Child Mental Health, Homelessness, and the Shelter System: Evidence from Medicaid in New York City.

We identified children who resided in the New York City shelter system during 2015-2020 by matching address histories in Medicaid insurance claims to publicly available homeless shelter addresses, permitting examination of health care use before, during, and after shelter stays. We found that 4.5% of NYC children aged 4-17 with consistent Medicaid coverage entered shelter over a three-to-five-year period. After shelter entry, children had increased probabilities of receiving mental health services, including therapy and diagnoses of neurodevelopmental disorders, but little change in physical health service use. Children placed in shelters co-located with mental health services were similar to children entering other shelters prior to entry but had particularly large and sustained increases in use of mental health services afterwards. Children without prior mental health claims placed in shelters co-located with mental health services were 38-48% more likely to receive mental health therapy and 14-16% more likely to receive neurodevelopmental diagnoses than similar children placed elsewhere. These children were also more likely to receive Supplemental Security Income and stayed in shelter longer. This example illustrates the potential of linking administrative data sets in order to study vulnerable populations.

A Rolling-Bead Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Harvesting Omnidirectional Wind-Induced Energy toward Shelter Forests Monitoring.

Shelter forests (or shelter-belts), while crucial for climate regulation, lack monitoring systems, e.g., Internet of Things (IoT) devices, but their abundant wind energy can potentially power these devices using the trees as mounting points. To harness wind energy, an omnidirectional fluid-induced vibration triboelectric nanogenerator (OFIV-TENG) has been developed. The device is installed on shelter forest trees to harvest wind energy from all directions, employing a fluid-induced vibration (FIV) mechanism (fluid-responding structure) that can capture and use wind energy, ranging from low wind speeds (vortex vibration) to high wind speeds (galloping). The rolling-bead triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) can efficiently harvest energy while minimizing wear and tear. Additionally, the usage of double electrodes results in an effective surface charge density of 21.4 µC m-2 , which is the highest among all reported rolling-bead TENGs. The collected energy is utilized for temperature and humidity monitoring, providing feedback on the effect of climate regulation in shelter forests, alarming forest fires, and wireless wind speed warning. In general, this work provides a promising and rational strategy, using natural resources like trees as the supporting structures, and shows broad application prospects in efficient energy collection, wind speed warning, and environmentally friendliness.

Human transmission and outbreaks of feline-like G6 rotavirus revealed with whole-genome analysis of G6P[9] feline rotavirus.

Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are generally highly species-specific; however, some strains infect across species. Feline RVAs sporadically infect humans, causing gastroenteritis. In 2012 and 2013, rectal swab samples were collected from 61 asymptomatic shelter cats at a public health center in Mie Prefecture, Japan, to investigate the presence of RVA and any association with human infections. The analysis identified G6P[9] strains in three cats and G3P[9] strains in two cats, although no feline RVA sequence data were available for the former. A whole-genome analysis of these G6P[9] strains identified the genotype constellation G6-P[9]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T3-E3-H3. The nucleotide identity among these G6P[9] strains exceeded 99.5% across all 11 gene segments, indicating the circulation of this G6P[9] strain among cats. Notably, strain RVA/Human-wt/JPN/KF17/2010/G6P[9], previously detected in a 3-year-old child with gastroenteritis, shares high nucleotide identity (>98%) with Mie20120017f, the representative G6P[9] strain in this study, across all 11 gene segments, confirming feline RVA infection and symptomatic presentation in this child. The VP7 gene of strain Mie20120017f also shares high nucleotide identity with other sporadically reported G6 RVA strains in humans. This suggests that feline-origin G6 strains as the probable source of these sporadic G6 RVA strains causing gastroenteritis in humans globally. Moreover, a feline-like human G6P[8] strain circulating in Brazil in 2022 was identified, emphasizing the importance of ongoing surveillance to monitor potential global human outbreaks of RVA.

Optimistic growth of marginal region plantations under climate warming: Assessing divergent drought resilience.

