Study on thermooxidative degradation of poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica nanocomposite prepared with SAM technique

The thermooxidative degradation of poly (vinyl alcohol)/silica (PVA/SiO2) nanocomposite prepared with self-assembly monolayer (SAM) technique is investigated by using a thermogravimetry (TG) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled thermogravimetry (FTIR/TG). The results show that although the thermooxidative degradation process of prepared nanocomposite is similar to that of the pure PVA, its thermooxidative stability has been greatly improved.

Poly (vinyl alcohol) / silica nanocomposites: morphology and thermal degradation kinetics

The morphology of self-assembled poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica (PVA/SiO₂) nanocomposites is investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is found that the SiO₂ nanoparticles are homogenously distributed throughout the PVA matrix in a form of spherical nano-cluster. The average size of the SiO₂ clusters is below 50 nm at the low contents (SiO₂ ≤ 5 wt%), while particle aggregations are clearly observed and their average size markedly increases to 110 nm when 10 wt% SiO₂ is loaded. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that the nanocomposite significantly outperforms the pure PVA in the thermal resistance. By using a multi-heating-rate method, the thermal degradation kinetics of the nanocomposite with a SiO₂ content of 5 wt% is compared to the PVA host. The reaction activation energy (E) of the nanocomposite, similar to the pure PVA, is divided into two main stages corresponding to two degradation steps. However, at a given degradation temperature, the nanocomposite presents much lower reaction velocity constants (k), while its E is 20 kJ/mol higher than that of the PVA host.

Measuring quality of life in alcohol and other drug users - the need for improvement

Objective : The use of Quality of Life (QoL) -related measures in Alcohol and Other Drug-related research has increased dramatically over the past decade. However, there remains a great deal of confusion about which type of QoL measure is most valid, what each constrict actually measures and the ethicality of the process of QoL measurement and its subsequent transfer to monetary value. This is particularly important in regard to subsequent resource allocation on the basis of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). We aim to review the logic of current QoL -related measurement and determine the most conceptually valid way of measuring QoL.

Methods : This review considers some of the broad principles that concern quality of life assessment. These are discussed in relation to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the measurement of subjective well-being.

Results : We argue that there are serious logical and methodological issues concerning HRQoL measurement, to the extent that the instruments may not be regarded as valid measures of life quality as this term is generally understood.

Conclusions : It is recommended that HRQoL measurement be abandoned in favour of three separate forms of measurement as medical symptoms, subjective well-being and specific dimensions of psychological ill-being.

The regulation of research by funding bodies : an emerging ethical issue for the alcohol and other drug sector?

The degree to which funding bodies can and do control the content and dissemination of research products raises important issues which need to be openly debated by the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector. Current policies relating to censorship and other means of controlling research topics or output are explored alongside an examination of how some institutions, particularly some academic journals, deal with such issues. We argue that regulation of research by funding bodies clearly contravenes the scientific ideal of freedom of information and open access to knowledge. Using international ethical guidelines, we also demonstrate that regulation raises concerns in relation to the ethical concept of beneficence. A number of examples specific to harm reduction strategies are presented in order to demonstrate how censorship might conceivably increase the harms associated with drug use. The commentary closes with recommendations concerning the establishment the prevalence of censorship and other forms of control over research in the AOD sector, and the role that ethics committees, journal editorial boards and professional societies might play in resisting the imposition of unacceptable conditions on publication of findings.

Reinforcement sensitivity theory : a paradigm for understanding the motivational processes underlying alcohol use

Provides an examination of the processes which motivate individuals to drink alcohol. It was found that heavier drinkers are highly sensitive to reward yet more likely to experience negative affect, both generally, and in response to alcohol-related cues. Based on these findings a model focusing on the links between personality, mood and craving for alcohol was developed.

The role of alcohol consumption in recovering drug users

This thesis found that alcohol consumption by illicit drig users has not been well researched. A qualitative study found alcohol was used as a substitute and believed to be related to illicit substance use. While the quantitative study generated no overall consensus, the research highlighted the need to conduct additional studies into substance abuse. The portfolio explored the relationship between maltreatment and the development of Reactive Attachment Disorder through four case studies of child clients.

Review of rural and regional alcohol research in Australia

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol is the most commonly used drug within Australia. Recently, there have been indications that there is a greater incidence of high-risk drinking within rural populations as compared with their urban counterparts. High-risk drinking is associated with numerous conditions, such as diabetes, heart attack and cancer, as well as acute harms such as assault, suicide and road accidents. The objective of this article is to review the current research and relevant data pertaining to alcohol use and alcohol-related harms within rural Australia. METHODS: This paper is a systematic review of 16 databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Overall, 18 studies describing alcohol consumption or alcohol-related harms were found. Approximately half of these studies were large-scale national population surveys, which were therefore limited in their representativeness of specific regional and rural towns. Most studies examining alcohol consumption used self-report data collection, meaning that interpretation of results needs to be tentative. There is a consistent pattern of higher rates of alcohol consumption and consequent harm within regional and rural Australia than in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: There is emerging research examining alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms within regional and rural Australia. All studies show that these populations experience disproportionate harm because of alcohol consumption. The causes and mechanism for this have not been investigated, and a program of research is required to understand how and why rural populations experience disproportionate levels of alcohol-related harm and ultimately, what interventions will be most effective in reducing alcohol-related harms.