216194 research outputs found
Sort by
A case study of washback and test preparation of the new version of PTE academic
No full textThe Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A), a widely used high-stakes language proficiency test for university admissions and migration purposes, underwent a notable change from a three-hour to a two-hour version in November 2021. The implementation of the new version has prompted inquiries into the washback effects on various stakeholders. Focusing on a small sample of Chinese test takers (n=10), this paper explores washback effects following the revision of PTE-A and the complexity of test preparation through in-depth semi-structured interviews. The findings suggest a shorter test length is preferred and several different methods are adopted for test preparation which gives evidence to the positive washback. However, participants reported some confusion regarding certain test items, leading to the adoption of construct-irrelevant methods. This, in turn, may affect the face validity of PTE-A. While addressing the literature gap in this field, recommendations for improving the test design to better meet test takers’ needs are provided
Mapping lesbians’ everyday community-making in a small city: (in)visibility, belonging and safety
No full textThis paper presents findings from a project exploring how lesbians make community in the ‘ordinary city’ of Southampton on the South coast of England. In the context of trans-exclusionary debates and the supposed demise of lesbian spaces, we sought to discover how self-identified lesbian people in Southampton conceptualised the location and boundaries of their community, The study used collaborative participatory mapping techniques, which resulted in a diffuse and multi-layered understanding of lesbian community in the city. The paper focuses on three key themes: (1) crafting ‘safe’ spaces; (2) terminology: naming ‘lesbians’ and (3) finding and creating places of community. The paper concludes that finding a space to articulate an explicitly lesbian identity can be fraught, but is deeply valued, continually becoming, and carefully negotiated both between peers and within urban space. Collaborative mapping is shown as a valuable tool in delivering more inclusive participatory research that can help foster transformative and emancipatory research into LGBTQ communities and spaces
Data-driven model predictive control for continuous-time systems
No full textWe present some preliminary ideas on a data-driven Model Predictive Control framework for continuous-time systems. We use Chebyshev polynomial orthogonal bases to represent system trajectories and subsequently develop a data-driven continuous-time version of the classical Model Predictive Control algorithm. We investigate the effects of the parameters in our framework with two numerical examples and draw comparison to model-driven MPC schemes
Investigation into the immunomodulatory activity of XPO1 inhibitors
No full textNuclear export is an important process for regulating transcription and translation by spatial distribution of transcription factors, RNA and signalling components. Exportin-1 (XPO1) is a nuclear export protein that transports key tumour suppressor proteins, oncogenic mRNA and ribosomal constituents into the cytoplasm and its function is often dysregulated in haematological malignancies to promote cancer cell survival and proliferation.Selinexor is a first-in-class inhibitor of XPO1 and is approved for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Selinexor induces the accumulation of tumour suppressor proteins in the nucleus and inhibits oncogene translation to impair cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. It is beginning to be appreciated that small molecule drugs which target tumourigenic pathways also possess immunomodulatory activity. Understanding the mechanism behind these immunomodulatory effects can improve the design of rational combination strategies with immunotherapies. Selinexor has been shown to enhance T cell function, increase NK cell abundance in tumours and promote tumour regression in combination with PD-1 blockade. But how XPO1 inhibition impacts NK cell-mediated immunity is unknown, which this project aimed to address, with the hypothesis that XPO1 inhibition sensitises cancer cells to NK cell immunosurveillance via modulation of NK cell ligand expression. XPO1 inhibition in B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma cell lines and primary chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells sensitised cancer cells to NK cell cytotoxicity. Increased sensitivity to NK cell activation was due to decreased surface expression of HLA-E, the ligand for the inhibitory NK cell receptor NKG2A. As such, XPO1 inhibition led to preferential activation of NKG2A+ NK cells and potentiated the effects of expanded allogeneic NK cells, anti-CD19 CAR NK cells and promoted antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in combination with clinically relevant monoclonal antibodies. This research project also identified that lymph node-associated signals IL-4 and CD40L confer resistance of malignant B cells to NK cell activation through upregulation of HLA-E, and this can be reversed by XPO1 inhibition.Overall, this research project revealed a novel immunomodulatory mechanism of XPO1 inhibition in haematological malignancies by sensitising cancer cells to NK cell anti-tumour functions via disruption of NKG2A:HLA-E interactions. Future work could investigate the combination of selinexor with NK cell therapeutic strategies in vivo to assess the potential for translation of these findings to clinical trials.<br/
Forested bioshields and tsunami impact mitigation in a Polynesian setting
No full textIn the 21st century tsunamis have claimed the lives of over 250,000 individuals, and have caused extensive damage to vulnerable coastal ecosystems. This vulnerability continues to increase in many areas as human activity further degrades the coastal forests that once provided a degree of protection against storms and tsunamis, collectively known as high energy marine inundation events. This work presents a case study of the design and implementation of a forested bioshield established to protect a vulnerable wetland on Maui's south east coast. Although subject to coastal inundation, this ecosystem provides high quality habitat for numerous endangered species. Anthropogenic modifications around the wetlands, particularly the loss of the protective forest, have made this ecosystem vulnerable to future inundation events. Establishing an effective bioshield requires in-depth knowledge of both the frequency and intensity of inundation events, as well as effective tree species selection and their proper configuration within the bioshield. Here, we present palynological and archaeobotanical data from the studied wetlands, and combine this with local paleotsunami data, previously published data on forested bioshields, and traditional ecological knowledge to design, optimize and install an 8,000 m2 forested bioshield, and review the wider benefits and limitations of this bioshield approach.</p
