Evidence-Based Nursing Education on Dementia and Dementia Care

The purpose of this research study was to identify the relationship between nursing education and nurses’ knowledge of dementia and dementia care in a long-term care setting. Residents of long-term care settings who have dementia often have behavior problems that affect their quality of life, psychosocial dynamics, and the requirements of their nursing care. The effectiveness of the nursing care delivered to nursing home residents with dementia and behavior problems makes a crucial difference in their quality of life. Best practice nursing to promote optimal dementia care uses nonpharmacological interventions and avoids unnecessary psychotropic medication in residents with age-related dementia and behavior problems. This research study showed that effective nursing education improved nursing staff’s Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool Version Two scores, indicating increases in nursing knowledge of dementia and dementia care. That is, with education, students had an increased understanding of dementia care, communication, and teamwork ethics

Drought survival is positively associated with high turgor loss points in temperate perennial grassland species

1. Turgor loss point (πtlp) has been suggested to be a key trait for drought resistance in woody species. In herbaceous grassland species the role of πtlp for species drought survival has not yet been tested, although grasslands are projected to experience more frequent and intense droughts with climate change. 2. To gain insights into the role of πtlp for drought resistance of temperate perennial grassland species, we assessed πtlp of 41 species common in Germany (20 forbs, 21 grasses). We directly related them to the species' comparative whole-plant drought survival and midday leaf water potentials under drought (ΨMD) assessed in a common garden drought experiment, and to species moisture association. 3. Species drought survival increased with increasing πtlp across all species as well as within forbs or grasses separately. ΨMD was positively related to πtlp and drought survival. Our results imply that high πtlp promotes drought survival of common perennial European temperate mesic grassland species by enabling them to maintain high leaf water potentials under drought, i.e., a desiccation avoidance strategy. However, πtlp was not related to species moisture association. 4. The positive relationship between πtlp and drought survival in herbaceous grassland species was opposite to the negative relationship previously established in woody plants, implying that mechanisms of drought resistance differ between woody and herbaceous species. Our results highlight the necessity of directly testing the relationship of functional traits to whole-plant drought survival in different plant life forms, before using trait assessments for predicting plant responses to drought.Funding provided by: DFG Priority Program 1374Crossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Infrastructure-Biodiversity-Exploratorie

Arginine methylation of R81 in Smad6 confines BMP-induced Smad1 signaling

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) secreted by a variety of cell types are known to play essential roles in cell differentiation and matrix formation in the bone, cartilage, muscle, blood vessel, and neuronal tissue. BMPs activate intracellular effectors via C-terminal phosphorylation of Smad1, Smad5, and Smad9, which relay the signaling by forming a complex with Smad4 and translocate to the nucleus for transcriptional activation. Smad6 inhibits BMP signaling through diverse mechanisms operative at the membrane, cytosolic, and nuclear levels. However, the mechanistic underpinnings of Smad6 functional diversity remain unclear. Here, using a biochemical approach and cell differentiation systems, we report a cytosolic mechanism of action for Smad6 that requires arginine methylation at arginine 81 (R81) and functions through association with Smad1 and interference with the formation of Smad1–Smad4 complexes. By mutating the methylated arginine residue, R81, and by silencing the expression of protein arginine methyltransferase 1, we show that protein arginine methyltransferase 1 catalyzes R81 methylation of Smad6 upon BMP treatment, R81 methylation subsequently facilitates Smad6 interaction with the phosphorylated active Smad1, and R81 methylation facilitates Smad6-mediated interruption of Smad1–Smad4 complex formation and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, Smad6 WT but not the methylation-deficient R81A mutant inhibited BMP-responsive transcription, attenuated BMP-mediated osteogenic differentiation, and antagonized BMP-mediated inhibition of cell invasion. Taken together, our results suggest that R81 methylation plays an essential role in Smad6-mediated inhibition of BMP responses

Optical properties of MgH2 measured in situ in a novel gas cell for ellipsometry/spectrophotometry

