity and unique insight. To explore these issues in detail, an example from a New Zealand project exploring pedagogy in natural outdoor spaces will be presented, where the affordances of CA as a rigorous, robust yet creative research approach with implications for enhancing situated practice will be discussed
The alibi of AI: algorithmic models of automated killing
No full textThe use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Automated Target Recognition (ATR) optimises martial prophecies of perpetual threat while simultaneously exonerating the politically inclined prosecution of “forever” wars. The affordances of AI in data-centric warfare are, as a result, not only in line with military demands but also increasingly consistent with government mandates and the zero-sum game of national security. Deployed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza since October 2023 (and in service there since at least 2021), this article will propose that the use of AI in ATR systems such as The Gospel ( Habsora ) and Lavender demonstrates these invariably fatal techno- and thanato-political alignments. Although regularly offered up to deny the fact that automated prototypes of killing are a prevailing reality in contemporary wars, I will observe how the safeguards nominally associated with the so-called human-in-the-loop (HITL) defence are effectively nothing more than a convenient fallacy. A stark reality has therefore emerged in modern warfare: through the use of ATR, and Automated Weapons Systems (AWS) more broadly, AI is reliably providing an alibi for the prosecution of wholesale methods of killing without, in turn, provoking much by way of substantive political censure or legal accountability
Efficient behavior factor estimation in moment-resisting reinforced concrete frames through gene expression programming
No full textThis study presents a novel approach for estimating the behavior factor of moment-resisting reinforced concrete (RC) frames using a gene expression programming (GEP) method, which involves designing and analyzing over three hundred RC frames. A comprehensive database detailing the specifications of moment-resistant RC frames has been established. This database has several influential parameters as the input parameters. The performance of the developed models was evaluated using statistical indicators, and the best model was determined. The chosen model demonstrated values of 0.0061, 0.049, and 0.0037 for root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean squared error (MSE), respectively. Additionally, the R2 values for the training and test data were 0.93 and 0.82, respectively. Finally, a highly accurate mathematical equation was obtained to predict the behavior factor of the RC frames using GeneXpro Tools software. After sensitivity analysis of the behavior factor predicted to the investigated parameters, the results indicated that seismic conditions have minimal impact on the behavior factor of moment-resisting RC frames. The number of stories has an inverse relationship with the behavior factor, while the impact of changing the span length ratio to story height on the behavior factor is not uniform. The study's findings indicated that the GEP method effectively predicted the behavior coefficient of RC frames.This study presents a novel approach for estimating the behavior factor of moment-resisting reinforced concrete (RC) frames using a gene expression programming (GEP) method, which involves designing and analyzing over three hundred RC frames. A comprehensive database detailing the specifications of moment-resistant RC frames has been established. This database has several influential parameters as the input parameters. The performance of the developed models was evaluated using statistical indicators, and the best model was determined. The chosen model demonstrated values of 0.0061, 0.049, and 0.0037 for root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean squared error (MSE), respectively. Additionally, the R2 values for the training and test data were 0.93 and 0.82, respectively. Finally, a highly accurate mathematical equation was obtained to predict the behavior factor of the RC frames using GeneXpro Tools software. After sensitivity analysis of the behavior factor predicted to the investigated parameters, the results indicated that seismic conditions have minimal impact on the behavior factor of moment-resisting RC frames. The number of stories has an inverse relationship with the behavior factor, while the impact of changing the span length ratio to story height on the behavior factor is not uniform. The study's findings indicated that the GEP method effectively predicted the behavior coefficient of RC frames
A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK
No full textIntroduction
Prolong sitting time (ST) contributes to obesity and numerous Non-Communicable Diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Concerning evidence on young people’s health has reported an increase in ST, the young British South Asians (BSA) is under explored. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the ST of BSA community, specifically focusing on Afghans, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Indian groups.
Methods
Young BSA from the UK West Midlands region (mean age 15.4 ± 0.5 years) (Total: n = 191, (females: n = 93; males: n = 98) participated in this study. ST was measured based on self-reported total sitting hours using The International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form. Data were modelled using a Bayesian approach to determine differences in ST.
Results
The findings indicated that the majority of the BSA young people across ethnicities spent prolonged time being sitting. Young people from Indian ethnicity had the highest estimated marginal mean ST (482.23. 95% CI [410.49, 554.73]) and the Afghans the lowest estimated marginal mean ST (344.61, 95% CI [280.22, 411.33]).
