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Abstract:The specific surface area and topology of a biofilter media carrier is one of the most important parameters that determines the performance and efficiency of the system. In this work, mathematical models and 3D printing technologies were used to design and fabricate complex media designs that provide high specific surface area and refugia to protect biofilm from premature sloughing. Several gyroid based designs were proposed with specific surface area well beyond 2300 m 2 /m 3 . However, wall thicknesses and pore sizes that are prone to clogging determined a design that yields 1168 m 2 /m 3 (133% larger than the baseline commercial K1 Kaldnes). Several moving bed bioreactors were constructed for laboratory testing with inoculation provided by wastewater from a fisheries operation. Preliminary results indicate that the 3D printed media can withstand the prevalent conditions in moving bed bioreactors, and that the NH 3 removal rate of gyroid media is comparable to that of K1 Kaldnes. This work establishes the feasibility of using 3D printing for bioreactor media fabrication and allows for future topology optimization for enhanced operation. Future work is needed to investigate how these complex media designs might stimulate novel microbial assemblages and community metabolism that translate into yield efficiency gains in reactor performance.

Objective. To assess first-year pharmacy (P1) students' predispositions (eg, perceptions for empathy, intercultural sensitivity, and motivational interviewing (MI) as a patient-centered communication skillset) and identify potential curricula content/communication skills training needs. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect students' self-reported perceptions for empathy, intercultural sensitivity, counseling contexts, and projected future MI use. Relationships between variables were explored and logistic regression was used to evaluate intention for using MI in future patient encounters.Results. There were 134 students who participated. Higher predisposition for empathy and for intercultural sensitivity were significantly correlated. Significant predictors for applying MI in future patient encounters were sex, confidence with counseling skills, and current use of MI. Conclusion. Results suggest the need to incorporate innovative training strategies in communication skills curricula. Potential areas include empathy, intercultural sensitivity and significant predictor variables for future MI use. Further investigation in other schools is needed.

Objectives. Culturally competence is an essential skill for healthcare providers, including pharmacists.The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education has included training in cultural sensitivity as a requirement in pharmacy education programs. The objective for this study was to revise and validate the Self-Assessment of Perceived Level of Cultural Competence (SAPLCC) instrument within a national sample of pharmacy students. Methods.A cross sectional study design was utilized with a convenience sampling strategy to invite schools across the country to participate in the study. The target population was students enrolled in the A J P E A c c e p t e d D r a f t participating pharmacy programs. Data was collected using the SAPLCC. Exploratory Factor Analysis with principal components extraction and varimax rotation was used to identify the factor structure of the SAPLCC instrument.Results. From eight schools, 875 students participated in the survey. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in the selection of 14 factors explaining 76.6% of the total variance and grouping 75 of the 86-items in the SAPLCC into six domains: knowledge (16 items), skills (11 items), attitude (15 items), encounters (11 items), abilities (13 items), and awareness (9 items). Using a more diverse representative sample of pharmacy students resulted in important revisions of the constructs and allowed the identification of a new factor: Social Determinants of Health. Conclusion.The 75 item SAPLCC is a reliable instrument covering a full range of domains that can be used to measure both, the baseline and post-education cultural competence perceived level of pharmacy students.

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