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Create Cambridge: A New Cultural Compact for Cambridge
No full textThis paper explores how Create Cambridge is transforming the role of culture, cultural leadership and partnership in the city, ensuring that Cambridge can become a globally recognised champion of creativity and innovation, where the arts, culture and its producers can flourish, and actively help design the future of the city and drive inclusive growth.</p
At Home with the Poor: Consumer Behaviour and Material Culture in England, c. 1650-1850
No full textThis fascinating book opens the doors to the homes of the forgotten poor and traces the goods that they owned before, during and after the industrial revolution (c.1650-1850). Using a vast and diverse range of sources, it gets to the very heart of what it meant to be ‘poor’ by examining the homes of the impoverished and mapping how numerous household goods became more widespread. It is argued that poverty did not necessarily equate to owning very little and living in squalor. Rather, most had an emotional attachment to their homes and strove to improve their domestic spheres by making them more comfortable, convenient and respectable through new consumer goods.
These important findings illustrate that the poor were not left behind as the middling sort and elite became obsessed with new goods and the home. In fact, demand for goods from the poor was so great that it was a driving force of the industrial revolution. For too long historians have downplayed the role of poor consumers, assuming that they had neither the desire nor the means to buy anything that was beyond necessity. In fact, with each generation, more and more people from poor labouring backgrounds owned greater numbers and varieties of possessions which their grandparents would have thought impossible or highly unlikely to own
A Worldwide Test of the Predictive Validity of Ideal Partner Preference-Matching
No full textIdeal partner preferences (i.e., ratings of the desirability of attributes like attractiveness or intelligence) are the source of numerous foundational findings in the interdisciplinary literature on human mating. Recently, research on the predictive validity of ideal partner preference-matching (i.e., do people positively evaluate partners who match versus mismatch their ideals?) has become mired in several problems. First, articles exhibit discrepant analytic and reporting practices. Second, different findings emerge across laboratories worldwide, perhaps because they sample different relationship contexts and/or populations. This registered report—partnered with the Psychological Science Accelerator—uses a highly powered design (N=10,358) across 43 countries and 22 languages to estimate preference-matching effect sizes. The most rigorous tests revealed significant preference-matching effects in the whole sample and for partnered and single participants separately. The “corrected pattern metric” that collapses across 35 traits revealed a zero-order effect of β=.19 and an effect of β=.11 when included alongside a normative preference-matching metric. Specific traits in the “level metric” (interaction) tests revealed very small (average β=.04) effects. Effect sizes were similar for partnered participants who reported ideals before entering a relationship, and there was no consistent evidence that individual differences moderated any effects. Comparisons between stated and revealed preferences shed light on gender differences and similarities: For attractiveness, men’s and (especially) women’s stated preferences underestimated revealed preferences (i.e., they thought attractiveness was less important than it actually was). For earning potential, men’s stated preferences underestimated—and women’s stated preferences overestimated—revealed preferences. Implications for the literature on human mating are discussed.</p
Association between sociodemographic factors and vaccine acceptance for influenza and SARS–CoV–2: A nationwide representative study in South Korea
No full textBackground:
To enhance targeted public health strategies and improve age–specific policies based on identified risk factors, this study investigated the associations between sociodemographic factors and vaccination behaviors during the COVID–19 pandemic, with emphasis on age–specific vaccine cost policies.
Methods:
This study analyzed data from the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) 2019–2022 with 507,964 participants, to investigate the impact of age–specific policies on vaccination behaviors during the pandemic period. Cohorts aged 19–64 and 65 or older were stratified based on age (years), sociodemographic factors, and health indicators. The cohorts were investigated to assess the influence of relevant risk factors on vaccine acceptance under the pandemic by employing weighted odds ratio and ratio of odd ratios (ROR).
