University of North Carolina at Wilmington

About: University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a education organization based out in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 3329 authors who have published 6797 publications receiving 186308 citations.

Natural fluorescence as a tracer for distinguishing between piedmont and coastal plain river water in the nearshore waters of Georgia and North Carolina

Abstract: Natural fluorescence, dissolved silica and salinity were investigated as possible tracers to distinguish between piedmont river and coastal plain river waters discharged into the ocean off North Carolina and Georgia. In the Georgia study area, dissolved silica was not suitable for use as a tracer because silica concentrations were variable and did not mix conservatively with seawater. In the North Carolina study area, dissolved silica concentrations exhibited too much short-term variability for tracer use. In both areas, natural fluorescence was a suitable tracer. Additional investigations relevant to tracer application were made of the method for determining natural fluorescence; these include dependence on temperature of analysis, pH dependence, sample storage effect, sensitivity, correlation with total organic carbon and possible interferences from chlorophyll a , lignin sulfonates, detergents, petroleum and iron.

Focus on Increasing Treatment Self-Efficacy to Improve Human Immunodeficiency Virus Treatment Adherence

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has evolved into a chronic condition in regions of the world where healthcare systems provide treatment. HIV-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is now a chronic disease similar to other chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension that require daily medications in order to control the associated pathology and optimize health (Volberding & Deeks, 2010). Regular adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce morbidity, mortality, and the likelihood of transmission of HIV to uninfected persons (Panel on Retroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents, 2012). Irregular adherence, however, can result in viral mutations, which render classes of antiretroviral medications inefficient and, if the virus is transmitted to another person, increases the spread of resistant strains of HIV type 1. Recent developments have offered the possibility of once daily dosing, and pharmaceutical combinations include more than one active medication in one pill. This has significantly reduced adherence barriers related to complex regimen and dosing patterns. However, ART adherence remains challenging for many persons, and thus the benefits of ART are not fully realized (Phillips, 2011; Protopopescu et al., 2009). Approaches to optimizing medication adherence may be improved by placing medication adherence within the larger framework of chronic disease self-management. Social Cognitive Theory suggests that perceived self-efficacy is a significant determinant of behavior that operates partially independently of underlying skills (Bandura, 1986). Effective chronic disease self-management requires considerable skills and is associated with improved outcomes, reduced mortality and disability, improved quality of life, and reduced healthcare costs (Richard & Shea, 2011). HIV treatment self-efficacy is defined as the confidence held by an individual in her or his ability to follow treatment recommendations and includes any actions that the person living with HIV does to promote health, including specific HIV care such as initiating and adhering to ART; attending health-related appointments; and more general health-promoting practices related to nutrition, exercise, and sleep, along with avoiding use or abuse of cigarettes, alcohol, and medications (Johnson et al., 2007). The purpose of this article was to explore the potential mediating role of treatment adherence self-efficacy in the relationship between Social Cognitive Theory constructs and ART adherence in a large sample of persons living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA) in the United States and Puerto Rico taking ART to treat their HIV disease. Self-efficacy has been described as an antecedent skill for optimum treatment adherence (Shay, 2008). If it can be demonstrated that self-efficacy is a mediator or antecedent to treatment adherence, then nursing interventions can focus on increasing self-efficacy rather than treatment of lifelong comorbid conditions such as depression or improving limited financial resources. By improving treatment self-efficacy and, therefore, adherence to ART, PLWHA will receive greater benefit from existing treatments and decrease the transmission of the virus to uninfected others.

Factors associated with frequency of 12-step attendance by drug abuse clients

Abstract: Comparison was made of treatment clients attending Narcotics Anonymous and/or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings less than weekly (n = 41) with treatment clients attending meetings at least three times a week (n = 30). The frequent attenders (attending an average of 30.6 meetings monthly) differed from non- and infrequent attenders (attending an average of 0.4 meetings monthly) in terms of histories of greater lifetime drug use, more arrests and treatment experiences, and an earlier age of first use of alcohol. Although the frequent attender was also older, age was not found to influence the differences found between groups. Measures of religiosity, use of community services, and support from others for recovery and psychological functioning, other than ratings of the helpfulness of 12-Step, were not differentiated among groups. The findings suggest that 12-Step groups are more likely to be selected by clients with more severe histories of drug use and criminal activity, i.e., those most in need of the support to behavior change those groups provide. The role of treatment programs in facilitating the use of 12-Step groups is discussed.