Telemedicine visits requiring follow-up in-person visits at an urban academic family medicine centre.

BACKGROUND: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was rapidly implemented in care settings globally. To understand what factors affect the successful completion of telemedicine visits in our urban, academic family medicine clinic setting, we analysed telemedicine visits carried out during the pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of telemedicine visits from 2 clinical units within a family medicine centre. To investigate the association between incomplete visits and various factors (age, gender, presenting complaints, physician level of training [resident or staff] and patient-physician relational continuity), we performed a multivariable logistic regression on data from August 2020, February 2021, and May 2021. An incomplete visit is one that requires a follow-up in-person visit with a physician within 3 days. RESULTS: Of the 2,138 telemedicine patient visits we investigated, 9.6% were incomplete. Patients presenting with lumps and bumps (OR: 3.84, 95% CI: 1.44, 10.5), as well as those seen by resident physicians (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.56) had increased odds of incomplete visits. Telemedicine visits at the family medicine clinic (Site A) with registered patients had lower odds of incomplete visits (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.39) than those at the community clinic (Site B), which provides urgent/episodic care with no associated relational continuity between patients and physicians. CONCLUSION: In our urban clinical setting, only a small minority of telemedicine visits required an in-person follow-up visit. This information may be useful in guiding approaches to triaging patients to telemedicine or standard in-person care.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was rapidly implemented in care settings globally. To understand what factors affect the successful completion of telemedicine visits in our urban, academic family medicine clinic, we analysed telemedicine visits carried out during the pandemic. On the basis of patient charts, we investigated the association between incomplete visits (telemedicine visits requiring in-person follow-up within 3 days) and various factors (age, gender, presenting complaints, whether the treating physician was a resident or staff doctor, and whether the patient and physician had a prior clinical relationship). Patients presenting with lumps and bumps and those seen by resident physicians had higher odds of being asked to come in-person for further evaluation. Overall, though, these required in-person follow-ups were uncommon: less than 10% of telemedicine visits resulted in the patient physically coming to the clinic within 3 days. The findings of our study could help guide patients to appropriate care services.

Overexpression of gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferase 2;1 (CsGGCT2;1) reduces arsenic toxicity and accumulation in Camelina sativa (L.).

KEY MESSAGE: Overexpressing CsGGCT2;1 in Camelina enhances arsenic tolerance, reducing arsenic accumulation by 40-60%. Genetically modified Camelina can potentially thrive on contaminated lands and help safeguard food quality and sustainable food and biofuel production. Environmental arsenic contamination is a serious global issue that adversely affects human health and diminishes the quality of harvested produce. Glutathione (GSH) is known to bind and detoxify arsenic and other toxic metals. A steady level of GSH is maintained within cells via the γ-glutamyl cycle. The γ-glutamyl cyclotransferases (GGCTs) have previously been shown to be involved in GSH degradation and increased tolerance to toxic metals in plants. In this study, we characterized the GGCT2;1 homolog from Camelina sativa for its role in arsenic tolerance and accumulation. Overexpression of CsGGCT2;1 in Camelina under CaMV35S constitutive promoter resulted in strong tolerance to arsenite (AsIII). The overexpression (OE) lines had 2.6-3.5-fold higher shoots and sevenfold to tenfold enhanced root biomass on media supplemented with AsIII, relative to wild-type plants. The CsGGCT2;1 OE lines accumulated 40-60% less arsenic in root and shoot tissues compared to wild-type plants. Further, the OE lines had ~ twofold higher chlorophyll content and 35% lesser levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of membrane damage via lipid peroxidation. There was a slight but non-significant increase in 5-oxoproline (5-OP), a product of GSH degradation, in OE lines. However, the transcript levels of Oxoprolinase 1 (OXP1) were upregulated, indicating the accelerated conversion of 5-OP to glutamate, which is further utilized for the resynthesis of GSH to maintain GSH homeostasis. Overall, this research suggests that genetically modified Camelina may have the potential for cultivation on contaminated marginal lands to reduce As accumulation; thereby could help in addressing food safety issues as well as future food and biofuel needs.

