Search

This article asks the central question of how to practically engage in the ongoing production of space at Stellenbosch University (SU) as to reimagine and redefine spaces. Spaces, which affect people indirectly and subconsciously, can act as microaggressions on one hand and places of safety connected to identity on the other. The Visual Redress (VR) project at SU focuses on removing or replacing contentious visual elements on campus and facilitating engagements to alter experiences of places and spaces. The VR project is not only interested in physically transforming the space, but also in facilitating critical dialogue and physical interventions to engage in spatial memory and emotional remembrance. In this article Hauntology is used as a methodology to remember and reflect on visual elements on the Stellenbosch campus of SU and how the memory of the past and the dead in the form of visual elements still haunts the present. These hauntological engagements include crucial interactions with students, lecturers, and the various publics of the university. In this article the researchers will provide an overview of VR at SU and show and discuss the processes of three specific VR projects that were implemented at SU to illustrate the importance of hauntological engagements with the aim of reconstructing spaces.

Blended Learning (BL) as a pedagogical approach has increased in significance during the COVID-19 pandemic, with blended and online learning environments becoming the new digital norm for higher educational institutions around the globe. While BL has been discussed in the literature for thirty years, a common approach has been to categorise learner cohorts to support educators in better understanding students' relationships with learning technologies. This approach, largely unsupported by empirical evidence, has failed to adequately address the challenges of integrating learning technologies to fit with non-traditional students' preferences, their BL self-efficacy and the associated pedagogical implications. Focusing on student preference, our study presents findings from a pre-COVID survey of undergraduate students across four campuses of an Australian regional university where students shared their learning technology preferences and the self-regulated learning that influenced their academic self-efficacy in a BL context. Findings show students want consistency, relevance, and effectiveness with the use of BL tools, with a preference for lecture recordings and video resources to support their learning, while email and Facebook Messenger were preferred for communicating with peers and academic staff. Our study suggests a quality BL environment facilitates self-regulated learning using fit-for-purpose technological applications. Academic self-efficacy for BL can increase when students perceive the educational technologies used by their institution are sufficient for their learning needs.

The literature identifies that education policies in Brazil are the backbone of their success in reducing inequality as measured by the GINI index. Since 1994, Brazil is the only BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) nation to achieve this. This article presents a comparative study of South Africa and Brazil, and the policies applied towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Using the analytical framework of the SDG, the strategies of South Africa, and Brazil regarding education are considered in order to identify patterns and themes that can potentially explain the divergence of inequality trends of the two nations. The overarching finding is that subtle differences in education policies perpetuate inequality in South Africa, whereas analogous policies contribute to equality in Brazil. The main contribution of this study is that it locates faults in otherwise well-meaning education policies in South Africa. [Note: The page range (323-344) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range for this article is 323-343.]

Since seamless learning (SL) is still a rather unknown concept in higher education many educators classify it under the same categories as mobile, blended, online or hybrid learning. The purpose of this study is firstly to clarify the historical evolvement of the seamless learning concept over the past decades and, to position the seamless learning concept as it is understood today. Secondly, to find the most important concepts which can be proposed for a useful seamless learning experience design framework to assist educators with their course design. Considering this context, the research question for this study is formulated as follows: "Which concepts constitute a seamless learning experience design framework for students in higher education?" To answer this question, an inductive qualitative research analysis was conducted by collecting data from educators from countries on five continents on their views on this topic. Following a thematic coding approach of the combined dataset, five emerging themes crystallised, and are presented as part of a proposed Seamless Learning Experience Design (SLED) framework. They include core, positive, practical, human and design concepts -- including sub-themes. The framework contributes to quality assurance processes in e-learning practices by providing a guide for developing seamless learning experiences for students.

This study explores what factors enable or prevent South African educators from carrying out effective mathematics teaching. The objectives are to explore the qualifications and experience of those involved, which skills, tools, and resources they use and what barriers they encounter. A qualitative approach using an interpretivist paradigm with multiple case studies was used. Eighteen participants were interviewed, and the data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings showed that the barriers impeding effective mathematics teaching included lack of resources, teachers leaving the profession and many principals not attending workshops or professional development programmes. From the findings, we recommend the Department of Basic Education encourage more teachers to specialise in mathematics and that more funding is directed toward allocating the necessary resources to schools where resources are lacking. The department can provide incentives to encourage more student teachers to pursue mathematics teaching.

