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Despite its increasing use, few studies have reported on demographic representativeness and costs of research recruitment via social media. It was hypothesized that cost, reach, enrollment, and demographic representativeness would differ by social media recruitment approach. Participants were 18–25 year-olds at moderate to high risk of skin cancer based on phenotypic and behavioral characteristics. Paid Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter ads, unpaid social media posts by study staff, and unpaid referrals were used to recruit participants. Demographic and other characteristics of the sample were compared with the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) sample. Analyses demonstrated significant differences among recruitment approaches regarding cost efficiency, study participation, and representativeness. Costs were compared across 4,274 individuals who completed eligibility screeners over a 7-month period from: Instagram, 44.6% (of the sample) = 1,907, $9 (per individual screened); Facebook, 31.5% = 1,345, $8; Twitter, 1% = 42, $178; unpaid posts by study staff, 10.6% and referred, 6.5%, $1. The lowest rates of study enrollment among individuals screened was for Twitter. Most demographic and skin cancer risk factors of study participants differed from those of the 2015 NHIS sample and across social media recruitment approaches. Considering recruitment costs and number of participants enrolled, Facebook and Instagram appeared to be the most useful approaches for recruiting 18–25 year-olds. Findings suggest that project budget, target population and representativeness, and participation goals should inform selection and/or combination of existing and emerging online recruitment approaches.

The investigation of complaints against the police is important to law, order and justice. The public expects high ethical standards from its police service and when breaches occur, complaints ofte...

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) such as Moexipril, Trandolapril, Ramipril, and Perindopril are used to treat hypertension. However, these drugs have undesired side effects. Using computational studies, two new novel drug candidates were designed with improved molecular interactions, ADMET properties, and docking scores compared to Moexipril. Homology analysis was done to determine the best animal model for preclinical studies, and it revealed that Pan troglodytes (chim-panzees) and Mus musculus (house mouse) were the best candidates.

This narrative literature review examines 12 eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy studies published in peer-reviewed journals that implement qualitative methodology other than case studies. Qualitative studies in the EMDR community and in mental health research can get overlooked because they are not perceived to be as scientific as quantitative studies. However, the presence of proper, systematic methodology in qualitative research can reveal another layer of important data about the how and why of EMDR therapy's impact. A variety of study types are reviewed (grounded theory, phenomenology, content and thematic analysis, and several other published forms) that offer evidence-based insight in six major areas of relevance to the EMDR community: the value of the therapeutic relationship and attunement, the role of EMDR therapy preparation and safety measures, the perceived impact of reprocessing phases, and insights for EMDR therapy training and implementation. The authors conclude that it is imperative that clinicians attend to the therapeutic relationship and provide adequate preparation. A discussion about clinical implementation and training EMDR therapists is also included, with suggestions made for advancing qualitative research in EMDR therapy.

Individuals who work outside are at increased risk for skin cancer due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Little is known about UV exposures and sun safety practices of outdoor day laborers, who are disproportionately Hispanic. This study identified the correlates of sunburn and sun protection behaviors in a sample of male, Hispanic day laborers (n = 175). More than half of the participants (54.9%) experienced one or more sunburns when working during the past summer, and 62.9% reported having one or more symptoms of heat illness. The frequency of engaging in sun protection behaviors was suboptimal, including sunglasses use (M = 2.68, SD = 1.71), staying in the shade (M = 2.30, SD = 0.94), wearing sunscreen (M = 2.10, SD = 1.39), and wearing a wide-brimmed hat (M = 1.75, SD = 1.32), based on a 5-point scale (1 = never; 5 = always). Lower education level, higher levels of skin sensitivity to the sun, any symptom of heat illness, fewer barriers to wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and not wearing a wide-brimmed hat were associated with a greater number of sunburns. Factors associated with each sun protection behavior varied. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Youth should be allowed and encouraged to engage in sun-safe behaviors in educational, childcare, and recreational settings, including use of sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, other sun-protective clothing, and shade.

