bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Stratification and Radiologic Evaluation of Central Venous Port Malfunction
Authors: Kansagra Akash P. , Yu John-Paul J. , Naeger David M. , Phelps Andrew S.
Published: May 2014

Background: Appropriate indications for radiologic evaluation of central venous ports are not fully understood. We aimed to quantitatively assess the utility of clinical history and imaging in the evaluation of malfunctioning central venous ports.

Methods: Clinical history, plain radiographs, and line injections intended to evaluate central venous port malfunction in 153 consecutive cases over a nearly 4-year period were retrospectively reviewed by 2 radiologists. Radiographs and line injections were separately categorized as normal or abnormal, and a consensus was reached on the final imaging diagnosis. The likelihood of a port-related abnormality necessitating immediate intervention was determined for all represented combinations of clinical history, radiographic findings, and line injection results.

Results: A radiologic diagnosis was made in 96.1% of cases; 19.7% of these diagnoses were classified as critical, requiring prompt intervention. Very low risk histories had a 0.0% incidence of critical port abnormalities in our cohort, regardless of imaging findings. Low risk histories had a 10.5% incidence of a critical abnormality and were best evaluated either by line injection, either directly or following an abnormal chest radiograph. Intermediate and high risk histories were associated with a 30.5% and 61.1% incidence of critical port abnormalities, respectively, and were best evaluated by line injection without preceding chest radiograph.

Conclusions: There are several scenarios in which imaging does not meaningfully affect management of malfunctioning central venous ports. Recognizing these inefficiencies may allow for more appropriate and cost-effective use of radiographs and line injections to evaluate the cause of port malfunction.
The AccuCath Intravenous Catheter System With Retractable Coiled Tip Guidewire and Conventional Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Comparison
Authors: Idemoto Bette K. , Rowbottom James R. , Reynolds James D. , Hickman Ronald L.
Published: May 2014

Background: Current peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) first attempt success averages 47%, complications 47%, and dwell time 44 hours. Multiple intravenous (IV) access lines requiring replacement during each admission result in poor satisfaction and unnecessary costs. With 2011 Infusion Nursing Society standards allowing IV lines to dwell until complication, there is incentive to explore improvement opportunities.

Purpose: A new, proprietary coiled tip guidewire PIV was compared with conventional IV catheters in adult patients. The experimental IV catheter was projected to have a higher rate of successful placement on first attempt, fewer complications, longer dwell times, higher completion of therapy, higher user satisfaction, and lower overall costs than conventional catheters.

Methods: Adult patients requiring nonemergent IV catheters provided consent and were enrolled and randomized. The study, conducted over 4 months, included 248 patients (experimental IV group n =123, conventional IV group n =125).

Results: Experimental IV first attempt success was 89% compared with 47% for the conventional catheter. Fifty percent of conventional IV placements required a second attempt. Experimental IV complications occurred 8% of the time and complications occurred with the conventional catheter 52% of the time. Completion of therapy was 89% with the experimental IV versus 34% with the conventional IV (P < .001). Dwell time improved with the experimental IV (mean 4.4 days [105 hours] vs conventional IV at 1.5 days [35 hours]) (P < .001). Overall patient satisfaction using a 5-point Likert scale scored an average of 4.5 with the experimental IV compared with the conventional IV, which scored 3.

Conclusions: A new, proprietary coiled tip guidewire-delivered PIV demonstrated clear superiority over the conventional catheter in our study. Clinical outcome results showed statistically significant improvements in first attempt success, complications, completion of therapy, dwell time, and overall patient satisfaction.
Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava
Authors: Mabry Vicki L. , Mancino Anne T. , Sullivan Sheila Cox
Published: May 2014

This is a case report of an incidental diagnosis of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). The diagnosis was suspected after a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was placed and a postinsertion chest radiograph was conducted. PLSVC is a vascular anomaly that is usually diagnosed as an incidental finding. Here, we discuss the tests performed to confirm the diagnosis and the 3 variants of PLSVC. Nurses who place PICCs are likely to run across this abnormality on postinsertion chest radiograph and knowing the diagnostic test to order to confirm the diagnosis is key in expediting patient care.
Genomic classification of the RAS network identifies a personalized treatment strategy for lung cancer
Authors: El-Chaar Nader N. , Piccolo Stephen R. , Boucher Kenneth M. , Cohen Adam L. , Chang Jeffrey T. , Moos Philip J. , Bild Andrea H.
Published: May 2014

Better approaches are needed to evaluate a single patient's drug response at the genomic level. Targeted therapy for signaling pathways in cancer has met limited success in part due to the exceedingly interwoven nature of the pathways. In particular, the highly complex RAS network has been challenging to target. Effectively targeting the pathway requires development of techniques that measure global network activity to account for pathway complexity. For this purpose, we used a gene‐expression‐based biomarker for RAS network activity in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, and screened for drugs whose efficacy was significantly highly correlated to RAS network activity. Results identified EGFR and MEK co‐inhibition as the most effective treatment for RAS‐active NSCLC amongst a panel of over 360 compounds and fractions. RAS activity was identified in both RAS‐mutant and wild‐type lines, indicating broad characterization of RAS signaling inclusive of multiple mechanisms of RAS activity, and not solely based on mutation status. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that co‐inhibition of EGFR and MEK induced apoptosis and blocked both EGFR‐RAS‐RAF‐MEK‐ERK and EGFR‐PI3K‐AKT‐RPS6 nodes simultaneously in RAS‐active, but not RAS‐inactive NSCLC. These results provide a comprehensive strategy to personalize treatment of NSCLC based on RAS network dysregulation and provide proof‐of‐concept of a genomic approach to classify and target complex signaling networks.
Disaster Preparedness: A Comparative Study of North Carolina and Montana
Authors: Gazibara Tatjana , Jia Haomiao , Lubetkin Erica I.
Published: May 2014

Objective

The emergency preparedness of residents of North Carolina and Montana were compared.

