Out-of-pocket spending among a cohort of Australians living with gout.

Objective: To measure the direct and indirect out-of-pocket (OOP) costs borne by Australians with gout.

Methods: A cross-sectional, Australia-wide, web-based survey was conducted over 12 months between May 2017 and April 2018. Participants were recruited via advertisements in doctors' clinics and healthcare organizations' websites, and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Selective adsorption to particular crystal faces of ZnO.

We examine the hypothesis that selective adsorption to a particular face of ZnO is responsible for the ability of small organic molecules to control the aspect ratio of ZnO crystals during hydrothermal synthesis. Large, single crystals of ZnO were prepared such that the vast majority of a surface consisted of a single crystal plane, as shown by atomic force microscopy, and the adsorption to a single crystal plane was determined by attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. The results show that citrate strongly and selectively adsorbs to the (0001) face.

Differential etching of ZnO native planes under basic conditions.

The in situ dissolution of polished (0001), (101(-)0), and (0001(-)) surfaces of ZnO was studied using Atomic Force Microscopy under alkaline conditions. In aqueous NaOH solution the (0001) plane forms a stepped surface whereas the (0001(-)) plane converts into more stable {101(-)1(-)} planes. Dissolution of the (101(-)0) plane leaves a combination of (0001) and (101(-)1(-)) planes.

Surface chemistry and rheology of polysulfobetaine-coated silica.

We have measured the viscosity of suspensions of colloidal silica particles (d = 300 nm) and the properties of silica surfaces in solutions of a polymer consisting of zwitterionic monomer groups, poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate), polySBMA. This polymer has potential use in modifying surface properties because the polymer is net uncharged and therefore does not generate double-layer forces. The solubility of the polymer can be controlled and varies from poor to good by the addition of sodium chloride salt.