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The delusions of doctorsWhen a doctor stands on a public stage and proclaims that the COVID-19 vaccine has caused cancer it is, to say the least, problematic.It takes acres of words and mountains of outrage to row it back, no matter how delusional the claim.This falls into a phenomenon sometimes known as Brandolini's law or the 'bullshit asymmetry' principle. 1 It takes an order of magnitude more energy to refute misinformation.One response on social media caught my attention, and it was almost heartbreakingly nave, asking about a doctor's 'oath' and how this was surely breaking it.

The women representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in Egypt is spanning hundreds and even thousands of years back. Yet, there is efforts needed to show women's contributions in recent history and current time. This paper highlights the role of women in STEM and their role as main partners in the science, technology and innovation system, participation of women in science for both decision-making and the scientific community. The survey has been designed to look at and support the participation and progression of women in STEM professionals and to encourage more girls and women to continue their studies and practical life in the STEM Fields. Literature, and particularly analytical literature, available around women in STEM in Egypt is limited; it is often tackled within the scope of women’s employment, women’s economic empowerment, or education. The paper reviews many challenges faced by women in science, technology and engineering and mathematics but from a practical point of view, where the questions are designed to reflect the scientific and leadership background as well as entrepreneurship and the relationship with the industry and to identify the obstacles that women face in being a business leader and the obstacles that women face in dealing with industry. Through the case study we unpack and examine the multiple thresholds of women and girls in higher education and employment in STEM fields in Egypt. The case study sample shows that while women are engaging in STEM at the tertiary education level, it is the integration into the labor force which makes it difficult for there to be a more equitable distribution of women across all STEM-related sectors. Egypt has a strong tradition of female empowerment and development but remains patriarchal in many aspects of progress and opportunity; the number of women in STEM education does not translate to those in the work force.

The women representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in Egypt is spanning hundreds and even thousands of years back. Yet, there is efforts needed to show women's contributions in recent history and current time. This paper highlights the role of women in STEM and their role as main partners in the science, technology and innovation system, participation of women in science for both decision-making and the scientific community. The survey has been designed to look at and support the participation and progression of women in STEM professionals and to encourage more girls and women to continue their studies and practical life in the STEM Fields. Literature, and particularly analytical literature, available around women in STEM in Egypt is limited; it is often tackled within the scope of women’s employment, women’s economic empowerment, or education. The paper reviews many challenges faced by women in science, technology and engineering and mathematics but from a practical point of view, where the questions are designed to reflect the scientific and leadership background as well as entrepreneurship and the relationship with the industry and to identify the obstacles that women face in being a business leader and the obstacles that women face in dealing with industry. Through the case study we unpack and examine the multiple thresholds of women and girls in higher education and employment in STEM fields in Egypt. The case study sample shows that while women are engaging in STEM at the tertiary education level, it is the integration into the labor force which makes it difficult for there to be a more equitable distribution of women across all STEM-related sectors. Egypt has a strong tradition of female empowerment and development but remains patriarchal in many aspects of progress and opportunity; the number of women in STEM education does not translate to those in the work force.

SummaryThe bit error rate (BER) in optical communication systems is often get degraded due to various factors like launch power, dispersion, modal noise, and so on. Finding the most optimal launch power for a signal to provide acceptable BER is usually difficult on an installed link. Therefore, in this paper, an attempt has been made to use machine learning‐based linear regression technique for predicting the optimal signal quality for spatial division multiplexed (SDM)‐based fiber optical transmission system for a fixed distance. This technique helps in predicting the optimal value of continuous launch power. Therefore, to demonstrate the given concept in this research work, the generic setup of an SDM optical long‐haul system of 20 km in length has been designed and simulated in Optisystem‐14.0. The light sources in our experiments are two spatial optical transmitters with an emission wavelength of around 1550 nm. Abiding to the first step for the regression analysis, that is the data preparation, normality and correlation checks were performed. After this, a linear regression model is developed which was validated through a summary report, coefficients and diagnostic plots. Furthermore, the accuracy of the model is improved by employing Cook's distance. These tests help in dealing with the influence points that hinders the prediction ability of the proposed model. The results show that the R‐squared value is 0.9366, and value of adjusted R2 comes out to be around 0.9344; we therefore came to infer that the model explains nearly 94% variations in the dependent variables.

