11237 research outputs found
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Dissociating Cerebellar Regions Involved in Formulating and Articulating Words and Sentences
No full textWe investigated which parts of the cerebellum are involved in formulating and articulating sentences using (i) a sentence production task that involved describing simple events in pictures; (ii) an auditory sentence repetition task involving the same sentence articulation but not sentence formulation; and (iii) an auditory sentence-to-picture matching task that involved the same pictorial events and no overt articulation. Activation for each of these tasks was compared to the equivalent word processing tasks: noun production, verb production, auditory noun repetition, and auditory noun-to-picture matching. We associate activation in bilateral cerebellum lobule VIIb with sequencing words into sentences because it increased for sentence production compared to all other conditions and was also activated by word production compared to word matching. We associate a paravermal part of right cerebellar lobule VIIIb with overt motor execution of speech, because activation was higher during (i) production and repetition of sentences compared to the corresponding noun conditions and (ii) noun and verb production compared to all matching tasks, with no activation relative to fixation during any silent (nonspeaking) matching task. We associate activation within right cerebellar Crus II with covert articulatory activity because it activated for (i) all speech production more than matching tasks and (ii) sentences compared to nouns during silent (nonspeaking) matching as well as sentence production and sentence repetition. Our study serendipitously segregated, for the first time, three distinct functional roles for the cerebellum in generic speech production, and it demonstrated how sentence production enhanced the demands on these cerebellar regions.</p
A stakeholder engagement framework for value creation of urban nature-based public space developments
No full textThere is an ongoing debate regarding the best strategies for establishing and enhancing sustainable development goals. Definitions of sustainable development highlight the importance of long-term durability, and the value of society, economy, and environment. As sustainability issues increase in public and academic discourse, Nature-based Public Spaces (NPS) are becoming a sought-after solution for urban landscapes. NPS are publicly accessible spaces that address environmental challenges through natural processes and structures. Despite the heightened recognition given to nature-based practices within the built environment industry, concepts and metrics specifically designed for development practices does not match these efforts.The literature reveals that there are multiple benefits of NPS across all components of sustainability, and value creation (the process of decision-making in which select stakeholders decide to prioritise select values for all other stakeholders) realises these benefits (or disbenefits). However, it is evident that the priority is monetary valuation. Several sectors, including construction, now recognise wider aspects of value, such as social values, but again the tendency is to monetise this capital. Studies relating to the potential effect stakeholders have on value creation through strategies to accomplish sustainability over project lifecycles, remains a gap in knowledge. This research therefore investigates how stakeholder engagement for NPS can enhance sustainability in urban landscapes. The aim is to develop a stakeholder engagement framework that enables a novel dynamic approach to sustainability value creation in the development of Nature-based Public Spaces. Four objectives assist in achieving this aim: 1) critically reviewing the role and limitations of NPS for achieving economic, environmental, and societal sustainability in urban development; 2) analysing the adequacy of theories and evaluative methods supporting stakeholder engagement, for achieving NPS sustainable goals; 3) developing a stakeholder engagement framework with valuation strategies specific to sustainability-led NPS; and 4) testing and further developing the stakeholder engagement framework through an empirical case study.Methodologically, the research uses a subjective ontology of multiple realities and an interpretivist epistemology, interpreting reality through participants’ unique insights into everyday practices. Primary data from practitioners and an NPS case study, combined with literature findings, provides the basis of the novel Stakeholder Engagement framework for Nature-based Public Spaces (SENPS). Thematic analysis of participants’ feedback identifies a need for additional valuation methods. Theoretical concepts, particularly Actor Network Theory and a transformative Power Matrix, enable users to utilise the framework for mapping organisational, human, and nonhuman stakeholders, as well as impacts of sustainable goals.A key finding is that value pluralism (the coexistence of multiple value systems) shapes the process of value creation. In this thesis the multiple value systems are intrinsic values, the inherent characteristics or requirements for stakeholders; relational values, the values that form from the relationship between stakeholders; and instrumental values, values that are a means to an end. SENPS represents the values of sustainability by presenting environmental, economic, and social actants within the same stakeholder engagement mapping. The outcome indicates that mapping the engagement of multiple stakeholders over the lifetime of a project can enhance life-cycle durability, through the inclusion of nonhuman actants. SENPS provides a mechanism that goes beyond defining NPS benefits and allows for the process of tangible and comparable evaluative assessments for stakeholders, promoting holistic value interpretation of NPS delivery.</p
Common questions and misconceptions about energy drinks: what does the scientific evidence really show?
