Warm Clothing Research Articles

Thermal-induced color-changing silver plating polyamide fabrics in low electric voltage

In this article, a simple and novel approach was presented for fabricating thermal-induced color-changing multi-layer composite fabrics (TICCF) with silver plating, polyurethane (PU) coating, and thermochromic paint pattern layer. The silver layer was plated on the polyamide fabrics by in-situ reduction of polydopamine and electroless silver plating. The results showed the surface resistivity of the polyamide fabrics with silver plating (SPPAFs) at the 50 g/L concentrations of silver nitrate is 0.0292 ± 0.0047 Ω·cm, the surface resistivity of the SPPAFs is increased to 0.1074 ± 0.0025 Ω·cm after coating with PU layer. SPPAFs/PU achieves the entire process of fading and recovery of thermochromic paint pattern during the low voltage loading and unloading process, and SPPAFs/PU shows excellent heating performance, heating sensitivity, temperature repeatability, and heating stability. TICCF will have wide application prospects in temperature alarm, smart color-changing garments, and active warm clothing fields.

Формирование нетрадиционных фасонов теплой (плечевой) одежды в Дагестане в первой половине ХХ в.

The article analyses the process of adopting non-traditional warm clothes in Dagestan in the first half of the XX century. The paper shows how fur coats and beshmets, perceived as relics of the past, gradually grew out of use. Special attention is paid to the factors that promoted introduction of new types of clothes in everyday life and development of appropriate small-scale trade. Relying on the analysis of relevant sources, field ethnographic materials, lexical material, the authors for the first time describe the process of gradual replacement of traditional clothes with new ones.

An Unlikely Refuge: Latvia’s Women Volunteers in the Red Army in World War II

This article examines women’s wartime experiences with a focus on Latvia’s women volunteers in the Red Army in World War II. An estimated 8 percent of the Red Army was composed of women, who played a wide array of roles, including as snipers, combat engineers, medics, and frontline journalists. This level of female participation was unique in World War II, but a close examination of the phenomenon shows that motives and means for entry into the Red Army at the beginning of the war were not uniform. Our examination of the case of women volunteers from the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic reveals key factors that fed women’s fervent desire to “get to the front.” It shows particular ways in which the Red Army functioned as an unlikely refuge, sheltering women from some of the hardships and threats of life in the Soviet Russian interior, including hunger, loneliness, and a lack of warm clothing, while providing a means of exacting revenge against a mortal enemy. At the same time, it exposed women to extremes of violence and conflict. Dominant Soviet narratives of women in war have presented them in largely marginal roles or have silenced stories that failed to comport with triumphalist and masculine representations of World War II. This work uses the voices of women volunteers in the Latvian Riflemen’s Divisions of the Red Army to construct an agent-centered history of motives, experiences, and memories.

Evaluation of thermal comfort in two neighboring climatic zones in Eastern India—an adaptive approach

Thermal comfort standards determine the sustainability and comfort in buildings. In order to determine the comfort conditions in the real environment and to include the adaptability of the subjects, numerous field survey-based comfort studies were conducted across the globe. Apart from the four environmental factors and two personal factors that affect thermal comfort, several interpersonal and non-thermal factors affect adaptation. However, previous studies reported from different climatic conditions also had their subjects as different natives, thus involving subjects with different interpersonal factors altogether. In this paper, we present the results of a cross-sectional thermal comfort study conducted with 436 subjects having close interpersonal factors, i.e. similar group of people in close geography but separated by two different climates, i.e. hot and humid type and cold type. Clothing insulation was significantly higher in cold climatic region than in the hot and humid region, while comfort temperature was significantly lower in the cold climate than in the hot and humid region. Compared to the published reports, the comfort temperatures varied widely: 18.4 °C to 36.1 °C in the hot and humid region and 11.1 °C to 30.1 °C in the cold climate region. We present a logistic regression model to predict the probability of fans running in the hot and humid region given the temperature variation. Also, presented is the probability of wearing warm clothing with plummeting temperature.

