Mineralogical Analysis of Solid-Sample Flame Emission Spectra by Machine Learning.

Solid preconcentrated ore samples used in pyrometallurgical copper smelters are analyzed by flame emission spectroscopy using a specialized flame optical emission spectroscopy (OES), system. Over 8500 complex spectra are categorized using an artificial neural network (ANN) that was optimized to have 10 hidden layers with 40 nodes per layer. The ANN was able to quantify the elemental content of all samples to within better than 1.

Coaxial burner system for solid-sample flame emission spectroscopy.

We present a burner system to analyze solid, inflammable samples by flame emission spectroscopy without requiring any sample preparation procedures. An acetylene-nitrous oxide burner was designed to efficiently introduce solid particles into the flame through active injection, enabling real-time elemental analysis. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed to study particle transport dynamics within the burner system.

Gerotranscendence, Hope, and Coherence in the Face of Life Adversity.

Older adults are living longer and becoming more diverse. The current study examined the relationship between traumatic life events, hope, coherence, and successful aging in Black and White older adults with at least one chronic health condition, and the influence of life events on gerotranscendence. Fifty older adults from two senior centers participated.

Enhancing Access Through Language-Tailored Approach in Telehealth and Veterans Video Connect: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Veterans Satisfaction Assessment.

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can impact language processing, necessitating language-tailored approaches. Telehealth may expand rural Veterans' access but has unknown feasibility for language preferences. This study explored telehealth/Veterans Video Connect satisfaction for Spanish/English TBI screening.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Parents: A Qualitative Study.

Objectives: Addressing parental/caregivers' coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy is critical to improving vaccine uptake in children. Common concerns have been previously reported through online surveys, but qualitative data from KII and focus groups may add much-needed context. Our objective was to examine factors impacting pediatric COVID-19 vaccine decision-making in Black, Spanish-speaking, and rural white parents/caregivers to inform the content design of a mobile application to improve pediatric COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Your phrases matter: Third waves in research approaches and new contexts for formulaic language.

Background: This study reports on new contexts in which formulaic language has been used in the years since 2013 when the last synthesis was carried out. The background presents an old but still useful definition and lists themes under which research was arranged in 2013 and which continue to be used.

Aims: This study has a particular emphasis on the relevance of formulaic language to people living with dementia.

Racial/Ethnic and Geographic Disparities in Comorbid Traumatic Brain Injury-Renal Failure in US Veterans and Associated Veterans Affairs Resource Costs, 2000-2020.

Unlabelled: Studies have identified disparities by race/ethnicity and geographic status among veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and renal failure (RF). We examined the association of race/ethnicity and geographic status with RF onset in veterans with and without TBI, and the impact of disparities on Veterans Health Administration resource costs.

Methods: Demographics by TBI and RF status were assessed.

Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia: A Unique Case and Literature Review.

Pneumonia is one of the most common pathologies seen in the inpatient setting. The rapid response to treat febrile patients with infiltrates on chest x-ray has reduced hospital length of stay and hospital costs. However, the automatic reaction to treat all infiltrates and opacities seen on a chest x-ray as pneumonia can be costly.

Economic impact of comorbid TBI-dementia on VA facility and non-VA facility costs, 2000-2020.

Objective: There is evidence Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is associated with increased risk of dementia (D). We compared VA and non-VA facility costs associated with TBI+D and each diagnosis alone, relative to neither diagnosis, annually and over time, 2000-2020.

Methods: We estimated adjusted panel models of annual VHA costs in VA and non-VA facilities, stratified by age, and by TBI-dementia status.

Can the Paro be my Buddy? Meaningful experiences from the perspectives of older adults.

This study aimed to explore meaningful experiences of older Taiwanese adults who had received a Paro (social robot) companion. Semi-structured qualitative interviews elicited the perspectives of 25 older adults living in a long-term care facility after they had interacted with an individual Paro companion for 8 weeks. Thematic analysis was used in this study as it allows for rich, detailed, and complex descriptions of qualitative data.

Enhancing Language Access: A Pilot Study to Examine the Importance of Understanding the Language Preference and Acculturalization Level in the Provision of Healthcare for Hispanics Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Introduction: The purpose of this pilot study was to obtain preliminary data to culturally adapt the Veteran Health Administration Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) assessment instruments for the Hispanic Veteran population. A qualitative analysis explored the cognitive processes used by Hispanic Veterans whose preferred language was Spanish to understand a specific set of screening questions within the Initial TBI Screening, the Comprehensive TBI Evaluation, the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), and the La Trobe Communication Questionnaire (LTCQ).

Materials And Methods: A certified translator completed translation of the TBI instruments, an expert panel resolved inadequate expressions of the translations, and translated instruments were back translated.

Investigating the Feasibility of Using Telemedicine to Deliver a Fall Prevention Program: A Pilot Study.

Aim: This pilot study was designed to examine the feasibility of using telemedicine to deliver a fall prevention program, a modified Otago exercise program, to low-income older adults living independently in affordable housing apartments.

Methods: A mixed-methods feasibility study. Participants were divided into two groups: one group participated in a 12-week modified Otago fall prevention program via telehealth, while the other group participated in the program with an on-site instructor.

