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Podcasting, VR, AI and the Evolution of Intimacy
No full textUsing radio and podcast studies as its main scholarship areas, this paper will examine the potential for Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to change podcasting both in how it is crafted and in how audiences consume podcasts. Focusing on the idea of intimacy this paper interrogates how this defining characteristic of “sound-based digital media” (Hilmes, 2013:44) may persist and evolve, particularly through conceptualizations of space and place, imagined and actual. In a landscape where podcasting is increasingly perceived by (mostly younger) audiences and creators to be a visual medium (Berry, 2023), I want to explore how intimacy may continue to be a defining characteristic of podcasting. In particular, and going well beyond just the aural or indeed beyond the combination of the visual and the aural, I want to understand what intimacy can mean when podcasting moves into the virtual reality immersive space. This paper’s case study is the video version of episode 398 of the Lex Fridman Podcast, which is an interview with Facebook and Meta’s co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, titled 'First Interview in the Metaverse'. In the podcast, the two meet in the metaverse to discuss the new possibilities that this technology, in combination with AI, may open in the ways that humans communicate with each other through the internet. Looking at themes such as disembodiment, imagination and materiality, this paper examines what VR and AI technologies can mean for podcasting and the way audiences and podcasters may communicate and create meaning through them
A scoping review of cultural competence training gaps among healthcare professionals in low-and middle-income countries
Full text linkBackground: Cultural competence is an essential skill required of healthcare professionals to provide quality and inclusive healthcare, enhancing patients’ satisfaction and improving health outcomes. However, its integration in healthcare delivery remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, this current scoping review aimed to investigate the gap in cultural competence training among healthcare professionals in LMICs. Methods: The study was guided by the methodological framework recommended by Arksey and O’Malley. A comprehensive search was conducted across six databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycInfo, JSTOR, and AJOL) and non-database website (Google Scholar) to identify studies that assessed cultural competence skills or implemented cultural competence training to healthcare professionals in LMICs since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations in 2015 to 2nd April 2025. The search process resulted in the inclusion of thirty-eight (38) for this review. Results: Out of 2,702 studies retrieved during the literature search, 83 studies were selected for full-text review after screening, of which 38 studies were included in the final review for meeting the inclusion criteria. The included studies were conducted between 2015 and 2025 across 14 LMICs. Out of the 38 eligible studies, 27 employed quantitative method, three were conducted using qualitative method, four used a mixed-methods study approach, three employed quasi-experimental design, and one used a cluster randomised controlled trial. Cultural competence interventions were reported in only five of the 38 studies, although they were recommended across the studies reviewed. Conclusion: This scoping review highlights a critical gap between the recognition of cultural competence as a key component of quality healthcare and its integration in healthcare delivery in LMICs. Thus, there is a need to develop and implement more effective, inclusive, and contextually appropriate cultural competence training programmes for healthcare professionals in LMICs. This could significantly contribute to enhancing the cultural competence skills of these professionals, improving healthcare delivery, and enhancing patient satisfaction and health outcomes
Perceptions and experiences of chair-based yoga by older adults with multimorbidity - A qualitative process evaluation of the Gentle Years Yoga randomised controlled trial
Full text linkBackground
Yoga is increasingly practised by older adults, with growing evidence for its safety and effectiveness across a range of health conditions common to the age group. This process evaluation, embedded within a randomised controlled trial of chair-based yoga for older adults with multimorbidity, qualitatively explored participants’ perceptions and experiences of the chair-based yoga programme.
Methods
One-to-one interviews and class observations were conducted with a subset of trial participants randomised to receive the 12-week chair-based yoga programme. Interview participants were selectively recruited to represent the demographic breadth of the main trial cohort; one yoga class was observed at each delivery site. Interviews were audio recorded, independently transcribed, and analysed according to longitudinal and thematic analysis.
Results
Twenty-five yoga participants were interviewed once (N = 10) or twice (N = 15), providing a 40-interview data set. Participants were aged 66–91 years (mean age 74 years), 56% female (N = 14), predominantly White British (N = 22, 88%), with 2–8 long term health conditions (mean 4.5 conditions). Four interlinked and overarching themes predominated: perceptions of healthy ageing, delineating yoga and exercise, yoga as an adaptable multifaceted health tool, and patterns of ongoing yoga practice. Participants equated acute symptom presentation, not multimorbidity, with illness, and mostly viewed their health as good. They distinguished yoga from exercise based on its integration of the breath with physical movements, which provided a mental focus unfound in other physical activities. Impact of the yoga programme ranged from minimal to transformative, dependent on meaningful biopsychosocial improvements. Accordingly, continuation of yoga beyond the trial ranged from none to full integration as a multifaceted health management tool.
