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Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global public health issue, with notably high prevalence rates observed within Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This systematic review aimed to examine the risk factors and consequences associated with IPV against women in LMICs. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review using three databases: Web of Science, ProQuest Central, and Scopus, covering the period from January 2010 to January 2022. The study included only peer-reviewed journal articles in English that investigated IPV against women in LMICs. Out of 167 articles screened, 30 met the inclusion criteria, comprising both quantitative and mixed-method studies. Risk factors of IPV were categorised as: demographic risk factors (23 studies), family risk factors (9 studies), community-level factors (1 studies), and behavioural risk factors (14 studies), while consequences of IPV were categorised as mental health impacts (13 studies), physical impacts (5 studies), and societal impacts (4 studies). In this study, several risk factors were identified including lower levels of education, marriage at a young age, poor wealth indices, rural residential areas, and acceptance of gender norms that contribute to the prevalence of IPV in LMICs. It is essential to address these factors through effective preventive policies and programs. Moreover, this review highlights the necessity of large-scale, high-quality policy-driven research to further examine risk factors and consequences, ultimately guiding the development of interventions aimed at preventing IPV against women in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) professionals teach people with low vision or blindness to use specialist assistive technologies to support confident travel, but many O&M clients now prefer a smartphone. This study aimed to investigate what technology O&M professionals in Australia and Malaysia have, use, like, and want to support their client work, to inform the development of O&M technologies and build capacity in the international O&M profession. A technology survey was completed by professionals (n = 36) attending O&M workshops in Malaysia. A revised survey was completed online by O&M specialists (n = 31) primarily in Australia. Qualitative data about technology use came from conferences, workshops and interviews with O&M professionals. Descriptive statistics were analysed together with free-text data. Limited awareness of apps used by clients, unaffordability of devices, and inadequate technology training discouraged many O&M professionals from employing existing technologies in client programmes or for broader professional purposes. Professionals needed to learn smartphone accessibility features and travel-related apps, and ways to use technology during O&M client programmes, initial professional training, ongoing professional development and research. Smartphones are now integral to travel with low vision or blindness and early-adopter O&M clients are the travel tech-experts. O&M professionals need better initial training and then regular upskilling in mainstream O&M technologies to expand clients' travel choices. COVID-19 has created an imperative for technology laggards to upskill for O&M tele-practice. O&M technology could support comprehensive O&M specialist training and practice in Malaysia, to better serve O&M clients with complex needs. Most orientation and mobility (O&M) clients are travelling with a smartphone, so O&M specialists need to be abreast of mainstream technologies, accessibility features and apps used by clients for orientation, mobility, visual efficiency and social engagement. O&M specialists who are technology laggards need human-guided support to develop confidence in using travel technologies, and O&M clients are the experts. COVID-19 has created an imperative to learn skills for O&M tele-practice. Affordability is a significant barrier to O&M professionals and clients accessing specialist travel technologies in Malaysia, and to O&M professionals upgrading technology in Australia. Comprehensive training for O&M specialists is needed in Malaysia to meet the travel needs of clients with low vision or blindness who also have physical, cognitive, sensory or mental health complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. One of the indicators for this objective is the proportion of births attended by skilled health attendants (SBA). This study assessed the progress of low- and middle-income countries from South and Southeast Asian (SSEA) region in SBA coverage and evaluated the contribution of women's education in this progression. Methods: The Demographic and Health Surveys were assessed, which included 38 nationally representative surveys on women aged between 15-49 years from 10 selected SSEA region countries in past 30 years. Binary Logistic regression models were fitted adjusting the survey clusters, strata and sampling weights. Meta-analyses were conducted by collapsing effect sizes and confidence intervals of education modeled on SBA coverage. Results: Results indicated that Cambodia, Indonesia and Philippines had over 80% SBA coverage after 2010, whereas Bangladesh and Afghanistan had around 50% coverage. Women with primary, secondary and higher level of education were 1.65, 2.21 and 3.14 times significantly more likely to access SBA care during childbirth respectively as compared to women with no education, suggesting that education is a key factor to address skilled delivery cares in the SSEA region. Conclusion: Evaluation