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AI Assistance for Chemical Analysis of PPCPs in Water and Wastewater: Highlights and Potentials
Get PDFPatients’ satisfaction with healthcare services among older people with Multimorbidity: Subnational gender perspective
Get PDFBackground and aim:
The universal use of patient satisfaction as a measure of quality of healthcare cannot be overemphasized, but studies of healthcare satisfaction between older women and older men with multimorbidity in our contemporary society has been questioned over the years. This paper explores the disparities in patient satisfaction between older women and men with multimorbidity in Nigeria using survey data.
Methods: We analyzed data collected between October 2021 to February 2022 from a cross-section of randomly sampled 734 participants with multimorbidity with age 60 years and above who presented for routine check-ups and consented to participate in the study. The data were entered into JISC online data collection tool and exported to IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27 for analysis. Mann-Whitney U test analysis was performed to compare the participant’s mean satisfaction level and gender.
Results: Despite higher education among males, females utilize healthcare services more. Our study shows that females are less likely to be satisfied with factors that are linked to access and quality of healthcare, and financial burden of medical care. Whereas males are more likely to be satisfied with factors that relate to patient-physician interaction time and patient waiting time and confidence and trust in medical care.
Conclusion: Female and male patients may have different expectations regarding healthcare, especially in our society where men are more educated, but females utilize the healthcare services more. The development of appropriate strategies for the implementation of knowledge about patient gender differences will be crucial for the delivery of high-quality gender-sensitive healthcare
Space Agency: Automation, Autonomy, and Acid Astronautics
Get PDFThis essaylooksatthe figure of the cyborg via its origins in mid-twentieth century Americanastronautics.Itbegins by comparingdifferentapproaches to the›spacecyborg‹,helping to situate itwithin the distinctive culturalpreoccupations of its timesand places. The discussion thenproceedstoconsidertheAmericancyborg’srootsintwodiscursive regimes:thatsurroundingmilitarymasculinities,and that surrounding the non-human or de-humanizedmedical test subject. Via an analysis of the 1976sci-fi novelMan Plusby Frederik Pohl,the essay explores how thisdual heritagegenerates tensions intermsofgender, before concluding with an analysis of the waysin whichthe cyborg’smutable em-bodimentruns agroundon the perceivedfixity of human sexuality. How might we use the historicalconcept of the cyborg to queerthe notion of›par ticipantevolution‹today
Discussing methodological gaps in psychosocial intervention research for dementia: an opinion article from the INTERDEM Methodology Taskforce guided by the MRC framework
Get PDFThe effectiveness of structured physical activity on agitation in people with dementia: a rapid review
Get PDFObjectives Managing agitation and other behaviours that challenge is a significant dementia care challenge. The priority is to find effective non-pharmacological interventions as drug treatments can have significant side effects. This review evaluates the effectiveness of structured physical activity on agitation in dementia.
Methods Our rapid review searched four electronic databases, Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Embase, for interventional studies using a structured physical activity programme in people with dementia and studied the effect of this activity on behaviours that challenge. Study quality was assessed using CASP criteria and data was narratively synthesised.
Results We included 13 studies in this review (four rated as high quality), involving a total of 1546 participants. Results were analysed according to exercise type, frequency and intensity of the intervention. Exercise is effective in reducing agitation and studies with higher adherence to exercise demonstrated more positive effects on agitation and behaviours that challenge.
Conclusions Physical activity can be effective in reducing agitation in older adults with dementia. Further research is needed to clarify the type of intervention that is most beneficial. Strategies to make physical activity more acceptable and available to people with dementia need to be established
Food safety issues associated with sesame seed value chains: Current status and future perspectives
Get PDFSesame (Sesamum indicum) is an oilseed crop which is increasingly recognised as a functional food by consumers due to its nutritional and nutraceutical components. Consequently, global demand for sesame has increased significantly over the last three decades. Sesame is an important export crop in producing countries, contributing to their socio-economic development. However, in recent years, major foodborne incidents have been associated with imported sesame seeds and products made with these seeds. Foodborne hazards are a potential risk to consumer health and hinder international trade due to border rejections and increased import controls. An insight into the routes of contamination of these hazards across the value chain and factors affecting persistence may lead to more focused intervention and prevention strategies. It was observed that Salmonella is a significant microbial hazard in imported sesame seeds and has been associated with several global outbreaks. Sesame is mainly cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia by smallholder farmers. Agricultural and manufacturing practices during harvesting, storage, and processing before export may allow for the contamination of sesame seeds with Salmonella. However, only a few studies collect data on the microbiological quality of sesame across the value chain in producing countries. In addition, the presence of mycotoxins and pesticides above regulatory limits in sesame seeds is a growing concern. Eliminating foodborne hazards in the sesame value chain requires urgent attention from researchers, producers, processors, and regulators and suggestions for improving the safety of these foods are discussed
Prevalence of yaws and syphilis in the Ashanti region of Ghana and occurrence of H. ducreyi, herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 in skin lesions associated with treponematoses.
