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Funding is critical in ecology and related fields, as it enables research and sustains livelihoods. However, early-career researchers (ECRs) from diverse backgrounds are disproportionately underrepresented as funding recipients. To help funding programs self-evaluate progress towards increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in their funding opportunities, we introduce the Stage-based Assessments of Grants for EDI (SAGE) Toolkit. Developed using existing literature, semi-structured interviews, and coauthors’ experiences, the toolkit considers how each funding stage (Advertisement, Application, Review, Awarding) interacts with applicants from racialized and other underrepresented backgrounds. The toolkit offers specific criteria and recommendations, with explanations and examples from funding agencies, to support applicants who have been historically marginalized in ecology and are often left out of equitable funding consideration. Changes in funding mechanisms alone will not reverse the marginalization of communities and peoples in the field of ecology, but advancing EDI must include action throughout the grant process. Efforts to increase EDI must be sustained, and the toolkit allows for additional considerations and evolving best practices. With the SAGE Toolkit, efforts to increase EDI can help to transition away from a transactional dynamic between funder and applicant to instead supportive community and collaboration. The SAGE Toolkit is available online at bit.ly/ediSAGEtoolkit.

The anatomic validity of structural connectomes remains a significant uncertainty in neuroimaging. Edge-centric tractography reconstructs streamlines in bundles between each pair of cortical or subcortical regions. Although edge bundles provides a stronger anatomic embedding than traditional connectomes, calculating them for each region-pair requires exponentially greater computation. We observe that major speedup can be achieved by reducing the number of streamlines used by probabilistic tractography algorithms. To ensure this does not degrade connectome quality, we calculate the identifiability of edge-centric connectomes between test and re-test sessions as a proxy for information content. We find that running PROBTRACKX2 with as few as 1 streamline per voxel per region-pair has no significant impact on identifiability. Variation in identifiability caused by streamline count is overshadowed by variation due to subject demographics. This finding even holds true in an entirely different tractography algorithm using MRTrix. Incidentally, we observe that Jaccard similarity is more effective than Pearson correlation in calculating identifiability for our subject population.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are 1) to examine the role of private investment in economic development towards sustainability in Vietnam by utilizing provincial-level data from the period 2000–2020 and 2) to construct an economic development index based on four main pillars: economy, science and technology, energy models, and multidimensional poverty. Methods/Analysis: The study employed the CS-ARDL estimation method to investigate the short- and long-term relationships between private investment and economic development. Furthermore, to address issues related to slope heterogeneity, endogeneity, and cross-sectional dependence, the study applied the AMG and CCEMG models to assess this relationship in the long term. Findings: The study identified a positive long-term relationship between private investment and economic development. Additionally, investment in science and technology, agricultural land urbanization, vocational training for labor, trade openness, and private sector finance exhibited significant associations with private investment. Novelty/Improvement: The study successfully developed an economic development index and elucidated the relationship between private investment and economic development. The research underscores two critical strategies for attracting and promoting private sector investment: improving the workforce through training and expanding export markets. The effective implementation of these strategies can address subsequent challenges and expedite sustainable economic development progress. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2023-04-04-04 Full Text: PDF

In this podcast episode, a panel of journalism professors from Carleton and Toronto Metropolitan universities discuss their experiences teaching anti-racist approaches to journalism while also dealing with both pandemic fatigue and oppression fatigue. They identify how pandemic and oppression fatigue added new layers of stress for both educators and students. The panel touches on strategies they use for making BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) students feel welcome in journalism, for example by taking on mentorship roles both inside and outside of class. They also discuss how they bring care to the classroom by allowing students to rewrite assignments, incorporating breathwork in their classes, or incorporating regular check-ins to see how students are feeling.

Background There is strong evidence that those recruited into studies are not always representative of the population for whom the research is most relevant. Development of the study design and funding decisions are points in the research process where considerations about inclusion of under-served populations may usefully be made. Current practical guidance focuses on designing and modifying participant recruitment and retention approaches but an area that has not been addressed is recruitment site selection. Methods We present case studies of three NIHR funded trials to demonstrate how publicly available UK population datasets can be used to facilitate the identification of under-served communities for inclusion in trials. The trials have different designs, address different needs and demonstrate recruitment planning across Trauma centres, NHS Trusts and special educational settings. We describe our use of national freely available datasets, such as those provided by NHS Digital and the Office for National Statistics, to identify potential recruitment sites with consideration of health status, socio-economic status and ethnicity as well as clinical and risk factors to support inclusivity. For all three studies, we produced lists of potential recruitment sites in excess of the number anticipated as necessary to meet the recruitment targets. Discussion We reflect on the challenges to our approach and some potential future developments. The datasets used are all free to use but each has their limitations. Agreeing search parameters, acceptable proxies and identifying the appropriate datasets, then cross referencing between datasets takes considerable time and particular expertise. The case studies are trials, but the methods are generalisable for various other study types. Conclusion Through these exemplars, we aim to build on the NIHR INCLUDE project, by providing trialists with a much needed practical approach to embedding EDI into trial design at the grant application stage.

