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Multimodal brain-body analysis of prefrontal cortex activity and postural sway with sensory manipulation
No full textThe involvement of different brain areas in postural balance control under various sensory inputs remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of different sensory manipulations on prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity and postural sway as well as the associations between PFC activity and postural sway in different sensory conditions. To this end, younger participants underwent eight standing tests with single (visual, vestibular, and somatosensory) and double sensory manipulations. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was employed to capture their cortical activation in the dorsolateral (DL), ventrolateral (VL), and dorsomedial (DM) PFC. An inertial measurement unit was also used to assess their postural sway. Results showed greater DMPFC and DLPFC activation with vestibular, somatosensory, and double sensory manipulations, and increased DMPFC activation with visual manipulation. These results indicate that the DMPFC and DLPFC are more involved in sensory integration during standing. Postural sway measures increased in response to double and some single sensory manipulations, implying greater regulatory activity and reduced postural stability and sway smoothness. Some meaningful correlations were also found between PFC activity and postural sway measures. Increased DMPFC activation during somatosensory and vestibular manipulation was correlated with better postural stability, highlighting its role in these sensory conditions. A negative correlation was found between DMPFC activity and postural sway in the anteroposterior direction, but not the mediolateral, indicating that DMPFC activity modulation depends on sway direction. The findings of this study lead to a better understanding of the functional architecture of the PFC and are useful for designing better clinical assessments, rehabilitation programs, and assistive devices.</p
Race-Performance Parameters Differentiating World-Best From National-Level Swimmers: A Race Video Analysis and Machine-Learning Approach
No full textBackground: Elite swimming performance is determined by a complex interplay of anthropometric, physiological, biomechanical, and technical factors. Previous research highlights how the 100-m freestyle demands explosive power, technical proficiency, and tactical acumen, yet factors that distinguish world-class swimmers from their closely performing (inter)national-level counterparts remain elusive. Purpose: To identify race-performance factors differentiating world-class swimmers in the 100-m freestyle. Methods: World-best to national-level (N = 204) male swimmers competing at long-course events between 2019 and 2024 were analyzed using high-definition video and race-analysis software. Key performance metrics including stroke rate and length, turn efficiency, underwater phase duration, and velocity at 5-m intervals were extracted. Using a machine-learning random forest algorithm, the most salient factors distinguishing between world-class (0%–2.5% off world record), international-level (2.5%–5% off), and national-level (5%–10% off) performance categories were identified. Results: Analyses revealed a model classification accuracy of 89.5% with swim velocities at 65- to 70- and 70- to 75-m race segments most strongly associated with performance-level differentiation. These 2 race segments scored twice as high as all the other top 10 features. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) analysis confirmed the importance of midrace velocities, while partial dependence plots identified the necessary velocity range values likely associated with national- to world-class performance levels. Conclusions: The combination of race analysis and machine learning creates the opportunity for targeted intervention for coaches and sport scientists working with high-performing 100-m male swimmers
Elite Economists and the Neoliberal Ascendancy in Australia: The Case of Dr John Hewson
No full textWorsening inequality worldwide has stimulated a renewal of scholarly work on the dynamics of elite recruitment, notably Aaron Reeves and Sam Friedman’s large-scale UK study (2024), which found only modest change in the make-up of Britain’s elite between the 1890s and today. Cumulative advantage is shown to accrue to those who pass through more than one of Britain’s “precise channels of elite recruitment”. Reeves and Friedman’s underlying motivation is to identify how these channels “might be remade so the elites we get are the ones we need”—implicitly, elites interested in reversing current trends in inequality. Australia presents an opportunity to consider their findings in a situation where, compared with Britain, elite recruitment is more nebulous. Drawing on the life and transnational career of Australian economist John Hewson, this article responds to Reeves and Friedman’s invocation to evaluate “how elites think, and what elites do, rather than simply who they are”. The dynamics of Hewson’s elite recruitment and its relationship to his role in constructing consent for neoliberalism in Australia in the late 20th century—in the academy, the media and politics—is contextualised in the national and global history of neoliberalism
Social media:Connecting and sharing in a bushfire crisis
Get PDFSocial media has become an integral channel for official agencies to communicate with citizens in a natural disaster crisis and increasingly time, effort and money are being spent on improving social media strategies and practices. However, there is much less research focused on understanding how people engage with official social media content, a significant piece of the crisis communication puzzle. As the use of social media for crisis communication in natural disasters is increasing and the amount of information threatens to overwhelm people, understanding how people engage with official social media content is vital. Using quantitative content analysis, this study examined the use of Facebook by two Australian emergency response agencies during a specific bushfire event and explored how the attributes of social media content are related to user engagement with the information. The findings show that the two agencies had markedly different approaches which resulted in differences in user engagement.</p
News Closures, Trust, and Community Attachment among Regional News Audiences:A Case Study of Australia
Get PDFLocal media play a critical role in providing information and opportunities for citizens to participate and feel attached to their local community. In recent years, there has been a decline in local news outlets and the provision of local news, which can impact residents’ sense of community. Findings from an online survey of 2,038 Australian regional news audiences conducted in 2019 reveal that local news consumption and engagement with local organisations are positively related to feelings of community attachment. On the other hand, closures of local news outlets have had a negative impact on news audiences’ attachment to their community. Trust was found to play an important mediating role between news consumption, engagement with community organisations, and community attachment. These findings highlight the importance of the provision of local news and information, and audiences’ trust in them, in engendering community attachment. The study provides valuable theoretical and practical implications regarding the impact of news outlet closures on community wellbeing in the absence of credible alternatives
