Immigrant background, incarceration history and recidivism among adults assessed for illicit substance use severity: Findings from a Swedish registry study.

Background: In Sweden, as in other countries, individuals with immigrant backgrounds are disproportionately represented within the incarcerated population. This study examined the association between immigrant background and future incarceration for individuals assessed for illicit substance use severity, while considering their prior incarceration history.

Methods: Using data from Swedish Addiction Severity Index (ASI) assessments linked to register data from Statistics Sweden, we employed Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial (ZINB) regression models to analyse differences in incarceration histories within five years before and after ASI assessments based on immigrant backgrounds.

Digital tools for youth health promotion: principles, policies and practices in sub-Saharan Africa.

Although digital health promotion (DHP) technologies for young people are increasingly available in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there has been insufficient research investigating whether existing ethical and policy frameworks are adequate to address the challenges and promote the technological opportunities in these settings. In an effort to fill this gap and as part of a larger research project, in November 2022, we conducted a workshop in Cape Town, South Africa, entitled 'Unlocking the Potential of Digital Health Promotion for Young People in Low- and Middle-Income Countries'. The workshop brought together 25 experts from the areas of digital health ethics, youth health and engagement, health policy and promotion and technology development, predominantly from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), to explore their views on the ethics and governance and potential policy pathways of DHP for young people in LMICs.

Application of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) as a predictive tool for the removal of pharmaceutical from wastewater streams using biochar: a multifunctional technology for environment sustainability.

This study investigates biochar as an attractive option for removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater streams utilizing data from various literature sources and also explores the sensitivity of the characteristics and implementation of biochar. ANN 1 was designed to determine the optimal biochar characteristics (Surface Area, Pore Volume) to achieve the maximum percentage removal of pharmaceuticals in wastewater streams. ANN 2 was developed to identify the optimal biomass feedstock composition, pyrolysis conditions (temperature and time), and chemical activation (acid or base) to produce the optimal biochar from ANN 1.

Optimization and screening of process parameters for the robust co-pyrolytic study of waste motor oil and rice stubble toward sustainable waste-to-fuel generation.

The current study explores the co-pyrolysis of waste motor oil (WMO) and rice stubble in a designed lab-scale pyrolyzer to produce alternative energy fuels. The parameter screening was followed by optimization utilizing the Box-Behnken design (BBD). Reactor temperature (T), mixing ratio (M), and holding time (t) affected the co-pyro-oil yield substantially.

I did not scream. i could not; i was terrified. i just followed them. . .i blocked my mind. then they all raped me: A narrative inquiry on the onset of tonic immobility among women rape victims in Nigeria.

Tonic immobility (TI) is a common uncontrollable autonomic mammalian response to an extremely fearful situation. It is one of the most immediate devastating consequences of rape and remains poorly understood. While controversies over its definition persist among researchers, this also reflects on the care for and support to victims.

Nurse managers' perceptions of patient-centred care and its influence on quality nursing care and nurse job satisfaction: Empirical research qualitative.

Aim: To explore nurse managers' perceptions of patient-centered care (PCC), its influence on quality nursing care, nurse job satisfaction, and to provide baseline data for a context-driven PCC model.

Design: The study utilized a qualitative, phenomenological design, employing individual in-depth interviews to collect data on nurse managers' PCC perceptions until data saturation.

Methods: Sampling involved purposive selection of Northern Ghana, random selection of the tertiary hospital cluster with the three participating hospitals, and purposive sampling of the nine nurse managers.

Coping Resources among Forced Migrants in South Africa: Exploring the Role of Character Strengths in Coping, Adjustment, and Flourishing.

This phenomenological qualitative study explored how forced migrants in South Africa cope with violent, traumatic experiences and precarious resettlement conditions. Data came from a larger empirical project examining migration, psychological distress, and coping. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 refugees and asylum seekers ( = 30.

Analysis of Lanthanum Oxide Based Double-Gate SOI MOSFET using Monte-Carlo Process.

Introduction: This work proposes a Double-Gate (DG) MOSFET with a Single Material made of Silicon On-Insulator (SOI). The Lanthanum Oxide material with a high k-dielectric constant has been used as an interface between two gates and the channel. The Monte Carlo analysis has been used to determine the Conduction Band Energy (Ec) profiles and electron sheet carrier densities (ns) for a Silicon channel thickness (tsi) of 10 nm at 0.

Effects of temperature on the life history traits of intermediate host snails of fascioliasis: A systematic review.

Background: The impact of climate change has led to variations in various biological processes, leading to altered transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, including snail-borne diseases (SBDs). Fascioliasis is one of the neglected zoonotic tropical snail-borne diseases caused by the trematode of the genus Fasciola. This review focused on laboratory experimental and model studies that evaluate the potential effect of temperature change on the ecology and biology of the intermediate host snails (IHS) of Fasciola.

The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Service Utilization Among Chronic Disease Patients in South Africa.

Introduction: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many disruptions in health service delivery. Evidence show that the pandemic has negatively affected routine healthcare utilization such as maternal and child health services, but the literature on the effect on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is scant in South Africa. These disruptions can have long-term health and economic implications for patients.

