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Systematic investigation of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls blood levels in Greek children from the Rhea birth cohort suggests historical exposure to DDT and through diet to DDE
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Data will be made available on request.Supplementary data are available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024002721#s0090:~:text=Appendix%20A.-,Supplementary%20data,-Data%20availability .The blood levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been thoroughly investigated in Greek children from the Rhea birth cohort study. This investigation aimed to assess exposure levels, explore their possible relationship with children's age and sex, and indicate potential sources of exposure. Exposure patterns and common sources of PCBs and OCPs were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate statistics.
A total of 947 blood samples from study participants were analyzed for OCP and PCB exposure, with 375 samples collected at 4 years old, 239 at 6.5 years old, and 333 at 11 years old. Elevated levels of DDE were observed in 6.5-year-old children compared to corresponding levels in other European countries. Higher levels of DDE were found in 4-year-old children, with the lowest concentrations in the 11-year-old group. The DDT/DDE ratio was consistently less than 1 among all the examined subjects. These results indicate exposure to DDT and DDE both in utero and through breastfeeding and dietary intake. For the entire cohort population, the highest concentration was determined for PCB 28, followed by PCBs 138, 153, and 180. The sum of the six indicator PCBs implied low exposure levels for the majority of the cohort population. Spearman correlations revealed strong associations between PCBs and OCPs, while principal component analysis identified two different groupings of exposure. DDE exhibited a correlation with a series of PCBs (153, 156, 163, 180), indicating a combined OCP-PCB source, and an anticorrelation with others (52, 28, 101), implying a separate and competing source.Hellenic Ministry of Health and the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation
City Family of Schools: parents’ views of future educational priorities
Get PDFThis research report was commissioned by the Education Strategy Unit of the City of London Corporation.The aim of this research study was to qualitatively examine engagement between City of London Academies Trust schools/colleges and the parent body. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF, 2024: n.p.) defines parental engagement as “teachers and schools involving parents in supporting their children’s academic learning”. Goodall (2022) provides a broader definition of parental engagement with learning, and describes education (learning for a particular end) and schooling as sub-sets of the wider sphere of children’s learning, and explicitly differentiates parental engagement with learning from parental involvement in schools, e.g. in the form of visits to schools for parents’ meetings and contact with schools. Despite some ambiguities in the definition of parental engagement, there is substantial evidence that the attainment of children from low-income households is lower than that of their more affluent peers, and that activities targeted at increasing the engagement of low-income parents in their children’s learning are beneficial (EEF, 2024). Key to successful parental engagement initiatives is staff development to enable teachers to support parents confidently and effectively, as well as to obviate the potential for deficit thinking towards particular groups of parents (Goodall, 2022; EEF, 2024).City of London Corporatio
Deposit Insurance and Bank Liquidity Creation: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in China
Get PDFJEL codes G21 • G28 • G38.In this paper, we examine how the implementation of deposit insurance influences the impact of bank capital, excess lending, banking competition and monetary policy on liquidity creation of banks. Our examination uses China’s introduction of deposit insurance in 2015 as a natural experiment. We find that deposit insurance positively reinforces the effect of capital but weakens that of monetary policy on liquidity creation. We do not find that deposit insurance has a significant influence on the effects of excess lending and competition on the liquidity creation of banks. We also show that the implementation of deposit insurance has heterogenous effects on the liquidity creation of large and small banks.Xiangyi Zhou acknowledges financial support from the Chinese Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (SK2020053)
‘Specialist before physiotherapist’: physicians’ and physiotherapists’ beliefs and management of chronic low back pain in Ghana – A qualitative study
Get PDFSupplemental data for this article can be accessed online at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25859662.v1Purpose: This study provides an understanding of the chronic low back pain (CLBP) beliefs and management practices of physicians/doctors and physiotherapists in Ghana, and the mechanisms underlying their beliefs and practices.Materials/Methods: Thirty-three individual semi-structured interviews, involving eighteen physio-therapists and fifteen physicians involved with CLBP management, were carried out. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using Straussian grounded theory principles and critical realist philosophy.Results: Five categories were derived: The predominance of bio-medical/mechanical beliefs, maladaptive beliefs, maladaptive practices, limited involvement of physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) and evidence-based beliefs and practices. The predominant mechanisms underlying the HCPs beliefs and practices were: the healthcare environment (professional roles/identity hinged around paternalistic and biomedical care, fragmented CLBP management, limited physiotherapy/HCPs’ knowledge) and sociocultural environment (sociocultural/patients’ expectations of passive therapy and paternalism).Conclusion: The CLBP beliefs and practices of HCPs involved with CLBP in Ghana is modelled around a professional identity that is largely hinged on paternalism and bio-medical/mechanical understandings. Lack of collaboration and sociocultural expectations also play a significant role. There is the need for a reconstitution of Ghanaian HCPs’ CLBP beliefs and management approaches to align with evidenced-based approaches (e.g., imaging should not be universally prescribed, biopsychosocial and patient-centred care)
