Distraction intervention for preschoolers undergoing intramuscular injections and subcutaneous port access.

This study evaluated a distraction intervention designed to reduce the distress of preschool children undergoing repeated chemotherapy injections. Twenty-nine children aged 2-5 years were randomly assigned either to distraction by a developmentally appropriate electronic toy or to a wait-list control. Children who received the distraction intervention demonstrated lower overt behavioral distress and were rated by parents and nurses as less anxious than children in the control condition. The improvements were maintained over the 8-week intervention. The results suggest that a developmentally appropriate, multisensory, variable-distracting activity that requires active cognitive processing and active motor responses may be a viable cost-effective alternative to more time-intensive parent-training programs for preschool-age children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of epistemological beliefs and learned helplessness in secondary school students' learning science concepts from text.

This study examined the relationship between two variable sets: (a) epistemological beliefs (quick learning, simple knowledge, certain knowledge, and innate ability) and learned helplessness and (b) conceptual understanding and application reasoning in conceptual change learning (CCL). Hypothetical dimensions underlying the Epistemological Belief Questionnaire and effects of different kinds of prior knowledge on CCL were explored with 212 students in Grades 9–12 in 13 science classes at a rural public high school in Georgia. Exploratory factor analyses revealed 3 factors underlying epistemological beliefs: Quick Learning, Simple-Certain Knowledge, and Innate Ability. Canonical correlation analyses show that beliefs about Simple-Certain Knowledge contribute the most to CCL, whereas beliefs about Innate Ability contribute the least. Beliefs about Simple-Certain Knowledge and Quick Learning are important factors in CCL. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Combined Experimental and Computational Methods Reveal the Evolution of Buried Interfaces during Synthesis of Ferroelectric Thin Films

Understanding interfaces between dissimilar materials is crucial to the development of modern technologies, for example, semiconductor–dielectric and thermoelectric–semiconductor interfaces in emerging electronic devices. However, the structural characterization of buried interfaces is challenging because many measurement techniques are surface sensitive by design. When interested in interface evolution during synthesis, the experimental challenges multiply and often necessitate in situ techniques. For solution‐derived lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ferroelectric thin films, the evolution of buried interfaces during synthesis (including dielectric–metal and metal–metal) is thought to dramatically influence the resultant dielectric and ferroelectric properties. In the present work, multiple experimental and computational methods are combined to characterize interface evolution during synthesis of ferroelectric PZT films on platinized Si wafers—including in situ X‐ray diffraction during thermal treatment, aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy of samples quenched from various synthesis states, and calculations using density functional theory. Substantial interactions at buried interfaces in the PZT/Pt/Ti/SiO _x /Si heterostructure are observed and discussed relative to their role(s) in the synthesis process. The results prove that perovskite PZT nucleates directly from the platinum (111)‐oriented bottom electrode and reveal the roles of Pb and O diffusion and intermetallic Pt₃Pb and Pt₃Ti phases.     

High-throughput assay of oleopentanedialdheydes in extra virgin olive oil by the UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS and isotope dilution methods

The quality of extra virgin olive oil is associated with the presence of microcomponents whose healing effects have been proved in some special cases. The enzymatic hydrolysis of oleuropein and ligstroside, and of their demethylated analogues, affords four different pentanedialdehydes, and for one of which, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl (3S,4E)-4-formyl-3-(2-oxoethyl)hex-4-enoate, also known as oleocanthal, an anti-inflammatory effect was quite recently carefully assessed. Extra virgin olive oil is now worldwide considered as a functional food whose daily intake, as for the Mediterranean diet, helps consumers in keeping a constant level of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in the blood. The presence of these active principles provides, therefore, olive oil with an important added value. In the framework of the actions of the recently funded Agrifood Regional Center, which should coordinate the scientific research and production worlds, an absolute analytical method was developed for the mass spectrometric detection of the two most abundant NSAIDs, Tyr-OLPD and HTyr-OLPD (oleopentanedialdehydes (OLPDs) conjugated to p-hydroxyphenylethanol and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol, respectively), by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS.     

