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21st Century innovations for instructional leaders evaluating the effectiveness of using podcasts as a tool for professional development
No full textResearch strongly supports the idea that the greatest impact for improving educational systemsis by increasing collective teacher efficacy, but precisely how to accomplish this remains asignificant challenge. One small way that many scholars propose to improve the quality ofteaching is through Professional Development. In an attempt to make an applied contributionto knowledge, this dissertation narrows its focus further to examine a single contextualizedapplication, a podcast, and to evaluate its effectiveness as a delivery device for continuingprofessional development.Across a variety of established definitions and forms of Continuing Professional Development(CPD), existing literature and robust research have identified three major obstacles to itseffectiveness; (1) time (2) money, and (3) faculty resistance. Additionally, transportability ofeffective programming has been identified as a barrier to scalability. In an attempt to addressthese obstacles and barriers, the Teaching for Mastery podcast was created using short episodesthat deliver relevant, actionable, and evidence-based applications based on the neuroscience ofteaching and learning, positive psychology, and best practices in pedagogy.The podcast series was then shared with over 20,000 teachers and instructional leaders whoworked within one of three distinct typologies of CPD. These typologies represent varyingdegrees of structure and support from Instructional Leaders, contextualized in their respectiveschools and served as the control and study samples for this dissertation. They werecharacterized as (1) No CPD, (2) Standard CPD and (3) Integrated CPD.A Mixed Method approach was adopted, in which both quantitative and qualitative data setswere gathered in order to evaluate if, and to what degree, podcasting-as-a-delivery-device mayreduce or remove these major obstacles to professional development, thereby increasing itseffectiveness. Further thematic analysis of the qualitative data shed light on the ways thatparticipants received and used the podcast in their respective contexts, providing additionalnuance and potentially valuable information for further research and podcast developers.Findings indicated that within and across these three typologies of CPD, the podcast served asan effective delivery device for professional development to the extent that it assisted inremoving or reducing the three primary obstacles to professional development. Additionally,findings suggested that the degree of effectiveness was directly correlated with the amount ofstructural support from Instructional Leaders. As such, the findings not only demonstrate somedegree of value in using podcasting for professional development, but also point to, andreinforce, the important role of Instructional Leadership in effective professional learning.We conclude that utilizing podcasting as a delivery device, as one part within a schoolimprovement strategy, may be a valuable addition to a school leader’s professionaldevelopment strategy, help to raise the collective efficacy of teachers, and play a role inenhancing school improvement. Importantly, additional research is indicated to furthersubstantiate the findings and improve the interventio
Integrated Particle Filter Approach for Enhanced Indoor Robot Localization Using Multi-Sensor Fusion
No full textMobile robots are increasingly used in rescue missions, household cleaning, and food service due to their stability and affordability. These robots require accurate positional data from sensors, environmental maps, and path-planning algorithms for effective navigation. The objective of this research paper is to present a novel approach to indoor robot positioning that integrates Particle Filter (PF) with Adaptive Particle Filter (APF) methodologies. The proposed system combines data from multiple sensors, including a Laser Range Finder (LRF), dual en-coders, and a gyroscopic unit, to enhance positional accuracy. By processing LRF measurements alongside reflected beacon signals, an algorithm is developed that dynamically adjusts particle distributions for improved localisation. Experimental results show that this integrated approach achieves an accuracy improvement of 96.5% as compared to traditional methods, demonstrating its potential for robust indoor navigation applications
When Authenticity Doesn't Pay: Validating an ESG Communication Authenticity Framework and Explaining Stakeholder–Investor Decoupling
No full textEnvironmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) communications have proliferated across Fortune 500 companies, yet no validated frameworks exist for systematically distinguishing authentic from superficial positioning. This study develops and validates the Dynamic Authenticity Evaluation Model (DAEM), measuring three interactive dimensions of ESG communication authenticity: operational alignment, temporal consistency, and communication specificity. Through dual-evaluator protocols applied to eight mega-cap companies , DAEM achieves excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.85; Krippendorff's α = 0.83). An event study analysis across sixteen major ESG announcements reveals no significant correlation between communication authenticity and abnormal stock returns (r = 0.289; p = 0.491), with effects being bounded below ±0.30% cumulative abnormal returns through equivalence testing. Preliminary stakeholder analysis suggests differential authenticity sensitivity , with employee engagement showing a stronger association with DAEM scores (r = 0.423) than market reactions (r = 0.289). Results indicate that authentic ESG communications influence non-market stakeholders more than short-term stock prices, suggesting that market value creation requires operational rather than symbolic approaches, while authentic communication remains important for stakeholder relationship management
