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Storying Sports Injury Experiences of Elite Track Athletes: A Narrative Analysis
No full textAbstract
Objective: Taking a social and cultural perspective, this study extends research in the field of sport injury psychology by storying elite track athletes’ injury experiences to identify dominant socio-cultural narratives that structure their tales.
Methods: Fifteen elite track athletes participated. Data collection spanned 18 months and involved two methods of collection: life-story interviews and timelining. A total of 42 interviews were collected. Dialogical narrative analysis was used to identify the narrative typologies.
Results: Six narrative typologies were identified: Resilience, Merry-Go-Round, Longevity, Pendulum, Snowball, and More-to-Me.
Conclusion: This study extends the sport injury psychology evidence-base by highlighting how socio-cultural practices and processes influenced the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of athletes throughout the full spectrum of injury. By creating and sharing narratives of injury, we can expand the opportunities available to athletes to enable them to make sense of their injury experiences in diverse and meaningful ways
Health, Identification and Pleasure: An Ethnographic Study on the Self-Management and Construction of Taijiquan Park Culture Space
Get PDFThe public space of a park is one of the most important carriers of social interaction and
cultural practice in urban areas. Taking an ethnography of Taijiquan in Chengdu (China) as a case
study, this article explores the production of Taijiquan’s “park culture space” (PCS). Our analysis
revealed that the development of PCS not only transformed “public space” in the park to a “private
space” through Taijiquan practice and exchange but also transformed “material space” in the park
into “social space” with identification. We found that working on the process of self-managing
Taijiquan’s “park culture space” included the democratic operation mechanism of communication
and consultation, the cooperative operation mechanism of mutual benefit, and the incentive operation mechanism of balancing interests. Taijiquan’s “park culture space” was the reproduction of public space that was not only bonded with Taijiquan practice but was also reconstructed and expanded by Taijiquan practitioners. Furthermore, it involved the return of Taijiquan practitioners’
historical memory and collective life experience alongside the construction of Taijiquan practitioners’ group identity and the development of self-organization
Temporal changes in pulmonary gas exchange efficiency when breath-hold diving below residual volume
Get PDFBreath-hold diving involves highly integrative and extreme physiological responses to both exercise and asphyxia during progressive elevations in hydrostatic pressure. Over two diving training camps (Study 1 and 2), 25 breath-hold divers (recreational to world-champion) performed 66 dives to 57{plus minus}20m (range: 18-117m). Using the deepest dive from each diver, temporal changes in cardiopulmonary function were assessed using non-invasive pulmonary gas exchange (indexed via the O2deficit), ultrasound B-line scores, lung compliance, and pulmonary hemodynamics were collected at baseline and following the deepest dive. Hydrostatic-induced lung compression was quantified in Study 2, using spirometry and lung volume measurement, enabling each dive to be categorized by its residual volume (RV)-equivalent depth. From both studies, pulmonary gas exchange inefficiency - defined as an increase in O2 deficit - was related to the depth of the dive (R2=0.345; P<0.001),with dives associated with lung squeeze symptoms exhibiting the greatest deficits. In Study 1, although there was a tendency for B-lines to triple from baseline (p=0.091),cardiac output and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were unchanged post-dive. In Study 2, dives with lung compression to {less than or equal to}RV had higher O2deficits at 9min compared to dives that did not exceed RV (24{plus minus}25mmHg vs.5{plus minus}8mmHg; P=0.021). The physiological significance of a small increase in estimated lung compliance post-dive (via a decrease and increase/unaltered in airway resistance and reactance, respectively) remains equivocal. Following deep dives, the current study highlights an integrated link between hydrostatic-induced lung compression and transient impairments in pulmonary gas exchange efficiency. New Findings: What is the central question of this study? How does deep breath-hold diving impact cardiopulmonary function, both acutely and over the subsequent 2.5 hours post-dive? What is the main finding and its importance? Breath-hold diving to depths below residual volume are associated with acute impairments in pulmonary gas exchange, that typically resolve within 2.5 hours. These data provide new insight into the behavior of the lungs and pulmonary vasculature following deep diving. Dual Publication: Out of the 66 dives included in this manuscript, two dives have been the focus of a case report, which is currently under review (R1) at the Journal of Applied Physiology. The reason for writing up these two dives as a case report, is because they are two of the deepest dives published in the literature, in two of the deepest diving divers in the world. We feel this does not constitute dual publication, since each manuscript are distinctly separate, based on the following main reasons: 1)the purpose of the case report is to purely highlight the uniqueness of each dive in greater detail and include extra measurements/information (e.g. ECG, incidence of nitrogen narcosis), which don't fit into the purpose of this manuscript, which rather focuses on the notion of diving below residual volume and negative impacts to the pulmonary vasculature; 2) Removing these two dives from the current manuscript does not change the statistics or conclusions in the current manuscript in any way, 3) both of these two divers, performed multiple dives during this study, which have all been included in this manuscript, so the diver would be included in the current manuscript regardless. Additionally, for transparency, we have included the following statement in this manuscript (Page 13, line 23): Training status (i.e. phenotypic adaptation) likely plays an influential role - a specific discussion of the deepest divers performing dives beyond 100 m, has been reported elsewhere (Patrician et al., R1 under review)
Contexts of organisational learning in developing countries: The role of training programmes in Egyptian public banks
Get PDFPurpose: Little research into organisational learning in the public sector in developing countries’ is
known. In this paper, we investigated the context of organizational learning in the public banks in Egypt.