This study sought to understand how fathers perceived schooling of their children with intellectual disabilities and how this impacted upon their involvement. The paper reports specifically on the views of fathers, teachers and mothers of children with intellectual disabilities regarding how fathers understood schooling and how the understanding affected father involvement at a special school. The findings are a part of a larger case study conducted at one special school for children with intellectual disabilities in Kenya. Purposive sampling was used to recruit nine teachers, eight fathers, and six mothers of children with intellectual disabilities from the special school. Individual interviews, focus group discussions and a document review were the data collection methods. Data were transcribed and analysed thematically. Fathers' understanding of schooling was expressed in the two themes emerging: the ambivalence of the purpose of the school and a focus on functional skills. Fathers want their children with disabilities to be educated, which means gaining knowledge and skills that would lead to becoming self-reliant, but they do not always agree with schooling which is the way that society has chosen to educate children. While fathers may not be involved in schooling they often are involved and concerned about education.

Bilingual children demonstrate varying levels of proficiency in each of the two languages to which they are exposed. Even though it is widely acknowledged that bilingual children are not a homogenous group, existing studies on dual-language profiles in bilingual children have focused on expressive language profiles. In this study, we used the normative data from the Quick Interactive Language Screener: English-Spanish (QUILS:ES; de Villiers et al., 2021; Iglesias et al., 2021) and latent profile analysis to identify dual-language profiles in receptive language skills in a large sample of Spanish-English bilingual preschoolers. We also examined demographic, dual-language experience, and home literacy environment factors that contributed to receptive dual-language profile membership. The optimal model represents a three-profile solution, including a balanced-low profile, an English-dominant average profile, and a balanced-high profile. Comparing participants' profile membership against their age and risk status for language impairment based on the QUILS:ES screening results, we found that while being in an older age group significantly increases a child's likelihood of being in a balanced-high profile, an older child displaying a balanced-low profile is at a higher risk for language impairment. Age, socioeconomic status, and home literacy environment factors were found to be associated with strong dual-language skills, whereas (relative) dual-language experience did not predict profile membership. Together, these findings extend previous work that examined the heterogeneity within Spanish-English bilingual children by demonstrating substantial variability in their receptive language skills and providing insights into malleable factors that may be targeted to support dual-language development.

Purpose: The aim of the article is to develop a framework for assessment for contemporary commercial music (CCM) in a music department that is still organised in a traditional way. Assessment of CCM in tertiary institutions and external graded music exams were described and analysed, followed by the presentation of an assessment framework. Design/methodology/approach: This research design is a content analysis. Data was collected through purposive sampling of primary sources of CCM syllabi. These syllabi are used descriptively and analytically for comparison. Findings: The major findings from the content analysis are presented as an assessment framework for CCM. The assessment framework has implications for teaching and learning vocal CCM at both undergraduate and postgraduate in higher education. Practical implications: The study focused on the development of assessment criteria for CCM, in a music department where no degree specialisation for CCM exists, and CCM is manifested in the principal instrument only. The framework for assessment may be useful to practitioners and academics who are attempting to introduce CCM in classically oriented music departments and where external constraints prohibit the introduction of a degree specialising in CCM. Originality/value: This article presents an authentic assessment framework for CCM, that considers its style and performance practices.

Objective: Pediatric patients on ventricular assist devices (VAD) are at risk of thromboembolic (TE) complications. Our objective was to identify factors associated with TE events, including the role of initial anticoagulation strategy and device type in the pediatric VAD population. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center review (2005-2022) of children who were implanted with paracorporeal pulsatile (PP), paracorporeal continuous (PC), or a combination of devices. Patient- and device-related factors were collected. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to determine freedom from TE. Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted to look for factors associated with TE events. Results: Ninety-five patients included with a median age of 0.9 years (interquartile range, 0.3, 5.4); median weight of 8.4 kg (interquartile range, 4.5, 17.8), and 63.2% with noncongenital heart disease. Device breakdown included 47.4% PC, 24.2% PP, and 23.2% combination of devices. Initial anticoagulation was either heparin (61.5%) or bivalirudin (38.5%). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, unadjusted freedom from a TE event was significantly greater in those who received bivalirudin as their initial anticoagulation strategy (P = .02) and PP VADs (P = .02). In multivariate analysis, initial anticoagulation strategy with bivalirudin (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.75, P = .01) was associated with a reduced hazard of TE events, whereas PC device strategy was found to be associated with an increased hazard (hazard ratio, 2.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-6.88, P = .03). Conclusions: This study suggests that PC device strategy and heparin as an initial anticoagulation strategy are associated with increased hazard of TE events. Further research is required to understand the interaction between device type and initial anticoagulation strategy.

