Positive Action

Constructed floating wetlands (CFWs) provide a passive pathway for the retention and accumulation of nutrients and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present in treated wastewater (TWW). This two-year field-scale study investigated the accumulation of PFAS and nutrients in three native wetland species in a lagoon setting. During the plant establishment period and despite measurable nutrient and PFAS uptake in plant tissues, their removal from the water was limited due to short residence times (∼10–12 h). The highest nutrient accumulation in shoots was observed in Phragmites australis (0.14 g N/m2/day and 0.02 g P/m2/day), which showed the highest biomass (12.1 g/m2/day). Phragmites australis also exhibited the highest PFAS and precursor accumulation in tissues. PFAS removal improved after plant establishment, and the daily removal rate for PFAS (based on PFAS accumulation in plant tissue and sediment) was 240 ng/m2/d. Overall, CFWs show promise as a passive, modular solution for PFAS reduction in TWW, particularly after root system development and biofilm formation. However, long-term monitoring across multiple growth and harvest cycles and assessing the contribution of other mechanisms (such as sorption to growth media and accumulation in biofilms) are required to evaluate the CFW system sustainability under varying environmental conditions.

Purpose The purpose of this article is to provide a definition of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), developed by a group of practitioners of PBS, in the United Kingdom (UK). Design/methodology/approach The definition was developed through a series of online meetings with a group of practitioners, and through reference to the existing research. Findings A definition is presented in the form of 9 defining characteristics. These include a specific underpinning philosophy (functional contextualism), a focus on promoting quality of life, rights, relationships, the use of Applied Behaviour Analysis, functional assessment to inform function-based strategies, the provision of multielement support, collaborative working and implementation support. Originality/value There are numerous pre-existing definitions of PBS. However, this article seeks to present a definition specifically from the perspective of practitioners in the United Kingdom.

Chronic facial inflammatory dermatoses significantly affect psychosocial well-being in young adults and often show limited response to conventional therapy. This paper presents a classical homeopathic case of chronic facial sebo-psoriasis with perioral distribution, previously unresponsive to allopathic management. The case was managed using individualized constitutional homeopathy based on totality, repertorisation, susceptibility, and miasmatic evaluation. Progressive improvement was observed in cutaneous as well as psychological parameters, culminating in complete remission and restoration of confidence. This case highlights a clear transformation achieved through classical homeopathic management at Dr Batra’s® Homeopathy Clinic.

A 41-year-old female, diagnosed with bilateral ovarian cysts with hydrosalpinx, presented with complaints of pain and bloatedness in the abdomen, along with emotional stress due to marital discord and her husband’s alcoholism. Despite several courses of allopathic medication, her symptoms persisted. A detailed homeopathic constitutional approach was undertaken, focusing on both physical and emotional aspects. The patient showed marked improvement in her physical symptoms and mental well-being, along with radiological normalization of ovarian structures.

HIV infection is 100% fatal; however, antiretroviral therapy prevents illness, death and transmission-delaying access to treatment is a death sentence while also leading to the spread of HIV. More recently, antiretroviral chemoprophylaxis (commonly known as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP) has been shown to prevent HIV infection among individuals at high risk. In 2003, President George W Bush established the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease. Over the last two decades, PEPFAR provided antiretroviral treatment to more than 20 million people, saved over 25 million lives, enabled more than 7 million babies to be born free of HIV and helped cut new HIV infections by half in the most impacted countries. Earlier last year, the US administration drastically cut overseas development funding, severely compromising PEPFAR's ability to deliver life-saving HIV services. UNAIDS modelling shows that if the funding permanently disappears, there could be an additional 6 million HIV infections and an additional 4 million AIDS-related deaths by 2029. We urge the US administration and the G7 leadership to reflect carefully on the likely and grave consequences of dismantling one of the most successful initiatives in the history of global health.

Keratoderma refers to a group of skin conditions characterized by abnormal thickening of the skin, especially over the palms and soles. Plantar keratoderma specifically affects the soles, leading to thickened, scaly, and sometimes fissured skin. In this case, a 58-year-old female presented with chronic eruptions, ulcers, thickened skin, sticky discharges, and itching over both feet for four months. An individualized homeopathic approach based on her symptom totality was adopted at Dr Batra’s. Over time, significant improvement was observed with with no recurrence. This case demonstrates the potential of homeopathy in managing chronic keratoderma effectively.

Chronic allergic sinusitis significantly affects quality of life, work productivity, and emotional well-being, especially when beginning in childhood and persisting into adulthood. This case report documents the successful classical homeopathic management of a chronic allergic sinusitis patient with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and long-standing allergic diathesis. Despite years of untreated recurrent symptoms and dependency on conventional measures for acute relief, the patient achieved sustained improvement, marked reduction in frequency and intensity of attacks, and complete discontinuation of allopathic medication within six months. A constitutional approach based on detailed mental generals, totality of symptoms, repertorisation, and miasmatic understanding was adopted. This case demonstrates a clear transformation achieved through individualized classical homeopathic treatment at Dr Batra’s® Homeopathy Clinic.

