Typical Barriers Research Articles

Can students be ‘nudged’ to develop their employability? Using behavioural change methods to encourage uptake of industrial placements

ABSTRACTPreparing students for employment involves encouraging ownership of their employability and engagement in opportunities that can help them improve it. Industrial placements play an important role in this but declining numbers of students are undertaking them. Using data collected over a three-year period at a Business School in a UK university, this paper will explore an intervention based on nudge theory designed to increase the uptake of these placements. Drawing upon behavioural science, it will explore nudge theory and its criticisms. It will discuss the concept of employability, including the tensions between the necessity of promoting students’ ownership of theirs and the inherent assumptions that they will engage in opportunities to achieve this. Critical assessment of how the nudge intervention worked will be provided, demonstrating how almost half of those ‘nudged’ responded positively, thereby successfully increasing the uptake of placements. It will identify soft outcomes, notably the breaking down of some typical behavioural barriers to placements and encouraging students to think reflectively. It will offer recommendations for replicable practice in other universities; specifically a model for developing nudges not only in relation to employability but within higher education more broadly. It concludes by proposing a new pedagogic definition of employability.

Comparative Effectiveness of Microprocessor-Controlled and Carbon-Fiber Energy-Storing-and-Returning Prosthetic Feet in Persons with Unilateral Transtibial Amputation: Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

ABSTRACT Introduction Microprocessor ankles (MPAs) have recently been developed for persons with lower-limb amputation to overcome known limitations of fixed-ankle energy-storing-and-returning (ESAR) feet. This study aimed to examine differences in patient-reported balance, mobility, socket comfort, and preference between an ESAR foot and an MPA in persons with unilateral transtibial amputation (UTA). Materials and Methods Twenty-three participants with UTA enrolled in an institutional review board–approved, randomized crossover protocol with ESAR (Pacifica LP) and microprocessor-ankle configurations (Kinnex, Freedom Innovations) and a 4-week accommodation period. The outcome measures collected included Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire–Mobility Subscale (PEQ-MS), and Prosthetic Limb User Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M). Participants were asked to rate Socket Comfort Score (SCS) while ascending and descending a 15° sloped ramp. Finally, ankle-foot preference and aspects liked and disliked about each configuration were recorded. Results Significant improvements were seen with the MPA in patient-reported mobility in the community (PEQ-MS, ρ = 0.0465) and socket comfort walking and standing on slopes (SCS, ρ < 0.001). Differences in balance confidence (ABC) did not reach a level of significance, whereas improvement in perceived mobility with a prosthesis approached a level of significance (PLUS-M, ρ = 0.102). When asked, 81% of participants preferred the MPA over the ESAR foot. Participants reported positively about the reduced weight of the ESAR foot, whereas they frequently reported that the MPA was better on slopes and uneven terrain. Conclusions The 30° range of motion in the MPA can allow greater mobility when ambulating on typical environmental barriers (e.g., uneven terrain, ramps, and stairs) and allow patients to stand and walk on slopes with less socket discomfort. Most participants preferred the MPA. Frequently reported positive and negative aspects of both systems may be useful for patient consultation regarding ankle-foot technology. This study represents the largest known investigation of MPAs, and the results provide evidence of benefits from MPAs over ESAR feet in persons with UTA.

Closing the Digital Divide in Speech, Language, and Cognitive Therapy: Cohort Study of the Factors Associated With Technology Usage for Rehabilitation

