Relevant Materials Research Articles

Minimizing Misconceptions: Designing an Electrical and Magnetic Syllabus for Prospective Elementary School Teachers Using Predict Observe Explain-Conceptual Change Text (POE-CCT)

This study aims to 1) Obtain empirical data on the needs analysis for developing electrical and magnetic learning devices using the Predict-Observe-Explain (POE) approach assisted by Conceptual Change Text (CCT), and 2) Gather comprehensive information on designing a syllabus for electricity and magnetism using POE assisted by CCT. This qualitative research focuses on the define and design stages of the 4D model and involves 30 second-semester students from the Elementary School Teacher Education Study Program, including 6 men and 24 women, enrolled in the Basic Science Concepts course. Data collection methods included interviews to develop and validate a product based on needs analysis, such as graduate learning outcomes related to the course, relevant study materials, learning methods, time allocation, learning resources, references, learning media, and assessment criteria. The data was analyzed using content analysis techniques. The findings of this study confirm that 1) A learning tool using the POE-CCT approach is necessary to reduce misconceptions among prospective elementary school teachers, particularly in understanding the domains of electricity and magnetism, which are conceptually complex. The designed syllabus aims to address these misconceptions by incorporating POE learning tools assisted by CCT. This includes stages where students predict outcomes and reasons, observe and record their findings, and explain their observations followed by class discussions. 2) The syllabus development stage, based on needs analysis, results in POE learning tools with CCT assistance that promote independent prediction, observation, and explanation. This structured approach enhances active engagement, deeper understanding, and conceptual refinement through collaborative discourse, promising improved comprehension and retention of complex scientific concepts in the classroom.

전통차문화 진흥을 위한 캐릭터 개발

Chinese tea culture is believed to have originated during the Shennong era, with a history of at least 4700 years. Despite its rich cultural heritage, tea is mainly enjoyed by the middle-aged and elderly. To expand its market and pass on tea culture to younger generations, this study focuses on developing cultural characters based on the intangible cultural heritage of “Tea Baixi”.The study began with a review of relevant materials and literature on “Tea Baixi”. It then analyzed the character traits favored by Generation Z, using five award-winning cultural characters from China’s annual IP selection. These insights were used to create character sketches, which were evaluated through surveys based on originality, approachability, diversity, consistency, and interest inducement, leading to feasible character designs.This research creatively reinterprets “Tea Baixi”, linking traditional culture with modern lifestyles through innovative character design. It aims to offer new perspectives for cultural transmission and explore the application of character design in cultural heritage preservation and innovation.

THE AFTERMATH OF NIK ELIN: DOES IT AFFECT THE POSITION OF THE MALAYSIAN SYARIAH COURT?

This article examines the ramifications of the recent Federal Court judgment in the case of Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid & Anor v. Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan to the position of the Syariah Court in Malaysia. The judgment of the case witnessed 16 out of 18 provisions of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment 2019 which have been challenged on the ground of unconstitutional be declared null and void by the Federal Court. This has given rise to the state of anxiety and dissatisfaction particularly among Muslims community who feels that the position of the Syariah Court has been degraded. The study employs qualitative study in analysing relevant materials that comprised of statutory laws, journal articles and cases law relating to the issue of constitution and conflict of laws. The finding shows that the verdict made by the Federal Court in Nik Elin’s case does not affect the position of Syariah Court in Malaysia since it has nothing to do with the issue of Islamic doctrine. Thus, this article concludes that in the process of making laws, legislative bodies must always have the power and competency to do so in the spirit of preserving the supremacy of the Federal Constitution as the highest law in Malaysia.

Professional Development Effective From a Teacher Performance Perspective (Study of Literature in Various Countries)

The purpose of this research is to examine and explain the description related to professional development in teacher performance. The study adopts a literature review approach and utilizes data collection methods in the form of journals and scientific articles that encompass the concept of teacher professional development. The analysis used in this research involves reviewing the latest research findings and sequentially filtering relevant research materials. The study reveals that teacher professional development programs implemented in various countries have been proven effective in enhancing the quality of teacher performance. These findings emphasize the importance of continuous professional growth and indicate that these programs play a role in shaping and refining educators' competencies. By engaging in targeted professional development initiatives, teachers can acquire new knowledge, pedagogical techniques, and innovative strategies, enabling them to deliver more effective instruction and promote optimal student learning outcomes. The research also recognizes the significance of sharing experiences and insights among educators, fostering a supportive professional community. An important contribution of this research lies in the identification and provision of a reference program that can serve as a valuable resource for educators and facilitate the advancement of the teaching profession. In conclusion, this literature study provides valuable insights into professional development programs aimed at improving teacher performance. Through the examination and analysis of various literature sources, it has been demonstrated that these programs effectively contribute to enhancing the quality of teachers.

