In this study, the relation between peer crowd identification and indoor tanning behavioral tendencies was examined. Participants were 174 undergraduate students at a large university in the USA. Results indicated peer crowd identification was significantly associated with indoor artificial UV tanning behavioral tendencies (attitudes, normative beliefs, past year use and intentions) independent of gender and skin type. Participants who identified with the popular peer crowd were at the greatest risk for indoor tanning UV exposure while identification with the brain crowd was protective against such behavior. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for future skin cancer intervention efforts.

Millions of Americans engage in tanning each year, defined as intentional ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure in the form of sunbathing or the use of indoor tanning beds. An emerging body of research suggests that UVR has addictive properties and some tanners engage in excessive tanning. This article provides an overview of the evidence of tanning addiction and a systematic review of existing tanning interventions with the goal of evaluating their potential to impact addicted tanners. Our search identified 24 intervention studies that were summarized and discussed according to 3 primary themes. First, there is a dearth of tanning interventions that target excessive tanning or are designed as treatments for tanning addiction. Second, tanning interventions are primarily educational interventions designed to increase knowledge of the risks of tanning. Third, there are notable aspects of existing tanning interventions that are relevant to addiction science, including the use of brief motivational and cognitive-behavioral-based interventions. Future directions are considered including recommendations for utilizing the existing evidence base to formulate interventions targeting excessive tanners.

Bovine hair, resulting from the unhairing of hides and skins, forms a major component of tannery solid wastes that is often disposed to landfill. However, following increasing environmental legislation restricting the disposal of commercial and industrial organic wastes to landfill, alternative treatment of tannery solid hair waste is necessary. The overall aim of this research was to develop conditions favourable for the decomposition of bovine hair waste in a composting environment. In this study, chemical pretreatments of bovine hair were carried out to enhance susceptibility to enzymatic digestion. Pretreatment using a combination of potassium thioglycolate and sodium hydroxide enhanced enzymatic digestibility of hair. Comparative solubilisation of black, brown and white hair samples with sodium sulfide showed that, the percentage soluble nitrogen, from white hair was 73% (w/w) as compared to 28% (w/w) and 24% (w/w) of black and brown hair, respectively; indicating that white hair was more vulnerable to solubilisation. Although chemical pretreatment was effective, it was considered non-compatible with the composting process. Consequently, enzymatic and microbial degradation were considered suitable alternatives. The results of the preliminary biochemical studies indicated that, the breakdown of the hair structure was enhanced when treated with a combined protease solution containing proteinase K and trypsin enzymes as compared with individual enzymes. Enzymatic and microbial degradation of hair was observed to be preferential, starting with the least resistant components, in this sequence: (1) cell membrane, (2) endocuticle, (3) medulla, and (4) cytoplasmic material and fibrillar components of the cortex. The cuticle was most resistant to degradation. Synergistic action of microbial-expressed enzymes was observed to be the fundamental mechanism for the enhanced hair degradation. Composting of bovine hair, mixed with dry leaves, soil, and wood chips/sawdust was performed in a rotary drum under controlled conditions. Optimum conditions, in order to sustain thermophilic microbial flora, were found to be (1) a moisture content of 55-+2% RH, (2) pH 7-8, (3) temperature of 49-+ C, and (4) a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 35:1. Structural changes in hair, assessed during composting using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), indicated that degradation occurred under these conditions. Microscopy results further indicated that the addition of an inoculant, containing a microbial crude enzyme, expressed by the bacteria of Bacillus species, improved the biodegradation of hair during the controlled composting process. The compost stability evaluated by monitoring the humification parameters and carbon to nitrogen ratio, indicated that the final product reached the following values: degree of humification (73 - 78%), humification ratio (26 - 32%), humification index (0.29 - 0.35), and a carbon to nitrogen ratio (25 - 29). The high level of humification of the end-product indicated reasonable stability, suggesting the product from the composted bovine hair may be suitable, suggesting the product from the composted bovine hair may be suitable for agronomical purposes. The use of composting as alternative technology for the treatment of tannery solid bovine hair waste, as a value added product, has been demonstrated.

Master of Science / Department of Psychological Sciences / Laura A. Brannon / In a two-study thesis, the current project compares the effectiveness of various messages aimed at reducing unsafe high-end tanning behaviors. Study 1 used messages focused on either the appearance or health consequences of tanning in an effort to reduce the intention of unsafe high-end tanning behaviors. The results indicated that participants did not differ in their high-end sun tanning frequencies as a result of the message condition, but that there was an interaction effect between message type and gender, such that appearance messages were most effective at reducing unsafe tanning behaviors for females. However, upon further examination of the appearance messages, it was noted that there were two primary aspects of appearance content that were present: aging and blemishes. Therefore, Study 2 examined whether the gender effect that was present in Study 1 was being driven by either the aging or blemish content of the messages. Surprisingly, it was found in Study 2 that aging messages were more effective on male participants than female participants at reducing intention of unsafe high-end tanning behaviors. Additionally, it was found in Study 2 that graphic images effectively decreased intention to perform unsafe high-end tanning behaviors. These findings along with their implications are discussed.