BackgroundFor stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other neurologic conditions associated with speech-language disorders, speech and language therapy is the standard of care for promoting recovery. However, barriers such as clinician time constraints and insurance reimbursement can inhibit a patient’s ability to receive the support needed to optimize functional gain. Although digital rehabilitation has the potential to increase access to therapy by allowing patients to practice at home, the clinical and demographic characteristics that impact a patient’s level of engagement with technology-based therapy are currently unknown.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate whether the level of engagement with digital therapy differs by various patient characteristics, including age, gender, diagnosis, time from disease onset, and geographic location (urban vs rural).MethodsData for patients with stroke or TBI that initiated the use of Constant Therapy, a remotely delivered, cloud-based rehabilitation program for patients with speech-language disorders, were retrospectively analyzed. Only data from therapeutic sessions completed at home were included. The following three activity metrics were evaluated: (1) the number of active weeks of therapy, (2) the average number of active therapy days per week, and (3) the total number of therapeutic sessions completed during the first 20 weeks of program access. An active day or week was defined as having at least one completed therapeutic session. Separate multiple linear regression models were performed with each activity measure as the dependent variable and all available patient demographics as model covariates.ResultsData for 2850 patients with stroke or TBI were analyzed, with the average patient completing 8.6 weeks of therapy at a frequency of 1.5 days per week. Contrary to known barriers to technological adoption, older patients were more active during their first 20 weeks of program access, with those aged 51 to 70 years completing 5.01 more sessions than patients aged 50 years or younger (P=.04). Similarly, patients living in a rural area, who face greater barriers to clinic access, were more digitally engaged than their urban counterparts, with rural patients completing 11.54 more (P=.001) sessions during their first 20 weeks of access, after controlling for other model covariates.ConclusionsAn evaluation of real-world data demonstrated that patients with stroke and TBI use digital therapy frequently for cognitive and language rehabilitation at home. Usage was higher in areas with limited access to clinical services and was unaffected by typical barriers to technological adoption, such as age. These findings will help guide the direction of future research in digital rehabilitation therapy, including the impact of demographics on recovery outcomes and the design of large, randomized controlled trials.

Trace analysis of organic compounds in foods with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: Methodology, progress, and challenges.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) provides a potential solution for rapid analysis of trace compounds such as residual pesticides, naturally occurred toxicants, banned or restricted drugs, and food additives in complex food matrices. In this review, the basic principles of SERS and general approaches to successfully apply SERS in food analysis are covered from an applications perspective. The key steps including substrate selection and evaluation, sample preparation and simplification, spectral collection, and data analysis during the development of SERS methods for food analysis are summarized, together with the discussion of typical underlying technical barriers or major challenges of these methods and their applications. Future directions in successfully applying SERS technology as a routine analytical approach to solve real-world food problems are analyzed. This comprehensive review summarizes the recent progress on theory, application, and scope of SERS for food analysis, providing a basic understanding of the technology; more importantly, key methodology, potential pitfalls, and possible solutions during the development of rapid SERS methods based on authors' years of SERS experience are shared with researchers in the field.

Battery Storage Manufacturing in India: A Strategic Perspective

India’s ambitious decarbonization goals for 2030 – 40% of electricity generation capacity by renewables and 30% of automobile sales as electric vehicles – are expected to create significant demand for battery storage in India. This provides an opportunity for India to become a leader in battery storage manufacturing. However, setting up appropriate conditions would require understanding of the typical barriers faced by a country’s industry in establishing manufacturing competency. To do so, this study first develops a novel critical barrier framework by identifying and assimilating barriers to industrial development through comprehensive literature review of innovation systems and industrial development. This framework posits that all the barriers identified within the framework need to be overcome for an industry to be successful. This framework is then verified using international and Indian industrial case studies. This framework is subsequently used to provide suggestions to policymakers for consideration, including on the following: First, clearly identifying target markets; second, potentially exploring the use of protectionist measures; third, enabling entry in the value chain closer to end product, while ensuring appropriate access to infrastructure and resources; and, eventually moving up higher in the value chain, via focus on research and development.

Human–Robot Collaboration in Manufacturing Applications: A Review

This paper provides an overview of collaborative robotics towards manufacturing applications. Over the last decade, the market has seen the introduction of a new category of robots—collaborative robots (or “cobots”)—designed to physically interact with humans in a shared environment, without the typical barriers or protective cages used in traditional robotics systems. Their potential is undisputed, especially regarding their flexible ability to make simple, quick, and cheap layout changes; however, it is necessary to have adequate knowledge of their correct uses and characteristics to obtain the advantages of this form of robotics, which can be a barrier for industry uptake. The paper starts with an introduction of human–robot collaboration, presenting the related standards and modes of operation. An extensive literature review of works published in this area is undertaken, with particular attention to the main industrial cases of application. The paper concludes with an analysis of the future trends in human–robot collaboration as determined by the authors.