Production and characterisation of environmentally relevant microplastic test materials derived from agricultural plastics

Soil environments across the globe, particularly in agricultural settings, have now been shown to be contaminated with microplastics. Agricultural plastics – such as mulching films – are used in close or direct contact with soils and there is growing evidence demonstrating that they represent a potential source of microplastics. There is a demand to undertake fate and effects studies to understand the behaviour and potential long-term ecological risks of this contamination. Yet, there is a lack of test materials available for this purpose. This study describes the manufacture and characterisation of five large (1–40 kg) batches of microplastic test materials derived from agricultural mulching films. Batches were produced from either polyethylene-based conventional mulching films or starch-polybutadiene adipate terephthalate blend mulching films that are certified biodegradable in soil. Challenges encountered and overcome during the micronisation process provide valuable insights into the future of microplastic test material generation from these material types. This includes difficulties in micronising virgin polyethylene film materials. All five batches were subjected to a thorough physical and chemical characterisation - both of the original virgin films and the subsequent microplastic particles generated - including a screening for the presence of chemical additives. This is a critical step to provide essential information for interpreting particle fate or effects in scientific testing. Trade-offs between obtaining preferred particle typologies and time and cost constraints are elucidated. Several recommendations emerging from the experiences gained in this study are put forward to advance the research field towards greater harmonisation and utilisation of environmentally relevant test materials.

Perkembangan Kurikulum Multikultural di Sekolah Dasar: Menyongsong Tantangan Global

Multicultural curriculum in elementary schools is an important focus in the current global education context. This research describes the developments and challenges related to the implementation of a multicultural curriculum at the elementary level, especially in anticipating global challenges. Through a literature review of related literature, this study identifies various approaches, strategies and issues that arise in the course of a multicultural curriculum in elementary schools. The literature study highlights the importance of awareness of cultural, ethnic and social diversity in the curriculum, as well as how this approach can integrate global perspectives in learning. In addition, challenges such as cultural resistance, development of relevant learning materials, and teacher training are the main highlights in efforts to realize an effective multicultural curriculum. The results of this study provide in-depth insight into the evolution of multicultural curricula in elementary schools, as well as highlighting the efforts needed to address global challenges such as migration, globalization and cultural diversity. The implications of these findings for educational practice will be discussed to strengthen the implementation of a multicultural curriculum that is more holistic and responsive to current global realities in elementary schools.

Macro and micro-scale material removal mechanisms during ECM/hybrid laser-ECM of a passivating multiphase NbC–Ni cermet

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a non-contact and athermal machining process where the material removal is accomplished through controlled anodic dissolution of the workpiece governed by Faraday laws. ECM process has been hybridized with several other processes for improving material processing windows. Hybrid laser electrochemical machining (LECM) synergistically applies electrochemical and laser process energies with added benefits of escalated reaction kinetics leading to enhanced transpassive dissolution, weakening of passivation layer, process localisation and uniform dissolution. The laser energy acts as a localised and controllable heat source thereby offering multi-fold processing benefits. For alloys and cermets, a characteristic surficial fingerprint is the presence of inhomogeneous multiphase dissolution and sporadically distributed passivation layer, necessitating addition of aggressive reagents in electrolytes. LECM has the potential to addresses these challenges while processing in pH neutral electrolytes. Previous works have very limited analysis on the macro and micro removal mechanisms while processing relevant strategic materials and multitude of applications of LECM remain unexploited. Therefore, this work presents in-depth investigations into macro and micro-scale material removal mechanisms of ECM/LECM on sintered niobium carbide with nickel binder (NbC–Ni), which is a potential cobalt-free alternative to tungsten carbide. The results revealed new insights into the removal behaviour of the constituent phases which differed from the first principles and their interaction with the laser. During ECM, the Ni phase dissolved preferentially and influenced the surface pattern and particle breakout which was reduced with laser assistance. The surface evolution characteristics were also analysed based on the ridge-crevice pattern. Additionally, the weakening of passive layer was correlated with the pulse analysis that revealed quantitatively the different process regimes occurring during ECM and LECM. The grain level study revealed that orientation effects still exist during LECM and the grains with higher surface energy (FCC (001) vicinal planes) passivated more and dissolved less. Furthermore, the improvement in surface quality, overcut and reduction in particle breakout with LECM process makes it promising for machining newer recipes of metal carbides.