Fundamental elements of chrome-collagen interactions and the crosslinking mechanism at the molecular level have been investigated to gain detailed understanding that can be translated into improvements in the commercial process. Amide group hydrolysis during conventional liming proceeds by two mechanisms: direct hydrolysis with hydroxyl catalysis or intramolecular catalysed hydrolysis that can be measured by the degree of racemisation at L- asparagine. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of limed collagen demonstrated that there was no initial rise in the amount of D-aspartic acid during the first 24 hours of liming, indicating that, within the conventional period of liming, collagen remained intact. Circular dichroism has demonstrated that beamhouse processing has dispersive and relaxing effects on the collagen triple helices, but without disruption. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis provided information regarding changes in the secondary structure of collagen during tanning. Complete breakdown of chrome tanned collagen was achieved by the use of a cocktail of proteolytic enzymes: this allowed an analysis of the isolated crosslinks, which indicated preferred reaction at aspartate sidechain carboxyls. This is supported by chrome tanning studies following treatment of collagen by amidase enzymes. Geometric details of chromium(lll) species involved in the tanning reaction were elucidated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. Linear tetrameric chromium species were found to be predominant in the tanning process. Direct measurements of the mechanism were made using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. A two-stage reaction mechanism is postulated: physical interaction and chemical complexation, affected by reaction conditions such as pH, temperature and the presence of neutral salts. Nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion measurements confirmed changes in the speciation of chromium(lll) under tanning conditions.

Background/Purpose: Research suggests that youth proximity to tanning salons may promote use; however, little is known about tanning salon proximity to schools. We assessed the proximity of tanning salons to schools in urban versus rural/suburban communities across Worcester County, Massachusetts (population > 800K). To put findings in context, we compared school proximity to tanning salons to school proximity to McDonald's restaurants, a large franchise that also caters to young people. Materials & Methods: Accessibility was measured by ArcGIS 10.2 Network Analyzer (ESRI, Redlands, CA, USA) and the most current road network data layer from Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Results: A total of 145 schools were observed in the study area, of which about 39% of schools were within 1 mile from a tanning salon. Urban schools (53.41%) had a higher proportion within 1 mile of a tanning salon than rural/suburban schools (17.54%; P < .001). More schools (39.31%) were within 1 mile of a tanning salon than schools within 1 mile of a McDonald's (22.70%; P < .001). Conclusions: Schools may be particularly impactful for implementing skin cancer prevention programing.

Skin cancer incidence rates, including those for melanoma, continue to rise each year. These rates are increasing fastest among younger generations, making it important to understand the behavioral risks for the disease in this population. Adolescent females are especially at risk because of the ever-increasing popularity of indoor tanning (IT) and purposeful exposure to UV radiation. The study’s objective was to examine the prevalence of IT and the associated sociodemographic correlates in female teens (12-18 years of age) residing in the United States. Adolescent females (N=777) were recruited through Knowledge Networks’ online proprietary Knowledge Panel using dual frame recruiting with address-based and random-digit dialing to provide a national sample. Participants’ age, race, and tanning behavior, marital status of the parents and metropolitan residence status were self-reported in an online questionnaire. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent sociodemographic correlates of female teens ever having used a tanning bed or booth. Data analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 19. Eighteen percent of American female teens had ever engaged in IT. The sample was predominantly white (79.9%), lived in a metropolitan area (84.7%), and had parents who were married (75.6%). Metropolitan status was the strongest correlate of IT behavior, with non-metropolitan residents 2 times more likely to have ever indoor tanned compared to females living in metropolitan areas (Odds ratio (OR): 2.09, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27-3.44). Additionally, a one-year increase in age was associated with 55% increase in the prevalence of ever IT (OR 1.5, CI 1.37- 1.75). Also, females with unmarried parents were 89% more likely to have ever tanned compared with females whose parents were married (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.23-3.09). White females were 0.16 times more likely to have ever indoor tanned compared to other races (OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.08-0.36). All independent variables were statistically significant at the p

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Background: Evidence suggests that indoor tanning may have addictive properties. However, many instruments for measuring indoor tanning addiction show poor validity and reliability. Recently, a new instrument, the Behavioral Addiction Indoor Tanning Screener (BAITS), has been developed. Objectives: To test the validity and reliability of the BAITS by using a multimethod approach. Methods: We used data from the first wave of the National Cancer Aid Monitoring on Sunbed Use, which included a cognitive pretest (August 2015) and a Germany‐wide representative survey (October to December 2015). In the cognitive pretest 10 users of tanning beds were interviewed and 3000 individuals aged 14–45 years were included in the representative survey. Potential symptoms of indoor tanning addiction were measured using the BAITS, a brief screening survey with seven items (answer categories: yes vs. no). Criterion validity was assessed by comparing the results of BAITS with usage parameters. Additionally, we tested internal consistency and construct validity. Results: A total of 19·7% of current and 1·8% of former indoor tanning users were screened positive for symptoms of a potential indoor tanning addiction. We found significant associations between usage parameters and the BAITS (criterion validity). Internal consistency (reliability) was good (Kuder–Richardson‐20, 0·854). The BAITS was shown to be a homogeneous construct (construct validity). Conclusions: Compared with other short instruments measuring symptoms of a potential indoor tanning addiction, the BAITS seems to be a valid and reliable tool. With its short length and the binary items the BAITS is easy to use in large surveys.

Skin cancer incidence is increasing while the rates of other cancers is declining. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine whether health self-efficacy predicted skin cancer protective behaviors. The theory of health self-efficacy provided the framework for the study. Secondary data were collected from the 2008 and 2014 Health Information National Trends Surveys. The study sample included women 18-34 years of age because this population is especially vulnerable to skin cancer. Results of logistic regression analyses indicated that higher levels of health self-efficacy predicted greater sunscreen use, but higher health self-efficacy levels did not predict avoidance of tanning bed or booth use. No significant changes were found in sunscreen use and tanning bed and booth use between 2008 and 2014. Findings may be used to develop educational programs and medical interventions to decrease the incidence of skin cancer.