Audio Recordings Research Articles

Exploring the relationship between motor development and entrepreneurial traits in childhood

Introduction: Children’s motor development is growing, with several studies seeking to understand its process, causes, and effects. The field of entrepreneurship has also experienced significant growth. Objective: Recognizing the importance of both areas, this research aims to verify the relationship between a child's motor development and entrepreneurial traits. Methodology: This is an exploratory case study using mixed methodologies. 37 students from the 1st and 3rd grade participated in this study. The Test of Gross Motor Development - 2 was used to determine the children's motor development. To assess entrepreneurial traits in children, observation and audio recording were conducted in three contexts: structured play, enriched recess, and storytelling. The observation was based on a script constructed according to the literature review. Results: When relating motor development to entrepreneurial traits, it was concluded that children with better motor development in the total raw score and object control motor skills tend to be those in the 3rd grade and those with lower propensity for inverse behaviour of "Self-Confidence" and "Persistence/Resistance to Failure." It was also found that children with better raw scores in locomotion motor skills are also those who, in the context of recess, have a greater tendency to exhibit positive behaviour of "Risk-taking," such as considering risks before acting or not being afraid of failure. Conclusion: Schools should integrate entrepreneurial education and motor skill development into curricula to prepare students not just for jobs, but to take initiative, solve complex problems, and adapt to changing circumstances throughout their lives.

Pengembangan Media Interaktif Canva untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Pronunciation Siswa SD Muhammadiyah 8 Banjarmasin

This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of Canva-based interactive PowerPoint media to enhance pronunciation skills among fifth-grade students at SD Muhammadiyah 8 Banjarmasin. Employing a Research and Development (R&D) methodology with a 4D model (Define, Design, Develop, Disseminate), the research identifies specific learning needs, designs prototypes, validates media through expert reviews, and implements it in the classroom. Observations revealed challenges such as limited vocabulary, pronunciation difficulties, and monotonous teaching methods relying on textbooks and audio recordings. The developed media combines visual, audio, and interactive elements, including quizzes, to engage students. Validation results showed high feasibility, with expert ratings averaging over 98%. A trial with 19 students demonstrated a significant improvement in pronunciation, with an average pre-test score of 62.36 increasing to 83.84 in the post-test, supported by an N-Gain of 0.50 (medium effectiveness). Feedback from teachers and students indicated that the media was practical, visually appealing, and motivational. The findings suggest that Canva-based interactive PowerPoint media effectively addresses pronunciation challenges while enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. This research highlights the transformative potential of integrating digital tools into education, offering practical solutions for language learning at the elementary level

Application of Active Components such as DC Generators and Operational Amplifiers in Mechanical Design

DC generators and operational amplifiers have become increasingly important as the need for automation and precise control in mechanical engineering continues to grow. Since their invention in the 19th century, DC generators have played an important role in power systems, especially in applications that require a stable DC power supply. Meanwhile, since the 1960s, operational amplifiers have played an important role in analog circuits, and their applications cover a wide range of fields such as audio processing, signal conditioning, data acquisition and control systems. This paper explores the multiple applications of DC motors and operational amplifiers in mechanical systems and their integration through a literature review approach. It is found that these components not only improve the efficiency and performance of mechanical systems, but also provide higher control accuracy in areas such as robotics and industrial automation. In addition, with the continuous advancement of technology, the combination of the two is expected to realize innovations and breakthroughs in more fields. The research in this paper provides an important reference for the future innovation and development of mechanical engineering