of the existing skilled birth attendance policies at the national level could provide useful insight for the decision makers to improve access to skilled care at birth by investing on women's education in remote and rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This Australian study piloted a new measure of Orientation and Mobility to better understand the functional mobility of guide dog handlers with low vision or blindness. It is expected that this measure can be used to better match guide dogs to their handlers. Materials and methods: The new Orientation and Mobility Outcomes tool scores a client in Stable/Familiar and Dynamic/Unfamiliar conditions, also considering Travel-Related Wellbeing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 51 guide dog handlers, during which travel skills were co-rated with an interviewer. Results: A cluster analysis of the Orientation and Mobility Outcomes data identified four mobility styles: intrepid explorers, social navigators, independent roamers and homebodies. The differences between these clusters had more to do with mental mapping skills than level of vision, and different guide dog characteristics were needed to support the travel styles identified for each cluster. Conclusions: The results confirm the importance of the Orientation and Mobility Outcomes tool as a sensitive, person-centred measure of the impact of Orientation and Mobility and guide dog training. In particular, the four mobility clusters provide a new perspective on matching guide dogs with clients, also suggesting the need for a more personalised look at the guide dog training process. Orientation and Mobility Outcomes data seem precise enough to support and inform the process of matching guide dogs to handlers. Uniform results cannot be expected from guide dog mobility in handlers – age, stage of life, health and spatial cognition impact the competence and travel style of guide dog handlers, whereas vision is less important. Sharing the work of visual interpretation and decision making with a guide dog makes independent travel more possible. Valuable dog characteristics that are specific to handler requirements might be bred or trained from puppy raising onwards, creating a more diverse pool of dogs to draw upon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study identified the vulnerable IPV cohorts of South Asian women, and the prevalence of and predictors of the women's IPV acceptance. Design: Cross-sectional survey - the United Nations Children's Fund multiple index cluster survey. Setting: Many South Asian women are accepting of IPV. Studies mostly focus on individual countries. Subject: 103 139 ever-married women from Bangladesh, Laos and Nepal. Measures: Women's attitudes toward IPV were measured using a set of five, fixed, binary responses. Analysis: Following bivariate analysis, complex survey weight adjusted logistic regression models were fitted for individual country data, and the pooled sample. Results: Of the sampled South Asian women 27.8% accepted IPV, and no major variation among countries in IPV acceptance. Education was the most reliable protector against IPV acceptance whereby, higher educational attainment systematically reduced IPV acceptance (OR =.61 [.56-.83]). Other significant protective factors were being un-married (Married OR = 1.34 [1.28-1.42]), having increased wealth (OR =.71 [.56-.83]), and being over 24 years old (OR =.88 [.83-.97]). Conclusion: Only education produced absolute consistency at the country and region level; there seems to be no blanket solution for regionally reducing women's IPV acceptance rates in Southern Asia. Focus on the least educated women and making education more accessible should be prioritised. Future IPV studies can consider measurement methods for women's direct exposure to patriarchal standards and within community interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable Development Goal 3 focuses on reducing HIV/AIDS spread, for which disseminating correct information on the disease is required. This study investigated factors associated with HIV/AIDS knowledge among women in several Asian LMICs. Global Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey-6 (MICS-6) for Bangladesh, Lao, Mongolia and Nepal were assessed. Bivariate analysis and generalised linear regression models were fitted. Overall, 60% of the respondents were aware or heard of the existence of HIV/AIDS, with 63.2% having transmission knowledge and 80.4% misconception knowledge. Results revealed that several demographic factors such as wealth index, education and access to information had a significant association with HIV/AIDS knowledge. Mongolia and Nepal have formal programmes in place that may provide policy and implementation advantages compared to Bangladesh and Lao. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess factors associated with disability in a rural district of Bangladesh. Methods: Using a population-based systematic sampling technique, data were collected from 3104 adults aged ≥ 30 years from the Banshgram union of Narail district. Data collected included an interviewer administered questionnaire to report physical disabilities including impairment that prevents engagement with paid work, visual, hearing, and mobility as well as mental disabilities. Socio-demographic and anthropometric factors including educational attainment and body mass index, as well as clinical factors such as blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose were also collected. Binary and multinomial logistic regression techniques were used to explore the association of various socio-demographic and clinical factors with disability. Results: The mean (SD), minimum and maximum ages of the participants were 51 (12), 30 and 89 years. Of total participants, 65% were female. The prevalence of disability varied from 29.1% for visual impairment (highest) to 16.5% for hearing, 14.7% for movement difficulties and 1.6% (lowest) for any other disability that prevented engagement with paid work. Overall, the prevalence of a single disability was 28.6% and that of two or more disabilities was 14.7%. Older age, gender (female), lower socio-economic status (SES), and hypertension were associated with a higher prevalence of most of the disability components. The prevalence of hearing problems (24.5% vs. 13.3%, p<0.001) and movement difficulties (24.9% vs. 13.0%, p<0.001) was significantly higher among lower-income participants than their higher-income counterparts after controlling for age. Prevalence of visual impairment (54.6% vs. 9.2%, p<0.001), hearing (32.2% vs. 6.7%, p<0.001) and movement difficulties (29.2% vs. 5.5%, p<0.001) were significantly higher in people of aged 60 years or older than those aged 30–34 years. After multivariate adjustment, the prevalence of single disability (prevalence risk ratio [PRR] 1.25, 95% CI: 1.09–1.42, p<0.001), and multiple disabilities (PRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.14–1.73, p<0.001) was higher among females than males. The prevalence of single disability and multiple disabilities was respectively 21% (PRR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02–1.42, p<0.001) and 88% (PRR 1.88, 95% CI: 1.38–2.54, p<0.001) higher among participants with low educational attainment (primary level or less) than those with at least a secondary level of education. Conclusions: In rural Bangladesh, the prevalence of disability is high. Public health programs should target those of low SES, older age, and female participants and aim to provide necessary supports in order to bridge disability-related inequities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) additive manufacturing has been intensively used for many industrial applications due to its attractive advantages over traditional manufacturing processes. The process parameters used in FDM have significant influence on the part quality and its properties. This process produces the plastic part through complex mechanisms and it involves complex relationships between the manufacturing conditions and the quality of the processed part. In the present study, the influence of multi-level manufacturing parameters on the temperature-dependent dynamic mechanical properties of FDM processed parts was investigated using IV-optimality response surface methodology (RSM) and multilayer feed-forward neural networks (MFNNs). The process parameters considered for optimization and investigation are slice thickness, raster to raster air gap, deposition angle, part print direction, bead width, and number of perimeters. Storage compliance and loss compliance were considered as response variables. The effect of each process parameter was investigated using developed regression models and multiple regression analysis. The surface characteristics are studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Furthermore, performance of optimum conditions was determined and validated by conducting confirmation experiment. The comparison between the experimental values and the predicted values by IV-Optimal RSM and MFNN was conducted for each experimental run and results indicate that the MFNN provides better predictions than IV-Optimal RSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we consider the problem of estimation of semi-linear regression models. Using invariance arguments, Bhowmik and King [2007. Maximal invariant likelihood based testing of semi-linear models. Statist. Papers 48, 357–383] derived the probability density function of the maximal invariant statistic for the non-linear component of these models. Using this density function as a likelihood function allows us to estimate these models in a two-step process. First the non-linear component parameters are estimated by maximising the maximal invariant likelihood function. Then the non-linear component, with the parameter values replaced by estimates, is treated as a regressor and ordinary least squares is used to estimate the remaining parameters. We report the results of a simulation study conducted to compare the accuracy of this approach with full maximum likelihood and maximum profile-marginal likelihood estimation. We find maximising the maximal invariant likelihood function typically results in less biased and lower variance estimates than those from full maximum likelihood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This note presents a brief and partial review of the work of Broom, Cannings and Vickers 1. It also presents some simple examples of an extension of the their formalism to non-symmetric matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a high prevalence of mental illness in nursing home residents compared to older adults living in the community. This was highlighted in the most recent comprehensive systematic review on the topic, published in 2010. In the context of a rapidly aging population and increased numbers of older adults requiring residential care, this study aims to provide a contemporary account of the prevalence of mental illness among nursing home residents. Methods: This protocol was prepared in line with the PRISMA-P 2015 Statement. Systematic searches will be undertaken across six electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycNET, CINAHL, and Abstracts in Social Gerontology. Peer-reviewed studies published from 2009 onwards which report the prevalence of mental illness within nursing home populations will be included. Database searches will be supplemented by forward and backward citation searching. Titles and abstracts of records will be screened using a semi-automated process. The full text of selected records will be assessed to confirm inclusion criteria are met. Study selection will be recorded in a PRISMA flowchart. A pilot-tested form will be used to extract data from included studies, alongside the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. A study characteristics and results table will be prepared to present key details from each included study, supported by a narrative synthesis. Random-effects restricted maximum likelihood meta-analyses will be performed to compute pooled prevalence estimates for mental illnesses represented in the identified studies. Heterogeneity will be assessed using Cochran's Q and Higgins' I2 statistics. A Funnel plot and Egger's test will be used to assess publication bias. The GRADE approach will be used to assess the quality of the body of evidence identified. Discussion: The study will provide a comprehensive and contemporary account of the prevalence of mental illness among nursing home residents. Meta-analyses will provide robust prevalence estimates across a range of presentations. Key insights will be highlighted, including potential sources of heterogeneity. Implications for residents, researchers, care providers, and policymakers will be noted. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO: CRD42023456226. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global problem and has been reported to be significantly higher for women in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The researchers analyzed Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data of married women in 20 LMICs to examine those most vulnerable to accepting IPV by investigating associated risk factors. The researchers revealed a higher level of acceptance of IPV among illiterate women from poorer households in remote areas. Using these findings, the authors provide insight into ensuring and enhancing the living standards of these vulnerable women by making education more readily accessible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of additive manufacturing techniques and a range of newer materials, there is a real demand for manufacturing functional products with improved mechanical properties. This study investigates the effects of the fabrication parameters on the microstructure and wear performance of parts processed by FDM. This study also provides insights into the relationships between process parameters and the wear mechanism and adds to the current knowledge base for the field of FDM process by providing a critical examination of wear behavior and part microstructure for the academic and industrial researcher for real world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of process parameters of fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing process on viscoelastic responses (creep compliance and recoverable compliance) of FDM built parts using a novel experimental design technique.Design/methodology/approach As part of the process characterization, a recently developed class of three-level design methodology – definitive screening design (DSD) – was used in this study to fit a second-order polynomial regression model. Artificial neural network (ANN) was also used to determine the optimal process parameters to improve creep compliance and recoverable compliance. The relationship between layer thickness, air gap, raster angle, build orientation, road width, number of contours and creep performance of FDM fabricated part was thereafter established empirically. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to examine and characterize the morphology of the structures for some samples.Findings This study found that the creep resistance of FDM-manufactured part is significantly influenced by layer thickness, air gap, raster angle and number of contours and it can be improved by optimizing the settings of the selected parameters. The relationship between FDM process parameters and creep properties was determined, with the best creep performance observed by using 0.127 mm of layer thickness, zero air gap, zero raster angle, build orientation of 17.188°, road width of 0.4572 mm and 10 contours. Finally, the result is verified by confirmation experiments. The results prove that a DSD is a very effective design in characterizing the influence of process parameters on creep properties of FDM-built part at the lowest cost.Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in characterizing and optimizing the effect of process parameters on creep performance of FDM manufactured part that has not been studied in all previous studies. The paper highlights, for the first time, how the application of DSD can overcome most of the limitations encountered in the conventional techniques. This study can be used as a guide to the different additive manufacturing users of various industries and the results provide a good technical database on how FDM process parameters influence the creep performance of manufactured parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is one of the most widely used layered manufacturing technology in various industries due to its capability to create complex parts at the lowest cost. But when it comes to the mechanical properties, the