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In this study, water samples collected from Karnaphuli River, Chittagong, Bangladesh, were analyzed to assess physicochemical parameters to identify the possible potential sources of pollutants. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, alkalinity, acidity, conductivity, TDS, turbidity, total hardness, BOD, COD, ammoniacal-nitrogen, and sodium and chloride were varied from 3.05 to 9.34, 36.50 to 182.50 mg/L as CaCO3, 0.00 to 78.00 mg/L as CaCO3, 9.75 to 13.11 mS/cm, 6.36 to 10.40 g/L, 6.70 to 150.30 NTU, 1.37×10³ to 1.95×10³ mg/L as CaCO3, 5.50 to 45.50 mg/L as O2, 10.00 to 185.00 mg/L as O2, 0.00 to 12.60 mg/L as NH3-N, 2.27×10³ to 2.92×10³ mg/L and 3.12×10³ to 4.60×10³ mg/L in the water samples, respectively. Acidity, TDS, turbidity, total hardness, BOD, COD, and sodium were all very high near the TSP fertilizer factory's point source (site-2), while pH, alkalinity, NH3-N, and chloride were very high at KAFCO (site-11). At site-11, BOD and COD levels were also elevated. The results indicate that untreated fertilizer effluents contaminated river water significantly. Pearson correlation matrix for physicochemical parameters and sodium and chloride was also calculated to confirm the potential sources of pollutants in the river water. TSP plant effluent has been shown to cause acidity, TDS, turbidity, BOD, COD and sodium in river water, whereas ammonia-urea plants are found to cause high pH, alkalinity, NH3-N, as well as BODand COD in the Karnaphuli River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, water samples collected from Karnaphuli River, Chittagong, Bangladesh, were analyzed to assess physicochemical parameters to identify the possible potential sources of pollutants. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, alkalinity, acidity, conductivity, TDS, turbidity, total hardness, BOD, COD, ammoniacal-nitrogen, and sodium and chloride were varied from 3.05 to 9.34, 36.50 to 182.50 mg/L as CaCO3, 0.00 to 78.00 mg/L as CaCO3, 9.75 to 13.11 mS/cm, 6.36 to 10.40 g/L, 6.70 to 150.30 NTU, 1.37 x 10³ to 1.95 x 10³ mg/L as CaCO3, 5.50 to 45.50 mg/L as O2, 10.00 to 185.00 mg/L as O2, 0.00 to 12.60 mg/L as NH3-N, 2.27 x 10³ to 2.92 x 10³ mg/L and 3.12 x 10³ to 4.60 x 10³ mg/L in the water samples, respectively. Acidity, TDS, turbidity, total hardness, BOD, COD, and sodium were all very high near the TSP fertilizer factory's point source (site-2), while pH, alkalinity, NH3-N, and chloride were very high at KAFCO (site-11). At site-11, BOD and COD levels were also elevated. The results indicate that untreated fertilizer effluents contaminated river water significantly. Pearson correlation matrix for physicochemical parameters and sodium and chloride was also calculated to confirm the potential sources of pollutants in the river water. TSP plant effluent has been shown to cause acidity, TDS, turbidity, BOD, COD and sodium in river water, whereas ammonia-urea plants are found to cause high pH, alkalinity, NH3-N, as well as BODand COD in the Karnaphuli River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment samples collected from the river Shitalakhya, Bangladesh, were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to investigate site-to-site (spatial) and seasonal (i.e., dry, premonsoon, post-monsoon) variation of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn. The mean concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn were 22.37 ± 6.09, 612.59 ± 160.08, 54.11 ± 11.21, 50.36 ± 9.40 and 103.62 ± 62.74 mg/kg in the dry, 31.58 ± 5.22, 569.71 ± 112.16, 58.35 ± 7.82, 49.93 ± 17.36 and 110.88 ± 95.83 mg/kg in the pre-monsoon and 18.09± 6.32, 567.02 ± 115.55, 50.89 ± 6.58, 39.75 ± 4.56 and 55.22 ± 11.33 mg/kg in the post-monsoon, respectively. Based on the metals' concentrations, no considerable difference was observed among the three seasons, but the concentrations were slightly elevated in the dry and pre-monsoon compared to that in the post-monsoon with respect to site-to-site variation. Among the metals examined, concentrations of Ni and Cu were elevated because of the use of oxides of these heavy metals as catalysts in the ammonia plant. The following statistical indices i.e., Pearson correlation matrix, geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk potential (RI) factors were taken into account to assess the heavy metals contamination of the sediments. According to the values of the statistical indices for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn, it is concluded that the study area was with low contamination while concentrations of Ni and Cu were higher than the Threshold Effect Level (TEL) and Toxicity Reference Value (TRV) values suggesting unsafe to use the sediments for vegetation and other uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic properties of FePt samples, potential materials for high density recording media, depend sharply on the degree of chemical ordering produced during their preparation. This has prompted our investigation of the chemical order in both paramagnetic (P) and ferromagnetic (F) phases of a Fe[sub 0.5]Pt[sub 0.5] solid solution and its effect upon the magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MAE) of the latter phase. Our "first-principles" theory uses density functional electronic structure calculations and a mean field treatment of both compositional and magnetic "local moment" fluctuations. We find both phases to be unstable to L1[sub 0] (CuAu)-type order below temperatures of 1975 K (P) and 1565 K (F) which compares well with that found experimentally (≈1600 K) and our estimate of the Curie temperature as 575 K is also in fair agreement (710 K). For L 10 order the calculated MAE is uniaxial with a simple form,υ[sub L1[sub 0]]c²[sub (0,0,1)] sin² θ, where the coefficient υ[sub L1[sub 0]] = 9.7 × 10[sup 8] erg/cm³, c[sub (0,0,1)] is the degree of order (between 0 and 0.5) and θ is the angle between the magnetization direction and the magnetic easy axis, which lies perpendicular to the layering of the L1[sub 0] structure, also consistent with experimental data. Tetragonal distortions of the underlying face-centered-cubic lattice that occur as chemical order sets in are found to have a much smaller effect on the MAE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate magnetic correlations and local magnetic moments at finite temperatures in some Fe and Ni multilayers on and embedded in Cu(100). Our study is based on a mean-field theory of magnetic fluctuations for layered materials within the first-principles local spin-density functional theory. We find that although there is no significant