Enhancing Oral Health Care Access for School Children: A Perspective.

Inadequate access to oral health services for school children remains a pervasive issue in Nigeria. According to a study, a mere 20% of enrolled students have availed themselves of dental visits following referrals from dentists. Various barriers, such as geographical location, socioeconomic status, lack of awareness about the importance of oral health, and fear of treatment, contribute to this low utilization rate. The resulting problem exacerbates social class disparities within the country. To address this pressing concern, we conducted an exhaustive academic review encompassing peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and other relevant materials. This review underscored three potential policy alternatives: bolstering educational campaigns on oral health, implementing mobile dental clinics, and establishing on-site school-based dental clinics—an innovative approach in the Nigerian context. Additionally, we will delve into insights from a successful case study of a model on-site school oral healthcare clinic in Ile-Ife. Recognizing that each approach comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, we propose a concise School Oral Health Policy. This policy aims to establish a framework for incorporating these remedies efficiently, providing a comprehensive solution to the issue of insufficient availability of dental healthcare services among Nigerian school pupils.

Implementation of Web-Based School Library Information System Design with RAD Method Approach

<p>In the current era, several school libraries have implemented the design of web-based school library information systems using the Rapid Application Development (RAD) approach. The primary objective of this method is to enhance efficiency and accessibility in managing an organization/institution. This research aims to ascertain the advantages of the RAD method in the development of school library information systems. The research methodology employs a literature review by gathering relevant literature materials about the topic. The RAD method was chosen because it allows for rapid and iterative development, aligning with the dynamics of changing user needs and technology. The system is designed to support collection management, borrowing, and book searching effectively. The analysis results indicate that the implementation of the RAD Method in designing library information systems yields several positive impacts on the development of school library websites, namely, firstly, providing quick responses to user needs; secondly, improving previous systems; and finally, achieving relatively faster development compared to traditional software development methods.</p>

Diagnostics as a Key Tool in Providing Organizational and Scientific-Methodical Conditions for the Creation of Stem Centers

The article reveals the importance of diagnostics in the context of the creation of STEM centers, which are an integral part of the introduction of STEM education into the educational process. The concept of "diagnostics" in the article is considered as a process of analysis and assessment of existing organizational and scientific-methodical conditions for the creation of STEM centers. The article adds scientific knowledge about the STEM center, highlights the purpose of its activity and directions of work. Some key criteria have been identified by which the state of providing organizational conditions for the creation of STEM centers can be determined, namely: strategic planning, financial support, infrastructure, human resources, partnerships, marketing and public relations, organizational culture and management efficiency. It is proposed to evaluate the scientific and methodological conditions for the creation of STEM centers according to such key criteria as: development of STEM courses and curricula, educational materials and resources, methodical support for teachers, evaluation and analysis of learning results, research work, support of scientific consultants and experts, development cooperation networks. It was found that the diagnosis allows to assess the availability of the necessary premises, equipment, personnel support and infrastructure for the creation of STEM centers. Various methods of diagnosis make it possible to assess the availability of relevant training programs, methodological materials and other components necessary for the effective operation of the STEM center. It has been determined that such diagnostic methods as questionnaires, observations, interviews and document analysis can help in providing specific recommendations on how to improve the organizational and scientific-methodical conditions for the successful creation of a STEM center. Examples of successful innovative educational projects and experiments at the all-Ukrainian level in the field of STEM, which were implemented and are being implemented now, taking into account the results of diagnostics that helped them achieve success, are given.

PENDAMPINGAN MAHASISWA PROGRAM KAMPUS MENGAJAR ANGKATAN 7 DALAM UPAYA PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN LITERASI DAN NUMERASI DI SDN 3 REJOTANGAN KABUPATEN TULUNGAGUNG

The Campus Teaching Batch 7 program aims to improve students' literacy and numeracy skills through student mentoring at SDN 3 Rejotangan, Tulungagung Regency. This activity examines the effectiveness of the mentoring program in overcoming the problem of low student literacy and numeracy skills. The methods used are observation, interviews, and pre- and post-assistance tests to measure changes in students' abilities. The results show that there is a significant improvement in students' literacy and numeracy skills after receiving intensive assistance from students. This program also had a positive impact on students' learning motivation, as seen from the increased participation and enthusiasm of students in learning activities. The mentoring students acted as facilitators, providing interesting and relevant materials, and using interactive and fun learning methods. In addition, the collaboration between student assistants, teachers, and parents also supports the success of this program. Student assistance in the Teaching Campus Program Batch 7 is effective in improving students' literacy and numeracy skills at SDN 3 Rejotangan. Recommendations are given to develop similar programs in other schools to improve the quality of basic education in Indonesia.

