It\u27s A Small World After All: Exploring Mobile Dating Application Use and Sexual Partner Networks Among Black Men who have Sex with Men (BMSM)

Research supports risky sexual behaviors are especially pervasive traits in high risk groups such as gay and bisexual men; and despite representing a mere 12% of the total LGBTQ population, Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) are at highest risk for transmitting and contracting HIV and other non-HIV sexually transmitted diseases. Even knowing this, the disparity of research coverage of BMSM compared to White MSM is staggering. Recent research has indicated MSM are at even greater risk than before since the advent of mobile dating apps. Online partnering via mobile apps has been linked to overlapping sexual partner networks and outcomes such as greater numbers of sexual partners and a higher likelihood of practicing unprotected anal sex. As such, this study aimed to investigate how BMSM\u27s sexual sensation seeking behaviors may be influenced by use of mobile dating apps and PrEP, as well as provide indication of BMSM attitudes related to sexual partner networks and their role as a risk factor. The study uses primary data collection via an online survey tool and univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis techniques were employed to analyze the collected data. Results revealed there is not a difference in sexual sensation seeking behaviors based on the number of mobile dating apps used, and that PrEP use and PrEP knowledge do not have an independent influence on sexual sensation seeking behaviors. However, there is a statistically significant influence on BMSM SSS by confirmed PrEP use and an average understanding of PrEP. Qualitative results expanded current research understanding of why BMSM utilize mobile dating apps as well as BMSM sexual partner networks and how they influence BMSM sexual sensation seeking habits

The Snuffbox Arteriovenous Fistula for Vascular Access

AbstractObjectives to determine the applicability, patency rates and factors influencing patency of snuffbox arteriovenous fistulae for haemodialysis access. Design retrospective non-randomised study. Materials and methods patency was determined by reference to an ongoing database and dialysis records of 645 vascular access procedures between 1985 and 1997, including 210 snuffbox fistulae in 201 patients. Results snuffbox fistulae comprised 189/376 (50%) primary procedures. Records of 208 snuffbox fistulae were available for patency analysis by the life-table method. Twenty-two (11%) thrombosed within 24 hours of operation. After six weeks 80% were used for dialysis. Cumulative patency was 65% at 1 year and 45% at 5 years. After thrombosis of snuffbox fistulae, ipsilateral wrist fistulae could be constructed in 45%. Fistula patency was significantly better in men than women (p<0.001) and for left- than right-sided fistulae (p<0.001). Diabetes, age >70 years, and the prior commencement of haemodialysis did not significantly affect fistula survival. Conclusions the snuffbox AV fistula gives a long segment of arterialised vein for needling and preserves proximal vessels. It is feasible in 50% of patients requiring primary access and has good long-term patency, especially in men. A more proximal fistula may be preferable in women with smaller vessels

Cultural influences on palliative family caregiving: service recommendations specific to the Vietnamese in Canada

10.1186/s13104-015-1252-3BMC Research Notes8128

The period-index problem for twisted topological K-theory

We introduce and solve a period-index problem for the Brauer group of a topological space. The period-index problem is to relate the order of a class in the Brauer group to the degrees of Azumaya algebras representing it. For any space of dimension d, we give upper bounds on the index depending only on d and the order of the class. By the Oka principle, this also solves the period-index problem for the analytic Brauer group of any Stein space that has the homotopy type of a finite CW-complex. Our methods use twisted topological K-theory, which was first introduced by Donovan and Karoubi. We also study the cohomology of the projective unitary groups to give cohomological obstructions to a class being represented by an Azumaya algebra of degree n. Applying this to the finite skeleta of the Eilenberg-MacLane space K(Z/l,2), where l is a prime, we construct a sequence of spaces with an order l class in Br, but whose indices tend to infinity.Comment: To appear in Geometry & Topology; minor cosmetic change

A simulation approach to assessing environmental risk of sound exposure to marine mammals

Intense underwater sounds caused by military sonar, seismic surveys, and pile driving can harm acoustically sensitive marine mammals. Many jurisdictions require such activities to undergo marine mammal impact assessments to guide mitigation. However, the ability to assess impacts in a rigorous, quantitative way is hindered by large knowledge gaps concerning hearing ability, sensitivity, and behavioral responses to noise exposure. We describe a simulation-based framework, called SAFESIMM (Statistical Algorithms For Estimating the Sonar Influence on Marine Megafauna), that can be used to calculate the numbers of agents (animals) likely to be affected by intense underwater sounds. We illustrate the simulation framework using two species that are likely to be affected by marine renewable energy developments in UK waters: gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) and harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). We investigate three sources of uncertainty: How sound energy is perceived by agents with differing hearing abilities; how agents move in response to noise (i.e., the strength and directionality of their evasive movements); and the way in which these responses may interact with longer term constraints on agent movement. The estimate of received sound exposure level (SEL) is influenced most strongly by the weighting function used to account for the specie's presumed hearing ability. Strongly directional movement away from the sound source can cause modest reductions (~5 dB) in SEL over the short term (periods of less than 10 days). Beyond 10 days, the way in which agents respond to noise exposure has little or no effect on SEL, unless their movements are constrained by natural boundaries. Most experimental studies of noise impacts have been short-term. However, data are needed on long-term effects because uncertainty about predicted SELs accumulates over time. Synthesis and applications. Simulation frameworks offer a powerful way to explore, understand, and estimate effects of cumulative sound exposure on marine mammals and to quantify associated levels of uncertainty. However, they can often require subjective decisions that have important consequences for management recommendations, and the basis for these decisions must be clearly described.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