The ultraviolet radiation index (UVI) was adopted internationally to raise awareness about and encourage the public to protect their skin from skin cancer. The current paper is a systematic review of over 20 years of research investigating awareness, comprehension, use, and impact of the UVI. Thirty-one studies were included from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere. Awareness of the UVI varies by country, with samples from some countries demonstrating high awareness. However, comprehension and use of the UVI to inform sun safety behaviors are typically much lower. In fact, greater UVI awareness has sometimes been associated with riskier UV-related behaviors such as intentional tanning. Fewer studies have evaluated interventions, and their results have been mixed. In summary, more research is needed to determine how to help the public understand and use the UVI for effective skin protection. This review offers suggestions for future use of and research with the UVI.

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A 3D molecular arrangement and coordination of a minor anthocyanin from red cabbage creates a brilliant blue color., The color of food is critical to the food and beverage industries, as it influences many properties beyond eye-pleasing visuals including flavor, safety, and nutritional value. Blue is one of the rarest colors in nature’s food palette—especially a cyan blue—giving scientists few sources for natural blue food colorants. Finding a natural cyan blue dye equivalent to FD&C Blue No. 1 remains an industry-wide challenge and the subject of several research programs worldwide. Computational simulations and large-array spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the 3D chemical structure, color expression, and stability of this previously uncharacterized cyan blue anthocyanin-based colorant. Synthetic biology and computational protein design tools were leveraged to develop an enzymatic transformation of red cabbage anthocyanins into the desired anthocyanin. More broadly, this research demonstrates the power of a multidisciplinary strategy to solve a long-standing challenge in the food industry.

BACKGROUND Many patients with chronic itch and atopic dermatitis (AD) or psoriasis do not receive/use available medical and psychosocial treatments properly due to system, provider and/or patient factors. OBJECTIVE An educational website (ITCH-RELIEF) to improve itch-related quality of life (QoL) for adults with AD or psoriasis and chronic itch was developed and assessed. ITCH RELIEF stands for Interactive Toolbox of Comprehensive Health Resources to Enhance Living with Itch - Educational Facilitation (for Adults). METHODS Single-arm pre- and post-test design with 1-month follow-up (N = 137 at baseline). RESULTS There was statistically and clinically significant improvement in the primary outcome of itch-related QoL impairment as assessed by the ItchyQoL from baseline [M = 78.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 75.9, 81.9] to follow up (M = 75.4, CI = 72.4, 78.5), P = 0.007, as well as statistically significant improvement in several itch-related secondary outcomes (all Ps

BACKGROUND Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or indoor tanning is the cause of most skin cancers. Although indoor tanning has decreased in recent years, it remains most common among adolescents and young adults, whose skin is particularly vulnerable to long-term damage. US states have adopted several types of legislation to attempt to minimize indoor tanning among minors: a ban on indoor tanning among all minors, a partial minor ban by age (eg, OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether internet searches (as an indicator of interest) related to indoor tanning varied across US states by the type of indoor tanning legislation, using data from Google Trends from 2006 to 2019. METHODS We conducted a time-series analysis of Google Trends data on indoor tanning from 2006 to 2019 by US state. Time-series linear regression models were generated to assess the Google Trends data over time by the type of indoor tanning legislation. RESULTS We found that indoor tanning search rates decreased significantly for all 50 states and the District of Columbia over time (P CONCLUSIONS Our findings are consistent with those of other studies on the association between indoor tanning regulations and attitudinal and behavioral trends related to indoor tanning. The main limitation of the study is that raw search data were not available for more precise analysis. With changes in interest and norms, indoor tanning and skin cancer risk among young people may change. Future studies should continue to determine the impact of such public health policies in order to inform policy efforts and minimize risks to public health.