Patterns of physical, chemical, and metabolic characteristics of sugar maple leaves with depth in the crown and in response to nitrogen and phosphorus addition.

Few previous studies have described the patterns of leaf characteristics in response to nutrient availability and depth in the crown. Sugar maple has been studied for both sensitivity to light, as a shade-tolerant species, and sensitivity to soil nutrient availability, as a species in decline due to acid rain. To explore leaf characteristics from the top to bottom of the canopy, we collected leaves along a vertical gradient within mature sugar maple crowns in a full-factorial nitrogen (N) by phosphorus (P) addition experiment in three forest stands in central New Hampshire, USA. Thirty-two of the 44 leaf characteristics had significant relationships with depth in the crown, with the effect of depth in the crown strongest for leaf area, photosynthetic pigments and polyamines. Nitrogen addition had a strong impact on the concentration of foliar N, chlorophyll, carotenoids, alanine and glutamate. For several other elements and amino acids, N addition changed patterns with depth in the crown. Phosphorus addition increased foliar P and boron (B); it also caused a steeper increase of P and B with depth in the crown. Since most of these leaf characteristics play a direct or indirect role in photosynthesis, metabolic regulation or cell division, studies that ignore the vertical gradient may not accurately represent whole-canopy performance.

Is foliar tissue drying and grinding required for reliable and reproducible extraction of total inorganic nutrients? A comparative study of three tissue preparation methods.

In response to abiotic and biotic stress or experimental treatment(s), foliar concentrations of inorganic nutrients and metabolites often change in concert to maintain a homeostatic balance within the cell's environment thus allowing normal functions to carry on. Therefore, whenever possible, changes in cellular chemistry, metabolism, and gene expressions should be simultaneously evaluated using a common pool of tissue. This will help advance the knowledge needed to fill the gaps in our understanding of how these variables function together to maintain cellular homeostasis. Currently, foliar samples of trees for total inorganic nutrients and metabolic analyses are often collected at different times and are stored and processed in different ways before analyses. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether a pool of wet (previously frozen) intact tissue that is used for metabolic and molecular work would also be suitable for analyses of foliar total inorganic nutrients. We compared quantities of nutrients extracted from wet-intact, dried-intact, and dried-ground tissues taken from a common pool of previously frozen foliage of black oak (Quercus velutina L.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall), red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), and white pine (Pinus strobus L.). With a few exceptions in the case of hardwoods where concentrations of total Ca, Mg, K, and P extracted from wet-intact tissue were significantly higher than dry tissue, data pooled across all collection times suggest that the extracted nutrient concentrations were comparable among the three tissue preparation methods and all for species. Based on the data presented here, it may be concluded that drying and grinding of foliage may not be necessary for nutrient analyses thus making it possible to use the same pool of tissue for total inorganic nutrients and metabolic and/or genomic analyses. To our knowledge, this is the first report on such a comparison.

National Radon Action Plans in Europe and Need of Effectiveness Indicators: An Overview of HERCA Activities.

Protection of the population and of workers from exposure to radon is a unique challenge in radiation protection. Many coordinated actions and a variety of expertise are needed. Initially, a National Radon Action Plan (NRAP) has been developed and implemented by some countries, while it is currently recommended by international organizations (e.g., World Health Organization) and required by international regulations, such as the European Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom and the International Basic Safety Standards on Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources, cosponsored by eight international organizations. Within this framework, the Heads of the European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities (HERCA) have organized activities aimed at sharing experiences to contribute toward the development and implementation of effective NRAPs. Two workshops were held in 2014 and 2015, the latter on radon in workplaces. As a follow-up to these, an online event took place in March 2021, and a second specific workshop on NRAP is planned for June 2022. These workshops were attended by experts from the competent authorities of European countries, relevant national and international organizations. The experience of several countries and the outcomes from these workshops have highlighted the need for adequate indicators of the effectiveness and progress of the actions of NRAPs, which could also be useful to implement the principle of optimization and the graded approach in NRAPs. In this paper, the activities of HERCA to support the development and implementation of effective NRAPs are described and some examples of effectiveness indicators are reported, including those already included in the NRAP of some European countries.