The Magnetic Application in the Loudspeaker and Headset

Loudspeakers and headsets are ubiquitous electronic devices essential to modern life, finding extensive applications in medicine, education, entertainment, and communication. This paper explores their fundamental operating principles, rooted in electromagnetic and acoustic theories, and provides a comprehensive analysis of their mechanisms. It summarizes various optimization strategies aimed at enhancing performance, including advancements in acoustic output, material innovations like carbon nanotubes, structural design improvements, and computational efficiency through algorithms such as adaptive impedance matching and genetic algorithms. The study also addresses current challenges faced by these devices, such as the trade-off between miniaturization and sound quality, escalating production costs, limited battery life, and issues related to prolonged user comfort. Furthermore, it highlights evolving user expectations for higher sound quality, longer battery life, and more ergonomic designs. By synthesizing existing research and forecasting future trends, the paper offers valuable insights into the ongoing development of loudspeakers and headsets, anticipating that innovations in artificial intelligence, smart materials, and personalized audio technology will significantly shape their future evolution

Introducing the "Cockpit Party Problem": Blind Source Separation Enhances Aircraft Cockpit Speech Transcription

Cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) are one of the two mandatory flight recording devices embarked in commercial aircraft. Its analysis is crucial to understand the context of an air incident or accident. However, in such scenarios, when the audio recordings are usable, CVR may contain strong mixtures of crew member speech signals, radio communications, and cockpit alarms. However, contrary to the “cocktail party problem” that blind source separation (BSS) aims to tackle, modeling CVR mixtures—that are here named the “cockpit party problem”—was never done before. In this paper, the authors thus propose a CVR mixture model and highlight its limitations. While not trivial—even in a two-source scenario—BSS methods can be applied to real CVR recordings. It is found that taking into account several BSS outputs provided by various methods may help audio analysts to transcribe the CVR data. That is, near 90% of unintelligible words can be transcribed from CVR recordings processed by BSS methods.

The physical education curriculum in alternative provision schools in England: A Gramscian critique

AbstractCurriculum is at the heart of education. It has been said that a broad and balanced physical education curriculum can contribute to young people developing socially, cognitively, affectively, and physically. As such, in this article, we draw on Antonio Gramsci's ideas of culture, power, and ideology to explore the physical education curriculum in alternative provision schools in England. We did this by generating qualitative data using semi‐structured interviews with 13 physical education practitioners working in 13 different alternative provision schools. Interviews were audio recorded, and audio recordings were transcribed verbatim, before being subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. The themes generated through these analytical processes were (1) Physical education curriculum should be tailored to the needs and preferences of pupils; (2) The National Curriculum, national qualifications, assessment arrangements and Ofsted inspection expectations influence curriculum decisions; and (3) Group sizes influence the physical education curriculum. We end this article by encouraging physical education and/or curriculum scholars to learn more about alternative provision settings because, at present, there is a dearth of research‐informed knowledge about them despite them becoming a much more prominent feature of the education landscape in England.

Are women really (not) more talkative than men? A registered report of binary gender similarities/differences in daily word use.

Women are widely assumed to be more talkative than men. Challenging this assumption, Mehl et al. (2007) provided empirical evidence that men and women do not differ significantly in their daily word use, speaking about 16,000 words per day (WPD) each. However, concerns were raised that their sample was too small to yield generalizable estimates and too age and context homogeneous to permit inferences beyond college students. This registered report replicated and extended the previous study of binary gender differences in daily word use to address these concerns. Across 2,197 participants (more than five-fold the original sample size), pooled over 22 samples (631,030 ambient audio recordings), men spoke on average 11,950 WPD and women 13,349 WPD, with very large individual differences (< 100 to > 120,000 WPD). The estimated gender difference (1,073 WPD; d = 0.13; 95% CrI [316, 1,824]) was about twice as large as in the original study. Smaller differences emerged among adolescent (513 WPD), emerging adult (841 WPD), and older adult (-788 WPD) participants, but a substantially larger difference emerged for participants in early and middle adulthood (3,275 WPD; d = 0.32). Despite the considerable sample size(s), all estimates carried large statistical uncertainty and, except for the gender difference in early and middle adulthood, provide inconclusive evidence regarding whether the two genders ultimately speak a practically equivalent number of WPD, based on the preregistered ± 1,000 WPD regions of practical equivalence criterion. Experienced stress had no meaningful effect on the gender difference, and no clear pattern emerged as to whether the gender difference is accentuated for subjectively rated compared with objectively observed talkativeness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Saying hello again rather than a long goodbye: a novel way of addressing pre-death grief and facilitating continuing bonds for dementia caregivers

