A Historical and Contextual Analysis of Soviet and Russian Active Measures : How Russian Political Warfare Efforts in Foreign Presidential Elections Have Transformed in the Information Age

This thesis seeks to analyze the transformation of Russian active measures in targeted national elections since the Soviet era. Through a historical analysis of research on active measures and contextual analysis of active measures campaigns themselves, this thesis finds that Russian active measures techniques have not drastically changed since the Soviet era. Instead, as a result of technology, Russian active measures have utilized platforms of social media to become more targeted, continuous, and convert. Therefore, Russian active measures campaigns have been better able to successfully target specific audiences, arguably making these campaigns more effective

AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS: A STEP TOWARD PREVENTION

The purpose of this project was to develop a group protocol that addresses the primary prevention of obesity through an occupational therapy lens within a community setting

Evidence for Planning as an Intervention Approach for Adults Transitioning Into Retirement

The retirement age in America is continuing to become older. Seven in ten working adults in the Baby Boomer generation said that they expect to work past age 65 or are already past that age and are still working. Of this generation, 42% would prefer to transition into their retirement by lessening their hours at their current career (Edlerson, 2019). Those who are choosing to retire later in their life are prolonging this transition to delay the loss of a meaningful occupation that they have held for several decades. For this critically appraised topic, the authors have operationally defined retirement as the period of life when an individual is no longer participating in the occupation of paid work. The transition into retirement should be a dynamic process that is adapted for each unique individual (Hurtado et al., 2019). This multifaceted process is composed of preparation done while the individual is still employed, the transition of role changes from worker to retiree, and continually adjusting to new roles and activities (Eagers et al., 2018). This major transition from worker to retiree can bring on confusion and loss of identity

New venture idea incubation : a micro-process view

This article is derived from a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria. Supervisor: Associate Professor Kerrin Myres. (http://hdl.handle.net/2263/79764)DATA AVAILABILITY : Data for this study are available and accessible from the GIBS archives.BACKGROUND : In pursuit of new venture idea incubation, motivated entrepreneurs must simultaneously commit to an idea and develop the capacity to translate this commitment into a new venture concept. However, it is not clear how experienced entrepreneurs navigate this complex process. In this study, key phases and competencies emerge from a deep understanding of the lived experience of entrepreneurs engaged in the opportunity development process. AIM : By leaning on empirical insight from seasoned entrepreneurs, this study examines the iterative character of new venture idea incubation. The research conceptualises the lived experience of key constructs and relationships in the new venture idea incubation process. SETTING : The primary research was conducted in Johannesburg in South Africa. METHODS : Longitudinal, triangulated data from purposively selected cases enabled patterning of idea incubation processes. Computer-aided data analysis (CAQDAS) was used to code inductively and deductively to illuminate activations and sequences. RESULTS : This incubation period was shown to be one in which venture ideas evolve into elementary venture concepts. The data enabled development of a framework that exemplifies this process of incubation. CONCLUSION : The findings extend the existing theory by describing the micro-processes that are involved in new venture idea incubation. The findings also clarify the distinction between new venture idea incubation and new venture opportunity evaluation, a distinction that has not previously been evident. CONTRIBUTION : The study contributes by exposing a micro-level view of the new venture idea incubation process that is enacted by entrepreneurs to frame an elementary venture concept.http://www.sajesbm.co.zaam2024Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur

Neurotropic Lineage III Strains of \u3cem\u3eListeria monocytogenes\u3c/em\u3e Disseminate to the Brain without Reaching High Titer in the Blood

