Using behavioral interventions to assist children with type 1 diabetes manage blood glucose levels.

Treatment and management of chronic disease processes on children occurs across multiple settings, placing demands for consultation and expertise on school personnel, including school psychologists. One such chronic condition in children is type I diabetes. Children with type I insulin dependent diabetes mellitus exhibit high rates of noncompliance to treatment, which can lead to a variety of medical problems. This study examined the effectiveness of a specific behavioral intervention using behavioral consultation (BC) and conjoint behavioral consultation (CBC) to reduce uncontrolled blood glucose levels in medically at-risk children. An intermittent reward procedure was utilized to reinforce individualized target behaviors associated with treatment noncompliance. Specific target behaviors were individually established for six patients ages 8-12 through behavioral consultation interviews. Each child was randomly assigned to a reward + BC or reward + CBC condition. Results of the study showed that all participants improved; with slightly greater gains shown in the CBC condition. Follow-up data for 3 of the 4 participants completing the study showed improved compliance and mental health status. Treatment acceptability date indicate the intervention was viewed positively by parents and school based nurses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the synthesis and rebinding properties of [Co(C2H3O2)2(z-Histidine)] imprinted polymers prepared by precipitation polymerization

In the present study, the synthesis via free-radical precipitation polymerization of metal-complexing polymer microparticles capable of specific binding to [Co(C₂H₃O₂)₂(z-Histidine)] complex is reported. Initially, the functional monomer (i.e., 4-vinylpyridine, a vinyl monomer with metal chelate properties) is complexed together with the template [Co(C₂H₃O₂)₂(z-Histidine)] molecule via the mediation of cobalt ions. Evidence of the polymerizable complex formation is obtained through the compleximetric titration of the z-Histidine in the prepolymerization reaction mixture. Subsequent polymerization of the polymerizable complex with a bi-functional or tri-functional cross-linker results in the formation of imprinted polymer microparticles in the size range of 1–5 µm. The effects of agitation, cross-linker type, degree of cross-linking and molar ratio of the template to the functional monomer on the rebinding properties of the imprinted polymers are experimentally assessed. The synthesized imprinted polymers can potentially find application in the purification of his-tagged recombinant proteins.     

Effectiveness of a computer-facilitated interactive social skills training program for boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at significant risk for a variety of comorbid conditions, including social skills deficits. Although interventions addressing various aspects of social difficulties with these children have been developed, few researchers have integrated new technology with existing social skills intervention literature and investigated such approaches empirically. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a computer-mediated social skills training program for children diagnosed with ADHD. The program presented specific social skill sequences to four children with ADHD in a variety of computer-facilitated formats with video peer modeling, social problem-solving, and reinforcement components. Participants' abilities to demonstrate specific social problem-solving skills effectively in a behavioral analogue environment were evaluated. The study used a multiple-probe variation of the multiple-baseline design (MBD) across participants. All participants demonstrated improvements in ability to demonstrate effective social problem-solving skills in analogue role-play assessments with live peers. Follow-up data at 3 and 6 week intervals indicated that participants maintained their gains over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gravity effect on spray impact and spray cooling

An experimental study of the film produced by the spray impact on a heated target and of the spray cooling has been performed in normal gravity and in microgravity conditions during parabolic flights. A convex shape of the target allowed visualization of the film evolution and determination of the film characteristics using the image processing. The effects of the spray parameters and of the gravity level on heat transfer have been investigated. It has been found that the spray cooling efficiency depends on the water flow rate in a non-monotonous way. A range of spray parameters at which the effect of gravity level on heat transfer is significant has been determined. It has been found that the spray cooling is less effective in microgravity conditions in comparison with normal gravity and hypergravity.     

Energy analysis of an improved concept of integrated PV panels in an office building in central Greece

During the last decade, steel constructions with glazed façades became popular for commercial buildings in Greece. Moreover, expensive metal, natural stone, marble, ceramic, granite as well as special glass is employed for aesthetic and energy efficiency reasons. This creates opportunities for the introduction of Photovoltaic (PV) modules in double façades. PV modules on south-facing building walls are better placed at a distance from the wall to allow heat rejection and avoid overheating and efficiency loss. Exploiting the rejected heat of the PV modules is also a challenge. In this paper, we examine an improved concept of incorporating PV modules to the south façades of an office building, exploiting both the electricity produced and the heat rejected by the module, to increase building energy efficiency. The PV modules are integrated to the building wall by means of a double façade, which employs intervening ducts for ventilation purposes. The ducts are heating outdoor air, which is employed to cover the ventilation needs of the building, as well as a part of the heating loads. Simulations for typical winter and summer weather and solar insolation conditions are carried out to investigate the building’s energy performance improvements.