The United Stirling P40 engine for solar dish concentrator application

The United Stirling P40 engine is a key component in a solar concentration based energy conversion system, to be demonstrated and tested during 1980-81. The inherent characteristics of modern Stirling engines is reviewed focusing on the baseline P40 double-acting engine. The extent of modifications required for the solar application is reviewed and performance data are predicted. Finally, the potential of an advanced solar Stirling engine is briefly considered

Family Caregivers’ Knowledge of Delirium and Preferred Modalities for Receipt of Information

Delirium is a life-threatening, frequently reversible condition that is often a sign of an underlying health problem. In-hospital mortality alone for older adults with delirium ranges from 25% to 33%. Early recognition of delirium is critical because prolonged duration poses a greater risk of poor functional outcomes for older adults. Family caregivers, who are familiar with the older adult’s usual behaviors, are most likely to recognize delirium symptoms but might dismiss them as due to aging. It is important to learn what family caregivers know about delirium to ascertain their need for education. The aims of this study were to describe family caregivers’ knowledge of delirium and preferred modalities for receipt of information about delirium. A cross-sectional design was used for this study and a survey distributed to family caregivers for older adults. Analysis of 134 usable surveys indicated that family caregivers need and want information about delirium. The preferred modalities for receipt of information included Internet, in-person classes, and newsletters

Public Health Model Identifies Recruitment Barriers among Older Adults with Delirium and Dementia

Recruiting older adults and their family caregivers into research studies presents challenges. Although the literature notes some general recruitment challenges, no studies specifically address the unique challenges of recruiting older adults who have Alzheimer\u27s Disease (AD) and their family caregivers in studies about delirium or suggest using a framework to identify barriers to recruiting this population. In conducting a pilot study about preparing family caregivers to detect delirium symptoms in older adults with (AD) the researchers used the Public Health Model for identifying barriers to recruitment. The goals of this methodological article are to: (1) briefly describe the methodology of the pilot study to illustrate how the Public Health Model was applied in the context of the present study and (2) discuss the benefits of the Public Health Model for identifying the barriers to recruitment in a study that prepared family caregivers to detect delirium symptoms in older adults with AD. The Public Health Model helped us to identify four specific barriers to recruitment (lack of knowledge about delirium, desire to maintain normalcy, protective caregiving behaviors, and older adult\u27s fears) and ways to overcome them. The Public Health Model might also help other researchers address similar issues

Relationships among Uncertainty, Coping, and Psychological Distress in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has an average prevalence of 18.9% and most often affects people 60 years of age or older. It is a cognitive stage between normal functioning and dementia (Petersen, 2003; Petersen, 2011; Petersen et al., 2014). MCI can be broken into two subtypes classified by the presence of memory impairment (amnestic MCI) or the lack thereof (nonamnestic MCI). Medical diagnostic criteria are commonly used to guide research with older adults with MCI. A theoretical framework that addresses the antecedents and consequences of MCI, specifically one examining the relationships among MCI, uncertainty, coping and psychological distress, is essential to guide the development of effective nursing interventions but is unapparent in published literature. The aims of this quantitative, cross-sectional study are to: (1) test select components of a new conceptual framework for MCI by examining the relationships among uncertainty, coping, psychological distress, time since diagnosis, and level of cognitive impairment from MCI; (2) describe the levels of uncertainty, coping, and psychological distress in persons with MCI; (3) examine the differences in scores on uncertainty, coping, and psychological distress between the two subtypes of MCI; and (4) examine the strength and direction of relationships between scores on uncertainty, coping, and psychological distress within the subtypes of MCI. The sample consisted of 91 primarily Caucasian (\u3e85%) older adults receiving care at a neurology clinic, with a relatively even split between genders and MCI subtypes. Positive relationships were found between uncertainty, coping, and psychological distress, supporting the study framework. In addition, subjects reported low to moderate levels of uncertainty and psychological distress, and most often used emotion-focused coping strategies. Subjects with naMCI reported more somatic symptoms than those with aMCI (p\u3c0.05); however, there were no significant relationships between the MCI subtypes or level of cognitive impairment on the other psychological distress subscales, coping instrument, or uncertainty instrument. The long-term goal of this study is to provide a foundation for a program of research centered on the development and evaluation of interventions to assist older adults who have a diagnosis of MCI and their family members with coping and managing their condition

