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Correction: The Role of Stewards of Trust in Facilitating Trust in Science: A Multistakeholder View
Get PDFThe Effect of Rebound Exercise on Cognition and Balance of Females with Overweight and Obesity
Get PDFBalance issues have been reported to be common among females with overweight or obesity with associated fall risks. Despite the increasing reports of the negative impacts of obesity on balance and cognition, there is a scarcity of research aimed at evaluating effective interventions. To examine the effects of rebound exercises on cognition and balance among females with overweight and obesity. This Quasi-experimental study used the purposive sampling method to recruit 20 female students (aged 17–35 years) with overweight and obese at the Evangel University Akaeze, Ebonyi State Nigeria. Rebound exercise intervention was administered to all participants at the gym for 30 minutes in each session, three times a week for six weeks, while their cognitive performances, stationary balance, and dynamic balance were measured pre-and post-trial using Trail Marking Test Apparatuses, Unilateral Pedal Tests, and Meter Backward Walk Test respectively. There was a significant (p < 0.001) difference in the participants’ cognition values across weeks 1, 3, and 6 with a progressive improvement over time. There was also a significant (p < 0.05) difference in the participants’ static and dynamic balance values across weeks 1, 3, and 6 with a progressive improvement in balance performance over time. Rebound exercise significantly improved the cognition and balance of females with overweight or obese. This finding suggests a promising intervention to improve balance and cognitive-related problems in this population
Evaluation of Autograft Contamination in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Its Clinical Impact: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textBackground:
Understanding the characteristics of intraoperative graft contamination (IOGC) in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may guide infection control measures. Our aim was to determine the rate and characteristics of IOGC during ACLR and its clinical impact in relation to the development of postoperative infection.
Methods:
A systematic review and meta-analysis using Cochrane methodology were performed. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. Studies reporting on the rate of autograft contamination during ACLR were included. Meta-analysis was conducted using a fixed- or random-effects model as indicated. The study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024570199).
Results:
Literature search identified 175 studies, of which 12 qualified for evaluation. Meta-analysis showed that the estimated rate of graft contamination during ACLR was 12.3% (confidence interval [CI] 7.8%-19%) when examining HT and BPTB grafts together. Similar rates were observed when examining HT and BPTB grafts in isolation (11.9%, CI 7.2-18.9, vs. 14%, CI 7.1%-25.6%). Meta-analysis of 2 studies that directly compared contamination between the graft preparation stage vs. harvesting stage showed a higher risk for the former, OR 3.23 (1.01-10.39, p = 0.049). Cultures were mostly monomicrobial, with Staphylococcus epidermidis being the most commonly isolated organism. There was no clear association between IOGC and postoperative clinically apparent infection, but the evidence assessing this parameter was sparse, and any link to chronic low-grade infection could not established.
Conclusion:
There is a high rate of autograft contamination during ACLR, and elaborate infection prevention measures are required to reduce this.
Level of Evidence:
Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence
Moving With...
