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In the past thirty-five years the issue of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) has been the site of much academic critique and debate. Despite decades of impassioned interventions by feminist, health and human rights activists seeking to eliminate the practice, FGC continues in a variety of forms around the world. In July 2014, Girl Summit sought to raise awareness around girls' and women's rights, launching a new campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM). In this paper, we argue that Girl Summit 2014 presented an over-simplified conceptualisation of FGC, characterised by sensational language, questionable claims and minimal cultural analysis and reflexivity, as evident on United Kingdom Government web publications. Further, we argue that the lack of engagement with the rich and extensive debate around FGC resulted in Girl Summit 2014 advocating a cross-cultural feminist praxis uncritical in nature and limited in effect. A review of feminist, health and human rights literature suggests that effective work around girls' and women's rights requires cultural sensitivity and community-led action, wherein local agents are empowered to pursue agendas and objectives reflecting grass-roots concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinetic and thermodynamic (formal potential) data relating to the synthetically useful Li/Li+ couple in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent at a range of temperatures (196–295 K) are reported. Formal potentials, $E_{\rm f}^{\rm 0} $ have been measured versus the standard reference electrode, ${\rm Fc}\left( {4\,{\rm mM}} \right)/{\rm Fc}^ + {\rm PF}_6^ - \left( {4\,{\rm mM})} \right)$ in THF. At 295 K the following data have been obtained using a mathematical model to simulate the electro-deposition (metal deposition and growth kinetics) processes of lithium (Li) on a platinum microelectrode; a $E_{\rm f}^0 $ of -3.48 ± 0.005 V, ${\rm d}E_{\rm f}^0 /{\rm d}T$ = -9.2 (±0.5) × 10-4 V K-1, the standard electrochemical rate constant, k0 = 1 (± 0.1) × 10-4 cm s-1, transfer coefficient, α = 0.57 ± 0.03 and diffusion coefficient, D = 8.7 ± 0.1 × 10-6 cm2 s-1. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on suspended matter in inverse estuaries are relatively scarce compared with similar studies in classic estuaries. The longitudinal circulation pattern in such estuaries is opposite to that observed in classic estuaries and may significantly affect the transport of suspended sediments. The Upper Gulf of California is a macrotidal inverse estuary having negligible river input but sustaining a high concentration of suspended matter, mainly derived from erosion of bed sediments. The amount of suspended particulate matter in the water column IS controlled by tidal resuspension. On the western side of the Upper Gulf, horizontal fluxes of suspended particulate matter integrated between 1 m and 5 m above the bed were influenced by near-bed density-driven flow during neap tides. Maximum neap tide fluxes during ebb tide were - 21.5 g.m-1.s-1 to -24.9 g.m-1s-1 while peak fluxes during flood tide were one order of magnitude smaller. The loss of suspended sediment to deeper water was controlled by gravity currents, which are typical of the near-bed circulation of inverse estuaries. Similar outflow from the Upper Gulf was not observed on the eastern side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Interactions between carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles in terrestrial ecosystems are simulated in advanced vegetation models, yet methodologies vary widely, leading to divergent simulations of past land C balance trends. This underscores the need to reassess our understanding of ecosystem processes, given recent theoretical advancements and empirical data. We review current knowledge, emphasising evidence from experiments and trait data compilations for vegetation responses to CO2 and N input, alongside theoretical and ecological principles for modelling. N fertilisation increases leaf N content but inconsistently enhances leaf‐level photosynthetic capacity. Whole‐plant responses include increased leaf area and biomass, with reduced root allocation and increased aboveground biomass. Elevated atmospheric CO2 also boosts leaf area and biomass but intensifies belowground allocation, depleting soil N and likely reducing N losses. Global leaf traits data confirm these findings, indicating that soil N availability influences leaf N content more than photosynthetic capacity. A demonstration model based on the functional balance hypothesis accurately predicts responses to N and CO2 fertilisation on tissue allocation, growth and biomass, offering a path to reduce uncertainty in global C cycle projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The delivery of physiotherapy via telehealth could provide more equitable access to services for patients. Videoconference-based telehealth has been shown to be an effective and acceptable mode of service delivery for exercise-based interventions for chronic knee pain; however, specific training in telehealth is required for physiotherapists to effectively and consistently deliver care using telehealth. The development and evaluation of training programs to upskill health care professionals in the management of osteoarthritis (OA) has also been identified as an important priority to improve OA care delivery. Objective: This study aims to explore physiotherapists' experiences with and perceptions of an e-learning program about best practice knee OA management (focused on a structured program of education, exercise, and physical activity) that includes telehealth delivery via videoconferencing. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using individual semistructured telephone interviews, nested within the Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis randomized controlled trial, referred to as the PEAK trial. A total of 15 Australian physiotherapists from metropolitan and regional private practices were interviewed following the completion of an e-learning program. The PEAK trial e-learning program involved self-directed learning modules, a mock video consultation with a researcher (simulated patient), and 4 audited practice video consultations with pilot patients with chronic knee pain. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were thematically analyzed. Results: A total of five themes (with associated subthemes) were identified: the experience of self-directed e-learning (physiotherapists were more familiar with in-person learning; however, they valued the comprehensive, self-paced web-based modules. Unwieldy technological features could be frustrating); practice makes perfect (physiotherapists benefited from the mock consultation with the researcher and practice sessions with pilot patients alongside individualized performance feedback, resulting in confidence and preparedness to implement new skills); the telehealth journey (although inexperienced with telehealth before training, physiotherapists were confident and able to deliver remote care following training; however, they still experienced some technological challenges); the whole package (the combination of self-directed learning modules, mock consultation, and practice consultations with pilot patients was felt to be an effective learning approach, and patient information booklets supported the training package); and impact on broader clinical practice (training consolidated and refined existing OA management skills and enabled a switch to telehealth when the COVID-19 pandemic affected in-person clinical care). Conclusions: Findings provide evidence for the perceived effectiveness and acceptability of an e-learning program to train physiotherapists (in the context of a clinical trial) on best practice knee OA management, including telehealth delivery via videoconferencing. The implementation of e-learning programs to upskill physiotherapists in telehealth appears to be warranted, given the increasing adoption of telehealth service models for the delivery of clinical care. J Med Internet Res 2021;23(4):e25872 doi:10.2196/25872 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assumed minimum walking speed at pedestrian crossings is 1.2 m/s. In this prospective cohort study, usual walking speed was measured over a 4 m course in 926 community-dwelling, ambulatory patients with stable COPD. Mean (SD) walking speed was 0.91 (0.24) m/s with only 10.7% walking at a speed equal or greater than 1.2 m/s. In order for 95% of this cohort to safely negotiate a pedestrian cross, traffic lights would have to assume a minimum walking speed of 0.50 m/s (2.4 times longer than current times). The current assumed normal walking speed for pedestrian crossings is inappropriate for patients with COPD.The studies were registered on clinicaltrials.gov and these data relate to the pre-results stage: NCT01649193, NCT01515709 and NCT01507415. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a meta-Genome Wide Association Study involving 73 published studies in soybean [Glycine max L. (Merr.)] covering 17,556 unique accessions, with improved statistical power for robust detection of loci associated with a broad range of traits. De novo GWAS and meta-analysis were conducted for composition traits including fatty acid and amino acid composition traits, disease resistance traits, and agronomic traits including seed yield, plant height, stem lodging, seed weight, seed mottling, seed quality, flowering timing, and pod shattering. To examine differences in detectability and test statistical power between single- and multi-environment GWAS, comparison of meta-GWAS results to those from the constituent experiments were performed. Using meta-GWAS analysis and the analysis of individual studies, we report 483 peaks at 393 unique loci. Using stringent criteria to detect significant marker-trait associations, 59 candidate genes were identified, including 17 agronomic traits loci, 19 for seed-related traits, and 33 for disease reaction traits. This study identified potentially valuable candidate genes that affect multiple traits. The success in narrowing down the genomic region for some loci through overlapping mapping results of multiple studies is a promising avenue for community-based studies and plant breeding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale Several randomised controlled trials support the provision of early pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) following hospitalisation for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). However, there is little real-world data regarding uptake, adherence and completion rates. Methods An audit was conducted to prospectively document referral, uptake, adherence and completion rates for early posthospitalisation outpatient PR in Northwest London over a 12-month period. Results Out of 448 hospital discharges for AECOPD, 90 referrals for post-hospitalisation PR were received. Only 43 patients received and completed PR (9.6% of all hospital discharges) despite a fully commissioned PR service. Conclusions Despite the strong evidence base, there are poor referral and uptake rates for early outpatient PR following hospitalisation for AECOPD, with only a small proportion of the intended target population receiving this intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]