Conjunction Junction, THAT\u27S Our Function

Identifying an opportunity to harness the strength of collaborating across departments, institutions, and libraries, librarians from the Education and Clinical Services, and Research and Scholarly Communication Services of Lamar Soutter Library (LSL), University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), partnered with the librarian for the Hartford Medical Society Library at Lyman Maynard Stowe Library, UConn Health, to organize an exhibit of historical ophthalmology items at UMMS. The exhibit, “Eyes to the Past,” ran from the summer through the fall, 2019, and included textbooks from the 1800s, prints to test for color blindness, artifacts such as eye surgery kits, glass eyeballs, stereoscopes, and an early 20th century ophthalmoscope. A medical student with an interest in ophthalmology was recruited to research each item on display and provide text for identification cards. The exhibit proved an excellent bridge to form a partnership with the UMass Memorial Eye Center and the UMass Medical School Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. The Eye Center just welcomed its first class of residents in July, making the timing of the exhibit perfect for the LSL’s outreach efforts. A presentation and reception, co-hosted by the LSL and the Eye Center, proved the “eye-deal” culmination to this successful collaborative effort

Women's experiences of planning a vaginal breech birth in Australia

© Homer et al. Background: In many countries, planned vaginal breech birth (VBB) is a rare event. After the Term Breech Trial in 2000, VBB reduced and caesarean section for breech presentation increased. Despite this, women still request VBB. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences and decision-making processes of women who had sought a VBB. Methods: A qualitative study using descriptive exploratory design was undertaken. Twenty-two (n=22) women who planned a VBB, regardless of eventual mode of birth were recruited. The women had given birth at one of two maternity hospitals in Australia that supported VBB. In-depth, semi-structured interviews using an interview guide were conducted. Interviews were analysed thematically. Results: Twenty two women were interviewed; three quarters were primiparous (n=16; 73%). Nine (41%) were already attending a hospital that supported VBB with the remaining women moving hospitals. All women actively sought a vaginal breech birth because the baby remained breech after an external cephalic version - 12 had a vaginal birth (55%) and 10 (45%) a caesarean section after labour commenced. There were four main themes: Reacting to a loss of choice and control, Wanting information that was trustworthy, Fighting the system and seeking support for VBB and The importance of 'having a go' at VBB. Conclusions: Women seeking a VBB value clear, consistent and relevant information in deciding about mode of birth. Women desire autonomy to choose vaginal breech birth and to be supported in their choice with high quality care

Hydroxyl concentration estimates in the sunlit snowpack at Summit, Greenland

Experiments were performed at Summit, Greenland (72°34′ N, 38°29′ W) to investigate hydroxyl mixing ratios in the sunlit surface snowpack (or firn). We added a carefully selected mixture of hydrocarbon gases (with a wide range of hydroxyl reactivities) to a UV and visible light transparent flow chamber containing undisturbed natural firn. The relative decrease in mixing ratios of these gases allowed estimation of the lower limit mixing ratio of hydroxyl radicals in the near-surface firn pore spaces. Hydroxyl mixing ratios in the firn air followed a diurnal cycle in summer 2003 (10-12 July), with peak values of more than 3.2×106 molecules cm-3 between 13:00 and 16:00 local time. The minimum value estimated was 1.1×106 molecules cm-3 at 20:00 local time. Results during spring of 2004 showed lower, but rapidly increasing, peak hydroxyl mixing ratios of 1.1×106 molecules cm-3 in the early afternoon on 15 April and 1.5×106 molecules cm-3 on 1 May. Our firn hydroxyl estimates were similar to directly measured above-snow ambient levels during the spring field season, but were only about 30% of ambient levels during summer. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

"O why so eloquently speaks the maiden silence": The Armenian Genocide’s Impact on Women in Armenian Society

Thesis advisor: Elizabeth ShlalaThis thesis explores how the Armenian Genocide affected and changed Armenian womens’ roles in post-Ottoman society and how the national rebuilding project relied upon women in both traditional and "modern" positions; specifically, their roles as mothers, educators, nurses, workers, patriots, as well as addresses the fluidity of identity and belonging in post-genocide Armenian society. Based on their experiences during the Armenian Genocide, women received different treatment from the larger Armenian society, and had different, sometimes contradictory roles prescribed to them. Women’s different treatment based on their genocide experiences highlight the complexities, challenges, and contradictions of the Armenian national rebuilding project, as well as the centrality of gender in this project and Armenian society as a whole.Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2022.Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Departmental Honors.Discipline: History

Psychometric Properties of the Family Caregiver Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire

A valid, reliable measure of family caregivers’ knowledge about delirium was not located in the literature; such an instrument is essential to assess learning needs and outcomes of education provided. The purpose of the current study was to (a) develop a family Caregiver Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire (CDKQ) based on the Symptom Interpretation Model; and (b) establish validity and reliability of the measure. The 19-item CDKQ was developed and administered to 164 family caregivers for community-dwelling older adults. Descriptive statistics were examined for all variables. Psychometric testing included confirmatory factor analysis, item-to-total correlations, and internal consistency reliability. A three-factor model provided the best fit for the data. The findings support initial validity and reliability of the CDKQ with family caregivers. Although the CDKQ was developed for use with family caregivers, it has potential for use with other caregivers, such as home health aides