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Objectives: To understand resident, family and staff perspectives of older people's transition to residential aged care and initiatives that support this transition. Methods: A qualitative Appreciative Inquiry was undertaken with residents, family members and staff in residential aged care. It included semistructured interviews (n = 40), three focus groups (n = 17) and an organisational summit (n = 72). Each stage sought to build on the previous one, deepening understanding of the issues experienced and identifying positive strategies for change. Data were analysed thematically using framework analysis. Results: The transition experience was characterised by grief and guilt felt by family members and the challenges they faced in participating in a decision to admit a relative to residential aged care. Residents found the transition challenging but stressed the need to adjust to the situation. Family members struggled with trusting others to provide appropriate care and both residents and relatives reported challenges in communicating with staff. Initiatives were recommended by the organisational summit to assist in the transition to residential aged care. These included developing a service navigator role, co‐designing new systems and resources with residents and relatives, and ensuring more consistent staffing. Conclusions: Improved communication strategies and resources are needed to support the resident's identity, build trust in the organisation and support transition to residential aged care. Staff should continue to value the contribution family members play in the life of the resident and the culture of the aged care community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Delirium is a common, preventable condition. However, delirium is poorly recognised and often missed because symptoms are misinterpreted, and risk factors overlooked by health‐care professionals. Carers usually have intimate knowledge about the person they care for. Therefore, they are well placed within care teams to implement delirium prevention strategies, identify symptoms and support the early diagnosis of delirium. The aim of this integrative review was to synthesise findings from the published research reporting on partnering with carers in the management of delirium in general acute care settings. Methods: Five databases (Medline‐EBSCO, PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest, CINAHL and SCOPUS) were searched to identify primary research regarding partnering with carers in the management of delirium in acute care settings, and results were synthesised. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to, and quality appraisal was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: All seven studies reported that partnering with carers was a viable strategy in the management of delirium to maximise outcomes for people at risk of or experiencing delirium and that increasing carers' knowledge of delirium was key. The synthesis of findings also identified two themes: Increasing knowledge and Effective partnerships. Conclusions: A collaborative approach to increasing carers' and nurses' knowledge about the management of delirium, coupled with education on how to develop therapeutic nurse–carer relationships, is important for ongoing effective partnerships in the management of delirium. Good communication supported effective partnerships, which enabled both nurses and carers the opportunity to express their needs and concerns and negotiate collaborative involvement in the management of delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: This study examined older lesbian and gay adults' experiences regarding informal caregiving, including challenges and positive aspects of caregiving. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 16 lesbian women and gay men in Australia, aged 60+, who were engaged in informal caregiving. Analyses involved a qualitative thematic approach. Results: Most participants were caring for a friend or partner and regarded caregiving as a form of love and did not seek external support despite noting several impacts. Some participants found that they too were beginning to require care. For some, formal care was being considered, but with a degree of reluctance. Conclusions: Older lesbian and gay adult caregivers experience a range of challenges and support needs in relation to their experiences with the caregiving role. This research highlights a need for ensuring that caregiving policies and practices be responsive to the experiences and challenges faced by older lesbian and gay people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber‐reinforced composites based on natural fibers are promising alternatives for materials made of metal or synthetic polymers. However, the inherent inhomogeneity of natural fibers limits the quality of the respective composites. Man‐made cellulose fibers (MMCFs) prepared from cellulose solutions via wet or dry‐jet wet spinning processes can overcome these limitations. Herein, MMCFs are used to prepare single fiber epoxy composites and UD composites with 20, 30, 40, and 60 wt% fiber loads. The mechanical properties increase gradually with fiber loading. Young's modulus is improved three times while tensile strength doubles at a loading of 60 wt%. Raman spectroscopy is employed to follow conformational changes of the cellulose chains within the fibers upon mechanical deformation of the composites. The shift of the characteristic Raman band under strain indicates the deformation mechanisms in the fiber. Provided stress transfer occurs through the interface, it is a direct measure of the fiber‐matrix interaction, which is investigated herein. The shift rate of the 1095 cm−1 band decreases in single fiber composites compared to the neat fibers and continues to decrease as the fiber loading increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human‐modified tropical landscapes are often invaded by exotic plant species, but relatively few species are able to colonise remnant areas of rainforest embedded within such landscapes. The functional traits of successful invaders of natural versus anthropogenic habitats are poorly known, especially in tropical regions, and identifying such traits