110830 research outputs found
Sort by
The Heavie Hand of Heaven : Providence and News in Early Modern Ballads
No full textThis article overturns the assumption that early modern ballads include too much godly, moralising content to be considered part of news culture. It uses a wide range of sixteenth and seventeenth century English ballads in print and manuscript to demonstrate that not only did the news ballad exist as a distinct genre of song, one of its most significant features was the inclusion of Providence – the ongoing supernatural workings of God in the material world. By placing these songs in the context of other genres cheap print and drawing on research into the role of religion in everyday life, the article shows that rather than undermining the ballad’s role in news culture, providence in fact defined it. Moreover, the distinction made in early modern England between Universal Providence (God’s overall plan for the world) and Particular Providence (specific examples of his intervention in earthly affairs) helps to subdivide the news ballad genre. First, there are those which use Universal Providence as an editorial line to shape responses to the news. Second, there are ballads in which Particular Providence itself provides the story. This second type of song contains few details of the event but expounds the moral implications of the story. They have traditionally been seen as godly rather than newsy. Understanding Particular Providence helps us to see that even those ballads which have been dismissed as more moralistic than topical in fact told people the most important news they could possibly hear
‘Gosh, this job is so hard!’ : Exploring social workers’ experiences of mental capacity assessment using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)
No full textThe Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is the legislative framework which allows professionals in England and Wales to act on behalf of people assessed as lacking mental capacity to make a specific decision. The validity of the assessment process under the act is predicated on the ability of the assessor to accurately empathize in order to understand the way in which the assessed person makes decisions. The human rights implications of the implementation of the law make it important to explore how social workers experience their role as capacity assessors. There is, however, research into the experiences of both social workers and the people they assess. This article describes findings from a study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the way in which a small sample of six social workers employed by local authorities in Northwest England experienced intersubjectivity during assessment. Findings support an understanding of capacity assessment as a situated, embodied activity that operates through the working relationship of assessor and assessed. This has implications for both social work training and practice. Further research is required to include perspectives from lived experience and to explore factors that facilitate communication within the assessment process
THE ATACAMA COSMOLOGY TELESCOPE: DR6 SUNYAEV-ZEL’DOVICH SELECTED GALAXY CLUSTERS CATALOG
No full textDeveloping IoT-Based Rehabilitation Frameworks : A Mixed-Methods Study with Healthcare Professionals, Stroke Survivors, and Design Experts
No full textThis thesis investigates the potential role of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in post-stroke rehabilitation through a design research lens, focusing on perceived benefits, challenges, and resulting design implications. Stroke rehabilitation requires continuous, personalised care, which traditional models often struggle to deliver due to limited accessibility, reliance on in-person sessions, and the absence of real-time feedback. Reflecting my dual positionality as a design researcher with a clinical background in physiotherapy, the study adopts a human-centred approach to bridging the gap between clinical needs and design implementation. A mixed-methods design was employed, structured around five sequential phases: (1) an international online survey with healthcare professionals (n=67); (2) a primary participatory workshop with stroke survivors exploring foundational usability (n=18); (3) a secondary participatory workshop in the same location investigating advanced personalisation (n=18); (4) a validation study with healthcare practitioners (n=18); and (5) expert interviews with design researchers (n=4) to critique and refine the findings from a disciplinary perspective. The qualitative data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis to ensure a rigorous, iterative interpretation of stakeholder and expert discourses. Findings indicate that IoT is perceived as offering considerable potential to support rehabilitation by enabling remote monitoring, personalised treatment, and improved access for underserved populations. The primary contribution of this work to the field of Design is the articulation of a Four-Principle Framework: Adaptive Simplicity, the Human-in-the-Loop Service Model, Configurable Data Transparency, and Contextual Motivation. These principles informed the development of 11 design-informed recommendations—translated from stakeholder insights into actionable design guidance. While the study does not provide empirical evidence of clinical effectiveness, it makes a novel contribution by synthesising the lived experiences of stakeholders with the disciplinary insights of design experts. This integration is employed specifically to generate a robust set of design-informed recommendations and a structured framework. By combining these diverse perspectives, the research bridges the gap between the theoretical potential of IoT and the practical requirements for its implementation in stroke rehabilitation. This research addresses a critical gap in design and digital health literature and provides actionable guidance for developing inclusive, scalable, and clinically relevant IoT solutions
Enhancing motivation to learn marine ecology and increase ocean literacy through virtual reality in higher education
