Lived Experiences of Female Science Majors at a Two-Year College

This study focused on the lives of women majoring in science at a two-year institution. The specific research goal was to investigate the lived experiences of first year female science majors at Waycross College, relevant to their career choices. The participants in this study consisted of 6 young women enrolled as science majors in the fall semester of 2005. Two interview sessions were conducted during their first year of study. They were able to share their stories as young women and share their perspectives relative to their chosen fields of study. Analyzed using the feminist standpoint theory perspective of Sandra Harding, the interviews revealed several emerging themes. First, all of the participants indicated some form of parental support throughout the duration of the study. They all indicated that one or both parents were a constant resource for encouragement in their career pursuits. Second, the influence of boyfriends played a significant role in the decision-making processes of the participants. Third, most of the participants revealed either negative advising experiences or no advising experiences at all. There was certainly an obvious decline in the quality of the advising experiences for all of the participants. Last, the analysis of the interviews revealed that the participants felt no connection to or within their chosen majors. There was an absence of mentoring programs, friendship networks in the classes, and social or organizational opportunities 2 that could prove advantageous in improving the experiences of women majoring in the sciences

Gold(I)-isocyanide and gold(I)-carbene complexes as substrates for the laser decoration of gold onto ceramic surfaces

Gold–isocyanide complexes XAu(RNC) (X = halide, pseudohalide, R = alkyl, aryl) and water soluble gold–carbene complexes XAuC(NHPh)[MeN(CH2CH2O)nMe] (X = Cl, n = 1–11) have been prepared and evaluated as substrates for the direct laser writing of gold decoration onto ceramics

Establishing a Core Outcome Set for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Report of the Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology–Polycystic Kidney Disease (SONG-PKD) Consensus Workshop

International audienceThe omission of outcomes that are of relevance to patients, clinicians, and regulators across trials in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) limits shared decision making. The Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Polycystic Kidney Disease (SONG-PKD) Initiative convened an international consensus workshop on October 25, 2018, to discuss the identification and implementation of a potential core outcome set for all ADPKD trials. This article summarizes the discussion from the workshops and the SONG-PKD core outcome set. Key stakeholders including 11 patients/caregivers and 47 health professionals (nephrologists, policy makers, industry, and researchers) attended the workshop. Four themes emerged: "Relevance of trajectory and impact of kidney function" included concerns about a patient's prognosis and uncertainty of when they may need to commence kidney replacement therapy and the lack of an early prognostic marker to inform long-term decisions; "Discerning and defining pain specific to ADPKD" highlighted the challenges in determining the origin of pain, adapting to the chronicity and repeated episodes of pain, the need to place emphasis on pain management, and to have a validated measure for pain; "Highlighting ADPKD consequences" encompassed cyst-related complications and reflected patient's knowledge because of family history and the hereditary nature of ADPKD; and "Risk for life-threatening but rare consequences" such as cerebral aneurysm meant considering both frequency and severity of the outcome. Kidney function, mortality, cardiovascular disease, and pain were established as the core outcomes for ADPKD

Establishing core outcome domains in pediatric kidney disease: report of the Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology—Children and Adolescents (SONG-KIDS) consensus workshops

Trials in children with chronic kidney disease do not consistently report outcomes that are critically important to patients and caregivers. This can diminish the relevance and reliability of evidence for decision making, limiting the implementation of results into practice and policy. As part of the Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology—Children and Adolescents (SONG-Kids) initiative, we convened 2 consensus workshops in San Diego, California (7 patients, 24 caregivers, 43 health professionals) and Melbourne, Australia (7 patients, 23 caregivers, 49 health professionals). This report summarizes the discussions on the identification and implementation of the SONG-Kids core outcomes set. Four themes were identified; survival and life participation are common high priority goals, capturing the whole child and family, ensuring broad relevance across the patient journey, and requiring feasible and valid measures. Stakeholders supported the inclusion of mortality, infection, life participation, and kidney function as the core outcomes domains for children with chronic kidney disease