Polyelectrolyte Networks: Elasticity, Swelling, and the Violation of the Flory - Rehner Hypothesis

This paper discusses the elastic behavior of polyelectrolyte networks. The deformation behavior of single polyelectrolyte chains is discussed. It is shown that a strong coupling between interactions and chain elasticity exists. The theory of the complete crosslinked networks shows that the Flory - Rehner - Hypothesis (FRH) does not hold. The modulus contains contributions from the classical rubber elasticity and from the electrostatic interactions. The equilibrium degree of swelling is estimated by the assumption of a $c^{*}$-network.Comment: submitted to Computational and Theoretical Polymer Scienc

An Exploratory Study of Patient Falls

Debate continues between the contribution of education level and clinical expertise in the nursing practice environment. Research suggests a link between Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) nurses and positive patient outcomes such as lower mortality, decreased falls, and fewer medication errors. Purpose: To examine if there a negative correlation between patient falls and the level of nurse education at an urban hospital located in Midwest Illinois during the years 2010-2014? Methods: A retrospective crosssectional cohort analysis was conducted using data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) from the years 2010-2014. Sample: Inpatients aged ≥ 18 years who experienced a unintentional sudden descent, with or without injury that resulted in the patient striking the floor or object and occurred on inpatient nursing units. Results: The regression model was constructed with annual patient falls as the dependent variable and formal education and a log transformed variable for percentage of certified nurses as the independent variables. The model overall is a good fit, F (2,22) = 9.014, p = .001, adj. R2 = .40. Conclusion: Annual patient falls will decrease by increasing the number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees and/or certifications from a professional nursing board-governing body

Elasticity in strongly interacting soft solids: polyelectrolyte network

This paper discusses the elastic behavior of a very long crosslinked polyelectrolyte chain (Debye-H\"uckel chain), which is weakly charged. Therefore the response of the crosslinked chain (network) on an external constant force $f$ acting on the ends of the chain is considered. A selfconsistent variational computation of an effective field theory is employed. It is shown, that the modulus of the polyelectrolyte network has two parts: the first term represents the usual entropy elasticity of connected flexible chains and the second term takes into account the electrostatic interaction of the monomers. It is proportional to the squared crosslink density and the Debye - screening parameter.Comment: submitted for publication to PR

Educational Expectations and Attainment

This paper examines the role of educational expectations in the educational attainment process. We utilize data from a variety of datasets to document and analyze the trends in educational expectations between the mid-1970s and the early 2000s. We focus on differences across racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups and examine how young people update their expectations during high school and beyond. The results indicate that expectations rose for all students with the greatest increases among young women. Expectations have become somewhat less predictive of attainment over the past several decades but expectations remain strong predictors of attainment above and beyond other standard determinants of schooling. Interestingly, the data demonstrate that the majority (about 60 percent) of students update their expectations at least once between eighth grade and eight years post-high school. Updating appears to be based, in part, on the acquisition of new information about academic ability.

A Possible Origin for the Lignites of North Dakota

The lignite of North Dakota occupies part of an area that is shared by the neighboring states of Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, and by Assiniboia on the north. The total area of this lignite field in the United States alone is 70,000 square miles, apportioned as follows: North Dakota 31,500, Montana 25,000, Wyoming 9,000, and South Dakota 4,500. It is probable that all of this field does not contain lignite beds of workable thickness, but studies carried on in North Dakota and Montana during the past summer indicate that thick beds are very general, and that often a series of four or five are separated by relatively thin strata of clay. Some of the beds are very thick, one which out crops near the Little Missouri in southwestern North Dakota measuring forty feet, while twenty-foot beds are not uncommon

Observations in the Vicinity of Wall Lake

The Wall Lake in question is a picturesque sheet of water three miles long and a mile wide, in southeastern Sac County. The only published observations in regard to this lake that I have found are those of Mr. Charles A. White, who wrote in regard to it in connection with other walled lakes of Iowa, in the American Naturalist, Vol. II, and in the annual reports of the Geological Survey of Iowa, Vols. I and II

Estimating the number of unvaccinated Chinese workers against yellow fever in Angola

Background: A yellow fever epidemic occurred in Angola in 2016 with 884 laboratory confirmed cases and 373 deaths. Eleven unvaccinated Chinese nationals working in Angola were also infected and imported the disease to China, thereby presenting the first importation of yellow fever into Asia. In Angola, there are about 259,000 Chinese foreign workers. The fact that 11 unvaccinated Chinese workers acquired yellow fever suggests that many more Chinese workers in Angola were not vaccinated. Methods: We applied a previously developed model to back-calculate the number of unvaccinated Chinese workers in Angola in order to determine the extent of lack of vaccine coverage. Results: Our models suggest that none of the 259,000 Chinese had been vaccinated, although yellow fever vaccination is mandated by the International Health Regulations. Conclusion: Governments around the world including China need to ensure that their citizens obtain YF vaccination when traveling to countries where such vaccines are required in order to prevent the international spread of yellow fever

Pet owners' awareness of animal blood banks and their motivations towards animal blood donation

The general public’s awareness of, and attitude to, canine and feline blood donation is poorly understood. Increasing understanding of pet owners’ thoughts about donation may allow more effective blood donor recruitment. The aims of this study were to investigate pet owners’ awareness of small animal blood donation and their attitude and motivations regarding their pet being a blood donor. A mixed methods approach was used, with data collected from 158 pet owners attending a first-opinion veterinary clinic using a written questionnaire of closed and open questions. Most owners were unaware that dogs and cats could donate blood (70 per cent). However, 89 per cent stated they would be willing to let their pet donate blood if they were suitable. This was more likely if the owner did not work full time and less likely if they were aged over 71 years. Thematic analysis of owners’ motivations and deterrents towards pet blood donation resulted in four key themes: ‘Beneficence’, the desire to help others; ‘Necessity of service’, a recognition of the requirement for blood products; ‘Reciprocity’, a hope that if they participated this would result in blood products being available for their pet; and ‘Reservations and concerns’