Methods

General preparedness was evaluated using responses to 4 questions related to a household's 3-day supply of water, 3-day supply of nonperishable food, a working battery-operated radio, and a working battery-operated flashlight. Each positive answer was awarded 1 point to create an emergency preparedness score that ranged from 0 (minimum) to 4 (maximum). Results were assessed statistically.

Results

The average emergency preparedness score did not differ between the 2 states (P = .513). One factor influencing higher preparedness in both states was being male. Other influencing factors in North Carolina were older age, being a race/ethnicity other than white, having an annual income of $35 000 or more, having children in the household, better (excellent/very good/good) self-reported health, and not being disabled. In contrast, other factors influencing higher emergency preparedness in Montana were having a college degree and being married or partnered.

Conclusions

A divergence was found in factors influencing the likelihood of being prepared. These factors were likely a result of different sociodemographic and geographic characteristics between the 2 states. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-4)
IN RE A: SEVERING THE CONJOINED TWINS IN JEWISH LAW
Authors: Enker Arnold N.
Published: May 2014

In re A was decided by the English courts in 2000. Twin girls, named Jodie and Mary for purposes of the decision, were born joined together at their lower extremities. Jodie's heart and lungs were more or less healthy. But Mary's were insufficiently developed and could not provide her with the flow of blood and oxygen needed to survive. However, the girls shared a single circulatory system so that Jodie's heart pumped blood that flowed through both their bodies. In this manner, Jodie's heart and lungs kept Mary alive. According to the doctors, this situation could continue for a period of three to six months, or a bit longer, at the most. As the girls grew, Jodie would be unable to provide sufficient blood and oxygen to support both Mary and herself. Both would die. The doctors recommended surgical separation of the two girls. Mary would necessarily die “within minutes,” being cut off from her source of sustenance. Jodie would have a good chance of surviving. The legal issue presented was whether the doctors may perform the surgery that would cause Mary's death. At issue were questions concerning the scope of self-defense and necessity. In the course of the Court's opinions, brief reference was made to Jewish law. This article considers the Jewish law sources that bear on these issues.
Allelic variance at the vernalization gene locus Vrn-D1 in a group of sister wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines and its effects on development
Authors: WANG L. , NIU J. S. , LI Q. Y. , QIN Z. , NI Y. J. , XU H. X.
Published: May 2014

Three groups of genes, Vrn, Ppd and Eps, control life-cycle duration in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The duration of a developmental phase between two stages is important for freezing resistance, heading time, anthesis and ripening date as well as yield component generation. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of Vrn-D1 on wheat development. The vernalization genes Vrn-A1, -B1, -D1, -B3, photoperiod gene Ppd-1 and candidate genes Mot1 and FtsH4 for Eps in ‘G883’, ‘Pumai 9’ and their offspring, a group of sister lines (SLs) derived from an advanced generation, were genotyped using specific molecular markers. All detected loci were the same in the SLs and their parents except the Vrn-D1 locus. Three developmental traits, spike differentiation process, heading date and final leaf number on the main stem, were characterized in three sowing date treatments in the field. When temperatures increased, cultivars/lines carrying the dominant Vrn-D1 gene entered each spike differentiation process faster than those with the recessive vrn-D1 in the same sowing date treatment. Lines carrying Vrn-D1 had smaller final leaf number on the main stem than those with vrn-D1, and the heading dates of the former were earlier than those of the latter, especially in the fourth treatment, sown on 23 February 2012. These data suggest that Vrn-D1 confers a spring habit on wheat and the vrn-D1 confers a cold, hardy winter habit. The Vrn-D1 alleles play very important roles in semi-winter and tender spring wheat cultivars, especially in warm weather in Henan, China. Regulating developmental traits by tracing Vrn-D1 and getting an ideal combination of Vrn alleles to accommodate different wheat zones is a key role for future wheat molecular breeding.
Soil water content, runoff and soil loss prediction in a small ungauged agricultural basin in the Mediterranean region using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool
Authors: RAMOS M. C. , MARTÍNEZ-CASASNOVAS J. A.
Published: May 2014

