Independent review of variable fees and student finance arrangements: report to Minister for Employment and Learning

"The report is structured as follows: Section 1 Introduction and Background to the Review, Section 2 Current Arrangements, Section 3 Impact of the Introduction of Variable Student Fees, Section 4 Future Fee Scenarios for Northern Ireland, Section 5 Future Maintenance Grant Entitlement Options, Section 6 Recommendations" - page 9

Counter-conditioning as an intervention to modify anti-fat attitudes

This study examined the effect of anti-fat attitude counter-conditioning using positive images of obese individuals participants completed implicit and explicit measures of attitudes towards fatness on three occasions: no intervention; following exposure to positive images of obese members of the general public; and to images of obese celebrities. Contrary to expectations, positive images of obese individuals did not result in more positive attitudes towards fatness as expected and, in some cases, indices of these attitudes worsened. Results suggest that attitudes towards obesity and fatness may be somewhat robust and resistant to change, possibly suggesting a central and not peripheral processing route for their formation

An exploration of outcomes of psychological therapy for refugees

Refugees seeking asylum in this country have undergone multiple traumas. Many are fleeing persecution or have lived in war zones where there is a constant fear for one's life or safety. Some have lost loved ones, friends, or members of their community in brutal circumstances. Torture has been a factor for many, where the physical, psychological and social outcomes are far-reaching. All have fled their country of origin seeking refuge in a foreign land, where perhaps the language and culture is unfamiliar to them. The UK government has stated that refugees should be offered therapy in a psychology service once they arrive in the UK and a number of such services exist today. It is difficult to ascertain what psychological help might be useful for refugees and asylum seekers from the current literature due to a number of difficulties with the research. Some have argued that a qualitative methodology is appropriate to use when conducting research with different cultures, as it allows the emergence of unexpected material and can privilege indigenous knowledge, rather than quantitative research, which forces expression within the categories provided by the researcher, thus imposing ideas by dominant cultures. This research set out to explore how refugees and asylum seekers describe their experience of psychological therapy. The aim was to give a voice to those who are generally marginalised, with the hope that the information participants provide can be used to develop future therapeutic services for refugees and asylum seekers. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse interviews with eight participants who had attended an NHS primary care psychology service. Themes relating to being 'stuck in the past', 'searching for solutions', 'helping me to move on' and 'moving on' were discussed and implications of these themes on service improvements, clinical psychologists, and further research were considered. Conducting this research has led to the conclusion that despite the experience of extreme events people show the strength, determination and resilience to find solutions to their problems thereby enabling them to 'move on' and to find lives that are meaningful to them

The Bent Leather Band Ensemble: Children of Grainger

Grainger’s Free Music remains a rich source of discovery for contemporary Australian musicians. Free Music represents a significant departure point for electronic musicians and instrument makers searching for new musical language, form and expression. This paper presents research undertaken by the Bent Leather Band exploring Grainger’s Free Music ideas within a twenty first century music making context embracing live improvisation, instrument and software design. Research outcomes presented in this paper includes a range of creative works; Meta Serpent wind controllers, the fourth generation of the Light Harp controller, new MAX based software engines for signal processing, control-modes and strategies for the instruments and music including Bent Leather Band’s latest collection of works “Children of Grainger.” This paper discusses technical issues confronting the contemporary electronic instrument builder and presents Bent Leather Band’s aim to develop playable instruments

The Bent Leather Band Ensemble : Children of Grainger

This paper discusses technical issues confronting the contemporary electronic instrument builder and presents Bent Leather Band\u27s aim to develop playable instruments

Robot companion cats for people at home with dementia: A qualitative case study on companotics

Pike J., Picking R., & Cunningham S. (2021). Robot companion cats for people at home with dementia: A qualitative case study on companotics. Dementia, 20(4), 1300-1318. Copyright © [2021] (The Authors). Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.The use of robot companion pets for people in care homes has been extensively studied. The results are largely positive and suggest that they are valuable in enhancing wellbeing, communication and behavioural aspects. However, there has been little research in people’s own homes, possibly due to the cost and complexity of some of the robot pets currently available. As dementia affects people in different ways, this study explores the effects of a robot cat for people in their own homes, without specifically investigating the effects on a particular symptom. We utilised a case study design to investigate the proposition that various factors influence the impact of a robot cat on the person living with dementia and their carer, including acceptability of the robot pet and acceptance of dementia and its symptoms. The qualitative analysis explores the similarities and differences within the data which were gathered during interviews with people with dementia and their families. This analysis revealed four themes: Distraction, Communication, Acceptance and rejection, and Connecting with the cat and connecting with others. These themes were synthesised into two overarching themes: the effect of the cat on mood and behaviour, and The interaction with the cat. We present the acceptability and impact of the robot cat on symptoms of dementia, with data presented across and within the group of participants. Our analysis suggests that benefits of the robot pet were evident, and although this was a small-scale study, where they were accepted, robot pets provided positive outcomes for the participants and their families

Electrochemical detection of TNT at cobalt phthalocyanine mediated screen-printed electrodes and application to detection of airborne vapours

We describe the use of cobalt phthalocyanine as a mediator to improve the sensitivity for the electrochemical detection of TNT. Commercial screen-printed electrodes containing cobalt phthalocyanine were employed for determination of TNT. Improved sensitivities compared to screen-printed carbon electrodes without phthalocyanine were observed, current response for cyclic voltammetric measurements at modified electrodes being at least double that of unmodified electrodes. A synergistic effect between oxygen and TNT reduction was also observed. Correlation between TNT concentrations and sensor output was observed between 0–200 µM TNT. Initial proof-of-concept experiments combining electrochemical determinations, with the use of an air-sampling cyclone, are also reported