ABSTRACT The ‘Hello Again’ letter-writing intervention is sometimes used in grief counselling to facilitate continuing bonds with the deceased. Family member caregivers of those with dementia often experience a ‘long goodbye’, as the relationship with their loved one gradually changes through serial losses before they have physically died, making the relationship markedly different than the one before the dementia. There are limited interventions to support caregivers with this pre-death grief. This study aimed to address this lack by offering the ‘Hello Again’ intervention to dementia family caregivers, exploring the perceived helpfulness of the task, and attempting to understand the meanings of the ongoing relationship as expressed through letter writing. Two dementia caregivers were recruited to the study. Each participant met with the researcher on several occasions, completed two interviews, which were audio-recorded, and two take-home letter-writing tasks. The audio recordings were transcribed, and both interview data and letters were analysed using Dialogical Narrative Analysis. The analysis revealed positive perceptions of the task, and participants described individual journeys of rediscovery and forgiveness. It was concluded that this study provides initial evidence for a promising innovative intervention to address pre-death grief experiences. Further development and testing of the intervention with a wider range of dementia caregivers is recommended.

Effect of Brochure and Audio Recordings of Testicular Cancer Stories on Testicular Self-Examination: Randomized Controlled Study.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a training program based on educational brochures and audio recordings of testicular cancer (TC) stories on testicular self-examination (TSE) and health beliefs among university students. The study had a pretest-posttest, control group experimental design. This study was conducted with 106 students in Turkey. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Health Beliefs Model (HBM) Scale for TC and TSE, and a form for determining TSE and sharing information. There was a statistically significant difference between the posttest scores obtained by the intervention group, who received the training and the control group on the susceptibility, benefits and health motivation, barriers, self-efficacy, and health motivation dimensions of the HBM Scale (p<0.05). The percentage of TSE in the intervention group increased from 14.8% to 90.7% after receiving training on TC and TSE, which was significantly different from the pretest and posttest scores of the control group. Training using educational brochures and audio recordings of TC stories had a positive effect on TSE and health beliefs. The results suggest that both training methods can be used to increase social awareness of TC.

Navigating Work and Breastfeeding: A Qualitative Exploration of Breastfeeding Experiences among Nurses and Support Staff in South India.

Objective: The personal experiences of breastfeeding healthcare workers may influence the quality of breastfeeding support provided. This study explored the breastfeeding experiences of nurses and support staff in South India. Materials and Methods: A qualitative exploratory study using focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted among nurses and support staff of a newly established tertiary care hospital in South India. Purposive sampling was used, and written consent was obtained. Three FGDs were conducted in English and in local language by trained personnel. Audio recordings were transcribed, coded using Atlas Ti, and analyzed thematically. New themes from each FGD were integrated into later discussions until saturation was achieved in the third FGD. Results: Participants, primarily aged 30-35 years, encountered cultural pressures, fears of job loss, and insufficient workplace support while breastfeeding. Maternity leave varied with some participants having experienced job loss. Facilitators for exclusive breastfeeding included support from colleagues and friends, private lactation rooms, and adequate leave. Harmful cultural practices suggested limited health literacy. Reduced milk supply, lack of awareness about expressed milk, inadequate storage facilities, and job stress led to a preference for bottle feeding. Participants also highlighted a lack of spousal understanding concerning shared responsibilities and sexual intimacy following delivery. They expressed a desire for paid leave with job security, designated breastfeeding areas, and the normalization of public breastfeeding. Conclusion: Breastfeeding challenges for nurses and support staff in South India stem from societal pressures and work demands. This study emphasizes the need for multi-level interventions to empower them in effective breastfeeding practices.

Physician-dominated conversations: An analysis of illness understanding discussions among patients with advanced cancer.