Abstract Introduction Transfeminine people in South Africa have a high HIV risk due to structural, behavioural, and psychosocial factors. Transfeminine people and feminine identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) are often conflated or grouped with transgender or MSM categories in HIV service programming, although they don’t necessarily identify as either. We aimed to investigate gender expression among feminine identifying people who were assigned male at birth. We examined how local conceptualizations of sexuality and gender intersect with the key population label of ‘transgender’ imported into local HIV programming. Methods A qualitative cohort nested within the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial included longitudinal, in-depth interviews with eight transfeminine people (four who disclosed as living with HIV). Data were collected approximately every six weeks between January 2016 and October 2017. We used a combination of thematic analysis and case study descriptions to explore gender identification among participants. Results Of the eight participants, only one accepted ‘transgender’ as a label, and even she used varying terms at different times to describe her identity. For participants, a feminine identity included dressing in normatively feminine clothes; using feminine terms, pronouns and names; and adopting stereotypically feminine mannerisms. Participants would switch between typically feminine and masculine norms in response to contextual cues and audience. For example, some participants accepted identification as masculine gay men amongst their family members. Among peers, they expressed their identity through typically more effeminate gender characteristics, for example self-identifying as “femgay”. With partners they often also took on a feminine identity role, for example identifying as women in sexual and romantic relationships (meaning they viewed and expressed themselves as the feminine partner in the relationship). Conclusions Our findings are amongst the first exploratory and descriptive data of transfeminine people in South Africa. We show how transfeminine people navigate fluid gender identities that could pose a challenge for accessing and utilizing HIV services that are currently set up for transgender individuals or MSM. More work needs to be done to understand and respond to the diverse and shifting ways people experience their gender identities in this high HIV burden context.

Abstract Background The Eastern Africa Network for Bioinformatics Training (EANBiT) has matured through continuous evaluation, feedback, and codesign. We highlight how the program has evolved to meet challenges and achieve its goals and how experiential learning through mini projects enhances the acquisition of skills and collaboration. We continued to learn and grow through honest feedback and evaluation of the program, trainers, and modules, enabling us to provide robust training even during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, when we had to redesign the program due to restricted travel and in person group meetings. Results In response to the pandemic, we developed a program to maintain “residential” training experiences and benefits remotely. We had to answer the following questions: What must change to still achieve the RT goals? What optimal platforms should be used? How would we manage connectivity and data challenges? How could we avoid online fatigue? Going virtual presented an opportunity to reflect on the essence and uniqueness of the program and its ability to meet the objective of strengthening bioinformatics skills among the cohorts of students using different delivery approaches. It allowed an increase in the number of participants. Evaluating each program component is critical for improvement, primarily when feedback feeds into the program's continuous amendment. Initially, the participants noted that there were too many modules, insufficient time, and a lack of hands-on training as a result of too much focus on theory. In the subsequent iterations, we reduced the number of modules from 27 to five, created a harmonized repository for the materials on GitHub, and introduced project-based learning through the mini projects. Conclusion We demonstrate that implementing a program design through detailed monitoring and evaluation leads to success, especially when participants who are the best fit for the program are selected on an appropriate level of skills, motivation, and commitment.

Objective: Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly infectious virus that represents a threat for domestic dogs and several wild species. Despite recognized in several African countries, current knowledge of its molecular epidemiology is scarce and poorly updated. Design: Twenty-two hemagglutinin sequences, obtained from symptomatic Namibian dogs from 2020 to 2023, were analysed through phylogenetic and phylodynamic analysis to characterize the local CDV epidemiology and contextualize it in the international scenario. Results: Two unrelated clades were identified, including strains sampled in different Namibian towns, in the absence of a strong geographical clustering. The ancestors of the two clades were estimated to have originated from South America, likely Brazil, and South Africa, approximately in 2000 and 2006, respectively. While the introduction from South Africa was predictable, the introduction from Brazil was unexpected. The mediation of other African countries, particularly Angola, appears to be the most likely importation pathway. Conclusions: The occurrence of multiple introduction events, likely originating from cross-border illegal animal trade between African countries, and the absence of any geographical clustering within Namibian regions, suggest a need for further investigation into its spreading pattern, as well as improved biosecurity measures to limit foreign viral introduction into the country.

The present study investigated the seropositivity rate of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in domestic and working animals in Namibia, which included dogs, cats, horses, and donkeys. HEV poses a growing threat as a significant cause of human hepatitis globally and has several genotypes of varying zoonotic potential. As epidemiological data on the seroprevalence of HEV in Namibia is scarce, a serosurvey was conducted on archived serum samples of 374 dogs, 238 cats, 98 horses, and 60 donkeys collected between 2018 and 2022 from different regions, to assess the potential of these animals as sources of HEV infection. The findings revealed that 10.43% (n = 39/374) canine and 5.88% (n = 14/238) feline samples tested positive for HEV antibodies, whereas no seropositivity was detected in horses and donkeys. The study further examined the risk factors associated with HEV seropositivity, including animal sex, age, and geographical region, and noted a higher prevalence in dogs living in areas with intensive pig farming. Although there is no direct evidence indicating that these animals served as major reservoirs for HEV transmission to humans, the study underscores the importance of preventive measures to minimize contact exposure with pets considering the potential zoonotic risk, especially for susceptible risk groups. Further research is needed to explore the zoonotic potential of domestic animals and the epidemiological links between animal and human HEV transmissions in Namibia.

