13361 research outputs found
Sort by
Does corruption trigger political instability? Evidence on the role of demographics and social cohesion
No full textA breakdown in social cohesion and the resulting political instability have adverse consequences for economic development. While corruption can fuel political instability, not all countries experiencing high levels of corruptionare politically unstable. Given the growing interest in the role of youth in driving political change, this paper examines whether youth unemployment and the youthfulness of the population (the youth bulge) exacerbate the impact of corruption on political instability. Using panel data for over one hundred countries from 1984 to 2022, the analysis reveals that a youth bulge amplifies the adverse effects of corruption on political instability in oil-exporting countries, compared to non-oil-exporting counterparts. This finding challenges the notion that oil rents can effectively be used to buy off potentially dissatisfied groups
***Physical activity and BMI as modifiable factors influencing premenstrual symptoms: findings from 21 years of longitudinal data
No full textIntroduction: Pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS) affect many women of reproductive age, negatively impacting quality of life, mood, and daily functioning. Both physical activity (PA) and body mass index (BMI) have been proposed as modifiable factors influencing PMS, but most research is cross-sectional or short-term. This study aimed to investigate the individual and combined associations of PA and BMI with PMS over 21 years in a large cohort of women, providing insights into long-term patterns and potential interactions. Methods: Participants (18-23 years in 1996; N=14,247) from The Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health completed eight surveys from 1996 to 2018. They reported PA, weight and height and the frequency of PMS (never; rarely; sometimes; or often) in every survey from 2000 to 2018. BMI was calculated from self-reported weight and height. The individual and combined associations between PA and BMI with PMS from 2000 to 2018 were examined in a sample of 12,007 women using generalised estimating equations. Results: At baseline (2000), the prevalence of PMS was 27%, highest in women who were nulliparous (87.2%), living in major cities (56.2%) and underweight/normal weight (67%). Meeting PA guidelines (≥500MET-min/week) was associated with lower odds of PMS (OR=0.92, 95% CI:0.86–0.98). Combined associations between PA and BMI showed active obese women had the lowest odds of PMS (OR=0.91, 95% CI:0.82–1.00). When explored further, obese women who reported high PA had a 19% reduction in the likelihood of PMS (OR=0.81, 95% CI:0.67–0.97). Conclusions: Drawing on 21 years of longitudinal data, this study shows that PA lowers the odds of PMS, especially in women with obesity. These findings advance PA research by confirming its long-term benefit for women’s reproductive health and support targeted PA promotion to improve menstrual health and wellbeing
The interplay of dark and light in business war volunteer tourism experiences
No full textBusiness war volunteer tourism involves business leaders travelling to active war zones to use their professional acumen, networks, and resources to provide humanitarian aid, training, and other types of services and support. Drawing on preliminary interview findings with business war volunteer tourists who have travelled to Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion, this study describes four emerging and interconnected themes that illuminate the interplay of dark and light within their experiences: isolation and connection, sacrifice and commitment, devastation and regeneration, and risk and safety. These themes illustrate how these tourists navigate profound vulnerability while simultaneously forging meaning and purpose. By centring on the complexity of these experiences, we invite scholars to deepen tourism research into the relational and transformative dimensions of war-affected travel
Exploring factors influencing conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's Disease with time‐to‐event data and longitudinal measures
Get PDFBackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition primarily impacting the elderly population. Despite its widespread occurrence, the precise etiological factors remain elusive, emphasizing the critical need for early detection and intervention to mitigate disease progression. This study investigates the role of various lifestyle and behavioral factors in the progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) using advanced survival analysis techniques.MethodData from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) were utilized to investigate the progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The dataset included a total of 848 MCI individuals, of whom 336 converted to AD at different time points, while 512 did not. Time-to-event data and longitudinal measures were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models, time-dependent covariates Cox models, and Aalen's additive regression models. The analysis examined socio-demographic, neuropsychological, behavioral, and lifestyle-related factors, with a particular focus on novel predictors such as sleep disorders and eating disorders.ResultThe analysis revealed that daily functional activity scores and sleep disorders were significant predictors of progression from MCI to AD. These factors, along with other socio-demographic and lifestyle variables, were found to substantially increase the risk of AD over time. Comparative analyses of the survival models highlighted the unique contributions of Cox regression and Aalen's additive hazards models in identifying time-dependent and non-linear effects of these variables.ConclusionThis study emphasizes the importance of behavioral and lifestyle factors, particularly sleep and daily functional activities, in predicting the transition from MCI to AD
Involving Patients in Chronic Disease Teams
Get PDFIntroduction: Current interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) frameworks guide health professionals to work together effectively. However, none provide specific guidance on involving patients or supporting the role of patients in IPCP. This constructivist grounded theory study aimed to explore how primary healthcare professionals involve their patients with chronic conditions in IPCP. Methods: Australian primary healthcare and related professionals participated in individual interviews. Participants were asked to describe two key examples: effective management of a chronic condition through IPCP and ineffective management where IPCP could be improved. Transcripts were inductively, thematically analysed using a constructivist approach. Patient case examples were mapped against a previously developed theoretical framework describing a spectrum of five patient roles, from those relying on health professionals for decision making, to those actively engaged in their own care, and those disengaged from IPCP care. Results: Forty-three professionals, comprising 19 medical, five nursing, 17 allied health, one auxiliary, and one administrative staff, were interviewed, with an average of 70 minutes. Participants provided descriptions of patient cases and experiences that aligned with the previous framework’s patient roles. There are important steps that doctors, and other professionals can take to support patients to be involved in effective collaborative care. In instances where patients were disengaged from IPCP care, doctors reported initially engaging the patient directly. They emphasized the importance of establishing a strong therapeutic relationship before incorporating broader team members. Practical strategies were described to support patients and facilitate their progression along the spectrum of roles, thereby enhancing patient engagement in IPCP care.ID 1060 in Abstract Book.<br/
How Do We Tackle Disinformation Online?