Limitations of Canadian COVID-19 data reporting to the general public.

Canadian coronavirus (COVID-19) case statistics reported by governmental bodies and news outlets are central to inform the public and to guide health policy. We searched Canadian governmental and news outlets websites to determine how COVID-19 case statistics were reported to the general public, whether they were reported with appropriate denominators, data sources, and accounted for age, sex, and race or ethnicity. Canadian COVID-19 data reporting practices were found to have limited utility due to varying case definitions, heterogeneous and dynamic testing criteria, lack of appropriate standardization accounting for dynamics, sizes, and characteristics of the populations being tested. Population-wide representative COVID-19 testing should be implemented to enable accurate estimation of the scale and dynamics of the epidemiological situation. Comprehensive COVID-19 data on underrepresented and marginalized populations should be collected and reported in an effort to develop equitable health policies.

Factors affecting perceived credibility of assessment in medical education: A scoping review.

Assessment is more educationally effective when learners engage with assessment processes and perceive the feedback received as credible. With the goal of optimizing the educational value of assessment in medical education, we mapped the primary literature to identify factors that may affect a learner's perceptions of the credibility of assessment and assessment-generated feedback (i.e., scores or narrative comments). For this scoping review, search strategies were developed and executed in five databases. Eligible articles were primary research studies with medical learners (i.e., medical students to post-graduate fellows) as the focal population, discussed assessment of individual learners, and reported on perceived credibility in the context of assessment or assessment-generated feedback. We identified 4705 articles published between 2000 and November 16, 2020. Abstracts were screened by two reviewers; disagreements were adjudicated by a third reviewer. Full-text review resulted in 80 articles included in this synthesis. We identified three sets of intertwined factors that affect learners' perceived credibility of assessment and assessment-generated feedback: (i) elements of an assessment process, (ii) learners' level of training, and (iii) context of medical education. Medical learners make judgments regarding the credibility of assessments and assessment-generated feedback, which are influenced by a variety of individual, process, and contextual factors. Judgments of credibility appear to influence what information will or will not be used to improve later performance. For assessment to be educationally valuable, design and use of assessment-generated feedback should consider how learners interpret, use, or discount assessment-generated feedback.

Containing the good idea fairy: A deep dive into Navy firearms restriction policy.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: US Navy suicide is an ongoing concern, with more than half of suicide deaths each year related to firearms. Although decreasing firearms access by those who are at risk for suicide has been well-established as a tactic for reducing risk, implementation of firearms restrictions has a significant cultural and occupational impact among service members that may increase the stigma of seeking mental health care. During a recent Deep Dive review of all previous year suicide deaths, subject matter experts from across the US Navy identified significant variability in command utilization of firearms restriction. METHODOLOGY: Based on this finding, a review was conducted to identify best practice for firearms restriction related to suicide risk across the US military services and municipal police departments. FINDINGS: Findings from this review suggested that the Department of the Navy may benefit from adopting consistent standards for disarming and rearming service members at risk for suicide, base decisions on objective suicide risk rather than routine stressors, decrease access primarily when service members are off duty, and engage with service members to decrease core drivers of suicide behavior through command channels. IMPLICATIONS: Implementing these recommendations may be a crucial step in balancing precautions to decrease suicide risk with the stigma of firearms restriction in military settings.