No full textVirtual reality (VR) is increasingly recognized as a tool for enhancing engagement and motivation in education. This is particularly true where access to experiential learning is limited, as is often the case in marine ecology courses. However, the effectiveness of VR for teaching and learning in higher education is poorly understood. Here, we use the Explore experience developed by The Hydrous (nonprofit) combined with a post‐experience questionnaire to test (1) the impact of the experience on self‐reported motivation to learn, knowledge consolidation and motivation for pro‐environmental behavior (PEB); (2) the influence of small group discussion immediately after the experience (treatment) on these outcomes; and (3) whether individual motivation either to learn or for PEB could be predicted by sensory experience, cybersickness, ease of use, presence, or preference for realism. We found that undergraduate university students (n = 48) had overall positive responses to the VR experience regardless of whether they participated in a small discussion group, reporting increased motivation to learn, increased motivation for PEB and knowledge consolidation. Positive responses were predicted by positive sensory experience, with those students who reported stimulation (as opposed to overload) also experiencing the most positive outcomes in motivation and consolidation. Our study demonstrates that integrating VR into a real higher education course can enhance student motivation, support knowledge consolidation, and foster PEB. The findings align with learning theories, suggesting that VR experiences promote active engagement, intrinsic motivation, and deeper cognitive processing. Our results highlight VR's potential as an effective tool in higher education, providing insights for future VR applications not only in marine science learning but also in fostering lifelong global citizenship
Enhancing confidence, creativity, and assessment readiness in CEFR B1-B2 learners through a collaborative writing project
No full textHaving returned to teaching full-time in Higher Education after working in the voluntary sector (2014–2020), I was struck by the reticence of first-year students (post A Level equivalent) in writing freely as I prepared them for summer written examinations. Conversations indicated a fear of making grammatical mistakes, questions about improving vocabulary range and a concern about expectations at university as they transitioned from school or college. Since 2021–2022 I have therefore run a creative storytelling project, involving the coproduction of a short story by a group of 8–14 students. Writing examinations is a stressful experience for many students, elicits a range of coping strategies (Berry, K., and S. Kingswell. 2012. “An Investigation of Adult Attachment and Coping with Exam-related Stress.” British Journal of Guidance & Counselling 40 (4): 315–325) and includes specific challenges for those who did not sit examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for those with specific disabilities or learning needs. The project is designed to support formal assessment rather than be formally assessed, with an inclusive learning approach that combines Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), creative storytelling in MFL teaching, ideas from author Doris Dörrie (2019. Leben, Schreiben, Atmen: Eine Einladung zum Schreiben. Zürich: Diogenes. eBook), and immersive role-play such as Call of Cthulhu (2025. Chaosium Inc. Available Call of Cthulhu – Getting Started). This paper outlines my project design, lesson planning, delivery, observed benefits and issues to consider. It is intended as shared practice to inspire other teachers to draw from their personal gifts, skills, and capacities, all key elements of ABCD, to develop formative creative writing lessons that support and motivate students as they prepare for formal assessment
Rubisco Dark Inhibition in Angiosperms Shows a Complex Distribution Pattern
No full textCrop yields can be improved through making photosynthesis more efficient. The regulation of the CO2-fixing enzyme Rubisco during fluctuating light conditions limits productivity and is a target for improvement. Regulation in low light and darkness by accumulation of Rubisco inhibitors, predominantly via 2-carboxy-d-arabinitol 1-phosphate, has been known for over 4 decades but an explanation is still lacking for its physiological role and high variability across species. We compiled all published data for dark inhibition of Rubisco in flowering plants and investigated phylogenetic trends. Literature data for 157 species across 14 orders was compared and standardised, categorised into four dark inhibition levels, and analysed in the context of current phylogenetic information. We created a novel resource for Rubisco dark inhibition across flowering plants, highlighting clear gaps and biases in the available data, while also raising further questions on the evolution of this trait. Our work supports better understanding of the enigmatic process of photosynthetic regulation by Rubisco dark and low light inhibition and informs future efforts in enhancing photosynthesis in crops
Reframing the ideal investor through entrepreneurial experience
No full textPurpose This study examines how entrepreneurial experience shapes perceptions of the ideal investor in the technology-based sector. While previous research has primarily focused on how investors evaluate entrepreneurs, this study shifts the lens to explore how entrepreneurs assess investor attributes. It investigates how experience in securing funding and building ventures influences expectations around value-added contributions beyond financial investment. Specifically, the study explores whether experience leads entrepreneurs to adopt a more strategic and values-driven approach, placing greater emphasis on ethical alignment, expertise, and relational quality, while placing less importance on operational involvement and financial oversight. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a quantitative research design using survey data from 195 entrepreneurs in the technology-based sector. Participants were recruited through entrepreneurial and investor networks across multiple countries. The survey captured key aspects of entrepreneurial experience, including fundraising and venture development, alongside expectations of investor roles and attributes. Factor analysis identified dimensions of value-added investor support, and k-means clustering was used to group entrepreneurs based on preference profiles. Multinomial logistic regression and OLS regression analyses were conducted to examine how different types of experience influence entrepreneurs' preferences for specific investor attributes and types of support. Findings The results show that entrepreneurial experience plays a significant role in shaping expectations of investor involvement. Entrepreneurs with more experience in fundraising and venture development tend to prioritize ethical conduct, strategic input, and relational alignment over traditional factors like financial returns or past performance. They value investor support focused on strategy, networks, and governance, while placing less importance on operational or financial oversight. Cross-sector experience further reinforces a preference for strategic-driven supports. Overall, the findings suggest that experience increases entrepreneurs' confidence and selectivity, encouraging a more strategic approach to building investor relationships. Research