Χ2 Test Of Independence Research Articles

Analysis of the Effect and Role of Indoor Environmental Quality in the COVID-19 Transmission

Infectious diseases such as COVID-19 have some risk factors. One of the most important factors is the environment. This research focused on risk factors concerning the house environment. This study aimed to evaluate the parameters of the 'healthy house' environment in controlling the spread of COVID-19. This study used environmental quality, namely ventilation, humidity, brightness, temperature, and personal space area as house environment parameters. The location of the study is Coblong District, Bandung City. The χ2 test of independence was used to show the significance between environmental parameters required for the healthy house and disease transmission. The study found that one house environment parameter (ventilation) are significantly related to indoor transmission rate in recovered patients' houses (p = 0.021). Pearson correlation coefficient r was also investigated for each element of environment factor on the indoor transmission rate. Ventilation was found to be the most significant parameter correlated with indoor transmission (r = –0.522, p = 0.002). Personal Space Area also observed to have a significant correlation with indoor transmission rate (r = 0.459, p = 0.008). Humidity, brightness, and temperature were observed to have no significant correlation with indoor transmission rate (p = 0.309, 0.735, and 0.953, respectively. Linear regression is used to further investigate and predict the indoor transmission rate with significant environmental parameter as predictor. The linear regression model showed that 27.3% of indoor transmission rate variability are caused by its relationship with ventilation, the predictor used in the model.

Mixed methods approach to understanding the influence of changes in successive versions of the advanced trauma life support training program on student performance

BackgroundThe Advanced Trauma Life Support course is the American College of Surgeons’ standard of care for physicians who provide initial care to trauma victims. In addition to content updates, Advanced Trauma Life Support version 10 adopted contemporary learning theory and practice into the format and conduct of the training. MethodsThe study used a mixed-methods approach wherein a one-group post-test–only study of student and student refresher exam score differences was followed up with a faculty survey to qualitatively explore the quantitative findings. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to test the null hypotheses that student and student refresher test scores on version 9 (2018) and version 10 (2019) were the same. χ2 tests of independence were conducted to test the null hypotheses that student and student refresher initial assessment pass rates under versions 9 and 10 were the same. Faculty survey responses were analyzed descriptively. ResultsFor the student written tests, the null hypothesis was retained. For the student refresher written tests the null hypothesis was rejected; the 2019 cohort performed worse than the 2018 cohort. Student initial assessment and student refresher initial assessment pass rates in 2018 and 2019 were statistically the same. The majority of faculty reported less motivation for teaching version 10. ConclusionAlthough a quadrennial review of the format and conduct of Advanced Trauma Life Support courses above and beyond content updates is appropriate, it may be prudent to require strong evidence of improved student performance and value before implementing changes to the training.

Factors Influencing Role Ambiguity and Role Conflict Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses Providing End of Life Care.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and death anxiety with role ambiguity and role conflict in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses providing care at end of life. Understanding the factors that impact care for patients and families at the end of life is important for nursing practice and nursing leaders. A quantitative nonexperimental correlation design was used, with 216 critical care nurses recruited using an Internet-based website. Data were analyzed using, Pearson product-moment correlation, χ2 test of independence, and the independent-samples t test or analysis of variance as appropriate. Role ambiguity and role conflict were negatively related to compassion satisfaction and were positively related to compassion fatigue and death anxiety. There was no relationship between increased years of ICU experience and role ambiguity and role conflict. Compassion satisfaction is a significant predictor for role ambiguity, whereas burnout is best predicted by role conflict for ICU nurses providing end of life care.