Narrative Gerontology in Practice: Students' Experiences With Conducting Autoethnography.

This study examines the benefits of introducing autoethnographic writing as part of an ageism intervention to familiarize students with the life course. In this mixed-methods study, 186 graduate and undergraduate students conducted interviews with a grandparent or older adult and subsequently assumed the identity of the grandparent to write introductions of themselves as if they were that grandparent, using "I" statements in an online discussion forum. Most assumed grandparents were women (78.

When More Than Exercise Is Needed to Increase Chances of Aging in Place: Qualitative Analysis of a Telehealth Physical Activity Program to Improve Mobility in Low-Income Older Adults.

Background: A telehealth-delivered physical activity program was implemented within two low-income older adult housing properties utilizing the Otago exercise program, a physical therapy program endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve balance and strengthening in community dwelling older adults and by the National Council on Aging as the highest level of evidence for fall prevention programs. Participants were also given Fitbit activity monitors to help track their activity.

Objective: The goal of this project was to increase older adults' daily physical activity in hopes of decreasing chronic disease morbidity, disability, and falls, and decrease social isolation.

Direct-to-adolescent text messaging for vaccine reminders: What will parents permit?

Background: Direct-to-adolescent text messaging may be a consideration for vaccine reminders, including human papilloma virus (HPV), but no studies have explored the minimum age at which parents would allow adolescents to receive a text message.

Methods: We distributed a survey to parents of 10-17 year olds during any office visit in two practice based research networks in South Carolina and Oklahoma. We asked about parental preference for receiving vaccine reminders for their adolescent, whether they would allow the healthcare provider to directly message their adolescent, and if so, what would be the acceptable minimum age.

A Triangulated Qualitative Study of Veteran Decision-Making to Seek Care During Heart Failure Exacerbation: Implications of Dual Health System Use.

Among Veterans, heart failure (HF) contributes to frequent emergency department visits and hospitalization. Dual health care system use (dual use) occurs when Veterans Health Administration (VA) enrollees also receive care from non-VA sources. Mounting evidence suggests that dual use decreases efficiency and patient safety.

Views on ageing in place from relocated low‑income housing residents in the US.

Background: Ageing in place (AIP) is the ability to live in one's home and community independently, despite age, ability level or income.

Aim: To elicit knowledge and feelings about AIP from low-income older adults relocated to low-income housing.

Method: Nursing students, supervised by nursing faculty trained in research, conducted semi-structured interviews about AIP with volunteer residents living in a low-income apartment complex in the southern US.

Perceptions of U.S. Veterans Affairs and community healthcare providers regarding cross-system care for heart failure.

Objectives: This study explores perceptions of US Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA healthcare providers caring for Veterans with heart failure (HF) regarding Veteran knowledge and motivations for dual use, provider roles in recommending and coordinating dual use, systems barriers and facilitators, and suggestions for improving cross-system care.

Methods: Twenty VA and 11 non-VA providers participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using parallel qualitative content and discourse analysis.

Results: VA and non-VA providers described variable HF knowledge and self-management among Veterans, and both groups described the need for improved education addressing medication adherence, self-care, and management of acute symptoms.

Optical absorption measurements of hydrogen chloride at high temperature and high concentration in the presence of water using a tunable diode laser system for application in pyrohydrolysis non-ferrous industrial process control.

A tunable diode laser (TDL) was used to measure hydrogen chloride (HCl) spectra at 5747 cm(-1) (1.74 μm) and temperatures of 25-950 °C in a quartz cell. The purpose was to evaluate the capability of monitoring HCl concentration under pyrohydrolysis conditions using a near-infrared (NIR) laser.

Beyond reminiscence: using generic video to elicit conversational language.

Videos and multimedia are increasingly used to stimulate reminiscence in dementia care. However, they are also valuable in eliciting a wide range of language patterns that are not necessarily keyed to reminiscence about self. Low-technology, home-made generic and personalized videos were tested with 2 samples of persons with dementia, to increase engagement and support the retention of identity.

Developing culturally diverse direct caregivers for care work with older adults: challenges and potential strategies.

This discussion presents real-world examples of challenges that occur in geriatric training as a contribution to the ongoing conversation about tailored training for direct caregivers. Numerous discussions are available on the need for more geriatric training in nursing, including aspects of care for patients with dementia, but few if any studies have identified a similar need on behalf of direct care workers, including home health care aides,personal care aides, and nursing assistants who are not part of a licensure track or a baccalaureate-based nursing curriculum. This discussion examines three cultural factors that underlie challenges for nursing educators and supervisors in dementia care who oversee direct care workers: (1) the effect of immigrant cultures and languages; (2) the effect of different intergenerational cultural constructs; and (3) the effect of culturally derived attitudes about aging and dementia.

An examination of successful aging among Southern Black and White older adults.

Research on successful aging in minority older adults and those from certain regions of the United States, such as the South, is lacking. It is important to learn whether disparities exist in Southern Black older adults' perceptions of successful aging compared to those of majority older adults. Thus, this study examined successful aging using focus groups to obtain a regionally and racially sensitive understanding of the phenomenon.