EEM spectroscopy can be implemented as a powerful technique for determining the purity of complex mixtures, especially when other techniques, including mass spectrometry, fail to provide adequate characterization of a given material.
Metal
clusters are an emerging photonic material with a rapidly
growing library of stable, atomically precise clusters recently reported.
The growing interest in metal clusters, such as thiol-protected Au
clusters, is due in part to interest in this new material for light
harvesting, catalysis and electron transfer studies, and high efficiency
photovoltaics (i.e., metal-cluster-sensitized solar cells (MCSSC)
with long-term stability). Herein, we use cobalt redox couples as
a tool to investigate the electronic properties (i.e., HOMO energy
level) and the wavelength-dependent photocatalytic activities of glutathione
protected gold clusters. To this purpose, we have synthesized a series
of cobalt complexes with bipyridine and phenanthroline derivatives
in order to study Au18(SR)14 and Au25(SR)18 sensitized solar cells. Using cobalt complex mediators
as an alternative to the conventional high performance I–/I3
– electrolyte, long-term performance
of MCSSC is achieved. Furthermore, these one-electron redox mediators
conclusively demonstrate the unique optical activity of clusters,
with excitation-wavelength-dependent photocatalytic activity.
BackgroundSimulation-based medical education (SBME) is increasingly used in healthcare to improve training, quality of care and patient safety.1 It facilitates learning in a supportive environment and encourages evaluation of practice within a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Although integration of SBME into the postgraduate curriculum is thought to be a key feature for its effective use,2 there is a relative dearth in Acute Medicine. We have designed and implemented a multidisciplinary high-fidelity simulation program in Acute Medicine at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE), mapped to the CMT curriculum.3 Our aim is to improve patient safety by simulating acute medical emergencies.MethodologyMDT based simulation sessions (comprising three scenarios) are delivered monthly by trained faculty members in the simulation suite at RIE. Twelve scenarios encompass the top 24 presentations in the CMT Curriculum,3 with learning outcomes mapped to specified competencies.3 Post session feedback questionnaires were developed to assess immediate benefit and long-term application of learning.ResultsTo date, four sessions have been attended by a total of 19 participants (comprising ANPs, Foundation and CMT doctors). All reported:Simulation within a team setting was realistic to practice and engendered better team working, leadership and communication.The sessions were applicable to their curricular needs and had positively influenced clinical care.Enthusiasm to attend further sessions, agreeing that they would highly recommend these to others and that simulation should be a mandatory part of training.Feedback from one of the sessions (after 8 weeks) shows that the learning outcomes have been applied to clinical practice in the long term with reported increased confidence in the management of the acutely unwell patient and improved teamwork.Potential impactProvisional analysis suggests increased confidence in the management of acute medical emergencies and improved working within a MDT. Both of these outcomes facilitate patient safety.ReferencesAggarwal R, et al. Training and simulation for patient safety. Qual Saf Health Care 2010;19:34–43Issenberg SB, et al. Features and uses of high-fidelity medical simulations that lead to effective learning: a BEME systematic review. Med Teach 27:10–28Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board. Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training. August 2009 (with amendments August 2013). Available at:
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.