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Being flamingos and trees: marginalised groups respond to landscapes using inclusive multimodal literacies and arts
Get PDFIn research about landscapes and the environment, scientific ontologies and epistemologies prevail, thus largely excluding contributions from marginalized groups, or creative expressions of what spaces mean to people. This article draws on qualitative place-based arts workshops, which used multimodal and multisensory methods with deaf children and disabled adults. The resulting co-created texts and artworks represent meaningful responses to specific local landscapes and their natural inhabitants. Considering literacies, power, and who can or cannot be an author, this article argues that such processes of creative co-production could be viewed as means of overcoming marginalization and enabling disabled people to engage with local landscapes. Inclusive literacy practices are presented as ways in to “authoring” marginalized groups’ responses to natural environments, with potentially transformative outcomes for the participants, decision-making processes, and the land itself
A pilot exploration of staff and service-user perceptions of a novel digital health technology (Virtual Engagement Rehabilitation Assistant) in complex inpatient rehabilitation
Get PDFPurpose: Digital health technologies have the potential to advance rehabilitation. The Virtual Engagement Rehabilitation Assistant (VERA) is a digital technology, co-designed to increase service-user engagement and promote self-management. This qualitative study explored staff and service-user perceptions of implementing VERA on a UK complex inpatient rehabilitation ward.
Materials and methods: Purposively sampled service-users were allocated to VERA for up to six weeks. The Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread and Sustainability (NASSS) framework underpinned service-user post-intervention interviews and staff focus groups, and structured analysis of the data.
Results: Seven service-users were interviewed. Nine staff contributed to focus groups. A framework analysis identified themes (and subthemes) structured by the NASSS
framework domains: 1. Nature of Clinical Condition, 2. Technology (Ease of Use, Holding Information/Resources in a single Digital Location, Appointments), 3. Value Proposition (Structuring Time, Feedback, Unexpected Benefits) 4. Adopters (Confidence in using Technology, Usefulness), 5. Wider Organisation.
Conclusions: Ease of use and storage of key information in a single location were beneficial. Reliability, and provision of accurate and timely feedback to staff and service users, were identified as essential. A blended approach is required to meet staff and service-user needs. The potential for VERA in a community setting was identified and requires further investigation. Learning from VERA will support development of other digital technologies and their implementation
After 54 Yr of Bar Instability Studies: A Fresh Surprise
No full textThe well-known bar instability of rotationally-supported disk galaxy models has been studied extensively since its first discovery over half a century ago. We were therefore very surprised to find cases of disks embedded in rigid halos, which on the basis of widely-cited criteria should be unstable, that appeared to be robustly stable. Here we show that the unstable bar mode in such simulations was being suppressed by changes to the disk caused by other instabilities having higher angular symmetry that were the first to saturate. Although this may seem like a promising solution to the long-standing puzzle presented by the apparent stability of real disk galaxies, we also show that instability is restored in the same models when the rigid halo is replaced by a live population of particles, where the usual stability conditions apply. Our study has been confined to a narrow range of models, and we cannot therefore exclude the possibility that mode interference may be able to prevent bar formation in other models having live halos
The Effect of Different Incline Angles on the Neuromuscular Activation of the Clavicular Head of the Pectoralis Major Muscle During the Barbell Incline Bench Press Exercise
No full textThe bench press is one of the most commonly performed exercises targetingthe Pectoralis Major (PM) muscle. However, different inclination degreesof this exercise engage different parts of the muscle. This study aimed toanalyze the effect of different incline angles on the neuromuscular activationof the clavicular head of the PM muscle performed on a barbell inclinebench press. Twenty young males volunteered to perform 8 repetitions of thebarbell incline bench press at 60% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM)at incline angles of 20°, 32°, and 43°. The neuromuscular activation of thePM muscle was recorded via electromyography during the concentric phaseof the movement. The root mean square (in mV) was calculated for eachrepetition and averaged for each angle. The data obtained were analyzedusing a repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc corrections(α=0.017) to evaluate differences between the angles. The root meansquare (in mV) at 20° (0.59±0.29 mV) was statistically significantly lower[F (2,18)=5.55, p=0.013,η2=0.381] compared to 32° (0.64±0.32 mV)and 43° (0.66±0.34 mV) (p 0.05). Performing the incline barbell bench press at an angleabove 32° can lead to significantly higher neuromuscular activation of theclavicular head of the PM muscle, with 43° being the most beneficial
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABLE FDI: TRENDS, CHALLENGES, AND STRATEGIC PATHWAYS IN DEVELOPED, EMERGING, AND DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