provides insight into the mechanisms that drive invasion. Here, we examine the invasion of tropical rainforest remnants along a disturbance gradient, within a human‐modified agricultural landscape, and determine whether exotic species that invade these forests are selected according to particular traits.We surveyed the occurrence of 18 exotic species along 100‐m transects in four habitats—oil palm road, forest‐oil palm edges and disturbed and intact forest within rainforest remnants—at 21 sites across Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We collated data on four functional traits relevant to the barriers plants encounter when colonising new environments (e.g. dispersal and persistence) and tested whether trait filtering occurs during invasion of rainforest remnants.Exotic species richness declined significantly from oil palm (mean 9.2 species per transect) to forest edge (7.8 species) to inside rainforest remnants (3.1 species in disturbed forest), and only one species, Clidemia hirta, invaded intact forest. Exotic communities within rainforest remnants had long‐distance (vertebrate) dispersal, were woodier and had taller maximum heights, compared to those found in oil palm. For each trait, the community‐weighted mean for the forest edge community was intermediate between oil palm and disturbed forest, suggesting trait filtering during the invasion of rainforest remnants.Our study provides strong evidence that trait filtering occurs during invasion from human‐modified agricultural habitats into previously disturbed forests via the forest edge. Successful invasion of rainforest remnants requires relatively long‐distance dispersal, in particular by vertebrates, as well as traits that are more similar to those of native forest species (i.e. tall and woody), making these exotic species more able to compete and persist in that environment. Our results show that disturbed tropical rainforests with open canopies are susceptible to invasion and highlight the traits of exotic species which can invade rainforest habitats, and which may pose a threat to regenerating tropical rainforests. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Research and publication of the planet's remaining plant and fungal species as yet unknown to science is essential if we are to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 "Life on Land" which includes the protection of terrestrial ecosystems and halting of biodiversity loss. If species are not known to science, they cannot be assessed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and so the possibility to protect them from extinction is reduced. Furthermore, until species are known to science they cannot be fully scientifically evaluated for their potential as new foods, medicines, and products which would help address SDGs 1,2,3, and 8. Summary: Scientific discovery, including naming new taxa, is important because without a scientific name, a species is invisible to science and the possibilities of researching its ecology, applications and threats, and conserving it, are greatly reduced. We review new scientific discoveries in the plant and fungal kingdoms, based largely on new names of taxa published in 2019 and indexed in the International Plant Names Index and Index Fungorum. Numbers of new species in both kingdoms were similar with 1942 new species of plant published and 1882 species of fungi. However, while >50% of plant species have likely been discovered, >90% of fungi remain unknown. This gulf likely explains the greater number of higher order taxa for fungi published in 2019: three classes, 18 orders, 48 families and 214 genera versus one new family and 87 new genera for plants. We compare the kingdoms in terms of rates of scientific discovery, globally and in different taxonomic groups and geographic areas, and with regard to the use of DNA in discovery. We review species new to science, especially those of interest to humanity as new products, and also by life‐form. We consider where future such discoveries can be expected. We recommend an urgent increase in investment in scientific discovery of plant and fungal species, while they still survive. Priorities include more investment in training taxonomists, in building and equipping collections‐based research centers for them, especially in species‐rich, income‐poor countries where the bulk of species as yet unknown to science are thought to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using high‐performance polymers to replace the weak points in wood may be an efficient approach to overcoming certain drawbacks while improving the properties of wood. This study investigated the feasibility of easily replacing part of the wood matrix in poplar wood with renewable poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA). The wood was first treated with an alkali solution and was then immersed in a furfuryl alcohol (FA) solution followed by in situ polymerization. After delignification, a large part of hemicelluloses and lignin were removed. In addition, wood porosity increased and more PFA was polymerized in the wood cell walls, resulting in increased weight percent gain and efficient bulking. The thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that the reformation strongly affected the wood thermal stability. A transformation with 30% FA maintained the porous structure of the wood and resulted in the highest maximum degradation temperature. The dynamic mechanical analysis results also indicated that reformation allowed for greater stress transfer at the interface and resulted in a lower damping peak and a higher storage modulus. Our approach, therefore, could provide a promising method to enhance the performance of wood by reforming the wood components and structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented which expresses the commitment to promote equity and inclusion in the Australian Journal of Ageing. It mentions that the journal has formed a working group focused on First Nations and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, aiming to create a safe and positive space for marginalized communities. It also mentions the disparities faced by Indigenous populations, inequities in dementia care, and the importance of palliative care in residential aged care.