Discussion
This study emphasised a worryingly high percentage of young people from each BSA ethnic group spending prolong ST. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore and compare the inter-population differences in ST within BSA minority ethnicities, including Afghan population in the UK.
Conclusion
The present findings provide a rationale for further scrutiny on key objective and qualitative determinants contributing to ST within different ethnicities among BSA young people
Intergovernmental Conflicts in a Time of Pandemic: State and Municipality Power Struggles in the United States and Brazil
No full textAbstract
This article examines the issue of overlapping and competing responsibilities and competences that arose in the United States and Brazil, following the COVID-19 global emergency of 2020. It considers the way in which the diffusion of power within both federal systems generated intergovernmental conflict and the extent to which the differences in federal design shaped the way in which these conflicts could be managed and resolved
Giving voice to the voiceless: suppression and censorship among lecturers
No full textOur research explored the emotional experiences of Higher Education Lecturers (HELs) in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in a post-1992 UK university. It is aligned with Leutwiler, Amorim-Riberio and Grandeiro’s (2024) perspective that recognising the emotional dimension is critical to understanding university educators’ professional lives. We uncovered the lived perceptions of emotional labour among lecturers who prepare trainees to teach children aged 3–11. This article presents the theme of suppression encapsulating references to intellectual censorship, persistent barriers and sustained well-being concerns
Building Performance in Refurbishment Projects: A Hybrid Framework for Holistic Performance Delivery
No full textRefurbishment projects are recognised as complex in nature, as they embed a high number of uncertainties and risks. One of the optimum aims in a refurbishment project is ensuring that performance is holistically and systematically accounted for. Although many studies have attempted to focus performance, limited studies have focused on the process followed or complexities encountered. This paper aims to provide an improved mechanism that support building performance accountancy for refurbishment projects.
Data has been attained using secondary data from the literature and primary data using semi-structured interviews. The secondary data supported identifying building performance attributes for refurbishment projects whereas the primary data was obtained from 2 building surveyors, 2 quantity surveyors, an architect and an MEP Engineer who are involved in managing performance when executing refurbishment projects.
The findings show that refurbishment projects are primarily managed in the same way as new-build projects, which can be one of the major issues that cause many pitfalls as the project progresses. Analysis revealed that there is a lack of coordination between stakeholders and relevant data/information, which cause poor consideration of performance indicators. Analysis also showed that there is a lack of standardised approach to follow for refurbishment projects, which lead to poor performance considerations.
This paper presents a novel hybrid framework designed to proactively enhance building performance in refurbishment projects. By addressing the unique complexities and data requirements of existing structures, this framework aims to drive both immediate performance improvements and long-term optimisation
‘Diabetes Makes You Lose Your Leg’: Footcare Self‐Management Amongst I‐Taukei Fijians—A Wearable Camera Study
No full textIssue Addressed
Footcare is an integral part of diabetes self‐management, yet there is limited research on diabetes footcare self‐management. This paper explores footcare self‐management and the impact of diabetes foot complications amongst I‐Taukei Fijians in Fiji.
Methods
This mixed‐method research examines data from the innovative Fijian Diabetes Cam study, consisting of photographic images, photo‐elicitation interviews, and researcher observation. A strategic sample of 30 I‐Taukei Fijian adults with diabetes participated. Participants wore a camera that photographed their activities, behaviour, and environment every 7 s for 4 days. Images were used in semi‐structured photo‐elicitation interviews at home, with the images as prompts. Image data and observation were descriptively analysed, while photo‐elicitation responses were thematically analysed.
Results
While all participants said they performed footcare, for most this was limited to looking for cuts and wounds. Those with foot complications such as amputations have to leave employment. Facilitators included family and community support. Key barriers included the lack of preventive health services and support; poor resourcing and accessibility of dressing supplies, blood sugar testing kits and mobility aids and the warm climate hindering the wearing of closed shoes. Access to appropriate housing and transportation were also key barriers for those with amputations.
Conclusions
This study suggests that I‐Taukei patients recognise the need for footcare self‐management and are largely motivated to do it. However, there is a lack of health education and the health service lacks the resources and trained staff to meet the needs of the people. The underfunded and under‐resourced health system is a major contributor. Nevertheless, there are opportunities to improve health promotion actions.
So What?
Health promotion approach to diabetes footcare self‐management in Fiji could significantly improve the lives of people living with diabetes and reduce the risk of complications and amputation. Donor countries and WHO need to consider the support provided to assist Fiji to manage this increasingly challenging public health issue