The role of the family in attributing meaning to living with HIV and its stigma in Turkey

Stigma attached to HIV/AIDS remains a global problem, with severe negative consequences for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Family support is fundamental for PLHIV’s psychological and physical well-being. HIV-related stigma is high in Turkey, where HIV/AIDS prevalence is low and the epidemic is not considered a priority. Based on qualitative data generated with HIV-positive women and men, this article explores the process of stigmatization, as experienced and perceived by PLHIV in Turkey, focusing on the institution of the family. Results indicated that enacted stigma from family members is lower than anticipated. While most participants’ narratives showed patterns of support rather than rejection from families, the strong expectations around the cultural value attributed to “the family” are found to be the main facilitators of internalized stigma. The article critically discusses the meaning and implications of family support, addressing the role of patriarchal values attributed to womanhood, manhood, and sexuality in Turkey

Understanding atmospheric organic aerosols via factor analysis of aerosol mass spectrometry: a review

Organic species are an important but poorly characterized constituent of airborne particulate matter. A quantitative understanding of the organic fraction of particles (organic aerosol, OA) is necessary to reduce some of the largest uncertainties that confound the assessment of the radiative forcing of climate and air quality management policies. In recent years, aerosol mass spectrometry has been increasingly relied upon for highly time-resolved characterization of OA chemistry and for elucidation of aerosol sources and lifecycle processes. Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometers (AMS) are particularly widely used, because of their ability to quantitatively characterize the size-resolved composition of submicron particles (PM1). AMS report the bulk composition and temporal variations of OA in the form of ensemble mass spectra (MS) acquired over short time intervals. Because each MS represents the linear superposition of the spectra of individual components weighed by their concentrations, multivariate factor analysis of the MS matrix has proved effective at retrieving OA factors that offer a quantitative and simplified description of the thousands of individual organic species. The sum of the factors accounts for nearly 100% of the OA mass and each individual factor typically corresponds to a large group of OA constituents with similar chemical composition and temporal behavior that are characteristic of different sources and/or atmospheric processes. The application of this technique in aerosol mass spectrometry has grown rapidly in the last six years. Here we review multivariate factor analysis techniques applied to AMS and other aerosol mass spectrometers, and summarize key findings from field observations. Results that provide valuable information about aerosol sources and, in particular, secondary OA evolution on regional and global scales are highlighted. Advanced methods, for example a-priori constraints on factor mass spectra and the application of factor analysis to combined aerosol and gas phase data are discussed. Integrated analysis of worldwide OA factors is used to present a holistic regional and global description of OA. Finally, different ways in which OA factors can constrain global and regional models are discussed

The characteristics attributes and performance of naturally colored cotton

Colored cotton fibers have become increasingly popular for the production of ecologically beneficial textile products. Their use avoids the wet process treatment required for white cotton, and eliminates the production costs of dye consumption. The outcome of naturally colored fiber usage using light brown, dark brown, and green cotton fibers has been evaluated. It was found that naturally colored cotton fibers have sufficient levels of colorfastness

Effects of enzymatic treatment on various spun yarn fabrics [Efekt obróbki enzymatycznej dzianin wykonanych z prz?dz snutych ró·znymi sposobami]

Pilling and fuzz, which were not a problem at all in previous years (especially for cotton fabrics), have become a major problem recently. Fibre type, the yarn spinning system, fabric type, and finishing process play an important role in the pilling properties of fabrics. In this study, single jersey fabrics knitted with 100% combed, carded and open-end cotton yarns were used. An enzymatic process for fuzz reduction was applied at different stages, and the effect of this on pilling, strength, weight loss and the colour differences of the fabric were tested. Previous studies on this subject were carried out with small-scale samples, and therefore do not reflect the facts exactly. For this reason, all the phases of this study were specifically carried out under common working conditions like those prevailing in industry

Thermal properties and flame retardance of Al(OH)3/polypropylene composites modified by polypropylene grafting with acrylic acid

The effect of polypropylene grafting with acrylic acid, PP-g-AA (FPP), on crystallization and melting behavior, thermal degradation, and limiting oxygen index of Al(OH)3/PP composites were investigated. The results indicated that crystallization temperature of PP shifted to high temperature with increasing content of Al(OH)3 because of the interfacial heterogeneous nucleation of Al(OH)3 and further increased by the addition of FPP and with increasing FPP content because of the improvement of the dispersion of Al(OH)3 in PP matrix and the increase in the nucleating sites of Al(OH)3. With adding Al(OH)3 and increasing the content of Al(OH)3, limiting oxygen index values of composites increased and further improved by adding FPP. This is attributed to the presence of an interfacial interaction between FPP and Al(OH)3. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci

Modification of PAN fabrics by in situ-plasma polymerisation methods [Modifizierung von PAN-Gewebe durch in situ Plasma-Polymerisationsmethoden]

Acrylic woven fabrics were treated with plasma at low temperatures to increase their hydrophilicity and consequently to improve their soil resistance and dyeability. Three different methods were used. The fabrics were treated directly with acrylic acid, water and argon plasma. The plasma conditions, i.e. exposure time and discharge energy, were changed in order to control the extent of plasma surface modification. The wettability, soil resistance and dyeability of the fabrics were improved and the area of the hydrophilic surfaces was increased