Research Research Articles

Enhancing linguistic research through AI-powered reference management: A proposal for a voice-controlled academic assistant

In today’s digital age, the amount of available research literature is growing exponentially, making it more challenging for researchers to efficiently manage and cite relevant sources. This issue is particularly pronounced in fields like linguistics, where scholars must contend with interdisciplinary sources spanning linguistics, psychology, and computer science. This paper proposes the development of an AI-powered, voice-controlled academic assistant aimed at enhancing the research experience for linguists by streamlining the literature review and citation process. The assistant would use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to allow researchers to search for, retrieve, and cite references using voice commands, thereby eliminating many of the tedious aspects of academic research. This proposal outlines the current state of voice-controlled technology, discusses how these technologies can be implemented in academic workflows, and presents a roadmap for the development of a linguist-friendly reference management system. By addressing key technical, ethical, and practical concerns, this paper offers a compelling vision for the future of linguistic research, powered by AI.

Thinking or feeling? The effect of information diversity on consumption decisions based on the social support framework

PurposeInstrumental and emotional information influence paradoxically on people’s decision-making, and similar influences are more evident in e-commerce scenarios where physical information is limited. This study aims to construct a systematic explanatory framework for the influence of multidimensional recommendation information diversity (RID) on users' click and purchase decisions based on the social support theory (SST).Design/methodology/approachThis study analyses 453,176 data from 67,079 users of a Chinese e-commerce platform, applying lasso algorithmic techniques and cross-fit partialling-out (XPO) regression for empirical analysis.FindingsThe study finds that instrumental support information diversity (ISID) and emotional support information diversity (ESID) play divergent roles, and that the effects of both on user decision-making are inconsistent with mode-flip and marginal change. Differences in users' information craving and information overload processing mechanisms for instrumental and emotional information, leading to an inverted U-shaped effect of ISID on consumption decisions, while ESID has a U-shaped effect. Additionally, supplier certification eliminates the marginal change in ESID, and products with a high information standardisation degree eliminate the marginal change in ISID.Originality/valueResearch results reveal the opposing roles of the two types of RID and the application boundaries of their roles, providing empirical evidence for academic research.

MediGate: a MedTech product innovation development process from university research to successful commercialization within emerging markets

This study proposes a comprehensive MedTech product innovation development framework tailored for university research commercialization within emerging markets. The MediGate framework, built on the Augmented Stage-Gate model, addresses the unique challenges of MedTech innovation, including regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and market dynamics. The framework integrates critical decision-making criteria for different types of inventions to drive academic research toward commercialization in clinical settings. Through detailed case studies, including innovations like albumin strip test, 3D-printed patient-specific implant, COVID-19 nasal spray, and AI platform for depression detection, and iterative refinement, the framework provides actionable guidelines for navigating the complexities of product development. These guidelines ensure alignment with clinical needs, regulatory requirements, and market strategies. The research highlights the importance of early-stage valuation, reimbursement strategies, legal and IP considerations, and manufacturing and quality management. By offering a structured pathway, this research contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of MedTech commercialization, aiming to enhance innovation success and healthcare impact in emerging markets.

A Study on Travel Motivation, Attitude, and Travel Intention of the Tourists Visiting Chandragiri Hills

This research aims to explore the relationship between travel motivation, tourists’ attitudes, and travel intention, with a specific focus on Chandragiri Hills a new destination that has attracted many domestic and international tourists, since its inception in 2016. Yet the academic research of its tourism dynamics remains limited. Utilizing a descriptive survey questionnaire, data were collected from 450 tourists to analyze the construct of travel motivation, attitude towards the destination, and travel intention. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed altogether 30 measurement items regarding travel motivation, attitude, and travel intention. The data were analyzed using the theory of planned behaviour. The findings of the study revealed that motivation significantly influences both tourist's attitude and their travel intention. Novelty-seeking, relaxation, and social interaction are the chief push factors contributing to positive attitudes towards the destination. The findings have meaningful implications for tourism marketing strategies, whereby such motivational factors come to the centre to develop the attractiveness of Chandragiri Hills and improve tourism management practices. The result contributes to a greater understanding of tourist behavior in emerging destinations and provides insight into how effective planning and management could work within the tourism sector.

