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CenGCN : centralized convolutional networks with vertex imbalance for scale-free graphs

- Xia, Feng, Wang, Lei, Tang, Tao, Chen, Xin, Kong, Xiangjie, Oatley, Giles, King, Irwin

  • Authors: Xia, Feng , Wang, Lei , Tang, Tao , Chen, Xin , Kong, Xiangjie , Oatley, Giles , King, Irwin
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering Vol. 35, no. 5 (2023), p. 4555-4569
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  • Description: Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) have achieved impressive performance in a wide variety of areas, attracting considerable attention. The core step of GCNs is the information-passing framework that considers all information from neighbors to the central vertex to be equally important. Such equal importance, however, is inadequate for scale-free networks, where hub vertices propagate more dominant information due to vertex imbalance. In this paper, we propose a novel centrality-based framework named CenGCN to address the inequality of information. This framework first quantifies the similarity between hub vertices and their neighbors by label propagation with hub vertices. Based on this similarity and centrality indices, the framework transforms the graph by increasing or decreasing the weights of edges connecting hub vertices and adding self-connections to vertices. In each non-output layer of the GCN, this framework uses a hub attention mechanism to assign new weights to connected non-hub vertices based on their common information with hub vertices. We present two variants CenGCN_D and CenGCN_E, based on degree centrality and eigenvector centrality, respectively. We also conduct comprehensive experiments, including vertex classification, link prediction, vertex clustering, and network visualization. The results demonstrate that the two variants significantly outperform state-of-the-art baselines. © 1989-2012 IEEE.

Challenging court landscapes and opportunities for change

- Camilleri, Marg, Harkness, Alistair

  • Authors: Camilleri, Marg , Harkness, Alistair
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Book chapter
  • Relation: Australian Courts : controversies, challenges and change Chapter 16 p. 367-390
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  • Description: Courts are complex institutions which must constantly adjust to ensure that they are fulfilling their responsibilities to defendants, victims, witnesses, society and others who enter court spaces either virtually or physically. Courts must also manage their relationships with other agencies (whether justice or community) on whom they rely. Courts face an array of challenges in contemporary Australia, including the COVID-19 pandemic which has necessitated courts to pivot from inherently complex systems which are primarily public facing to virtual spaces which must continue to maintain the rule of law and to be open, transparent and subject to scrutiny. This chapter considers other challenges, too, which various courts and those who work in, with or appear before are facing. It assesses a suite of potential micro and macro reforms, advocating for ongoing systemic and structural change.

Changes in grit and psychological capital at the time of major crisis : nursing students' perseverance, resources, and resilience

- Terry, Daniel, Peck, Blake, Biangone, Marianne

  • Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Biangone, Marianne
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship Vol. 20, no. 1 (2023), p.
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  • Description: Objectives: To examine changes in grit and psychological capital among nursing students prior to, during the height of the pandemic, and more than 12 months after the initial pandemic announcement. Methods: A cross-sectional study design addressed the aim of the study. Nursing students undertaking a three-year baccalaureate degree between 2019 and 2021 were included. Results: Mean grit levels among the n=818 unique student participants were significantly lower in 2020 than in 2019 and 2021; however, no significant difference was detected for psychological capital over the same period. Conclusions: Although normative day-to-day challenges may aid grit development, a major event has a negative impact yet has a buffering effect of negative life events at the time of a crisis. The study further placates that psychological capital remains malleable and open to change at the time of a crisis and may be an essential mechanism to mediate grit and has the capacity to influence student performance over time. It remains essential to develop grit through the mediating elements of psychological capital to enable nursing student to undertake academic studies, particularly in the event of major challenges, such approaches may further enable students' endurance to withstand major crises as they enter the workforce. © 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.

Changes in lesson plans as teachers participate in a professional development on statistical literacy