Correlation Between Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Dental Arch Form in Adults
No full textObjectives: This study examines the relationship between maxillary morphology and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults, with a focus on intermolar distance (IMD) and palatal height (PH) as predictive factors. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at private orthodontic practices in Sydney, Australia. A total of 100 adults (50 OSA patients and 50 controls) were included. OSA diagnosis and severity were confirmed via hospital-based polysomnography. Digital maxillary models were analyzed using the Medit Link software (version 3.2.0; Medit Corp., Seoul, Republic of Korea), and IMD and PH were measured. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and linear regression modeling, with adjustments for age and sex. Results: The OSA group exhibited significantly narrower IMD (28.96–35.01 mm) and higher PH (21.68–29.56 mm) compared to the control group (IMD: 36.35–41.50 mm; PH: 18.57–23.51 mm). A negative correlation was observed between IMD and PH across all groups. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a strong association between these craniofacial parameters and OSA severity (R2 = 0.76, p < 0.001). IMD was negatively correlated with the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) (p = 0.003), while PH was positively correlated (p < 0.001). The inclusion of demographic variables did not significantly enhance the predictive model. Conclusions: Maxillary morphology associates with OSA severity, with narrower IMD and greater PH linked to higher AHI
Thinking through practice: Re-envisioning Kolb through applied design pedagogy
No full textKolb’s model has influenced education practices for nearly forty years. Its focus on ‘doing’ is closely aligned to cognitive activity. There is criticism that Kolb focusses on the individual grasping and transforming experience purely through the mind rather than the perceptual system and wider being. The reflective experiences of the research assistants/makers contributing to the Maker Project (Sutton, 2019) highlights how experience and sensory/emotive responses are not well served within Kolb’s existing paradigm. Adopting elements of Beard’s Holistic Experiential Learning Model (HELM), the Maker Project supports wider research which demonstrates how emotion, environment, and community contribute to the learning experience (Moon, 2000; Beard, 2023). This presentation seeks to re-situate non-cognitive processes at the heart of teaching and learning returning democracy to education. Echoing Sternberg’s (1996) theory that creative thinking should be considered ‘three dimensional’, we chart the evolution of the Experiential Learning Orbicular (Sutton, 2023) which allows for a pedagogically holistic and multi-directional application. This research provides methods to support deep learning throughout all levels of education, enabling a pedagogical paradigm that is meaningful, reflective, and well-structured for lifelong learners
To Design and Develop the Hybrid Blockchain Enabled IoT System for Secured Industry 4.0 Systems
No full textThe rapid evolution of Industry 4.0 has catalyzed the integration of advanced technologies to ensure secure, efficient, and scalable industrial systems. This study introduces a Hybrid Blockchain-Enabled IoT System tailored for secured Industry 4.0 environments. By combining the decentralized and immutable nature of blockchain technology with the real-time data acquisition and analytics capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT), the proposed framework addresses critical challenges such as data integrity, cybersecurity, and system scalability. The IoT devices serve as edge nodes, collecting and transmitting data securely through a private blockchain network to mitigate risks of tampering and unauthorized access. The system leverages a hybrid consensus mechanism to balance computational efficiency with security. For evaluation, real-time industrial data, including sensor readings, machine states, and environmental parameters, were utilized to assess the system's performance in various industrial scenarios. The results demonstrate robust security, low latency, and seamless interoperability across connected devices. Compared to traditional centralized models, the proposed system offers superior resilience against cyber threats while maintaining high throughput and reliability. This research underscores the potential of merging blockchain and IoT technologies to pioneer secure and efficient Industry 4.0 systems, paving the way for sustainable and trustworthy industrial automation
Collective Violence, Strengths, and Perceived Posttraumatic Growth: A Scoping Review