Results:
Among total 507,964 participants, the acceptance of SARS–CoV–2
vaccine was higher among individuals with factors possibly indicating higher socioeconomic status, such as higher education level (age 19–64: ROR, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.27–1.40]; age ≥65: 1.19 [1.01–1.41]) and higher income (age 19–64: 1.67 [1.58–1.76]; age ≥65, 1.21 [1.06–1.38]) for both age cohorts, compared to influenza vaccine acceptance before the pandemic. In the context of influenza vaccination during the pandemic, the older cohort exhibited vaccine hesitancy associated with healthcare mobility factors such as lower general health status (ROR, 0.89 [0.81–0.97]).
Conclusions:
SARS–CoV–2 vaccination strategies should focus on reducing hesitancy among individuals with lower social participation is needed. For influenza vaccine acceptance during the pandemic, strategies for the younger cohort should be targeted on individuals with lower social participation, while the older cohort should be emphasized on individuals with lower healthcare mobility.</p
National trends in thyroid disease and COVID-19 pandemic-related factors, 1998-2021: A nationwide representative study in South Korea
No full textObjective
Although thyroid disease is a common condition, there is limited research examining the prevalence of thyroid disease over a long period of time, including both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to investigate sociodemographic aspects that might be associated with thyroid disease and how its prevalence has varied during the pandemic.
Methods
We assessed the prevalence of thyroid disease among Korean adults by using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning from 1998 to 2021. We evaluated weighted prevalence and β-coefficients with 95% CI for factors such as age, sex, residential area, education level, household income, perceived stress level, weight change, occupation category and body mass index groups.
Results
From 1998 to 2021, the prevalence of thyroid disease among 159,896 Korean adults (88,120 females [55.1%]) aged 20 years and older exhibited an overall increasing trend. The weighted prevalence in the general population rose from 1.52% (95% CI, 1.41–1.64) in 1998–2005 to 3.84% (3.30–4.39) in 2021, with a higher likelihood of thyroid disease exposure as age increased. In addition, females, individuals with lower education levels, those with high levels of perceived stress, those who gained weight, and those classified as overweight or obese emerged as vulnerable groups for thyroid disease. For the majority of subgroups, the change amid the effect of the pandemic on prevalence was minimal. However, the aged ≥60 years group showed a greater increase in prevalence during the pandemic than before the pandemic (βdiff: 0.52 [95% CI, 0.37–0.68]).
Conclusions
A nationwide representative study in South Korea revealed an increasing trend in the prevalence of thyroid disease over 24 years, particularly among the older population. Despite the minimal variation during the pandemic, our findings emphasize the need for targeted thyroid disease policies and further research, especially for specific subgroups such as the older population.</p
Accounting for informalisation in Africa’s extractive industry: Evidence from Ghana’s small-scale gold mining sector during the colonial period.
No full textIn this paper, we draw on the accountability and institutional theories to explicate the informalised state of Ghana’s small-scale gold mining sector as an exemplar of informalisation of the extractive industry in Africa during the colonial period. We present a critical and historical perspective on the role of colonial subjugation that took the form of discriminatory policies and lack of accountability, in laying the foundations for the current challenges of continuous informalisation of the indigenous gold mining sector and its implications on livelihoods, the economy and the environment in Ghana. We analysed archival data on the mining industry in Ghana, consisting of official correspondences between colonial bureaucrats in Britain and Ghana, as well as colonial policies on mining, interpreted through the lenses of institutional theory. Specifically, we used records comprising letters, mineral policies, mineral output, and labour relations in the Gold Coast during the colonial period as well as minutes of meetings held by those governing mining enterprises that operated in Ghana before 1957. We also drew on periodic reports of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and their member enterprises, Government of Ghana white papers, parliamentary records among others. We found that the colonial authority, as the new institutional power with vested interest in the extractive industry, adopted discriminatory policies that banned small-scale gold mining by indigenous population in Ghana, marginalising the sector’s operation to the advantage of foreign large-scale gold miners. We demonstrate that the control of mineral resources by the colonial authority under new ownership structures disenfranchised the indigenous population and their right to the mineral resources of the Gold Coast. We argue that this institutionalised discriminatory policy, and the resulting lack of accountability is largely responsible for the ongoing informalisation of Ghana’s small-scale gold mining sector.</p
