7745 research outputs found
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Book Review: Comrades Betrayed: Jewish World War I Veterans Under Hitler
Get PDFThis is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in [German History] following peer review. The version of record [Grady, T. (2021). [Review of the book Comrades Betrayed: Jewish World War I Veterans Under Hitler by M. Geheran]. German History, 39(3), 478–479] is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/gh/article/39/3/478/6308748Book review of Comrades Betrayed: Jewish World War I Veterans Under HitlerUnfunde
Does machine learning risk reinforcing societal prejudice in education?
No full textMachine learning is increasingly being applied in sectors ranging from healthcare to finance; however, in education, it is typically only used for predicting students’ grades. On the other hand, deeply rooted societal prejudice is more challenging to measure, so could machine learning contribute to the current discourse? As a result of a gap in existing literature in the use of machine learning in education, this study uses this novel approach to investigate the potential links between the levels of prejudice of college students and their parents’ levels of education. An Implicit Association Task (IAT) was used to collect the information from the participants. Before applying three different machine learning models: Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN). It was found that KNN marginally outperformed not only the DT model but also SVM, with the results being validated by using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). This demonstrated a clear correlation between the parents’ education and their children’s prejudice levels. The paper adds to the limited research that is available on the use of machine learning in education and proposes that a larger study be conducted to provide a more nuanced understanding of prejudice in education.N/
Effect of water source and feed regime on development and phenotypic quality in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.): prospects for improved mass-rearing techniques towards release programmes
Get PDF© The Author(s) 2019.BACKGROUND: In many malaria-endemic sub-Saharan countries, insecticide resistance poses a threat to existing mosquito control measures, underscoring the need for complementary control methods such as sterile and/or genetically-modified mosquito release programmes. The sibling species Anopheles gambiae and An. coluzzii are responsible for malaria transmission in most of this region. In their natural habitat, these species generally breed in clean, soft water and it is believed that divergent preference in their larval breeding sites have played a role in their speciation process. Mosquito release programmes rely on the rearing of mosquitoes at high larval densities. Current rearing protocols often make use of deionised water regardless of the strain reared. They also depend on a delicate balance between the need for adequate feeding and the negative effect of toxic ammonia and food waste build-up on mosquito development, making managing and improving water quality in the insectary imperative.
METHODS: Here, we investigated the impact of water source and feed regimes on emergence rate and phenotypic quality of mosquitoes in the insectary. First-instar larvae of An. gambiae (Kisumu strain) and An. coluzzii (Mopti and VK3 strains) were reared in three water sources with varying degrees of hardness (deionised, mineral and a mix of the two), with a daily water change. Larvae were fed daily using two standardised feeding regimes, solution and powder feed.
RESULTS: Water source had a significant impact on mosquito size and development time for all strains. Earlier emergence of significantly larger mosquitoes was observed in mineral water with the smallest mosquitoes developing later from deionised water. Wing-length was significantly longer in mineral, mixed water and in powder feed, irrespective of sex, strains or water types. Deionised water was the least favourable for mosquito quality across all strains.
CONCLUSIONS: Mineral water and powder feed should be used in rearing protocols to improve mosquito quality where the optimal quality of mosquitoes is desired. Although results obtained were not significant for improved mosquito numbers, the phenotypic quality of mosquitoes reared was significantly improved in mineral water and mix water. Further studies are recommended on the impact mineral water has on other fitness traits such as longevity, fecundity and mating competitiveness.This work was funded by a PhD scholarship from Faculty for the Future fellowship, Schlumberger Foundation, The Hague, Netherlands and Niger Delta Development Commission, Nigeria to N.O.A
Designing a Community Ecosystem to Address Food Insecurity and Well-Being Among Elderly South Asian Adults: A Service Evaluation Framework Approach
No full textLevels of poverty and deprivation and the demand for food aid has increased significantly as a result of the joint effects of ongoing austerity measures (O’Loughlin et al., 2024), welfare reforms (DWP, 2015), pension credit cuts (Slocombe, 2023), the COVID-19 pandemic (Oncini, 2021; Summers et al., 2021) and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis (Moraes et al., 2024; Bull et al.,2023). Moreover, a significant correlation exists between these economic/social drivers and health inequalities (Garthwaite et al., 2015), with many predicting a public health emergency (Wolfson and Leung, 2020). Despite recording significantly higher levels of poverty, poor health and housing in comparison to white ethnic groups, older individuals from ethnic minorities are under-represented as recipients of food aid. Thus, there are many knowledge gaps in our understanding of food services provided to older people