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Governing white apathy in university sport
Full text linkRationale/purpose: This study analyses how universities strategically and operationally consider racialised experiences of staff and students employed to deliver sport and physical activity. Methodology: Twenty-seven staff were interviewed across five university research sites. Participants included Directors of Sport, Heads of Academic Schools, and, where available, Pro-Vice Chancellors. Coaches, team managers, and other sport leaders from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds were recruited via social networks, social media, and direct emails. Findings: Using Critical Race Theory, two themes concerning “Governing white apathy” were developed from the data analysis: “Delegated Responsibility” and “On the Periphery.” Practical implications: Dedicated policies and practices positioning equity and inclusion as central operational priorities were absent. Systematic monitoring and procedures to seek social justice for adverse experiences were lacking. Staff and student voices were largely dependent on the approachability of captains and senior sport leads. Microaggressions and racial discrimination were normalised experiences for coaches, and seeking social justice required robust evidence, which is rarely available in cases of racism. Research contribution: This study provides the first insight into the reproduction of Whiteness within the provision of sport and physical activity in UK universities.</p
A critique of Noddings’ care ethics from a trauma-informed perspective
No full textAgainst a backdrop of growing educational interest in trauma-informed practices, this working paper offers a critique of Noddings’ care ethics from a trauma-informed perspective. While we don’t reject Noddings’ broader ethical-educational project, we do believe that her theory of care ethics is highly problematic. We consider some of the structural or conceptual problems with her framing of such key terms as reciprocity, recognition, and congeniality, and of her figure of the carer/cared-for dyad. We further question, in light of Noddings’ care ethics and care ethics more generally, the extent to which universities could possibly be caring. We suggest that Noddings’ model of care ethics cannot account for the many push-pull effects produced by the network of commitments and relationships in which we are always-already operating. We conclude by outlining the problems a trauma-informed standpoint poses to Noddings’ conception of recognition and receipt of care, arguing that she risks situating recognition and receipt within a transactional economy of gratitude. Such an economy, we argue, is contrary to care.<br/
Time-delay estimation with a fixed-time sliding mode control for uncertain rigid robot dynamics
No full textWithin session reliability of center of pressure measures to assess lower limb postural control under alternative auditory conditions
Full text linkBACKGROUND: Postural control is maintained through sensory information from visual, audio-vestibular and somatosensory inputs. When one of these senses are challenged, individuals shift their reliance more heavily onto other inputs to maintain postural control. Manipulation of vision to progress and regress lower limb rehabilitation has been researched extensively however, there is limited research on the effects of audio stimuli on postural control. In order to assess how audio stimuli can be manipulated for postural control and rehabilitation purposes, a reliable method must be identified.RESEARCH QUESTION: When testing postural control under alternative auditory conditions, is there an acceptable level of reliability for lower limb center of pressure measures?METHODS: Thirteen healthy participants completed three 30 s single leg balance (SLB) trials in five auditory conditions (no sound, white noise, audio book, ear to ear and non-ear to ear) on a force plate in random order. Intraclass correlation (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) with 95 % confidence intervals were used to assess the reliability of the center of pressure (COP) anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) and total sway path (TSP) outcome measures.RESULTS: The CV for each COP sway path measure remained under 10 %, ranging from 3.44 % to 7.28 %. Based on the ICC, reliability was excellent for all sway path COP outcome measures (ICC= 0.705-0.950), except no sound and white noise conditions in the AP direction which show low reliability scores (ICC= 0.39 0.42).SIGNIFICANCE: Three 30 s SLB trials were sufficient to ensure excellent within session reliability of COP TSP, in ML and some AP directions during alternative auditory conditions.</p
Perceptions of HIV-related stigma among youth exposed to the PPSAC Programme in Yaoundé, Cameroon