Newborn Transport Practices: Influence on Newborn Survival in Benin City, Nigeria

<i>Objective</i>: To assess the transfer process, modes of transportation, distances covered to access care, condition on arrival, and outcomes of newborns admitted to hospital in Benin City, Nigeria. <i>Methods</i>: This was a cross sectional survey of all consecutively presenting neonates to the children’s emergency unit over a 12-month period. Their demographic information, antepartum and perinatal antecedents, clinical information, main complaint, and co-morbidities were noted on a structured questionnaire. Other information gathered included transfer process, mode of transport, distance covered to reach facility, interventions during transport, condition on arrival, and outcome. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, and chi-square comparisons; significance was set at P<0.05. <i>Results</i>: Responsible persons for 115 babies—73 males and 42 females—completed the questionnaire. Of the newborns, 62 (53.9%) were of normal birth weight and 43 (37.3%) of low birth weight; of these 37 (32.2%) were preterm. Most cases arrived from peripheral hospitals without referral notes or prior contact with the receiving hospitals. There was no organized pre- or intra-transfer stabilization or medical interventions. Patients came mainly with relatives (89%) or healthcare workers (10%). They arrived in private cars (81%), and were not kept in warm clothes. Distance covered was 10-20 km for more than 50% and over 100 km for less than 8%. Perinatal asphyxia was the commonest reason for transfer (14%). Lower gestational age and cyanosis on presentation significantly affected survival, as only 13 of 25 (52%) with cyanosis and 23 of 37 (62.2%) preterm babies survived. Overall mortality was 30/ 115 (26.1%), and preterm mortality was significantly higher at 14/37 (37.8%). <i>Conclusions</i>: The neonatal transfer process is poorly developed. Prior contact with receiving hospitals is infrequent. Staffing, monitoring, and stabilizing interventions during transfer of sick newborns are inadequate. Transfer mode might have affected survival of preterm infants in particular.

The Efficacy of Warm Compresses in the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Demodex Folliculorum Blepharitis

ABSTRACTPurpose: To investigate and compare the effect of warm compresses on meibomian gland dysfunction and Demodex folliculorum blepharitis.Methods: Forty-two subjects (13 males, 29 females; mean age of 56.45 years) enrolled and completed the two-month warm compress treatment study. Three warm compress therapies were compared: Warm face cloth, MGDRx EyeBag® and OPTASETM Moist Heat Mask. Subjects attended for four visits: baseline, two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks. Subjective symptoms, osmolarity, non-invasive tear break-up time, ocular surface staining, Schirmer I test, meibum expressibility and clarity, and eyelash manipulation and epilation to assess for the presence of Demodex folliculorum, were measured at each visit.Results: Meibomian gland dysfunction, based on a composite score of meibum quality and expressibility, reduced significantly with the MGDRx EyeBag® and the OPTASETM Moist Heat Mask (p < .05). There was no significant difference in efficacy for treating meibomian gland dysfunction between the two devices (p = .29). No improvement in meibomian gland dysfunction was detected with the warm face cloth. Only the OPTASETM Moist Heat Mask significantly reduced the quantity of Demodex folliculorum over eight-weeks of treatment (p = .036, only baseline to week eight significant p = .008). Symptoms and ocular surface staining improved significantly in all three groups (p < .05). There was no significant change observed in osmolarity, non-invasive tear break-up time or Schirmer I test within each group (p > .05, respectively).Conclusion: The MGDRx EyeBag® and the OPTASETM Moist Heat Mask exhibited superior efficacy in treating signs and symptoms of meibomian gland dysfunction, compared to the use of a warm face cloth, over the eight-week period. The OPTASETM Moist Heat Mask demonstrated dual therapeutic abilities, treating both meibomian gland dysfunction and Demodex folliculorum blepharitis. Repeated application of heat for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction may continue to present a good home-remedy option for patients.

Artifact 1: Case Study- Student With Home Problem

This case study is a real experience at school in my country Saudi Arabia. It will tell you about the cultural background about gender, law, asystem of education and the role of the teacher in the classroom. The girl Yara was an excellent student, but the conflict between her parents and their divorce reflected in her school work. In my country Saudi Arabia, leach family has a cultural secret or personality they do not reveal. Sometimes a teacher may try to discover why a child has a learning disability, but more often than not, it is a closely guarded secret. Moreover, in Saudi Arabia if there is a divorce the children stay with a woman if they young but if they are around 15 years old a boy may choose if he wants to stay with his mother or father but if the child is a girl, she is usually compelled to stay with her father. It is however a personal decision. But in this case, Yara stays with her father and her father is rather indifferent about her and she stays with her stepmother. Her stepmother does not take care of her She does not check her about homework or clean clothes or wearing warm clothes in the winter. This case study is a real situation I from a school in Saudi Arabia. The main point of this case study is to highlight the need for teachers to spot the reason a sudden change in performance at school and make attempts to try to solve the problem. Also parents must try their best to keep their children feel secure and cared for and be wary of any adverse effects due to family strife.

