The Effects of Organic and Inorganic Nanoparticles on Bacterial Deactivation

Antibacterial resistance is one of the greatest problems in modern medicine, as healthcare professionals are experiencing more and more difficulty in providing effective care. As such, alternative methods of treatment are needed in order to overcome this issue. One recently proposed method of alternative treatment is photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy is a light-based method of treatment that utilizes (1) a photosensitizing agent, (2) light, (3) produced oxygen species. When the photosensitizing agent is injected into an infected region of interest and then irradiated with a certain wavelength of light, the agent is photoactivated and begins to produce harmful forms of oxygen, including reactive oxygen species. The oxygen species can then deactivate surrounding malignant cells, thus providing an effective form of antibacterial care. In this work, new forms of photosensitizing agents are discussed. One project involves the combination of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with Methylene Blue (MB) as a more effective and efficient photosensitizing agent. The second project investigates the use of aluminum nanoparticles as an alternative agent. In both works, a Nd:YAG nanosecond pulsed laser was used to irradiate the samples for varying periods of time, and then following proper characterization procedures, the samples were combined with bacterial cultures to test the level of bacterial deactivation

Faith in the Fandom: Finding Meaning and Identity in Works of Science Fiction

This thesis examines the ways that works of science fiction are being used to provide tools for negotiating contemporary, modern life and defining identity. The primary method of research for this project is a series of interviews conducted with participants attending a public science fiction and fantasy convention, called Dragon Con in Atlanta, GA. The interviews include questions about the impact of science fiction on entertainment, identity, and community. Incorporating the model of the “fan object” into the way religious studies scholars interpret religion provides insight on a new example of religious individualism that seems to be one new step in the evolution of religion

A pilot study to support veterans in the criminal justice system

Project Nova is a pilot model in Norfolk and Suffolk of an intervention, to reach veterans at the earliest point of contact following their arrest. This evaluation of Project Nova provides an insight into the needs of veteran offenders at an early stage in the criminal justice pathway. It also helps the reader to understand whether these needs can be met shortly after arrest, and whether this has any impact on offending behaviour. This Report reflects on examples of best practice for working with this challenging and often hard to engage populatio

Individual differences in motivation to change in individuals with eating disorders: A systematic review

Objective: Motivation to change has been suggested to significantly impact treatment outcomes in eating disorders (EDs). This review will investigate factors associated with motivation to change in EDs with the aim of supporting clinicians to be aware and sensitive to factors that might obstruct recovery and to inform motivation‐based interventions. Method: Using PRISMA guidelines, this article identified 24 studies through database searches meeting eligibility criteria. Only correlates of motivation were identified, limiting the ability of this review to identify causal relationships. Factors that changed alongside changes in motivation were identified from longitudinal studies. Results: This review identified factors such as individual characteristics, co‐morbid psychopathology, lack of treatment autonomy and relationships with others to be associated with motivation to change in individuals with EDs. In addition, motivation to change significantly increased alongside self‐esteem and identity re‐negotiation when measured longitudinally. Discussion: Motivational interviewing can typically focus on exploring ambivalence to treatment, identifying goals and values, and increasing self‐efficacy. However, this review identifies individual and relational factors to be particularly significant and may obstruct recovery from an ED. As such, evidence‐based targets have been identified to inform clinicians and motivation‐based interventions. Public significance: Knowledge of factors associated with motivation to change in EDs is important to understand those who may have poorer treatment outcomes. Motivation may be improved by supporting individuals' relationship with others and tailoring interventions according to temperament and personality traits. Utilizing an individual's social support as they enter ED treatment may be effective in maximizing motivation to recover

Implantation: Cross Talk of the Developing Embryo and Endometrium

The window of implantation has long posed as a challenge in understanding the exact synchronized cross talk that must take place in order for a developing embryo to be appropriately received by the endometrium. This is due mostly to the fact that it is difficult to study human models of implantation without sacrificing the potential for pregnancy. For many who present with a diagnosis of infertility with an otherwise unexplained etiology, recurrent implantation failure or a displaced window of receptivity may be an underlying, silent cause. As assisted reproductive technology (ART) continues to advance and offer new scientific breakthroughs allowing greater insight and understanding to reproductive failure and infertility, endometrial receptivity testing may offer answers to struggling patients

Landowners\u27 Perceptions of Conservation Easements: Implications for Effective Persuasive Communication

Conservation easements (CEs) are one of the most popular voluntary, legally binding programs that allow individual landowners to use their property to protect the environment. There is a definite need for educational and persuasive messaging targeted towards landowners regarding adopting conservation easements. Based on previous studies, and confirmed by this study, communication efforts that are led by conservation experts who are also community members are most likely to be well received by landowners in a region. There is currently little to no existing region-specific literature specifically related to the attitudes and behaviors landowners possess towards conservation easements. Additionally, more literature is needed regarding landowners’ communications preferences for learning about CEs; the existing literature focuses broadly on environmental communication. This study aimed to fill a gap in literature by conducting a quantitative survey and qualitative phone interview with landowners in Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma. Participants were asked to identify their awareness level knowledge about conservation easements, as well as rank incentivizing and disincentivizing factors that would influence their decision to adopt conservation easements. Researchers identified that there is a strong need for regional easement organizations to increase their awareness-level educational communications efforts. In addition, participants noted a strong desire for more personalized and in-person communications methods to be used by easement organizations

The Influence of Macroscale Stress Concentrations on the Near-Resonant Thermomechanics of Mock Energetic Materials

The characterization of particulate composite energetic materials, both with and without stress concentration, is currently of great interest to the defense community. This work seeks to further characterize the self-heating effect of composite energetic plates, particularly around regions of high stress, when subjected to harmonic excitation near resonance. Mock energetic plates with macroscale stress concentrations are prepared in various compositions based on the PBXN-109 formulation, and are tested near the first resonant frequency using an electrodynamic shaker. The resulting mechanical and thermal responses are recorded using a laser Doppler vibrometer and an infrared camera, respectively. Upon comparison between the regions of heightened strain and stress, a strong correlation was found between the respective areas of heightened response. Additionally, the effect of the type of stress concentration on the resulting levels of stress and strain is discussed. This characterization will aid the defense community in their mission to better understand particulate composite energetic materials