Influence of Surfactant Structure on Polydisperse Formulations of Alkyl Ether Sulfates and Alkyl Amidopropyl Betaines.

Surfactants provide detergency, foaming, and texture in personal care formulations, yet the micellization of typical industrial primary and cosurfactants is not well understood, particularly in light of the polydisperse nature of commercial surfactants. Synergistic interactions are hypothesized to drive the formation of elongated wormlike self-assemblies in these mixed surfactant systems. Small-angle neutron scattering, rheology, and pendant drop tensiometry are used to examine surface adsorption, viscoelasticity, and self-assembly structure for wormlike micellar formulations comprising cocoamidopropyl betaine, and its two major components laurylamidopropyl betaine and oleylamidopropyl betaine, with sodium alkyl ethoxy sulfates.

Pediatric computed tomography doses in Germany from 2016 to 2018 based on large-scale data collection.

Purpose: Accumulating evidence from epidemiological studies that pediatric computed tomography (CT) examinations can be associated with a small but non-zero excess risk for developing leukemia or brain tumor highlights the need to optimize doses of pediatric CT procedures. Mandatory dose reference levels (DRL) can support reduction of collective dose from CT imaging. Regular surveys of applied dose-related parameters are instrumental to decide when technological advances and optimized protocol design allow lower doses without sacrificing image quality.

Co-assembly and Structure of Sodium Dodecylsulfate and other n-Alkyl Sulfates in Glycerol: n-Alkyl Sulfate-Glycerol Crystal Phase.

Hypothesis: Following the observation of a microfibrillar phase in sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)-glycerol mixtures, it is hypothesized that this phase is a crystalline structure containing SDS and glycerol, where the interaction between sulfate and glycerol layers mediates the co-assembly, which also could be universal for similar systems formed by n-alkyl sulfate homologues. Experiment. n-alkyl sulfate glycerol solutions were studied using a combination of optical microscopy, small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS).

Prenatal radiation exposure in diagnostic and interventional radiology.

Background:  The exposure of a pregnant woman to X-rays is an event that can cause uncertainty for all concerned. This review provides guidance on how to assess such a situation and how to determine the dose to the unborn child. In general, the use of X-rays in pregnant women in radiology should be avoided.

Capillary Structured Suspensions from In Situ Hydrophobized Calcium Carbonate Particles Suspended in a Polar Liquid Media.

We demonstrate that capillary suspensions can be formed from hydrophilic calcium carbonate particles suspended in a polar continuous media and connected by capillary bridges formed of minute amounts of an immiscible secondary liquid phase. This was achieved in two different polar continuous phases, water and glycerol, and three different oils, oleic acid, isopropyl myristate, and peppermint oil as a secondary liquid phase. The capillary structuring of the suspension was made possible through local in situ hydrophobization of the calcium carbonate particles dispersed in the polar media by adding very small amounts of oleic acid to the secondary liquid phase.

Thermally Responsive Capillary Suspensions.

We demonstrate that stimulus-responsive capillary-structured materials can be formed from hydrophobized calcium carbonate particles suspended in a non-polar phase (silicone oil) and bridged by very small amounts of a hydrogel as the secondary aqueous phase. Inclusion of thermally responsive polymers into the aqueous phase yielded a capillary-structured suspension whose rheology is controlled by a change in temperature and can increase its complex modulus by several orders of magnitude because of the gelation of the capillary bridges between the solid particles. We demonstrate that the rheology of the capillary suspension and its response upon temperature changes can be controlled by the gelling properties as little as 0.

Fundraising for Accelerated Study for the PhD in Nursing: A Community Partnership.

This article describes fundraising strategies by a School of Nursing to support a post-master's accelerated (3-year) PhD degree program. A sample proposal to solicit funds is included, as well as a contract that students sign before accepting the scholarship and agreeing to teach for 3 years or repay the money. The first campaign raised $2.

Major groove width variations in RNA structures determined by NMR and impact of 13C residual chemical shift anisotropy and 1H-13C residual dipolar coupling on refinement.

Ribonucleic acid structure determination by NMR spectroscopy relies primarily on local structural restraints provided by (1)H- (1)H NOEs and J-couplings. When employed loosely, these restraints are broadly compatible with A- and B-like helical geometries and give rise to calculated structures that are highly sensitive to the force fields employed during refinement. A survey of recently reported NMR structures reveals significant variations in helical parameters, particularly the major groove width.

An RNA structural switch regulates diploid genome packaging by Moloney murine leukemia virus.

Retroviruses selectively package two copies of their RNA genomes via mechanisms that have yet to be fully deciphered. Recent studies with small fragments of the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV) genome suggested that selection may be mediated by an RNA switch mechanism, in which conserved UCUG elements that are sequestered by base-pairing in the monomeric RNA become exposed upon dimerization to allow binding to the cognate nucleocapsid (NC) domains of the viral Gag proteins. Here we show that a large fragment of the MoMuLV 5' untranslated region that contains all residues necessary for efficient RNA packaging (Psi(WT); residues 147-623) also exhibits a dimerization-dependent affinity for NC, with the native dimer ([Psi(WT)](2)) binding 12+/-2 NC molecules with high affinity (K(d)=17+/-7 nM) and with the monomer, stabilized by substitution of dimer-promoting loop residues with hairpin-stabilizing sequences (Psi(M)), binding 1-2 NC molecules.