During the 2022 Nekton Maldives Mission, we deployed a variety of platforms (snorkelling, remotely-operated vehicles and manned submersibles) to conduct video surveys of the biodiversity and composition of shallow (< 30 m), mesophotic (30-150 m) and deep-sea (> 150 m) benthos found in the Maldives’ central and southern atolls. In total, ~ 80 hrs of stereo-video footage were collected during the benthic transect surveys, which were subsequently processed using annotation software in order to evaluate benthic biodiversity and community composition. Here, we present a photographic guide for the visual, in situ identification of reef benthos encountered, including corals, sponges and other invertebrates that inhabit Maldives’ nearshore habitats. We hope that this identification guide will aid future imagery-based surveys or observations of organisms during fieldwork.A total of 283 morphotypes were identified, including those belonging to Octocorallia (61), Scleractinia (57), Porifera (38), Asteroidea (22), Antipatharia (15), Decapoda (13), Hydrozoa (12), Holothuroidea (10), Actiniaria (9), Echinoidea (8), Annelida (6), Chlorophyta (5), Gastropoda (4), Bivalvia (4), Ascidiacea (3), Crinoidea (3), Bryozoa (2), Cyanobacteria (2), Zoantharia (2), Cephalopoda (1), Ceriantharia (1), Corallimorpharia (1), Ctenophora (1), Ophiuroidea (1), Rhodophyta (1) and to an unknown category (1). Out of these, we identified 40 to species level, 120 to genus, 47 to family, 14 to order and suborder, 58 to class and subclass, two to phylum and one was of unknown phylum. This represents the first attempt to catalogue the mesophotic and deep-sea benthic megafaunal diversity in the Maldives using underwater imagery.

Abstract Introduction Personalised prevention aims to delay or avoid disease occurrence, progression, and recurrence of disease through the adoption of targeted interventions that consider the individual biological, including genetic data, environmental and behavioural characteristics, as well as the socio-cultural context. This protocol summarises the main features of a rapid scoping review to show the research landscape on biomarkers or a combination of biomarkers that may help to better identify subgroups of individuals with different risks of developing specific diseases in which specific preventive strategies could have an impact on clinical outcomes. This review is part of the “Personalised Prevention Roadmap for the future HEalThcare” (PROPHET) project, which seeks to highlight the gaps in current personalised preventive approaches, in order to develop a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the European Union. Objective To systematically map and review the evidence of biomarkers that are available or under development in cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases that are or can be used for personalised prevention in the general population, in clinical or public health settings. Methods Three rapid scoping reviews are being conducted in parallel (February–June 2023), based on a common framework with some adjustments to suit each specific condition (cancer, cardiovascular or neurodegenerative diseases). Medline and Embase will be searched to identify publications between 2020 and 2023. To shorten the time frames, 10% of the papers will undergo screening by two reviewers and only English-language papers will be considered. The following information will be extracted by two reviewers from all the publications selected for inclusion: source type, citation details, country, inclusion/exclusion criteria (population, concept, context, type of evidence source), study methods, and key findings relevant to the review question/s. The selection criteria and the extraction sheet will be pre-tested. Relevant biomarkers for risk prediction and stratification will be recorded. Results will be presented graphically using an evidence map. Inclusion criteria Population: general adult populations or adults from specific pre-defined high-risk subgroups; concept: all studies focusing on molecular, cellular, physiological, or imaging biomarkers used for individualised primary or secondary prevention of the diseases of interest; context: clinical or public health settings. Systematic review registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7JRWD (OSF registration DOI).

Methamidophos is a highly hazardous organophosphate and is known to cause an acute cholinergic toxidrome. Methamidophos use is not allowed in South Africa and therefore local data pertaining to methamidophos poisoning is very limited, with no paediatric clinical cases described. Methamidophos is an active metabolite of acephate, a commonly used organophosphate, registered for agricultural use in South Africa. We present a paediatric case of methamidophos poisoning with prolonged clinical effects. The patient experienced a prolonged cholinergic toxidrome lasting 10 days, with a period of near-full recovery during this time. We discuss the biological plausibility of the detected methamidophos being a byproduct of acephate. In addition, we highlight the importance of closer monitoring of patients with organophosphate poisoning in areas where acephate is commonly used.