Strategies to Recruit Refugees for Intervention Studies: Lessons Learned from the "Sanadak" Trial

Recruitment of so called rare populations, including refugees, for participation in research studies is challenging. We aim to share our lessons learned regarding recruitment strategies used in the "Sanadak" trial, a randomized controlled trial for the evaluation of a self-help app for Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress. We conducted an interim evaluation of our recruitment strategies. A quantitative analysis addressed how potential study participants first learned about "Sanadak" and in which way they made first contact with us. A qualitative part included problem-centered interviews with our Syrian study nurses (n=3) regarding the success of various recruitment strategies and perceived barriers. Data were available for the recruitment of 140 Syrian refugees. Almost half of the sample (44%) was recruited via personal contact, about another third (36%) by means of study promotion (e. g. Facebook ads), and about a fifth (19%) through multipliers. Typical barriers were concerns regarding data protection, anonymity and stigmatization. Snowball sampling was an effective recruitment strategy in our trial. This is also the most acknowledged recruitment strategy for rare populations. In addition, other strategies were useful to increase sample variance. The interim evaluation helped to direct efforts towards effective recruitment strategies and to identify and address barriers. Multi-strategic recruitment with a focus on snowball sampling, multiple options to make contact with the study team, and having culturally sensitive members in the study team contributed towards successful recruitment in the "Sanadak"-trial.

Acareer start in the Third Reich : The pathologist and Rudolf Virchow Award recipient Walter Müller (1907-1983).

The pathologist Walter Müller is undoubtedly one of the most prominent post-war representatives of his profession. He became full professor and founding dean in Essen, and in 1983 the German Society for Pathology (DGP) awarded him the Rudolf Virchow Medal - the highest distinction of the society - for his merits to the field of pathology.But this glorious career was by no means predetermined. Rather, after the end of the Second World War there were signs of acareer break that were still largely unknown. After fleeing Königsberg from the approaching Red Army, Müller had to fear for his professional existence and his scientific advancement, as he was threatened with aban on his profession in connection with denazification. As ayoung assistant doctor, Müller had joined the Berlin SA soon after the National Socialists took power and had also applied for membership of the NSDAP in 1937.Using Müller as an example, this article deals with the political influences and effects of National Socialism on young scientists and their career development. It poses the question of typical political barriers and overarching patterns of adaptation.On the basis of the personal written estate, personal archive sources, and areanalysis of the available secondary literature, existing self-portrayals and narratives of Walter Müller are critically reviewed and supplemented. Several examples show that Müller's career development was characterized by awillingness to adapt politically. After abrief career slump in the years 1946/47, he succeeded in consolidating his career thanks to amild denazification process and subsequently became one of the leading experts in German-language pathology.

ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІ БАР’ЄРИ У ВЗАЄМОДІЇ ВИКЛАДАЧА Й СТУДЕНТІВ ТА ШЛЯХИ ЇХ ЕФЕКТИВНОГО ПОДОЛАННЯ

