Chinese Americans’ Views and Use of Family Health History: A Qualitative Study

Objective Family health history (FHH) plays a significant role in early disease detection and preven- tion. Although Asian Americans are the fastest growing U.S. immigrant group, no data exists regarding Chinese Americans’ (the largest Asian subgroup) views and use of FHH. This study examines this important issue. Methods Forty-nine adults from southern U.S. Chinese American communities participated in this qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth interview study. Interviews were audio recorded, tran- scribed, and analyzed with a content analysis approach. Results Although the majority of participants perceived the importance of collecting FHH, most lacked FHH knowledge and failed to collect FHH information. Barriers affecting FHH collec- tion and discussion among family members included long-distance separation from family members, self-defined “healthy family,� and Chinese cultural beliefs. Lack of doctors’ inqui- ries, never/rarely visiting physicians, self-defined “healthy family,� perceived insignificance of discussing FHH with doctors, and Chinese cultural beliefs were the obstacles in commu- nicating FHH with physicians. Conclusions Chinese Americans had limited usage of their FHH and faced cultural, distance, knowl- edge-, and healthcare system-related barriers that influenced their FHH use. Developing FHH education programs for Chinese Americans is highly recommended

Viabilidade técnica do biodiesel metílico do óleo de duas variedades de Carthamus tinctorius l. como substituto do diesel de petróleo

The safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an energetic oilseed with high oil contents ranging between 35 to 48% and has high adaptability to dry and arid regions, may be a good alternative source for biofuel production in the Brazilian semiarid. The methyl biodiesel was obtained via transesterification reaction of the oil from two safflower varieties: one with 76,87% of oleic acid (C18:1) and another with 60,1% of linoleic acid (C18:2). The reactional conditions for obtaining of biofuel from both varieties were: 2% of catalyst (KOH), preheating oil to 50 °C, with moderate agitation for 1 hour and a ratio of 1:6 oil/methanol. In these reactional conditions was possible to obtain conversions rates in esters of 97,58% for the biodiesel of oleic safflower (BOS) and 98,61% for the biodiesel of linoleic safflower (BLS). Were investigated all the quality parameters required by the ANP (National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels) for the biodiesels, in order to viabilize its use by total or partial replacement of petroleum diesel. Was carried thermo-oxidative test by method in oven at 65 °C for 25 days of continuous exposure, showing that the biodiesel of the oleic safflower variety (BOS) presented better results of resistance to thermal degradation, reaching the limit of 100 meq/Kg in 360 h, while the biodiesel of the linoleic safflower variety (BLS) exceeded this limit in less than 72 h. The same was evidenced in the Rancimat® test, where the BOS showed oxidative stability of 3,6 h, while the BLS exhibited a stability of only 1 h (what was expected, since this have higher percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially the linoleic acid). The test of generator engine was done by comparing the consumption of diesel (0.679 L/h) with the blends consumption (diesel/biodiesel); where the mixtures of Diesel/BOS presented the following consumption: 0,646 (B5); 0,554 (B20); 0,632 (B50); 0,658 (B70) and 0,687 (B100); against 0,663 (B5); 0,564 (B20); 0,643 (B50); 0,658 (B70) and 0,692 (B100) for the blends of Diesel/BLS. Practically all the parameters evaluated in this comparative study indicate the superiority of the biodiesel from the oleic safflower oil in relation to the variety of linoleic safflower.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPESO cártamo (Carthamus tinctorius l.) é uma oleaginosa energética com elevados teores de óleo, variando entre 35 a 48% e possui alta adaptabilidade a regiões secas e áridas, podendo ser uma boa fonte alternativa à produção de biocombustíveis no semiárido brasileiro. O biodiesel metílico foi obtido via reação de transesterificação do óleo de duas variedades de cártamo: uma com 76,87% de ácido oléico (C18:1) e outra com 60,1% de ácido linoléico (C18:2). As condições reacionais para a obtenção do biocombustível de ambas as variedades foram: 2% de catalizador (KOH), preaquecimento do óleo a 50 °C, agitação moderada por 1 hora e proporção de 1:6 óleo/metanol. Nestas condições reacionais foi possível obter taxas de conversões em ésteres de 97,58% para o biodiesel de cártamo oleico (BCO) e 98,61% para o biodiesel de cártamo linoleico (BCL). Foram investigados todos os parâmetros de qualidade exigidos pela ANP (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis) para os biodieseis, a fim de se determinar a viabilidade de seu uso pela substituição total ou parcial do diesel de petróleo. Foi realizado teste termo-oxidativo pelo método em estufa a 65 °C durante 25 dias de exposição contínua, mostrando que o BCO apresentou melhores resultados de resistência à degradação térmica, atingindo o limite de 100 meq/Kg em 360 h, enquanto que o BCL ultrapassou este limite em menos de 72 h. O mesmo foi evidenciado no teste Rancimat®, onde o BCO apresentou estabilidade oxidativa de 3,6 h, enquanto que o BCL exibiu uma estabilidade de apenas 1 h (o que era esperado, uma vez que este possui maior percentual de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados, especialmente o ácido linoléico). O teste de motor gerador foi feito comparando o consumo do diesel (0,679 L/h) com o das blendas (diesel/biodiesel); onde as misturas de Diesel/BCO apresentaram os seguintes valores de consumo: 0,646 (B5); 0,554 (B20); 0,632 (B50); 0,658 (B70) e 0,687 (B100); contra 0,663 (B5); 0,564 (B20); 0,643 (B50); 0,658 (B70) e 0,692 (B100) para as blendas de Diesel/BCL. Praticamente todos os parâmetros avaliados neste estudo comparativo indicam a qualidade superior do BCO oleico em relação ao BCL