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Chromosomal replication is a ubiquitous and essential cellular process. In bacteria, the master replication initiator DnaA plays a key role in promoting an open complex at the origin (oriC) and recruiting helicase in a tightly regulated process. The C-terminal domain IV specifically recognises consensus sequences of double-stranded DNA in oriC, termed DnaA-boxes, thereby facilitating the initial engagement of DnaA to oriC. Here, we report the 13Cβ and backbone 1H, 15N, and 13C chemical shift assignments of soluble DnaA domain IV from Bacillus subtilis at pH 7.6 and 298 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endocrine therapy (ET) is the cornerstone of systemic treatment for patients with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, but its uptake and adherence need further improvement. This observational study assessed ET initiation and 1-year adherence and its survival benefit among female Medicare beneficiaries with early-stage breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the linked 2011–2019 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data. Female beneficiaries newly diagnosed with hormone receptor positive, stage I-III breast cancer were included. Beneficiaries who initiated tamoxifen, anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane within 3 months after cancer diagnosis were defined as initiators (n = 24,289), and those who never initiated these treatments were noninitiators (n = 8,899). Adherence was measured using proportion of days covered (PDC) in the continuous 12 months follow-up period. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with ET initiation and adherence (PDC ≥ 80%), controlling for covariates. Weighted Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of all-cause and breast cancer related mortality between initiators and noninitiators and by adherence status. Results: Among eligible female beneficiaries (n = 55,893), 43% initiated ET within 3 months of cancer diagnosis. Among initiators, 77% had PDC ≥ 80% during the first year. Patient's demographics (e.g., older age, race/ethnicity) and baseline health services utilization (e.g., mammography) were associated with ET initiation and adherence. ET initiation and adherence was associated with reduced risk of all-cause (adjusted HR = 0.62, 0.59–0.66; HR = 0.55, 0.53–0.59; respectively) and breast cancer related (adjusted HR = 0.57, 0.50–0.64; HR = 0.41, 0.36–0.47; respectively) mortality compared with noninitiators. Conclusion: Women with early-stage breast cancer who initiate ET and are adherent to treatment may achieve survival benefits compared with noninitiators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Schools and the education system are powerful tools for cultivating healthy lifestyles. This research focuses on characterising the factors contributing to the development of health-promoting schools in Israel, and understanding how schools can offer a framework for improving students' health. Fullan's triple change model with its focus on three phases in the change process in schools – the initiation phase, the implementation phase and the institutionalisation phase – served as a framework for analysis. Design and setting: This qualitative-constructivist study involved the analysis of data collected from 26 elementary school principals in Israel, 15 of whom belonged to the health promotion school network (HPSN) and 11 who did not. In addition, 10 health promotion leaders from within the schools were interviewed. Methods: Data collection took place by means of semi-structured interviews. in which the questions asked referred to the three phases identified in Fullan's process of change model. We analysed the data using thematic content analysis. Results: Each identified theme was associated with one of the phases proposed in Fullan's model of change. The initiation phase included collaboration with key stakeholders, principals' personal commitment, and dissemination of ideas through personal connections. The implementation phase included gaining access to appropriate tools and materials, action to deal with barriers to change, and the creation of a holistic health promotion environment. The institutionalisation phase included the development of administrative strategies such as adherence to routines, the inclusion of regular events in the school calendar, and the allocation of time frames for the activities undertaken. Conclusion: Fullan's model proved useful in analysing efforts to develop health-promoting schools. The model signalled the importance of using a structured approach throughout the institutionalisation phase in a manner attuned to the unique nature of the school. Alongside identifying key factors that support assimilation, it is crucial to assess their integration into the school culture. The school principal's role is critical throughout all the phases of the development process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors often emerge in a predictable sequence, with suicidal ideation (SI) preceding planning, and planning preceding actions. Few studies, however, have considered the timing and duration of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in these transitions. Accordingly, this study examined: 1) the developmental sequencing of NSSI, SI and suicide attempts, and 2) whether age of onset or duration predict transitions from NSSI to other SITB, and from SI to NSSI. 704 first-year students from a mid-sized Canadian university (Sample 1) and 2095 adults from an online research volunteer panel (Sample 2) completed the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview self-report, which assessed the presence, age of onset, and recency of SITB. NSSI and SI typically onset before age 15, while suicide planning and attempt usually began at or after age 15. Transition from NSSI to SI was likeliest in the first year after NSSI onset. Transition from NSSI to suicide attempt was likeliest in the second and third year after NSSI onset in Sample 1, and up to four years after NSSI onset in Sample 2. Early (before age 13) and late (after age 16) onsets of NSSI predicted higher odds of transitioning from NSSI to SI or attempt. Transition from SI to NSSI was likeliest in the first two years after SI onset and when SI began before age 13. The first year after NSSI or SI onset are critical for transitions to other SITB. Targeted prevention and monitoring should be considered for people who recently initiated NSSI. • NSSI and suicidal ideation (SI) typically begin within 1–2 years of each other • Transition from NSSI to SI was likeliest in the first year after NSSI onset • Transition risk from NSSI to attempt persisted for 3+ years after NSSI onset • NSSI onset before age 13 or after 16 predicted transitioning to SI or attempt • Onset of SI before age 13 predicted transition to NSSI [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Indonesia poses major challenges, with limited studies on specific ART initiation barriers and facilitators. Using a socioecological approach, we explored, through semi-structured interviews, the perspectives of 67 participants: 17 people with HIV not (yet) on ART, 30 people with HIV on treatment, and 20 HIV service providers (HSPs). Fears emerged as pervasive barriers to initiation encompassing, at the intrapersonal level, (irrational) fears of negative medical and non-medical consequences. At the health system level, fears were linked to concerns about bureaucracy and insufficient universal coverage. On a societal level, fears stemmed from prevalent myths, misinformation on social media, and the impact of COVID-19. Interestingly, fear also served as a facilitator to initiation. At the intrapersonal level, initiation was driven by a fear of deteriorating health or death due to AIDS-related conditions. At the interpersonal level, buddies and HSPs leveraged to motivate initiation. At the societal level, accurate yet fear-inducing information on social media stimulated initiation. Perspectives differed between people with HIV and HSP, with people with HIV emphasizing barriers on intrapersonal to health system levels, while HSP focused mostly on intrapersonal and interpersonal barriers, albeit recognizing the crucial role of health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemodynamics during the growth process of cerebral aneurysms are incompletely understood. We developed a novel fluid–structure interaction analysis method for the identification of relevant scenarios of aneurysm onset. Method: This method integrates both fluid dynamics and structural mechanics, as well as