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Podcasts as pedagogy in higher education: A scoping review to map and advance the field
No full textPodcasts are now one of the most ubiquitous forms of digital engagement and entertainment. Their increasing global impact also extends to higher education (HE), where they serve a variety of pedagogical purposes despite limited conceptual clarity. This paper reports on a scoping review exploring the concept and role of podcasts in HE teaching and learning. Based on a review of 91 publications, the paper maps definitions, taxonomies and pedagogical uses of podcasts, leading to a working definition of the concept ‘educational podcasts’. This conceptualisation seeks to capture the many types of pedagogical work for which podcasts are used in contemporary HE, which are explored in an adapted taxonomy based on the scoping review. The paper then points to four key areas for future research. Together, the paper thinks productively and creatively toward further development in researching and teaching of, with and through podcasts. Practitioner notes What is already known about this topic? Podcasts have been used in teaching and learning within higher education for more than a decade. Podcasts have great potential for teaching and learning. Much of the related research either fails to define a podcast or uses the terminology variously. What this paper adds? This paper explores the ways that podcasts have been defined and studied in higher education teaching and learning. It clarifies and clearly summarises various bodies of literature. It offers an updated taxonomy and definition of educational podcasts. It outlines a research agenda for studying podcasts and teaching/learning in higher education in the years to come. Implications for practice and/or policy Podcasts can be used in innovative ways both within and beyond higher education classrooms. Educators (and students) are encouraged to think creatively and productively about how podcasts can enhance teaching and learning. Policymakers, researchers, educators and other stakeholders are wise to consider the longer-term impacts and possibilities for podcasts as a key source of pedagogy for students and the general public.</p
Can renewable energy zones become regional equity zones? Policy coherence and social equity in the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap in New South Wales, Australia
No full textGovernments across a range of countries are establishing renewable energy zones to accelerate and coordinate the construction of large-scale solar, wind and battery infrastructure and associated transmission lines, mainly in regions outside metropolitan areas. Renewable energy zones intensify the geographical concentration of both the benefits and impacts for communities living near this infrastructure, raising both opportunities and challenges for policymaking. This article applies theories of policy coherence to ask: (a) what synergies and tensions arise between renewable energy and social equity for regional communities when establishing and implementing renewable energy zones, and (b) what political factors drive synergies and tensions between these policy objectives and how could they be managed more effectively? We present findings from a case study of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, drawing on documentary analysis, interviews and focus groups. We identify several drivers of incoherence, including political polarisation over energy policy, limited inter-agency coordination and scale mismatches that disincentivise community energy initiatives. Drivers of coherence include cross-party dialogue, strengthening institutional capacity and incentives for project developers to invest in community engagement and benefit-sharing. Our analysis yields lessons for the rollout of renewable energy zones internationally, while also demonstrating the value of a policy coherence lens for advancing equity and justice together with other policy objectives.</p
Informed, supported, confident:A realist evaluation of The Birth Map
No full textPROBLEM: Birth preparation needs a standardised, communication-focused, structured and collaborative approach that acknowledges women as decision makers.BACKGROUND: The Birth Map is a consumer-driven, woman-led, structured approach to birth preparation in the form of a book.AIM: To evaluate The Birth Map from the perspective of women across different models of care within Australian maternity services.METHODS: Realist Evaluation methodology, with 32 self-selected participants from various models of care who gave birth from September to December 2022 throughout Australia. Participants provided reflections of their experiences throughout pregnancy from March to December 2022, and 12 were interviewed postpartum in January and February 2023. Transcriptions of reflections and interviews were coded for context, mechanism and outcomes.FINDINGS: Women saw themselves as decision makers and used The Birth Map to help make sense of their options and to communicate their needs to their care team. Reports were positive across communication, experience and decision making. Communication barriers included short appointment times and dismissive care providers, which impacted the experience negatively and impeded decision making.DISCUSSION: Maternal Decision Making is a process of balancing information and individual circumstances. Women use a process of sensemaking to build support and confidence for decision making. Supported Maternal Decision Making is crucial to a Respectful Maternity Experience. Whilst The Birth Map was a mitigating factor to the identified barriers, care provider training is recommended.CONCLUSION: The structured, woman-led approach to birth preparation supports effective communication in maternity services through sensemaking, relationship building and supported maternal decision making.</p
Diversity, distribution, and population structure of Escherichia coli in the lower gastrointestinal tract of humans