INFERR-Iron infusion in haemodialysis study: INtravenous iron polymaltose for First Nations Australian patients with high FERRitin levels on haemodialysis-a protocol for a prospective open-label blinded endpoint randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, which are the main stay of managing anaemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD), is largely dependent on adequate body iron stores. The iron stores are determined by the levels of serum ferritin concentration and transferrin saturation. These two surrogate markers of iron stores are used to guide iron replacement therapy. Most Aboriginal and/or Torres Islander Australians of the Northern Territory (herein respectfully referred to as First Nations Australians) with end-stage kidney disease have ferritin levels higher than current guideline recommendations for iron therapy. There is no clear evidence to guide safe and effective treatment with iron in these patients. We aim to assess the impact of intravenous iron treatment on all-cause death and hospitalisation with a principal diagnosis of all-cause infection in First Nations patients on haemodialysis with anaemia, high ferritin levels and low transferrin saturation METHODS: In a prospective open-label blinded endpoint randomised controlled trial, a total of 576 participants on maintenance haemodialysis with high ferritin (> 700 µg/L and ≤ 2000 µg/L) and low transferrin saturation (< 40%) from all the 7 renal units across the Northern Territory of Australia will be randomised 1:1 to receive intravenous iron polymaltose 400 mg once monthly (200 mg during 2 consecutive haemodialysis sessions) (Arm A) or no IV iron treatment (standard treatment) (Arm B). Rescue therapy will be administered when the ferritin levels fall below 700 µg/L or when clinically indicated. The primary outcome will be the differences between the two study arms in the risk of hospitalisation with all-cause infection or death. An economic analysis and several secondary and tertiary outcomes analyses will also be performed. DISCUSSION: The INFERR clinical trial will address significant uncertainty on the safety and efficacy of iron therapy in First Nations Australians with CKD with hyperferritinaemia and evidence of iron deficiency. This will hopefully lead to the development of evidence-based guidelines. It will also provide the opportunity to explore the causes of hyperferritinaemia in First Nations Australians from the Northern Territory. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12620000705987 . Registered 29 June 2020.

Intrauterine Device Insertion and Removal.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are safe, highly effective, reversible contraception and come in 2 varieties in the United States: nonhormonal (copper) or levonorgestrel hormonal (LNG) IUDs. There are few absolute contraindications, making them appropriate birth control for most patients. Patients are more likely to select an IUD when counseled about IUD removal and factors that are important to them. IUD insertion and removal are uncomplicated office procedures that can be offered by primary care providers.

Endometrial Biopsy: Indications and Technique.

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a frequent medical concern for premenopausal and postmenopausal patients. Endometrial biopsy is a safe, cost-effective option offered in the office setting. Although endometrial biopsy may result in insufficient tissue or false-negative results, data suggest that endometrial biopsy is 90% sensitive for endometrial cancer and 82% sensitive for atypical hyperplasia, with specificity of 100% for postmenopausal patients and similar results in premenopausal patients. Topical cervical analgesia and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decrease a patient's discomfort during endometrial biopsy. Aftercare instructions and how patients want to receive results should be reviewed in advance of performing the endometrial biopsy.

Evaluation of citizen science contributions to radon research.

In order to reduce lung cancer due to radon exposure situations, not only authorities and organisations but also citizens may meaningfully contribute to radon mitigation actions. Citizen science (CS) initiatives are recognised for their scientific, societal and policy value related to environmental issues. The purpose of this paper is to identify which CS initiatives in the field of radon exist and evaluate to what extent these CS initiatives contribute to radon research and/or radiation protection from radon. We conducted a systematic review of internet pages and scientific literature (September-December 2020) as well as expert consultation to help us identify and assess CS initiatives on radon (September 2020-February 2021). The ten principles of the European Citizen Science Association have been used as a starting point to develop indicators for the analysis of CS contributions to radon research. The results show that there are at least eight CS initiatives in the world contributing to radon related research which comply, to some degree, with each of the ten principles. In all these initiatives citizens contributed or are contributing meaningfully to radon testing and measurements. However, most of them apply the simplest form of participation (crowdsourcing) and only one focuses on radon mitigation. Moreover, unlike CS initiatives in other environmental areas, those focusing on radon are always led by the authorities and/or universities, in a top-down manner. Yet, results confirm that both the experts in radon-related fields and the citizen scientists from radon prone areas benefit from taking part in radon CS initiatives. Experiences and lessons learned in radon related to CS initiatives are identified and discussed in order to inspire future CS initiatives potentially contributing to reducing exposure to radon as well as to the implementation of national radon action plans.

