Psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy in women with pregnancies ending in birth

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy in women with pregnancies ending in birth. METHODS: A two-phase psychometric evaluation design was set-up. Phase I comprised the translation from English into Dutch and pretesting with 6 women using cognitive interviews. In phase II, the reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the LMUP was assessed in 517 women giving birth recently. Reliability (internal consistency) was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, inter-item correlations, and corrected item-total correlations. Construct validity was assessed using principal components analysis and hypothesis testing. Exploratory Mokken scale analysis was carried out. RESULTS: 517 women aged 15-45 completed the Dutch version of the LMUP. Reliability testing showed acceptable internal consistency (alpha = 0.74, positive inter-item correlations between all items, all corrected item-total correlations >0.20). Validity testing confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale and all hypotheses were confirmed. The overall Loevinger's H coefficient was 0.57, representing a 'strong' scale. CONCLUSION: The Dutch version of the LMUP is a reliable and valid measure that can be used in the Dutch-speaking population in Belgium to assess pregnancy planning. Future research is necessary to assess the stability of the Dutch version of the LMUP, and to evaluate its psychometric properties in women with abortions

Direct digital control of an efficient silicon+lequid crystal phase shifter

We demonstrate a phase shifter based on a silicon slot waveguide infiltrated with liquid crystal. We achieve a phase shift of 73 pi for a 5V drive voltage, with a voltage-length product of 0.022V.mm around 1V. We can drive the phase shifter directly with a 1V, duobinary pulse-width-modulated signal, allowing direct digital CMOS control of an analog optical phase shifter

Effect of material properties on reverse flow in nematic liquid crystal devices with homeotropic alignment

Reverse flow is undesirable in liquid crystal devices with vertical alignment. The influence of the material properties on the onset of backflow is investigated for commercially available negative dielectric liquid crystals. It is shown that the threshold voltage VBF for the occurrence of backflow is an important material characteristic. This threshold is relevant for applications and a large value is desired in devices to avoid backflow while keeping a wide applicable voltage range. Accurate finite element simulation of the liquid crystal hydrodynamics allows extraction of VBF and the unknown Miesowicz coefficients i j. The resulting values are tabulated at 20.0 °C. © 2009 American Institute of Physics

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Risk of skin tears associated with nursing interventions: A systematic review

Background: Skin tears are a significant problem for patients and healthcare professionals. They can cause pain, impact quality of life, and become chronic and infected. The risk of skin tears is associated with dependence in daily life activities and with nursing interventions.Objectives: To examine which nursing interventions increase the risk of skin tears.Design: Systematic review. Data sources: The MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched in March 2022.Publication years: Publications included were from 2012 to 2022.Results: Seventeen articles were included in the final analysis reporting nursing interventions associated with the risk of skin tears. Hygiene with cold water and soap, not applying leave-on products to moisten/protect dehy-drated skin, and wearing short sleeves were found to be associated with skin tears. Transferring patients into and out of bed in a rough manner and wearing jewelry or long nails can increase the risk of skin tears. Removal of adhesive dressings or bandages can also cause skin tears.Conclusion: Nursing staff need to know which interventions put their patients at risk of skin tears and which interventions are recommended to prevent skin tears. Nursing care can affect the health of the patient's skin