bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feeding rate in adult Manduca sexta is unaffected by proboscis submersion depth
Authors: Pierce Tomas F. , Hedrick Tyson L.
Published: May 2024

Adult moths from framily Spingidae (i.e. hawkmoths or sphinx moths) commonly feed on flower nectar through an extended proboscis, often several centimeters in length and longer than the body of the moth. Feeding on a viscous liquid (nectar) through a long and narrow tube is a challenging fluid dynamic problem and the subject of long-running scientific investigation. Here we characterized the relationship between proboscis submergence depth and nectar drinking rate in Manduca sexta hawkmoths. Video recordings of moth feeding bouts were collected and neural networks were used to extract data by object localization, tracking the location of the nectar meniscus and moths’ proboscis tips. We found that although feeding rates vary among bouts, the variation was not associated with proboscis submergence depth. These results show that despite the theoretical possibility of fluid uptake through the walls of the proboscis, such effects do not have a substantial effect on nectar uptake rate, and suggest that nectar must traverse the full length of the proboscis.
Who follows through? Different factors predict initial commitment vs. Following through in a national survey of organ donor registration
Authors: Yang Michelle Z. , Sheeran Paschal
Published: May 2024

Objective

Little research has investigated factors that determine whether people falter in the face of an obstacle or successfully follow through on an initial commitment to act. We integrated multiple theories (the Reasoned Action Approach [RAA], Prototype Willingness Model, and anticipated regret theory) to test which factors predict initial commitment to register as an organ donor and to discover whether different factors predict initial commitment vs. following through with registration.

Methods

Participants from a nationally representative UK sample (N = 1,008) reported their beliefs about organ donation and indicated their decision to register. An obstacle that participants could not foresee was that they had to complete registration in a second survey 3 days after making their initial commitment.

Results

Findings showed that 14.8% of participants followed through, 19.7% demonstrated initial commitment, and 65.5% declined to register. Linear discriminant function analysis derived two functions that distinguished these registration patterns. The first function discriminated participants who declined to register from the other groups. The declined group had lower scores on RAA variables compared to their counterparts. The second function distinguished participants who made an initial commitment to register from those who followed through. Follow-through was associated with less anticipated negative affect, more favorable descriptive norms, and stronger identification with organ donors.

Conclusions

The present findings indicate that even modest friction leads to a large reduction in follow-through. Moreover, different factors influence initial commitment vs. following through. Whereas RAA variables predicted initial commitment, following through was a function of anticipated negative affect and social processes.
Evaluation of rapid diagnostic test kits for detection of Treponema pallidum antibody
Authors: Chomean Sirinart , Puttaruk Palakorn , Khamsophar Phakawat , Fukpo Waraphorn , Kaset Chollanot
Published: May 2024

Rapid syphilis testing plays a crucial role in global health strategies, addressing the urgent need for prompt and accurate diagnostics, especially in settings with limited resources. Despite their practical utility, these tests often lack thorough validation, leading to concerns about their efficacy and reliability. This study aims to evaluate two prototypes of the Onsite Syphilis Ab Combo Rapid Test (Fd and Ff) and compare their performance with the established chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) method. Employing a reverse algorithm approach, the study analyzed 450 serum samples, including those from syphilis patients, healthy individuals, and cases with potential cross-reactions. Results of the rapid test kit were then correlated with CMIA findings, RPR, and TPPA titers. The results showed that prototype Fd exhibited a sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 98.8%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 8.4%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 100.00% and accuracy of 98.8%. Similarly, prototype Ff exhibited sensitivity of 100.0%, but with a slightly higher specificity of 99.6%, PPV of 21.5%, NPV of 100.0% and accuracy of 99.6%. Moreover, both prototypes Fd and Ff of the Onsite Syphilis Ab Combo Rapid Test demonstrated significant efficacy diagnostic tool, offering clear and straightforward interpretation for clinicians in varied CMIA, RPR and TPPA titer scenarios. The Onsite Syphilis Ab Combo Rapid Test prototypes, Fd and Ff, demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, comparable to CMIA methods. The effectiveness highlights their suitability for syphilis screening, particularly in non-laboratory settings or situations requiring immediate results. The validation of these prototypes supports their integration into current syphilis diagnostic algorithms, potentially contributing to improved public health outcomes.
On the wings of dragons: Wing morphometric differences in the sexually dichromatic common whitetail skimmer dragonfly, Plathemis lydia (Odonata: Libellulidae)
Authors: Rubio Andrew O. , Dye Ashley M. , Ifill Kyle E. , Summers Kyle
Published: May 2024

