State Of Deprivation Research Articles

AN ANALYTICAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND DEPRESSION ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Purpose- This paper aims to understand the impact of sleep deprivation and depression on the academic performance of Master's students at Savitribai Phule Pune University, India. The study attempts to find a causal relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The research also observed exogenous factors affecting the study's variables. Design/methodology/ approach- Data were collected from 49 students across various departments. The following study was causal-comparative and conclusive research. The data analysis was done using correlation and statistical regression methods in IBM SPSS Version 25. Findings- There was no correlation observed between sleep deprivation and academic performance. The study sample reveals that students have good sleep hygiene practices, which positively impacts their quality and quantity of sleep. Practical Implications- Factors affecting students' sleep quality and mental status has been studied, which will help students and guardians to work on those factors which will lead a student towards the state of sleep deprivation and depression. Thus, the study will allow students to schedule and re-schedule their daily routine and habits by controlling the harmful activities and creating a positive sleep environment.

Interactive effects of food deprivation state and hypoxia on the respiratory responses of postprandial rock crabs, Cancer irroratus.

Under the background of climate change, increasing attention has focused on the effects of ocean deoxygenation on marine organisms. However, few studies address the effects of different food deprivation states on hypoxia tolerance. We therefore investigated the metabolic responses of the Atlantic rock crab, Cancer irroratus (starved 28-35 days, fasted 3-5 days and recently fed). Starved-crab exhibited the lowest critical oxygen saturation (Scrit), while fed-crab had the highest Scrit. The fed-crab maintained an elevated postprandial oxygen consumption (MO2) even below the Scrit of fasted-crab indicating reserved aerobic scopes for critical activities in severe hypoxia. Following feeding, hypoxia (50% and 20% oxygen saturation, SO2) retarded the specific dynamic action resulting in lower peak MO2 and longer duration. The starved-crab exhibited a lower peak MO2, prolonged duration and higher energy expenditure than fasted-crab after feeding. The decline in arterial PO2 was most pronounced below the Scrit for both fasted- and starved-crab. The higher hemocyanin concentration ([Hc]) of fasted-crab (than starved-crab) suggested they had improved oxygen transport capacity, but hypoxia did not increase [Hc] during the 72-h experiment. Following feeding, the fasted-crab significantly increased L-lactate concentration ([L-lactate]) in 20% SO2, which was not observed in starved-crab. These results suggest starvation may trigger a cross-tolerance to hypoxia. Because crabs can undergo long periods of food deprivation in their natural environment, future studies should consider how this may affect their ability to deal with environmental perturbations.

Survival sex: Sexual agency and consent in a state of deprivation? A scoping review

Survival sex is the exchange of sex for material goods required for survival (i.e., shelter, food, drugs). Because this exchange occurs under conditions of deprivation, there is a power imbalance that limits the ability to freely consent to sex or to exercise sexual agency. This review aimed to examine the consent and sexual agency implications of survival sex and to identify which factors push people into greater levels of deprivation and vulnerability to engage in survival sex. We searched six databases and included 21 articles that discussed the sexual consent or sexual agency implications of survival sex and synthesized the study findings via qualitative analysis. We identified three themes as they relate to the consent or sexual agency implications of survival sex—power, coercion, and sexual agency—and five themes we called push factors into greater vulnerability to survival sex—hunger, patriarchy, poverty, substance use, and insecure housing. Each factor has the effect of limiting people’s capacity to consent to sex by creating a coercive environment that limits their power to exercise sexual agency. We found that women are at particular risk to be coerced into survival sex by other people or circumstances of deprivation. Our findings suggest that survival sex is often nonconsensual sex. In contrast to traditional approaches that consider survival sex a risk factor for sexual health, we discuss policy and advocacy efforts and apply a human rights perspective that considers how survival sex is a violation of personhood and autonomy.

A haem-sequestering plant peptide promotes iron uptake in symbiotic bacteria.