The article focuses on the Australian Association of Gerontology position paper summary of lesbian, gay, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) ageing research in Australia. Topics inlcude the LGBTI ageing research that has been published in Australia and overseas and other relevant literature reviews, the survey of LGBTI ageing researchers in Australia and identified some priority future research areas, and the LGBTI ageing policy context in Australia found there have been significant developments.

A shift in our understanding of macrophage biology has come about as a result of recent discoveries in the area of metabolic reprogramming of macrophages. The NLRP3 inflammasome drives the activation of caspase-1, leading to the production of IL-1β, IL-18, and a type of cell death termed pyroptosis. The NLRP3 inflammasome has been shown to sense metabolites such as palmitate, uric acid, and cholesterol crystals and is inhibited by ketone bodies produced during metabolic flux. The NLRP3 inflammasome has also been shown to be regulated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and components of glycolysis, such as Hexokinase. Here, we review these findings and discuss their importance for inflammation and furthermore discuss potential therapeutic benefits of targeting NLRP3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural language processing (NLP) is a part of the artificial intelligence domain focused on communication between humans and computers. NLP attempts to address the inherent problem that while human communications are often ambiguous and imprecise, computers require unambiguous and precise messages to enable understanding. The accounting, auditing and finance domains frequently put forth textual documents intended to communicate a wide variety of messages, including, but not limited to, corporate financial performance, management's assessment of current and future firm performance, analysts' assessments of firm performance, domain standards and regulations as well as evidence of compliance with relevant standards and regulations. NLP applications have been used to mine these documents to obtain insights, make inferences and to create additional methodologies and artefacts to advance knowledge in accounting, auditing and finance. This paper synthesizes the extant literature in NLP in accounting, auditing and finance to establish the state of current knowledge and to identify paths for future research. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon underpins microelectronics but lacks the photonic capability needed for next-generation systems and currently relies on a highly undesirable hybridization of separate discrete devices using direct band gap semiconductors. Rare-earth (RE) implantation is a promising approach to bestow photonic capability to silicon but is limited to internal RE transition wavelengths. Reported here is the first observation of direct optical transitions from the silicon band edge to internal f-levels of implanted REs (Ce, Eu, and Yb); this overturns previously held assumptions about the alignment of RE levels to the silicon band gap. The photoluminescence lines are massively redshifted to several technologically useful wavelengths and modeling of their splitting indicates that they must originate from the REs. Eu-implanted silicon devices display a greatly enhanced electroluminescence efficiency of 8%. Also observed is the first crystal field splitting in Ce luminescence. Mid-IR silicon photodetectors with specific detectivities comparable to existing state-of-the-art mid-IR detectors are demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomy of the African, Madagascan and Comoro Island (Afro-Malagasy) Gesneriaceae attracts a large amount of interest given the horticultural importance of Cape Primroses (Streptocarpus) and African Violets (Saintpaulia). Earlier studies indicated that the Afro-Malagasy genera form a strongly supported clade, and recent classifications have included some of the genera within an expanded Streptocarpus. Given the global importance of this group, we carried out a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of all Afro-Malagasy genera in subfamily Didymocarpoideae, tribe Trichosporeae, subtribe Streptocarpinae, to investigate species relationships in these genera as the basis for a new classification. Phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear ribosomal spacer (ITS, 5S NTS) and chloroplast intron and spacer regions (rp120-rps12 spacer, trnL intron, trnLF spacer) of 226 samples were performed, including all Streptocarpinae genera, except the monotypic Nodonema. The molecular phylogenies demonstrate that the genera with non-twisted fruits are nested within Streptocarpus which has twisted fruits. Two main clades were found, one comprising herbaceous caulescent Streptocarpus that also included Saintpaulia, the caulescents Hovanella and Schizoboea, and the unifoliates Acanthonema and Trachystigma. The second clade comprises the woody caulescents and acaulescent Streptocarpus, Colpogyne and Linnaeopsis. Altogether, twelve well-supported subclades can be recognized, each with a combination of distinct morphological characteristics. A new classification of tribe Streptocarpinae, de facto Streptocarpus, is presented, retaining the two subgenera, Streptocarpus and Streptocarpella, and dividing them into five and seven sections respectively. Nodonema is attributed to subg. Streptocarpus for morphological reasons. The former genus Saintpaulia is classified as Streptocarpus subg. Streptocarpella sect. Saintpaulia with ten species recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To