Spherulitic crystallization in binary thin films under solvent-vapor annealing. I. A sharp-interface theory.

We present a thermodynamically consistent theory for solvent-vapor induced spherulitic crystallization in binary thin-film blends, including those which consist of polymeric or organic small-molecule semiconductors. Under the proposed theory, spherulitic growth is interface driven, with no diffusion of any species. The thermodynamic driving force at the interface between the spherulite and amorphous phase is identified, and a kinetic relation that delivers a constant growth rate is proposed.

Qualification of high-recovery, flocked swabs as compared to traditional rayon swabs for microbiological environmental monitoring of surfaces.

In microbiological environmental monitoring programs, swabs are widely used for hygiene monitoring of surfaces and operators. Traditional rayon swabs are generally used and considered the gold standard in swab collection. Two experimental studies were conducted to validate the performance of a new collection device for environmental monitoring of surfaces, called flocked swabs, manufactured by microRheologics (Brescia, Italy). The first experimental study consisted of comparing flocked swabs' recovery and release capacity to traditional rayon swabs from known microorganism inocula (spiked samples); the second experimental study compared the recovery capacity from samples obtained in routine environmental surfaces sampling of pharmaceutical areas, microRheologics flocked swabs compared to traditional rayon swabs showed an improvement in the percentage of recovery of contamination from surfaces from 20% up to 60%, and the findings were confirmed from a preliminary evaluation of routine environmental surface sampling of pharmaceutical areas. microRheologics flocked swabs also displayed an instant and nearly complete release of absorbed samples of more than 80%.

[LARS Research Project. Nursing Research Laboratory of the Health Regional Agency of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. Observational study on the outcomes of organizative models of medical wards on nurses, patients and organization]. / Progetto di Ricerca LARS (Laboratorio di Ricerca Infermieristica Agenzia Regionale alla Sanità, Friuli Venezia Giulia). Studio osservazionale sugli esiti dei modelli organizzativi assistenziali delle medicine, su infermieri, su pazienti ed organizzazione.

UNLABELLED: No large scale studies have been conducted in Italy to assess factors that influence hospital nurses' satisfaction. AIMS: To explore the relationship between participative organizative models and outcomes on nurses (work satisfaction, burnout, intention to stay), patients (satisfaction with quality of care) and organization (nurses turnover). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicentre regional study involves 20 acute medical wards and more than 500 nurses. Data on the organizative model adopted in the ward will be collected with an ad hoc questionnaire with scores from 7 (scarce-limited involvement of nurses in decision making) to 35 (nurses take decisions on the management of the ward). Nurses satisfaction with their work is measured with the Nursing Work Index Revised; burnout with the Maslack Burnout Inventory; patients satisfaction with the Experiences of Nursing Care Scale Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scale. The outcomes considered for the organization will be turnover, absences from work, injuries. RESULTS: The study is ongoing. The association of each outcome to the organizzative model will be explored. Multivariate regression model will be adjusted for casemix index of the previuos year. T test and chi square tests will be used and a p value of 0.05 will be considered significant.