Symbiotic partnerships with rhizobial bacteria enable legumes to grow without nitrogen fertilizer because rhizobia convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia via nitrogenase. After Sinorhizobium meliloti penetrate the root nodules that they have elicited in Medicago truncatula, the plant produces a family of about 700 nodule cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides that guide the differentiation of endocytosed bacteria into nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. The sequences of the NCR peptides are related to the defensin class of antimicrobial peptides, but have been adapted to play symbiotic roles. Using a variety of spectroscopic, biophysical and biochemical techniques, we show here that the most extensively characterized NCR peptide, 24 amino acid NCR247, binds haem with nanomolar affinity. Bound haem molecules and their iron are initially made biologically inaccessible through the formation of hexamers (6 haem/6 NCR247) and then higher-order complexes. We present evidence that NCR247 is crucial for effective nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. We propose that by sequestering haem and its bound iron, NCR247 creates a physiological state of haem deprivation. This in turn induces an iron-starvation response in rhizobia that results in iron import, which itself is required for nitrogenase activity. Using the same methods as for L-NCR247, we show that the D-enantiomer of NCR247 can bind and sequester haem in an equivalent manner. The special abilities of NCR247 and its D-enantiomer to sequester haem suggest a broad range of potential applications related to human health.

Ketamine and Its Emergence in the Field of Neurology.

The quest for a safe and effective anesthetic medication in the mid-20th century led to the discovery of CI-581, which was later named ketamine. Ketamine was labeled a “dissociative anesthetic” due to the state of sensory deprivation that it induces in the subjects receiving it. Although it enjoyed widespread use at the beginning of the Vietnam war, its use rapidly waned due to its psychedelic effect and it became more popular as a recreational drug, and in the field of veterinary medicine. However, as we gained more knowledge about its multiple sites of action, it has reemerged as a useful anesthetic/analgesic agent. In the last decade, the field of neurology has witnessed the growing use of ketamine for the treatment of several neurological conditions including migraine, status epilepticus, stroke, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Ketamine acts primarily as a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. The binding of ketamine to NMDA receptors leads to decreased frequency and duration of Ca+2 channel opening and thus inhibits glutaminergic transmission. This mechanism has proven to be neuroprotective in several neurological conditions. Ketamine does not increase intracranial pressure (ICP), and it maintains cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) by increasing cerebral blood flow. Ketamine has also been shown to inhibit massive slow waves of neurological depolarizations called cortical spreading depolarizations (CSD), usually seen during acute neurological injury and are responsible for further neurological deterioration. Unlike other anesthetic agents, ketamine does not cause cardiac or respiratory suppression. All these favorable mechanisms and cerebral/hemodynamic actions have led to increased interest among clinicians and researchers regarding the novel uses of ketamine. This review will focus on the use of ketamine for various neurological indications.

In-vivo protein nitration facilitates Vibrio cholerae cell survival under anaerobic, nutrient deprived conditions

Protein tyrosine nitration (PTN), a highly selective post translational modification, occurs in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells under nitrosative stress. However, its physiological function is not yet clear. Like many gut pathogens, Vibrio cholerae also faces nitrosative stress, which makes its proteome more vulnerable to PTN. Here, we report for the first time in-vivo PTN in V. cholerae by immunoblotting and LC-ESI-MS/MS proteomic analysis. Our results indicated that in-vivo PTN in V. cholerae was culture media independent. Surprisingly, in-vivo PTN was reduced in V. cholerae proteome under anaerobic or hypoxic condition in a nutrient deprived state. Interestingly, intracellular nitrate content was more than the nitrite content in V. cholerae under anaerobic conditions. Additionally, biochemical measurement of GSH/GSSG ratio, activities of catalase and SOD, ROS and RNS imaging by confocal microscopy confirmed a relative intracellular oxidizing environment in V. cholerae under anaerobic conditions. This altered redox environment favors the oxidation of nitrite which may be generated from protein denitration enriching the intracellular nitrate pool. The cell survival of V. cholerae can finally be facilitated by nitrate reductase (NapA) utilizing that nitrate pool. Our cell viability study using wild type and ΔnapA strain of V. cholerae also supported the role of NapA mediated cell survival under nutrient deprived anaerobic conditions. In spite of having nitrate reductase (NapA), V. cholerae lacks any nitrite reductase (NiR). Hence, in-vivo nitration may provide an avenue for toxic nitrite storage and also may help in nitrosative stress tolerance mechanism preventing further unnecessary protein nitration in V. cholerae proteome.

