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Investigating UK academics’ professional social media use: a qualitative analysis using the lenses of digital literacy, UTAUT and the concept of boundary work
Get PDFThe integration of social media platforms in academic processes at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is on the rise. Currently, digital literacy development programmes focus on increasing academics’ engagement with platforms and little attention is given to well-being associated with digital disengagement leading to increasing workloads and the blur between personal and professional boundaries. Even so, it is not clear Why and how academics negotiate boundaries related to their professional social media use? What affects academics’ decision-making about their intentions to use or not to use social media? Why and how do academics learn to use social media professionally? and Which digital competencies do academics require to make decisions about engagement and disengagement with social media? The present study addressed these questions, in the context of Teaching & Learning and Networking & Public Engagement, through a qualitative mixed-method research design comprising six virtual focus groups (n=35) and one online survey (n=172).
The findings of the present study show academics’ dynamic engagement in boundary work when they make decisions about their engagement and disengagement with social media. Academics negotiated boundaries with students, colleagues, support staff, external experts, the public, other academics, activists, research communities and industries. Key challenges appeared to be associated with the predominant ambivalent beliefs about technology and resulted in academics’ complexities to understand and manage ethical and identity dilemmas. Their decisions were infused with social influences and affective reactions that appeared to lead to paradoxical experiences and potential negative consequences (e.g., stress, anxiety and exceeding cognitive capacities) for their well-being. Therefore, it seems important for academics to learn to use social media through the building of digital competencies provided by the novel contribution of the TeSEmo Digital Competency Framework that may enable and support academics’ holistic decision-making about their engagement and disengagement with platforms towards sustainable development and maintenance of their well-being
Predictive healthcare modelling via kernel-based machine learning
Get PDFPredictive modelling of clinical data is fraught with challenges arising from the manner in which events are recorded. Firstly, the aggregated electronic health records (EHR) contain complementary information from multiple sources and are characterised as heterogeneous due to the disparate innate properties of their constituents. Secondly, patients typically fall ill at irregular intervals and experience dissimilar intervention trajectories. This results in irregularly sampled and uneven-length heterogeneous data, which poses a problem for standard multivariate tools. The alternative of feature extraction into equal-length vectors via methods like bag-of-words (BoW) potentially discards useful information.
This research proposes an approach based on a kernel framework, in which data is maintained in its native form: discrete sequences of symbols. Bespoke kernel functions derived from variants of edit distance between pairs of sequences may then be utilized in conjunction with support vector machines (SVM) to classify the data. The framework via multi-kernel learning (MKL) provides a principled way of addressing the problem of modelling heterogeneous EHR entities; thus, we can algebraically combine multiple base kernels derived from real-valued and categorical entities into a single model. It also provides a means to combine weak discriminative standalone kernels in order to achieve superior results.
The proposed method was evaluated in the context of a prediction task involving determining susceptible patients likely to succumb to type 2 diabetes following an earlier episode of elevated blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg. Kernels combined via multi-kernel learning achieved an F1-score of 0.96, outperforming classification with SVM 0.63, Logistic Regression 0.63, Long Short Term Memory 0.61 and Multi-Layer Perceptron 0.54 applied to a BoW representation of the data. An F1-score of 0.91 was achieved by combining symbolic kernels with kernels derived from 11 real-valued test measurements. The findings also showed a higher F1-score of 0.93 was achieved in a similar heterogeneous combination of kernels derived from symbolic EHR and from a single test measure, ‘Serum bilirubin level’ (Read code 44E..00). In addition, as a means of external validation of the proposed framework, an F1-score of 0.97 was achieved with MKL on an external dataset.
The proposed approach is consequently able to overcome the limitations associated with feature-based classification in the context of clinical data
Missionary-self and mission others: the identity of Chinese missionaries from a Trinitarian perspective
Get PDFDespite the rise of the PRC Chinese missionary movement over the past 20 years, there has been hardly any research on how the identity of Chinese missionaries affects the relationship with their mission ‘Others’ in the field. The purposes of this thesis are, firstly, to explore the key factors in Chinese missionaries’ identity construction as they engaged in cross-cultural missions. The second purpose is to use Trinitarian traits to respond to identity construction among Chinese missionaries to help them in their awareness of their own identity and so promote the creation of fruitful relationships with their mission ‘Others’.
