Work and heat probability distribution of an optically driven Brownian particle: Theory and experiments

We analyze the equations governing the evolution of distributions of the work and the heat exchanged with the environment by a manipulated stochastic system, by means of a compact and general derivation. We obtain explicit solutions for these equations for the case of a dragged Brownian particle in a harmonic potential. We successfully compare the resulting predictions with the outcomes of experiments, consisting in dragging a micron-sized colloidal particle through water with a laser trap

Differences in Informal Alcohol Protective Behavior Strategies between Fraternity & Sorority Members

Institutional interventions and formal policies designed to reduce alcohol misuse among fraternity and sorority members have been largely unsuccessful. However, informal policies to address alcohol use concerns can also develop within this subculture. This qualitative multi-case phenomenological study examined the informal policies chapters adopt to reduce risks associated with drinking. Findings suggested considerable informal policy development, which varies between fraternities and sororities. Sorority groups implemented more protective behavior strategies for members’ safety, whereas fraternities often focus on monitoring outside groups. Implications for practice suggest a combination of risk and harm-reduction approaches that facilitate peer-led protective behavioral strategies

Accidental falls in hospitalized children: an analysis of the vulnerabilities linked to the presence of caregivers

Introduction. This study stemmed from the data gathered by a research conducted by the coordinator of the Department of Healthcare Services and a group of nurses involved in a research on accidental falls in hospitalized children at the ?G. Gaslini? Children?s Hospital and Scientific Research Institute in Genoa, Italy. The first retrospective study evaluated the accidental falls in hospitalized children referred to the three-year period 2003- 2006, while the second perspective study, referred to the trimester March-May 2007, found that the main cause of falls in children was parent?s distraction. Methods. The method adopted in the first phase of our study was a proactive risk analysis (The Basics of Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis), identified in the first place by the VA National Centre for Patient Safety and applied to the ?Child and parent hospital admission process?. This proactive risk analysis has proven to be very effective in preventing the risk of accidental falls in hospitalized children through effective communication and educational interventions. The second phase of our study consisted of two Focus Groups for accidental traumatic events. Results. The analysis of the results of the study showed how effective communication is instrumental, not only to have a better awareness of the children and their parents during their stay in hospital, but also to implement educational sessions on prevention to reduce the risk of accidental traumatic events. Conclusions. The present study contributes to improve safety and the quality of care by motivating nurses to keep their attention high on falls in hospitalized children, by monitoring and the development of new risk assessment tools

In vitro uptake studies of cell targeting agents and nanoparticles

Recent progress in synthetic chemistry has enabled the preparation of new highly-defined polymers that exhibit changes in their structure in response to environmental changes. These responsive nanomaterials may be desirable as carriers of drugs to deliver at the cellular and sub-cellular level. However, the endocytic pathways used by these nanoparticles to access cells must be defined. Carboxylated polystyrene beads (C-PB) of 50 and 100 nm size were chosen as ‘model’ nanomedicines and their route of uptake into cells characterised and compared to thermoresponsive PLGA-b-(PEGMA-co-PPGMA) and PLA-b-(DEGMA-co-OEGMA) block copolymers of 50-150 nm (‘candidate’ drug delivery systems) uptake. A number of protocols were optimised for endocytosis inhibition studies. Results reported that the inhibition of clathrin mediated endocytosis (CME) with chlorpromazine (CPZ) was cell- and time-dependent. After the maximal effect of the inhibitor, the endocytosis of human transferrin (Htf), a marker of CME, recovered up to uninhibited levels in 3T3 and HCT116 cells. Furthermore, high passage number and ageing of cells showed a resistance towards the inhibition of the uptake of Htf with CPZ. Both PLGA-b-(PEGMA-co-PPGMA) and PLA-co-(DEGMA-co-OEGMA) thermoresponsive block copolymers presented colloidal instability and aggregation that impeded further endocytic pathway internalization experiments. However, the results reported in this thesis question some of the interpretation in the literature of the susceptibility of cells to CPZ in the internalization of nanomaterials. New experimental settings for CPZ inhibition studies should be considered and protocols optimised in order to avoid incorrect and potentially misleading outcomes