Sexual dimorphism is common throughout the animal kingdom, leading to sex-specific phenotypic differences. The common whitetail skimmer dragonfly, Plathemis lydia (Drury, 1773), is sexually dichromatic, where males of this species display a conspicuous white abdomen and females display a dark brown abdomen. Differences in abdomen conspicuousness between male and female P. lydia are likely attributed to differences in selective pressure where males use their white conspicuous abdomen during male-male territorial chases. We hypothesized that male P. lydia would exhibit wing morphology adaptations to better offset the costs of predation and territoriality and that these adaptations would differ from females. We used field-collected images to quantify differences in body length, wing length, wing area, wing shape, and wing loading between male and female P. lydia. Our results show that male P. lydia have significantly shorter fore and hind wings relative to body size with a higher wing loading when compared to females. We also found that male P. lydia have narrower and pointier fore and hind wings compared to females. These results are consistent with the idea that males are adapted for faster flight, specifically higher acceleration capacity, and higher agility whereas females are adapted for higher maneuverability.
Acoustic behavior of humpback whale calves on the feeding ground: Comparisons across age and implications for vocal development
Authors: Zeh Julia M. , Adcock Dana L. , Perez-Marrufo Valeria , Cusano Dana A. , Robbins Jooke , Tackaberry Jennifer E. , Jensen Frants H. , Weinrich Mason , Friedlaender Ari S. , Wiley David N. , Parks Susan E.
Published: May 2024

Studying sound production at different developmental stages can provide insight into the processes involved in vocal ontogeny. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are a known vocal learning species, but their vocal development is poorly understood. While studies of humpback whale calves in the early stages of their lives on the breeding grounds and migration routes exist, little is known about the behavior of these immature, dependent animals by the time they reach the feeding grounds. In this study, we used data from groups of North Atlantic humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine in which all members were simultaneously carrying acoustic recording tags attached with suction cups. This allowed for assignment of likely caller identity using the relative received levels of calls across tags. We analyzed data from 3 calves and 13 adults. There were high levels of call rate variation among these individuals and the results represent preliminary descriptions of calf behavior. Our analysis suggests that, in contrast to the breeding grounds or on migration, calves are no longer acoustically cryptic by the time they reach their feeding ground. Calves and adults both produce calls in bouts, but there may be some differences in bout parameters like inter-call intervals and bout durations. Calves were able to produce most of the adult vocal repertoire but used different call types in different proportions. Finally, we found evidence of immature call types in calves, akin to protosyllables used in babbling in other mammals, including humans. Overall, the sound production of humpback whale calves on the feeding grounds appears to be already similar to that of adults, but with differences in line with ontogenetic changes observed in other vocal learning species.
Lightweight helmet target detection algorithm combined with Effici-Bi-Level Routing Attention
Authors: Huang Yanguo , Fang Minjie , Peng Jian
Published: May 2024

Wearing helmets is essential in two-wheeler traffic to reduce the incidence of injuries caused by accidents. We present FB-YOLOv7, an improved detection network based on the YOLOv7-tiny model. The objective of this network is to tackle the problems of both missed detection and false detection that result from the difficulties in identifying small targets and the constraints in equipment performance during helmet detection. By applying an enhanced Bi-Level Routing Attention, the network can improve its capacity to extract global characteristics and reduce information distortion. Furthermore, we deploy the AFPN framework and effectively resolve information conflict using asymptotic adaptive feature fusion technology. Incorporating the EfficiCIoU loss significantly improves the prediction box’s accuracy. Experimental trials done on specific datasets reveal that FB-YOLOv7 attains an accuracy of 87.2% and 94.6% on the mean average precision (mAP@.5). Additionally, it maintains a high level of efficiency with frame rates of 129 and 126 frames per second (FPS). FB-YOLOv7 surpasses the other six widely-used detection networks in terms of detection accuracy, network implementation requirements, sensitivity in detecting small targets, and potential for practical applications.
A targeted CRISPR-Cas9 mediated F0 screen identifies genes involved in establishment of the enteric nervous system
Authors: Moreno-Campos Rodrigo , Singleton Eileen W. , Uribe Rosa A.
Published: May 2024

The vertebrate enteric nervous system (ENS) is a crucial network of enteric neurons and glia resident within the entire gastrointestinal tract (GI). Overseeing essential GI functions such as gut motility and water balance, the ENS serves as a pivotal bidirectional link in the gut-brain axis. During early development, the ENS is primarily derived from enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs). Disruptions to ENCC development, as seen in conditions like Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), lead to the absence of ENS in the GI, particularly in the colon. In this study, using zebrafish, we devised an in vivo F0 CRISPR-based screen employing a robust, rapid pipeline integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR reverse genetics, and high-content imaging. Our findings unveil various genes, including those encoding opioid receptors, as possible regulators of ENS establishment. In addition, we present evidence that suggests opioid receptor involvement in the neurochemical coding of the larval ENS. In summary, our work presents a novel, efficient CRISPR screen targeting ENS development, facilitating the discovery of previously unknown genes, and increasing knowledge of nervous system construction.
Robotic versus laparoscopic total mesorectal excision with lateral lymph node dissection for advanced rectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chaouch Mohamed Ali , Hussain Mohammad Iqbal , Carneiro da Costa Adriano , Mazzotta Alessandro , Krimi Bassem , Gouader Amine , Cotte Eddy , Khan Jim , Oweira Hani
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Lateral pelvic node dissection (LPND) poses significant technical challenges. Despite the advent of robotic surgery, determining the optimal minimally invasive approach remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes between robotic total mesorectal excision with LPND (R-LPND) and laparoscopic total mesorectal excision with LPND (L-LPND).