Social Risks as the Source of Threats and Concerns: The Survey in the Czech Republic

The object of this research was to determine the subjective recognized social threats in the context of contemporary society. Given the growing number of people who feel threatened by certain social threats, there is a presumption that the risk is real, and the identified groups are affected by social risks. The recognition of social threats in the population has a broader social context, and may be influenced by key socio-demographic factors. This influence is significant for many risks, and helps to better understand the nature of the specific groups at risk. It also allows us to recognize that the socio-demographic and family context creates specific conditions for the occurrence of social threats. The aim of the paper is to find the relationships between different types of social threats and gender, age groups, personal situation (occupation), educational attainment, and family situation. A similar study was carried out by the OECD in 2018 (the Czech Republic was not included). The research was designed as cross-sectional ex-post-facto, and the statistical significance was determined using χ2 test of independence. The survey was carried out in 2018–2019 nationwide across the Czech Republic. The processed data of 5425 respondents has shown that, in the Czech Republic, the subjectively perceived significant threats seem to be the loss of job and unemployment, insufficient skills, and an unwillingness to educate oneself or to be trained, social pressure, and unsatisfactory housing conditions. The research reveals that the recognition of social threats depends on social and family conditions, and there exist specific groups feeling threats more intensively than exist in others. The groups that are at the most risk are individuals with primary education and an apprenticeship. In the population, women are more at risk, as well as the 25–34 and 45+ age groups.

Characterization of Underrepresented Populations in Modern Era Clinical Trials Involving Radiation Therapy

PurposeThe demographic composition of modern radiation therapy (RT) clinical trials is incompletely studied. Understanding and minimizing disparities in clinical trials is critical to ensure health equity and the generalizability of research findings. Methods and MaterialsClinicaltrials.gov was searched to identify RT clinical trials that occurred from 1996 to 2019. A total of 1242 trials were reviewed for patient characteristics. The demographic composition of the studies was summarized by the frequency and percentage of patients by race, gender, and ethnicity. The racial composition of the study population was compared with the 2018 US Census using a 1-sample χ2 test. Subgroup racial composition was compared using χ2 tests of independence. Analyses used a complete case approach. ResultsA total of 122 trials met the inclusion criteria, and 121 of these (99.1%) reported race. Trial subgroups included 63 trials in the United States (51.6%), 9 proton therapy trials (7.4%), 34 RT toxicity mitigation or prevention trials (27.9%), 24 trials for female cancer (19.7%), and 17 trials for male cancer (13.9%). US clinical trials overall, US RT toxicity mitigation or prevention trials, US trials for female cancer, and US trials for male cancer had significantly different racial compositions compared with the 2018 US Census data (P < .001 for all). Compared with all clinical trials, those for proton therapy had the largest magnitude of significantly lower enrollment of participants who identified their race as Black, Asian, or other (P < .001). ConclusionsThis study characterized the racial composition of prospective RT clinical trials in a modern cohort. The racial population represented across multiple categories in the United States differed significantly from US census data and was most pronounced in trials evaluating proton therapy. This is a benchmark study for future efforts to characterize and balance the participation of underrepresented populations in RT clinical trials.

Settling in: Reintroduced Persian Fallow Deer Adjust the Borders and Habitats of Their Home-Range During the First 5 Years Post Release

Translocated animals typically find themselves in a novel environment in which they must establish a home range in a manner that will maximize their fitness. We hypothesized that the initial establishment of a home range is followed by adjustments expressed as home range shifting, and occurs as familiarity with the landscape increases, until the home range is stabilized. We studied the process of home range shifting in 42 female Persian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica) reintroduced into the Galilee, Israel over a period of 2–5 years. We used changes in the degree of home range overlap between consecutive years as an indicator of stabilization. We then compared how the mean percent cover of the key vegetation types (woodland, scrubland and open pastures) differed between the areas abandoned in the first year's home range and the areas added to the last year's home range relative to the first (using a weighted paired t-test). We also compared the distribution (using χ2 test of independence and Levene's test for homogeneity of variance) of %cover of the 3 vegetation types between the first and last year's home range. The average home range overlap increased over the 5 years following the first release. During the first-year post release, deer avoided open pastures and preferred woodland. In later years deer increase in the % open pastures (weighted t-test: p &amp;lt; 0.001) and decreased the % woodland cover (weighted t-test: p = 0.07) by abandoning areas with little open pasture and steeper terrain and moving into areas with more open pasture and moderate terrain. Variance of the cover types across individuals increased with time. We conclude that the home ranges of the reintroduced deer stabilized with time. The changes in vegetation and slope are driven by time-dependent changing needs reflecting a tradeoff between safety (refuge) and foraging. Our findings suggest that using the initially established home range to determine species preferences can create a misleading picture of what the optimal home range of the species really is. Individual variation in term of preferences can take a few years to be expressed due to the initial high-risk perceived by individuals in a novel environment.