No full textEnergy drinks are a commonly consumed beverage, and studies suggest a possible performance-enhancing effect. A Google Scholar search using the keywords “energy drinks” and “exercise” yields numerous results, underscoring the voluminous research on this topic. However, there are questions regarding the effectiveness and safety of energy drinks. These questions include, but are not limited to: (1) What are the main active ingredients in energy drinks? (2) Do energy drinks assist in weight management? (3) Do energy drinks enhance aerobic performance? (4) Do energy drinks enhance athletic speed? (5) Do energy drinks improve reaction time? (6) Do energy drinks enhance lean tissue mass? (7) Can energy drinks improve cognitive performance? (8) Does the acute consumption of energy drinks elevate resting energy expenditure? (9) Is there any evidence to suggest that energy drinks are more effective than an identical serving of caffeine alone? (10) Are there sex differences in the response to energy drink consumption? (11) Do energy drinks affect sleep or sleepiness? (12) Should pregnant women avoid energy drinks? (13) Do energy drinks adversely affect cardiovascular function? (14) Does consuming energy drinks cause brain damage? (15) What are other safety considerations regarding energy drinks? (16) Is there any evidence to suggest that energy drinks are more effective than an identical serving of caffeine alone? (17) If caffeine is the main active ingredient in energy drinks and coffee, why is there a discrepancy in the adverse events reported for each? To address these questions, we performed an evidence-based scientific evaluation of the literature on energy drink supplementation.</p
Introduction
No full textThe Introduction to this book offers an overview of the literary culture of the 1830s. It explores existing literary-critical approaches to the decade’s culture, and considers why the decade has proved so resistant to absorption in literary genealogies. This is a consequence of the decade’s own uncertainty about and self-conscious analysis of its literary temporality. The Introduction proposes that the 1830s are uniquely placed to direct the future interests of contemporary literary studies.</p
Exploring clinicians' perspectives on falls, balance and gait assessments to inform wearable device development. “Adding to the bigger picture of the patient in falls assessments”
No full textIntroduction: Falls represent a major healthcare burden with significant costs to healthcare systems as well as individual patients. Falls assessments are complex, multifactorial and often involve input from multiple specialists. Collecting data to contribute to these assessments is typically done by clinical history and examination. Wearable monitoring systems that are capable of recording patient-specific data related to falls and falls risk factors may represent a rich source of information for patients and clinicians to inform their assessment and treatment plans. Here we present the findings of multimodal qualitative study that aimed to identify clinicians' perspectives on key features of falls assessments as well as the potential utilisation of wearable monitoring devices in the field of falls and falls assessments. Our findings inform device developers and ensure monitoring systems are designed with the end-users in mind. Methods: We used a multimodal qualitative study design. Survey responses from 26 healthcare practitioners (geriatricians, physiotherapists, falls prevention practitioners, and primary care physicians) were analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. Semi-structured interviews with practitioners were also conducted facilitating deeper analysis of the identified themes. Results and discussion: Six overarching themes were identified: “History of falls is key”, “Ecologically valid data”, Multidisciplinary approach, “Data that helps”, “Data causes anxiety”, and “Wearable literacy”. Exploration of these indicated that, if developed appropriately, wearable devices could support the clinical assessment and management of patients at risk of falls by providing ecologically valid, temporaneous and objective data related to modifiable risk factors of falls. This study outlines key priorities in falls assessment from clinicians' perspectives to inform device developers and highlight how a collaborative approach, engaging with clinicians, is necessary to facilitate development and integration of devices into patient pathways in a manner that is acceptable and useful to key stakeholders.</p
RawTag: Art and Education for Sustainability
No full textThis chapter provides an in-depth exploration of the role of art and creativity in education for sustainability. Through an examination of key theories and research in the field of transformational learning, we explore how art and creativity can be applied to foster meaningful, sustainable change. Drawing on our experiences in the project RawTag and working with university students, we describe how we integrated creative assignments and workshops into a module on sustainability and share qualitative findings that highlight the positive impact of these approaches on students’ learning and future intentions for sustainable behavior. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing art and creativity in educational contexts and offer recommendations for educators and researchers looking to incorporate these approaches into their own teaching and learning practices.</p
Vital D: A modifiable occupational risk factor of UK healthcare workers
No full textBackground
The role of Vitamin D in immune function is well reported with a growing evidence base linking low levels to poorer outcomes from infectious disease. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are prevalent worldwide with healthcare workers identified as a known at-risk group. Here we aim to investigate serum Vitamin D levels in a UK population of front line healthcare workers and to promote the occupational risk.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of 639 volunteers was conducted to identify the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency amongst a population of front-line health care workers in the UK. Participant demographics and co-morbid factors were collected at the time of serum sampling for multivariate analysis.