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the possibilities of using sub-basin data for calibration of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in a small (46 ha) ungauged basin (i.e. where the water flow is not systematically measured) and its response. This small basin was located in the viticultural Anoia-Penedès region (North-east Spain), which suffers severe soil erosion. The data sources were: daily weather data from an observatory located close to the basin; a detailed soil map of Catalonia; a 5-m resolution digital elevation model (DEM); a crop/land use map derived from orthophotos taken in 2010 and an additional detailed soil survey (40 points) within the basin, which included properties such as texture, soil organic carbon, electrical conductivity, bulk density and water retention capacity at −33 and −1500 kPa. A sensitivity analysis was performed to identify and rank the sensitive parameters that affect the hydrological response and sediment yield to changes of model input parameters. A 1-year calibration and 1-year validation were carried out on the basis of soil moisture measured at 0·20-m intervals from depths of 0·10 to 0·90 m in two selected sub-basins, and data related to estimations of runoff and sediment concentrations in runoff collected in the same sub-basins. The present paper shows a methodological approach for calibrating SWAT in small ungauged basins using soil water content measurements and runoff samples collected within the basin. The SWAT satisfactorily predicted the average soil water content, runoff and soil loss for moderate intensity events recorded during the study periods. However, it was not satisfactory for high-intensity events which would require exploring the possibilities of using sub-daily information as an input model parameter.
ZNF804A genetic variation (rs1344706) affects brain grey but not white matter in schizophrenia and healthy subjects
Authors: Nenadic I. , Maitra R. , Basmanav F. B. , Schultz C. C. , Lorenz C. , Schachtzabel C. , Smesny S. , Nöthen M. M. , Cichon S. , Reichenbach J. R. , Sauer H. , Schlösser R. G. M. , Gaser C.
Published: May 2014

Background

Genetic variation in the gene encoding ZNF804A, a risk gene for schizophrenia, has been shown to affect brain functional endophenotypes of the disorder, while studies of white matter structure have been inconclusive.

Method

We analysed effects of ZNF804A single nucleotide polymorphism rs1344706 on grey and white matter using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans of 62 schizophrenia patients and 54 matched healthy controls.

Results

We found a significant (p < 0.05, family-wise error corrected for multiple comparisons) interaction effect of diagnostic group x genotype for local grey matter in the left orbitofrontal and right and left lateral temporal cortices, where patients and controls showed diverging effects of genotype. Analysing the groups separately (at p < 0.001, uncorrected), variation in rs1344706 showed effects on brain structure within the schizophrenia patients in several areas including the left and right inferior temporal, right supramarginal/superior temporal, right and left inferior frontal, left frontopolar, right and left dorsolateral/ventrolateral prefrontal cortices, and the right thalamus, as well as effects within the healthy controls in left lateral temporal, right anterior insula and left orbitofrontal cortical areas. We did not find effects of genotype of regional white matter in either of the two cohorts.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate effects of ZNF804A genetic variation on brain structure, with diverging regional effects in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in frontal and temporal brain areas. These effects, however, might be dependent on the impact of other (genetic or non-genetic) disease factors.
Problematising care burden research
Authors: PURKIS MARY ELLEN , CECI CHRISTINE
Published: May 2014

In this paper we use Alvesson and Sandberg's strategy of problematisation to analyse the assumptions embedded in the development and use of the concept of ‘care-giver burden’. We do this in order to develop an explanation as to why decades of research into the experience of providing home-based care to a family member with dementia has had little effect in relieving or reducing the ‘burden’ of that care. Though some part of this is undoubtedly political, our analysis suggests that key assumptions of the research limit both knowledge development and intervention effectiveness. Especially problematic are first, an overriding focus on the isolated care-giver–recipient dyad as the appropriate object of inquiry and target of intervention, and second, an absence of an analysis of the materiality of care and care-giving practices. The heterogeneity of care situations, including interrelations among people, technologies, objects, spaces and other organisational worlds, appear in much of the research primarily as methodological problems, variables to be subdued through a more rigorous application of method. The high volume of research and acknowledged low impact of interventions, however, suggests that rethinking the nature of care practices, and how we come to know about them, is necessary if we are to develop and implement strategies that will contribute to better outcomes for people.
Perceived retirement savings adequacy in Hong Kong: an interdisciplinary financial planning model
Authors: CHOU KEE-LEE , YU KAR-MING , CHAN WAI-SUM , WU ALFRED M. , ZHU ALEX Y. F. , LOU VIVIAN W. Q.
Published: May 2014

Using an interdisciplinary model of financial planning, we investigated the factors contributing to perceived adequacy of retirement savings among Hong Kong workers by replicating a previous study of American and Dutch workers. The model was also tested for age differences in the way in which the variables operated within the model. These questions were examined using data from a phone survey conducted with 999 Hong Kong workers in 2012. We examined three psychological factors (future time orientation, goal clarity and financial knowledge), three social support variables (early learning from parents, spousal support and friend support) and three institutional factors (quality of employer pensions, trust in banks and fund managers, and trust in the government), as well as retirement savings planning activity and perceived retirement savings adequacy. Path analyses were used to test the model for the whole sample and separately for younger (N=437) and older (N=562) workers. Although a few age differences were found in the path analyses, the model was found to be useful in explaining the factors contributing to retirement savings planning and practices. Finally, we discuss how our findings differ from those of prior studies, and we assess their theoretical and practical implications.
Re-conceptualising the status of residents in a care home: older people wanting to ‘live with care’
Authors: COOK GLENDA , THOMPSON JULIANA , REED JAN
Published: May 2014