Given the context of significant global warming and the intensification of extreme climate events in the last century, large-scale reforestation and afforestation have been recognized as effective strategies to mitigate the climate crisis. Since the 1970s, China has launched several afforestation programs aimed at regional ecological protection, playing an important role in reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. This study provided a detailed analysis of the growth suitability of the main planted conifers (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica and Pinus tabulaeformis) and broadleaves (Populus spp., Robinia pseudoacacia) in the semi-arid northern China. We compared the radial growth trends of plantations and their responses to extreme droughts from 1980 to 2018. Growth of most plantations has significantly increased over time, but broadleaves showed recent growth reductions in the past decade, which may be related to tree age and reduced soil moisture. Nevertheless, under warmer climate scenarios, the growth of plantations is forecasted to continue increasing. Broadleaves showed a better post-drought recovery, probably linked to their anisohydric behavior, than conifers, which presented a better resistance to drought. Growth of conifers depended more on warmer temperature and better precipitation conditions during the growing season, whereas broadleaves mainly reacted to warm temperature. Additionally, pre-drought growth levels weakened resilience components, while post-drought precipitation compensated for drought-induced growth deficit. Growth and resilience were negatively related to tree age, while higher stand density reduced growth. This assessment and projections of growth and drought resilience indicate the sustainability of most plantations in semi-arid regions, but future warmer and drier conditions may lead to an uncertain future regarding forest health and reduce their carbon sink potential.

Human activities reshape the spatial overlap between North Chinese leopard and its wild ungulate prey.

BACKGROUND: Rapidly expanding human activities have profoundly changed the habitat use of both large carnivores and their prey, but whether and how human activities affect the interactions between them has received relatively less attention. In this study, we conducted a systematically designed camera-trapping survey on an endangered large carnivore (North Chinese leopard Panthera pardus japonensis) and its wild ungulate prey (Siberian roe deer Capreolus pygargus and wild boar Sus scrofa) in the Taihang Mountains of central North China. Using conditional two-species occupancy model based on data derived from the extensive sampling effort (15,654 camera-days at 102 camera sites), we examined the relationship of spatial use between leopards and each prey species under the effects of human presence, free-ranging cattle, roads and settlements. RESULTS: Humans and cattle had contrasting effects on the relationship of spatial use between leopard and roe deer, with higher and lower spatial segregation between them at human and cattle-frequented sites, respectively. Roads might create a shelter for wild boar from leopard predation, with less spatial segregation between them at sites close to the roads. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that human activities are reshaping the spatial overlap between large carnivores and their prey, and have non-equivalent effects among different types of human activity. Such effects may further alter the strength of interspecific interactions between predator and prey, with far-reaching influences on the community and ecosystem that require more research.

Examining second-stage shelters: insights into housing instability and tailored support for IPV survivors.

BACKGROUND: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) exposes women and children to a wide range of challenges across housing, employment, social connections, and child well-being and is a public health issue. IPV survivors are at heightened risk of housing insecurity and homelessness. Emergency shelters have historically offered respite and support, but the emergence of second-stage shelters provides longer-term solutions. Despite their significance, there has been a lack of comprehensive research on second-stage shelters. This study focuses on understanding the needs of IPV survivors accessing second-stage shelters, aiming to illuminate unexplored aspects of support. To examine the current published peer-reviewed literature and gray literature on second-stage shelters, a scoping review was conducted. METHODS: This scoping review used the method suggested by Arksey & O'Malley (2005) and considered all studies that focused on women who had experienced IPV and were accessing transitional housing/second-stage shelters. RESULTS: Sixteen articles, mainly from the USA and published between 1985 and 2022, were included in the analysis. The findings highlighted themes of (1) a safe(r) place, with the subtheme of 'gated' communities, and (2) programming and services, with the subtheme of does one size fit all? and (3) insider support, with subthemes of paid insider support and peer insider support. CONCLUSIONS: Housing instability was evident, and the need for multiple and individualized tailored options of programming and support along with housing security was identified. Second-stage housing policy and practice implications are addressed which illuminate unexplored aspects of support.

