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The epistemological beliefs of students are an important area for higher education research. This paper firstly reports on a research review concerning the impact of epistemological beliefs on academic outcomes. This review indicates that students' epistemological beliefs are an influence on their engagement with learning and academic success, and that educators should consider them in developing learning experiences. This issue became particularly pertinent in the context of a global pandemic that necessitated an international trend in moving to online distance education, where student disengagement is more likely to occur. However, research into distance education students' epistemological beliefs emerged as an under-researched field. Consequently, an empirical questionnaire study was conducted with data collected from 550 distance education students. A principal component analysis indicated that particular epistemological beliefs were significantly associated with students' enjoyment of studying online. Their beliefs regarding the role of fun in online learning materials and activities are discussed, and the usefulness of considering fun and epistemological beliefs as factors within distance learning in higher education is highlighted. [Note: The page range (213-232) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 213-231.]

Little is known about the relationship between working memory (WM) abilities and reading in children with cerebral palsy (CP) who have age-appropriate communication and language. The aim of this group case study is to analyze the WM abilities and their relationship to reading in children with CP and age-appropriate communication and language. Fifteen children with CP (6:9 to 11:6 years) and age-appropriate communication and language were identified. They were given tests of communication and language, reading (decoding), and three aspects of WM: phonological short-term memory (PSTM); visuospatial short-term memory (VSTM); and the central executive (CE). The children were divided into two groups; five who had age-appropriate reading (Age-appropriate Readers), and ten with very low reading abilities (Developing Readers). The results showed that PSTM was mostly age appropriate in both reading groups and their scores mostly correlated with their reading abilities. VSTM scores were very poor in both groups and not related to reading group membership or reading. CE abilities were mostly as would be expected for the Age-appropriate Readers, but low for the Developing Readers; CE scores correlated with reading abilities. The findings suggest that there are variations in the working memory abilities in this group of children and that the CE may be an important contributor to their reading development.

Both sensitivity to speech rhythm and non-speech rhythm have been associated with successful phonological awareness and reading development in separate studies. However, the extent to which speech rhythm, non-speech rhythm and literacy skills are interrelated has not been examined. As a result, five- to seven-year-old English-speaking children were assessed on measures of speech rhythm sensitivity, non-speech rhythm sensitivity (both receptive and productive), reading attainment and phonological awareness. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that productive non-speech rhythm was unable to predict variance in reading attainment independently of phonological awareness and speech rhythm sensitivity. Receptive sensitivity to speech rhythm and non-speech rhythm were both able to predict a significant amount of unique variance in reading attainment after controlling for age, vocabulary, phonological awareness, short-term memory and each other. The findings suggest that receptive sensitivity to speech rhythm and non-speech rhythm, while related to each other, also make contributions to reading attainment that are independent of each other. These findings provide only partial consistency with the general auditory processing deficit theory of reading difficulties, but are in line with the emerging theoretical claim that sensitivity to speech prosody may be implicated in successful literacy development. (Contains 3 tables.)

Background: Some children with severe learning difficulties fail to begin word recognition. For these children there is a need for an effective and appropriate pedagogy. However, conflicting advice can be found regarding this derived from teaching approaches that are not based on a shared understanding of how reading develops or the skills that the non-reader needs to master. Purpose: In this research, three techniques for teaching word recognition in this context are described and compared: (1) the handle technique, (2) morphing method and (3) word alone. It also discusses whether it is appropriate for such small-scale research to influence pedagogy. Programme description: The handle technique uses an abstract mnemonic cue used to teach word recognition, and previous research indicates it is more successful than the presentation of words alone. The morphing method transforms a word into a photographic picture and a previous study suggested that it might also be more effective that presenting words alone. Sample: Six children between 11 and 13 years of age were selected. The criterion for selection was being unable to recognise any words from the British Ability Scales Reading Test. All the children attended a school for children with severe learning difficulties. Design and methods: A three-condition related design was used. The order in which the conditions were presented was counterbalanced and each child was taught 12 words, four words in each experimental condition. The children encountered each of the three methods and overall each word was taught via each method. Within conditions (teaching methods), the presentation of words was randomised. The number of words that the children could read (without cues) before each session was recorded, following the presentation of the uncued words in a random order. The difference in the number of words recognised between the three conditions was considered using a non-parametric statistical analysis. Results: The results suggest that the handle approach might be a more effective method of teaching word recognition. Conclusion: Research in this area is necessarily small in scale. However, it is ongoing and cumulative, and can give insights into potentially beneficial changes in classroom practice. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

This research captured the views of young people regarding their views of "how learning should be in the future". Four focus groups were run with different groups of school-age pupils. The ways in which technology was seen within these discussions were analysed. The findings noted that the explicit use of technological innovations, and predicted innovations, was rarely seen as having a significant impact on learning, rather that the technology was used in line with the models of learning derived from the participant's best current experiences of learning and education. Technology was, therefore, seen as something which could make current learning practices more efficient but did not transform the learning process. (Contains 4 figures and 1 table.)