Finger millet is a key food security crop widely grown in eastern Africa, India and Nepal. Long considered a 'poor man's crop', finger millet has regained attention over the past decade for its climate resilience and the nutritional qualities of its grain. To bring finger millet breeding into the 21st century, here we present the assembly and annotation of a chromosome-scale reference genome. We show that this ~1.3 million years old allotetraploid has a high level of homoeologous gene retention and lacks subgenome dominance. Population structure is mainly driven by the differential presence of large wild segments in the pericentromeric regions of several chromosomes. Trait mapping, followed by variant analysis of gene candidates, reveals that loss of purple coloration of anthers and stigma is associated with loss-of-function mutations in the finger millet orthologs of the maize R1/B1 and Arabidopsis GL3/EGL3 anthocyanin regulatory genes. Proanthocyanidin production in seed is not affected by these gene knockouts.

An order picking system that requires pickers to move in a clockwise direction around a picking line with fixed locations is considered. The problem is divided into three tiers. The tier in which orders must be sequenced is addressed. Eight tour construction heuristics are developed and implemented for an order picking system operating in unidirectional picking lines. Two classes of tour construction heuristics the tour construction starting position ( ) and the tour construction ending position ( ) are developed to sequence orders in a picking line. All algorithms are tested and compared using real life data sets. The best solution quality was obtained by a heuristic with adaptations.

In the realm of demarketing within the banking industry, banks often need to reject customers for certain products while maintaining overall relationships. Understanding the interplay of satisfaction, trust, and commitment is crucial in this delicate dance. This study, grounded in the commitment-trust theory of relationship marketing, investigates how these factors predict customer loyalty in demarketing situations. Using a quantitative approach with an experimental design, the study employed a vignette followed by a survey to gather data. A total of 505 responses were analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling. The findings indicate support for four hypotheses while two were rejected. Satisfaction had a positive but weak and marginally significant effect on commitment and a very strong, highly significant positive effect on trust. Conversely, satisfaction had no significant direct effect on loyalty. Trust demonstrated a significant positive effect on commitment but no direct impact on loyalty. Commitment, however, showed a very strong and highly significant positive effect on loyalty. Commitment and trust also played key roles as mediators in the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. The study provides valuable insights for firms navigating demarketing scenarios, aiming to foster stronger and more enduring customer relationships.

In the technological age, the print-based culture of the previous century and the current practice of the bureaucratization of higher education (HE) influence how we manage physical spaces, curricula, and teaching and learning. This article presents possible future scenarios for music in HE in the context of the classroom without walls, based on McLuhan’s (1964) predictions for the future of education in the technological age. The research provides an analysis of relevant academic texts and is followed by a discussion that explores thinking differently, strategically, and creatively about possible future scenarios for music departments. The findings suggest that music departments redefine their core business to craft a different future.

This article explores the concept of Society 5.0, originating from Japan, which envisions a future where the physical and virtual worlds merge to create a more sustainable and inclusive society. Building upon previous societal stages, Society 5.0 leverages advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics to address social challenges while prioritising human welfare. The article delves into the objectives of Society 5.0 and the need for a human-centered approach, accompanied by significant challenges and the imperative for educational reform. Reshaping curriculum development in higher education by emphasising technological literacy, interdisciplinary approaches, ethics and social implications, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning are changes aiming to prepare students to the rapid technological advancements in the society.

We sought to evaluate the impact of transitioning a multi-country HIV training program from in-person to online by comparing digital training approaches implemented during the pandemic with in-person approaches employed before COVID-19. We evaluated mean changes in pre-and post-course knowledge scores and self-reported confidence scores for learners who participated in (1) in-person workshops (between October 2019 and March 2020), (2) entirely asynchronous, Virtual Workshops [VW] (between May 2021 and January 2022), and (3) a blended Online Course [OC] (between May 2021 and January 2022) across 16 SSA countries. Learning objectives and evaluation tools were the same for all three groups. Across 16 SSA countries, 3023 participants enrolled in the in-person course, 2193 learners participated in the virtual workshop, and 527 in the online course. The proportions of women who participated in the VW and OC were greater than the proportion who participated in the in-person course (60.1% and 63.6%, p