Evidence of direct and indirect reciprocity in network-structured economic games
Get PDFData availability - The data presented in this manuscript are collected as part of a wider, longitudinal field study on wealth, demography, and social networks. All data for diagnostics and analysis reproduction are openly available on GitHub at: www.github.com/ctross/cross_layer_correlations.Formal theoretical models propose that cooperative networks can be maintained when individuals condition behavior on social standing. Here, we empirically examine the predictions of such models of positive and negative indirect reciprocity using a suite of network-structured economic games in four rural Colombian communities (Nind = 496 individuals, Nobs = 53,876 ratings/transfers). We observe that, at a dyadic-level, individuals have a strong tendency to exploit and punish others in bad standing (e.g., those perceived as selfish), and allocate resources to those in good standing (e.g., those perceived as generous). These dyadic findings scale to a more generalized, community level, where reputations for being generous are associated with receipt of allocations, and reputations for being selfish are associated with receipt of punishment. These empirical results illustrate the roles that both positive and negative reciprocity, and costly punishment, play in sustaining community-wide cooperation networks.Projekt DEA
Career motivation of 1st year nursing and midwifery students: A cross-sectional study
Get PDFAim/objective: This paper presents findings from a cross-sectional study into the motivational factors of students who chose nursing and midwifery as a career.
Background: 189 students from the University of Bedfordshire (UoB) and 223 students from Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) completed a questionnaire at the start of their studies in 2018. The findings were generated from the first stage of the Placement, Impact, Experience and Destination (PIED) study into student belongingness on placement and the
influence of practice on the first career destination of newly qualified nurses and midwives.
Design: An in-class questionnaire was administered to 1st year pre-registration adult, child and mental health nursing and midwifery students to identify the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influenced their motivation to choose nursing or midwifery as a career.
Methods: A mix methods study design was adopted for the PIED study where participants completed a survey that collected quantitative and qualitative data and administered during the course induction period.
Results: Motivation scores were found to be high in both cohorts, with students at both sites endorsing intrinsic motivational factors over extrinsic at statistically significant levels. The strongest intrinsic factors appeared to be a desire to help and care for people and play a useful role in society, whereas the strongest extrinsic factors were career stability and the ability to work in different regions and countries.
Conclusions: The study suggests that the influence of family and friends continues to exert a strong intrinsic motivational influence on the career choices of students, particularly those under the age of 25. Identifying the motivational factors of first year nursing and midwifery students presents employers with an opportunity to tailor strategies to recruit apprentices,
enable placement partners to enculturate prospective employees into the workforce and understand the relationship between extrinsic factors and practice learning to successfully recruit graduates
Intelligent machine learning modelling for air quality index prediction
Get PDFThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonAir quality research affects global warming, climate change, health effects, and urban planning. Predicting air quality status is complex, with increasingly sophisticated monitoring devices for various different gases and other components. Air quality measurements contribute to broader socio-economic development factors, in addition to direct environmental and healthcare impacts. Many methods have been used by researchers to present air-quality levels, reflecting different disciplines and different national standards. This work aims to develop a model to predict the air-quality index, which measures air pollution levels, in order to support healthcare in congested areas.
This research presents machine learning models and techniques to predict air quality levels in cities, and to provide accurate measures to support data driven decision making in various sectors aligned with sustainable development, economic growth, and social values. It supports air quality policies formulation with a future vision to eliminate global related consequences, save the world from the pollution and to close the gap in air quality index standardization, with an emphasis on sustainable urban development.
This study presents the experimental multivariate Deep Neural Network model and Markov switching model as part of research to develop a hybrid (DNN and Markov) air quality prediction model, with appropriate accuracy attainment, in order to support decisions with timely air-quality measurements by representing the output or air quality levels using neuro-fuzzy logic.
