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In tissue engineering (TE), artificial biomaterials have emerged over the past decade as an alternative to autotransplants. The main characteristics of these materials include good biocompatibility as well as biodegradability. Up to now, most materials used in TE are based on polyesters, which are limited in their scope of application, especially as scaffolds, due to their undesirably slow degradation behavior under acidic conditions present, e.g. during the process of hydroxyapatite resorption during bone regeneration. Furthermore, the formation of acidic degradation products can lead to tissue inflammation or even necrosis. Therefore, alternatives to ester functionalities, which show enhanced degradability under acidic conditions, are of interest. Herein, we present the synthesis of linear and cyclic acetal-based monomers for photopolymerizable materials. The reactivity and mechanical properties of polymer networks derived from these monomers were investigated. Moreover, their degradation behavior compared to ester-based polymer networks was explored. Degradation studies of the model compounds showed that the synthesized acetals degrade 80 to 200 times faster than their ester counterparts. A subsequent in vitro degradation study of polymer networks based on these compounds confirmed the potential of acetals moieties in polymeric biomaterials for bone regeneration. ; CDG Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft ; 12 ; European Union's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant

Purpose
Although some research has been done with entertainment workers in KTV bars, little has been done to gain a qualitative understanding of the vulnerabilities of masseuse women. This is due to a prevalent focus on girls under 18 years, thereby excluding most masseuses. The purpose of this paper is to understand the reality of life as perceived by Phnom Penh's female masseuses in the lower-priced massage parlors is therefore largely unknown.


Design/methodology/approach
In total, 98 female participants completed an interview answering both open and closed questions concerning relationships, stigma and discrimination and personal sexual abuse among other topics.


Findings
This study finds that many women working in the massage parlor industry are vulnerable to various threats, including sexual exploitation and abuse. Dependency structures within the massage parlor as well as with their families seem to play a key role in the life situations that can be positive as well as negative, and in some cases both.


Research limitations/implications
This is not a prevalence study so all figures are tentative. The women were deeply concerned that they might be stigmatized further so they may not have revealed the extent of their challenges.


Practical implications
More research and work with this vulnerable group is vital. They should be recognized as a vulnerable group who have rights.


Social implications
The findings provide a baseline evaluation of the vulnerable conditions of the massage industry for women in Cambodia. Specifically, that stigma, discrimination, physical and sexual abuse, as well as a lack of access to education are all vulnerabilities not commonly covered, especially with adult women working in the entertainment industry.


Originality/value
Understanding the reality of life as perceived by Phnom Penh's female masseuses in the lower-priced massage parlors is therefore largely unknown so a study of this kind is necessary.

Purpose
Although some research has been done with entertainment workers in KTV bars, little has been done to gain a qualitative understanding of the vulnerabilities of masseuse women. This is due to a prevalent focus on girls under 18 years, thereby excluding most masseuses. The paper aims to discuss these issues.


Design/methodology/approach
In total, 98 female participants completed an interview answering both open and closed questions concerning relationships, stigma and discrimination and personal sexual abuse among other topics.


Findings
This study finds that many women working in the massage parlor industry are vulnerable to various threats, including sexual exploitation and abuse. Dependency structures within the massage parlor as well as with their families seem to play a key role in the life situations that can be positive as well as negative, and in some cases both.


Social implications
The findings provide a baseline evaluation of the vulnerable conditions of the massage industry for women in Cambodia. Specifically, that stigma, discrimination, physical and sexual abuse, as well as a lack of access to education are all vulnerabilities not commonly covered, especially with adult women working in the entertainment industry. This research has been adapted from the original transcript "Strive, No Matter What" (Miles et al., 2014).


Originality/value
The paper seeks to understand the reality of life and vulnerabilities as perceived by Phnom Penh's female masseuses in the lower-priced massage parlors which is largely unknown.