Habitat use and seasonal activity of bats on a large eastern Mediterranean island: Insights from acoustic surveys (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

In 2016–2018, we carried out bat acoustic surveys in the northern part of the island of Cyprus and used two types of methods: stationary recordings (24 stations, 47:45 hours) and mobile acoustic driving transects (22 transects, 1,131 km, 54:20 hours). All bat acoustic records were attributed to habitat types obtained from CORINE Land Cover (CLC) data. We compared results from both methods and analysed seasonal and habitat associations with bat species that utilize the semi-arid Mediterranean landscape. Six selected bat species were associated with a total of 20 habitat types. The most frequent species, Pipistrellus kuhlii, was associated with almost all habitat types, with the highest flight activity in agricultural, urbanized and forested / seminatural habitats. Eptesicus serotinus and Hypsugo savii indicated preference of agricultural areas and avoidance of artificial surfaces. A χ2 test of independence revealed stronger habitat associations for stationary surveys, while habitat associations were weak for mobile transects. Given the vulnerability of Mediterranean landscapes, our study could be considered as a basis for establishing a long-term monitoring scheme with the goal of documenting predicted changes in bat communities as habitat is altered and as global temperatures rise.

Association of specific single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the promoter and 3′-Untranslated region of Vascular Endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene with risk and higher tumour grade of head and neck cancers

BackgroundHead and Neck Cancers (HNCs)comprise one of the most frequent cancers in South-Asian region. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) has a potent role in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Certain common single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the highly polymorphic VEGF gene are correlated with variations in VEGF functions. The data for these SNVs in HNCs is scarce for South Asian populations.The present study addresses this shortfall. It investigates the association of two VEGF SNVs, −2578C/A (rs699947) in the promoter region and + 936C/T (rs3025039) in 3′-UTR, with the risk of HNCs and tumour characteristics. MethodsThe study comprised 323 participants with 121 HNC patients and 202 controls. Germline DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples. PCR-RFLP methods were optimized and validated by Sanger sequencing. After Hardy-Weinberg evaluation, the independent associations were analyzed under the assumptions of different genetic models. The χ2 test of independence or Fisher’s Exact test (significant p-values at < 0.05) were performed and ORs (odds ratios) with 95% confidence interval were tabulated. ResultsVEGF −2578 A-allele, CA + AA, and AA genotypes had significant protective association against HNCs. The respective ORs were: 0.651 (0.469–0.904), 0.613 (0.381 – 0.985), and 0.393 (0.193–0.804). VEGF + 936 T-allele, CT, and CT + TT genotypes had significantly increased susceptibility for HNCs. The respective ORs were 1.882 (1.001 – 3.536), 2.060 (1.035 – 4.102), and 2.023 (1.032 – 3.966). Additionally, VEGF + 936 CT and CT + TT genotypes showed significant associations with higher tumour grade (p-values < 0.029, and < 0.037, respectively). ConclusionThe present study is the foremost report of independent and unique associations of the investigated VEGF SNVs with HNCs.

REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BROWN SWISS AND MESTIZO BOVINE IN HUMID TROPIC

The ability of ruminants to regulate body temperature depends on the genotype. Dairy breeds are generally more sensitive to heat stress than beef breeds. Higher-producing animals are more susceptible to heat stress because they generate more metabolic heat. The objective of evaluating reproductive performance as a response of adaptability to the management and climatic conditions of the Humid Tropics. 78 animals were used (40 Brown Swiss, from Puno and 38 Mestizas from local origin) raised in humid tropic conditions. Parametric statistics are presented as analysis of measures of central tendency and dispersion, non-parametric statistics by frequency analysis, the χ2 test of independence was used to detect differences, α = 0.05. The categorized and continuous dependent variables were evaluated with Student's t test using SPSS Software v.23. The mean age at first estrus in Brown Swiss was 12.43 months, in mestizo cattle 18.68 months (P &lt;0.05). Average age of first calving in Brown Swiss of 25.25 months versus mestizo cattle 28.34 months (P &lt;0.05). Interval from calving to the first service in Brown Swiss was 99.29 days. Open days observed in Brown Swiss was 107.29 days. The pregnancy rate at the first service in Brown Swiss was 70.0% pregnancy at the first service and 30.0% at the second service, for the mestizo genotype it was 68.4% at the first service, 28.9 at the second and 2.6 at the third service (P&gt; 0.05; X2 = 0.50; p = 0.47). It is concluded that bovine animals of the Brown Swiss genotype have a good reproductive performance in the Humid Tropic climate compared to the Mestizo genotype

