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[pt] Neste trabalho, a fosforimetria em temperatura ambiente em substrato sólido (SSRTP) foi utilizada para o desenvolvimento de método para determinação ultra-traço e seletiva de criseno e de pireno em amostras complexas contendo diversos outros hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA). O criseno e o pireno foram selecionados por serem classificados pela Agência Americana de Proteção ao Meio Ambiente (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - EPA) como dois dos dezesseis HPA poluentes prioritários e por serem conhecidos como uma ameaça à saúde pública e à integridade dos ecossistemas marinhos. A capacidade seletiva da SSRTP foi explorada por meio do efeito externo seletivo do átomo pesado e do ajuste de pH da solução carreadora de solução de analito para o substrato de celulose. O efeito da modificação da celulose com o surfactante SDS também foi investigado, assim como o uso da varredura de modo sincronizado para melhoria da resolução espectral. O nitrato de prata em substratos contendo SDS foi identificado como indutor seletivo de fosforescência do criseno em relação ao pireno e demais HPA em estudo (antraceno, benzo[a]pireno, 1-hidroxipireno, fluoranteno, fenantreno, benzo[ghj]perileno e 1,2 benzoantraceno). Já o pireno foi determinado seletivamente com varredura convencional e sincronizada de fosforescência em substratos contendo nitrato de chumbo como indutor seletivo e soluções carreadoras de analito em meio básico (pH 12). Essa seletividade foi em relação aos HPA citados, e ao 1- hidroxipireno, mesmo este tendo uma estrutura molecular muito semelhante a do pireno. O planejamento fatorial foi usado, principalmente visando verificar as interações mútuas entre os efeitos das diferentes variáveis do método desenvolvido, e, conseqüentemente, a escolha da melhor condição experimental. Neste estudo, foram enfatizados: (i) a análise experimental estatística (testou-se a significância dos efeitos dos fatores usando a análise de variância, teste F e teste t), (ii) o uso do método gráfico (gráfico de Pareto) para a interpretação das interações (entre as variáveis) e dos resultados obtidos, assim como o refinamento do modelo, se necessário, excluindo variáveis irrelevantes. As características de desempenho foram obtidas, a fim de se validar o método proposto, obtendo assim a credibilidade técnica das medições. Testes estatísticos (testes de hipótese) com o uso de material de referência certificado (SRM NIST 1647d) e método de referência alternativo (HPLC com detecção por fluorescência) também foram incluídos no processo de validação e os resultados encontrados estão dentro do nível de 95% de confiança. Os limites de detecção do criseno e do pireno em termos de massa efetiva do analito depositada no substrato (limite de detecção absoluto - LDA) encontram-se na ordem do ng. A quantificação das fontes de variação associadas à medição, a incerteza da medição, foi estimada pelo ISO GUM e método de simulação de Monte-Carlo. Testes de seletividade com criseno e pireno na presença de outros HPA também foram realizados e os resultados obtidos permitiram que a técnica fosse utilizada para determinações seletivas. A aplicação do método em diferentes tipos de matrizes (bílis de peixe e aguardente de cana) também foi realizada e os percentuais de recuperação encontrados foram 109 (+ -) 18% (criseno) e 108 (+ -) 20% (pireno). Esses resultados são comparáveis com os obtidos por HPLC-fluorescência: 104 (+ -) 13% (criseno) e 102 (+ -) 15% (pireno). Estudos de caracterização, homogeneidade e estabilidade do criseno em matriz biológica, bílis de peixe da espécie Mugil liza, e a estimativa da incerteza da medição do material analisado também foram realizados. A incerteza da medição encontra-se na ordem do ng (referente à massa efetiva depositada no substrato de celulose). / [en] In this work, solid surface room-temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP) was used to develop ultra-trace and selective methods for determination of chrysene and pyrene in complex samples containing several other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Both chrysene and pyrene were selected because they are classificated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as two out of the sixteen major pollutants, affecting public health and marine ecosystems. The selective capability of SSRTP was explored through the