The construction of a meaningful life depends upon satisfying ‘fundamental human needs’. These are broadly categorised as: physical, social and self-actualisation needs that every human experiences. Some fundamental human needs satisfiers, such as ‘home’, are synergic, addressing more than one need. For an older person, the move to a care home compromises their ontological security (through disruption of identification with place and control over environment) that one's own ‘home’ provides. This paper explores the complex issues surrounding the residential status of care home residents in terms of fundamental human needs. The methodology utilised was hermeneutic phenomenology. Eight older residents participated in the study, and each resident was interviewed up to eight times over a period of six months. Narrative analysis was used to interpret how participants viewed their experiences and environment. Five themes emerged from the narratives that collectively demonstrate that residents wanted their residential status to involve ‘living with care’ rather than ‘existing in care’. The five themes were: ‘caring for oneself/being cared for’; ‘being in control/losing control’; ‘relating to others/putting up with others’; ‘active choosers and users of space/occupying space’ and ‘engaging in meaningful activity/lacking meaningful activity’. This study indicates that if care homes are to achieve synergic qualities so residents are able to regard care homes as ‘home’, then care home staff may need to be more focused on recognising, acknowledging and supporting residents' aspirations regarding their future lives, and their status as residents.
L2 ENGLISH INTONATION
Authors: Ortega-Llebaria Marta , Colantoni Laura
Published: May 2014

Although there is consistent evidence that higher levels of processing, such as learning the form-meaning associations specific to the second language (L2), are a source of difficulty in acquiring L2 speech, no study has addressed how these levels interact in shaping L2 perception and production of intonation. We examine the hypothesis of whether access to contextual meaning increases the chances of first language (L1) influence on L2 intonation. To test this hypothesis, we compared the perception and production of sentential English focus by 27 advanced English language learners (n= 13 L1 Mandarin speakers;n= 14 L1 Spanish speakers) and 13 controls, through a series of tasks that promoted different levels of access to meaning. Results showed that L1 transfer was especially clear in Spanish speakers. Not only did they consistently differ from controls in their perception of focalized verbs and subjects, showing their L1 bias to perceive focus at the end of a sentence, but they were also the only group of speakers that inserted pauses after the focalized word, which showed strong L1 effects. Moreover, these L1 transfer effects were more obvious in contextualized tasks, which indicated that facilitating access to meaning by adding context increased L1 transfer effects on the perception and especially on the production of focus intonation.
PHONETIC INFLUENCES ON ENGLISH AND FRENCH LISTENERS’ ASSIMILATION OF MANDARIN TONES TO NATIVE PROSODIC CATEGORIES
Authors: So Connie K. , Best Catherine T.
Published: May 2014

This study examined how native speakers of Australian English and French, nontone languages with different lexical stress properties, perceived Mandarin tones in a sentence environment according to their native sentence intonation categories (i-Categories) in connected speech. Results showed that both English and French speakers categorized Mandarin tones primarily on the phonetic similarities of the pitch contours between the Mandarin tones and their native i-Categories. Moreover, French but not English speakers were able to detect the fine-detailed phonetic differences between Tone 3 (T3) and Tone 4 (T4; i.e., low or low-falling tone vs. high-falling tone), which suggests that the stress differences between these languages may affect nonnative tone perception: English uses lexical stress, whereas French does not. In the discrimination task, the French listeners’ performance was better than that of the English listeners. For each group, discrimination of the Tone 1 (T1)–T4 and Tone 2 (T2)–T3 pairs was consistently and significantly lower than that of the other tone pairs, and the difference between T1-T4 and T2-T3 was significant. Discrimination of the Mandarin tone pairs was not fully predicted by pairwise categorizations to native i-Categories, however. Some discrimination differences were observed among tone pairs showing the same assimilation patterns. Phonetic overlaps in native i-Category choices for the Mandarin tones, strength of categorization (So, 2012), and tonal coarticulation effects (Xu, 1994, 1997) may offer possible accounts of these discrepancies between categorization and discrimination performance. These findings support the perceptual assimilation model for suprasegmentals (So & Best, 2008, 2010a, 2010b, 2011, 2013), extended to categorization of nonnative tone words within sentence contexts to native i-Categories.
Clicks, concurrency and Khoisan
Authors: Bradfield Julian
Published: May 2014

I propose that the notions of segment and phoneme be enriched to allow some concurrent clustering, even in classical theories. My main application is the Khoisan language !Xóõ, where treating clicks as phonemes concurrent with phonemic accompaniments allows the inventory size to be radically reduced, so solving the problems of many unsupported contrasts. I show also how phonological processes of !Xóõ can be described more elegantly in this setting, with support from metalinguistic evidence and production-task experiments. I describe a new allophony in !Xóõ. I go on to discuss other applications, some rather speculative, of the concept of concurrent phoneme. The article also provides a comprehensive review of the segmental phonetics and phonology of !Xóõ, together with previous analyses.
Beyond the Iambic-Trochaic Law: the joint influence of duration and intensity on the perception of rhythmic speech
Authors: Crowhurst Megan J. , Teodocio Olivares Amador
Published: May 2014