Frontal midline theta differentiates separate cognitive control strategies while still generalizing the need for cognitive control.

Cognitive control processes encompass many distinct components, including response inhibition (stopping a prepotent response), proactive control (using prior information to enact control), reactive control (last-minute changing of a prepotent response), and conflict monitoring (choosing between two competing responses). While frontal midline theta activity is theorized to be a general marker of the need for cognitive control, a stringent test of this hypothesis would require a quantitative, within-subject comparison of the neural activation patterns indexing many different cognitive control strategies, an experiment lacking in the current literature. We recorded EEG from 176 participants as they performed tasks that tested inhibitory control (Go/Nogo Task), proactive and reactive control (AX-Continuous Performance Task), and resolving response conflict (Global/Local Task-modified Flanker Task). As activity in the theta (4-8 Hz) frequency band is thought to be a common signature of cognitive control, we assessed frontal midline theta activation underlying each cognitive control strategy. In all strategies, we found higher frontal midline theta power for trials that required more cognitive control (target conditions) versus control conditions. Additionally, reactive control and inhibitory control had higher theta power than proactive control and response conflict, and proactive control had higher theta power than response conflict. Using decoding analyses, we were able to successfully decode control from target trials using classifiers trained exclusively on each of the other strategies, thus firmly demonstrating that theta representations of cognitive control generalize across multiple cognitive control strategies. Our results confirm that frontal midline theta-band activity is a common mechanism for initiating and executing cognitive control, but theta power also differentiates between cognitive control mechanisms. As theta activation reliably differs depending on the cognitive control strategy employed, future work will need to focus on the differential role of theta in differing cognitive control strategies.

A Study of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radon/Thoron Release Potential of Bedrock and Soil in Southeastern Ireland.

Radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) account for almost two-thirds of the annual average radiation dose received by the Irish population. A detailed study of natural radioactivity levels and radon and thoron exhalation rates was carried out in a legislatively designated "high radon" area, as based on existing indoor radon measurements. Indoor radon concentrations, airborne radiometric data and stream sediment geochemistry were collated, and a set of soil samples were taken from the study area. The exhalation rates of radon (E222Rn) and thoron (E220Rn) for collected samples were determined in the laboratory. The resultant data were classified based on geological and soil type parameters. Geological boundaries were found to be robust classifiers for radon exhalation rates and radon-related variables, whilst soil type classification better differentiates thoron exhalation rates and correlated variables. Linear models were developed to predict the radon and thoron exhalation rates of the study area. Distribution maps of radon and thoron exhalation rates (range: E222Rn [0.15-1.84] and E220Rn [475-3029] Bq m-2 h-1) and annual effective dose (with a mean value of 0.84 mSv y-1) are presented. For some parts of the study area, the calculated annual effective dose exceeds the recommended level of 1 mSv y-1, illustrating a significant radiation risk. Airborne radiometric data were found to be a powerful and fast tool for the prediction of geogenic radon and thoron risk. This robust method can be used for other areas where airborne radiometric data are available.

Acceptability of a Patient Portal (Opal) in HIV Clinical Care: A Feasibility Study.