No full textThe Moving With… Project is concerned with connection, to Self, to Other, to Environment. It is a dance film, made and directed by Jonny Randall, produced and facilitated by Lucy Nicholson Tracking a series of dance walks between mother and son that use the principle of Ecosomatics; opening a dialogue between the multisensory body and the ecology it is part of; each supporting the other, as Collard-Stokes tells us, ‘Ecosomatic dance involves moving in ways that emphasize the body's connection to the natural world.’ (2024:1) The film has since screened at 5 film festivals, winning the Osprey Best Short Film Award. The film depicts the development into a participatory project across Cumbria and North Lancashire, the working with 8 partner organisations and schools, delivering workshops to nearly 300 people. The originality in this project lies in bringing an ecosomatic perspective into a climate education context with young people. Nurturing a care, connection and empathy with their immediate environment through bodily awareness, movement analysis, improvisation and artwork. Research tells us that a ‘curricular focus on scientific facts of climate change needs expansion, not least because teaching facts alone can increase young people’s feelings of helplessness and hopelessness (Ojala, 2012, 2015) which can lead to climate anxiety and apathy (Galway & Field, 2023; Ojala, 2013 in Greer et all, 2023 : 37). The somatic approach of this project aims to develop, through Kinaesthetic Empathy a care for climate whilst also supporting young people’s wellbeing and maintaining joyful engagement with the subject
Structure and Properties of Starch/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Foams
No full textExpanded polystyrene foam (EPS), nonbiodegradable, is widely available and extensively employed in packaging. Starch foams were an alternative biodegradable material to replace EPS. This research aimed to prepare one‐step hot mold baked starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) foams composed primarily of cassava starch (CS) and corn starch (CO) and minor amounts of PVA (up to 5 wt%). CS/PVA batters demonstrated stronger viscoelastic properties at elevated temperatures than CO/PVA batters due to more pronounced gelatinization. CS and CO batters with 1 wt% PVA showed the highest storage modulus ( G′ max ≈ 4.55 and 2.46 MPa, respectively), but decreased cell foam interior. The increase in PVA decreased G′ max due to PVA acting as a polymeric plasticizer. With 5 wt% PVA, the foam density of CS decreased by 10.53%, but that of CO increased by 23.08%. The swelling in water (6 h) of CS and CO foams with 5 wt% PVA decreased by ≈ 49.60% and 38.61%, respectively. The addition of 5 wt% PVA did not improve the flexural strength and flexural toughness of both foams, but significantly improved the flexural modulus of CS foams by ≈ 52.85%. Within 6 months, CS foams with 3 wt% PVA were completely degraded in soil; however, CO foams with all PVA content remained
Physical education teacher education: disrupting ableism in gymnastics
Get PDFPhysical education teacher education (PETE) has been identified as fertile ground for preparing teachers for teaching disabled pupils. However, there is an absence of visibly disabled bodies in PETE. Our research explores (1) how disabled bodies navigate the ableism that saturates PETE; and (2) how teacher educators can work with (disabled) prospective teachers to disrupt ableism through a critical perspective. This article generated data through four semi-structured interviews with Jack, a disabled prospective teacher with cerebral palsy, to capture his embodied experiences of gymnastics as part of his PETE. The interviews were recorded, transcribed with the analysis resulting in the following themes: (1) Internalised ableist expectations about bodies in gymnastics; (2) Hiding the disabled body from the able-bodied gaze; (3) Experiencing exclusion and learning about disability; and (4) Co-constructing anti-ableist pedagogies in gymnastics. We conclude with a call for research and practice relating to challenging, disrupting, and transforming ableism in PETE
Unveiling management suggestions for the invasive tree Senna spectabilis through literature review, species distribution models and ecological knowledge
No full textSenna spectabilis (D.C.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby (Fabaceae) is a medium to large tree native to the American Tropics, introduced in 25 countries around the world. Its human introduction to biodiversity hotspots, including tropical island ecosystems, has made it an invasive species of global concern. In this study, we aim to provide management suggestions through a systematic review of its ecology, distribution, human uses and the mechanisms driving its invasion, combined with an analysis of field-based observations in India's Western Ghats. We also developed species distribution models (SDMs) at a global scale under four projected climate change scenarios using 22 general circulation models (GCMs) to assess the current and future potential suitable habitats. Inferences from our integrative approach reveal that S. spectabilis exhibits broad habitat compatibility across continents. Biodiversity-rich and low-income countries of tropical and subtropical regions in Africa and Southeast Asia are considered suitable for its likely future spread. At the regional scale, we found a decline in native species richness and grass cover with an increasing abundance of S. spectabilis. Based on our findings, we propose six practical management strategies for effectively controlling S. spectabilis and outline future research directions to manage this highly invasive tree species
Extended Reality Biofeedback for Functional Upper Limb Weakness: Mixed Methods Usability Evaluation
Get PDFBackground
The perception–action cycle enables humans to adapt their behaviors by integrating sensory feedback into motor actions. Functional neurological disorder (FND) disrupts this cycle, leading to maladaptive motor responses and a diminished sense of agency. FND includes functional seizures, movement disorders, and cognitive impairments, significantly affecting quality of life. Recent advancements in extended reality (XR) neurotechnologies provide opportunities for novel rehabilitation approaches, leveraging visual and haptic feedback to retrain motor control and restore agency in individuals with functional limb weakness.