selective external heavy atom effect and the adjustment of pH of the analyte solution used to carry out the analyte to the cellulose substrate. Cellulose modification with the use of the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphat (SDS) has also been evaluated as well as the use of synchronous scanning to improve its spectral resolution. Silver nitrate together with SDS was identified as selective phosphorescence inducer for chrysene in the presence of pyrene and other PAHs which are being studied (anthracene, benzo[a] pyrene, 1- hidroxipyrene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, benzo[ghi] perylene and 1,2 benzoanthracene). On the other hand, pyrene was selectively determined with synchronous and conventional phosphorescence scanning in substrates treated with lead nitrate as a selective inducer and using analyte carrier solution with pH 12. This selectivity towards pyrene was achieved in the presence of all the other tested PAHs, including the 1- hidroxipyrene, even though they have quite similar molecular structures. A factorial design was applied in order to verify mutual interactions among factors of the different variables and to find the best experimental conditions. It has been emphasized in this study: (i) statistical experimental analysis (testing the significance of the factors using the analysis of variation, F-test and t-test), (ii) graphic method (Pareto´s chart) to the interpretation and evaluation of the interactions among all the variables and obtained results, the model was refined whenever necessary so exclude irrelevant variables. After choosing the best experimental condition, the performance characteristics were obtained validating the proposed method. Statistical tests were applied in order to compare results obtained using a standard reference material analysis (NIST SRM 1647d). The proposed method was also compared with a reference analytical technique (HPLC with fluorescence detection) and the results obtained are within 95% confidence level. Chrysene and pyrene absolute detection limits were found in the ng order. The quantification of the variation sources associated to the measurement (the measurement´s uncertainty) was estimated based on ISO GUM and Monte-Carlo simulation method. Selectivity tests for chrysene and pyrene, in presence of the other PAHs were also performed. The methods were applied to different types of samples (fish bilis and spirit drink from sugar cane) and the recoveries were 109 (+ -) 18% (chrysene) and 108 (+ -) 20% (pyrene) by SSRTP. These results are comparable to ones obtained by HPLCFluorescence: 104 (+ -) 13% (chrysene) and 102 (+ -) 15% (pyrene). Characterization, homogeny and stability studies in a biological matrix (fish bilis of the type Mugil liza) and the estimation of uncertainty of the analysed material were also done. The measurement uncertainty was found in ng order (in terms of the effective mass deposit in the cellulose substrate).

[pt] No presente trabalho, a cromatografia eletrocinética capilar micelar (MECC) e a fosforimetria em temperatura ambiente em substrato sólido (SSRTP) foram utilizadas como técnicas analíticas para a determinação de duas estrobilurinas (picoxistrobina e piraclostrobina) e de uma fluoroquinolona (enrofloxacina), respectivamente. As condições ótimas de analise por MECC foram determinadas a partir de um estudo univariado dos seguintes parâmetros experimentais e instrumentais: pH do eletrólito de corrida, concentração do tampão, concentração de surfactante (dodecil-sulfato de sódio - SDS), tipo e quantidade de modificador orgânico, temperatura de trabalho e diferença de potencial aplicada. Depois de definidas as condições ótimas (tampão borato 40 mmol L-1, pH igual a 8,5; SDS 30 mmol L-1; acetonitrila 15 por cento em volume, 25 gruas Celsius e 25 kV) foi realizado um estudo para diminuir o limite de detecção (LD) e o limite de quantificação (LQ) do método. Para tal, foi usado o modo de pré-concentração no capilar denominado modo de empilhamento normal (NSM). Nessa abordagem, as soluções de padrões e amostras foram dissolvidas em uma solução de maior impedância (água: borato 40 mmol L-1 pH igual a 8,5 50:50 por cento v/v). Uma cela de caminho óptico alongado também foi utilizada para a tentativa de aumentar a sensibilidade do método. As curvas analíticas foram construídas com o uso de padrão interno (azoxistrobina) e apresentaram comportamento linear e homocedástico