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Enhancing Pragmatic Language skills for Young children with Social communication difficulties (E-PLAYS-2) trial:study protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial evaluating a computerised intervention to promote communicative development and collaborative skills in young children
Get PDFBackground: A number of children experience difficulties with social communication and this has long-term deleterious effects on their mental health, social development and education. The E-PLAYS-2 study will test an intervention (‘E-PLAYS’) aimed at supporting such children. E-PLAYS uses a dyadic computer game to develop collaborative and communication skills. Preliminary studies by the authors show that E-PLAYS can produce improvements in children with social communication difficulties on communication test scores and observed collaborative behaviours. The study described here is a definitive trial to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of E-PLAYS delivered by teaching assistants in schools. Methods: The aim of the E-PLAYS-2 trial is to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of care as usual plus the E-PLAYS programme, delivered in primary schools, compared to care as usual. Cluster-randomisation will take place at school level to avoid contamination. The E-PLAYS intervention will be delivered by schools’ teaching assistants. Teachers will select suitable children (ages 5–7 years old) from their schools using guidelines provided by the research team. Assessments will include blinded language measures and observations (conducted by the research team), non-blinded teacher-reported measures of peer relations and classroom behaviour and parent-reported use of resources and quality of life. A process evaluation will also include interviews with parents, children and teaching assistants, observations of intervention delivery and a survey of care as usual. The primary analysis will compare pragmatic language scores for children who received the E-PLAYS intervention versus those who did not at 40 weeks post-randomisation. Secondary analyses will assess cost-effectiveness and a mixed methods process evaluation will provide richer data on the delivery of E-PLAYS. Discussion: The aim of this study is to undertake a final, definitive test of the effectiveness of E-PLAYS when delivered by teaching assistants within schools. The use of technology in game form is a novel approach in an area where there are currently few available interventions. Should E-PLAYS prove to be effective at the end of this trial, we believe it is likely to be welcomed by schools, parents and children. Trial registration: ISRCTN 17561417, registration date 19th December 2022. Protocol version: v1.1 19th June 2023.</p
Perceptions and experiences of UK-based mothers of autistic daughters in relation to the potential affordances and constraints of an autism diagnosis
Get PDFWhilst there is a growing body of research about autistic girls, much less is known about the experience of mothering an autistic girl, and the potential impact of the diagnosis. This study qualitatively explored the diagnostic journey of 12 mothers in the UK to identify the meanings attributed to their daughter's diagnosis. A thematic analysis was applied with themes examined through the lens of the CMM LUUUUTT model to further explore the stories lived and told by the mothers. Eighteen themes linked to perceived affordances, perceived constraints/constraints of perception, experienced affordances and experienced constraints. Participants highlighted the impact of autism myths and stereotypes which influenced identification, referral, diagnosis and ongoing support for the girls. Myths and stereotypes told about autism also played a significant role in the mothers lived experience of the diagnosis. An affordance of diagnosis was a new understanding about their daughters' needs, which led to new parenting styles, letting go of blame and resisting perceived societal ‘oughtisms’ about how parenting should be. Whilst the diagnosis was seen as relationally transformative, challenges were described in accessing emotional or educational support for their daughter's post-assessment
Entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality research: a bibliometric analysis
No full textThis chapter introduces a pioneering bibliometric analysis focused on the concept of entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality (T&H) research. Through an in-depth qualitative and quantitative examination of scholarly articles, this study aims to uncover emerging trends, prevalent patterns, and significant contributions. By providing a comprehensive and systematic evaluation, this research offers unique insights into the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in T&H research. The method of analysis involves meticulous data collection and rigorous mixed techniques, enabling a comprehensive exploration of the subject matter and facilitating valuable implications for future research and industry stakeholders
Ethical implementation of artificial intelligence in the service industries
No full textThis study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) combined with bibliometric analysis to investigate the ethical implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the service industries. This research uncovers key challenges such as privacy, bias, transparency, and accountability, emphasizing the critical need for ethical AI practices in service sectors handling sensitive customer data. Findings reveal that AI’s ethical implementation is crucial in areas like decision support, customer engagement, automation, and new service development. The analysis provides actionable insights into enablers, including ethical guidelines, human oversight, comprehensive training, and adaptive organizational culture, which are essential for unlocking AI’s potential and mitigating risks. The study offers a roadmap for future research, advocating interdisciplinary collaboration, customer co-creation in ethical frameworks, and sector-specific policy adaptation, ultimately aiming to build responsible and trustworthy AI in the service industries
The one with all the sarcasm: Pauline Madella discusses the pragmatics of Chandler Bing’s sarcastic humour
No full textIt is precisely this subjectivity – what Perry called Chandler’s “world-weary yet witty view of life”, his sharing of impressions, emotions, feelings, attitudes and moods – that is “descriptively ineffable”. In those instances where Chandler does not commit to one single interpretation, but rather offers a diffuse impression, it is hard to pin down exactly what it is that is being expressed. And yet we understand his intentions. In order to understand, we attend to a number of nonverbal as well as verbal cues and do a great amount of inferential reconstruction. In my research, I urge language practitioners (specifically second language practitioners) to expose language learners to instances of ineffable communication, where attention to nonverbal stimuli is key to understanding the speaker’s intended effects. When I am asked how I learned English as a second language, I often say “By watching Friends”. The tragic passing of Matthew Perry on 28 October 2023 was followed by an outpouring of tributes from his friends and fans across the globe. They remembered him as a comedy legend who was able to nail a complex mix of timing, pace, cadence and emphasis, while bringing joy – and belly-aching laughter – to millions. Beyond its contribution to Linguistics and my sharing of a long-held passion for Pragmatics with language lovers, this article is meant as a tribute to Matty Perry and the iconic Chandler Muriel Bing