Household cooking fuel type and childhood anaemia in sub-Saharan Africa: analysis of cross-sectional surveys of 123, 186 children from 29 countries

ObjectiveThis study sought to investigate the joint effect of household cooking fuel type and urbanicity (rural–urban residency) on anaemia among children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa.DesignWe analysed...

585-P: Buffering Effects of Subjective SES on Parental Depressive Symptoms following Child T1D Diagnosis

Introduction: Parent depression is linked to negative child T1D outcomes. Some studies find that subjective (SSES) and objective socioeconomic status (OSES) are uniquely related to depressive symptoms, but few studies have examined them together in a T1D population. The current study explores the associations among SSES, OSES, and parent mood following child T1D diagnosis. Method: Participants included 157 parents (62% non-Hispanic white, 77% married, 92% female, 28% public insurance) of young children (Mage=4.46±1.64 years) newly diagnosed (M=29 days post-diagnosis) with T1D. At baseline of a behavioral RCT, parents self-reported on their depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale; CES-D; ≥16=elevated scores), SSES (The MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status), and OSES (lower OSES=public insurance; higher OSES=private insurance). χ2 test of independence was used to compare rates of elevated CES-D scores across four OSES/SSES categories (n, % elevated): both lower (n=14; 79%), lower OSES/higher SSES(n=29; 31%), higher OSES/lower SSES(n=49; 48%), and both higher (n=63; 44%). Results: There was a significant association between OSES/SSES category and parent depressive symptoms, χ2(3, N=153)=8.81, p=.03. Post hoc analyses using Bonferroni corrections indicated one significant group difference: the lower OSES/higher SSES group had significantly lower rates of elevated CES-D scores than the both lower group. Discussion: During the stressful period following a young child’s T1D diagnosis, higher perceived SES, relative to one’s peers, may be a protective factor against depressive symptoms, specifically for parents with public insurance. Despite having fewer financial resources, these parents reported depressive symptoms similar to parents with private insurance. Future studies using a positive psychology framework may examine methods to improve subjective well-being in parents of children with T1D. Disclosure C. H. Wang: None. C. Tully: None. M. Monaghan: None. M. E. Hilliard: None. R. Streisand: None. Funding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (R01DK102561)