The ABCs of the doctor of nursing practice: assessing resources, building a culture of clinical scholarship, curricular models.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares nurses to provide comprehensive care across sites and over time. It is absolutely crucial-for both patient care and the nursing profession-that broadly recognized standards of competency for these new practitioners be established. The Council for the Advancement of Comprehensive Care has met since 2000 to build consensus on competency standards and a process for certifying these graduates.

Simple method for controlled association of colloidal-particle mixtures using pH-dependent hydrogen bonding.

We describe a simple method for the controlled mixing of particles that could be used to produce materials with new properties. We demonstrate the procedure with sets of silica particles that have each been coated with one of two different organic thin films. One set of particles is functionalized with carboxylic acid groups and the other with ethylene oxide.

Calculating graduation rates.

In recent years, the focus has been on increasing the number of registered nurse (RN) graduates. Numerous states have initiated programs to increase the number and quality of students entering nursing programs, and to expand the capacity of their programs to enroll additional qualified students. However, little attention has been focused on an equally, if not more, effective method for increasing the number of RNs produced-increasing the graduation rate of students enrolling.

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.

Heteroflocculation of particle mixtures by a coacervation mechanism. A rheological study.

In most of the classical studies of heteroflocculation two sets of oppositely charged particles are mixed. In this current study, a somewhat different mechanism of heteroflocculation is described. Two sets of concentrated dispersions of polyacrylate latex particles (having the same surface-charge sign) have been mixed, where the surface of one set had been functionalized with methacrylic acid (MAAc) groups and the second set with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains.

The cost of doing business in nursing education.

The production cost of delivering education to health profession students, with a special emphasis on the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, is explored using a revenue-based approach. In spite of the national concern regarding the nursing shortage, there are surprisingly minimal data in the literature specific to analyzing the per nursing student cost that would be necessary to plan enrollment expansion. Models of cost analysis and findings for other health professions are discussed.

The hidden error of mismanaged pain: a systems approach.

Undertreatment of pain resulting in physiological, psychosocial, and economic consequences continues despite targeted improvement approaches. Starck et al. propose a systems framework for study of pain management errors.

Changing acute pain management outcomes in surgical patients.

Patient outcome studies indicate that patients accept pain as part of hospitalization. The majority of hospitalized patients who report experiencing pain are recovering from surgical intervention. To achieve successful outcomes, a comprehensive multidisciplinary effort must begin preoperatively and continue through discharge.

Pain management outcomes for hospitalized Hispanic patients.

The purposes of the study were to describe outcomes of pain management and predictors of patient satisfaction in a minority sample. By using a survey design, 3 instruments were used to collect data: (1) The American Pain Society's Patient Outcome Questionnaire-Modified, a 16-item self-report tool about pain and patient satisfaction; (2) a demographic form; and (3) the Pain Management Index. The sample consisted of 104 hospitalized Hispanic inpatients in a Rio Grande Valley hospital.

Using collaborative research to facilitate student learning.

Developing research partnerships between academia and the service sector is an innovative way to meet the demand for high-quality, cost-effective, and clinically oriented research. Undergraduate student participation in clinical research is an educational strategy to facilitate positive mindsets toward research. This article outlines the methodological steps in recruiting and training undergraduate students for clinical research teams to benefit nurse educators, nurse researchers, students, and institutional partners.

Identifying and addressing medical errors in pain mismanagement.

Background: There is strong evidence in the pain management literature that undertreatment of pain is pervasive despite several approaches, including use of national guidelines, to completely correct the problem. Although the concept of medical errors has primarily been concerned with adverse events, it is not unreasonable that mismanagement of pain could also be classified as a medical error.

Errors Of Pain Management: Error types can be classified as errors in assessment and documentation, errors in treatment and management, and errors in patient education.

Qualitative assessment of hospitalized patients' satisfaction with pain management.

Patient evaluations of effectiveness of care and satisfaction with care are useful outcome indicators of pain management. The subiective, multidimensional nature of pain is best evaluated when outcome measures include the richness of qualitative data to more fully capture the range of patient experiences. A descriptive qualitative component was added to the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire--Modified (1995) to determine critical indicators in the pain experience affecting patient satisfaction.

21st-century leadership in nursing education: the need for trifocals.

In this qualitative study, deans of top-ranked graduate nursing schools were interviewed to examine how they are approaching leadership issues into the next century. Discussion focused on managing change, handling problems, communication/leadership styles, models of governance, research productivity, and expectations of faculty. The picture that emerged suggested that deans must be able to see objects and events from different perspectives, analogous to wearing trifocal eyeglasses.

Assessing clinical outcomes: patient satisfaction with pain management.

The problem of unresolved pain in hospitalized patients is costly both in monetary terms and in patient comfort. Concern about patients' satisfaction and well-being led to a study to determine the characteristics of the pain experience as reported by the hospitalized patients. This study also examined the recently revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ), particularly in regard to results from newly added items and overall reliability and validity.

Development of a pain management report card for an acute care setting.

The article describes a pain management report card developed as a result of a study on pain satisfaction. The report card presented the actual results of the study and compared them with the institution's predetermined goals. Comparison items included adherence to national pain guidelines for pain management, various measures of the pain experience, and satisfaction with nurse and physician caregivers related to pain management.