Correctional nursing in Liguria, Italy: examining the ethical challenges

Introduction: Correctional nursing can involve significant ethical difficulties. This study examined ethical challenges encountered by correctional nurses in the Italian region of Liguria. Empirical data were analyzed in relation to relevant ethical standards. The former involved a study of 75 nurses and managers in the Ligurian correctional system, while the latter involved an analysis of the Italian Code of Ethics for Nurses and related standards for correctional practice. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative methods were used for the empirical study. Questionnaires were administered to collect data on participants' characteristics and care settings. The Measure of Job Satisfaction (MJS) was also administered. Five focus groups were conducted. Results: Quantitative Data: Respondents identified factors that mostly impacted on recruitment and retention. Unfavourable factors included: structural, organizational, and relational factors. Favourable factors included: nursing consultation, continuing education activities, and peer support. MJS results were equal to 'unsatisfied'. Qualitative Data: five themes were identified through thematic analysis of focus group data: Health needs of incarcerated persons; Negotiation of the boundaries between care and custody; Job satisfaction related to nursing in a correctional setting; Barriers to providing good care; and Security needs. Ten categories of norms were identified in the Code as areas of ethical standards relevant for the empirical data. Conclusions: Our empirical findings demonstrate that these nursing standards can be systematically compromised in correctional settings. Nurses feel compelled to provide ethically-problematic nursing services, with situations of moral distress. This research informs the development of needed policy, educational, and practice changes for nurses in correctional settings

In vitro uptake studies of cell targeting agents and nanoparticles

Recent progress in synthetic chemistry has enabled the preparation of new highly-defined polymers that exhibit changes in their structure in response to environmental changes. These responsive nanomaterials may be desirable as carriers of drugs to deliver at the cellular and sub-cellular level. However, the endocytic pathways used by these nanoparticles to access cells must be defined. Carboxylated polystyrene beads (C-PB) of 50 and 100 nm size were chosen as ‘model’ nanomedicines and their route of uptake into cells characterised and compared to thermoresponsive PLGA-b-(PEGMA-co-PPGMA) and PLA-b-(DEGMA-co-OEGMA) block copolymers of 50-150 nm (‘candidate’ drug delivery systems) uptake. A number of protocols were optimised for endocytosis inhibition studies. Results reported that the inhibition of clathrin mediated endocytosis (CME) with chlorpromazine (CPZ) was cell- and time-dependent. After the maximal effect of the inhibitor, the endocytosis of human transferrin (Htf), a marker of CME, recovered up to uninhibited levels in 3T3 and HCT116 cells. Furthermore, high passage number and ageing of cells showed a resistance towards the inhibition of the uptake of Htf with CPZ. Both PLGA-b-(PEGMA-co-PPGMA) and PLA-co-(DEGMA-co-OEGMA) thermoresponsive block copolymers presented colloidal instability and aggregation that impeded further endocytic pathway internalization experiments. However, the results reported in this thesis question some of the interpretation in the literature of the susceptibility of cells to CPZ in the internalization of nanomaterials. New experimental settings for CPZ inhibition studies should be considered and protocols optimised in order to avoid incorrect and potentially misleading outcomes

Procalcitonin and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children

The role of procalcitonin (PCT) as a biomarker for sepsis in adults is well documented, while its role in infections affecting neonatal children remains controversial. Among these infections, Community-Acquired pneumonia (CAP) has been studied extensively, because it's the second cause of death in children in developing countries, and one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization in industrialized countries. The PubMed database and the Cochrane Library were used to search for the following keywords: CAP, procalcitonin, children. Thirteen articles were studied to determine the role of PCT in CAP management, specifically its usefulness for distinguishing pneumococcal infections from viral and unknown infections, for predicting severity and the correct antibiotic treatment. This paper focuses on the studies performed to identify the best inflammatory biomarker for CAP management. Although there is an increase in studies confirming the usefulness of PCT in CAP management in children, further studies are needed to have better understanding of its role for pediatric CAP management

The Price of Palliative Care: Towards a Complete Accounting of Costs and Benefits

The costs and benefits of hospice and palliative care have recently received attention for many compelling reasons. First, the cost of medical care over a lifetime is largely expended near the end-of-life. The impending demographic bulge of aging baby boomers will only heighten concerns about costs. Second, hospice and palliative care have been offered as potential vehicles for reducing late-in-life spending. Third, palliative care has gained legitimacy as a distinct medical specialty, having as it does a characteristic philosophy, specialized skill sets, and specific service delivery needs. This philosophy of care is consistent with and, to some degree, builds on the philosophy of care that geriatrics also promotes. In this article, currently accepted standards for cost-benefit analysis of health care interventions are outlined, and a framework to evaluate palliative care within these standards is provided. Recent publications on the economic implications of palliative care are reviewed, which are only the ‘‘tip of the iceberg’’ of the potential costs and benefits. Using this framework, the authors offer guidelines for performing comprehensive cost-benefit analyses of palliative care and conclude that many of the issues beneath the surface may be substantial and deserving of closer scrutiny. Methods for gathering relevant cost-benefit information are detailed, along with potential obstacles to implementation. This approach is applicable to palliative care in general, including palliative care for elders