Letters of Historians of the 2nd Half of the 20th Century as a Channel of Scholarly and Business Communications (Based on Letters from Siberia to the Capital)

The article analyzes the letters of specialists in Russian history of the 17th – 19th centuries who sent correspondences to their colleagues in Moscow. The reason these letters are being analyzed is because, due to the distance and communication methods available at the time, correspondence was the main way for Siberian scholars to communicate with the representatives of the important scientific centers, to stay updated on the latest research trends and discoveries. During this era, authors were comparatively unrestricted in their statements, and their internal and external interactions were diverse and significant. Historians from Siberia and Moscow used to correspond on scientific and organizational matters through letters. The topics of discussions included participation in scientific conferences, invitations, opportunities for business trips, publications, cooperation, and reviews. The scholars shared their professional thoughts, ideas, and plans, characterized the sources they found and analyzed, expressed hypotheses and explained preliminary conclusions, reported the outcomes of research, and sometimes talked about the progress in their research projects and the development in their understanding of scientific problems. The letters often described events in the scientific careers of the authors. The content and emotional tone of the correspondence were significantly influenced by the author's character and relationship with the addressee. The letters often contained information of both scientific and personal nature. Sometimes, Siberian scientists requested assistance and help from their colleagues from the capital. The article concludes that letters were a reliable and effective communication channel among the professional community of historians. They were used to convey scientific, business, and occasionally personal information. The recipients of these letters were typically scholars from Moscow who were older in age and higher in status. As a reference group, they played a significant role in determining the specifics of the letters addressed to them.

Revolutionizing Food Quality and Safety: Recent Advances in Clean-Label Technology

The rising incidence of foodborne illnesses and scandals, coupled with heightened consumer awareness of the negative impacts of artificial ingredients, has driven a significant shift toward clean label products—foods defined by simple, recognizable ingredients and minimal processing. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of clean label technology, exploring its historical evolution, key definitions, applications, and current market trends. It also examines consumer behavior toward clean label products and the marketing strategies employed by brands to foster transparency. Drawing on 61 peer-reviewed references published between 2020 and 2024, this narrative review integrates findings from academic research and industry reports to offer a holistic perspective on clean label practices. Key challenges hindering the implementation of clean label technologies, such as the effectiveness of natural preservatives, the impact of ingredient removal on sensory qualities, and the financial implications of transitioning to clean label practices, are discussed. The findings underscore the necessity for the food industry to address these challenges to ensure the sustained growth of the clean label movement, aligning with consumer preferences for healthier and more transparent food options.

2024 International Conference on Education, Economics, Management, and Social Sciences(EMSS 2024)

Welcome to the official website of the 2024 International Conference on Education, Economics, Management, and Social Sciences (EMSS 2024), scheduled to take place from September 25-26, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia! EMSS 2024 offers a prestigious platform for scholars, educators, researchers, and practitioners in the fields of education, economics, management, and social sciences to share their latest research insights, innovative methodologies, and cutting-edge solutions. This conference serves as a global forum to foster interdisciplinary discussions, collaborations, and the exchange of ideas on some of the most critical and emerging issues in these fields. We are proud to gather participants from various sectors who will engage in thought-provoking discussions and debates on topics of major societal relevance, including advances in educational practices, economic strategies, management approaches, and social sciences. The conference aims to provide valuable contributions to both academic research and practical applications. EMSS 2024 is committed to highlighting original, high-quality research papers that advance theoretical understanding, offer practical implications, and contribute to policy-making. Each paper has been rigorously reviewed based on its technical merit, research significance, and real-world impact, ensuring a high standard of academic excellence. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the esteemed members of the technical and organizing committees, whose diligent efforts in reviewing and improving the submissions have significantly elevated the quality of the conference proceedings. Additionally, we express our heartfelt thanks to the authors for their contributions, collaboration in adhering to the conference guidelines, and for sharing their unique insights and innovative research. We look forward to the intellectual exchange, networking opportunities, and collaborative potential that EMSS 2024 will bring. We hope you enjoy the conference! EMSS 2024 Conference Chairs

