Synthesis of gold-tin alloy nanoparticles with tunable plasmonic properties.

Plasmonic nanoparticles and nanocrystalline materials have broad applicability in catalysis, optoelectronics, sensing, and sustainability. Below, we detail a robust protocol for the synthesis of bimetallic Au-Sn nanoparticles in mild, aqueous conditions. This protocol describes the steps for synthesizing gold nanoparticle seeds, diffusing Sn into the seeds by chemical reduction, and the optical and structural analysis by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy.

Which Hospitals Promote a Sleep-Friendly Patient Experience?

The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey measures patient perceptions of hospital experience to determine the annual Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement. This study focuses on the "Quiet at Night" variable and identifies institutions with the highest scores to determine characteristics that facilitate patient sleep. The key findings were as follows: CMS Top Rated Hospitals have a mean score of 5 on the "Quiet at Night" variable.

Defining existing practices to support the sleep of hospitalized patients: A mixed-methods study of top-ranked hospitals.

The objective of this study was to understand the existing practices and attitudes regarding inpatient sleep at the 2020 US News and World Report (USNWR) Honor Roll pediatric (n = 10) and adult (n = 20) hospitals. Section chiefs of Hospital Medicine from these institutions were surveyed and interviewed between June and August 2021. Among 23 of 30 surveyed physician leaders (response rate = 77%), 96% (n = 22) rated patient sleep as important, but only 43% (n = 10) were satisfied with their institutions' efforts.

Draft Genome Sequencing of Three Glutaraldehyde-Tolerant Bacteria from Produced Water from Hydraulic Fracturing.

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of three glutaraldehyde-resistant isolates from produced water from hydraulic fracturing operations. The three strains were identified as sp. strain G11, sp.

Piloting I-SLEEP: a patient-centered education and empowerment intervention to improve patients' in-hospital sleep.

Background: Sleep disturbances in hospitalized patients are linked to poor recovery. In preparation for a future randomized controlled trial, this pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component intervention (I-SLEEP) that educates and empowers inpatients to advocate for fewer nighttime disruptions in order to improve sleep during periods of hospitalization.

Methods: Eligible inpatients received I-SLEEP, which included an educational video, brochure, sleep kit, and three questions patients can ask their team to reduce nighttime disruptions.

Optimizing Oral Medication Schedules for Inpatient Sleep: A Quality Improvement Intervention.

Objectives: Hospitalized children experience frequent nighttime awakenings. Oral medications are commonly administered around the clock despite the comparable efficacy of daytime administration schedules, which promote sleep. With this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a quality improvement initiative to increase the proportion of sleep-friendly antibiotic administration schedules.

A Patient-Centered Approach to Comparative Effectiveness Research Focused on Older Adults: Lessons From the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

The mission of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is to fund the production of high-quality evidence that will enable patients and clinicians to make informed, personalized healthcare decisions. Since 2012, the PCORI has invested $177 million in patient-centered comparative effectiveness research (CER) that specifically targets the health needs of older adults, with additional relevant studies in its broader portfolio. Developing the PCORI's research portfolio has provided us with significant insights into what factors to consider when conducting CER in older adult populations.