Development of Melamine Derivatives as Flame Retardants for Thermoplastic and Thermoset Polymers

Melamine is an aromatic, nitrogen-containing compound used to produce a myriad of items ranging from kitchenware to laminates. In this project, it was attempted to determine whether another use for melamine, as a starting material for the production of a reactive flame retardant, could be achieved through synthetic modifications. A series of bifunctional derivatives were formed, and although some polymerization reactions were unsuccessful, alternate routes exist that can be attempted going forward

Conjectures on the Khovanov Homology of Legendrian and Transversely Simple Knots

A theorem of Kronheimer and Mrowka states that Khovanov homology is able to detect the unknot. That is, if a knot has the Khovanov homology of the unknot, then it is equivalent to it. Similar results hold for the trefoils and the figure-eight knot. These are the simplest of the Legendrian simple knots. It is conjectured that Khovanov homology is able to distinguish Legendrian and Transversely simple knots. Using the torus and twist knots, numerical evidence is provided for all knots up to 17 crossings. An error in the code previously indicated there was numerical evidence for Knot Floer Homology (KFH), but this has been corrected and counterexamples found.Comment: 31 pages, 1 figur

A meta-analysis of remote ischaemic conditioning in experimental stroke

Remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) is achieved by repeated transient ischaemia of a distant organ/limb and is neuroprotective in experimental ischaemic stroke. However, the optimal time and methods of administration are unclear. Systematic review identified relevant preclinical studies; two authors independently extracted data on infarct volume, neurological deficit, RIC method (administration time, site, cycle number, length of limb occlusion (dose)), species and quality. Data were analysed using random effects models; results expressed as standardised mean difference (SMD). In 57 publications incorporating 99 experiments (1406 rats, 101 mice, 14 monkeys), RIC reduced lesion volume in transient (SMD −2.0; 95% CI −2.38, −1.61; p

Using the nominal group technique to determine a nursing framework for a forensic mental health service : a discussion paper

The Nominal Group Technique is a method used to explore issues, generate ideas, and reach consensus on a topic. The Nominal Group Technique includes individual and group work and is designed to ensure participants have the same opportunity to engage and provide their opinions. While the technique has been used for around six decades to assist groups, in industry, and government organizations to examine issues and make decisions, this technique has received limited attention in nursing research, particularly in mental health. This discussion paper describes the use of a modified Nominal Group Technique for a study designed to determine a nursing decision-making framework for a state-wide forensic mental health service. Modifications were made to the traditional technique, to enable participants to make an informed and collective decision about a suitable framework for the novice to expert nurses, across secure inpatient, prison, and community forensic mental health settings. The Nominal Group Technique generated rich data and offered a structured approach to the process. We argue that the Nominal Group Technique offers an exciting and interactive method for nursing research and can increase opportunity for minority group members to participate. This technique also offers a time efficient way to engage busy clinical nurses to participate in research, with the advantage of members knowing the decision on the day of the group. Consideration, however, needs to be given to the duration and effect on participant concentration, and if not actively managed by facilitators, the possible emergence of group dynamics affecting individuals' decisions. © 2022 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd

Social Media and the Local Television News Audience

Social media has transformed the relationship between the local TV news station and the viewer. Once a form of one-way communication, local TV news is now an interactive experience. Viewers now regularly use social media to communicate with the newsroom and share stories with their social networks. Positive interaction between the news outlet and the audience can result in engagement and other forms of social media sharing that boosts the station’s visibility beyond its traditional viewing audience. In order to implement a successful social media strategy, news directors need to know what the audience wants and what they do not want from the experience of interacting with their local station on social media.M.S., Television Management -- Drexel University, 201

Qualitative and quantitative comparison of the cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of phytosterol oxidation products with their corresponding cholesterol oxidation products