FAKTOR � FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN PENYAKIT TBC PADA NELAYAN DI KAMPUNG NELAYAN SEBERANG LINGKUNGAN XII, KELURAHAN BELAWAN I, MEDAN

The objective of the research was to analyze the influence of the characteristics of fishermen�s house on the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. The research used an analytic method with case-control design. The population was 90 fishermen, wih sample details 45 case and 45 control, taken by using consecutive sampling technique. The data were gathered by conducting interviews, questionnaires, observation, and measurement and analyzed by using univatriate analysis, bivatriate analysis, and multivatriate analysis at the significance level of 95%. The results of the study indicate that there is a relationship between variabel temperature (p-value : 0,004), humidity (p-value : 0,006) and mosquito coils (p-value : 0,044 with the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Humidity variable has the highest Exp Value (B) = 8.4, so it assumed respondents who live in homes with not requirements humidity levels 8.4 times more easily infected with TBC. Kampung nelayan residents are expected to wear warm clothing at night and open windows every day. It is expected that Puskesmas Belawan will implement health program policies set by the government in reducing the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis.

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS? DON'T MESS WITH THE COLD! ACCIDENTAL HYPOTHERMIA WITH CARDIAC ARREST TREATED SUCCESSFULLY WITH PROLONGED RESUSCITATION AND REWARMING

SESSION TITLE: Wednesday Medical Student/Resident Case Report Posters SESSION TYPE: Med Student/Res Case Rep Postr PRESENTED ON: 10/23/2019 09:45 AM - 10:45 AM INTRODUCTION: Accidental hypothermia is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening presentation, more frequently occurring in colder climates. We present a case of severe hypothermia with cardiac arrest in the characteristically warm state of Texas, in a patient who had arrived to the emergency department (ED) several times during the prior week. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55 year old man with a history of alcohol (ETOH) abuse and schizophrenia is brought into the ED after being found down. Records indicate that he had arrived here 10 different times in the prior 2 weeks due to ETOH intoxication and mild hypothermia, with oral and rectal temperatures between 90-95°F. Each time, after being rewarmed, he would act inappropriately, verbally abusing staff despite warnings from security. Social workers provided warm clothing, shelter information, food pantry and other basic needs, but he would decline assistance and was escorted out by security. On this presentation, he was hypothermic to 79°F rectally, unresponsive and pulseless, in ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest. CPR was initiated along with intubation, and a cardioversion once returned pulses. Active rewarming began with forced air blankets, warm IV fluids, bladder and esophageal irrigation. The patient again lost pulses, CPR was resumed and a second shock delivered with return of pulses. He then went into pulseless electrical activity (PEA), received multiple rounds of CPR and epinephrine, and had a return of pulses after 3 hours of resuscitation. Bilateral chest tubes were inserted and warm thoracic lavage began. His rectal temperatures improved to 85°F then to the 90s°F, in sinus rhythm with good distal pulses, and the medical Intensive care unit staff was notified for further management. Within days, he showed complete recovery neurologically and was successfully extubated. He did not meet criteria for involuntary commitment, engaged in motivational interviewing and was discharged in good spirits. He was provided transportation to another city where he stated his family resides. DISCUSSION: This patient arrived to the ED several times in the days prior with Stage I and II hypothermia, but his care was complicated by intoxication, combativeness, and he repeatedly refused resources. His last arrival to the ED required full cardiac resuscitation and active rewarming with thoracic lavage. This case illustrates the importance of identifying patients at risk for accidental hypothermia, particularly the homeless, and those with a history of alcohol abuse, even in central Texas. His case may highlight a paucity of guidelines and framework for homeless individuals at risk for hypothermia, in areas that typically remain warm year-round. CONCLUSIONS: Accidental hypothermia can be a life threatening presentation, and identification of those at risk, particularly the homeless, those with a history of alcohol abuse, and poor mental health, is vital. Reference #1: J L Tan, M Saks, J M DelCollo, M Paryavi, S Visvanathan, C Geller; Accidental hypothermia cardiac arrest treated successfully with invasive body cavity lavage, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 111, Issue 8, 1 August 2018, Pages 563–564, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcy075 Reference #2: Husby, P., Andersen, K.S., Owen-Falkenberg, A. et al. Intensive Care Med (1990) 16: 69. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01706328 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Liwayway Andrade, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Zachary Pinchover, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Mohi Syed, source=Web Response