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Chinese missionary identity, I combined the discourses of identity presented by Chinese and Western scholars on the construction of the Chinese missionaries’ identity. Through in-depth interviews, I collected the stories of 52 missionaries from China. Using Narrative Inquiry, I was able to provide a thick description of the challenges they faced due to their identity as they crossed cultures. I then used a multidisciplinary perspective to synthesise a sociological, philosophical, and theological approach to address these challenges.
Despite 70 years of Communist governance, it was found that Confucian values still strongly impacted Chinese missionary identity. Familism, Face culture and authoritarianism all played a vital role in relationships. The findings showed that the Chinese missionary identity was influenced by social class and a Han-centric ethnocentrism which led to nationalism. In the religious sphere there was a strong emphasis on suffering for the gospel, a conservative theology focused on following tradition, and Pentecostalism, which explained conflicts as due to power encounters.
Finally, ‘Tridentity’, a new paradigm based on four Trinitarian traits, is presented in the hope that it will enable future Chinese Missionaries to overcome identity challenges in cross-cultural service
Geschäftsmodell-Innovation als strategischer Erfolgsfaktor für die Edelstahlindustrie – Eine qualitative, empirische Studie am Beispiel Südostasien
No full textThis thesis investigates the strategic importance of Business Model Innovation (BMI) in the special-steel industry, with the focus on the geographical region of Southeast Asia. A structured literature-research into the key areas business model and business model innovation, servitisation and product-service systems (PSS), as well as the strategic relevance of business model innovation, is followed by a critical discussion of the identified theoretical literature and concepts. The adjacent research field of transformation, in relation to business model innovation, is covered in a basic context as transformation is in academic literature quite often linked to BMI.
The selected research methodology consists of expert-interviews for the collection of data, which is followed by a qualitative context-analysis. The interviews were held across five countries in Southeast Asia, namely Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. These countries represent the most important end-user markets for special-steel in Southeast Asia. After applying a deductive code-system on the transcribed research-data, the necessity for an inductive code-system was evident and subsequently developed out of the researched data.
The results identified a variety of possible action items. The level of customer satisfaction for the current portfolio of special-steel suppliers was investigated and led to customer expectations for a future portfolio, split into products and services. Business-Models circulating around Design & Simulation, Monitoring of Tools & Dies, Pay-Per-Use (PPU) and Sustainability, have been identified, including the willingness of customers to pay for such new business models. The position of special-steel suppliers in the value-chain and possibilities for changes in the current position in the value-chain have been investigated. Furthermore, inputs for globalization and localization have been included in this study. More general topics such as innovation, customer-loyalty, competitiveness and partnership, linked to the main research-questions, concluded the analysis.
The results are summarized in catalogues of suggested action items, showing different topics for academia and research, the special-steel industry in general as well as the organization focused on in this research. In addition, different priorities are identified to support the competitiveness of the special-steel industry as well as the market leadership of the focus organization
Indonesian first national suicide prevention strategy: key findings from the qualitative situational analysis
Get PDFThe reduction of suicide is a priority within the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. However, Indonesia—the fourth most populous country globally—does not have a national suicide prevention strategy. Thus, in 2021, we began developing such a strategy, starting with a situational analysis recommended by the WHO LIVE-LIFE framework.1 This nationwide effort was led by a leadership committee advised by the Ministry of Health and WHO Indonesia
Die Kapitalstruktur europäischer Emittenten von bedingten Pflichtwandelanleihen im Bankensektor: eine robuste Korrelationsund Portfoliooptimierungsanalyse mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Wavelet-Analyse und von Bayesschen Netzen
Get PDFThis thesis investigates alternative estimation procedures of portfolio parameters to alleviate the effects of structural breaks, whereby the portfolio comprises capital structure instruments of European banks that have contingent convertible bonds outstanding. The robust estimation procedures focus on the correlation of returns and are based on the Wavelet Analysis and on Bayesian Nets. The estimation results will feature rolling and extending sample windows and be implemented in a standard mean-variance optimisation algorithm to construct optimal portfolios. The performance of these optimal portfolios will then in turn be further analysed and compared to the performance of reference portfolios with traditionally estimated parameters. The performance analysis will be carried out with asymmetric and higher-order measures to get a more authentic risk notion and to deal with non-normality of the return distribution.