advantage of FDM is not ideal for every application. This is due to the fact that the mechanical properties of the fabricated parts by FDM strongly related to the fabrication parameters in which the material is being processed, and so how to improve them is worthy of study. Many researchers have examined the influence of varying parameters on the characteristics of FDM manufactured prototypes. FDM manufactured parts are always subjected to static and dynamic loading conditions in a wide range of industries. However, former researches only focused on the mechanical properties under static loading conditions, but none of them provided a systematic study on the effect of FDM fabrication parameters on the mechanical performance under thermal-mechanical cyclic loading. This study investigates the effect of manufacturing parameters on dynamic mechanical performance of the processed parts by FDM through computer-generated optimal design based on I-optimal design. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to study the microstructures of some specimens. The results show that dynamic mechanical performance of the manufactured parts is greatly influenced by processing conditions. The results also show that computer-generated optimal design based on I-optimal design is superior over the conventional experimental designs as it is able to simultaneously consider several factors at different levels with less number of experiments than traditional designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two early childhood development aspects: carer involvement with children, and their ownership of age‐appropriate books, were evaluated. Children aged 0–4 years from Bangladesh, extracted from population‐based Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019, were assessed using survey adjusted logistic regression models and district‐wise spatial distribution. Among 13 806 children, 11.2% had no shared activities with carers, and 60.7% had at least four shared activities. Among 22 796 children, 27.4% owned at least one book. Higher carer–child shared activities and more child‐friendly books in households were observed in the Western part of Bangladesh. Children from higher socioeconomic households with educated mothers and greater exposure to media, had higher carer–child interaction and greater availability of books. These findings can aid policies targeting psychological and cognitive development of children in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Fused deposition modeling (FDM) has become an increasingly important process among the available additive manufacturing technologies in various industries. Although there are many advantages of FDM process, a downside of its industrial application is the attainable dimensional accuracy with tight tolerance without compromising the mechanical performance. This paper aims to study the effects of six FDM operating parameters on two conflicting responses, namely, dynamic stiffness and dimensional stability of FDM produced PC-ABS parts. This study also aims to determine the optimal process settings using graphical optimization that satisfy the dynamic mechanical properties without compromising the dimensional accuracy.Design/methodology/approach The regression models based upon IV-optimal response surface methodology are developed to study the variation of dimensional accuracy and dynamic mechanical properties with changes in process parameter settings. Statistical analysis was conducted to establish the relationships between process variables and dimensional accuracy and dynamic stiffness. Analysis of variance is used to define the level of significance of the FDM operating parameters. Scanning electron microscope and Leica MZ6 optical microscope are used to examine and characterize the morphology of the structures for some specimens.Findings Experimental results highlight the individual and interaction effects of processing conditions on the dynamic stiffness and part accuracy. The results showed that layer thickness (slice height), raster-to-raster air gap and number of outlines have the largest effect on the dynamic stiffness and dimensional accuracy. The results also showed an interesting phenomenon of the effect of number of contours and the influence of other process parameters. The optimal process conditions for highest mechanical performance and part accuracy are obtained.Originality/value The effect of FDM processing parameters on the properties under dynamic and cyclic loading conditions has not been studied in the previous published work. Furthermore, simultaneous optimization of dynamic mechanical properties without compromising the dimensional accuracy has also been investigated. On the basis of experimental findings, it is possible to provide practical suggestions to set the optimal FDM process parameters in relation to dynamic mechanical performance, as well as the dimensional accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a powerful additive manufacturing process, becoming, in the past years, more exciting for the academic and industrial researchers. With the growing number of available additive manufacturing technologies and newer materials, the effect of processing conditions on the material behavior and functionality of manufactured products need to be investigated. This study establishes the relationships between FDM process conditions and time-dependent mechanical properties using definitive screening design. Results from this study will help in a clear understanding and design outcome for the academic and industrial community for real