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Background/Objectives: Traditional food markets are essential in urban food environments in Kenya and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They provide affordable fresh food, particularly for low-income urban communities, and are vital places of livelihoods and local economic activities. Despite their importance, associations between market-related factors and diet quality for vendors and consumers are underexplored. This study explores these relationships to inform policies aimed at improving diets and nutrition in LMICs. Methods: Survey data were collected from 1042 vendors and 876 consumers in five urban markets in Kenya. The survey assessed market-related factors, consumer purchasing behavior, socioeconomic factors, and dietary outcomes using the Kenya Diet Quality Questionnaire. Linear regression models were employed to evaluate associations between the availability of foods, consumers' purchase of foods, proximity to the market, reported sickness from food, and diet quality indicators, including the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), Global Dietary Recommendations (GDRs), NCD-Protect, and NCD-Risk scores. Results: Vendors' own dietary outcomes were characterized by lower DDS, NCD-Protect, and NCD-Risk scores but higher GDR scores compared to consumers. Significant associations were identified between the purchase of specific food groups (e.g., vegetables, legumes, and nuts) and improved diet quality for consumers. Longer travel times were linked to lower diet quality for both vendors and consumers. Socioeconomic factors, such as gender, age, and education, significantly influenced diet quality. Conclusions: Traditional markets play a pivotal role in urban food environments. Policies that enhance market access and support vendors and consumers, particularly women, young adults, and low-income groups, are essential to improving diets and nutrition outcomes in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the literature on mobile language learning is located in classroom contexts, and often concerns the use of resources developed by teachers or researchers. However, we also need to understand learner initiated practices, in informal as well as formal settings, where mobile language learners are increasingly using digital resources. In this paper, we focus on the emerging practices of students learning languages at a distance. Adult students of five languages at different levels were surveyed about using their mobile devices to support their learning as well as their motivations in doing so. We also draw on eight follow-up interviews. We discuss the learners' preferred activities, the resources and apps that they use, and also their motivations for their mobile language practices. These distance learners are very aware of how their devices provide them with high exposure to their target language and the importance of such exposure. They also use their mobile devices to introduce variety into their learning and to make it enjoyable. This knowledge of self-directed learners' practices is extremely valuable in informing educators about how mobile devices feature in language learning and can be harnessed in contributing to it. [Note: The attached content shows an incorrect citation. This article was published in v24 n1 Mar 2016.]

Conole and Alevizou's social media typology (Conole and Alevizou, 2010) includes amongst its ten categories: media sharing; conversational arenas and chat; social networking and blogging. These are all media with which language learners are increasingly engaging (Lamy and Zourou, 2013). Social networking tools, in particular, which encourage informal, social communication have been identified as suitable for supporting language learning and their use is growing quickly. This paper reviews research on using social media for informal language learning. It will then discuss a small qualitative case study of Welsh learners' practices in using such resources. Welsh is a minority UK language spoken by around a fifth of the population of Wales. Unlike a majority language there is no need for English speakers in Wales to learn Welsh in order to communicate with Welsh speakers as all UK Welsh speakers are bilingual. Nevertheless there is great interest among adults in Wales and from Welsh families across the UK in learning Welsh. However there are two particular challenges: the small numbers of speakers (around 611,000), and their very uneven distribution. These two factors make it difficult for learners outside Welsh speaking "hotspots" to hear and practice Welsh. Social media has the potential to support Welsh language learning by providing resources wherever the learner is (particularly if they live in a non-Welsh speaking area or outside Wales completely) and by supporting web-based learning communities. The study reported here is concerned with the extent to which this potential is being exploited in practice. It employed interviews and a small survey to study the practices of learners at all stages of their language learning. It was found that learners used social media widely but those at different stages used social media somewhat differently, with beginners browsing to make contacts and gather information, listening to the language and watching Welsh programmes via the internet whilst some advanced learners set up practice groups, lead sub-communities and source and provide resources both on- and off-line.

This paper focuses on some of the author's research studies over the past thirty years and places these in a wider context to reflect on research into affective issues in learning technologies over this period, and to consider whether and how the issues uncovered by research have changed as technologies have developed over time. Three issues are given particular attention: firstly the reasons for learners' use or lack of use of technologies for their learning; secondly adult learners' attitudes towards using technology for learning and thirdly how technology might support socio-emotional development and expression in children. The discussion of these issues is framed by two of the author's research projects. For the first two issues this is an early study of students' perceptions and attitudes towards using computers for tutorial learning in 1980. The factors that influenced the students' use of the computer tutorials are discussed (including access, assessment and anxiety about using computers) and also the extent to which some of these factors persist for many learners using (or not using) technologies today. The discussion of the third issue draws on a series of studies conducted in the 1990s to investigate whether educational technology could support children and young people's emotional expression and communication and development of socio-emotional skills. Finally the paper considers how these kinds of issues have been taken forward and how they are represented in contemporary research and suggests that trust is an important factor in using learning technologies. (Contains 2 tables, 2 footnotes and 4 figures.)

