Is There a Future for Journalism?

A functionalist perspective on the future of journalism would posit that because human society needs journalism, we will find ways to support this communications practice. Yet such a perspective, however consoling, assumes a teleology that is far from guaranteed. What will happen is far from easy to predict; nevertheless, this paper pinpoints several key issues that impact on the future of journalism. It also advances some general propositions and a broad periodisation around UNESCO’s historical role in relation to these issues. The analysis gives particular attention to political and economic matters, the safety of journalists and internet governance. Each of these dimensions entails existential threats to journalism, but some opportunities are also noted. Four paradoxes are also identified, with tensions that may lead to change in one direction or another.     

Fatigue increases ankle sprain risk in badminton players: A biomechanical study

ABSTRACT

Ankle sprains are the most common injury in regular badminton players and usually occur at the end of a match or training. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of fatigue produced by badminton practice on the lower limb biomechanics of badminton players. It was hypothesized that fatigue induces ankle kinematic and lower leg muscle activity changes which may increase the risk of ankle sprain. Ankle kinematics, ankle kinetics and muscles activities of 17 regular badminton players were recorded during lateral jumps before and after an intense badminton practice session. Post-fatigue, ankle inversion at foot strike and peak ankle inversion increased (+2.6°, p = 0.003 and +2.5°, p = 0.005, respectively). EMG pre-activation within 100 ms before foot landing significantly decreased after fatigue for soleus (?23.4%, p = 0.031), gastrocnemius lateralis (?12.2%, p = 0.035), gastrocnemius medialis (?23.3%, p = 0.047) and peroneus brevis (?17.4%, p = 0.036). These results demonstrate impaired biomechanics of badminton players when fatigue increases, which may cause a greater risk of experiencing an ankle sprain injury.     

Impact of digital surge during Covid-19 pandemic: A viewpoint on research and practice

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an inevitable surge in the use of digital technologies due to the social distancing norms and nationwide lockdowns. People and organizations all over the world have had to adjust to new ways of work and life. We explore possible scenarios of the digital surge and the research issues that arise.An increase in digitalization is leading firms and educational institutions to shift to work-from-home (WFH). Blockchain technology will become important and will entail research on design and regulations. Gig workers and the gig economy is likely to increase in scale, raising questions of work allocation, collaboration, motivation, and aspects of work overload and presenteeism. Workplace monitoring and technostress issues will become prominent with an increase in digital presence. Online fraud is likely to grow, along with research on managing security. The regulation of the internet, a key resource, will be crucial post-pandemic.Research may address the consequences and causes of the digital divide. Further, the issues of net neutrality and zero-rating plans will merit scrutiny. A key research issue will also be the impact and consequences of internet shutdowns, frequently resorted to by countries. Digital money, too, assumes importance in crisis situations and research will address their adoption, consequences, and mode. Aspects of surveillance and privacy gain importance with increased digital usage.     

Screening for risk of low energy availability in athletic and recreationally active females in Ireland

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Low energy availability (LEA) results in physiological adaptations, which can contribute to unfavourable health outcomes. Little information exists on risk of LEA in active individuals competing in different sports or levels of competition. The aims of this study were to (1) identify risk of LEA in females competing at different levels of competition and (2) investigate associations between risk of LEA, illness and dietary habits. Methods: The validated questionnaire, ‘Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire’ was distributed online (November 2016–February 2017) to assess risk of LEA. Twenty-nine additional questions collected information on demographics, illness history and dietary habits. Participants were considered at risk of LEA if they attained a score of?≥?8 and were grouped into: (i) international; (ii) provincial/inter-county; (iii) competitive; and (iv) recreationally active. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to explore differences between those at risk or not at risk of LEA. Results: Risk of LEA was identified in 40% (n?=?331) of 833 participants and was 1.7 and 1.8 times more likely in international and provincial/inter-county athletes compared to those who were recreationally active (International: odds ratios (OR) 1.68, 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) 1.12–2.54; Provincial/inter-county: OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.20–2.77). In participants at risk of LEA, missing >22 days of training during the previous year due to illness occurred 3 times more frequently (OR 3.01, 95%CI 1.81–5.02). Conclusion: Risk of LEA was widespread in this heterogeneous sample. Awareness of LEA and the development of appropriate energy management strategies to ensure athlete health across levels of competition are required.     

城市化视角下的城市社区治理创新研究——以合肥市为例

近年来,随着城市化的加快推进,城市规模越来越大,这给城市治理提出了极大的挑战. 社区是城市的细胞,城市社区治理的好坏直接影响城市的形象和发展. 文章通过对合肥市城市社区治理进行深入调研,了解社会转型期城市社区治理存在的问题,分析其原因,探索新的解决方案和举措,以期进一步完善当前的城市社区治理存在的不足之处.     

关于二手房贷款风险控制的对策研究

城市土地资源的稀缺性使得成熟地段的新房交易数量急剧减少,二手房的交易量稳步攀升,二手房贷款逐渐升温。但我国二手房贷款市场存在的问题还很多,深入地分析和探索这些问题,寻找解决的办法和对策,对于稳定二手房交易有着十分重要的意义。     

发电企业防范知识型员工流失的管理策略

随着国内电力市场化改革的逐步深入,知识型员工作为掌握专业技术知识的人才,日益成为企业间争夺的对象.本文探讨了知识型员工的特点,并由此入手分析了知识型员工流失的原因,提出了一套变管理为服务的制度以及防范该类员工流失可能对企业造成损失的措施.     

国家治理与权力道德互动关系考察

国家治理的本质是通过权力配置各种资源实现国家善治的政治实践活动。权力道德不仅是狭义上的官德,而且在广义上更是探索权力的道德制约机制、寻求权力的道德合理性、实现权力的善与文明的政治伦理范畴。国家治理与权力道德之间存在着密切的互动关系,国家治理是权力道德的社会实践场域;同时,权力道德是国家治理的价值表征与基础支撑,是国家治理的主体性依据。国家治理与权力道德之间的互动关系,昭示着在推进国家治理现代化过程中应坚持善治理念,推进廉政治理,注重权力公共精神的培育,以实现国家治理的善治构想。     

互联网经济背景下比特币的法律属性与风险监管

比特币自诞生以来就引起了全球的广泛关注和热烈争议,目前法学理论界对于比特币的法律属性主要有物权说、债权说、知识产权说以及新型权利说等多种观点。分析比特币存在的个人风险、国家风险和法律风险,在探究学习欧美等发达国家比特币监管经验的基础上,立足我国基本国情,提出完善法律规范体系、健全司法规制体系以及强化执法监管力度等措施,全面建立起具有中国特色的比特币风险监管系统。     

浅谈风险

随着经济全球化的加速推进和信息化程度的快速提高,世界正在进入一个不同于传统社会的风险社会之中,社会突发性危机的不确定性、不可预见性和迅速扩散性都在日益增强。在发达的现代社会中,财富的社会生产系统地伴随着风险的社会生产;工业社会的财富分配逻辑也向晚期现代性的风险社会的风险分配逻辑转变。