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Democracy, Trust, and Political Orientation: Disentangling Mechanisms Shaping Individuals’ Vaccine Attitudes
No full textContext: In recent decades, many countries experienced a reduction in the quality and functioning of democratic institutions and norms, accompanied by rising social distrust and opposing political views. The decline in vaccine confidence might be linked to these trends. This study explores the political factors influencing individual attitudes towards vaccination across 22 upper-middle-income and high-income countries, examining the interaction between political orientation, trust in public health authorities, and levels of democracy.Methods: Using the VaxPref database, encompassing demographically representative data from 50,242 respondents collected between July 2022 and June 2023, our analysis operates on three levels: pooled sample, democracy groups, and country-specific analyses.Results: We found that higher democracy scores generally correlated with lower levels of vaccine scepticism. People at the centre and on the right of the political spectrum expressed more scepticism towards vaccines overall. However, trust in public health authorities emerged as the determinant which explains the largest variation in vaccine attitudes.Conclusions: Our findings suggest a greater effectiveness of democratic systems in fostering vaccine confidence, and the need to depoliticise vaccination efforts. Building and maintaining trust in scientific information and technical expertise is critical. Blunt measures like vaccination mandates may not sustain long-term confidence, particularly in democratic contexts. Effective interventions should prioritise comprehensive school-based education to promote preventive health behaviours, coupled with trust-enhancing targeted communication strategie
Self-help groups (SHGs): a tool for developing economies' socio-economic development
Get PDFParticipation in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing individuals' economic independence, particularly in rural areas. SHGs not only address financial challenges but also empower members by fostering savings habits, providing microfinance, and supporting entrepreneurial activities such as small-scale ventures. These groups contribute to overall socioeconomic development by improving the living standards of ffamilies and communities. The SHG Bank Linkage Program serves as an important pathway to financial inclusion, enabling economically disadvantaged individuals to access essential financial resources. This paper focuses on the empowerment achieved through SHGs in India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, where these groups have been instrumental in promoting self reliance and addressing critical issues such as health, education, and safety. In addition to monetary support, non-financial assistance, including skill development, mentorship, and digital literacy, plays a crucial role in ensuring the long-term success of SHG initiatives. The study also explores how Micro Finance Institutions and SHGs contribute to entrepreneurship, underscoring the need for business support services and networking opportunities to help these ventures thrive. Despite their positive impact, challenges remain, particularly in terms of gender inequality, with many SHGs still experiencing male dominance in decision-making and income distribution. This paper focuses on the empowerment of individuals through SHGs, with a special emphasis on India, and explores how financial and non-financial support can contribute to the sustainability and growth of these groups
Novel Clinical Assessment of Visual, Vestibular, Somatosensory, and Autonomic Function:Establishing Test Re-Test Reliability in a Healthy Population
No full textIntroduction: Maintaining balance is a complex process involving the integration of information from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory (VVS) systems, along with autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Traditional assessments of these systems are often expensive, limited to specialised settings or focus on overall balance outcomes, potentially overlooking deficits in the individual systems. This study aimed to evaluate the test-retest reliability of a novel, fully portable clinical assessment tool designed to provide objective measures for individual components of the VVS system and ANS function. Methods: Twenty-eight participants (aged 20–88 years), with no comorbidities and meeting Australian physical activity guidelines, completed the protocol twice. The novel clinical assessment tool comprised of two systems: (1) a virtual reality-type headset incorporating eye-tracking to evaluate visual-vestibular function (smooth pursuit and voluntary saccades), and autonomic function (pupil light reflex); and (2) the Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus (AMEDA) for somatosensory function. Reliability was assessed using two-way mixed-effects model (consistency type, single rater) Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC 3,1) calculated in R-studio. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) was also calculated. Bland-Altman plots were utilised to visualise the agreement between two test repeats. Results: Each metric demonstrated at least moderate to good test re-test reliability: left and right AMEDA (ICC = 0.69 and 0.75), smooth pursuit (ICC = 0.67), voluntary saccades (ICC = 0.53), autonomic response delay (ICC = 0.80), parasympathetic function (ICC = 0.86), and sympathetic function (ICC = 0.89). Discussion: This study supports the reliability of a new, fully portable clinical assessment tool to assess VVS and ANS function. By demonstrating the reliability of this new streamlined tool for evaluating the VVS and ANS systems, the findings of this study has the potential to enhance clinical practice and research in falls prevention and balance rehabilitation.</p
Design and transparency evaluation of an upper limb rehabilitation robot for physical human-robot interaction
Get PDFOver the years, there has been a surge in the usage of robotic exoskeletons in clinics to treat patients with neurological impairments and other brain acquired injuries. For a comfortable and safe human-robot interaction, a harmony is required between the motion of exoskeleton and naturalistic movements of the user. To support natural coordination, exoskeletons must be transparent, ensuring natural human movements to proceed unimpeded. A biomimetic exoskeleton design, coupled with effective force control strategies, can help achieve transparency in motion. An upper limb rehabilitation robot is presented in this study to aid in the rehabilitation of upper limb disabilities. The proposed upper limb rehabilitation robot (ULRR) is designed to improve the transparency, incorporating shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints. The proposed ULRR provides six actuated degrees of freedom (DOF) out of which three are associated with the shoulder joint, one with the elbow joint, and two DOF for the wrist joint. The telescopic features at the upper and lower arm of the ULRR allow a close alignment between the elbow joint of the robot and the user. To evaluate the transparency of the ULRR, two comparative studies were conducted with ten healthy subjects. Firstly, the tests were conducted for the motions of the shoulder joint only in all three DOF individually. Later, a trajectory from the active daily life (ADL) was given as a reference and the ULRR was operated in patient-in-charge and robot-in-charge control modes. The force data collected during these experiments were analyzed to assess the transparency of the ULRR for human-robot interaction
