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“It Helped Me Feel Like a Researcher”: Reflections on a Capacity-Building Program to Support Teens as Co-Researchers on a Participatory Project
Get PDFThe inclusion of youth voices in research relating to their own daily environments, wellbeing, and development is increasingly recognized as essential to ensuring rigor and success in mobilizing community change. Few studies have qualitatively examined youths’ experiences and perceptions in participatory roles. This paper presents insights and lessons learned from a capacity-building program designed and delivered as part of a youth participatory research project, Teens Talk Vaping. Teens Talk Vaping took a by-youth-for-youth research approach to co-produce research about teen vaping to inform evidence-based vaping education materials. The capacity-building program was developed to equip seven teens from the Human Environments Analysis Laboratory Youth Advisory Council (four teen girls, three teen boys; Mage: 17.3) with qualitative research skills to contribute as “teen co-researchers” to all phases of the project, from conceptualization through to dissemination. The teen co-researchers were interviewed at four key phases of the program: qualitative research principles and approaches, data collection, data analysis, and overall reflections. Using thematic analysis, findings revealed the positive implications and practical limitations of the capacity-building program, which may support other academics engaging in participatory methodologies with youth and contribute toward the improvement and enrichment of participatory research opportunities for youth
Sex disparities of human neuromuscular decline in older humans
Get PDFFemales typically live longer than males but, paradoxically, spend a greater number of later years in poorer health. The neuromuscular system is a critical component of the progression to frailty, and motor unit (MU) characteristics differ by sex in healthy young individuals and may adapt to ageing in a sex-specific manner due to divergent hormonal profiles. The purpose of this study was to investigate sex differences in vastus lateralis (VL) MU structure and function in early to late elderly humans. Intramuscular electromyography signals from 50 healthy older adults (M/F: 26/24) were collected from VL during standardized submaximal contractions and decomposed to quantify MU characteristics. Muscle size and neuromuscular performance were also measured. Females had higher MU firing rate (FR) than males (P = 0.025), with no difference in MU structure or neuromuscular junction transmission (NMJ) instability. All MU characteristics increased from low- to mid-level contractions (P < 0.05) without sex × level interactions. Females had smaller cross-sectional area of VL, lower strength and poorer force steadiness (P < 0.05). From early to late elderly, both sexes showed decreased neuromuscular function (P < 0.05) without sex-specific patterns. Higher VL MUFRs at normalized contraction levels previously observed in young are also apparent in old individuals, with no sex-based difference of estimates of MU structure or NMJ transmission instability. From early to late elderly, the deterioration of neuromuscular function and MU characteristics did not differ between sexes, yet function was consistently greater in males. These parallel trajectories underscore the lower initial level for older females and may offer insights into identifying critical intervention periods
Factors associated with antibiotic utilisation among household heads living in the staff quarters of the University of Nigeria
Get PDFThe World Health Organization (WHO) and global health authorities have highlighted the misuse of antibiotics as a critical public health issue, prompting increased examination of antibiotic use practices. This study assessed factors influencing antibiotic utilization among household heads living in the staff quarters of a Nigerian university. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 randomly selected household heads residing in the staff quarters of the University of Nigeria using a 25-item questionnaire. Retrieved data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS (Version-27), with the significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. 93 respondents participated in this study (response rate = 93%), 38 (40.9%) males. Postgraduate degrees were the highest qualifications of 51 (58.6%) respondents. While 41 (43.2%) respondents sometimes used antibiotics without a prescription, 33 (34.7%) trusted their prescriber’s decision on the prescription (or not) of antibiotics, with 41 (43.2%) obtaining antibiotics from pharmacies without prescriptions. Family size (p = 0.015), gender (p = 0.022), and educational level (p = 0.047) were all related to their antibiotic use practices. Many staff who are residents of the university-provided quarters at the University of Nigeria inappropriately use antibiotics. Family size, gender, and educational level were identified as determinants of antibiotic use
Thermodynamic assessment on the extraction of zinc from spent alkaline batteries-PVC waste streams
Get PDFSpent Alkaline Batteries (SAB) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) are generated world-wide in large quantities with the absence of a sustainable recycling route. To study their potential co-recycling, we present a theoretical thermodynamic investigation of their co-thermal treatment utilizing the Gibbs free energy minimization approach. In the model, the possibility of recycling SAB and PVC by thermally treating their mixture followed by water leaching is reported. Results suggest that the thermal treatment of washed SAB (WSAB) with PVC at 300 ⁰C and under oxidative conditions promotes the selective chlorination of zinc over iron and manganese (leaving them in their respective oxide forms Fe2O3 and MnO2). Simulations also revealed that performing water leaching of the thermally processed residue should be performed in the pH range 2–6 to dissolve zinc selectively while keeping both iron and manganese in their solid phase. Hence, to achieve high extraction selectivity towards zinc, SAB should first be water washed to dissolve sodium and potassium hydroxides. The product from water washing is then thermally treated with PVC (300 ⁰C with oxygen molar ratio above 1). The thermal treatment residue should then be water leached in the pH window 2–6
