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Reflection on career readiness: Authentic assessment
No full textReflection on career readiness as an example of authentic assessmentN/
Management of intraspecific aggression in two bull giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. rothschildi)
Get PDFMaintaining non-breeding individuals in zoological collections may sometimes necessitate housing bachelor groups. In turn, intact cohabiting males may express increased intraspecific agonistic behaviors and management intervention may be indicated. Where castration is deemed inappropriate (e.g., future breeding, or anesthesia and surgery-related risk), the immune-contraceptive gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is increasingly used as an alternative. When intraspecific aggression (sparring) in two bull giraffes housed as a bachelor pair at Knowsley Safari, UK, escalated in frequency and intensity (despite management interventions), further mediation was warranted to moderate sparring behaviors. The EEP recommendation was for one giraffe, the (slightly) older, outwardly mature (darker, strong musth) individual, to be treated with the GnRH vaccine Improvac® (Zoetis, USA). To gauge the efficacy of vaccination, behavioral observations were conducted during each vaccination Phase to identify changes in the frequency of sparring behaviors. In addition, fecal samples were collected by keepers and sent to Chester Zoo's Endocrine Diagnostic Laboratory for analysis to compare androgen levels between the pre- and post-vaccination Phases. Testicular atrophy was investigated using both visual inspection and photographic images. The GnRH vaccine Improvac® initially appeared to be associated with reduced aggressive behaviors in the two bull giraffes. Sparring behaviors decreased in frequency after each vaccination Phase, although these did not significantly diminish until Phase 4. Physiological markers were inconclusive as testosterone concentrations varied throughout the Phases, although levels remained low after the fourth vaccination Phase. Approximately eight months following the initial vaccination with Improvac®, the unvaccinated bull exhibited heightened aggression, resulting in physical aggression and injury to the vaccinated bull. As a result, both bulls are now on an Improvac® vaccination schedule which has enabled them to remain housed together as a bachelor pair.unfunde
New ideas: Helping new stories take root
No full text© This article was published in Therapy Today, the journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/therapy-today/An introduction to the therapeutic creative methodology, Tree of Life, which originated in narrative therapy and was created by Ncazelo-Ncube-Mlilo and David Denborough. The article outlines the approach, and the author then describes her own experience using it with groups, which include type 1 diabetes, women in prison, students and lecturers. She also considers its use with individual clients. She shows the nurturing safety of the approach but also its immense potential for personal growth, but stresses the importance of recognising and honouring its roots steeped in South African community and tradition.Unfunde
Stronger Faster Shorter: Flash Fictions [Kindle Edition]
No full textThis book is not available on ChesterRep.A cricket team’s youthful scorer has ‘lovely white knees’ and ‘delicate’ ears, but something inside him is wrong. A lad called Dewhurst likes to ‘bow down before the cows’. Frank has become allergic to his pigeons. At a university open day, a prospective student plays toilet tennis. A cub reporter for a local newspaper meets Cheese Horn and Wolftoucher at a CB Radio gathering. On a bus, there’s Sean, who has a mysterious ‘island-chain of burns stretching over face, scalp and neck’.
Swann’s flashes are humorous, tender, and profound. One of his characters would say that the collection is ‘pearling’ and ‘ace’.N/
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No full textThis book chapter is not available on ChesterRepCase studies from Brazil explore the evolution of engagement of citizens and society in flood risk assessment through three frameworks that include social aspects of risk. Such assessment requires in-depth multifaceted understanding of the complexity associated with physical factors such as depth, intensity and frequency coupled with societal interaction with reference to social memory, perception, management and adaptation. It is proposed that despite increased complexity, these assessments may be more accurate and promote risk reduction. The case studies (for events in 2015, 2018 and 2022) used different methods of interpretation. They highlight the importance of experience, of social memory and of full participation on risk response, including research around citizen science using social media data to fill gaps in hydrological datasets. The case studies exemplify some of the innovative and non-traditional complementary ways of data collection, analysis and interpretation for including human dimension of flood risk assessment.Unfunde
Individuals' attitudes and their adoption intentions of central bank digital currency: Combining theories and analytics for deeper insights
No full textLeveraging a multi-theoretical and multi-method approach, this study investigated the factors influencing individuals' attitudes and intentions towards adopting central bank digital currency (CBDC). Data from Nigeria, a pioneering CBDC nation, were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling, which revealed that affordance-based positive valences, including seamless transactions, time convenience, and the societal positive valence of financial inclusion, are the strongest predictors of positive attitudes and, subsequently, usage intentions. Perceived financial cost emerged as the most significant barrier. Lifestyle compatibility demonstrated a moderate positive association with attitude. Further, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis identified four necessary conditions for high usage intentions: seamless transactions, trust in the central bank, positive attitude, and the societal positive valence of financial inclusion. Additionally, six alternative configurations sufficient for high usage intentions were also revealed. These findings offer valuable insights for both theoretical research and policymakers, informing strategies to facilitate early CBDC adoption.Unfunde
Brief observation of symptoms of autism (BOSA): an alternative or replacement to autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS)
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in many areas
of healthcare, such as a shift to telehealth models. This has created challenges for families with children awaiting autistic spectrum disorder evaluations. The Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism (BOSA) was developed as a novel method to ensure that service users referred to services could still take part in structured observations during autism assessments in the pandemic. A service user was offered a BOSA when a clinician could not administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–Second Edition (ADOS-2) due to COVID-19 precautions. The designers of the ADOS-2 felt that it was not designed to be used for video assessments and that its sensitivity would be significantly affected in face-to-face assessments with face covers. This paper aims to highlight some advantages and disadvantages of BOSA. Four cases were studied in a BOSA clinic, half of whom met the threshold of autism spectrum disorder based on scoring of ADOS-2 after BOSA assessment. It was found that BOSA, just like ADOS-2, allows health professionals to observe indicators of autism reliably while maintaining social distance. It is a time-efficient measure, as unlike ADOS-2, which takes about 45 minutes to be administered, it takes much less time (around 15 minutes). While the sample size is low, the issues identified may be taken forward in future studies.Unfunde
Contextualising influential thought leaders and online learning communities in social media: A case of the gamification and serious games community
No full textThis thesis aims to address the need for studies examining gamification as a community, particularly in the context of online learning communities. The growing influence of online learning communities in shaping nascent academic subjects calls for an understanding of the role of online influencers in their development. However, existing research lacks objectivity in identifying and assessing thought leaders and influencers within these communities. This research seeks to fill this gap by investigating an effective model for identifying and assessing influential thought leaders on social media platforms. The study utilizes a two-stage process that focuses on the social connections between accounts on Twitter. A Python program was developed to engage with Twitter's Application Programming Interface (API) for data collection. Social Network Analysis (SNA) is employed to query the network and measure levels of influence.
