Bisurea and Bisthiourea H-Bonding Organocatalysts for Ring-Opening Polymerization: Cues for the Catalyst Design

A series of conformationally flexible bis(thio)urea H-bond donors plus base cocatalyst were applied to the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones. The rate of the ROP displays a strong dependence on the length and identity of the tether, where a circa five methylene-unit long tether exhibits the fastest ROP. Any constriction to conformational freedom is deleterious to catalysis. For the ROP of δ-valerolactone (VL) and ϵ-caprolactone (CL), the bisurea H-bond donors are more effective, but for lactide, the bisthioureas are more active catalysts. The ROP reactions are rapid and controlled across a wide range of reaction conditions, including solvent-free conditions, exhibiting excellent weight control from low Mn to high polymers. The active mechanism is highly dependent on the identity of the base cocatalyst, and a mechanistic rationale for the observations is discussed. Implications for the design of future generation catalysts are discussed

Creating a system of integrated support for general chemistry cohorts utilizing student-driven laboratory curriculum

The joy of science for many chemists mixes the thrill of discovery with the constancy of problem-solving. Interestingly, undergraduate laboratory curricula often replaces the excitement of experimentation with proper laboratory techniques and reproduction of values and concepts found in textbooks. Taking a red pen to content-laden laboratory design and returning to the simple excitement of experimental discovery requires a thoughtful process centered on methods for fostering student success. This student-driven model of laboratory instruction requires simplification of learning goals, real-time feedback, and scaffolded concept repetition through a triplicate model of experimentation with increasing complexity and rigor. By allowing students to independently investigate core chemical concepts through an open, experimental format we have realigned grades across introductory lecture and laboratory courses as well as increased student success in lecture creating a system of integrated student support

Exploring healthcare assistants' role and experience in pain assessment and management for people with advanced dementia towards the end of life: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Pain assessment and management are key aspects in the care of people with dementia approaching the end of life but become challenging when patient self-report is impaired or unavailable. Best practice recommends the use of observational pain assessments for these patients; however, difficulties have been documented with health professionals’ use of these tools in the absence of additional collateral patient knowledge. No studies have explored the role, perspectives and experiences of healthcare assistants in pain assessment and management in dementia; this study provides insight into this important area. METHODS: A qualitative approach was adopted, using key informant interviews with healthcare assistants caring for people with advanced dementia approaching the end of life in hospice, nursing home and acute care settings. Thematic analysis was the analytic approach taken to interpretation of interview data. Data were collected between June 2014 and September 2015. RESULTS: Fourteen participants took part in the study. Participants’ average length of caring experience was 15.4 years and most were female. Three key themes emerged: recognising pain, reporting pain, and upskilling. Participants were often the first to notice obvious causes of pain and to detect changes in patient norms which signified hidden causes of pain. Comprehensive knowledge of resident norms enabled participants to observe for behavioural and nonverbal indicators of pain and distinguish these from non-pain related behaviours. Pain reporting was heavily impacted by relationships with professional staff and the extent to which participants felt valued in their role. Positive relationships resulted in comprehensive pain reports; negative relationships led to perfunctory or ambiguous reporting. Participants emphasised a desire for further training and upskilling, including in the use and reporting of basic pain tools. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare assistants are frontline staff who have a key role in direct patient care, spending a considerable amount of time with patients in comparison to other health professionals. These staff are often first to notice changes in patients that may signify pain and to alert professional staff. However, to ensure the quality of these reports, further efforts must be made in reversing stigma attached to this role and in upskilling these members of the healthcare team