Improving pupil motivation for second language acquisition at Key Stage 4 via teacher response to the pupil voice

This study aims to investigate teacher strategies for improving pupil motivation, and the strategies which pupils themselves employ to self-motivate, in particular investigating the motivation of two year 11 classes at a high-achieving, selective, rural full-boarding school. A thorough review of the literature was carried out and used as the basis for the investigative measures of the project. Namely, Dörnyei and Csizér’s 1998 research on the ‘Ten commandments for motivating language learners,’ Gardner’s 1985 Attitude/Motivational Test Battery, and Pintrich’s 1991 Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. These instruments were adapted for use on a much smaller scale and combined to give a detailed understanding of the strategies which teachers value for motivating pupils, pupils’ views on these same strategies, and pupil motivational levels and learning strategy use. A new ‘Ten commandments’ was compiled then tailored to the motivational needs of my school and pupils based on teacher responses and pupil ratings. Due to the global pandemic, investigations on the impact of implementing these strategies on pupil motivation was not possible, but the pupil ratings were supported by the findings in the AMTB/MSLQ part of the pupil questionnaire which found that pupils are largely instrumentally oriented, extrinsically motivated, and demonstrate low levels of trait anxiety. Pupils also self-rate effort as high, demonstrate high levels of self-efficacy beliefs, and largely display growth mindset traits. However, there is scope to improve their use of learning strategies, particularly their use of peer learning strategies and metacognitive self-regulation, suggesting that an explicit teaching intervention of these strategies would be beneficial

Induction of mucosal immunity using virus-like particle based vaccines

Many viral structural proteins are capable of spontaneously self-assembling into structures that resemble virus particles. These structures, called virus-like particles (VLPs), have multivalent, highly repetitive structures which are capable of inducing robust and enduring immune responses, and, therefore, can serve as the basis for effective vaccines. VLPs can be used as stand-alone vaccines targeting the viruses from which they are derived and also as platforms for presenting heterologous antigens; their ability to evoke strong antibody responses against even poorly immunogenic targets makes them an attractive model for future vaccine and drug delivery vehicle designs. Our lab developed display technologies that allow us to modify VLPs so they can present essentially any potential target antigen on its surface. These technologies have led to the development of several VLP-based vaccines that target molecules derived from microbial and self-antigens. We have previously shown that when given intramuscularly, these vaccines consistently induce high-titer serum antibodies. Here we present data showing that VLP-based vaccines are compatible with mucosal deliveries to both the genital and respiratory tracts. Specifically, we displayed peptides from the HPV16 L2 coat protein on the bacteriophage VLP platform PP7, and used a second bacteriophage VLP platform, Qβ, to target two domains of the cellular HIV coreceptor CCR5 involved in HIV binding. Vaccines targeting both the viral and self-antigens were successful at inducing mucosal and systemic immune responses, represented by the presence of IgA- and IgG-specific antibodies. The induction of both mucosal and systemic immune responses presents a particular advantage for preventing infection by pathogens transmitted at mucosal surfaces. Indeed, we determined that the L2 mucosal vaccine was successful at preventing genital pseudoviral infection in a mouse model of HPV infection. As a demonstration of the VLPs ability to evoke strong antibody responses against a self - and therefore weakly immunogenic - molecule, we also present data indicating that immunization of macaques with our CCR5 vaccine results in the maintenance of undetectable viral loads in some animals, indicating protection from infection following a high-dose challenge with SIV. Our results provide a general method for the induction of a broad, comprehensive immune response using VLPs as vaccine platforms

Adverse Effects Associated with Diazoxide Use in Neonates

Objective: To evaluate the type and frequency of adverse effects associated with diazoxide used for treatment of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HIH) in neonates

Developing and evaluating an online learning tool to improve midwives’ accuracy of visual estimation of blood loss during waterbirth: an experimental study