Conclusions
Participant experiences of the yoga programme interlinked views on health, ageing, exercise, and sustainable health management. Yoga presented as a safe, acceptable, and adaptable option for non-pharmacological health management in older adults. Impact on biopsychosocial health was variable, and directly linked to participants’ longer term yoga engagement. Education of health professionals and activity providers regarding ageist stereotypes of health and ageing, together with the evidence base for the safety and effectiveness of yoga, could support and broaden yoga’s reach and engagement among both older adult and multimorbid cohorts
Examining the use of LEGO Serious Play to enhance postgraduate research capacity
Full text linkThe use of LEGO Serious Play as a tool to enhance postgraduate research capacity is an emerging concept that has gained attention in recent years. This hands-on, interactive approach to learning and problem-solving has been utilised in a variety of fields and industries, but its potential in the realm of postgraduate research is still being explored. One of the main challenges faced by postgraduate students is the ability to think critically and creatively in their research projects. These challenges may be connected to the traditional teaching methods in postgraduate research, such as lectures and seminars, which often focus on theoretical concepts and do not provide students with practical tools to apply these concepts in their research. This can result in students feeling disconnected from their work and lacking the skills and confidence to think outside the box. This study examined the use of LEGO Serious Play to enhance postgraduate research capacity. A quantitative research approach was adopted for data collection and analysis. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select a cross-section of postgraduate students who participated in this study for data collection. Partial least squares structural equation modelling using SmartPLS 4.0 was employed to test the mediating influences of pedagogical technique and postgraduate students’ research capacity on the relationship between LEGO Serious Play and research outcome. The finding revealed that LEGO Serious Play exerts a significant positive influence on pedagogical technique. The implication for practice which emerged from the outcome of the statistical analysis is presented in this study
From Whistleblowing to Action: Students’ narratives on Combating White-Collar Crime in South Africa
Full text linkThis study explores the perspectives of university students in South Africa on combating white-collar crime, extending beyond traditional whistleblowing approaches. Utilizing the Gioia methodology, this qualitative inquiry adopts an inductive approach to gather in-depth insights from participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 students from a university in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This approach facilitated a detailed exploration of personal experiences and perceptions related to white-collar crime. The study revealed that students in South Africa support proactive measures to address white-collar crime, such as implementing ethics bowls, enforcing strict regulations with qualification revocation, and integrating corporate governance and business ethics modules into all degree programs. Participants highlighted the significance of establishing feedback mechanisms between academia and industry, conducting lifestyle audits, and utilizing negative reinforcement to expose students to the repercussions of unethical conduct. Moreover, students proposed the use of "mystery employees" as a tactic to uncover and probe white-collar crime within organizations. This research adds to the discussion on white-collar crime by emphasizing the perspectives of students, a group often neglected in conversations about this type of crime and its prevention. Using the Gioia methodology and analyzing qualitative data from a specific region, the study provides new insights into the efficacy of anti-white-collar crime measures and proposes potential policy and educational interventions customized for the South African context
Academics’ attachment with their Institution: A collaborative autoethnographic reflection in the “newer normal” context of emergent workplace norms in higher education.
No full textComparative analysis of machine learning models for coronary artery disease prediction with optimized feature selection
Full text linkBackground
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global cause of death, necessitating early, accurate prediction for better management. Traditional diagnostics are often invasive, costly, and less accessible. Machine learning (ML) offers a non-invasive alternative, but high-dimensional data and redundancy can hinder performance. This study integrates Bald Eagle Search Optimization (BESO) for feature selection to improve CAD classification using multiple ML models.
Methods
Two publicly available datasets, Framingham (4200 instances, 15 features) and Z-Alizadeh Sani (304 instances, 55 features), were used. The former predicts 10-year CAD risk, while the latter classifies current CAD status. Data preprocessing included missing value imputation, normalization, categorical encoding, and class balancing using SMOTE. We employed a 70–30 holdout validation strategy with empirical hyperparameter optimization, providing more reliable final model development than cross-validation. BESO was applied to optimize feature selection, significantly outperforming traditional methods like RFE and LASSO. Six ML models—KNN, logistic regression, SVM with linear, polynomial, and RBF kernels, and random forest—were trained and evaluated.
Results
Random Forest achieved the highest performance across both datasets. In the Framingham dataset, RF recorded 90 % accuracy, significantly outperforming traditional clinical risk scores (71–73 % accuracy). Linear models performed better on the Z-Alizadeh Sani dataset (90 % accuracy) than Framingham (66 %), indicating dataset characteristics strongly influence model efficacy.
Conclusion
BESO significantly enhances feature selection, with RF emerging as the optimal classifier (92 % accuracy) and substantially outperforming established clinical risk scores. This study highlights the potential of AI-driven CAD diagnosis, supporting early detection and improved patient outcomes. Future work should focus on prospective validation and clinical implementation
Spatial pattern and decomposition analysis of the place of residence and sexual violence among women with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa
Full text linkBackground: Sexual violence against women is highly pervasive worldwide and remains a major public health concern. Despite the global efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women, recent estimates revealed that approximately 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and women with disabilities have the greatest risk of sexual violence, particularly in Africa. Thus, this study investigates the spatial pattern and decomposition analysis of the place of residence and sexual violence among women with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We used the most recent secondary data from demographic health surveys, including a disability module, conducted between 2013 and 2022 in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. The study sample comprised 16,517 women with disabilities. Spatial analysis was applied to identify patterns of sexual violence, and a multivariable Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition regression analysis was used to explore the disparities between place of residence and sexual violence. The analysis took into consideration the complex survey design, with results reported in terms of percentages and adjusted coefficients. Results: The spatial pattern of sexual violence among women with disabilities varies significantly across the sub-Saharan African countries included in the study, with prevalence rates ranging from 10 to 80%. The Democratic Republic of Congo reported the highest prevalence at 23%, while Mauritania reported 2%. No cases of sexual violence were reported in Nigeria and Chad. The analysis shows that the majority of the disparity in sexual violence (72.81%) is due to differences in characteristics, with 27.19% attributed to differences in coefficients. Overall, 79.77% of women with disabilities residing in rural areas reported experiencing sexual violence. Finally, the multivariable logistics regression shows that women with disabilities who were exposed to mass media exposure were associated with lower odds of experiencing sexual violence in urban areas [aOR = 0.69*; 95%(CI 0.49–0.97), p < 0.05] but with higher odds in rural areas [aOR = 1.26**; 95%(CI 1.08–1.47), p < 0.01]. Conclusions and recommendations: The study reveals that women with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa are vulnerable to sexual violence in both rural and urban areas, with a particularly high prevalence in rural regions. These findings are crucial for guiding the design and implementation of targeted interventions to combat sexual violence in the region