Intravaginal insertion in KwaZulu-Natal: sexual practices and preferences in the context of microbicide gel use.

Intravaginal insertion is often associated with the concept of 'dry' sex. All HIV-prevention microbicides tested to date have been vaginally applied lubricant-based gels. In this paper, we examine whether the use of intravaginal insertions could be in conflict with the introduction of vaginal microbicide gels. The Africa Centre site was part of the Microbicides Development Programme evaluating PRO2000/5 microbicide gel. We conducted in-depth-interviews and focus-group discussions with women enrolled in the trial as well as women and men from the community. The analysis focused on people's knowledge of intravaginal insertion in the community and trial participants' experience of using trial gels. Intravaginal use of a variety of products was widely acknowledged. We found that the experience of using trial gels - which made sex 'hot', 'tight' and 'dry' - matched the desired outcomes of intravaginal insertion. We found that vaginal 'dryness' described the removal of excessive amounts of unusual discharge, rather than the removal of normal vaginal secretions and that intravaginal insertion is not exclusively associated with a desire for 'dry' sex. Study findings provide evidence that vaginal microbicide gels may be more acceptable in communities where intravaginal insertion is practiced than was previously thought

Communication About Microbicide Use Between Couples in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The ways in which couples communicate about microbicides is likely to influence microbicide uptake and usage. We collected quantitative data about whether women in a microbicide trial discussed microbicides with their partners and explored communication about microbicides during 79 in-depth-interviews with women enrolled in the trial and 17 focus-group discussions with community members. After 4 weeks in the trial, 60 % of 1092 women had discussed microbicides with their partners; in multivariate analysis, this was associated with younger age, clinic of enrolment and not living in households that owned cattle. After 52 weeks, 84 % of women had discussed microbicides; in multivariate analysis, this was associated with not living in households that owned cattle, not living in a household that relied on the cheapest water source, allocation to 0.5 % PRO2000 gel and consistent gel adherence. Qualitative findings highlighted that women in committed relationships were expected to discuss microbicides with their partners and preferred to use microbicides with their partner's knowledge. Women had different reasons for, and ways of, discussing microbicides and these were influenced by the couple's decision-making roles. Although there was tolerance for the use of microbicides without a partner's knowledge, the women who used microbicides secretly appeared to be women who were least able to discuss microbicides. In KwaZulu-Natal, socio-cultural norms informing sexual communication are amenable to microbicide introduction

Testaro: Efficient Ensemble Testing for Web Accessibility

As automated web accessibility testing tools become enriched with new and improved tests, it can be impractical to leverage those advances. Each tool offers unique benefits, but effectively using multiple tools would require integrating them into a uniform testing and reporting scheme. Such integration is complex, because tools vary in what they try to detect, what they actually detect, and how they classify, describe, and report defects. Consequently, testers typically use only one tool. Testaro is a novel open-source NPM package that checks compliance with about 650 rules defined by an ensemble of 8 tools: alfa, Axe, Equal Access, HTML CodeSniffer, Nu Html Checker, QualWeb, Testaro, and WAVE. Attendees at the demonstration will, within 5 minutes, create jobs for Testaro, run them, and generate unified reports documenting more accessibility issues than any single tool can discover.Comment: 4 pages, 2 tables. To be published in Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '23), October 22-25, 2023, New York, NY, US

Dynamic nuclear polarisation by thermal mixing: quantum theory and macroscopic simulations

A theory of dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP) by thermal mixing is suggested based on purely quantum considerations. A minimal 6-level microscopic model is developed to test the theory and link it to the well known thermodynamic model. Optimal conditions for the nuclear polarization enhancement and effects of inhomogeneous broadening of the electron resonance are discussed. Macroscopic simulations of nuclear polarization spectra displaying good agreement with experiments, involving BDPA and trityl free radicals, are presented

Niveles de Procrastinación y dimensiones de Adicción a las redes sociales en estudiantes de una Institución Educativa. Chiclayo