Full text linkINTRODUCTION: HIV-related stigma continues to undermine prevention, treatment and quality of life across sub-Saharan Africa. In Cameroon, stigma persists despite community interventions. This study evaluates the impact of the PPSAC (Projet de Prévention du Sida en Afrique Centrale) project, particularly Result 3, which aims to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination among young people in Yaoundé.METHOD: Guided by socio-cognitive theory, we employed a mixed-methods design. A total of 260 respondents completed structured online questionnaires, and 24 young people participated in three focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Wilson score 95% confidence intervals. Qualitative data were thematically analysed to explore attitudes, misconceptions and stigma-reduction strategies.RESULTS: Findings indicate partial progress in acceptance. While 88.6% of respondents reported willingness to care for an HIV-positive family member and 57.2% supported HIV-positive doctors continuing to practise, only 14.7% were willing to befriend someone living with HIV and 67.8% opposed HIV-positive children attending daycare. Focus group narratives revealed persistent misconceptions about casual transmission, moral and religious condemnation, and family rejection. Conversely, supportive peer networks emerged as protective, fostering resilience and acceptance. Taken together, quantitative and qualitative findings converged to show partial progress in acceptance across several domains, while deeply rooted fears and moral judgements persist.CONCLUSION: PPSAC interventions appear to have been only partially successful, with increased acceptance evident in some domains but persistent stigma in others. Future programmes should incorporate family- and community-level engagement, partnership with religious leaders, structural reforms in healthcare and workplaces, and sustained youth-led advocacy to promote long-term stigma reduction and improve the well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).</p
Blended learning studies to address student isolation: lessons from the literature
Full text linkDistance education can lead to feelings of isolation, disconnection and depersonalisation on the part of the learner. The objective of this study is to analyze whether the literature on blended learning addresses student isolation and what lessons it provides. A systematic critical review of the literature was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 protocol. Eighty-four articles from the Web of Science were selected and analysed, and a cluster analysis was performed using VOSviewer. The results show that the sense of isolation resulting from the pandemic somewhat hides the isolation that blended methodology can provoke. Isolation is still attributed to the online part of the hybrid teaching and especially to the asynchronous part, but little is said in the literature about blended learning as a whole. We must move beyond the focus on the pandemic and encourage studies that assess thisphenomenon, studyingthe appropriate design of hybrid courses to address isolation holistically. This study itself makes some recommendations and suggestions for further work to lessen the isolation that students may feel in blended learning, and in distance learning in general
Experiences and perceptions of care for medications with a risk of dependence:insights from patients and healthcare professionals
Full text linkBackground: Medications with a risk of dependence are widely prescribed but have been associated with a poor experience of care for patients. This study aimed to understand patient and healthcare staff perspectives in the prescription, management, and deprescription of benzodiazepines, z-drugs, opioids for chronic noncancer pain, gabapentinoids, and antidepressants. Methods: Online semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 patients and 15 healthcare professionals from five different GP practices. Data were analyzed using codebook thematic analysis. Results: Patients and healthcare professionals shared concerns about medications with a risk of dependence and described deprescription as a challenging and complex process. While the value of providing patients with detailed medication-related information was recognized by healthcare professionals, patients felt that more information was needed. The use of regular, personalized medication reviews was seen as important for patient care and medication management, but patients felt this was lacking from current care. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide new insights into how medications with a risk of dependence are managed and how care is experienced by patients. The findings have clear implications for improving patient experience, which is a key aspect of quality care.</p
How can we optimise co-living for the digital nomad era?