The Iambic-Trochaic Law (ITL) asserts that listeners associate greater acoustic intensity with group beginnings and greater duration with group endings. Some researchers have assumed a natural connection between these perceptual tendencies and universal principles underlying linguistic categories of rhythm. The experimental literature on ITL effects is limited in three ways. Few studies of listeners' perceptions of alternating sound sequences have used speech-like stimuli, cross-linguistic testing has been inadequate and existing studies have manipulated intensity and duration singly, whereas these features vary together in natural speech. This paper reports the results of three experiments conducted with native Zapotec speakers and one with native English speakers. We tested listeners' grouping biases using streams of alternating syllables in which intensity and duration were varied separately, and sequences in which they were covaried. The findings suggest that care should be taken in assuming a natural connection between the ITL and universal principles of prosodic organisation.
The relationship between food literacy and dietary intake in adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Vaitkeviciute Rimante , Ball Lauren E , Harris Neil
Published: May 2014

Objective

The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the evidence on the association between food literacy and adolescents’ dietary intake.

Design

The review included searches of six databases with no restriction on the year of publication or language.

Setting

The studies eligible for review were from five countries/regions: USA (n 6), Europe (n 4), Australia (n 1), Middle East (n 1) and South Africa (n 1).

Subjects

Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years.

Results

Thirteen studies were eligible for inclusion. None of the studies investigated all aspects of food literacy. Eight studies reported a positive association between food literacy and adolescents’ dietary intake. For example, adolescents with greater food knowledge and frequent food preparation behaviours were shown to have healthier dietary practices. Three studies found a mixed association of food literacy and adolescents’ dietary intake. For example, adolescents who frequently helped to prepare dinner had healthier dietary intake, but food shopping tasks were associated with less healthy food choices. Two studies found no association between measures of food literacy and adolescents’ dietary intake.

Conclusions

Food literacy may play a role in shaping adolescents’ dietary intake. More rigorous research methods are required to effectively assess the causality between food literacy and adolescents’ dietary intake in order to confirm the extent of the relationship. Evidence recommends public health practitioners and policy makers consider new public health strategies that focus on increasing understanding of food literacy in adolescence.
Morphological and Performance Measures of Polyurethane Foams Using X-Ray CT and Mechanical Testing
Authors: Patterson Brian M. , Henderson Kevin , Gilbertson Robert D. , Tornga Stephanie , Cordes Nikolaus L. , Chavez Manuel E. , Smith Zachary
Published: May 2014

Meso-scale structure in polymeric foams determines the mechanical properties of the material. Density variations, even more than variations in the anisotropic void structure, can greatly vary the compressive and tensile response of the material. With their diverse use as both a structural material and space filler, polyurethane (PU) foams are widely studied. In this manuscript, quantitative measures of the density and anisotropic structure are provided by using micro X-ray computed tomography (microCT) to better understand the results of mechanical testing. MicroCT illustrates the variation in the density, cell morphology, size, shape, and orientation in different regions in blown foam due to the velocity profile near the casting surface. “Interrupted” in situ imaging of the material during compression of these sub-regions indicates the pathways of the structural response to the mechanical load and the changes in cell morphology as a result. It is found that molded PU foam has a 6 mm thick “skin” of higher density and highly eccentric morphological structure that leads to wide variations in mechanical performance depending upon sampling location. This comparison is necessary to understand the mechanical performance of the anisotropic structure.
Validation of the Family Inventory of Needs (FIN) for family caregivers in palliative care
Authors: Schur Sophie , Neubauer Marie , Amering Michaela , Ebert-Vogel Alexandra , Masel Eva Katharina , Sibitz Ingrid , Watzke Herbert , Schrank Beate
Published: May 2014

Objective:

Caregivers of cancer patients are faced with significant demands that can seriously impact their physical and mental health. It is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of caregivers' support needs in order for these to be adequately addressed. Our study develops a German version of the Family Inventory of Needs (FIN) and provides a comprehensive evaluation of its acceptability and psychometric properties.

Method:

Cross-sectional data from 308 participants were taken from the baseline assessment of an ongoing prospective study. Retests were completed by 46 participants approximately one week after baseline. Informal caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients were recruited from three hospitals in Vienna. Questionnaires for hope (IHS), traumatic stress (IES–R), and depression and anxiety (HADS) were employed together with the translated FIN to assess concurrent and discriminant validity.

Results:

The internal consistency of FIN–Importance had a Cronbach's α of 0.94, and that for FIN–Fulfillment was α = 0.96. Retest reliability for FIN–Importance was r = 0.97, while that for FIN–Fulfillment could not be calculated due to missing responses to this subscale. Concurrent and discriminant validity tests for the scale and the discriminative power of items were adequate. However, missing responses may limit the feasibility of using this scale in research settings. We identified six questions that could be excluded from the scale in order to increase its acceptability and further improve its psychometric properties.

