Precarious lives: Experiences of forced labour among refugees and asylum seekers in England

This research uncovered evidence that refugees and asylum seekers are susceptible to forced labour in the UK. The findings are based on a two-year study by academics at the Universities of Leeds and Salford, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The research explored experiences of forced labour among 30 people who had made claims for asylum in England, supplemented by interviews with 23 practitioners and policy-makers

A Qualitative Descriptive Analysis Of The Experiences Of Blacks In Cancer Clinical Trials

Participation in cancer clinical trials (CCTs) is an effective means of reducing cancer disparities among Black cancer patients because they provide an opportunity to receive high quality health care from leading healthcare providers and researchers. Yet, Black cancer patients remain underrepresented in CCTs. The purpose of this study was to understand the patient, family member, physician, and protocol factors that influence Black cancer patients to participate and to remain in CCTs and the day-to-day experiences of Black cancer patients as they navigate their way through the clinical trial process. Albrecht’s model of treatment decision making was used as a theoretical guide. A multimethod approach was used and included a qualitative descriptive design with semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 21 Black cancer patients involved in CCTs and a descriptive statistical analysis of the sample’s sociodemographics and a quantitative measure of symptom burden (the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form). Participants reported mild levels of symptom burden based on the mean values of the assessment scale. Elements of real-time data capture were also used to facilitate collection of four semi-structured cell phone participant interviews over a two month period, in order to understand patient-participants’ everyday experiences in CCTs. The majority of participants self-identified as Black-African American (80%) and attended college or had a college degree (55%). A majority had comorbid conditions (70%) and 40% were diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. The findings suggest that patient, family member, physician, and protocol factors in Albrecht’s model are important in decision making related to cancer clinical trial participation and retention, but in varying degrees. Patient-participants identified getting a second opinion, helping themselves, and helping others as important factors to their decisions to seek treatment at the Cancer Center and to enroll in CCTs. The support of family members was identified primarily in CCT retention, and the qualities of the cancer physician motivated participant enrollment and retention. These qualities included trust, attentiveness, timely referrals, and willingness to provide detailed explanations of treatment options. Protocol features, such as provision of targeted therapy, randomization, and additional diagnostic surveillance, attracted participants to enroll in such trials. Finally, elements of real-time data capture highlighted patient-participants’ everyday qualitative experiences, that included interactions with their clinical care team, events surrounding their outpatient cancer clinical trial appointments, and information shared at their appointments; and, the symptom burden issues that arose as patient-participants progressed in their trials. Patient-participants provided vivid descriptions of their CCT treatment, expectations and events surrounding CCT participation, their symptom experience, personal thoughts and feelings of the effect of CCT participation on their daily lives, and their relationships with family members, the CCT Team, and others during CCT participation

Computer methods for the reduction, correlation and analysis of space battery test data, phase 2, part 1 Final report, 1 Nov. - 31 Dec. 1967

Computer methods for reduction, correlation, and analysis of space battery test dat

Teaching computer programming with PRIMM: a sociocultural perspective

Background and Context: With computing now becoming a mandatory subject in school in many countries, there is a need for clearly defined pedagogical strategies to support all learners; this is particularly pertinent when teaching computer programming, which novice adults have struggled with for decades. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory emphasises the importance of language, mediation, and the transfer of skills and knowledge from the social into the cognitive plane. This perspective has influenced the development of PRIMM (Predict, Run, Investigate, Modify, Make), a structured approach to teaching programming. Objective: The objective of the study was to find out if using PRIMM to teach programming had an impact on learner attainment in secondary school, and the extent to which it was a valuable method for teachers. Method: We evaluated the use of PRIMM in 13 schools with 493 students aged 11-14 alongside a control group, using a mixed-methods approach. Teachers delivered programming lessons using the PRIMM approach for 8-12 weeks. Data were collected via a combination of a baseline test, a post-test to compare control and experimental groups, and teacher interviews. Findings: Learners who participated in the PRIMM lessons performed better in the post test than the control group. Teachers reported several benefits of the PRIMM approach, including that PRIMM helped them to teach effectively in mixed-ability classes, enabling all learners to make progress. Implications: We hope that PRIMM makes a contribution to programming education research, as it builds on previous work in effective pedagogy for teachers, and encourages the use of language and dialogue to facilitate understanding. Through our evaluation of PRIMM and engagement with classroom teachers, we propose a framework for understanding the learning of programming in the classroom, and present this as an avenue for further research

Application of cryptanalytic techniques to the analysis of NiCd space batteries

By using Bi-gram and Tri-gram tables, a pattern can be formed to determine failure modes and mechanisms. Computer programs provide accurate predictions of cell failure several thousand cycles before actual failure

Book Reviews

Patent Law. by John Barker Waite, Professor of Law in the University of Michigan Law School. Princeton University Press, x92o

Doppler images and the underlying dynamo. The case of AF Leporis

The (Zeeman-)Doppler imaging studies of solar-type stars very often reveal large high-latitude spots. This also includes F stars that possess relatively shallow convection zones, indicating that the dynamo operating in these stars differs from the solar dynamo. We aim to determine whether mean-field dynamo models of late-F type dwarf stars can reproduce the surface features recovered in Doppler maps. In particular, we wish to test whether the models can reproduce the high-latitude spots observed on some F dwarfs. The photometric inversions and the surface temperature maps of AF Lep were obtained using the Occamian-approach inversion technique. Low signal-to-noise spectroscopic data were improved by applying the least-squares deconvolution method. The locations of strong magnetic flux in the stellar tachocline as well as the surface fields obtained from mean-field dynamo solutions were compared with the observed surface temperature maps. The photometric record of AF Lep reveals both long- and short-term variability. However, the current data set is too short for cycle-length estimates. From the photometry, we have determined the rotation period of the star to be 0.9660+-0.0023 days. The surface temperature maps show a dominant, but evolving, high-latitude (around +65 degrees) spot. Detailed study of the photometry reveals that sometimes the spot coverage varies only marginally over a long time, and at other times it varies rapidly. Of a suite of dynamo models, the model with a radiative interior rotating as fast as the convection zone at the equator delivered the highest compatibility with the obtained Doppler images.Comment: accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Exploring schools' use of natural spaces

This chapter focuses on the changing ways in which schools are using natural spaces as part of their pupils’ learning experience. We suggest that learning in natural spaces has undergone something of a renaissance in recent times, and explore the reasons that this might be so. We then examine ways in which schools and other practitioners are using outdoor spaces for play, for non-curricular and for curricular learning. The chapter draws on a range of countries for examples that show how a nation’s cultural ideas about the outdoors can be incorporated into a country’s outdoor learning, and how other ideas travel across boundaries to be interpreted in different practical ways. Within these sections, we consider different theoretical underpinnings that inform learning outside. Finally, the benefits of and challenges to outdoor learning are considered