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The impact of home musical activities on language development in infants born prematurely
Get PDFFast-growing evidence supports that musical activities positively impact children`s overall development, especially language development. However, little research has been conducted regarding the relationship between the home musical environment and language development in infants born prematurely, a population at risk for language delays and impairments. The present study investigated the influence of early musical experience (including parental singing) measured by the Music@Home questionnaire (Politimou et al., 2018), while controlling for general enrichment at home (STIMQ, Dreyer et al., 1996) as well as perinatal PTSD (PPQ) (Callahan et al., 2006), on language development measured by CDI-UK (Alcock et al., 2020). A sample of 145 infants between 8 and 18 months (corrected age) was divided into two groups: [1] main sample (n=117) – infants without any suspected or identified areas of difficulty; [2] sub-sample (n=28) – infants with suspected or identified areas of difficulties, to avoid the introduction of a confound which might have affected the language scores either because of prematurity or other neurological conditions. Based on the main sample, unexpectedly, results revealed that infants did not experience language delays. As hypothesised, results showed that home musical environment significantly predicted infants` comprehension and gestural communication, independently from infants` corrected age. Additionally, gestural communication was predicted by infants` gestational age, which emphasises that prematurity impacts language development. Interestingly, even in the group with suspected disability, music at home facilitated language development. These findings constitute the first demonstration that an enriched musical environment can enhance development of communication skills in a population at risk for language delays, namely infants born prematurely, opening the path for future intervention research and offering encouragement to families of preterm infants. The participants in this study were representative of middle/upper class, highly educated parents, hence future research must specifically focus on lower class, less educated families
The politics and aesthetic choices of feminist art criticism
Get PDFThis article explores feminist art criticism from the point of view of aesthetics/politics in global contemporary art. It is based on the author’s experience as an art critic and founding editor of n.paradoxa: international feminist art journal (1998–2017). Reading articles published in the previous two decades both for the journal and outside it, it became possible to identify how subjects produce specific objects in art criticism that demonstrate different locations and standpoints in thought and how these align with criticism from broader feminist political theories. This is an exploration of the aesthetics/politics both in, about and beyond feminist art criticism. The methodology presented analyses feminist art criticism using a model of clusters of concepts that draws on Anne Ring Petersen’s examination of identity politics, race and multiculturalism from 2012. Feminist analyses in which this approach has been attempted are discussed: Sue Rosser’s 2005 analysis of cyberfeminism and Tuzyline Jita Allan’s 1995 discussion of black/womanist/African feminisms. The article identifies four types of feminist art criticism: liberal feminism, materialist feminism, feminist cosmopolitan multi-culturalism, and queer post-colonial feminism. The aims, methods and approaches of these tendencies are outlined to demonstrate the differences between them. The article concludes with a discussion about the futures of feminist art criticism
Grocery omnichannel perishable inventories: performance measures and influencing factors
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Perishable inventory management for the grocery sector has become more challenging with extended omnichannel activities and emerging consumer expectations. This paper aims to identify and formalize key performance measures of omnichannel perishable inventory management (OCPI) and explore the influence of operational and market-related factors on these measures.
Design/methodology/approach-
The inductive approach of this research synthesizes three performance measures (product waste, lost sales and freshness) and four influencing factors (channel effect, demand variability, product perishability and shelf life visibility) for OCPI, through industry investigation, expert interviews and a systematic literature review. Treating OCPI as a complex adaptive system and considering its transaction costs, this paper formalizes the OCPI performance measures and their influencing factors in two statements and four propositions, which are then tested through numerical analysis with simulation.
Findings-
Product waste, lost sales and freshness are identified as distinctive OCPI performance measures, which are influenced by product perishability, shelf life visibility, demand variability and channel effects. The OCPI sensitivity to those influencing factors is diverse, whereas those factors are found to moderate each other's effects.
Practical implications-
To manage perishables more effectively, with less waste and lost sales for the business and fresher products for the consumer, omnichannel firms need to consider store and online channel requirements and strive to reduce demand variability, extend product shelf life and facilitate item-level shelf life visibility. While flexible logistics capacity and dynamic pricing can mitigate demand variability, the product shelf life extension needs modifications in product design, production, or storage conditions. OCPI executives can also increase the product shelf life visibility through advanced stock monitoring/tracking technologies (e.g. smart tags or more comprehensive barcodes), particularly for the online channel which demands fresher products.
