OARS - Open Access Repository Suffolk
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Submission of written evidence to the children's wellbeing and schools bill committee. Subject: Addressing the vulnerability of looked after children to criminal exploitation and the risks of unregulated care homes and lodgings
No full textBeing Margin: Orford Ness-ness
No full textThis is a short essay written to accompany an exhibition of Jevan Watkins Jones' works in Orford
Omnivorous diets of Sympatric Duck species in a Subtropical East Asia wetland unveiled by multi‐marker DNA metabarcoding
Full text linkThe East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF) is experiencing notable population declines in its migratory waterbird species. Understanding the foraging ecology of these waterbirds, including ducks, is crucial for monitoring and safeguarding their food sources and wetland habitats. Here, we used a DNA metabarcoding approach to analyze fecal DNA from duck species to elucidate their dietary composition during the wintering period in a subtropical East Asian wetland. By employing multiple markers (18S, COI, and trnL) targeting different taxonomic groups and levels, we offered a comprehensive dietary analysis for omnivores that consume both plants and animals. We revealed the dietary compositions of common migratory duck species and their intraspecific and interspecific dietary variations. While ducks are generally known to be omnivorous, Anas crecca (green‐winged teal) had a more specialized diet and was primarily herbivorous throughout winter. In contrast, the sympatric Mareca penelope (Eurasian wigeon) and Spatula clypeata (northern shoveler) exhibited more omnivorous foraging behaviors. Moreover, A. crecca displayed less dietary variation among samples, while samples of M. penelope and S. clypeata were highly variable in their compositions. Comparing our results with those of studies conducted in different regions, we found that the dietary compositions of these duck species varied to different degrees across geographic locations. This variation underscores the flexibility of these duck species in their diets and their adaptable foraging strategies. Our findings also indicate that grasslands rich in herbaceous plants and aquatic environments abundant with small aquatic invertebrates are vital foraging habitats for duck species during their winter period
A novel approach based on quantum key distribution using BB84 and E91 protocol for resilient encryption and eavesdropper detection
Full text linkQuantum cryptography is anticipated to drive substantial advancements in cybersecurity. The impending arrival of quantum cryptography compromises current encryption methods, possibly compromising the effectiveness of traditional key management-based security protocols. One fundamental Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol, BB84, encounters challenges when operating with fewer Quantum bits (Qubits) and bases that only support up to 8 Qubits. This limitation weakens the system’s security, making brute force, intercept, and resend attacks less challenging. Consequently, this study proposes a method to enhance the security of the BB84 protocol, to reduce susceptibility to attacks and eavesdropping. The improved BB84 protocol utilizes 9, 12, and 16 quantum bits along with two, and three bases to significantly bolster security. This allows authorized parties to eliminate the use of compromised keys. Additionally, the study implements the E91 QKD protocol utilizing the Entanglement Pair Generation (EPR) method to produce secure keys. While the existing E91 protocol ensures security through Bell’s theorem and Bell’s inequality, it overlooks the impact of noise, leading to inaccuracies in eavesdropper detection. To address this, the study introduces an additional security measure. Whenever an eavesdropper attempts to measure the quantum state, the proposed E91 protocol collapses its state from |10⟩ to |11⟩ , setting the first Qubit to |1⟩ and the other Qubit to |0⟩ , thus providing the eavesdropper with incorrect information, accompanied by a phase angle of 15π /8. This leads to a misconception, preventing eavesdroppers from obtaining useful details about transferred quantum states. Additionally, considering that the proposed E91 protocol relies on entangled particles and utilizes double Qubit gates, which are inherently noisier than single Qubit gates and more susceptible to quantum decoherence, this stud..
Understanding domestic violence and abuse: victim, suspect and crime predictors of police outcomes
Full text linkPurpose: Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) cases remain under-reported and under-prosecuted in the criminal justice system (CJS), with researchers frequently having limited access to raw police data. Here, a range of factors relating to DVA offences occurring between 2018 and 2020 in one large English police force were described and measured. As part of the research, it was investigated if victim and suspect characteristics predicted outcome decisions, specifically charge rate, case attrition, and evidential difficulties despite victims’ support in pursuing the allegations. The number of offences meeting the DVA legal definition, and those falling outside that definition, were also explored. Methods: Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to predict the relationship between demographic information and criminal history on three coded crime outcome categories (namely, ‘charge’, ‘victim does not proceed’, and ‘law does not pursue’). Results: The dataset included 198,617 crimes, and for 94.1% of them, the suspect was not charged. Relationship type, age, crime type, and the number of victim allegations predicted all three outcomes. For instance, being partners of the victim significantly decreased the chances of a charge compared to suspects who were not partners. Conclusions: The findings are in line with evidence from the literature which highlights all-time low charge rates for DVA and high levels of victim attrition. We argue that the influence of victim/suspect characteristics and DVA-related dynamics should be considered by police personnel and members of the CJS when assessing crime reports
Interview on BBC 5 Live re: Shakespeare
No full textInterview with Laura McGhie on BBC 5 Live about what makes Shakespeare worth studying and performing today
Understanding police capacity issues in sex offence investigations, and considering a team approach as a solution to (some of) these challenges
Full text linkPurpose: Only a small proportion of reported incidents of rape and serious sex offences (RASSO) are fully investigated and prosecuted in England and Wales. Part of the problem is the lack of effective capacity for the completion of effective investigations. The purpose of this paper was to identify the challenges of meeting this demand and explore whether a team-based solution can address some of the issues.
Design/methodology/approach: The research used multiple datasets collected during Operation Soteria Bluestone to establish the capacity challenges in RASSO investigations. Case review analysis and interviews with investigators provided further qualitative evidence.