We are beginning to accept and address the role that medicine as an institution played in legitimizing scientific racism and creating structural barriers to health equity. There is a call for greater emphasis in medical education on explaining our role in perpetuating health inequities and educating learners on how bias and racism lead to poor health outcomes for historically marginalized communities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI; also referred to as EDI) and antiracism are key parts of patient care and medical education as they empower health professionals to be advocates for their patients, leading to better health care outcomes and more culturally and socially humble health care professionals. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education has set forth standards to include structural competency and other equity principles in the medical curriculum, but medical schools are still struggling with how to specifically do so. Here, we highlight a stepwise approach to systematically developing and implementing medical educational curriculum content with a DEI and antiracism lens. This article serves as a blueprint to prepare institution leadership, medical faculty, staff, and learners in how to effectively begin or scale up their current DEI and antiracism curricular efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element that poses risks to human health due to its high toxicity and environmental persistence. We determined the total Hg (THg) and methyl Hg (MeHg) concentrations in hair samples from residents of the Demarcação District (Porto Velho, Rondônia) in the Brazilian Amazon, as well as in water and fish samples, to evaluate factors influencing human exposure. The average THg concentration in human hair was 7.86 ± 6.78 mg kg−1 and it was significantly higher in men, with an increasing trend related to age. There was no significant difference between female age groups. Human exposure to Hg through water was negligible compared to fish consumption. The average weekly intake estimates in the community varied between 1.54 and 4.62 μg kg−1, substantially higher than the recommended limit. The fish species with the highest amounts safe for daily consumption were herbivores and detritivores. Our results contribute to an understanding of how exposure to Hg affects the health of riverside populations and provide insights for new research to develop methods to mitigate such exposure and thus improve the quality of life of Amazonian people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is a prolonged period of inadequate rainfall, such as one season, one year or several years, on a statistical multi-year average for a region. Drought is a natural disaster effective on several socio-economic activities from agriculture to public health and leads to deterioration of the environment sustainability. The drought starts with meteorological drought, continues with agricultural and hydrological drought, and when it is in the socioeconomic dimension, the effects begin to be observed. Generally, drought studies are based on drought indices in the literature. This study applied long-term precipitation, temperature, and evaporation data from Samsun, Tokat, Merzifon, Çorum and Amasya meteorological stations from 1961 to 2022 to investigate the drought in the Yeşilırmak basin of Turkey. The present study applied Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and Effective Drought Index (EDI), China Z-Index (CZI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) based on daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual time periods to evaluate drought. The Sen slope and Mann-Kendall test were employed for data analysis. The results revealed that the monthly drought indices for the study area were almost identical for the study area. Although dry and wet periods were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies have identified significant gaps in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) considerations within the lifecycle of artificial intelligence (AI), spanning from data collection and problem definition to implementation stages. Despite the recognized need for integrating EDI principles, there is currently no existing guideline or framework to support this integration in the AI lifecycle. Objective: This study aimed to address this gap by identifying EDI principles and indicators to be integrated into the AI lifecycle. The goal was to develop a comprehensive guiding framework to guide the development and implementation of future AI systems. Methods: This study was conducted in 3 phases. In phase 1, a comprehensive systematic scoping review explored how EDI principles have been integrated into AI in health and oral health care settings. In phase 2, a multidisciplinary team was established, and two 2-day, in-person international workshops with over 60 representatives from diverse backgrounds, expertise, and communities were conducted. The workshops included plenary presentations, round table discussions, and focused group discussions. In phase 3, based on the workshops' insights, the EDAI framework was developed and refined through iterative feedback from participants. The results of the initial systematic scoping review have been published separately, and this paper focuses on subsequent phases of the project, which is related to framework development. Results: In this study, we developed the EDAI framework, a comprehensive guideline that integrates EDI principles and indicators throughout the entire AI lifecycle. This framework addresses existing gaps at various stages, from data collection to implementation, and focuses on individual, organizational, and systemic levels. Additionally, we identified both the facilitators and barriers to integrating EDI within the AI lifecycle in health and oral health care. Conclusions: The developed EDAI framework provides a comprehensive, actionable guideline for integrating EDI principles into AI development and deployment. By facilitating the systematic incorporation of these principles, the framework supports the creation and implementation of AI systems that are not only technologically advanced but also sensitive to EDI principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion are under increasing scrutiny in Higher Education. This poses an opportunity for educators involved in the delivery of psychology courses to reflect on the inclusivity of their curricula. Though psychology as a discipline has contributed to reproducing social