Classroom work with literature in basic literacy and second language education for adults

This article examines classroom work with literature in the Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) programme in which adult migrants study Swedish at a basic level. The participants were a teacher and a group of students with limited previous education. The study explores practices that the participants applied during classroom work with an easy-to-read novel. The theoretical and analytical framework includes the four resources model, transactional theory and the concepts of translanguaging and embodied literacy practices. Data for the study were collected in a large action research and linguistic ethnography project by means of classroom observations and focus group conversations with teachers. Findings show that decoding and meaning-making practices were most prominent, while text-using and text-analysing practices were scarcer. Aesthetic reading and efferent reading were in different ways integrated with the different families of practice. Aesthetic reading was connected to multimodal aspects and embodied literacy practices. Efferent reading was found at many levels in the reading and was interconnected with all families of practice. Translanguaging practices often intersected with meaning-making practices.

A practitioner-led research agenda for local government

ABSTRACT The last 50 years of local government studies have documented extraordinary changes: economic transformations, international democratisation, the digital revolution and the rise of the internet have transformed local government. Looking forward to the next 50 years: climate change, ageing populations, financial pressure, populist politics, will all come home to roost in the day-to-day work of local government. This paper makes the case for building a research agenda around the practical experiences of local policy practitioners. Using our experience from a series of interviews with over sixty local government chief executives, and the example of two research projects built around LGIU’s local authority members network in England, the paper describes the valuable opportunities that come from engaging with local government practitioners for developing and directing research.

Towards the adoption of a balanced approach to literacy instruction in LESLLA classrooms in Québec, Canada

The current study reports on an action research project taking place in two Quebec adult education centres and aiming to create learning opportunities for LESLLA learners of French to pursue their literacy development journey beyond the advancement of their technical skills. More specifically, our research objective was to highlight the challenges and affordances faced by the participating teachers during the study in order to show how instructional change in favour of a more balanced approach to literacy instruction can occur during an action research project involving close mentoring for teachers. To do so, we first described the participating teachers’ meaning-focused literacy teaching practices during non-participant observation sessions in four teachers’ classrooms over the course of 6 weeks, totalizing 25 hours of observed teaching practices. Although the vast majority of all practices observed were code-focused, some instances of meaning-focused teaching practices were identified. During two training sessions, these practices acted as a starting point for exploring new meaning-focused practices that were then piloted with their students. We observed that, in the course of an action research project consisting of iterative cycles of reflection, action, and evaluation, implementing activities aligned with a more balanced approach to literacy instruction seems possible among teachers who typically rely on code-focused activities.

Adapting the World Café Method to an Online Format: Insights From Novice Qualitative Researchers

The original World Café (WC), by Brown and Isaac, is a widely used data collection method in qualitative research across various settings and is typically conducted in person. However, during the spring 2020 semester, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted us to adapt our planned WC research project from an in-person to an online format using Zoom. Two online cafés were hosted with branch campus students of a large Midwest university during October, one in the morning (n=11) and one in the evening (n=7). This methods paper offers a concise overview of the WC method as an innovative approach to qualitative data collection in a branch campus college setting. We outline the original research plan, detail the adjustments made for online cafes, and summarize the outcomes of these virtual sessions. As novice qualitative researchers working with branch campus college students, we draw vital lessons from our experience with the WC. These lessons emphasize the importance of selecting a method suitable for the target audience and researchers’ expertise level. Active participation in one or more WCs before conducting a study proves invaluable, and we highlight the facilitative role of a graphic recorder in ensuring optimal engagement and effective member-checking.