examine lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT) people's attitudes to advance care planning ( ACP) options and alternative decision-making at the end of life. Method Three hundred and five LGBT people completed an online or paper-based questionnaire, comprising fixed-choice questions and open-ended questions. Results Most respondents, particularly those identifying as female or transgender, preferred a partner to be their alternative decision-maker at the end of life should the need arise. Fifty-two per cent of respondents had spoken to this person about their wishes. Regarding legal options enabling end-of-life decision-making, 29% had an enduring power of attorney, 18% an enduring guardian and 12% an advance care directive. Conclusion Despite the significance of ACP for promoting the rights of LGBT people at the end of life, the take-up of these options was nearly as low as for the general population. The potential for targeted strategies to increase the take-up of ACP is identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The origin of Neotropical hyperdiversity is one of the most intriguing questions in modern biogeography and is best answered through the investigation of large, pantropically distributed genera, allowing the comparison of closely related clades in different regions. We produced a dated phylogeny and reconstructed ancestral ranges of the megadiverse, Andean-centred genus Begonia to discern its dispersal history throughout the Neotropics and correlates of range evolution. Neotropical and Palaeotropical diversification rates were estimated. Location Neotropics: Central America, South America, West Indies and Mexico. Methods Plastid DNA sequence data from species representing the full geographical range and majority of sections of Neotropical Begonia were analysed with a secondarily calibrated relaxed molecular clock in order to estimate the age of crown groups and divergence times within Neotropical Begonia. Ancestral areas were reconstructed with a Bayesian approach to dispersal-vicariance analysis, a likelihood framework under a dispersal-extinction-cladogenesis model, and a Bayesian binary method. Diversification rates were estimated under a Bayesian framework. Results Biogeographical reconstruction indicated two independent trans-Atlantic colonizations of the Neotropics from Africa. Early-diverging lineages of both clades are reconstructed as having diversified in the mid-Miocene, with multiple dispersal events between the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest and the Andes, and single radiations within the West Indies and Central America plus Mexico. Main conclusions Begonia displays numerous radiations within regions, punctuated by long-distance dispersal. Successful colonization and diversification is predicted by the presence of upland habitat. Recognizing the role of chance dispersal events between available habitats is vital for understanding the formation of current biogeographical patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: One third of the species-rich Philippine flora is endemic, and most of the islands in the archipelago have never been connected to a continental region. We currently lack any well-sampled angiosperm phylogenies that span the archipelago, prohibiting the formation of informed hypotheses as to the evolution of this rich and highly endemic flora. * Methods: We produced time-calibrated phylogenetic trees from both nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (ndhA intron, ndhF-rpl32 spacer, rpl32-trnL spacer, trnC-trnD spacer) regions of 41 species of Begonia sect. Baryandra, all except one endemic to the Philippines. Historical biogeography was reconstructed across the chloroplast phylogeny using a Bayesian binary method of character optimization. Comparison of phylogenies from the two genomes permitted insight into the prevalence of hybridization in the group. * Key results: The Philippine archipelago was colonized by Begonia sect. Baryandra in the late Miocene, via long-distance dispersal from western Malesia and a point of entry likely to be in the northwestern region of the archipelago. Palawan, Luzon, and Panay all bear early-branching lineages from this initial colonization. There have been Plio-Pleistocene dispersals from these islands into Borneo and Mindanao. Hybridization was common between species as evidenced by haplotype sharing and phylogenetic incongruence. * Conclusions: The phylogenies show a high degree of geographic structure, which millions of years of exposure to typhoons have not blurred, showing long-term species and population stability. The recent dispersals to Mindanao are congruent with the geologically recent arrival of the island at its current latitude in the southern Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacing neurons with silicon semiconductors is a challenge being tackled through various bioengineering approaches. Such constructs inform our understanding of neuronal coding and learning and ultimately guide us toward creating intelligent neuroprostheses. A fundamental prerequisite is to dictate the spatial organization of neuronal cells. We sought to pattern neurons using photolithographically defined arrays of polymer parylene-C, activated with fetal calf serum. We used a purified human neuronal cell line [Lund human mesencephalic (LUHMES)] to establish whether neurons remain viable when isolated on-chip or whether they require a supporting cell substrate. When cultured in isolation, LUHMES neurons failed to pattern and did not show any morphological signs of differentiation. We therefore sought a cell type with which to prepattern