ethicalabs/Research-Intent-Collab huggingface dataset:
Assessing self-management responses to educational interventions in at-risk diabetes population: a cluster-based longitudinal analysis

Objectives                     To assess the effect of three educational interventions on self-management behaviours among individuals at risk of diabetes in Burkina Faso, Comoros and Mali, using cluster analysis to identify distinct respondent profiles.                                                           Design                     Single-arm before–after longitudinal study with 6-month follow-up.                                                           Setting                     Community screening initiatives and antenatal clinics in Burkina Faso, Comoros and Mali.                                                           Participants                     540 adults at risk of diabetes (body mass index ≥25 kg/m² and/or family history of diabetes and/or impaired fasting glucose ≥1.10 g/L; mean age 38.2 years, 69% female) recruited through community screening initiatives and antenatal clinics in Burkina Faso, Comoros and Mali.                                                           Interventions                     Three educational interventions: (1) social media video broadcasting, (2) peer educator outreach and (3) gestational diabetes education at antenatal clinics.                                                           Primary and secondary outcome measures                                            Changes in domain-specific Health Education Impact Questionnaire scores over 6 months assessed using Cohen’s                       d                       effect sizes.                                                                                Results                     Of the 540 initial participants, 528 responded to the follow-up survey 6 months later. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct self-management profiles: cluster 1 showed significant improvement in only two domains, self-monitoring (d=0.35, p=0.006) and skill acquisition (d=0.30, p=0.020), indicating limited but focused gains. In contrast, cluster 2 suggested significant progress in seven out of eight domains, including large gains in positive engagement in life (d=0.74, p&lt;0.001) and health-directed activity (d=0.61, p&lt;0.001). Emotional distress decreased significantly in cluster 2 (d=-0.27, p=0.009), underscoring its greater responsiveness.                                                           Conclusion                     Distinct self-management profiles among diabetes-risk populations revealed critical heterogeneity that demands tailored, context-specific public health strategies to effectively address diverse needs and optimise prevention efforts.
Conflict resolution and peace building: the gender question in the Niger delta crisis in Nigeria

The paper examines the strategic approaches adopted by women and the socio-cultural obstacles that impede women active participation in conflict resolution and peace building process in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Conflict has become a recognizable feature in the oil rich region. The activities of the multinational oil companies have ushered in various manifestations of conflict, resulting from intra/ intercommunity feud, communities agitation for resource control, fulfillment of social exchange obligations and widespread protests over the monumental degradation of the Niger Delta environment by the activities of the multinational oil companies and the repressive measures adopted by the Nigerian state in suppressing the inhabitants from expressing their displeasure. The various forms of conflict have a far-reaching but negative effect on the womenfolk and as such should be made to participate in conflict resolution and peace building process. On the contrary, they are made to believe that their rightful gender role is in the home front as housewives, mothers, and caregivers while the men carry on with important societal roles of conflict resolution and peace building. The paper argues that women by their nature are home managers, calm and lover of peace. Thus, adopt non confrontational or violent free strategies when tackling issues of conflict and peace building. The paper suggests that gender discriminatory policies and legislations in our society should be jettisoned so as to give women the chance to actively participate in conflict resolution and peace building process in the Niger Delta.Keywords: Nigeria, Women, Conflict, Peace
Homelessness and discrimination : report of a formal investigation by the Commission for Racial Equality into the allocation of housing by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Bibliography: p. 60
Indigenous Decolonization and United Nations Membership: Indigenous Peoples and the Fundamental Right to Self-Determination

This LL.M. thesis provides legal arguments for, amongst other things, the inclusion of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples as Members of the United Nations (equal to States, but not required to form States) through an equality- and dignity-based examination of UN Decolonization, 'friendly relations', and self-determination. The arguments contained within also provide an examination of the violations of International Law resulting from, amongst other topics addressed, discrimination committed by the United Nations and States against Indigenous and Tribal Peoples via State-Indigenous governing relationships. Limited access to justice and limited actualized rights in regards to Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination are discussed with reference to Tribal/Indigenous/State shared histories, legal personality, the International Court of Justice and judicial procedure and remedy, State anti-discrimination laws, the UN and its relationship to international trade and business, the codification of international human rights and criminal law, mental health (with special attention to high Indigenous suicide rates in 'developed' States, colonialism and discrimination), current UN definitions of 'aggression', 'war', 'colonialism' and 'conflict' (with suggestions of definition revisions), State abuse towards Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, segregation and exclusion, and apartheid and cultural genocide as resulting from State-Indigenous inequality as experienced by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. UN definitions of ‘development’ are challenged and held accountable for cultural discrimination and death. Recommendations with an emphasis on healing include amendment of the UN Charter and suggested General Assembly Resolutions, as well as equal international leadership opportunity for traditional and chosen Indigenous and Tribal legal and governing cultures, subsistence-based lifeways and traditional Indigenous and Tribal healers with a focus on the right to cultural integrity, traditional Indigenous and Tribal lands, including the right to say 'no' to non-native land-grabbing, resource exploitation and State abuses. The argument that State territorial integrity includes Indigenous and Tribal traditional lands is also countered. The original version of this LL.M. thesis was submitted to the Master's of Law program 'International Law of Human Rights and Criminal Justice' at Utrecht University, the Netherlands, 22 August 2012. This online version was uploaded 5 March 2013.
Development of a high fidelity, multidisciplinary, crisis simulation model for robotic surgical teams