Effects of food deprivation state on feeding behavior and gastric evacuation of rock crabs, Cancer irroratus, during hypoxia

ABSTRACT Climate change and anthropological activities have led to an expansion of hypoxia into the natural habitat of Cancer irroratus. In this study, we examined the effects of hypoxia and food deprivation state on food intake and subsequent gastric processing. Three different techniques were used to measure food intake. The gravimetric analysis of dry food pellets was the most accurate method. In severe hypoxia (20% oxygen), rock crabs reduced food intake, and more crabs refused to eat. Compared with fasted crabs, more starved crabs tended to eat in severe hypoxia. Subsequently, prolonged gastric emptying times paralleled the previously measured postprandial oxygen consumption in hypoxia. Starved crabs also exhibited slightly longer transit times for digesta compared with fasted crabs. These results suggest that although a trade-off may occur in starved rock crabs between the need to procure nutrients and deal with hypoxic stress, impaired digestive processing may still deleteriously affect these animals.

Motivational state-dependent renewal and reinstatement: Discriminative and motivational functions of food deprivation and satiation states

Interoceptive stimuli (e.g., those associated with drugs and other motivational/emotional states) can acquire discriminative control over behavior when they are reliably correlated with particular Pavlovian or operant contingencies. This has been called state-dependent learning. Recent studies have shown that extinction learning can be specific to the interoceptive context in which it occurs, and interoceptive conditions can also contribute to the state-dependent renewal of operant behavior following extinction. Many of the events that induce interoceptive conditions that may contribute to renewal following extinction in this way concurrently function as motivating operations (MOs) that alter the value of reinforcers for operant behavior, and these functions may also contribute to the recovery of extinguished behavior. Three experiments were conducted to study interactions between the discriminative functions of interoceptive contexts associated with food deprivation and satiation MOs and their motivational functions in the renewal and reinstatement of extinguished operant behavior. We found evidence of the motivational state-dependent effects of extinction, as well as state-dependent renewal and reinstatement of operant behavior under food deprivation conditions. However, state-dependent renewal and reinstatement were not observed under food satiation conditions, even when these served as acquisition or non-extinction contexts. The results suggest that interoceptive states associated with food deprivation/satiation MOs can serve as discriminative parts of context that contribute to the recovery of extinguished operant behavior, but that relatively little renewal/reinstatement may be expected in the absence of the relevant motivational conditions.

0145 Breathing Pattern Estimated By Breathing Rate Variability Correlated With Amplitude Of Low Frequency Resting State MRI Fluctuations May Predict Sleep Quality