inequalities, it has also brought them to the forefront, and has the potential to improve the landscape for minoritised people. To honour our commitment to building a more inclusive curriculum that could contribute to these efforts, we codesigned with students a final year undergraduate module, Psychology of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. The module employed inclusive pedagogies to explore how a range of EDI issues affect particular groups of people, sustaining an intersectional perspective throughout. Positive feedback from students indicated that they left the module with the confidence to speak about and take action on the inequalities and injustices they see around them, and experience themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly transformed the landscape of work and collaboration, impacting design research methodologies and techniques. Co-design approaches have been both negatively and positively affected by the pandemic, prompting a need to investigate and understand the extent of these impacts, changes, and adaptations, specifically in the health sector. Despite the challenges that the pandemic imposed on conducting co-design and related projects, it also encouraged a re-evaluation of co-design practices, leading to innovative solutions and techniques. Designers and researchers have explored alternative ways to engage stakeholders and end users, leveraging digital workshops and participatory digital platforms. These adaptations have the potential to enhance inclusivity, allowing for a wider range of individuals to contribute their perspectives and insights through co-design and thus contribute to healthcare change. Objective: This study aims to explore the impacts of the pandemic on co-design and related practices, focusing on co-design practices in healthcare that have been gained, adapted, or enhanced, with a specific focus on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Methods: The study uses a realist synthesis methodology to identify and analyze the effects of the pandemic on co-design approaches in health, drawing on a range of sources including first-person experiences, gray literature, and academic literature. A community of practice in co-design in health will be engaged to support this process. Results: By examining the experiences and insights of professionals, practitioners, and communities who were actively involved in co-design and have navigated the challenges and opportunities of the pandemic, we can gain a deeper understanding of the strategies, tools, and techniques that have facilitated effective co-design during the pandemic, contributing to building resilience and capacity in co-design in health beyond the pandemic. Conclusions: By involving community partners, community of practice (research), and design practitioners, we expect closer proximity to practice with capacity building occurring through the realist process, thus enabling rapid adoption and refinement of new techniques or insights that emerge. Ultimately, this research will contribute to the advancement of co-design methodologies and inform the future of co-design in health. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/58318 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information literacy instruction is increasingly being delivered online, particularly through the use of learning objects. The development practice for creating learning objects often uses the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to meet needs for inclusivity. However, missing from this framework is the lens of diversity. This article calls out the need to include practices in learning object development that goes beyond UDL so that learning objects are inclusive from the lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Looking at transferable techniques used in in-person instruction, we suggest guidelines to fill the inclusivity gap in learning object creation.

Abstract Resident organizations and unions have a powerful role in advocating for resident physicians with disabilities. Ongoing efforts to ensure accessibility for resident physicians with disabilities would be promoted through the inclusion of clauses in resident contracts that ensure accessible work environments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to researchers worldwide, and extensive studies have demonstrated that its impacts since March 2020 have been unequal, including across research discipline, gender, and career status. In 2023, as we navigate the post-pandemic times, questions persist regarding potential disparities and enduring effects faced by volcanology researchers, whose activities range from field work in remote areas to laboratory experiments and numerical modelling. In this study, we explore the multifaceted impacts of the pandemic on volcanology researchers through an online survey distributed globally from January to March 2023. Our survey findings reveal that a considerable fraction of volcanology researchers (44%-62%) face longer-term challenges from the pandemic that continue to impact their research, with a notably higher proportion among early career researchers (62%) and researchers with disabilities (76%). In addition, over half (52%) of all surveyed researchers indicated that they had left or considered leaving academia due to pandemic-related factors. A significantly higher proportion of disabled researchers (56%-70%) had left or considered leaving academia compared to researchers without disabilities (42%). Our findings underscore the pandemic's long-lasting and disproportionate impacts on early career and disabled volcanology researchers. We emphasis the need for concerted efforts by research organisations and funding bodies to mitigate the pandemic's enduring impacts, and stress the importance of making conferences accessible to support disabled researchers' participation. As the pandemic's long-lasting impacts ripple across the broader scientific community, the insights from this research can be used for fostering equitable practices and shaping policies beyond volcanology to other research disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It could be easy to believe that an emergency impacts us all the same way and that gender, skin tone, ability and religion don't matter when it comes to emergency plans. But this is simply not true. Planning and response to disruptive events needs to consider the individual needs and vulnerabilities of the people involved which can be exacerbated due to