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Metronidazole
Full text linkIn this column, Sharon Rees aims to refresh knowledge and interest in some of the commonly used drugs in a series of posts on X. This month she is talking about #metronidazol
The Gender Agenda: Transphobia and the Perceived Erasure of Women
Full text linkThe aim of this chapter is to contribute to the discussion about gender politics which focuses on women's oppression and trans liberation. It examines the claim by some that acknowledging transwomen would lead to the erasure of woman as a unique social category. Because transgender and gender fluidity are not new issues, this chapter looks at firstly, how concepts such as cis, transgender, gender fluidity, non-binary and gender dysphoria have emerged in our vocabulary. The second part of the chapter concerns Judith Butler's work Gender Trouble which uses concepts such as performativity and examines whether they are useful in an analysis of gender / transgender issues and erasure of women. Butler argues that gender as a set of binary categories is outdated and interrogates the social constructionist view of gender to move towards the possibility of agency and transformation. This is followed by a discussion on UK policy and legislation which can serve to make trans people visible or invisible and how this is vulnerable to pressure from outside government. The chapter also discusses the controversy surrounding trans exclusionary radical feminist thought regarding who can claim to be a woman and the perceived erasure of women. It includes the voices of feminist thinkers who have commented that there are many ways of being female and male, with trans people widening the spectrum of gender expression which includes the global south
Combined effect of the magnetic field, orientation, and filling ratio on cylindrical pulsating heat pipe using distilled water and distilled water/Fe3O4 nanofluid
Full text linkTo investigate the effect of the magnetic field, a pulsating heat pipe was made in the shape of a cylinder and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (%0.1 wt) were used with the base fluid of distilled water as the working fluid. (Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide) TMAH surfactant was used as a stabilizer. To investigate the effect of gravity on the performance of the pipe, the device was tested at different angles from zero to 90 degrees. In this research, the effect of different variables, including the type of working fluid (distilled water vs. nanofluid), filling ratio, slope, and amount of heat input to the evaporator (30–300 W), in two different states, once without the influence of the magnetic field and once again with the application of a magnetic field was investigated. The results of the tests showed that the performance of the device at 50 % filling ratio is better than 60 % filling ratio. The use of nanoparticles improved the performance of the device. Inclining the device increases the thermal resistance so that the device performs poorly in the horizontal mode in all modes except when it is under the influence of a magnetic field. The use of nanofluid, as well as the application of a magnetic field, makes the start-up time of the device decrease by 37 % and 30 %, respectively, compared to distilled water. The temperature of the start of fluctuations also decreases by 24 % and 32 %, respectively
7. Eurorack to VCV Rack: Modular Synthesis as Compositional Performance
Full text linkAn auto-ethnographic approach is applied to explore the practice of specific patching techniques in post-digital modular synthesis. This is conceptualised as a performance, an embodied approach to creative musical synthesis that emphases the sound and touch over the visual dominance of the currently ubiquitous computer screen. Music performance includes the re-assemblage and re-configuration of a hardware modular system, in this case Eurorack, hereby differentiating it from its virtual version, VCV Rack
Achieving Secure and Transparent Supply Chains With Blockchain Technology
Full text linkThe advent of Industry 5.0 has introduced unprecedented challenges for organizations in maintaining the effectiveness, transparency, and security of their operations, leading to disruptions in supply chain management. The traditional methods of managing transactions and data sharing in supply chain networks are proving inadequate in the face of these complexities. The need for a comprehensive solution that addresses these issues has become critical.
In response, editors Mustafa Khan, Naveed R. Khan, and Arsalan Ghouri present Achieving Secure and Transparent Supply Chains With Blockchain Technology, a groundbreaking edited collection that offers a compelling solution. This book provides a thorough overview of blockchain technology and its potential to enhance supply chain efficiency, security, and resilience. By leveraging its decentralized and secure platform, blockchain emerges as a game-changing technology that can transform supply chain management.
By delving into contemporary theoretical frameworks and the latest empirical findings, this book equips academics, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, professionals, and students with the necessary knowledge and understanding to harness the power of blockchain technology for supply chain management. From exploring the applications of blockchain in traceability and resilience to examining its impact on sustainability and ethical sourcing, this book covers a wide range of topics critical to achieving secure and transparent supply chains
Comparative life cycle assessment of a novel sustainable road pavement system adopting recycled plastic from PET bottles and carbonated aggregate
Full text linkRoad surfacing is crucial in improving community accessibility and mobility. Adopting sustainable measures is extremely important to prevent the significantly high environmental burdens associated with road pavement systems production. This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment of traditional pavement systems and their sustainable alternatives made and tested at the London South Bank University laboratories. The low-impact pavement mixes proposed herein provide a novel, innovative method for producing sustainable road systems. Unlike traditional approaches, these asphalt mixes utilise materials derived from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (plastics) and carbonated aggregates and are produced at temperatures significantly lower (warm mix).