Listeria monocytogenes is thought to colonize the brain using one of three mechanisms: direct invasion of the blood-brain barrier, transportation across the barrier by infected monocytes, and axonal migration to the brain stem. The first two pathways seem to occur following unrestricted bacterial growth in the blood and thus have been linked to immunocompromise. In contrast, cell-to-cell spread within nerves is thought to be mediated by a particular subset of neurotropic L. monocytogenes strains. In this study, we used a mouse model of foodborne transmission to evaluate the neurotropism of several L. monocytogenes isolates. Two strains preferentially colonized the brain stems of BALB/cByJ mice 5 days postinfection and were not detectable in blood at that time point. In contrast, infection with other strains resulted in robust systemic infection of the viscera but no dissemination to the brain. Both neurotropic strains (L2010-2198, a human rhombencephalitis isolate, and UKVDL9, a sheep brain isolate) typed as phylogenetic lineage III, the least characterized group of L. monocytogenes. Neither of these strains encodes InlF, an internalin-like protein that was recently shown to promote invasion of the blood-brain barrier. Acute neurologic deficits were observed in mice infected with the neurotropic strains, and milder symptoms persisted for up to 16 days in some animals. These results demonstrate that neurotropic L. monocytogenes strains are not restricted to any one particular lineage and suggest that the foodborne mouse model of listeriosis can be used to investigate the pathogenic mechanisms that allow L. monocytogenes to invade the brain stem. IMPORTANCE Progress in understanding the two naturally occurring central nervous system (CNS) manifestations of listeriosis (meningitis/meningoencephalitis and rhombencephalitis) has been limited by the lack of small animal models that can readily distinguish between these distinct infections. We report here that certain neurotropic strains of Listeria monocytogenes can spread to the brains of young otherwise healthy mice and cause neurological deficits without causing a fatal bacteremia. The novel strains described here fall within phylogenetic lineage III, a small collection of L. monocytogenes isolates that have not been well characterized to date. The animal model reported here mimics many features of human rhombencephalitis and will be useful for studying the mechanisms that allow L. monocytogenes to disseminate to the brain stem following natural foodborne transmission

Concert recording 2022-11-20

[Track 1]. Golliwogg’s Cake Walk / Claude Debussy -- [Track 2]. Morning Mood / Edvard Grieg -- [Track 3]. Portraits of Josephine. IV. Thank You, Josephine / Valerie Coleman -- [Track 4]. Petite Offrande Musicale / Nino Rota -- [Track 5]. Variations / Cara Haxo -- [Track 6]. Suite for Wind Quintet / Amanda Harberg

Concert recording 2022-11-20

[Track 1]. Golliwogg’s Cake Walk / Claude Debussy -- [Track 2]. Morning Mood / Edvard Grieg -- [Track 3]. Portraits of Josephine. IV. Thank You, Josephine / Valerie Coleman -- [Track 4]. Petite Offrande Musicale / Nino Rota -- [Track 5]. Variations / Cara Haxo -- [Track 6]. Suite for Wind Quintet / Amanda Harberg

Meaningful physical activity experiences in the home environment

The concept of meaningful PE is gaining ground within the context of education, children and youth. This paper extends the meaningful PE framework by exploring its feasibility for application in health promotion, through meaningful recreational physical activity (PA) and exercise experiences for adults and older adults. We use an empirical study as the basis for exploring conceptualisations of meaningful PA. This paper draws from a visual ethnography in the UK with women regarding their PA at home when emerging from pandemic restrictions. Eleven women aged 36-72 engaged in one-to-one video interviews and photo diaries during summer/autumn 2021. The six features of meaningful PE (fun, social interaction, competence, the right challenge, personal relevance, and joy, Beni et al., 2017; Kretchmar, 2006) were used as a theoretical lens to explore PA experiences. The participants had meaningful PA at home: convenience and adaptability were part of finding PA personally relevant and having control to do the right challenge for oneself. There was joy in a purpose related to increased strength, age-related functionality and motor competence. Community and support from instructors and peers were valuable elements of social interaction. There was little mention of fun, but participants stressed the importance of access to nature and adventure for truly meaningful PA. This analysis supports both the value of the concept and features of meaningful PA, and calls for attention to explore relevant meaningful features of recreational PA and exercise (Wintle, 2022). Meaningful features may develop across the lifespan, in line with the ecological physical literacy perspective (O’Sullivan et al., 2020; Whitehead, 2010), which may urge future research to explore meaningful experiences according to age and other factors of functionality. For enhanced understanding of personally relevant PA, individuals and communities can find value in reflection on movement and lived experience