com valores de R2 próximos a 0,999. Com o modo NSM, os valores de LD (xb mais 3sb) e de LQ (xb mais 10sb) para a picoxistrobina e para a piraclostrobina ficaram na ordem de 10-7 mol L-1. A precisão do método (repetitividade e reprodutibilidade interna) apresentaram valores entre 5 e 8 por cento para tempo de migração e área dos picos. O método foi aplicado na análise de urina e água de riacho, ambas fortificadas com as estrobilurinas. As amostras de urina foram previamente passadas em coluna de extração em fase sólida (C-18). As recuperações obtidas para a piraclostrobina foram 75 mais ou menos 4 por cento para as amostras de urina e 94 ou menos 10 por cento para as amostras de água de riacho. Para a picoxistrobina os valores de recuperação foram de 109 mais ou menos 9 por cento e 102 mais ou menos 9 por cento para as amostras de urina e água do riacho respectivamente. As características fosforescentes da enrofloxacina foram estudadas de modo univariado em função de vários parâmetros experimentais tais como o tipo e quantidade de sal de átomo pesado indutor de fosforescência, presença de surfactante modificador de superfície de celulose, influência de concentração hidrogeniônica na solução do analito e estudo do tempo de exposição ao UV para a formação de fotoproduto de sinal mais estável. As melhores condições para o método fosforescente para enrofloxacina foram obtidas em solução básica (solução acetona: NaOH 0,05 mol L-1 50:50 por cento v/v) irradiada com UV por 30 min e substrato contendo 80 Vg de TlNO3. O método foi aplicado em formulações farmacêuticas contendo enrofloxacina e que são utilizadas na medicina veterinária (solução e comprimidos). Um método com a técnica de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC) adaptado da literatura foi utilizado para análise das amostras de enrofloxacina, sendo os resultados comparáveis àqueles obtidos por SSRTP. A curva analítica apresentou resposta linear e homoscedástica na faixa de trabalho escolhida com R2 maior que 0,99. Os valores de LD (xb mais 3sb) e de LQ (xb mais 10sb) foram respectivamente 2,1 and 4,8 ng respectivamente. A precisão (repetitividade e reprodutibilidade interna com troca de analista) do método apresentaram valores entre 2 e 19 por cento. A incerteza de medição do sinal fosforescente foi calculada usando o método sistemático indicado no ISO GUM e valores entre 18 e 26 por cento foram alcançados, com valores de repetitividade com troca de substrato a fonte mais importante de incerteza. No procedimento de validação, os valores de concentração de enrofloxacina encontrados nas amostras de medicamento analisadas por SSRTP e por HPLC foram estatisticamente semelhantes (valor de texperimental iguais a 0,48 e 1,04 sendo menor que o valor de tcrítico igual a 2,23). / [en] In the present work, micellar electrokinectic capillary chromatography (MECC) and solid surface room-temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP) were used as analytical techniques for the determination of two strobilurins (picoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin) and of one fluoroquinolones (enrofloxacin), respectively. The experimental conditions for MECC have been optimized using an univariate approach for the following experimental and instrumental parameters: pH of the working electrolyte, concentration of the buffer, concentration of surfactant (sodium dodecyl-sulphate - SDS), type and amount of organic modifier, working temperature and applied potential. After defined the best conditions (borate buffer 40 mmol L(-1) pH=8.5; 30 SDS mmol L(-1); acetonitrile 15% in volume, 25 ºC and 25 kV), a study was carried through to improve the limit of detention (LD) and the limit of quantification (LQ) of the method. In order to do that, an on-line analyte pre-concentration called normal stacking mode (NSM) was used. In such approach, the standards and samples have been dissolved in a solution of higher impedance (water: borate 40 mmol L(-1) pH=8.5 50:50% v/v). A high sensitivity detection cell also was used to attempt the increasing of the sensitivity of the method. The analytical curves have been constructed with the use of an internal standard (azoxystrobin) and a linear response and homocedastic behavior were observed with R2 values of at least 0.999. The NSM mode allowed the values of LD (x(b) + 3(sb)) and of LQ (x(b) + 10(sb)) in the order of 10(-7) mol L(-1) for picoxystrobina and pyraclostrobina. The precision