their mutual interaction, for a comprehensive analysis. Patients with a single unruptured cerebral aneurysm were included. Results: Overall, three scenarios were identified. In scenario A, wall shear stress (WSS) was low, and the oscillatory shear index (OSI) was high in large areas within the region of aneurysm onset (RAO). In scenario B, the quantities indicated a reversed behavior, where WSS was high and OSI was low. In the last scenario C, a behavior in-between was found, with scenarios A and B coexisting simultaneously in the RAO. Structural mechanics demonstrated a similar but independent trend. Further, we analyzed the change in hemodynamics between the onset and a fully developed aneurysm. While scenarios A and C remained unchanged during aneurysm growth, 47% of aneurysms in scenario B changed into scenario A and 20% into scenario C. Conclusions: In conclusion, these findings suggest that WSS and the OSI are reciprocally regulated, and both low and high WSS/OSI conditions can lead to aneurysm onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary vein (PV) antrum isolation (PVAI) that involves electrically isolating PV foci is a useful treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, non-PV triggers during/after the PVAI are observed in approximately 30 % of AF cases, contributing to AF recurrence. We present the case of an 84-year-old woman who underwent ablation of recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal AF in our hospital. AF was easily induced following spontaneous activity (SA) from non-PV triggers even after completing the PVAI, left atrial posterior wall isolation with roof and bottom lines, and superior vena cava isolation. Interestingly, the area of the earliest activation site of the SAs initiating AF and that with a fractionation mapping score of ≥4 corresponded. AF was steadily terminated during ablation of this fractionated area, and the programmed stimulation could no longer induce any SA or AF. This case report demonstrated that the area with a score of ≥4 points on the fractionation mapping calculated by EnSite™ (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL, USA) during sinus rhythm may contribute to the initiation and maintenance of paroxysmal AF. In patients whose AF does not resolve during ablation, physicians may consider performing an additional targeted ablation of the area with a fractionation mapping score of ≥4, even in patients with paroxysmal AF. The area with a fractionation mapping score of ≥4 calculated by EnSite™ during sinus rhythm might play an important role in producing spontaneous activities and initiating and maintaining paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus, if the AF does not terminate during ablation, physicians should consider performing an additional targeted ablation of the area with a fractionation mapping score of ≥4, even if it is paroxysmal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most fascinating representatives of the Romanian exile, even though he is less famous when compared to his great contemporaries Mircea Eliade, Eugène Ionesco or E.M. Cioran, Vintilă Horia represents an interesting example of artistic capacity to empathize with the protagonists of his own work. All his great novels (The Knight of Resignation, A Tomb in the Sky or God Was Born in Exile) include the recurrent image of tragic exiles unexpectedly confronted with the harsh reality of uprooting and forced to come to terms with the new world they reach, sometimes after a challenging or dangerous journey. The Latin poet Ovid in God Was Born in Exile (Dieu est né en exil, 1960) is perhaps Horia’s most remarkable character, the protagonist’s exile to Tomis representing an expression of the author’s own painful exile after World War II, when he was forced to leave Romania for good. Ovid’s exile and then his journeys stand for a complex process of initiation, completed only when the poet also has the revelation of his future possible symbolic rebirth and foresees his way to spiritual redemption. [Article copies available for a fee from The Transformative Studies Institute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the intersection of folklore and literature, specifically examining how a methodology developed for interpreting wondertales can be applied to a complex literary corpus, such as Marcel Proust's À la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time). The discussion proposes a case study for the use of allomotifs, or interchangeable motifs, to understand symbolic patterns in Proust's literary work. The paper lays bare a widespread metaphorical field in wondertales, then follows its complications in the Proustian corpus. It suggests that Proust's œuvre, much like folklore, operates within a symbolic universe where binary oppositions, such as good and evil or male and female, are fluid and dynamic. The discussion shows that Proust's literary imagination aligns surprisingly well with the workings of folklore. This hybrid space of the imagination challenges conventional distinctions between folklore and literature, and brings to mind Lévi-Strauss' erstwhile ruminations on the pensée sauvage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study explores the nexus between Ibu-Ubu boyhood initiation and the conservation of cultural heritage in Afikpo, Southeast Nigeria. The study is motivated by the rarity of such cultural conservation through initiation rites in an age of Christian-inspired culture terrorism against Igbo traditional religion, arts and relics. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted cultural anthropological research method. The boyhood initiation rite was studied through participant observation of the initiation between September and November 2017. As a cultural anthropological study, oral evidence was derived from the men who had undergone the rite. Through the oral evidence, interpretations were given to the material culture, monuments and heritage that have been conserved through Ibu-Ubu initiation rite. Findings: The study discovered that amid the deluge of Christian-motivated culture terrorism and erosion of Igbo cultural arts, relics and heritage, the people of Afikpo have preserved most of their tangible and intangible heritage through the Ibu-Ubu boyhood initiation rites. Originality/value: This study will assist in the reinvigoration of campaigns on environmental and heritage conservation in Igboland. It is sufficient to posit that Igboland is ridden with myriads of environmental and cultural terrorism, perpetrated by some Christian fanatics. The study reveals the relevance of the boyhood initiation rites in ensuring the preservation and conservation of Igbo cultural heritage in a century marked with fanatical Christian evangelism, culture-terrorism and destruction of both tangible and intangible heritages, which the Christians have labelled evil, barbaric and fetish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with two real regions in India that acquire a magical quality in Salman Rushdie’s novel, Midnight’s Children, the Kashmir Valley, where the narrator-protagonist’s family history begins, and the Sundarbans, where Saleem regains his memory. It begins with Rushdie’s assertion that the spaces and places in the novel are as fictional as they are real, described during a time when the writer no longer lived in India. The paper then introduces Michel Foucault’s concept of heterotopia which shares key characteristics with the two spaces analysed: both are isolated, yet penetrable, function in relation to surrounding space, and reach their full potential when characters break with traditional time. The main analysis focuses on the realistic elements of the Kashmir Valley and the Sundarbans before highlighting the magical aspects that transform them. In the Kashmir Valley, the landscape is personified, resisting intrusion, particularly from Doctor Aadam Aziz, who returns with a new worldview after studying in Germany. The valley’s timelessness, its association with Paradise, and its extraordinary inhabitants – exemplified by Tai the boatman – are also explored. The Sundarbans similarly resists change, rejecting four strangers – Saleem Sinai, Ayooba Baloch, Farooq Rashid and Shaheed Dar –after initially attempting to assimilate them. Its symbolic association with a tomb, the theme of symbolic death followed by a rebirth and the exaggerated features of the forest are also discussed. The paper concludes by drawing parallels between the two spaces, both of which possess agency, resist intrusion, and function as atemporal havens where unconventional solutions to crises are sought.

