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Student perspectives on learning analytics
Get PDFLearning Analytics has drawn the attention of higher education institutions in recent years as a promising approach to improving learning and teaching. Even though students are key stakeholders for Learning Analytics, there is a lack of student perspectives in institutional decision-making and the body of research shedding light on student views is limited. This paper aims to address this gap by exploring student perspectives on Learning Analytics through interviews and focus groups with 18 student participants from a university in Scotland. Key findings include a general lack of awareness of the term ‘learning analytics', a desire for customisation and anonymity, and a positive attitude towards dashboards. A number of dashboard design mock-ups were co-designed with student participants, incorporating several of their expectations from Learning Analytics
Design and synthesis of chiral thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters for organic light emitting diodes
No full textOrganic circularly polarized thermally activated delayed fluorescence (CP-TADF) emitters have received significant attention for use in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) because they utilize both singlet and triplet excitons, achieving up to 100% theoretical internal quantum efficiency, and emit circularly polarized light. However, their broad emission from the large molecular relaxation leads to unsatisfied color purity. Multi-resonant TADF (MR-TADF) compounds address this by featuring separated frontier molecular orbitals, enabling a small energy splitting between the first singlet and triplet excited states (ΔE_{ST}), and a rigid structure, ensuring narrowband emission and high photoluminescence quantum yield. Circularly polarized OLEDs (CP-OLEDs) are promising for energy-efficient 3D and high-resolution displays. Developing emitters with narrowband emission, high efficiency, and high dissymmetry factor circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) remains a challenge. This thesis investigates the design of chiral TADF emitters having fast reverse intersystem crossing process, and CP-MR-TADF emitters that are capable of two-photon excited CPL.
Chapter 1 introduces OLED mechanisms, and the principles of photoluminescence and electroluminescence. The design of TADF emitters, and an overview of the development of CP-MR-TADF emitters are also included.
Chapters 2 and 3 introduce emitter designs that merge the planar chiral motif [2.2]paracyclophane (PCP) and known MR-TADF emitter DiKTa and tCzBN, respectively, aiming to explore the role that the PCP plays, including a through-space heavy atom effect on perturbing their photophysical and chiroptical properties, and their OLED performance.
Chapter 4 presents a novel emitter combining tCzBN and DiKTa at the pseudo-ortho position of PCP to accelerate RISC, while maintaining both CPL and narrowband emission.
Chapter 5 introduces a new emitter incorporating a novel carbazolophane (1,7)tBuCzp, and its photophysical, chiroptical performance, and OLED performance.
Chapter 6 discusses the first reported two-photon excited CP-MR-TADF emitters, featuring excellent chiroptical properties and two-photon absorption cross-sections.
Chapter 7 details the experimental methods used in this thesis
The consequences of constrained sex allocation in diploids and haplodiploids under local mate competition
Get PDFUnmated females in haplodiploid populations may enjoy reproductive success but with the constraint that all their offspring—developing from unfertilised eggs—are male. The presence of such females, constrained to produce only male offspring, is expected to lead to a corresponding female bias being favoured among the offspring of unconstrained females. Godfray (J Evol Biol 3, 3–17) derived a mathematical expression for the unbeatable sex allocation strategy for unconstrained females in the context of local mate competition in 2-foundress patches, and concluded that there is negligible impact of the presence of constrained females on the unbeatable sex allocation of unconstrained females. However, Godfray’s result assumes diploid—rather than haplodiploid—genetics and his derivation contains a mathematical error. We correct Godfray’s error and extend his model to incorporate haplodiploid genetics. This results in a more substantial impact of constrained females on the sex allocation behaviour of unconstrained females under local mate competition.Peer reviewe
Sexualised violence by a woman against a boy : upsetting the binary gender hierarchy in Of the Seven Masters
No full textPeer reviewe
Ligand variations in low oxidation state group 13 and group 14 compounds : synthesis, characterisation, and novel reactivity
No full textLow-oxidation state main group species have emerged as sustainable and versatile alternatives to transition metal reagents, demonstrating remarkable capability in bond activation and catalytic transformations. This thesis aims to advance the field through innovative ligand modification, developing novel group 13 and 14 complexes with tailored reactivity.