Evaluating the effects of shelter-in-place policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We estimate the effects of shelter-in-place (SIP) orders during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We do not find detectable effects of these policies on disease spread or deaths. We find small but measurable effects on mobility that dissipate over time. And we find small, delayed effects on unemployment. We conduct additional analyses that separately assess the effects of expanding versus withdrawing SIP orders and test whether there are spillover effects in other states. Our results are consistent with prior studies showing that SIP orders have accounted for a relatively small share of the mobility trends and economic disruptions associated with the pandemic. We reanalyze two prior studies purporting to show that SIP orders caused large reductions in disease prevalence, and show that those results are not reliable. Our results do not imply that social distancing behavior by individuals, as distinct from SIP policy, is ineffective.

Crossroad between the sylvatic and domestic cycles of Mesocestoides litteratus: mesocestodiasis in dogs adopted from shelters in Türkiye.

This study aimed to report the presence of Mesocestoides litteratus in dogs adopted from shelters in Türkiye. Gravid segments were examined microscopically in the faeces of dogs from different shelters located in Ankara and Kirikkale provinces in the central region of Türkiye. Then, genomic DNA obtained from these segments, a 446-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 gene, and a 350-bp fragment of mitochondrial 12S rRNA were amplified and sequenced. BLASTn search was performed. During light microscopic examination, an egg-filled paruterine organ was observed in the middle part of the segment. Thin-shelled, oval, 35-µm-diameter parasite eggs containing an oncosphere with three pairs of hooklets were observed. The gravid segments were determined as Mesocestoides spp. based on the appearance of the typical paruterine organ. PCR results supported our diagnosis; moreover, according to the BLAST results, it was detected that the species infecting two dogs was 98.01-100% similar to M. litteratus. Praziquantel-containing medication was administered to the infected dogs at a dosage of 5 mg/kg. Foxes act as the final host of M. litteratus and the parasite is prevalent in wildlife; however, these animals may disperse the parasite in urban life. Veterinarians need to be made more aware of this parasite, especially if the dogs are owned from shelters.

Where are the links? Using a causal loop diagram to assess interactions in healthcare coordination for youth experiencing homelessness in Toronto, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) suffer from poorer physical and mental health outcomes than stably housed youth. Additionally, YEH are forced to navigate fragmented health and social service systems on their own, where they often get lost between systems when transitioning or post-discharge. Inevitably, YEH require support with health system navigation and healthcare coordination. The aim of this study is to understand interactions within and between the emergency youth shelter (EYS) and health systems that affect healthcare coordination for YEH in Toronto, Canada, and how these interactions can be targeted to improve healthcare coordination for YEH. METHODS: This study is part of a larger qualitative case study informed by the framework for transformative systems change. To understand interactions in healthcare coordination for YEH within and between the EYS and health systems, we developed a causal loop diagram (CLD) using in-depth interview data from 24 key informants at various levels of both systems. Open and focused codes developed during analysis using Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory methodology were re-analysed to identify key variables, and links between them to create the CLD. The CLD was then validated by six stakeholders through a stakeholder forum. RESULTS: The CLD illustrates six balancing and one reinforcing feedback loop in current healthcare coordination efforts within the EYS and health systems, respectively. Increasing EYS funding, building human resource capacity, strengthening inter and intra-systemic communication channels, and establishing strategic partnerships and formal referral pathways were identified among several other variables to be targeted to spiral positive change in healthcare coordination for YEH both within and between the EYS and health systems. CONCLUSIONS: The CLD provides a conceptual overview of the independent and integrated systems through which decision-makers can prioritize and guide interventions to strengthen healthcare coordination within and between the EYS and health systems. Overall, our research findings suggest that key variables such as streamlining communication and improving staff-youth relationships be prioritized, as each of these acts interdependently and influences YEH's access, quality and coordination of healthcare.

