The Goddard Project

The goal of this project was to design and build a robotic dog modeled after Goddard from the 2001 television series, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius. Sheet metal was used for the body of the robot in order to keep the frame lightweight. Goddard travels on two wheels powered by electric motors and two caster wheels. The robot utilizes a Raspberry Pi as its master device and an Arduino Uno in order to control the robot. Essentially, Goddard acts and behaves like an ordinary dog from barking, to moving around, to being a great companion and friend. In addition, Goddard also has access to the extensive knowledge of the Wolfram Alpha database and can be controlled over a wireless internet connection using a keyboard or voice controls. This project was successfully presented and demonstrated at the 2014 University of New Hampshire Undergraduate Research Conference and received an Award of Excellence

The effect of combination treatment with aliskiren and blockers of the renin-angiotensin system on hyperkalaemia and acute kidney injury: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To examine the safety of using aliskiren combined with agents used to block the renin-angiotensin system

Optimizing Recruitment and Retention in Substance Use Disorder Research in Emergency Departments

Introduction: Clinical trial recruitment and retention of individuals who use substances are challenging in any setting and can be particularly difficult in emergency department (ED) settings. This article discusses strategies for optimizing recruitment and retention in substance use research conducted in EDs.Methods: Screening, Motivational Assessment, Referral, and Treatment in Emergency Departments (SMART-ED) was a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) protocol designed to assess the impact of a brief intervention with individuals screening positive for moderate to severe problems related to use of non-alcohol, non-nicotine drugs. We implemented a multisite, randomized clinical trial at six academic EDs in the United States and leveraged a variety of methods to successfully recruit and retain study participants throughout the 12-month study course. Recruitment and retention success is attributed to appropriate site selection, leveraging technology, and gathering adequate contact information from participants at their initial study visit.Results: The SMART-ED recruited 1,285 adult ED patients and attained follow-up rates of 88%, 86%, and 81% at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up periods, respectively. Participant retention protocols and practices were key tools in this longitudinal study that required continuous monitoring, innovation, and adaptation to ensure strategies remained culturally sensitive and context appropriate through the duration of the study.Conclusion: Tailored strategies that consider the demographic characteristics and region of recruitment and retention are necessary for ED-based longitudinal studies involving patients with substance use disorders

The impact of treatment transitions between dialysis and transplantation on illness cognitions and quality of life - A prospective study

10.1111/j.2044-8287.2012.02076.xBritish Journal of Health Psychology174812-827BJHP