Methods

This meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 and AMSTAR 2 (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews) guidelines. Utilizing the RevMan 5.3.5 statistical package from the Cochrane Collaboration, a random-effects model was employed.

Results

Six eligible studies involving 652 patients (316 and 336 in the R-LPND and L-LPND groups, respectively) were retrieved. The robotic approach demonstrated favourable outcomes compared with the laparoscopic approach, manifesting in lower morbidity rates, reduced urinary complications, shorter hospital stays, and a higher number of harvested lateral pelvic lymph nodes. However, longer operative time was associated with the robotic approach. No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding major complications, anastomotic leak, intra-abdominal infection, neurological complications, LPND time, overall recurrence, and local recurrence.

Conclusions

In summary, the robotic approach is a safe and feasible alternative for Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) with LPND in advanced rectal cancer. Notably, it is associated with lower morbidity, particularly a reduction in urinary complications, a shorter hospital stay and increased number of harvested lateral pelvic nodes. The trade-off for these benefits is a longer operative time.
Influence of the perceptions of amenities on consumer emotions in urban consumption spaces
Authors: Tan Jiajie , Li Yingying
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study is to understand how consumers perceive amenities and their impact on promoting positive consumer emotions and comprehend the role of amenities in fostering urban consumption. We collected over 120,000 comments spanning 60 months (2015–2019) from 18 urban shopping centers in Shanghai. By applying text mining methods, we constructed a panel data model on the perception of four types of amenities and consumer emotions. Results indicate that different perceptions of amenities yield significantly different effects on consumer emotions. Specifically, we found that perceptions of cultural and safeguarded amenities significantly influence consumer emotions, albeit with different directions of impact. In contrast, perceptions of commercial and natural amenities did not significantly affect consumer emotions. The findings of this study provide a key reference for how to scientifically plan and reasonably introduce the types of amenities in urban consumption space, so as to reflect the promoting effect of amenities on urban consumption.
Song and genetic divergence within a subspecies of white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli)
Authors: Luo Amy Rongyan , Lipshutz Sara , Phillips Jennifer , Brumfield Robb T. , Derryberry Elizabeth Perrault
Published: May 2024

Animal culture evolves alongside genomes, and the two modes of inheritance—culture and genes—interact in myriad ways. For example, stable geographic variation in culture can act as a reproductive barrier, thereby facilitating genetic divergence between “cultural populations.” White-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) are a well-established model species for bird song learning and cultural evolution, as they have distinct, geographically discrete, and culturally transmitted song types (i.e., song dialects). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that divergence between culturally transmitted songs drives genetic divergence within Nuttall’s white-crowned sparrows (Z. l. nuttalli). In accordance with sexual selection theory, we hypothesized that cultural divergence between mating signals both preceded and generated genetic divergence. We characterized the population structure and song variation in the subspecies and found two genetically differentiated populations whose boundary coincides with a major song boundary at Monterey Bay, California. We then conducted a song playback experiment that demonstrated males discriminate between songs based on their degree of divergence from their local dialect. These results support the idea that discrimination against non-local songs is driving genetic divergence between the northern and southern populations. Altogether, this study provides evidence that culturally transmitted bird songs can act as the foundation for speciation by sexual selection.
How does green credit guidelines affect environmentally friendly enterprises’ ESG? A quasi-natural experiment from China
Authors: Xu Shengyu , Yang Jinqiu , Li Ruile
Published: May 2024

Following decades of extensive economic development, promoting the transition to greening and decarbonization in economic development have become inevitable choices for controlling environmental pollution and achieving high-quality development in China. Green Credit Guidelines (NIGCG) is a major policy innovation to promote green credit and further improve sustainable economic development. The influence of these guidelines on environmentally friendly enterprises’ sustainable development capacity, proxied by environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), has not yet been discussed. Therefore, this study takes the NIGCG issued in 2012 as a quasi-natural experiment, and adopts a propensity score matching–difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) model to test whether the NIGCG has affected ESG in environmentally friendly enterprises from 2009 to 2022. Our results indicate that the NIGCG significantly boosts environmentally friendly enterprises’ ESG, and this finding remains robust to a series of tests. In addition, a mediating effect analysis reveals that the NIGCG affects enterprises’ ESG through research and development (R&D) investment, verifying the Porter hypothesis in China. Finally, we determine that the role of NIGCG in promoting ESG is significantly reflected in the non-politically connected enterprises and enterprises in the eastern region. The empirical results suggest that the authorities should stimulate enterprises’ R&D investments through supporting policies, such as tax reimbursement and government subsidies, and formulate differentiated policies according to the characteristics of enterprises and their regions, so as to improve the effect of NIGCG.
NGS method for parallel processing of high quality, damaged or fragmented input material using target enrichment
Authors: Lyander Anna , Gellerbring Anna , Hägglund Moa , Elhami Keyvan , Wirta Valtteri
Published: May 2024