Large outbreak of typhoid fever on a river cruise ship used as accommodation for asylum seekers, the Netherlands, 2022.

On 6 April 2022, the Public Health Service of Kennemerland, the Netherlands, was notified about an outbreak of fever and abdominal complaints on a retired river cruise ship, used as shelter for asylum seekers. The diagnosis typhoid fever was confirmed on 7 April. An extensive outbreak investigation was performed. Within 47 days, 72 typhoid fever cases were identified among asylum seekers (n = 52) and staff (n = 20), of which 25 were hospitalised. All recovered after treatment. Consumption of food and tap water on the ship was associated with developing typhoid fever. The freshwater and wastewater tanks shared a common wall with severe corrosion and perforations, enabling wastewater to leak into the freshwater tank at high filling levels. Salmonella Typhi was cultured from the wastewater tank, matching the patient isolates. In the freshwater tank, Salmonella species DNA was detected by PCR, suggesting the presence of the bacterium and supporting the conclusion of contaminated freshwater as the probable source of the outbreak. Outbreaks of uncommon infections may occur if persons from endemic countries are accommodated in crowded conditions. Especially when accommodating migrants on ships, strict supervision on water quality and technical installations are indispensable to guarantee the health and safety of the residents.

Companion animal adoption and relinquishment during the COVID-19 pandemic: The experiences of animal rescue staff and volunteers.

There has been a paucity of research into the experiences of animal rescue staff and volunteers during COVID-19. The aim of this qualitative research was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on companion animal rescue organisations and their staff and volunteers, and to develop a set of recommendations on how to reduce the risk to companion animal welfare during a crisis. Descriptive thematic analysis was used to explore the experiences of staff and volunteers from 28 animal rescue organisations, most of which were based in the UK. Other surveyed countries included Germany, the Republic of Ireland, France, Spain, the USA and Australia. We identify three key themes that reflect the challenges faced by pet rescue organisations during the pandemic: (1) impact on animals; (2) impact on identity; and (3) impact on organisational processes. Key recommendations include the promotion of co-operation and modifications within the sector, the need to understand, and change, detrimental pet-owner behaviours, and the need to clarify the identity of animal rescue organisations within the Government. Both positive and negative outcomes were experienced by animal rescue organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings should be considered for future crises and indeed the everyday operating procedures of companion animal rescue organisations.

"I don't think of it as a shelter. I say I'm going home": a qualitative evaluation of a low-threshold shelter for women who use drugs.

BACKGROUND: In 2021-2022, encampments in a downtown Boston neighborhood reached record heights, increasing the visibility of drug use and homelessness in the city. In response, the city planned a "sweep" (i.e., eradication of encampments) and requested support from social services and medical providers to pilot low-threshold shelters. Low-threshold shelters reduce barriers to staying in traditional congregate shelters with more flexible regulations, longer-term bed assignments, and secured storage for contraband (e.g., drugs, weapons) instead of forced disposal. One homeless service provider opened a harm reduction-focused shelter for women who use drugs. This report describes the low-threshold shelter design and program evaluation. METHODS: This program evaluation had two primary aims: (1) to examine guests' beliefs about shelter policies and practices; and (2) to understand the staff's experiences working in a low-threshold model. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 16 guests and 12 staff members during the summer 2022. Interviews were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Guests expressed overwhelming approval for the shelter's policies, which they stated supported their autonomy, dignity, and safety. They emphasized the staff's willingness to build relationships, thus demonstrating true commitment to the guests. Guests highlighted the value of daytime access to the shelter, as it granted them autonomy over their time, reduced their substance use, and helped them build relationships with staff and other guests. The co-directors and staff designed the shelter quickly and without US models for reference; they turned to international literature, local harm reduction health care providers, and women living in encampments for guidance on the shelter policies. The staff were passionate and committed to the health and stability of the guests. Most staff found value in the low-threshold model, though some were challenged by it, believing it enabled drug use and did not require the guests to "get better." CONCLUSIONS: This evaluation indicates the value of low-threshold, harm reduction shelters as alternatives to traditional models. While these shelters do not mitigate the need for overarching housing reform, they are important measures to meet the needs of women experiencing unsheltered homelessness who face intersectional oppression.

