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Psychological capital and perceived environmental uncertainty: influence on growth aspiration and quality of life of nascent entrepreneurs
No full textPurpose: This paper investigates the influence of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) on the Growth Aspiration (GAsp) and Quality of Life (QoL) of nascent entrepreneurs. We expand existing research by testing a conceptual model that examines how PsyCap shapes GAsp and the realisation of these aspirations through QoL, within the context of Perceived Environmental Uncertainty (PEU) and its three dimensions. Design/methodology/approach: We used multiple regression analysis on data from 264 active nascent entrepreneurs. Findings: Results show PsyCap is significantly and positively linked to QoL. PEU also demonstrates a significant positive association with both GAsp and QoL. Of the three PEU dimensions, operational uncertainty’s effect on GAsp is positively moderated by PsyCap. Perceived uncertainty appears to encourage nascent entrepreneurship. As a personal resource, PsyCap helps entrepreneurs overcome self-limitations and adapt to environmental change. These findings deepen understanding of the personal and contextual factors shaping nascent entrepreneurs’ aspirations. Originality: This study advances the entrepreneurial behaviour literature by drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory to explain the significance of PEU and PsyCap for entrepreneurial aspirations in the context of transition economies
Severe and widespread coral reef damage during the 2014-2017 Global Coral Bleaching Event
Full text linkOcean warming is increasing the frequency, extent, and severity of tropical-coral bleaching and mortality. During 2014–2017, marine heatwaves caused the Third Global Coral Bleaching Event. We analyze data from 15,066 reef surveys globally during 2014–2017. Across all surveyed reefs, 80% and 35% experienced moderate or greater (affecting >10% of corals) bleaching and mortality, respectively. We assess the global extent of coral bleaching and mortality by applying bleaching response curves calibrated from surveyed reefs to predict bleaching globally, based on comprehensive remote-sensing of heat stress. These models predict that 51% and 15% of the world’s coral reefs suffered moderate or greater bleaching and mortality, respectively, during one or multiple years, surpassing damage from any prior global coral bleaching event. Our findings demonstrate that the impacts of ocean warming on coral reefs are accelerating, with the near certainty that ongoing warming will cause large-scale, possibly irreversible, degradation of these essential ecosystems. With heat stress levels during this event surpassing those observed previously, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration developed more extreme Bleaching Alert levels that are now being used during the ongoing Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event.<br/
Modified star excursion balance test performance in individuals with chronic ankle instability:a participant-level analysis
Full text linkIntroduction: For 1 in 5 individuals, an initial ankle sprain results in chronic ankle instability (CAI). Research is inconclusive as to whether individuals with CAI display decreased stability performance. This study conducted a participant-level analysis to determine normative values for modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) performance in a CAI population. Design: Participant-level analysis. Methods: Ten datasets of mSEBT data were combined and participants categorised into one of three groups: individuals with CAI, Copers and Healthy participants. Maximal reach distances were analysed in the anterior (ANT), posterolateral (PL), posteromedial (PM) and composite (COMP) directions. The CAI and Healthy groups were sub-categorised into 4 groups depending on the stance position and whether the average or best scores were reported. Results: The final pooled data consisted of 429 participants (202 CAI; 181 Healthy; 46 Coper). The 4 CAI sub-groups recorded a mean reach of 66.53%–76.42% (ANT), 54.67%–87.16% (PM), 44.55%–83.01% (PL) and 55.25%–82.19% (COMP). Smaller reach distances were reported in Group 1's ANT, PL and COMP reaches and Group 2's ANT reach (p < 0.05) compared to the Healthy group. Copers exceeded CAI and Healthy reaches for all reaches. Reach distances in the ANT direction were generally the smallest for the CAI group and ANT and PL directions for the Healthy and Coper groups. Conclusion: Reduced mSEBT reach was performed in specific directions for specific sub-groups only for the CAI population compared to both Healthy and Coper. The normative data can inform clinical practice and aid decision-making regarding dynamic balance for assessment and rehabilitation purposes.</p
Factors affecting the implementation of a whole-school relationships and sexual health intervention: staff perspectives from trial-nested qualitative research in English secondary schools
Full text linkWhole-school relationships and sexual health interventions represent promising approaches to promoting healthy sexual development. However, data from a randomised controlled trial of the Positive Choices whole-school intervention demonstrate these may be challenging to implement in English secondary schools. We draw on qualitative data to examine staff perspectives on the implementation of the intervention and the factors affecting delivery. Interviews were conducted with 52 staff in 22 schools. Analysis was guided by May’s General Theory of Implementation, focussing on how processes of sense making, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring were shaped by intervention capability, school capacity, and staff potential. Quality training, materials and support, alongside a strong commitment to delivery of statutory relationships and sex education promoted curriculum implementation. However, whole-school components were viewed as more challenging to implement and often beyond the ‘core business’ of schools. Successful implementation of whole-school components was facilitated by a supportive school culture, school leads having the authority to enable collective action and close alignment with school priorities and institutional processes. For whole-school interventions to succeed, sufficient time and resources must be allocated. A pragmatic approach might be to develop whole-school approaches that address health more holistically and build effectively on existing provision.<br/
Exploring mentorship experiences among early career general dental practitioners in NHS dentistry
No full textIntroduction This study focuses on exploring mentoring experiences of early career general dental practitioners who deliver care within the NHS (National Health Service).Aim The aim of this study was to investigate experiences of mentorship interactions and the perceived value placed on mentoring within the profession.Methods Empirical qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews of seven dentists who qualified within the past ten years, with an average of 45 minutes for each interview. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results Four overarching themes were identified: the individual, the mentor, the process, and the environment.Conclusion Participants valued mentoring and its influence on their professional life. They highlighted the importance of having a committed mentor, a supportive mentoring environment and a mentoring approach that is tailored to their individual needs. The findings of this small qualitative study raised questions around how the profession value mentoring and some of the challenges in quantifying such value
Public perceptions of marital rape:does level of force used have an impact?