Get PDFLast year, the Australian Government abandoned the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 (Cth) as there was no pathway to legislate the proposal through the Senate. The legislation was aimed at combatting misinformation and disinformation online by empowering the Australian Communications and Media Authority to monitor digital platforms. While the Government continues to pursue other proposals to tackle the issue, we are still dealing with the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms… which begs the question, what more can be done
Improving the Reporting of Primary Care Research: Consensus Reporting Items for Studies in Primary Care—the CRISP Statement
No full textPrimary care（PC）is a unique clinical specialty and research discipline with its own perspectives and methods. Research in this field uses varied research methods and study designs to investigate myriad topics. The diversity of PC presents challenges for reporting，and despite the proliferation of reporting guidelines，none focuses specifically on the needs of PC. The Consensus Reporting Items for Studies in Primary Care（CRISP）Checklist guides reporting of PC research to include the information needed by the diverse PC community，including practitioners，patients，and communities. CRISP complements current guidelines to enhance the reporting，dissemination，and application of PC research findings and results. Prior CRISP studies documented opportunities to improve research reporting in this field. Our surveys of the international，interdisciplinary，and interprofessional PC community identified essential items to include in PC research reports. A 2-round Delphi study identified a consensus list of items considered necessary. The CRISP Checklist contains 24 items that describe the research team，patients，study participants，health conditions，clinical encounters，care teams，interventions，study measures，settings of care，and implementation of findings/results in PC. Not every item applies to every study design or topic. The CRISP guidelines inform the design and reporting of（1）studies done by PC researchers (2）studies done by other investigators in PC populations and settings，and（3）studies intended for application in PC practice. Improved reporting of the context of the clinical services and the process of research is critical to interpreting study findings/results and applying them to diverse populations and varied settings in PC.</p
Corporate conduct, climate action and market regulation: An analysis of the scope and impact of newly enacted, TCFD aligned, corporate reporting obligations
No full textThe Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Act was introduced into the Federal Parliament in 2024 and came into effect in 2025. The Act imposes positive disclosure obligations on corporations relating to climate change resilience. These obligations are consistent with those developed by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (‘TCFD’) reporting framework, which is an international organisation. This article evaluates the impact of the newly enacted Act. To do so, it first outlines the TCFD framework and analyses public reports by the Big 4 Australian banks (ANZ, CBA, NAB and Westpac) as illustrations of its practical implementation. Second, the article outlines the new Act and analyses its contribution to the climate action transparency space in Australia. Finally, the article draws conclusions about the anticipated capacity of the new Act to enable corporate stakeholders to make informed decisions about a corporation’s climate change performance
Navigating professional identities: nursing faculty as embedded simulation participants in medical student simulations
No full textBackground:Nursing trained faculty often work as embedded simulated participants (ESPs) in interprofessional simulations. Blending and switching their professional identities as educators, nurses, and role players in ESP roles can be challenging. How they balance tensions in their role portrayal is poorly understood. New and experienced faculty may benefit from clearer guidance about how to approach this task.Methods:Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, we explored the experience of nurses working as ESPs in a medical student simulation-based education program. We were sensitised by Dace’s ‘blended boundaries’ model of professional identity for simulation educators. We performed 9 semi-structured interviews with nurses who work as ESPs in our simulation program and undertook a thematic analysis of the transcribed data employing Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six phase approach.Results:We identified five themes: 1) Role complexity, 2) Influences and tensions in role portrayal, 3) Judgement and flexibility, 4) Perceived interprofessional outcomes, and 5) Personal and professional impacts.Discussion:Role portrayal of ESP nurses, by nurses, in interprofessional simulations is a complex and nuanced task. Carefully planned and reflected upon role portrayal offers powerful opportunities for medical students to gain a deeper understanding of interprofessional healthcare teamwork and the unique role of nurses in those teams. Thoughtful role portrayal supports highly authentic scenario delivery and clinical learning outcomes and can have positive professional impacts for the nurses undertaking this role. We suggest simulation programs should be highly intentional when recruiting, training, and supporting nurses to work as faculty in interprofessional simulations.<br/
Does Mandatory Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence Offer A Path to Resolving Global Food Insecurity Challenges
No full textDespite the 2015 implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030 (the Zero Hunger Goal), food insecurity remains a persistent global problem. Well past the halfway point to 2030, the world is woefully off track to reach this goal. Current efforts to address global food insecurity are led by the public sector and focused on government interventions, and these are proving to be insufficient on their own. This Article argues that the private sector, and business enterprises and multinational corporations in particular, as important stakeholders in society, can and must assume a greater role in safeguarding and advancing the right to food. In this role, they have a commensurate duty—increasingly recognized in mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR)—to take account of their social impacts, which includes upholding human rights such as the right to food. Secondly, there are international corporate-focused rights frameworks that reinforce this responsibility for businesses, such as the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and a suite of OECD guidelines that promote responsible business conduct. Finally, more than any other actor in society, these corporate actors have the capacity to do so. As such, this Article proposes a bold solution with significant potential to bring about systemic change enhancing global food security: reforming the human rights due diligence process by making it a legally binding obligation, which includes a reconceptualized right to food. Thus, this Article extrapolates from and adds coherence to a clear global trend shifting CSR from soft to hard law, with mandatory corporate human rights due diligence (HRDD) laws becoming an increasingly prominent form. The EU is at the forefront of this trend with hard law regulation of business and human rights already in place at the EU level—the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (2024)—and in Member States such as France and Germany. Therefore, the proposed solution is feasible from a legislative perspective, and it offers an important path to resolving global food insecurity challenges