Integration of P5 in Local Wisdom-Based Social Studies Learning as a Form of Strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile in Junior High Schools

Local wisdom has an important role in cultural sustainability in a global context. The current development of globalization has the potential for a shift in local values to a more attractive global culture. This research aims to determine the strategies carried out by the Taruna Nusa Harapan Junior High School, whose students have a diversity of ethnicities, religions and national origins in maintaining local wisdom values in the City of Mojokerto. This research uses qualitative methods by collecting data using in-depth interviews with P5 facilitators, teachers and students, observation and documentation. Data processing techniques use source triangulation. The results of the research show that Taruna Nusa Harapan Junior High School preserves the values of local wisdom through the Project for Strengthening the Profile of Pancasila Students (P5) by highlighting the theme of local wisdom by creating an activity entitled the Tunas Maja festival. Not only co-curricular activities, P5 Activities with the theme of local wisdom are very supportive in instilling local wisdom values in social studies learning for grades VII and VIII. The strategy used by the social studies teacher is to insert local wisdom material into relevant social studies materials such as class VII material about the relationship between the diversity of geographical conditions in the archipelago and the formation of cultural diversity. Apart from that, class VIII material, this theme is relevant to material regarding awareness of social changes that are occurring in the contemporary era with the theme of microhistory, local history, oral traditions.

Examining the Evolution and Components of the Culture of Learning in University Education: A Systematic Scoping Review

Introduction: The term "culture of learning" frequently appears in research on educational development and reform, yet defining it precisely remains challenging. Given its varied interpretations across scientific fields, it is crucial to review how authors use "culture of learning" in the context of modern educational environments. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to comprehensively examine and map the existing literature on the concept of "culture of learning" within educational environments. Method: The research strategy for this scoping review was structured around the "problem, concept, and context (PCC)" framework to ensure a comprehensive and logical exploration of the literature. This approach facilitated the systematic identification and selection of relevant materials that provide a rationale for each chosen criterion. A detailed research protocol was established prior to initiating the study, outlining the objectives, inclusion criteria, and methodological approach. The reporting of this systematic scoping review adheres to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines, ensuring transparency, rigor, and reproducibility in the review process. This methodology was selected to provide a clear and structured pathway for mapping the existing literature on the culture of learning, highlighting key themes, trends, and gaps within the field. Results: Upon reviewing 74 articles, we identified and clustered the most frequently occurring terms in the titles, resulting in the formation of five distinct area clusters. These clusters encompass: the effectiveness of teaching and learning processes (and their components); teaching/learning trends; learning styles and processes (and their components); learning model components; and the emphasis on academic literacy as an integral part of the learning culture. Additionally, components of the architecture of the culture of learning were identified: learning environments, learning groups, learning subcultures, learning approaches and methods, and learning values and traditions. This comprehensive analysis allowed to define and structure the components of the learning culture. Conclusion: This scoping review contributes to the ongoing efforts to understand the concept of the "culture of learning" by providing comprehensive definitions and analyzing its possible components. The results offer educators and policymakers a clearer understanding of what constitutes a culture of learning, enabling them to design and implement more effective educational strategies and policies. These findings can guide the development of curricula that better integrate various learning cultures, thereby enhancing the educational experience for students. By identifying key trends and components of the culture of learning, this review provides a foundation for further research that can explore new methodologies and approaches in education, ultimately leading to improved learning outcomes and more dynamic educational environments.

Legal Protection For Unauthorized Copying Of Songs On Digital Platforms Through Audio Watermarking Method

The objective of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of the Copyright Law in safeguarding digital songs with audio watermarking from illegal duplication, and to analyze the legal responsibilities of those who duplicate songs on digital platforms using such methods under the Copyright Law. The research methodology employed is normative juridical, focusing on the internal aspects of positive law and utilizing literature sources like journals, books, case law, and relevant legislative materials, particularly Law No. 28 of 2014 on Copyright. Legal materials are gathered through a literature review as a secondary data source, along with descriptive analysis to elucidate the legal implications concerning copyright protection in the digital age. The novelty of this research lies in the integration of advanced and effective audio watermarking technology in addressing the challenges of copyright protection in the digital era. The research results highlight the importance of copyright protection in the music industry in the digital era. Audio watermarking methods are used to insert data into digital content to protect content ownership and identify copyright holders. There are efforts to overcome the challenges in preventing illegal acquisition of copyrighted content by utilising watermarking technology. It can thus be concluded that despite efforts made to regulate the digital marketplace and improve legal standards, illegal distribution of material is still quite rampant. YouTube is cited as an effective platform in protecting intellectual property rights by successfully addressing the issue of copyright infringement by removing infringing content.

