Military Participation Research Articles

Педагогическое сопровождение детей дошкольного возраста из семей военнослужащих в условиях военного конфликта

The study aims to determine the key characteristics of pedagogical support for preschool children from military families whose fathers were called up for military service as part of a special military operation, i.e. the concept of pedagogical support, its purpose, principles, by considering modern approaches to the problem of pedagogical support for such children. The paper offers the authors’ point of view on the understanding of pedagogical support for preschool children, since little attention has been paid to the problem of pedagogical support for preschool children from military families in the conditions of a local military conflict. The scientific novelty of the study lies in identifying the essential and content-related characteristics of pedagogical support for preschool children from the families of special military operation participants and citizens called up for military service during partial mobilization. As a result, scientists’ modern views on the problem of pedagogical support for preschool children from military families and the influence of the conditions of military conflict on the children’s emotional state are demonstrated, the authors’ own definition of the notion of pedagogical support for preschool children from military families whose fathers were called up for military service during a special military operation is given, the goals and principles of pedagogical support are specified. It is stated that pedagogical support is necessary for children from military families learning how to develop their own line of conduct, meaningful and necessary for them.

Failure of tDCS to impact militarised threat-detection in a military cohort

Abstract Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, has become a focus of military organisations due to its reported positive effects on cognitive and motor performance. However, the majority of tDCS research in this space is conducted with civilian participants and/or uses abstract tasks. Additionally, of the small subset of studies that have used military participants or military-relevant tasks, few have employed both, and none with a considerable sample size. Here, we extend on previous work by exploring whether tDCS to the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) enhances the performance of a large military cohort during a militaristic threat-detection task. 98 participants aged between 18 and 45 were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) 2 mA anodal tDCS to the rIFG; (2) Sham stimulation to the rIFG; or (3) 2 mA anodal tDCS to the visual cortex (V1). Participants viewed serially presented, virtually generated militaristic images, and responded Yes/No via keypress to a threat being present. tDCS was applied for 25 min during the first two training blocks of the 50 min task. Results showed evidence for the null hypothesis: tDCS did not influence mean accuracy or reaction time across the task, in contrast to previous work. We discuss possible methodological and population factors that may explain why previously published effects of tDCS were not reproduced.

Scoping review of return-to-work interventions for persons with traumatic brain injury

Purpose The study approach sought to understand which vocational rehabilitation (VR) strategies are available for individuals seeking return to work (RTW) following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Secondly, the review aimed to identify how these RTW interventions and outcomes are evaluated. Materials and Methods Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach, the scoping review began by identifying relevant English language articles via PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase databases for peer-reviewed journal articles published from January 2013 to September 2021. The review focused on identifying studies with a sample population of people with moderate to severe TBI. Results A total of 23 studies met the search criteria. For each included study, the following data were extracted: (a) country of origin, (b) sample size, (c) civilian or military sample population, (d) age, (e) participant gender, (f) RTW definition, (g) intervention approach, and (h) RTW outcome. The results were synthesized by placement into one of four categories as a function of the study’s underlying methodological approach Conclusions The development of effective RTW approaches has largely been neglected in the rehabilitation literature for persons with TBI in civilian and military populations. Effective strategies do exist to help guide efforts to return this population to productive activity, including work. Implications for Rehabilitation Lack of productive engagement in work and school among persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents a chronic challenge in rehabilitation systems internationally. Rehabilitation professionals should utilize multidisciplinary and integrated return-to-work (RTW) interventions given the varied areas of function that can result from TBI. Rehabilitation professionals should apply RTW interventions that promote on-site training and workplace integration. Given the idiosyncratic nature of TBI, RTW interventions should be tailored to meet the specific needs of the person seeking support.