Significance of results:

Our results suggest that the FIN is suitable for clinical settings. For use in research, we suggest four adaptations to increase the scale's acceptability and psychometric properties. The FIN can be a valuable tool for informing the emotional, physical, and psychological support provided to family carers of people who are terminally ill with cancer.
Family caregivers voice their needs: A photovoice study
Authors: Angelo Jennifer , Egan Richard
Published: May 2014

Objective:

Caregivers often are unprepared for their role yet serve as the frontline in the provision of palliative care services. The aim of our study was to explore family caregivers' experiences from their perspective as they cared for dying relatives.

Method:

Using the Photovoice methodology, ten unpaid family caregivers took photographs depicting issues they experienced as informal caregivers of an ill family member who had less than a year to live. Each participant met with the first author individually four to six times and explained their role as caregiver through photographs and stories.

Results:

The results were clustered into seven themes: physical demands, emotional/spiritual stress, preparing for the future, securing help, medication management, navigating the agencies, and relationships.

Significance of results:

Caregivers perform a variety of tasks, often under stress. This study highlights the main areas where problems lie and the areas that palliative care health professionals need to be aware of so they can assist and educate caregivers, with the goal of finding solutions to the burdens of care. The themes were found to be intertwined, showing the complexity of the caregiving role.
Forming Impressions of Personality
Authors: Nauts Sanne , Langner Oliver , Huijsmans Inge , Vonk Roos , Wigboldus Daniël H. J.
Published: May 2014

Asch’s seminal research on “Forming Impressions of Personality” (1946) has widely been cited as providing evidence for a primacy-of-warmth effect, suggesting that warmth-related judgments have a stronger influence on impressions of personality than competence-related judgments (e.g., Fiske, Cuddy, & Glick, 2007 ; Wojciszke, 2005 ). Because this effect does not fit with Asch’s Gestalt-view on impression formation and does not readily follow from the data presented in his original paper, the goal of the present study was to critically examine and replicate the studies of Asch’s paper that are most relevant to the primacy-of-warmth effect. We found no evidence for a primacy-of-warmth effect. Instead, the role of warmth was highly context-dependent, and competence was at least as important in shaping impressions as warmth.
What Does It Take to Activate Stereotypes? Simple Primes Don’t Seem Enough
Authors: Müller Florian , Rothermund Klaus
Published: May 2014

According to social cognition textbooks, stereotypes are activated automatically if appropriate categorical cues are processed. Although many studies have tested effects of activated stereotypes on behavior, few have tested the process of stereotype activation. Blair and Banaji (1996) demonstrated that subjects were faster to categorize first names as male or female if those were preceded by gender congruent attribute primes. The same, albeit smaller, effects emerged in a semantic priming design ruling out response priming by Banaji and Hardin (1996) . We sought to replicate these important effects. Mirroring Blair and Banaji (1996) we found strong priming effects as long as response priming was possible. However, unlike Banaji and Hardin (1996) , we did not find any evidence for automatic stereotype activation, when response priming was ruled out. Our findings suggest that automatic stereotype activation is not a reliable and global phenomenon but is restricted to more specific conditions.
Does Recalling Moral Behavior Change the Perception of Brightness?
Authors: Brandt Mark J. , IJzerman Hans , Blanken Irene
Published: May 2014

Banerjee, Chatterjee, and Sinha (2012) recently reported that recalling unethical behavior led participants to see the room as darker and to desire more light-emitting products (e.g., a flashlight) compared to recalling ethical behavior. We replicated the methods of these two original studies with four high-powered replication studies (two online and two in the laboratory). Our results did not differ significantly from zero, 9 out of 10 of the effects were significantly smaller than the originally reported effects, and the effects were not consistently moderated by individual difference measures of potential discrepancies between the original and the replication samples. A meta-analysis that includes both the original and replication effects of moral recall on perceptions of brightness find a small, marginally significant effect (d = 0.14 CL95 −0.002 to 0.28). A meta-analysis that includes both the original and replication effects of moral recall on preferences for light-emitting products finds a small effect that did not differ from zero (d = 0.13 CL95 −0.04 to 0.29).
A Secondary Replication Attempt of Stereotype Susceptibility ()
Authors: Moon Alice , Roeder Scott S.
Published: May 2014

Prior work suggests that awareness of stereotypes about a person’s in-group can affect a person’s behavior and performance when they complete a stereotype-relevant task, a phenomenon called stereotype susceptibility ( Shih, Pittinsky, & Ambady, 1999 ). In a preregistered confirmatory design, we found that priming Asian women with social identities associated with math stereotypes did not influence their performance on a subsequent mathematics exam, and hypothesized moderators did not account for the effect. The conditions necessary to obtain the original results are not yet fully understood.
TLR ligands upregulate RIG‐I expression in human plasmacytoid dendritic cells in a type I IFN‐independent manner
Authors: Szabo Attila , Magyarics Zoltan , Pazmandi Kitti , Gopcsa Laszlo , Rajnavolgyi Eva , Bacsi Attila
Published: May 2014