Disinfection byproducts of haloacetaldehydes disrupt hepatic lipid metabolism and induce lipotoxicity in high-fat culture conditions
Get PDFUnhealthy lifestyles, obesity, and environmental pollutants are strongly correlated with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Haloacetaldehyde-associated disinfection byproducts (HAL-DBPs) at various multiples of concentrations found in finished drinking water together with high-fat (HF) were examined to gauge their mixed effects on hepatic lipid metabolism. Using new alternative methods (NAMs), studying effects in human cells in vitro for risk assessment, we investigated the combined effects of HF and HAL-DBPs on hepatic lipid metabolism and lipotoxicity in immortalized LO-2 human hepatocytes. Coexposure of HAL-DBPs at various multiples of environmental exposure levels with HF increased the levels of triglycerides, interfered with de novo lipogenesis, enhanced fatty acid oxidation, and inhibited the secretion of very low-density lipoproteins. Lipid accumulation caused by the coexposure of HAL-DBPs and HF also resulted in more severe lipotoxicity in these cells. Our results using an in vitro NAM-based method provide novel insights into metabolic reprogramming in hepatocytes due to coexposure of HF and HAL-DBPs and strongly suggest that the risk of NAFLD in sensitive populations due to HAL-DBPs and poor lifestyle deserves further investigation both with laboratory and epidemiological tools. We also discuss how results from our studies could be used in health risk assessments for HAL-DBPs
Students' perspectives of a study support (Studiosity) service at a University
Get PDFSupporting students’ success and achievement is a key mission of WP (Widening Participation) institutions such as the University of Bedfordshire. An essential step in ensuring students succeed is the development of academic writing skills – these are vital during students’ studies and when students leave university study and undertake further study or enter graduate-level employment. During the 2021–2022 academic year, the University of Bedfordshire implemented a study support service called Studiosity, a service designed to provide students with formative feedback on drafts of their assessment tasks. This study utilises a survey instrument exploring Studiosity’s Writing Feedback (WF) service and addresses a gap in the literature where there is very little understanding of the details of students’ engagement with the system. The survey’s results indicate a mismatch between students’ assumptions about formative feedback provided by Studiosity. However, when students utilise Studiosity’s WF service, the personalised and specific feedback raises students’ confidence in their ability to write academically
Impact of emotional support for mental health student nurses and retention on the mental health nursing programme.
No full textReview question The key aim of this systematic review is to explore the impact of emotional support for Mental Health student nurses and retention on the Mental Health nursing programme. The review question is as follows: What is the impact of emotional support for Mental Health student nurses and retention on the Mental Health nursing programme. The primary aim is to understand the different components which are contributing to the increase student stress and poor mental health in Mental Health Nursing programmes. The secondary aim is to better understand stress and poor mental health with the attrition rates on mental health programmes. In addition, to identify the type of mental health support needed from lecturers and the impact these different interventions can have on retention to the MHN programm
Highly efficient thermal renewable energy systems : design, optimization and applications
No full textThe text comprehensively highlights the latest methodologies, models, techniques, and applications along with a description of modeling, optimization, and experimental works in the energy sector. It further explains key concepts such as finite element analysis tools, hybrid energy systems, mechanical components design, and optimization, solar coupled systems, and vertical heat exchanger.This book• Discusses the role and integration of solar, geothermal, and hydrogen‑based thermal energy storage (TES) technologies in different sectors for space heating and cooling applications.• Covers mechanical modeling and optimization of hybrid energy storage systems for performance improvement and focuses on hydrogen production, storage, and safety measures.• Explores the integration of IoT and global energy interaction technologies, highlighting their potential benefits in driving the transition toward a sustainable and resilient global energy system.• Explains different aspects of clean technologies such as batteries, fuel cells, ground energy storage, solar thermal system, and the role of green hydrogen in decarbonizing sectors like transportation and energy.• Showcases a clear idea of sustainable development using renewable energy, focusing on policymaking, challenges in transition from conventional to renewable energy, and future directions in energy sector.It is primarily written for senior undergraduates and graduate students, and academic researchers in the fields of mechanical engineering, production engineering, industrial engineering, and environmental engineering
Steps toward an integrated soil water tension and osmotic tension sensor
Get PDFThe two most important abiotic plant stressors that impact plant development and crop yields are water stress and salinity stress. These issues are particularly important in arid and semi-arid regions. According to a 2019 research paper, “thirty crop species provide 90% of our food, most of which display severe yield losses under moderate salinity.” Moderate salinity is defined as extracted pore-water salinity in the range of 4–8 dS m−1. Currently, commercially available soil moisture and bulk soil electrical conductivity sensors can estimate in situ soil pore-water electrical conductivity with suitably calibrated soil moisture and electrical conductivity models for a wide range of soil types and growing media. With knowledge of the pore-water electrical conductivity it is possible to estimate osmotic tension. Furthermore, there are commercially available dielectric tensiometers that provide soil water tension measurements from the water content of a porous matrix component that is in equilibrium with the water capillary forces in the surrounding soil or growing media. Combining soil moisture and soil water tension measurements enables water retention curves and the hydraulic properties of a soil to be determined. However, the overall ability of a plant to extract water from a soil or substrate is typically dominated by water tension and osmotic tension. Currently, while the technology blocks exist in different commercial offerings, the combination of a water tension and osmotic tension in an integrated sensor does not exist. A key benefit of the porous matrix in a dielectric tensiometer is that electrical measurements include a component of extracted water from the soil or growing media. With the appropriate dielectric characterization of the porous matrix, there should be no need for soil-specific calibrations. The aim of the paper is to outline the measurement processing that could be implemented into an integrated water tension and osmotic tension sensor
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