Exploring synergistic interactions and catalysts in complex interventions: longitudinal, mixed methods case studies of an optimised multi-level suicide prevention intervention in four european countries (Ospi-Europe)

Background: The Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework for complex interventions highlights the need to explore interactions between components of complex interventions, but this has not yet been fully explored within complex, non-pharmacological interventions. This paper draws on the process evaluation data of a suicide prevention programme implemented in four European countries to illustrate the synergistic interactions between intervention levels in a complex programme, and to present our method for exploring these. Methods: A realist evaluation approach informed the process evaluation, which drew on mixed methods, longitudinal case studies. Data collection consisted of 47 semi-structured interviews, 12 focus groups, one workshop, fieldnoted observations of six programme meetings and 20 questionnaires (delivered at six month intervals to each of the four intervention sites). Analysis drew on the framework approach, facilitated by the use of QSR NVivo (v10). Our qualitative approach to exploring synergistic interactions (QuaSIC) also developed a matrix of hypothesised synergies that were explored within one workshop and two waves of data collection. Results: All four implementation countries provided examples of synergistic interactions that added value beyond the sum of individual intervention levels or components in isolation. For instance, the launch ceremony of the public health campaign (a level 3 intervention) in Ireland had an impact on the community-based professional training, increasing uptake and visibility of training for journalists in particular. In turn, this led to increased media reporting of OSPI activities (monitored as part of the public health campaign) and also led to wider dissemination of editorial guidelines for responsible reporting of suicidal acts. Analysis of the total process evaluation dataset also revealed the new phenomenon of the OSPI programme acting as a catalyst for externally generated (and funded) activity that shared the goals of suicide prevention. Conclusions: The QuaSIC approach enabled us to develop and refine our definition of synergistic interactions and add the innovative concept of catalytic effects. This represents a novel approach to the evaluation of complex interventions. By exploring synergies and catalytic interactions related to a complex intervention or programme, we reveal the added value to planned activities and how they might be maximised

Analytical methods in wineries: is it time to change?

A review of the methods for the most common parameters determined in wine—namely, ethanol, sulfur dioxide, reducing sugars, polyphenols, organic acids, total and volatile acidity, iron, soluble solids, pH, and color—reported in the last 10 years is presented here. The definition of the given parameter, official and usual methods in wineries appear at the beginning of each section, followed by the methods reported in the last decade divided into discontinuous and continuous methods, the latter also are grouped in nonchromatographic and chromatographic methods because of the typical characteristics of each subgroup. A critical comparison between continuous and discontinuous methods for the given parameter ends each section. Tables summarizing the features of the methods and a conclusions section may help users to select the most appropriate method and also to know the state-of-the-art of analytical methods in this area

Reactive Diffusion in the GaSb-Co System at 500°C

The utility of potential diagrams in predicting the reaction zone morphology developed between a III-V compound semiconductor and a metal is exemplified by the interactions in the GaSb-Co system. A number of experiments were designed to test the model. These are aimed at determining phase equilibria in the Ga-Sb-Co system and studying the microstructural evolution of the reaction zone in bulk as well as thin-film diffusion couples

Interfacial Reactions in GaSb/Co Metallization Contacts During Thermal Processing.

The utility of thermodynamic potential (activity) diagrams in predicting the reaction zone morphology developed in the GaSb/Co metallization contacts during thermal processing is demonstrated. A number of experiments were designed to test the model. These are aimed at determining phase equilibria in the Ga-Sb-Co system and studying the microstructural evolution of the reaction zone in bulk as well as thin-film diffusion couples. Interfacial reactions between cobalt and single-crystal (001) GaSb have been investigated at 500 C. No ternary phases exist in the system at this temperature. The cubic CoGa and CoSb3 phases were observed to be dominant growing compounds in the semi-infinite bulk as well as in thin-film reaction couples, the latter intermetallic being formed next to the GaSb substrate. When the Co film is consumed by the reaction, the final configuration of the metallization layer GaSb/CoSb3/CoGa was found. This information is important in designing uniform, stable contacts for the metallization of gallium antimonide