Abstract The mechanism of convective cell initiation and regeneration in the Bandung Basin ( $$107.35^\circ \text{E}-107.95^\circ \text{E};6.75^\circ \text{S}-7.25^\circ \text{S}$$ 107 . 35 ∘ E - 107 . 95 ∘ E ; 6 . 75 ∘ S - 7 . 25 ∘ S ), Indonesia, is investigated using a Weather Research and Forecasting model. Based on the Cumulative Distribution Function and Regeneration Index, model simulations were conducted using case studies in February–March 2019. Upslope wind flows to the mountain peak in north and south of the basin due to solar heating, carrying water vapor from the bottom of the basin. Therefore, low-level convergence is formed due to the convergence of winds from the bottom of the basin and from outside the basin. The low-level convergence causes the developing updraft, makes atmosphere unstable, and generates convective initiation. The convective system will be developed in the mountains region, produced precipitation, and formed cold pools on the surface. The cold pool will fall down the slopes and convective activity from the mountains will continue to the bottom of the basin. The convective system’s outflow causes the cold pool to move in the west–east direction. The cold pool will collide with warmer air from the opposite direction, resulting in an updraft at the cold pool leading edge, and convection will be re-initiated (convective regeneration) in the Bandung Basin, with the new convective system tending to move eastward.

Background: Drug addiction is a social problem that affects people all over the world, Increased manufacturing, distribution, promotion, availability, and social values contribute to this issue. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the causes of substance abuse among users and its impacts. Materials and Methods: The study’s findings were derived through primary research. In-depth interviews with substance users undergoing treatment at a de-addiction center in Srinagar were carried out in June 2022–July 2022. This study included a thematic analysis of the stories of 20 participants. Results: Data gathered through participant narratives revealed personal experiences as well as common themes. A total of 3 themes emerged from the codes, the themes include (1) Initiation of substance abuse (2) Causes associated with substance abuse (3) Consequences of substance abuse. Conclusion: We conclude that the problem of substance abuse in Kashmir has assumed rising dimensions: curiosity, academic pressure, increasing economic stress, and easy accessibility are leading to initiation into substance abuse. It also reveals the harmful effects of substance abuse. Heroin is mostly used substance by abusers for the first time; substance abuse is on the rise, which is highly concerning for every member of society.

The article examines mythopoetics in Sasha Sokolov’s novels A School for Fools and Palisandria. In the 20th century authors widely turn to neo-mythologism in its various manifestations – from the myth-making of prose writers and poets of the beginning of the century to the nationalfolklore type of mythologism in the prose of the era of stagnation. In Sokolov’s novels, the fi rst branch of the development of mythopoetics continues in the form of modernist myth in A School for Fools and postmodern deconstruction of myth in Palisandria. The article shows that Sokolov’s first and last novels have contrasting forms of mythology. In A School for Fools, via a cyclic chronotope, the author models the ontological myth of eternal return, in which the main mythologems are metamorphoses and the author’s mythologem of the Sender of the Wind. In this myth, the creator is the main character of the novel. In Palisandria the opposite process is observed – the dispelling of the myth of eternal return and the formation of the myth of “timelessness” through numerous simulacra-incarnations of the main character. The author of the article talks about the change in the principles of mythologization from the fi rst to the third novel – from the ontological myth of A School for Fools Sokolov comes to the deconstruction of myth and postmodern negation in Palisandria. Sokolov’s novels are deeply mythopoetic. In his work, Sokolov repeatedly turns to mythological images and allusions from classical myths, as well as literary archetypes. Based on all of the above, it can be argued that neomythologism is one of the main principles of Sokolov’s oeuvre. Using the example of Sasha Sokolov’s texts, the article shows one of the ways of transforming neomythologism from modernism to postmodernism.

Abstract Introduction People living with HIV (PLHIV) have a 20-fold risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease compared to HIV-negative people. In 2021, the uptake of TB preventive treatment among the children and adolescents living with HIV at the Baylor-Uganda HIV clinic was 45%, which was below the national target of 90%. Minimal evidence documents the enablers and barriers to TB preventive treatment (TPT) initiation and completion among children and adolescents living with HIV(CALHIV). We explored the facilitators and barriers to TPT initiation and completion among CALHIV among adolescents aged 10-19years and caretakers of children below 18years. Methods We conducted a qualitative study from February 2022 to March 2023, at three paediatric and adolescent HIV treatment centers in Uganda. In-depth interviews were conducted at TPT initiation and after completion for purposively selected health workers, adolescents aged 10–19 years living with HIV, and caretakers of children aged below 18years. Results The desire to avoid TB disease, previous TB treatment, encouragement from family members, and ministry of health policies emerged as key facilitators for the children and adolescents to initiate TPT. Barriers to TPT initiation included; TB and HIV-related stigma, busy carer and adolescent work schedules, reduced social support from parents and family, history of drug side effects, high pill burden and fatigue, and perception of not being ill. TPT completion was enabled by combined TPT and ART refill visits, delivery of ART and TPT within the community, and continuous education and counseling from health workers. Reported barriers to TPT completion included TB and HIV-related stigma, long waiting time. Non-disclosure of HIV status by caretakers to CALHIV and fear of side effects was cited by health workers as a barrier to starting TPT. Facilitators of TPT initiation and completion reported by healthcare workers included patient and caretaker health education, counselling about benefits of TPT and risk of TB disease, having same appointment for TPT and ART refill to reduce patient waiting time, adolescent-friendly services, and appointment reminder phone calls. Conclusion The facilitators and barriers of TPT initiation and completion among CALHIV span from individual, to health system and structural factors. Health education about benefits of TPT and risk of TB, social support, adolescent-friendly services, and joint appointments for TPT and ART refill are major facilitators of TPT initiation and completion among CALHIV in Uganda.