Positive Impacts of Chat GPT on English Teachers

The integration of ChatGPT, an AI-driven language model, presents a myriad of benefits for English teachers seeking to enhance their instructional practices. This article explores the advantages afforded by leveraging ChatGPT in educational settings. Firstly, ChatGPT serves as a versatile tool for generating diverse and contextually relevant learning materials, including prompts, quizzes, and writing exercises, tailored to students’ proficiency levels and interests. Secondly, it facilitates personalized feedback by analyzing students’ responses in real-time, identifying areas for improvement, and offering targeted suggestions to foster language acquisition and mastery. Moreover, ChatGPT functions as a virtual assistant, augmenting teachers’ administrative tasks through automated grading, lesson planning support, and curriculum enrichment. Additionally, it fosters interactive and engaging learning experiences through its conversational interface, promoting active student participation and collaboration. Furthermore, ChatGPT can aid in fostering cultural understanding and global awareness by providing access to diverse perspectives and authentic language usage from around the world. Lastly, its continuous learning capabilities enable adaptation to evolving pedagogical needs and linguistic trends, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in English language instruction. In conclusion, the integration of ChatGPT empowers English teachers with innovative tools and resources to create dynamic, personalized, and impactful learning environments, ultimately advancing students’ language proficiency and fluency.

Genetic and Epigenetic Etiologies of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Numerous suspect genes associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have been identified, suggesting a need to focus on the disease's causal genes and mechanisms. This necessitates an update to raise public awareness. This review articulates genes with mutations that predispose individuals to T1DM. We conducted a comprehensive search of academic databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, for relevant materials. Available information indicates that at least 70 genes are suspected in the pathogenesis of T1DM. However, the most frequently implicated genes include human leukocyte antigen (HLA), insulin (INS), cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), and protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22). Mutations or variants in these genes may lead to insulin insufficiency and, consequently, T1DM by tricking immune cells, such as T-cells and B-cells, into attacking self-antigens and triggering the autoimmunity of beta cells. Furthermore, this pathophysiology can be mediated through aberrant epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and noncoding RNAs, in the mentioned genes. Some of these pathophysiologies are gene-specific and may have an epigenetic origin that is reversible. In the event of an epigenetic origin, a treatment for T1DM that addresses the causal genes or reverses epigenetic changes and their mechanisms could yield improved outcomes. Medical professionals are encouraged to design therapeutic regimens that specifically target the mentioned genes and address the identified epigenetic alterations in individuals expressing such etiologies.

First-principles and cluster expansion study of the effect of magnetism on short-range order in Fe–Ni–Cr austenitic stainless steels

Short-range order (SRO), the regular and predictable arrangement of atoms over short distances, alters the mechanical properties of technologically relevant structural materials such as medium/high entropy alloys and austenitic stainless steels. In this study, we present a generalized spin cluster expansion (CE) model and show that magnetism is a primary factor influencing the level of SRO present in austenitic Fe–Ni–Cr alloys. The spin CE consists of a chemical cluster expansion combined with an Ising model for Fe–Ni–Cr austenitic alloys. It explicitly accounts for local magnetic exchange interactions, thereby capturing the effects of finite temperature magnetism on SRO. Model parameters are obtained by fitting to a first-principles data set comprising both chemically and magnetically diverse face-centered cubic configurations. The magnitude of the magnetic exchange interactions are found to be comparable to the chemical interactions. Compared to a conventional implicit magnetism CE built from only magnetic ground state configurations, the spin CE shows improved performance on several experimental benchmarks over a broad spectrum of compositions, particularly at higher temperatures due to the explicit treatment of magnetic disorder. We find that SRO is strongly influenced by alloy Cr content, since Cr atoms prefer to align antiferromagnetically with nearest neighbors but become magnetically frustrated with increasing Cr concentration. Using the spin CE, we predict that increasing the Cr concentration in typical austenitic stainless steels promotes the formation of SRO and increases order–disorder transition temperatures. This study underscores the significance of considering magnetic interactions explicitly when exploring the thermodynamic properties of complex transition metal alloys. It also highlights guidelines for customizing SRO through adjustments of alloy composition.