- Tran, Dung, Nguyen, An Thi, Nguyen, Duyen, Ta, Phuong, Pham, Nga, Huynh, Binh

  • Authors: Tran, Dung , Nguyen, An Thi , Nguyen, Duyen , Ta, Phuong , Pham, Nga , Huynh, Binh
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research Vol. 22, no. 5 (2023), p. 281-301
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  • Description: Research on mathematics teacher knowledge has gained momentum recently; however, research on teacher planning is scarce, especially using lesson plans as the primary data source. This study examines how teachers' lesson plans change as they participate in a professional development, supporting them in implementing the Vietnamese reformed Curriculum 2018. Using a design-based research methodology, we developed a research-informed framework that assesses teachers' lesson plans for developing students' statistical literacy as emphasized in the mathematics Curriculum. Informed by research literature and data collected from teachers, the framework including seven criteria was shared and used by 61 teachers to reflect on the quality of their lessons. The analysis of 38 lesson plans shows all criteria have improved from pre- to post-lesson plans. The teachers included more explicit and comprehensive learning intentions in their post-lessons. Tasks in the post-lesson plans afforded more opportunities for students to develop statistical literacy, helped them engage in the statistical investigation using real data, and included multiple representations. Finally, the post-lesson plans tended to follow the constructivist teaching principles. Implications on ways to develop teachers' planning competence and suggestions for future studies are included. © 2023 Authors.

Changes in soil physicochemical and water properties in response to exotic acacia invasion in a Bornean coastal heath forest

- Ibrahim, Mohamad, Sukri, Rahayu, Tennakoon, Kushan, Rosli, Nurul, Metali, Faizah

  • Authors: Ibrahim, Mohamad , Sukri, Rahayu , Tennakoon, Kushan , Rosli, Nurul , Metali, Faizah
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Vol. 23, no. 3 (2023), p. 3393-3406
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  • Description: This study investigates the impacts of Acacia invasion on Bornean heath forest (HF) soils. Soil profiles and water properties at one soil depth (< 1 m) and physicochemical properties with Soil Fertility Index(SFI) and Soil Evaluation Factor (SEF) from the topsoil or three soil depths of Acacia-invaded and non-invaded HF were assessed. Acacia invasion modified soil profiles by producing thicker horizons O and B but waning horizon E. Thick leaf litter layer in invaded HF was associated with a significant decrease in soil bulk density, moisture, organic matter (OM), total organic carbon, water volume, and NH4+ but a significant increase in soil temperature, and soil water pH, NO3

Characterizing Australia's east coast cyclones (1950–2019)

- Gray, Jessie, Verdon-Kidd, Danielle, Jaffrés, Jasmine, Hewson, Michael, Clarke, John, Sharma, Krishneel, English, Nathan

  • Authors: Gray, Jessie , Verdon-Kidd, Danielle , Jaffrés, Jasmine , Hewson, Michael , Clarke, John , Sharma, Krishneel , English, Nathan
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Climatology Vol. 43, no. 7 (2023), p. 3324-3352
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  • Description: East coast cyclones (ECCs) provide an essential reprieve from dry periods across eastern Australia. They also deliver flood-producing rains with significant economic, social and environmental impacts. Assessing and comparing the influence of different types of cyclones is hindered by an incomplete understanding of ECC typology, given their widely variable spatial and temporal characteristics. This study employs a track-clustering method (probabilistic, curve-aligned regression model) to identify key cyclonic pathways for ECCs from 1950 to 2019. Six spatially independent clusters were successfully distinguished and further sub-classified (coastal, continental and tropical) based on their genesis location. The seasonality and long-term variability, intensity (maximum Laplacian value ± 2 days) and event-based rainfall were then evaluated for each cluster to quantify the impact of these lows on Australia. The highest quantity of land-based rainfall per event is associated with the tropical cluster (Cluster 6), whereas widespread rainfall was also found to occur in the two continental clusters (clusters 4 and 5). Cyclone tracks orientated close to the coast (clusters 1, 2 and 3) were determined to be the least impactful in terms of rainfall and intensity, despite being the most common cyclone type. In terms of interannual variability, sea surface temperature anomalies suggest an increased cyclone frequency for clusters 1 (austral winter) and 4 (austral spring) during a central Pacific El Niño. Furthermore, cyclone incidence during IOD-negative conditions was more pronounced in winter for clusters 1, 2, 3— and clusters 4 and 5 in spring. All cyclones also predominantly occurred in SAM-positive conditions. However, winter ECCs for clusters 1 and 3 had a higher frequency in SAM-negative. This new typology of ECCs via spatial clustering provides crucial insights into the systems that produce extreme rainfall across eastern Australia and should be used to inform future hazard management of cyclone events. © 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Climatology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal Meteorological Society.