Transfeminine women (assigned male sex at birth and identifying with a feminine gender identity) are at risk for intersectional stigma related to their gender, sexual orientation, and other parts of their social identities (including age, class, and race). These layered stigmas can result in increased physical and mental health concerns related to physical and emotional violence, substance use, high risk sexual behaviour and HIV exposure. Social networks are important support structures for transfeminine women to ameliorate imposed risk and stigma. We investigated the family networks, household structures and community support systems of eight transfeminine women in the Western Cape, South Africa. The data for this study are embedded in a qualitative component of the larger HPTN 071 (PopART) trial. Data included in-depth interview transcripts, genogram activities and community map drawings. We found that participants who were not living in a supportive family and household structure faced stigma and health risks. In addition, we found examples of how transfeminine women in unsupportive social situations constructed their own family and household unit for support. Our findings agree with those of other studies in that transgender people often rely on extended family members, friends, or peers as social support when their families do not support or ostracise them. Understanding how transfeminine women re-organise social units to be better supported is important so that better health services can be provided to them in the local South African and international context. Further research on family re-structuring among gender and sexual minority groups is needed.

This study analysed secondary TIMSS 2019 data for respondents from South Africa and proposed a model containing ten constructs; nine independent variables (socio-economic status and eight variables about safety aspects in schools) and one independent variable (mathematics achievement). Qualitative data was also collected using interviews and field notes. The HLM model identified the following significant predictors to learners' mathematics achievement: learners whose family members were frequently insulted; who were victims of theft; who were forced to do things they didn't want to do; who were physically hurt; living in impoverished areas; enrolled in schools with a shortage of or inadequate instructional space; enrolled in schools where physical injury amongst learners is a problem; disrespecting property. Findings from the thematic analysis indicated that participants believed that schools' safety concerns are associated with learners' mathematics achievement and that difficulties in developing and implementing school safety policies are due to a lack of training.

Children learning two languages (Dual Language Learners; DLLs) represent a rapidly growing population in the United States. DLLs are disproportionately more likely to live in families of low socioeconomic status (SES), which places many of them at risk for poor dual-language outcomes. To date, most studies on SES and dual language development have relied on static measures of vocabulary and syntactic skills, without examining the language learning processes -- children's ability to acquire new language items. The current study used a newly developed language measure, the Quick Interactive Language Screener: English and Spanish (QUILS:ES), to assess 3- through 5-year-old Spanish-English DLLs' language learning processes. We also examined the association between SES (as measured by primary caregivers' education) and language learning processes, and further explored mechanisms underlying the association. DLLs from higher-SES families showed better language learning skills than those from lower-SES families. The size of the gap did not vary by child age. Home literacy environment (i.e., access to books, book-reading frequency) and children's existing knowledge (i.e., vocabulary and syntactic knowledge) mediated the SES effect. Together, these findings highlight the need to better prepare DLLs from low-SES families for learning from a dual-language environment. Supporting DLLs' language environment and knowledge through learning materials and language and literacy activities in both languages is crucial for ameliorating the SES gap in language learning processes.

This study explored the perceived benefits and challenges that Natural Sciences teachers experience when using blended teaching in Smart Schools. This qualitative research focused on public township schools with challenging socio-economic contexts in the Gauteng Province, South Africa. A non-probability purposive sampling method was followed. The data collection technique used involved individual, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Interviews conducted with 10 Natural Sciences teachers were analysed through inductive analysis. The key findings of this study portrayed that teachers perceived that the incorporation of blended teaching and learning presented major pedagogical benefits, such as increased learner enjoyment and improved engagement as visual enhancements of the scientific processes and concepts aid learning, save teaching and reduce learning time since complex scientific concepts are simplified and use virtual experiments instead of traditional hands-on practicals. Efficiency in long-term running costs was seen as another benefit. According to these Natural Science teachers, one disadvantage in particular was an increased workload owing to double lesson planning for classroom activities and particularly for science practicals with and without the use of smart equipment, where there were external challenges such as load shedding, inoperable devices, connectivity challenges and/or smart equipment thefts. It is recommended that Smart School teachers are encouraged to form communities of practice to share strategies to minimise the perceived or experienced challenges in blended teaching.

This study measures the levels of self-efficacy beliefs to determine how this correlates with academic success in introductory tertiary accounting within a South African context. Also, self-efficacy beliefs are compared to determine if significant differences exist based on gender, academic language, type of study funding and different professional programmes studied. The study applies social cognitive theory and gathers quantitative data using questionnaires with statistical analysis to determine self-efficacy belief levels in a first-year accounting module. The means of several variables were compared via t-tests or ANOVAs. Hereafter, regression analysis was applied to determine if self-efficacy beliefs significantly impact academic performance. Findings indicate that most first-year accounting students felt confident in their self-efficacy beliefs. Significant differences were observed in students' self-efficacy beliefs based on gender, academic language and type of programme studied, but not based on type of study funding. Several self-efficacy beliefs correlated significantly with academic performance, though differences were observed for different types of programmes. As limited consideration of the impact of self-efficacy beliefs within the discipline of accounting prevails in the literature, and even less so in South Africa, the study serves to enhance accounting educators' understanding on how self-efficacy beliefs impact academic performance at the first-year level.

