Understanding Singleness: A Phenomenological Study of Single Women in Beijing and Singapore

The aim of this phenomenological study was to gain a better understanding in the lives of single women by exploring their thoughts and experiences of being single. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews of a group of six well-educated, ethnic Chinese single women aged between 30 and 45 living in Beijing and Singapore. Transcribed interviews were analysed through reading and rereading and culling for like phrases and themes that are then grouped to form clusters of meaning. Through this process, we found four salient themes: (a) the women had equivocal feelings over the reasons they were single; (b) they recognized the advantages, disadvantages, and ambivalence of singlehood; (c) they took a pragmatic approach towards their singleness; and (d) they coped singleness with various practical strategies. Implications related to clinical practice and areas of further research are discussed

Influence of interfacial nitrogen on edge charge trapping at the interface of gate oxide/drain extension in metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors

The influence of interfacial nitrogen on edge charge trapping at the interface of gate oxide/drain extension in metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors was investigated. Positive edge charge trapping was observed for both pure and nitrided oxides with an oxide thickness of 6.5 nm. Results showed that nitrogen at the interface enhance the edge charge trapping.published_or_final_versio

Efficient Implementation and Design of A New Single-Channel Electrooculography-based Human-Machine Interface System

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Using graphene nanoplatelets nanofluid in a closed-loop evacuated tube solar collector—energy and exergy analysis

Recently, nanofluid application as a heat transfer fluid for a closed-loop solar heat collector is receiving great attention among the scientific community due to better performance. The performance of solar systems can be assessed effectively with the exergy method. The present study deals with the thermodynamic performance of the second law analysis using graphene nanoplatelets nanofluids. Second law analysis is the main tool for explaining the exergy output of thermodynamic and energy systems. The performance of the closed-loop system in terms of energy and exergy was determined by analyzing the outcome of field tests in tropical weather conditions. Moreover, three parameters of entropy generation, pumping power and Bejan number were also determined. The flowrates of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 L/min and GNP mass percentage of 0.025, 0.5, 0.075 and 0.1 wt% were used for these tests. The results showed that in a flow rate of 1.5 L/min and a concentration of 0.1 wt%, exergy and thermal efficiencies were increased to about 85.5 and 90.7%, respectively. It also found that entropy generation reduced when increasing the nanofluid concentration. The Bejan number surges up when increasing the concentration, while this number decreases with the enhancement of the volumetric flow rate. The pumping power of the nanofluid-operated system for a 0.1 wt% particle concentration at 0.5 L/min indicated 5.8% more than when pure water was used as the heat transfer fluid. Finally, this investigation reveals the perfect conditions that operate closest to the reversible limit and helps the system make the best improvement

Factors Associated with Severe Late Toxicity After Concurrent Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: An RTOG Analysis

Purpose Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) increases both local tumor control and toxicity. This study evaluates clinical factors that are associated with and might predict severe late toxicity after CCRT. Methods Patients were analyzed from a subset of three previously reported RTOG trials of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced SCCHN (RTOG 91-11; 97-03; and 99-14). Severe late toxicity was defined in this secondary analysis as chronic Grade 3-4 pharyngeal/laryngeal toxicity (RTOG/EORTC late toxicity scoring system) and/or requirement for a feeding tube ≥2 years after registration and/or potential treatment-related death (e.g. pneumonia) within 3 years. Case-control analysis was performed, with a multivariable logistic regression model that included pre-treatment and treatment potential factors. Results A total of 230 patients were evaluable for this analysis, 99 cases (patients with severe late toxicities) and 131 controls; thus 43% of evaluable patients had a severe late toxicity. On multivariable analysis, significant variables correlated with the development of severe late toxicity were older age (odds ratio 1.05 per year; p = 0.001); advanced T-stage (odds ratio 3.07; p=0.0036); larynx/hypopharynx primary site (odds ratio 4.17; p=0.0041); and neck dissection after chemo-RT (odds ratio 2.39; p=0.018). Conclusions Severe late toxicity following CCRT is common. Older age, advanced T-stage, and larynx/ hypopharynx primary site were strong independent risk American Society of Clinical Oncology. Machtay, M. et al: J. Clin. Oncol. 26 (21), 2008:3582-3589