Findings: The findings show that policing’s inability to cope with fluctuations in demand contribute to the lack of completion of investigations. Capacity issues result in the lack of completion of basic investigative actions, the lack of appropriate and satisfactory levels of communication with victims, and negative effects on officers including being detrimental to their wellbeing. The article explores how a team approach to investigating RASSO could create resilience and better continuity, especially in relation to victim support. However, there also needs to be sufficient effective capacity in the system to meet demand which can be seen to fluctuate widely over the medium term.
Practical Implications: The work identifies two key decisions for police forces. First, it is essential that the resources provided generate the effective capacity that is capable of meeting demand over time. Second, a team-based approach, if adopted, could increase the resilience in the system and improve support for victims.
Originality: This is the first study that demonstrates the psychological and operational challenges related to capacity within RASSO policing, and the potential impact of team working on RASSO investigations
(De-)bordering children’s agency
Full text linkChildren’s agency is inextricably linked to dominant, ‘western’ conceptualisations of human rights, and remains predominantly representative of northern childhood(s) with wanting imagination about its wider sociopolitical contexts (Wall, 2017; Leibel, 2020). Despite this, and the growing recognition of its significance, iterations of children’s agency centre primarily on children as social actors, often obfuscating its economic, material, democratic or political renderings. Children’s social agency, itself, continues to be encumbered by social stratifications and hierarchies, notions of citizenship and politics of governance. The repercussions of bordering agency to suit ‘adultist’, paternalistic or northern priorities can result in its fetishisation (Spyrou et al., 2018) and exclude southern children’s agency thus distort knowledge-making.
The multiple lives of children in the postcolonies - beyond innocence, protectionism and individualism – inform on the diverse ways in which children address, exercise or negotiate their agency (Cavazzoni and Veronese, 2020; Abebe, 2019; Balagopalan, 2019a; Twum-Danso, 2013). This article, then, seeks to decentre conceptualisations of agency. Thus, it draws on research with the indigenous Hill Sabar communities of Jharkhand, India, framed by postcolonial underpinnings. While the study observed children and young people’s (CYP) agency in wide-ranging matters that shaped their sociocultural, material, historical, spatial, structural and discursive realities, here, the focus remains on their familial, social and political agency. Findings reveal how within ‘collectivist’ communities CYP often enact their agency relationally and reciprocally. They foreground the assemblages of agency that Hill Sabar CYP navigate, adopt and negotiate, intergenerationally, communally and regionally. In response, the article proposes a de-bordering of children’s agency to move beyond the siloed, individualist, adultist and northern approaches that constrict it. This, the paper notes, can offer radical sites for interrogation or ‘new’ insights to attend to its under-theorisation, and perhaps ‘free’ the concept (Durham, 2008) by ‘diversifying’ dialogue and research on agency
Educator experiences of intensive and blended teaching andragogy in UK higher education
Full text linkAbstract
Significant shifts in the higher education sector during 2020 required the adoption of flexible learning modalities. In response, the University of Suffolk implemented a blended learning approach, incorporating both online and face‐to‐face delivery. Notably, the university became the first UK higher education institution to implement an intensive delivery mode for undergraduate courses. We employed qualitative thematic analysis to explore the lived experiences of eight psychology educators through two focus groups, focusing on intensive and blended teaching andragogy. Our findings reveal that intensive delivery positively influences both learners and educators by enhancing knowledge focus and providing rapid, actionable feedback. However, it also presents challenges, such as increased time constraints, limited accessibility, and negative effects on wellbeing and skill development. Similarly, blended approaches yielded mixed outcomes: while it improves educator wellbeing, flexibility and inclusivity, it can also reduce learner social wellbeing and engagement. We offer several recommendations for institutions considering a move to intensive delivery, emphasising the importance of addressing the challenges. However, as our findings are limited to the educators' perspectives, we advocate for future research incorporating learner experiences through both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Context and implications
Rationale for this study : Due to a lack of focus from educators' perspectives, this UK study explores educators' experiences and evaluation of blended and intensive learning.
Why the new findings matter : Findings reveal the importance of educator experiences in blended and intensive teaching models for educators and learners, emphasising the need for well‐considered andragogies that support engagement, adaptability and outcomes.
Implications for educational institutions, policymakers, educators and learners : The research informs UK higher education institutions in evaluating and refining teaching structures to align with course requirements and learner needs. Insights can guide institutions in adopting evidence‐based best practices to enhance student learning experiences and educator effectiveness. Additionally, findings can guide policymakers in developing appropriate teaching delivery strategies for diverse learners and educators. Well‐considered andragogy may also benefit prospective and current learners by fostering engagement, social connectedness, and supporting better learning outcomes. Institutions can use these findings to implement adaptive teaching models that improve flexibility, accessibility, and overall educational quality, ensuring a more effective and inclusive higher education environment
Duplexing filtering antenna for wireless communication systems
Full text linkThe duplexer and antenna are vital components in the communication infrastructures such as satellites, base stations, synthetic aperture radars, etc. Traditionally, the duplexers and the antennas are separately designed before being cascaded into a system by impedance matching circuit. This technique leads to a larger size system and reduced performance as one or more of the components deteriorate. To avoid low performance in the system, an integrated duplexer and antenna can be used. This is a situation where the duplexer and the antenna are co-designed. The integration results in a less complex system as the feeding/matching circuits are no longer required and are replaced by a filter/duplexer. At this stage, the antenna acts as a resonator with radiating characteristics to the filter/duplexer resulting in response with low insertion loss and sharp skirts leading to good guard bands