Opal (opalmedapps.com), a patient portal in use at the Cedars Cancer Centre of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) (Montreal, Canada), gives cancer patients access to their medical records, collects information on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and has demonstrated patient satisfaction with care. This feasibility study aims to evaluate Opal's potential acceptability in the context of HIV care. People living with HIV (PLWH) and their healthcare providers (HCPs) completed cross-sectional surveys from August 2019 to February 2020 at large HIV centers, including the Chronic Viral Illness Service of the MUHC, and other HIV clinical sites in Montreal and Paris, France. This study comprised 114 PLWH (mean age 48 years old, SD = 12.4), including 74% men, 24% women, and 2% transgender or other; and 31 HCPs (mean age 46.5 years old, SD = 11.4), including 32% men, 65% women, and 3% other. Ownership of smartphones and tablets was high (93% PLWH, 96% HCPs), and participants were willing to use Opal (74% PLWH, 68% HCPs). Participants were interested in most Opal functions and PROMs, particularly PROMs capturing quality of life (89% PLWH, 77% HCPs), experience of healthcare (86% PLWH, 97% HCPs), and HIV self-management (92% PLWH, 97% HCPs). This study suggests Opal has high acceptability and potential usefulness as perceived by PLWH and HCPs.

Nanoscale Organization of a Platinum(II) Acetylide Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Molecular Glass for Photonics Applications.

The fabrication, molecular structure, and spectroscopy of a stable cholesteric liquid crystal platinum acetylide glass obtained from trans-Pt(PEt3)2(C≡C-C6H5-C≡N)(C≡C-C6H5-COO-Cholesterol), are described and designated as PE1-CN-Chol. Polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and wide-angle X-ray scattering experiments show room temperature glassy/crystalline texture with crystal formation upon heating to 165 °C. Further heating results in conversion to cholesteric phase. Cooling to room temperature leads to the formation of a cholesteric liquid crystal glass. Scanning tunneling microscopy of a PE1-CN-Chol monolayer reveals self-assembly at the solid-liquid interface with an array of two molecules arranged in pairs, oriented head-to-head through the CN groups, giving rise to a lamella arrangement. The lamella structure obtained from molecular dynamics calculations shows a clear phase separation between the conjugated platinum acetylide and the hydrophobic cholesterol moiety with the lamellae separation distance being 4.0 nm. Ultrafast transient absorption and flash photolysis spectra of the glass show intersystem crossing to the triplet state occurring within 100 ps following excitation. The triplet decay time of the film compared to aerated and deoxygenated solutions is consistent with oxygen quenching at the film surface but not within the film. The high chromophore concentration, high glass thermal stability, and long triplet lifetime in air show that these materials have potential as nonlinear absorbing materials.

Red maple (Acer rubrum L.) trees demonstrate acclimation to urban conditions in deciduous forests embedded in cities.

The impacts of urbanization, such as urban heat island (UHI) and nutrient loads, can influence tree function through altered physiology and metabolism and stress response, which has implications for urban forest health in cities across the world. Our goal was to compare growth-stimulating and stress-mitigating acclimation patterns of red maple (Acer rubrum) trees in deciduous forests embedded in a small (Newark, DE, US) and a large (Philadelphia, PA, US) city. The study was conducted in a long-term urban forest network on seventy-nine mature red maple trees spanning ten forests across Newark and Philadelphia. We hypothesized that red maples in Philadelphia forests compared to Newark forests will be healthier and more acclimated to warmer temperatures, elevated CO2 concentrations and reactive nitrogen (Nr) deposition, and higher nutrient/heavy metal loads. Therefore, these red maples will have higher foliar pigments, nutrients, and stress-indicating elements, enriched δ15N isotopes and increased free polyamines and amino acids to support a growth-stimulating and stress-induced response to urbanization. Our results indicate red maples are potentially growth-stimulated and stress-acclimated in Philadelphia forests experiencing a greater magnitude of urban intensity. Red maples in Philadelphia forests contained higher concentrations of foliar chlorophyll, %N, δ15N, and nutrients than those in Newark forests. Similarly, lower foliar magnesium and manganese, and higher foliar zinc, cadmium, lead, and aluminum reflected the difference in soil biogeochemistry in Philadelphia forests. Accumulation patterns of foliar free amino acids, polyamines, phosphorous, and potassium ions in red maples in Philadelphia forests shows a reallocation in cellular metabolism and nutrient uptake pathways responsible for physiological acclimation. Our results suggest the approach used here can serve as a model for investigating 'plant physiology' and the use of urban trees as a biomonitor of the impacts of 'urban pollution' on urban forests. The results suggest that cellular oxidative stress in trees caused by pollutant uptake is mitigated by the accumulation of free amino acids, polyamines, and nutrients in a larger city. Our study provides a framework for determining whether trees respond to complex urban environments through stress memory and/or acclimation.