world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a growing 3D printing technique widely practiced around the world in various industrial applications because of its ability to create complex 3D objects and geometries. Reduction of build time and feedstock material consumption without compromising the mechanical performance is the major concern in most industrial applications affecting the cost and the functionality of the manufactured part. One of the key issues of FDM process is how to select the correct parameters to reduce the build time and to reduce feedstock material consumption while maintaining high dynamic mechanical properties. In this study, influence of critical FDM parameters—layer thickness, air gap, raster angle, build orientation, road width, and number of contours—are studied using Q-optimal response surface methodology. Their effects on build time, feedstock material consumption and dynamic flexural modulus are critically examined. Mathematical models have been formulated to develop a functional relationship between the processing conditions and the process quality characteristics. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique was employed to check the adequacy and significance of mathematical models. Moreover, the optimal setting of process parameters was determined. A confirmation test was also conducted in order to verify the developed models and the optimal settings. The results show that Q-optimal design is a very promising method in FDM process parameter optimization. The results also confirm the adequacy of the developed models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) has been recognized as an effective technology to manufacture 3D dimensional parts directly from a digital computer aided design (CAD) model in a layer-by-layer style. Although it has become a significantly important manufacturing process, but it is still not well accepted additive manufacturing technology for load-carrying parts under dynamic and cyclic conditions due to many processing parameters affecting the part properties. The purpose of this study is to characterize the FDM manufactured parts by detecting how the individual and interactive FDM process parameters will influence the performance of manufactured products under dynamic and cyclic conditions. Experiments were conducted through fractional factorial design and artificial neural network (ANN). Effect of each parameter on the dynamic modulus of elasticity was investigated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. Furthermore, optimal processing parameters were determined and validated by conducting verification experiment. The results showed that both ANN and fractional factorial models provided good quality predictions, yet the ANN showed the superiority of a properly trained ANN in capturing the nonlinear relationship of the system over fractional factorial for both data fitting and estimation capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A succession of interconnected environmental factors is believed to contribute substantially to the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This exploratory study therefore aims to identify potential risk factors for ASD that are associated with pregnancy, birth and infant feeding. Demographic and health-related data on children aged 3–13 years (N = 4306) was collected through an online survey completed by biological mothers. A fitted logistic regression model identified advanced maternal age, prenatal bleeding, pre-eclampsia, perinatal pethidine usage, foetal distress before birth and male sex of child as associated with an increased risk of ASD, whereas longer gestational duration demonstrated a protective effect. These findings highlight potential risk factors and predictor interrelationships which may contribute to overall ASD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of digital stories about aged care residents on staff knowledge and understanding regarding those residents. Background: More than a quarter of a million older Australians live in residential aged care facilities. This living arrangement can inhibit the expression of a person's sense of identity. Without objects and cues that reflect the person's selfhood, it can be difficult for a person to express their uniqueness. Staff may not sufficiently appreciate the resident's individuality and therefore may not be able to customise care for the resident. Design: This study used a single‐arm trial design. Methods: The study was conducted in four residential aged care facilities. Short digital life stories (3–4 min) of eight residents were constructed by student volunteers over 6 months. Participants (n = 53 care staff) completed a self‐report measure of their knowledge and understanding of a resident before and after watching the resident's story. The study adhered to guidelines for Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) (see Appendix S1). Results: Pre‐ and post‐test scores of the measure were compared using paired samples t‐tests. These scores changed significantly, showing an improvement of knowledge and understanding regarding residents. Conclusions: Watching digital life stories were associated with improvements in knowledge and understanding by staff, and hence have the potential to foster a greater level of understanding of residents by such staff, and more person‐centred care practices within residential aged care facilities. Relevance to clinical practice: Digital stories about aged care residents are quick and efficient methods for improving aged care staff members' knowledge and understanding of the residents