Traditional food markets in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are pivotal urban spaces, especially for vulnerable populations. These markets are vibrant hubs for commerce, cultural exchange, and social interaction, yet they face challenges such as food safety issues, inadequate infrastructure, and regulation that is a complex mix of informal mechanisms in need of a balanced degree of formalization. Rapid urbanization in SSA and the vulnerabilities of informal settlements underline their enduring importance. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted their crucial role in promoting food access, supporting local economies, and preserving social connections during crises. However, a comprehensive understanding of their multifaceted impact on urban life remains limited. This study provides a systematic narrative literature review with the aims of mapping the existing literature and evaluating their complex impact on vulnerable communities. The review employed a systematic search strategy, encompassing research studies and gray literature. It highlights the geographic distribution of studies across SSA, with a concentration in East and Southern Africa. Nutrition is the most explored theme, followed by governance, with economics and social aspects relatively under examined. Traditional food markets are vital sources of affordable food for the urban poor and serve as pillars of economic mobility, providing livelihoods and employment opportunities, especially for women, and act as hubs for diverse groups to interact. Market governance is complex, often marked by policy misalignments due to insuficient collaboration among stakeholders. Policy initiatives to support traditional foodmarkets in SSA should focus on formalization and context-aware regulations to enhance effciency and vendor security, investment in market- related infrastructure, and nutrition-focused policies and economic support for vendors. Further research is needed to bridge thematic and regional gaps, and to inform evidence-based policy measures to support these vital urban institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Existing PK models of propofol include sparse data from very obese patients. The aim of this study was to develop a PK model based on standardised surgical conditions and spanning from normal‐weight up to, and including, a high number of very obese patients. Methods: Adult patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy or bariatric surgery were studied. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg adjusted body weight over 2 min followed by 6 mg/kg/h adjusted body weight over 30 min. For the remainder of the operation anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. Remifentanil was dosed according to clinical need. Eight arterial samples were drawn in a randomised block sampling regimen over a span of 24 h. Time‐concentration data were analysed by population PK modelling using non‐linear mixed‐effects modelling. Results: Four hundred and seventy four serum propofol concentrations were collected from 69 patients aged 19–60 years with a BMI 21.6–67.3 kg/m2. Twenty one patients had a BMI above 50 kg/m2. A 3‐compartment PK model was produced wherein three different body weight descriptors and sex were included as covariates in the final model. Total body weight was found to be a covariate for clearance and Q3; lean body weight for V1, V2 and Q2; predicted normal weight for V3 and sex for V1. The fixed allometric exponent of 0.75 applied to all clearance parameters improved the performance of the model. Accuracy and precision were 1.4% and 21.7% respectively in post‐hoc performance evaluation. Conclusion: We have developed a new PK model of propofol that is suitable for all adult weight classes. Specifically, it is based on data from an unprecedented number of individuals with very high BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hunger and malnutrition in all forms continues to rise in Africa and Asia. Urban and rural communities' diets in Southeast Asia (SEA) are increasingly unhealthy, with consumption influenced by affordability and convenience. The cost of a healthy diet is a major barrier to accessing healthy foods in SEA. Wet markets are key places in food environments where people buy and sell a variety of foods. They are especially important for food and nutrition insecure communities. This mini narrative review explores the role that wet markets, in SEA food environments, play in providing local communities with access to healthy foods. Fourteen peer-review papers, published in English between 2017 and 2022, were identified during screening and analysed according to six food environment domains. Findings highlight that convenient access to wet markets facilitates access to fruits and vegetables in peri urban and urban areas. Fresh foods, most notably fruits, were viewed as being more expensive than processed foods which in turn influenced purchasing behavior. Divergent findings were presented in the identified papers regarding affordability of food in wet markets. Concerns about food quality and the use of chemicals and pesticides were raised. This review was constrained by several factors including the lack of consistent and meaningful definitions and typologies of the varied forms of wet markets. Looking ahead, better defined interpretations of wet markets can enhance the development and refinement of appropriate policies and actions and comparison of wet markets, in respect of access to diverse, healthy foods, vendor practices and consumer food choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personalisation of learning is a recurring trend in our society, referred to in government speeches, popular media, conference and research papers and technological innovations. This latter aspect--of using personalisation in technology-enhanced learning (TEL)--has promised much but has not always lived up to the claims made. Personalisation is often perceived to be a positive phenomenon, but it is often difficult to know how to implement it effectively within educational technology. In order to address this problem, we propose a framework for the analysis and creation of personalised TEL. This article outlines and explains this framework with examples from a series of case studies. The framework serves as a valuable resource in order to change or consolidate existing practice and suggests design guidelines for effective implementations of future personalised TEL.

The challenge of supporting immigrant language-learning and social integration has increased recently, leading to initiatives and projects that aim to provide assistance, including using smartphones in the course of daily activities. However, most of the Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) literature focuses on classroom based learning thereby leaving a gap in understanding the learning in informal settings. This paper discusses a UK field trial of the European funded MASELTOV project, which developed a suite of smartphone tools and services (the 'MApp') to help immigrants' language learning and social inclusion in four European cities. MApp tools and services include language lessons designed to assist informal learning in everyday life, focusing on situational language needs and a social forum for peer support, cultural information, comments and practice. The paper reports on interview data and social forum use. Our findings suggest that the MApp helps immigrants with their confidence; with relevant, practical language learning and practice of different language skills, and also supports social learning. Studying and practising language skills in the locations, and at times, of learner's choice, along with access to a social forum for socio-emotional support and feedback, it is a powerful combination of informal mobile language learning.

An introduction is presented to a series of articles in the issue on personal sustainability in the context of food systems, with topics including change in personal attitudes toward fresh food, harmful foodborne microorganisms in food sold in informal food establishments across Latin American countries, and wet markets and the availability and access to health diets in Southeast Asia.