Novel hybrid QSPR-GPR approach for modeling of carbon dioxide capture using deep eutectic solvents.

In recent years, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have garnered considerable attention for their potential in carbon capture and utilization processes. Predicting the carbon dioxide (CO) solubility in DES is crucial for optimizing these solvent systems and advancing their application in sustainable technologies. In this study, we presented an evolving hybrid Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship and Gaussian Process Regression (QSPR-GPR) model that enables accurate predictions of CO solubility in various DESs.

Potential molecular mechanisms underlying the ameliorative effect of Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl. on insulin resistance in rat skeletal muscles.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl. are among the common medicinal plants employed in traditional medicine for treating diabetes and its complications.

The Social Ecological Model: A Framework for Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Healthcare Workers-A Scoping Review.

Vaccination plays a crucial role in combating the global COVID-19 pandemic. Immunizing all healthcare workers (HCWs) is essential for increasing vaccine confidence and acceptance within the general population. Understanding the factors that hinder or facilitate vaccine uptake among HCWs is of utmost importance, considering they are among the first to be vaccinated.

Parametric Analysis of Indium Gallium Arsenide Wafer-based Thin Body (5 nm) Double-gate MOSFETs for Hybrid RF Applications.

Introduction: The electrical behavior of a high-performance Indium Gallium Arsenide (In- GaAs) wafer-based n-type Double-Gate (DG) MOSFET with a gate length (L= L) of 2 nm was analyzed. The relationship of channel length, gate length, top and bottom gate oxide layer thickness, a gate oxide material, and the rectangular wafer with upgraded structural characteristics and the parameters, such as switch current ratio (I) and transconductance (G) was analyzed for hybrid RF applications.

Methods: This work was carried out at 300 K utilizing a Non-Equilibrium Green Function (NEGF) mechanism for the proposed DG MOSFET architecture with LaO(EOT=1 nm) as gate dielectric oxide and source-drain device length (L) of 45 nm.

Ethics, climate change and health - a landscape review.

Anthropogenic climate change is unequivocal, and many of its physical health impacts have been identified, although further research is required into the mental health and wellbeing effects of climate change. There is a lack of understanding of the importance of ethics in policy-responses to health and climate change which is also linked to the lack of specific action-guiding ethical resources for researchers and practitioners. There is a marked paucity of ethically-informed health input into economic policy-responses to climate change-an area of important future work.

Factors influencing the utilization of doctoral research findings at a university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Views of academic leaders.

Background: Translation of health research findings into policy remains a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Factors influencing health research utilization are poorly described in literature. Therefore, identifying factors that influence the utilization of research findings for policy formulation is essential to facilitate implementation of evidence-based interventions.

Exploring midwives' perceptions of respectful maternity care during childbirth in Lagos State, Nigeria: A qualitative inquiry.

In recent years, Disrespectful Maternity Care of women seeking maternity services in the health facilities continues to gain recognition globally, given that it is a violation of women's right. Growing evidence from both low- and high-income countries indicate that many women are discouraged from accessing health facilities due to substandard maternity services and the likelihood of disrespectful and abusive care from midwives and other health providers. This study's aim was to explore midwives' perception of respectful maternity care during childbirth in selected health facilities in Lagos state, Nigeria.

Cytokine Gene Expression Profiles during HIV and Helminth Coinfection in Underprivileged Peri-Urban South African Adults.

Background: Intestinal helminth parasites are potent stimulators of T helper type 2 (Th2) and regulatory Th3 anti-inflammatory immune responses, while human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are activators of predominantly T helper type 1(Th1) pro-inflammatory responses. Studies investigating the immune profiles of individuals coinfected with helminths and HIV are scarce. Although it is well known that helminths cause a type 2 immune response during the chronic stage of infection that is characterised by Th2 cell differentiation, eosinophil recruitment, and alternative macrophage activation, the immune mechanisms that regulate tissue damage at the time of parasite invasion are poorly understood.

The impact of same-day antiretroviral therapy initiation on retention in care and clinical outcomes at four eThekwini clinics, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: Same-day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases ART uptake, however retention in care after ART initiation remains a challenge. Public health behaviours, such as retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) pose major challenges to reducing new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission and improving health outcomes among HIV patients.

Methods: We evaluated 6-month retention in care, and clinical outcomes of an ART cohort comprising of SDI and delayed ART initiators.

Cytokine Responses during H37Rv and Costimulation Using Human THP-1 and Jurkat Cells, and a Pilot Human Tuberculosis and Helminth Coinfection Study.

Background: Helminth infections are widespread in tuberculosis-endemic areas and are associated with an increased risk of active tuberculosis. In contrast to the pro-inflammatory Th1 responses elicited by (Mtb) infection, helminth infections induce anti-inflammatory Th2/Treg responses. A robust Th2 response has been linked to reduced tuberculosis protection.

Kojic acid induces oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells.

The cosmetic industry makes extensive use of kojic acid (KA); however, the toxicity of KA in humans is not well known. By monitoring oxidative stress, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signalling in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells after a 24 h exposure, this study aimed to identify the toxicity of KA. KA toxicity [4.

Ethical research when abortion access is legally restricted.

Risks and benefits of some clinical research may be altered.