У статті на основі комунікативного, герменевтичного та системно-діяльнісного підходів у психології виокремлено типові психологічні бар’єри, що виникають між викладачем і студентами як основними суб’єктами освітньої взаємодії. Розкрито сутнісний зміст зазначених бар’єрів та критеріально об’єднано їх у чотири групи: 1) бар’єри, зумовлені особистісними й професійними характеристиками викладача; 2) бар’єри, спричинені психологічними та фізичними особливостями студента; 3) бар’єри, детерміновані специфікою предмету взаємодії (навчального змісту); 4) бар’єри, викликані несприятливими чинниками матеріального чи соціального середовищ, у котрих відбувається освітня взаємодія. На основі рефлексивного аналізу формопроявів зазначених груп психологічних бар’єрів укладено своєрідний психологічний портрет людини, яка потенційно створює подібні перешкоди в міжособистісній взаємодії. Також у статті окреслено основні шляхи/способи ефективного подолання психологічних бар’єрів у перманентному процесі діалогічного спілкування суб’єктів освітньої діяльності. До них належать набуття досвіду педагогічної роботи, розвиток складників (передусім соціальної перцепції та рефлексії) соціального інтелекту в межах активного соціально-психологічного тренінгу й підвищення загальної культури викладача (професійної, внутрішньоособистісної та соціальної компетентності, збільшення показників загального рівня особистісного й інтелектуального розвитку). Водночас обстоюється теза, що мінімізація й подолання ймовірних бар’єрів взаємодії найефективніше відбувається за умов застосування чотирьох стратегій ведення діалогу, котрі найкраще використовувати почергово, керуючись логіко-канонічною структурою вчинку: порозуміння (тобто досягнення суголосся значень, смислів, сенсів), переконання (логічне доведення, пропаганда, вербальне навіювання, сугестія), співробітництва (схвалення поглядів і дій, емпатія, взаємодопомога тощо), авторитету (експертування, атрактивні впливи, опертя на традиції, упередження та соціальні норми).

Scinapse Undergraduate Science Case Competition: Cultivating the Minds of Future Researchers

The Scinapse Undergraduate Science Case Competition (USCC) is an annual provincial student initiative that was es-tablished in 2012. The organization was founded on the premise of bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and the practical application of student inquiry. Inspired by a “case-study” problem-based learning style, the USCC offers a mechanism to inspire student research at an undergraduate level, without typical barriers such as funding and lab equipment. This guest editorial serves to describe the layout for the organization as well as reflect on the challenges and strategies in hosting the annual competition.

Bureau de Eventos: internationalization of an emerging country event planning company

Theoretical basis The case can be used to examine the resources and capabilities of small firms considering entering international markets. It can also be a vehicle for examining typical barriers that such companies may face and must overcome when expanding abroad: liabilities of smallness, liabilities of foreignness, liabilities of emergingness and liabilities of outsidership. Research methodology The case is based on several interviews with both entrepreneurs over a one-year period and on secondary information from reports and documents. Case overview/synopsis This teaching case presents the trajectory of a Brazilian services company operating in the corporate events planning industry. The case explores the potential for the company’s international expansion, and the vision and engagement of the entrepreneurs, despite several barriers the company needs to overcome. Complexity academic level The case can be used in Entrepreneurship and International Marketing courses, both at graduate and undergraduate levels. It can also be used in training seminars for executives of tourism and events planning companies, and for employees of export promotion agencies.

Creativity on Demand: How to Plan and Execute Successful Innovation Workshops

Creativity workshops are a common way of involving employees and other stakeholders in innovative endeavors. However, not much is known about how to successfully plan and execute such innovation workshops, especially for people with no specific expertise in this field. This paper introduces a creativity workshop setup, which can serve as a blueprint for different kinds of workshops where the creation of novel ideas is the goal. In order to achieve this, a basic distinction of creativity techniques is provided, as well as a structured overview of a creativity workshop implementation structure and time plan. The paper closes by identifying typical mental barriers for decision makers that should be taken into consideration when planning such workshops.

Infiltration of CD8+ T cells into tumor cell clusters in triple-negative breast cancer