limitations/implications This study has several limitations. First, the data were collected primarily from entrepreneurs in developed countries with well-established venture capital markets, which may limit the generalization of the findings to emerging or less mature ecosystems. Second, the target population is difficult to define precisely, given the informal and decentralized nature of entrepreneurial networks. Third, the reliance on self-reported survey data introduces the possibility of response bias. Additionally, the cross-sectional design limits the ability to draw causal inferences. Future research could benefit from longitudinal data and broader geographic representation to better capture variation across different entrepreneurial contexts. Practical implications The findings provide actionable insights for both entrepreneurs and investors. As entrepreneurs gain experience, they become more selective, favouring investors who offer strategic guidance, ethical alignment, and relational support over purely financial backing. For investors, this highlights the importance of articulating non-financial value, such as expertise, governance input, and network access, to appeal to more experienced founders. Investors who position themselves as collaborative partners rather than controllers may build stronger, longer-lasting relationships. Entrepreneurial support programs, including accelerators and incubators, can also use these insights to prepare founders to identify and engage with strategically aligned investors. Social implications This study highlights the growing importance of trust, ethical conduct, and shared values in shaping effective entrepreneurial ecosystems. As entrepreneurs gain experience, they increasingly prioritize relational quality and strategic alignment in their investor relationships. This signals a broader shift toward more collaborative, purpose-driven engagement between founders and investors. Such a shift has the potential to foster healthier power dynamics, reduce misalignment and conflict, and support the formation of long-term partnerships grounded in mutual respect and shared vision. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions around responsible entrepreneurship and the sustainability of venture growth. Originality/value This study offers a novel contribution by shifting the focus from how investors assess entrepreneurs to how entrepreneurs evaluate potential investors. It addresses an under explored area in entrepreneurial finance, particularly highlighting the role of ethical behaviour and strategic alignment in investor selection. By examining how experience shapes these expectations, the study adds to the limited literature comparing novice and experienced entrepreneurs in their interactions with external stakeholders. It advances understanding of founder–investor dynamics and offers fresh insights into how entrepreneurial learning influences decision-making in the context of venture growth and funding relationships
Associations between time spent with digital media and body image among European adolescents
Get PDFBackground: External factors, including digital media (DM), promote body ideals that can shape adolescents’ body image, but studies across European countries are scarce. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the relationship between daily DM duration and body image dissatisfaction (BID) in adolescents from nine European countries. Methods: Participants from the I.Family study self-reported daily DM duration and BID in 2013/2014 (n = 3,608; 51% female; mean age 13.6 years (standard deviation: 1.1). DM duration was measured in hours/day, including television viewing (TV), computer/game console (PC), smartphone, and internet use. Linear regression models were used to examine associations of self-reported DM duration with BID and unstandardised regression coefficients were reported. Daily time spent with these technologies was categorised into < 1, 1–2, and ≥ 2 h, and underlying patterns of DM use were identified using latent class analyses. Furthermore, the interaction term between family environment and DM was included in the latent class analyses. Results: Increasing daily DM duration, particularly for smartphone (adjusted β = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.31, 0.57) and internet (adjusted β = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.50), was associated with higher BID in all adolescents. Associations were more pronounced in underweight, normal weight, and female participants. Adolescents with high internet and smartphone duration in combination with medium/low TV/PC duration showed higher positive associations with BID score compared to those with low duration of all DM types (adjusted β = 1.24, 95%CI: 0.73, 1.74). A positive family environment attenuated the association in adolescents with high internet/smartphone and medium/low TV/PC duration. Conclusion: The results highlight a positive association between longer daily DM duration and BID in adolescents, especially for internet-enabled media. A positive family environment seems to play a role in this association and should be further investigated in future research. Additionally, understanding the potential mechanisms explaining these associations can inform future interventions promoting healthy body image in adolescents
The noncommutative KP hierarchy and its solution via descent algebra
No full textWe give the solution to the complete noncommutative Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) hierarchy. We achieve this via direct linearisation which involves the Gelfand–Levitan–Marchenko (GLM) equation. This is a linear integral equation in which the scattering data satisfies the linearised KP hierarchy. The solution to the GLM equation is then shown to coincide with the solution to the noncommutative KP hierarchy. We achieve this via the approach pioneered by Pöppe, Inverse Problems 5(1989), 613–630. We assume the scattering data is semi-additive and by direct substitution, we show that the solution to the GLM equation satisfies the infinite set of field equations representing the noncommutative KP hierarchy. This approach relies on the augmented pre-Pöppe algebra. This is a representative algebra that underlies the field equations representing the hierarchy. It is nonassociative, and isomorphic to a descent algebra equipped with a grafting product. Indeed, it is an example of a weakly nonassociative algebra. While we perform computations in the nonassociative descent algebra, the final result which establishes the solution to the complete hierarchy, resides in the natural associative subalgebra. The advantages of this approach are that it is constructive, explicit, highlights the underlying combinatorial structures within the hierarchy, and reveals the mechanisms underlying the solution procedure