A parent-led intervention to reduce anxiety in autistic children with a severe to profound intellectual disability: protocol for the LADDERS pilot feasibility trial

Background There is a need for evidence-based approaches to reduce anxiety experienced by autistic children with severe to profound intellectual disability (ID). Avoidance of anxiety triggers, as a response to pronounced anxiety, occurs irrespective of age, background and neurodiversity. When avoidance is unhelpful, evidence-based anxiety reduction approaches aim to reduce it gradually (graded exposure), subsequently reducing anxiety. Combining graded exposure with emotional regulation techniques may be effective and acceptable for autistic children with severe to profound ID, if sensitive to needs and characteristics of autistic children. We have developed a 16-week, parent-led intervention (LADDERS) to reduce anxiety in this population of autistic children. LADDERS consists of psychoeducation, graded exposure-based tasks, and skills building, delivered utilising a person-centred approach. This study aims to assess whether LADDERS 1) reduces anxiety and 2) whether autistic children and parents find it acceptable and feasible. Method A single-site, multiple baseline, single case experimental study will be conducted. Participants will be parents of autistic children aged between 4-15 years. A minimum of 8 participants will be recruited through a research participant database, the Autistica Discover Network and social media. Once eligibility is confirmed, participants will be assessed at baseline, during the intervention and at a 2-month follow-up (week 24). The primary outcome measure will be a daily diary that assesses child anxiety. Discussion The study will provide preliminary evidence of whether LADDERS reduces anxiety in autistic children with severe to profound ID. Qualitative data from parents and child engagement will provide data on acceptability and feasibility.

EVALUATION OF TACTICAL PLANNING MATURITY IN SUPPLY CHAINS OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

This paper aims to propose and test a model facilitating assessment of tactical planning maturity in supply chains of manufacturing companies. The author proposes a model called Tactical Planning Maturity Model (TPMM). The model is created based on literature research, participant observations and data gathering conducted in two companies. The proposed framework combines both knowledge from supply chain integration and steps necessary to reach proficiency in sales and operation planning. The second step consists of choosing a case study method to verify model adequacy in two companies operating in central Poland. The findings illustrate the TPMM as a ready-to-use tool where the line to supply chain maturity is clearly drafted and results could be compared between production companies. This paper strengthens the link between practitioner and academic literature by providing empirical evidence of the benefits of tactical planning maturity model usage as well as its impact on further development of supply chains. This paper studied merely two companies and is not intended to be representative of outcomes for all companies looking to understand the complexity and maturity of their supply chains. Furthermore, the analyzed companies only reached level four in the maturity model; levels five and six were not observed. Further quantitative studies are required for testing the accuracy of the proposed model and potentially, qualitative studies could be undertaken in order to understand factors enabling the increase in maturity of tactical planning in the supply chains of manufacturing companies.

Teaching Struggling Readers of English as a Second Language in the Malaysian Classroom

Teacher plays an important role in students’ reading growth through the implementation of various suitable instructional strategies in the classroom. This study contributes to the existing literature pertaining to the way the teacher worked with the students who were identified as struggling readers of English as a second language (henceforth ESL). This is a qualitative study involving one primary teacher as a research participant. Data was obtained from classroom observations, interviews and documents collection. Inductive analysis was carried out and the process incorporating a co-construction of meaning between the participant responses and the researcher’s own understanding. Two main themes emerged in the study namely “involvement” and “challenges”. In this paper, one of the themes namely “involvement” that incorporates “classroom environment” and “instructional methods” will be discussed. The findings of this study suggest that the Ministry of Education (henceforth MOE) can look into how support can be given to the teachers to assist them to have more effective teaching strategies in the ESL classroom.

Animal Welfare and Social Innovation: Evidence from a Case Study in Southern Brazil

This study examined the Cão Terapia (Dog Therapy) project, developed by a civil society organization, in order to verify how it generates social innovation based on practices focused on animal welfare. It is a qualitative case study, with an exploratory and descriptive approach. It consists of literature review, documentary research, participant observation, and interviews with volunteers and managers of the Bem-Animal organization. Bem-Animal seeks to promote the welfare of animals rescued by the government after complaints of abuse, being run over, and other serious situations. We found that the initiatives of this organization result in social innovation, above all, by providing social actions contrary to the speciesist, instrumental, and consumerist mentalities. They contribute to an experience of ethical precepts and to the consolidation of rights for non-human animals within the society.

Bem-estar Animal e Inovação Social: Evidências a partir de um Estudo de Caso no Sul do Brasil

This study examined the Cão Terapia (Dog Therapy) project, developed by a civil society organization, in order to verify how it generates social innovation based on practices focused on animal welfare. It is a qualitative case study, with an exploratory and descriptive approach. It consists of literature review, documentary research, participant observation, and interviews with volunteers and managers of the Bem-Animal organization. Bem-Animal seeks to promote the welfare of animals rescued by the government after complaints of abuse, being run over, and other serious situations. We found that the initiatives of this organization result in social innovation, above all, by providing social actions contrary to the speciesist, instrumental, and consumerist mentalities. They contribute to an experience of ethical precepts and to the consolidation of rights for non-human animals within the society.