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been increasingly popular in genomics studies over the last decade and is now commonly used in clinical applications for precision diagnostics. Many disease areas typically involve different kinds of sample specimens, sample qualities and quantities. The quality of the DNA can range from intact, high molecular weight molecules to degraded, damaged and very short molecules. The differences in quality and quantity pose challenges for downstream molecular analyses. To overcome the challenge with the need of different molecular methods for different types of samples, we have developed a joint procedure for preparing enriched DNA libraries from high molecular weight DNA and DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue, fresh frozen tissue material, as well as cell-free DNA.
The HOCl dry fog–is it safe for human cells?
Authors: Lewandowski Rafał Bogdan , Stępińska Małgorzata , Osuchowski Łukasz , Kasprzycka Wiktoria , Dobrzyńska Monika , Mierczyk Zygmunt , Trafny Elżbieta Anna
Published: May 2024

This study aims to investigate if high-concentration HOCl fogging disinfection causes cytotoxicity and genotoxicity to cultured primary human skin fibroblasts. The cells were exposed to a dry fog of HOCl produced from solutions with a concentration of 300 ppm (5.72 mM) or 500 ppm (9.53 mM). After four times when fibroblasts were exposed to aerosolized HOCl at a concentration of 500 ppm for 9 minutes, significant cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects were observed. Significant changes in the morphology of fibroblasts and cell death due to membrane disruption were observed, independent of the number of exposures. Flow cytometry analyses performed under these experimental conditions indicated a decrease in the number of cells with an intact cell membrane in the exposed samples compared to the sham samples, dropping to 49.1% of the total cells. Additionally, under the same conditions, the neutral comet assay results demonstrated significant DNA damage in the exposed cells. However, no analogous damages were found when the cells were exposed to aerosolized HOCl generated from a 300-ppm solution for 3 minutes, whether once or four times. Therefore, we have concluded that aerosolized HOCl in dry fog, with a concentration exceeding 300 ppm, can cause cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on human skin fibroblasts.
Reseña del libro: Aitor L. Larrabide y Juan José Sánchez Balaguer (2023), La censura y Miguel Hernández
Authors: Balcells Doménech José María
Published: May 2024

Aitor L. Larrabide y Juan José Sánchez Balaguer, La censura y Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Instituto Juan Gil Albert, 2023, 510 pp. ISBN: 978-84-1146-025-5.
Reseña del libro: Idoia Murga Catro y Alejandro Coello Hernández (eds.) (2024), Los Ballets Espagnols de Antonia Mercé, La Argentina
Authors: Guerra Gallardo Miguel
Published: May 2024

Idoia Murga Catro y Alejandro Coello Hernández (eds.) (2024), Los Ballets Espagnols de Antonia Mercé, La Argentina, Madrid, Fundamentos, 2023, 284 pp. ISBN 978-84-245-1424-2.
Levelling the playing field
Authors: Whitsed Rachel , Parker Joanne
Published: May 2024

SkillBox, a curated, self-assessed, self-paced multimedia resource was developed for use by students as a way to increase their knowledge and confidence specific topics such as statistics, basic mathematics or referencing that are required in many tertiary subjects. A SkillBox uses adaptively scaffolded text, video and self-assessment quizzes, and is provided to students as an optional supplementary resource. We surveyed students and staff to evaluate the success of SkillBox across three teaching sessions. We found that engaging with SkillBox increased students' confidence attitude and knowledge in the topic area covered in that SkillBox, and that both students and staff found the addition of SkillBox useful and would recommend its use in other subjects. Although more research is needed, we suggest that a resource such as SkillBox can positively contribute not only to student knowledge and confidence in a range of topics, but also to equity, retention, engagement and academic performance in the subjects where a SkillBox is promoted.
Engineering professional identity practices
Authors: Khosronejad Maryam , Reimann Peter , Markauskaite Lina
Published: May 2024

Collaborative learning and problem solving are important aspects of engineering professional practice that need to be addressed in preparing competent engineering graduates and forming their professional identities. Taking the learning as becoming a professional perspective, we illustrate the diversity of engineering practices in a collaborative decision-making episode, where students' participation in the activity is mediated by their use of web search. We present how our development of the implied identity approach could help to understand how technology mediates collaborative sense making in relation to professional practices and identities. We illustrate this by providing examples of ways in which students use web information to justify their decision making.
From Flipped to Flopped to Flexible classrooms in Higher Education?
Authors: Wanner Thomas , Palmer Edward
Published: May 2024