Immediate access to the patient in crisis situations, such as cardiac arrest during robotic surgery, can be challenging. We aimed to present a full immersion simulation module to train robotic surgical teams to manage a crisis scenario, enhance teamwork, establish clear lines of communication, improve coordination and speed of response. Start time of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first defibrillator shock and robotic de-docking time from the first 'cardiac arrest call' were recorded. Observational Teamwork Assessment for Surgery (OTAS) scores were used in control and test simulations to assess performance along with a participant survey. Repeat scenarios and assessment were conducted at a 6-month interval for the same team to validate knowledge retention and an additional scenario was run with a new anaesthetic team to validate modular design. OTAS scores improved across all specialty teams after training with emergency algorithm and at retention validity re-test (p = 0.0181; p = 0.0063). There was an overall reduction in time to CPR (101-48 s), first defibrillator shock (> 302 s to 86 s) and robot de dock time (86-25 s) Improvement remained constant at retention validity re-test. Replacing the anaesthetic team showed improvement in time to CPR, first shock and robotic de-dock times and did not affect OTAS scores (p = 0.1588). The module was rated highly for realism and crisis training by all teams. This high-fidelity simulation training module is realistic and feasible to deliver. Its modular design allows for efficient assessment and feedback, optimising staff training time and making it a valuable addition to robotic team training.
Statistical mechanical analysis of Raman spectroscopic order parameter changes in pressure-induced lipid bilayer phase transitions

The statistical mechanical cluster theory of Fisher as applied by Kanehisa and Tsong to phospholipid bilayers is modified to describe the effects of hydrostatic pressure on the state of an aqueous dispersion of the phospholipid dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine. A high pressure Raman scattering cell has been built to obtain the Raman spectra of aqueous dispersions of phospholipids as a function of the applied hydrostatic pressure from 0 to 100 atmospheres. Predicted thermal and pressure-induced phase transitions are compared with an experimentally obtained Raman order parameter derived from the ratio of two bands in the C-H stretching region of the Raman spectrum of the sample. The parameters of the theory are adjusted to obtain a satisfactory fit of the Raman order parameter versus temperature. The theory is then found to give an excellent prediction of the observed pressure dependence of the Raman order parameter with no changes in the adjustable parameters. The implications of the success of the theoretical fit is discussed. Particularly of interest is the rather high value of the critical temperature, Tc, for lipid bilayers which is predicted by the model.
Disparities in Health Insurance Coverage, Access, and Outcomes for Individuals in Same-Sex Versus Different-Sex Relationships, 2000–2007

Objectives. We used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to compare health insurance coverage, access to care, and women's cancer screenings for individuals in same-sex versus different-sex relationships.  Methods. We estimated logistic regression models by using data on 5265 individuals in same-sex relationships and 802 659 individuals in different-sex relationships.  Results. Compared with women in different-sex relationships, women in same-sex relationships were significantly less likely to have health insurance coverage, were less likely to have had a checkup within the past year, were more likely to report unmet medical needs, and were less likely to have had a recent mammogram or Pap test. Compared with men in different-sex relationships, men in same-sex relationships were significantly less likely to have health insurance coverage and were more likely to report unmet medical needs, although they were more likely to have had a checkup in the past year.  Conclusions. In the largest and most recent nationally representative sample, we found important differences in health insurance coverage and access to care between individuals in same-sex relationships and those in different-sex relationships for both men and women.
Mathematical Modelling and Prediction in Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Mathematical modeling of diseases is an urgent problem in the modern world. More and more researchers are turning to mathematical models to predict a particular disease, as they help the most correct and accurate study of changes in certain processes occurring in society. Mathematical modeling is indispensable in certain areas of medicine, where real experiments are impossible or difficult, for example, in epidemiology. The article is devoted to the historical aspects of studying the possibilities of mathematical modeling in medicine. The review demonstrates the main stages of development, achievements and prospects of this direction.
Synthetic Biology meets Neuromorphic Computing: Towards a bio-inspired Olfactory Perception System