Charophytes of Australia’s Northern Territory – I. Tribe Chareae

- Casanova, Michelle, Karol, Kenneth

  • Authors: Casanova, Michelle , Karol, Kenneth
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Australian Systematic Botany Vol. 36, no. 1 (2023), p. 38-79
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  • Description: This study of Northern Territory charophytes documents 22 species in 3 of the genera in tribe Chareae, family Characeae, including 15 previously described species (Chara benthamii, C. erythrogyna, C. globularis, C. karolii, C. lucida, C. porteri, C. protocharoides, C. setosa, C. submollusca, C. wightii, C. zeylanica, Lamprothamnium capitatum, L. compactum, L. stipitatum, Lychnothamnus barbatus) of which 2 are new for the Australian flora (C. erythrogyna and C. wightii), as well as 5 varieties raised to species rank (C. aridicola, C. arnhemensis, C. bancroftii, C. behriana, C. duriuscula), and 2 newly described species (C. lamprothamniformis, C. schultae). Three previously reported species in the tribe (C. braunii, C. corallina, C. fibrosa) are not recorded from the Northern Territory in this study, as previous records were based on erroneous identifications or localities. Although Northern Territory specimens of Lychnothamnus barbatus have not been seen, it has been included in this treatment, because it occurs in south-eastern Queensland, the Gulf of Carpentaria, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. A key, illustrations and descriptions of all the species are provided.

Charophytes of Australia’s Northern Territory – II. Tribe Nitelleae

- Casanova, Michelle, Karol, Kenneth

  • Authors: Casanova, Michelle , Karol, Kenneth
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Australian Systematic Botany Vol. 36, no. 4 (2023), p. 322-353
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  • Description: This study of Northern Territory charophytes deals with the tribe Nitelleae in family Characeae. We recognise 16 species of Nitella for the Territory. The list includes seven previously described species (Nitella belangeri, N. biformis, N. congesta, N. heterophylla, N. micklei, N. myriotricha and N.tumulosa, of which N. belangeri and N. tumulosa are newly recorded for the Australian flora), and nine newly described species (N. acanthospora, N. boreali-australis, N. crocodylus, N. limosa, N.martinii, N. nitida, N. oollooensis, N. silicea and N. townsendii). Of the five previously reported Nitella species in the Northern Territory (N. hyalina, N. myriotricha, N. penicillata, N. pseudoflabellata and N. subtilissima), only N. myriotricha is recorded in this study, because the other records were based on erroneous identifications or localities. All Nitella species described here can be distinguished on the basis of their morphology and reproductive arrangement. Keys, illustrations and descriptions of all the species are provided.

Chinese students’ decisions to study in Australia after the COVID pandemic-based on the PESTLE factor analysis

- Paynter, Merryn, Sharpe, Wen, Halabi, Abdel, Reimers, Vaughan, Ma, Hongming, Johnstone, Carolyn

  • Authors: Paynter, Merryn , Sharpe, Wen , Halabi, Abdel , Reimers, Vaughan , Ma, Hongming , Johnstone, Carolyn
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Intercultural Relations Vol. 96, no. (2023), p.
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  • Description: The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of the PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental) framework on the motivations of Chinese students to pursue a higher education degree at Australian universities following the COVID-19 pandemic. We conduct a survey with a unique sample of 446 Chinese undergraduate students who are looking to study a postgraduate degree abroad. Seldom used in an educational setting, our empirical findings show a positive effect of PESTLE, particularly the economic factor, on students’ choice to study abroad, which is contrary to the null hypothesis. This study has broader implications for university administrators as it suggests that the PESTLE model can be a useful tool in analyzing education choices at a time of uncertainty. © 2023 The Authors

Citizen science and natural resource management : a social network analysis of two community-based water monitoring programs

- Bonney, Patrick, Hansen, Birgita, Baldwin, Claudia

  • Authors: Bonney, Patrick , Hansen, Birgita , Baldwin, Claudia
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Society and Natural Resources Vol. 36, no. 6 (2023), p. 600-621
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  • Description: In natural resource management contexts, citizen science programs often involve a diversity of actors collaborating in broad social networks. However, the characteristics and functioning of these networks has received limited attention. In this article, we demonstrate the benefits of applying social network research to citizen science practice. Through a mixed methods approach, we compare data sharing and collaboration networks of two community-based water monitoring programs in Australia. The quantitative component revealed that despite similarities in actor diversity and activities, both programs have created divergent network structures (centralized vs decentralized) corresponding to their scale of influence in environmental decision-making (regional vs local impacts). The qualitative component showed how individuals navigated their relationships and managed key tensions inherent to network functioning. This study provides new insights on the role of social networks in citizen science and concludes by recommending program leaders adopt a “networking mindset” to maximize their sphere of influence. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Classification of methods to reduce clinical alarm signals for remote patient monitoring : a critical review

