An Investigation into the Effects of Salt Concentration on Surfactant Adsorption Using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance

Surfactant adsorption from aqueous electrolyte solutions onto metal surfaces was characterized through the use of a Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM). The need for a better understanding of the surfactant adsorption process became apparent in previous studies by Morton et al., who used estimated and extrapolated properties in a thermodynamically-based model of oil removal from metal surfaces. These modeling efforts overlap existing data on surfactant adsorption data and require an estimation of surfactant adsorption phenomena, especially the transition between monolayer adsorption and multi-layer adsorption, which corresponds to the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Thus, the purpose of this study was to gain surfactant adsorption data in an effort to increase the efficacy of surfactant degreasing techniques. A survey of the literature and a summary of the research in this thesis is provided in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 reports the experimental work to establish the mass of surfactant adsorbed from an aqueous electrolyte-surfactant solution onto a vibrating crystal of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Density and viscosity of the aqueous solutions were measured separately so that the change in mass could be observed from the frequency change measurements. Conclusions about the behavior of the surfactant adsorption phenomena taking place at varying salt concentrations were discussed. Chapter 3 presents future direction for the continued study of the cleaning and degreasing studies in this thesis

Into the Light: Using Technology to Develop a Mother/Family Centered Peer Support Network [English and Spanish versions]

This paper highlights the work of Postpartum Progress Inc., to engage with large online communities of women experiencing a perinatal mental health issue, in order to explore the efficacy of peer support as a treatment modality. Into the Light is a Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Pipeline to Proposal project that will bring together diverse stakeholders and patients to build collaborative partnerships. Project goals include developing patient engagement, recruitment and dissemination strategies that reflect the needs of this patient population. Increasing patient access to easily understood information about treatment options when making health care decisions and improving patient-centered research strategies are also aims of the project. A Spanish translation of this publication is available to download under Additional Files

The Value of Managing by Values: A Canadian Sport Organization Case Study

The purpose of this study was an in-depth examination of the use of organizational values in the management practices of a nonprofit sport organization. Using a case study approach, interview (n = 13) and video (n = 5) data were examined to determine (1) the nature of employee involvement as it relates to the development of organizational values, (2) the process of enacting and communicating organizational values, and (3) the perceived link between the deliberate implementation of management by values and organizational performance within one national sport organization. Findings demonstrated the need for all employees and internal stakeholders to be involved in the value generation process. Furthermore, in order for organizational values to be understood and ‘lived\u27 by personnel, values must be engrained into everyday human resource management sport policy and practice. Contribution to theory, as well as implications for sport practitioners and scholars are presented

Mothers, Mental Health and Opioids: Engaging with Researchers @research4moms.com

Co-occurring mental illness and opioid misuse is a significant and rising public health issue for mothers in the US. In recent years, opioid misuse during pregnancy has increased a great deal.1 Only a small subset of mothers will seek and receive help for themselves and their children.2, 3 When it is sought, treatment is not necessarily targeted or tailored to meet the needs of mothers and families.1 We are bringing mothers and researchers together to promote a shared understanding of mothers’ experiences and needs, and to inform research that is relevant, meaningful and effective, with the goal of improving mental health/opioid misuse treatment and outcomes for mothers and children

Case 10 : Moving Towards an Inclusive Society: Implementing Epilepsy Awareness Education in the Ontario Elementary School Health Curriculum

This case revolves around the stigma experienced by individuals living with epilepsy. It discusses how Martha, a strategic planner at the Epilepsy Support Centre in London, Ontario, identified the negative health and social implications that confront individuals living with epilepsy. It then sets the stage in terms of problems faced by children and adolescents with epilepsy who are living in London, Ontario, and in terms of public health issues, school boards and government, and future directions. As this is a new initiative that is designed to be introduced into the school curriculum, it is crucial to have appropriate and influential stakeholders on board to actualize this epilepsy awareness program

Systematic Review of Economic Models Used to Compare Techniques for Detecting Peripheral Arterial Disease

Background and objective Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common condition, in which atherosclerotic narrowing in the arteries restricts blood supply to the leg muscles. In order to support future model-based economic evaluations comparing methods of diagnosis in this area, a systematic review of economic modelling studies was conducted. Methods A systematic literature review was performed in June 2017 to identify model-based economic evaluations of diagnostic tests to detect PAD, with six individual databases searched. The review was conducted in accordance with the methods outlined in the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination’s guidance for undertaking reviews in healthcare, and appropriate inclusion criteria were applied. Relevant data were extracted, and studies were quality assessed. Results Seven studies were included in the final review, all of which were published between 1995 and 2014. There was wide variation in the types of diagnostic test compared. The majority of the studies (six of seven) referenced the sources used to develop their model, and all studies stated and justified the structural assumptions. Reporting of the data within the included studies could have been improved. Only one identified study focused on the cost-effectiveness of a test typically used in primary care. Conclusions This review brings together all applied modelling methods for tests used in the diagnosis of PAD, which could be used to support future model-based economic evaluations in this field. The limited modelling work available on tests typically used for the detection of PAD in primary care, in particular, highlights the importance of future work in this area

Systematic reviews and tech mining: A methodological comparison with case study

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147169/1/jrsm1318_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147169/2/jrsm1318.pd

Development of a wetland plant indicator list to inform the delineation of wetlands in New South Wales

Wetlands experience fluctuating water levels, so their extent varies spatially and temporally. This characteristic is widespread and likely to increase as global temperatures and evaporation rates increase. The temporary nature of wetlands can confound where a wetland begins and ends, resulting in unreliable mapping and determination of wetland areas for inventory, planning or monitoring purposes. The occurrence of plants that rely on the presence of water for part or all of their life history can be a reliable way to determine the extent of water-affected ecosystems. A wetland plant indicator list (WPIL) could enable more accurate mapping and provide a tool for on-ground validation of wetland boundaries. However, this introduces the problem of the definition of 'wetland plant', especially with species that can tolerate, or require, water level fluctuation, and that respond to flooding or drought by adjusting their morphology or phenology (i.e. 'amphibious' plants and those that grow only during drawdown). In this study we developed a WPIL through a process of expert elicitation. The expert decisions were compared and standardised for each species. It is envisaged that this work will lead to a comprehensive listing of wetland plants for Australia for the purposes of planning, mapping and management. © 2019 CSIRO