Diagnosis of Socio-Economic Prospects and Constraints for Household Biogas Adoption: A Case of Lizulu Market in Ntcheu District of Malawi
Get PDFBiogas is once again emerging as a potential household cooking option that can help developing countries achieve energy targets. However, the adoption of biogas remains relatively slow, necessitating a diagnosis of the problem the review of literature identified. The review identified key factors influencing the adoption of household biogas technology, including policy and regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, public awareness, and socio-economic factors. Therefore, this study involved undertaking a survey where heads of 385 households were interviewed. The study found that low income of households, averaging USD 67/month, is a major constraint to biogas adoption, especially when dirty fuels cost little or nothing. In addition, a lack of awareness of the benefits of biogas over the available dirty fuels has the potential to limit its adoption. This explains why 99% of the households interviewed indicated firewood and charcoal were their first option, and 52% believed that these dirty fuels were dependable. Regardless of these bottlenecks, the study found that households are ready to try better cooking options. About 99% of households were interested in using biogas, and 94% wanted to learn more about biogas. Therefore, there is a need for increased awareness, and suppliers must adopt innovations that make biogas more accessible and competitive against traditional cooking fuels
Impact of hyperkalaemia on renin–angiotensin–aldosterone (RAAS) inhibitor reduction or withdrawal following hospitalisation
Get PDFBackground: Inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), such as ACE inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin-II receptor blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, reduce morbidity and mortality in hypertension, congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease. However, their use can lead to hyperkalaemia. We examined the proportions of RAAS inhibitor (RAASi) reduction or withdrawal, across GFR strata, following hospitalisation and the effect on patient mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients hospitalised from 1 January2017 to 31 December2020. Biochemistry data, clinical notes and medicines use were extracted using the CogStack platform, from electronic health records. Patients were identified by creatinine measurement during hospitalisation. Hyperkalaemia was defined as potassium > 5.0 mmol/L, with severity categorisation. RAASi discontinuation defined as ≥ 48 h without administration. Mortality risk associated with RAASi cessation was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Among 129,172 patients with potassium measurements, 49,011 were hospitalised. Hyperkalaemia prevalence was 8.57% in the emergency department and 16.79% among hospitalised patients. Higher hyperkalaemia levels correlated with increased CKD and heart failure. RAASi use was more common in hyperkalaemic patients, with higher discontinuation rates during hospitalisation (36% with potassium 5–5.5 mmol/L; 61% with potassium > 6.5 mmol/L). By discharge, 32% of patients had RAASi stopped, and 2% doses reduced. Discontinuation of RAASi was associated with 37% worse survival probability. Conclusion: RAASi cessation was greater with hyperkalaemia and associated with increased mortality in hospitalised patients. Reinstitution of RAASi after hospital discharge, or alternative management of hyperkalaemia if maintained on RAASi therapy, may improve clinical outcomes
Chemical looping oxygen uncoupling of biochar using CuO: Influence of oxygen carrier on combustion efficiency
Get PDFDespite the consensus on the urgent need to mitigate climate change by reducing CO2 emissions, technological advancements lag the escalating levels of CO2. This study investigates the impact of process conditions and oxygen carrier quality on the chemical looping oxygen uncoupling (CLOU) of biochar with CuO as a promising bioenergy production with CO2 capture and storage (BECCS) approach. This work offers new insights into the role of CuO synthesis method and material source on biochar combustion efficiency in a CLOU framework, comparing both commercial and in-house formulations. Combustion efficiency increases from 67.9 vol% at 750 °C to 98.2 vol% at 900 °C. The stoichiometric ratio also influenced performance, improving from 71.2 vol% at a ratio of 1.0 to 95.7 vol% at 1.5. Higher-quality CuO samples, such as CuO (Honeywell), demonstrated superior performance, achieving 98.3 vol% efficiency compared to 71.2 vol% for CuO (Inoxia) at 850 °C. CuO (Honeywell) also exhibited greater stability across multiple redox cycles, maintaining 99.0 vol% capacity after six cycles, while CuO (Inoxia) suffered a significant decline to 84 vol% due to sintering and agglomeration. Lab-prepared Cu80Al20-WI displayed stable performance, retaining 97.1 vol% after six cycles, outperforming Cu80Al20-CP, which degraded to 83.9 vol%. This performance was mainly attributed to gas diffusional effect and larger availability of active sites in Cu80Al20-WI for oxygen in reduction/oxidation CLC processes. These results highlight the importance of optimising both process conditions and oxygen carrier quality for efficient CLOU applciaiton
Core concepts in statistics and research methods. Part 2: clinical research principles and observational studies
Get PDF• Primary clinical research can be categorised as either observational or experimental.• Bias is present in all observational studies.•The relationship between an exposure and outcome can be distorted by a third extraneous variable, a confounder.•Statistical strategies to address confounding include matching, stratification, regression, propensity scoring and instrumental variable analysis.•The main weakness of propensity scoring is that it can only control for known and measured confounding
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