An Evaluation of Qualities of Nuclear Medicine Technology Programs and Graduates Leading to Employability

Our rationale was to evaluate how the qualities of nuclear medicine technology (NMT) programs and graduates associate with employability. Methods: We identified all Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board applicants who passed the entry-level NMT examination between 2012 and 2017. Certificants were e-mailed a survey with questions on graduate qualities, program qualities, and initial employment. Each quality was quantified. Age, sex, and desired employment within or outside the United States were also documented. An employability scale was created from the initial employment questions. Subjects were separated into 4 employability groups based on their employability score: poorly employable, marginally employable, satisfactorily employable, and optimally employable. An ANOVA test was performed on each quality using the 4 employability groups; a P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 3,930 surveys distributed, 885 (22.5%) were completed and returned. Six of the 10 qualities evaluated were significantly associated with employability: overall education (P < 0.01), number of clinic hours (P < 0.01), grade-point average (P < 0.01), number of schools within a 100-mile (161-km) radius (P < 0.01), number of attempts to pass the board examination (P < 0.01), and number of clinics (P = 0.04). The qualities that were not statistically significant were age, sex, employment location sought, board score, single versus dual certification, program level of education, and number of graduates in the class. Conclusion: There are multiple graduate and program qualities that are predictive of the employability of NMT graduates

Reducing veterans’ risk for suicidal behaviors: a qualitative study to inform development of the RECLAIM health promotion program

Background In an effort to reduce the high rate of suicide among post-9/11 veterans, a collaborative team within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed a holistic community-based health promotion program designed to facilitate social and self-connectedness. The purpose of this study was to elicit veteran and stakeholder feedback to prepare the program for piloting and implementation. Methods Focus groups and interviews were conducted with post-9/11 veterans and veteran stakeholders (e.g., VA clinicians) to elicit feedback regarding the health promotion program. Focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Qualitative thematic analysis identified key themes emerging from the focus groups and interviews. Results Seven focus groups (3 Veteran groups, 4 stakeholder groups) and 3 interviews (2 Veterans, 1 stakeholder) were conducted with 41 participants (14 veterans, 27 stakeholders). Overall, participants had a positive perception of the program. Thematic analysis revealed shared perspectives that provided insight into 1) enhancing program recruitment and retention, 2) the perceived ability of a health promotion program to provide more holistic, veteran-centered care, and 3) using health promotion programs to help veterans establish structure in their daily lives. Conclusions Findings indicated an overall acceptance of the program, and participants’ perspectives on how to reduce barriers and enhance facilitators can inform the development of a larger-scale health promotion program that can be tested through future research. While discussion questions were specifically focused on the program in this study, findings can be considered more broadly for the design and implementation of related programs to effectively improve the health and wellness of post-9/11 veterans

Pursuit of Record Breaking Energy Barriers: A Study of Magnetic Axiality in Diamide Ligated DyIII Single-Molecule Magnets

DyIII single-ion magnets (SIMs) with strong axial donors and weak equatorial ligands are attractive model systems with which to harness the maximum magnetic anisotropy of DyIII ions. Utilizing a rigid ferrocene diamide ligand (NNTBS), a DyIII SIM, (NNTBS)DyI(THF)2, 1-Dy (NNTBS = fc(NHSitBuMe2)2, fc = 1,1'-ferrocenediyl), composed of a near linear arrangement of donor atoms, exhibits a large energy barrier to spin reversal (770.8 K) and magnetic blocking (14 K). The effects of the transverse ligands on the magnetic and electronic structure of 1-Dy were investigated through ab initio methods, eliciting significant magnetic axiality, even in the fourth Kramers doublet, thus demonstrating the potential of rigid diamide ligands in the design of new SIMs with defined magnetic axiality

In situ synthesis of lanthanide complexes supported by a ferrocene diamide ligand: extension to redox-active lanthanide ions

Reliable transformation of low-cost rare-earth metal oxides to organometallic rare-earth metal complexes is a prerequisite for the advancement of non-aqueous rare-earth metal chemistry. We have recently developed an in situ method to prepare rare-earth alkyl and halide precursors supported by a diamidoferrocene NNTBS, 1,1′-fc(NSiMe2tBu)2, as an ancillary ligand. Herein, we extended the scope of this method to other lanthanide ions including those that are redox active, such as cerium, praseodymium, samarium, terbium, thulium, and ytterbium. Specifically, samarium trisbenzyl could be generated in situ and then converted to the corresponding samarium benzyl or iodide complexes in good yield. However, it was found that ytterbium trisbenzyl could not be formed cleanly and the consequent conversion to ytterbium iodide complex was low yielding. By adapting an alternative route, the desired ytterbium chloride precursor could be obtained in good yield and purity

Synthesis of Reactive Metal Complexes Supported by 1,1’-disubstituted Ferrocene Ligands