Study protocol of a randomized control trial on the effectiveness of improvisational music therapy for autistic children
No full textBackground: Music therapy is the clinical use of musical interventions to improve mental and physical health across multiple domains, including social communication. Autistic children, who have difficulties in social communication and often increased anxiety, tend to show a strong preference for music, because it can be structured and systematic, and therefore more predictable than social interaction. This makes music therapy a promising medium for therapeutic support and intervention. Previous clinical trials of music therapy compared to traditional therapy for autistic children have shown encouraging but nevertheless mixed results. Key aims: The primary aim is to conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of improvisational music therapy for autistic children and test its effectiveness in at improving social communication and wellbeing, and to reduce anxiety. Research plan The RCT will be conducted with 200 autistic children in the UK aged 7 to 11 years old. Participants will be randomly assigned to either improvisational music therapy or support as usual. The trial will be an assessor-blind, pragmatic two-arm cluster RCT comparing the impact of 12-weeks of improvisational music therapy in addition to support as usual, vs. support as usual for autistic children. Methods Researchers who are blind to which arm the children are in will conduct assessments and obtain data via caregiver reports. The primary outcome will be the absolute change in the total score of the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change (BOSCC) assessed at baseline, T1 (13 weeks) and T2 (39 weeks) follow-ups. The BOSCC consists of specific items that were developed to identify changes in social-communication behaviours. Secondary outcome measures include: (1) Parent reported anxiety scale for youth with ASD (Note that we do not use the term ‘ASD’ or Autism Spectrum Disorder, because many autistic people feel it is stigmatising. Instead, we use the term ‘autism’) (PRAS-ASD) (2) Young Child Outcome Rating Scale, for wellbeing (YCORS), (3) Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); and (4) Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale (VABS). (5) The Children’s Communication Checklist-2 (CCC-2) will be completed to evaluate pragmatic speech with fluent speakers only; (6) The Music Engagement Scale (MES); and (7) Assessment of the Quality of Relationship (AQR) will be used to evaluate the child-therapist relationships using video-analysis of music therapy sessions. Additional data will be collected by administering the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI-II), Music at Home Questionnaire (M@H), and children’s versions of the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ). Audio and video data from the therapy sessions will be collected and analysed (using both human and computer-based feature-coding, e.g., machine learning and AI-driven methods) to identify how music and non-musical interactions foster change throughout the therapy. Discussion: This study aims to observe if the interactions, engagement, and therapeutic modalities fostered during music therapy sessions can translate to non-musical contexts and improve autistic children’s social communication skills, identifying possible mediating factors contributing to the effectiveness of music therapy, potentially informing policy making and governance. Trial registration This randomised control trial is registered with the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine: https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=NCT06016621, clinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0601662, Registration Date 19th August 2023.</p
Comorbid health outcomes in patients with schizophrenia: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
No full textThere is no comprehensive umbrella review exploring the connection between schizophrenia and various health outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review existing meta-analyses about schizophrenia-associated comorbid health outcomes and validate the evidence levels. We performed an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies to explore comorbid health outcomes in individuals with schizophrenia. Searches were conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, ClinicalKey, and Google Scholar up to September 5, 2023, targeting meta-analyses of observational studies related to comorbid health outcomes in individuals with schizophrenia. We applied AMSTAR2 for data extraction and quality assessment, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Evidence credibility was evaluated and categorized by evidence quality. Our protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024498833). Risk and protective factors were analyzed and presented through equivalent odds ratios (eRR). In this umbrella review, we analyzed 9 meta-analyses, including 88 original articles, covering 21 comorbid health outcomes with over 66 million participants across 19 