gender, race, ethnicity, age, social class and disability. The COVID‐19 pandemic has brought the stark reality of vulnerability and disproportionality into focus, in planning for and responding to major incidents and emergencies. In recognition of this, London's NHS emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR) community decided to investigate our own diversity to understand whether we represent Londoners and to use our findings to inform future NHS preparedness for major incidents and emergencies. This paper describes the first part: understanding our own diversity. Armed with this knowledge, we will now strive to be more inclusive of all Londoners in our planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) is an adaptive ventilation mode that recognizes electromyographic diaphragmatic activation as a sensory input to control the ventilator. NAVA may be of interest in prolonged mechanical ventilation and weaning, as it provides effort-adapted support, improves patient-ventilator synchronization, and allows additional monitoring of neuromuscular function and drive. Ventricular assist devices (VAD), especially for the left ventricle (LVAD), are increasingly entering clinical practice, and intensivists are faced with distinct challenges such as the interaction between the system and other measures of organ support. Case presentation: We present two cases in which a NAVA mode was intended to support ventilator weaning in patients with recent LVAD implantation (HeartMate III®). However, in these patients, the electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) could not be used to control the ventilator, because the LVAD current detected by the catheter superposed the Edi current, making usage of this mode impossible. Discussion/conclusions: An implanted LVAD can render the NAVA signal unusable for ventilatory support because the LVAD signal can interfere with the recording of electromyographic activation of the diaphragm. Therefore, patients with implanted LVAD may need other modes of ventilation than NAVA for advanced weaning strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial for the 15.2 open call issue of Journal of Dance & Somatic Practices (JDSP) introduces the articles and reviews contained in this issue, whilst also giving an update on journal news, developments and recent activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With an increasing focus on integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in evaluation practice and products, there is an accompanying need to examine what structural supports exist that are provided by professional evaluation associations. Purpose: This contribution systematically examines the frameworks for evaluation practice of six professional evaluation associations from Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and the United States to identify how evaluators can align integrating EDI in their evaluation practice to professional competency domains. Setting: Not applicable. Intervention: Not applicable. Research Design: Comparative review of online content offered on professional evaluation associations' websites. Data Collection and Analysis: Professional evaluation association websites were reviewed during April 2022 through to July of 2023. Content was downloaded into an Excel spreadsheet, and organized for review purposes by domains and subdomains. Findings: The presentation of EDI content in evaluator competencies was found to be highly varied; variations were found in tone/theme, principles, and domains and subdomains. These variances have professional development implications for seasoned and emerging/student evaluators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is a natural hazard that is characterized by a low amount of precipitation in a region. In order to evaluate the drought-related issues that cause chaos for human well-being, drought indices have become increasingly important. In this study, the monthly precipitation data from 1964 to 2013 (about 50 years) of the Jodhpur district in the drought-prone Rajasthan state of India was used to derive the effective drought index (EDI). The machine learning models hybridized with evolutionary optimizers such as the genetic algorithm adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (GA-ANFIS) and particle swarm optimization ANFIS (PSO-ANFIS) were used in addition to the generalized regression neural network (GRNN) to predict the EDI index. Using the partial autocorrelation function (PACF), models for forecasting the monthly EDI were constructed with 2-, 3- and 5-input combinations to evaluate their outcomes based on various performance indices. The results of the different combination models were compared. With reference to 2-input and 3-input combination models, both GA-ANFIS and PSO-ANFIS show better performance results with R2 = 0.75, while among the models with 5-input combination, GA-ANFIS depicts better performance results compared to other models with R2 = 0.78. The results are presented suitably with the aid of scatter plots, Taylor's diagram and violin plots. Overall, the GA-ANFIS and PSO-ANFIS models outperformed the GRNN model. HIGHLIGHTS Effective drought index (EDI) was predicted using soft computing techniques.; Hybrid machine learning algorithms were used.; GA-ANFIS, PSO-ANFIS and GRNN paradigms were used.; The EDI of an arid region in India was used for prediction.; Precipitation data was used for computing the EDI of drought-prone areas.;

With an increasing focus on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in evaluation practice and products, there is an accompanying need to examine what structural supports exist that are provided by professional evaluation associations. This contribution systematically examines the competencies of five professional evaluation associations from Africa, Australia, Europe and North America to identify how evaluators can align integrating EDI in thei evaluation practice to professional competency domains. Also offered is a summary of thoughts on training opportunities for integrating EDI given review findings. Professional evaluation association websites were reviewed during May through to July of 2022. Content was downloaded into an Excel spreadsheet, and organized for EDI review purposes by competency domains, subdomains which occurred during August and September of 2022. The presentation of EDI content in evaluator competencies was found to be highly varied; variations were found in tone/theme, principles, and domains and subdomains.