Full text linkResearch indicates that marital rape is viewed by the public as less harmful to a victim than stranger/acquaintance rape. The aim of the study is to extend the research conducted by Robinson in 2017, investigating how levels of force influence perceptions of marital rape. The study also examines how rape perception is influenced by rape myth acceptance and attitudes towards women. The current study improves on previous work by controlling for individual differences across groups using a repeated-measures design. The results indicate that as the level of force increases the perception of marital rape increases. Positive attitudes towards women and low rape myth acceptance are also found to have a positive impact on perceptions of marital rape. Based on these findings, it is possible to recommend that further awareness of legislation regarding coercion and marital rape is required within the public domain.</p
Gendered food insecurity:achieving SDG 2 for climate-affected women in rural economies
Full text linkThis article examines systemic and structural governance barriers to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) for rural women in climate-affected regions of the Global South, using Ghana and Bangladesh as focal countries. While the centrality of women's roles in food systems is acknowledged in literature, intersecting gender inequalities, climate vulnerability, and institutional blind spots continue to marginalise rural women within food security and adaptation policies. The study employs an integrative literature review and interpretive qualitative content analysis, grounded in an intersectional and rights-based analytical framework, to synthesise how gender, land tenure, climate exposure, economic informality, and policy recognition are addressed within SDG 2–related scholarship and policy documents. The focal countries provide illustrative reference contexts that help the analysis identify recurring patterns and omissions that constrain gender-responsive food systems governance. The review indicates that the absence of appropriate policy frameworks is not the major impediment to achieving SDG 2 goals. Still, rather fragmented institutional framing, including gender-blind adaptation strategies, insecure land governance, undervaluation of informal labour, and weak participatory accountability, are the greater impediments to success. The study concludes by outlining governance-oriented policy implications for aligning SDG 2 implementation with gender equity and climate resilience.</p
Assessment of writing
No full textIn the dynamic landscape of the 21st century, writing remains an indispensable skill, serving as a powerful conduit for expression, communication, and documentation. With the exponential growth of digital communication platforms, the written word has transcended traditional boundaries. With the continuous evolution of writing, assessment of writing plays a more pivotal role than ever in ensuring that writing tests measure the new construct of writing with improved reliability and validity. This chapter begins with an introduction of the purposes of writing tests, followed by a brief history of assessment of L2 writing. Next follows a discussion of the major considerations of a writing test in relation to task features, the nature of writing processes and scoring. Finally, there is a discussion on the challenges and opportunities for the future of assessment of writing
Building a corpus of digitally mediated EMI classroom interactions:challenges and opportunities for EMI research and pedagogy
Full text linkWhile research on English-medium instruction (EMI) has grown considerably in recent years, we still know relatively little about what happens inside EMI classrooms, particularly in terms of interactional practices. There remains a shortage of empirical resources, such as corpora, that can offer systematic insights into the features of EMI classroom discourse. This paper addresses some of the gaps by outlining the methodological and ethical procedures involved in building and annotating a corpus of digitally mediated EMI interactions, drawn from 24 university seminars in the social sciences across two EMI contexts. Using the Multimodal EMI Corpus (MEMIC) as a case study, we demonstrate how such a resource can be used to examine lexical and discursive features of EMI interaction across modes and registers. We also show how these insights can inform the development of EMI-relevant teaching materials and assessment tasks. The overarching aim of this contribution is to encourage other scholars and practitioners to collect and analyse data from their own local EMI contexts, in order to advance corpus-based research into EMI classroom practices and support more effective, evidence-informed pedagogy.</p
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