under their care. With such understanding, staff may be able to better customise care for residents, thereby validating residents' sense of identity and elevating residents' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poorer health outcomes experienced by people with mental illness have led to new directions in policy for routine physical health screening of service users. By contrast, little attention has been paid to the physical health needs of consumers of alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, despite a similar disparity in physical health outcomes compared with the general population. The majority of people with problematic AOD use have comorbid mental illness, known as a dual diagnosis, likely to exacerbate their vulnerability to poor physical health. With the potential for physical health screening to improve health outcomes for AOD clients, a need exists for systematic identification and management of common health conditions. Within the current health service system, those with a dual diagnosis are more likely to have their physical health surveyed and responded to if they present for treatment in the mental health system. In this study, a physical health screening tool was administered to clients attending a community-based AOD service. The tool was administered by a counsellor during the initial phase of treatment, and referrals to health professionals were made as appropriate. Findings are discussed in terms of prevalence, types of problems identified and subsequent rates of referral. The results corroborate the known link between mental and physical ill health, and contribute to developing evidence that AOD clients present with equally concerning physical ill health to that of mental health clients and should equally be screened for such when presenting for AOD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of the widely used additive manufacturing technologies because it has flexibility and ability to build complex parts. The accuracy of parts fabricated by FDM is greatly influenced by various process parameters. FDM process has a complex mechanism in building parts and often poses difficulty in understanding adequately how conflicting FDM parameters will determine part quality and accuracy. Sectors such as medical implant, telecommunication, electronics and aerospace require increasingly higher levels of dimensional accuracy. Thus, traditional methods of ensuring quality do not effectively address global markets and customer’s needs. This study proposes an I-optimality criterion for the optimization of FDM process parameters in order to address the limitations of the commonly used traditional designs. This study also aims to develop mathematical models in order to establish nonlinear relationship between process parameters and dimensional accuracy. The results show that I-optimality criterion is very promising technique in FDM process parameter optimization. Confirmation experiments show that the proposed method has great advantages in the aspect of both accuracy and efficiency compared with traditional methods proposed in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Indicators of reproductive health (RH) are expected to be both inter-related and associated with key social determinants. As the provision of RH services is usually integrated, the effort to improve one RH component should influence the other components. However, there is a lack of evidence-based models demonstrating the inter-relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine the inter-relationships among key RH indicators and their relationship with women's literacy in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods Data were sourced from the most recent demographic and health survey conducted between 2010 and 2016 in 391 provinces of 29 SSA countries. We examined seven RH indicators along with women's literacy. The unit of analysis was at the provincial level. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the strength of relationships among these indicators and with women's literacy, using the total standardized effect sizes. Significance tests and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for these effects were calculated using a bias-corrected bootstrap method. Results RH indicators are strongly interrelated and are associated with women's literacy. The strongest relationship is observed between women's literacy rate and the contraception prevalence rate, with a total standardized effect size of 0.79 (95% CI 0.74–0.83). The model of inter-relationships developed in this study may guide the design, implementation and evaluation of RH policies and programmes. Conclusions The key challenge in reducing fertility in SSA is to reduce people fertility desire. This could mainly be addressed by enhancing integrated approaches especially between the education and health sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is support for the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) technology in dementia education. However, it is not yet known if VR is a useful tool for improving empathy and understanding of dementia care environments among dementia care workers.Objective: This study compared learning outcomes of VR versus non-VR (control) workshops for dementia care workers of different ages and English-speaking backgrounds.Methods: Dementia care workers enrolled in workshops on dementia care principles. Once participants were enrolled, workshops were assigned at random to deliver non-VR or VR-based education. Participants (N = 114, 91.8%female, mean age = 46.4; SD = 13.2; n = 60VR