Long COVID and children’s rights

Peer reviewe

Event Control through Motion Detection

Computer Vision is the study of machines that extract information from an image and perform some processing on the captured images to extract necessary data to solve some task. As a scientic discipline, the study of computer vision is concerned with the theories behind articial systems that extract information from images. The image data could in several dierent forms and formats, such as video sequences, views from multiple cameras, or multi-dimensional data acquired from a medical scanner. As a technological discipline, computer vision intends to apply its theories and models to the construction and design of computer vision systems The role of computer vison in robots is providing detailed information about the environment. A robust vision system should be able to detect and identify objects reliably and provide an accurate representation of the environment to higher level processes. The vision system should also be highly ecient, allowing a resource limited agent to respond quickly to a changing environment. Each frame acquired by a digital camera must be processed in a small, usually xed, amount of time. Algorithmic complexity is therefore constrained, introducing a tradeo between processing time and the quality of the information acquired. In most robotic applications, the vision system is the main perception device and autonomous robots must be capable of using it in order to self-localize and locate the objects that they have to manipulate. The objective of the project was to build a computer controlled bot which could collect and deposit balls rolling down a ramp with the help of overhead/onboard camera.The ojective was achieved with the use of Motion History Image(MHI) based image processing algortihms and microcontroller based controling of motors

Words matter: human rights language in the United Nations' counter-terrorism law, policy and proceedings

This thesis critically analyses the mobilisation of the language of human rights by and within three UN principal organs involved in counter-terrorism: The General Assembly, the Security Council and the office of the Secretary-General. The thesis shows that, in the context of counter-terrorism, human rights language is strategically deployed in order to assert or contest political power, legal authority and moral authority. Focusing on both the meetings and the soft-law output of these three organs, the thesis explores a number of ways in which the language of human rights is invoked in the context of the UN’s counter-terrorism work. Firstly, the thesis shows how the notion of ‘respect for human rights’ is invoked in order to differentiate between a democracy-loving, peaceful, civilised ‘us’ and the barbarous terrorist enemy, sustaining the narrative of the war on terror that was written by the United States and its allies in the aftermath of September 11. Secondly, the thesis explores the rhetoric of states of the Global South. These states frequently use the language of human rights in order to criticise the counter-terrorism policies and practices of the United States and its allies in the war on terror, highlighting the irony in the latter’s claims to be global defenders of human rights. Thirdly, the thesis examines how human rights promotion itself has, over time, come to be spoken of as a counter-terrorism measure. Finally, the thesis suggests that human rights provide a set of standards for evaluation of the conduct and decisions of UN branches. Thus, overall, the thesis charts and analyses the politics of human rights as it has played out in the UN’s counter-terrorism work over the past two decades, reflecting upon the implications of these developments for both international law and the human rights movement

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY FROM HAEMOLYMPH OF FRESHWATER CRAB OF GENUS MAYDELLIATHELPHUSA AGAINST RESPIRATORY TRACT PATHOGENS

Objective: To study the antibacterial activity using haemolymph from a freshwater crab species of genus Maydelliathelphusa against respiratory tract pathogens.Methods: 3 ml of haemolymph was collected from the live animal with a fine sterile syringe and tested for antibacterial assay by the well diffusion method. Different quantities viz. 10μl, 20μl and 30μl of haemolymph were loaded in agar plates having bacterial strains and kept for incubation at 37 °C for 24 h to test the development of bacteria. Further, the efficacy of haemolymph against bacteria was compared with antibiotic erythromycin, used as positive control.Results: The results reported the strong inhibitory action of the haemolymph against the pathogens in the present study. The lowest zone of inhibition was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and the highest zone of inhibition was observed against Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). Erythromycin, as a positive control and Di-Methyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), as a negative control were used to check the sensitivity of pathogens. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of the haemolymph for the studied bacteria was ranged between 6.25 mg/ml and 12.5 mg/ml. Maximum inhibition % (151.12) and minimum inhibition % (12.87) of haemolymph was calculated for S. pneumoniae and K. pneumoniae respectively during the study.Conclusion: Study concluded that the haemolymph has a good antibacterial activity as it suppresses the growth of the bacteria completely at very low concentrations.Keywords: Freshwater Crab, Haemolymph, Antibacterial activity, Respiratory tract pathogens

Morphological characterization of chilli (Capsicum annum L.) genotypes

231-236Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) is one of the most important vegetable cum spice crops grown worldwide. India is the leading producer of chilli in the world. Morphology based characterization of chilli was undertaken to identify characteristics which could be helpful in breeding programmes. This study is of great significance in determining the distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability of various chilligenotypes. In the present investigation, 15 genotypes of chilli collected from NBPGR Bhowali, IIVR Varanasi, and Srinagar Garhwal were evaluated for their qualitative morphological characterization using a Randomized block experimental design. A fair amount of variation was found in the morphological characterization analysis. Among the different traits assessed, round stem shape, anthocyanin colouration of nodes, entire leaf margin, white corolla colour, dentate calyx margin, round stem shape, and few others showed 100% frequency; a higher frequency was also observed for Green stem colour (93.33%), sparse stem pubescence (86.66%), lanceolate leaf shape (93.33%) and obtuse fruit shape at pedicel attachment (86.66%).Genotypes Kashi Anmol, Taiwan-1, Saidpur Collection, Srinagar Local, and IC-119308 found a wide range of variations in qualitative traits, and the study suggested these genotypes can be used for breeding purpose after further testing