local moments formation in the Ni layers, the Ni layers are not magnetically dead in the sense that they mediate magnetic interactions between Fe layers separated by Ni layers. The Curie temperature of Fe n Ni m /Cu(100) and Ni n Fe m /Cu(100) films is almost independent of the Ni layer thickness, however, in Fe 1 Ni n Fe 1 /Cu(100) and Fe 1 Cu n Fe 1 /Cu(100) films, the Curie temperature exhibits an interesting oscillatory behaviour as the spacer layer thickness is increased. We show that there is a connection between this behaviour and the spin-reorientation transition observed in some Ni films. In the Ni 1 Fe n Ni 1 /Cu(100) and Cu 1 Fe n /Cu(100) films we found that the nature and strength of the magnetic correlations depends upon the Fe layer thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the magnetic anisotropies of disordered Ni1-xPtx and disordered fcc Co1-xPtx alloys using the spin-polarized relativistic Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent-potential approximation. What causes the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of a ferromagnetic material; Direction of the easy magnetic axis in fcc cobalt (Co) and fcc nickel (Ni); Results of the study.

Issue Addressed: Women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes; this risk is higher in non-Caucasian women. This study explored the beliefs, attitudes, social support, environmental influences and other factors related to diabetes risk behaviours among Arabic, Cantonese/Mandarin, and English speaking women with recent GDM.Methods: Women living in the Sydney metropolitan area (Australia) who had GDM 6-36 months previously were included. In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews on women's experiences and perceptions of GDM and the lifestyle risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes were conducted in the language participants spoke at home (n=20 Arabic, 20 Cantonese/Mandarin, 17 English). Data were analysed for underlying themes using NVivo software.Results: Mental distress, role perceptions, social support and cultural expectations were major issues related to women's struggles to find the right balance between the large proportion of household and child care responsibilities and leading a healthy lifestyle.Conclusion: Women's ability to follow a healthy lifestyle is embedded in their psychological wellbeing and the social and cultural context of their lives. The study highlights the need for a holistic approach that ensures personal support and access to services as well as lifestyle specific programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total number of 66 day old Japanese quail chicks divided into 2 treatment groups (33 in each treatment) with 3 replications in each having 11 birds (male, 5 and female, 6) were reared on floor and in cage system for a period of 5 weeks to know the effect of rearing system on growth performance and carcass characteristics. At the age of 35 days, average body weight and feed intake were 102.15 and 320.7 g/quail for cage and 78.41 and 146.02 g/quail for floor system, respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was 3.89 and 4.10 for cage and floor system, respectively (P<0.01), at the end of study period. Body weight, feed intake and FCR were significantly (P<0.01) different between cage and floor rearing system. At the age of 21 and 35 days survivability were 72.72 and 72.72% for cage and 63.63 and 60.60% for floor, respectively. There was higher survivability in cage system. In case of meat yield characteristics, average weight of breast, thigh, wing, drum stick were 20.92, 7.37, 5.42 and 5.72 g for cage and 20.84, 7.35, 5.39 and 5.63 g for floor, respectively. There were no significant difference among average weight of breast, thigh and drum stick between two rearing system. In case of sex average, wing weight differed among sexes. It was concluded that cage reared quails showed better performance compared to littered floor rearing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to examine the Pb concentrations of water, sediment and soil of Shitalakhya River at Polash and Ghorashal areas in Bangladesh. The ranges of Pb in water, sediments, soils and vegetables like pumpkin leaves and alligator weeds were found 1.87 - 49.08, 8.49 - 75.81, 19.68 - 85.13, 1.08 - 3.92 and 1.18 - 4.22 mg/kg, respectively. The lead concentrations of surface water, sediment and soil samples were within the safe limit of different international standard except samples of the point source of urea fertilizer factory. The highest concentrations of Pb in alligator weeds and pumpkin vegetable leaves were recorded 3.92 and 4.224 mg/kg, respectively at the point source of urea fertilizer factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor hand hygiene (HH) practices among medical students have previously been attributed to students not being exposed to sufficient teaching materials during their training. Aim: To develop and evaluate a teaching module directed at improving the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate medical students towards HH. Methods: The HH teaching module was designed based on educational materials used by the World Health Organization and other patient safety organisations. The development was also informed by the findings from two previous studies including qualitative interviews with staff and students and a survey of Australian medical schools. In-depth group interviews were undertaken with 24 undergraduate medical students. Results: Favourable feedback was received from the interviewed medical students towards the developed scenario-based learning activity; however, the group interview activity was not received well by students. They suggested that the HH teaching activities should be compulsory and not optional for medical students. In order to reinforce good HH practices and to improve knowledge around HH and healthcare-associated infections, they felt that the activities should be repeated during each phase of their degree. Conclusions: There is a need to change the approach to training in education, particularly to engage students in topics such as HH which are often seen as unimportant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent audit data has revealed that the hand hygiene (HH) rates of Australian medical students is suboptimal. It has been suggested that new approaches are needed to teach students about infection control. As a first step, we undertook a study to determine the current educational approaches used to teach Australian medical students about HH. Secondly, this study aimed to explore the perceived barriers and to explore what other teaching approaches could be used to improve the levels of knowledge and compliance. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to the Dean of Medical Education at each of the medical schools in late 2012. Results: Of the 19 medical schools in Australia, 17 agreed to participate. The most commonly reported approaches currently used to teach students about HH are skills stations (17/17) and case scenarios/lectures (15/17). Clinical practical exams (15/17) and competency checks (11/17) are mostly used to assess the HH practices of medical students. Participants nominated the following as barriers to improving HH compliance: negative role modelling by senior doctors, and negative attitudes of students. Practical exercises (15/17), online teaching (12/17) and reflection (12/17) were suggested as other useful approaches that could be used to teach these concepts. Conclusion: Practical laboratory-based approaches were suggested as the most useful teaching and learning approach. Given the trend towards blended learning, universities may want to consider new HH teaching approaches that combine campus-based learning with online components and reflection. Early exposure and the continued reinforcement of HH concepts through the student's medical degree are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a first-principles electronic structure based study of magnetic correlations in the paramagnetic phase of some Fe and Ni multilayers on Cu(100) substrates. We have used the screened Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method to calculate the electronic structure within the spin-density functional theory and used the disordered local moments model to describe the paramagnetic phase above the Curie temperature. We find that in the Ni/Cu(100) films, there are no local moments formation for any thickness. For the multilayers of Fe and Ni, we find that there is some, although very small, local moment formation in the interior of the Ni film if the Ni layer is more than 6 monolayers thick. However, the Ni layers facilitate the magnetic correlation between the Fe layers. The Curie temperatures of the multilayers also depend upon the Ni layer thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite rural health services being situated and integrated within communities in which people work and live, the complex interaction of the social environment on health worker motivation and performance in Low Middle Income Countries has been neglected in research. In this article we investigate how social factors impact on health worker motivation and performance in rural health services in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 33 health workers from three provinces (Central, Madang, and Milne Bay) in PNG between August and November 2009. They included health extension officers, community health workers and nursing officers, some of whom were in charge of the health centres. The health centres were a selection across church based, government and private enterprise health facilities. Qualitative analysis identified the key social factors impacting on health worker motivation and performance to be the local community context, gender roles and family related issues, safety and security and health beliefs and attitudes of patients and community members. Our study identified the importance of strong supportive communities on health worker motivation. These findings have implications for developing sustainable strategies for motivation and performance enhancement of rural health workers in resource poor settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite rural health services being situated and integrated within communities in which people work and live, the complex interaction of the social environment on health worker motivation and performance in Low Middle Income Countries has been neglected in research. In this article we investigate how social factors impact on health worker motivation and performance in rural health services in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 33 health workers from three provinces (Central, Madang, and Milne Bay) in PNG between August and November 2009. They included health extension officers, community health workers and nursing officers, some of whom were in charge of the health centres. The health centres were a selection across church based, government and private enterprise health facilities. Qualitative analysis identified the key social factors impacting on health worker motivation and performance to be the local community context, gender roles and family related issues, safety and security and health beliefs and attitudes of patients and community members. Our study identified the importance of strong supportive communities on health worker motivation. These findings have implications for developing sustainable strategies for motivation and performance enhancement of rural health workers in resource poor settings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article examines factors influencing English language education, participation and achievement among Karen refugee women in Australia. Data were drawn from ethnographic observations and interviews with 67 participants between 2009 and 2011, collected as part of a larger qualitative study exploring the well-being of Karen refugee women in Sydney. Participants unanimously described difficulty with English language proficiency and communication as the 'number one' problem affecting their well-being. Gendered, cultural and socio-political factors act as barriers to education. We argue that greater sensitivity to refugees' backgrounds, culture and gender is necessary in education. Research is needed into the combined relationships between culture and gender across pre-displacement, displacement and resettlement and the impact of these factors on post-immigration educational opportunities. Training is needed to sensitise educators to the complex issues of refugee resettlement. The paper concludes with recommendations for service provision and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines factors influencing English language education, participation and achievement among Karen refugee women in Australia. Data were drawn from ethnographic observations and interviews with 67 participants between 2009 and 2011, collected as part of a larger qualitative study exploring the well-being of Karen refugee women in Sydney. Participants unanimously described difficulty with English language proficiency and communication as the 'number one' problem affecting their well-being. Gendered, cultural and socio-political factors act as barriers