within older ethnic minority communities (Power et al., 2017). In response to this empirical gap, this research draws on service ecosystem evaluation frameworks (see Baron et al., 2018) to empirically advance our understanding of community food service provisioning within South Asian communities as well as identify appropriate food support ecosystem approaches which can be used to address food insecurity in ethnic minority communities. Through the use of in-depth interviews carried out by researchers belonging to Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities, our findings reveal that systems adressing food insecurity and well-being issues within older ethnic minorities are inadequate, especially considering specific cultural, social and economic shortfalls in the provision of appropriate services. Consequently, we conclude by providing recommendations to food service providers within ethnic minority communities.N/
Book Review: Daniel Shin, Theology and the Public: Reflections on Hans W. Frei on Hermeneutics, Christology, and Theological Method
No full textThis is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in [The Journal of Theological Studies] following peer review. The version of record [Fulford, B. (2025). Theology and the Public: Reflections on Hans W. Frei on Hermeneutics, Christology, and Theological Method. By Daniel Shin. The Journal of Theological Studies, vol(issue), pages. doi] is available online at: xxxxxxx [insert URL and DOI of the article on the OUP website].Review of Daniel Shin's study of the theme of publicness in Hans Frei's theology.Unfunded
Experiences and unmet needs among caregivers of children living with autism spectrum disorder in Nigeria: A qualitative study using the socio-ecological model
Get PDFThe version of record of this article, first published in [Discover Social Science and Health], is available online at Publisher’s website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s44155-024-00141-wIntroduction: This study examines the experiences and unmet needs of caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder in Nigeria. With a high prevalence in Nigeria, autism spectrum disorder poses a heavy economic burden on society and the patients’ families, with limited social interactions and stigma. Despite this, the unmet needs and psychosocial burdens of autism spectrum disorder on caregivers have been understudied in Nigeria. The study contributes evidence and raises interest in this area of research. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted among twenty-three purposively selected caregivers. Questions from the PREPARE and Zarit Burden Interview tools were adapted for the interview and discussion guides. Data were collected among caregivers of pupils in selected special needs schools in Cross River State, Nigeria. Inductive and deductive approaches were used for the analysis using NVivo 20 pro. The socio-ecological model was used to generate the themes and quotes. Results: The study generated four themes and eleven sub-themes across four levels of the socio-ecological model. Findings from our study showed that caregivers of children undergo significant emotional distress, disbelief, and fear at the early stage of diagnosis. Furthermore, families and friends had difficulty comprehending or accepting their children’s diagnosis, which further created tension and misunderstanding. Socio-cultural contexts such as stigma and isolation were not uncommon in the society. Conclusion: Given the burden of the psychological demand and stigma attached to caregivers and children with autism, there is an urgent need for a tailor-made intervention with the key interplay of individual, interpersonal, societal/institutional, and policy in Nigeria. Advocacy efforts and awareness chaired by caregivers should be strengthened across all levels of the society in Nigeria.Royal Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene/The National Institute for Health and Care Research 2023 early career Grant
Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on Wettability of Oil-Wet Surfaces
Get PDFThe effect of silica nanoparticles and brine salinity variation on the wettability alteration of oil-wet surfaces was investigated
in this paper. The rock and fluids of Kolo oilfield in Nigeria were used as case study and five brine salinities and two nanoparticles’ concentrations were investigated. The contact angle and Amott wettability index methods were used to investigate the wettability alteration potential of silica nanoparticles on oil-wet surfaces and intact core plugs, respectively. The results of the contact angle tests showed that the use of 1 g/L and 5 g/L silica nanoparticles reduced the oil-wet surface’s angle from 79o to 73o and 71o respectively in aqueous solution. Lower contact angles were however observed with the use of brines of different salinities with the lowest angles (69o and 68o ) being obtained with lowest salinity brine (90D). Which shows that the nanoparticles have the tendency to modify oil-wet surfaces towards waterwet condition irrespective of the brine salinities. Also, wettability alteration towards increasing water-wetness was observed with decrease in brine salinities and increase in the concentrations of the nanoparticles. Finally, the results of the Amott wettability index to water show that the application of nanoparticles modifies the intact rock wettability towards water-wet condition and higher oil production was observed with the spontaneous imbibition of nanofluid with 0.25 wettability index relative to that of the formation brine that was 0.1. The
sediments of nanoparticles were however observed on top the rock core and at the base of the cell during the spontaneous imbibition process. This work presents experimental study on the wettability alteration potential of the application of silica nanoparticles in Kolo oilfield reservoir rock and fluids. The study presented in this paper is relevant to the design and implementation of nanoparticles enhanced oil recovery process.Unfunde