parylene regions, hypothesizing that this cellular template would enable secondary neuronal adhesion and network formation. From a range of cell lines tested, human embryonal kidney (HEK) 293 cells patterned with highest accuracy. LUHMES neurons adhered to pre-established HEK 293 cell clusters and this coculture environment promoted morphological differentiation of neurons. Neurites extended between islands of adherent cell somata, creating an orthogonally arranged neuronal network. HEK 293 cells appear to fulfill a role analogous to glia, dictating cell adhesion, and generating an environment conducive to neuronal survival. We next replaced HEK 293 cells with slower growing glioma-derived precursors. These primary human cells patterned accurately on parylene and provided a similarly effective scaffold for neuronal adhesion. These findings advance the use of this microfabrication-compatible platform for neuronal patterning. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1350-1360, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inference of phylogenetic relationships is often complicated by differing evolutionary histories of independently-inherited markers. The causes of the resulting gene tree incongruence can be challenging to identify, often relying on coalescent simulations dependent on unverifiable assumptions. We investigated alternative techniques using the South African rosulate species of Streptocarpus as a study group., Two independent gene trees - from the nuclear ITS region and from three concatenated plastid regions ( trn L- F, rpl20- rps12 and trn C- D) - displayed widespread, strongly supported incongruence. We investigated the causes by detecting genetic exchange across morphological borders using morphological optimizations and genetic exchange across species boundaries using the genealogical sorting index., Incongruence between gene trees was associated with ancestral shifts in growth form (in four species) but not in pollination syndrome, suggesting introgression limited by reproductive barriers. Genealogical sorting index calculations showed polyphyly of two additional species, while individuals of all others were significantly associated. In one case the association was stronger according to the internal transcribed spacer data than according to the plastid data, which, given the smaller effective population size of the plastid, may also indicate introgression., These approaches offer alternative ways to identify potential hybridization events where incomplete lineage sorting cannot be rejected using simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(lactic) acid (PLA) was reinforced with acetylated TEMPO-oxidized fibrillated cellulose (TOFC) prepared from birch pulp. Composite films were studied using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as well as static mechanical testing. The storage modulus as well as tensile strength of PLA was improved on the addition of 30 wt% of TOFC by approximately 50% and 40%, respectively. Thermal stability as well as strength properties in moist environments (up to 90% relative humidity) was significantly improved at 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt% of TOFC. DSC showed that crystallization from solution took place during preparation of the composite films and was much greater than melt crystallization. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and acetylated microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were prepared by a solvent casting technique. MFC, mechanically isolated from never-dried bleached birch Kraft pulp, was used as a reinforcement. The acetylation reaction was carried out at 105°C in toluene and proved to be an effective way of increasing the dispersion of MFC in a nonpolar solution of PLA in chloroform. The maximum acetyl content (10.3%) was achieved after 30 min of reaction time. This could be translated to a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.43. The acetylation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. MFC with a higher DS exhibited a more pronounced effect on the properties of PLA. Mechanical testing showed that Young's modulus increased by approximately 70% and the tensile strength increased by approximately 60% at a fiber weight fraction of 20%. At an MFC loading of 10 wt %, the strain at break and toughness, expressed as the work of fracture, increased by around 500%. The Young's modulus increased by approximately 15%, whereas the tensile strength remained the same. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TOPIC: The next iteration of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is due for release in May 2013. The current diagnostic criteria for autism are based on a behavioral triad of impairment, which has been helpful for diagnosis and identifying the need for intervention, but is not useful with regard to developing interventions. Revised diagnostic criteria are needed to better inform research and therapeutic intervention. PURPOSE: This article examines the research underpinning the behavioral triad of impairment to consider alternative explanations and a more useful framing for diagnosis and intervention. SOURCES: Contemporary research and literature on autism were used in this study. CONCLUSIONS: It is proposed that the cognitive processing triad of impaired abstraction, impaired theory of mind, and impaired linguistic processing become the triad of impairment for autism in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. These are investigable at the diagnostic level and can usefully inform intervention. Further, in addressing the debate on whether restrictive and repetitive behavior