DNN-Markov modelling techniques are used to predict air quality, with comparative analysis of locations in Jordan and the UK. Multivariate time series analysis of Big Data from traffic-heavy locations was used, based on environmental conditions at peak hours, giving a highly accurate prediction of the air-quality index for the next hour at a given location, under specific environmental conditions. The air quality index was represented using Neuro Fuzzy Logic as a method to contribute in air quality index predictions within blurry (boundary) values. The selected DNN-Markov hybrid model could predict air quality with accuracy of around (RMSE 7.86) for the location in England, and around (RMSE 15.27) for the one in Jordan
7F - To contract or not to contract: Should we use pelvic floor muscle exercises in the treatment of dyspareunia?
Get PDFPart of the special issue: Abstract of the National Congress of the Italian Society of Urodynamics (SIUD 2024), 20-22 June 2024 • Catania, Italy • Publication of this supplement is supported by the Società Italiana di Urodinamica – SIUD.Introduction and aim of the study/Introduzione e scopo dello studio: Dyspareunia is a common condition of the chronic pelvic pain that affect sexual activity. Within the physiotherapy community and on social media platforms, there is a prevailing belief that relaxation techniques should be prioritized for managing pain associated with dyspareunia, while exercises targeting the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) should be avoided. This research evaluates the existing literature to explore the role of PFM exercises in the treatment of dyspareunia, aiming to discern both the benefits and limitations of this treatment modality. Furthermore, it investigates the rationale behind the recommendation to avoid PFM exercises in cases of dyspareunia.
Materials and methods/Materiali e metodi: Studies included in this review were derived from searches conducted for the purpose of other reviews performed by the authors of this paper conducted in January 2023 and updated in December 2023. Additionally, complementary searches were carried out in PubMed in December 2023, utilizing a combination of keywords associated with dyspareunia, physiotherapy, and pelvic floor exercises. We also searched reference lists of previous review articles in this area.
Results/Risultati: Depending on the specific type of dyspareunia and treatment objectives, PFM exercises may enhance muscle contractility and relaxation, boost strength and endurance, and improve blood flow. These exercises can also improve the condition and elasticity of vaginal mucosal tissue. Furthermore, they may foster greater bodily awareness, motor acuity and sensation. Recent systematic review on PFMT showed effectiveness of PFM exercises, also in terms of improvements in sexual pain.
Interpretation of results/Discussione: The evidence presented indicates that PFM exercises can be effective in treating dyspareunia. Their efficacy is particularly notable when the exercises are performed thoughtfully and under supervision, emphasizing precise contraction, relaxation, and awareness, rather than being carried out automatically without consideration. Therefore, the objective of PFM exercises in addressing pain in dyspareunia may encompass not only traditional strengthening but also fostering awareness, coordination, and enhanced relaxation.
Conclusions/Conclusioni: Based on the presented data, PFM exercises may have multiple applications in the treatment of dyspareunia. It appears essential to consider them as a multifaceted intervention that can be adapted in various forms and for diverse objectives, which extend beyond simple strengthening. PFM exercises have been widely incorporated in research studies, which suggest positive outcomes and the safety of the interventions implemented, contrary to the prevailing beliefs
Silencing Mechanisms in Academia: Towards Collaborative Innovation to Support Critical Social Science
Get PDFCritical social science (CSS) is a framework of social science that questions uneven relations of power to achieve transformative change towards equitable social outcomes. Scholars who pursue CSS are often politically and socially engaged to promote social progress, which puts them in direct conflict with hierarchies and hegemonic structures of power. As a result, CSS and scholars in this tradition have been the target of backlash that seeks to silence CSS in academia. We explain three dominant silencing mechanisms in academia that frame the backlash and attacks against CSS. Theorising collaborative innovation, we offer multilevel and inclusive design and solidarity as possible venues for resistance against the ongoing purge of CSS, which undermines autonomy, freedom of speech, and equality in academia.This research received no external funding
Bridging big data in the ENIGMA consortium to combine non-equivalent cognitive measures
