After they’ve gone

A new report has been published following a three year investigation into the experiences of bereaved adults with whom organ and tissue donation was discussed

Ab initio study of CsI and its surface

Prova tipográfica (In Press)Cesium iodide properties, both in the bulk and on (110) and (100) surfaces, are studied using Density Functional Theory. The bulk lattice constant, bulk modulus and elastic constants are in good agreement with the experimental values. The electronic band structure is also calculated, as well as the density of states. On the surfaces, relaxation of the atoms was performed, and the atomic geometry and electronic structure have been studied.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Project nr. POCI/FP/63442/2005, Ref. BSAB/466/2004.Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

Properties of Graphene: A Theoretical Perspective

In this review, we provide an in-depth description of the physics of monolayer and bilayer graphene from a theorist's perspective. We discuss the physical properties of graphene in an external magnetic field, reflecting the chiral nature of the quasiparticles near the Dirac point with a Landau level at zero energy. We address the unique integer quantum Hall effects, the role of electron correlations, and the recent observation of the fractional quantum Hall effect in the monolayer graphene. The quantum Hall effect in bilayer graphene is fundamentally different from that of a monolayer, reflecting the unique band structure of this system. The theory of transport in the absence of an external magnetic field is discussed in detail, along with the role of disorder studied in various theoretical models. We highlight the differences and similarities between monolayer and bilayer graphene, and focus on thermodynamic properties such as the compressibility, the plasmon spectra, the weak localization correction, quantum Hall effect, and optical properties. Confinement of electrons in graphene is nontrivial due to Klein tunneling. We review various theoretical and experimental studies of quantum confined structures made from graphene. The band structure of graphene nanoribbons and the role of the sublattice symmetry, edge geometry and the size of the nanoribbon on the electronic and magnetic properties are very active areas of research, and a detailed review of these topics is presented. Also, the effects of substrate interactions, adsorbed atoms, lattice defects and doping on the band structure of finite-sized graphene systems are discussed. We also include a brief description of graphane -- gapped material obtained from graphene by attaching hydrogen atoms to each carbon atom in the lattice.Comment: 189 pages. submitted in Advances in Physic

A qualitative descriptive analysis of nurses' perceptions of hospice care for deceased children following organ donation in hospice cool rooms

YesFollowing organ donation, bodies of children are generally cared for in hospital mortuaries or by funeral directors, and their families are offered little routine bereavement support. A partnership between an organ donation nursing team and regional children's hospice trialled an initiative where families were offered bereavement support from the hospice, and their child's body was cared for in a 'cool room' after death. Hospice services are usually restricted to children with life-limiting conditions, and their families. To explore the perceptions and experience of nursing staff who are involved in supporting families of children and young people who have been cared for in children's hospice cool rooms after death, following organ donation. A qualitative exploratory study consisting of a focus group interview with registered nurses from the children's hospice and organ donation teams. A purposeful sample of nurses was recruited. Data were collected in a digitally-recorded focus group interview during March 2018. The interview was transcribed and analysed using a qualitative content approach. Six nurses participated in the focus group. Analysis revealed five themes that characterised the perceptions of nurses: (i) barriers to care, (ii) bereavement care for families, (iii) impact on families and staff, (iv) influencers and enablers of change, and (v) sustainability of new practices. Nurses perceived the long-term, responsive and family-centred approach to bereavement support as a strength of the hospice model, reducing the experience of moral distress in organ donation nurses

Experiências e expectativas de enfermeiros no cuidado ao doador de órgãos e à sua família

RESUMO Objetivo Compreender as experiências e expectativas dos enfermeiros de unidades de terapia intensiva no cuidado ao doador de órgãos para transplantes e à sua família. Método Pesquisa qualitativa, com abordagem da Fenomenologia Social realizada em 2013, com 20 enfermeiros. Resultados As experiências dos enfermeiros com as famílias dos doadores foram representadas pelas categorias: obstáculos vivenciados e intervenções realizadas no cuidado às famílias dos doadores. As expectativas desses profissionais na assistência às famílias e aos doadores de órgãos foram descritas pela categoria: cuidar para salvar vidas. Conclusão O estudo mostrou que o cotidiano dos enfermeiros de terapia intensiva no cuidado às famílias e aos doadores de órgãos é permeado por obstáculos que interferem no processo de doação. Diante desse cenário têm como expectativas oferecer uma assistência intensiva ao doador falecido e um cuidado humanizado às famílias, intencionando possibilitar a aceitação da doação de órgãos pelos familiares e viabilizar órgãos para transplantes

Understanding the consumption of folic acid during preconception, among Pakistani, Bangladeshi and white British mothers in Luton, UK: a qualitative study

Background To review the similarities and differences in Pakistani, Bangladeshi and White British mothers health beliefs (attitudes, knowledge and perceptions) and health behaviour regarding their consumption of folic acid pre-conception, to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Methods Our study used a descriptive qualitative research approach, implementing face-to-face focus group discussions with Pakistani, Bangladeshi or White British mothers (normal birth outcomes and mothers with poor birth outcomes) and semi-structured interviews or focus groups with service providers using semi-structured topic guides. This method is well suited for under researched areas where in-depth information is sought. There were three sample groups: 1. Pakistani, Bangladeshi and White British mothers with normal birth outcomes (delivery after 37 weeks of gestation, in the preceding 6 to 24 months, weighing 2500 g and living within a specified postcode area in Luton, UK). 2. Pakistani Bangladeshi and white British bereaved mothers who had suffered a perinatal mortality (preceding 6 to 24 months, residing within a specificied postcode area). 3. Healthcare professionals working on the local maternity care pathway (i.e. services providing preconception, antenatal, antepartum and postpartum care). Transcribed discussions were analysed using the Framework Analysis approach. Results The majority of mothers in this sample did not understand the benefits or optimal time to take folic acid pre-conception. Conversely, healthcare professionals believed the majority of women did consume folic acid, prior to conception. Conclusions There is a need to increase public health awareness of the optimal time and subsequent benefits for taking folic acid, to prevent neural tube defects.</p