Chapter 1 provides an overview of main group chemistry, emphasising the synthesis, bonding and advanced reactivity of low-oxidation state group 13 and 14 element complexes with various ligand systems.
Chapters 2 and 3 focus on the synthesis of new aluminium(I) and gallium(I) complexes, stabilised by backbone-modified β-diketiminate ligands. Notably, (ᴱᵗᴰⁱᵖnacnac)Al (ᴱᵗᴰⁱᵖnacnac = [HC(C(Et)N(Dip))₂]), was synthesised efficiently within one hour alongside structurally unique side products. Further reactivity studies yielded unusual Al-Mg and Al-Al bonded species. The gallium analogues (ᴱᵗᴰⁱᵖnacnac)Ga and (ⁱᴾʳᴰⁱᵖnacnac)Ga mediated unprecedented C-H activation of azobenzene, yielding stable dearomatised spirocyclic compounds that undergo rearomatisation and nucleophilic addition with benzaldehyde. Bimetallic Ga-Mg and Ga-Al complexes were also synthesised and characterised.
Chapter 4 employs a newly introduced N-heterocyclic carbene, ᴱᵗIDip (IDip = {HC(NDip)}₂C), to stabilise robust group 13 element(III) complexes. The oxidative reactions of ᴱᵗIDip with several small substrates, including C₂Cl₆ and CsF, generated new imidazolium halide complexes that can be used in various substitution reactions.
Chapters 5 and 6 establish a versatile synthetic method for iminophosphorane proligands and building blocks, enabling the isolation of reactive heavier group 14 metallylenes. Notably, the silylene exhibits an unprecedented dimeric structure in the solid state and readily reacts with C-C unsaturated bonds as a monomer.
This thesis explores how subtle ligand modifications influence the synthesis, structure, properties and reactivity in low-oxidation state group 13 and 14 complexes, advancing the understanding of this emerging class and providing valuable information for constructing unusual main group complexes with tailored properties in the future
A novel approach for tissue analysis in joint infections using the Scattered Light Integrating Collector (SLIC)
Get PDFFunding: This study was supported by the Collaborative Research Grant program (to R.J.H.H., F.A.S., P.J.W. and D.C.W.) and the Global Doctoral Scholarship program of the Universities of St Andrews and Bonn (to I.L.C., R.J.H.H., F.A.S., P.J.W. and D.C.W.). Frank A. Schildberg was sponsored by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy- EXC2151- 390873048 and the John Templeton Foundation (grant #62214).Total joint arthroplasty is among the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide, with frequency increasing due to demographic changes. Accelerating the diagnostic process using new techniques is crucial for effective therapy. This pilot study aims to test such innovative technology in the context of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) using Scattered Light Integrating Collector (SLIC) technology. While we wish to evaluate whether SLIC can be used to reliably detect the status of infection within human tissue samples in the future, our current research focused on building its foundation by evaluating steps of sample preparation that allow for heightened growth depiction. It is, to our knowledge, the first study concerning the usage of solid human tissue samples using the SLIC device. Adult patients presenting with native or periprosthetic joint infections were included in this prospective study. Biopsies were obtained using sequential sampling, and bacterial density was optimized through titration series. Cryopreservation and agents influencing coagulation were investigated. Our study demonstrates that simple pretreatment could aid in detecting pathogen growth in infected tissue samples. Findings showed a clear advantage for no addition of agents affecting coagulation. Additionally, our protocols proved reliable after prolonged cryopreservation at −20 °C for up to 8 weeks, showing no significant difference compared to primary testing. AUC comparison showed comparable results for sample storage at −80 °C for up to 8 weeks. Similar outcomes were seen for samples ranging from 25 µL to 300 µL, with biological replicates displaying higher thresholds for larger volumes without significant differences. This study introduces a simple and quick diagnostic tool for detecting bacterial growth using tissue biopsies and develops an SOP for further research with this innovative technique. The suggested SOP enables SLIC to hint at an underlying bacterial infection within 5 h using joint tissue, offering a possible novel approach in diagnosing periprosthetic joint infections and septic arthritis. While not yet designed to compare sensitivity to other culture methods, it provides a solid basis for further clinical research.Peer reviewe
Intuition or analysis? : How entrepreneurial motivations shape decision-making under uncertainty