to education. We argue that greater sensitivity to refugees' backgrounds, culture and gender is necessary in education. Research is needed into the combined relationships between culture and gender across pre-displacement, displacement and resettlement and the impact of these factors on post-immigration educational opportunities. Training is needed to sensitise educators to the complex issues of refugee resettlement.The paper concludes with recommendations for service provision and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: Women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes; this risk is higher in non-Caucasian women. This study explored the beliefs, attitudes, social support, environmental influences and other factors related to diabetes risk behaviours among Arabic, Cantonese/Mandarin, and English speaking women with recent GDM. Methods: Women living in the Sydney metropolitan area (Australia) who had GDM 6-36 months previously were included. In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews on women's experiences and perceptions of GDM and the lifestyle risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes were conducted in the language participants spoke at home (n=20 Arabic, 20 Cantonese/Mandarin, 17 English). Data were analysed for underlying themes using NVivo software. Results: Mental distress, role perceptions, social support and cultural expectations were major issues related to women's struggles to find the right balance between the large proportion of household and child care responsibilities and leading a healthy lifestyle. Conclusion: Women's ability to follow a healthy lifestyle is embedded in their psychological wellbeing and the social and cultural context of their lives. The study highlights the need for a holistic approach that ensures personal support and access to services as well as lifestyle specific programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uptake monitoring of a group of environmentally important phenolic and aniline compounds including aniline, phenol, 4-methylaniline, 4-aminophenol, 2-aminophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 2-nitrophenol and 2-methyl-4-nitrophenol was carried out using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. For the removal of tested pollutants, the natural zeolites natrolite and clinoptilolite were examined in which the latter showed better uptakes ranging from 45 to 64% of pollutants from aqueous solution in 4 h. Modification of zeolites with cyclodextrins (CDs), especially, α-CD, considerably improves the uptake efficiency to 65–74% for clinoptilolite. The effects of equilibrium time, type and concentration of CDs were also investigated. The versatility of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography was shown for this type of study owing to its speed, resolution ability, and simplicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a theory to study the relation between compositional order and magnetocrystalline anisotropy of ferromagnetic alloys. The ordering phenomenon is represented by static concentration waves. The electronic part is described within the spin-polarized relativistic Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent-potential approximation. This scheme can be used to investigate the change in the magnitude as well as the direction of magnetic anisotropy in an alloy at the onset of ordering. The same framework can also be used to study directional chemical order produced by magnetic annealing. We have calculated the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy of ordered fcc-Co0.5Pt0.5 alloy using this method. We find that the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy of the ordered phase is two orders of magnitude larger than that of the disordered phase. Also, that the direction of 'easy' magnetization in the ordered phase depends on the type of ordering. These results are in good agreement with the experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the magnetic properties of bcc Fe films on and embedded in bcc-V(100) substrates in their paramagnetic phase above the Curie temperature. We have used a first-principles electronic structure method based on the spin-density functional theory and the spin fluctuations in the paramagnetic phase are described using the disordered local moments model. We have calculated the local magnetic moments, magnetic correlations and the Curie temperature of several Fe/V(100) and V/Fe/V(100) systems. In general, the Fe layers in close proximity to V have their magnetic moments suppressed, while in the interior of the film, the value of the magnetic moment oscillates from one layer to the other. When the films are capped by a V layer, the magnitudes of the magnetic moments decreases. The Curie temperature also shows an interesting oscullatory behaviour as the V capping layer thickness is increased. In the Fe/V/Fe/V(100) films, we observed that the exchange interactions between the two Fe layers across the spacer exhibits an oscillating behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent-friendly health programs have been in place in Nepal since 2008, yet uptake of the services for sexual and reproductive health remains suboptimal. For uptake of these services to improve, a rich understanding is needed of the factors impacting their acceptance and utilization from the perspectives of adolescents, health care staff, and key community informants. This study applied a qualitative research design involving six focus groups with 52 adolescents and in-depth interviews with 16 adolescents, 13 key informants, and 9 health care providers from six adolescent-friendly health facilities in Nepal. Thematic analysis was conducted for data analysis. The key themes identified as barriers include access issues due to travel, institutional health care barriers, perceived lack of privacy and confidentiality, and the unprofessional attitudes of staff towards the sexual health needs of adolescents. These themes are underpinned by gendered ideology and a moral framework around the sexual behavior of adolescents. Interview responses suggested that health care providers take a policing role in prescribing adolescents’ conformity to this moral framework in their delivery of reproductive health care and services. While physical access to health services may be problematic for some adolescents, this is not the priority issue. Attention needs to be given to increasing the capacity of health care providers to deliver services without imposing their own and socially sanctioned moral frameworks around adolescent sexual behavior. Such capacity building should