Originality/value-
This paper provides a novel theoretical view on perishables in omnichannel systems. It specifies the OCPI performance, beyond typical inventory policies for cost minimization, while discussing its sensitivity to operations and market factors
Development of a biofilm-forming bacterial consortium and quorum sensing molecules for the degradation of lignin-containing organic pollutants
Get PDFThe presence of lignin along with other pollutants makes effluent more complex when it is discharged from Pulp and paper mills. The present study investigates the use of biofilm-forming bacteria isolated from pulp paper mill effluent contaminated sites (PPMECSs) for lignin degradation. Isolated biofilm-forming and lignin-degrading bacteria were identified as Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter cancerogenus, and Bacillus licheniformis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Thin liquid chromatography (TLC) analysis showed that the consortium of bacteria produced acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) as quorum sensing molecules and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that protect the bacterial consortium under unfavorable conditions. The potential consortium was able to reduce lignin (900 ppm) by 73% after 8 days of incubation in a minimal salt medium containing kraft lignin and glucose at pH 7.0 and 37°C as compared to individual strains. The degradation by-products were identified as amides, alcohols, and acids. The major organic pollutants in the effluent were reduced after treatment of the constructed consortium, thus confirming active biotransformation and biodegradation of the lignin. Microscopic examination also indicated the presence of lignin induced biofilm formation. Hence, the constructed biofilm-forming bacterial consortia based on quorum sensing offered a sustainable and effective solution to treat lignin-containing complex pollutants
‘Prisoners abroad’ resettlement service: housing security and lessons for probation
Get PDFThis paper reports from a small-scale qualitative study involving people imprisoned overseas and supported by the resettlement service ‘Prisoners’ Abroad’ following deportation to the UK. A key focus of Prisoners’ Abroad resettlement work is assisting ‘returnees’ into secure accommodation and to retain housing tenancies over the longer-term in efforts to prevent homelessness. The centrality of housing from the perspectives of both the service users and Prisoners Abroad staff provide important insights and lessons for wider probation practice. Without a housing base, people lack the certainty and stability needed to address practical and emotional issues typically experienced after prison. Moreover, to establish the requisites for everyday functioning so that moving forward can be achieved
The diminishing voice of the probation service
Get PDFIn the past twenty years, the probation service in England and Wales has undergone four large-scale reforms, placing the service in a near-constant state of flux as it adopts to a revolving door of top-down re-organisations (Mair and Burke, 2013). Indeed, probation has recently emerged from the near ‘death knell’ (Newburn, 2013) of the failed transforming rehabilitation (TR) reforms and has since been reunified into one National Probation Service (NPS). However, the NPS faces a renewed set of challenges as it adopts to its increasingly centralised role within the civil service structure and subordinated role within HMPPS (HM Prison and Probation Service). This article will briefly outline three current challenges probation is facing, including: the straight-jacket imposed by a monolithic civil service culture; the further domination of prisons arising from the ‘one HMPPS’ leadership restructuring, and; the diminishing voice of probation in court work and parole hearings. These three challenges demonstrate concerns that a vital service is losing its independence and critical voice on a local and national stage. These challenges will also be assessed in light of the negative media reporting regarding probation’s role in a number of recent serious further offences (SFOs) (Editorial, 2023). This article will conclude by suggesting a potential pathway to ensure the distinct voice of probation continues to be heard
Examining the effects of celebrity negative publicity on attitude to, and reputation of brand and corporation, directly and based on moderating factors
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This study examines the effects of celebrity negative publicity on attitude towards brand, corporation, brand reputation, and corporate reputation, both directly and through the moderating effects of social media involvement, brand commitment, identification, and attribution (both types). Associative network theory has been used to explain these effects.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative survey of 550 respondents was carried out in London and surrounding areas. Structural equation modeling was used to analyse the data.