Infiltration of [Formula: see text] T lymphocytes into solid tumors is associated with good prognosis in various types of cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the mechanisms underlying different infiltration levels are largely unknown. Here, we have characterized the spatial profile of [Formula: see text] T cells around tumor cell clusters (tightly connected tumor cells) in the core and margin regions in TNBC patient samples. We found that in some patients, the [Formula: see text] T cell density first decreases when moving in from the boundary of the tumor cell clusters and then rises again when approaching the center. To explain various infiltration profiles, we modeled the dynamics of T cell density via partial differential equations. We spatially modulated the diffusion/chemotactic coefficients of T cells (to mimic physical barriers) or introduced the localized secretion of a diffusing T cell chemorepellent. Combining the spatial-profile analysis and the modeling led to support for the second idea; i.e., there exists a possible chemorepellent inside tumor cell clusters, which prevents [Formula: see text] T cells from infiltrating into tumor cell clusters. This conclusion was consistent with an investigation into the properties of collagen fibers which suggested that variations in desmoplastic elements does not limit infiltration of [Formula: see text] T lymphocytes, as we did not observe significant correlations between the level of T cell infiltration and fiber properties. Our work provides evidence that [Formula: see text] T cells can cross typical fibrotic barriers and thus their infiltration into tumor clusters is governed by other mechanisms possibly involving a local repellent.

Future-proofing placements

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a case study centred on steps taken at a Business School in a UK university, to improve local work placement provision, respond to student demand and engage more productively with local businesses. It is situated against renewed focus on universities’ engagement with local economies and the graduate labour market context as demonstrated by the government’s Industrial Strategy (BEIS, 2017) and the OfS (2018) business plan. It aims to emphasise how moving the focus back from graduates to placement students could offer a useful collaborative opportunity for local businesses to articulate what they want from future employees. Design/methodology/approach The paper follows a mixed methods approach, drawing upon a case study on a new intervention piloted in the Business School as well as qualitative research gathered from questionnaires and interviews with students. Responses to questionnaires and interviews were analysed thematically in the Grounded Theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967) tradition. Findings The paper highlights the lack of literature on local placements and also demonstrates findings which echo existing research on typical barriers and drivers to placements in general. It offers original outcomes such as how for some students local placements offer a convenience value but for others they are part of committing to living and working locally after graduation. Research limitations/implications The small-scale nature of the study means that only indicative findings are presented. Further research is necessary for a more detailed examination of its implications. Practical implications Recommendations are made for a systematic approach to developing, or establishing for the first time, university–employer relationships in order to future-proof local placement opportunities. Originality/value The paper fills a gap in the literature on local placements and also provides a fresh approach to how universities and employers might work together to identify local skills gaps and increase the provision of local placements. It also offers ways in students’ often negatively framed reasons for not undertaking a placement can be mitigated through engaging with the local context.

Integration of fault tree and importance measure for toxic prevention barrier

This paper discusses the procedure of integrating importance measures into fault tree analysis. Importance measures (IM) are analytical tools developed to quantitatively appraise the contribution of a plant component towards the overall risk. As part of safety assessment, this method can be used to rank and identify the root cause of undesired events. The critical component is usually prioritised in order to improve the reliability of the system. Fussell-Vesely (FV) importance measure is one of the most commonly used IM. This method is applied to a case study involving typical toxic prevention barriers based on an LNG liquefaction plant. This paper also includes event ranking using other IM.

Network level knowledge sharing: Leveraging Riege’s model of knowledge barriers

ABSTRACTThis paper identifies the key knowledge barriers typical for inter-organisational relationships and networks. Riege’s well-known model of knowledge barriers classifies barriers as individual, organisational and technological level hindrances, but leaves out the network level in particular. Based on a review of the top five knowledge management journals, this paper leverages Riege’s model to apply it at the network level. The added network-level barriers are geographical distance, cognitive proximity, strength of relationship and lack of intermediator. The literature review also revealed knowledge-specific barriers, i.e., ambiguity, complexity, stickiness, tacitness and knowledge protection, as the critical knowledge barriers in inter-organisational co-operations. By revealing the typical knowledge barriers at the network level, this paper develops knowledge management practices for networks. Managers responsible for network development and management in general need such practices, as knowledge sharing has been recognised as a key source of competitiveness and simultaneously one of the main challenges faced in networks.