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are professional type I interferon (IFN)‐producing cells that play an essential role in antiviral immunity. In many cell types, detection of intracellular pathogens is mostly dependent on endosomal Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and cytosolic sensors, such as retinoic acid‐inducible gene I (RIG‐I). However, the possible interplay between these two systems has not yet been elucidated. Here we aimed to study the collaboration of endosomal TLRs and RIG‐I in primary human pDCs. We found that under steady‐state conditions, pDCs express RIG‐I at very low level, but the expression of this receptor is rapidly and dramatically upregulated upon stimulation by the TLR7 ligand imiquimod or the TLR9 ligand type A CpG. We also demonstrated that pDCs are able to sense and respond to 5′‐triphosphate double‐stranded RNA (5′‐ppp‐dsRNA) only following activation by endosomal TLRs. Experiments on primary pDCs with functionally blocked IFN‐α/β receptor 1 (IFNAR1) and those on human pDC leukemia (pDC‐L) cells defective in type I IFN secretion indicated that the upregulation of RIG‐I expression in pDCs upon stimulation by endosomal TLR occurs in a type I IFN‐independent manner. Selective phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) on tyrosine 701 could be identified as an early signaling event in this process. Our results show that in contrast to many other cell types, where RIG‐I expression is induced by type I IFN, in pDCs a disparate mechanism is responsible for the upregulation of RIG‐I. Our findings also indicate that along with autophagy, an additional mechanism is operating in pDCs to promote the detection of replicating viruses.
Hydrogenase-independent uptake and metabolism of electrons by the archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis
Authors: Lohner Svenja T , Deutzmann Jörg S , Logan Bruce E , Leigh John , Spormann Alfred M
Published: May 2014

Direct, shuttle-free uptake of extracellular, cathode-derived electrons has been postulated as a novel mechanism of electron metabolism in some prokaryotes that may also be involved in syntrophic electron transport between two microorganisms. Experimental proof for direct uptake of cathodic electrons has been mostly indirect and has been based on the absence of detectable concentrations of molecular hydrogen. However, hydrogen can be formed as a transient intermediate abiotically at low cathodic potentials (<−414 mV) under conditions of electromethanogenesis. Here we provide genetic evidence for hydrogen-independent uptake of extracellular electrons. Methane formation from cathodic electrons was observed in a wild-type strain of the methanogenic archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis as well as in a hydrogenase-deletion mutant lacking all catabolic hydrogenases, indicating the presence of a hydrogenase-independent mechanism of electron catabolism. In addition, we discovered a new route for hydrogen or formate production from cathodic electrons: Upon chemical inhibition of methanogenesis with 2-bromo-ethane sulfonate, hydrogen or formate accumulated in the bioelectrochemical cells instead of methane. These results have implications for our understanding on the diversity of microbial electron uptake and metabolism.
Recovery and resilience of tropical forests after disturbance
Authors: Cole Lydia E. S. , Bhagwat Shonil A. , Willis Katherine J.
Published: May 2014

The time taken for forested tropical ecosystems to re-establish post-disturbance is of widespread interest. Yet to date there has been no comparative study across tropical biomes to determine rates of forest re-growth, and how they vary through space and time. Here we present results from a meta-analysis of palaeoecological records that use fossil pollen as a proxy for vegetation change over the past 20,000 years. A total of 283 forest disturbance and recovery events, reported in 71 studies, are identified across four tropical regions. Results indicate that forests in Central America and Africa generally recover faster from past disturbances than those in South America and Asia, as do forests exposed to natural large infrequent disturbances compared with post-climatic and human impacts. Results also demonstrate that increasing frequency of disturbance events at a site through time elevates recovery rates, indicating a degree of resilience in forests exposed to recurrent past disturbance.
Characterization of Peucedani Radix extract-derived angular-type pyranocoumarins in rats using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry
Authors: Song Yuelin , Jing Wanghui , Tu Pengfei , Wang Yitao
Published: May 2014

The method adopting the pMIM-IDA-EPI system was demonstrated to be reliable and can be introduced as an alternative procedure for rapid characterization of herbal medicine-derived components in biological samples.
Interfacial mass transfer by controlled multilayer disassembly
Authors: Morozov Michael , Motiei Leila , Choudhury Joyanta , Gulino Antonino , Lahav Michal , van der Boom Milko E.
Published: May 2014

We demonstrated the one-pot disassembly of self-propagating molecular assemblies (SPMAs) by ligand exchange and the subsequent covalent binding of the molecular components to other surfaces.
Insights into an intriguing gas sorption mechanism in a polar metal–organic framework with open-metal sites and narrow channels
Authors: Forrest Katherine A. , Pham Tony , McLaughlin Keith , Hogan Adam , Space Brian
Published: May 2014

The metal–organic framework (MOF) [Cu(Me-4py-trz-ia)] exhibits an intriguing sorption mechanism for H2 and CO2 as discerned through molecular simulations.
3D AgCl microstructures selectively fabricated via Cl−-induced precipitation from [Ag(NH3)2]+
Authors: Gatemala Harnchana , Thammacharoen Chuchaat , Ekgasit Sanong
Published: May 2014

Herein various AgCl microstructures including octapods, octapods with fishbone pods, hexapods, hexapods with 4-blade arrowhead pods, concave octahedra, and octahedra are selectively precipitated from a [Ag(NH3)2]+ solution by addition of Cl−.
A phase field model coupling lithium diffusion and stress evolution with crack propagation and application in lithium ion batteries
Authors: Zuo Peng , Zhao Ya-Pu
Published: May 2014