El trabajo de investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación entre Procrastinación y Adicción a las redes sociales de una Institución Educativa. Chiclayo. En la cual se tiene en cuenta que la Procrastinación y Adicción a las redes sociales son fenómenos que ha cobrado cada vez mayor relevancia dadas las implicaciones que puede tener tanto en las áreas de la salud mental como en la educación, repercutiendo negativamente en la vida diaria en general. Este estudio fue de tipo básica de nivel descriptivo con un enfoque cuantitativo y un diseño no experimental, descriptivo correlacional. Por otro lado, la población está conformado por todos los estudiantes de una Institución Educativa. Chiclayo de ambos géneros y la muestra se conforma por 50 estudiantes de cuarto y quinto grado de educación secundaria. Se empleó como técnica la encuesta para ambas variables, utilizando como instrumentos de medida que son, la escala de procrastinación en adolescentes (EPA), y el cuestionario de adicción a las redes sociales (ARS); llegando a la conclusión principal que existe una correlación altamente significativa de (p < 0.01) de una relación directa de (,499) entre Procrastinación y Adicción a las redes sociales en estudiantes de una Institución Educativa

Propuesta de mejora en el proceso productivo de la línea de confección de polos para incrementar la productividad de la empresa Confecciones Sol

RESUMEN La presente investigación tiene como objetivo implementar una propuesta de mejora en el proceso productivo, para incrementar la productividad de la línea de confección de polos en la empresa de confecciones “Sol”; para lo cual se aplicará las herramientas de ingeniería industrial tales como: estudio de tiempos y métodos de trabajo, gestión de almacén y distribución de planta. La recolección de los datos para el diagnóstico inicial se basó en la observación directa, la aplicación de entrevistas no estructuradas a todo el personal y a clientes externos, así como la consulta en diversas fuentes de información. Posteriormente se procedió a la caracterización del proceso para determinar las fases claves del mismo, mediante diagramas de proceso, diagrama de flujo o recorrido, diagramas de Ishikawa, diagrama de Pareto, etc. los cuales proporcionaron información detallada para así facilitar el estudio de cada una de las actividades implícitas en este; permitiendo detectar las fallas e irregularidades presentes para posteriormente mejorarlas aplicando las diversas técnicas de la ingeniería industrial antes mencionadas. Seguidamente, se procedió a la realización de la propuesta de mejora mediante: aplicación de estudio de tiempo y métodos de trabajo con el fin de estandarizar cada estación del proceso productivo y tener una base para hacer mejoras continuas, gestión de almacén las cual incluyen: Clasificación ABC, codificación y estandarización de los diferentes materiales e herramientas el cual permite disminuir tiempos innecesarios de búsqueda y verificación de materiales complementándose con el Plan de Requerimiento de Materiales; y finalmente aplicar la mejora de distribución de planta para evitar tiempos de traslado innecesarios y contribuir al mejor flujo del producto. Los resultados que se lograron son: - Se logra incrementar la productividad de línea de polos básicos a 90.68%, es decir una producción semanal de 759 prendas. - La mano de obra actual es insuficiente para las estaciones de trabajo; por lo que es necesario la contratación de 02 operario para la máquina remalladora y 02 ayudantes, los mismos que realizarán labores de planchado y embolsado; así como control de insumos y orden y limpieza del taller. - En base a la evaluación económica de la propuesta de mejora del proyecto; se llega a la conclusión que la implementación del proyecto de inversión es factible y conveniente de realizar en la línea de confección de polos básicos con una VAN de 16,462.64 > 0 y una TIR de 182.33 % > COK; con un B/C de 2.039 > 1.05. En conclusión, se aplicó satisfactoriamente la metodología seleccionada y se interrelacionaron adecuadamente cada uno de los elementos con el fin de incrementar la productividad del proceso productivo; obteniendo un incremento de la productividad del 58.04% de la productividad inicial.ABSTRACT This research aims to implement a proposed improvement in the production process to increase the productivity of the line to make poles in the clothing company "Sun"; time study and methods of work, warehouse management and distribution of plant: for which industrial engineering tools such as apply. The data collection for the initial diagnosis was based on direct observation, unstructured interviews applying to all staff and external customers, as well as consulting on various sources of information. Then we proceeded to the characterization of the process to determine the key phases thereof by process diagrams, flow chart or tour, Ishikawa diagrams, Pareto, etc. which provided detailed information to facilitate the study of each of the activities involved in this; allowing to detect failures and irregularities present to further improve them by applying various industrial engineering techniques mentioned above. He then proceeded to the completion of the proposed improvements through: application of time study and working methods in order to standardize each season of the production process and have a basis for continuous improvement, warehouse management of which include: Classification ABC, coding and standardization of the different materials and tools which can reduce unnecessary search time and verification of materials complemented with material Requirement Plan; and finally implement improved plant layout to avoid unnecessary transfer times and contribute to better product flow. The results achieved are: - Is achieved by increasing the productivity of basic line poles to 90.68%, ie a weekly production of 759 garments. - The current workforce is insufficient to workstations; so hiring 02 serger machine operator for 02 assistants and necessary to perform the same tasks Ironing and bagging; and control of supplies and housekeeping of the workshop. - Based on the economic evaluation of the proposed improvement project; is concluded that the implementation of the investment project is feasible and desirable to perform in line to make a basic poles 16,462.64 NPV> 0 and IRR is 182.33%> COK; a B / C of 2.039> 1.05. In conclusion, it was successfully implemented methodology selected properly interrelated and each of the elements in order to increase the productivity of the production process; obtaining an increase in productivity of 58.04% of initial productivity

