Considerations for cultural and social spaces in University Library

This paper explores my thoughts on a research project, how social and cultural conditions play a major role in students’ life, and influences the social and cultural practices of the university library usage at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Manukau Campus. This research will examine the students’ use of the library and the study space in and around the campus. This qualitative research is a case study to explore the library usage at the Manukau Campus. The exploration will be based on the interviews with my library colleagues and academic staff, including focus group methods with students, and observation of the influences on social and cultural practices on a university library usage at the Manukau Campus. The paper concludes that, while planning or redeveloping libraries, one needs to consider the social and cultural impact of spaces for students of different ethnicities and how these support peer learning, create a sense of belonging, encourage student retention, and contribute to increasing enrolment at the university

Shared computational principles for language processing in humans and deep language models

Departing from traditional linguistic models, advances in deep learning have resulted in a new type of predictive (autoregressive) deep language models (DLMs). Using a self-supervised next-word prediction task, these models generate appropriate linguistic responses in a given context. In the current study, nine participants listened to a 30-min podcast while their brain responses were recorded using electrocorticography (ECoG). We provide empirical evidence that the human brain and autoregressive DLMs share three fundamental computational principles as they process the same natural narrative: (1) both are engaged in continuous next-word prediction before word onset; (2) both match their pre-onset predictions to the incoming word to calculate post-onset surprise; (3) both rely on contextual embeddings to represent words in natural contexts. Together, our findings suggest that autoregressive DLMs provide a new and biologically feasible computational framework for studying the neural basis of language

Gradients and Modulation of K+ Channels Optimize Temporal Accuracy in Networks of Auditory Neurons

Accurate timing of action potentials is required for neurons in auditory brainstem nuclei to encode the frequency and phase of incoming sound stimuli. Many such neurons express “high threshold” Kv3-family channels that are required for firing at high rates (>∼200 Hz). Kv3 channels are expressed in gradients along the medial-lateral tonotopic axis of the nuclei. Numerical simulations of auditory brainstem neurons were used to calculate the input-output relations of ensembles of 1–50 neurons, stimulated at rates between 100–1500 Hz. Individual neurons with different levels of potassium currents differ in their ability to follow specific rates of stimulation but all perform poorly when the stimulus rate is greater than the maximal firing rate of the neurons. The temporal accuracy of the combined synaptic output of an ensemble is, however, enhanced by the presence of gradients in Kv3 channel levels over that measured when neurons express uniform levels of channels. Surprisingly, at high rates of stimulation, temporal accuracy is also enhanced by the occurrence of random spontaneous activity, such as is normally observed in the absence of sound stimulation. For any pattern of stimulation, however, greatest accuracy is observed when, in the presence of spontaneous activity, the levels of potassium conductance in all of the neurons is adjusted to that found in the subset of neurons that respond better than their neighbors. This optimization of response by adjusting the K+ conductance occurs for stimulus patterns containing either single and or multiple frequencies in the phase-locking range. The findings suggest that gradients of channel expression are required for normal auditory processing and that changes in levels of potassium currents across the nuclei, by mechanisms such as protein phosphorylation and rapid changes in channel synthesis, adapt the nuclei to the ongoing auditory environment

Considerations for cultural and social spaces in University Library

This paper explores my thoughts on a research project, how social and cultural conditions play a major role in students’ life, and influences the social and cultural practices of the university library usage at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Manukau Campus. This research will examine the students’ use of the library and the study space in and around the campus. This qualitative research is a case study to explore the library usage at the Manukau Campus. The exploration will be based on the interviews with my library colleagues and academic staff, including focus group methods with students, and observation of the influences on social and cultural practices on a university library usage at the Manukau Campus. The paper concludes that, while planning or redeveloping libraries, one needs to consider the social and cultural impact of spaces for students of different ethnicities and how these support peer learning, create a sense of belonging, encourage student retention, and contribute to increasing enrolment at the university

Design of supervised classifiers using Boolean neural networks

In this paper we present two supervised pattern classifiers designed using Boolean neural networks. They are: 1) nearest-to-an-exemplar classifier; and 2) Boolean k-nearest neighbor classifier. The emphasis during the design of these classifiers was on simplicity, robustness, and the ease of hardware implementation. The classifiers use the idea of radius of attraction to achieve their goal. Mathematical analysis of the algorithms presented in the paper is done to prove their feasibility. Both classifiers are tested with well-known binary and continuous feature valued data sets yielding results comparable with those obtained by similar existing classifiers

Predictors of nursing student satisfaction as a key quality indicator of tertiary students' education experience: An integrative review

Introduction: Student satisfaction is an important quality indicator in higher education, impacting student retention and institutional rankings. Healthcare education literature lacks factors related to student satisfaction. Reporting these elements might assist educators in curriculum design that helps to retain students. This is imperative for nursing education with the current global need for graduates. Objectives: To explore, synthesize and report available evidence on conceptual elements underlying the formation of higher education students' satisfaction, with a focus on nursing education. Design: Integrative review. Data sources: Six databases were searched for learner experiences of satisfaction: MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, ERIC, APA PsychArticles, PsychInfo. Articles were screened, assessed for quality and 12 nursing student studies and 10 conceptual studies of mixed student cohorts were reviewed. Review methods: Peer-reviewed literature in English during the period 2012 to 2022 was reviewed using methods documented for an integrative review. Results: Twenty-two included studies were mostly quasi-experimental, based on statistical analysis of higher education student surveys. Antecedent elements affecting satisfaction in mixed student cohorts were Service Quality, Institutional Image and perceived Value. These studies identified up to seven dimensions underlying student satisfaction. Nursing studies were focused on the quality of service delivery related to teaching and confirmed five elements: Faculty, Learning environment, Curriculum, Social interaction and Development. Conceptual studies also reported ‘consequent’ elements, high satisfaction resulting in positive student behavioural intent, loyalty and positive word of mouth. The details of antecedent and consequent elements that underlie student satisfaction are described. Conclusion: Conceptual studies of mixed student cohorts identified nine elements that inform student satisfaction with learning experiences. Nursing student studies tested fewer variables and confirmed up to five elements forming student satisfaction. There is a need to investigate the impact of additional key elements in nursing students - perceptions of value, institutional image and administrative support

The history and evolving image of nursing

Commencing a nursing qualification can be an exciting and daunting prospect. The Road to Nursing empowers nursing students to become effective practitioners by providing an in-depth foundational knowledge of the key concepts and skills that will underpin their entire nursing journey. Written by an expert team of academics and practising nurses, this text emphasises the importance of meaning-making, supporting students to critically engage with key knowledge that informs their ongoing learning, development and professional identity. Each chapter supports learning through pedagogical features including case studies, nursing perspectives, reflections, key terms, review questions and research topics. The additional activities accessed through the VitalSource eBook reaffirm comprehension and encourage critical thinking. The Road to Nursing is written in an accessible narrative style, providing a friendly guiding voice that will support students from the classroom into practice