Factors Associated with Veteran Self-Reported Use of Digital Health Devices.

Background: Digital health devices (DHDs), technologies designed to gather, monitor, and sometimes share data about health-related behaviors or symptoms, can support the prevention or management of chronic conditions. DHDs range in complexity and utility, from tracking lifestyle behaviors (e.g.

PEG and Thickeners: A Critical Interaction Between Polyethylene Glycol Laxative and Starch-Based Thickeners.

Clinicians commonly encounter dysphagia and constipation in a skilled nursing population. Increasing the viscosity of liquids, usually with a starch- or xanthan gum-based thickener, serves as a key intervention for patients with dysphagia. We report a newly identified and potentially dangerous interaction between polyethylene glycol 3350 laxative (PEG) and starch-thickened liquids.

Study of polymeric interactions of copolymers: 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate (DHPMA) with copper hydroxylated nanoballs.

2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate (DHPMA) were used to synthesize novel nanocomposites containing 0.5% by weight of copper hydroxylated nanoballs. Glass transition temperatures of the copolymers and their respective nanocomposites were determined by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Dielectric properties of novel polyurethane/silica nanowire composites.

An aliphatic isocyanate, polyether, polyol thermoplastic polyurethane, Tecoflex SG-85A, was solution processed with the varying amounts of silica nanowire. The dielectric permittivity (epsilon') and loss factor (epsilon") were measured via Dielectric Analysis (DEA) in the frequency range 1 Hz to 100 kHz and between the temperature -150 to 150 degrees C. The electric modulus formalism was used to reveal alpha, beta and conductivity relaxations.

The measurement of charge for induction-based fluidic MALDI dispense event and nanoliter volume verification in real time.

This study preliminarily investigates whether nanoliter volumes of concentrated polar liquids and organic monomers launched to targets using induction based fluidics (IBF) can be verified through the real time charge measurements. We show that using a nanoliter IBF dispensing device and nanocoulomb meter, charge measurements made on nanoliter drops in real time are correlated with surface area following Gauss's Law. We infer the "induction only" formation of the double layer showing the ability to determine nanoliter volumes, nearly instantaneously, in real time.

DC conductivity and interfacial polarization in PMMA/nanotube and PMMA/soot composites.

This work focuses on the DC conductivity and interfacial polarization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites made with single wall nanotubes (SWNTs) and nanotube precursor soot. We aim to compare and contrast the behavior of the two nanofillers in an effort to determine if the precursor material imparts tunable electrical properties to PMMA. The DC activity of the polymers and composites was determined by extrapolating AC conductivity versus frequency plots to zero.

Use of hydrogel coating to improve the performance of implanted glucose sensors.

In order to protect implanted glucose sensors from biofouling, novel hydrogels (146-217% water by mass) were developed based on a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate (DHPMA). The porosity and mechanical properties of the hydrogels were improved using N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone (VP) and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). The results of SEM and DSC FT-IT analyses showed that the hydrogel (VP30) produced from a monomeric mixture of 34.

Synthesis and performance of novel hydrogels coatings for implantable glucose sensors.

Novel hydrogel polymers were prepared, characterized, coated on implantable glucose sensors, and tested in vitro and in vivo. The effects of 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate (DHPMA) on the swelling, morphology, glass transition (T(g)), and water structure were studied. The results show that the degree of swelling increases with increasing DHPMA content.

Dielectric properties of PMMA/Soot nanocomposites.

Dielectric analysis (DEA) of relaxation behavior in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) soot nanocomposites is described herein. The soot, an inexpensive material, consists of carbon nanotubes, amorphous and graphitic carbon and metal particles. Results are compared to earlier studies on PMMA/multi-walled nanotube (MWNT) composites and PMMA/single-walled nanotube (SWNT) composites.

Dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes in a non-polar polymer, poly(4-methyl-1-pentene).

Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), PMP, a high melting polymer composed of hydrogen and carbon, has the potential to become an alternative to polyethylene (PE) as shielding material against Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR). PMP exhibits higher thermal stability than PE and is transparent in the UV/visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were pretreated with a polar solvent, N, N-Dimethylformimide (DMF), and then dispersed in a halogenated hydrocarbon, cyclohexyl chloride, which also dissolved the non polar polymer, PMP.

The long-term relationships between the motivation for change and alcohol use severity among patients with severe and persistent mental illness.

This study examined the long-term relationship of changes in the motivation to remedy alcohol abuse to alcohol use severity among patients with a dual diagnosis of substance abuse disorder and severe and persistent mental illness. Linear regression analyses showed that patients who increasingly recognized alcohol use problems over a 9-month period exhibited significantly greater alcohol use severity at 9 months and a significant increase in alcohol use severity over time. Moreover, patients who became increasingly determined to take actions against alcohol use over a 9-month period exhibited significantly lower alcohol use severity at 9 months and a significant decrease in alcohol use severity over time.

Persistent interactions between hydroxylated nanoballs and atactic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA).

The incorporation of self-assembled nanoparticles, a.k.a.

Impacts of motivation for change on the severity of alcohol use by patients with severe and persistent mental illness.

Objective: This study examined the effect of motivation for change, measured by the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES), on alcohol use severity among alcoholic patients with severe and persistent mental illness.

Method: At a Veterans Affairs hospital, 390 dually diagnosed patients were recruited and assessed for motivation for change, alcohol use severity, psychotic symptoms and global functioning at baseline and 9-month follow-up.

Results: Regression analyses showed that patients who were highly ambivalent about their alcohol use at baseline consumed significantly more alcohol 9 months later, on the basis of Addiction Severity Index ratings (p < or = .