FEATURES OF THE CALCULATION AND STUDY BY EXPERT ECONOMISTS OF DEBT UNDER LOAN AGREEMENTS THAT AROSE DURING A SPECIAL PERIOD AND THE PERIOD OF MARTIAL LAW IN UKRAINE

The article examines the legislative aspects, in accordance with which the circumstances are determined under which it is impossible to fulfil obligations under loan agreements (agreements) and the circumstances under which it is possible to exempt from the performance of certain obligations under loan agreements in a special period (introduced on March 18, 2014) and the period of martial law in Ukraine (introduced on February 24, 2022) for the following categories of borrowers: legal entities, military personnel, ATO/JFO participants. In connection with the fullscale invasion of the russian federation on the territory of Ukraine, many borrowers (both legal entities and individuals) lost their outpost property, and assets, income decreased, many borrowers take part in hostilities, etc., which in turn affected the ability to repay their obligations under loan agreements. The study found that there are separate special approaches for the implementation of different contracts. In particular, regarding the fulfilment of loan, mortgage, and loan agreements, the only requirement for releasing a person from liability for the inability to fulfil his obligations under the agreement is the introduction of martial law. But at the same time, in order to exempt military personnel and participants in the ATO/JFO from the accrual of penalties for failure to fulfil their obligations and interest on using a loan, it is necessary to notify the bank (or other financial institution in which the loan was issued) in writing about military service and provide supporting documents. In relation to legal entities, the legislator requires to prove the fact that it is impossible to fulfil the contract due to the onset of force majeure circumstances, the occurrence of which is confirmed by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a legislative manner.

MILITARY IN POLITICS AND RURAL AREAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA

At the grant of independence Nigerians were hopeful for socio-economic development. The hope was dashed due to corruption, mismanagement of the nation’s resources by civilian-led administration. The military intervened in the nation’s politics to rescue the poor socio-economic condition of Nigerians.. Consequently, the paper focused on military in politics and rural development by examining the development administration efforts of the military in the development of Nigerian rural areas. The military in politics and its development administration was a rural development strategy to alleviate the suffering of the people living in the rural areas in Nigeria. The paper adopted a historical research method which relied on secondary data and it also adopted direct military participation theory. The paper revealed that the Nigerian military in politics was corrective in nature. The military seized power in Nigeria to change the poor socio-economic and political system. Therefore, the military embarked on several developmental programmes such as the creation of local government, rural banking programmes, the Directorate For Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DIFFRI ), National Directorate for Employment. The paper revealed that undue political interference, unstable cash-flow to finance programme and inadequate qualified personnel to handle some of the programmes/projects constrained the impact of the military development administration efforts in the rural areas. The paper recommended among others that Nigeria government should designed no-stop financing plan for every rural development programme and train adequate rural dwellers to manage some of the needed programmes/projects

Does the guideline-based physical activity level for cardiovascular health also benefit periodontal health?

It is unclear about whether the guideline-based physical activity (PA) level for cardiovascular health also benefits periodontal health. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the association between guideline-based PA levels and periodontitis in young adults. This was a cross-sectional study which included 334 military participants, aged 18-44 years in Taiwan. The PA level was assessed by total running time per week (wk) in the past 6 months from a self-reported questionnaire, and was classified as moderate intensity PA <150, 150-299, and ≥300min/wk according to the American guideline for cardiovascular health. Periodontitis was defined based on the 2017 World Workshop. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association with adjustment for age, sex, educational level, tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure and teeth brushing frequency. As compared to the PA: 150-299min/wk, the PA <150min/wk was associated with a greater possibility of periodontitis (odds ratio (OR): 2.45 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24-4.82), whereas the PA ≥300min/wk was not associated with periodontitis (OR: 0.98 (95% CI: 0.13-1.09)) in young adults. The guideline-based moderate intensity PA level ≥150min/wk is found to have superior periodontal health in young adults. However, there is no additional benefit in more exercise time to obtain better periodontal health when the suggested PA level has been achieved.