Substance use care innovations during COVID-19: barriers and facilitators to the provision of safer supply at a toronto COVID-19 isolation and recovery site.

BACKGROUND: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an urgent need to establish isolation spaces for people experiencing homelessness who were exposed to or had COVID-19. In response, community agencies and the City of Toronto opened COVID-19 isolation and recovery sites (CIRS) in March 2020. We sought to examine the provision of comprehensive substance use services offered to clients on-site to facilitate isolation, particularly the uptake of safer supply prescribing (prescription of pharmaceutical opioids and/or stimulants) as part of a spectrum of comprehensive harm reduction and addiction treatment interventions. METHODS: We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 25 clients and 25 staff (including peer, harm reduction, nursing and medical team members) from the CIRS in April-July 2021. Iterative and thematic analytic methods were used to identify key themes that emerged in the interview discussions. RESULTS: At the time of implementation of the CIRS, the provision of a safer supply of opioids and stimulants was a novel and somewhat controversial practice. Prescribed safer supply was integrated to address the high risk of overdose among clients needing to isolate due to COVID-19. The impact of responding to on-site overdoses and presence of harm reduction and peer teams helped clinical staff overcome hesitation to prescribing safer supply. Site-specific clinical guidance and substance use specialist consults were crucial tools in building capacity to provide safer supply. Staff members had varied perspectives on what constitutes 'evidence-based' practice in a rapidly changing, crisis situation. CONCLUSION: The urgency involved in intervening during a crisis enabled the adoption of prescribed safer supply, meeting the needs of people who use substances and assisting them to complete isolation periods, while also expanding what constitutes acceptable goals in the care of people who use drugs to include harm reduction approaches.

When Multispecies Ethnography Encounters a Shelter-Based Clinic: Uncovering Ecological Factors for Cultural Psychiatry.

Through a longstanding collaboration, psychiatrists and anthropologists have assessed the impact of sociocultural context on mental health and elaborated the concept of culture in psychiatry. However, recent developments in ecological anthropology may have untapped potential for cultural psychiatry. This paper aims to uncover how "ecologies" inform patients' and clinicians' experiences, as well as their intersubjective relationships. Drawing on my ethnography with Jerome, a carriage driver who became my patient in a shelter-based psychiatric clinic, and on anthropological work about how psychic life is shaped ecologically, I describe how more-than-human relationality and the affordances of various places-a clinic and a stable-influenced both Jerome's well-being and my perceptions as a clinician. I also explore how these ecologies shaped our different roles, including my dual roles as psychiatrist and ethnographer. In the discussion, I define ecological factors, describe their implications for clinical practice, and suggest how they could be integrated into DSM's cultural formulation.

Microclimatic effects of tree shelters on the early establishment and resilience of seeded acorns vs. outplanted seedlings.