Objective: The principal objective was to test the effectiveness of an online learning tool to improve midwives’ accuracy of blood loss estimations in a birthing pool environment. The secondary objective was to assess the acceptability of the online learning tool to the midwives using it. Design: A one group pre-test, post-test experiment with immediate and six weeks follow-up to test ability together with an online questionnaire to assess perceived usefulness of an online learning tool. Setting: A large NHS maternity hospital comprising an acute care obstetric unit, a small district unit labour ward, one alongside midwifery-led unit and three freestanding midwifery-led units. Participants: Volunteer NHS employed midwives who had experience in caring for women labouring and giving birth in water (n = 24). Intervention: An online learning tool comprising six randomly ordered short video simulations of blood loss in a birthing pool in real time, and a tutorial giving verbal and pictorial guidance on making accurate blood loss estimations in water was developed then piloted. Midwives’ accuracy scores for estimating blood loss in each of the videos were calculated at three timepoints; pre and immediately post the learning component, and six weeks later. The estimated blood loss volume was subtracted from the actual blood loss volume, to give the difference between estimated and real blood loss in millilitres (ml) which was then converted to percentage difference to standardise comparison across the six volumes. The differences between pre- and post-learning for each of the six blood volumes was analysed using a repeated measures ANOVA. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. An online questionnaire incorporated questions using Likert scales to gauge confidence and competence and free text. Free text responses were analysed using a modified form of inductive content analysis. Findings: Twenty-two midwives completed the online learning and immediate post-test, 14 completed a post-test after six weeks, and 15 responded to the online questionnaire. Pre-test results showed under-estimation of all blood loss volumes and particularly for the two largest volumes (1000 and 1100 ml). Across all volumes, accuracy of estimation was significantly improved at post-test 1. Accuracy diminished slightly, but overall improvement remained, at post-test 2. Participants rated the online tool positively and made suggestions for refining it. Key conclusions and implications for practice: This is the first study measuring the accuracy of midwives’ blood loss estimations in a birthing pool using real-time simulations and testing the effectiveness of an online learning tool to improve this important skill. Our findings indicate a need to develop interventions to improve midwives’ accuracy at visually estimating blood loss in water, and the potential of an online approach. Most women who labour and/or give birth in water do so in midwifery-led settings without immediate access to medical support. Accuracy in blood loss estimations is an essential core skil

Adverse Effects Associated with Diazoxide Use in Neonates

Abstract Introduction: Diazoxide is the first-line treatment used to manage infants and children with hypoglycemia secondary to hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH), after initial stabilization of blood glucose. Recent changes in Pediatric Endocrine Society guidelines regarding definition of, and screening for hypoglycemia in the neonate led to an increase in the number of infants treated with diazoxide. Previous studies have noted various side effects of diazoxide. With the increased use of this drug in neonates, our aim is to further evaluate these side effects. Methods: We performed a retrospective case control analysis of all neonates admitted to a tertiary care center in New Jersey who were treated with diazoxide for hypoglycemia after a confirmed diagnosis of HH between 1/1/2015 and 9/1/2019. All subjects were younger than 6 months of age at treatment initiation with diazoxide. We collected data regarding general patient characteristics, diuretic dosing, findings on echocardiogram, blood counts, episodes of emesis, and quantity of feeds at time points before and after diazoxide initiation. Results: A total of 25 infants (64% males) met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Based on echocardiogram results, one baby (4%) had pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) prior to initiation of diazoxide, and 20% after, with 5 cases (20%) of reopening of the ductus arteriosus (DA). Nine patients (36%) required a diuretic dose increase after diazoxide initiation. There was increased feeding intolerance with increased number of emesis events after diazoxide initiation (p=0.006). A week after initiation of diazoxide, there was no improvement in the percent of total oral intake as would typically be expected. Conclusion: New onset PHTN and re-opening of the DA were associated with initiation of diazoxide treatment. Significant increase in emesis after diazoxide initiation suggests that infants may be experiencing feeding difficulties associated with this medication. Larger studies are needed to further evaluate the extent and frequencies of these side effects

Inter- and Intra-rater Reliability of A Grading System for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Defect Size

Background The Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group (CDHSG) registry is a multi-institutional tool to track outcomes of patients with CDH. The CDHSG asks surgeons to categorize diaphragmatic defect sizes as type A-D based on published guidelines. The reported size of the defect has been correlated with patient outcomes, but the reliability of this system has never been studied. Our goal was to evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the CDHSG grading system. Materials and methods Forty-six operative notes from CDH patients that underwent surgical repair at a single institution were collected and cropped to include only the information necessary to grade the hernia defect based on the CDHSG guidelines. The defects were graded by nine pediatric surgeons on two separate occasions (18 wk apart). Inter-rater reliability was calculated using a Cohen's kappa (κ). Intra-rater reliability was calculated using an intraclass correlation coefficient. Results Inter-rater reliability was minimal to weak (κ round1 = 0.395, κ round2 = 0.424). Agreement ranged from 19.57% (κ = −0.0745) to 82.61% (κ = 0.7543). Inter-rater agreement was similar despite operative findings and outcomes: survival yes/no (κ = 0.3690, κ = 0.3518), need for ECMO yes/no (κ = 0.3323, κ = 0.3362), patch repair yes/no (κ = 0.2050, κ = 0.1916), and liver up/down (κ = 0.2941, κ = 0.4404). Intra-rater reliability was good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.88, 95% CI [0.83-0.92]). Agreement with oneself ranged from 71.74% to 93.48%. Conclusions The demonstrated weak inter-rater reliability of the current CDHSG grading system shows the need for improvement in how the grading system is applied by surgeons when reporting CDH defect size