of the method (repeatability and intermediate precision) was characterized by values between 5 and 8%. The method was applied in the analysis urine and stream water, both type of samples fortified with the strobilurins. The urine sample was previously passed through a solid phase extraction column (C-18). The recoveries achieved for pyraclostrobina were 75  +- 4% for urine and 94  +- 10% for stream water samples. For picoxystrobin, the recovery values were 109  +- 9% and 102  +- 9% respectively for urine and stream water samples. The phosphorimetric characteristics of enrofloxacin have been studied in an unvaried way for experimental parameters such as the type and quantity of phosphorescence inducer (heavy atom salt), surfactant used as cellulose surface modifier, influence of the hidrogenionic concentration in the analyte solution and study of the UV exposition time for the formation of a more signal stable photoproduct. The best conditions for the phosphorimetric method for enrofloxacin were the use of basic solution (solution acetone: NaOH 0.05 mol L-1 50:50% v/v) irradiated with UV for 30 min and cellulose substrates containing 80 Vg of TlNO3. The method was applied in pharmaceutical formulations containing enrofloxacin employed in veterinary medicine (solution and pills). A method based on high efficiency liquid chromatography (HPLC), adapted from literature, was used as a reference method and the the results obtained for enrofloxacin was comparable to the ones achieved by SSRTP. The analytical curve presented linear and homocedastic behavior with R2 values higher than 0.99. The LD (x(b) + 3(sb)) and the LQ (x(b) + 10(sb)) values were 2.1 and 4.8 ng respectively. The precision (repeatability and intermediate precision with change of analyst) of the method presented values between 2 and 19%. The uncertainty of the phosphorescence measurement was calculated using the systematic method indicated in the ISO GUM. Values between 18 and 26% had been achieved, with the repeatability with substrate change the most important source uncertainty. In the validation procedure, enrofloxacin concentration values found in the medicine samples analyzed by SSRTP and HPLC were statistically similar ( t(experimental) value of 0.48 and 1.04 smaller than the t(critic) value of 2.23).

<p>  </p> <p>This study aims to investigate three aspects of pricing strategy in the lodging industry. The three aspects are competition, consumer response, and entry-level employee pricing training. Competition forces hotels to adopt appropriate pricing strategies to differentiate their products from competitors. Consumer reaction is key to testing the feasibility of a pricing strategy and thus can instruct hoteliers on how to implement the pricing practice. Pricing training of entry-level employees ensures long-term pricing stability and efficiency. These three aspects together could provide a comprehensive framework that provide industry practitioners with pricing strategies and recommendations for competitors, consumers and employees. </p> <p>Firstly, we developed a game theoretic model to examine under what circumstance should hotels adopt add-on pricing. According to the results, add-on pricing could generally improve hotels’ revenue as compared to the traditional all-inclusive pricing. The optimal add-on pricing strategy for higher-valued hotels is to initiate the add-on pricing, regardless of whether competing hotels will follow or not. While, for lower-valued hotels, they should insist with the all-inclusive pricing even though competing hotels initiated the add-on pricing. </p> <p>Secondly, this study investigates consumer reaction toward add-on pricing in practice. Add-on pricing could trigger both positive and negative effects on consumers’ booking intention. Based on the Transaction-Acquisition Utility theory, this study empirically tested and showed that add-on pricing improves consumers’ booking intention as compared to all-inclusive pricing. Consumers’ perceived acquisition utility can be increased due to customization effect.  