The individual response of saline lakes to a severe drought

A severe protracted drought between 1997 and 2009 has altered the physical and chemical hydrology of a series of lakes in the Corangamite Basin of southeast Australia. Leading up to the drying out of most lakes (many for the first time on record), we document the changes in lakes' water quantity (water levels and inundation), salinity (Cl concentrations), salinity processes (Cl/Br ratios), nutrient concentrations and ratios (ammonia, phosphate and NOx (nitrate and nitrite)) and algae (as chlorophyll-a) for six lakes. All lakes show record declines in inundated areas and increases in salinity from pre-drought (< 1997) to drought conditions. However, the magnitude of change in salinity varies for different lakes, and there is no systematic change in the controls on lake salinity processes. Four lakes show no change in salinity processes, one lake shows the beginnings of change; where halite dissolution reactions increased closer to the time of the lake drying up, and another lake shows a marked shift from predominantly evaporation to the cyclic dissolution and precipitation of halite. Changes in filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP) values and lake N and P limitation predictions also showed little systematic correlation with changes in lake salinity, and nutrient values varied between lakes and over time. The decline in NO_x concentrations in lakes where electrical conductivity (EC) values were above 100 mS/cm indicates some correlation with changes in salinity. Largely, these lakes exhibit individual changes in water quality parameters and salinity processes in response to the drought, indicating that while the stress of drought is regional, the hydrochemical response is local. In future changing climates, these results suggest that the catchment adaption strategies will require comprehensive plans for individual lake systems.     

Comparison of ketoconazole and fluconazole as cytochrome P450 inhibitors. Use of steady-state infusion approach to achieve plasma concentration-response relationships

OBJECTIVE: To define factors causing prolonged labor in nulliparous women undergoing active management of labor. METHODS: We included all nulliparas delivered during 1990-1994 with spontaneous onset of labor lasting more than 12 hours, singleton gestation, cephalic presentation, and labor at greater than 37 weeks. Each patient was matched with the next nulliparous woman who delivered with a labor lasting less than 12 hours and who fulfilled the same inclusion criteria. Subjects were managed according to the previously described active management of labor protocol from The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin. RESULTS: In the 5-year period, 9018 nulliparas met inclusion criteria, with 147 (1.6%) having prolonged labor. Prolonged labor was due to inefficient uterine action in 65%, persistent occipitoposterior position in 24%, and cephalopelvic disproportion in 11% of cases. Univariate analysis showed statistically significant (P < .05) differences in maternal body mass index, cervical dilation on admission, oxytocin use, epidural use, placement of epidural at less than 2 cm of dilation, and birth weight between these study groups. On multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis, the following were significant independent predictors for having a prolonged labor (odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals presented): 3.1 (1.3-7.3) for cervical dilation less than 2 cm on admission, 42.7 (7.5-242.0) for early epidural placement, 5.1 (1.9-13.7) for epidural placement at greater than or equal to 2 cm, and 10.2 (3.6-29.4) for birth weight greater than 4000 g. CONCLUSION: Less-advanced cervical dilation on admission and epidural use, especially when placed early, are strongly associated with prolonged labor.     

Salmonella typhi bacteremia and HIV infection with common iliac artery occlusion

BACKGROUND: The validity of excluding bereavement-related depressive episodes which satisfy all the criteria of major depression is examined in this community study. METHOD: A total of 658 subjects were interviewed in their homes using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. The length of the episodes of depression, the dysfunction they caused, and the frequency of seeking and receiving treatment were assessed. RESULTS: The risk of recurrence did not differ whether the depressive episodes that satisfy the DSM-III-R criteria of major depression were or were not related to bereavement. CONCLUSIONS: Excluding from the repertoire of depressions all those related to external stressors might need more research, but singling out those related to bereavement does not seem to be supported by our community-based data.     

Bone age and growth in fetal alcohol syndrome

We have found delayed mean bone age in 63 children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The mean bone age Z-score for boys (n = 31) was -2.12 SDs and for girls (n = 32) was -1.62 SDs. This might suggest that they have potential for catch-up growth. However, experience with children with intrauterine growth retardation suggests that this will not be the case and that FAS children will be of reduced height at maturity. Further support for this assumption was gained from a sample of 26 patients who were followed until at least the age of 14 years for females and 16 years for males. There was no significant change in height Z-scores from early childhood to early adulthood, the mean score being -2.16 SDs and -2.11 SDs at mean ages of 4.83 years and 18.69 years, respectively. On the other hand, there were significant changes in weight and head circumference. The mean weight Z-score changed from -2.10 SDs to -1.14 SDs (p < 0.001). The head circumference mean Z-score in 16 patients was -3.13 SDs at a mean age of 2.79 years and -2.63 SDs at a mean age of 17.37 years (p = 0.013). Short stature can continue to be used as a diagnostic criterion for FAS beyond childhood.