There is currently much hype about the blended learning model of the 'flipped classroom' in higher education in Australia. Many courses at Universities are being transformed into fully or partially flipped classrooms where students prepare for face-to-face classes beforehand so that inclass time is used for active and collaborative learning. We provide six risks related to the flipped classroom based on our critical reflections from designing and teaching a fully flipped classroom. We argue that students' satisfaction and engagement with the flipped classroom model is increasingly eroded by the number of flipped courses and the rising time demands for students and teachers. Other factors that risk the flipped classrooms becoming 'flopped classrooms' are the lack of prior training of students for self-motivated learning; and the dependence on skilled teachers to create inspiring and course content relevant pre-class activities and to run effective collaborative exercises in the class room.
Using mobile technology for workplace learning
Authors: Trede Franziska , Macfarlane Susie , Markauskaite Lina , Goodyear Peter , McEwen Celina , Tayebjee Freny
Published: May 2024

Students' agency is an importnat enabler of productive learning in complex, unpredictable workplace environments. In the study presented here, we explored how mobile technology can help students enhance their workplace learning experiences and develop their capacity to act as learners and future practitioners. We collected survey and interview data from 312 participants, which informed the development of Mobile Technology Capacity Building Framework that comprises thematic resources for students, academics and workplace educators. Its development draws on two sets of theoretical ideas: the importance of agentic learning that enables students to develop their practice capabilities; and the use of activity-centred learning design to distinguish between what can be designed ahead of time and what should be left to students' agency. This study and Framework contribute to understanding how the productive use of technologies can foster students' agency and development of deliberate professionals with a high sense of adaptive expertise.
Failing forward in research around technology enhanced learning
Authors: Sankey Michael , Whitsed Rachel
Published: May 2024

There are lessons to be learned from undertaking 'successful' research but we do not hear much about the lessons learned when your research doe not come-off. But in many cases there are some very important lessons that can be learned that others may benefit from, particularly for those who are new to research around the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), as opposed to discipline based research that is reputedly conducted more from an empirical persepctive. This paper reports on some of the lessons learned by two researchers from two universities on research that could have been done better in relation to technology enhanced learning (TEL). Why do we need to hear about these lessons? For the sake of our students; we want to improve our teaching and do not want to make the sane mistakes that others may have done.
On the role of 'digital learning designer' for non-indigenous designers collaborating within culturally grounded digital design settings
Authors: Petersen Lynn , Egan John , Curtis Elana , Barrow Mark
Published: May 2024

This is a conceptual inquiry into the nature of the role of learning designer from mainstream cultural groups working within culturally-grounded digital design settings. This paper stems from the co-design of an online transition-to-study resource developed specificall for Maori and Pacific students about to begin postgraduate study at the University of Auckland in Aotearoa New Zealand. The resource is the culmination of an extensively planned design project amongst primarily non-indigenous designers in partnership with both indigenous and non-indigenous academics. These reflections from both nonindigenous and indigenous members of the project team are offered for other tertiary-sector designers as reflections and potential sparks - 'theoretical seed sowing' (Bihanic, 2015, p. vi-vii) - about the inherently positional and necessarily culturally-grounded nature of the role of digital learning designer.
Individual differences in motivations for using social media among university students
Authors: Lau Wilfred
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to examine individual differences in motivations for using social media among university students. Motivations were measured with a validated social media motives scale. Participants were 348 undergraduate students studying in a university in Hong Kong. Results from a series of MANOVAs showed that there were in general no significant differences in the five motivation variables (entertainment, personal utility, information seeking, convenience, and altruism) with respect to a group of demographic variables (gender, faculty, year of study, experience in using computers or the Internet, and IT proficiency). However, given that students mostly agreed that they used social media to seek free information and to know what is happening recently, educators may encourage students to develop their own personal learning environments and integrate informal and formal learning activities with social media.
Refocusing institutional TEL provision on the learner
Authors: Jenkins Martin , Walker Richard , Voce Julie , Ahmed Jebar , Swift Elaine , Vincent Phil
Published: May 2024

UK higher education institutions have invested significantly in technology-enhanced learning (TEL) services over the last 15 years. The UCISA TEL surveys have shown how this investment has focused on establishing core infrastructure and services to students to satisfy consumer expectations, supporting greater efficiencies in the management and control of learning processes. However, new developments in UK government policy may encourage UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to refocus their attention on the impact of TEL on student learning, with a greater emphasis on evidence-based practice in the use of TEL tools. This paper discusses the prospects for change in the use of TEL tools and services to support this new agenda.
Social Media #MOOC Mentions: Lessons for MOOC Research from Analysis of Twitter Data
Authors: Costello Eamon , Nair Binesh , Brown Mark , Zhang Jingjing , Giolla-Mhichíl Mairéad , Donlon Enda , Lynn Theo
Published: May 2024

