Investigating Film Properties of Polymers Used in Anhydrous Sunscreen Formulations Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Polymer/Polymer Interactions and Their Relation to Vapor Transmission.

A mechanistic understanding of the role of polymers in waterproofing anhydrous sunscreen formulations has been hypothesized in the past, but has never been clearly established. In this article, we demonstrate the utility of field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to generate images of sunscreen films in the presence and absence of several polymers. VA/butyl maleate/isobornyl acrylate copolymer was studied alone and in combination with hydroxypropyl cellulose and acrylates/dimethicone copolymer.

Discordance of the estrogen receptor and HER-2/neu in breast cancer from primary lesion to first and second metastatic site.

Background: Hormone receptor and HER-2/neu discordance between the primary lesion and first metastasis has been reported. This study was performed to determine further biomarker discordance rates between the first and subsequent metastatic breast cancer lesions.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of paired biomarkers from primary breast cancers compared to first reported and subsequent metastases from 103 patients with breast cancer.

Learning Motivational Interviewing: A Pathway to Caring and Mindful Patient Encounters.

We designed our project to explore the experience of learning motivational interviewing (MI). The project impetus came from a desire to improve our skill in communicating with patients. We created a curriculum led by an MI specialist that provided didactic sessions, discussions and individual feedback.

Implementing motivational interviewing in a pediatric hospital.

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative style of communication designed to strengthen a person's own motivation and commitment to change. We report on our ongoing efforts to implement motivational interviewing to address health behavior change among several patient populations in our pediatric hospital, including sexual risk reduction among adolescents, increased self-care for patients with spina bifida, increased adherence for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, and facilitation with transition from pediatric to adult care among gastroenterology patients.

Population pharmacokinetics of oral baclofen in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.

Objective: To characterize the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of oral baclofen and assess impact of patient-specific covariates in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in order to support its clinical use.

Subjects Design: Children (2-17 years of age) with CP received a dose of titrated oral baclofen from 2.5 mg 3 times a day to a maximum tolerated dose of up to 20 mg 4 times a day.

Moving from A to Z: successful implementation of a statin switch program by a large physician group.

Objective: To describe the implementation and impact of a centralized statin switch program at a large academic medical center.

Methods: Patients on atorvastatin were identified from electronic medical records and pharmacy claims data. Relevant information was sent to physicians for approval of the proposed switches.

Using a modified electronic health record to develop nursing process skills.

In our study, we described the experiences and behaviors of beginning nursing students learning the nursing process using a modified electronic health record. Eight students led by an experienced nursing instructor from a midwestern university comprised the criterion purposive sample. Data were obtained from observations of the group, interviews with students and the teacher, and evaluation of care plans that were generated using the technology.

An interdisciplinary workshop to improve palliative care: advanced heart failure--clinical guidelines and healing words.

Objective: Effective communication is recognized as an essential process to providing quality care, including palliative and end-of-life care. Discussion of prognosis and support needs of patients with heart failure is particularly challenging given the nature of the condition and care across several settings. The objective was to design, implement, and evaluate an interdisciplinary workshop aimed at improving attitudes and skills related to communication with patients and family, health team communication and documentation, and assessment of physical and emotional symptoms.

Toward a systems- and control-oriented agent framework.

This paper develops a systems- and control-oriented intelligent agent framework called the hybrid intelligent control agent (HICA), as well as its composition into specific kinds of multiagent systems. HICA is essentially developed around a hybrid control system core so that knowledge-based planning and coordination can be integrated with verified hybrid control primitives to achieve the coordinated control of multiple multimode dynamical systems. The scheme is applied to the control of teams of unmanned air and ground vehicles engaged in a pursuit-evasion war game.

Beyond the rhythm and routine: adjusting to life in assisted living.

In Western countries, demographic trends indicate an increase in the aging population well into the next century. Because of declining health, many older adults will benefit from residence in assisted living (AL). The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience and contextual influences in everyday decision-making of four older adults in AL using a case study method.

Analysis of sharp-end, frontline human error: beyond throwing out "bad apples".

Sharp-end, frontline human error occurs close to the delivery of patient care. The purpose of this article is to examine the mechanism of human error and cognition, and to explore the antecedents, attributes, and consequences of frontline human error. Fallible decision-making and actions leading to patient injury are explicated in a case study.