include training that is experiential and emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and non-judgmental attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate magnetic correlations and local moments at finite temperatures in some FCC CumFen and ComFen structures on Cu(1 0 0) substrates using an ab initio mean-field theory of magnetic fluctuations for layered materials. We find that the thermal spin fluctuations give rise to layer-dependent local moments and layer-dependent magnetic correlations which depend strongly on the structure of the films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The paper reports the findings on the concentrations of heavy metals in ten different fish feed by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The level of heavy metal concentrations (dry weight) in the fish feed ranged from 1.17 to 2.0, 2.33 to 4.67, 5.17 to 21.67, 106.67 to 363.3, 3.5 to 7.16, 3.83 to 21.2, 56.7 to 141.6 and 2.1 to 16.49 mg/kg of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cr respectively. The concentrations of Fe, Pb, Co, Cr in different brands of fish feed exceeded the maximum permissible limits recommended by FAO/WHO and EU whereas the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn were within acceptable limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated psychological distress in Iranian international students at UNSW Australia, and explored the psychosocial factors associated with high levels of distress. A total of 180 Iranian international students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees during 2012/2013 completed an email questionnaire containing socio-demographic items and five standardized and validated scales. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the predictors of psychological distress. Compared to domestic and international students at two other Australian universities, a significantly smaller proportion of Iranian international students scored as distressed on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Greater levels of psychological distress were associated with being female, poorer physical health, less social support, less religious involvement and spirituality, and negative attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help. Findings from this growing group of international students can help inform culturally competent mental health promotion and service provision in their host countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is important to understand the experiences surrounding smoking cessation among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to improve the likely success of future smoking cessation programs.Objective: To explore the personal experiences surrounding smoking cessation among general practice patients with COPD.Methods: A purposive sample of 33 general practice patients with COPD, 28 ex-smokers and 5 smokers, participated in the semi-structured telephone interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted using a predominantly deductive approach guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel framework.Results: Three inter-related themes were generated: the motivation, opportunities and capabilities among the participants to quit and maintain smoking cessation. Most quit attempts occurred without explanation or prior planning, though some attempts were motivated by the participants' family, peers or GP. Internet-based smoking cessation support programs led by general practices and involving the practice nurse were perceived as opportunities to engage in quit attempts. Most participants, both ex-smokers and smokers, demonstrated capacity to engage in multiple quit attempts. However, for many smokers, boredom, mood disturbances, the strong sense of identity as a smoker, peer reinforcement, irritability, cravings, hunger and weight gain limited capability to maintain smoking cessation.Conclusions: Patients with COPD have motivation to quit and have demonstrated capacity to engage in multiple quit attempts. GPs and other primary care practitioners need to recognize the patients' spontaneity around quit attempts and to meet the needs of the individual patient by being ready to offer support for each attempt once the patient has made their decision to quit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the feasibility of Group Therapy as a therapeutic intervention for patients diagnosed with depression in the Maldives.Observations and results of the first five cohorts in the capital, Male, demonstrate acceptance of the adapted intervention and preliminary support to its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Estimation of heavy metals in road dusts of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. • Road dusts near dumping and medical incineration sites are the most metal polluted. • Noncarcinogenic health risk is predominant for the children group. • Dermal pathway is the main intake route of heavy metals. • Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILTCR) is within the range permitted by USEPA. In this study, concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were determined in road dusts collected from different locations in Dhaka to assess source, contamination status and health risk. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to determine Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb and their mean concentrations were 162.27 ± 29.46, 721.18 ± 180.14, 35.65 ± 12.55, 104.56 ± 128.33, 515.32 ± 321.90, BDL, and 342.82 ± 591.20 mg/kg, respectively. Among the heavy metals, highest concentrations of Cu, Zn and Pb were found at urban sites-7 (municipal waste dumping) and 8 (medical waste incineration). Highest concentration of Cr followed by Cu and Zn was found at site-5 (Tejgaon, urban). Principal component analysis revealed that anthropogenic activities are the potential sources for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb while earth crust for Mn. Pollution index and pollution load index results suggested that all the sites were contaminated and/or degraded by Cr, Cu, Zn and Pb except sites-9 (urban), 10 (sub-urban), 11 (rural) while sites-7 and 8 (urban) were extremely degraded. For noncarcinogenic health risk, hazard quotient values for dermal were higher compared to that of inhalation/ingestion. Though hazard index values were less than 1 at all the sites, these were at least one order of magnitude higher for children group than that of adult group, thus the children group may face more noncarcinogenic health risk at sites-7 and 8. Values of incremental lifetime cancer risk were from 10−9 to 10−11 showed no carcinogenic health risk by road dusts contaminated with the heavy metals. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prior to the availability of the specific pandemic vaccine, strategies to mitigate the impact of the disease typically involved antiviral treatment and "non-pharmaceutical" community interventions. However, compliance with these strategies is linked to risk perceptions, perceived severity and perceived effectiveness of the strategies. In 2010, we undertook a study to examine the knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, practices and barriers towards influenza and infection control strategies amongst domestic and international university students. Methods: A study using qualitative methods that incorporated 20 semi-structured interviews was undertaken with domestic and international undergraduate and postgraduate university students based at one university in Sydney, Australia. Participants were invited to discuss their perceptions of influenza (seasonal vs. pandemic) in terms of perceived severity and impact, and attitudes towards infection control measures including hand-washing and the use of social distancing, isolation or cough etiquette. Results: While participants were generally knowledgeable about influenza transmission, they were unable to accurately define what 'pandemic influenza' meant. While avian flu or SARS were mistaken as examples of past pandemics, almost all participants were able to associate the recent "swine flu" situation as an example of a pandemic event. Not surprisingly, it was uncommon for participants to identify university students as being at risk of catching pandemic influenza. Amongst those interviewed, it was felt that 'students' were capable of fighting off any illness. The participant's nominated hand washing as the most feasible and acceptable compared with social distancing and mask use. Conclusions: Given the high levels of interaction that occurs in a university setting, it is really important that students are informed about disease transmission and about risk of infection. It may be necessary to emphasize that pandemic influenza could pose a real threat to them, that it is important to protect oneself from infection and that infection control measures can be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We study -based permalloys with the relativistic spin-polarized Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker electronic structure method. Treating the compositional disorder with the coherent potential approximation, we investigate how the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, K, and magnetostriction, , of Ni-rich Ni–Fe alloys vary with the addition of small amounts of non-magnetic transition metals, Cu and Mo. From our calculations we follow the trends in K and and find the compositions of Ni–Fe–Cu and Ni–Fe–Mo where both are near zero. These high permeability compositions of Ni–Fe–Cu and Ni–Fe–Mo match well with those discovered experimentally. We monitor the connection of the magnetic anisotropy with the number of minority spin electrons . By raising via artificially increasing the band-filling of , we are able to reproduce the key features that underpin the magnetic softening we find in the ternary alloys. The effect of band-filling on the dependence of magnetocrystalline anisotropy on atomic short-range order in is also studied. Our calculations, based on a static concentration wave theory, indicate that the susceptibility of the high permeability of the Ni–Fe–Cu and Ni–Fe–Mo alloys to their annealing conditions is also strongly dependent on the alloys’ compositions. An ideal soft magnet appears from these calculations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

High-quality teaching is central to the higher education sector. Its pursuit has become heightened with increasing competition across institutions and opportunities to study globally through various modes. This systematic meta-review provides a synthesis of evidence relating to the methods used to assess and enhance the quality of teaching practice within higher education. Key words, synonyms and subject headings were used to search six electronic databases between January 2009 and August 2019. Titles and abstracts of publications were screened and full text articles assessed against the eligibility criteria. Findings were extracted and integrated in a narrative synthesis. Thirteen review articles, revealed that the use of teaching quality: student feedback data, self-assessment tools, peer review of teaching (formative and summative) and the use of teaching portfolios. We report evidence related to the effectiveness of each of these approaches and that a multi-modal approach may be most effective but requires consideration of resourcing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and selective method for rapid and efficient concentration and determination of μg l−1 levels of Au(III) ions in aqueous solution using octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by pentathia-15-crown-5 and flame atomic absorption spectrometry is presented. The influence of flow rates of eluent and sample solution, amount of ligand, types and least amount of eluent for elution of Au from disks were investigated. Break through volume and limit of detection of the membrane disks modified by 5 mg of the thiacrown ether was found to be 2.0 l and 1.0 μg l−1, respectively. The effects of various cationic interferences on percent recovery of gold were studied. The method was successfully applied for the determinations of gold in some pharmaceutical samples and for the recovery of trace Au3+ ions from synthetic and water samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A convenient procedure for the synthesis of thiocoumarin by the condensation of 2-phenyl-4-(ethoxymethylene)-5-(4H)-oxazolone with 3,4-dithio-toluene in the presence of triethylamine is reported. Here, both thio groups are able to react with the carbonyl group to produce a mixture of isomeric products at ambient temperature. Only one of the isomers upon heating gives a new coumarin product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of perinatal care services among women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and male alcohol use is a major problem. Adequate and regular perinatal care is essential through the continuum of pregnancy to mitigate pregnancy and birth complications. The aim of this study is to determine the association between IPV and male alcohol use and the receipt of perinatal care in Nepal. This study used pooled data from 2011 and 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS). A total of 3067 