Review of recent radon research in Ireland, OPTI-SDS project and its impact on the National Radon Control Strategy.

Radon is a radioactive gas originating from uranium, present in all rocks and soils in the Earth's Crust; emanating from the ground, radon can be released into the atmosphere. It is the greatest source of natural radioactivity exposure for the population and, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), the leading cause of lung cancer only after smoking. Although radon is a natural gas, its accumulation provoking elevated indoor radon levels is a result from building practices and thus, not natural. In Ireland, exposure to radon is estimated to be responsible for approximately 14% of all lung cancers, which is equivalent to around 300 lung cancers annually. In 2011, an interagency group was established in Ireland to develop a strategy to address indoor radon exposure, considered a significant public health concern. In 2014 a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS) for Ireland was first published, giving a list of recommendations to be accomplished in a 4-year period Phase 1. A series of research actions to achieve the effective implementation of the strategy were conducted, including the development of a research project (OPTI-SDS) on the optimum specifications for radon mitigation by soil depressurisation systems. An overview of Phase 1 of the NRCS is presented, including outcomes from the research work carried out.

Exploring the Alignment of Behavior Screening Policies and Practices in US Public School Districts.

BACKGROUND: Although recent studies provide information regarding state-level policies and district-level practices regarding social, emotional, and behavioral screening, the degree to which these policies influence screening practices is unknown. As such, the purpose of this exploratory study was to compare state- and district-level policies and reported practices around school-based social, emotional, and behavioral screening. METHODS: We obtained data for the present study from three sources: (1) a recent systematic review of state department of education websites; (2) a national survey of 1330 US school districts; and (3) a Web search and review of policy manuals published by the 1330 school districts. Comparative analyses were used to identify similarities and differences across state and district policies and practices. RESULTS: Of the 1330 districts searched, 911 had policy manuals available for review; 87 of these policy manuals, which represented 10 states, met inclusion criteria, and thus, were included in analyses. Discrepancies were found across state and district policies and across state social, emotional, and behavioral screening guidance and district practices, but consistencies did exist across district policies within the same state. CONCLUSION: District-level guidance around social, emotional, and behavioral screening appears to be limited. Our findings suggest a disconnect between state- and district-level social, emotional, and behavioral screening guidance and district reported practices, which signifies the need to identify the main influences on district- and school-level screening practices.

Getting Real about body image: A qualitative investigation of the usefulness of the Aerie Real campaign.

This study qualitatively examined perceptions of the Aerie Real campaign that utilized images that had not been digitally modified, as well as its capacity to contribute to positive body image. A sample of 35 college women, of mean age of 19.48 (range = 18-23 years) participated in individual interviews focused on their perceptions and reactions to the images included in the Aerie Real campaign. They also described the impact of the campaign on their brand perceptions and consumer intentions, as well as their attitudes towards social policy targeting the use of digital airbrushing. Most participants reacted to the images positively and perceived them as representing body diversity across several dimensions. In addition, the majority of participants found the images to be helpful for promoting positive body image and acceptance, through both appearance comparisons, and the modeling of body confidence. In addition, many participants expressed being more likely to purchase products from Aerie and support for the brand. Overwhelmingly, participants called for widespread portrayals of diverse bodies in media, although only partial support emerged for achieving this through policy. These findings support the usefulness of increasing body diversity in media and limiting thin-ideal images as means of promoting positive body image.