- Arora, Teena, Balasubramanian, Venki, Stranieri, Andrew, Shenhan, Mai, Buyya, Rajkumar, Islam, Sardar

Classification of Twitter users with eating disorder engagement : learning from the biographies

- Abuhassan, Mohammad, Anwar, Tarique, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew, Jarman, Hannah, Shatte, Adrian, Liu, Chengfei, Sukunesan, Suku

  • Authors: Abuhassan, Mohammad , Anwar, Tarique , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew , Jarman, Hannah , Shatte, Adrian , Liu, Chengfei , Sukunesan, Suku
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Computers in Human Behavior Vol. 140, no. (2023), p.
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  • Description: Individuals with an Eating Disorder (ED) are typically reluctant to seek help via traditional means (e.g., psychologists). However, recent evidence suggests that many individuals seek assistance via social media for weight and diet related concerns. Sophisticated approaches are needed to better distinguish those who may be in need of help for an ED from those who are simply commenting on ED in online social environments. In order to facilitate effective communication between individuals with or at-risk of an ED and healthcare professionals, this research exploits a deep learning model to differentiate the users with ED engagement (e.g., ED sufferers, healthcare professionals or communicators) over social media. For this purpose, a collection of Twitter data is compiled using Twitter application programming interface (API) on the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) Nectar research cloud. After collecting 1,400,000 Twitter biographies in total, a subset of 4000 biographies are annotated manually. This annotation enables the differentiation of users engaged with ED-focused language on social media into five categories: ED-user, healthcare professional, communicator, healthcare professional-communicator, and other. Based on these annotated categories, a predictive deep learning model based on bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) and long short-term memory (LSTM) is developed. The model achieves an F1 score of 98.19% and an accuracy of 98.37%. It demonstrates the viability of detecting the individuals with possible ED risk and distinguishes them from other categories using their biography data. We further conducted a network analysis for investigating the communication network between these categories. Our analysis shows that ED-users are more secretive and self-protective, whereas the healthcare professionals and communicators frequently interact with each other and a wide range of other people. To the best of our knowledge, our research is the first of its kind for identifying the different user categories engaged with ED-focused communications on social media. © 2022

Classifying excessive exercise : examining the relationship between compulsive exercise with obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and disordered eating symptoms

- Cosh, Suzanne, Eshkevari, Ertimiss, McNeil, Dominic, Tully, Phillip

  • Authors: Cosh, Suzanne , Eshkevari, Ertimiss , McNeil, Dominic , Tully, Phillip
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: European Eating Disorders Review Vol. 31, no. 6 (2023), p. 769-780
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  • Description: Objective: There remains a lack of consensus around nosology for compulsive exercise (CE). Although widely observed in eating disorders (ED), CE shares theoretical overlap with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), where exercise compulsions occur in response to obsessions. Yet, there is limited and mixed evidence of a relationship between CE with OCD. This study aims to explore the appropriate diagnostic classification of CE through examination of CE in relation to OCD, obsessional thinking, and ED symptoms. Method: Two hundred and eighty one adults with mental health symptoms, dieting, and exercise behaviour completed measures of OCD, CE, and disordered eating symptoms. Regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses examined relationships between dimensions of CE with OCD and ED symptoms, and the predictive ability of CE assessment for detecting threshold OCD and ED symptoms. Results: CE assessment was poor at predicting threshold OCD symptoms, probable Anorexia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder and moderate at detecting probable disordered eating and Bulimia Nervosa. Associations between CE and OCD symptoms were not significant after adjustment for ED symptoms. Obsessional thinking was associated only with lack of exercise enjoyment. Conclusions: Results indicate that excessive exercise might represent a distinct disorder, with some shared traits across CE, OCD and ED symptoms. Findings question the utility of adaptation of OCD diagnostic criteria for CE. Assessment and treatment implications are considered. © 2023 The Authors. European Eating Disorders Review published by Eating Disorders Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Climate-driven animal mass mortality events : is there a role for scavengers?