Effective communication between patients and oncologists is crucial, particularly around illness understanding. When this communication is asymmetric or imbalanced, it can hinder shared decision-making and lead to suboptimal clinical outcomes. We sought to describe physician-patient speech imbalances ("asymmetry") in illness understanding portions of discussions between oncologists and advanced cancer patients and explore potential trends related to patient characteristics. Our study included 285 audio recordings of outpatient encounters between 40 oncologists and 139 patients with advanced cancer. We identified illness understanding communication via manual data annotation and analyzed clinician-patient speech ratios. For this project, a communication outcome of "asymmetry" was defined as taking place when one party spoke more than 60 % of all spoken characters related to illness understanding in the conversation. We used descriptive statistics to report frequency of asymmetric conversations by patient characteristics. We then examined whether certain patient characteristics were associated with presence of at least one asymmetric illness understanding discussion as a categorical variable. At the conversation level, 77 % of all illness understanding discussions were asymmetric and clinician-dominated. At the patient level, 89 % experienced asymmetric illness understanding communication. We found that non-Hispanic white patients experienced a lower rate of asymmetry across their conversations compared to patients from other racial and ethnic backgrounds (73 % of conversations vs. 82 %). Asymmetric, clinician-dominated communication was prevalent in illness understanding discussions. Communication balances may be a relevant factor driving disparities in cancer care. Strategies are needed to address communication imbalances in serious illness conversations and enhance communication education.

Automated validated tool for epileptic seizure detection using deep learning

This paper explores an innovative approach for the automatic detection of epileptic seizures from audio recordings and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). In medical settings, accurately labeling seizure events is critical for patient monitoring. However, manual annotation by experts is not only time-intensive but also highly repetitive. To address this challenge, we developed a structured questionnaire for patients and eyewitnesses, concentrating on observable characteristics during typical seizure events. This questionnaire was used to prospectively study 198 consecutive adult patients with either Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) or Epileptic Seizures (ES). For each question, specific signs, symptoms, and risk factors were extracted as variables. The results showed a sensitivity of 95.10% and a specificity of 97.06%, confirming the reliability of the questionnaire. Also, the method proposed in the study categorizes all seizure vocalizations into a singular target event class, modeling the detection task as a binary classification problem target (seizure event) vs. non-target (non-seizure event). The CNN is trained to detect seizure events in short time frames. Experimental results indicate that the method achieves over 92.5% detection accuracy. Furthermore, the research leverages the correlation between pre-ictal epileptic states and HRV features. By addressing the noise interference commonly present during seizures, the proposed model can robustly train the CNN to identify pre-ictal states. The model's performance is promising, yielding an accuracy of over 91.5% for both positive and negative predictions. The proposed system underwent a human evaluation by a group of physicians at Mansoura University Hospital. The results were highly satisfactory, with the doctors expressing strong approval of the system's performance.

Language barriers in emergency ambulance calls for cardiac arrest: Cases of missing vital information.

In medical emergencies, phoning the ambulance service constitutes a high-stakes interaction. Call-takers rely on callers to provide information about the patient so they can promptly recognise the medical problem and take swift action to remedy it. When a language barrier exists between the call-taker and caller, this can add a further challenge, given that third-party interpreters are rarely engaged, especially for time-critical conditions such as cardiac arrest. Research in cardiac arrest calls has found that language barrier calls experience longer delays to critical points such as recognition of cardiac arrest and commencement of resuscitation. This study aimed to understand, in the absence of interpreters, the interactional challenges that emerged in language barrier emergency calls, as parties worked to communicate the nature of the medical problem. Based on a critical conversation analysis approach, we conducted fine-grained analysis of interactions in audio recordings and transcripts of 33 language barrier calls from an Australian ambulance service in 2019. We found that call takers regularly failed to recognise that the patient had a cardiac arrest. Non-fluent-English callers often provided vital information about the patient, which could have led to cardiac arrest recognition by the call-taker, however such information was missed if it was delivered in an unsolicited or atypical way. Opportunities to recognise cardiac arrest were also missed when call-takers did not probe further after such information was provided or did not provide enough interactional space for callers to complete their turns. We found that the main reason for delays in recognising cardiac arrest was a lack of mutual understanding, which most of the time seemed to remain unbeknownst to participants. The study makes recommendations for emergency medical dispatch centres to cater for language barrier calls, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive prehospital care system and addressing health disparities for non-fluent-English speakers.