Little is known about the effects of tree shelters on the early response of oak seedlings produced by acorn seeding. In this paper, we explore the effects on holm oak (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.) seedlings of the microenvironment created by the tree shelters and the restoration method (seeding vs. outplanting) in terms of emergence, survival, growth, and resilience after harvesting. For this purpose, seedling height [H], root collar diameter [RCD], number of leaves, and aerial biomass were monitored. We made two sowings of acorns in February 2017 and February 2018, together with a seedling outplanting in February 2018 in a common garden site in semiarid SE Spain. In total, 600 acorns were randomly sowed and 300 nursery-grown seedlings were outplanted and studied until 2022. Mother tree and initial acorn mass were also monitored as additional variables in the analyses. Tree shelters consisted of closed plastic Tubes, Mixed tubes, Cork shelters, Tiles, and a Control with no shelter. Emergence rate was positively influenced by the Tube shelter (86%) as compared to the Control (64%), and especially by the initial acorn mass. By contrast, mother tree or year of sowing seemed to have no effect. The survival rate for the emerged acorns (88%) was statistically similar to that of outplanted seedlings (91%), and was unaffected by mother tree, tree shelter, or acorn mass. In terms of growth, the slenderness ratio (H:RCD) was considerably higher in seedlings from directly seeded acorns than for those that were outplanted. With the exception of Tile, all the shelters showed a higher slenderness ratio than the Control, especially the Tube shelter, which also showed a lower number of leaves and a lower aboveground dry biomass than the Control, Cork, and Tile shelters. Virtually no interactions were observed between the mother tree and the tree shelter. At harvesting, all the growth-related parameters were still strongly dependent on the acorn mass and the initial seedling features recorded after the first growing season. Resprouting rate and growth were also highly dependent on the acorn mass and the plant features at the beginning of the experiment and at harvesting. In summary, we did not find evidence to support tree shelters to improve the microclimate of holm oak seedlings both seeded or outplanted. Direct acorn seeding can be as successful as outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings. Selection of heavy acorns from mothers with a high germination and emergence rate is highly advisable.

Marine ecological security shelter in China: Concept, policy framework, mechanism and implementation obstacles.

Building a marine ecological security shelter (MESS) has become the main strategy to adapt marine ecological threats in China. As China's marine policy lacks a robust framework document, it is necessary to consider whether the policy system can effectively support the construction of MESS. However, the linkage between the construction measures of MESS and related policies is not clear. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of MESS and its connection with policy, by adopting the policy content analysis method to analyze the evolution process of MESS-related policy system. The legislative shortcomings and implementation obstacles of the MESS-related policy system are then summarized and discussed. The results show that from 1981 to 2021 the MESS-related policy system has been continuously improved. However, the policy system's support and guarantee capacity for building MESS still needs to be improved. (1) Due to the lack of basic laws and special laws, the coordination among governance subjects and among policies lacks legislative guarantee. (2) The construction of MESS continues the inter-regional and inter-department administrative barriers in collaborative governance of marine environment. To establish an effective collaborative governance model, it is essential to improve the governance structure and mechanism. (3) The government-led governance pattern faces the problem of mechanism failure. The command and control instrument accounts for more than 82%, and the public and enterprises lack strong policy guarantees to participate in marine governance. (4) The policy system's adaptability to emerging threats must be improved. Marine policies rarely involve emerging threats such as climate change and new pollutants. Meanwhile, the real-time supervision and monitoring mechanism is weak. The real-time supervision is only accounting for about 10%. Generally speaking, as a complex and long-term system engineering, the construction of MESS will inevitably encounter contradictions in politics, culture, and economy. China should deepen the construction of marine ecological civilization and form a governance concept based on ecosystems. Overall, this paper helps to understand the internal connection between MESS and policy comprehensively and provides a new perspective for improving China's marine governance capacity.

Evaluation of Psychological Symptoms in Terms of Childhood Traumas, Spirituality, and Conflict Tactics in Sheltered Battered Women.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate psychological symptoms in terms of childhood traumas, spirituality and conflict styles in women victims of violence staying in women's shelters. BACKGROUND: Violence against women is a major public health problem. Spiritual values and practices are especially important for women to cope with the negative effects of violence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in women's shelters in two provinces of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies in Türkiye. The sample consisted of 92 women who had been subjected to violence and stayed in a women's shelter for at least 15 days. The data were collected using the "Brief Symptom Inventory", "Conflict Tactic Scale", "Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS)", "Childhood Abuse Experiences Scale Short Form", and "Introductory Information Form" created by the researcher, and the data obtained were evaluated in SPSS 22.0 program. Frequency, percentage, Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in the evaluation of the data. In all statistical analyses, p < 0.05 was accepted as the significance level. RESULTS: It was found that 64.1% of the women in the study had at least one psychiatric diagnosis and major depression was in the first place (32.2%). According to the mean scores of the Brief Symptom Inventory, the relationships between all subdimensions except the somatization subdimension and the mean scores of the SWBS were found to be inversely significant at p < 0.05 significance level. According to the mean scores of the SWBS, the relationships between all subdimensions except the transcendence subdimension and the mean scores of the Conflict Methods Scale were found to be inversely significant at the p < 0.05 level of significance. CONCLUSION: According to the findings obtained from the study, it has been concluded that women should be encouraged to support them in order to be able to cope with the mental problems experienced in the psychiatric sense and to realize their spiritual beliefs and practices.

A Field Study of Carbon Monoxide Levels in Snow Caves During Short-Term Stove Use.

INTRODUCTION: While the use of camping stoves in poorly ventilated areas is discouraged, the need to address dehydration challenges in harsh arctic conditions has led to their unconventional use inside snow caves for snow melting, subjecting occupants to unknown carbon monoxide (CO) levels. This study, located at sea level in northeastern Greenland, aimed to assess CO levels and dynamics during short cooking sessions in newly constructed emergency snow caves. METHODS: In 5 snow caves, constructed according to the same design principles by 4 different individuals, a single MSR Whisperlite multifuel burner, primed with ethanol and burning white gas, was used to melt snow. CO concentrations were monitored every minute until all the snow in a 5-L pot was converted to water and CO levels returned to below 10 ppm. RESULTS: A total of 16 experiments conducted showed that the priming phase generated the highest CO peaks, with a maximum of 120 ppm. Time-weighted averages ranged from 14 ppm to 67 ppm, with trial durations of 15 to 21 min. A single trial with a dirty burner resulted in up to a 10-fold increase in CO levels. CONCLUSIONS: While single, short cooking sessions of less than 10 min burn time in newly constructed snow caves may be tolerated under specific conditions, the study highlighted substantial variation between caves and the importance of using clean burners, emphasizing the need for further research to gain a comprehensive understanding of CO exposure dynamics in snow caves.

Using painting to disclose the inner worlds of women subjected to intimate partner violence.

Intimate partner violence has become an increasingly serious social problem in Türkiye in recent years. It causes social, physical, and psychosocial health problems that impact mortality and morbidity in women. This study aimed to determine the inner worlds of female IPV victims who sought safety from their abusers in women's shelters. The sample consisted of ten women staying in a women's shelter affiliated with the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Center in Ankara. The study used a qualitative research design (phenomenology) and the drawing technique. An art therapist and a psychotherapist interpreted the symbols in pictures drawn by participants. Moreover, in-depth interviews were conducted with participants to disclose their repressed feelings and thoughts. Both in-depth interviews and drawings helped us elaborate on participants' inner worlds. The results showed that all types of violence left deep emotional scars. Some participants stated that legal sanctions should also apply to psychological violence. Participants were highly motivated to change their lives around but had financial concerns. Some participants were concerned that legal procedures, such as housing and economic support, were short-termed. The results indicate that all parties, such as governments, civil society organizations, media, and the private sector, should adopt a holistic approach to combating all types of violence.

Encountering and Identifying Different Forms of Domestic Violence in Shelters and Community Care Services in Finland During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions such as lockdowns and social distancing have been used to control coronavirus. These restrictions may increase the risk of domestic violence (DV) and discourage victims from getting help. We examined the consequences that the pandemic had on different forms of DV and different victim groups of DV. An online survey of shelter clients (N = 47), interviews with clients in community care services (N = 2), and eight focus group interviews with professionals (N = 27) working in shelters and community care services were used for data. We used a mixed-methods approach in the analysis, which showed that clients in shelters reported more violence during the pandemic than prepandemic. Psychological, controlling, and financial violence increased the most during the pandemic, according to the survey data. Coercive control was the most visible type of violence from the perspective of three vulnerable groups: intimate partners, children, and migrants. The research findings will help us arrange services to identify and better manage pandemic lockdown-associated violence.