Results
Only 18.8% of the population had a normal vitamin D level greater than or equal to 75nmol/L. This is compared to Public Health England’s (PHE) stipulated normal levels of 60% during winter. 81.2% had a level less than 75nmol/L, with 51.2% less than 50nmol/L and 6.6% less than 25nmol/L. For serum levels less than 25nmol/L, Asian ethnicity was more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency than non-asian (OR (95%CI): 3.81 (1.73-8.39), p = 0.001), whereas white ethnicity was less likely to have a vitamin D deficiency compared to non-white (OR (95%CI: 0.43 (0.20-0.83), p = 0.03). Other factors that contributed to a higher likelihood of lower-than-normal levels within this population included male sex, decreased age and not taking supplementation.
Conclusion
It is concluded that our population of healthcare workers have higher rates of abnormal vitamin D levels in comparison with the general UK population reported prevalence. Furthermore, Asian ethnicity and age 30 years and below are more at risk of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. This highlights an occupational risk factor for the healthcare community to consider.</p
Government U-turn: A Policyquake in Action
No full textDuring the unique year of 2016-2017, the post-16 sector felt a policyquake because of doubt and pressure to change policy. Since 2014, students in England aged 16-19 who do not hold a GCSE grade 9-4 (or A*-C) in maths and/or English are forced to resit the exam until they reach the required benchmark standard of grade 4 (or C) in the qualification, referred to as the ‘D grade policy’. Research to date has begun to explore how the post-16 sector can re-motivate learners to continue to study maths and English, but few shine a light on how the D grade policy is a return to a discriminatory two-tier exam system through the back door.
This research portrays the policyquake in action through an embedded case study design with the aim of exploring one local college’s experiences by examining students’ and teachers’ experiences of a compulsory maths and/or English classroom. The data collected is through a range of methods to build a rich case study.
Vignettes are used to present an analysis of critical incidents that were observed or recorded during the data collection period of the study. It was the use of the vignettes as primary foci that allowed strong themes to emerge, including compliance, coercion, conflict, mindset, and voice. Through triangulation, the dissonance between policy and practice and its consequences on the post-16 sector are seen.
This research argues that the effect of the D grade policy has resulted in a conflict between the policy’s intention and what individuals are experiencing in reality. This is damaging and reveals the effects of doubt and a lack of confidence in policymakers, and Ofsted, at an institutional level, creates a policyquake. Recommendations are made to ensure the policy is embedded with shared dialogue and support from educational professionals before it is implemented.</p
Bridging the Gap: Progressive Teaching Strategies for Gender Equity in STEM Education
No full textThis study explores the impact of progressive teaching methods on gender equity in STEM education in Malakand Division, Pakistan. Using a cross-sectional exploratory design, it engages educators, students, parents, community leaders, and policymakers through purposive sampling. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups, the research uncovers region-specific challenges and opportunities. Thematic analysis highlights the community’s call for progressive teaching to combat barriers, stereotypes, and promote inclusivity. It stresses the need for inclusive learning spaces, challenging societal norms, and enhancing female representation in STEM leadership. The study advocates for innovative pedagogies, policy changes, and community involvement as catalysts for change. While acknowledging local obstacles like socio-cultural norms and resource constraints, it underscores the potential of community engagement and robust policies to overcome these challenges. Cultural influences on STEM participation, such as familial expectations, are recognized, underscoring the importance of addressing these factors. The study concludes with a plea for interdisciplinary action to dismantle systemic barriers and cultivate a culture of inclusivity and mentorship. Policy recommendations focus on inclusive curricula, targeted recruitment, mentorship initiatives, and community outreach to foster an equitable STEM environment in Malakand Division, Pakistan.</p
Cross Device Federated Intrusion Detector for Early Stage Botnet Propagation in IoT
No full textA botnet is an army of zombified computers infected with malware and controlled by malicious actors to carry out tasks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Billions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices are primarily targeted to be infected as bots since they are configured with weak credentials or contain common vulnerabilities. Detecting botnet propagation by monitoring the network traffic is difficult as they easily blend in with regular network traffic. The traditional machine learning (ML) based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) requires the raw data to be captured and sent to the ML processor to detect intrusion. In this research, we examine the viability of a cross-device federated intrusion detection mechanism where each device runs the ML model on its data and updates the model weights to the central coordinator. This mechanism ensures the client’s data is not shared with any third party, terminating privacy leakage. The model examines each data packet separately and predicts anomalies. We evaluate our proposed mechanism on a real botnet propagation dataset called MedBIoT. Overall, the proposed method produces an average accuracy of 71%, precision 78%, recall 71%, and f1-score 68%. In addition, we also examined whether any device taking part in federated learning can employ a poisoning attack on the overall system.</p
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