Solution conformation and flexibility of capsular polysaccharides from Neisseria meningitidis and glycoconjugates with the tetanus toxoid protein

The structural integrity of meningococcal native, micro-fluidized and activated capsular polysaccharides and their glycoconjugates – in the form most relevant to their potential use as vaccines (dilute solution) - have been investigated with respect to their homogeneity, conformation and flexibility. Sedimentation velocity analysis showed that the polysaccharide size distributions were generally bimodal with some evidence for higher molar mass forms at higher concentration. Weight average molar masses Mw where lower for activated polysaccharides. Conjugation with tetanus toxoid protein however greatly increased the molar mass and polydispersity of the final conjugates. Glycoconjugates had an approximately unimodal log-normal but broad and large molar mass profiles, confirmed by sedimentation equilibrium “SEDFIT MSTAR” analysis. Conformation analysis using HYDFIT (which globally combines sedimentation and viscosity data), “Conformation Zoning” and Wales-van Holde approaches showed a high degree of flexibility – at least as great as the unconjugated polysaccharides, and very different from the tetanus toxoid (TT) protein used for the conjugation. As with the recently published finding for Hib-TT complexes, it is the carbohydrate component that dictates the solution behaviour of these glycoconjugates, although the lower intrinsic viscosities suggest some degree of compaction of the carbohydrate chains around the protein

Use of complementary/alternative therapies by women with advanced-stage breast cancer

BACKGROUND: This study sought to describe the pattern of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) use among a group of patients with advanced breast cancer, to examine the main reasons for their CAM use, to identify patient's information sources and their communication pattern with their physicians. METHODS: Face-to-face structured interviews of patients with advanced-stage breast cancer at a comprehensive oncology center. RESULTS: Seventy three percent of patients used CAM; relaxation/meditative techniques and herbal medicine were the most common. The most commonly cited primary reason for CAM use was to boost the immune system, the second, to treat cancer; however these reasons varied depending on specific CAM therapy. Friends or family members and mass media were common primary information source's about CAM. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of advanced-stage breast cancer patients used CAM. Discussion with doctors was high for ingested products. Mass media was a prominent source of patient information. Credible sources of CAM information for patients and physicians are needed

Role-play for medical students learning about communication: Guidelines for maximising benefits

BACKGROUND: Role-play is widely used as an educational method for learning about communication in medical education. Although educational theory provides a sound rationale for using this form of simulation, there is little published evidence for its effectiveness. Students' prior experiences of role-play may influence the way in which they engage in this method. This paper explores students' experiences with the aim of producing guidelines for maximising the benefits of role-play within this learning context. METHODS: First-year undergraduate medical students participated in a role-play session as part of their communication programme. Before and after the session, students completed questionnaires. In the pre-session questionnaire, students were asked about their experiences of role-play and asked to identify helpful and unhelpful elements. Immediately after the session, students answered similar questions in relation to the role-play activity they had just completed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data and qualitative data was thematically analysed. RESULTS: 284 students completed evaluation forms. Although 63 (22.2%) had prior unhelpful experiences, most students (n = 274; 96.5%) found this experience helpful. Summary findings were that students reported the key aspects of helpful role-play were opportunities for observation, rehearsal and discussion, realistic roles and alignment of roles with other aspects of the curriculum. Unhelpful aspects were those that evoked strong negative emotional responses and factors that contributed to a lack of realism. CONCLUSION: Role-play was valued by students in the acquisition of communication skills even though some had prior unhelpful experiences. Guidelines for effective role-play include adequate preparation, alignment of roles and tasks with level of practice, structured feedback guidelines and acknowledgment of the importance of social interactions for learning