Finding Calm in the Storm-Cultivating Mindfulness to Cope with Stress in the Legal Profession

Torrential rainstorms, tremendous snowstorms, and terrifying hurricanes are weather patterns diagrammed with twists, turns, and periods of calm. We cannot control the weather; we can examine its ebb and flow to determine how to respond to the forecast with rain gear, warm clothes, and warning systems. You may be wondering how stormy weather patterns relate to cultivating lawyers’ wellness—they provide a compelling metaphor for exploring the inevitable internal storms in life. The legal profession is by its nature frequented by adverse internal weather patterns. For lawyers, those may include an aggressive opposing counsel, a demanding client, and an oppressive work environment. The list varies, but everyone has one. Many lawyers suffer internal storms of the deadliest nature: stress. Thoughts of impending doom; feelings of fear and anger; and bodily sensations that may include a racing heart, clenched jaw, or upset stomach are all symptoms of internal stormy conditions and are how we generally experience stress. And when it lingers, serious health issues can take hold. Chronically stressed lawyers can develop significant physical and mental health issues. The legal profession ranks near the top of career fields for depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Lawyers need additional gear to better protect them from professional stormy weather. However, we generally cannot control conditions anymore than we can determine the weather. In fact, the catalyst for an internal storm is often another person’s conduct. So, perhaps just as we attend to the weather forecast, we should be aware of the dynamics that may trigger an internal storm. Awareness allows for the use of mindful “protective gear” to avoid the unnecessary impact of human nature’s harsher elements.

Perception and Management of Fever in Children, by Mothers in Port Harcourt Nigeria

To determine mother’s perception and management of fever in their children. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out at the children outpatient clinic of the department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, over a one-year period, January to December, 2012. Every mother who presented with her child to the children outpatient clinic was recruited and interviewed using a structured questionnaire after obtaining written informed consent, as they presented their children to the children outpatient clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital until we recruited 324mothers, whose children aged between 0-16 years into the study. A little over half of these mothers had completed secondary education. The thermometer was used by 209(64.50%) mothers and the preferred route was by mouth 135(41.67%). 175(54.01%) mothers reported temperature &lt;35ºC as fever. 49.07% of the mothers were worried about the consequences of the fever. 43(13.3%) would give paracetamol. 24(7.4%) would tepid sponge. 15(4.6%) would give a cold bath. 6(1.9%) expose the child to air with reduced clothing. 4(1.2%), wrap the child with warm and thick cloth. 2(0.6%) gave antibiotics. 11 (3.4%) gave antimalaria. 6(1.9%) gave teething drugs. 1 (0.3%) gave nothing. Most mothers got their information on knowledge of fever management from doctors and nurses-164(50.62%). Paracetamol was the most commonly used drug by mothers for the treatment of fever at home-217 (67%). 87(26.852%) would take the child to hospital if fever persisted. This study found a significant association between using physical methods such as giving cold bath to reduce fever, and tepid sponging to reduce fever with no formal education P &lt; 0.0001 and P&lt; 0.0165 respectively. Data was analyzed using Epi-info version 7. Mothers awareness of fever in Port Harcourt is low and Paracetamol is commonly given to children with fever.

Charitable activity of the Orthodox clergy of the Ekaterinoslav diocese at the beginning of the First World War (1914-1915).