The results indicate that the influence of Influential Thought Leaders within the community outweighs the social influence held by Social Media Influencers and celebrity accounts. Furthermore, the two-stage process developed in this thesis yielded a set of knowledgeable and subject-relevant accounts generated from a small initial sample and produced objectively. PageRank measurements further reveal that academic accounts exert more influence within this community compared to business or generic accounts.
This thesis presents a new conceptual model called the Community of Development to address a theoretical shortfall. This model allows for an active online learning community with social and cognitive presence without the authoritative teaching presence observed in other frameworks such as the Community of Inquiry. The integration of gamification within the Community of Development framework contributes to the ongoing development of this subject area within academia. Furthermore, developing the Influential Thought Leader (ITL) concept addresses the gap in understanding online influencers. By recognizing the unique characteristics of influential thought leaders within the niche community, the research challenges the commercial and marketing-focused lens through which most influencer research has been conducted. This conceptualization expands our understanding of online influence and the dynamics of niche interest communities.
The practical application of the research findings allows for the creation of a reliable and balanced "who to follow" listing for newcomers to the gamification community, as well as other online interest groups that function as Communities of Development. These results have implications for Social Network research, particularly for analyzing entire social networks or using small samples to explore the entire network.
Understanding the dynamics of online influence is vital in marketing, especially in influencer marketing on social media. By identifying influential thought leaders within interest-based communities, marketers can find better fits for their brands and products, potentially yielding greater impact and influence within specific interest areas. This perspective offers a cost-effective and risk-mitigating strategy compared to seeking influencers with a larger general following.
Overall, this thesis provides theoretical and practical contributions to the study of online learning communities, influencer marketing, and brand marketing on social media. The conceptual framework, combined with the objective approach for identifying influential thought leaders, can enhance our understanding of the dynamics of online influence and improve networking strategies within interest-based communities
Arcade Britannia
No full textThree-person exhibition titled Arcade Britannia at the Daphne Oram Gallery, Canterbury Christchurch University (6 March - 21 April, 2023).
Stephen Clarke’s contribution: exhibition development; twenty black&white photographic prints of the seaside resorts of Blackpool and Rhyl; display of Stephen Clarke’s photozine titled Blackpool 1980s - 1990s (2023) published by Café Royal Books; text panel; short article for Canterbury Christ Church University blog titled Change Always Given: Holidays and Slot Machines (posted 4 April, 2023); presentation of photographic work to an audience online with Alan Meades and Rob Ball (19 April 2023); attendance at public ‘meet the photographer’ event at Daphne Oram Gallery, Canterbury Christ Church University (22 April 2023). The photozine Blackpool 1980s - 1990s (2023: CRB) was available for sale in the University Bookshop.An exhibition looking at the amusement arcade in British popular culture. It was proposed by Dr Alan Meades (Canterbury Christ Church University), author of a history of the British arcade from the 1800s to the present: Arcade Britannia (2022, MIT Press). The exhibition was developed by Alan Meades, Rob Ball (Canterbury Christ Church University) and Stephen Clarke. Clarke contributed twenty black&white photographs taken in the 1980s and 1990s of the seaside resorts of Blackpool and Rhyl. These photographs are part of his ongoing project about the British seaside. Many of the prints included were being exhibited for the first time; some works had been previously published by Café Royal Books
Novel lactoferrin-conjugated gallium complex to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound infection
Get PDFPseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of opportunistic infections such as chronic wound infection that could lead to multiple organ failure and death. Gallium (Ga3+) ions are known to inhibit P. aeruginosa growth and biofilm formation but require carrier for localized controlled delivery. Lactoferrin (LTf), a two-lobed protein, can deliver Ga3+ at sites of infection. This study aimed to develop a Ga-LTf complex for the treatment of wound infection. The characterisation of the Ga-LTf complex was conducted using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Infra-Red (FTIR) and Inductive Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The antibacterial activity was assessed by agar disc diffusion, liquid broth and biofilm inhibition assays using the colony forming units (CFUs). The healing capacity and biocompatibility were evaluated using a P.aeruginosa infected wound in a rat model. DSC analyses showed thermal transition consistent with apo-lactoferrin; FTIR confirmed the complexation of gallium to lactoferrin. ICP-OES confirmed the controlled local delivery of Ga3+. Ga-LTf showed a 0.57 log10 CFUs reduction at 24 h compared with untreated control in planktonic liquid broth assay. Ga-LTf showed the highest antibiofilm activity with a 2.24 log10 CFUs reduction at 24 h. Furthermore, Ga-LTf complex is biocompatible without any adverse effect on brain, kidney, liver and spleen of rats tested in this study. Ga-LTf can be potentially promising novel therapeutic agent to treat pathogenic bacterial infections
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