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Impact of Maternal Phenotypic Factors on Foetal Biometry and Neonatal Outcomes in a hot and predominantly dry climatic environment
No full textReaffirming sensory ethnography: sensing regenerative tourist practices in dark-sky protected zones
Get PDFThis paper affirms the importance of ethnography as a mechanism for identifying regenerative practices in tourism research through exploring a dark-sky destination. National parks in the United Kingdom have initiated leisure-based festivals to raise ecological awareness and preserve protected dark-sky reserves. Yet, scholars have paid little attention to how public engagement in dark-sky festivals can raise ecological awareness of light pollution, the climate crisis, and sustainability issues, and none have explored the regenerative potential that this research addresses. To understand the impact of dark-sky tourism in protected areas, a novel theoretical approach combines Sarah Pink’s (Citation2009) conceptualisation of emplaced sensory ethnography with theories of regenerative tourism. Conducted during the North York Moors National Park Dark Skies Festival in February 2024, the research employed emplaced sensory ethnography to capture the sensory perceptions and practices of dark-sky tourism stakeholders. The study offers new insights into how dark-sky festivals engender sustainable practices among stakeholders through co-produced, emplaced sensory experiences in dark-sky reserves
A figurational analysis of boys’ and girls’ banter in secondary Physical Education
No full textThis article explores gendered differences in how banter is socially constructed in secondary school physical education (PE) in England. Focusing on how boys and girls socially construct banter responds to gaps in literature which often positions banter as an inherently masculine form of communication. Ethnographic data from one state-funded secondary school garnered through pupil focus groups, teacher interviews and observational fieldnotes. Figurational sociological concepts of figuration, power and gendered habitus are drawn upon when thematically examining banter as a form of communication found in peer relations used differently by different groups. During single-sex PE lessons, older girls were more likely to banter within small friendship groups in a cautious and selective manner, whereas older boys were more likely to banter openly and competitively between peers and teachers. Furthermore, girls’ and female PE teachers’ banter tended to be amicable, inoffensive and self-deprecating, whilst boys’ and male PE teachers’ banter tended to be more targeted, ribbing and inspired by seeking competitive advantages and sporting failures. These differences were partly informed by, and indicative of, boys’ and girls’ shared gender habituses and the impacts of these on their peer relations within broader figurations. These differences were also informed by, and indicative of, male PE teachers’ more tolerant attitudes towards and enthusiastic engagement in banter compared with their female colleagues. In this respect, PE teachers’ seemingly gendered habitus may contribute to and inform boys’ and girls’ exposure to, learning and embodiment of this communicative style within single-sex PE figurations. Given our focus, findings and theorising, future research should examine how banter is socially constructed in mixed-sex sporting settings, as well as the role of banter within girls’ friendship groups
The global, regional, and national burden of cancer, 1990–2023, with forecasts to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023
No full textPolydopamine-infused toothpaste: An in vitro assessment of cytotoxicity and embryonic toxicology.
Get PDFBackgroundOral health issues affect approximately 3.5 billion individuals globally, with untreated dental caries being the most prevalent condition, as reported by the WHO. While mechanical plaque removal has shown effectiveness in preventing oral diseases, the need for more advanced and bioactive toothpaste formulations persists. Among emerging ingredients, polydopamine (PDA) has shown promising antibacterial and biocompatible properties, making it a potential additive for therapeutic oral care products.AimThis study aimed to formulate a polydopamine-infused therapeutic toothpaste and evaluate its in vitro cytotoxicity and embryonic toxicity.MethodsThe toothpaste was developed using calcium carbonate as an abrasive, glycerin for moisture retention, and carboxymethyl cellulose as a thickening agent. Sodium lauryl sulfate functioned as a foaming agent, and sodium fluoride was included for enamel protection. Xylitol and peppermint oil were added to enhance taste and stability. Polydopamine was synthesized by polymerizing dopamine in an ethanol-water-ammonium hydroxide mixture and incorporated for antimicrobial enhancement. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Bioassay, exposing Artemia salina nauplii to PDA-formulated toothpaste at concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 μg/mL. Embryonic toxicity was evaluated using the Zebrafish Embryo Toxicity Test over a 78- hour period. Statistical analysis involved Mann-Whitney and Friedman tests.ResultsPDA-formulated toothpaste showed significantly lower cytotoxicity than commercial alternatives at all tested concentrations (p < 0.05), with no significant differences in embryonic toxicity. Both formulations exhibited dose-dependent responses (p = 0.001).ConclusionPolydopamine-infused toothpaste showed reduced cytotoxicity and no embryonic toxicity, indicating its potential as a safe, effective therapeutic oral care additive
Perceptions and Challenges of AI Adoption in Nigerian Public Healthcare: Insights from Consultant Doctors Across Five Tertiary Hospitals
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Artificial Intelligence adoption in Nigerian healthcare settings faces unique challenges due to limited infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and varied levels of familiarity among healthcare professionals. This study explores consultant doctors' perceptions of Artificial Intelligence adoption in public healthcare across five tertiary hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria.