The military and political events during August-September of 1914 resulted in the active incorporation of clerical institutions of the Katerynoslav diocese in organizing systemic and ideological support and material provision for the political course of the Russian autocracy, practical implementation of numerous internal political campaigns aimed at strengthening the state system and defence capabilities of the country, increasing the combat spirit of the current army and naval forces, participation in the mobilization of conscripts, consolidating the population for the practical solution of a number of socio-economic and agricultural problems caused by the war. A significant component of the organization of charity in the Katerynoslav diocese was the provision of systematic material assistance to the personnel of the military units of the Russian army. As a rule, it was mostly implemented in various forms: collecting donations for military purposes, organizing the systematic supply of warm clothes, shoes, bedding and underwear, necessary military equipment, foodstuffs, medicines, articles of daily necessity, tobacco and personal hygiene products. One of the major directions of charitable activity of the Orthodox clergy during the First World War was the organization of a chain of hospitals and military sick quarters which provided the necessary medical assistance to the wounded and sick soldiers and officers. At the initial stage of the First World War, the Orthodox clergy of the Katerynoslav diocese participated actively in the organization and conducting of numerous charitable events and campaigns aimed at providing financial and material assistance to the low-income categories of the population suffering from hostilities. The charitable activity of the Orthodox clergy met the principal needs of the Russian society and played an important role in the depreciation and smoothing of destructive phenomena of social entropy caused by the war. However, due to the economic crisis determined by the exponential growth of the military conflict, the gradual destruction of the economic system, the elimination of the financial resources of a great part of charitable institutions and private benefactors, the rapid increase of the population in need, the charitable activity of the church could not reach its goal and effectively solve a set of urgent problems of social protection of the population of the country and Prydniprovsk region.

Supplemental oxygen therapy recommendations in patients with sickle cell disease during air travel: A cross-sectional survey of North American health care providers.

Air travel may expose patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) to an increased risk of disease-related complications. Several factors are felt to contribute including prolonged hypoxia, dehydration, temperature changes, and stress. The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) position statement, published in 2007, recommends that SCD patients use supplemental oxygen on flights. While the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommend that SCD patients dress warmly, stay hydrated, and move about the cabin. Other guidelines do not make specific recommendations. A cross-sectional online survey was circulated through the Canadian Hemoglobinopathy Association (CanHaem) and American Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (ASPHO) listservs to North American health care practitioners (HCPs). Participants were asked to share their air travel recommendations for patients with SCD. Similarly, a patient survey regarding experiences with air travel was circulated through the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada (SCDAC) and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Alberta (SCFOA) listservs and discussion boards. Although air travel is perceived to be a risk factor for sickling complications, only 18% of HCPs recommend supplemental oxygen. Most HCPs advise patients to increase hydration, carry analgesics, and wear warm clothes to prevent sickling complications. The patient survey was limited by a low response rate. The majority of HCPs are not routinely recommending prophylactic oxygen to patients with SCD during air travel.

Types of Winter Clothing Worn by Descendants of the Russian Pioneers in Siberia (Late 19th to Early 20th Centuries)

Warm clothing was an important cultural adaptation, enabling the Russian pioneers to survive in the harsh climate of Siberia. The sources for the study are archival documents, including V.K. Multinov’s manuscript “Clothing of the Angara People” (1926), results of fi eld studies in the 1970s and 1980s by the present author, museum artifacts, and collection inventories compiled by A.N. Beloslyudov, S.P. Shvetsov, I.I. Baranova, and I.I. Shangina, as well as data collected by climatologists, technologists, and designers. Types of winter clothing, including outfi ts for hunting and fi shing, worn by the Russians living on the Angara, in the Altai, and Trans-Baikal, are described. These include cloth-covered and non-covered fur coats, short fur coats, those with the fur on the inside, robes, as well as warm pants, fur hats, boots, and mittens. Protection from the cold was ensured by the use of high-volume insulating materials, several layers, and by habits such as tucking one piece of clothing into another (the so-called “Siberian one-piece garment”). Specific features in Siberia are observed, including the use in winter hunting outfi ts of certain elements of native Siberian clothing (specifi cally that of the Tungus clothing on the Angara), and the women’s habit of wearing men’s garments with belts.

An Integrative Evaluation Method for the Biological Safety of Down and Feather Materials.

Background: Down and feather materials have been commonly used and promoted as natural stuffing for warm clothing and bedding. These materials tend to become more allergenic as they become contaminated with microorganisms, in addition to being subjected to several kinds of chemical treatments. The biological or chemical contaminants in these materials pose a major risk to human health, to consumers and manufacturers alike. Here, we report the development of an integrative evaluation method for down and feather materials to assess bacterial contamination and in vivo toxicity. Methods: To assess bacterial contamination, we quantified 16S ribosomal RNA, performed culture tests, and established a conversion formula. To determine in vivo toxicity, we performed a zebrafish embryo toxicity testing (ZFET). Results: Washing the material appropriately decreases the actual number of bacteria in the down and feather samples; in addition, after washing, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the bacterial compositions were similar to those in rinse water. The ZFET results showed that even materials with low bacterial contamination showed high toxicity or high teratogenicity, probably because of the presence of unknown chemical additives. Conclusions: We established an integrative evaluation method for down and feather safety, based on bacterial contamination with in vivo toxicity testing.