- Barton, Philip, Reboldi, Anna, Bonat, Stefanie, Mateo-Tomás, Patricia, Newsome, Thomas

  • Authors: Barton, Philip , Reboldi, Anna , Bonat, Stefanie , Mateo-Tomás, Patricia , Newsome, Thomas
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Environmental conservation Vol. 50, no. 1 (2023), p. 1-6
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  • Description: Summary Animal mass mortality events (MMEs) will increase with weather and climate extremes. MMEs can add significant stress to ecosystems through extraordinary nutrient pulses or contribute to potential disease transmission risks. Given their efficient removal of carrion biomass from landscapes, we argue here for the potential of scavenger guilds to be a key nature-based solution to mitigating MME effects. However, we caution that scavenger guilds alone will not be a silver bullet. It is critical for further research to identify how the composition of scavenger guilds and the magnitude of MMEs will determine when scavengers will buffer the impacts of such events on ecosystems and when intervention might be required. Some MMEs are too large for scavengers to remove efficiently, and there is a risk of MMEs subsidizing pest species, altering nutrient cycling or leading to disease spread. Prioritizing native scavenger taxa in conservation management policies may help to boost ecosystem resilience through preserving their key ecological services. This should be part of a multi-pronged approach to MME mitigation that combines scavenger conservation with practices such as carcass dispersal or removal when exceeding a threshold quantity. Policymakers are urged to identify such thresholds and to recognize both the insects and the vertebrate scavengers that could act as allies for mitigating the emerging problem of climate-driven MMEs.

Clinically prioritized data visualization in remote patient monitoring

- Arora, Teena, Balasubramanian, Venki, Stranieri, Andrew, Neupane, Arun

Clinician perspectives of the evidence underpinning suicide risk assessment : a mixed methods study

- Grant, Kellie, Whitwam, Louisa, Martin, Jennifer, White, Jennifer, Haines, Terry

  • Authors: Grant, Kellie , Whitwam, Louisa , Martin, Jennifer , White, Jennifer , Haines, Terry
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Australian Social Work Vol. 76, no. 4 (2023), p. 562-574
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  • Description: In recent years, suicide risk assessment has become the subject of a vigorous academic debate, due in part to several meta-analyses that have cast doubt on the accuracy of risk categorisation. Little is known about how clinicians make sense of this academic debate. However, it is anticipated that it may pose a tension due to organisational expectations that multidisciplinary health professionals, including social workers, assess and manage suicide risk. As part of a larger mixed methods study to be reported elsewhere, we conducted a qualitative study aiming to explore clinician perspectives on the evidence underpinning suicide risk assessment before and after being presented with the results of two meta-analyses. Findings highlight three modes of reasoning: academic, emotive, and experiential. Perceptions of accuracy of assessing suicide risk at baseline interviews and after hearing the evidence were influenced by heuristics and cognitive biases. IMPLICATIONS Mental health practitioners, including social workers, employed in mental health settings may be more likely to use experiential reasoning to inform their practice in suicide risk assessment. Social work practitioners in general health settings may be more likely to use academic reasoning when making decisions about suicide risk assessment. Further research is required on how social workers and other mental health professionals can best respond to the crisis of suicide. © 2021 Australian Association of Social Workers.

Clustering tropical cyclone genesis on ENSO timescales in the southwest Pacific

- Tu’uholoaki, Moleni, Espejo, Antonio, Singh, Awnesh, Damlamian, Herve, Wandres, Moritz, Chand, Savin, Mendez, Fernando, Fa’anunu, Ofa

  • Authors: Tu’uholoaki, Moleni , Espejo, Antonio , Singh, Awnesh , Damlamian, Herve , Wandres, Moritz , Chand, Savin , Mendez, Fernando , Fa’anunu, Ofa
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Climate Dynamics Vol. 60, no. 11-12 (2023), p. 3353-3368
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  • Description: Tropical cyclones (TCs) as a natural hazard pose a major threat and risk to the human population globally. This threat is expected to increase in a warming climate as the frequency of severe TCs is expected to increase. In this study, the influence of different monthly sea surface temperature (SST) patterns on the locations and frequency of tropical cyclone genesis (TCG) in the Southwest Pacific (SWP) region is investigated. Using principal component analysis and k-means clustering of monthly SST between 1970 and 2019, nine statistically different SST patterns are identified. Our findings show that the more prominent ENSO patterns such as the Modoki El Niño (i.e., Modoki I and Modoki II) and Eastern Pacific (EP) El Niño impact the frequency and location of TCG significantly. Our results enhance the overall understanding of the TCG variability and the relationship between TCG and SST configurations in the SWP region. The results of this study may support early warning system in SWP by improving seasonal outlooks and quantification of the level of TC-related risks for the vulnerable Pacific Island communities. © 2022, The Author(s).