This article comprehensively explores the technology of dispersed borehole charges, its advantages, modern implementation methods, innovations that improve the effectiveness of blasting operations, and provides practical recommendations for using this technology. Previously, wooden coils were used to create air gaps, but now this outdated technology has been replaced by modern P-1 devices. These polyethylene bags are filled with chemical reagents that react to release gas, which expands the bag and creates an air gap. P-1 devices have several advantages over wooden coils: Ease of use: P-1 devices do not require special preparation before use, which saves time and resources. Controlled expansion: P-1 devices expand gradually, ensuring a more even distribution of the air gap and better control over the blasting process. Safety: P-1 devices do not contain explosives and are safe to use. To improve blasting efficiency, AdvancedBlasting Technology inc proposes using Rocklock plastic spheres when tamping boreholes. These spheres increase the retention time of the tamping in the borehole, which improves rock fragmentation and reduces the number of oversized fragments.

The mechanism of convective cell initiation and regeneration in the Bandung Basin ( 107. 35 ∘ E - 107. 95 ∘ E ; 6. 75 ∘ S - 7. 25 ∘ S ), Indonesia, is investigated using a Weather Research and Forecasting model. Based on the Cumulative Distribution Function and Regeneration Index, model simulations were conducted using case studies in February–March 2019. Upslope wind flows to the mountain peak in north and south of the basin due to solar heating, carrying water vapor from the bottom of the basin. Therefore, low-level convergence is formed due to the convergence of winds from the bottom of the basin and from outside the basin. The low-level convergence causes the developing updraft, makes atmosphere unstable, and generates convective initiation. The convective system will be developed in the mountains region, produced precipitation, and formed cold pools on the surface. The cold pool will fall down the slopes and convective activity from the mountains will continue to the bottom of the basin. The convective system's outflow causes the cold pool to move in the west–east direction. The cold pool will collide with warmer air from the opposite direction, resulting in an updraft at the cold pool leading edge, and convection will be re-initiated (convective regeneration) in the Bandung Basin, with the new convective system tending to move eastward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent deficits in the ability to initiate social interaction is a core criterion for a diagnosis of autism, and quantitative research shows that children with autism initiate fewer bids for interaction than neurotypical children. This conversation-analytic examination of two interactions between a man with autism, Harry, and two familiar carers will provide insights into the scope of his competences in topic initiation. Analyses of the participants' online management of turn-taking and sequence organisation demonstrate that Harry's topic initiations can be facilitated by a high silence tolerance of the interlocutor in initiation-relevant sequential environments. Specifically, Harry initiates more topics, when his conversational partner endures the long silences after possible sequence closure. The analyses underline that Harry does not lack neither competences nor motivation to successfully execute initiations. Instead, it is proposed that Harry's deficits in initiation should be reconceptualised as a difficulty of initiating interaction on neurotypical terms, where the standard maximum silence between turns is approximately one second. Hereby, the study emphasises that communicative competences of individuals with autism are interactionally managed, emerging in interaction with conversational partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the significant weather report, CG lightning, composite radar reflectivity, and ERA5 reanalysis data, we first studied the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of four types (only severe convective wind (SCW); SCW and hail; SCW and short-duration heavy rainfall (SDHR); and SCW, hail, and SDHR) of convective weather events related to SCW during the warm season (May to September) from 2011 to 2018 in North China. Second, severe convective cases producing SCW were selected to statistically analyze the initiation, decay, lifetime, and organizational characteristics of convective systems. Finally, using ERA5 reanalysis data and conventional surface observation data, preconvective soundings were constructed to explore the differences in environmental conditions for initiating convective systems between SCW and non-SCW. The results indicate that mixed-type of SCW and SDHR events occur more frequently over plains, while other types of convective weather occur more frequently over mountains. The frequency peak of SCW occurs in June, while mixed convective weather peaks in July. The initiation time of convective systems is concentrated between 1000 and 1300 BST, with apeak at 1200 BST. Over mountains, the daily peaks of ordinary and significant SCW generally occur at 1700–1800 BST and 1600–1700 BST, respectively, while over plains, the peak of ordinary SCW typically lags behind that of mountains by 1–2 hours. Additionally, SCW systems are mainly initiated over mountains, with most lifetimes lasting 7–13 hours. Nonlinear convective systems produce the most SCW events, followed by trailing-stratiform convective systems. The convective available potential energy (CAPE), downdraft convective available potential energy, and the temperature difference between 850 and 500 hPa can all distinguish between SCW systems and non-SCW systems occurring over plains. Compared to non-SCW convective systems, SCW convective systems over mountains are more likely to occur in environments with less precipitable water, while SCW convective systems over plains are more likely to occur in environments with higher CAPE and stronger deep-layer wind shear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: People living with HIV (PLHIV) have a 20-fold risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease compared to HIV-negative people. In 2021, the uptake of TB preventive treatment among the children and adolescents living with HIV at the Baylor-Uganda HIV clinic was 45%, which was below the national target of 90%. Minimal evidence documents the enablers and barriers to TB preventive treatment (TPT) initiation and completion among children and adolescents living with HIV(CALHIV). We explored the facilitators and barriers to TPT initiation and completion among CALHIV among adolescents aged 10-19years and caretakers of children below 18years. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study from February 2022 to March 2023, at three paediatric and adolescent HIV treatment centers in Uganda. In-depth interviews were conducted at TPT initiation and after completion for purposively selected health workers, adolescents aged 10–19 years living with HIV, and caretakers of children aged below 18years. Results: The desire to avoid TB disease, previous TB treatment, encouragement from family members, and ministry of health policies emerged as key facilitators for the children and adolescents to initiate TPT. Barriers to TPT initiation included; TB and HIV-related stigma, busy carer and adolescent work schedules, reduced social support from parents and family, history of drug side effects, high pill burden and fatigue, and perception of not being ill. TPT completion was enabled by combined TPT and ART refill visits, delivery of ART and TPT within the community, and continuous education and counseling from health workers. Reported barriers to TPT completion included TB and HIV-related stigma, long waiting time. Non-disclosure of HIV status by caretakers to CALHIV and fear of side effects was cited by health workers as a barrier to starting TPT. Facilitators of TPT initiation and completion reported by healthcare workers included patient and caretaker health education, counselling about benefits of TPT and risk of TB disease, having same appointment for TPT and ART refill to reduce patient waiting time, adolescent-friendly services, and appointment reminder phone calls. Conclusion: The facilitators and barriers of TPT initiation and