The role of scientific and engineering-technical intelligentsia of the South Urals in strengthening the country’s defense potential in the years of the Great Patriotic War

Significant territorial, material and human losses in the first months of the war determined the priority role of the Urals and other eastern regions in strengthening defense. Therefore, the scientific and engineering and technical intelligentsia of the Southern Urals played a big role in strengthening the countryэs defense potential during the Great Patriotic War. The author examines the activities of specialists of the leading industrial enterprises of the region during the war years; reveals the place of engineering and technical intelligentsia of the region in solving the problem of Soviet military equipment and other defense products quality. The author notes the contribution of concrete people to the solution of complex military-technical problems; shows creative search for technological and design teams. On the basis of archival documents, the historian analyzed the contribution of the scientific intelligentsia of the region to victory. The most difficult tasks in the conditions of wartime were also performed by the engineers of the construction organizations of the Southern Urals, who carried out the orders of the State Defense Committee to build new defense and industrial facilities of the country. The paper discusses leadership and participation of technical officers of the Southern Urals in the distribution, installation and commissioning of the equipment evacuated war factories. The researcher mentions schools and train skilled personnel for industry and transport, as well as participation of intellectuals in the patriotic movement to raise funds for the defense fund, warm clothes, gifts and food packages for the Red Army.

Efficacy of Polyethylene Skin Wrapping in Preventing Hypothermia in Preterm Neonates (

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of polyethylene skin wrapping on thermoregulation in preterm neonates. Total 151 neonates were enrolled in this randomized control trial. In the control group, neonates were transferred to the radiant warmer and covered with warm cloth after initial care. In the study group, neonates were transferred to the radiant warmer and placed in a food-grade polyethylene bag for 1 h. Axillary temperature of all neonates was recorded for first 24 h at frequent time intervals. Mean temperature reached to normal range earlier and remained significantly higher in the study group for most time intervals, and this difference persisted even at 24 h. Significantly less number of preterm newborns suffered from hypothermia in the study group as compared with the control group [50 (67.6%) vs. 67 (87%), p = 0.004]. Polyethylene wraps achieved rapid, sustained thermal control and were effective in preventing hypothermia in preterm newborns.

Gap in Basic Needs Products and One Project's Attempt to Help.

In the United States poverty is a barrier for individuals and families to access basic hygiene products. An individual who makes an income of less than $12,060 a year is considered below the poverty level (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2017); this amount has to suffice for house or rent payments, car payments, trash, phone, water, electricity, food, buying warm clothing for the winter, and so on. Government assistance for food is available for those making less than the poverty line amount, but hygiene products are excluded from approved purchases. This lack of inclusion for basic hygiene products forces people to make a choice between the hygiene items and payments for living needs. In the United States, 14.4 percent of the population live below the poverty level (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011–2015a). The data are even more shocking within cities, as many demonstrate the disproportional income gap. For example, 40.3 percent of Detroit’s population have an income below the poverty line (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011–2015b). One source of assistance is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP does not include the purchase of nonfood items including soaps, paper products, and household supplies (U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, 2016). Unfortunately, basic hygiene products, such as deodorant, tampons, toothpaste, toilet paper, and so on fall into the excluded categories. Therefore, those who qualify for governmental assistance cannot purchase these essential items with SNAP assistance.

Walking in a winter wonderland

The winter months can be cold and harsh. However, it is a great time of year to put on some warm clothes and to get our and about to study nature and the elements.

Wet wrap dressings as a rescue therapy option for erythrodermic psoriasis

Wet wrap dressings provide an ancillary treatment option for erythrodermic patients. Wet wrap therapy consists of the application of topical corticosteroids on all affected surfaces, followed by the application of a warm moist cotton cloth with a dry cotton cloth on top. The advantages of this procedure include its safety, as well as the prompt and marked improvement of the erythroderma. For erythrodermic psoriasis, wet wrap dressings can serve as an important rescue therapy option. The purpose of this study is to report a case series of seven patients with erythrodermic psoriasis that responded promptly to wet wrap therapy prior to the initiation of systemic treatment.