Predictors of consistent condom use among male construction workers who have engaged in concurrent sex with regular sex partners, casual sex partners, and sex workers over a 3-month period.

This study investigates the predictors of consistent condom use among male construction workers in South Africa who reported concurrent sexual relationships with regular partners, casual partners, and sex workers over a 3-month period. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 450 male workers across 18 construction work sites in the Western Cape province. Of these, 245 (54%) indicated that they had engaged in sex with all three partner types during the 3-month study period.

Social Support Networks Among Black Caregivers of Persons With Memory Problems.

Positive social support can predict health outcomes in populations that experience significant burdens, such as minority caregivers. The purpose of the current study was to detail the social network (SN) of 36 Black family caregivers (FCGs) for persons with memory problems (PWMP) and examine differences in SN support depending on FCG gender and relationship to the care recipient. Participants were recruited from the Alzheimer's family program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the local community.

The influence of type of sexual partnership on male condom use: empirical evidence from the South African construction industry.

There are indications that gender has an effect on individual risk factors and pathways to HIV diagnoses and treatment. Furthermore, there is growing recognition that to improve HIV-related health outcomes for men, it is important to understand their experiences and perspectives. Perhaps because of the physical nature of construction work, the South African construction industry is dominated by men.

Atomic-Level and Surface Structure of Calcium Silicate Hydrate Nanofoils.

Deciphering the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) surface is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms of cement hydration and property development. Experimental observations of C-S-H in cement systems suggest a surface termination which is fundamentally different from the silicate-terminated surface assumed in many atomistic level studies. Here, a new multiparameter approach to describing the (001) basal C-S-H surface is developed, which considers how the surface termination affects the overall properties (Ca/Si ratio, mean chain length, relative concentration of silanol and hydroxide groups).

Influence of the sintering atmosphere on the physico-chemical properties and the osteoclastic resorption of β-tricalcium phosphate cylinders.

One of the most widely used materials for bone graft substitution is β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP; β-Ca(PO)). β-TCP is typically produced by sintering in air or vacuum. During this process, evaporation of phosphorus (P) species occurs, leading to the formation of a calcium-rich alkaline layer.

Cognitive prescriptions for reducing dementia risk factors among Black/African Americans: feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy.

Objectives: Black/African Americans (B/AAs) have double the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia than Whites, which is largely driven by health behaviors. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a pilot randomized clinical trial of an individualized multidomain health behavior intervention among middle-aged and older B/AAs (dubbed Cognitive Prescriptions [CogRx]).

Design: Thirty-nine community-dwelling B/AA participants aged 45-65 without significant cognitive impairment were randomized to one of three groups: CogRx, Psychoeducation, or no-contact control.

Engineering a Two-Component Hemostat for the Treatment of Internal Bleeding through Wound-Targeted Crosslinking.

Primary hemostasis (platelet plug formation) and secondary hemostasis (fibrin clot formation) are intertwined processes that occur upon vascular injury. Researchers have sought to target wounds by leveraging cues specific to these processes, such as using peptides that bind activated platelets or fibrin. While these materials have shown success in various injury models, they are commonly designed for the purpose of treating solely primary or secondary hemostasis.

An Assessment of Blood Vessel Remodeling of Nanofibrous Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Vascular Grafts in a Rat Animal Model.

The development of an ideal vascular prosthesis represents an important challenge in terms of the treatment of cardiovascular diseases with respect to which new materials are being considered that have produced promising results following testing in animal models. This study focuses on nanofibrous polycaprolactone-based grafts assessed by means of histological techniques 10 days and 6 months following suturing as a replacement for the rat aorta. A novel stereological approach for the assessment of cellular distribution within the graft thickness was developed.

From Pandemic to Panacea: Solutions that Sustained: COVID Inspired Continuum of Care Initiatives.

In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus swept through the world, causing a global pandemic. The onset of this unprecedented situation forced the health care system in this country to pivot and implement creative strategies to manage patient care and healthcare operations in the safest, most effective way possible to provide high-quality care. Care across the continuum had to be rendered in ways that were developed and implemented in a very short span of time.

Atomic-Level Structure of Zinc-Modified Cementitious Calcium Silicate Hydrate.

It has recently been demonstrated that the addition of zinc can enhance the mechanical strength of tricalcium silicates (CS) upon hydration, but the structure of the main hydration product of cement, calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), in zinc-modified formulations remains unresolved. Here, we combine Si DNP-enhanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), density functional theory (DFT)-based chemical shift computations, and molecular dynamics (MD) modeling to determine the atomic-level structure of zinc-modified C-S-H. The structure contains two main new silicon species (Q and Q) where zinc substitutes Q silicon species in dimers and bridging Q silicon sites, respectively.

Cyclic Voltammetry Study of Noble Metals and Their Alloys for Use in Implantable Electrodes.

Innovation in the application and miniaturization of implantable electrodes has caused a spike in new electrode material research; however, few robust studies are available that compare different metal electrodes in biologically relevant media. Herein, cyclic voltammetry has been employed to compare platinum, palladium, and gold-based electrodes' potentiometric scans and their corresponding charge storage capacities (CSCs). Ten different noble metals and alloys in these families were tested under pseudophysiological conditions in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.