Objective: to analyze the dispute resolution practices for dealing with citizen-initiated complaints against police in Queensland, Australia. Methods: dialectical approach to cognition of social phenomena, allowing to analyze them in historical development and functioning in the context of the totality of objective and subjective factors, which predetermined the choice of the following research methods: formal-logical, comparative-legal, and sociological. Results: since the 1990s, alternative dispute resolution practices for dealing with citizen-initiated complaints against police, such as conciliation, have progressively been trialed and implemented in police services across Australia. The Queensland Police Service was one of the most proactive services in trialing independently facilitated complaints mediation programs – in collaboration with its oversight agency. However, despite repeated positive outcomes, the Service refrained from actively using mediation, preferring instead to use management dominated informal resolution (conciliation). This process, characterized by police investigating police, continues to limit complainant participation by denying them the opportunity to meet faceto-face with the subject officer. Yet the literature cites mediation, especially practices based on restorative principles as beneficial because it brings disputing parties together in dialogue that is educative for both parties, reparatory, and better satisfies complainants’ aspirations for an inclusive and neutral complaints system, while data from mediated complaints can also be used to inform police conduct improvement strategies. Complaints mediation is available upon request within the Queensland Police Service, however, it is not widely promoted, and is internally facilitated. Scientific novelty: this article presents an historical account of the application of mediation and conciliation to the Queensland Police Service complaints system. The authors answer the question why conciliation has become the default approach and mediation continues to be largely ignored. This is done through a qualitative analysis of publicly available documents and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. The findings reveal that the 1992 Mediation Pilot was very successful. However, the Queensland Police Service adopted conciliation because it was cheaper and, they claim, better aligned with managing behavioral improvements. Three decades on, there has been little evidence of this, while the literature clearly shows that mediation should be a key component of any police complaints and discipline system. The findings reveal that the 1992 Mediation Pilot was very successful. However, the Queensland Police Service adopted conciliation because it was cheaper and, they claim, better aligned with managing behavioral improvements. Three decades on, there has been little evidence of this, while the literature clearly shows that mediation should be a key component of any police complaints and discipline system. Practical significance: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used in scientific, pedagogical and law enforcement activities when considering issues related to the citizens’ claims on the actions of law enforcers.

Melanoma is the most common cause of skin cancer deaths, and individuals who have had melanoma have an increased risk of developing new melanomas. Doing regular self-examinations of skin enables one to detect thinner melanomas earlier when the disease is more treatable. The aim of this systematic review is to characterize and evaluate the existing literature on the prevalence and correlates of skin self-examination (SSE) behaviors among adult melanoma survivors in the USA and Canada. A computerized literature search was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The inclusion criteria for the studies were: (a) reported results for adult melanoma survivors in the USA or Canada, (b) papers described empirical research, (c) assessed SSE and related behaviors, and (d) papers were published in a peer-reviewed journal in the past 20 years. Key phrases such as “skin self-examination/SSE in melanoma survivors in the United States” and “correlates of skin self-examination/SSE” were used. Based on the inclusion criteria, 30 studies were included in the systematic review. SSE prevalence varied depending on how SSE was defined. Demographics and factors (gender, education level, patient characteristics, partner assistance, and physician support) associated with SSE were identified. Findings of this review show evidence for the need to have a consistent way to assess SSE and suggest different types of correlates on which to focus in order to promote SSE and reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence in survivors. This systematic review and its protocol have been registered in the international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews in health and social care (PROSPERO; ID: 148878)