Views and Experiences of Nurses Receiving Care as Inpatients: An Empirical Qualitative Study From Ankara.

To determine the views and experiences of inpatient nurses receiving care. Switching from the care provider role to being a patient allows nurses to realise patients' real care expectations and to test their colleagues' care practices. Nurses' experience as inpatients is essential for understanding patients' care-related expectations and improving care quality by reflecting on their practices. This qualitative study used a descriptive phenomenological design. Data were collected from nine volunteer nurses between July 2018 and June 2020 in Ankara, Türkiye, through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaires and audio recordings. The research data were analysed by following the descriptive phenomenological data analysis steps. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research [COREQ] checklist was used to report study findings. Three themes emerged from the views and experiences of nurses receiving inpatient care: care-receiving experiences, components of good nursing care and change in perception of care. It is important to reveal the opinions and experiences of hospitalised nurses regarding care to understand the expectations of the care recipients and to increase the quality of the care provided. The study revealed that the experiences of nurses receiving inpatient care improved their professional sensitivity and this was reflected in the quality of the nursing care they provided. Nurses can provide higher quality and humanistic care by combining their professional knowledge and skills with the increased awareness of the inpatient experience of nurses. No patient or public contribution.

Sleep Bruxism in Children: A Narrative Review.

Sleep bruxism, characterized by involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible during sleep, is common in children. Sleep bruxism occurs while the patient is asleep. As such, diagnosis can be difficult as the affected child is usually unaware of the tooth grinding sounds. This article aims to familiarize physicians with the diagnosis and management of sleep bruxism in children. A search was conducted in May 2023 in PubMed Clinical Queries using the key terms "Bruxism" OR "Teeth grinding" AND "sleep". The search strategy included all observational studies, clinical trials, and reviews published within the past 10 years. Only papers published in the English literature were included in this review. According to the International classification of sleep disorders, the minimum criteria for the diagnosis of sleep bruxism are (1) the presence of frequent or regular (at least three nights per week for at least three months) tooth grinding sounds during sleep and (2) at least one or more of the following (a) abnormal tooth wear; (b) transient morning jaw muscle fatigue or pain; (c) temporary headache; or (d) jaw locking on awaking. According to the International Consensus on the assessment of bruxism, "possible" sleep bruxism can be diagnosed based on self-report or report from family members of tooth-grinding sounds during sleep; "probable" sleep bruxism based on self-report or report from family members of tooth-grinding sounds during sleep plus clinical findings suggestive of bruxism (e.g., abnormal tooth wear, hypertrophy and/or tenderness of masseter muscles, or tongue/lip indentation); and "definite" sleep bruxism based on the history and clinical findings and confirmation by polysomnography, preferably combined with video and audio recording. Although polysomnography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of sleep bruxism, because of the high cost, lengthy time involvement, and the need for high levels of technical competence, polysomnography is not available for use in most clinical settings. On the other hand, since sleep bruxism occurs while the patient is asleep, diagnosis can be difficult as the affected child is usually unaware of the tooth grinding sounds. In clinical practice, the diagnosis of sleep bruxism is often based on the history (e.g., reports of grinding noises during sleep) and clinical findings (e.g., tooth wear, hypertrophy and/or tenderness of masseter muscles). In childhood, sleep-bruxism is typically self-limited and does not require specific treatment. Causative or triggering factors should be eliminated if possible. The importance of sleep hygiene cannot be over-emphasized. Bedtime should be relaxed and enjoyable. Mental stimulation and physical activity should be limited before going to bed. For adults with frequent and severe sleep bruxism who do not respond to the above measures, oral devices can be considered to protect teeth from further damage during bruxism episodes. As the orofacial structures are still developing in the pediatric age group, the benefits and risks of using oral devices should be taken into consideration. Pharmacotherapy is not a favorable option and is rarely used in children. Current evidence on the effective interventions for the management of sleep bruxism in children is inconclusive. There is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for specific treatment at this time.