should remain central to diagnosis or be replaced by a deficit in imagination, the authors argue that both behavioral manifestations are underpinned by impaired abstraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report reproducible XPS experiments on wood in two case studies. In the study on natural wood aging, we compared XPS bulk wood compositions of ancient and modern materials, analyzing spruce wood used as structural elements in roofs. Freshly cut specimens were analyzed before and after acetone extraction. In the other study, on wood surface aging, we used recently harvested, frozen pine as the sample material. In this experiment, never-dried wood surfaces were exposed to dry conditions via different routes. Combining the data presented here with our earlier studies on paper and a recent solvent-exchange study on nanofibrillated celluloses, we propose that both the lack of aging in the bulk wood and the rapid aging of the exposed wood surfaces are driven by the same process, i.e. the medium-dependent surface adaptation of nature-derived celluloses. Controlling this adaptation process is of a crucial importance in many technological applications of cellulose and wood materials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Begonia species from Laos and Thailand is described. It belongs to Begonia sect. Tetraphila, along with 30 other species which are all endemic to Africa. This is the first record of any of the 65 currently accepted sections in Begonia transgressing continental borders. A dated molecular phylogeny places the split of the new Asian species from its African congeners during the late Miocene to the early Pleistocene. As the species is a hygromesophilous epiphyte limited to tropical forest, no suitable corridor for migration existed during that time and the cause of the Afro-Asian disjunction probably is a long-distance dispersal event. The discovery of B. afromigrata emphasises the importance of chance in the assembly of tropical floras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical Education 2011: : 712-721 Being a good doctor requires competency in ethics. Accordingly, ethics education during residency training is important. We studied the everyday ethics-related issues (i.e. ordinary ethics issues commonly faced) that internal medical residents encounter in their out-patient clinic and determined whether teaching about these issues occurred during faculty preceptor-resident interactions. This study involved a multi-method qualitative research design combining observation of preceptor-resident discussions with preceptor interviews. The study was conducted in two different internal medicine training programme clinics over a 2-week period in June 2007. Fifty-three residents and 19 preceptors were observed, and 10 preceptors were interviewed. Transcripts of observer field notes and faculty interviews were carefully analysed. The analysis identified several themes of everyday ethics issues and determined whether preceptors identified and taught about these issues. Everyday ethics content was considered present in 109 (81%) of the 135 observed case presentations. Three major thematic domains and associated sub-themes related to everyday ethics issues were identified, concerning: (i) the Doctor-Patient Interaction (relationships; communication; shared decision making); (ii) the Resident as Learner (developmental issues; challenges and conflicts associated with training; relationships with colleagues and mentors; interactions with the preceptor), and; (iii) the Doctor-System Interaction (financial issues; doctor-system issues; external influences; doctor frustration related to system issues). Everyday ethics issues were explicitly identified by preceptors (without teaching) in 18 of 109 cases (17%); explicit identification and teaching occurred in only 13 cases (12%). In this study a variety of everyday ethics issues were frequently encountered as residents cared for patients. Yet, faculty preceptors infrequently explicitly identified or taught these issues during their interactions with residents. Ethics education is important and residents may regard teaching about the ethics-related issues they actually encounter to be highly relevant. A better understanding of the barriers to teaching is needed in order to promote education about everyday ethics in the out-patient setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine lesbian and gay people's expectations of support, socialising and cohabitation in older age. The study involved secondary data analysis of a subsample of 371 lesbian and gay people taken from a survey conducted by the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities. Lesbian and gay people expected to receive support from diverse sources, including same-sex partners, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender friends and heterosexual friends. Women were more likely to expect to receive support from others than men, and men were more likely to expect to live alone in later life. Aged care providers need to be responsive to the different sources of support that may be provided to older lesbian and gay people. Services that are lesbian- and gay-friendly may facilitate service uptake and reduce pressures on lesbian and gay people's informal networks of support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Previous research on ethical issues encountered by medical professionals in training and practice have presented the thematic content of the cases they encounter rather than the activities in which clinicians engage and in which they most often encounter ethical issues. We conducted a direct observation study