“A Promise to Support Us:” Undocumented Experiences on a Sanctuary Campus

This exploratory study examines the experiences of undocumented students at Hawthorne College, an elite, liberal arts institution with sanctuary status. Drawing primarily on a questionnaire and qualitative interviews, it considers 1) whether undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students on a sanctuary campus experience the characteristic psychosocial difficulties that mark the lives of undocumented students elsewhere and 2) the extent to which institutional policies mitigate these challenges. The research reveals that sanctuary is neither a panacea for undocumented students’ concerns nor is it a meaningless symbol. Students are protected from some typical barriers to college success, experience other barriers in classic ways, and face still other constraints quite differently in a privileged, high-pressure educational environment. The study adds to emerging research on the undocumented experience in higher education and offers preliminary insights into the promises and limits of the sanctuary campus movement.

Effect of thermal treatment time on high-performance varistors prepared by hot-dipping oxygen-deficient zinc oxide thin films in bismuth oxide powder

Through radio-frequency magnetron sputtering zinc oxide sintered ceramic target, oxygen-deficient zinc oxide (ZnO0.81) thin films with a thickness of roughly 270 nm were deposited. Then, through hot-dipping the as-deposited films in Bi2O3 powder at 400 °C, high-performance varistors were fabricated. The effects of thermal treatment time (20–60 min) on the varistors were explored. After hot-dipping, Bi2O3 could enter into the zinc oxide grain boundaries, constructing the typical double-Schottky barriers of varistors. With extending hot-dipping time, the nonlinear coefficient (α) and varistor voltage (VB) of the fabricated thin film varistors initially increase and then decline. Resultantly, the leakage current (IL) decreases firstly and drops down later. The varistor fabricated by hot-dipping in Bi2O3 at 400 °C for 40 min displays the highest α = 15.1 and VB = 0.0176 V/nm, and the lowest IL = 0.0223 mA/cm2. The present nanoscaled film varistors would find wide applications in low-voltage electrical/electronic devices.

Core-Shell Arginine-Containing Chitosan Microparticles for Enhanced Transcorneal Permeation of Drugs

Chitosan oligosaccharide (C) was functionalized with l-arginine (A) and short hydrocarbon chains (C8) to design an amphiphilic copolymer, henceforth CAC8, leading to microparticles (MPs) consisting of an arginine-decorated hydrophilic shell and inner hydrophobic domains allowing the encapsulation of high amount hydrophobic drugs such as sorafenib tosylate (>10% w/w). l-arginine side chains were selected in order to impart the final MPs enhanced transcorneal penetration properties, thus overcoming the typical biological barriers which hamper the absorption of drugs upon topical ocular administration. The mucoadhesive properties and drug release profile of the CAC8 MPs (CAC8-MPs) were studied, showing that CAC8-MPs can strongly interact with mucin, and thus gradually release their payload in situ to potentially improve the bioavailability of the drug after topical administration. In vitro transcorneal studies also showed that CAC8-MPs are endowed with effective permeation enhancer ability combined with negligible toxicity.

Cracking Student Silos: Linking Legal Writing and Clinical Learning Through Transference

Why do highly competent and hard-working law students struggle to apply what they learn in legal writing to later clinical courses and law practice? The authors of this article are uniquely qualified to answer this question and to provide strategies for helping students overcome these common struggles. The authors direct the nationally renowned legal writing and clinical programs at Seattle University School of Law, where they have engaged in cutting-edge collaborative teaching projects for nearly a decade. Even so, they found that their students, when faced with the messiness of real client representation, struggled with typical research and writing problems even as the legal writing faculty exclaimed We know we taught them that! So the program directors extensively studied the educational literature on transference, then spent nearly two years taking each other's courses to understand more deeply how we could help our students apply what is taught in each program to future client work. This article describes what we learned from these endeavors. It details the typical barriers to transference, most significantly the effects of course-dependent siloing of student learning. The article is the first to explore the ways in which faculty siloing of clinics and legal writing can exacerbate underlying transference issues. Finally, and most importantly, this article offers specific, extensive, and attainable strategies for both legal writing and clinical faculty to implement that can overcome these challenges, crack their students' siloed learning, and help them become reflective practitioners engaged in the life-long learning necessary for excellent legal practice.