The estimation procedures based on the Wavelet Analysis will conduct a Multi Resolution Analysis through the Maximum Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transformation. This will enable the calculation of different correlation measures on varying time scales. The traditional Pearson Correlation and the Dynamic Conditional Correlation are used for the correlation calculations of the transformed data. The reference portfolios will only use original data. The comparing study between the performance of the reference portfolios and the portfolios estimated with the transformed data show that parameters estimated at different time scales can have a positive impact on risk-adjusted portfolios returns. Especially, lower-frequency correlations unveil favourable diversification effects which were left undetected by traditional methods.
The estimation procedure based on Bayesian Nets models the causal relationships, which trigger a structural change of the return distribution of capital instruments associated with a stressed market state. On the foundation of the constructed Bayesian Net and the historical distribution in normal times, a joint probability distribution will be calculated. This joint probability distribution will be used to estimate the required portfolio parameters. The results are compared to traditional methods, whereby they show that risk-adjusted returns are improved and the alternative approach is coping better with a stressed market environment
Assessing the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity amongst women in Southeast England
No full textBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in long-term closure of exercise facilities, potentially restricting daily physical activity (PA). It is suggested that women’s PA levels have been disproportionately negatively affected by the pandemic, compared to men. It is important to determine how women’s PA has changed over the pandemic, and if new barriers to PA participation exist since the release of restrictions.
Aims: To assess how women in southeast England changed their activity during and post-pandemic, including how barriers and facilitators to activity have changed.
Methods: 330 females completed the first online questionnaire (during lockdown), and 139 completed the post lockdown questionnaire. Questionnaires were designed from the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants reported PA, and barriers and facilitators to exercise (Farah et al., 2021). Eighteen females then participated in online semi structured focus groups. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used for questionnaire data, and focus group transcriptions were thematically analysed.
Results: Most females maintained PA levels throughout the pandemic, with chi-square analysis revealing no significant associations (p<0.05) during and post-lockdown for PA levels. For barriers, significant associations (p<0.05) were revealed between the during- and post-lockdown responses for lack of access to equipment/space, time to exercise, social groups, finances, legal restrictions, safety concerns, gender, and child-care. Similarly, significant associations (p<0.05) for facilitators were identified during- and post-lockdown for access to equipment, finances, more time to exercise, and exercising with a social group. Focus group themes supported this, with participants expressing desires to return to pre-lockdown PA habits, but also maintain new ones created, such as continuing to exercise at home.
Conclusion: It is evident that the pandemic affected and changed the barriers and facilitators to female PA participation. Governments and industries in the sector should focus on providing services that address these changing habits to improve activity levels in women
Industry awards, employability and academic success
No full textThis panel discussion features faculty members from across Middlesex University's international campuses who will discuss their experiences and successes in entering students' work into industry awards. The aim is to initiate a discussion on the importance of industry-judged awards in higher education, aligning with Middlesex University's priorities under "Transforming Learning." The creative industries place a high value on awards, and major international competitions include free or heavily-subsidised youth categories to identify exceptional creativity and instil a passion for the industry. The proposed discussion aims to inspire study into this under-researched subject, share good practices and inspire colleagues to consider incorporating industry awards into their own pedagogy to help students achieve success
Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education
No full text1 in 7 people are neurodivergent, with higher levels of neurodivergent people reported in healthcare. Neurodivergent midwifery students report differences between the support they receive in university and the support they receive in practice. They can struggle to see their reasonable adjustments accepted in practice areas
Conceptualizing a transdisciplinary nexus for addressing complex problems
Get PDFWe envision opening a way of perceiving the transdisciplinary Hidden Third as a transcendental nexus of both passive and active causal powers reflecting and engaged with the external structures that create the complex social realities in which we live. It is in these realities and their possible worlds that the revealing of our relational capacities and activating (actualising) potentialities occurs. We propose that innovative and co-created solutions to complex problems can emerge when something at work within each person helps very differently minded people with a stake in an issue to realise that they have capabilities and potential that can be actualised situationally. To facilitate this idea, we adopt a notion of transindividuality, which is constitutive through relationality. This is a futural process of imaginal thinking and imaginary thinking. We suggest that when temporarily functioning in an intermediate inner universe (mundus imaginalis), and by operating between the empirical (concrete facts) and the abstract (e.g., meditative thinking), active imaginal powers foster emergent solutions unbounded by the positivistic framing problems and their future consequences. We conceptualized a transdisciplinary nexus that draws from the mundus imaginalis and the Hidden Third to provide deeper insights into the role that people’s inner images of the world play when engaging in transdisciplinary problem solving