Meaningful Occupation and Resilience among Older U.S. Veterans: A Mixed Methods Study

Background Research on the factors that promote the health of older veterans is limited. Purpose To explore the relationships between military service, occupational participation, resilience and successful aging for older U.S. military veterans. Method A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used, a survey (n = 41) and follow-up interviews (n = 9). Findings Occupational participation was associated with resilience (r = 0.60, p < .01). Three integrated themes emerged: (1) staying engaged & connected, (2) relationship between occupation and resilience, and (3) positive impact of military service. Conclusion Findings help fill the gap in research identifying intervention targets for older veterans. KEY MESSAGES The meaningful occupational participation of older veterans has received little attention in previous literature and is an important area of focus with strong relevance for occupational therapy Occupational therapy practitioners can play an important role in promoting the healthy aging and resilience of this population through occupation-based interventions

Identification of serum exosomal metabolomic and proteomic profiles for remote ischemic preconditioning

BackgroundRemote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) refers to a brief episode of exposure to potential adverse stimulation and prevents injury during subsequent exposure. RIPC has been shown to increase tolerance to ischemic injury and improve cerebral perfusion status. Exosomes have a variety of activities, such as remodeling the extracellular matrix and transmitting signals to other cells. This study aimed to investigate the potential molecular mechanism of RIPC-mediated neuroprotection.MethodsSixty adult male military personnel participants were divided into the control group (n = 30) and the RIPC group (n = 30). We analyzed the differential metabolites and proteins in the serum exosomes of RIPC participants and control subjects.ResultsEighty-seven differentially expressed serum exosomal metabolites were found between the RIPC and control groups, which were enriched in pathways related to tyrosine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, serotonergic synapses, and multiple neurodegeneration diseases. In addition, there were 75 differentially expressed exosomal proteins between RIPC participants and controls, which involved the regulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) transport, neutrophil degranulation, vesicle-mediated transport, etc. Furthermore, we found differentially expressed theobromine, cyclo gly-pro, hemopexin (HPX), and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), which are associated with neuroprotective benefits in ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, five potential metabolite biomarkers, including ethyl salicylate, ethionamide, piperic acid, 2, 6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxymethylphenol and zerumbone, that separated RIPC from control individuals were identified.ConclusionOur data suggest that serum exosomal metabolites are promising biomarkers for RIPC, and our results provide a rich dataset and framework for future analyses of cerebral ischemia‒reperfusion injury under ischemia/reperfusion conditions.

Gender Differences in the Association of Trauma Exposure and Firearm Availability Among Active Duty Servicemembers and Military Retirees

Introduction: This study examines the relationship between traumatic experiences and firearm availability, a known suicide risk factor, for both male and female active duty servicemembers and military retirees in the United States. Availability of firearms was predicted to differ by gender, with male servicemembers having elevated rates of firearm availability compared to female servicemembers. It was also expected that experiences of trauma would be associated with higher availability of firearms in both male and female servicemembers and military retirees. Methods: Survey respondents included 1,869 active-duty and military retiree participants recruited from six different primary care clinics located within various military treatment facilities. Analyses compared associations among trauma exposure, firearm availability, and gender. Results: Both male and female servicemembers and retirees reported elevated rates of firearm availability, with men reporting the highest rates of available firearms. There was a significant interaction between gender and firearm availability on trauma type; men with available firearms reported elevated levels of directly experienced trauma. When controlling for covariates, men with available firearms reported highest levels of “happened to me” trauma exposure for fire and explosion and sudden violent death. Discussion: Men who positively endorse firearm availability have the highest rates of directly experienced traumatic events among active duty military personnel and retirees. Firearm availability, trauma exposure, and perceptions of safety for both genders are discussed.

Getting a Seat at the Table: Changes in Military Participation in Government and Coups

Why do coups happen and how can state leaders affect their likelihood? Existing research focuses on structural factors as well as “coup-proofing” as drivers of coup risk. I argue that the literature misses an important alternative avenue by which leaders affect the likelihood that their militaries remove them from office: adding or removing military officers from the government. When leaders bring military officers into the government, they signal to the military that there is a peaceful path to sharing power and provide an alternative to coups. In contrast, removing military officers from government dramatically increases the risk of a coup attempt as the military retaliates against the leader’s power grab. I test this theory using cross-national data that captures changes in military representation in national cabinets and state councils from 1969 to 2008 and find mixed support. In line with the theory, there is strong evidence that large reductions in the military’s government positions lead to coup attempts, and more modest evidence that large increases reduce coup attempts. However, contrary to expectations, the results also suggest that small increases in military government positions increase the risk of a coup.