There is a relative dearth of research into what is being said about MOOCs by users in social media, particularly through analysis of large datasets. In this paper we contribute to addressing this gap through an exploratory analysis of a Twitter dataset. We present an analysis of a dataset of tweets that contain the hashtag #MOOC. A three month sample of tweets from the global Twitter stream was obtained using the GNIP API. Using techniques for analysis of large microblogging datasets we conducted descriptive analysis and content analysis of the data. Our findings suggest that the set of tweets containing the hashtag #MOOC has some strong characteristics of an information network. Course providers and platforms are prominent in the data but teachers and learners are also evident. We draw lessons for further research based on our findings.
Toward the development of a dynamic dashboard for FutureLearn MOOCs
Authors: Chitsaz Mahsa , Vigentini Lorenzo , Clayphan Andrew
Published: May 2024

Open Online Courses (MOOCs). With the increase of available MOOC data, there is an opportunity tp provide insights to educators and developers into learners' behavior through learning analytics. Focusing on the FutureLearn platform (FL), standardized data files are offered to partner institutions. Additionally, a report is offered to stakeholders, but it is limited in a number of ways: it is static, it is limited in presenting relevant information and, most importantly, it does not provide 'real time' access to data. This paper provides an overview of the rationale and the development process of a dynamic and near real-time dashboard. It explores the viability of different types of visualizations with the available data, lessons learned, comparisons with similar efforts, and future directions are discussed.
Enabler or inhibitor?
Authors: Adachi Chie , Tai Joanna , Dawson Phillip
Published: May 2024

This paper explores challenges and opportunities in self and peer assessment and its relationship with educational technologies that support the implementation of the assessment in Higher Educational contexts. While self and peer assessment offer a range of learning opportunities which may lead to enhanced learning outcomes, designing and implementing self and peer assessment comes with complexity and challenges. Through piloting two self and peer assessment tools, the limitations of current technology were identified. This suggested the need to deeply investigate challenges and enablers in self and peer assessment. An online survey captured perceived factors in addition to technology which contributed to the success. While student willingness to participate was the major inhibitor, technology and technology support were seen as vital to contributing to the success of self and peer assessment. Future work should consider educational technologies in context to contribute to the success of self and peer assessment endeavours.
Straddling the technology adoption chasm in university teaching practice using Multi-Mediator Modelling
Authors: White Irena
Published: May 2024

This poster presentation demonstrates how a computer simulation can be applied to examine the problem of spreading the adoption of elearning innovations that originate 'bottom-up' in higher education teaching practice. The computer simulation used in this doctoral study allows enabling and inhibiting links to be drawn between factors in 'bottom-up' technology adoption. These factors have been identified from case studies of 'bottom-up' e-learning adoption found in the research literature. The resulting computer model provides an interactive view across a whole university system of stakeholder relationships between university management, central support services, elearning innovators and elearning adopters involved in university teaching. The poster provides an explanation of how the computer modelling process works when different stakeholder experiences and perspectives are applied to connect the factors in the model. The application of a computer simulation in interviews for this study addresses the limitations of case study research methods to examine this problem.
Academic Development through Intensive Learning Design
Authors: Nguyen Tam , Abblitt Stephen , Hickie Colin , Pesina Jenny , Sutherland Joan
Published: May 2024

Participating in learning design sessions is a transformative learning experience for academic staff. This poster traces the emergent relationship between an academic and a learning designer during an intensive 4-hour learning design session, visually representing the interplay and intensity of six key domains across the session: approach, emotion, relationship, design-as-process, design-as-product, and capability-building. The poster demonstrates the relationship between the domains and their dispersal throughout a session, to illustrate how the challenge to and transformation of attitudes towards technology-enhanced learning (TEL), helping to overcome common resistance to change, providing a richer, more productive understanding of how academic development can be foregrounded through learning design.
Serious games in education
Authors: McGregor Gillian , Bartle Emma
Published: May 2024

The use of serious games in education is growing, particularly within the field of health professional training (Graafland, Schraagen, & Schijven, 2012; Wattanasoontorn, Boada, Garcia, & Sbert, 2013). Serious games aim to teach or train whilst simultaneously entertaining and engaging users (Hawn, 2009). Serious games are viewed as a useful methodology for enhancing student motivation for learning and engagement with material (Coates, 2005). Despite being heralded as a cutting edge innovation, research validating the efficacy of serious games demonstrates mixed results (Susi, Johannesson, & Backlund, 2007). A serious game to support training of professional post graduate psychology students was developed by the first author. This paper presents the results of two pilot studies comparing the learning and training experiences of students using the serious game as compared to those using a control serious game and teaching as usual, as an example of an application of serious games in post graduate education.
Lecture Pods Unlimited
Authors: Leggo Robert , Steele Peter , Karliychuk George , Thurn Fiona
Published: May 2024

The Blended Learning Team from the School of Humanities and Communication Arts will demonstrate how we assist in the creation of 'lecture pods'. The presentation will be delivered in video format, showing the actual processes we go through. We'll detail how we work with academics to assist them to convert their teaching from live lectures to presenting to camera. The presentation will also showcase several tools created by Peter Steele, that have made a great contribution to sustainable processes in the school for producing large volumes of lecture pod videos.
Blended Learning Boot Camps
Authors: Cleland Ben , Smithson John , Knight Cecily
Published: May 2024