Reliable transformation of low-cost rare-earth metal oxides to organometallic rare-earth metal complexes is a prerequisite for the advancement of non-aqueous rare-earth metal chemistry. We have recently developed an in situ method to prepare rare-earth alkyl and halide precursors supported by a diamidoferrocene NNfc, 1,1’-fc(NSiMe2Bu)2, as an ancillary ligand. We extended the scope of this method to other lanthanide ions including those that are redox active, such as cerium, praseodymium, samarium, terbium, thulium, and ytterbium. Specifically, samarium trisbenzyl could be generated in situ and then converted to the corresponding samarium benzyl or iodide complexes in good yield. However, it was found that ytterbium trisbenzyl could not be formed cleanly and the consequent conversion to ytterbium iodide complex was low yielding. By adapting an alternative route, the desired ytterbium chloride precursor could be obtained in good yield and purity. The synthesis and characterization of two yttrium alkyl complexes supported by a bisphosphinimine ferrocene ligand, NPfc (1,1′-di(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-diphenylphosphiniminophenoxy)ferrocene), were accomplished. Although (NPfc)Y(CH2Ph) and (NPfc)Y(CH2SiMe3) could be structurally characterized, these compounds are thermally sensitive and decompose at ambient temperature within hours. Their characterization was accomplished by NMR spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements, and elemental analysis. Reactivity studies were also carried out; however, the lack of prolonged thermal stability at ambient temperature of these molecules led to decomposition before a clean transformation to reaction products could be observed.The synthesis and characterization of Ln-C4Ph4-K, [(NNTBS)Ln(η2-C4Ph4)][K(THF)x] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu), rare-earth metal complexes supported by a ferrocene diamide ligand, NNTBS (NNTBS = fc(NSitBuMe2)2, fc = 1,1′-ferrocenediyl), were accomplished. The preparation of the half-sandwich compounds, Ln-naph-K, [(NNTBS)Ln(μ-C10H8)][K(THF)2] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu, La), was necessary in order to obtain high yields of rare-earth metallacyclopentadienes. Unlike Y and Lu, La did not show the same reactivity toward PhCCPh. The characterization of the new metal complexes was accomplished by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction

In situ synthesis of lanthanide complexes supported by a ferrocene diamide ligand: Extension to redox-active lanthanide ions

Reliable transformation of low-cost rare-earth metal oxides to organometallic rare-earth metal complexes is a prerequisite for the advancement of non-aqueous rare-earth metal chemistry. We have recently developed an in situ method to prepare rare-earth alkyl and halide precursors supported by a diamidoferrocene NNTBS, 1,1′-fc(NSiMe2tBu)2, as an ancillary ligand. Herein, we extended the scope of this method to other lanthanide ions including those that are redox active, such as cerium, praseodymium, samarium, terbium, thulium, and ytterbium. Specifically, samarium trisbenzyl could be generated in situ and then converted to the corresponding samarium benzyl or iodide complexes in good yield. However, it was found that ytterbium trisbenzyl could not be formed cleanly and the consequent conversion to ytterbium iodide complex was low yielding. By adapting an alternative route, the desired ytterbium chloride precursor could be obtained in good yield and purity

Highly Active Yttrium Catalysts for the Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone and δ-Valerolactone

The activity of several yttrium alkoxide and aryloxide complexes supported by a ferrocene-based ligand incorporating two thiol phenolates, thiolfan (1,1′-bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-thiomethylenephenoxy)ferrocene), was studied. The tert-butoxide complex could only be isolated in the ate form, while a monophenoxide complex could be obtained for OAr = 2,6-di-tert-butylphenolate. The synthetic utility of these yttrium complexes has been demonstrated by the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters, with a high activity toward ε-caprolactone and -valerolactone being found for the yttrium phenoxide complex

Yttrium-Alkyl Complexes Supported by a Ferrocene-Based Phosphinimine Ligand

The synthesis and characterization of two yttrium alkyl complexes supported by a bisphosphinimine ferrocene ligand, <b>NP</b>^<b>fc</b> (1,1′-di­(2,4-di-<i>tert</i>-butyl-6-diphenylphosphiniminophenoxy)­ferrocene), were accomplished. Although <b>(NP</b>^<b>fc</b><b>)­Y­(CH</b>_<b>2</b><b>Ph)</b> and <b>(NP</b>^<b>fc</b>)<b>Y­(CH</b>_<b>2</b><b>SiMe</b>_<b>3</b><b>)</b> could be structurally characterized, these compounds are thermally sensitive and decompose at ambient temperature within hours. Their characterization was accomplished by NMR spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements, and elemental analysis. Reactivity studies were also carried out; however, the lack of prolonged thermal stability at ambient temperature of these molecules led to decomposition before a clean transformation to reaction products could be observed

Reducing veterans’ risk for suicidal behaviors: a qualitative study to inform development of the RECLAIM health promotion program

Background In an effort to reduce the high rate of suicide among post-9/11 veterans, a collaborative team within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed a holistic community-based health promotion program designed to facilitate social and self-connectedness. The purpose of this study was to elicit veteran and stakeholder feedback to prepare the program for piloting and implementation. Methods Focus groups and interviews were conducted with post-9/11 veterans and veteran stakeholders (e.g., VA clinicians) to elicit feedback regarding the health promotion program. Focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Qualitative thematic analysis identified key themes emerging from the focus groups and interviews. Results Seven focus groups (3 Veteran groups, 4 stakeholder groups) and 3 interviews (2 Veterans, 1 stakeholder) were conducted with 41 participants (14 veterans, 27 stakeholders). Overall, participants had a positive perception of the program. Thematic analysis revealed shared perspectives that provided insight into 1) enhancing program recruitment and retention, 2) the perceived ability of a health promotion program to provide more holistic, veteran-centered care, and 3) using health promotion programs to help veterans establish structure in their daily lives. Conclusions Findings indicated an overall acceptance of the program, and participants’ perspectives on how to reduce barriers and enhance facilitators can inform the development of a larger-scale health promotion program that can be tested through future research. While discussion questions were specifically focused on the program in this study, findings can be considered more broadly for the design and implementation of related programs to effectively improve the health and wellness of post-9/11 veterans