Medical education research is rooted in a long tradition of objectivity, evidence-based methods, and clinical surety. However, the inexorable confidence, health professions research education, and scholarship have in the manifest supremacy of western science as the foundational epistemology is questionable. Is this bravado legitimate and if so by what authority? How does this dominance of western epistemic frames determine how we are seen and how we see ourselves as health professions educators scholars and researchers? In what ways does western epistemic dominance influence how and why we conduct research? What do we consider as important to research in health professions education (HPE)? The answers are different depending on where we position ourselves or are placed in a hierarchy of scholarly privilege. I pose that the supremacy of Western scientific epistemology in modern medical education, research, and practice blurs differently colored scientific lenses and silences marginalized voices from legitimate contribution to HPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal toxicity is a significant threat to human health and the environment. Contamination of the food chain with heavy metals in water sources may impact the health of consumers adversely. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn in the invasive fish species Carassius gibelio inhabiting two important lakes in Türkiye: Lake Beyşehir and Lake Eğirdir, from the Lake District Region and assess any health risks posed by the consumption of these species. For this purpose, C. gibelio species were obtained from two lakes in dry and rainy seasons and heavy metal concentrations were determined via ICP-OES analyses. The Cd concentrations in the muscle samples obtained from both lakes were below the analysis limits. The mean heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in the Beyşehir and Eğirdir lake samples were found as Pb: 0.32, Cr: 0.09, Cu: 0.52, and Zn: 6.88 and Pb: 0.88, Cr: 0.08, Cu: 0.46, and Zn: 12.6, respectively. The average heavy metal concentrations in the muscle tissues were below the national/international legislation limits, and the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQs), total THQs (TTHQs), and carcinogenic rates (CRs) did not exceed these limits. The results suggested that the consumption of these invasive fish species from these two lakes might not pose any potential health risk for consumers. Transference values (TF) for the digestive tract were also calculated, and biomagnification was determined for Pb, Cd, and Cr. Risk assessment studies are very important in terms of evaluating the effects of fish consumption on human health via applying different indices. This is the first study in which heavy metal concentrations were determined simultaneously in Lake Beyşehir and Lake Eğirdir, and the public health risk of consuming their invasive fish species was estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the recent rise in anti-Asian hate incidents, many Asian American communities have been living in a state of uncertainty and fear. In contrast to the harmful rhetoric that has arguably contributed to such acts of hate, some organizations have issued statements in support of Asian American communities. This study seeks to examine the role and potential impact of statements from public libraries in responding to anti-Asian hate. Content analysis was used to identify the themes found in public library statements, the percentage of libraries that actually released statements, and when the statements were released. Some notable themes from the statements include solidarity with Asian American communities, condemnation of hate incidents, providing information resources, the history of anti-Asian racism, and a commitment to EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) and social justice. The study describes how the overall lack of public library statements and the timing of the statements may affect the stakeholder relationship between Asian Americans and public libraries. In addition, ALA's ninth principle in its Code of Ethics is used as a framing tool to point out how public libraries can focus on advocacy, awareness, education, and collaboration when creating statements in response to future hate incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Audiovisual products have gained ground in the last few decades, becoming a crucial part of our life nowadays. This research paper was carried out as part of the piloting phase of the TRADILEX project, which stands for Audiovisual Translation as a Didactic Resource in Foreign Language Education. The study aims to foster awareness on media accessibility through the application of Subtitling for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (SDH) as a didactic resource to explore its pedagogical potential in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. A set of six SDH-based lesson plans were designed and implemented for students to develop their integrated language skills and to foster their equity, diversity, and inclusion awareness, with a special focus on accessibility. The Initial Test of Integrated Skills (ITIS) and the Final Test of Integrated Skills (FITIS) were designed within the framework of the TRADILEX project and used to measure the development of each participant's language skills together with qualitative ad hoc questionnaires to gather their impressions about the intervention. Results show that participants have improved both their foreign language and subtitling skills, and gained more awareness regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) issues. Thus, the current study stands as a proof for the potential of Didactic Audiovisual Translation (DAT) to develop both EFL and personal skills, which are crucial for the 21st century language education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients who identify as 2SLGBTQIA + report negative experiences with physiotherapy. The objectives were to evaluate student attitudes, beliefs and perceptions related to 2SLGBTQIA + health education and working with individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQIA + in entry-level physiotherapy programs in Canada and to evaluate physiotherapy program inclusiveness towards 2SLGBTQIA + persons. Methods: We completed a nationwide, cross-sectional survey of physiotherapy students from Canadian institutions. We recruited students via email and social media from August-December 2021. Frequency results are presented with percentages. Logistic regression models (odds ratios [OR], 95%CI) were used to evaluate associations between demographics and training hours