completion among CALHIV span from individual, to health system and structural factors. Health education about benefits of TPT and risk of TB, social support, adolescent-friendly services, and joint appointments for TPT and ART refill are major facilitators of TPT initiation and completion among CALHIV in Uganda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine what factors impact college students in the United States who are deciding to initiate or continue mental health services. Participants: Spring 2021 undergraduate students (N = 453) at a large urban university. Methods: Online, cross-sectional survey with mental health service experience as the independent variable and social support, accessibility, attitudes toward mental health, mental health literacy, and trust of mental health professionals as the dependent variables, as well as thematic analysis of reasons to discontinue services. Results: Individuals with lower levels of social support and higher levels of mental health literacy were more likely to have received therapy. Participants tended to discontinue services because of negative experiences, accessibility problems, negative attitudes toward services, or they felt better. Conclusions: Mental health literacy, social support, and accessibility are significant predictors of college student service use and should be taken into consideration by university administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are cardinal players in numerous physiological and pathological processes. CircRNAs play dual roles as tumor suppressors and oncogenes in different oncological contexts, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Their roles significantly impact the disease at all stages, including initiation, development, progression, invasion, and metastasis, in addition to the response to treatment. In this review, we discuss the biogenesis and regulatory functional roles of circRNAs, as well as circRNA–protein–mRNA ternary complex formation, elucidating the intricate pathways tuned by circRNAs to modulate gene expression and cellular processes through a comprehensive literature search, in silico search, and bioinformatics analysis. With a particular focus on the interplay between circRNAs, epigenetics, and HCC pathology, the article sets the stage for further exploration of circRNAs as novel investigational theranostic agents in the dynamic realm of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The close conceptual links between symbolic death, rebirth, and pilgrimage are widely known to modern sociologists and anthropologists and can be observed in several modern pilgrimage traditions. This study argues that the same connections can already be detected in Aristides' Hieroi Logoi, "the earliest detailed first-person account of pilgrimage that survives from antiquity". In terms of methodology, this article follows recent scholarly work on ancient lived religion perspectives and religiously motivated mobility that favours a broader understanding of the notion of pilgrimage in the Greek-speaking world. Rutherford, in particular, has produced a plethora of pioneering studies on all aspects of 'sacred tourism' experience in various media including documentary papyri, inscriptions, and graffiti. This chapter builds further on Rutherford's work and focuses on Aristides' accounts of his visits to smaller, less-well known healing centres. The main aim is to demonstrate how Aristides' pilgrimage experience to the healing temple of Asclepius at Poimanenos or Poimanenon (a town of ancient Mysia near Cyzicus) is wholly recast and presented in terms of travelling to the sacred site of Eleusis, one of the most important cultural and religious centres of the Roman Empire in the Antonine Era. Thus, Aristides' pilgrimage experience to Poimanenos is successfully reframed as a mystic initiation that marks the death of the previous ill self and the birth of the new, enlightened, and healthy self. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a common assumption that human behavior is guided by a desire to feel safe and avoid harm. However, this view is challenged by the popularity of high-risk leisure sport and other practices that involve subjecting oneself to a considerable danger with no apparent gain. By using real-contact stick fighting as an example, I suggest that the attractiveness of at least some such practices can be explained by cognitive dynamics that are typical of affectively intense rituals such as initiations. Affectively intense rituals are known to enhance personal meaning-making and foster identity fusion, that is, the overlapping of personal and social identities. The sense of meaning thus engendered effectively satisfies common identity motives and thus elicits positive affect. By introducing ritual studies perspectives into the edgework paradigm that is commonly used to conceptualize voluntary risk taking, I contribute to an increased understanding of the cognitive processes motivating participation in extreme leisure sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study identified factors associated with early initiation of substance use. Method: This study uses cross-sectional pooled data from the 2015–2019 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which is a nationally representative sample of adolescents and adults assessing substance use and mental health. We sought to identify factors associated with early initiation of substance use. Results: Among the study sample, 27.9 % initiated drug use prior to 18 years of age. Multivariable logistic regression models revealed that the odds of early initiation were greater among males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.42, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.35–1.48), younger in age (aOR for 18–25 years old: 2.32, 95 % CI 2.14–2.49), and Non-Hispanic White (aOR 2.15, 95 % CI: 1.92–2.41). Additionally, it was found that the odds of early initiation were lower among those who resided in non-metro areas (aOR 0.88, 95 % CI: 0.82–0.95). Conclusions: Our study suggests that early initiation of drug use varies by demographic factors, and it continues to occur at earlier ages. Different prevention strategies should be tailored to address upstream factors that are associated with risky behavior among children and adolescents. Moreover, clinical strategies should further target younger age and should integrate mental health interventions as needed for those who were early initiators.

IntroductionThe precise pathophysiology of common atrial flutter remains imperfectly known. The mechanisms of arrhythmia initiation and the role of areas of slow conducting myocardium and functional block are still debated topics.MethodsWe conducted a detailed electrophysiological study of a patient to illustrate and refine these concepts. Prior to CTI ablation, electrophysiological study and electro-anatomical mapping were performed, focusing on initiation and maintenance mechanisms of the arrhythmia.ResultsThe initiation of common atrial flutter takes place on the septal aspect of the cavo-tricuspid isthmus where functional unidirectional conduction block occurs. The direction of activation is therefore frequently counter-clockwise, and the arrhythmia stabilizes around the vena cavas and sinus venosus/crista terminalis region. No conduction slowing is present.ConclusionsCommon atrial flutter initiates when functional unidirectional conduction block occurs on the septal cavotricuspid isthmus. Its rotation is limited by anatomical and functional boundaries.

Diversity in the characteristics of agricultural locations has the potential to develop. Unfortunately, the weak transfer of technology based on the characteristics of the location indicates that this potential cannot grow properly. This research aims to synthesise a technology transfer model for an agricultural technology park (ATP) by considering site-specific conditions. This cross-case study was conducted at selected ATP locations. Model synthesis uses the system development life cycle stages of initiation, analysis, and design. The resource-based view approach was broken down into several variables during the analysis stage. Three location-specific technology transfer models were successfully developed: a technology transfer model based on highland specificity, a unique technology transfer model for urban farming, and a tourism village-based model.