How Much Participation Is Participatory? Opportunities and Challenges of Doing Participatory Action Research With Latin American teachers.

This paper provides a detailed account of a participatory action research project carried out with trainee teachers in Chile. Two participant cohorts embarked upon a research study seeking to identify instances of violence and exclusion in their classrooms. Such exploration was conducted through a series of participatory workshops that explored the link between violence and inequality, as well as how nonviolent approaches might assist in fostering more inclusive learning environments. Both participatory action research (PAR) and workshops as a research methodology constitute novel approaches within the Chilean context, where a large number of studies interrogating issues of inequality and classroom violence are of a descriptive rather than empirical nature. Consequently, this paper gives a rationale for using PAR in the first place, then provides a detailed account of how each iteration was designed, the changes that were made in between and the degree of participation achieved with each cohort. Further, the paper makes an argument for a wider use of PAR as a method that strives for social justice and equity in education, while at the same time exploring its advantages, common critiques, and the challenges encountered during the study. Finally, and in light of what transpired in this study, this paper posits that workshops constitute a sustainable participatory research method that provides space for collaboration, creativity, and self-inquiry, while considering several improvements and modifications for future studies.

Methodological path of an action research project in Brazil’s unified health system research program

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the cyclical process of an action research project conducted by a group of academics, policy advocates, and humanization supporters under the aegis of Brazil’s Unified Health System Research Program. The project uses a qualitative approach, based on Institutional Analysis and Intervention Research principles. As nested cycles often pass through reflection-action moments, the findings are presented according to several such moments: method construction, participation type, search for theories, and cyclical action research process. They suggest that AR’s cyclical nature can enrich knowledge production and transform healthcare practices, and that well-qualified advocates and humanization supporters can contribute to this by understanding local health needs and providing valuable suggestions to enhance administrative and healthcare actions. These findings underscore the importance of the cyclical nature of action research, which constantly deepens and adds flexibility to participation, knowledge and data production, thereby providing a crucial element which enables research to continue, despite adverse conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The –WIND RISK project: nowcast and simulation of thunderstorm outflows

–WIND RISK is a research project dealing with measurement and modelling of wind fields within thunderstorm cumulonimbus clouds and outflows at the ground (i.e., downbursts and gust fronts). The general objective of the project is to advance the knowledge about the processes occurring inside thunderstorm clouds responsible for strong outflows, and the identification of the environmental (synoptic and meso-scale) conditions favourable to their development. The area under investigation is Northwestern Italy and the Ligurian Sea, which are among the most exposed regions to strong thunderstorms in Europe. Two measurement campaigns using Doppler weather radars and remote-sensing ground-based anemometry, and ad-hoc simulations using the WRF model are carried out to build a database of thunderstorm wind fields with special focus on downdraft and downburst characterization. All measurements and simulations are shared within the scientific community after the end of the project through datasets published on open access platforms.

The development of an intradisciplinary staff training intervention on the optimal management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: A qualitative study

Introduction: Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSDs) are a group of highly prevalent symptoms in residents with a neurocognitive disorder (NCD), including agitation and depressive symptoms. Caregiving staff often mention knowledge and skills deficits regarding optimal BPSD management. While several staff trainings on BPSDs management exist internationally, their transferability to other clinical contexts is limited, owing to methodological challenges. Therefore, to address this implementation gap, there is a strong need for trainings based on high-quality research to strengthen existing evidence, ensure feasibility and reproducibility. Methods: This qualitative study, part of a larger research project, occurred in 2022 on a long-term care (LTC) center unit and an alternate level of care (ALT) hospital unit located in the Province of Quebec, Canada. This study aimed to: 1) evaluate the needs and perceptions of staff caregivers regarding BPSD management, 2) identify the training content and modalities to prioritize according to experts, 3) develop an intradisciplinary training on BPSD management, and 4) pretest the preliminarily version of the training. Objectives one and two were evaluated using focus groups and objective four using individual cognitive interviews. Qualitative interview data was audio-recorded with participants’ consent, transcribed verbatim, and thematically content analyzed using an established method. Results: Overall, thirteen caregivers participated in objective one (8 from the LTC unit, and 6 from the ALT unit). The main staff training need identified on each site was the management of resident’s aggressive behaviours. Staff verbalized a preference for a virtual training. Objective 2 involved a panel of eight experts. Experts recommended the use of an online training platform, and certain training models and indicators. Based on caregivers and experts’ input, five interactive online staff training capsules lasting from 20-25 minutes each and an algorithm guiding the evaluation and management of BPSDs were created. The training capsules and the algorithm were iteratively improved following cognitive interviews with 4 caregivers from the participating sites. Conclusion: An interactive virtual staff training on BPSD management was created based on staff and expert consultation. The next step in investigation will be to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the training.