with feelings of preparedness and perceived program 2SLGBTQIA + inclusiveness. Results: We obtained 150 survey responses (mean age = 25 years [range = 20 to 37]) from students where 35 (23%) self-identified as 2SLGBTQIA +. While most students (≥ 95%) showed positive attitudes towards working with 2SLGBTQIA + patients, only 20 students (13%) believed their physiotherapy program provided sufficient knowledge about 2SLGBTQIA + health and inclusiveness. Students believed more 2SLGBTQIA + training is needed (n = 137; 92%), believed training should be mandatory (n = 141; 94%) and were willing to engage in more training (n = 138; 92%). Around half believed their physiotherapy program (n = 80, 54%) and clinical placements (n = 75, 50%) were 2SLGBTQIA + -inclusive and their program instructors (n = 69, 46%) and clinical instructors (n = 47, 31%) used sex/gender-inclusive language. Discrimination towards 2SLGBTQIA + persons was witnessed 56 times by students and most (n = 136; 91%) reported at least one barrier to confronting these behaviours. Older students (OR = 0.89 [0.79 to 0.99]), individuals assigned female at birth (OR = 0.34 [0.15 to 0.77]), and students self-identifying as 2SLGBTQIA + (OR = 0.38 [0.15 to 0.94]) were less likely to believe their program was 2SLGBTQIA + inclusive. Older students (OR = 0.85 [0.76 to 0.94]) and 2SLGBTQIA + students (OR = 0.42 [0.23 to 0.76]) felt the same about their placements. Students who reported > 10 h of 2SLGBTQIA + training were more likely to believe their program was inclusive (OR = 3.18 [1.66 to 6.09]). Conclusions: Entry-level physiotherapy students in Canada show positive attitudes towards working with 2SLGBTQIA + persons but believe exposure to 2SLGBTQIA + health and inclusiveness is insufficient in their physiotherapy programs. This suggests greater attention dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA + health would be valued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endemics in Africa are prominent, especially in countries with low income and inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. Additionally, poorly trained nurses negatively influence infection-related indicators, and these nurses may require re-training. Re-training is expensive, and due to limited resources, healthcare institutions in Africa may not have the opportunity for their nurses to be re-trained in a critical competence such as IPC. Simulation-based education, including virtual reality (VR), has shown numerous benefits in acquiring critical thinking, communication, and clinical skills. However, VR has been reserved for healthcare education in the global north. Also, no educational programmes currently exist that harness the power of VR in a low-resource context such as Africa. We argue that VR is a possible low-cost simulation modality that can create standardised training resulting in equitable, diverse, and inclusive IPC education for nursing students. However due to a lack of technological training and ongoing support, low to middle-income countries often end up failing to implement the interventions over a longer term than the initial investment. Authors like Hofstede identified dimensions causing problems between various cultures, which might restrict the implementation of newer technologies in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive manner. The design and implementation of an educational innovation must address and integrate the cultural dimensions of the targeted context. Embracing, understanding, and respecting the variations in local culture within African universities is essential to inclusive and diverse education practices and the subsequent designing and implementation of educational innovation such as VR.

Summary: A lack of diversity in genomics for health continues to hinder equitable leadership and access to precision medicine approaches for underrepresented populations. To avoid perpetuating biases within the genomics workforce and genomic data collection practices, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) must be addressed. This paper documents the journey taken by the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (a genomics-based standard-setting and policy-framing organization) to create a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for its standards and members. Initial steps include the creation of two groups: the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Group and the Regulatory and Ethics Diversity Group. Following a framework that we call “Reflected in our Teams, Reflected in our Standards,” both groups address EDI at different stages in their policy development process.

The Canadian Society for Immunology (CSI) organized an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training workshop during its 2022 Scientific Meeting to improve understanding of EDI and explore strategies to achieve EDI goals in the scientific environment. The workshop focused on identifying Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely (SMART) goals related to EDI in academia through small group discussions and learning exercises. Attendees highlighted several equity considerations within the field of academic immunology, including financial barriers, lack of diversity in research teams and gender bias; they emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive and accessible research environment. The collection and use of data relevant to EDI goals within the CSI were also identified as challenges. Fostering a culture of active and nonjudgmental listening within the CSI community is another aspirational goal to address EDI. The workshop received positive feedback from attendees, who noted that more diverse voices and specific actions for local research environments are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectre of COVID-19 and its global transformational legacy on all aspects of teaching and learning overshadows this issue of the Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology. The near-universal demand for remote learning and the reliance on learning technologies not only transformed the educational environment but also shifted many preconceived notions about the interplay between the dissemination of knowledge and technology. The surge in technology's prominence in education and the quick pedagogical pivot impacted all aspects of teaching and learning with both short- and long-term consequences. This issue explores the impact of this shift, the slow recovery and the permanent transformation of the learning landscape from the institutional, teacher, and student perspectives. We invite you to review the content summary of this journal issue.

