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'They are my tribe': How a self-organising women's group built a sisterhood that improved wellbeing and increased social connectedness
No full textExploring intrinsic distribution of phytoplankton relative abundance and biomass in combination with continental-scale field investigation and microcosm experiment
No full textExploring the cognitive processes of both Arabic and English-speaking patients when completing the brief pain inventory: A qualitative study
Get PDFBackground: Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) is one of the most commonly used self-initiated questionnaire for people with chronic pain. Although the questionnaire has been translated into multiple different languages and tested for its inter-tester reliability, no study has currently explored the differences in interpretation of this questionnaire between non-English speakers as compared to English-speakers. Purpose: Using the Arabic-language group as the comparator, this study explored the interpretation of the English and Arabic language Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) among participants living with chronic neuromusculoskeletal pain from Arabic- and English-speaking backgrounds. Methods: This qualitative study utilises the Think Aloud method to explore the differences in the interpretation of the BPI between two language groups. Consecutive consenting adults attending a tertiary pain clinic for management of a chronic neuromusculoskeletal pain condition and self-identifying with a native English-speaking (n = 15) or Arabic-speaking (n = 15) background were included. Structured interviews using the think-aloud method were conducted, audio-recorded and analysed using coding and thematic analysis. Results: Interpretation errors across three or more questions were recorded for all Arabic-speaking participants and two English-speaking participants. Three themes characterised appraisals of pain and interpretation of the BPI across the two cohorts: 1) pain constancy vs. variability, 2) the ability-disability spectrum and 3) variance in expression of pain. Conclusion: Cross-cultural differences in the appraisal of pain influenced participants' interpretation of the BPI. The cultural influences on conceptualisation of pain need to be considered when using the BPI across different cultures
Belonging in remote higher education classrooms: The dynamic interaction of intensive modes of learning and arts-based pedagogies
Get PDFIn this paper, the authors explore the conditions that support belonging in remote VU Block Model® teaching. They examine the role of arts-based, embodied pedagogy in promoting engagement in learning, connection between students, and between students and teachers, and in an environment in which vulnerability and risk-taking in learning is valued. A discussion of belonging in higher education and the practice of embodied learning is followed by the reflections of seven participants. These participants were students in a remotely taught, arts-based higher education block unit, which had been mindfully adapted to retain the embodied nature of delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. After students’ participation in focus group interviews, the lead author constructed found poetry from their comments and reflections. This found poetry forms the dataset through which the questions of belonging are explored. The researchers found that when explored through the lens of the Community of Inquiry Framework, embodied and arts-based practices provided opportunities for students to develop a sense of belonging, deepen understanding of lived experiences, and realise higher education and career goals. This study elevates the voices of students, providing opportunities for higher education teachers to consider the importance of belonging for student success in remote, intensive, and on-campus modes of delivery
A Review on the Effects of Waste Textile Polymer Fiber on Concrete Strength: Exploring the Key Parameters
No full textThe construction industry is one of the largest users of natural resources and can, thus, lead to significant environmental issues. Therefore, there is elevated interest worldwide in developing sustainable construction materials and techniques that can reduce these associated environmental impacts. In this context, one substantial area of focus is the incorporation of textile waste in construction materials, such as concrete. Textile waste is generated in large quantities from the production stage through to the consumption and end-of-life disposal periods. Hence, it is prudent to devise effective ways of recycling this waste, which can, in turn, reduce the environmental implications of textile production and cut down the quantity of waste sent to landfills. Furthermore, fibers obtained from recycled textile waste can be used to reinforce concrete, thus replacing the need for synthetic fibers. This review focuses on the use and effects of incorporating polymer fibers from recycled textile waste in concrete and the use of textile polymer fiber in the construction of various structures, and challenges in the use of recycled fibers in concrete and the parameters affecting the resultant strength of concrete structures, such as stress transfer, crack control, bond strength, and spalling, etc., are discussed
Leak and Burst Detection in Water Distribution Network Using Logic- and Machine Learning-Based Approaches
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Delineating the contribution of ageing and physical activity to changes in mitochondrial characteristics across the lifespan
No full textMorphology engineering of nanofibrous poly(acrylonitrile)-based strong anion exchange membranes for enhanced protein adsorption and recovery
No full textThe (bio)pharmaceutical and food industries are transitioning towards circular economy to minimise waste and foster sustainability in the supply chain of biomolecule-based drugs and supplements. Membrane chromatography is expected to play a crucial role in this transition, with the potential to maximize recovery and reduce operating costs. The development of chromatographical membranes is however impeded by the lack of understanding on the membrane structure – chemistry – performance relationship. Here a one-pot synthesis of anion exchange membranes with engineered nanofibrous morphology was studied by electrospinning the blend of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and tailored quaternized poly(acrylonitrile)-co-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate) copolymer containing 15 mol% of functional groups, namely PAN-pAQ membranes. Comprehensive evaluations were conducted on the influence of the electrospinning parameters on the nanofibre morphology, surface properties and binding capacity of model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). The fibre alignment was shown to play a significant role, i.e., membrane with anisotropic fibres obtained by increasing the drum rotational speed to 2000 rpm allowed a high BSA binding capacity of 166 mg∙g−1, i.e., 45–66 % higher than other membranes with randomly-oriented nanofibres. This study is expected to contribute towards the design of future membranes for effective purification and recovery of biomolecules from natural and waste streams, promoting circular bio-economy