Innovative ways of dealing with unforeseen events

Innovative ways of dealing with unforeseen events Dorothy Sutherland Olsen and Lisa Scordato from the Nordic Institute for Studies of innovation, research and education, explore innovative ways of dealing with unforeseen events. Increasing interest in the challenges experienced by public and private organisations when unforeseen events occur, has prompted a research project looking into potential ways of developing relevant competence to deal with such events. The project has been inspired by earlier studies on innovation where change is seen, not only as a challenge, but also as an opportunity. Unforeseen events have always been around, ready to disrupt everyday routines in organisations. These events are not always completely unforeseen, but the scale is often unknown, and we can rarely predict exactly when these events might occur. These events can be pandemics, terror incidents or natural catastrophes; they can also be new technologies, new green ways of working or perhaps more local events like an employee leaving confidential documents on the bus or a construction team dropping a six-tonne oil installation. All these events require a rapid response; speed is of the essence, and errors and delays must be avoided.

Indigenous Food System During Monsoon in the Context of India

India, the monsoon season is a culinary spectacle where ancient food traditions, intricately woven through generations, come to life. This period highlights the diverse indigenous food systems, which hold both cultural and ethnic significance, alongside their nutritional value. The monsoon's arrival transforms the culinary landscape, ushering in a vibrant array of flavors and dishes. Indian cuisine shares a symbiotic relationship with the monsoon. The use of indigenous spices not only enhances the taste but also offers antibacterial and antiviral properties, bolstering immunity against seasonal ailments. This season's dynamic platter invites a deeper appreciation for indigenous delicacies like the Maharashtrian 'Vagheteyachi bhaji' and the Indigenous agrarian communities of Chattisgarh celebrating 'Hareli' with medicinal brews of herbs and roots. Even festivals like Janmashtami see unique monsoon-centric dishes like 'Alvati' grace the table. The title of our research project acts as a portal into the intriguing world of culinary choices and practices across diverse Indian communities. Through this endeavor, we aim to unravel the impact of the monsoon on food and health, with a special emphasis on promoting and preserving ancient food practices. The Millet Revolution in India adds another dimension to our exploration. Millets, being resilient crops that thrive in diverse climatic conditions, have gained recognition for their nutritional benefits and suitability for monsoon cultivation. Our research delves into the scientific and religious rationales behind consuming various indigenous foods during different seasons, including those that are avoided to prevent seasonal illnesses. We evaluate governmental initiatives aimed at supporting small-scale farming institutes responsible for producing monsoon seasonal foods. Our research methodology combines primary data collection through questionnaires and community conversations, supplemented by secondary data from official statistics provided by the Government of India on the production of various indigenous food species.

