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"Politically devastating passions": romance and reality in the aesthetics of democracy
No full textTo speak of democracy is often to speak less of a fact than of a hope. In his introduction to Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville admitted that ‘… in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices and its passions, in order to learn what we have to fear or to hope from its progress’. De Tocqueville recognised that democracy's success would rely on its constant promotion, the affirmation and revaluation of its terms and conditions, such that it sustains the investedness of its (voluntary) participants. This paper considers the work of Stanley Cavell as inheriting the tone of de Tocqueville's romantic will to democracy, particularly in the discovery of its analogous image in ‘remarriage comedy’. I look first at the ways in which popular pictures of (in this case, American) democracy on film sustain an expression of hope for a better set of relations amongst equal and consenting participants, an expression that is identified as romantic in nature. By contrast, I will also discuss how representations of democracy's reality on screen—pictures that sit outside comfortable generic expectations, and reveal those moments in which interest in democratic participation or values has ebbed or is dormant—have as much to tell us about democracy's character as more idealist expressions of what it might be or become.</p
“Social media makes it inevitable to feel bad about your body”: examining self-presentation and body image of young collegiate females
Get PDFThe current study explored how young females who compete in aesthetic sports adopt self-presentation strategies on social media. Data from semi-structured interviews with 10 collegiate female trampolinists (aged 19–24 years) were analyzed through reflective thematic analysis, and six themes were generated; self-analysis, the best you, emotional consequences, judgment, social media perceptions, and acceptance. Framed around these themes, creative nonfiction techniques were employed to present the results as an ethnodrama. Findings illustrated how participants demonstrated a high need to present their “best self”, as failure to do so results in fear of judgment, extreme self-criticism, and, subsequently, post-prevention. Moreover, participants used upward social comparisons, and when they felt they did not match the ‘thin ideal’, often made negative associations between weight gain and attractiveness. This study contributes to body image literature by demonstrating a more detailed understanding of how social media influences one’s need to alter their self-presentation to fit in with highly pressured societal ideals. In addition, the ethnodrama provides an educational tool to stimulate reflection about the extremity of this issue in today’s modern world
An investigation of mobile health (mHealth) applications available to support knee arthroplasty rehabilitation and recommendations for implementation: A scoping review
No full textKeywords: mHealth; Applications; Arthroplasty Purpose: Length of hospital-stay following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is approximately 1-3 days, with associated costs of revisions around £75,000 per patient. Patient control of recovery, self-management and compliance to home-based rehabilitation is therefore of utmost importance. The use of mHealth applications (apps), to promote independence and self-management, provides potential for a cost-effective, patient-centred strategy to achieve this. The objective of this study was to scope and review the quality of publicly available, patient-focused apps for TKA, with the aim of identifying and recommending one for trial and clinical implementation within a Hampshire hospital. Methods: A scoping review was chosen to systematically map, synthesise and review the latitude of apps available via the Apple Store and Google Play. Apps were identified if they were free of charge to the user, suitable for use within the UK and in English; due to the ubiquitous nature of app usage, apps were selected if they targeted both total knee or hip arthroplasty. Quality analysis of each app was conducted using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS); a simple 4-dimension, objective, and reliable tool for classifying and assessing quality of mhealth apps. Results: Nine apps, from 692 screened, met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed using MARS. The mean overall MARS score (where 1 = inadequate and 5 = excellent) was 3.57 (SD = ±0.87). Four apps had a score above 4, three of which were identified as utilising an app platform already in use by NHS Trusts. Five apps had a score of less than 3. The highest rated app was the Northumbria Orthopaedic NHS Trust App (4.57) which utilised the app platform ‘My Patient Journey’. This app was noted to consider features that ensured the app was engaging and also likely to promote positive rehabilitative behaviours. Conclusion(s): This study provides an overview of mHealth apps available to health-care professionals and patients post-TKA. Further investigation into the use of this platform is required, to personalise and adjust it for specific Trust use. Randomised trials are now required in order to characterise the use and efficacy of this app on health knowledge, behaviours and use. Moreover, to understand their effectiveness in rehabilitation and improve quality of life following TKA, hereby reducing its burden on public health and clinical systems. Impact: The NHS finds itself in the midst of an mHealth revolution and mobile technology offers the opportunity to access clinical apps, evidence-based resources and advanced mobile communication in one device. The mobility of such apps enables patients to use them in their home setting, reducing the need for face-to-face contact and, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, has shown itself to be a technology that presents a future healthcare option. This study provides an overview of the mHealth apps available to a range of health-care professionals across all disciplines and patients post-TKA surgery; summarising their strengths and limitations to make recommendations for future implementation. The introduction of such management will take time, funding, a shift in clinician approach and patient expectation-management, in addition to further research to optimise delivery. Funding acknowledgements: This study is a final year physiotherapy dissertation, courtesy of University of Winchester. No funding was received from internal/external sources
Is vitamin D supplementation of potential benefit for community-living people with Alzheimer’s disease?
Get PDFBackground: Vitamin D is associated not only with effects on calcium and bonemetabolisms but also with many chronic diseases. Low vitamin D levels inpatients with Alzheimer’s disease have been widely reported in the literature.Aim: The purpose of this study was to critically review the potential benefit ofvitamin D supplementation in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease living in thecommunity. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed,CINAHL, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for papers published 2011–2018.Results: Seven papers were selected, consisting of one clinical trial, five cohortstudies and one systematic review. Studies showed an association only betweenvitamin D deficiency and lower attention in older people. None of the reviewedstudies provided evidence of a positive impact of vitamin D supplementationon cognitive function in older people with Alzheimer’s disease. Conclusion:There was no evidence that vitamin D supplementation has a direct benefit forAlzheimer’s disease. The review synthesised the existing body of knowledge andconcluded that optimum levels of vitamin D (neither too low nor too high) doappear to have positive effects on patient outcomes and quality of life. It is stillunclear why vitamin D intake is inadequate as people age. Further research isneeded to clarify vitamin-D-related aspects of Alzheimer’s disease
Children and Young People’s Perspectives from UK Lockdown: Leisure-Less Experiences
No full textIf researchers are to understand the impacts of lockdown on children and young people, then the experiences of lockdown need to be explored from the perspective of the child. Young people participate in leisure for a multitude of reasons, yet, within the UK, children were largely unable to access their regular leisure activities for a six-month period during the first national lockdown. Within the context of this paper, leisure includes outdoor sports and physical activities within blue spaces. Following interviews with parents and young people (aged 11–16) focused on experiences of leisure during the Covid-19 pandemic, this qualitative study identified that children felt an intense sense of missing out on opportunities and found day-to-day life without leisure monotonous. However, there were some positive impacts of reduced leisure, such as a greater appreciation for what was once a regular activity. This research empowered the voice of children, so their distinct experiences were made visible to those who aim to support their wellbeing. Findings suggest that the promotion of leisure activities in the current climate could mitigate poor wellbeing among children associated with the Covid-19 pandemic