No full text<p>This paper explores regional variations in the promotion of sustainable Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), focusing on developed, emerging, and developing economies. Sustainable FDI, which aligns profitability with environmental and social objectives, is reshaping investment landscapes across the globe. Developed economies demonstrate strong regulatory frameworks and ESG integration, emerging markets show promise through demographic-driven demand and infrastructural expansion, while developing countries face structural challenges despite holding vast potential. Drawing on case studies from China, Uzbekistan, Chile, and the European Union, this paper identifies key drivers, strategic sectors, barriers, and policy responses that influence the flow and effectiveness of sustainable FDI. By analysing regional disparities and commonalities, the study provides policy insights for attracting and managing sustainable FDI aligned with global development and climate agendas.</p>
An exploratory study of biceps brachii electromyographic ac-tivity during traditional dumbbell versus Bayesian cable curls
No full textAlthough previous studies have examined various factors that influence biceps brachii activation, such as grip position, load, and exercise variation, to our knowledge, no prior studies have compared muscle activation during a traditional biceps curl and a Bayesian cable curl. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the differences in biceps brachii muscle activation between these two training modalities. Data from eleven volunteers (age: 25 ± 6 y; weight: 86 ± 13 kg; height: 177 ± 8 cm) were included in the analysis. Muscle activity was assessed using the normalized root mean square (RMS) values obtained from surface electromyography (sEMG). A within-subjects, counterbalanced design was utilized where all participants completed both testing conditions in a randomized order to control for potential order effects. Participants visited the laboratory and fitness center on two occasions. On the first day, anthropometric measurements were obtained, along with one repetition maximum (1-RM) for both the dumbbell biceps curl and the Bayesian curl. On the second day, participants performed an isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), followed by electromyographic assessment of muscle activity during the dumbbell biceps curl and the Bayesian curl, each performed at 80% of their respective 1-RM. When the normal distribution was confirmed via the Shapiro–Wilk test (p > 0.05), a paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. On the other hand, when normality was not confirmed, the Wilcoxon test was utilized. Statistically significant differences (p = 0.003) were observed in the EMG amplitude (%) between the biceps curl (111.46 ± 26.80) and the Bayesian curl (93.39 ± 15.65) with a large effect size (d = 0.82). Based on the EMG analysis, the dumbbell biceps curl elicited significantly greater muscle activation compared to the Bayesian curl, suggesting that the conventional movement places a higher mechanical and neuromuscular demand on the biceps brachii
Content Validity Testing of a Nurse-Led Pediatric Dysphagia Screening Tool for Acute and Critical Care Settings Using eDelphi Methodology
No full textHighlights: What are the main findings? Eight clinical presentations, three oral trial elements, three oral trial protocols, and fourteen signs suggestive of oropharyngeal dysphagia were agreed on by panelists and the steering group to include in the novel Children’s Oral Feeding Screener (COFS) tool. The COFS is positioned as one of the first nurse-led pediatric dysphagia screening tools designed broadly for all children admitted to acute and/or critical care settings, which contains a structured fluid oral trial component spanning typical pediatric intake methods. What is the implication of the main finding? Initial content validity for three components of the COFS (red flags, oral trial elements/protocols, and observable signs of dysphagia) for use in children admitted to acute and/or critical care hospital settings has been developed through this eDelphi process. Further psychometric testing of the construct validity, sensitivity/specificity, inter-rater reliability, and feasibility of this tool in these settings remains to be established in future studies. Abstract: Background: Pediatric oropharyngeal dysphagia screening protocols remain limited in acute and critical care settings due to the lack of psychometrically valid and reliable tools. Objectives: The eDelphi methodology was employed to establish content validity for the Children’s Oral Feeding Screener (COFS), a novel, nurse-led oropharyngeal dysphagia screening tool for hospitalized children in acute and critical care (0–16 years). Methods: The two-round eDelphi study was completed using Qualtrics®. A multidisciplinary, international steering-group guided tool conceptualization, elements for rating in the eDelphi, and oversaw consensus decisions. Experienced speech pathologists in pediatric acute and/or critical care were invited as panelists and rated tool content regarding (a) clinical presentations requiring immediate referral for dysphagia assessment; (b) oral trial component/s; and (c) signs observed during oral trials suggesting dysphagia. Items were rated on a 10-point Likert scale, and panelists could give open-ended feedback. Items not reaching pre-defined consensus (>75%) were re-presented in round two. Results: Fifty panelists participated in round one and 41 in round two, primarily from Australia (n = 19; 46%) and the United Kingdom (n = 13; 34%). Half (n = 22; 54%) had >10 years’ experience. Based on consensus scores, panelists’ qualitative feedback, and steering group decision, final items included eight clinical presentations, three oral trial elements (cup, bottle, breastfeeding) with three associated oral trial protocols, and fourteen signs suggestive of dysphagia. Other feedback led to changes to headings and the format of the COFS layout. Conclusions: Content validity for items in the three components of the COFS was established. Further work is now required to explore other psychometric properties (construct validity, sensitivity/specificity, and feasibility) in clinical settings