A survey of parental self-efficacy experiences: maximising potential through health visiting and universal parenting support

Aims: To examine parental self-efficacy experiences for users of a parenting support programme and consider the pertinence of self-efficacy theory to health visiting (public health nursing) practice. Background: Commonly, successful parenting training programmes are underpinned by social learning principles and aim to strengthen parental self-efficacy. However, research examining programme effectiveness rarely discusses how self-efficacy outcomes are achieved. Design: A descriptive survey was completed as the first part of a realistic evaluation study examining how a UK parenting support programme worked. Method: The first part of the realistic evaluation involved validating outcome measures (the Parenting Self-Agency Measure and Self-Efficacy for Parenting Tasks Index subscales) and administering a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was completed by adults accessing a parenting support programme during a 10-month period (n = 168). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. Women were the main users of the programme, which included informal drop-in groups as well as more formalised health visiting services and parenting training courses. The Parenting Self-Agency Measure results indicated good general parental self-efficacy; however, the task-specific Self-Efficacy for Parenting Tasks Indexes scales suggested that parents were less self-efficacious in disciplining children. Lower self-efficacy scores correlated with high ratings for ‘feeling tired’, ‘receiving negative comments’ and ‘giving-in to a child’s demands’. Conclusions: Study results indicate that the domain general and task-specific measures provide different, but helpful, insights into parental self-efficacy experiences. By identifying factors associated with the levels of general and task-specific parental self-efficacy, health visitors can gain a fuller appreciation of support needs. Relevance to practice: To maximise potential through parenting support, attention should be given to addressing factors associated with poorer self-efficacy experiences, including parental tiredness. Equally, practice should be directed at developing community environments that offer exposure to positive praise and the opportunity to practice new skills without facing criticism

Electronic vapor product use and suicidal behavior in adolescents

Objective: To determine whether an association exists between electronic vapor product use (EVP) and suicidal behavior in middle and high school students Methods: Multilevel logistic regression analysis for suicidal behaviors using data from the 2017 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Results: Middle school EVP users were significantly more likely to report suicidal behavior than non-users. No statistically significant association was found in high school students. Discussion: While further study is necessary to clarify the relationship between EVP use and suicidal behavior, these findings highlight the need for suicide prevention and smoking cessation efforts

The Identification and Verification of Hazardous Convective Cells Over Oceans Using Visible and Infrared Satellite Observations

Three algorithms based on geostationary visible and infrared (IR) observations are used to identify convective cells that do (or may) present a hazard to aviation over the oceans. The performance of these algorithms in detecting potentially hazardous cells is determined through verification with Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite observations of lightning and radar reflectivity, which provide internal information about the convective cells. The probability of detection of hazardous cells using the satellite algorithms can exceed 90% when lightning is used as a criterion for hazard, but the false-alarm ratio with all three algorithms is consistently large (40%), thereby exaggerating the presence of hazardous conditions. This shortcoming results in part from the algorithms’ dependence upon visible and IR observations, and can be traced to the widespread prevalence of deep cumulonimbi with weak updrafts but without lightning over tropical oceans, whose origin is attributed to significant entrainment during ascent

In the absence of ATPase activity, pre-RC formation is blocked prior to MCM2-7 hexamer dimerization

The origin recognition complex (ORC) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae binds origin DNA and cooperates with Cdc6 and Cdt1 to load the replicative helicase MCM2–7 onto DNA. Helicase loading involves two MCM2–7 hexamers that assemble into a double hexamer around double-stranded DNA. This reaction requires ORC and Cdc6 ATPase activity, but it is unknown how these proteins control MCM2–7 double hexamer formation. We demonstrate that mutations in Cdc6 sensor-2 and Walker A motifs, which are predicted to affect ATP binding, influence the ORC–Cdc6 interaction and MCM2–7 recruitment. In contrast, a Cdc6 sensor-1 mutant affects MCM2–7 loading and Cdt1 release, similar as a Cdc6 Walker B ATPase mutant. Moreover, we show that Orc1 ATP hydrolysis is not involved in helicase loading or in releasing ORC from loaded MCM2–7. To determine whether Cdc6 regulates MCM2–7 double hexamer formation, we analysed complex assembly. We discovered that inhibition of Cdc6 ATPase restricts MCM2–7 association with origin DNA to a single hexamer, while active Cdc6 ATPase promotes recruitment of two MCM2–7 hexamer to origin DNA. Our findings illustrate how conserved Cdc6 AAA+ motifs modulate MCM2–7 recruitment, show that ATPase activity is required for MCM2–7 hexamer dimerization and demonstrate that MCM2–7 hexamers are recruited to origins in a consecutive process