Music Therapist’s use of singing, listening, playing instruments and movement with music to improve cognition and reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms in music therapy for people living with dementia

Current music therapy studies published in the field of dementia can often lack specificity in communicating the components of a music therapy intervention. These interventions can involve a wide range of musical activities depending on patient needs. This survey aimed to explore the use of singing, listening, playing instruments and movement with music, by music therapists working with people living with dementia, to further understand music therapists’ preferences, proclivities and clinical motivations. In total, 31 UK registered music therapists participated. The survey collected data on personal, clinical and external influences on therapists’ selection of musical activities during music therapy sessions. Analysis was completed using descriptive statistics and reflexive thematic analysis. The results showed that singing initiated by the therapist is the most common musical activity used by music therapists in this study. Reasons include therapists selecting activities that were comfortable and familiar, and those that provided musical flexibility in a clinical setting. There was also a connection found between the use of various musical activities and clinical aims. Further research can develop understanding on how various musical activities can fulfil specific needs of people living with dementia This can raise awareness for future music therapists and caregivers to choose the most appropriate musical intervention in a clinical setting

Pan-Cancer Analysis of lncRNA Regulation Supports Their Targeting of Cancer Genes in Each Tumor Context

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are commonly dys-regulated in tumors, but only a handful are known toplay pathophysiological roles in cancer. We inferredlncRNAs that dysregulate cancer pathways, onco-genes, and tumor suppressors (cancer genes) bymodeling their effects on the activity of transcriptionfactors, RNA-binding proteins, and microRNAs in5,185 TCGA tumors and 1,019 ENCODE assays.Our predictions included hundreds of candidateonco- and tumor-suppressor lncRNAs (cancerlncRNAs) whose somatic alterations account for thedysregulation of dozens of cancer genes and path-ways in each of 14 tumor contexts. To demonstrateproof of concept, we showed that perturbations tar-geting OIP5-AS1 (an inferred tumor suppressor) andTUG1 and WT1-AS (inferred onco-lncRNAs) dysre-gulated cancer genes and altered proliferation ofbreast and gynecologic cancer cells. Our analysis in-dicates that, although most lncRNAs are dysregu-lated in a tumor-specific manner, some, includingOIP5-AS1, TUG1, NEAT1, MEG3, and TSIX, synergis-tically dysregulate cancer pathways in multiple tumorcontexts