Search

The debate over whether psychologists with postdoctoral degrees in psychopharmacology are adequately trained to prescribe (RxP), has grown increasingly contested over the years. Five states, the U.S. government, and Guam currently allow psychologists with advanced training to prescribe limited medications. The literature is wrought with strong opinions on both sides of the debate. RxP opposers argue that the prescribing psychologists’ training is truncated and less effective than other available options (medical and nursing school); while RxP supporters argue that medical school is essentially overkill for prescribing psychology’s narrow aim, and that nursing schools are less rigorous than the postdoctoral training uniquely designed for psychologists. Comparing each prescriber’s basic competence, side-by-side, via examination, had never been attempted (each has their own licensing examination). This study tested 66 providers: psychiatrists, general physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, general nurse practitioners, prescribing psychologists, and general psychologists. Psychiatrist performed the best, followed by prescribing psychologists, then psychiatric nurse practitioners. There was no statistical difference in the performance of these three groups. Non-psychiatric physicians and non-psychiatric nurses—who ironically write 80-90% of psychiatric prescriptions—performed worse than the first three groups, and non-psychiatric nurses performed significantly worse. General psychologists performed significantly worse than prescribing psychologists, indicating that the achieved level of competency is due to postdoctoral training. Arguments that psychologists wishing to prescribe should merely attend nursing school, should be re- evaluated in light of these findings. Prescribing psychologists’ performance is superior to the performance of those trained as nurse practitioners (both family and psychiatric).

The purpose of many dental products, including toothpaste, is to promote remineralization on the surface of the tooth. In this study, aqueous calcium nitrate salt and potassium phosphate salt solutions were encapsulated into microcapsules and added to toothpaste. This approach provided the toothpaste with a source of calcium ions and phosphate ions, which became bioavailable upon the brushing and rupturing of the microcapsules in the toothpaste. The analysis of the release of calcium and phosphate ions upon brushing demonstrated that large amounts of both ions were being released. Additionally, fluoride ions continued to be released from the active ingredient (sodium fluoride) in the toothpaste. By demonstrating the release of calcium ions, phosphate ions and fluoride ions to the oral environment, this approach promotes the precipitation of calcium fluoride and calcium phosphate salts that could lead to remineralization. The results from the study show strong support that toothpaste which contains aqueous calcium containing microcapsules and aqueous phosphate containing microcapsules could help reverse the demineralization process and advance the remineralization process on the surface of the tooth.

The purpose of many dental products, including toothpaste, is to promote remineralization on the surface of the tooth. In this study, aqueous calcium nitrate salt and potassium phosphate salt solutions were encapsulated into microcapsules and added to toothpaste. This approach provided the toothpaste with a source of calcium ions and phosphate ions, which became bioavailable upon the brushing and rupturing of the microcapsules in the toothpaste. The analysis of the release of calcium and phosphate ions upon brushing demonstrated that large amounts of both ions were being released. Additionally, fluoride ions continued to be released from the active ingredient (sodium fluoride) in the toothpaste. By demonstrating the release of calcium ions, phosphate ions and fluoride ions to the oral environment, this approach promotes the precipitation of calcium fluoride and calcium phosphate salts that could lead to remineralization. The results from the study show strong support that toothpaste which contains aqueous calcium containing microcapsules and aqueous phosphate containing microcapsules could help reverse the demineralization process and advance the remineralization process on the surface of the tooth.

In the post-World War II era land development in the United States has largely been focused on the expansion away from urban centers and out into the surrounding suburbs. While the development of suburbs began with utopian ideals of spiritual wholeness, their actual manifestation on the American landscape has been subject to harsh critiques about their long-term economic and environmental feasibility, fostering of social alienation, and general placelessness. In this thesis I address the criticism of suburbs as placeless, asking ―What are the particular practices of place-making in North American suburbs?‖ Examining interviews, cognitive map surveys, participant observation, archival materials, and geoweb activity through lenses of imageability and anticipatory action I seek to better understand how the residents of an Indianapolis suburb narrate, structure, and produce a sense of place in their own community. In doing so I argue that that suburbs force an understanding of place as both experiential and social that is beyond mere aesthetics.