countries. Patients with schizophrenia showed significant associations with multiple health outcomes, including asthma (eRR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.05–2.78], class and quality of evidence [CE] = non-significant), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.73 [1.25–2.37], CE = weak), pneumonia (2.63 [1.11–6.23], CE = weak), breast cancer of female patients (1.31 [1.04–1.65], CE = weak), cardiovascular disease (1.53 [1.12–2.11], CE = weak), stroke (1.71 [1.30–2.25], CE = weak), congestive heart failure (1.81 [1.21–2.69], CE = weak), sexual dysfunction (2.30 [1.75–3.04], CE = weak), fracture (1.63 [1.10–2.40], CE = weak), dementia (2.29 [1.19–4.39], CE = weak), and psoriasis (1.83 [1.18–2.83] CE = weak). Our study underscores the imperative for an integrated treatment approach to schizophrenia, highlighting its broad impact across respiratory, cardiovascular, sexual, neurological, and dermatological health domains. Given the predominantly non-significant to weak evidence levels, further studies are needed to reinforce our understanding. </p
National trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus stratified by central adiposity using waist-to-height ratio in South Korea, 2005–2022
No full textStudies investigating the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and central adiposity are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus stratified by central adiposity using waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus were examined by central adiposity, using WHtR, with data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2022). Individuals aged 30 years and over who participated in the survey were selected. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was identified based on serum glucose or HbA1c levels, the use of diabetes medications, or a prior diagnosis by a physician. Weighted β-coefficients or odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess changes in disease prevalence. A total of 79,368 participants were included in the database (female: 45,163 [56.9%]). from 2005 to 2022, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus increased from 3.3 to 5.8% in the healthy central adiposity group, from 11.2 to 17.1% in the increased central adiposity group, and from 18.0 to 26.7% in the high central adiposity group. Males, older population, lower education level, lower household income, and smoking are associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. In the high central adiposity group, overweight and obese individuals had higher susceptibility than underweight or normal-weight individuals, with ORs of 5.85 (95% CI, 2.54–13.47) and 8.24 (3.79–17.94), respectively. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus has increased in all central adiposity groups in the past decade. This underscores the need for tailored interventions to address disparities and improve diabetes management in at-risk populations </p
IUCN Species Survival Commission Amphibian Specialist Group launches Eastern Asian Salamander Task Force
No full text
The IUCN Species Survival Commission Amphibian Specialist Group provides the scientific foundation for action to conserve amphibians. This is achieved through several approaches, including Task Forces, which are responsible for a specific taxonomic, regional or thematic focus.
Globally, 60% of the Caudata are threatened, in particular by invasive species, chytridiomycosis, habitat loss and degradation, exploitation and climate change. In eastern Asia, > 65% are threatened, with one species already extinct. In view of this, together with the likelihood of threats increasing and the need for taxonomic evaluations, the Amphibian Specialist Group established the Eastern Asian Salamander Task Force in May 2024.
The geographical scope of the Task Force ranges from easternmost Russia to westernmost Iran, and south to Thailand, an area that encompasses 187 species: all Hynobiidae (99 species), and subsets of Salamandridae (82), Cryptobranchidae (5) and Plethodontidae (1). Salamandrinae from western Asia are not included as they are more closely related to European species, for which there are different conservation concerns. See iucn-amphibians.org for full details of geographical and taxonomic scope.
The goal of the Task Force is to identify the actions required to address the threats to Caudata in the region, through scientific research and the implementation of science-based conservation plans at the regional or species level. In addition, the Task Force will establish partnerships with local communities, stakeholders and governments to raise awareness and garner support for salamander conservation, and facilitate coordinated and collaborative actions across the region. Some of the first actions to be taken are to collect data to inform threat assessments, highlight lineages in urgent need of taxonomic research, and lead action planning for Critically Endangered and Endangered species.
We anticipate that members of the Task Force will include scholars, conservationists and other professionals. If you are interested in joining the Task Force please contact the corresponding author (AB) for more information.
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