Design of a chatbot as a distance learning assistant

Within the process of progressive digitization of materials and tools for teaching and distance learning of a subject of introduction to Microeconomics (quarterly, in year three of the Degree in Social Work), taught by the authors at the National University of Distance Education (UNED), a virtual assistant in the form of chatbot, or conversational robot, called EconBot, has been designed and made available to students from 2017. This paper presents the reasons that led to its adoption, the process of its development, differentiating two phases, its characteristics and functions, the assessment of its usefulness and the role of teachers in the implementation of this type of technological innovation

The Daily Texan

Texas Student Medi

Sustaining the National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR) in a Regional Center: Challenges and Solutions

Background: The National Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Registry in Iran (NSCIR-IR), was implemented initially in three hospitals as a pilot phase from 11 Oct 2015 to 19 Jun 2016 and has been active in eight centers from 19 Jun 2016. Poursina Hospital, a trauma care referral center in Rasht, Guilan Province of Iran is one of the registry sites, and has been involved in registering eligible patients since 1 Jan 2016. This study aimed to identify the challenges and solutions for sustaining the NSCIR-IR in a regional center. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study. For the quantitative analysis, a retrospective observational design was used to measure case capture or case identification rate, mapping cases in the registry against those eligible for registry inclusion amongst the register of hospital admissions. For the qualitative component, data was collected using focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews, followed by thematic analysis. Results: From 19 Jun 2016 to 24 Jan 2018, the proportion of case capture (case identification rate) was 17%. The median time between case identification and data entry to the system was 30.5 d (range: 2 to 193 d). Thematic analysis identified a lack of trained human resources as the most important cause of low case identification rate and delay in data completion. Conclusion: Recruitment and education to increase trained human resources are needed to improve case capture, the timeliness of data input and registry sustainability in a regional participating site

The Labour Party and the Media 1983-1997

As a former journalist and current journalism lecturer, I regularly encounter one overriding theme relating to my former profession - the political bias of UK newspapers. Since 1979, British newspapers as a whole have been overwhelmingly anti-Labour apart from the golden era of Tony Blair's three general election triumphs. It was my aim to look at how Labour transformed its position with the press from a low point in 1983, when it was backed by only one of the main daily papers, to 1997 when it was supported by four, including the biggest seller, The Sun. To make sense of the many issues involved a framework was used consisting of four key factors necessary for a successful media strategy. This framework was applied to the general elections of 1983, 1987, 1992 and 1997. The changes were analysed alongside the debate that surrounded these changes. The existing narrative argues that the media strategy was transformed during this period. Press operations were re-organised, professionalised and new tactics were introduced. These changes played a major part in the electoral success of 1997. Underpinning this transformation was a belief that media support was vital to success. Modernisers say policy was changed to meet the demands of the electorate and was consistent with New Labour ideology. The fact that it found support in the media was down to good strategy. Traditionalists argue policy was changed to meet the demands of the media. Undoubtedly, there were many positive aspects to developments in the media strategy. However, some senior New Labour figures now accept that serious mistakes were made. They have also added weight to the view that the media was allowed too much direct influence on the formulation of Labour Party policy

Drought and food security in Kenya: content analysis of the Nation and the Standard newspapers 2018-2019

The study is motivated by repetitive cycles of drought and food security crises in Kenya where there seems to be no solution in dealing with cyclic but erratic weather patterns. The study focused on examining patterns of coverage and prominence of drought and food security stories in two major Kenyan newspapers, The Nation and The Standard and if these trends were event-driven or influenced by among other factors, politics or alters by humanitarian organizations or the scientific community. This study sought to explore media coverage of drought and food security in Kenya over the entire year 2018 and year 2019. The objectives of this study were: (i) to examine patterns of drought and food security in Kenya, (ii) to identify frames in media reports on food security and drought, and (iii) to explore the tone in stories on drought and food security. The study involved analyzing available previous research material on drought and food security and media reports available in Kenya on the subject to provide a literary background on the study topic. The study used both the framing theory and the agenda-setting theory to gauge the trends and evaluate how these two newspapers covered drought and food security stories during the study period. The study adopted a qualitative research approach. The researcher conducted a quantitative content analysis of newspaper copies from two of Kenya’s leading print newspapers: The Nation and The Standard newspapers. The study analyzed copies of the two newspapers, specifically permanent document formats (PDF) copies for purposes of the study. The stories published by the two newspapers were then analyzed and categorized to get better context and assess the trends of publication over a two-year period as a way of identifying patterns of coverage, trends of coverage and the tone The Nation and The Standard newspapers used in relaying information on drought and food security in Kenya. This study found out that the nature of coverage was sporadic, event-driven and in some cases, stories took a political dimension. The study found that individual newspapers often embarked on setting the agenda on the importance of drought and food security issues by allocating more space to the topic as well as sustained call to action by the relevant authorities. This study concluded that drought and food security stories are generally covered by the two newspapers throughout the year, however, the coverage is usually event-driven and concentrates around major events such as deaths of humans and livestock. The researcher recommended the strengthening of skillsets in newsroom teams tasked with reportage of science and environment-related beats for greater accuracy and underscoring the importance of such information disseminated to Kenyans. The study suggested further investigation on audience research to determine whether Kenyans can be cultured to appreciate scientific media content on a sustained basis as opposed to relaying food and security issues only when major events occur or when linked to politics

Transportation, Terrorism and Crime: Deterrence, Disruption and Resilience

Abstract: Terrorists likely have adopted vehicle ramming as a tactic because it can be carried out by an individual (or “lone wolf terrorist”), and because the skills required are minimal (e.g. the ability to drive a car and determine locations for creating maximum carnage). Studies of terrorist activities against transportation assets have been conducted to help law enforcement agencies prepare their communities, create mitigation measures, conduct effective surveillance and respond quickly to attacks. This study reviews current research on terrorist tactics against transportation assets, with an emphasis on vehicle ramming attacks. It evaluates some of the current attack strategies, and the possible mitigation or response tactics that may be effective in deterring attacks or saving lives in the event of an attack. It includes case studies that can be used as educational tools for understanding terrorist methodologies, as well as ordinary emergencies that might become a terrorist’s blueprint

The Cowl - Vol v.60 - n.12 - Jan 25, 1996

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Volume 60, Number 12 - January 25, 1996. 20 pages