On the Front Line: The White Army and the Population

The article considers the interaction of the White Army and the population in the South and East of Russia. It evaluates the specifics of combat operations and recruitment in the conditions of civil war and emphasizes the importance of interaction with the civilian population. The author analyzes the areas of large-scale confrontation of the population and the causes of this phenomenon, and explains the reasons behind the blurring of the boundaries between combatants and non-combatants in internecine struggle. The author draws attention to the restoration of law enforcement and other forms of infrastructure in the areas occupied by the White Army, to the phenomenon of self-defense on a territorial or ethnic basis. The conclusion made concerns the decisive interaction between the army and the population on the front line in the conditions of a large-scale civil war. The article provides numerous examples of support of the white units by the population; analyses successful and unsuccessful examples of the demand for such support by the command of White formations. For this purpose, various sources are used, primarily memoirs, both published and stored in the archives of the Russian Federation. The author concludes about the utmost importance of contact with the population on the front line for the victory in the civil war and highlights a high potential for the support of white formations and the areas where this was manifested most prominently. The article proposes to distinguish between the willingness to surrender or to be legalized with the approach of the Whites and the willingness to actively support the troops with military participation. This phenomenon was also evident on the red side of the confrontation, which had its own specifics and is worthy of independent study.

Targeting Perceived Burdensomeness to Reduce Suicide Risk

Perceived burdensomeness (PB), defined by an intractable perception of burdening others, often reflects a false mental calculation that one’s death is worth more than one’s life and has been supported as a significant risk factor for suicide. Because PB often reflects a distorted cognition, it may serve as a corrective and promising target for the intervention of suicide. More work on PB is needed in clinically severe and in military populations. Sixty-nine (Study 1) and 181 (Study 2) military participants at high baseline suicide risk engaged in interventions targeting constructs relating to PB. Baseline and follow-up measures (at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months) of suicidal ideation were administered, and various statistical approaches—including repeated-measures ANOVA, mediation analyses, and correlating standardized residuals—explored whether suicidal ideation decreased specifically by way of PB. In addition to utilizing a larger sample size, Study 2 included an active PB-intervention arm (N = 181) and a control arm (N = 121), who received robust care as usual. In both studies, participants improved considerably regarding baseline to follow-up suicidal ideation. The results of Study 2 mirrored those of Study 1, corroborating a potential mediational role for PB in treatment-related improvements in suicidal ideation in military participants. Effect sizes ranged from .07–.25. Interventions tailored at decreasing levels of perceived burdensomeness may be uniquely and significantly effective in reducing suicidal thoughts.

Conceptual metaphor sport as war in Vietnamese football news

Abstract Stemming from the widespread appearance of war metaphors in Vietnamese sports news, the article conducts the research on the emergence of metaphors related to the source domain of war in Vietnamese sports news. The International Commentary section aims to clarify the relationship between “sport” and “war” in Vietnamese mind maps. This article analyses the conceptual metaphor sport as war underlying the metaphorically used words and expressions in Vietnamese sports news and explains the mapping scheme between source domain and target domain. Based on the experiential correlations and knowledge mapped from source domain to target domain, the article shows typical thinking of the conceptual construction, which is both universal and typical of Vietnamese people thinking, indicating the hierarchy in conceptual thinking. The primary metaphor sport as war, through mapping scheme, the article proves the appearance of derivative metaphors in sports news such as sports competition as a battle between the warring parties; the footballers as military participants; the main footballers in competition are the weapons in the war; tactics in competing in a sports event as tactics in battle; the actions of footballers are the actions of the warring parties; fouls and misconduct are destroying an opponent in battle; coach as battle commander; winning/losing the match as winning/losing the battle. The current study’s findings are the metaphors grouped into categories: battle activities, battle devices, battle results/consequences, battle tactics. The article’s research results may help journalism students in writing skills and use conceptual metaphors in writing news and articles; suggest to sports bulletin editors how to use conceptual metaphors in news and articles to increase attraction for readers and listeners; and make matches more excited, dramatic and attractive.