Objective
This study aimed to co-design and evaluate an XR-based biofeedback platform for upper-limb rehabilitation in FND, incorporating multisensory feedback (visual and haptic) to enhance motor retraining.
Methods
A mixed methods design was used. In phase 1, a Delphi survey (N=20, patients with FND) identified key user requirements, emphasizing customizability, real-time feedback, accessibility, and comfort. These insights guided the codevelopment of an XR biofeedback platform. In phase 2, a co-design workshop with 6 participants (3 FND patient representatives and 3 health care professionals) evaluated the usability of 3 XR training tasks: virtual reality (VR) relaxation task, a guided meditation in a VR calming environment; XR position feedback task (“Hoop Hustle”), a VR-based motion task requiring arm movements to interact with virtual objects, providing real-time positional biofeedback; and XR force feedback task, a haptic robot-assisted exercise using the Human Robotix System (HRX-1) haptic device, applying resistive forces to guide upper limb movements. Participants completed system usability scale (SUS) questionnaires and provided qualitative feedback, which was analyzed using NVivo (QSR International) thematic analysis.
Results
The XR position feedback task achieved the highest usability ratings, with 4 out of 6 participants scoring it above 85, indicating “excellent” usability. The VR relaxation task received polarized scores: 2 participants rated it highly (90 and 87.5), while 3 scored it poorly (mid-40s), citing motion discomfort and disengagement. The XR force feedback task had mixed usability outcomes (SUS range: 27.5‐95.0), with 1 participant with functional dystonia struggling significantly (SUS 27.5), while others rated it between 62.5 and 95.0. Qualitative feedback emphasized comfort (lighter headsets and better ergonomic design), immersion and content quality (clearer visuals and reduced distracting audio prompts), personalization (adjustable settings for speed, difficulty, and force resistance), and accessibility (cost concerns and home usability considerations). Overall, participants viewed the XR biofeedback platform as highly promising but in need of fine-tuning.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates the feasibility and usability of an XR neurotechnology platform for FND rehabilitation, with strong acceptance of XR position feedback, mixed reactions to VR relaxation, and individual-specific usability outcomes for the force feedback task. Findings underscore the need for personalization features and hardware refinement. Future work will focus on enhancing usability, improving accessibility, and evaluating effectiveness in larger clinical trials
Different sides of university life: How multiple visits to a campus nurture a rounded view of the setting and strengthen intentions towards HE progression
No full textThe evidence base supporting practices to widen participation in higher education, such as campus visits and multi-intervention programs for younger students, remains limited. In order to address this deficiency, this exploratory study examines the impact of repeated university campus exposure on primary-aged children in the UK. We studied the influence of a campus tour on the views of a group of 78 primary school children who had visited the setting on a previous occasion. Our cohort (32M, 45F, aged 10-11) was drawn from schools with high populations of pupils from low-socioeconomic status backgrounds. Using a pre- and post-visit survey design, we assessed changes in perceptions following a second campus tour, building on a prior visit. We found that while one visit was enough to establish basic perceptions – for example, a university is big not small – a second allowed participants to see a different side of the university experience, adding nuance, expanding university-related vocabulary, and increasing comfort with the campus environment. Notably, repeat visits strengthened intentions to pursue higher education. We conclude that multiple campus visits benefit low-participation groups by fostering familiarity and exposing younger pupils to different motivations for university attendance. While this study provides a useful foundation from which to explore this area, further work is needed to address limitations such as small sample size and UK-specific context