Multiliteracies and translanguaging pedagogy in the adult L2-classroom

In this article, we study space for multiliteracies in basic literacy education for adult second language learners of Swedish for Immigrants (SFI). The teaching observed was categorised as translanguaging pedagogy, and the study was part of an action research project with Linguistic Ethnography as the methodological framework. The material used comes from classroom observations in three schools and consists of fieldnotes, recordings of teaching, photographs, handouts and other artefacts. Hornberger’s (2003) continua of biliteracy was used for the analysis. Findings show there to be space for multiliteracies in these classrooms; however, since most students in these classes have limited literacy skills in their earlier languages, the written texts used in class are mainly in Swedish. Findings also show that teaching includes practices from all points on the continua, which Hornberger (1989) highlights as important for biliterate development, in this case to a lesser extent for written language. The shuttling between the ends of all continua is particularly important for students in SFI, Study Path One, who tend to have low status in, for example, the workforce and society. Findings also show that images tend to be used as tools rather than as objects for interpretation. Our conclusion is that space for multiliteracies varies depending on the earlier literacy skills of students, the number of students in a group who understood a particular language and the availability of study guidance assistants in the students’ mother tongues.

English Language and Career Development in African Higher Education: An Overview

The internationalization of higher education in most countries is linked to the “global interests” that supplement the supremacy of the English language above academic research functions including conventional research and publications. This paper aims to (1) describe the rationale behind the adoption of the English language in higher education, and (2) to understand the relationship between the English language and career development at African universities. This overview article analyzed relevant resources sourced from databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from January 2022 to July 2022 using the PQRS framework as an analytical tool. The analysis of the academic resources identified five main reasons for the adoption of the English language adoption in African universities: ideology, institutional integration, the knowledge society; globalization, and financial dependence. However, there are diverse views about the effect of the English language and career development in universities in Portuguese-speaking countries such as Mozambique. The paper concludes with challenges of English adoption and improvement of language policy schemes for research and publication in a Portuguese-speaking university.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation by Valve Type in Women With Small Annuli

Historically, women with aortic stenosis have experienced worse outcomes and inadequate recognition compared to men, being both underdiagnosed and undertreated, while also facing underrepresentation in clinical trials. To determine whether women with small aortic annuli undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement have better clinical and hemodynamic outcomes with a self-expanding valve (SEV) or balloon-expandable valve (BEV). The Small Annuli Randomized to Evolut or SAPIEN Trial (SMART) was a large-scale randomized clinical trial focusing on patients with small aortic annuli undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, randomized to receive SEVs or BEVs and included 716 patients treated at 83 centers in Canada, Europe, Israel, and the US from April 2021 to October 2022. This prespecified secondary analysis reports clinical and hemodynamic findings for all 621 women enrolled in SMART. Data for this report were analyzed from February to April 2024. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with an SEV or a BEV. The composite coprimary clinical end point comprised death, disabling stroke, or heart failure-related rehospitalization. The coprimary valve function end point was the incidence of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction, both assessed through 12 months. Secondary end points included the incidence of moderate or severe prosthesis-patient mismatch. A total of 621 women (mean [SD] age, 80.2 [6.2] years; 312 randomized to the SEV group and 309 to the BEV group) were included in the present analysis. At 12 months, there were no significant differences in the coprimary clinical end point between the SEV and BEV groups (9.4% vs 11.8%, absolute risk difference -2.3%; 95% CI -7.2 to 2.5, P = .35). However, SEV implantation was associated with less bioprosthetic valve dysfunction (8.4% vs 41.8%; absolute risk difference, -33.4%; 95% CI, -40.4 to -26.4; P < .001). SEV implantation resulted in lower aortic valve gradients and larger effective orifice areas at 30 days and 12 months and less mild or greater aortic regurgitation at 12 months compared to BEV implantation. Prosthesis-patient mismatch was significantly lower with SEVs, regardless of the definition used and adjustment for body mass index. Use of SEVs was associated with better quality of life outcomes as assessed by the Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 ordinal quality of life measure. Among women with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and small aortic annuli undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the use of SEVs, compared to BEVs, resulted in similar clinical outcomes and a markedly reduced incidence of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction through 12 months, including a lower risk of prosthesis-patient mismatch and better 12-month quality of life. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04722250.