Phytosterols contain an unsaturated ring structure and therefore are susceptible to oxidation under certain conditions. Whilst the cytotoxicity of the analogous cholesterol oxidation products (COP) has been well documented, the biological effects of phytosterol oxidation products (POP)have not yet been fully ascertained. The objective of the present study was to examine the cytotoxicity of β-sitosterol oxides and their corresponding COP in a human monocytic cell line (U937), a colonic adenocarcinoma cell line (CaCo-2) and a hepatoma liver cell line (HepG2). 7β-Hydroxysitosterol, 7-ketositosterol, sitosterol-3β,5α,6β-triol and a sitosterol-5α,6α-epoxide sitosterol-5β,6β-epoxide (6:1) mixture were found to be cytotoxic to all three cell lines employed; the mode of cell death was by apoptosis in the U937 cell line and necrosis in the CaCo-2 and HepG2 cells. 7β-Hydroxysitosterol was the only β-sitosterol oxide to cause depletion in glutathione, indicating that POP-induced apoptosis may not be dependent on the generation of an oxidative stress. A further objective of this study was to assess the ability of the antioxidants α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and β-carotene to modulate POP-induced cytotoxicity in U937 cells. Whilst α/γ-tocopherol protected against 7β-hydroxycholesterol-induced apoptosis, they did not confer protection against 7β-hydroxysitosterol-or 7-ketositosterol-induced toxicity, indicating that perhaps COP provoke different apoptotic pathways than POP. β-Carotene did not protect against COP- or POP-induced toxicity. In general, results indicate that POP have qualitatively similar toxic effects to COP. However, higher concentrations of POP are required to elicit comparable levels of toxicity

Exploring adaptations to the clinical reasoning cycle for forensic mental health nursing : a qualitative enquiry

Forensic mental health nurses (FMHN) provide care to address the needs of people who have mental illnesses across a range of diverse settings. The Clinical Reasoning Cycle (CRC) has been identified as a potential framework to assist FMHNs; however, adaptations were required to reflect the unique nature of the clinical setting. This study aimed to explore adaptations made to determine suitability prior to implementation in practice. Nominal Group Technique was used to explore suggested adaptations determined from a previous study and reach a consensus on the changes. Fourteen senior nurses from a state-wide Forensic mental Health (FMH) service participated. A consensus was reached for two proposed changes. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three main themes were interpreted from the data; FMH adaptations are warranted, the focus of the CRC, and who owns the cycle? Nurses in this study considered the need to include offence and risk issues due to the impact these factors have on the therapeutic relationship and cognitive bias; however, they also identified the need to focus on recovery-oriented care while engaging in clinical reasoning. Nurses in this study also expressed some reluctance for nursing to ‘own' the model, due to concern that ownership may cause division among the team or result in inconsistency in care. However, some participant's suggested the CRC with adaptations assisted FMH nurses to articulate their specialist skills and knowledge to others and highlight the nursing contribution to care. Further work is needed to finalize adaptations with a focus on engaging the consumer carer workforce and interdisciplinary team. © 2022 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd

The Associations Between Access to Recreational Facilities and Adherence to the American Heart Association\u27s Physical Activity Guidelines in US Adults

Physical activity decreases the risk of long-term health consequences including cardiac diseases. According to the American Health Association (AHA), adults should perform at least 75 min of vigorous physical activity (PA) or 150 min of moderate PA per week to impact long-term health. Results of previous studies are varied and have yet to integrate perceived access to facilities with AHA PA guidelines. We investigated whether access to free or low-cost recreational facilities was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines. This cross-sectional study utilized data extracted from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) database collected in 2017 ( = 1,750). The main exposure variable was access to free or low-cost recreational facilities. The main outcome variable was meeting the AHA guidelines of 150 min moderate PA or 75 min vigorous PA per week. Covariates included age, sex, level of education, overall health, BMI, ethnicity, hours of work per week, income, and time living at current address. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to calculate measures of odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Of the 1,750 included participants, 61.7% ( = 1,079) reported to have access to recreational facilities. Of those with access to facilities, 69.9% met AHA PA guidelines while 30.4% did not. After adjusting for covariates, participants who reported access to recreational facilities were 42% more likely to meet AHA PA guidelines compared with participants who did not (adjusted OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.14-1.76). Secondary results suggest that healthier individuals were more likely to have met AHA PA guidelines. Having access to free or low-cost recreational facilities such as parks, walking trails, bike paths and courts was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines. Increasing prevalence and awareness of neighborhood recreational facilities could assist in access to these facilities and increase the ability of individuals to meet AHA PA guidelines. Future research should determine which types of recreational facilities impact physical activity strongest and discover methods of increasing their awareness