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Silica particles are commonly functionalized with aminegroupson their surface through the hydrolytic condensation of aminotrialkoxysilanesfor use in bioimaging, enzyme immobilization, and other applications.Eliminating this aminotrialkoxysilane condensation step could simplifyand improve the efficiency of the synthesis of amine-functionalizedsilica. Here, we describe a one-pot, ambient-condition, water-phasemethod to synthesize silica-based nanoparticles (NPs) that presentsurface amine groups. The formation mechanism involves the electrostaticcross-linking of cationic polyallylamine hydrochloride by citrateanions and the infusion of the resulting polymer/salt aggregates bysilicic acid. The particles were unimodal with average diameters inthe range of 40 to 100 nm, as determined by the size of the templatingpolymer-salt aggregates. Colorimetric analysis using Coomassie brilliantblue and zeta potential measurements confirmed the presence of surfaceamine groups on the hybrid silica/polymer NPs. The point of zero-chargevalue for these NPs was ∼5, between the corresponding valuesof unfunctionalized and aminopropyltriethoxysilane-functionalizedsilica particles (∼2 and ∼10, respectively). Surfacecharge calculations indicated the hybrid NPs had a lower amine surfacedensity than aminopropyltriethoxysilane-functionalized silica (0.057#/nm2vs 0.169 #/nm2at pH 7). The polymer-saltaggregate synthesis chemistry is a new approach toward controllingthe amine surface density and point of zero-charge of hybrid silica/polymerNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentored individuals across disciplines consistently report more positive training and career-related satisfaction and outcomes than nonmentored individuals. Although there is a significant amount of research related to mentoring in the fields of education, nursing, business, and medical professions, there is a dearth of research on the implementation and effectiveness of mentoring programs in clinical psychology training programs, such as internships and postdoctoral fellowships (Green & Hawkley, 2009). Few, if any, studies have examined the feasibility and potential impact of developing mentoring programs in predoctoral and postdoctoral clinical psychology training sites. The current article seeks to address this gap in the literature by discussing the development and implementation of a mentoring program for clinical psychology postdoctoral fellows and predoctoral interns in a 1-year training program at a large Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The benefits of having a mentoring relationship that is independent of clinical supervision are discussed. Implications for mentoring in similar clinical training programs and considerations for developing a mentoring program will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]