Implementasi Kurikulum 2013 Mata Pelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam di SMP PGRI Tebedak

This research aims to analyze the implementation of the 2013 Curriculum in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) subjects at the Junior High School (SMP) level. The 2013 curriculum, introduced by the Indonesian government, prioritizes a competency-based approach with a focus on developing students' attitudes, knowledge and skills holistically. In the context of Islamic Religious Education, the implementation of this curriculum is expected to shape the character and personality of religious students and develop their understanding of Islamic teachings in a comprehensive manner. The research method used is descriptive qualitative with a case study approach in several junior high schools in Indonesia. Data collection was carried out through observation, in-depth interviews with PAI teachers, and analysis of documents related to the implementation of the 2013 Curriculum. The research results showed that the implementation of the 2013 Curriculum in PAI subjects faced several challenges, including limited resources, teacher readiness, and diversity in student abilities. However, several schools have demonstrated success in adapting this curriculum well, especially through ongoing teacher training and the development of creative and contextual learning materials. Other findings from this research indicate that the use of active and collaborative learning methods, such as group discussions and projects, can increase student participation and understanding in PAI lessons. Apart from that, the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in the learning process also contributes positively to the effectiveness of implementing this curriculum. Overall, this research concludes that although there are various challenges in implementing the 2013 Curriculum for Islamic Religious Education subjects in junior high schools, efforts to increase teacher competency and use innovative learning methods can optimize student learning outcomes. Recommendations are given to the government and education stakeholders to continue to support teacher training programs, develop relevant teaching materials, and improve educational facilities and infrastructure to support the successful implementation of the 2013 Curriculum.

Exploring the perspectives of healthcare professionals on providing supported asthma self-management for Bangladeshi and Pakistani people in the UK.

Self-management support improves asthma outcomes and is widely recommended in guidelines, yet it is poorly implemented in routine practice. There may be additional challenges in the context of ethnic minority groups, where making sense of culture may be necessary. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals on supporting UK Bangladeshi and Pakistani patients to self-manage their asthma. One-to-one semi-structured interviews with professionals (primary and secondary care; medical and nursing) who routinely provide asthma care to Bangladeshi or Pakistani patients. Topics addressed included perceptions of professionals in supporting patients with asthma self-management and ideas for improving culturally competent care. Data were analysed thematically. Nine professionals, from a range of ethnic backgrounds, with considerable experience of treating patients from these communities were interviewed. Despite organisational restrictions (language and time/resources) and expressed gaps in cultural knowledge and training, all interviewees reported attempting to tailor support according to culture. They used their perception of the patient's culture (e.g., big families and family involvement), integrated with their perception of patients' ability to self-manage (e.g., degree of responsibility taken for asthma), to formulate theories about how to culturally adapt their approach to supported self-management, e.g., supporting barriers in understanding asthma. There was consensus that gaps in cultural knowledge of professionals needed to be addressed through training or information. Interventions recommended for patients included basic education, group meetings, and culturally relevant action plans. In the absence of formal training and constrained by organisational limitations, self-management support was adapted based on personal and professional perception of culture. These ideas were based on experience and formulated a chain of reasoning. Professionals recognised the limitations of this approach and potential to overgeneralise their perceptions of culture and adaptations of supported self-management. Interventions were desired and need to address professional training in cultural competence and the provision of culturally relevant materials.

Electrowriting of SU-8 Microfibers.

As microfiber-based additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, melt electrowriting (MEW) and solution electrowriting (SEW) have demonstrated efficacy with more biomedically relevant materials. By processing SU-8 resin using MEW and SEW techniques, a material with substantially different mechanical, thermal, and optical properties than that typically processed is introduced. SU-8 polymer is temperature sensitive and requires the devising of a specific heating protocol to be properly processed. Smooth-surfaced microfibers resulted from MEW of SU8 for a short period (from 30 to 90 min), which provides the greatest control and, thus, reproducibility of the printed microfibers. This investigation explores various parameters influencing the electrowriting process, printing conditions, and post-processing to optimize the fabrication of intricate 3D structures. This work demonstrates the controlled generation of straight filaments and complex multi-layered architectures, which were characterized by brightfield, darkfield, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This research opens new avenues for the design and development of 3D-printed photonic systems by leveraging the properties of SU-8 after both MEW and SEW processing.