No full textSeveral studies report the diversity, and population structure of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the human gut, but most used faecal specimens as the source of E. coli for analysis. In the present study, we collected mucosal biopsies from three different locations: the terminal ileum, transverse colon, and rectum from 46 individuals. To identify unique strains, we fingerprinted about 3300 isolates of E. coli via the multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) technique. An example of each strain per individual then underwent PCR for phylogrouping, and specific phylogrouped strains were further screened to determine whether they belonged to one of four common human-associated sequence types (ST69, ST73, ST95, and ST131), and to identify B2-subtypes. We detected on average 2.5 unique strains per individual. The frequency of unique strain(s) appeared in individuals as follows: 35% (16/46) had only one strain, 22% (10/46) had two strains, 24% (11/46) had three strains and 4% (2/46), 9% (4/46) and 7% (3/46) had 4, 5 and 6 strains, respectively. Strain richness did not depend on gender, age, or disease status. The most abundant phylogroup in all gut locations was B2 followed by A, B1, and D. Strain richness overall and across gut locations was decreased if an individual’s dominant strain belonged to phylogroup B2. ST95, ST131, and ST73 constituted more than half of the total B2 strains. Analysis of B2 sub-types revealed that sub-types IX (STc95) and I (STc131) were more common than other sub-types. The phylogroup and ST of strains at different gut locations did not vary significantly. However, there were multiple examples of individuals who carried strains detected only in one gut location. The present study suggests that particular phylogroups and STs are likely to dominate in different locations in the lower gut of humans.</p
C4d Immunoreactivity in Autoimmune and HBV-Induced Hepatitis:Implications for Complement-Mediated Hepatocellular Injury
No full textBackground: Although immune complex formation is widely acknowledged as the etiological agent for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis nodosa, reactive arthritis, etc., its roles in chronic hepatitis are less understood. This study aims to compare the immunohistochemistry profile of immune complex deposition in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Methods: Immunohistochemistry of C4d, a widely used marker for complement deposition was employed on liver biopsies from 72 and 15 patients with CHB and AIH, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze its prevalence and its association with a range of clinical and histological parameters. Results: Among the 15 AIH biopsies examined, C4d deposition was observed in 11 cases (73.3%), the majority of which showed a periportal staining pattern (10/11). In CHB, 61 (84.7%) of 72 cases tested positive for C4d, which did not differ significantly with that of AIH. While the periportal pattern was predominantly observed in CHB cases, positive staining in central veins, sinusoids, and hepatic parenchyma were also documented. In particular, C4d deposition is significantly associated with elevated serum ALT and liver inflammation in CHB. Of note, in specimens with a patchy parenchymal C4d staining pattern, a spatially correlated HBsAg IHC signal was observed in adjacent sections from the same tissue. Conclusions: These data suggest an involvement of immune complex-mediated immunopathy in autoimmune hepatitis and HBV-induced hepatitis. The positive intrahepatic C4d signal was associated with heightened liver inflammation. The colocalization of the C4d signal on hepatocytes with HBsAg strongly suggests a causal relationship between viral activity and complement deposition. These observations align with our recent evidence implicating the contribution of capsid–antibody complexes in the pathogenesis of CHB.</p
The Evolution of Participatory Local Democracy in Nepal
No full textNepal is, according to its constitution, among the world’s most decentralized countries, with a long and complex tra- dition of local-level public participation. This paper traces the evolution of Nepal’s modern participatory institutions, examining the extent to which they are “induced” by external interventions versus being “organically” rooted in indige- nous practices. The paper identifies three broad phases: an initial focus on participation in project implementation; a subsequent phase that expanded citizen engagement; and a third phase of citizen empowerment, culminating in the 2015 federal constitution, which granted unprecedented local autonomy. The analysis yields five key findings. First, over the past 50 years, successive reforms have progres- sively expanded opportunities for citizens to influence local decision-making. Second, these reforms have integratedtraditional participatory mechanisms into formal institu- tions of local government. Third, although central-level initiatives exist, most participatory platforms continue to operate at the local level. Fourth, the federal constitution has created a new landscape of local democracy, embedding autonomy and accountability. Fifth, although they are still valued in many ethnic and territorial communities, tra- ditional participatory practices are gradually disappearing. The paper concludes by offering policy recommendations to help donor agencies and governments strengthen Nepal’s democratic trajectory. It argues that effective interventions should build on Nepal’s deep participatory traditions while recognizing the constitutional reality of far-reaching local autonomy
Trump wants Australian data on migrant crime. This will only scapegoat vulnerable people
No full textAdvanced Physiotherapy Practitioners can provide efficient access to care in orthopaedics.:A knowledge translation project
