A Blockchain Enhanced Framework for Social Networking

Social networking sites have given users unprecedented opportunities for the generation and dissemination of content. A variety of social networking sites exist for different purposes, to afford users a range of anonymous and non-anonymous options for self-expression, and the ability to be a part of a virtual community. These “affordances” enable users to create and share content; however, the ability to partially or wholly detach user identity from the content has resulted in unique challenges for content access and content attribution. This paper proposes a framework for secure, trustworthy social networking that also creates value for user-generated content by using a blockchain-enhanced framework for social networking. This work explains the application of such a framework for collocated spaces of robots and IoT devices and identifies key challenges that result as a consequence of merging social networking sites and blockchain technology

Incentives as connectors : insights into a breastfeeding incentive intervention in a disadvantaged area of North-West England

PMID: 22458841 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC3414740 Free PMC ArticlePeer reviewedPublisher PD

An exploration of the knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding among a sample of Chinese mothers in Ireland

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Psychological factors are important in influencing breastfeeding practices. This retrospective study explored knowledge and attitudes related to breastfeeding of Chinese mothers living in Ireland.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional self-administrated survey written in Chinese was distributed to a convenience sample of 322 immigrant Chinese mothers mainly <it>via </it>Chinese supermarkets and Chinese language schools in Dublin, with the involvement of the snowball method to increase sample size. Maternal breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes were described, their associations with socio-demographic variables were explored by Chi-square analysis, and their independent associations with breastfeeding behaviours were estimated by binary logistic regression analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In spite of considerable awareness of the advantages of breastfeeding (mean score = 4.03 ± 0.73), some misconceptions (<it>e</it>.<it>g</it>. 'mother should stop breastfeeding if she catches a cold') and negative attitudes (<it>e</it>.<it>g</it>. breastfeeding inconvenient, embarrassing, and adverse to mothers' figure) existed, especially among the less educated mothers. Cultural beliefs concerning the traditional Chinese postpartum diet were prevalent, particularly among those who had lived in Ireland for a shorter duration (P = 0.004). Psychological parameters had strong independent associations with breastfeeding practices in this study. Those who had lower awareness score (OR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.87-4.73), more misconceptions and negative attitudes (P < 0.05), and weaker cultural beliefs (P < 0.05) were less likely to breastfeed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Findings highlight a need to focus resources and education on correcting the misconceptions identified and reversing the negative attitudes towards breastfeeding among Chinese mothers in Ireland, in particular those with primary/secondary level of education. Mothers' cultural beliefs should also be acknowledged and understood by healthcare providers.</p

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic across Africa : current status of vaccinations and implications for the future

The introduction of effective vaccines in December 2020 marked a significant step forward in the global response to COVID-19. Given concerns with access, acceptability, and hesitancy across Africa, there is a need to describe the current status of vaccine uptake in the continent. An exploratory study was undertaken to investigate these aspects, current challenges, and lessons learnt across Africa to provide future direction. Senior personnel across 14 African countries completed a self-administered questionnaire, with a descriptive analysis of the data. Vaccine roll-out commenced in March 2021 in most countries. COVID-19 vaccination coverage varied from low in Cameroon and Tanzania and up to 39.85% full coverage in Botswana at the end of 2021; that is, all doses advocated by initial protocols versus the total population, with rates increasing to 58.4% in Botswana by the end of June 2022. The greatest increase in people being fully vaccinated was observed in Uganda (20.4% increase), Botswana (18.5% increase), and Zambia (17.9% increase). Most vaccines were obtained through WHO-COVAX agreements. Initially, vaccination was prioritised for healthcare workers (HCWs), the elderly, adults with co-morbidities, and other at-risk groups, with countries now commencing vaccination among children and administering booster doses. Challenges included irregular supply and considerable hesitancy arising from misinformation fuelled by social media activities. Overall, there was fair to reasonable access to vaccination across countries, enhanced by government initiatives. Vaccine hesitancy must be addressed with context-specific interventions, including proactive programmes among HCWs, medical journalists, and the public

Association between US Pharmacopeia (USP) monograph standards, generic entry and prescription drug costs.

Despite the importance of pharmacopeial standards, little is known regarding their effect on drug competition. Such information is of particular relevance given the rising costs of prescription drugs and the focus of policy-makers and other stakeholders on addressing these costs. We examined 982 prescription drugs approved by U.S Food and Drug Administration since 1982 to examine the association between U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) standards, generic entry and prescription costs. The presence of a USP drug product monograph was not associated with the time to the third generic entrant or with the likelihood of having a generic competitor. However, on average, drugs with USP drug product monographs had approximately fifty percent more generic manufacturers in the U.S. than their counterparts after accounting for factors such as market volume, age, route of administration and vintage. This greater competition was associated with an approximate savings of $6.22 billion in 2016, suggesting that USP drug product monographs may play an important role in promoting pharmaceutical competition and reducing prescription drug costs

Bacterial Wilt, A Challenge in Solanaceous Crops Production At Kenyan Highlands and Lowlands

Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt disease, results in serious world-wide economic losses particularly in the tropics. Members of the family Solanaceae such as potato, tomato, chili and tobacco are the most affected. A survey was conducted in the period of short rains (October December ) the year 2015, coveringnbsp Kenyan highlands and lowland regions of Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyahururu, Kirinyaga, Murangrsquoa, and Embu counties the major production zones of potato, tomato and capsicum to determine the prevalence, effects and management measures in practice by farmers in control of this bacterium. The findings implicated high dependence of farmers to the solanaceous crops both for income and food (68%), and extensive presence of the bacteria in all the seven study counties. The survey indicated bacterial wilt as a big challenge in production of Solanaceae crops in central Kenya. Lack of elaborate disease management measures and poor seed systems (57%) were found to be the key contributors to the extensive spread, high prevalence (68.57%) and the high incidence (17.74%) of the disease. These findings indicated an urgent need for set up of affordable up to standards seed systems of Solanaceae crops family. This output will enable experimentation of the plant extracts and organic supplements as cheap measures in management of the bacterium leading to alleviation of bacterial wilt challenges in Kenyan highlands and lowlands