women who interviewed for domestic violence module and had most recent live birth 5 years prior surveys were included in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between IPV and male alcohol use and the receipt of perinatal care. Of the total women interviewed, 22% reported physical violence, 14% emotional violence, and 11% sexual violence. Women who were exposed to physical violence were significantly more likely to report non-usage of institutional delivery [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 1.30 (95% Cl: 1.01, 1.68)] and skilled delivery assistants [aOR = 1.43 (95% Cl: 1.10, 1.88)]. Non-attendance of 4 or more skilled antenatal care visits was associated with a combination of alcohol use by male partner and exposure to emotional [aOR = 1.42 (95% Cl: 1.01, 2.00)] and physical violence [aOR = 1.39 (95% Cl: 1.03, 1.88)]. The negative association between IPV and perinatal care suggests it is essential to develop comprehensive community-based interventions which integrates IPV support services with other health services to increase the uptake of perinatal care through the continuum of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is often called a "we-disease" as the effects of the diagnosis can go beyond the patient to others, including the caregiver. In Australia, it is estimated that approximately 138,000 new cancer diagnoses will be made in 2018, with the 5 year survival rate currently at 68%. This has shifted the way that cancer care is delivered, with many patients now being cared for at home by a loved one. As a result, cancer caregivers report higher levels of fatigue, stress, mood disturbances and mental illness (depression and anxiety), insomnia and digestive complaints than noncaring counterparts. While it is known that these characteristics can influence diet, very little has been published with relation to cancer caregivers as a stand-alone population. Aim: To explore how being a cancer caregiver might influence dietary behaviors, food choices and eating patterns in the caregiver to see if these have changed/not changed from precaring. Methods: Participants were recruited from a number of avenues, including not-for-profit cancer support services and support groups. Our study is a descriptive qualitative study where participants complete an online questionnaire to determine their Burden of Care score (through Given and Given's Caregiver Reaction Assessment) and current dietary patterns and behaviors. Some of these participants were further interviewed using a semistructured interview to explore their role as a carer, dietary patterns and food choices and this interview data were thematically analyzed. Results: Preliminary results (as part of an ongoing study) from six completed semistructured interviews with cancer caregivers from New South Wales, Australia suggests that the food intake and dietary behaviors of cancer caregivers were influenced by five main aspects: food access and availability, caregiver health, food preferences, the impact of cancer or the patient and caregivers needing more support. This study is ongoing, with an additional 6-8 interviews proposed (or until data saturation is achieved). In the case of some caregivers their dietary behaviors and food choices improved when they became a caregiver (e.g., eating more fruit and vegetables, reducing sugar consumption and an increase in their perception of the importance of healthy eating). Others reported a decline (e.g., increased "grazing" on "junk food", losing motivation for healthy eating and preparing healthy food and skipping meals). Conclusion: This preliminary data clearly suggests that dietary behaviors and food choices of cancer caregivers do change from precaring. There is however, still a gap in our understanding as to why some carers report improvements and others report a decline. This is an ongoing area of research and is an important aspect of public health given the role cancer caregivers play in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-being is a term commonly used in discussions of sexuality, reproduction and sexual health, yet the meaning of the term is elusive and often disregarded. As an example, the 'well-being' component of sexual and reproductive health and well-being is often not explicitly addressed in research, policy and programme development. The goal of this paper is to explore the meanings of sexual and reproductive well-being among young people in Fiji and their implications. Fourteen focus group discussions with young people aged 15 to 19 years and 40 key informant interviews were held in four Fijian settings. We found both different and shared meanings of sexual and reproductive well-being and suggest areas in which it can be strengthened in Fiji. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-being is a term commonly used in discussions of sexuality, reproduction and sexual health, yet the meaning of the term is elusive and often disregarded. As an example, the 'well-being' component of sexual and reproductive health and well-being is often not explicitly addressed in research, policy and programme development. The goal of this paper is to explore the meanings of sexual and reproductive well-being among young people in Fiji and their implications. Fourteen focus group discussions with young people aged 15 to 19 years and 40 key informant interviews were held in four Fijian settings. We found both different and shared meanings of sexual and reproductive well-being and suggest areas in which it can be strengthened in Fiji. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limited autonomy and agency of women in developing countries is recognized as a key barrier to improving their reproductive health. Using an existing perinatal cohort in urban South India, we interviewed 36 women who had recently been through childbirth, and we carried out observations of family life and clinic encounters. Critical domains involved in women's agency and autonomy were women's participation in employment and group action and their mobility. Household decision making was considered a joint rather than individual responsibility. We call for a more nuanced understanding of these domains and their relationship to women's reproductive health, particularly for urban populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The perinatal period, i.e. pregnancy, childbirth and early infancy, is a significant transition period where the biological and the social strongly intersect. In low and middle-income countries the disease burden arising from the perinatal period, is still substantial. The perinatal period is also a crucial