The experience of living with human immunodeficiency virus among adolescents at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Bahir-Dar, Northwest Ethiopia, A phenomenological study.

Adolescents who have the human immunodeficiency virus face difficulties in their lives not just from the physical consequences of the illness but also from social stigma and discrimination. The quantitative side of this issue was the focus of earlier Ethiopian research. However, there hasn't been any prior research done extensively in Ethiopia on the real-life experiences of teenagers infected with HIV. Therefore, in order to address the real issues that these teenagers encounter, it is imperative that we investigate their lived experiences as HIV-positive adolescents. The goal is to investigate the experiences that adolescents at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital who are infected with HIV have on a daily basis. A phenomenological approach was conducted among thirteen purposively selected adolescents at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Bahir-Dar, northwest Ethiopia, from March 25 to April 30, 2023. Information saturation was used to estimate the sample size. Data was gathered through semi-structured open-ended interview guides and in-depth interview techniques. The talk was recorded using an audio recorder. The data was transcribed verbatim. The conceptual translation approach was used to translate the transcribed data from Amharic to English. For additional analysis, the translated data was entered into the Atlas.ti.8 program. To demonstrate findings, the inductive thematic analysis technique was applied using illustrative quotes. Colleague feedback, member checks, and a debriefing were used to guarantee the quality of the data. Eleven subthemes, including main theme of "lived with burdens of immunodeficiency virus," "disclosure," "ART adherence," and "future aspiration," were used to describe the findings. The participants discussed how difficult it has been for them to deal with social, emotional, and psychological difficulties in addition to living with the HIV infection. They kept their illness a secret from others out of fear of prejudice and stigma. In conclusion, adolescents infected with the human immunodeficiency virus faced a variety of difficulties related to their mental health, relationships, emotions, and compliance. It is advised that the community get ongoing, comprehensive health education in order to prevent stigmatization and discrimination against young people who have the virus.

Exploring the Root Causes of Physics Aversion among Grade 12 STEM Students: A Qualitative Case Study at RPMD National Science High School

Physics aversion is a pervasive challenge in STEM education worldwide, significantly impacting students’ engagement and performance and highlighting the need to understand its root causes to develop effective interventions. This qualitative case study explored the root causes of physics aversion among Grade 12 STEM students at RPMD National Science High School in Marawi City, Philippines. Ten Grade 12 students enrolled in the 2023-2024 academic year were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews to capture participants’ perceptions and experiences with physics. The audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. From the data, 15 codes emerged, which were grouped into four overarching themes: Mathematical Challenges, Teaching-Related Issues, Language and Comprehension, and Personal and Social Factors. Key findings revealed that mathematical challenges, such as difficulty with complex equations, problem-solving, and formula memorization, were the most frequently cited barriers. These issues were often exacerbated by mathematics anxiety and inadequate foundational skills. Teaching-related issues, including ineffective instructional methods, disorganized presentations, and lack of engagement, significantly hindered students’ understanding and interest. Language barriers, especially in decoding technical terminology and understanding word problems, compounded these difficulties. Personal and social factors, including a lack of interest in physics, peer influence, and perceived irrelevance to future career goals, further contributed to the aversion. The study highlights the urgent need for student-centered teaching approaches, such as active learning strategies, differentiated instruction, and linguistic scaffolding, to address these challenges. Policymakers and educators are encouraged to implement holistic interventions to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Future research should investigate these dynamics across diverse educational contexts and assess the impact of targeted interventions on reducing physics aversion.