'Hitting the spot': Developing individuals with lived-experience of health and social care as facilitators to deliver a course to enhance public involvement in research - a Welsh perspective

Health and Care Research Wales has a strategic aim to ensure public involvement and engagement is central to what we do and visible in all elements of it. As part of the ongoing development of the Health and Care Research Wales Training Programme a project was initiated to develop members of the public as facilitators to deliver a public involvement in research course. The project was undertaken in collaboration with Macmillan Cancer Support and was advertised via the Involving People Network in Wales. Three trainee facilitators were recruited, from 14 people that applied, to deliver a public involvement in research training course, the Building Research Partnerships course, as it was known then, originally developed for and by Macmillan Cancer Support. As members of the Involving People Network, the trainees were given training, mentorship, financial and administrative support to develop their role as facilitators over a two year period. This has been reciprocated with incredible commitment, ongoing course delivery in Wales, excellent course evaluations, course review and involvement in future planning. Through this project several benefits were realised, including developing the course content and its delivery and building the skills and confidence of the individual facilitators themselves. Additionally, and importantly, the project team found that patients and members of the public who are given appropriate training and support can greatly enhance a research training programme and act as highly effective ambassadors to further the cause of public involvement in research

The Diversity and Inclusivity Survey: Final Report

In 2018 Academic Placement Data and Analysis ran a survey of doctoral students and recent graduates on the topics of diversity and inclusivity in collaboration with the Graduate Student Council and Data Task Force of the American Philosophical Association. We submitted a preliminary report in Fall 2018 that describes the origins and procedure of the survey [1]. This is our final report on the survey. We first discuss the demographic profile of our survey participants and compare it to the United States general population, its doctoral students, and APA membership, finding several areas of underrepresentation (i.e. gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic, and veteran status). We then discuss the results of questions regarding diversity and inclusivity. We find, for instance, that participant comfort in philosophy depends on gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, disability, and language status and that participants most often mentioned the theme of diversity when asked how philosophy could be more inclusive. Finally, we discuss the results of questions related to graduate program and placement. We find, for example, that underrepresented graduates are both less likely to recommend their graduate program to others and less likely to prefer an academic job. We close by making some recommendations for the APA and for the discipline based on our findings

The effect of precursor structure on porous carbons produced by iron-catalyzed graphitization of biomass

This paper reports a systematic study into the effect of different biomass-derived precursors on the structure and porosity of carbons prepared via catalytic graphitization. Glucose, starch and cellulose are combined with iron nitrate and heated under a nitrogen atmosphere to produce Fe3C nanoparticles, which catalyze the conversion of amorphous carbon to graphitic nanostructures. The choice of organic precursor provides a means of controlling the catalyst particle size, which has a direct effect on the porosity of the material. Cellulose and glucose produce mesoporous carbons, while starch produces a mixture of micro- and mesopores under the same conditions and proceeds via a much slower graphitization step, generating a mixture of graphitic nanostructures and turbostratic carbon. Porous carbons are critical to energy applications such as batteries and electrocatalytic processes. For these applications, a simple and sustainable route to those carbons is essential. Therefore, the ability to control the precise structure of a biomass-derived carbon simply through the choice of precursor will enable the production of a new generation of energy materials

Activity, participation, and goal awareness after acquired brain injury : A prospective observational study of inpatient rehabilitation

Objective To examine the frequency and timing of inpatient engagement in meaningful activities within rehabilitation (within and outside of structured therapy times) and determine the associations between activity type, goal awareness, and patient affect. Methods This prospective observational study performed behavioral mapping in a 42-bed inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit by recording patient activity every 15 minutes (total 42 hours). The participants were randomly selected rehabilitation inpatients with acquired brain injury; all completed the study. The main outcome measures included patient demographics, observation of activity, participation, goal awareness, and affect. Results The inpatients spent 61% of the therapeutic day (8:30 to 16:30) in their single room and were alone 49% of the time. They were physically socially inactive for 76% and 74% of their awake time, respectively, with neutral affect observed for about half of this time. Goal-related activities were recorded for only 25% of the inpatients’ awake time. The odds of physical activity were 10.3-fold higher among in patients receiving support to address their goals within their rehabilitation program (odds ratio=10.3; 95% confidence interval, 5.02–21.16). Conclusion Inpatients in a mixed brain injury rehabilitation unit spent a large amount of their awake hours inactive and only participated in goal-related activities for a quarter of their awake time. Rehabilitation models that increase opportunities for physical, cognitive, and social activities outside of allied health sessions are recommended to increase overall activity levels during inpatient rehabilitation