of paediatrics residents and their preceptors seeing patients in an out-patient general paediatrics clinic. Our objectives were to describe the everyday ethics-related issues paediatrics residents encounter as they interact with patients. Our ultimate goal is to use this knowledge to enhance current efforts to teach ethics to paediatrics residents. Methods The study team directly observed paediatrics residents discussing patients with their faculty preceptors (19 half-day sessions, 76 hours) in an out-patient general paediatrics clinic located in an urban academic medical centre. Each interaction between resident and preceptor about a single patient was considered a case for further analysis. Results A total of 247 cases were recorded. Forty-one of the cases were coded as having ethics-related content. A constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis revealed that residents were most likely to encounter ethical issues when engaged in the following activities: (i) maintaining a therapeutic alliance with the caregiver (e.g. the parent); (ii) prioritising patient or family needs; (iii) adjusting to the power embodied by the role of doctors, and (iv) distinguishing suboptimal care from abuse or neglect. In addition, our findings indicate that it is through their efforts to maintain the therapeutic alliance with the caregivers of their patients that residents engage in and integrate three processes: developing their medical knowledge; adhering to professional norms, and balancing the power inherent in the doctor’s role with their responsibility to serve the patient’s interests. Conclusions Medical faculty tasked with teaching ethics to paediatrics residents can utilise the results of this project to better target and enhance their ethics education efforts directed at residents in the out-patient setting. Future research could further examine and test these findings in other clinical settings (e.g. adult general medicine). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To determine the role terminally ill patients would opt to have their loved ones and physicians play in healthcare decisions should they lose decision-making capacity and how this changes over time. DESIGN: Serial interviews. SETTING: The study institutions were The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland, and St. Vincent's Hospital, in New York. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-seven patients with cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or heart failure, at baseline and 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Patients' baseline decision control preferences varied widely, but most opted for shared decision-making, leaning slightly toward independence from their loved ones. This did not change significantly at 3 or 6 months. Fifty-seven percent opted for the same degree of decision control at 3 months as at baseline. In a generalized estimating equation model adjusted for time, more-independent decision-making was associated with college education ( P=.046) and being female ( P=.01), whereas more-reliant decision-making was associated with age ( P<.001). Patients leaned toward more reliance upon physicians to make best-interest determinations at diagnosis but opted for physicians to decide based upon their own independent wishes (substituted judgment) over time, especially if college educated. CONCLUSION: Terminally ill patients vary in how much they wish their own preferences to control decisions made on their behalf, but most would opt for shared decision-making with loved ones and physicians. Control preferences are stable over time with respect to loved ones, but as they live longer with their illnesses, patients prefer somewhat less reliance upon physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene flow through pollen and seed dispersal is important in terms of population differentiation and eventually speciation. Seed and pollen flow are affected in turn by habitats and pollen vectors. We examined the effect of different pollinators and habitats on gene flow by comparing two species of Streptocarpus, using microsatellite and chloroplast RFLP markers. Populations of the forest-dwelling S. primulifolius were highly differentiated according to nuclear microsatellite data and had mutually exclusive chloroplast haplotypes. This result is congruent with infrequent seed dispersal and limited between-population foraging by the long-tongued fly pollinator Stenobasipteron wiedemanni. In contrast, populations of S. dunnii growing in exposed crags had lower levels of population differentiation according to both nuclear and chloroplast data, congruent with a hypothesis of more effective between population seed dispersal and greater pollen-mediated gene flow due to the sunbird pollinator Nectarinia famosa. The population genetic behavior of these species is reflected in their taxonomy and phylogenetic position; S. primulifolius belongs to a taxonomically complex clade in which recent speciation is evident, while the clade containing S. dunnii is characterized by taxonomically well-defined species on longer phylogenetic branches. Our study shows that pollinator movements and seed dispersal patterns are a major determinant of the evolutionary trajectories of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the history and progression of change management and how it was managed in BL Cars company in the late 1970s. The article explains the Concentration of Resource and Effort (CORE) program used by BL Cars as a strategic change management technique. The article concludes that recognition of history is always helpful in the event of change management.