Methodology: An ethnographic field research was employed by spending a month inside each of two
public banks in Egypt. The ethnographic experience was operationalised by using direct observations
of learning processes, procedures and practices, semi-structured interviews with learning specialists,
and focus group discussions with bankers. We used thematic analysis to determine the main themes in
the previous data collection methods of ethnographic approach.
Findings: The findings confirmed a lack of clear focus for the organizational learning practices
employed by the banks, which highlights issues of seriousness in undertaking and/or tackling
organizational learning, and increased doubts in relation to the added value of the different forms of
formal trainings bankers participate in. To enhance the culture and maintain effective functioning of
formal organizational learning, we suggest considering the following three categories of barriers:
purpose related barriers, implementation and evaluation barriers.
Originality: Despite the generalisability caveats associated with the organisations studied, we believe
that this paper contributes to the existing theory of organisational learning as it provides insights and
understanding on the purpose, frame, conduct and results of organisational learning in the public sector.
More specifically, our study is unique and is different from previous relevant studies as it relies on
ethnographical approach in exploring how organisational leaning practices are perceived in public
banks in developing countries
Engaging and supporting women with chronic kidney disease with pre‐conception decision‐making (including their experiences during COVID 19): A mixed‐methods study protocol
Get PDFAim
To report a protocol for a qualitative study to better understand the key factors that influence decision making about pregnancy from women's perspectives and to use these data to develop a theoretical model for shared decision‐making tools for the multiple stakeholders.
Design
Mixed‐method design using online surveys (with validated components) and purposively sampled follow‐up semi structured interviews.
Methods
Funded from September 2020 for 12 months. Online surveys of adult women (aged 18–50) identified via all Wales kidney database (n ≥ 500), additional recruitment through multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, relevant third sector organizations and social media. Follow‐up in‐depth qualitative interviews with n = 30 women. Linear regression models to identify associations between shared decision‐making preferences and clinical and psychosocial variables. Qualitative interviews will use a visual timeline task to empower women in taking control over their narratives. Qualitative data will be fully transcribed and analysed thematically, based around a chronological and theoretical (theoretical domains framework) structure that maps out key challenges and opportunities for improved decision support in the care pathway. Visual timelines will be used during stakeholder consultation activities, to enable us to co‐create a map of current support, gaps in provision, and opportunities for interventions. Quantitative data will be analysed descriptively to characterize our cohort. We will assemble a multidisciplinary shared decision‐making intervention development group and provide ongoing stakeholder consultation activities with patient and public representatives.
Discussion
Outcomes will support new learning into; the ways women's knowledge of kidney disease may affect family planning and pregnancy, their needs in terms of psychological and social support, and how they weigh up the pros and cons of starting a family.
Impact
Evidence will inform the design of new shared decision‐making tools to better support women with the complex and often emotional decisions about having children while living with kidney disease
Higher sRAGE levels predict mortality in frail older adults with cardiovascular disease
Get PDFIntroduction: The evidence that blood levels of the soluble receptor for advanced
glycation end products (sRAGE) predict mortality in people with cardiovascular
diseases (CVD) is inconsistent. To clarify this matter, we investigated if frailty status
influences this association.
Methods: We analysed data of 1016 individuals (median age, 75 years) from three
population-based European cohorts, enrolled in the FRAILOMIC project. Participants
were stratified by history of CVD and frailty status. Mortality was recorded during 8
years of follow-up.
Results: In adjusted Cox regression models baseline serum sRAGE was positively
associated with an increased risk of mortality in participants with CVD (HR 1.64,
95%CI 1.09-2.49, P=0.019), but not in non-CVD. Within the CVD group, the risk of
death was markedly enhanced in the frail subgroup (CVD-F, HR 1.97, 95%CI 1.18-
3.29, P=0.009), compared to the non-frail subgroup (CVD-NF, HR 1.50, 95%CI 0.71-
3.15, P=0.287). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the median survival time of CVDF with high sRAGE (>1554 pg/mL) was 2.9 years shorter than that of CVD-F with low
sRAGE, whereas no survival difference was seen for CVD-NF. Area under the ROC
curve analysis demonstrated that for CVD-F, addition of sRAGE to the prediction
model increased its prognostic value.
Conclusions: Frailty status influences the relationship between sRAGE and
mortality in older adults with CVD. sRAGE could be used as a prognostic marker of
mortality for these individuals, particularly if they are also frail
A Two-Phase, Single Cohort Study of COVID-19 Antibody Sera-Surveillance
Get PDFObjective: The infectious corona virus, COVID-19 has
high case mortality in those whom suffer with severe symptoms requiring hospitalisation. A major problem associated
with COVID-19 is the spread of infection by a-symptomatic
carriers, or those with mild symptoms. We aim to determine
the antibody prevalence in a professional Welsh cohort and
begin to explore the longevity of COVID-19 antibodies.