Get PDFYaws affects children in tropical regions, while syphilis primarily affects sexually active adults worldwide. Despite various campaigns towards the eradication of yaws and elimination of syphilis, these two diseases are still present in Ghana. The aetiological agents of both diseases, two Treponema pallidum subspecies, are genetically similar. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of these treponematoses and the occurrence of pathogens causing similar skin lesions in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A point-of-care test was used to determine the seroprevalence of the treponematoses. Both yaws and syphilis were identified in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Multiplex PCR was used to identify treponemes and other pathogens that cause similar skin lesions. The results indicated that the seroprevalences of T. pallidum in individuals with yaws-like and syphilis-like lesions were 17.2% and 10.8%, respectively. Multiplex PCR results showed that 9.1%, 1.8% and 0.9% of yaws-like lesions were positive for Haemophilus ducreyi, herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and T. pallidum respectively. Among syphilis-like lesions, 28.3% were positive for herpes simplex virus -2 (HSV-2) by PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first time HSV-I and HSV-2 have been reported from yaws-like and syphilis-like lesions, respectively, in Ghana. The presence of other organisms apart from T. pallidum in yaws-like and syphilis-like lesions could impede the total healing of these lesions and the full recovery of patients. This may complicate efforts to achieve yaws eradication by 2030 and the elimination of syphilis and warrants updated empirical treatment guidelines for skin ulcer diseases
Supporting safe swallowing of care home residents with dysphagia: How does the care delivered compare with guidance from speech and language therapists?
Get PDFIntroduction: Dysphagia affects up to 70% of care home residents, increasingmorbidity and hospital admissions. Speech and language therapists make recom-mendations to support safe nutrition but have limited capacity to offer ongoingguidance. This study aimed to understand if recommendations made to supportsafe and effective care are implemented and how these relate to the actual caredelivered.Methods: Eleven mealtimes with residents with dysphagia were observed dur-ing 2020 using a tool capturing 12 elements of expected practice. Staff actionsduring mealtimes were compared with adherence to residents’ care plans andspeech and language therapist recommendations.Results: Written recommendations predominantly focused on food and fluidmodification. Observations (n = 66) revealed food texture, posture, and alertnesswere adhered to on 90% of occasions, but alternating food and drink, promptingand ensuring swallow completed adherence was less than 60%. Thickened fluidsfrequently did not align with required International Dysphagia Diet Standardi-sation Initiative levels. Nutrition care provided in the dining room was less safedue to a lack of designated supervision.Conclusion: Care homes need to be supported to establish a safe swallowingculture to improve residents’ safety and care experience
Innovation in music: Adjusting Perspectives
No full textInnovation in Music: Adjusting Perspectives brings together cutting-edge research on new innovations in the field of music production, technology, performance, and business. With contributions from a host of well-respected researchers and practitioners, this volume provides crucial coverage on the relationship between innovation and rebellion.
Including chapters on generative AI, gender equality, live music, quantisation, and composition, this book is recommended reading for music industry researchers working in a range of fields, as well as professionals interested in industry innovations
‘Doesn’t anyone care anymore?’ – Bystander intervention to hate crime.
Get PDFWhile previous studies have focused on bystander intervention, current understanding specifically in the area of bystander intervention to hate crime is limited. This study seeks to focus on bystander intervention to hate crime in the United Kingdom. This study utilised 10 semi-structure interviews with participants who had personally witnessed a hate crime incident, exploring reasons for intervention, or lack thereof. Results revealed that for some who intervened, the decision to do so often stemmed from an instinctive, impulsive place, whereas for others it was a calculative decision-making process. The findings also reveal that there are various factors which influence participants in deciding whether to intervene. Critically, while all factors were described as pivotal to influencing participants in choosing whether to intervene or remain bystanders, there was no hierarchy of factors which can be generalised. The study concludes that the decision to intervene is a complex multi-faceted process and promotes awareness-raising about the various options available when witnessing a hate crime