Findings
The findings suggest that celebrity negative publicity affects brand reputation and corporate reputation. Further, the moderating effects of social media involvement and brand commitment on attitude towards brand and corporation, identification on attitude towards brand, attribution types on attitude towards corporation were not found.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to examine the effects of celebrity negative publicity on attitudes towards brand, attitude towards corporation, brand reputation, and corporation reputation, directly, and through the moderating effects of attribution (both types), identification, commitment, and social media. Findings from this study will minimise the gap in the literature on the topic and will help managers and policy makers to understand the effects of celebrity negative publicity in detail
Contemporary practices of strength and conditioning coaches in high-level male ice hockey: a survey-based investigation
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to provide an updated view of the common practices, ideologies, education level, and professional environment of strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches in elite male ice hockey. Nineteen S&C coaches from professional, semi-professional and top-tier collegiate hockey teams in North America completed an anonymous online survey. This was comprised of 10 sections: (a) background information; (b) technology use, (c) testing & periodization, (d) strength and power, (e) flexibility/mobility, (f) speed, (g) plyometrics, (h) aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, (i) rehabilitation, (j) challenges & areas of improvement. Fixed-response questions were analyzed via frequency analyses. Thematic analyses were used to identify common themes from open-response questions. S&C coaches had an average of eight ( 6.5) years of experience when they accepted their current role. The majority held a master’s degree and S&C certification. Muscular power, linear speed, and body composition were the most frequently tested qualities. Neuromuscular fatigue was the most important consideration during the season and least important consideration during the off-season. Training frequencies for all physical capacities were lower during the season compared to the off-season. All S&Cs had access to technology, with wearables, with force plates identified as the most used devices. This information may be used by S&C coaches to compare working practices to those used by their peers and inform them of the likely requirements and skill sets needed for job applications. Educational institutions may use this information to align teaching to current practice and to inform future research
The 2022 Conservative leadership campaign and post-racial gatekeeping
Get PDFThe UK Conservative Party leadership contest that took place in the summer of 2022 was unprecedented for, among other things, its level of ethnic diversity. This article argues that this does not indicate a sharp, contemporary liberal turn within the party. It argues the opposite, in fact, that recent senior ethnic minority cabinet members and leadership contenders represent some of the party’s most rightwing ideologues in years. Through critical discourse analysis of narrative related to race, borders, immigration and the ‘nation’ in selected media appearances made by ethnic minority leadership contenders Rishi Sunak, Sajid Javid, Nadhim Zahawi, Suella Braverman and Kemi Badenoch as part of their campaigns, this piece positions these individuals – in distinct yet interrelated ways – as ethnic minority post-racial gatekeepers, continuing yet intensifying a long trend within the Conservative Party of the reproduction of the racial status quo legitimised through nominal ethnic minority representation
A systematic review of the different calculation methods for measuring jump height during the countermovement and drop jump tests
Get PDFBackground
The height obtained during the countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) tests have been measured by numerous studies using different calculation methods and pieces of equipment. However, the differences in calculation methods and equipment used have resulted in discrepancies in jump height being reported.
Objectives
The aim of this systematic review was to examine the available literature pertaining to the different calculation methods to estimate the jump height during the CMJ and DJ.
Methods
A systematic review of the literature was undertaken using the SPORTDiscus, Medline, CINAHL, and PubMed electronic databases, with all articles required to meet specified criteria based on a quality scoring system.
Results
Twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria, relating various calculation methods and equipment employed when measuring jump height in either of these two tests. The flight time and jump and reach methods provide practitioners with jump height data in the shortest time, but their accuracy is affected by factors such as: participant conditions or equipment sensitivity. The motion capture systems and the double integration method measure the jump height from the centre of mass height at the initial flat foot standing to the apex of jumping, where the centre of mass displacement generated by the ankle plantarflexion is known. The impulse-momentum and flight time methods could only measure the jump height from the centre of mass height at the instant of take-off to the apex of jumping, thus, providing statistically significantly lower jump height values compared to the former two methods. However, further research is warranted to investigate the reliability of each calculation method when using different equipment settings.
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that using the impulse-momentum method via a force platform is the most appropriate way for the jump height from the instant of take-off to the apex of jumping to be measured. Alternatively, the double integration method via a force platform is preferred to quantify the jump height from the initial flat foot standing to the apex of jumping