Analysis of Minerals Using Linearly Polarized Infrared Microspectroscopy

This is an extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2009 in Richmond, Virginia, USA, July 26 – July 30, 2009

Collecting Quality Infrared Spectra from Microscopic Samples of Suspicious Powders in a Sealed Cell

The infrared (IR) microspectroscopical analysis of samples within a sealed-cell containing barium fluoride is a critical need when identifying toxic agents or suspicious powders of unidentified composition. The dispersive nature of barium fluoride is well understood and experimental conditions can be easily adjusted during reflection–absorption measurements to account for differences in focus between the visible and IR regions of the spectrum. In most instances, the ability to collect a viable spectrum is possible when using the sealed cell regardless of whether visible or IR focus is optimized. However, when IR focus is optimized, it is possible to collect useful data from even smaller samples. This is important when a minimal sample is available for analysis or the desire to minimize risk of sample exposure is important. While the use of barium fluoride introduces dispersion effects that are unavoidable, it is possible to adjust instrument settings when collecting IR spectra in the reflection–absorption mode to compensate for dispersion and minimize impact on the quality of the sample spectrum

Testing the role of narratives in improving social support and meaning making for young adult cancer survivors

Young adult cancer survivors (ages 18 – 39) face a variety of challenges related to their illness. Many of these challenges are unique to young adult cancer survivors due to the developmental milestones common to young adulthood. Nearly a third of this population suffers from symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, distress, and/or anxiety due to uncertainty in creating meaning from the cancer experience. Many young adult cancer survivors also report difficulty expressing their true feelings about cancer to friends and/or family due to fear of unwanted reactions, such as excessive sympathy or undesired pity. This suboptimal social support is associated with greater mental distress and less posttraumatic growth. Interventions designed to help young adult cancer survivors these challenges have failed to produce scalable, successful interventions. One shortcoming of these interventions is the exclusion of media effects as a potential solution in improving psychosocial health for this population. Two empirical studies were conducted to investigate how stories in entertainment media—that is, movies, television shows, and books – could operate as a potential solution to these issues. The first study was a quantitative, online survey of 108 young adult cancer survivors. Results of the survey revealed that this population is indeed turning to entertainment media stories to cope with their cancer experience; however, this use and its effects differ by racial and gender identity, as well as time since cancer treatment completion. The second study was a three-condition, randomized, online experiment of 454 healthy young adults was conducted to test the effect of exposure to a eudaimonic story (e.g., inspirational stories) on willingness to engage in social support activities toward a hypothetical friend with cancer. The results of the study indicated that participants who consumed a eudaimonic media narrative reported higher mixed affect, greater connectedness, and more reflective thoughts than participants who consumed a control narrative. The implications for future research on the effect of stories in improving the psychosocial health for young adult cancer survivors is discussed.Doctor of Philosoph

4-(Dimethyl­amino)benzaldehyde

The title compound, C9H11NO, crystallizes with two independent but essentially identical mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit, which are linked via a C—H⋯π inter­action. In both mol­ecules, the aldehyde and dimethyl­amine groups are essentially coplanar with the attached benzene ring. In the crystal structure, C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link one type of independent mol­ecules into a chain along the a axis. In addition, the structure is stabilized by π–π stacking inter­actions involving the benzene rings [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.697 (2) Å]

Social Media Use for Cancer Support Among Young Adults with Cancer

Purpose: Social media can facilitate peer support among young adults with cancer; however, information is needed about what social media are used, by whom, and how to inform resource and intervention recommendations. Methods: In December 2021, we conducted an online survey with 396 young adults with cancer, ages 18–39, with any diagnosis ages 15–39. Participants reported their social media use to connect with other young adults with cancer, including frequency of use, type of support, and affect (positive to negative) when using to connect with cancer peers. Results: Participants were on average 31 years old (SD = 5.2), with an average age of 27 at diagnosis (63.4% male, 62.1% non-Hispanic White). Almost all (97.5%) reported using social media to connect with other young adults with cancer. Many (48.0%) used three or more social media platforms for cancer support, including Facebook (44.4%), YouTube (43.6%), Instagram (43.4%), Snapchat (36.9%), and Twitter (36.9%). Daily use for cancer support was common (32.9%–60.9%) among those who used social media, particularly among those who were younger; are not transgender; live in urban areas; or had brain, gynecologic, or testicular cancers. Across social media platforms, young adults with cancer reported seeking and sharing emotional support (88.9%), informational support (84.1%), and making connections (81.3%). Conclusion: Young adults with cancer use social media to connect with cancer peers for support. Commonly used existing social media (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Instagram) should be prioritized in interventions to reach young adults who desire more age-appropriate resources to improve their psychosocial health

Infrared Absorption Investigations Confirm the Extraterrestrial Origin of Carbonado-Diamonds

The first complete infrared FTIR absorption spectra for carbonado-diamond confirm the interstellar origin for the most enigmatic diamonds known as carbonado. All previous attempts failed to measure the absorption of carbonado-diamond in the most important IR-range of 1000-1300 cm-1 (10.00-7.69 micro-m.) because of silica inclusions. In our investigation, KBr pellets were made from crushed silica-free carbonado-diamond and thin sections were also prepared. The 100 to 1000 times brighter synchrotron infrared radiation permits a greater spatial resolution. Inclusions and pore spaces were avoided and/or sources of chemical contamination were removed. The FTIR spectra of carbonado-diamond mostly depict the presence of single nitrogen impurities, and hydrogen. The lack of identifiable nitrogen aggregates in the infrared spectra, the presence of features related to hydrocarbon stretch bonds, and the resemblance of the spectra to CVD and presolar diamonds indicate that carbonado-diamonds formed in a hydrogen-rich interstellar environment. This is consistent with carbonado-diamond being sintered and porous, with extremely reduced metals, metal alloys, carbides and nitrides, light carbon isotopes, surfaces with glassy melt-like patinas, deformation lamellae, and a complete absence of primary, terrestrial mineral inclusions. The 2.6-3.8 billion year old fragmented body was of asteroidal proportions