Abstract Introduction We recently showed that people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have higher breathing rate (BR) variability (BRV) in population (Pal et al. 2021)1. Simultaneously, Lynch et al. 20202 had assessed impaired breathing in the resting state healthy Human Connectome Dataset, and identified 21 people in each of the three groups of breathing patterns: eupnea (clean), sighs (deep breath) and suspected apnea breathing pattern (burst). During resting state functional MRI recordings, increased amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) were found within areas related to hyperarousal such as the midbrain and bilateral extra-nucleus, whereas decreased ALFF were found within areas associated with memory and attention involving the parietal and occipital lobule and others; furthermore, the altered ALFF was associated with sleep efficiency (Ran et al. 20173). Could altered breathing pattern reflect an altered spontaneous neuronal activity state measured by fractional ALFF (fALFF) and associated psycho-physiological markers of sleep quality? Our goal was to characterize BRV and fALFF from the resting state HCP data in the three breathing pattern groups identified in Lynch et al. 2020 along with their psychophysiological states including sleep quality measured by Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Methods In the three groups (n=21 X 3), clean group (6 males) age (mean±std. dev) 29±4 years, deep breath group (5 males) 29±4 years, burst group (14 males) 30±4 years - we calculated BR, absolute BRV (Interquartile range of BR) and relative BRV% from 15 minutes of resting state respiration belt data; and, fALFF from the minimally preprocessed resting state fMRI data filtered at 0.1-0.08 Hz and smoothed. We correlated fALFF with BR, BRV. Additionally, in the three groups, we report the mean±stdev of PSQI, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), self-reported anxiety, attention problem, aggression scores along with their correlations with the absolute BRV. Results Absolute BRV was lower in deep breath group 3±3 breaths per minute (bpm) compared to clean (4±2 bpm) and burst (4±3 bpm) groups. BR was also lower in deep breath 14±7 bpm and correlated with BRV at Pearson R = 0.57 (p<0.05), compared to 18±2 bpm, R = -0.51 (p<0.05) in clean group and 18±3 bpm, R = 0.2 in burst group. In the deep breath group, the relative change in BRV 24±14%, correlated less with absolute BRV R = 0.78 (p<0.05) compared to the clean 24±13%, R = 0.98 (p<0.05) and burst groups 24±18%, R = 0.97 (p<0.05) indicating some voluntary sighs in the deep breath group as also validated by visual data inspection. The sleep quality (lower PSQI better sleep quality) was best in the clean 4±2 points, compared to both deep breath 5±3 and burst groups 5±3. Improved psychophysiological state in the clean and deep breath group compared to burst group was indicated by the systolic BP (121±12, 121±13 and 128±14 mmHg), BMI (25±5, 26±5, 28±6 kg/m2), anxiety (5±5, 5±5, 7±7)/attention problems (5±3, 5±4, 7±4)/aggression (3±2, 3±3, 5±2) scores in clean, deep breath and burst groups respectively. Only in the burst group, higher BRV correlated with higher BMI (R = 0.5, p<0.05). fALFF correlated with BRV (p<0.05, FWE corrected), not BR in all three groups at the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ventricles. With BRV as co-variate, burst group showed higher fALFF activity (p<0.001, uncorrected) compared to both clean and deep breath groups at the visual and somatosensory regions. Additionally, fALFF at the central executive network (CEN) was higher (p<0.001, uncorrected) for both clean and deep breath groups compared to burst. Interestingly, the clean group as well as the burst group had higher right somatosensory fALFF activity compared to deep breath group, that corresponded to the lower BRV in deep breath group. Conclusion Higher fALFF activity of burst compared to clean and deep breath groups in the visual and somatosensory regions were associated with sleep deprivation states (Dai et al., 20124; Wang et al., 20165 , Ran et al. 20173). Higher CEN fALFF activity indicating better sleep and physiological states (Zeighami et al., 20216, Ran et al. 20173) were found in the clean and deep breath groups compared to burst. Higher right somatosensory fALFF activity in the clean and burst groups compared to deep breath indicating higher breathing related movements in the groups having higher BR and BRV (clean and burst) compared to the deep breath group. The fALFF results are consistent with the indication of breathing coupled hemodynamic and CSF low-frequency oscillations that indicate sleep/wakefulness states during resting state (Fultz 20197). Overall, our study supports that BRV could be a potential indicator of psychophysiology, and taking sighs or deep breaths could potentially improve some psycho-neuro-physiological states but not necessarily sleep quality. As indicated earlier by Lynch et al. 20202, males report more burst breathing pattern while females report more deep breathing pattern indicating the ability to take deep breaths may counteract potential sleep disordered breathing problems. Support (If Any) HL135562

Modelling α-Synuclein Aggregation and Neurodegeneration with Fibril Seeds in Primary Cultures of Mouse Dopaminergic Neurons.

To model α-Synuclein (αS) aggregation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease (PD), we established cultures of mouse midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons and chronically exposed them to fibrils 91 (F91) generated from recombinant human αS. We found that F91 have an exquisite propensity to seed the aggregation of endogenous αS in DA neurons when compared to other neurons in midbrain cultures. Until two weeks post-exposure, somal aggregation in DA neurons increased with F91 concentrations (0.01–0.75 μM) and the time elapsed since the initiation of seeding, with, however, no evidence of DA cell loss within this time interval. Neither toxin-induced mitochondrial deficits nor genetically induced loss of mitochondrial quality control mechanisms promoted F91-mediated αS aggregation or neurodegeneration under these conditions. Yet, a significant loss of DA neurons (~30%) was detectable three weeks after exposure to F91 (0.5 μM), i.e., at a time point where somal aggregation reached a plateau. This loss was preceded by early deficits in DA uptake. Unlike αS aggregation, the loss of DA neurons was prevented by treatment with GDNF, suggesting that αS aggregation in DA neurons may induce a form of cell death mimicking a state of trophic factor deprivation. Overall, our model system may be useful for exploring PD-related pathomechanisms and for testing molecules of therapeutic interest for this disorder.

Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Suppresses Hepatic Production of the Ghrelin Receptor Antagonist LEAP2.

IntroductionLiver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP2) is an endogenous ghrelin receptor antagonist, which is upregulated in the fed state and downregulated during fasting. We hypothesized that the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is involved in the downregulation of LEAP2 during conditions with high circulating levels of BHB.MethodsHepatic and intestinal Leap2 expression were determined in 3 groups of mice with increasing circulating levels of BHB: prolonged fasting, prolonged ketogenic diet, and oral BHB treatment. LEAP2 levels were measured in lean and obese individuals, in human individuals following endurance exercise, and in mice after BHB treatment. Lastly, we investigated Leap2 expression in isolated murine hepatocytes challenged with BHB.ResultsWe confirmed increased circulating LEAP2 levels in individuals with obesity compared to lean individuals. The recovery period after endurance exercise was associated with increased plasma levels of BHB levels and decreased LEAP2 levels in humans. Leap2 expression was selectively decreased in the liver after fasting and after exposure to a ketogenic diet for 3 weeks. Importantly, we found that oral administration of BHB increased circulating levels of BHB in mice and decreased Leap2 expression levels and circulating LEAP2 plasma levels, as did Leap2 expression after direct exposure to BHB in isolated murine hepatocytes.ConclusionFrom our data, we suggest that LEAP2 is downregulated during different states of energy deprivation in both humans and rodents. Furthermore, we here provide evidence that the ketone body, BHB, which is highly upregulated during fasting metabolism, directly downregulates LEAP2 levels. This may be relevant in ghrelin receptor–induced hunger signaling during energy deprivation.

A Novel Prototype for Safe Driving Using Embedded Smart Box System.

Every day, vehicle accidents occur and many of them might be avoided if the drivers demonstrated excellent driving without mistakes. This paper presents a novel prototype applied in a real transportation system, particularly for buses, to avoid accidents, which may involve numerous victims, and even occasionally cause death. This system consists of a wearable device and embedded system with several sensors connected via Bluetooth, similar to the Internet of Things (IoT). Wearable devices are made to monitor the driver’s heart rate and alert the driver if they are in a state of sleep deprivation to prevent any potential accidents. The embedded system includes a Global Positioning System (GPS), accelerometers, and gyroscopes attached to a Smart Box mounted on the bus. The embedded system alert function will be triggered if an accident occurs and automatically sends the geolocation of the accident to the registered phone number through a message using a mobile phone. The results for all scenarios were significant when measured by an automatic accident trigger via the smart box if the value of measured values in each axis exceeded 583. In conclusion, the implementation of this innovative solution at the system-level was shown to be satisfactory in terms of the safety mechanism used by the nominated drivers.

Individual, household and area predictors of anaemia among children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria

ObjectivesThis study aims to determine the prevalence of anaemia among children aged 6–59 months in all states of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and to quantify the predicted probabilities by individual, household and area factors. Study designThis study is a secondary analysis of data sets from two national representative cross-sectional surveys in Nigeria: the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018 NDHS) and the National Human Development Index (2018 NHDR). The state human development index (HDI) and the state multidimensional poverty index (MPI) from the 2018 NHDR were incorporated into the 2018 NDHS. MethodsThe study included a weighted sample of 10,222 children aged 6–59 months. Both univariate and bivariate analyses were computed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with anaemia status, respectively. Multiple binary logistic regression analyses with adjusted predicted probabilities (APPs) were performed to quantify the predictors’ probabilities. ResultsThe prevalence of anaemia among children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria was 68.1% (6962/10,222). Zamfara state had the highest prevalence (84.0% [266/317]), while Kaduna state recorded the lowest (50.0% [283/572]). The APPs of being anaemic decreased from 82.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 80.0–85.8) for children aged 6–18 months to 60.6% (95% CI: 56.8–64.4) for children aged 43–59 months, when other predictors were held constant. The APP for a child of an anaemic mother is 10.2% points higher than the APP for a child whose mother is not anaemic. In addition, the APPs for children decreased as the age group of their mothers increased. A child from a state that is mildly deprived in the MPI has a lower APP (67.2% [95% CI: 62.2–72.2]) compared with a child from highly deprived MPI state (79.0% [95% CI: 73.4–84.5]). ConclusionsHealth strategies, including supplementation programmes, should be carried out at both ante-natal and post-natal clinics to reduce the prevalence of anaemia, especially in vulnerable population groups.