Coupling effects among lithium diffusion, stress evolution and crack propagation have a significant effect on lithium diffusion and crack propagation.
Aqueous Fe2S2 cluster: structure, magnetic coupling, and hydration behaviour from Hubbard U density functional theory
Authors: Terranova Umberto , de Leeuw Nora H.
Published: May 2014

we present a DFT + U investigation of the all-ferrous aqueous Fe2S2 cluster, which is of interest to origins of life theories.
Dinuclear CuIcomplexes of pyridyl-diazadiphosphetidines and aminobis(phosphonite) ligands: synthesis, structural studies and antiproliferative activity towards human cervical, colon carcinoma and breast cancer cells
Authors: Rashid Aijaz , Ananthnag Guddekoppa S. , Naik Susmita , Mague Joel T. , Panda Dulal , Balakrishna Maravanji S.
Published: May 2014

The CuIcomplexes showedin vitroantitumor activity against several human tumor cells 5–7 fold higher than cisplatin.
Phase transfer-based synthesis of HgS nanocrystals
Authors: Han Lin , Hou Pengfei , Feng Yan , Liu Hui , Li Jianling , Peng Zhijian , Yang Jun
Published: May 2014

A phase transfer-based approach was demonstrated for the synthesis of HgS nanocrystals with tuneable morphologies.
BiCuSeO oxyselenides: new promising thermoelectric materials
Authors: Zhao Li-Dong , He Jiaqing , Berardan David , Lin Yuanhua , Li Jing-Feng , Nan Ce-Wen , Dragoe Nita
Published: May 2014

This review summarizes the crystal structures, microstructures, electronic structures, physical/chemical properties, and effective methods to enhance the thermoelectric performance of the BiCuSeO system.
A light-sheet microscope compatible with mobile devices for label-free intracellular imaging and biosensing
Authors: Wu Tsung-Feng , Yen Tony Minghung , Han Yuanyuan , Chiu Yu-Jui , Lin Eason Y.-S. , Lo Yu-Hwa
Published: May 2014

The inner structure, especially the nuclear structure, of cells carries valuable information about disease and health conditions of a person.
Increasing hybridization rate and sensitivity of DNA microarrays using isotachophoresis
Authors: Han Crystal M. , Katilius Evaldas , Santiago Juan G.
Published: May 2014

We integrate a microfluidic device with a DNA array and use isotachophoresis (ITP) preconcentration to reduce assay time and improve sensitivity. We demonstrate a 30-fold speed-up and an 8-fold greater sensitivity.
Facile access to imidazole and imidazolium substituted dibenzo-diazocines
Authors: Sathyanarayana Arruri , Prabusankar Ganesan
Published: May 2014

TheC2-symmetrical 2,8- and 4,10-diimidazo methano dibenzo diazocines were synthesized and converted into alkyl imidazolium salts.
Non-symmetric dimers comprising chalcone and cholesterol entities: an investigation on structure–property correlations
Authors: Achalkumar Ammathnadu S. , Shankar Rao Doddamane S. , Yelamaggad Channnabasaveshwar V.
Published: May 2014

Non-symmetric chiral dimers comprising chalcone and cholesterol entities have been prepared and studied for their structure property relations.
Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide on a cobalt tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin modified electrode in BMImBF4
Authors: Quezada Diego , Honores Jessica , García Macarena , Armijo Francisco , Isaacs Mauricio
Published: May 2014

Electro-catalytic reduction of CO2at −0.8 Vvs.Ag/AgCl has been studied with poly-Co(ii)-porphyrin on ITO in BMImBF4as reaction media.
Enhanced performance with bismuth ferrite perovskite in ZnO nanorod solid state solar cells
Authors: Loh Leonard , Briscoe Joe , Dunn Steve
Published: May 2014

A novel perovskite enhanced ZnO solid state dye sensitized solar cell using chemical solution methods withca.400 times improvement in efficiency.
RNA–peptide conjugate synthesis by inverse-electron demand Diels–Alder reaction
Authors: Ameta Sandeep , Becker Juliane , Jäschke Andres
Published: May 2014

We present an efficient method to synthesize RNA–peptide conjugates employing inverse Diels–Alder cycloaddition. Different dienophiles are enzymatically incorporated into RNA and then conjugated with a tetrazine peptide at 1 : 1 stoichiometry.
Multicomponent reaction for the first synthesis of 2,2-dialkyl- and 2-alkyl-2-aralkyl-5,6-diaryl-2H-1,3-thiazines as scaffolds for various 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-thiazine derivatives
Authors: Brockmeyer Fabian , Schoemaker Robin , Schmidtmann Marc , Martens Jürgen
Published: May 2014

2H-1,3-thiazines, preparedviaa novel and efficient multicomponent reaction, can be used as scaffolds for the synthesis of diverse 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-thiazines.
Determination of adsorption mechanism of polycarboxylate-ether based superplasticizers using crystallization, thermal and mass spectrometry methods
Authors: Sun Guoxing , Wang Ling , Weng Lu-Tao , Zhang Jinrui , Li Zongjin , Chen Guangming
Published: May 2014

PEG spherulite morphology reflects the adsorption mechanism of superplasticizers on the surfaces of different inorganic particles.