condition, 54control condition) completed self-report measures of empathy towards people living with dementia, understanding of dementia care environments, dementia knowledge, and attitudes towards dementia at pre- and post-workshop.Results: Significant pre-post main effects were observed for empathy, understanding of dementia care environments, and attitudes. Interaction effects were not found; improvements in outcomes were similar between conditions. However, interaction effects were observed for subgroups. Empathy improved significantly more in the VR condition for older participants. Understanding of dementia care environments improved more in the VR condition for younger and non-English-speaking background participants.Conclusion: Using VR may not augment teaching outcomes for all learners. VR may differentially assist leaners of different ages and English-speaking backgrounds. More research is needed to understand for which variables and for whom VR is a useful teaching tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communications through mobile phones and mass media have shown to be useful for health promotion activities in developing nations. This study explored the potential association of mothers' mobile phone ownership and mass media exposure on maternal health care services in a developing nation setting: urban Bangladesh. The Urban Health Survey 2013 was examined for antenatal care, delivery assistance, and postnatal care of both mothers and children through multiple regression models, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Among 8987 ever-married female respondents, 64.1% owned mobile phones and 88% were exposed to mass media (TV, radio or newspaper) at least once a week. Mobile phone ownership was associated with a 48% greater likelihood of access to antenatal care, 34% greater delivery assistance and 31% greater postnatal care of the mother, but no differences were found for postnatal care of children. Similarly, frequent media exposure was associated with increased access to antenatal care (38%) and delivery assistance (46%), but not associated with postnatal care of mothers or children. The results suggested that mobile phones and mass media could be valid avenues for promoting access to maternal health services, and thus, support for mobile phone access and investment in awareness campaigns targeting relevant communities are worthwhile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine individual- and country-level determinants of utilization of key maternal health services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Study Setting: We used the most recent standard demographic and health survey data from the period of 2005 to 2015 for 34 SSA countries. Predictors of key maternal health service indicators were determined using a sample of 245 178 women who had at least one live birth 5 years preceding the survey.Study Design: We used a two-level hierarchical model, considering individual predictors at level one and country factors at level two of the hierarchy.Principal Findings: While the skilled birth attendance (SBA) utilization rate reached 53 percent during the study period, the recommended four or more antenatal care (ANC) coverage was commonly low with less significant differences among different groups of women and countries. Being in a middle-income country increased the individual-level association between ANC and SBA (OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.24, 4.44). Less privileged women with lower education level were less likely to receive maternal health services.Conclusions: This study reveals the existence of wide gaps between ANC and SBA coverage in SSA. Urgent policy attention is required to improve access, utilization, and quality of maternal health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of insulin or insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in diabetes mellitus and makes diabetics prone to acute ischemic heart disease (AIHD). It has likewise been found that many cancer patients, including prostate cancer patients die of AIHD. Previously it has been delineated from our laboratory that dermcidin could induce anomalous platelet aggregation in AIHD and also impaired nitric oxide and insulin activity and furthermore dermcidin was also found in a few types of cancer patients. To determine the role of this protein in prostatic malignancy, a retrospective case–control study was conducted and blood was collected from prostate cancer patients and healthy normal volunteers. So, we measured the level of dermcidin protein and analyzed the IR by Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) score calculation. Nitric oxide was measured by methemoglobin method. HDL, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), BMI, hs-cTroponin-T were measured for the validation of the patients’ status in the presence of Dermcidin isoform-2 (DCN-2). Multiple logistic regression model adjusted for age and BMI identified that the HOMA score was significantly elevated in prostate cancer patients (OR = 7.19, P<0.001). Prostate cancer patients are associated with lower level of NO and higher level of both proteins dermcidin (OR = 1.12, P<0.001) and hs-TroponinT (OR = 1.76, P<0.001). From the results, it can be interpreted that IR plays a key role in the pathophysiology of prostate cancer where dermcidin was the cause of IR through NO inhibition leading to AIHD was also explained by high-sensitive fifth generation cTroponin-T (hs-cTroponinT) and HbA1c level which are associated with endothelial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]