Background: The aim of this study was to validate the English version of the Itch Cognition Questionnaire in a sample of patients with chronic itch due to psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. An English-language version of an instrument assessing itch-related cognitions is needed since cognitions can contribute to a worsening of itch, and chronic itch is prevalent in English-speaking counties and internationally. Methods: The German Itch Cognitions Questionnaire was translated into English, and cognitive interviewing was conducted to finalize item wording. Internal and test-retest reliability, item discrimination, responsiveness to change, and construct, convergent, and discriminant validity were assessed in a national sample of 137 individuals with chronic itch due to atopic dermatitis or psoriasis recruited online. Results: Internal reliability was high with Cronbach’s alphas of 0.93 for the Catastrophizing subscale and 0.88–0.90 for Coping. The Pearson’s correlation assessing 1-month test-retest reliability for the Catastrophizing subscale was r = 0.62 and for the Coping subscale was r = 0.61. The corrected item-total correlation revealed that items were relatively consistent with the scores for the subscales (with correlations ranging from 0.58 to 0.79), indicating very good item discrimination. Results of factor analysis, convergent and discriminant, and responsiveness to change analyses provided evidence for validity. Conclusions: This study showed good psychometric characteristics of the English version of the Itch Cognitions Questionnaire. We suggest that future studies investigate the use of the measure in clinical practice to assist with treatment planning and outcome assessment related to itch as well as address study limitations such as sampling and replication.

In rural Native American communities, access to healthy foods is limited and diet-related disparities are significant. Tribally owned and operated convenience stores, small food stores that sell ready-to-eat foods and snacks primarily high in fat and sugar, serve as the primary and, in some areas, the only food stores. The Tribal Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments or “THRIVE” study, implemented between 2013 and 2018, is the first healthy retail intervention study implemented in tribally owned and operated convenience stores. THRIVE aims to increase vegetable and fruit intake among Native Americans living within the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The study comprises three phases: 1) formative research assessing tribal community food environments and associated health outcomes; 2) intervention development to assess convenience stores and tailor healthy retail product, pricing, promotion, and placement strategies; and 3) intervention implementation and evaluation. In this paper we share the participatory research process employed by our tribal-university partnership to develop this healthy retail intervention within the unique contexts of tribal convenience stores. We summarize our methods to engage tribal leaders across diverse health, government, and commerce sectors and adapt and localize intervention strategies that test the ability of tribal nations to increase fruit and vegetable purchasing and consumption among tribal members. Study processes will assist in developing a literature base for policy and environmental strategies that intervene broadly to improve Native community food environments and eliminate diet-related disparities among Native Americans., Highlights • The process of designing and implementing the first healthy retail study in tribal convenience stores is described. • Community-based participatory research engaged diverse tribal leaders across health, government, and commerce sectors. • Findings will elucidate relationships between Native community food environments and disease.

This study assessed the role of alternative dispute resolution options in the complaints management systems of the eight policing jurisdictions in Australia and the single jurisdiction of N...

Youth crime is an ongoing concern in Australia. Victims, offenders and the community are all affected by crime and the current criminal justice approach seems both ineffective and inefficient. Restorative justice proponents have posited that their approach to justice through dialogue and negotiation in the conferencing process may be more effective than the traditional retributive justice. Restorative justice conferencing for young offenders is not, however, unfaultable in its ability to reduce the harm caused by crime or to reduce recidivism. The main focus of conferencing has been on the outcomes with limited attention paid to the process and its impact on a young offender’s sense of wrongdoing and remorse. There has been limited research undertaken into the oral competencies of young offenders in relation to their performance in conferencing, and equally limited studies on the specific use of language by facilitators. Other research has shown a coexistence of youth offending and developmental l...

Background Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or indoor tanning is the cause of most skin cancers. Although indoor tanning has decreased in recent years, it remains most common among adolescents and young adults, whose skin is particularly vulnerable to long-term damage. US states have adopted several types of legislation to attempt to minimize indoor tanning among minors: a ban on indoor tanning among all minors, a partial minor ban by age (eg, Objective This study investigated whether internet searches (as an indicator of interest) related to indoor tanning varied across US states by the type of indoor tanning legislation, using data from Google Trends from 2006 to 2019. Methods We conducted a time-series analysis of Google Trends data on indoor tanning from 2006 to 2019 by US state. Time-series linear regression models were generated to assess the Google Trends data over time by the type of indoor tanning legislation. Results We found that indoor tanning search rates decreased significantly for all 50 states and the District of Columbia over time (P Conclusions Our findings are consistent with those of other studies on the association between indoor tanning regulations and attitudinal and behavioral trends related to indoor tanning. The main limitation of the study is that raw search data were not available for more precise analysis. With changes in interest and norms, indoor tanning and skin cancer risk among young people may change. Future studies should continue to determine the impact of such public health policies in order to inform policy efforts and minimize risks to public health.

