2,165 research outputs found
High-throughput synthesis and characterization of BiMoVOX materials
Get PDFThe high throughput synthesis and characterization of a particular family of ceramic materials, bismuth
molybdenum vanadium oxides (BiMoVOX), suitable as inorganic yellow pigments and low temperature oxidation
catalysts, is described. Samples, synthesized by calcination and peroxo sol-gel methods, are characterized by X-ray
powder diffraction, UV-visible and XAFS spectroscopy. A combined high-throughput XRD/XAFS study of a 54
samples array, with simultaneous refinement of data of both techniques, has been performed. Molybdenum doping of
bismuth vanadate results in a phase transition from monoclinic BiV04 to tetragonal Bi(V,Mo)04, both of scheelite type.
Both central metals, V5+ and Mo6+, remain in a tetrahedral coordination. UV/visible spectroscopy identifies a linear blue
shift as a function of Mo6+ amount
Microreactor cells for high throughput x-ray absorption spectroscopy
Get PDFHigh-throughput experimentation has been applied to X-ray Absorption spectroscopy as a novel route for increasing research productivity in the catalysis community. Suitable instrumentation has been developed for the rapid determination of the local structure in the metal component of precursors for supported catalysts. An automated analytical workflow was implemented that is much faster than traditional individual spectrum analysis. It allows the generation of structural data in quasi-real time. We describe initial results obtained from the automated high throughput (HT) data reduction and analysis of a sample library implemented through the 96 well-plate industrial standard. The results show that a fully automated HT-XAS technology based on existing industry standards is feasible and useful for the rapid elucidation of geometric and electronic structure of materials
The Relationship between Therapeutic Alliance and Service User Satisfaction in Mental Health Inpatient Wards and Crisis House Alternatives: A Cross-Sectional Study
Get PDFBackground
Poor service user experiences are often reported on mental health inpatient wards. Crisis houses are an alternative, but evidence is limited. This paper investigates therapeutic alliances in acute wards and crisis houses, exploring how far stronger therapeutic alliance may underlie greater client satisfaction in crisis houses.
Methods and Findings
Mixed methods were used. In the quantitative component, 108 crisis house and 247 acute ward service users responded to measures of satisfaction, therapeutic relationships, informal peer support, recovery and negative events experienced during the admission. Linear regressions were conducted to estimate the association between service setting and measures, and to model the factors associated with satisfaction. Qualitative interviews exploring therapeutic alliances were conducted with service users and staff in each setting and analysed thematically.
Results
We found that therapeutic alliances, service user satisfaction and informal peer support were greater in crisis houses than on acute wards, whilst self-rated recovery and numbers of negative events were lower. Adjusted multivariable analyses suggest that therapeutic relationships, informal peer support and negative experiences related to staff may be important factors in accounting for greater satisfaction in crisis houses. Qualitative results suggest factors that influence therapeutic alliances include service user perceptions of basic human qualities such as kindness and empathy in staff and, at service level, the extent of loss of liberty and autonomy.
Conclusions and Implications
We found that service users experience better therapeutic relationships and higher satisfaction in crisis houses compared to acute wards, although we cannot exclude the possibility that differences in service user characteristics contribute to this. This finding provides some support for the expansion of crisis house provision. Further research is needed to investigate why acute ward service users experience a lack of compassion and humanity from ward staff and how this could be changed
The cortisol awakening response predicts same morning executive function: results from a 50-day case study
Get PDFA relationship between individual differences in trait estimates of the cortisol-awakening response (CAR) and indices of executive function (EF) has been reported. However, it is difficult to determine causality from such studies. The aim of the present study was to capitalise upon state variation in both variables to seek stronger support for causality by examining daily co-variation. A 50 days researcher–participant case study was employed, ensuring careful adherence to the sampling protocol. A 24-year-old healthy male collected saliva samples and completed an attention-switching index of EF on the morning of each study day. Subsidiary control measures included wake time, sleep duration, morning fatigue, and amount of prior day exercise and alcohol consumption. As the CAR preceded daily measurement of EF, we hypothesised that, over time, a greater than average CAR would predict better than average EF. This was confirmed by mixed regression modelling of variation in cortisol concentrations, which indicated that the greater the increase in cortisol concentrations from 0 to 30 min post-awakening (CAR) the better was subsequent EF performance at 45 min post-awakening (t = 2.29, p = 0.024). This effect was independent of all potential confounding measures. Results are discussed in terms of implications for the understanding of the relationship between the CAR and the cognitive function, and the previously suggested role of the CAR in “boosting” an individual’s performance for the day ahead
The foot posture index, ankle lunge test, Beighton scale and the lower limb assessment score in healthy children: a reliability study
Get PDF<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Outcome measures are important when evaluating treatments and physiological progress in paediatric populations. Reliable, relevant measures of foot posture are important for such assessments to be accurate over time. The aim of the study was to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability of common outcome measures for paediatric foot conditions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A repeated measures, same-subject design assessed the intra- and inter-rater reliability of measures of foot posture, joint hypermobility and ankle range: the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6), the ankle lunge test, the Beighton scale and the lower limb assessment scale (LLAS), used by two examiners in 30 healthy children (aged 7 to 15 years). The Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire (OxAFQ-C) was completed by participants and a parent, to assess the extent of foot and ankle problems.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The OxAFQ-C demonstrated a mean (SD) score of 6 (6) in adults and 7(5) for children, showing good agreement between parents and children, and which indicates mid-range (transient) disability. Intra-rater reliability was good for the FPI-6 (ICC = 0.93 - 0.94), ankle lunge test (ICC = 0.85-0.95), Beighton scale (ICC = 0.96-0.98) and LLAS (ICC = 0.90-0.98). Inter-rater reliability was largely good for each of the: FPI-6 (ICC = 0.79), ankle lunge test (ICC = 0.83), Beighton scale (ICC = 0.73) and LLAS (ICC = 0.78).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The four measures investigated demonstrated adequate intra-rater and inter-rater reliability in this paediatric sample, which further justifies their use in clinical practice.</p
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