The dielectric properties of alpha-MgH2 are investigated in the photon energy range between 1 and 6.5 eV. For this purpose, a novel sample configuration and experimental setup are developed that allow both optical transmission and ellipsometric measurements of a transparent thin film in equilibrium with hydrogen. We show that alpha-MgH2 is a transparent, colour neutral insulator with a band gap of 5.6 +/- 0.1 eV. It has an intrinsic transparency of about 80% over the whole visible spectrum. The dielectric function found in this work confirms very recent band structure calculations using the GW approximation by Alford and Chou [J.A. Alford and M.Y. Chou (unpublished)]. As Pd is used as a cap layer we report also the optical properties of PdHx thin films.Comment: REVTeX4, 15 pages, 12 figures, 5 table

Sequential Array Cytometry: Multi-Parameter Imaging with a Single Fluorescent Channel

Heterogeneity within the human population and within diseased tissues necessitates a personalized medicine approach to diagnostics and the treatment of diseases. Functional assays at the single-cell level can contribute to uncovering heterogeneity and ultimately assist in improved treatment decisions based on the presence of outlier cells. We aim to develop a platform for high-throughput, single-cell-based assays using well-characterized hydrodynamic cell isolation arrays which allow for precise cell and fluid handling. Here, we demonstrate the ability to extract spatial and temporal information about several intracellular components using a single fluorescent channel, eliminating the problem of overlapping fluorescence emission spectra. Integrated with imaging technologies such as wide field-of-view lens-free fluorescent imaging, fiber-optic array scanning technology, and microlens arrays, use of a single fluorescent channel will reduce the cost of reagents and optical components. Specifically, we sequentially stain hydrodynamically trapped cells with three biochemical labels all sharing the same fluorescence excitation and emission spectrum. These markers allow us to analyze the amount of DNA, and compare nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, as well as glycosylation of surface proteins. By imaging cells in real-time we enable measurements of temporal localization of cellular components and intracellular reaction kinetics, the latter is used as a measurement of multi-drug resistance. Demonstrating the efficacy of this single-cell analysis platform is the first step in designing and implementing more complete assays, aimed toward improving diagnosis and personalized treatments to complex diseases

Observation of the ^1P_1 State of Charmonium

The spin-singlet P-wave state of charmonium, hc(1P1), has been observed in the decay psi(2S) -> pi0 hc followed by hc -> gamma etac. Inclusive and exclusive analyses of the M(hc) spectrum have been performed. Two complementary inclusive analyses select either a range of energies for the photon emitted in hc -> gamma etac or a range of values of M(etac). These analyses, consistent with one another within statistics, yield M(h_c) =[3524.9 +/- 0.7 (stat) +/- 0.4 (sys)]MeV/c^2 and a product of the branching ratios B_psi(psi(2S) -> pi0 hc) x B_h(hc -> gamma etac) = [3.5 +/- 1.0 (stat) +/- 0.7 (sys)] x 10^{-4}. When the etac is reconstructed in seven exclusive decay modes, 17.5 +/- 4.5 hc events are seen with an average mass M(hc) = [3523.6 +/- 0.9 (stat) +/- 0.5 (sys)] MeV/c^2, and B_psi x B_h = [5.3 +/- 1.5 (stat) +/- 1.0 (sys)] x 10^{-4}. Because the inclusive and exclusive data samples are largely independent they are combined to yield an overall mass M(hc) = [3524.4 +/- 0.6 (stat) +/- 0.4 (sys)]MeV/c^2 and product of branching ratios B_psi x B_h = [4.0 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.7 (sys)] x 10^{-4}. The hc mass implies a P-wave hyperfine splitting Delta M_{HF}(1P) \equiv M(1^3P)-M(1^1P_1) = [1.0 +/- 0.6 (stat) +/- 0.4 (sys)] MeV/c^2.Comment: 38 pages postscript,also available through http://www.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS/2005/, Submitted to PR

End-group ionisation enables the use of poly(N-(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl pyrrolidone) as an electrosteric stabiliser block for polymerisation-induced self-assembly in aqueous media