Academic staff development often follows time-honoured models ???? a workshop series, individual and small group consultations and the development of complementary online resources. In our experience an annual, two-day Blended Learning Boot Camp with Subject Coordinators from successive year levels has proven to be a successful approach for transforming curriculum delivery with blended learning in the discipline of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition. This poster describes the planning, development and outcomes of this strategic, multi-year project and highlights the changing focus from year-to-year as feedback and evidence dictate.
Competence-based assessment and digital badging as guidance in vocational teacher education
Authors: Braeur Sanna , Siklander Pirkko
Published: May 2024

Digital pedagogy means applying new technologies to teaching and learning in online, hybrid and face-to-face learning environments. Digital open badges, a set of micro-credentials, support equal and egalitarian competence-based assessment models. Criterion-based digital badging combined with gamification promise learning solutions that have the potential to improve learning outcomes substantially. The aim of this study is to investigate how a competence-based assessment process in an open badge management system enhances learning and guides students to improved learning outcomes. The theoretical framework is focused on concepts of gamification and instructional badging. Data were collected in 2016 from group interviews (n=6) of trained Finnish professional teachers (n=17) along with students in vocational teacher education (n=12) who earned 645 badges over one year in the Professional Development (PD) program, Learning Online. Inductive thematic analysis revealed several significant features of competence-based assessment and badge management, which reflected the students' individual experiences of the optimal form and frequency of assessments, feedback, guidance and advice. The preliminary results of this study emphasise the importance of open study groups and the option of joining and leaving the learning network freely. Shared expertise and shared learning experiences increase cohesion within freely formed study groups. The results of this study show the challenges and opportunities involved in badge management from the perspective of digital guidance and gamification, providing additional insight into the design and development of badge-driven learning in the future. This paper suggests that researchers should consider using a badge management application as an environment to guide badge-driven learning.
Analiza ekopsychologiczna literackich opisów katastrofy na przykładzie przedstawienia tragedii w Fukushimie w reportażu 2:46. Aftershocks: Stories of Japan Earthquake
Authors: Tong Shuai
Published: May 2024

W artykule podjęto próbę zbadania przecięcia psychoanalizy i ekokrytyki w Japonii, w szczególności, w odniesieniu do opisów literackich w pracy 2:46. Aftershocks: Stories from the Japan Earthquake (2011) z ekopsychologicznego punktu widzenia. Studium koncentruje się na interpretacji i omówieniu czterech aspektów tego, w jaki sposób osoby, które doświadczyły Wielkiego Trzęsienia Ziemi we Wschodniej Japonii, radziły sobie z poczuciem niższości, akceptacją rzeczywistości, relacjami człowieka z naturą i równością w społeczeństwie o strukturze horyzontalnej. Ponadto artykuł podkreśla potencjał wykorzystania ekopsychologii do poruszania kwestii środowiskowych w literaturze światowej, co ma na celu lepsze zrozumienie przez czytelników zarówno wschodniej, jak i zachodniej perspektywy oraz wyeksponowanie konieczności życia w harmonii z naturą.
Podwyższony świat. Rozmowa z Robertem Macfarlane’em o górach, naturze i literaturze, przeprowadzona 16 czerwca 2023 roku w Emmanuel College w Cambridge
Authors: Dutka Elżbieta
Published: May 2024

Wywiad z Robertem Macfarlane’m – profesorem Humanistyki Środowiskowej w Emmanuel College w Cambridge, podróżnikiem i światowej sławy pisarzem, autorem bestsellerów o naturze, relacjach pomiędzy „krajobrazem i ludzkim sercem”, o miejscach i wyobraźni. Dorobek literacki Macfarlane’a zazwyczaj jest zaliczany do przyrodopisarstwa, literatury górskiej, podróżniczej lub jeszcze innych kategorii.
Zivilgesellschaft in Subsahara-Afrika: Perspektiven & Entwicklungen
Authors: Turczynski Roman P.
Published: May 2024

Die Zivilgesellschaft in Subsahara-Afrika geriet im Zuge der dritten Welle der Demokratisierung in den Blick der Fachöffentlichkeit. Das Ende der 1980er und der Anfang der 1990er Jahre waren geprägt von Demokratisierungstendenzen und Unabhängigkeitsbestrebungen, die in aller Regel Protesten, organisiertem Widerstand und sozialen Bewegungen nachfolgten. Es verwundert deswegen nicht, dass die Zivilgesellschaft in Subsahara-Afrika in Form eben solcher Bewegungen auf dem Radar internationaler Beobachter auftauchte (vgl. Chazan 1992: 280). Zweck dieses Beitrags ist es, einen Überblick über die Breite des Forschungsfeldes der Zivilgesellschaft in Subsahara-Afrika zu geben. Dabei soll die historische Entwicklung zivilgesellschaftlicher Phänomene nachgezeichnet und die diesbezüglichen Besonderheiten der Region herausgestellt werden. Der Beitrag schließt mit einer Diskussion von aktuellen Trends auf dem Feld der Zivilgesellschaft in Subsahara-Afrika.
Soziale Bewegungen und Politik in Zimbabwe
Authors: Nhikiti Blessmore
Published: May 2024