Abstract Introduction/Objective Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent nutrition-related health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Jordan, despite increased awareness, many individuals continue to face challenges related to IDA. This study investigates the association between sociodemographic characteristics and dietary behaviors in predicting IDA risk among adults in Karak City, Jordan. Objectives To explore how sociodemographic factors and dietary habits contribute to the risk of IDA. Methods/Case Report A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 2023 involving 450 adults (≥19 years) in Karak City, Jordan. The sample included 150 anemic participants (10.3% males and 89.7% females) and 300 non-anemic participants (11.3% males and 87.7% females). Individuals under 19 years and pregnant women were excluded. Data were collected through structured questionnaires covering sociodemographics (gender, age, marital status, and parental status) and dietary behaviors (vegetarian diet, intake of iron- and vitamin C-rich foods, and tea consumption after meals). Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to analyze associations and identify predictors of IDA. Results The mean ± SD hemoglobin levels were 10.7 ± 0.9 g/dL for the anemic group and 13.8 ± 1.4 g/dL for the non-anemic group. Ferritin levels averaged 8.0 ± 1.3 ng/mL in the anemic group and 65.5 ± 32.6 ng/mL in the non-anemic group. Significant associations with IDA were found for age (p = 0.002), marital status (p = 0.000), and having children (p = 0.000). Dietary factors linked to anemia included low intake of iron-rich foods (p = 0.000), low vitamin C intake (p = 0.020), and tea consumption after meals (p = 0.014). Logistic regression identified independent predictors of IDA: not consuming iron-rich foods (OR = 9.238, p = 0.000), being married (OR = 2.41, p = 0.000), having children (OR = 2.297, p = 0.000), low vitamin C intake (OR = 1.644, p = 0.020), and drinking tea after meals (OR = 1.432, p = 0.014). Conclusion Lifestyle and dietary factors significantly influence the risk of IDA. Addressing these factors is essential for reducing the prevalence of IDA in the population.

Innovation in biomedical research has increased markedly over the last few decades. However, clinical, therapeutic, and public health advances have often not yielded expected improvements in health outcomes nor reduced disparities. Translational science was developed to improve social benefits related to research and development. We propose a practical model for socially responsible translational science that aims to better align research with its expected social benefits. Scientists and community members from the Houston-Galveston region participated in 12 focus groups and a one-day Deliberative Dialogue Summit to examine the expected social benefits of science, establish the factors and practices of social responsibility, and design an empirical model for socially responsible translational science. Researchers and community members discussed three distinct fields of research - HIV, maternal health, and mental health and substance use disorders. We conducted deductive qualitative data analysis based on theoretical social responsibility criteria of translational science, namely: relevance, usability, and sustainability. We then developed inductive codes to capture the factors and practices identified during discussions as necessary for the translation of research to increase social benefit. First, participants explored ways to broaden the scope of biomedical research beyond a narrow emphasis on scientific impact to also consider social impacts and determinants of health; this heightens the relevance of research and underscores its responsibility to address social needs and reduce inequities. Second, to improve usability of translational research, participants suggested increasing access to research products, processes, and participation. They also recommended modifying the research infrastructure to incorporate other systems that can assist with translation including the system of care and the broader community-based systems. Third and finally, for the long-term sustainability of research practices, co-development and co-funding of research was promoted to include local community needs, cultures, knowledges and preferences from project commencement to completion.

<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> Transatlantic aviation is a major industry and even small flight time changes have major economic and environmental implications. While our ability to optimise these flights for background wind variations at day-to-day scales is excellent, at the longer timescales needed for sustainability planning and fuel cost hedging these capabilities are more limited. Here, we quantify the association between four climate indices (the El Ni&ntilde;o-Southern Oscillation, the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation and solar irradiance) and transatlantic flight times using thirty years of commercial flight data. This allows us to identify whether these indices can be used to identify systematic flight time shifts. We find that ENSO and the NAO are associated with statistically-significant changes in one-way flight times of up to 82.2&plusmn;3.5 minutes, and changes in round-trip times of 4.8&plusmn;0.5 minutes and 4.0&plusmn;0.8 minutes respectively, while the QBO and TSI have weaker but significant effects. Together, these indices plus a linear trend explain up to 27 % of variation depending on season and direction, and are associated with month-to-month fuel cost &amp; CO2 emission variations of up to 27 MUSD &amp; 120 kT for one-way trips and 5 million USD &amp; 23 kT for round trips. We also show that westward, round-trip and non-winter-eastward flight times have increased by several minutes per decade since the 1990s, and that flights fly two-thirds of a standard deviation higher in altitude during solar maximum. Our results provide the first observational quantitative basis for aviation fuel and carbon cost management at monthly and longer timescales.