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Raw data are available upon reasonable request pending appropriate study approvals and data transfer agreements between participating institutions. Interested researchers should contact Emily Dennis ([email protected]). Code used for analysis and online tool creation are available upon request.Investigators in neuroscience have turned to Big Data to address replication and reliability issues by increasing sample size. These efforts unveil new questions about how to integrate data across distinct sources and instruments. The goal of this study was to link scores across common auditory verbal learning tasks (AVLTs). This international secondary analysis aggregated multisite raw data for AVLTs across 53 studies totaling 10,505 individuals. Using the ComBat-GAM algorithm, we isolated and removed the component of memory scores associated with site effects while preserving instrumental effects. After adjustment, a continuous item response theory model used multiple memory items of varying difficulty to estimate each individual’s latent verbal learning ability on a single scale. Equivalent raw scores across AVLTs were then found by linking individuals through the ability scale. Harmonization reduced total cross-site score variance by 37% while preserving meaningful memory effects. Age had the largest impact on scores overall (− 11.4%), while race/ethnicity variable was not significant (p > 0.05). The resulting tools were validated on dually administered tests. The conversion tool is available online so researchers and clinicians can convert memory scores across instruments. This work demonstrates that global harmonization initiatives can address reproducibility challenges across the behavioral sciences.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Instituto de Salud Carlos III: PI15-00852, PI18-00945, JR19-00024, PI17-00481, PI20-00721, Sara Borrell contract (CD19-00149); European Union: NextGenerationEU (PMP21/00051), PI19/01024, Structural Funds, Seventh Framework Program, H2020 Program under the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking: Project PRISM-2 (Grant agreement No.101034377), Project AIMS-2-TRIALS (Grant agreement No 777394), Horizon Europe; National Institutes of Health: U01MH124639, P50MH115846, R01MH113827, R25MH080663, K08MH068540, R01NS100973, R01EB006841, P20GM103472, RO1MH083553, T32MH019535, R01 HD061504, RO1MH083553, R01AG050595, R01AG076838, R01AG060470, R01AG064955, P01AG055367, K23MH095661, R01MH094524, R01MH121246, T32MH019535, R01NS124585, R01NS122827, R61NS120249, R01NS122184, U54EB020403, R01MH116147, R56AG058854, P41EB015922, R01MH111671, P41RR14075, M01RR01066, R01EB006841, R01EB005846, R01 EB000840, RC1MH089257, U24 RR021992, NCRR 5 month-RR001066 (MGH General Clinical Research Center); NSF: 2112455; Madrid Regional Government: B2017/BMD-3740 AGES-CM-2; Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation; Research Nova Scotia, RNS-NHIG-2021-1931; US Department of Defense: Award # AZ150145; US Department of Veterans Affairs: 1I01RX003444; NJ Commission on TBI Research Grants: CBIR11PJT020, CBIR13IRG026: Department of Psychology, University of Oslo; Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital: HF F32NS119285; Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Grant 166098; Neurological Foundation of New Zealand; Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, University of Otago. Biogen US, Investigator-initiated grant; Italian Ministry of Health: RF-2019-12370182, Ricerca Corrente RC 23; National Institute on Aging: National Health and Medical Research Council, Investigator Grant APP1176426; PA Health Research: Grant SAP #4100077082 to Dr. Hillary; La Caixa Foundation, ID: 100010434, fellowship code: LCF/BQ/PR22/11920017; Research Council of Norway: 248238; Health Research Council of New Zealand: Sir Charles Hercus Early Career Development (17/039), 14-440; South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, 2018076; Norwegian ExtraFoundation for Health and Rehabilitation: 2015/ FO5146, 2015044; Stiftelsen K.G. Jebsen, SKGJ MED-02; German Research Foundation: DFG grant FOR2107 to Andreas Jansen, JA 1890/7-1, JA 1890/7-2, DFG grant FOR2107 to Igor Nenadić, NE2254/1-2,NE2254/3-1,NE2254/4-1, DFG grant FOR2107, KI588/14-1 and FOR2107, KI588/14-2, DFG, grant FOR2107 DA1151/5-1 and DA1151/5-2, SFB-TRR58, Projects C09 and Z02; Central Norway Regional Health Authority (RHA) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); National Health and Medical Research Council: APP1020526; Brain Foundation, Wicking Trust, Collie Trust, Sidney and Fiona Myer Family Foundation. U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC): Award #13129004; Department of Energy: DE- FG02-99ER62764: Mind Research Network, National Association for Research in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders: Young Investigator Award, Blowitz Ridgeway and Essel Foundations, NOW ZonMw TOP 91211021, UCLA Easton Clinic for Brain Health, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, Stan and Patty Silver, Clinical and Translational Research Center: UL1RR033176, UL1TR000124; Mount Sinai Institute for NeuroAIDS Disparities, VA Rehab SPIRE, CDMRP PRAP, VA RR&D IK2RX002922, Veski Fellowship, Femino Foundation grant, Fundación Familia Alonso, Fundación Alicia Koplowitz, CIBERSAM, Madrid Regional Government (B2017/BMD-3740 AGES-CM-2), 2019R1C1C1002457, 21-BR-03-01, 2020M3E5D9079910, 21-BR-03-01, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) of the medical faculty of Münster
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