Die Verbreitung sozialer Netzwerke wie Facebook und Twitter hat den sozialen Bewegungen in Simbabwe neue Wege eröffnet. Ob diese Bewegungen jedoch über ihre Hochphase hinaus Einfluss auf die Politikgestaltung hatten, ist noch nicht erforscht. Daher wurden in dieser Studie die Forderungen von Occupy Africa Unit Square (OAUS), #Tajamuka/Sesjikile (wir rebellieren) und #ThisFlag zwischen 2014 und 2016 untersucht. Diese werden den politischen Entwicklungen von 2016–2018 gegenübergestellt. Die Daten zu den Forderungen der Demonstranten wurden durch die passive Analyse von nutzergenerierten Text- und Videodaten generiert, die von den Facebook-Seiten der Aktivisten stammen. Sie wurden mittels Software qualitativ ausgewertet. Die Daten über langfristige politische Veränderungen in Simbabwe wurden per Sekundäranalyse erhoben. Dieser Artikel kommt zu dem Schluss, dass die Auswirkungen sozialer Bewegungen über ihre Hochphase hinaus berücksichtigt werden sollten. Die meisten sozialen Bewegungen konnten aufgrund von Widerständen herrschender Eliten keine unmittelbaren politischen Reformen erreichen. Allerdings wurden politische Maßnahmen, die den Forderungen der Demonstranten entsprachen, nach und nach umgesetzt. Somit ist eine umfassende Bewertung der Auswirkungen sozialer Bewegungen über einen längeren Zeitraum möglich.
Crises nos impérios.Narrativas do antropoceno na literatura portuguesa contemporânea
Authors: Grimaldi Susanne
Published: May 2024

Este artigo tem como objetivo caraterizar as narrativas do antropoceno na literatura portuguesa contemporânea. Nestes textos, aparecem tanto (re-)escritas sobre impérios passados que reciclam referências históricas do império colonial como rascunhos para impérios futuros. O objetivo desta contribuição será demostrar a presença do passado colonial e analisar estratégias narrativas que se usam para refletir o antropoceno português nos romances A nossa alegria chegou (2018), de Alexandra Lucas Coelho, Zalatune (2020), de Nuno Gomes Garcia e Cadernos da água (2022,) de João Reis.
Effect of manual manipulation on mechanical gait parameters
Authors: Yanuck Solomon B. , Fox Sarah K. , Harting Bethany R. , Motyka Thomas M.
Published: May 2024

Context

A variety of manual manipulation techniques are utilized in clinical practice to alleviate pain and improve musculoskeletal function. Many manual practitioners analyze gait patterns and asymmetries in their assessment of the patient, and an increasing number of gait motion capture studies are taking place with recent improvements in motion capture technology. This study is the first systematic review of whether these manual modalities have been shown to produce an objectively measurable change in gait mechanics.

Objectives

This study was designed to perform a systematic review of the literature to assess the impact of manual medicine modalities on biomechanical parameters of gait.

Methods

A master search term composed of keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) search terms from an initial scan of relevant articles was utilized to search six databases. We screened the titles and abstracts of the resulting papers for relevance and then assessed their quality with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Clinical trials that featured both a manual manipulation intervention and multiple mechanical gait parameters were included. Case reports and other studies that only measured gait speed or other subjective measures of mobility were excluded.

Results

We included 20 studies in our final analysis. They utilize manipulation techniques primarily from osteopathic, chiropractic, massage, and physiotherapy backgrounds. The conditions studied primarily included problems with the back, knee, and ankle, as well as healthy patients and Parkinson’s patients. Control groups were highly variable, if not absent. Most studies measured their gait parameters utilizing either multicamera motion capture systems or force platforms.

Conclusions

Twelve of 20 papers included in the final analysis demonstrated a significant effect of manipulation on gait variables, many of which included either step length, walking speed, or sagittal range of motion (ROM) in joints of the lower extremity. However, the results and study design are too heterogeneous to draw robust conclusions from these studies as a whole. While there are initial indications that certain modalities may yield a change in certain gait parameters, the quality of evidence is low and there is insufficient evidence to conclude that manual therapies induce changes in biomechanical gait parameters. Studies are heterogeneous with respect to the populations studied and the interventions performed. Comparators were variable or absent across the studies, as were the outcome variables measured. More could be learned in the future with consistent methodology around blinding and sham treatment, and if the gait parameters measured were standardized and of a more robust clinical significance.