Beyond the Hit:Muscle and Vascular Tissue Responses to Contact Exposure in Collision Sports—A Narrative Review
Get PDFContact events in rugby codes such as tackling, running into contact, scrums, rucks, and contact with the playing surface may expose athletes to muscle damage known as impact-induced muscle damage. These repetitive impacts to muscle tissue have the potential to diminish muscle force production and delay recovery following contact-focused training and match-play. Repetitive exposure to contacts may also affect the surrounding vascular and neuronal tissues, an area that has received little attention in the collision sports. Depending on the severity and duration of tissue damage, repetitive contact exposure without sufficient recovery or noticeable adaptation may predispose collision sport athletes to impaired performance and long-term health complications. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the physiological implications of contact exposure in collision sports. We examine the current understanding of impact-induced muscle damage (IIMD), how it differs from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), and its relationship with contact exposure in collision sports. Drawing on both experimental animal models of contusion injury and limited human observational research, we explore the effects of repeated contact exposure on the microvasculature and its implications for both athletic performance and player welfare. To account for all tissues that may be affected by impacts, including muscle, nerve, vascular, connective tissue, skin, other organs and bones, we recommend impact-induced tissue damage (IITD) as the preferred descriptor rather than IIMD. Finally, we discuss the concept of contact adaptation and provide recommendations for future research on IITD in collision sports.</p
Co-design of an Online Mindfulness Program for Informal Carers of People Living With Dementia:A Qualitative Study of Co-designers’ Experience
Get PDFInformal carers face significant challenges related to care provision for people living with dementia. Participating in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program could improve the wellbeing of informal carers. However, engaging in these programs can be difficult for informal carers due to the needs of their care recipients. Purpose: This study aimed to co-design an online mindfulness program in collaboration with a range of stakeholders and those with lived experience as carers. Methods: This co-design study adopted an interpretive descriptive qualitative approach to the development of the program. The stakeholders (co-designers) included people with lived experience as informal carers and experts with experience in delivering mindfulness programs. The co-designers reviewed the program content which comprised a range of resources including a booklet, online content and audio recordings of mindfulness activities and provided feedback on the content and delivery methods, via one-to-one interviews. The data were synthesised via inductive content analysis. Findings: Two main categories were formulated: support for participants and program delivery and content. Sub categories for support for participants included, recognition of participants’ roles, promoting self-care and acceptance through mindfulness, accounting for participants’ limitations, developing a virtual social support network and providing support beyond the program. Sub-categories for program delivery and content included tailoring the program to the practical needs of the participants, providing options for program delivery and ensure a culturally safe program. Conclusion: Co-design approaches in collaboration with people with lived experience is essential for the successful adaptation of authentic and appropriate programs which account for carers’ complex care demands and individual challenges. Co-design is an approach that can provide valuable insight about tailoring online programs for end-users to minimise implementation challenges and maximise the potential benefits.</p
Social media influencers and political influence operations: The Data Boys example in Nigeria
No full textThis study examines how ‘Data Boys’ covertly used social media platforms to promote, rehabilitate and sustain the image of political leaders in Nigeria. Data for this study are from an online qualitative survey of 25 social media influencers in Nigeria. Three broad themes (hyping a politician, remuneration and results) emerged from the data. Results reveal that Data Boys promote their political leaders by equivocation of identities, exaggerating the performance of their principals, falsifying corruption allegations against their principals’ competitor and concealing the transgressions of their principals. The paper conceptualises the rise of Data Boys in Nigeria’s political sphere and highlights ways through which they execute their online operations. The study argues that instead of using their networked communicative power for factual debate and respectful dialogues, that the Data Boys have been used as vehicles for covert message dissemination and other sponsored contents which could potentially go against public interest. The study concludes that the posture of Data Boys is inimical to public relations practice as their overtly negative and monolithic view of online influence cheapens the significance of social media influencer praxis and electioneering campaigns in Nigeria
The Effects of CrossFit®:Practice on Physical Fitness and Overall Quality of Life
Get PDFWe have examined the impact of CrossFit ® workout sessions on physical fitness, comparing the obtained outcomes with the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine. In addition, we provide suggestions to improve training monitoring, as well as practical applications for researchers, coaches and practitioners. CrossFit ® imposes high cardiorespiratory and metabolic demands, promoting improvements in circulatory capacity, oxidative metabolism and muscular endurance. Sustained elevations in heart rate contribute to cardiovascular conditioning, while a post-exercise hypotensive effect may help to reduce cardiovascular risks. Structured CrossFit ® programs have led to improvements in maximal strength and muscular endurance, with substantial increases in squat performance observed in both untrained and recreationally active individuals. In addition, CrossFit ® improves mental health through its motivating community. However, the high metabolic demands, increased creatine kinase levels and reduced performance in the countermovement jump reveal that muscle damage and neuromuscular fatigue can persist for up to 48 h. Balancing these intense sessions with adequate recovery is crucial, as improper management may lead to overtraining and compromise fitness gains. Future research should explore long-term cardiovascular adaptations, differences in gains and recovery between males and females and the application of real-time biomarker and artificial intelligence technologies to improve the training efficiency and safety. Machine learning algorithms could further personalize feedback, adapting to each individual's biomechanics and physiological responses over time. </p