Dynamic analysis on simultaneous iEEG-MEG data via hidden Markov model

BackgroundIntracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) recordings are used for clinical evaluation prior to surgical resection of the focus of epileptic seizures and also provide a window into normal brain function. A major difficulty with interpreting iEEG results at the group level is inconsistent placement of electrodes between subjects making it difficult to select contacts that correspond to the same functional areas. Recent work using time delay embedded hidden Markov model (HMM) applied to magnetoencephalography (MEG) resting data revealed a distinct set of brain states with each state engaging a specific set of cortical regions. Here we use a rare group dataset with simultaneously acquired resting iEEG and MEG to test whether there is correspondence between HMM states and iEEG power changes that would allow classifying iEEG contacts into functional clusters. MethodsSimultaneous MEG-iEEG recordings were performed at rest on 11 patients with epilepsy whose intracranial electrodes were implanted for pre-surgical evaluation. Pre-processed MEG sensor data was projected to source space. Time delay embedded HMM was then applied to MEG time series. At the same time, iEEG time series were analyzed with time-frequency decomposition to obtain spectral power changes with time. To relate MEG and iEEG results, correlations were computed between HMM probability time courses of state activation and iEEG power time course from the mid contact pair for each electrode in equally spaced frequency bins and presented as correlation spectra for the respective states and iEEG channels. Association of iEEG electrodes with HMM states based on significant correlations was compared to that based on the distance to peaks in subject-specific state topographies. ResultsFive HMM states were inferred from MEG. Two of them corresponded to the left and the right temporal activations and had a spectral signature primarily in the theta/alpha frequency band. All the electrodes had significant correlations with at least one of the states (p < 0.05 uncorrected) and for 27/50 electrodes these survived within-subject FDR correction (q < 0.05). These correlations peaked in the theta/alpha band. There was a highly significant dependence between the association of states and electrodes based on functional correlations and that based on spatial proximity (p = 5.6e−6,χ2 test for independence). Despite the potentially atypical functional anatomy and physiological abnormalities related to epilepsy, HMM model estimated from the patient group was very similar to that estimated from healthy subjects. ConclusionEpilepsy does not preclude HMM analysis of interictal data. The resulting group functional states are highly similar to those reported for healthy controls. Power changes recorded with iEEG correlate with HMM state time courses in the alpha-theta band and the presence of this correlation can be related to the spatial location of electrode contacts close to the individual peaks of the corresponding state topographies. Thus, the hypothesized relation between iEEG contacts and HMM states exists and HMM could be further explored as a method for identifying comparable iEEG channels across subjects for the purposes of group analysis.

Surgical training in the UK: is cost a barrier to entry?

BackgroundThere is good quality evidence linking socioeconomic background and the likelihood of a surgical career. Additionally, training in surgery is more expensive than in other specialties. Our aim was to...

Nutrition quality of life associated with affective functioning among Omani patients with type 2 diabetes from primary health care.

Diabetes requires challenging lifelong dietary management, affects quality of life and heightens the impact of affective functioning. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Nutrition Quality of Life (NQOL) and affective functioning in a sample of Omani patients with type 2 diabetes. A sample of 149 adults with type 2 diabetes was conveniently recruited from seven Primary Health Centers (PHCs) during follow-up visits. Data were gathered via face-to-face interviews. Pearson correlation and χ2 test of independence were applied to examine associations at P < 0⋅05. Most patients had poor glycemic control (71⋅1 %), BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (85⋅2 %) and central obesity (75⋅8 %), and moderate (54⋅4 %) and poor (32⋅9 %) level of NQOL. Based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 16⋅1 and 23⋅5 % of the sample endorsed the presence of anxiety and depression, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between NQOL and HADS (r -0⋅590, P = 0⋅000), anxiety (r -0⋅597, P = 0⋅000) and depression (r -0⋅435, P = 0⋅000). There was a significant association between NQOL and HADS, χ2 (2) = 38⋅21, P < 0⋅01 that was large, Cramer's V = 0⋅51. Also, there were significant associations (P < 0⋅01) between NQOL and HADS when controlling for HbA1c, BMI, waist circumference and HMNT that were moderately to largely strong, Cramer's V = 0⋅43-0⋅55. There is an evident association between NQOL and affective functioning in adults with type 2 diabetes. Further research is recommended to confirm these relationships and to guide intervention programmes at PHCs to help improve the general quality of life of such patients.

Demographic and Occupational Risk Factors Associated With Suicide-Related Aeromedical Evacuation Among Deployed U.S. Military Service Members.

