Analysis of carbon dioxide bands near 2.2 micrometers

Carbon dioxide is one of the more important atmospheric infrared-absorbing gases due to its relatively high, and increasing, concentration. The spectral parameters of its bands are required for understanding radiative heat transfer in the atmosphere. The line intensities, positions, line half-widths, rotational constants, and band centers of three overlapping bands of CO2 near 2.2 microns are presented. Non-linear least squares (NLLS) regression procedures were employed to determine these parameters

Problem solving and the barriers to adherence to routine infection control practices

Background: Healthcare-associated infections can be prevented through adherence to Routine Practices (RP) for infection control. Problem solving (PS) is an approach that can potentially be used to promote adherence to RP, which is suboptimal. Objectives: 1) Understand nursing students’ and instructors’ PS related to RP and barriers to RP; 2) evaluate the effects of a Problem-Solving Routine Practices (PSRP) educational program; and 3) examine the issue of negative role models and strategies that can be used. Methods: The objectives were met using a cross-sectional study that surveyed nursing students and instructors, a controlled before and after (CBA) study that evaluated a PSRP educational program, and a discussion paper about role models and adherence to RP. Results: The vast majority (83.5% to 100%) of nursing students and instructors surveyed correctly answered most, but not all, of the questions related to RP and PS. Both groups identified high nursing workload, empty alcohol-based hand rub dispensers and presence of negative role models as the most common barriers, and identified specific strategies to address them. In the CBA, significantly higher proportions of students in the intervention group compared to the control group showed increased confidence about applying PS to deal with high nursing workload (p = 0.032), correctly identified the steps of PS (p = 0.016), and reported adherence to some of the RP components (p < 0.05). The discussion paper highlighted how role models influence adherence and strategies that can be used. Conclusion: Nursing students’ and instructors’ knowledge about some RP components and application of PS to deal with the barriers to RP adherence need to be strengthened. The effectiveness of the PSRP program was varied, but further exploration of this approach is warranted. Recommendations were made for infection control practitioners, educators, nursing administrators, and future research

Lead optimisation of dehydroemetine for repositioned use in malaria

Drug repositioning offers an effective alternative to de novo drug design to tackle the urgent need for novel anti-malarial treatments. The anti-amoebic compound, emetine dihydrochloride, has been identified as a potent in-vitro inhibitor of the multi-drug resistant strain K1 of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50: 47 nM ± 2.1 nM). Dehydroemetine, a synthetic analogue of emetine dihydrochloride has been reported to have less cardiotoxic effects than emetine. The structures of two diastereomers of dehydroemetine were modelled on the published emetine binding site on cryo-EM structure 3J7A (Pf 80S ribosome in complex with emetine) and it was found that (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine mimicked the bound pose of emetine more closely than (-)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine. (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine (IC50 71.03 ± 6.1 nM) was also found to be highly potent against the multi-drug resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum in comparison with (-)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine (IC50 2.07 ± 0.26 μM), which loses its potency due to the change of configuration at C-1′. In addition to its effect on the asexual erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum, the compounds exhibited gametocidal properties with no cross-resistance against any of the multi-drug resistant strains tested. Drug interaction studies showed (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine to have synergistic antimalarial activity with atovaquone and proguanil. Emetine dihydrochloride, and (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine failed to show any inhibition of the hERG potassium channel and displayed activity on the mitochondrial membrane potential indicating a possible multi-modal mechanism of action. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2020 Panwar et al.

Persistent Hiccups After Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection.

BACKGROUND Hiccup is a rare complication after a cervical epidural steroid injection used in the treatment of chronic pain. A few studies have reported on the physiological and pharmacological aspects of hiccups after epidural steroid injection and there have been some case reports published. Our presented case report provides insight into the side effect of hiccups that can occur in association with cervical epidural analgesia, and will help inform anesthesiologist about this unpleasant complication. CASE REPORT We present a rare case of persistent hiccups after a cervical epidural steroid injection in a 60-year-old male patient with chronic pain due to disc protrusion in C3-C7. CONCLUSIONS Persistent hiccups after epidural injection is a serious complication. As the exact mechanism of hiccups is not yet known, regardless the level of epidural or the mixture of drugs used, and the incident of hiccups after epidural injection is not well-reported, we think that the etiology and the incident rate must be further evaluated

Work–life balance and the needs of female employees in the telecommunications industry in a developing country: A critical realist approach to issues in industrial and organizational social psychology

Finding a balance between the demands of the role requirements of work, family, and social life is a challenging problem for modern society and is particularly relevant for the growth of women’s participation in the workforce. These role conflicts may result in significant psychological stress for individuals. For corporations, stressed employees are also a problem. Work– life balance (WLB) programs to address these issues have emerged in Western countries in the past three decades and have been evaluated in various ways in multidisciplinary studies which have employed sociological and psychological methodologies. WLB programs in developed countries often reflect the ethos of particular cultures, and Western models may not be wholly relevant for cross-cultural comparison. The present study explores these issues using the methodology of critical realism in companies in the telecommunications sector of Palestine. This qualitative study develops a complex model of a newly identified set of factors, which may be relevant for other Arabic cultural settings. Further exploration of this model using psychometric techniques is proposed

