Language Provision in UK MFL Departments 2018 Survey

The report investigates the provision of language modules (i.e. modules whose object of study is language) in MFL departments alongside models of collaboration between Languages departments and Institution-Wide Language Provision (IWLP) in UK universities. Results offer an invitation to reconceptualise our discipline to strengthen an agenda of inclusion and diversity integrating all languages, as well as a single voice for MFL and IWLP

Development of an Integrated Salt Cartridge-Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) Device to Increase Electrolyte Concentrations of Human Blood Flow to Power Biomedical Devices

Emerging technologies in nanotechnology and biomedical sciences have led to an increase in biomedical implantable devices including cardiac pacemakers, artificial organs, drug pumps, and sensors. These devices require continuous stable and reliable power to operate, which creates the demand for the need to find a safe, reliable, and stable power source. A promising avenue for a power source for these devices is a miniaturized reverse electrodialysis (RED) biopower cell design that utilizes the salinity differences between bloodstreams that flow inside the human body. Initial results of the RED system demonstrate that higher gradient salinity differences between streams lead to a higher power density. In order to generate this higher salinity gradient, an additional salt cartridge consisting of polysulfone hollow-fiber membranes was integrated into the RED system. This study explores the effects of different system parameters, including the number of hollow fiber tubes and the volume of the cartridge, on the normalized salt concentration pickup to achieve the optimum design for the integrated salt cartridge. Preliminary results indicate that a 50% increase in the power density output of the RED power cell could be achieved by using a 100 g/L solid salt reservoir in the in-situsalt-pickup cartridge. The integrated salt cartridge will be further miniaturized to optimize the salt concentration pickup and to develop a compact and implantable design by utilizing 3-D printing and nanolithography

Capital Based Sustainability Indicators as a Possible Way for Measuring Agricultural Sustainability

This paper takes the capital based approach to sustainability and applies this to examine the sustainability of different farming methods. The capital based approach argues that for future generations to be as well off as the present than the capital base should at least be maintained. The paper explores some of the issues around this approach such as the definition of capitals, their measurement and weakness in the approach which do not account for the resilience of system and/ or the substitutability of capitals. The paper outlines how this could be applied to agriculture and show sustainability across different farming methods. The data used is from the ARGOS (Agricultural Research Group on Sustainability) project which has collected data on social, economic and environmental factors from kiwifruit orchards green, green organic and gold, for five years. The results show little significant differences across orchard types. This may be due to the homogeneity of kiwifruit orchards and it is intended to expand this to the sheep sector to examine this further.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Working it Out: Examining the Psychological Effects of Music and Exercise and Exploring the Theoretical Background of Health Behaviors

Exercise has been linked to mood benefits, and music may increase these effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the psychological effects of music and exercise. Exercise was hypothesized to increase mood more significantly in those who listened to music. Listening to music while exercising was also hypothesized to lead to lower perceived exertion and higher exercise enjoyment. Participants (N = 148) completed 20 minutes of moderately-paced walking, either with or without a personal music player. Exercise significantly increased mood in all measured dimensions. Exercise enjoyment was significantly higher among participants who exercised with music and music moderated the effect of exercise on post-exercise pleasantness. The psychological effects of music while exercising are discussed with possible applications to maintaining exercise adherence

The effects of a psychiatric patient's hospitalization upon his adolescent children

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Branched Chain Amino Acid Strain State Monitoring with Raman Spectroscopy and Plasmonic Bowtie Nanoantenna Devices for Early Disease Detection

This work centers on the development and the down-selection of nano-manufactured devices to be used in conjunction with Raman spectroscopy for probing a branched chain amino acid. The nano-manufactured devices integrate plasmonic nanoantennas for the purpose of amplifying molecular fingerprints, which are otherwise difficult to detect, through Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). Plasmonic nanostructures can be utilized for a variety of biomedical and biochemical applications to detect the characteristic fingerprint provided by Raman Spectroscopy. The nano-manufactured devices create an electric field that amplifies minute perturbations and raises the signal above background noise. This may provide a deeper understanding of signal transduction, which is a biochemical reaction, and its relationship with diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. This work utilized simulations and fabrication of several different plasmonic substrates to enhance Raman signaling for a dilute amino acid solution of L-valine. Additionally, this work sought to demonstrate the feasibility of enhancement extending beyond the surface of the plasmonic substrates tested. Chapter 1 provides an overview of signal transduction and the motivation behind the enhancement of dilute L-valine. Chapter 2 presents the different simulations performed in order to minimize fabrication optimization time, simulate theoretical enhancement factor, and explore its dependency on the nanoantenna geometry and distance from the surface of the substrate. Chapters 3 and 4 covers fabrication parameters and studies performed to enable fabrication optimization. Chapter 5 provides results from different 2 plasmonic substrates, including the bowtie nanoantenna plasmonic substrate, and reports the potential enhancement. To conclude, Chapter 6 summarizes the work and discusses future steps. Appendices A and B contain simulation and fabrication steps and parameters, respectively

Maximising intercultural learning in short term international placements: Findings associated with orientation programs, guided reflection and immersion

Short-term international practicum experience is now a feature of many university education programs in Australia in an attempt to engage students with the growing multi-cultural aspects of Australian life. The stated purposes of such practicum experiences generally highlight intercultural learning, which is associated with the development of intercultural sensitivity, cultural identity, global citizenship and global competence. This paper tracks and documents the early and developing attitudes and dispositions of a group of pre-service teachers (PSTs) and academic staffwho were engaged with the pilot project of a pre-service placement in Malaysian secondary schools. The behaviours associated with intercultural learning are observed in association with the students\u27 responses to changing circumstances. The paper draws attention to lessons learnt about orientation for intercultural exchanges in the development of intercultural learning and suggests ways to enhance the development of intercultural understandings and minimize cultural difference through more targeted interventions