Spiritual Well-Being, Depression, and Stress Among Hemodialysis Patients in Jordan

Purpose: The spiritual dimension of a patient’s life is an important factor that may mediate detrimental impacts on mental health. The lack of research investigating spiritual well-being, religiosity, and mental health among Jordanian hemodialysis patients encouraged this research. This study explored levels of spiritual well-being and its associations with depression, anxiety, and stress. Design: A quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study. Method: A sample of 218 Jordanian Muslim hemodialysis patients completed a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear multivariate regression models. Findings: The hemodialysis patients had, on average, relatively low levels of spiritual well-being, moderate depression, severe anxiety, and mild to moderate stress. The results of the regression models indicated that aspects of spiritual well-being were negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress, but only existential well-being consistently retained significant associations after controlling for religious well-being, religiosity, and sociodemographic variables. Conclusions: Greater spiritual and existential well-being of Jordanian hemodialysis patients were significantly associated with less depression, anxiety, and stress. It appears that these patients use religious and spiritual beliefs and practices as coping mechanisms to overcome their depression, anxiety, and stress. The implications for holistic clinical practice are explored

Synthesis and characterization of phenolic resins based on pyrolysis bio-oil separated by fractional condensation and water extraction

International audienc

Stable pervanadyl cation encapsulated in silica: Frivolous vanadium in the H4PVMo11O40 Keggin

Encapsulation of H4PVMo11O40 (1-vanado-11-molybdophosphoric acid) inside silica provided a single-site long-lived pervanadyl cation (VO2+) for oxidation reactions. Protective silica residues allowed vanadium to sit in the secondary Keggin structure without being reduced, contrasting the classical situation for H4PVMo11O40 supported on silica. The vanadium of this Keggin molecule is frivolous, tending to exit the primary structure, with one-electron reduction, even during efflorescence under ambient conditions. Hydrated crystals circumvented this problem, allowing high resolution V-51 MAS NMR conditions and the first quadrupolar and chemical shift anisotropy interaction parameters for this intact Keggin

Synthesis of carbonated vegetable oils: Investigation of microwave effect in a pressurized continuous-flow recycle batch reactor

International audienceWith the depletion of fossil resources, it is essential for the chemical industry to find alternative raw materials for polymers. Polyurethanes can be synthesized from vegetable oils and CO2 via an environmentally friendly, non-isocyanate pathway. Carbonation of epoxidized vegetable oil is a key step allowing the feasibility of this method. Because it requires a high temperature, high pressure and long reaction time to achieve complete conversion, microwave technology (MW) is an interesting approach for the intensification of the carbonation process. However, MW-irradiated batch reactor has multiple issues regarding scale-up. A microwave irradiated continuous-flow recycle batch reactor which can operate at high temperature (130 °C) and moderate pressure (8 bar) was used in the present work. The effect of microwave irradiation on the kinetics of carbonation reaction was studied. A kinetic model was developed to compare quantitatively the performance under microwave and conventional heating (CH). It was found that the activation energy of the carbonation reaction was slightly lower with the use of MW irradiation, where the values for CH and MW are respectively 0.385E + 04 J/mol and 0.338E + 04 J/mol

Characterization by

L’acide 12-molybdovanadophosphorique contenant un seul atome de vanadium dans la structure de Keggin, ainsi que son sel acide de sodium (Na1,5H2,5) perdent leur eau de constitution vers 593 K, entraînant un départ d’atomes d’oxygène de l’unité de Keggin. Dans le cas de l’acide, la RMN 51v du solide montre la formation lors de cette déshydratation d’une quantité importante de vanadium (V) tétracoordiné extérieur aux unités de Keggin (signal RMN B). Dans le cas du sel acide de sodium, aucun signal de type B n’apparaît lors de la déshydratation. Par ailleurs, il a été montré que la présence du sodium dans l’hétéropolyacide fait très nettement chuter l’activité catalytique

Relationship between the structural and catalytic properties of mechanosynthesized lithiated manganese oxides

The relationship between the structural and catalytic properties of lithiated spinel manganese oxides was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, Infrared and Xanes spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, and by evaluating two catalytic oxidation tests, namely the carbon black combustion and the toluene conversion. Li-Mn-O catalysts were prepared from stoichiometric (Li2O + MnO2) mixtures, either by the classical high temperature ceramic method or by mechanochemistry. For both catalytic tests, some spectacular temperature reductions were measured as a function of grinding. A remarkable decrease of 210 degreesC (from 650 degreesC to 440 degreesC) in the carbon black combustion temperature was obtained when using mechanosynthesized Li-Mn-O spinel prepared from a mixture of Li2O and MnO2 ground for 3 hours, whereas a 100 % toluene conversion rate was achieved for a temperature lower than 200 degreesC for the 5 hours milled ceramic LiMn2O4 while the as-made ceramic was inactive. The enhancement of the performances (i.e. decrease in carbon black combustion temperature Tc and decrease in toluene conversion temperature T-95%) is due both to an increase in grain boundaries and in specific BET surface area and to the nano-crystallite size nature of the material. Besides, the spinel stoichiometry (both in oxygen or in cations) reflected by the lattice parameter variation plays a significant role in the catalytic reaction mechanism

Perspectives of oncology nurses and oncologists regarding barriers to working with patients from a minority background: systemic issues and working with interpreters.

This study aimed to ascertain the systemic barriers encountered by oncology health professionals (HPs) working with patients from ethnic minorities to guide the development of a communication skills training programme. Twelve medical and five radiation oncologists and 21 oncology nurses were invited to participate in this qualitative study. Participants were interviewed individually or in a focus group about their experiences working with people from minority backgrounds. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. HPs encountered language and communication barriers in their interactions with patients and their families, which were perceived to impact negatively on the quality and amount of information and support provided. There was a shortage of, and poor processes for engaging, interpreters and some HPs were concerned about the accuracy of interpretation. HPs expressed a need for training in cultural awareness and communication skills with a preference for face-to-face delivery. A lack of funding, a culture of "learning on the job", and time constraints were systemic barriers to training. Oncologists and oncology nurses encounter complex challenges in clinical interactions with minority patients and their families, including difficulties working with interpreters. Formal training programmes targeted to the development of culturally competent communication skills are required