Consumers’ perceived enjoyment and information overload are the positive and negative driver toward perceived transaction utility. </p> <p>Finally, the third part of this study is to identify the factors that affect the training of pricing performance of entry-level employees in the lodging industry. Students enrolled in the Revenue Management and Profit Maximize course in spring 2022 at College of Hospitality, UNLV were recruited to participate this experiment. Based on the results, for entry-level employees, training outcome of data management and pricing basics, as well as employees’ pricing application skills are crucial to basic level pricing performance. When the pricing tasks become more advanced, besides data management and pricing basics, training outcome of inventory management also plays a role. In addition, in-person training could ensure higher training effectiveness for advanced pricing topics. </p> <p>This study provided a combined “distribution channel – consumer– employee” continuum of pricing in the hospitality industry. Theoretically, this study can shed light on examining hotel pricing strategy under channel competition, as well as understanding consumer behavior under Transaction-Acquisition Utility Theory. Empirically, this study offers industry practitioners a set of takeaways from strategy making, operation implementation, to employee training. <br>  </p>

The Down Home is an eclectic music venue in Johnson City, Tennessee. Established in 1976, it has since become a noteworthy club and the center of a mutually supportive community of people who keep the venue going while it in turn holds the community members together. Through the use of community theory, oral history theory, memorabilia, and oral history interviews, this thesis examines the way the Down Home community formed, and how it has continued to grow, develop traditions, and engage people both local and from afar. It also explores what the venue’s future may look like. While several influential figures in the club’s history have passed away, it is important to acknowledge the memories of those still living. This project documents some of the Down Home’s story as told by the venue’s community members, and it begins to fill the void where literature about the Down Home is scarce.

Decision-making in healthcare is a complex and, at times, uncertain process. In the United States Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) administer the majority of anesthesia. Nurse Anesthetists must draw on their educational background, clinical experience, and cognitive processes to make sound clinical judgments. To avoid errors understanding the relationship between cognitive preference and skill acquisition is critical. This study was designed to describe the cognitive preferences of Student Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) and CRNAs in the United States. The 2 cognitive preferences explored are rational (analytical) and experiential (intuitive) decision-making. The researcher used a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design. The researcher administered the Rational Experiential Inventory (REI-40) via electronic survey to enrolled SRNAs and practicing CRNAs. The REI-40 is a validated psychometric tool involving 40 questions. Twenty questions evaluate each decision-making style. Ten questions assess engagement (e.g., enjoyment and reliance), and 10 questions assess the ability (e.g., capability and use) of each style. The demographics (e.g., age, gender, clinical experience, setting, and education) were collected and compared with the cognitive preference. This study revealed that SRNAs’ and CRNAs’ dominant cognitive preference was rational thinking and experiential thinking was greater than mid-scale. There was no statistical difference in how SRNAs and CRNAs scored on the REI-40 Inventory. Furthermore, there were no strong correlations between years of experience and cognitive preferences. However, there was a statistically significant difference in experiential cognitive ability and engagement when compared by gender identity. Ideally how one feels, and thinks should be aligned when making clinical decisions. This is the art and science of the profession. Research has revealed that human factors such as cognitive biases, heuristics, personal experience, and emotions play a role in decision-making. The development and integration of experiential decision-making is essential to aligning clinical judgment and safe patient care. This study describes SRNAs’ and CRNAs’ cognitive preferences and the relationship to the level of skill acquisition. This knowledge contributes to the understanding of CRNAs’ decision-making processes. Furthermore, there are ramifications for developing continuing education and clinical support tools for the profession.