Job satisfaction and animal welfare at slaughter: A survey of Official Veterinarians in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland
Get PDF© Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Universities Federation for Animal WelfareIn the UK and the Republic of Ireland, Official Veterinarians (OVs) are employed by the Food Standards Agency and the Food Safety Authority, respectively, as legal authorities for both animal welfare and food safety. However, little is known about job satisfaction in this profession which has the potential to impact professionals’ well-being and performance. Moreover, despite animal welfare issues being a reality that OVs witness, we do not yet understand how OVs perceive these issues at slaughter or whether this impacts job satisfaction. We assessed OVs’ perceptions on job satisfaction and views on welfare at slaughter across the UK and ROI, through an online questionnaire with 113 participants, which included socio-demographic information of participants and questions or statements about different aspects of job satisfaction and animal welfare issues at slaughter. While most OVs committed to their work they reported issues that may compromise job satisfaction, such as often experiencing loneliness at work, threatening situations and sleep disorders. Moreover, job satisfaction was often impacted by animal welfare incidents, and conflicts with food business operators were considered one of the greatest barriers to improving welfare at slaughter. There is also the likelihood of professionals’ individual ethical values being challenged since OVs are virtually certain to witness religious slaughter yet disagree with this practice to the extent that they consider it should be banned. We reveal significant challenges associated with the role of OV that justify creation of a support network to assist and safeguard this profession, as well as animal welfare at slaughter.Unfunde
Generative justice: Beyond crime and punishment.
No full textThis is a post-peer-review, pre-copy edited version of a chapter published in Generative justice: Beyond crime and punishment. The definitive publisher-authenticated version [Murray, E., Arias, L., Buck, G., Ryan, K., & Ryan, N. (2025). Generative justice in hindsight: On knowing, doing, and sharing participatory arts-based research with criminal justice-impacted communities. In F. McNeill, M. Corcoran, & B. Weaver (Eds.), Generative justice: Beyond crime and punishment. BUP.] is available online at: [DOI available on publication].This chapter re-examines two very different participatory arts-based projects within the justice sector through the lens of Generative Justice (hereafter GJ), an emerging concept-praxis that integrates prefigurative (seed-planting) community practices with criminal justice-impacted individuals to reimagine relationships based on solidarity rather than exclusion (McNeill, 2022; McNeill, Corcoran and Weaver, 2023). GJ constitutes a disruptive social change effort, which, like participatory arts-based projects, involves ‘shifting communities and networks’ working toward localised social transformation (Frödén, 2023: 104). In fact, ‘arts-based interventions have played a key role in enriching and mobilising prefigurative movements all over the world’ (Frödén, 2023: 105). As authors, we have been involved in participatory arts-based research and praxis that aims to challenge and transform power structures by leveraging community-driven creativity. Each of our works were designed to place lived experience of criminal justice systems at the centre of knowledge production, working with imagination to create diverse research communities based on solidarity, hope and systemic change (McNeill, 2022). Despite differences between our two projects, both align with GJ, sharing interests in reciprocity, generativity, active participation, and collective action.UKRI FLF MR/Y017110/
An in-depth analysis of barriers to corporate sustainability?
No full textEstablishing sustainable and resilient businesses are among the key drivers behind the unprecedented demand for the transition and transformation of sustainable growth models. Driven by a desire to remain competitive amidst economic turmoil and climate change, organisations are embedding sustainable measures into their long-term goals and strategies. This is demonstrated by developing and implementing Net-Zero targets and associated plans. However, the greatest challenge is whether such momentum will be retained and how organisations can maintain the drive. Although this is a positive move towards climate-related actions from organisations and stakeholders, it is taking longer than anticipated to be realised and actualised. This necessitates the urgency in understanding the intricacies of corporate sustainability matrices. The question as to why attaining a positive climatic state has taken almost half a century needs to be explored when compared to scenarios where the implementation of sustainable related measures has taken less time. This paper provides a review of the barriers that are making sustainability unattractive for corporate organisations. Finance gaps, the complexity of organisational sustainability, reporting frameworks, tools, and procedures coupled with considerable marketing and communication in a business-as-usual environment are key barriers to corporate sustainability. Our findings provide recommendations for policymakers, and stakeholders across the corporate sustainability platform by delivering a holistic approach to overcome the bottlenecks for implementation, action, and monitoring.Unfunde
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