A Nordic model of gender and military work? Labour demand, gender equality and women’s integration in the armed forces of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

ABSTRACT This article traces the political process towards full formal integration of women in the military professions in Scandinavia and Finland, investigating the shifting roles played by military labour demands and politics of gender equality. It provides the first comparative overview of these developments in the Nordic region. The analysis demonstrates the importance of historical continuity in women’s military participation. Due to military labour demands, women were throughout the post-war decades recruited into a range of auxiliary, voluntary and hybrid capacities in the Scandinavian armed forces. The reforms opening the military professions to women in Denmark, Norway and Sweden in the 1970s were the outcome of a double crisis, as military needs for the regulation of these women’s organisational status coincided with new political demands for gender equality in the labour market. Corresponding reforms in Finland were delayed by the country’s lack of continuity in women’s military participation as well as its sufficient supply of male military personnel. A common Nordic model of gender and military work nonetheless emerged in the 1990s, marked by equal rights to military participation for women on a voluntary basis, combined with mandatory military conscription for men.

Women, Military, and State: Indonesian Women’s Military Representation During the Early Independence Period

Abstract This article looks at the role of women in the Indonesian military in the second half of the twentieth century, specifically from Indonesia’s independence on 17 August 1945 until the 1960s. Following state efforts to create uniformity among citizens by including women in all sectors of national life, including the military – long perceived to be a masculine institution – Indonesian women only became active in the military after men. Women’s early military participation was critical in advancing their role in the public sphere and in eroding men’s military dominance. The purpose of this analysis is to investigate the role of the state in providing space for women in the armed forces. It uncovers how early policies in Indonesia excluded women from military forces and activities; the first women’s corps was established only fifteen years after Indonesia declared independence. Even then, they were confined to the female-only corps to allow the Indonesian military to maintain its masculine image.

Critical veteran researchers’ unique adequacy: accounting for friendly-fire and fratricide

ABSTRACT Drawing on ethnomethodology’s concept of unique adequacy, this paper addresses the contribution that critical veteran researchers (CVRs) can potentially bring to Critical Military Studies (CMS) on the basis of their military service, post-military life, and the members’ knowledge they therefore have. CVR members’ knowledges are framed through ethnomethodology’s arguments about unique adequacy as a requirement of methods. CVR’s unique adequacy is used to explore issues around the contribution that this particular group of researchers can make in critical analysis and research practices associated with critical military studies as an intellectual project. The paper argues against the reification and promotion of veteran exceptionalism regarding descriptions of ‘the reality of war’, militarism or militarization. Rather, it is about seeing CVR’s military participation and post-military lives, their members’ knowledge and unique adequacy, as constituting a positive resource. The paper illustrates this argument by taking the phenomenon of friendly-fire and fratricide as a topic. It identifies problems in the normative literature about it using the examples from two different genres: the formal analysis of combat identification, and experiential accounts from personal memoirs. The paper then critiques a specific campaign account of fratricide from a CVR perspective utilizing the author’s own unique adequacy. The paper concludes with a discussion of the limits of uniquely adequate knowledge generated from embodied veteran researcher experience, its benefits in terms of the identification of new research topics and approaches, and the ultimate necessity for critical analysis research to be underpinned and informed by reference to unique adequacy.

Next Generation Sequencing of Genotype Variants and Genetic Association between Heat Shock Proteins HSPA1B Single Nucleotide Polymorphism at the g.31829044 Locus and Heat Tolerance: A Pilot Quasi-Experimental Study.