Self-report measures are needed to better understand the relationships among sleep, itching, scratching, and chronic itch conditions and their associations with disease severity, QOL, health, and functioning. Two scales related to sleep and/or scratch were recently developed and assessed in 137 patients with chronic itch and atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. The Scratch Intensity and Impact Scale consisted of two factors (scratching intensity and impact of scratching on QOL) that accounted for 64.59% of the variance with a total of 13 items, overall Cronbach's α of 0.93, and test-retest reliability of 0.66. The Sleep-Related Itch and Scratch Scale consisted of one factor that accounted for 63.01% of the variance with a total of 16 items, overall Cronbach's α of 0.98, and test-retest reliability of 0.66. Both measures demonstrated significant correlations with each other as well as other itch-related measures and nonsignificant correlations with scales hypothesized to be unrelated. The final measures demonstrated adequate preliminary psychometric characteristics. It is hoped that these scales will be used for future research and clinical purposes to help fill recognized gaps in understanding about sleep, itch, scratching, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Little is known about the relationship between objectively measured walkability and walking for exercise among adults with diabetes. Information regarding walking behavior of adults with diabetes residing in 3 Upstate New York counties was collected through an interview survey. Walkability measures were collected through an environmental audit of a sample of street segments. Overall walkability and 4 subgroup measures of walkability were aggregated at the ZIP level. Multivariate logistic regression was used for analysis. Study participants(n=208)were 61.0% female, 56.7% non-Hispanic White, and 35.1% African-American, with a mean age of 62.0 years. 108 participants (51.9%) walked for exercise on community streets, and 62 (29.8%) met the expert-recommended level of walking for ≥150 minutes/week. After adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, BMI, physical impairment, and social support for exercise, walking any minutes/week was associated with traffic safety (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.15–1.65). Walking ≥150 minutes/week was associated with overall walkability of the community (2.65, 1.22, and 5.74), as well as sidewalks (1.73, 1.12–2.67), street amenity (2.04, 1.12–3.71), and traffic safety (1.92, 1.02–3.72). This study suggests that walkability of the community should be an integral part of the socioecologic approach to increase physical activity among adults with diabetes.

The University at Albany Prevention Research Center, guided by a needs assessment in two underserved communities (one urban, one rural), initiated a pilot project that opened a public school for community walking in a rural setting. This study examined a 9-week program for potential barriers, benefits, influential factors, and the physical activity levels of program participants. Evaluation was based on daily logs, pedometer diaries, participant surveys, and focus groups. Results indicated that rural schools provide a useful resource for residents and increase participants' physical activity levels. A more comprehensive rural community walking program has been implemented as a result of these findings.

Anthropology and Law James M. Donovan and H. Edwin Anderson, III (New York: Berghahn Books, 2003)

Accurate modeling of enzyme activity and stability is an important goal of the protein engineering community. However, studies seeking to evaluate current progress are limited by small data sets of quantitative kinetic constants and thermal stability measurements. Here, we report quantitative measurements of soluble protein expression in E. coli, thermal stability, and Michaelis-Menten constants (kcat, KM, and kcat/KM) for 129 designed mutants of a glycoside hydrolase. Statistical analyses reveal that functional Tm is independent of kcat, KM, and kcat/KM in this system, illustrating that an individual mutation can modulate these functional parameters independently. In addition, this data set is used to evaluate computational predictions of protein stability using the established Rosetta and FoldX algorithms. Predictions for both are found to correlate only weakly with experimental measurements, suggesting improvements are needed in the underlying algorithms.