A Clinical Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Nirgundi Patra Pinda Swedawith and withoutMatra Bastiin the Management of Janu Sandhigat Vataw.s.r. to Osteoarthritis of Knee

In Vridhdhavastha, Vata Doshais in a dominant state and Rasadi Dhatusare in a deprived state. This potent combination is responsible for the aged being vulnerable to many diseases. Among them, Sandhigata Vata, which is equated to Osteoarthritis, stands top in the list of geriatric diseases.In current study efforts have been made to evaluate & compare the effect of Nirgundi Patra Pinda Swedawith and without Matra Basti on Janu Sandhigata Vata. Aims and objectives: To evaluate & compare the effect of Nirgundi Patra Pinda sweda with and without Matra Basti in the management of Janu Sandhigat Vata w .s.r to Osteo-arthritis . Materials and Methods: 30 Patients of Janu Sandhigata Vata were selected according to the classical signs and symptoms of Sandhigata Vata according to Ayurvedaas well as Modernscience, were randomly divided into 2 groups from the Govt. Akhandanand Ayurved Hospital, Ahmedabad. In group A 15 patients were treated with Nirgundi Patra Pinda Sweda And Matra Basti with Ashwagandhadi Taila and in group B 15 patients were treated with only Nirgundi Patra Pinda Sweda. Result: 20.00% patients got marked improvement and 80.00% got moderate improvementin group A and in group B 33.33% patients got moderate improvement and 66.67% showed mild improvement.Nirgundi Patra Pinda Sweda andMatraBasti with Ashwagandhadi Tailprovided better result as compare to only Nirgundi Patra Pinda Sweda on management of Janu Sandhigata Vata.

On the question of deprivation state and government awards in the Russian Federation and cancellation of award decisions

On the question of deprivation state and government awards in the Russian Federation and cancellation of award decisions

Function of oxygen transport in the blood of patients in a state of alcohol deprivation in blood <i>in vitro </i>incubation with ethanol solution

Objective. To estimate the in vitro effect of ethanol on the function of oxygen transport in the blood of patients in a state of alcohol deprivation and in healthy donors.Materials and methods. We analyzed blood samples from 13 male patients aged 22–56 in a state of alcohol deprivation and 11 males aged 20-45 in whom this diagnosis was excluded. The blood was incubated with ethanol solution at a final concentration of 50 μmol/L. The parameters of the function of oxygen transport (р50, рО2, рСО2, рН, АВЕ, НСО3-, ТСО2,SВЕ, SBC) of the blood taken from the cubital vein using an ABL-330 “Radiometr” microgas analyzer were determined.Results. The patients in a state of alcohol deprivation reveal increased affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, and their acid-base status of the blood becomes alkaline. When ethanol is added in vitro to the blood of patients, the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen decreases.Conclusion. Decreased affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen upon the in vitro addition of ethanol in the examined patients indicates compensatory and adaptive changes in the oxygen transport of the blood in response to chronic ethanol consumption.

Aerial and Respiratory Atmospheres of Avicenna’s Flying Person

Persian philosopher Avicenna (980‒1037) is famous for his thought experiment concerning the flying person,” “floating person” or “person suspended in air.” In this thought experiment, a person is created flying in the air in a state of total sensory deprivation. Scholars have debated for centuries what this thought experiment is all about. Most scholars have interpreted this thought experiment as essentially being about the existence of the soul (al-nafs) in its immateriality, substantiality, and self-awareness, as well as about the difference between the soul and the body. In my article, I will interpret Avicenna’s thought experiment in a totally different manner within the atmospheres of air and breathing. In my reading, I will carefully examine the fact neglected by scholars that this flight happens in the air and that it is the air that defines the existence of the flying person. With this aerial attitude I will argue that this thought experiment is not above all about the soul, but about air and al-nafs as a respiratory self. In my aerial and respiratory interpretation of Avicenna’s flying person, I will use Gaston Bachelard’s phenomenologically oriented aerial thinking as well as etymological analysis of al-nafs.