Get PDFEntrepreneurs frequently encounter ambiguous, uncertain situations that, despite limited information, require critical decisions. Their decisions are not homogeneous and, while prior research has emphasized external factors such as industry experience or context, these alone do not fully explain the heterogeneity observed in entrepreneurial decision-making. This study integrates dual-process theories of cognition (intuitive and analytical thinking) and motivations (intrinsic and extrinsic motives) to explore how nascent entrepreneurs approach decision-making under uncertainty. Using think-aloud protocols with 25 new entrepreneurs presented with an unfamiliar business scenario, we found that intrinsically motivated entrepreneurs predominantly adopted intuitive thinking. In contrast, extrinsically motivated entrepreneurs relied more heavily on analytical approaches. Those who relied extensively on analytical thinking sometimes suffered decision-making paralysis. For scholars, the study offers novel insights into the interplay between motivations and cognitive processes, advancing our understanding of why entrepreneurs facing similar uncertainties reach different decisions and highlighting potential antecedents of entrepreneurial heterogeneity. For entrepreneurs, the findings emphasize the importance of self-awareness to align individual motivations and cognitive approaches, enhancing their decision-making effectiveness and reducing risks associated with misalignment.Peer reviewe
The Hollow and Other Poems
No full textThe Hollow and Other Poems is a collection in two parts. First, “The Hollow,” a long, narrative work that embraces the mythological aspects of childhood memory. Second, the other poems, which surround and complement the titular poem. Together, they span photography, Scotland, dream worlds, digital spaces, and the imagery of work, showcasing the author’s artistic progression as well as the vision he will take with him beyond.
By centering this collection around a long narrative poem, the author seeks to invoke the folk tale and perforate the boundary between poetry and fiction. Drawing from the likes of Seamus Heaney, Anne Carson, Czeslaw Milosz, and Homer, this collection is in constant dialogue—with these names, with the speaker’s surroundings, with the author himself—as it traverses urban landscapes and video games, brotherhood and nightmares. The Hollow and Other Poems is a love letter to the quotidian, to memory, and to the act of writing in this midst of it all
Respiratory microbiomes reflect whale health
Get PDFFunding: Funding was provided by Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program [RC20-1097, RC20-7188, RC21-3091], Office of Naval Research [N000142012697, N000142112096], NOAA Cooperative Institute agreement NA19OAR4320074, NA24OARX432C0008, NOAA Fisheries, SR3, and two anonymous donors.As important members of the marine ecosystem, baleen whales are frequently managed and protected, but methodology to assess their health remains limited. Recent technological advances, such as the use of drones, support the non-invasive collection of promising health-associated data, including respiratory exhalant microbiota. Here, we considered five health metrics paired with respiratory exhalant samples to examine the utility of characterizing respiratory microorganisms for health diagnostics of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), one of the most endangered baleen whale species. In 2016–2024, we used drones to collect 103 exhalant samples from 85 individuals to examine the associated microbiome, using amplicon sequencing methods targeting bacteria and archaea. The health status of sampled whales was characterized using an index of body condition derived from full-body vertical drone images, three qualitative assessments obtained from photo-identification imagery, and an existing health and vital rates model. Using an elastic net penalized regression approach, we demonstrate significant relationships between these health metrics and respiratory-associated microorganisms. Bacterial taxa that significantly contributed to the model for the body condition index differed between the thinnest and most robust males in the dataset. The thin whale harbored taxa belonging to the same genus as mammalian pathogens, Clostridium and Peptoniphilus, whereas the robust whale harbored taxa commonly observed in lipid-rich environments, Sediminispirochaeta and Candidatus Gracilibacteria. These differences warrant further investigation into the mechanisms by which bacteria contribute to whale health. Our findings demonstrate the utility of non-invasive multi-metric health models that include respiratory exhalant microbiota for whale health assessment and management.Peer reviewe
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