Density-and trait-mediated effects of a parasite and a predator in a tri-trophic food web

1. Despite growing interest in ecological consequences of parasitism in food webs, relatively little is known about effects of parasites on long-term population dynamics of non-host species or about whether such effects are density- or trait- mediated. 2. We studied a tri-trophic food chain comprised of: (i) a bacterial basal resource (Serratia fonticola), (ii) an intermediate consumer (Paramecium caudatum), (iii) a top predator (Didinium nasutum), and (iv) a parasite of the intermediate consumer (Holospora undulata). A fully-factorial experimental manipulation of predator and parasite presence/absence was combined with analyses of population dynamics, modelling, and analyses of host (Paramecium) morphology and behavior. 3. Predation and parasitism each reduced the abundance of the intermediate consumer (Paramecium), and parasitism indirectly reduced the abundance of the basal resource (Serratia). However, in combination, predation and parasitism had non-additive effects on the abundance of the intermediate consumer, as well as on that of the basal resource. In both cases, the negative effect of parasitism seemed to be effaced by predation. 4. Infection of the intermediate consumer reduced predator abundance. Modelling and additional experimentation revealed that this was most likely due to parasite reduction of intermediate host abundance (a density-mediated effect), as opposed to changes in predator functional or numerical response. 5. Parasitism altered morphological and behavioural traits, by reducing host cell length and increasing the swimming speed of cells with moderate parasite loads. Additional tests showed no significant difference in Didinium feeding rate on infected and uninfected hosts, suggesting that the combination of these modifications does not affect host vulnerability to predation. However, estimated rates of encounter with Serratia based on these modifications were higher for infected Paramecium than for uninfected Paramecium. 6. A mixture of density-mediated and trait-mediated indirect effects of parasitism on non- host species creates rich and complex possibilities for effects of parasites in food webs that should be included in assessments of possible impacts of parasite eradication or introduction

Care and comfort in an era of solastalgia: Utilising a socially engaged art practice to craft collaborative ecofeminist activism in the Darling River and Menindee Lakes System

This project examines my connections with the Menindee Lakes and the Darling River, which began seven years ago. I was motivated to understand the environmental crisis evident in the area as a result of drought and the mismanagement of water by government bodies and corporations who have failed, and continue to fail, to collaborate and consult with Aboriginal groups. The interactions throughout the research project occurred with Ngiyampaa and Barkandji women regarding ecological concerns leading to the demise of their water systems. The project was guided by Aboriginal knowledge provided by Aunty Beryl Carmichael and employs the methodologies of yarning and deep listening applied to an expanded textile practice. Yarning and deep listening informed a productive and cooperative, respect-based relationship, contextualised through an ecofeminist approach with the aim of alerting others to the extent of ecological issues. I drew from the framework of socially engaged practice, which involved Sydney female artist participants assisting me with the project including the creation of a textile tree installation, participation in a community protest, and support with preparing an exhibition for the Menindee community. I embarked on many trips to Menindee to engage in a highly personal, slow, and gradual approach that led to an emerging understanding of Country and its waterways that has initiated a lifetime learning process for me. I initially drew from Glenn Albrecht’s concept of solastalgia, defined as a sense of sadness that comes from losing familiarity and security of place, amplified in this case by listening to Aunty’s yarns of suffering and anguish shared by her family and community, and which can only be remedied by care and compassion. Through careful and considered reparative methodologies, my creative pieces took multiple forms including an installation, a video and a community exhibition featuring hand-sewn textile banners used in a community protest. This research project raises awareness through art and eco-activism, highlighting environmental and spiritual losses on the Menindee Lakes and the Darling River. My respect and acknowledgement of Aboriginal people as custodians of Country provides an opportunity to see how ecosystems are resilient when cared for under these multigenerational knowledge systems

Trial feasibility and process evaluation of a motivationally-embellished group peer led walking intervention in retirement villages using the RE- AIM framework: the residents in action trial (RiAT)

Objective: The Residents in Action Trial (RiAT; ACTRN12616001177448) was a 16-week motivationally-embellished peer-led walking intervention designed to increase walking, reduce sitting, and improve mental health and well-being in insufficiently active residents in retirement villages. In this paper we report on 1) trial feasibility and acceptability, and 2) evaluate the processes involved in the implementation of the intervention using the RE- AIM framework. Method: A mixed methods design was employed, consisting of data from accelerometers, surveys, (individual, pair-based and focus group) interviews, and participant logbooks. Participants included 116 walkers (M(SD) age=78.37(8.30); 92% female), 8 peer leaders (i.e. ambassadors) and 3 retirement village managers from 14 retirement villages. Descriptives and linear mixed modelling were used to analyse the quantitative data and inductive thematic analyses were employed to analyse the interview data. Results: The intended cluster randomised controlled design became quasi-experimental due to insufficient numbers of recruited ambassadors. The perceived burden of the number and frequency of research assessments was a frequently mentioned reason for a poor recruitment. Facilitators to walking maintenance were the use of self-monitoring, goal setting, social support, and having a routine. Reach was modest (about 14% of eligible participants were recruited from each village), but retention was excellent (92%). The motivational strategies taught appeared to have been implemented, at least in part, by the ambassadors. The walkers in the main experimental condition increased marginally their step counts, but there were no group differences on mental health and well-being outcomes, partly because of low statistical power. Conclusions: Walkers and ambassadors who did take part in the study suggested that they enjoyed the programme and found it useful in terms of becoming more active and making social connections. However, the group format was not appealing to some participants, hence, other delivery options should be explored in the future