No full textOrthopaedic elective surgery clinics have long unmonitored wait times. Advanced physiotherapists have the skills needed to filter those patients in most urgent need of surgical consultation. We aimed to improve the efficiency and patient outcomes of these clinics. A project was conducted using a knowledge translation framework from 2022 to 2024 to investigate the barriers and implement best practice care for patients with knee osteoarthritis referred to a surgical clinic. Interviews with stakeholders informed barriers and enablers to applying best practice models of care, and service statistics over three years were analysed to inform decisions and conduct economic analysis. We found that anchoring in the clinical care standard, increasing screening by advanced practice physiotherapists and facilitating access to community-based nonsurgical interventions significantly reduced waiting times to see a surgeon and directed patients to appropriate care pathways.Background: Lengthy wait times between GP referral and specialist consultation harm vulnerable patients. Advanced physiotherapy (AP) practitioners have shown diagnostic and triage concordance with orthopaedic surgeons and high patient satisfaction. Aim: To sustainably reduce the wait time between GP referral and consultation in orthopaedic clinics.Methods: Knowledge translation involves stakeholders in identifying best practices, barriers, enablers, and data collection to evaluate impact, ensuring sustainability and ownership of change. Our steering committee included internal and external stakeholders from public and private health sectors and consumers. In 2023, AP screening was increased for all knee osteoarthritis patients, health records became digital, and hip and knee programs expanded in community health centres.Service Data: We analysed patient characteristics, wait times, and pathways for orthopaedic patients with knee osteoarthritis referred between March and September in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and examined factors predicting longer waits.Stakeholder Voices: We interviewed stakeholders including six patients waiting to see a surgeon, four surgeons, five health executives, six health professionals, and six primary care practitioners. We asked what was working well, what was not, what an excellent model of care would look like, and the barriers and enablers. Thematic analysis was framed by these research questions.Results: Screening increased to 21%, 81%, and 74% of patients in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. The wait to consultation was 800 days (mean, range 6-1935) in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, all patients except the most severe were screened (wait time to screening: 50 days in 2023 and 55 days in 2024). This resulted in reduced wait times to see a surgeon for category 2 patients: from 193 days (7-1983) in 2022 to 82 days (12-175) in 2023 and 63 days in 2024.AP screening resulted in surgeons saw 77% of new patients in 2022, but this decreased to 56% in 2023 and 53% in 2024. Surgeons discharged 27% of patients at the initial consultation in 2022, but with increased screening, this dropped to 10% in 2023 and 21% in 2024.Stakeholders valued AP screening: patients appreciated advice and surgeons appreciated the filtering of patients. While the quality of surgery was appreciated, waits were deemed unacceptably long, especially for complex patients at risk of deterioration. The preferred model of care was a community-based program providing assessment, advice, and review with rapid access to surgery when needed. APs working at the top of their scope have these skills. Mechanisms to escalate deteriorating patients were needed. AP’s sought access to imaging, direct referral to the orthopaedic list, and quick access to surgeon advice. Good communication with the community to promote allied health interventions before considering surgery was essential. Facilitating access to surgery for the right patients was crucial for a responsive, efficient system.Implications: AP physiotherapy consultations provide quality care and streamline access to surgical and non-surgical care. The impact included faster access to surgeon consultations with shorter wait times and greater uptake of non-surgical options. The data collected will enable ongoing monitoring to maintain system efficiency.<br/
The Athlete-IQ:Evaluating iron knowledge of female athletes and staff; with insights into practices among dietitians and iron experts
No full textBackground Iron deficiency (ID) is common in female athletes, with variable diagnostic criteria and supplementation protocols used to determine deficient athletes. Understanding iron rich food sources is fundamental to optimal nutrition intake. Purpose: Our aim was to characterise the iron knowledge of female athletes and affiliated staff and explore factors influencing iron deficiency practices among dietitians and iron experts (sports physiologists and iron researchers). Methods A cross-sectional design was employed using a web-based iron questionnaire (adapted from previously validated questionnaires). Part One consisted of 16 items (11 iron questions) and was completed by female athletes and staff. Participants achieving a score >75 % (percentage of correct answers) were deemed to have adequate iron knowledge. Part Two consisted of 22 items (14 on iron deficiency practice) and was completed by dietitians and iron experts. Descriptive statistics were used for multiple choice questions and open responses were coded thematically. Results Sixty-two participants (athletes n = 42; staff n = 20) across 10 sports completed Part One. Iron knowledge scores ranged from 21 % to 88 % among athletes (46 % ± 13 %) and staff (60 % ± 16 %). Twenty-eight practitioners (sports dietitians: n = 14; other professions: n = 14) across 28 sports completed Part Two. Between 10 % and 56 % of practitioners applied established criteria for diagnosing iron deficiency. Supplementation protocols varied between 20 and 100 mg/day or bi-daily of elemental iron for earlier stages of iron deficiency increasing to 60–200 mg/day or bi-daily for anaemic athletes. Conclusion Iron knowledge is highly variable in female athletes and club staff. Teams and organisations should promote valid nutrition resources when access to a sports dietitian is not feasible. Practitioners may adopt heightened criteria to categorise iron deficiency but should adjust individual thresholds based on factors underpinning fluctuations in iron status.</p