Purpose: This paper aims to critically evaluate the evolution of Assurance of Learning (AoL) in business education and identify gaps and responsibilities in higher institution landscapes moving into the future. This comes amidst increasing structural reforms, an increasingly digitalised world, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and wider scrutiny of graduate competencies for job readiness. Design/Methodology/Approach: A systematic literature review comprising 27 journal articles published between 2018 and 2022 is the methodology used in this research. This approach is justified as it provides a recent synopsis of current trends on AoL and encompasses the changes over the course of the COVID-19-induced higher education landscapes. Findings: The systematic literature review revealed a strong flavour for AoL measurement through the students' perspectives, with little emerging from faculty insights. Only six out of the 27 articles were framed in a non-English speaking background, revealing that most studies were still concentrated in a US or English environment. Also, while papers on AoL have increased in numbers from 2018 to 2022, there remains scant literature on AoL measurements related to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent digital technologies, and how these would have changed given the rapid shift to online or hybrid environments. Originality/Value: A comprehensive review of AoL literature from 2018 to 2022 is undertaken through Leximancer, which reveals conceptual and relational ties between core themes and concepts of interest. The findings inform business school leaders of the current state of AoL processes, by combining the views of students, faculty and managers.

Background: Little is known about the spontaneous speech characteristics of young children with language delay in Mandarin, relative to their peers. Until the recent development of standardized language assessments normed in China on Mandarin-speaking children, it was difficult to independently identify atypically developing children to study their spontaneous speech, and only case studies have been available. Aim: To investigate which aspects of spontaneous speech might be distinctive for atypical development in a short play session. Methods & Procedures: A total of 86 Mandarin-speaking children, boys and girls aged 2;6-4;6, were tested using the new standardized assessment for Mandarin, Diagnostic Receptive Expressive Assessment of Mandarin--Comprehensive (DREAM-C), at a major urban hospital in China. Of the children, 39 were identified by DREAM-C as atypically developing in language development (Total Standard score M = 72, SD = 8.9), and 47 scored in the typical range (Total Standard score M = 103, SD = 10.8), using the four scales of Receptive, Expressive Semantics and Syntax. All children then took part in a 15-min semi-structured play session during which their spontaneous speech was recorded by professionals. A variety of games and pictures were used in an attempt to elicit spontaneous questions, negatives and descriptions. Their recorded speech samples were then coded by linguists directly into a database in FilemakerPro for different aspects of vocabulary, sentence variety and grammatical morphemes/structures heard. Outcomes & Results: The results describe the characteristics of the speech samples for the typical and atypical groups for age groups 2;6-3.5 (N = 52) and 3;6-4.6 (N = 34). Vocabulary diversity was indicated on an ordinal scale ranging from simple communicative signals including headshakes and words such as 'hi' to 'a rich variety of different content words'. Grammatical diversity similarly ranged from 'only yes/no answers', through to the appearance of multi-clause sentences. Morphosyntax was coded in terms of which morphemes were observed at all in the session, such as aspect markers (LE, ZAI, GUO), and nominal morphemes (DE, GE), and also whether function words such as pronouns, Wh-questions and classifiers were singular or varied in the session. There is considerable optionality in morpheme expression in Mandarin, so measurements such as the percentage supplied in obligatory contexts, though useful for languages such as English, are harder to compute. Nevertheless, the data show change over age in all these aspects of language, and reveal what a typically developing child might be expected to produce in a 15-min sample in such a session. For example, it was rare for the typically developing children by age 3.5 not to have at least simple sentences with some function words, and to use adjectives, nouns and verbs, unlike the children with atypical scores. The morphemes DE, LE and GUO showed significant differences in likelihood across groups for both ages, but BA and ZAI were significantly different only for the older age group. In contrast, GE was common in all groups. The atypical group has markedly lower frequency in several grammatical aspects such as the use of diverse questions, classifiers and pronouns, with much less change across age groups, implying slower growth. The results provide useful information on the relative likelihood of observing different varieties of words, sentence types and morphemes in a short speech sample, which are substantially different in the typical versus atypical groups in both age bands, and change over age. Conclusions & Implications: These data validate the DREAM-C classifications, but the details can also be used to inform the choice of targets for intervention for young children who experience delays in Mandarin language acquisition.