Suicide is a significant problem in the U.S. military, with rates surpassing the U.S. general population as of 2008. Although there have been significant advances regarding suicide risk factors among U.S. military service members and veterans, there is little research about risk factors associated with suicide that could be potentially identified in theater. One salient study group consists of service members who receive a psychiatric aeromedical evacuation out of theater. The primary aims of this study were as follows: (1) determine the incidence of suicide-related aeromedical evacuation in deployed service members, (2) identify demographic and military characteristics associated with suicide-related aeromedical evacuation, and (3) evaluate the relationship between suicide-related aeromedical evacuation from a deployed setting and military separation. This was an archival analysis of U.S. Transportation Command Regulating and Command and Control Evacuation System and Defense Manpower Data Center electronic records of U.S. military service members (N=7023) who were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan and received a psychiatric aeromedical evacuation out of theater between 2001 and 2013. χ2 tests of independence and standardized residuals were used to identify cells with observed frequencies and proportions, respectively, that significantly differed from what would be expected by chance. In addition, odds ratios were calculated to provide context about the nature of any significant relationships. For every 1000 psychiatric aeromedical evacuations that occurred between 2001 and 2013, 34.4 were suicide related. Gender, ethnicity, branch of service, occupation classification, and deployment theater were associated with suicide-related aeromedical evacuation (odds ratios ranged from 1.37 to 3.02). Overall, 53% of all service members who received an aeromedical evacuation for any psychiatric condition had been separated from the military for a variety of reasons (both voluntary and involuntary) upon record review in 2015. Suicide-related aeromedical evacuation was associated with a 37% increased risk of military separation compared to evacuation for another psychiatric condition (P<0.02). Findings provide novel information on risk factors associated with suicide-related aeromedical evacuation as well as military separation following a suicide-related aeromedical evacuation. In many cases, the psychiatric aeromedical evacuation of a service member for suicidal ideations and their subsequent separation from active duty is in the best interest of the individual and the military. However, the evacuation and eventual military separation can be costly for the military and the service member. Consequently, the military should focus on indicated prevention interventions for individuals who show sufficient early signs of crisis and functional problems so that specialized interventions can be used in theater to prevent evacuation. Indicated prevention interventions should start with leaders' awareness and mitigation of risk and, when feasible, evidence-based interventions for suicide risk provided by behavioral health (eg, brief cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide). Future research should evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of delivering suicide-related interventions in theater.

Trends in Pain Medication Prescriptions and Satisfaction Scores in Spine Surgery Patients at a Single Institution.

As the opioid crisis has gained national attention, there have been increasing efforts to decrease opioid usage. Simultaneously, patient satisfaction has been a crucial metric in the American health care system and has been closely linked to effective pain management in surgical patients. The purpose of this study was to examine rates of pain medication prescription and concurrent patient satisfaction in spine surgery patients. A total of 1729 patients undergoing spine surgery between June 25, 2017, and June 30, 2018, at a single institution by surgeons performing ≥20 surgeries per quarter, with medication data during hospitalization available, were assessed. Patients were evaluated for nonopioid pain medication prescription rates and morphine milligram equivalents (MME) of opioids used during hospitalization. Of the total cohort, 198 patients were evaluated for Press Ganey Satisfaction Survey responses. A χ2 test of independence was used to compare percentages, and 1-way analysis of variance was used to compare means across quarters. The mean total MME per patient hospitalization was 574.46, with no difference between quarters. However, mean MME per day decreased over time (P = .048), with highest mean 91.84 in Quarter 2 and lowest 77.50 in Quarter 4. Among all procedures, acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroid prescription rates increased, whereas benzodiazepine and γ-aminobutyric acid-analog prescriptions decreased. There were no significant differences between quarters for mean hospital ratings (P = .521) nor for responses to questions from the Press Ganey Satisfaction Survey regarding how often staff talk about pain (P = .164), how often staff talk about pain treatment (P = .595), or whether patients recommended the hospital (P = .096). There were also no differences between quarters for responses in all other patient satisfaction questions (P value range, .359-.988). Over the studied time period, opioid use decreased and nonopioid prescriptions increased during hospitalization, whereas satisfaction scores remained unchanged. These findings indicate an increasing effort in reducing opioid use among providers and suggest the ability to do so without affecting overall satisfaction rates. 4. The opioid epidemic has highlighted the need to reduce opioid usage in orthopedic spine surgery. This study reviews the trends for inpatient management of post-op pain in orthopedic spine surgery patients in relation to patient satisfaction. There was a significant increase in non-opioid analgesic pain medications, and a reduction in opioids during the study period. During this time, patient satisfaction as measured by Press-Ganey surveys did not show a decrease. This demonstrates that treatment of post-operative pain in orthopedic spine surgery patients can be managed with less opioids, more multimodal analgesia, and patient satisfaction will not be affected.