Abstract Background Despite the benefits of breastfeeding (BF), rates remain lower than public health targets, particularly among low-income Black populations. Community-based breastfeeding peer counselor (BPC) programs have been shown to increase BF. We sought to examine whether implementation of a BPC program in an obstetric clinical setting serving low-income patients was associated with improved BF initiation and exclusivity. Methods This is a quasi-experimental time series study of pregnant and postpartum patients receiving care before and after implementation of a BPC program in a teaching hospital affiliated prenatal clinic. The role of the BPC staff included BF classes, prenatal counseling and postnatal support, including in-hospital assistance and phone triage after discharge. Records were reviewed at each of 3 time points: immediately before the hire of the BPC staff (2008), 1-year post-implementation (2009), and 5 years post-implementation (2014). The primary outcomes were rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity prior to hospital discharge, secondary outcomes included whether infants received all or mostly breastmilk during inpatient admission and by 6 weeks post-delivery. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were utilized as appropriate. Results Of 302 patients included, 52.3% identified as non-Hispanic Black and 99% had Medicaid-funded prenatal care. While there was no improvement in rates of BF initiation, exclusive BF during the postpartum hospitalization improved during the 3 distinct time points examined, increasing from 13.7% in 2008 to 32% in 2014 (2009 aOR 2.48, 95%CI 1.13–5.43; 2014 aOR 1.82, 95%CI 1.24–2.65). This finding was driven by improved exclusive BF for patients who identified as Black (9.4% in 2008, 22.9% in 2009, and 37.9% in 2014, p = 0.01). Conclusion Inpatient BF exclusivity significantly increased with the tenure of a BPC program in a low-income clinical setting. These findings demonstrate that a BPC program can be a particularly effective method to address BF disparities among low-income Black populations.

Aims Methods Discussion Impact Trial Registration Patient and public involvement In China, more than 30% of patients have not initiated treatment within 30 days of HIV diagnosis. Delayed initiation has a detrimental influence on disease outcomes and increases HIV transmission. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse‐led antiretroviral therapy initiation nudging intervention for people newly diagnosed with HIV in China to find the optimal intervention implementation strategy.A Hybrid Type II sequential multiple assignment randomized trial will be conducted at four Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Hunan, China. This study will recruit 447 people newly diagnosed with HIV aged ≥18 years and randomly assign them into two intervention groups and one control group. On top of the regular counselling services and referrals, intervention groups will receive a 4‐week, 2‐phase intervention based on the dual‐system theory and the nudge theory. The control group will follow the currently recommended referral procedures. The primary outcomes are whether treatment is initiated, as well as the length of time it takes. The study outcomes will be measured at the baseline, day 15, day 30, week 12, week 24 and week 48. Generalized estimating equations and survival analysis will be used to compare effectiveness and explore factors associated with antiretroviral therapy initiation. Both qualitative and quantitative information will be collected to assess implementation outcomes.Existing strategies mostly target institutional‐level factors, with little consideration given to patients' decision‐making. To close this gap, we aim to develop an effective theory‐driven nudging strategy to improve early ART initiation.This nurse‐led study will help to prevent delayed initiation by employing implementation science strategies for people newly diagnosed with HIV. This study contributes to the United Nations' objective of ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030.Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300070140. The trial was prospectively registered before the first participant was recruited.The nudging intervention was finalized through the Nominal Group Technique where we invited five experts in the related field and five people living with HIV to participate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research seeks to address the problems of meanings and syntactic aspects by the reader of the Holy Qur'an, as loading the Qur'anic word more than one meaning or Inflexion at the same reading or creating a meaning that is not correct in the context and tradition of the Holy Qur'an. This is done through two rules that oblige the reader of the Quran to the importance of correct reading, which results in the correct meaning in a way that leaves no room for exaggeration or repetition of the Quranic words unjustly. This research came out in four sections, the first one: is related to the search terms, and the statement of the meaning of the rules of reading the Holy Quran, the second: is the importance of the rules of the Holy Qur'an, while the third & fourth sections: related to the essence of the research; it includes the Two rules and the related statement and applications, then conclusion and results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: E‐cigarette and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use has grown considerably over the past decade, with notable increases among young people. US state policy contexts for ENDS and tobacco may shape initiation into ENDS use among adolescents as they age into early adulthood. We aimed to determine whether state‐level comprehensive vaping ban policies reduce the odds of youth initiation into ENDS use, net of additional state‐level ENDS and tobacco policies, as well as the youth's cigarette smoking status. Design: Longitudinal data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study were merged with a state‐year database on tobacco and ENDS policies. Multivariable discrete‐time event history models of ENDS initiation were estimated. Setting: United States. Participants: Twenty thousand twelve youth assessed over six waves from 2013 to 2019 (n = 53 974 observations). Measurement We examined comprehensive indoor vaping bans (i.e. 100% vape‐free workplaces, restaurants and bars) as a key factor in initiation into ENDS use (i.e. first instance of vaping) from age 13 to 22. Findings Among young people, residing in a state with a comprehensive vaping ban was associated with 18% lower odds of ENDS initiation (odds ratio = 0.82; 95% confidence interval =[0.71, 0.94]), even after controlling for other state ENDS and tobacco policies, the youth's cigarette smoking and socio‐demographic background and state‐level covariates. Conclusions: In the United States, state‐level vaping bans (i.e. 100% vape‐free workplaces, restaurants and bars) are associated with reduced odds of youth initiation into electronic nicotine delivery systems use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton fiber, a crucial and sustainable resource for global textile production, undergoes a complex five-stage developmental process, encompassing initiation, elongation, transition, secondary cell wall biosynthesis, and maturation. These elongated single-cell fibers originate from the outer ovule epidermis. The development of cotton fibers involves intricate changes in gene expression and physiological processes, resulting in a nearly pure cellulose product that is vital for the global cotton industry. Decoding the genes associated with fiber development enhances our understanding of cotton fiber mechanisms and facilitates the cultivation of varieties with enhanced quality. In recent decades, advanced omics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, have played a pivotal role in identifying the genes and gene products linked to cotton fiber development, including the MYB transcription factor family, which coordinates cotton fiber development. Molecular studies have revealed the transcription factors, like MYB, WRKY, Homeodomain Leucine Zipper (HD-ZIP), and basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH), influencing fiber initiation and elongation. The intricate interplay of phytohormones, like auxin, gibberellic acid (GA), brassinosteroids (BRs), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA), and cytokinin, is explored, providing a comprehensive perspective on the shaping of cotton fibers. Numerous candidate genes and cellular processes affecting various aspects of fiber development hold promise for genetic engineering or marker-assisted breeding to improve fiber quality. This review presents a comprehensive overview of key achievements in cotton molecular biology, with a specific emphasis on recent advancements in understanding the transcription factors and phytohormones involved in cotton fiber initiation and elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botanical seeds, also known as True Shallot Seed (TSS), are a new development to ensure the long-term availability of shallot seeds in the Bangka Belitung Islands. Apart from analyzing the effect of vernalization and gibberellin (GA3) on TSS production, this research aims to develop basic standard operating procedures for shallot TSS production in Bangka Belitung. This research was carried out on a plantation belonging to the Timur Makmur Farmers Group, Central Bangka. This research used a Randomized Block Design with two factors. Gibberellin concentration, namely 0, 50, 100, or 200 ppm, is the first factor, followed by vernalization time as the second factor, namely 0, 2, 4 weeks with 4 repetitions. Data were processed using the F test and the DMRT further test at the α = 5% level. Analysis of various uses of gibberellin and vernalization treatments showed that neither the Bima Brebes nor Biru Lancor varieties of shallots had any effect on height, number of leaves, or number of tillers. In both shallot varieties, the effect of gibberellin and vernalization treatment on flowering age, number of flowers set, and number of TSS seeds set had no effect. Vernalization treatment on shallots of the Bima Brebes variety can extend the flowering period of the Bima Brebes variety. Gibberellins and vernalization were not able to produce flowering in the Blue Lancor shallot variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age of drinking onset is a central concept for both policy and prevention of alcohol-related harm, yet evidence on the predictive value of the age of onset is lacking. This study compares alcohol outcomes of adolescents who started to drink early with those who started later, and tests if associations are moderated by other explanatory factors. Data from a two-wave longitudinal prospective cohort survey with a Swedish nationwide sample of 4,018 adolescents aged 15/16 years at baseline (T1) and 17/18 years at follow-up (T2) were used. Outcome variables at T2 were Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)–C, risky drinking, and binge drinking monthly or more often. A vast number of explanatory factors at T1 were controlled for. Early drinking onset predicted later higher AUDIT-C scores (β = 0.57, p value <.001), and higher probability of risky drinking (odds ratio = 1.95, 95% confidence interval = 1.56–2.44), and binge drinking (odds ratio = 1.38, confidence interval = 1.06–1.81), controlled for other explanatory factors. If binge drinking frequency at T1 was included, the associations remained for AUDIT-C and risky drinking, but not for binge drinking at T2. No significant interactions between early drinking onset and the explanatory factors were found. Early drinking onset predicts subsequent higher alcohol consumption in late adolescence. Adolescents who had an early drinking onset drank more after 2 years than their peers who started later. The age of drinking onset is an independent predictor of alcohol use outcomes, beyond the effect of age of binge drinking onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.), an important economic tree species with a high resin yield, is extensively cultivated in southern China. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) technology could hasten the breeding of P. elliottii through improving seedling quality and number, but mass production of somatic embryos remains constrained by various factors. We described an efficient SE system through indirect route and investigate the effects of genotype, phytohormones and culture condition on SE. Immature zygotic embryos of three open-pollinated mother trees collected during 2020–2023 were utilized for initiation of pro-embryogenic masses (PEMs). The initiation of PEMs was significantly influenced by seed sources (families) (p < 0.05). The addition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (6 mg/L), 6-benzylaminopurine (1 mg/L) and kinetin (2 mg/L) effectively improved initiation rates by up to 15.67 ± 1.89%. Furthermore, glutamine addition to the maturation medium enhanced the yield of somatic embryos during culture. The optimum concentration range of activated carbon within the germination medium spanned from 3–4.5 g/L. Inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria amethystea enhanced the root length of regenerated plantlets, reaching 7.92 ± 4.06 cm. The regenerated plantlets inoculated with Pisolithus orientalis and Xerocomus chrysenteron showed improved survival during the acclimatization phase, with 100% survival of mycorrhizae-treated plantlets after 3 months of acclimatization in the greenhouse. We clarified the SE conditions suitable for P. elliottii, and the SE system and mycorrhizal method we used can be applied to mass production of plantlets.Key Message: • Efficient somatic embryogenesis technology for Pinus elliottii was established; • Regenerated plants inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi Pisolithus orientalis and Xerocomus chrysenteron had 100% survival after transplanting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of electronic cigarettes, or "e-cigarettes", among youths has sparked worries about the possibility of nicotine dependence as a serious public health issue. Dental practitioners play a critical role in helping their patients quit smoking. Dental schools across the globe have policies encouraging their students to help patients quit smoking. Current research, however, indicates that a significant portion of dental students smoke combustible cigarettes and use e-cigarettes. According to studies, using e-cigarettes has resulted in the subsequent initiation of combustible cigarette smoking among its users. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the use of electronic cigarettes and the subsequent initiation of combustible cigarette smoking among dental students who were not attitudinally susceptible to smoking combustible cigarettes. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted among 121 study participants who were never combustible cigarette users and were attitudinally non-susceptible to smoking at baseline. At baseline, 66 (54.6%) study participants were categorized as e-cigarette users who were attitudinally non-susceptible to combustible cigarette smoking, and 55 (45.4%) study participants were categorized as non-users who were attitudinally non-susceptible to combustible cigarette smoking. The initiation of combustible cigarette smoking was assessed at 6- and 12-month intervals. Binomial regression analysis of the outcome at the end of one-year follow-up, when analyzed with independent variables, revealed a significant influence of e-cigarette use on taking up combustible cigarette smoking [Relative Risk: 9.395; 95% CI: 3.03–29.04]. Chi-squared analysis of independent variables revealed e-cigarette use to be significantly associated with fathers' education level (p = 0.00), parental cigarette smoking status (p = 0.00), cigarette smoking among friends (p = 0.00), and family income (p = 0.00). E-cigarette users are more likely to believe it to be healthier (p = 0.00) than combustible smoking. In the present study, e-cigarette usage demonstrated a significant influence on taking up combustible cigarette smoking among its users. Educational institutions should implement stringent policies and regulations to prevent health professionals from using these products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many executive function screens have been developed, it is not yet clear whether these assessments are equally effective in detecting post-stroke deficits of initiation and inhibition. This study presents a comparative analysis of the Stroop and Hayling tests aiming to evaluate whether these tests measure the same underlying cognitive