The Simapro software (Consultants, 2023) [1] was used to model the analysed asphalt mixes, and all life cycle inputs and outputs were characterised during the life cycle impact assessment phase into potential impacts using the IMPACT World + Midpoint method. Additionally, an uncertainty analysis employing Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to validate the life cycle assessment findings, reinforcing the robustness and credibility of this study's results. Notably, the assessment shows substantial reductions in the environmental impact of road pavement mixes adopting recycled plastic and carbonated aggregates, with various outcomes. Compared to traditional mixes, Climate Change emissions are reduced by approximately 40 %–60 %, Marine Eutrophication exhibits reductions of up to 30 %, and Freshwater Eutrophication decreases by up to 20 %. These findings suggest that integrating this sustainable road pavement approach can significantly reduce the environmental burdens of asphalt production and give asphalt a pivotal role in tackling waste reduction, carbon sequestration, and achieving Net Zero. Also, the proposed system can positively contribute to the current United Kingdom's (UK) circular policy model by reconsidering current waste management frameworks and integrating more efficient settings
Trends in acupuncture for infertility: a scoping review with bibliometric and visual analysis
Full text linkBackground: Unexplained recurrent implantation failure and the high cost of assisted reproductive techniques for those experiencing infertility have increasingly resulted in the use of acupuncture. However, the trends and research status of acupuncture on infertility resulting in natural conception have not been systematically summarized. This scoping review and knowledge graph analysis aimed to summarize existing clinical studies on acupuncture for infertility that resulted in natural conception. Methods: Seven databases, namely, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, and SinoMed, were searched up to August 2023 (updated on 1 April). Two authors independently identified related clinical studies and systematic reviews, and extracted data from included studies on acupuncture for infertility; any discrepancies were resolved by discussion or judged by a third author. A meta-analysis was conducted based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and data were synthesized using risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Of the 310 articles meeting the inclusion criteria, 274 were primary studies, 7 were systematic reviews, and 29 were case reports. Reported adverse events included mild ovarian irritation and early signs of miscarriage. Out of the 274 primary studies, there were 40 (14.60%) cases of male infertility and 234 (85.40%) cases of female infertility. Current research highlights on acupuncture for infertility focused on female infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, ovulation disorder, and luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome (LUFS), while acupuncture for male infertility was a hotspot in the early research stage. The meta-analysis also suggested that acupuncture was more effective than human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) [RR = 1.89, 95% CI (1.47, 2.42), 11 RCTs, 662 participants]. Acupuncture combined with HCG was comparable to HCG [RR = 2.33, 95% CI (1.53, 3.55), four RCTs, 259 participants]. Compared with no treatment, acupuncture resulted in a higher pregnancy rate [RR = 22.12, 95% CI (1.39, 353.09), one RCT, 47 participants]. There was no statistical difference between acupuncture combined with HCG plus letrozole and HCG plus letrozole [RR = 1.56, 95% CI (0.84, 2.89), one RCT, 84 participants]. Conclusion: Current research highlights on acupuncture for infertility resulting in natural conception focused on female infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, ovulation disorder, and LUFS, while studies on male infertility and female infertility caused by blockage in the fallopian tube, thin endometrium, and other factors were insufficient. Well-designed confirmatory clinical studies are still needed as the research hypotheses of most studies were unclear
Social and Emotional Skills in at-Risk Adolescents through Participation in Sports
Full text link(1) Background: Adolescents who are under the care of child and youth institutions are vulnerable due to factors that can include disruption to family structure or education and adverse experiences. They often experience poor or unstable support systems, leaving them at risk of delinquency. In this context, sports engagement may provide a stable structure and have positive effects in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions, knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding social and emotional skills among at-risk adolescents, with a specific focus on their engagement in sports. (2) Methods: Ninety-six adolescents aged 12 to 17 years (66 female, 30 male), residing in child and youth care institutions across Italy, Portugal, the UK, and Turkey, participated in this study. The participants were divided into 14 focus groups, each with six to eight participants of similar ages. (3) Results: Thematic analysis revealed four main themes: Emotional causes of behavioral problems; Emotional skills to regain control; Social support makes sports worthwhile; Sport as a socio-emotional resource. (4) Conclusions: The study findings highlight that although sports create many challenging emotional situations for these adolescents, they also provides resources that may help them cope with their emotions within and beyond sports