Development of a New Intelligent Algorithm to Improve Autonomous Car Operation
No full textAutonomous Driving Systems (ADS) are transforming modern transportation by enabling safer, more efficient vehicle operation. Among their core components, local path planning
remains a significant challenge due to the need for optimal navigation decisions in complex environments while balancing safety, smoothness, and computational efficiency. Existing methods suffer several drawbacks, including generating non-smooth paths, vulnerability to local minima, reliance on static parameters, random exhaustive search behaviours, and poor balance between exploration (searching new areas) and exploitation (refining known areas). This thesis aims to enhance local path planning and real-time vehicle control through a unified, optimisation-driven methodology. A novel algorithm, Dynamic eXplorative Multi-Operator Differential Evolution (DXMODE), is proposed to overcome the drawbacks of current optimisation methods. For path planning, DXMODE uniquely integrates optimisation, reinforcement learning, and interpolation techniques to improve path smoothness and consistency across repeated runs. In parallel, two additional algorithms are developed to enable real-time PID tuning of speed and steering control. The methodology is implemented within a modular architecture using the Robot Operating System (ROS), integrating all system components in a hardware-independent architecture. It is validated on two vehicle prototypes: a four-wheel differential drive platform and an Ackermann personal mobility scooter.
Comprehensive validation is conducted across 50 simulated path-planning scenarios, 64 standard optimisation benchmarks from the Congress on Evolutionary Computation
(CEC), and six real-world driving scenarios. Compared to 22 state-of-the-art algorithms and previous CEC winners, DXMODE consistently achieves top performance with a 100%
ranking score, producing minimal median path lengths and collision-free trajectories. Control response validation further confirms the framework’s reliability: the DC motor speed control achieves an 86.11% reduction in overshoot and a 34.83% decrease in settling time, while the steering control yields a 93% improvement in settling time with zero overshoot and no steady-state error. These results establish the proposed optimisation and ADS framework as a comprehensive, high-performance solution for autonomous vehicle navigation and broader intelligent systems
Expanded endonasal resection of heavily calcified skull base chondrosarcoma with lateral displacement of the internal carotid artery
No full textBALANCING THE DOUGHNUT: A NEW PARADIGM FOR SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES THROUGH STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
No full textThis study explores the integration of Doughnut Economics with Stakeholder Theory and Legitimacy Theory to create a sustainable business framework. The primary objective is to demonstrate how this hybrid model can facilitate corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate governance (CG) practices that align with both social needs and ecological limits. Utilizing qualitative case analysis, the research examines best practices from companies such as Patagonia and Interface. Patagonia’s commitment to ethical sourcing and community welfare illustrates how businesses can meet the expectations of multiple stakeholders, while Interface’s transformation towards sustainability highlights a practical application of the doughnut model. Methodologically, this study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining theoretical analysis with real-world case studies. The research first outlines the foundational concepts of Doughnut Economics, which juxtaposes humanity’s social foundation against planetary boundaries. It then intertwines this conceptual model with Stakeholder Theory, which emphasizes a corporation's role in addressing the needs of various stakeholders beyond mere profit generation. Furthermore, Legitimacy Theory is introduced to assert that a company’s visibility and long-term viability depend on its ability to harmonize stakeholder expectations with ethical practices. The findings reveal a compelling case for integrating these frameworks to foster systemic change in business operations. Both case studies demonstrate that companies not only enhanced their reputations through proactive stakeholder engagement but also achieved significant financial benefits, thereby proving that sustainable practices can result in economic viability. In conclusion, this research suggests that embedding the principles of Doughnut Economics into CSR and CG frameworks enables organizations to address pressing social and environmental issues while creating long-term shareholder value. By encouraging firms to prioritize ethical sourcing, diversity, and responsible governance, this paradigm shift paves the way for a more equitable and sustainable business landscape