Cognitive style is a well-established theoretical construct but there is considerable ambiguity in the way it has been used and uncertainty regarding the nature of its role in suicide. This article suggests that enriching cognitive styles through the development of thinking skills is possible when the therapy session is construed as a learning collaboration. (Contains 44 references.) (GCP)

A move to online therapy, observed in counselling courses within the UK during the global Covid-19 pandemic, prompted a research team of counselling educators to undertake a rapid literature review to explore the perceptions and experiences of video therapy internationally (PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020204705). Four databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsychInfo, and Web of Science) were searched using 25 keyword-phrases. Over half the research identified focused on using computers for therapy. Insufficient papers explored the client experience for inclusion. However, eleven practitioner papers of reasonable to strong quality were identified and are reported in this paper, with only one from the UK. Thematic analysis identified four internationally applicable themes for practitioners: therapeutic practice; technical concerns; perceptions of client benefits and challenges when working online; and therapist challenges. The paper identifies several areas of potential future research from the identified themes which could inform future practice, including the need for further client-based research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to present a legal theory of agency selection. The theory posits why certain legal forms of agency are chosen when agencies are created by the executive branch of government. At the core of the theory is the idea that the executive branch chooses agency forms that strike a politically optimal balance between maximising its control while minimising its legal and political accountability for agency activities. This optimal balance is determined on an issue by issue basis. As such, the rise of the regulatory state has provided a means by which the executive branch of government has been able to strategically choose to divest itself of and minimise its legal accountability for the administration of government while, at the same time, maintaining effective political control of the administrative arm of government. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose – The paper aims to explore young people's experiences of having access to personal advisors (PAs), from Connexions, a support and guidance service. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted, in two phases, with young people in a large new town. Thematic analysis highlighted significant issues and suggested factors that might differentiate between those in employment, education and training and those not in this position. Findings – Young people's relationship with their Connexions PA emerged as a significant factor in mediating the extent to which they used the service as a "portal" to opportunities and resources. For some young people faced with complex and challenging circumstances, the relationship with their PA provided a uniquely stable and valued source of support. Research limitations/implications – Although drawn from a small and focused sample, the results suggests that the large-scale cuts to the service, currently underway, could have a significant impact on young people in difficult circumstances. Practical implications – The identity of the Connexions service creates issues of access for potential service users. Originality/value – The research illustrates the positive impact that PAs can have in the complex and challenging situations which some young people encounter. It highlights the nature of the relationship developed with PA as a key issue in facilitating positive changes in the lives of young people. It also suggest that the categories of not in education, employment and training and education, employment and training are too simplistic as descriptors of the young peoples lives or the work undertaken with them by PAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced age is an indicator of poor prognosis in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Since obtaining its UK licence in 2001, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate has effected a paradigm shift in the treatment of CML. We compared survival and molecular response rates in elderly patients to younger patients presenting with CML since the introduction of imatinib. Twenty-five patients aged >60 years were identified. No significant survival difference was found when this group was compared with younger patients. In the elderly group, 53% of those with molecular data (36% of all elderly patients) had a major molecular response as assessed by real time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). The advent of imatinib therapy appears to have ameliorated much of the negative impact of advancing age on survival in patients with CML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the attendance of artists from Great Britain at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium from 1877 to 1885. Elementary training from art schools in South Kensington; List of students, origin, age and registration date; Courses offered and taken; Introduction to Flemish colorist tradition and other techniques.

Contrary to prior research, this U.K.-based study finds a contemporaneous relation between the foreign exchange rate and the market value of large exporters. We also find a weak lagged relationship which suggests that the stock market takes time to incorporate all of the implications of foreign currency movements into share prices. Evidence that the nature of this relationship changed when sterling was in the ERM is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the safety of carotid sinus massage (CSM). Complications following CSM are cited, including ventricular and atrial arrythmias. Details of computerized data on CSM studies performed at King's College Hospital in London and Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Ireland are provided.

Focuses on the defense of the Sheehy Report in Great Britain. Publication of the report of the Inquiry into Police Responsibilities and Rewards; Value of the skills of a police officer; Cultural environment resistant to change.

Presents letters to the editor of the 'British Dental Journal.' Partial pulpotomy; Conscious dental sedation; Safety of dental materials.

The lack of radiotherapy linear accelerators (linacs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been recognised as a major barrier to providing quality cancer care in these regions, together with a shortfall in the number of highly qualified personnel. It is expected that additional challenges will be faced in operating precise, high-technology radiotherapy equipment in these environments, and anecdotal evidence suggests that linacs have greater downtime and higher failure rates of components than their counterparts in high-income countries. To guide future developments, such as the design of a linac tailored for use in LMIC environments, it is important to take a data-driven approach to any re-engineering of the technology. However, no detailed statistical data on linac downtime and failure modes have been previously collected or presented in the literature. This work presents the first known comparative analysis of failure modes and downtime of current generation linacs in radiotherapy centres, with the aim of determining any correlations between linac environment and performance. Logbooks kept by radiotherapy personnel on the operation of their linac were obtained and analysed from centres in Oxford (UK), Abuja, Benin, Enugu, Lagos, Sokoto (Nigeria) and Gaborone (Botswana). By deconstructing the linac into 12 different subsystems, it was found that the vacuum subsystem only failed in the LMIC centres and the failure rate in an LMIC environment was more than twice as large in six of the 12 subsystems compared with the high-income country. Additionally, it was shown that despite accounting for only 3.4% of the total number of faults, linac faults that took more than 1 h to repair accounted for 74.6% of the total downtime. The results of this study inform future attempts to mitigate the problems affecting linacs in LMIC environments. • Linear accelerator failure rates are significantly higher in low- and middle-income countries. • 7/12 subsystems had more than double the failure rate in this environment. • Unstable power supplies have a large impact on the vacuum subsystem. • Long waits for spare parts and experience of engineers contribute to downtime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]