The article on the use of IT logistics systems by microenterprises. The purpose is to analyze and evaluate the functionality of logistics IT systems used by microenterprises in Middle Pomerania. The methods are a systems analysis and a diagnostic survey conducted using the CAWI method. The result is an analysis of the use of such software in microenterprises as ERP (54.55%) and SAP (72.73%), or WMS (43.55%), MES (34.36%) and TMS (45.45%) modules and their low evaluation of 2.63-3.78 and high evaluation of EDI functionality (4.09), as well as the use of 87.69%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Article on the use of information technology platforms for transportation systems integration (MaaS). The purpose is to analyze and evaluate the functionality of MaaS using the example of Basel as a city and region. The methods are systems analysis and a case study. The result is an analysis of the use of MaaS systems at four different levels as interstate, national, regional and city cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical disciplines lag behind non-surgical disciplines in attracting female trainees. Female representation of Canadian General Surgeons has not been evaluated in recent years in the literature. The objectives of this study were to assess gender trends in applicants to Canadian General Surgery residency programs and practicing general surgeons and subspecialists. This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed gender data for residency applicants ranking General Surgery as their first-choice discipline from publicly-available annual Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS) R-1 match reports from 1998 to 2021. Aggregate gender data for practicing female physicians in General Surgery and related subspecialties, including Pediatric Surgery, obtained from annual Canadian Medical Association (CMA) census from 2000 to 2019 was also analysed. There was a significant increase in the proportion of female applicants from 34% in 1998 to 67% in 2021 (p < 0.001) and of successfully matched candidates from 39% to 68% (p = 0.002) from 1998 to 2021. Success rates between male and female candidates were significantly different in 1998 (p < 0.001), but not in 2021 (p = 0.29). The proportion of practicing female General Surgeons also significantly increased from 10.1% in 2000 to 27.9% in 2019 (p = 0.0013), with variable trends in subspecialties. Gender inequality in General Surgery residency matches has normalized since 1998. Despite females representing more than 40% of applicants and successfully matched candidates to General Surgery since 2008, a gender gap still exists amongst practicing General Surgeons and subspecialists. This suggests the need for further cultural and systemic change to mitigate gender disparities. Original research article, clinical research. Level III (Retrospective cross-sectional study). • Female representation in surgical disciplines, including General Surgery, lags behind that in non-surgical disciplines despite females constituting the majority of Canadian medical students. Trends in applicants to General Surgery residency programs in Canada have not been recently evaluated. • Over the last two decades, the gender gap in applicants has normalized with females representing the majority of successfully matched candidates to General Surgery. However, a significant gap exists in practicing General Surgeons, indicating the need for further intervention to ensure equitable representation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attitudes of creative firms towards issues of equality, diversity and inclusiveness ("EDI") can significantly affect their willingness to sponsor and implement effective measures in the domain. It is, therefore, essential to examine the readily measurable firm attributes that influence these attitudes. We have collected a wide range of data on almost 330 creative businesses. Our empirical investigation establishes a robust and unequivocal pattern. It indicates that more established companies tend not to view the underrepresentation or the discrimination of people with various protected characteristics as problematic. Young, innovative and efficient firms on the other hand are systematically more likely to consider these same issues as prevalent. These findings are in line with the conclusions from the previous literature which relied predominantly on anecdotal evidence. The patterns that we document suggest that EDI policies and recommendations must be tailored to the precise characteristics of the firm implementing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrodeionization (EDI) is a popular method of water treatment in the current field of water treatment. EDI module mainly absorbs the charged ions in water through the cation exchange resin and realizes the ion removal of water by applying an electric field to make the charged ions move in a directional way and pass through the cation exchange membrane with selective permeability. The existing EDI module has a low integration degree and the working current cannot be adjusted intelligently according to the field environment. In order to solve the problem of low integration degree, this paper designs an EDI module that integrates the EDI module, sensor, controllable constant current source module, and main controller. Meanwhile, in order to solve the problem that the current EDI working current cannot be adjusted in real-time with the environmental water quality, an EDI module output current control method based on fuzzy PID and a main controller hardware circuit based on the adjustable constant current source circuit of a microcontroller digital-to-analog converter (DAC) are designed to adjust the output current of EDI module intelligently. Then the control model of the control system is established by Matlab respectively using the PID control method and fuzzy PID control method, and