INTRODUCTION:: The New York-New Jersey Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center (NY•NJ PERLC) is one of 14 Centers funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designed to address the preparedness and response training and education needs of the public health workforce. One of the important niches, or focus areas for the Center, is training to improve the capacity of public health workers to respond with competence to the needs of vulnerable populations. BACKGROUND:: During every phase of a disaster, racial and ethnic minorities, including Latinos, suffer worse outcomes than the general population. Communities with diverse cultural origins and limited English speakers often present more complex issues during public health emergencies. Training that incorporates cultural concepts into the Preparedness Core Competencies may improve the ability of public health workers to engage the Latino community in preparedness activities and ultimately improve outcomes during disasters. METHODS:: This article describes initiatives undertaken by the NY-NJ PERLC to improve the capacity of the public health workforce to respond competently to the needs of Latino populations. In 2012, the Center collaborated with national, state, and local partners to develop a nationwide broadcast founded on the Preparedness Core Competencies, Latinos During Emergencies: Cultural Considerations Impacting Disaster Preparedness. The widely viewed broadcast (497 sites in 47 states and 13 nations) highlighted the commonalities and differences within Latino culture that can impact emergency preparedness and response and outlined practical strategies to enhance participation. OUTCOMES:: The success of the broadcast spurred a number of partner requests for training and technical assistance. Lessons learned from these experiences, including our "undercover" work at local Points of Dispensing, are incorporated into subsequent interactive trainings to improve the competency of public health workers. NEXT STEPS:: Participants recommended developing similar training addressing cultural differences, especially for other ethnic groups. Language: en

The ability of adults with diabetes to manage their illness properly and prevent complications is, in part, a function of support provided by the people and institutions surrounding them. Using data from over 200 adults with diabetes in two medically underserved communities--one urban and one rural--this study examines the self-care specific support provided by four key sources: family and friends, community organizations, one's neighbors and neighborhood, and resources in the wider community. More specifically, this study aims to assess the support needs of adults with diabetes in these communities by estimating their rates of various self-care behaviors, the amount of support provided by key sources, and the associations between support from these sources and adherence to recommended diabetes self-care behaviors. Descriptive findings indicate that close to 40% of the sample failed to report at least moderate levels of adherence, and that physical activity in the rural community, and smoking in the urban community represent particular problem areas. Individuals from the urban sub-sample reported receiving more support from all of the sources assessed. Logistic regression models indicated that one's neighbors and neighborhood resources appear to have a broad influence on adherence to diabetes self-care behaviors. Support from family and friends, as well as from community organizations, also seems to be important. These results have implications for the design of interventions aimed at bolstering support for diabetes self-care, and point to the need for an enhanced focus on strengthening the social environmental resources of adults with diabetes.

Central nervous system mediated indirect effect of opioids have been shown to suppress immune function when administered through a central loci such as the periaqueductal gray region of the mesencephalon.(1-4) Paradoxically, the direct effect of opioids on leukocytes enhance, suppress, or have no effect on in vitroparameters of immune function. It is widely accepted that opioids play an immunomodulatory role both in vivo and in vitro. (1)Three distinct types of neuronal opioid receptors, e, δ, and K, have been cloned and sequenced which account for the pharmacological distinctions.(5) With the cloning of opioid receptors on leukocytes we are able to examine the direct effects of opioids on immune cells.(6-9) However, classical neuronal opioid receptor characterization may not be appropriate.(3, vn6, 9-12) Leukocyte activation, natural killer cell activity and altered monocyte chemotaxis have been shown to be altered by the direct effect of opioids on leukocytes. (13-17) We have focused on the direct effect of opioids on cells of the immune system. Cloning of both neural- and immune-derived opioid receptors will assist in the discovery of the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathway.