Student nurses' perceptions and experiences in caring for people living with HIV/AIDS: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) requires clinical experience and quality care delivery skills. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of nursing students in caring for PLWHAs. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study interviewed 18 student nurses who had cared for PLWHAs from 14 tertiary hospitals across 7 provinces in China through semi-structured telephone interviews. RESULTS: Two themes emerged from the narratives: student nurses' perceptions and attitudes toward PLWHAs and student nurses' practical experiences with PLWHAs. Five theme clusters were revealed, namely "negative attitudes held before the care-giving," "a series of psychological struggles in care-giving," "favorable attitudes increased after the care-giving," "consensus on care delivery for PLWHAs," and "considerations regarding contamination reduction." CONCLUSIONS: Findings shed light on the development and changes in student nurses' perspectives on PLWHAs throughout their clinical experiences. Student nurses' perceptions and attitudes toward PLWHAs progressed through three distinct stages, and positive changes were observed after care-giving. Participants' perceptions and practical experiences with patients with AIDS enable patients to receive fair and high-quality care and provide valuable insights for nursing educators better prepare HIV nurses.

The Association Between the rs2975760 and rs3792267 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Calpain 10 (CAPN10) and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the association between the rs2975760 and rs3792267 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the calpain 10 (CAPN10) gene and gestational diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 138 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and 152 healthy pregnant women. Venous blood was separated, and the DNA was extracted. The rs2975760 and rs3792267SNP polymorphisms of CAPN10 were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The frequencies of different genotypes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and healthy pregnant women were determined, and the relationship between different SNP genotypes and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus was analyzed. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the frequencies of the TT, CT and CC genotypes of rs2975760 and the frequencies of the GG, AG and AA genotypes of rs3792267 between the women with gestational diabetes and the controls. Expression of rs2975760 and rs3792267 were not associated with the risk of gestational diabetes in the dominant model, recessive model, and additive model. However, grade B and grade D diabetes in the CC and TC genotypes of rs2975760 were significantly different from those in the TT genotype (P<0.05). Grade B and grade D diabetes in the AA and AG genotypes of rs3792267 were significantly different compared with those in the GG genotype (P<0.05), and allele A was significantly increased compared with allele G (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The rs2975760 and rs3792267 SNP polymorphisms of CAPN10 showed no significant association with the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus and only a mild association with the severity.

[Safety and efficacy of sensor augmented insulin pump versus double C therapy in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, safety and efficiency of sensor augmented insulin pump (SAP) versus double-C therapy in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 81 patients with T2DM, HbA1c ≥ 9%, were divided randomly into SAP or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (double C) group for both 6 days. RESULTS: In both groups, mean blood glucose (MBG), mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) and 24 h area under the curve at 10 (AUC10) significantly decreased after therapy (P < 0.05). These parameters in SAP group were lower than those in double C group (P < 0.05). No significant difference existed in 24 h area under the curve at 3.9 (AUC3.9) (P > 0.05). Compared with double C group, time spend to-blood glucose-target was shorter and in-target range proportion higher in SAP group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that 2 h C peptide (CP)/fasting C peptide (FCP), HbA1c and sensor alert on (all P < 0.05) were independently correlated with up-to blood glucose target. CONCLUSION: Compared with double C, SAP therapy may decrease blood glucose (BG), reduce glucose fluctuation and improve up-to target proportions without a higher risk of hypoglycemia.

Effect of metal-ion doping on the characteristics and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotubes for the removal of toluene from water.

Toluene is an extensively used reagent that could cause water pollution and endanger human health. In this work, an O3/UV/ion-doped TiO2 nanotubes process was investigated to obtain the optimum TiO2 nanotubes for effective toluene decomposition. Photocatalytic activity is found to be influenced by the doped-ion type by affecting the ionic radius, valence state, and configuration of the dopant. The calcination temperature and doping concentration, which change the weight fractions of the anatase phase (fA), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area (SBET), and the energy band gap (Eg) of the catalyst, also affect the photocatalytic activity. When TiO2 is doped with ions, SBET decreases and Eg becomes narrower. The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 for toluene removal increase after doping with Ag(+), Al(3+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), V(5+), and Zn(2+). Moreover, the 1.0% Fe(3+)-doped TiO2 nanotubes calcined at 550 °C have the highest catalytic activity, with a toluene removal efficiency of 70.7%.

Effect of needle-free injection on psychological insulin resistance and insulin dosage in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background and objective: Psychological insulin resistance (PIR), which refers to the reluctance of diabetic patients to use insulin, is a frequently encountered clinical issue. Needle-free injection (NFI) offers advantages in terms of expediting insulin absorption and mitigating adverse reactions related to injection. To evaluate the effects of subcutaneous injection of insulin aspart 30 with NFI on PIR and insulin dosage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Sixty-four patients with T2DM participated in this randomized, prospective, open, crossover study. Insulin aspart 30 was administered subcutaneously to each subject via QS-P NFI and Novo Pen 5 (NP) successively. The effects of NFI on PIR were analyzed. Differences in insulin dosage, glycemic variability, and injection safety were compared at similar levels of glycemic control. Results: After the administration of NFI, the insulin treatment attitude scale score decreased (53.7 ± 7.3 vs. 58.9 ± 10.7, p<0.001), the insulin treatment adherence questionnaire score increased (46.3 ± 4.9 vs. 43.8 ± 7.1, p<0.001), and the insulin treatment satisfaction questionnaire score increased (66.6 ± 10.5 vs. 62.4 ± 16.5, p<0.001). At the same blood glucose level, NFI required a smaller dosage of insulin aspart 30 compared with that of NP (30.42 ± 8.70 vs. 33.66 ± 9.13 U/d, p<0.001). There were no differences in glycemic variability indices (standard deviation, mean amplitude of glycemic excursion or coefficient of variation) between the two injection methods. Compared with NP, NFI did not increase the incidence of hypoglycemia (17.2% vs. 14.1%, p=0.774), and it decreased the incidence of induration (4.7% vs. 23.4%, p=0.002) and leakage (6.3% vs. 20.3%, p=0.022) while decreasing the pain visual analog scale score (2.30 ± 1.58 vs. 3.11 ± 1.40, p<0.001). Conclusion: NFI can improve PIR in patients with T2DM and be used with a smaller dose of insulin aspart 30 while maintaining the same hypoglycemic effect. Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2400083658.

Effects of selenoprotein S on oxidative injury in human endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Selenoprotein S (SelS) is an important endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane-located selenoprotein implicated in inflammatory responses and insulin resistance. However, the effects of SelS on endothelial cells (ECs) have not been reported. In the present study, the role of SelS in oxidative stress and the underlying mechanism were investigated in human ECs. METHODS: A SelS over-expression plasmid (pc-SelS) and a SelS-siRNA plasmid were transfected into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (American Type Culture Collection, USA). The cells were divided into four groups: control, SelS over-expression (transfected with pc-SelS), vector control, and SelS knockdown (transfected with siRNA-SelS). After treating the cells with H2O2, the effects of oxidative stress and the expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and protein kinase Cα (PKCα) were investigated. RESULTS: Following treatment with H2O2, over-expression of SelS significantly increased cell viability and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) production and Cav-1 gene and protein expression. However, no effects on PKCα were observed. In contrast, knockdown of SelS significantly decreased cell viability, SOD activity, and PKCα gene and protein expression, and increased MDA production and Cav-1 gene and protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: SelS protects ECs from oxidative stress by inhibiting the expression of Cav-1 and PKCα.

Selective recovery of nickel from stainless steel pickling sludge with NH3-(NH4)2CO3 leaching system.

The recovery of valuable metals from stainless steel pickling sludge(SSPS) has great economic and environmental benefits. In this study, a new method is proposed for selective recovery of nickel from SSPS by NH3-(NH4)2CO3 ammonia leaching system. The Eh-pH diagram was used to analyze Ni, Fe, Cr leaching behavior during the ammonia leaching process. Nickel can be leached as the complex [Ni(NH3)n]2+, whereas Fe and Cr remain as precipitates in the leaching slag. The effects of NH3·H2O concentration, liquid-solid ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the leaching efficiency of nickel in the ammonia leaching system were analyzed and optimized by single-factor study and response surface analysis, and the kinetics were analyzed. The optimal conditions for Ni leaching were found to be 28.28 min, 54.07 °C, a liquid-solid ratio of 23.7:1, and NH3·H2O concentration of 5.10 mol/L. Each factor had a greater effect on the rate of Ni leaching in the following order: liquid-solid ratio > NH3·H2O concentration > leaching time > leaching temperature. The ammonia leaching recovery system was controlled by chemical reaction and the activation energy was 58.17 KJ/mol. The results of scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersion spectrum (SEM-EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) show that the leaching slag was in granular form with agglomerated particles and particle size of approximately 2.8 µm The major components of the leaching slag were Fe(OH)3, Fe2O3, Fe(OH)2, Cr(OH)3, and Cr2O3. Therefore, this study provides a new and effective way of using the resources of SSPS.

Bimetal-organic framework-derived porous CoFe2O4 nanoparticles as biocompatible anode electrocatalysts for improving the power generation of microbial fuel cells.

HYPOTHESIS: The relatively lower power density of Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), primarily resulting from weak biofilm habitation and sluggish extracellular electron transfer (EET) at the anode interface, limits their practical implementation on a large scale. To address this challenge, porous CoFe2O4 nanoparticles could be used as anode electrocatalysts based on the following considerations: (i) the introduction of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles endows the anode with a rough surface that facilitates biofilm formation; (ii) the positively charged Co and Fe ions improve the interfacial affinity of anodes, enabling rapid immobilization and colonization of negatively bacteria; (iii) the multi-valent metal states of Co and Fe can function as electron shuttles, mediating EET process between biofilm and anode. EXPERIMENTS: CoFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared with a bimetal-organic framework (B-MOF) as precursor, were modified to the surface of carbon cloth as the anode of MFCs. FINDINGS: MFCs equipped with CoFe2O4 anode achieved a maximum power density of 1026.68 mW m-2, which was approximately 3.4 times higher than that of the pristine carbon cloth. Additionally, the biofilm density and viability on the anode were enhanced after CoFe2O4 modification. Considering the facile fabrication process and superior electrocatalytic performance, the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles are promising electrocatalysts for high performance and cost-effective MFCs.

Student nurses' spiritual care competence and attitude: An online survey.

AIMS: This study aimed to assess student nurses' competence and attitude toward spiritual care and analysed the associated factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using an online survey. METHODS: From April 14 to June 14, 2018, a convenience sample of 938 student nurses were recruited from six schools of Nursing in Hunan Province, China. Data were collected by using the Chinese versions of the Spiritual Care Competence Scale (C-SCCS) and the Spiritual Care Attitude Scale (C-SCAS). RESULTS: The average total score on the C-SCCS was 21.42 (±4.27) out of 30 and the C-SCAS was 58.03 (±9.90) out of 75. Factors such as liking the nursing profession, attending a spiritual care course, participation in classroom learning or expert lecture, and supporting continuous and systematic training were the strongest predictors of higher spiritual care competence and attitude. A better attitude about spiritual care was a relatively moderate and significant predictor of higher spiritual care competence.

Status of research on the resource utilization of stainless steel pickling sludge in China: a review.

The pickling sludge produced in the stainless steel pickling process is a hazardous waste and disposal in landfill poses a potential environmental risk. Stainless steel pickling sludge contains metal elements such as Fe, Cr, and Ni and substances such as SiO2 and CaO, which have good value for resource recycling. This paper briefly introduces the generation, nature, and hazards of stainless steel pickling sludge; and clustering analysis of relevant literature keywords in recent years; and detailed analysis and comparison of sludge obtained from different steel mills and resource utilization process. The current situation of pickling sludge resource utilization and the development of relevant policies in China in recent years are summarized, and new thoughts on the direction of its resource utilization are put forward.

Adverse Events and Risk Management in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hunan, China.

Purpose: Adverse events threaten residents' safety. Risk management is important to provide proper care and maintain quality in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). However, there is little data on adverse events, risk management, and risk early warning in RACFs in the Chinese mainland. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the prevalence of the aforementioned aspects and related factors in China. Participants and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a field survey of 272 RACFs in Hunan Province was conducted from January 25 to June 1, 2020. Data were collected using four main tools on prevalence of nursing adverse events, risk management, risk early warning, and general information. Descriptive statistics were described by frequency (percentage) and median (interquartile range). Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis H-test, and Spearman coefficient were used for statistical analysis. Results: RACFs experienced an average of five (15) adverse events in 2019, with falls and pressure ulcers being the most common. The total average score of risk management in RACFs was 4.72 (0.98) out of 5, with the environment and personnel management dimensions scoring the highest with 4.75 (1) and the service management dimension scoring the lowest with 4.60 (1). Only 72.79% had trained their staff on ethical and legal knowledge and 84.56% had utilized pre-hospital first aid. Further, 30% to 40% were unprepared for contingency plans of suicide, electric shock, gas poisoning, and drowning. There were significant risk management differences among the following variables: facilities' locations, accreditation with the Practice Certificate of Social Welfare Facilities, bed-size, nursing hours per resident day, requirement for nursing staff with certificates, and payment for nursing staff (p < 0.05). Conclusion: RACFs are facing safety challenges with a high prevalence of nursing adverse events. These facilities need to improve risk early warning and management to ensure residents' safety.

Professional commitment and willingness to care for people living with HIV among undergraduate nursing students: The mediating role of empathy.

BACKGROUND: As future registered nurses, undergraduate students play a vital role in integrated care for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; hence, there is a need to examine factors that can increase their willingness to care for persons with such conditions. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship among nursing professional commitment, empathy, and willingness to care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among undergraduate student nurses, and the mediating role of empathy in this relationship. DESIGN: Quantitative, cross-sectional design. SETTINGS: Nursing schools from five provinces of China, including Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Henan, and Hebei. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 747 undergraduate student nurses were recruited via cluster sampling. METHODS: Online survey was used to collect data. Nursing Willingness Questionnaire, Professional Commitment Scale, and Jefferson Scale of Empathy were the scales used to measure the variables. Structural equation modeling was used to determine significant relationships. RESULTS: Respondents' professional commitment and empathy demonstrated moderate positive associations with willingness to care. Empathy demonstrated a 21 % mediating effect on the effect of professional commitment and willingness to care (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the enabling role of professional commitment and empathy in improving undergraduate student nurses' willingness to care for persons living with human deficiency virus. Nurse educators can help improve the impact of students' professional commitment on their willingness by using educational strategies that enhance their empathy.

Nurses' Intentions, Awareness and Barriers in Reporting Adverse Events: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Tertiary Hospitals in China.

Purpose: This study explored nurses' intentions, awareness and barriers in reporting adverse events in tertiary hospitals in China. We also analyzed its associated factors to increase the chance to evaluate preventable errors, enhance care delivery, and improve patient outcomes. Patients and Methods: A cluster sampling method was used to recruit 1382 nurses from two tertiary hospitals in Chenzhou and Handan City. An online structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which included general information questionnaire (eight questions), reporting awareness questionnaire (eight items with scores ranging from 0 to 8), reporting intention questionnaire (15 items with scores ranging from 0 to 15), and reporting barriers questionnaire (22 items with scores ranging from 22 to 110). Results: We received 1565 completed questionnaires from 1734 potential participants (a response rate of 90.25%), with 1382 valid questionnaires, yielding an effective rate of 88.31%. The scores of reporting awareness, reporting intention, and reporting barriers in adverse events for nurses in tertiary hospitals were 8 (1), 15 (0), and 83.04 (±12.21) out of 110, respectively. Reporting awareness and barriers to adverse events were positively correlated with nurses' intention to report adverse events (rs = 0.237 and 0.361, respectively; P < 0.001). Regression analyses showed that reporting awareness and barriers in adverse events and professional title influenced nurses' intention to report adverse events (P < 0.05) in tertiary hospitals. Conclusion: Nurses in tertiary hospitals have a strong intention to report adverse events. The higher the reporting awareness of adverse events or the fewer perceived reporting barriers, the stronger the nurses' intention to report. Hospital managers should deliver patient safety education and training for nurses, to increase their reporting awareness and decrease their perceived reporting barriers, improve their intention to report adverse events.

Biodegradation of geosmin in drinking water by novel bacteria isolated from biologically active carbon.

Three strains of Gram-negative bacteria capable of removing geosmin from drinking water were isolated from biologically active carbon and identified to be Chryseobacterium sp., Sinorhizobium sp. and Stenotrophomonas sp. based on physio-biochemistry analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Removal efficiencies of 2 mg/L geosmin in mineral salts medium were 84.0%, 80.2% and 74.4% for Chryseobacterium sp., Sinorhizobium sp. and Stenotrophomonas sp., respectively, while removal efficiencies of 560 ng/L geosmin in filter influent were 84.8%, 82.3% and 82.5%, respectively. The biodegradation of geosmin was determined to be a pseudo first-order reaction, with rate constants at 2 mg/L and 560 ng/L being 0.097 and 0.086 day(-1), 0.089 and 0.084 day(-1), 0.074 and 0.098 day(-1) for the above mentioned degraders, respectively. The biomass of culture in the presence of geosmin was much higher than that in the absence of geosmin.

Catalytic Asymmetric Amino Acid and Its Derivatives by Chiral Aldehyde Catalysis.

Amine acid transformation is an important chemical process in biological systems. As a well-developed and acknowledged tool, chiral aldehyde catalysis provides good catalytic activation and stereoselective control abilities in the asymmetric reaction of N-unprotected amino acid esters and amino acid esters analogs, in which the key to success is the design of the catalysts derived from chiral BINOL aldehyde, which is based on the face control of enolate intermediates. In this review, one of the co-catalytic systems that combined with a transition metal to form a multiplex catalytic system and the well-established multiplex stereocenters of chiral aldehyde catalysis have been reviewed. Finally, a novel organocatalysis is prospected.

Perceptions and experiences of risk management by managers of residential aged care facilities: a qualitative study from Hunan Province, China.

BACKGROUND: With adverse events and injuries recurring in residential aged care facilities (RACFs), older adults' safety in residential age care settings has attracted extensive attention from governments, researchers, and healthcare providers. Risk management is of utmost importance in reducing risks and improving the quality of care for older adults in long-term care. Although previous studies have made great efforts to explore risk management methods and technologies in RACFs, little is known about how managers identify and respond to risks in practice. PURPOSE: This qualitative study aimed to elucidate the perceptions and experiences of managers involved in risk management in RACFs in China. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This study used a phenomenological research design. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 managers across 11 RACFs in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's seven steps and NVivo 12 plus software. RESULTS: "Facilitation of an error-free culture" emerged as a central theme of managers' perceptions of risk management. Four sub-themes were revealed, namely "creating an age-friendly physical environment," "paying close attention to frail older adults," "improving the competence of nursing staff," and "building effective management programs." CONCLUSION: Facilitation of an error-free culture was of prime importance in risk management. Managers' experiences can help RACFs to better manage risks, as well as provide new perspectives and approaches for RACFs to improve the quality and outcomes of care. This study developed initiatives for improving resident safety in RACFs and may foster interest in the developing these initiatives.

The Effect of Liraglutide on Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of liraglutide on the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with abdominal obesity. METHODS: Abdominal obesity T2DM patients with poor glycemic control were collected and treated with liraglutide. The changes of blood glucose, blood lipid, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and EAT thickness were compared after 3 months of treatment with liraglutide. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure EAT thickness. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment with liraglutide, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased from 9.81 ± 1.46% to 6.94 ± 1.29% (95%CI = 2.14-3.59, p < 0.001). The weight decreased from 91.67 ± 16.29 kg to 87.29 ± 16.43 kg (95%CI = 2.97-5.79, p < 0.001). Waist circumference before treatment was 103.69 ± 9.14 cm, and after treatment was 96.42 ± 8.42 cm (95%CI = 5.04-9.50, p < 0.001). Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly lower than those before treatment. TC decreased from 5.34 ± 1.05 mmol/L to 4.86 ± 0.97 mmol/L (95%CI = 0.15-0.82, p < 0.001). TG was 1.89 (1.48-3.17) and then to 1.92 ± 0.69 (p = 0.03). LDL-C decreased from 3.39 ± 0.84 mmol/L to 3.01 ± 0.74 mmol/L (95%CI = 0.17-0.59, p = 0.001). HDL-C increased by 1.7% after treatment, with no significant difference (p = 0.062). More importantly, the thickness of EAT decreased from 5.0 (5.0-7.0) mm to 3.95 ± 1.43 mm (p < 0.001) after liraglutide administered for 3 months. CONCLUSION: Liraglutide significantly reduces EAT thickness in T2DM with abdominal obesity, which provides theoretical support for the cardiovascular benefits of liraglutide.

Anxiety and Adaptation of Behavior in Pregnant Zhuang Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Mode Survey.

PURPOSE: This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and adaptation of behavior of Zhuang women in China to provide more specific guidance for the social and medical practice of pregnant women during public health emergencies. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 446 pregnant Zhuang women from obstetric outpatient clinics in four tertiary hospitals and online maternity schools in Nanning, Guangxi, between February 24 and March 1, 2020. Self-designed questionnaires and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale were used. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence rate of anxiety among women was 36.77%, and some adaptation of behavior was observed. Logistic regression analysis showed that pregnant women who had an annual household income of less than $7,000, were primiparous, went out for prenatal examination, wanted to self-monitor during pregnancy but did not know how to do it, believed that they should be strictly isolated at home and cancel prenatal examinations, and expected to receive pregnancy healthcare through teleconsultation services showed a higher risk of anxiety. Nevertheless, pregnant Zhuang women who were 22-35 years old, undergraduate-educated, and in their second trimester were less likely to suffer from anxiety. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant psychological impact on pregnant women from ethnic minorities. Factors related to quarantine and social isolation policies appear to drive changes in behaviors and anxiety disorders. Multidisciplinary mental health services and culturally sensitive interventions are necessary for minority pregnant women, especially for low-income primiparous women in the first or third trimester.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Cases on Medical Staff of Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital.

PURPOSE: To investigate the psychological impact of cases of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) on medical staff of Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital. METHODS: The 287 online questionnaires were distributed to medical staff working at Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital, comprising three main sections and 17 questions: basic information, current departmental position, and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The threshold for emotional distress was defined to be a total score of 4 on the GHQ-12 and above. RESULTS: A total of 255 members of medical staff participating in this study presented an emotional distress rate of 17%. Members who were male, aged 50-59, married with children, positioned as doctors, and in administration were the population with the highest rate of emotional distress. Furthermore, the severity of emotional distress among those under 30 was significantly lower than those aged 30-39 and 50-59. Doctors and other occupations shared a lower level of satisfaction on routine activities compared with nurses, so did staff in the administration compared with those who were working in screening or logistic departments. Besides, males and staff of the confirmation department had more difficulty in concentrating than females and those of the screening department, respectively. CONCLUSION: Medical staff working at Xiaotangshan Hospital underwent relatively low levels of emotional distress thanks to sufficient medical and psychological preparations. However, special attention should be paid to those who were male, married with children, senior, doctors, in administration, and in the confirmation department.

Factors affecting the performance of microbial fuel cells for sulfide and vanadium (V) treatment.

Sulfide and vanadium (V) are pollutants commonly found in wastewaters. A novel approach has been investigated using microbial fuel cell (MFC) technologies by employing sulfide and V(V) as electron donor and acceptor, respectively. This results in oxidizing sulfide and deoxidizing V(V) simultaneously. A series of operating parameters as initial concentration, conductivity, pH, external resistance were carefully examined. The results showed that these factors greatly affected the performance of the MFCs. The average removal rates of about 82.2 and 26.1% were achieved within 72 h operation for sulfide and V(V), respectively, which were accompanied by the maximum power density of about 614.1 mW m(-2) under all tested conditions. The products generated during MFC operation could be deposited, resulting in removing sulfide and V(V) from wastewaters thoroughly.