Greenhouse gas emissions in the Norwegian Food Sector using different approaches
No full textAccording to the Farm to Fork strategy from the European Commission, food systems cannot be resilient if they are not sustainable. Currently, sustainability of the food system is a key challenge, as the food sector contributes to 26% of the global greenhouse emissions, while agriculture uses 50% of global habitable land in addition to being responsible for 78% of ocean and freshwater pollution (1). One aim of the Farm to Fork strategy is thus to accelerate the transition towards a food system with a neutral environmental impact. The national strategy “Food Nation Norway” is proposed as an action plan towards 2030 where multiple aspects such as innovation, economic growth, and public health in addition to sustainability are considered and combined with focus on the sustainable development goals from United Nations (2). In addition, a voluntary agriculture and food sector agreement was adopted to reduce emissions by 5-million-ton CO2-equivalents in the period 2021 – 2030 (3)
Nevertheless, there are no robust data available to quantify where along the food value chain the emissions occur. Here, we aim to quantify emissions from Norwegian food chain and its supply chain stages from farm to fork.
(2) Methodology
We quantify the emissions from the Norwegian food chain with three different approaches: top-down, bottom-up and hybrid. The top-down model uses data from the governmental statistics to calculate emissions while the bottom-up model is production based and considers the mass of food through the food chain. The hybrid model is a combination of government statistics, stock data, physical heat transfer models and other published information. The baseline emissions will be calculated for 2019 using all approaches 1990 baseline will be calculated using only the top-down approach. The system boundaries for the assessment include food production, processing and packaging, transportation, storage, retail, domestic consumption and waste treatment.
(3) Results
The aim is to compare the results obtained with the three different approaches and in addition based on these insights to provide best estimates for emissions from sectors and food types in the food chain. This assessment will help to identify where the greatest potential for emissions reduction and mitigation action can be applied.
(4) Conclusion
We can thus first identify the Norwegian food sector baseline (1990) and current (2019) carbon emissions which can be afterwards used to assess the potential for mitigation in relation to the planned national strategies.
References
1. Poore J, Nemecek T (2018) Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science 360(6392):987–992
2. Government.no (2021) Food Nation Norway (Matnasjonen Norge) Matnasjonen Norge (regjeringen.no). https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/4934157014d94e3986b2219111bdf806/matnasjonen-norge_strategi_uu.pdf. Accessed: 19 June 2023.
3. Ministry of Agriculture and Food (2019) Letter of intent between agriculture and the government. https://www.bondelaget.no/getfile.php/13948298-1583147522/MMA/Bilder%20NB/Klimaavtale%20med%20regjeringen.pdf. Accessed: 19 June 2023
No, pregnancy is not a disease
Full text linkAnna Smajdor and Joona Räsänen argue that we have good reason to classify pregnancy as a disease. They discuss five accounts of disease and argue that each account either implies that pregnancy is a disease or if it does not, it faces problems. This strategy allows Smajdor and Räsänen to avoid articulating their own account of disease. Consequently, they cannot establish that pregnancy a disease, only that plausible accounts of disease suggest this. Some readers will dismiss Smajdor and Räsänen's claims as counterintuitive. By analogy, if a mathematical proof concludes '2+2=5', readers will know-without investigation-that an error occurred. Rather than dismiss Smajdor and Räsänen's work, however, the easiest way to undermine their argument is to describe at least one plausible account of disease that (1) excludes pregnancy and (2) avoids the problems they raise for it. This is our strategy. We focus on dysfunction accounts of disease. After outlining Smajdor and Räsänen's main arguments against dysfunction accounts, we explain why pregnancy is not a disease on these accounts. Next, we defend dysfunction accounts against the three problems that Smajdor and Räsänen raise. If successful, then contra Smajdor and Räsänen, at least one plausible account of disease does not imply that pregnancy is a disease. We suspect that defenders of other accounts can respond similarly. Yet, we note that insofar as dysfunction accounts align with the commonsense intuition that pregnancy is not a disease, this, all else being equal, seems like a point in their favour