COVID-19 and the Mental Capacity Act in care homes: Perspectives from capacity professionals

This study explores the experiences of professionals who worked with care home residents with impaired mental capacity in England and Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores (i) how competing risks were balanced and (ii) how the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) functioned in care homes under pandemic conditions, with particular focus on its associated Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) systems. Between March and May 2021, we held an online survey and five focus groups aimed at professionals who worked in or with care homes during the pandemic. The study explored issues pertaining to residents with impaired mental capacity, alongside several other topics on which we report elsewhere. For this paper, we filtered data to only include responses from ‘capacity professionals’. The resulting sample comprised 120 (out of 266) survey participants and 18 (out of 22) focus group participants. We performed manifest content analysis on the filtered data and found that (1) participants reported a ‘massive discrepancy’ between the ways different care homes balanced the risk of COVID-19 infection with the risks associated with severe restrictions. (2) Some suggested this was due to vague guidance, as well as care home type and size. Participants told us the pandemic (3) obstructed smooth operation of statutory safeguards designed to protect residents’ human rights and (4) resulted in confusion about the remit of the MCA during a public health crisis. Our findings raise concerns about the impact of pandemic-related measures upon care home residents with impaired mental capacity. We urge further exploration and analysis of (a) the variability and inconsistency of restrictions applied at care homes, (b) the strain placed on key safeguards associated with the MCA, (c) uncertainty about the remit of the MCA during a public health crisis and (d) the human rights implications hereof

Human Rights and COVID Triage: A Comment on the Bath Protocol

In their discussion paper of November 2020, Cook et al present a draft protocol for navigating circumstances in which emergency services are overwhelmed. Their paper suggests that COVID-related triage decisions should be based on clinical assessment, patient and family consultation, and a range of ethical considerations. In this response, we note that the protocol exhibits an ambiguity that is likely to result in irresolvable dilemmas when put into practice. This ambiguity is exemplified in the paper’s prime ethical imperative (to ‘save more lives and more years of life’), which takes the form of an undefined conjunction whose practical implications are left unspecified. We see this ambiguity in the prime imperative as one manifestation of a broader set of tensions in the protocol. We show that the discipline of human rights provides an essential supplement to the ethical framework on which Cook and colleagues rely, providing a framework for understanding and working through triage dilemmas involving age, discrimination and equality

Managing DNACPR Recommendations in Residential Care: Towards Improved Training for Social Care and Capacity Professionals

The use of ‘Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation’ (DNACPR) recommendations has come under scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued a call for new standards, guidance and training. One group for whom new training is required are ‘capacity professionals’ working in and with residential care facilities. These professionals (including Independent Mental Capacity Advocates and Best Interests Assessors) typically have a social work background and have specialist training regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the provisions of which have a direct relevance to DNACPR recommendations. We report on a survey and focus groups that probed the experiences of this professional group during the pandemic. We recruited 262 participants by approaching civil society organisations in which capacity professionals are well represented; 22 participated in follow-on focus groups. We used manifest content analysis and descriptive statistics to analyse the results. Our findings contribute to an emerging picture of what transpired in residential care homes during the first year of the pandemic and help to provide an empirical and normative basis for the development of the new guidance and training for which the CQC has called

COVID-19 and the Mental Capacity Act in care homes: Perspectives from capacity professionals

This study explores the experiences of professionals who worked with care home residents with impaired mental capacity in England and Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores (i) how competing risks were balanced, and (ii) how the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) functioned in care homes under pandemic conditions, with particular focus on its associated Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) systems. Between March and May 2021, we held an online survey and five focus groups aimed at professionals who worked in or with care homes during the pandemic. The study explored issues pertaining to residents with impaired mental capacity, alongside several other topics on which we report elsewhere. For this paper, we filtered data to only include responses from “capacity professionals”. The resulting sample comprised 120 (out of 266) survey participants and 18 (out of 22) focus group participants. We performed manifest content analysis on the filtered data and found that (1) participants reported a ‘massive discrepancy’ between the ways different care homes balanced the risk of COVID-19 infection with the risks associated with severe restrictions. (2) Some suggested this was due to vague guidance, as well as care home type and size. Participants told us the pandemic (3) obstructed smooth operation of statutory safeguards designed to protect residents’ human rights, and (4) resulted in confusion about the remit of the MCA during a public health crisis. Our findings raise concerns about the impact of pandemic-related measures upon care home residents with impaired mental capacity. We urge further exploration and analysis of (a) the variability and inconsistency of restrictions applied at care homes, (b) the strain placed on key safeguards associated with the MCA, (c) uncertainty about the remit of the MCA during a public health crisis, and (d) the human rights implications hereof