Masculinity, racism, social support, and colorectal cancer screening uptake among African American men: A systematic review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly preventable when CRC screening is utilized, yet CRC screening completion among African American men is relatively low and their mortality rates remain 50% higher juxtaposed to their White counterparts. Since a growing body of literature indicates masculinity, racism, and social support each have strong influences on CRC screening uptake, this systematic review examined the connections between these three sociocultural factors and CRC screening uptake among African American men. Potential studies were retrieved from MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. Cited reference searching for the final sample was employed to identify and assess additional studies for inclusion using Scopus. The methodological quality of the reviewed evidence was also evaluated. Nineteen studies met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Thirteen studies employed nonexperimental research designs; a quasi-experimental design was present in four, and two utilized experimental designs. Studies were published between 2000 and 2014; the majority between 2009 and 2013. Social support was most frequently addressed (84%) while masculinity and racism were equally studied with paucity (11%) for their influence on CRC screening. After evaluating conceptual and methodological characteristics of the studies, 42% fell below average in quality and rigor. The need for increased attention to the sociocultural correlates of CRC screening for African American men are highlighted in this systematic review, and important recommendations for research and practice are provided. Alongside a call for more rigorous research, further research examining the influence of masculinity and racism on CRC screening completion among African American men is warrante

Masculinity, racism, social support, and colorectal cancer screening uptake among African American men: A systematic review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly preventable when CRC screening is utilized, yet CRC screening completion among African American men is relatively low and their mortality rates remain 50% higher juxtaposed to their White counterparts. Since a growing body of literature indicates masculinity, racism, and social support each have strong influences on CRC screening uptake, this systematic review examined the connections between these three sociocultural factors and CRC screening uptake among African American men. Potential studies were retrieved from MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. Cited reference searching for the final sample was employed to identify and assess additional studies for inclusion using Scopus. The methodological quality of the reviewed evidence was also evaluated. Nineteen studies met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Thirteen studies employed nonexperimental research designs; a quasi-experimental design was present in four, and two utilized experimental designs. Studies were published between 2000 and 2014; the majority between 2009 and 2013. Social support was most frequently addressed (84%) while masculinity and racism were equally studied with paucity (11%) for their influence on CRC screening. After evaluating conceptual and methodological characteristics of the studies, 42% fell below average in quality and rigor. The need for increased attention to the sociocultural correlates of CRC screening for African American men are highlighted in this systematic review, and important recommendations for research and practice are provided. Alongside a call for more rigorous research, further research examining the influence of masculinity and racism on CRC screening completion among African American men is warrante

Atomic force microscopy analysis of nanoparticles in non-ideal conditions

Nanoparticles are often measured using atomic force microscopy or other scanning probe microscopy methods. For isolated nanoparticles on flat substrates, this is a relatively easy task. However, in real situations, we often need to analyze nanoparticles on rough substrates or nanoparticles that are not isolated. In this article, we present a simple model for realistic simulations of nanoparticle deposition and we employ this model for modeling nanoparticles on rough substrates. Different modeling conditions (coverage, relaxation after deposition) and convolution with different tip shapes are used to obtain a wide spectrum of virtual AFM nanoparticle images similar to those known from practice. Statistical parameters of nanoparticles are then analyzed using different data processing algorithms in order to show their systematic errors and to estimate uncertainties for atomic force microscopy analysis of nanoparticles under non-ideal conditions. It is shown that the elimination of user influence on the data processing algorithm is a key step for obtaining accurate results while analyzing nanoparticles measured in non-ideal conditions

Proteases of haematophagous arthropod vectors are involved in blood-feeding, yolk formation and immunity : a review

Ticks, triatomines, mosquitoes and sand flies comprise a large number of haematophagous arthropods considered vectors of human infectious diseases. While consuming blood to obtain the nutrients necessary to carry on life functions, these insects can transmit pathogenic microorganisms to the vertebrate host. Among the molecules related to the blood-feeding habit, proteases play an essential role. In this review, we provide a panorama of proteases from arthropod vectors involved in haematophagy, in digestion, in egg development and in immunity. As these molecules act in central biological processes, proteases from haematophagous vectors of infectious diseases may influence vector competence to transmit pathogens to their prey, and thus could be valuable targets for vectorial control

Contemporary Creation of an Urban Interior by Means of Artificial Illumination, Based on Projects by Arup

Światło sztuczne, dające, dzięki nowym technologiom, coraz szersze możliwości wzbogacania i przekształcania obrazu przestrzeni jednocześnie, można uznać za swoisty rodzaj skażenia środowiska naturalnego. Zanieczyszczenie światłem wydaje się być nieuniknionym efektem współczesnej urbanizacji, stad potrzeba efektywnej kontroli - zarówno kreacyjnie, jak i ekonomicznie i ekologicznie. Firma Arup jest jedną z firm próbujących uporządkować i pogodzić obecne działania z dotychczas poniesionymi konsekwencjami. Przyświeca jej jeden cel: synergia najnowocześniejszej technologii z działaniem pro-środowiskowym. W związku z prześwietleniem miast, skażeniem świetlnym i nadmiernym zużyciem energii w godzinach nocnych, Arup zaczął opracowywać taktykę wygaszania przestrzeni miejskiej. Szacunek do zastanej architektury oraz dostosowanie rozwiązań do istniejącego mikroklimatu środowiska są jednymi z głównych czynników wpływających na powodzenie projektów Arup.Artificial light, which thanks to new technologies gives us more and more possibilities of enriching and transforming the appearance of the space, unlike the natural and fire light can be recognised as a certain type of pollution of the natural environment. Light pollution seems to be an unavoidable effect of the contemporary urbanisation, hence the need of its effective control, in creative, economic, as well as ecological terms. Arup is one of companies that try to organise and reconcile the currently undertaken measures with the consequences suffered so far. It has but one goal: synergy of advanced technologies and pro-environmental activity. Due to overillumination in cities, light pollution, and excessive energy consumption at night, Arup started to develop the tactics aimed to turn down the light in the urban space. Respect for the existing architecture and adjustment of the applied solutions to the existing microclimate of the environment constitute ones of the main drivers of success of projects implemented by Arup