Parametrics and the masculine: Exploring contemporary masculine qualities through a parametric design approach

<p>This research examines the potential of parametric design and contemporary design practice according to the following question: “How might parametric design be utilised to express qualities of contemporary masculinity in men’s products?” The goal of the research is to suggest a strategy that may be applied to contemporary design practise in order to more effectively support male consumer’s identities, needs, and desires. This is addressed through a case study that prioritises the expression of contemporary masculinity and related qualities in the consideration of the employed materials, form and design details. In developing this research, participant interviews, and a series of questionnaires were utilised to gather responses leading to the construction of material photo studies and data visualizations. Based on the data collected, a parametric definition was developed that supports the customisation of product containers in addressing the expression of contemporary masculine qualities. The parametric definition was applied in the design of a series of initial product prototypes that expressed the contemporary masculine qualities as identified by participants. The prototypes were subsequently assessed through participant interviews alongside a series of material swatches of varying surface qualities. Feedback from the interviews led to refinements in the product container designs within the parametric interface and the generation of a series of higher fidelity digital prototypes. These prototypes sought to effectively reflect the participant’s interpretations regarding the expression of contemporary masculinity.</p>

Parametrics and the masculine: Exploring contemporary masculine qualities through a parametric design approach

<p>This research examines the potential of parametric design and contemporary design practice according to the following question: “How might parametric design be utilised to express qualities of contemporary masculinity in men’s products?” The goal of the research is to suggest a strategy that may be applied to contemporary design practise in order to more effectively support male consumer’s identities, needs, and desires. This is addressed through a case study that prioritises the expression of contemporary masculinity and related qualities in the consideration of the employed materials, form and design details. In developing this research, participant interviews, and a series of questionnaires were utilised to gather responses leading to the construction of material photo studies and data visualizations. Based on the data collected, a parametric definition was developed that supports the customisation of product containers in addressing the expression of contemporary masculine qualities. The parametric definition was applied in the design of a series of initial product prototypes that expressed the contemporary masculine qualities as identified by participants. The prototypes were subsequently assessed through participant interviews alongside a series of material swatches of varying surface qualities. Feedback from the interviews led to refinements in the product container designs within the parametric interface and the generation of a series of higher fidelity digital prototypes. These prototypes sought to effectively reflect the participant’s interpretations regarding the expression of contemporary masculinity.</p>

Incidental findings in human subjects research: Is ignorance really bliss?

<p>Human subjects research has the potential to produce information beyond the aims of the research study. This information may, nevertheless, have health or reproductive significance for the research participant. With the development of sophisticated technologies, these occurrences, known as incidental findings (IFs), are becoming increasingly common. As yet, however, there is no consensus on how IFs in human subjects research should be managed. This paper examines the current law and guidelines relating to human subjects research, and in doing so determines that research participants are inadequately informed about IFs. Consequently, their ability to make an informed choice about and provide informed consent to research procedures is compromised. After addressing the ethical and practical issues most salient to IFs, a framework for their management is developed. The framework sets out the information that should be discussed with research participants during the informed consent process. Recommendations for how this framework should be implemented are then made. The paper concludes that guidelines establishing minimum standards for communicating the possibility and presence of IFs are urgently required so that the rights of research participants are sufficiently protected.</p>

Incidental findings in human subjects research: Is ignorance really bliss?

<p>Human subjects research has the potential to produce information beyond the aims of the research study. This information may, nevertheless, have health or reproductive significance for the research participant. With the development of sophisticated technologies, these occurrences, known as incidental findings (IFs), are becoming increasingly common. As yet, however, there is no consensus on how IFs in human subjects research should be managed. This paper examines the current law and guidelines relating to human subjects research, and in doing so determines that research participants are inadequately informed about IFs. Consequently, their ability to make an informed choice about and provide informed consent to research procedures is compromised. After addressing the ethical and practical issues most salient to IFs, a framework for their management is developed. The framework sets out the information that should be discussed with research participants during the informed consent process. Recommendations for how this framework should be implemented are then made. The paper concludes that guidelines establishing minimum standards for communicating the possibility and presence of IFs are urgently required so that the rights of research participants are sufficiently protected.</p>

Harmonization and Visualization of Data from a Transnational Multi-Sensor Personal Exposure Campaign

Use of a multi-sensor approach can provide citizens with holistic insights into the air quality of their immediate surroundings and their personal exposure to urban stressors. Our work, as part of the ICARUS H2020 project, which included over 600 participants from seven European cities, discusses the data fusion and harmonization of a diverse set of multi-sensor data streams to provide a comprehensive and understandable report for participants. Harmonizing the data streams identified issues with the sensor devices and protocols, such as non-uniform timestamps, data gaps, difficult data retrieval from commercial devices, and coarse activity data logging. Our process of data fusion and harmonization allowed us to automate visualizations and reports, and consequently provide each participant with a detailed individualized report. Results showed that a key solution was to streamline the code and speed up the process, which necessitated certain compromises in visualizing the data. A thought-out process of data fusion and harmonization of a diverse set of multi-sensor data streams considerably improved the quality and quantity of distilled data that a research participant received. Though automation considerably accelerated the production of the reports, manual and structured double checks are strongly recommended.