No full textCollective violence—such as armed conflict, state-sponsored violence, and terrorism—represents a profound form of trauma, which can harm individuals, communities, and societies. Existing research has largely examined risk factors and negative psychosocial outcomes from collective violence, neglecting the potential for survivors to draw upon a range of strengths that may allow them to perceive benefits from their experiences, known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This scoping review uses the resilience portfolio model to highlight a potential portfolio of meaning-making, regulatory, and interpersonal-ecological strength-based resources and assets that are conducive to perceived PTG (PPTG) and possible better functioning following collective violence. The present review identified 52 papers from CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycArticles, and PsychInfo, spanning from January 1995 to May 2023, which specifically focused on strengths and PTG in populations who reside (or had resided) in over 20 countries. This review highlights individual- and group-level meaning making, regulatory, and interpersonal strengths used by survivors in both individualistic and collectivist societies, providing a more comprehensive understanding of resilience and PPTG after collective violence. Some strengths, such as religious coping, positive reappraisal, and social support, demonstrated mixed relations with PPTG. The research also identified previously uncategorized ecological/systemic supports for PPTG such as political climate, access to education, and sanitation infrastructure, which require more research. The findings call for culturally sensitive approaches that recognize and promote individual and community efforts to enhance well-being among populations disproportionately affected by collective violence
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences of Self-Harm and Suicide in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
No full textBackground: Over three-quarters of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and a better understanding of this behavior within these settings is crucial. Aim: To investigate stakeholders’ knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of self-harm and suicide in LMICs. Method: A systematic search was conducted using British Nursing Index, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Social Sciences electronic databases from inception to March 2022, combined with hand-searching reference lists. The search was updated using the PubMed Similar Articles function in February 2024. Analysis followed a modified narrative synthesis approach. Results: One hundred and fifty-four articles met the inclusion criteria, of which 60 included relevant quantitative data. Attitudes toward suicide were often contradictory although, overall, were negative and suicide literacy was poor. Healthcare staff reported lacking training in this area. Willingness to seek help was linked to suicide literacy and attitudes toward suicide. Limitations: Heterogeneity of included studies. Conclusion: Tackling stigma and improving awareness of suicide and self-harm in LMICs are needed to facilitate suicide prevention. Training should include people with lived experience of suicide and self-harm. The complex and contradictory influences of age, gender, religious, and cultural beliefs and lived experience must be considered
Ethical Implications of WannaCry: A Cybersecurity Dilemma
No full textThe WannaCry ransomware attack of May 2017 marked a critical turning point in cybersecurity history, prompting profound ethical discussions about software vulnerability management. This comprehensive analysis examines the ethical dimensions of the WannaCry incident, focusing on the responsibilities of government agencies, technology companies, and security professionals in handling zero-day vulnerabilities. The study investigates the complex balance between national security interests and global cybersecurity while proposing ethical frameworks for future practice. Through detailed examination of the attack's global impact and subsequent incidents, we demonstrate the ongoing relevance of lessons learned from WannaCry to contemporary cybersecurity challenges
After the interregnum: education, work and social change in Britain’s former central coalfield
No full textThis paper uses Gramsci’s concept of interregnum alongside contemporary research on Britain’s former coalfields to critically consider the ‘condition’ of coalfield communities 40 years after the Great Strike of 1984–85 and the rapid demise of the coal industry thereafter. It focuses particularly on the former central coalfield, once home to Britain’s largest and most productive collieries, where mining remained a significant source of employment for longer than elsewhere. Whilst progress is varied and uneven, it is recognised that former coalmining communities have recovered to some extent from the debilitating effects of forced deindustrialisation. In Gramscian terms, a new hegemonic order has arisen to replace the old regime, but recuperation is, I argue, both precarious and partial. Rising levels of employment and educational attainment mask ‘morbid symptoms’ which continue to fester beneath the veneer of recuperation, in terms, for example, of low income, poor health, crime and other indices of deprivation. The relationship between education and work is, I suggest, played out in particularly problematic ways in the former coalfields where educational success is, in many cases, associated with outward migration and the loss of ‘talent’ set against the backdrop of local labour markets based largely on low-skill, insecure employment