Purpose: In contrast to prior studies examining burnout in academic employees, this paper explores how academic employee agency mitigates burnout risks in the context of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and how this agency facilitates research productivity and influences well-being in the face of changes in learning and teaching practices. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use collaborative auto-ethnography (CAE) in the higher education (HE) sector to probe how an employee productivity group supported the group's members during the pandemic. Findings: Thematic analysis revealed four emerging themes--burnout, beneficial habits for research productivity, blocking-out-time and belonging. The authors' findings suggest that by acknowledging and legitimising employee-initiated groups, feelings of neglect can be combatted. Purposeful employee groups have the potential to create a therapeutic, safe space and, in addition to the groups' productivity intent, diminish the negative effects of a crisis on organisational effectiveness. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature by utilising a CAE approach to provide greater insight into how academics enact agency by creating digital research workspaces, attending to the spatial dimensions of well-being especially during turbulent times.

In the inner city of Tshwane stand the skeletons of four high-rise buildings – the remains of Schubart Park. While there are no more people inside the ruins of these buildings, they contain the stories of the relations between a city and its inhabitants. In 2012 Justice Froneman wrote the judgment that ordered that the inhabitants of Schubart Park should be reinstated in their former homes, after they were evicted by the City of Tshwane in 2011. More than ten years after his judgment, there is (again) a plan to move the former residents back. From a spatial justice perspective and through Ann Stoler's work on ruination, Chris Butler's call for inhabiting the ruins and Ivan Vladislavić's short story We Came to the Monument, I reflect on how court judgments stand between the possible and the impossible. I call for a re-imagination of the ways in which the municipality can relate to the inhabitants of the City and argue that Justice Froneman enables this re-imagination through his judgment in Schubart Park.

Objectives Researchers face numerous challenges when recruiting participants for health and social care research. This study reports on the challenges faced recruiting older adults for Being Your Best, a co-designed holistic intervention to manage and reduce frailty, and highlights lessons learnt amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.Design A qualitative study design was used. Referrer interviews were conducted to explore the recruitment challenges faced by the frontline workers. An audit of the research participant (aged ≥65) database was also undertaken to evaluate the reasons for refusal to participate and withdrawal from the study.Setting Hospital emergency departments (EDs) and a home care provider in Melbourne, Australia.Participants Frontline workers and older adults.Results From May 2022 to June 2023, 71 referrals were received. Of those referrals, only 13 (18.3%) agreed to participate. Three participants withdrew immediately after baseline data collection, and the remaining 10 continued to participate in the programme. Reasons for older adult non-participation were (1) health issues (25.3%), (2) ineligibility (18.3%), (3) lack of interest (15.5%), (4) perceptions of being ‘too old’ (11.2%) and (5) perceptions of being too busy (5.6%). Of those participating, five were female and five were male. Eleven referrer interviews were conducted to explore challenges with recruitment, and three themes were generated after thematic analysis: (1) challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) characteristics of the programme and (3) health of older adults.Conclusion Despite using multiple strategies, recruitment was much lower than anticipated. The ED staff were at capacity associated with pandemic-related activities. While EDs are important sources of participants for research, they were not suitable recruitment sites at the time of this study, due to COVID-19-related challenges. Programme screening characteristics and researchers’ inability to develop rapport with potential participants also contributed to low recruitment numbers.Trial registration number ACTRN12620000533998; Pre-results.

Old vine Chenin blanc (OVC) wines are produced from grapes harvested from vines older than 35 years, verified as Certified Heritage Vineyards in South Africa. This emerging premium wine style is of interest due to the purported unique sensory properties of these wines, including their complex aroma. There is however limited information available on the volatile constituents of these wines, which are primarily responsible for perceived aroma. The wine volatilome is exceedingly complex, and requires advanced analytical approaches to investigate. The present contribution reports the evaluation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) as a powerful separation technique to gain qualitative insight into the volatile composition of OVC wines. Extraction of volatile compounds was performed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), while the GC × GC separation was hyphenated to high speed high resolution time-of-flight MS (HR-TOF-MS) for compound identification. A representative set of eight Chenin blanc wines produced from young vines (YVC) was also analysed to investigate the potential use of GC × GCHR-MS data to differentiate these two wine styles based on differences in their volatile composition. The results confirm the utility of GC × GCHR-MS for the detailed qualitative analysis of wine volatiles, with a total of 277 compounds identified in the studied wines. 53 compounds were uniquely identified in the OVC samples, and 52 in YVC wines. Successful differentiation of the young- and old-vine wines was achieved based on tile-based Fisher (F) ratios and principal component analysis (PCA), although this differentiation could not be clearly linked to winemaking practices (wood maturation) or viticultural origin.