Methods: 739 Cardiff Metropolitan University staff members took part in an observational study to determine the
prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in a two-phase, single
cohort study. All participants were tested for IgM and IgG
antibodies against COVID-19 using a lateral flow detection
assay. Venous blood samples from positive participants and
a randomly selected negative population were collected to
confirm antibody titre, using two gold standard immunoassays, carried out independently by the Specialist Virology
Centre, UHW.
Results: 3.65% of the population tested positive for antibodies against COVID-19, with a higher prevalence seen in
male participants (5% vs. 2.73% of females). In addition to
gender, both pre-existing asthma and age were key determinants in antibody positivity. 78.26% retained antibodies
at the 3 months follow up test. 36.36% of females lost antibody positivity between the 3 - and 6 - month time points
compared with 8.3% of males. Lateral flow antibody testing
was shown to have 96% sensitivity and 95% specificity compared with standard tests.
Conclusion: We conclude that prevalence of COVID-19
antibodies is evident in the asymptomatic population, and
in 78.26% of those initially antibody positive prevails at approximately 6 months from perceived time of exposure.
Males are 4 times more likely to retain antibodies for longer
than females
Alexa, she's not human but… Unveiling the drivers of consumers' trust in voice‐based artificial intelligence
Get PDFWith the development of deep connections between humans and Artificial Intelligence voice‐based assistants (VAs), human and machine relationships have transformed. For relationships to work it is essential for trust to be established. Although the capabilities of VAs offer retailers and consumers enhanced opportunities, building trust with machines is inherently challenging. In this paper, we propose integrating Human–Computer Interaction Theories and Para‐Social Relationship Theory to develop insight into how trust and attitudes toward VAs are established. By adopting a mixed‐method approach, first, we quantitatively examine the proposed model using Covariance‐Based Structural Equation Modeling on 466 respondents; based on the findings of this study, a second qualitative study is employed to reveal four main themes. Findings show that while functional elements drive users' attitude toward using VAs, the social attributes, being social presence and social cognition, are the unique antecedents for developing trust. Additionally, the research illustrates a peculiar dynamic between privacy and trust and it shows how users distinguish two different sources of trustworthiness in their interactions with VAs, identifying the brand producers as the data collector. Taken together, these results reinforce the idea that individuals interact with VAs treating them as social entities and employing human social rules, thus supporting the adoption of a para‐social perspective
Triple X superwomen: their post-compulsory education and employability
No full textThe further and higher educational experiences and consequent employability of women with the under-researched Triple X syndrome are arguably unknown. This research study examines their special educational needs (where relevant), and their negotiation of conventional educative systems, throughout the stages of post-compulsory education and into the world of work. The prevalent individualist societal focus means that education bodies promote their qualification offers for students to gain individual employability currency, in order to secure their own futures. Ten women with Triple X were asked to reflect on their post-compulsory education experiences, considering their varying developmental and cultural barriers to access, and their employability skill set against the background of the likelihood of their transferring this to a position of graduate employment. Findings illustrate the significance of socio-economic background and support network, as well as varying individual cognitive capacity and also health status in participants being able to varying degrees, to secure a sense of stability and contentment: yet no woman secured graduate employment. By way of a further conclusion this research discloses the systemic lack of awareness of the existence of Triple X on the part of educational bodies and employers, a problem which further research is needed to address
Associations with antibiotic prescribing for acute exacerbation of COPD in primary care: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Get PDFBackground C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing can reduce antibiotic use in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in primary care, without compromising patient care. Further safe reductions may be possible.
Aim To investigate the associations between presenting features and antibiotic prescribing in patients with AECOPD in primary care.
Design and setting Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial of participants presenting with AECOPD in primary care (the PACE trial).
Method Clinicians collected participants’ demographic features, comorbid illnesses, clinical signs, and symptoms. Antibiotic prescribing decisions were made after participants were randomised to receive a point-of-care CRP measurement or usual care. Multivariable regression models were fitted to explore the association between patient and clinical features and antibiotic prescribing, and extended to further explore any interactions with CRP measurement category (CRP not measured, CRP <20 mg/l, or CRP ≥20 mg/l).
Results A total of 649 participants from 86 general practices across England and Wales were included. Odds of antibiotic prescribing were higher in the presence of clinician-recorded crackles (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.24 to 8.41), wheeze (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.52), diminished vesicular breathing (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.70 to 5.10), or clinician-reported evidence of consolidation (AOR = 34.40, 95% CI = 2.84 to 417.27). Increased age was associated with lower odds of antibiotic prescribing (AOR per additional year increase = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95 to 1.00), as was the presence of heart failure (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.85).
Conclusion Several demographic features and clinical signs and symptoms are associated with antibiotic prescribing in AECOPD. Diagnostic and prognostic value of these features may help identify further safe reductions