functions and to identify the neural correlates of the deficits detected by both tasks. Sixty six stroke survivors and 70 healthy ageing controls completed the Hayling and Stroop tests. Stroke patients were found to exhibit qualitative performance differences across analogous Stroop and Hayling Test metrics intended to tap initiation and inhibition. The Stroop test was found to have high specificity to abnormal performance, but low sensitivity relative to the Hayling Test. Minimal overlap was present between the network-level correlates of analogous Stroop and Hayling Test metrics. Hayling Task strategy use metrics were significantly associated with distinct patterns of disconnection in stroke survivors, providing novel insight into the neural correlates of fine-grained behavioural patterns. Overall, these findings strongly suggest that the functions tapped by the Stroop and Hayling Test are both behaviourally and anatomically dissociable. The Hayling Test was found to offer improved sensitivity and detail relative to the Stroop test. This novel demonstration of the Hayling Test within the stroke population suggests that this task represents an effective measure for quantifying post-stroke initiation and inhibition deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study explores factors that influence the initiation of leadership coaching relationships that include externally employed coaches and school administrators. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative research study includes semi-structured interviews, observations and documents collected across three academic years within the context of a university-based leadership coaching program. Participants included six leadership coaches and six school administrators who participated in the program. Findings: Qualitative analysis indicates that gender and race, prior professional experience, pre-existing professional relationships and the complexity of the district's organizational structure influence the initiation of the coaching relationship. Research limitations/implications: Confidentiality restrictions imposed by the program limit opportunities for member checking and other forms of triangulation. Additional data collection using more expansive research methods would help address this limitation. Originality/value: This study contributes to the sparse literature about leadership coaching with school administrators by describing how different factors influence initiation coaching relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of digital image correlation (DIC) technology, the displacements and strains on the fracture ligaments of rock specimens were measured during loading. By analyzing the displacement distribution of each fracture ligament at different loading stages, the displacement fluctuation coefficient method was proposed to describe the development of fracture process zone (FPZ). The method can amplify the variation of displacement and clearly show the length of FPZ.The results show that: (1) the initiation of FPZ occurred at 77–89% of the peak load and the fluctuation coefficient of horizontal displacement around the crack tip reached the order of 10–7. (2) The initial length of FPZ was about 1.0–3.1 mm, which is 2 to 6 times the largest grain sizes. As the peak load was approached, the length of FPZ suddenly increased to 4.6–6.1 mm. (3) When a fracture process zone was initiated, the strain at the front end of the FPZ was about 3000–4000 µε. After the load approached the peak value, the strain at the rear end of the FPZ finally reached a peak value of 8000–11000 µε in all specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Despite the benefits of breastfeeding (BF), rates remain lower than public health targets, particularly among low-income Black populations. Community-based breastfeeding peer counselor (BPC) programs have been shown to increase BF. We sought to examine whether implementation of a BPC program in an obstetric clinical setting serving low-income patients was associated with improved BF initiation and exclusivity. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental time series study of pregnant and postpartum patients receiving care before and after implementation of a BPC program in a teaching hospital affiliated prenatal clinic. The role of the BPC staff included BF classes, prenatal counseling and postnatal support, including in-hospital assistance and phone triage after discharge. Records were reviewed at each of 3 time points: immediately before the hire of the BPC staff (2008), 1-year post-implementation (2009), and 5 years post-implementation (2014). The primary outcomes were rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity prior to hospital discharge, secondary outcomes included whether infants received all or mostly breastmilk during inpatient admission and by 6 weeks post-delivery. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were utilized as appropriate. Results: Of 302 patients included, 52.3% identified as non-Hispanic Black and 99% had Medicaid-funded prenatal care. While there was no improvement in rates of BF initiation, exclusive BF during the postpartum hospitalization improved during the 3 distinct time points examined, increasing from 13.7% in 2008 to 32% in 2014 (2009 aOR 2.48, 95%CI 1.13–5.43; 2014 aOR 1.82, 95%CI 1.24–2.65). This finding was driven by improved exclusive BF for patients who identified as Black (9.4% in 2008, 22.9% in 2009, and 37.9% in 2014, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Inpatient BF exclusivity significantly increased with the tenure of a BPC program in a low-income clinical setting. These findings demonstrate that a BPC program can be a particularly effective method to address BF disparities among low-income Black populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detonation propagation process in a charge made of a plastic-bonded triamino-trinitrobenzene-based explosive composition in the form of a hollow cylinder with a steel shell inside is studied in the case where normal detonation is initiated along a line on the outer surface of the charge. The shape of a detonation wave front at certain times is determined using the X-ray method. Electric contact sensors are applied to measure the detonation wave front propagation velocity along the outer surface of the charge. The original arrangement of the experiments makes it possible to study detonation propagation at angles greater than 180° from the initiation line. It is shown that the front velocity of the diverging detonation wave in the initiation plane is 7.3 km/s. In the shadow region of the initiation point, the front velocity of the diverging detonation wave decreases as a function of a distance traveled both along the outer and inner surface of the charge (up to 6 km/s and 5.6 km/s, respectively). At the same time, there is a zone of unreacted triamino-trinitrobenzene near the steel shell in the region where the rotation angles of the detonation wave front range from approximately 150 to 210°. This may indicate detonation failure and transformation into a shock wave. The process is numerically simulated using the SURF detonation kinetics model implemented in MIMOSA. The calculation results are in good agreement with experimental data both at the early stage of the detonation initiation process and in the shadow region of the initiation point, where the detonation wave front velocity drops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity in the characteristics of agricultural locations has the potential to develop. Unfortunately, the weak transfer of technology based on the characteristics of the location indicates that this potential cannot grow properly. This research aims to synthesise a technology transfer model for an agricultural technology park (ATP) by considering site-specific conditions. This cross-case study was conducted at selected ATP locations. Model synthesis uses the system development life cycle stages of initiation, analysis, and design. The resource-based view approach was broken down into several variables during the analysis stage. Three location-specific technology transfer models were successfully developed: a technology transfer model based on highland specificity, a unique technology transfer model for urban farming, and a tourism village-based model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]