In this study, we explore how the combination of synthetic biology, neuroscience modeling, and neuromorphic electronic systems offers a new approach to creating an artificial system that mimics the natural sense of smell. We argue that a co-design approach offers significant advantages in replicating the complex dynamics of odor sensing and processing. We propose a hybrid system of synthetic sensory neurons that provides three key features: (a) receptor-gated ion channels, (b) interface between synthetic biology and semiconductors and (c) event-based encoding and computing based on spiking networks. Our approach is validated using simulation-based modeling of the complete sensing and processing pipeline. This research seeks to develop a platform for ultra-sensitive, specific, and energy-efficient odor detection, with potential implications for environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and security.
Autocatalysis in Reaction Networks

The persistence conjecture is a long-standing open problem in chemical reaction network theory. It concerns the behavior of solutions to coupled ODE systems that arise from applying mass-action kinetics to a network of chemical reactions. The idea is that if all reactions are reversible in a weak sense, then no species can go extinct. A notion that has been found useful in thinking about persistence is that of "critical siphon." We explore the combinatorics of critical siphons, with a view towards the persistence conjecture. We introduce the notions of drainable and "self-replicable" (or autocatalytic) siphons. We show that: every minimal critical siphon is either drainable or self-replicable; reaction networks without drainable siphons are persistent; and non-autocatalytic weakly-reversible networks are persistent. Our results clarify that the difficulties in proving the persistence conjecture are essentially due to competition between drainable and self-replicable siphons.
The Internet of Things for Environment: Ontology-based Decision Support System (DSS) coupled with a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)

Design and implementation of a Ontology-based DSS which measurement data are mainly provided by WSN for: - Context Acquisition, Modeling, Reasoning and Distribution over the whole system (DSS and WSN) - Heterogeneous data integration - Regulated energy consumption at the level of the wireless sensors - Internet of Things (IoT) and Linked Open Data (LOD) paradigms considered
Investigating the impact of health insurance coverage on the provision and accessibility of pediatric healthcare services in Benin.

Background: Access to pediatric healthcare services in Benin remains a critical challenge, particularly for low-income families. The Assurance pour le Renforcement du Capital Humain (ARCH) program was introduced to improve healthcare accessibility through health insurance coverage. However, disparities persist due to systemic inefficiencies, financial barriers, and regional disparities. This study examines the impact of health insurance coverage on the provision and accessibility of pediatric healthcare services in Benin, assessing the effectiveness of the ARCH program and identifying remaining challenges.  Methods and Materials: The research employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative data analysis from health facilities and qualitative insights from interviews and focus groups with families, healthcare providers, and administrators. Data sources include health service utilization records, patient demographics, and outcomes before and after the implementation of ARCH. Statistical analysis will be applied to evaluate service utilization rates, while thematic analysis will assess patient and provider experiences.  Results: Preliminary findings suggest that while ARCH has improved access to pediatric healthcare, gaps remain in insurance enrollment, affordability, and service delivery, particularly in rural areas. Enrollment figures indicate that coverage remains below the government’s initial target, leaving many children uninsured. Socioeconomic barriers, healthcare infrastructure limitations, and fragmented health financing systems continue to affect pediatric healthcare accessibility. However, expanding insurance coverage, integrating health services, and leveraging international partnerships present opportunities for improvement.  Conclusion: Health insurance plays a crucial role in enhancing pediatric healthcare accessibility in Benin, but challenges such as low enrollment, systemic inefficiencies, and socioeconomic disparities must be addressed. Strengthening policy frameworks, improving insurance outreach, and ensuring financial sustainability are critical for optimizing the impact of programs like ARCH. The study’s findings will inform policymakers on strategies to enhance pediatric healthcare access and equity in Benin, contributing to improved health outcomes for children.
The Global One Health Paradigm: Challenges and Opportunities for Tackling Infectious Diseases at the Human, Animal, and Environment Interface in Low-Resource Settings

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) Zoonotic infectious diseases have been an important concern to humankind for more than 10,000 years. Today, approximately 75% of newly emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are zoonoses that result from various anthropogenic, genetic, ecologic, socioeconomic, and climatic factors. These interrelated driving forces make it difficult to predict and to prevent zoonotic EIDs. Although significant improvements in environmental and medical surveillance, clinical diagnostic methods, and medical practices have been achieved in the recent years, zoonotic EIDs remain a major global concern, and such threats are expanding, especially in less developed regions. The current Ebola epidemic in West Africa is an extreme stark reminder of the role animal reservoirs play in public health and reinforces the urgent need for globally operationalizing a One Health approach. The complex nature of zoonotic diseases and the limited resources in developing countries are a reminder that the need for implementation of Global One Health in low-resource settings is crucial. The Veterinary Public Health and Biotechnology (VPH-Biotec) Global Consortium launched the International Congress on Pathogens at the Human-Animal Interface (ICOPHAI) in order to address important challenges and needs for capacity building. The inaugural ICOPHAI (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2011) and the second congress (Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, 2013) were unique opportunities to share and discuss issues related to zoonotic infectious diseases worldwide. In addition to strong scientific reports in eight thematic areas that necessitate One Health implementation, the congress identified four key capacity-building needs: (1) development of adequate science-based risk management policies, (2) skilled-personnel capacity building, (3) accredited veterinary and public health diagnostic laboratories with a shared database, and (4) improved use of existing natural resources and implementation. The aim of this review is to highlight advances in key zoonotic disease areas and the One Health capacity needs.
Data from Prediction of Stage, Grade, and Survival in Bladder Cancer Using Genome-wide Expression Data: A Validation Study

&lt;div&gt;Abstract&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Purpose:&lt;/b&gt; To evaluate performances of published gene signatures for the assessment of urothelial carcinoma.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Experimental Design:&lt;/b&gt; We evaluated 28 published gene signatures designed for diagnostic and prognostic purposes of urothelial cancer. The investigated signatures include eight signatures for stage, five for grade, four for progression, and six for survival. We used two algorithms for classification, nearest centroid classification and support vector machine, and Cox regression to evaluate signature performance in four independent data sets.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The overlap of genes among the signatures was low, ranging from 11% among stage signatures to 0.6% among survival signatures. The published signatures predicted muscle-invasive and high-grade tumors with accuracies in the range of 70% to 90%. The performance for a given signature varied considerably with the validation data set used, and interestingly, some of the best performing signatures were not designed for the tested classification problem. In addition, several nonbladder-derived gene signatures performed equally well. Large randomly selected gene signatures performed better than the published signatures, and by systematically increasing signature size, we show that signatures with &gt;150 genes are needed to obtain robust performance in independent validation data sets. None of the published survival signatures performed better than random assignments when applied to independent validation data.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; We conclude that gene expression signatures with &gt;150 genes predict muscle-invasive growth and high-grade tumors with robust accuracies. Special considerations have to be taken when designing gene signatures for outcome in bladder cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 16(17); 4421–33. ©2010 AACR.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Additional file 3 of Health insurance coverage and access to child and maternal health services in West Africa: a study protocol for a systematic review

Additional file 3:. Draft Search terms.
Effect of Changes in Hospital Nursing Resources on Improvements in Patient Safety and Quality of Care

Background:             Evidence shows hospitals with better nursing resources have better outcomes but few studies have shown that outcomes change over time within hospitals as nursing resources change.                                   Objectives:             To determine whether changes in nursing resources over time within hospitals are related to changes in quality of care and patient safety.                                   Research Design:             Multilevel logistic response models, using data from a panel of 737 hospitals in which cross-sections of nurse informants surveyed in 2006 and 2016, were used to simultaneously estimate longitudinal and cross-sectional associations between nursing resources, quality of care, and patient safety.                                   Measures:             Nursing resources included hospital-level measures of work environments, nurse staffing, and nurse education. Care quality was measured by overall rating of care quality, confidence in patients managing care after discharge, confidence in management resolving patient care problems; patient safety was measured by patient safety grade, concern with mistakes, and freedom to question authority.                                   Results:             After taking into account cross-sectional differences between hospitals, differences among nurses within hospitals, and potential confounding variables, changes within hospitals in nursing resources were associated with significant changes in quality of care and patient safety. Improvements in work environment of 1 SD decrease odds of unfavorable quality care and patient safety by factors ranging from 0.82 to 0.97.                                   Conclusions:             Improvements within hospitals in work environments, nurse staffing, and educational composition of nurses coincide with improvements in quality of care and patient safety. Cross-sectional results closely approximate longitudinal panel results.