Optimization of 4-Mercaptobenzoic Acid in SiO2-Ag Colloid Aerogel Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Aerogels have been studied as potential insulating and conducting materials, but little research has been conducted characterizing organic molecules in aerogel matrices using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). In this study, SiO2-Ag colloid aerogels were used as enhanced surfaces for SERS. SERS spectra of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MCBA) adsorbed to acid- and base-catalyzed SiO2-Ag colloid aerogels were obtained. It was observed that acid-catalyzed silver sol gels with 4-MCBA mixed within the matrix provided SERS spectra with sharper and more enhanced peaks than the base-catalyzed silver sol gels

The Oak 1990

Glassboro State College yearbook for the Class of 1990; 200 pages. Contents: In Search of Ourselves p. 1, In Search of Excellence p. 2, In Search of Graduation p. 16, In Search of Organization p. 82, In Search of Sports p. 128, In Search of Guidance p. 156, In Search of Entertainment p. 182.https://rdw.rowan.edu/yearbooks/1047/thumbnail.jp

Problematisation and regulation: bodies, risk, and recovery within the context of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Background Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is an anticipated effect of maternal drug use during pregnancy. Yet it remains a contested area of policy and practice. In this paper, we contribute to ongoing debates about the way NAS is understood and responded to, through different treatment regimes, or logics of care. Our analysis examines the role of risk and recovery discourses, and the way in which the bodies of women and babies are conceptualised within these. Methods Qualitative interviews with 16 parents (9 mothers, 7 fathers) and four focus groups with 27 health and social care professionals based in Scotland. All the mothers were prescribed opioid replacement therapy and parents were interviewed after their baby was born. Data collection explored understandings about the causes and consequences of NAS and experiences of preparing for, and caring for, a baby with NAS. Data were analysed using a narrative and discursive approach. Results Parent and professional accounts simultaneously upheld and subverted logics of care which govern maternal drug use and the assessment and care of mother and baby. Despite acknowledging the unpredictability of NAS symptoms and the inability of the women who are opioid-dependent to prevent NAS, logics of care centred on ‘proving’ risk and recovery. Strategies appealed to the need for caution, intervening and control, and obscured alternative logics of care that focus on improving support for mother-infant dyads and the family as a whole. Conclusion Differing notions of risk and recovery that govern maternal drug use, child welfare and family life both compel and trouble all logics of care. The contentious nature of NAS reflects wider socio-political and moral agendas that ultimately have little to do with meeting the needs of mothers and babies. Fundamental changes in the principles, quality and delivery of care could improve outcomes for families affected by NAS

Patient experience and challenges in group concept mapping for clinical research.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Group concept mapping (GCM) is a research method that engages stakeholders in generating, structuring and representing ideas around a specific topic or question. GCM has been used with patients to answer questions related to health and disease but little is known about the patient experience as a participant in the process. This paper explores the patient experience participating in GCM as assessed with direct observation and surveys of participants. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis performed within a larger study in which 3 GCM iterations were performed to engage patients in identifying patient-important outcomes for diabetes care. Researchers tracked the frequency and type of assistance required by each participant to complete the sorting and rating steps of GCM. In addition, a 17-question patient experience survey was administered over the telephone to the participants after they had completed the GCM process. Survey questions asked about the personal impact of participating in GCM and the ease of various steps of the GCM process. RESULTS: Researchers helped patients 92 times during the 3 GCM iterations, most commonly to address software and computer literacy issues, but also with the sorting phase itself. Of the 52 GCM participants, 40 completed the post-GCM survey. Respondents averaged 56 years of age, were 50% female and had an average hemoglobin A1c of 9.1%. Ninety-two percent (n = 37) of respondents felt that they had contributed something important to this research project and 90% (n = 36) agreed or strongly agreed that their efforts would help others with diabetes. Respondents reported that the brainstorming session was less difficult when compared with sorting and rating of statements. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that patients find value in participating in GCM. Patients reported less comfort with the sorting step of GCM when compared with brainstorming, an observation that correlates with our observations from the GCM sessions. Researchers should consider using paper sorting methods and objective measures of sorting quality when using GCM in patient-engaged research to improve the patient experience and concept map quality

Final Project Report: Hydraulic Model Study Tawas Bay Marina Harbor Modification Evaluations

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154148/1/39015099114665.pd

Contingency Management: Dealing Abstinence from Methamphetamines

Presented at the 2022 Virtual Northwest Medical Research Symposiu

Suplir el vacío de financiación para la protección de la comunidad

Una iniciativa para ayudar a las comunidades locales a aumentar su nivel de resiliencia contra los extremismos violentos podría aportar útiles enseñanzas sobre cómo ayudar a las comunidades locales a acceder a fondos con los que financiar sus intentos de protegerse

Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses

Objectives At the end of this session: You will understand the process of conducting a SR&MA You will be able to better read and understand journal articles that are reports of SR&MA You will have resources for further exploratio

Evaluation of the Jefferson Family Medicine Associates’ Diabetes Information and Support for Your Health (DISH) Program [presentation]

Type 2 diabetes is increasing in incidence and prevalence, and contributes to significant morbidity, mortality, and costs. Type 2 diabetes management is complex and requires continual patient self-management. However, many physicians lack the time and training to deliver comprehensive diabetes self-management training to their patients, and only 56.8% of individuals with Type 2 diabetes have received formal diabetes education. Group medical visits (GMVs), which combine one-on-one clinical consultations and group self-management education, have emerged as a promising vehicle for supporting type 2 diabetes management. This dissertation used a quasi-experimental nonequivalent groups design to evaluate the four-session Diabetes Information and Support for your Health (DISH) program at Jefferson Family Medicine Associates (JFMA). DISH participants were compared to a group of non-participating subjects with type 2 diabetes at JFMA on baseline demographics. Next, propensity score matching was used to match DISH participants with a comparison group DISH participants and the matched group were then compared for changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index, and compared on their change trajectories. A sub-analysis also examined the HbA1c change of the initial cohort of DISH participants from 2009. DISH participants and the matched comparison group were also compared on rates of retinal exam completion and nephropathy screening, and on the mean number of primary care visits, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions in the 1-year time period following DISH participation. This study’s contributions include: (a) an evaluation of a group visit program in a predominantly African American population; (b) an evaluation of an established group visit program in a primary care practice; (c) the use of data derived from electronic medical records for group visit evaluation; (d) a comparison of group visit participants and nonparticipants; (e) an analysis of group visits’ impact on HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index change and change trajectories, including 5-year HbA1c change; and (f) an analysis of group visits’ impact on processes of care and utilization. Findings on the clinical outcomes and costs of the DISH program can be used to inform future DISH iterations at JFMA. Finally, the results may have implications for health policy, specifically chronic illness care models and group visit reimbursement