Method
The study was conducted across five purposively selected public tertiary hospitals in across five states. Using purposive sampling, 15 consultant doctors from specialties, including radiology, internal medicine, and emergency medicine, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data was collected through interviews that explored knowledge, challenges, and opportunities surrounding Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. Following Braun and Clarke's framework, thematic analysis was used to identify key themes.
Results
The study revealed a nascent but growing awareness of Artificial Intelligence's applications in healthcare, with familiarity primarily concentrated in diagnostic imaging and predictive analytics. While consultants acknowledged Artificial Intelligence's potential to enhance diagnostic speed and accuracy, they also expressed concerns regarding diminished human interaction, the risk of diagnostic inaccuracies, and the potential for over-reliance on Artificial Intelligence systems. Ethical considerations surrounding data privacy and the need for robust regulatory oversight were prominent. Participants emphasized the necessity for stringent data protection protocols and well-defined guidelines governing Artificial Intelligence implementation.
Conclusion
Consultant doctors view Artificial Intelligence as a potentially transformative tool for Nigerian public healthcare but underscore the critical need for comprehensive training programs, robust regulatory frameworks, and substantial infrastructural improvements to ensure its responsible and effective integration. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence models must be customized to address Nigeria-specific healthcare challenges
Cross Correlation Between Plasmaspheric Hiss Waves and Enhanced Radiation Levels at Aviation Altitudes
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Bridging gaps in maternity care for women with disabilities: a scoping review of access and utilisation in sub-Saharan Africa adopting the WHO health systems framework
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Women with disabilities face higher risks of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Barriers such as socio-cultural stigma, health facility inaccessibility, and lack of supportive healthcare contribute to their limited access to maternity services, exacerbating their vulnerability. Despite significant research on maternal health in SSA, studies focusing on women with disabilities remain scarce, and current healthcare services often fail to accommodate their needs. This scoping review explores barriers to maternity care accessibility among women with disabilities in SSA, highlighting gaps in research necessary for developing interventions that align with global health goals, such as reducing maternal mortality by 2030.
Methods
This current scoping review was informed by the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. Exploratory searches were conducted in JSTOR, PubMed, PsycINFO, African Journals Online, and Web of Science, etc., to identify studies conducted in SSA that focused on access, utilisation, and barriers to maternity services such as antenatal care (ANC) visits, facility delivery, and postnatal care visits among women with disabilities in SSA since the introduction of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Twenty-two studies were included, spanning from June 1st 2016 to 30th May 2024.
Results
Of the 22 eligible studies out of 416 identified studies published between 2016 and 2024, 20 were conducted across eight countries in SSA. Eight studies employed quantitative methods, 12 used qualitative approaches, and two used mixed-methods analysis. These studies focused on all or either of the maternal health services measured in this study, which include antenatal care (ANC), facility delivery, and postnatal care (PNC) among women with disabilities. Findings indicate that, despite a strong desire for ANC, physical impairments, mobility issues, and unsupportive infrastructure hinder access. Although facility deliveries were high, support gaps and negative provider attitudes were common. The WHO health system framework categorisation shows that more barriers are within the service delivery and health workforce domains.
Conclusion
The review found limited studies on access to and utilisation of ANC, facility delivery, and PNC for women with disabilities in SSA. This gap restricts understanding of the issue and hampers interventions, increasing risks to maternal and child health. Urgent research and int