A systematic review of reasons and risks for acute service use by older adult residents of long-term care
No full textAims and Objectives: To identify the reasons and/or risk factors for hospital admission and/or emergency department attendance for older (≥60 years) residents of long-term care facilities. Background: Older adults' use of acute services is associated with significant financial and social costs. A global understanding of the reasons for the use of acute services may allow for early identification and intervention, avoid clinical deterioration, reduce the demand for health services and improve quality of life. Design: Systematic review registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022326964) and reported following PRISMA guidelines. Methods: The search strategy was developed in consultation with an academic librarian. The strategy used MeSH terms and relevant keywords. Articles published since 2017 in English were eligible for inclusion. CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection were searched (11/08/22). Title, abstract, and full texts were screened against the inclusion/exclusion criteria; data extraction was performed two blinded reviewers. Quality of evidence was assessed using the NewCastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: Thirty-nine articles were eligible and included in this review; included research was assessed as high-quality with a low risk of bias. Hospital admission was reported as most likely to occur during the first year of residence in long-term care. Respiratory and cardiovascular diagnoses were frequently associated with acute services use. Frailty, hypotensive medications, falls and inadequate nutrition were associated with unplanned service use. Conclusions: Modifiable risks have been identified that may act as a trigger for assessment and be amenable to early intervention. Coordinated intervention may have significant individual, social and economic benefits. Relevance to clinical practice: This review has identified several modifiable reasons for acute service use by older adults. Early and coordinated intervention may reduce the risk of hospital admission and/or emergency department. Reporting method: This systematic review was conducted and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution.</p
Activity theory as framework for analysis of workplace learning technologies:the case of generative AI conversational agents
No full textPurpose: Technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), is transforming the way we work; however, it is yet to systemically transform learning at the workplace beyond augmentation of formal education’s learning processes. This paper derives functional requirements for technologies that support workplace learning and assesses the suitability and limitations of generative AI conversational agents, as an example of application. Design/methodology/approach: Using activity theory (AT) as theoretical framework, we model workplace learning as an activity, intertwined with work and mediated by technology, and expose contradictions that arise when technology developed for formal education is adopted at work. From these tensions, we derive functional requirements and illustrate their use by comparing them to ChatGPT’s affordances. Findings: A framework is proposed for design and assessment of enabling technologies for workplace learning. In applying it to ChatGPT, as paradigm of conversational agents, we find the aspects that are particularly suitable to enhance workplace learning, and those that need further development. Originality/value: The theoretical approach is novel. Previous research is based on reported use-cases of enabling technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), in the workplace or on the analysis of the learner’s experience when these technologies are embedded in structured training modules. The present study addresses the limitations of current retrospective research, providing a forward-looking approach.</p
Physico-Chemical Characterisation of Particulate Matter and Ash from Biomass Combustion in Rural Indian Kitchens
Get PDFIn developing countries, indoor air pollution in rural areas is often attributed to the use of solid biomass fuels for cooking. Such fuels generate particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). PM created from biomass combustion is a pollutant particularly damaging to health. This rigorous study employed a personal sampling device and multi-stage cascade impactor to collect airborne PM (including PM2.5) and deposited ash from 20 real-world kitchen microenvironments. A robust analysis of the PM was undertaken using a range of morphological, physical, and chemical techniques, the results of which were then compared to a controlled burn experiment. Results revealed that airborne PM was predominantly carbon (~85%), with the OC/EC ratio varying between 1.17 and 11.5. Particles were primarily spherical nanoparticles (50–100 nm) capable of deep penetration into the human respiratory tract (HRT). This is the first systematic characterisation of biomass cooking emissions in authentic rural kitchen settings, linking particle morphology, chemistry and toxicology at health-relevant scales. Toxic heavy metals like Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Hg were detected in PM, while ash was dominated by crustal elements such as Ca, Mg and P. VOCs comprised benzene derivatives, esters, ethers, ketones, tetramethysilanes (TMS), and nitrogen-, phosphorus- and sulphur-containing compounds. This research showcases a unique collection technique that gathered particles indicative of their potential for penetration and deposition in the HRT. Impact stems from the close link between the physico-chemical properties of particle emissions and their environmental and epidemiological effects. By providing a critical evidence base for exposure modelling, risk assessment and clean cooking interventions, this study delivers internationally significant insights. Our methodological innovation, capturing respirable nanoparticles under real-world conditions, offers a transferable framework for indoor air quality research across low- and middle-income countries. The findings therefore advance both fundamental understanding of combustion-derived nanoparticle behaviour and practical knowledge to inform public health, environmental policy, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Assisted Infant Toilet Training and Bladder and Bowel Health:A Global Integrative Review
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Toilet training practices vary across cultures and time. Assisted Infant Toilet Training (AITT) is commonly used in low- and middle-income countries.OBJECTIVES: To synthesise the literature on AITT, including timing of initiation and completion, infant elimination signalling, and associations with bladder and bowel dysfunction.METHODS: An integrative review methodology was employed. Comprehensive searches of Scopus, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar identified relevant studies. Two reviewers independently screened and appraised studies using GRADE and JBI tools.RESULTS: Of 2,069 studies identified, 21 met inclusion criteria. Six observational studies reported reduced rates of bladder and bowel dysfunction when AITT was practised.DISCUSSION: AITT is widely practised in low-income, non-English speaking countries. While observational studies suggest a potential protective effect on bladder and bowel health, the evidence is at serious risk of bias. Further prospective research in high-income contexts is warranted.</p