CD20 Negative Primary Cutaneous Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Leg Type with Rapidly Progressing Skin Lesions

A 95-year-old man came with violaceous nodular skin lesions of the left shin. The lesions were not painful or pruritic but progressed rapidly over the 3 months. Fever, night sweats, weight loss, and other systemic symptoms were absent. Shave biopsy of the lesion revealed the cells negative for CD20 but positive for BCL2, BCL6, FOX-P1, and CD10. PET/CT showed high uptake in the left leg and a sizeable hypermetabolic lymph node in the left pelvis. The patient was started on rituximab treatment as a single agent. This report highlights some of the diagnostic and treatment difficulties in CD20 negative lymphomas and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in those cases

Margaret Archer (1943-2023) on Critical Realism and Morphogenesis: Linking Critical Realist Research Models from East and West

Critical Realism (CR) is a philosophical approach to social science research, social action, and social change activism. It provides a framework for social scientists whose value commitments leads them to view the construction of social phenomenon in critical ways, which identify the often hidden oppressive elements in social structures. This understanding of a ‘new’ reality underlies the advocacy of change strategies, and the initiation of dialogue between members of disadvantaged and oppressed groups through the process of ‘morphogenesis’  This model of dialogues enabling change and the ‘unmasking of alienation’ stem from the work of Roy Bhaskar, and has been developed by Margaret Archer and other European scholars. An important feature of CR has been the application by the emergence of shared understanding, by social scientists from different value traditions (e.g. Christianity, Secular Humanism, and Islam). The JOCRISE in taking CR understandings of oppressive social forces into new fields, and with fresh CR models, is welcomed. In appraising the new model from JOCRISE, we offer both Cartesian dualism, and Popper’s World 3 model as elements of a new, dynamic focus on social change advocacy

Attitudes of Saudi Mothers Towards Breastfeeding: A Cross–Sectional Survey in Taif Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Mothers’ attitudes are strong predicators of choice of infant feeding method. This study was conducted to measure attitudes towards breastfeeding among Saudi mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during April 2013 among Saudi nursing mothers in Taif Region; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Data was collected by trained pharmacy female students through face-to-face interview method using structured questionnaire. Mothers’ attitudes towards breastfeeding were assessed by The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). Results: A total of 387 mothers were included of them 204 (52.7%) aged &lt; 32 years and 334 (86.3%) were residents in the town. University or college graduates were 262 (67.7%). Overall 181 (46.8%) of the mothers had positive attitudes towards breastfeeding, while 206 (53.2%) held negative ones. Correlating mothers’ total attitudes towards breastfeeding to their demographics showed that; out of the mothers aged &lt; 32 years 118 (57.8%) had significantly more positive attitudes than older ones (aged &gt; 32 years) 63 (34.4%), (P &lt; 0.001). Cross tabulation of the method of infant feeding and mothers’ total attitudes towards breastfeeding showed that mothers used formula feeding or mixed feeding method 120 (49.0%) had significantly positive attitudes towards breastfeeding more than breastfeeding ones 61(43.0%), (P =0.025). Conclusion: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding was low. Positive attitudes towards breastfeeding was found to be more among mothers used formula or mixed feeding method. Educational interventions are needed to raise awareness and upgrade mothers’ knowledge on infant breastfeeding

Petrographic Study of Sedimentary Iron Ore in Shendi-Atbara Basin,River Nile State, Sudan

This paper presents the results of petrographic study of sedimentary iron ore from surface strata of the Shendi-Atbara Basin, River Nile State, Sudan. The aims of this study are to investigate the geological behavior and geological conditions affecting precipitation of sedimentary iron ore. The methodologies have been used to realize the objectives of this study include field work, office work and laboratory work including thin sections and polished sections analysis. According to field observation sedimentary iron ore can broadly be considered as occurring in three major classes:Ferribands iron, ferricrete iron and oolitic iron ores. The modes of occurrence of iron ore were described at the outcrops and vertical sedimentary profiles revealed that the iron occurred in the study area at different types in stratigraphic sequence such as cap, bedded and interbedded conformable with Shendi Formation. Petrographic study of iron ore in collected samples using polarized microscope and ore microscope includes study of the textures and structures of ores to obtain ore history. The main types of textures and structures in studied samples are oolitic, granular, lamellar and bands.According to these results the origin of iron ore is formed by chemical precipitation during chemical weathering of surrounding areas in continental lacustrine environment. The iron ore in study area is potential for future mining works and steel industr