window of opportunity for reducing undernutrition and its long term adverse effects.Methods: We explored qualitative research conducted in low resource settings around the perinatal continuum over the past two decades, with a particular focus on the 'cultural' realm, to identify common themes influencing maternal and infant nutrition. We systematically searched electronic databases from 1990 to 2014, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, using relevant search terms including traditional beliefs, practices, pregnancy, childbirth, developing countries etc. Adapted Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Health Research and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme criteria were used to determine quality of studies. We synthesised the literature thematically, enabled by NVivo 10 software.Results: Most studies showed cultural support for breastfeeding, although most traditional societies delayed breastfeeding due to colostrum being considered 'dirty'. A range of restrictive practices through pregnancy and the post- partum period were revealed in Asia, Latin America and Africa. There was a strong cultural understanding of the healing power of everyday foods. A wide range of good foods and bad foods continued to have currency through the perinatal continuum, with little consensus between groups of what was beneficial versus harmful. Cross-cutting themes that emerged were 1) the role of the woman/mother/wife as strong and good; 2) poverty restricting women's nutrition choices; 3) change being constant, but the direction of change unpredictable.Conclusions: A rich and diverse repertoire of cultural practices and beliefs influenced perinatal nutrition. Results from this synthesis should influence public health policymakers and practitioners, to tailor contextually specific, culturally responsive perinatal nutrition interventions to optimise health and wellbeing of mother-infant dyads. Ideally these interventions should build on culturally sanctioned life affirming behaviours such as breastfeeding, promoting post-partum rest and recovery, while modifying the potentially harmful aspects of other cultural practices in the perinatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, India contributes the largest share in sheer numbers to the burden of maternal and infant under-nutrition, morbidity and mortality. A major gap in our knowledge is how socio-cultural practices and beliefs influence the perinatal period and thus perinatal outcomes, particularly in the rapidly growing urban setting. Methods and Findings: Using data from a qualitative study in urban south India, including in-depth interviews with 36 women who had recently been through childbirth as well as observations of family life and clinic encounters, we explored the territory of familial, cultural and traditional practices and beliefs influencing women and their families through pregnancy, childbirth and infancy. We found that while there were some similarities in cultural practices to those described before in studies from low resource village settings, there are changing practices and ideas. Fertility concerns dominate women’s experience of married life; notions of gender preference and ideal family size are changing rapidly in response to the urban context; however inter-generational family pressures are still considerable. While a rich repertoire of cultural practices persists throughout the perinatal continuum, their existence is normalised and even underplayed. In terms of diet and nutrition, traditional messages including notions of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ foods, are stronger than health messages; however breastfeeding is the cultural norm and the practice of delayed breastfeeding appears to be disappearing in this urban setting. Marriage, pregnancy and childbirth are so much part of the norm for women, that there is little expectation of individual choice in any of these major life events. Conclusions: A greater understanding is needed of the dynamic factors shaping the perinatal period in urban India, including an acknowledgment of the health promoting as well as potentially harmful cultural practices and the critical role of the family. This will help plan culturally appropriate integrated perinatal health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In summer 2002, an outbreak of febrile illness began in the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Through April 2003, officials recorded 168 cases with 10 deaths. The Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangkok confirmed Orientia tsutsugamushi and conducted a joint investigation with the Ministry of Health, Maldives. These cases of scrub typhus were the first in the Maldives since World War II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Results from a previous study showed that 40 to 60% of the price of off-patent medicines in Vietnam was typically spent to induce prescribers to use the medicines, and to persuade procurement officers within hospitals to buy them. In this article we examine how and why inducements were paid by the pharmaceutical industry to health care providers in Vietnam.Methods: We use a theoretically informed analysis to understand pharmaceutical companies' account of giving inducements and prescribers' account of taking them, elicited through in-depth interviews.Results: Analysis of the emergent concepts derived from our qualitative data led to viewing the constructs from the theoretical framework of opportunities; pressures; and rationalization within a hierarchy of systemic factors and individual factors. Economic survival pressures in an imperfectly competitive market reportedly encouraged pharmaceutical companies and prescribers to be linked financially. Although individual factors such as professional ethics and personal values influenced doctors' responses to corrupt practices, entrenched systemic issues, including lack of transparency, accountability, poor enforcement of legislation and prevalence of corruption emerged as important factors supporting corrupt practice or even making it very difficult for individuals to opt out of corrupt practices.Conclusions: Our theoretically informed analysis of inducements provides an in-depth understanding of an angle of corruption in Vietnam's health sector, showing the need for multifaceted strategies in the fight against corruption in the health sector. Remedial strategies need to address both systemic and individual factors including interventions to relieve dependencies for survival of health care services on the corrupt system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]