Co-slagging characteristics of coal and biomass ashes considering entrained flow slagging gasifier

- Shahabuddin, M., Bhattacharya, Sankar, Srivatsa, Srikanth

  • Authors: Shahabuddin, M. , Bhattacharya, Sankar , Srivatsa, Srikanth
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery Vol. 13, no. 3 (2023), p. 1681-1690
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  • Description: This study systematically investigated the co-slagging characteristics of high-rank coal and biomass ashes considering entrained flow slagging gasifier. Despite favourable performance parameters, coal might not be feasible for entrained flow gasification because of not forming slag within the gasifier operating temperature (1200–1500 °C). To overcome this issue, co-gasification can be a potential solution, which simultaneously helps to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact. Hence, this study studied the feasibility of co-gasification of coal and biomass by testing co-slagging behaviour of bituminous coal and pine park biomass ashes. The slag viscosity is measured using a Brookfield DV-III Ultra rheometer coupled with a high-temperature furnace. Results show that pure coal ash does not form slag using the maximum furnace temperature of 1670 °C. However, co-slagging by 50/50 (wt./wt.) ratio of coal and biomass ash (PB50) significantly drops the slagging temperature due to the higher fluxing agents (i.e. CaO) in biomass ash. The temperature of critical viscosity was determined to be 1390 °C using PB50 ash, which maintained the maximum industrial viscosity limit of 25 Pa s up to the temperature of 1360 °C. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature.

Coaches’ use of remote coaching : experiences from paralympic sport

- Taylor, Sarah, Renshaw, Ian, Pinder, Ross, Polman, Remco, Russell, Scott

  • Authors: Taylor, Sarah , Renshaw, Ian , Pinder, Ross , Polman, Remco , Russell, Scott
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Sport Coaching Journal Vol. 10, no. 3 special issue (2023), p. 316-327
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  • Description: Remote coaching via the use of digital technologies has been utilized within Paralympic Sports since 2015 to address challenges experienced by coaches. These technologies have connected coaches and athletes in real time, alleviating time and travel costs. However, very little is known about the experience of coaching in these environments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences of coaches’ use of remote coaching technologies. Seven coaches from five Paralympic Sports were recruited for this study and participated in semistructured interviews. Additionally, observations were conducted of remote coaching sessions that were part of their regular training schedules. Coaches’ insights highlight that remote technologies created opportunities to increase coach–athlete interactions and positively impact the development of interpersonal relationships. This allowed coaches to explore and exploit newly discovered information from within training environments to aid athletes in skill development. Additionally, remote coaching provided unexpected opportunities for coach development. However, coaches also reported new environmental and logistical challenges which disrupted their usual coaching approach. Overall, remote coaching technologies were perceived as being beneficial despite the challenges experienced. However, future research that looks to understand how to impact coach and athlete development through the online environment is encouraged. © 2023 Human Kinetics, Inc.

Coaching and talent development in esports : a theoretical framework and suggestions for future research

- Bubna, Kabir, Trotter, Michael, Watson, Matthew, Polman, Remco

  • Authors: Bubna, Kabir , Trotter, Michael , Watson, Matthew , Polman, Remco
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Frontiers in Psychology Vol. 14, no. (2023), p.
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  • Description: Esports is a growing phenomenon that is capturing the attention of individuals worldwide, and has grown to provide professional and lucrative careers for those who reach the upper echelons. One question that arises, is how esports athletes develop the necessary skills required to improve and compete. This perspective piece opens the door to skill acquisition within esports and how research through an ecological approach can benefit researchers and practitioners as they understand the various perception-action couplings and decision-making challenges faced by esports athletes. We will identify and discuss what constraints look like in esports, the role of affordances, and theorize the implementation of a constraints-led approach in contrasting esports genres. As esports is technology-heavy in nature and generally sedentary, the use of eye-tracking technology is argued to represent an effective method to better understand perceptual attunement between individuals and teams. Future research into skill acquisition in esports is needed to develop a clearer picture of what makes the greatest esports player so great, and how newer players can be developed effectively. Copyright © 2023 Bubna, Trotter, Watson and Polman.