Diagnosis isn't always easy.Editorials this month help shine a light on early diagnosis of lung cancer and the complexities of pointof-care testing.We have research on the implications of thrombocytosis and its causes, plus a systematic review of strategies to curtail our use of low value medical tests.Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is proving notoriously challenging for patients and doctors alike -the HFpEF ('heff-peff') maze in the memorable phrase of Sowden and colleagues.Increasingly, two major themes in the BJGP are digital health and the desire to preserve aspects of care we would want as patients ourselves.We have an Analysis article on digital health but the importance of touch is not to be forgotten alongside an important commentary on the power of personal care.Life & Times goes beyond diagnosis to, more than anything, the human elements of clinical practice without which we would all be lost.

Diversity, opportunity, and flexibility are some of the most appealing features of general practice.A research career may not seem attractive initially but we might change our mind.If a bright enthusiastic doctor stumbles across a research idea, would like to become more involved, or decides to change course, the path can be difficult.Polly Duncan et al propose a collaborative framework that may help but we need to recognise that resources, time, funding, and publication opportunities are also limited.In cancer treatment we focus on earlier identification of key clinical or biological markers in diagnosis.While science takes precedence, clinicians may be influenced by a vaguely defined gut feeling.Evidence and instinct collide in the systematic review by Claire Friedemann Smith et al, where gut feelings became more predictive as clinical experience and familiarity with the patient increased.But, there is no mistaking the gut feeling in Iona Heath's editorial.As she says in the accompanying video on BJGPLife.com-'nothing is more important than love'.

The public health role of GPs is explored in editorials this month and health inequalities are never too far away from the discussion.First published on BJGP Life, our multimedia platform, Gemma Ashwell and colleagues write on behalf of the RCGP Health Inequalities Standing Group on how we need to put equity at the heart of our systems.Would you call the failure to do so social murder?Mark Riley puts forward the case.Gill and Kalra have a powerful editorial on racism offering positive steps the primary care community can take to force meaningful change.Tariq Hussain describes the intensely personal experience of racism in the NHS -'Look sorry, right, no offence but we need a white doctor.'We cover the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the prognosis for the family doctor.Research on statins, hepatitis C, parkrun, and health service use by people with heart failure should all be eyed through a health equity lens.They can all change our practice.

HIGHLIGHTSDon't forget cancer.Behind the headlines, some patients had to stand aside as we focused on the pandemic.Research in this month's journal reminds us about the risks of delay in referral for colorectal cancer, to think of cancer if we see a routine blood test showing microcytosis, and about shared decisions in patients with incurable cancer.William Hamilton, who has done so much to improve cancer diagnosis, reminds us in his editorial that a core skill of primary care is sometimes knowing when not to test.Medicine has fostered some beautiful writing and many doctors are captivating authors.In reflecting on the death of her father, Mary Jane Boland has written a short piece that will resonate with so many.We share reflections in BJGPLife.comfrom medical colleagues around the world and, while we have been overwhelmed with eLetters this month we can, sadly, only publish a small sample in the paper journal.Finally, for those with other creative talents, may we draw your attention to the invitation to contribute photographs and images as we redesign the BJGP cover.

A modern journal should be a multimedia platform for medical communication.The word 'journal' is itself an anachronism and we regard our website (https://bjgp.org) as the definitive version of BJGP.The future BJGP will package information in many different formats to be watched, read, or listened to, at any time of the day, and in every environment.Earlier this year that goal may have been simply an aspiration.Such metamorphosis would be inconceivable.But, you have already shown how revolutionary change can happen by transforming general practice almost overnight.Our entire ecosystem turned upside down; consultations, contact with patients, collaboration across boundaries.The improbable became possible.Listening is the first step.Facing the decade ahead with a new editor brings an opportunity to think about how the journal can meet those challenges in this changing world; bring research into practice, inform our experienced clinical readership, and challenge all of us with radical ideas, critical thinking, and reflections on the way we practice.This is where you come in.Do reflect on how the journal should develop in the future and tell me.It's a partnership.The core content will not change overnight.The BJGP is in a very healthy state with a rich reservoir of material for the coming months.In this context I would like to add my thanks to those of many others to my predecessor Professor Roger Jones for his commitment to the journal over many years.It is sometimes the quiet work behind the scenes that goes unrecognised and you should also know about his immense work in ensuring a smooth succession, leaving behind a superb team, and laying foundations to build the future.He led the evolution of the journal over the last 9 years and has created a solid platform for any future developments.Journal editors seldom reap the rewards of their own work, it is often their successors that benefit most.Any advances we make in the next few years are largely due to his foundations.We have a duty to researchers.As a former academic, I understand the pressure and demands in universities but the specific role of this journal is to bring research into practice.Our aim is to publish innovative work that is methodologically sound.Academic excellence alone is not enough and we will prioritise work that best helps the care of