Sustainable Livelihoods and the Right of Access to Food: Achieving the National Development Plan 2030 Goals on Poverty Eradication

Poor and marginalised households often lack the basic resources and assets that would enable them to cope with shocks such as unemployment, droughts and illness, and stressors such as distorted economic policies, illiteracy and landlessness. As a result, these households suffer severe poverty and food insecurity and without government intervention, they are vulnerable to a perpetual state of deprivation. Against this background, this article examines the relevance and importance of the concept of sustainable livelihoods in promoting access to food, with specific reference to the goal of the National Development Plan 2030 (NDP 2030) to eradicate poverty. The strategies aimed at poverty eradication as proposed in the NDP 2030 are discussed in relation to the sustainable livelihood approach or capabilities approach as developed in international law. First, this article discusses the origin and development of the notion of sustainable livelihoods as advanced by international instruments central to socioeconomic development and various scholars. The potentials and shortcomings of the sustainable livelihood approach are also examined. Second, livelihood assets in the form of land and policy are examined to determine their significance in promoting access to food. Finally, a conclusion is drawn on the integral role of the sustainable livelihood approach in enhancing livelihood security and assisting households to adopt both coping and adaptive strategies aimed at reducing poverty and food insecurity.

Sleepy Surgeons: A Multi-Method Assessment of Sleep Deprivation and Performance in Surgery

Minimum rest is mandated in high stake industries such as aviation. The current system of healthcare provision permits on-call surgeons to work in sleep deprived states when performing procedures. Fatigue has been demonstrated to negatively affect performance. This study aimed to explore measurements of sleep deprivation and their impact on simulated performance. This was a single site study conducted between September 2019 and February 2020. Surgical trainee and consultants were conveniently sampled from a single site. All testing was done between 7 AM and 9 AM. Participants completed electroencephalogram testing using a modified Multiple Sleep Latency Test testing for objective sleep measurement, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Chalder Fatigue Scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale for subjective sleep measurement. The Psychomotor Vigilance Task and the SIMENDO simulated tasks were used for standardized performance assessment. Surgeons entered sleep in 6 min, on average pre-call. This significantly decreased to an average of 164 s post-call (P=0.016). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scoring was 5, indicating poor baseline sleep quality. There was higher self-reported fatigue and sleepiness in post-call states. Performance decrements were noted in cognitive performance reaction time and aspects of technical instrument proficiency. Surgeons are objectively sleep deprived pre-call according to internationally recognized guidelines. This sleep deprivation increases significantly in post-call states. Tasks with higher cognitive demands showed greater levels of diminished performance compared to those with lower cognitive demands. Current models of provision of surgical on-call are not conducive to optimizing sleep in surgeons. Prioritization of workload in post-call states, focusing on preserving individuals cognitive resources and utilizing lower cognitively demanding aspects of work is likely to have positive impacts on performance outcomes.

Not the Postmenopausal Syndromes, Urinary Complaints are the Most Common Presentation of the Post-Menopausal Women

Postmenopausal estrogen deprived state causes various types of vasomotor symptoms, urogenital symptoms, and long-term health hazards. Among the postmenopausal women, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of urogenital complaints, epidemiological studies relating with recurrent UTI, and to observe the changing pattern of bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics for UTI. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Faridpur, Bangladesh, from January-December 2019. Total 244 postmenopausal women attending the clinic with various complaints were selected as the study population. In-depth history, clinical examination, and relevant investigations were done. Urinary culture and sensitivity were done to isolate the causative organism and to identify the current antibiotic resistance and sensitivity pattern. Among the study population, 94.7% had urinary complaints as their first concern. However, upon query, 85.2% of them revealed that they had other postmenopausal syndromes. Among the study population, 43.4% had recurrent UTI. Burning micturition was the most common (79.2%) urinary complaint. On urinary culture, 57.5% cases had no growth; among the rest, the most common organism was E. coli (19.8%) followed by Proteus (12.3%) and Klebsiella (10.4%). In Proteus and Klebsiella isolates, a high number of resistances for Nitrofurantoin have been found (75% and 66.7% accordingly). Urinary complaints are the most common presentation of postmenopausal women attending the gynecology clinic. They are seeking treatment not to improve the quality of life with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but getting rid of the pain of recurrent UTI. Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2020;15(2): 85-91