the simulation is compared. In this paper, the hardware and software of the module are developed based on STM32. The experimental results show that the designed EDI module can realize accurate and fast control of water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population and a major source of essential minerals. The objective of the present study was to determine metal distribution in common rice types before and after soaking and the physical properties of the rice kernel. Rice consumption was used to calculate estimated daily intake (EDI), and target hazard quotient (THQ) for individuals. Materials and methods. Seven different types of rice from northern Iraq were randomly selected from several markets in the city of Kalar, and their physical and chemical characteristics were studied. The study evaluated possible health concerns associated with rice consumption. Finding out the impact of soaking on the minerals present in the rice was another goal of this investigation. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy was used to prepare and examine the samples for possible elements of interest. Results. Mahmud’s rice had the longest grain length, while Kurdish rice had the shortest. All the varieties tested had long and slender grains except for Saman and Kurdish rice. The ash and moisture content of the varieties ranged from 0.29 to 0.39% and 3.09% to 5.9, respectively. The zinc content of the varieties ranged from 23.6 to 15.6 mg/kg, with the highest values found in Gulbahar rice and lowest in Saman rice. The iron content and manganese content of the varieties ranged from 8.1 mg/kg to 14.3 mg/kg and 3.5 to 13.2 mg/kg, respectively. Soaking for one hour reduced the mineral content, with potassium content reduced by 40% in Saman rice and 50% in Gulbahar rice and aluminum content reduced by 40% in Kurdish rice. The water uptake ratios for Russia rice were between 1.39 and 1.6 for 35°C, 1.38 and 1.71 for 50°C, and 1.42 and 1.72 for 60°C, respectively. The EDI values indicate that all minerals in the rice samples were below WHO/FAO limits, and the HI and THQ values did not exceed unity. Conclusion. It is clear that rice is a primary source of necessary minerals; however, a balanced, varied diet should be adopted to fulfil the human body’s nutritional needs. The risk assessment of potentially excessive ingestion of certain elements through rice consumption suggests that the concentrations of Mn, Zn, and Mg in some rice samples exceeded the reference oral dose for adults and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plain English summary Cancer patients and their family members have unique and lived experience with the condition. Therefore, collaborating with them is important in cancer science. We aimed to create such a collaboration in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. In 2021, we successfully formed our diverse collaborative group. Currently, our group includes 12 public representatives. We meet online and discuss matters important to members. We also design studies and events together. Our discussions have identified four topics that need further research and policy changes such as information needs and unique needs of caregivers and family members. Our activities expand over time. For example, lately we started to advocate for other cancer patients and families. In conclusion, we formed a successful cancer patient, family member, and researcher collaborative group. Our work informs the public, healthcare systems, and scientists on important cancer related matters.

Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element that poses risks to human health due to its high toxicity and environmental persistence. We determined the total Hg (THg) and methyl Hg (MeHg) concentrations in hair samples from residents of the Demarcação District (Porto Velho, Rondônia) in the Brazilian Amazon, as well as in water and fish samples, to evaluate factors influencing human exposure. The average THg concentration in human hair was 7.86 ± 6.78 mg kg−1 and it was significantly higher in men, with an increasing trend related to age. There was no significant difference between female age groups. Human exposure to Hg through water was negligible compared to fish consumption. The average weekly intake estimates in the community varied between 1.54 and 4.62 μg kg−1, substantially higher than the recommended limit. The fish species with the highest amounts safe for daily consumption were herbivores and detritivores. Our results contribute to an understanding of how exposure to Hg affects the health of riverside populations and provide insights for new research to develop methods to mitigate such exposure and thus improve the quality of life of Amazonian people.

Bondowoso Regency is declared to be at high risk for the threat of drought based on the IRBI map of the National Disaster Management Agency in 2020. This study aims to assess drought disasters based on ENSO and NOAA data. The proposed method for rainfall modeling was Statistical Downscaling (SD) using the Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN), for which the output models were used for drought assessment using the EDI. The reliability test of the rainfall model is to compare the rainfall model with the observed rainfall. The reliability test of the EDI is to compare the results of the EDI analysis from the input rain model data with the observed rainfall data. ANN modeling results showed that monthly rainfall predictions are better. This is indicated by the R2 monthly, and 10-day base values of 0.97 and 0.83, respectively, with RMSE values of 0.05 and 0.07, and the best modeling in EDI analysis was R2 0.88 and 0.63 with RMSE 0.35 and 0.65. Based on the results of this study, it is shown that drought disaster assessment based on ENSO and NOAA climate data can be used as an alternative to support the decision-making system for drought mitigation.