Young children’s approaches to additive missing number equations: A longitudinal study
No full textThis doctoral research explores young children’s solving approaches for additive missing number equations, during their first and second years of formal school instruction (Year 1 aged five to six years, and Year 2 aged six to seven years, in England). A context for age-related expectations is provided by the inclusion of additive missing number equations in the Statutory Guidance for Mathematics: Addition and Subtraction in the National Curriculum for England, for Year 1. Central to this study is the qualitative longitudinal research design and the holistic approach taken. This research project explores how the same participant group of ten children approached additive missing number equations through qualitative, individual, task-based interviews. Data were collected at three collection points: when the children were at the end of Year 1, halfway through Year 2 and again at the end of Year 2. An analytical framework was developed to analyse the data, which came from audio-visual recordings and children’s written work and jottings. A holistic view of ‘solving approaches’ was operationalised to include observable solving behaviours, including verbal utterances and any use of mathematical models and manipulatives during each task solution. Areas of mathematics drawn on by the participants were quantitative relations, knowledge of part-whole structure and relations, addition and subtraction principles and interpretations of the equals sign and the notion of equivalence. The thread that runs through this study is mathematical structure. How participants read aloud the equation revealed that reading aloud the equation syntax incorrectly was not necessarily associated with an incorrect solution. When the surface structure (syntax) of canonical and non-canonical equations was verbally reordered, conserving the underlying part-whole relations underpinned successful solving approaches. From the finegrained analysis of the observed solving behaviours, the study found that the use of mathematical models and manipulatives provided evidence of structuring part-whole relations, and addition and subtraction counting strategies. From the holistic approach, a key finding was that children generally drew on combinations of mathematical knowledge during a solving approach, further, that convincing evidence of drawing on knowledge of part-whole relations and structure underpinned correct solutions, even when evidence of drawing on other aspects of mathematical knowledge was less strong. These findings remained true over time and reflected individual differences. Changes in participants’ solving approaches over time were analysed individually. Unsuccessful solutions for equation tasks, particularly for those with the structure ‘missing whole and using the symbol ‘-‘ for subtraction, showed evidence of the recall of associated incorrect number triplets, also backwards working in tasks with a non-canonical syntax. Early algebraic reasoning has roots in aspects of mathematics encountered in preformal learning experiences. The outcomes of this study bring to the fore the strength of evidence of early algebraic reasoning in solving missing number equations. Convincing knowledge of part-whole structure and relations was important, and evidence of drawing on combinations of mathematical knowledge was observed in successful solving approaches
Attachment style predicts emotion regulation, help‐seeking, and recovery in psychosis
No full textUntreated psychosis can have a devastating impact on individuals and their families. Recommended therapies are underutilised. Attachment theory provides a framework to understand intra- and interpersonal responses to threat cues, such as voices and paranoia, which affect recovery. This is the first study to test a coherent set of theory-driven predictions about the impact of attachment style on people's ability to manage distress associated with psychosis, and seek help effectively. We used a cross-sectional design to examine the impact of attachment style on emotional regulation, help-seeking intentions, service engagement, and clinical and recovery outcomes in people with psychosis. We recruited a total of 65 participants with psychosis from community and NHS pathways. Participants completed standardized measures of predictor and dependent variables at one-time point. Regression analyses showed that insecure attachment (anxious and avoidant) predicted more use of unhelpful emotional regulation strategies, less help-seeking, and poorer clinical and recovery outcomes, with medium to large effects (p < 0.05). We found no effects for service engagement. Attachment style predicts intra- and interpersonal responses to threat in psychosis, and may partially account for the considerable variation in engagement with recommended therapies, and longer-term outcomes. Routine assessment of attachment at initial service contact would identify people likely to struggle to seek and accept therapeutic interventions, who may in turn benefit from attachment-congruent engagement efforts
The British Society for Rheumatology guideline for the management of foot health in inflammatory arthritis
No full textModelling enzyme electrodes – what do we learn and how is it useful?
No full textThere has been an enormous increase in the computational power readily available since the first numerical treatments of electrochemical problems in the early 1960s. This development has been accompanied by the development of powerful, widely available, commercial software modelling tools. Despite this, approximate analytical treatments remain extremely useful in the modelling of coupled diffusion/reaction problems in electrochemistry because of the insights they provide into the different possible behaviours of the system. In this paper we discuss the modelling of amperometric enzyme electrodes, taking as our exemplar redox hydrogel-based enzyme electrodes in which the enzyme is immobilized in a redox active polymer which wires the enzyme to the electrode. In this system the measured current is related to many different experimental variables including substrate concentration and diffusion coefficient, reaction rate constants, and film properties and thickness. The interplay of these factors is described and the role of Case diagrams in understanding coupled diffusion/reaction problems of this type is discussed.</p