Exploring barriers to accessing treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis through a socio-ecological lens in Buvuma and Napak districts, Uganda.

The World Health Organization launched the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in 2000, which aimed at eradicating the disease by 2030. This goal depends on community mass drug administration and essential care. Despite these efforts, many rural communities still face untreated lymphatic filariasis and lack access to treatment and self-management. Using a socioecological model, this study examined barriers to treatment and support for people living with lymphatic filariasis in Uganda's Buvuma and Napak districts. We conducted 12 key informant interviews with health facility officials, district health officers, and village health team members. Additionally, 19 focus group discussions were held with community members, and nine in-depth interviews were conducted with people living with lymphatic filariasis. This study explored knowledge gaps among those living with lymphatic filariasis and health providers that affect morbidity management and disability prevention, as well as challenges in accessing treatment. Audio recordings were transcribed and managed via ATLAS ti software version 6. Thematic analysis was conducted via the socioecological model framework. This study identified multiple complex factors affecting healthcare providers and individuals living with lymphatic filariasis, spanning individual, interpersonal, organisational, community, and policy levels. The key themes included stigma and social isolation, healthcare disparities, and healthcare dynamics. Stigma and social isolation result in emotional distress, neglect, exclusion, and self-isolation, which are influenced by community beliefs. Health systems and policy barriers included poverty, inadequate personnel, and insufficient equipment. Structural factors such as geographical remoteness, environmental harshness, and lack of healthcare infrastructure were prominent obstacles to seeking care for lymphatic filariasis management. This study provides insights into the multilevel factors influencing the understanding and availability of treatment for lymphatic filariasis in Uganda. Addressing sociocultural beliefs, social and interpersonal dynamics, and healthcare disparities is crucial for improving the outcomes and well-being of these rural communities. These findings can aid in managing lymphatic filariasis in Uganda and similar low-resource settings.

“Being your son is rather tiring”: Assessments and assessment responses in initial interactions in Mandarin Chinese

In this paper, initial interactions in which Mandarin Chinese speakers are getting acquainted are investigated, with a particular focus on the assessment sequences. Drawing on approximately 18.5 h of audio(visual) recordings, I examine a particular sequential practice in which self-disclosures are found to be followed by assessments sequences, either positive or negative, by other speakers, which then trigger diverse responses by the assessment recipients. From the analysis it emerged that both positive and (implicated) negative assessments are deployed to establish relational connection with the unacquainted recipients, that is, to index solidarity and familiarity. Relational connection is accomplished, on one hand, through initiating positive assessment that the recognition and approval of one’s “face”; on the other hand, it can be also accomplished through launching (implicated) negative assessment with which assessors presuming one’s knowledge about the other and projecting their epistemic authority, i.e., claiming their independent knowledge with respect to the recipients, and thereby establishing familiarity with their counterpart. These findings suggest that assessments and assessment responses are crucial to the negotiation of new interpersonal relationships in initial encounters.

Reconstruction of reverberant sound fields over large spatial domains.

Characterising acoustic fields in rooms is challenging due to the complexity of data acquisition. Sound field reconstruction methods aim at predicting the acoustic quantities at positions where no data are available, incorporating generalisable physical priors of the sound in a room. This study introduces a model that exploits the general time structure of the room impulse response, where a wave-based expansion addresses the direct sound and early reflections, localising their apparent origin, and kernel methods are applied to the late part. This late energy is considered to follow a sinc-like spatial correlation, in accordance with the random wave field theory. Synthesised pressure points, which follow the observed statistics of the sound field, are introduced to enable extrapolation over large distances. The model is evaluated experimentally in a lecture room and an auditorium, demonstrating a successful reconstruction of the sound field across a 5 m aperture using three microphone arrays of only 4.2 cm radius each. These results indicate that the proposed methodology enables volumetric extrapolation over several orders of magnitude, which is significant in the context of navigable sound field reproduction, "6-degrees of freedom" spatial audio and sound field analysis in rooms.