A series of near-monodisperse poly(N-2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl pyrrolidone) (PNMEP) homopolymers was prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) solution polymerisation of NMEP in ethanol at 70 °C using a carboxylic acid-functional RAFT agent. The mean degree of polymerisation (DP) was varied from 19 to 89 and acid titration indicated end-group pK a values of 5.07-5.44. Turbidimetry studies indicated that homopolymer cloud points were significantly higher at pH 7 (anionic carboxylate) than at pH 3 (neutral carboxylic acid). Moreover, this enhanced hydrophilic character enabled PNMEP to be used as a steric stabiliser for aqueous polymerisation-induced self-assembly (PISA) syntheses. Thus, a PNMEP 42 precursor was chain-extended via RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerisation of 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) at 44 °C. A series of PNMEP 42 -PHPMA x diblock copolymers were synthesised using this protocol, with target PHPMA DPs of 150 to 400. High conversions were achieved and a linear evolution in M n with increasing PHPMA DP was observed. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies confirmed a spherical morphology in all cases. The nanoparticles flocculated either below pH 4.5 (owing to protonation) or on addition of 60 mM KCl (as a result of charge screening). Thus the anionic end-groups on the PNMEP stabiliser chains make an important contribution to the overall colloidal stability. Similarly, a PNMEP 53 macro-CTA was chain-extended via RAFT aqueous emulsion polymerisation of 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate (EEMA) at 44 °C. Again, a neutral solution pH was critical for the synthesis of colloidally stable nanoparticles. High conversions were achieved as the target PEEMA DP was varied between 100 and 600 and a linear evolution in molecular weight with PEEMA DP was confirmed by chloroform GPC studies. DLS experiments indicated a monotonic increase in nanoparticle diameter with PEEMA DP and TEM studies confirmed a spherical morphology in each case. In summary, PNMEP can be used as a water-soluble steric stabiliser for aqueous PISA syntheses provided that it contains an anionic carboxylate end-group to enhance its hydrophilic character

Evidence for B^(*)_s bar{B}^(*)_s Production at the Upsilon(5S)

Using data collected by the CLEO III detector at CESR, we started a series of investigations on the Upsilon(5S) resonance decay properties. The data sample used for this analysis consists of 0.42 fb-1 of data taken on the Upsilon(5S) resonance, 6.34 fb-1 of data collected on the Upsilon(4S) and 2.32 fb-1 of data taken in the continuum below the Upsilon(4S). B_s mesons are expected to decay predominantly into D_s meson, while the lighter B mesons decay into D_s only about 10% of the time. We exploit this difference to make a preliminary model dependent estimate of the ratio of B_s(*) anti-B_s(*) to the total b anti-b quark pair production at the Upsilon(5S) energy to be (21 +- 3 +- 9)%.Comment: 17 pages postscript,also available through http://www.lns.cornell.edu/public/CONF/2004/, Presented at ICHEP Aug 16-22,2004, Beijing, Chin

Improved Measurement of cal{B}(D^+ --> mu^+ nu) and the Pseudoscalar Decay Constant f_{D^+}

We extract a relatively precise value for the decay constant of the D+ meson by measuring B(D+ -> mu+ nu)=(4.40 +/- 0.66 {+0.09}{-0.12}) x 10^{-4}, using 281 inverse-pb of data taken on the psi(3770) resonance with the CLEO-c detector. We find fD+=(222.6 +/- 16.7 {+2.8}{-3.4}) MeV, and compare with current theoretical calculations. We also set a 90% confidence upper limit on B(D+ -> e+ nu)<2.4 x 10^{-5} which limits contributions from non-standard model physics.Comment: 9 pages postscript,also available through http://www.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS/2005/, Submitted to PR

Branching Fraction Measurements of psi(2S) Decay to Baryon-Antibaryon Final States

Using 3.08 million psi(2S) decays observed in e^+e^- collisions by the CLEO detector, we present the results of a study of the psi(2S) decaying into baryon-antibaryon final states. We report the most precise measurements of the following eight modes: proton-antiproton, lambda-antilambda, Xi^- antiXi^-, Xi^0-antiXi^0 (first observation), Sigma+-antiSigma^+ (first observation), and Sigma^0-antiSigma^0, and place upper limits for the modes, Xi^0*-antiXi^0* and Omega^- antiOmega^-.Comment: 8 pages postscript,also available through http://www.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS/2005/, submitted to PR