<p>The use of both percutaneous and tunnelled central venous catheters in hospitalized patients has increased markedly over the last decade (Camp-Sorrell, 1990). With this increase, there is a clinical need to have an occlusive central line dressing to maintain a barrier to possible site contamination. This randomized control trial examined the use of the transparent dressing OpSite Wound (Smith and Nephew-Ine.) versus the ransparent dressing LV. 3000 (Smith & Nephew Inc.) in its ability to maintain an occlusive central line dressing. The study took place at Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals McMaster Division from June 1991 to September 1991. Adult medical-surgical patients who had a central line in place for longer than 48 hours were eligible for the study. Twenty five central lines were randomized to either the control group (OpSite Wound) or the experimental group (LV. 3000) An independent assessor saw all study patients daily to document dressing adhesiveness and the number of dressing changes performed. Analysis showed that the LV. 3000 dressing was changed every 5.5 days as opposed to the OpSite Wound dressing that was changed every 2.6 days. This difference was both statistically and clinically significant Analysis also showed that the dressings covering central lines with no intravenous in-line attachment (pigtail) were changed more frequently than the dressings covering central lines with an attached pigtail. This difference was also statistically significant The LV. 3000 dressing therefore, provides an occlusive central line dressing that is changed one-half the number of times that the OpSite Wound dressing is changed, or in other words, the OpSite. Wound dressing is changed twice as often as the I.V. 3000 dressing when used on central lines.</p> / Master of Health Sciences (MSc)

Bakgrund: Obesitas är en sjukdom som ökar runt om i världen. Personer med obesitas lider många gånger av både fysiska och psykiska besvär. Behandlingen för obesitas kan vara både kirurgisk och icke – kirurgisk. Bariatrisk kirurgi kan utföras på olika sätt; gastric bypass, gastric sleeve och duodenal switch. I samband med bariatrisk kirurgi har operationssjuksköterskan ett stort ansvar när det kommer till bland annat positionering och steriltvätt. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att sammanställa tidigare obesa personers erfarenheter av bariatrisk kirurgi. Metod: En litteraturöversikt där resultaten baseras på 15 vetenskapliga artiklar med kvalitativ design. Studien bygger på artiklar där deltagarna är vuxna personer som tidigare varit obesa. De vetenskapliga artiklarna är framtagna genom en strukturerad sökning på databaserna Cinahl och Pubmed. Resultat: Resultatet beskriver tidigare obesa personers erfarenhet av bariatrisk kirurgi. Resultaten redovisas i tre kategorier med tillhörande subkategorier. De tre kategorierna är: Vägen till operation, positiva effekter av bariatrisk kirurgi och negativa effekter av bariatrisk kirurgi. Slutsats: Att genomgå överviktskirurgi är en kontinuerlig process som innefattar utmaningar i att förändra livsstil samt fysiska och psykologiska förändringar. I resultatet framgår det att personer som genomgått bariatrisk kirurgi upplever både positiva och negativa effekter av sin operation. Resultatet visar också att de negativa effekterna av operationen som patienten upplever är större än de fördelarna som operationen leder till. / Background: Obesity is a disease that is increasing around the world. People with obesity often suffer from both physical and psychological problems. The treatment for obesity can be both surgical and non-surgical. Bariatric surgery can be performed in different ways; gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and duodenal switch. In connection with bariatric surgery, the operating room nurse has a great responsibility when it comes to positioning and sterile washing, among other things. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compile previously obese people's experiences of bariatric surgery. Method: A literature review where the results are based on 15 scientific articles with a qualitative design. The study is based on articles where the participants are adults who were previously obese. The scientific articles are produced through a structured search of the databases Cinahl and Pubmed. Results: The results describe previously obese people's experience of bariatric surgery. The results are reported in three categories with associated subcategories. The three categories are: Path to surgery, positive effects of bariatric surgery and negative effects of bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Undergoing bariatric surgery is a continuous process that includes challenges in changing lifestyle as well as physical and psychological changes. The results show that people who have undergone bariatric surgery experience both positive and negative effects of their operation. The result also shows that the negative effects of the operation that the patient experiences are greater than the benefits that the operation leads to.