Heat tolerance and exertional heat stroke (EHS) are rare health conditions that have been described and characterised but have never been genetically solved. Knowledge of the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in heat shock proteins (HSPs) genes and their associations with heat tolerance and EHS is limited. This pilot study aimed to identify SNP in HSPA1B, HSP90AA2 and DNAJA1 genes and their associations with heat tolerance and EHS history in a quasi-experimental design. Participants comprised Australian Defence Force members (ADF) who had a history of EHS and the general population. Genomic DNA samples were extracted from the venous blood samples of 48 participants, sequenced and analysed for SNP. Forty-four per cent (44%) of the participants were heat intolerant, and 29% had a history of EHS. Among participants with a history of EHS, there was an association between heat tolerance and HSPA1B SNP at the g.31829044 locus. However, there were no associations between HSPA1B and HSP90AA2 SNP and heat tolerance. All participants had the same distribution for the DNAJA1 SNP. In conclusion, the findings indicate an association between the HSPA1B genetic variant at the g.31829044 locus and heat tolerance among ADF participants with a history of EHS. Further research with a larger number of military participants will shed more light on the associations between HSP genes and heat tolerance.

Supra-threshold deficits in normal hearing military recruits exposed to impulse noise.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of impulse noise exposure on various proxy measures of cochlear synaptopathy in young military recruits. A total of 27 military recruits with exposure to firearm and artillery noise and 13 non exposed participants were recruited. All presented with normal hearing thresholds and the presence of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). The Noise Exposure Structured Interview (NESI) was used to quantify noise exposure. Speech perception in noise (SPiN), equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB) of auditory filters, auditory brainstem response wave I amplitude, wave I amplitude growth function, wave I/V amplitude ratio, wave V latency, wave V latency shift with ipsilateral noise, and the summating potential/action potential ratio of the electrocochleography were measured. In military participants, SPiN was worse, ERB at 4 kHz was larger, wave I amplitude at 75 dBnHL was reduced, and wave V latency was delayed. However, no significant correlations were observed between NESI and auditory measures, once multiplicity of tests was controlled for. These results suggest that military recruits may exhibit supra-threshold deficits, despite presenting with normal hearing thresholds and presence of DPOAEs. Future studies should include a measure of auditory filters in their test battery.

Erythrocyte indices and localized stage II/III periodontitis in military young men and women: CHIEF oral health study

BackgroundPrior studies have shown an association between generalized periodontitis and anemia in older or undernourished adults. The aim of the study was to examine the associations of erythrocyte indices with localized periodontitis in robust young adults, which has never been reported before.MethodsThe study included 1286 military participants, aged 19–40 years, with regular exercise training in Hualien, Taiwan. Localized periodontitis was grouped to healthy/stage I and stage II/III (n = 803 and 325) in men and (n = 130 and 28) in women according to the 2017 criteria of the world workshop. Systemic inflammation was evaluated by leukocyte counts. Multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, tobacco smoking status, betel nut chewing status, body mass index and leucocyte counts were used to determine the associations.ResultsGreater mean corpuscular volume in young men [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals 1.03 (1.01–1.06)], and greater hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in young women were associated with a higher risk of localized stage II/III periodontitis [OR: 1.17 (1.02–1.34) and 1.60 (1.06–2.41), respectively]. However, there were no associations for erythrocyte counts.ConclusionsThe localized stage II/III periodontitis risk increased with greater erythrocyte indices in robust young adults. This finding could be explained in part by that localized periodontitis may promote physical stress, possibly resulting in an increase of erythrocyte indices. On the other side, greater physical fitness associated with a lower risk of periodontitis may consume iron storage in the body, leading to exercise-induced anemia or smaller erythrocyte volume.

Extracurricular work experience and its association with training and confidence in emergency medicine procedures among medical students: a cross-sectional study from a Norwegian medical school

ObjectiveProficiency in basic emergency procedures is important for junior doctors, but the amount of practical exposure may vary. We studied the association between students’ extracurricular healthcare-related (ECHR) work experience and...