Psychometric properties of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) and prevalence of drug use among SA site-based construction workers.

Construction workers in South Africa are an at-risk group for HIV/AIDS. Substance misuse, other than alcohol, is associated with poor decision-making, risky lifestyle behaviour, and non-use of condoms. Substance misuse is also associated with harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption and depression.

Returning to Work After an Orthopaedic Injury.

Workers' compensation and orthopaedic nursing are often intertwined for the treatment of an injured worker and returning them to work. The workers' compensation system can be complex, and knowing the regulations can be beneficial in the treatment of an injured worker and returning them to work safely. Orthopaedic nurses often play an integral role in the evaluation, treatment, and discharge of an injured worker, so understanding workers' compensation, workers' job, and expectations is important for the safe return of a worker back to duty.

Texting Older Sisters to Step to Manage Obesity in Older Black Women: A Feasibility Study.

Introduction: Black women are disproportionately classified as overweight or obese and physically inactive. Social support and culturally relevant and age-appropriate physical active interventions are needed to reduce inactivity and to prevent weight gain among this group. Mobile-health text messages have shown to be an acceptable, feasible and interactive way to promote physical activity among older Black women.

Social Environments and Physical Activity Among Active Black Women.

Purpose: To explore the social context of physical activity (PA) among active Black women, we examine the patterns of PA engagement and the benefits of social support in PA maintenance.

Design: A cross-sectional study design and descriptive phenomenological approach were used to examine social support and lived experiences of active Black women.

Setting: The study setting was an online survey of active Black women, ages 21 to 71 years who were recruited from across the United States.

Ultra-flat, low-noise, and linearly polarized fiber supercontinuum source covering 670-1390 nm: publisher's note.

This publisher's note contains a correction to Opt. Lett.46, 1820 (2021)10.

Physical Activity Promotion in a Safety-net Clinic: Does the Provider Make a Difference? A Pilot Study.

Background: Despite the long-term health benefits of physical activity, many Americans across the lifespan do not meet the recommended levels. However, physical activity discussions in the clinic setting may hold promise. The of this study aimed to understand health care providers' beliefs and practices about physical activity discussions being a part of patients' healthcare treatment.

Rationale and protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial of a cognitive prescription intervention for reducing dementia risk factors among African Americans.

Background & Purpose: African Americans (AAs) are twice as likely to develop dementia than Whites, which may be driven by poorer dementia knowledge and lifestyle factors. This article provides the rationale and protocol for a pilot clinical trial examining a tailored multi-domain lifestyle modification intervention in middle-aged and older AAs. This study will explore the feasibility and efficacy of individualized Cognitive Prescriptions (CogRx) which target five domains: physical activity, cognitive activity, diet, sleep, and social activity.

Effect of minor amounts of β-calcium pyrophosphate and hydroxyapatite on the physico-chemical properties and osteoclastic resorption of β-tricalcium phosphate cylinders.

β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP), one of the most used bone graft substitutes, may contain up to 5 wt% foreign phase according to standards. Typical foreign phases include β-calcium pyrophosphate (β-CPP) and hydroxyapatite (HA). Currently, the effect of small amounts of impurities on β-TCP resorption is unknown.

Determinants of HIV testing behaviour among male South African construction workers.

The global trend of poorer outcomes across the HIV treatment cascade for men has drawn attention to the importance of engaging men in prevention and treatment services. The South African construction industry is one of the economic sectors most adversely affected by HIV/AIDS. Previous research on HIV testing behaviour among workers in the industry has revealed that male workers are less likely to be tested than female workers.

Eye Care for Children in Special Schools: An Audit of Provision.

Introduction: Children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) are 28 times more likely to have eye problems than their typically developing peers. An ideal approach to the eye care for children attending special schools in England has been developed. Work in this area continues to evolve; therefore, an audit about existing services across the United Kingdom (UK) was undertaken.

Promoting Physical Activity Through Policy at a Single Safety-Net Clinic: A Pilot Study.

Background: Physical inactivity is a major issue for African Americans that contributes to increased risk for chronic conditions including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline. The of this single-clinic pilot study aimed to determine if a physical activity policy would increase primary-care provider discussions of physical activity during clinic visits using the Exercise is Medicine initiative as a guide.

Methods: The study design involved data collection at three time points.

Commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculant failed to establish in a vineyard despite priority advantage.

Background: Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi associate with most plants and can increase nutrient uptake. As a result, commercial inoculants called "biofertilizers" containing AM fungi have been developed and marketed to increase plant performance. However, successful establishment of these inoculants remains a challenge, and may be negatively impacted by competition with fungi already present (priority effects).

Ultra-flat, low-noise, and linearly polarized fiber supercontinuum source covering 670-1390 nm.

We report an octave-spanning coherent supercontinuum (SC) fiber laser with excellent noise and polarization properties. This was achieved by pumping a highly birefringent all-normal dispersion photonic crystal fiber with a compact high-power ytterbium femtosecond laser at 1049 nm. This system generates an ultra-flat SC spectrum from 670 to 1390 nm with a power spectral density higher than 0.