Risky business: a 15-year analysis of fatal coastal drowning of young male adults in Australia

IntroductionDrowning is a leading cause of unintentional death, especially for males. In Australian coastal waters, young male adults account for 25% of the burden of male drowning. This study aims...

Improving Preventive Care for Women through a Provider Reminder Tool.

To determine the association of utilization of health maintenance tables (HMTs) as a provider reminder tool within the electronic medical record with the completion of women's preventive health services. Guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices were used to create the HMT. The study sample consisted of female patients between 18 and 74 years of age who visited the University of Florida Internal Medicine Clinic at Medical Plaza between February 15, 2016 and June 24, 2016. We determined whether a reminder system was used for each visit and whether the following preventive health services were up to date: breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, and human papillomavirus vaccination. χ2 tests of independence were performed to compare the number of up-to-date preventive measures associated with each provider reminder type. We divided the visits into four groups based on the type of provider reminder used: the HMT, the computer-generated reminder .HM, simple annotation, and no reminder. Compared with .HM, no reminder, and all non-HMT, HMT utilization had a statistically significant positive association with the completion of breast and cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus vaccination. The difference between the HMT and simple annotation groups did not achieve statistical difference, however. Despite well-established, evidence-based guidelines for screening tests and immunizations effective in reducing cancer-related morbidity and mortality, significant gaps in routine preventive care remain. The HMT may be a provider-friendly and cost-effective reminder tool to enhance the preventive health care of women.

High Prevalence of Cannabidiol Use Within Male Professional Rugby Union and League Players: A Quest for Pain Relief and Enhanced Recovery.

Rugby is characterized by frequent high-intensity collisions, resulting in muscle soreness. Players consequently seek strategies to reduce soreness and accelerate recovery, with an emerging method being cannabidiol (CBD), despite anti-doping risks. The prevalence and rationale for CBD use in rugby has not been explored; therefore, we recruited professional male players to complete a survey on CBD. Goodness of fit chi-square (χ2) was used to assess CBD use between codes and player position. Effects of age on use were determined using χ2 tests of independence. Twenty-five teams provided 517 player responses. While the majority of players had never used CBD (p < .001, V = 0.24), 26% had either used it (18%) or were still using it (8%). Significantly more CBD use was observed in rugby union compared with rugby league (p = .004, V = 0.13), but player position was not a factor (p = .760, V = 0.013). CBD use increased with players' age (p < .001, V = 0.28), with mean use reaching 41% in the players aged 28 years and older category (p < .0001). The players using CBD primarily used the Internet (73%) or another teammate (61%) to obtain information, with only 16% consulting a nutritionist. The main reasons for CBD use were improving recovery/pain (80%) and sleep (78%), with 68% of players reporting a perceived benefit. These data highlight the need for immediate education on the risks of CBD, as well as the need to explore the claims regarding pain and sleep.

Agronomic Factors Associated with Bacterial Leaf Streak Development Caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum in Corn.

In 2016, the bacterium Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum was reported causing bacterial leaf streak on Nebraska corn. Prior to this report, the pathogen was reported on corn only in South Africa. Hence, there was a lack of information about the effects of corn production practices on bacterial leaf streak development. A survey of growers, crop consultants, extension agents, and others in the field of agriculture was initiated during the 2016 and 2017 corn growing seasons to examine agronomic factors that may affect the disease. Survey respondents were asked to submit a symptomatic leaf sample for pathogen confirmation via polymerase chain reaction, along with a completed survey on corn production practices. Analyses of 325 survey responses via random forest analysis indicated that irrigation, planting date, and crop rotation were the three most important predictors of corn samples testing positive for X. vasicola pv. vasculorum. According to a classification and regression tree analysis, irrigation use, the V7-R2 range of crop stages, multiple years of corn in a crop rotation or a corn-sorghum rotation, and planting dates after 2 May, were most closely associated with corn samples testing positive for X. vasicola pv. vasculorum. χ2 tests of independence indicated that applications of nitrogen fertilizer and glyphosate herbicide use may also be related to bacterial leaf streak development.