Physician knowledge of the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) guidelines is unknown and may contribute to the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. Our objective was to determine physician knowledge of JNC 7 guidelines and whether online instruction could improve knowledge. A pretest served as baseline knowledge, and comparison with a post-test after completing an online didactic demonstrated improvement in knowledge. Participants included 1280 physicians at 45 internal medicine residency training programs. Average baseline knowledge of six concepts of hypertension was 51.2%. Attending physicians performed better than trainees on some but not all concepts (p<0.05). Third-year post-graduate trainees performed better than first-year trainees on some but not all concepts (p<0.05). Knowledge increased significantly on all concepts after completing the curriculum (p<0.05). The authors demonstrated that physician knowledge of JNC 7 guidelines is poor but can be improved by an online curriculum. Further study is needed to determine the impact of physician education on clinical outcomes in individuals with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extension of privacy laws to cover private sector providers and the proposal of a National Health Privacy Code highlight the importance of examining privacy issues in aged care policy and practice. Although privacy in health and aged care may also include physical, psychological and social dimensions, it is informational privacy that is the focus of these recent changes. In the present paper, a range of privacy practices in aged care are examined, drawing on theoretical, policy, practice and research literature. It is argued that aged care policy makers and providers need to move beyond the setting of privacy principles and management strategies, and also examine specific day-to-day privacy practices as they occur in different aged care settings. While privacy is often a valued commodity, the construction of an issue as private can sometimes be seen to limit the expression of diverse identities and to reinforce social inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For nuclear export of proteins, the formation of a ternary export complex composed of the export substrate, a cellular export factor and Ran-GTP is crucial. CRM1 is a cellular export factor for proteins containing leucine-rich nuclear export signals (NESs). Although the NES sequence is crucial for nuclear export, its exact role in the formation of the ternary export complex is controversial. Here we demonstrate an interaction between human CRMI (hCRM1) and influenza A virus NS2 protein, which contains an NES motif in its N-terminal region. Replacement of the hydrophobic amino acids in the NES motif did not abolish NS2's interaction with hCRM1. Using our recently established systems for the generation of influenza virus or virus-like particles from cloned cDNAs, we found that NS2 is essential for nuclear export of influenza virus ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes, and that alteration of the NS2-NES abrogated this event and influenza virus generation. These findings suggest that the NS2-NES is not crucial for the interaction of this protein with hCRM1, but is for the formation of the ternary export complex with Ran-GTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeated expeditions conducted in Arunachal Pradesh resulted in the discovery of a unique Begonia, Begonia bijantiae D.Borah, Taram & M.Hughes, belonging to Begonia sect. Diploclinium. This species is described here based on collections made in Hunli, Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh. Additionally, a poorly known species, Begonia ovatifolia is illustrated with first‐ever published photographs, accompanied by an expanded description based on a collection from West Kameng district of the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reviewed the records of 119 consecutive patients aged 80 years or older (mean age 84 ± 3.7 years) in whom a dual chamber pacemaker was implanted between 1984 and 1991. Follow-up data was available up to February 1993. Immediate postimplantation complications were rare. Nine patients were lost to follow-up, all within 6 months of implantation. An additional seven patients died within 6 months of implantation. Long-term follow up for at least 6 months from implantation was available for 103 of the 129 patients (87%). Of these 89 (86%) remained in functioning DDD mode for a mean of 22 ± 15 months from implantation. Nine patients were reprogrammed to VVI mode, six due to atrial fibrillation and three due to failure of atrial sensing or pacing. One patient was programmed DVI for failure of atrial sensing; 94 of 112 patients (84%) whose status was definitely known in February 1993 remained in functioning DDD mode until death or last follow-up. cumulative survival in DDD mode was 78% at 30 months. We conclude that DDD pacing is stable in the great majority of patients in their nineth and tenth decades who present with rhythms amenable to dual chamber pacing and who have no history of sustained atrial fibrillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illustrates the effects of welfare-to-work programs on welfare reform in Milwaukee. Employment goal and its implications; Implications from administrative geography; Importance of variable roles of county agencies in labor exchange process; Accommodation of a metropolitan scale.

Critiques existing measurement strategies for the underclass hypothesis used as an organizing principle of public policy. Emergence of the term underclass; Scholarly treatments of the underclass; Theoretical and empirical foundations of the underclass hypothesis; Approaches to defining and measuring the underclass.

Objective: To evaluate social work students’ knowledge of older people's issues and their interest in working with older people in the future. Method: Fifty-five final-year students completed a questionnaire, including a knowledge/myths instrument and an interest scale. Independent variables included students’ prior contact with older people and exposure to a course on ageing. Results: Students achieved an average 70.4% success rate on the knowledge/myths instrument; no student got all answers correct. Interest levels were moderate with an average score of 5.13 on a 10-point scale. Prior participation in ageing courses was positively correlated with knowledge of older people's issues and interest in working with older people. Conclusions: Correlations between course attendance and students’ knowledge and interest are in line with international findings. Such courses should challenge common myths associated with ageing and should promote social work with older people as skilled practice within complex health, welfare and family systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]