Full text linkPurposeThis research examines digital nomads’ customer priorities and opinions of the services offered by co-living accommodation providers, aiming to understand their needs through an analysis of their experiences, and identifying implications for hospitality.Design/methodology/approachAn inductive qualitative approach was used to identify what digital nomads look for and value in co-living spaces. Using netnography and thematic analysis in NVivo, 1,052 online user reviews of 10 co-living providers on Trustpilot from 2018 to 2024 were collected and analysed.FindingsFindings identified a variety of benefits and challenges of co-living for digital nomads. Data showed that the ability to integrate work, life and community in co-living environments were priorities for digital nomads, an integration which allows them to balance professional productivity with social and emotional well-being. Accommodation quality, workspace functionality, logistical support and privacy also emerged as priorities: inadequacies in these areas were among the most frequently reported challenges.Practical implicationsThis research provides practical and managerial insights for co-living operators and hospitality stakeholders to consider when designing accommodation and organising services, to best cater to the unique needs of digital nomads.Originality/valueThis study advances theoretical understanding of co-living by applying spillover theory as a sensitising concept to explore digital nomads’ work−life integration. It fills a gap in hospitality research by linking digital nomadism with co-living experiences, offering actionable insights into customer priorities
Empowering HEIs through LLMs and cloud computing: strategies for seamless integration and sustainable transformation
No full textLarge Language Models (LLMs) have demonstrated significant potential to revolutionize higher education, prompting a need for strategic guidance on leveraging their benefits while addressing associated challenges [1]. This paper reaches into the critical role of cloud computing in enabling the smooth integration and sustainable transformation of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through LLMs. By examining the mutually beneficial relationship between LLMs and cloud technologies, this paper highlights how the cloud empowers HEIs to utilize the full potential of LLMs, overcoming challenges related to scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. The paper presents a comprehensive framework for the strategic integration of LLMs and cloud computing within HEIs, addressing key considerations such as data privacy, security, interoperability, and ethical governance. Through a systematic review of case studies and best practices, the paper offers actionable insights and recommendations for HEIs to navigate the complexities of LLM deployment in the cloud era. The findings emphasize the importance of a holistic, collaborative approach that engages diverse stakeholders, prioritizes data management, and aligns with the core values of higher education. By incorporating the merging of LLMs and cloud computing, HEIs can unlock new limits in personalized learning, research innovation, and societal impact, ultimately redefining the landscape of higher education in the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven era.<br/
Insights into chloroplast genome structure and phylogenetic position of the Lacquer tree Toxicodendron trichocarpum (Anacardiaceae: Rhoideae)
No full textThe lacquer tree Toxicodendron trichocarpum (Miq) Kuntze (Anacardiaceae: Rhoideae), which is known for its abundance of urushiol, produces a high-quality raw lacquer. There have been five complete chloroplast genomes reported in the genus Toxicodendron, while, only two T. trichocarpum genes were sequenced and used for phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis. In this study, we sequenced the T. trichocarpum whole genome on the Illumina HiSeq 4000 platform and investigated its complete chloroplast genome characteristics. Our results showed that the length of the chloroplast genome of T. trichocarpum was 159,959 bp with a GC content of 37.9%. The genome was found to comprise a large single-copy region (LSC) spanning 87,964 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,979 bp, and two inverted repeat regions (IRa/IRb) of equal length, each measuring 26,508 bp. A total of 134 genes were annotated, consisting of 89 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and eight rRNA genes. Altogether, 84 chloroplast simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified, predominantly composed of single nucleotides (A/T), with a clear preference for A/T. By comparing the chloroplast genomes of the genus Toxicodendron, six relatively highly variable regions were identified for future molecular marker development. Phylogenetic analyses conducted within the tribe Rhoideae strongly supported the monophyly of the genus Toxicodendron. The species T. trichocarpum was sister to T. diversilobum, with a high level of support at 99%, forming a clade with T. griffithii and T. vernicifluum. Divergence time estimation suggested that Toxicodendron was originated at 42.47 mya (95% HPD: 41.99–42.99 mya) and T. trichocarpum occurred concomitantly with the sister species T. diversilobum at approximately 16.33 mya. We first reported the complete chloroplast genome of T. trichocarpum and comparative analysis of the Toxicodendron species, which will provide valuable genomic information for accurate classification and evolutionary process of this important taxa in the future
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