Exposure to climate change information predicts public support for solar geoengineering in Singapore and the United States.

Solar geoengineering is a controversial climate policy measure that could lower global temperature by increasing the amount of light reflected by the Earth. As scientists and policymakers increasingly consider this idea, an understanding of the level and drivers of public support for its research and potential deployment will be key. This study focuses on the role of climate change information in public support for research and deployment of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) in Singapore (n = 503) and the United States (n = 505).

Vitamin d deficiency in children with cancer.

A limited number of small studies have examined the vitamin D status of pediatric oncology patients, and the results indicate an increased prevalence of hypovitaminosis. We conducted a cross-sectional study with the primary aim of describing the vitamin D status of our pediatric cancer patients and any associations with demographic characteristics. Our secondary aim was to compare this prevalence to that of a healthy population.

Can text messaging be used as an effective method for collecting quality and detailed evaluation data from students on clinical placements?

Background: Collecting timely evaluation from students on their clinical placements for quality assurance purposes is challenging. Prompt responses can help placement organisers improve the experience for the next cohort of students.

Aims: This paper examines the success and limitations of using text messages to collect anonymous, instant, and detailed evaluation from students on clinical placements.

'Geoengineering'--taking control of our planet's climate.

There is international consensus that 'dangerous' climate change must be avoided. Yet without radical changes in energy sources and usage and global economies, changes that so far society has been unable or unwilling to make, it seems highly likely that we will start to experience unacceptably damaging and/or societally disruptive global environmental change later this century. What actions can be taken to safeguard future environmental quality, ecosystems, agriculture, economy, and society? A new science--'geoengineering'--that until recently would have seemed pure science fiction, promises an alternative way of temporarily regaining control of climate.

Short-term effect of a protein load on appetite and food intake in diseased mildly undernourished elderly people.

Background & Aims: Malnutrition is a risk factor for mortality and various morbidities in the elderly. A low-energy intake often prevails and therapeutic interventions include the administration of dietary supplements, sometimes rich in proteins. We have tested the hypothesis that a protein-rich supplement inhibits appetite and decreases voluntary food intake.

Maternal serologic screening for toxoplasmosis.

Congenital toxoplasmosis is a rare, but potentially serious, problem during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoal parasite that can be found in warm-blooded animals (including humans); dried cat feces, contaminated soil, or contaminated water; and raw or undercooked meat containing infective tissue cysts. Although cats play a role in the epidemiology of the disease, there is no statistical correlation between toxoplasmosis infection and cat ownership.

Defining disordered personality functioning.

Current definitions of the PDs commonly combine descriptors of personality style and disordered personality functioning. This leads to artefactual comorbidity of formally separate disorders and compromising of diagnostic precision. We suggest that measurement of disordered functioning alone might provide a more efficient and precise first-level measure of PD.

Clinical and personality correlates of a new measure of depression: a general practice study.

Objective: There is a need for a brief, efficient depression screening measure for general practice settings, particularly for identifying those who are at high risk of depression. We therefore test the usefulness of a measure developed in a sample of medically ill hospitalized patients.

Method: More than 600 patients attending six Sydney general practices completed the Depression in the Medically Ill (DMI-10) measure, in conjunction with sociodemographic, depression history and personality profile measures.

Nursing professorate in America: projected retirements and replacements.

New paradigms are emerging in higher education, and institutions are facing financial shortfalls. Faculty retirements and resignations may have an impact on the quality of education across disciplines. Will adequate numbers of doctorally prepared replacements be entering nursing education to meet projected retirements and resignations? A national study was conducted of National League for Nursing-accredited baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs with 296 (58%) responding.

Deaths caused by physical restraints.

A retrospective analysis of 122 deaths caused by vest and strap restraints found that most victims were women (78%) and a median age of 81. Victims were found suspended from chairs (42%) or beds (58%); 83% were in nursing homes. Detailed analysis of 19 cases showed that all were demented, 13 had impulsive or involuntary movements, and 14 had recently tried to escape from a restraint or been found in a dangerous position while restrained.

State regulations governing infection control issues in long-term care.

Objective: To examine states' regulations governing infections and infection control in long-term-care institutions.

Design: Collection and examination of relevant documents from all of the states, the District of Columbia, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, and Medicare/Medicaid.

Main Outcome Measures: Rules governing (1) admissions of patients with infections, (2) tuberculin testing of residents, (3) employee health, (4) use of immunizations, (5) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, and (6) infection control were compared.

Integrating HIV/AIDS policies and curricular content into baccalaureate nursing programs.

A model used by one school of nursing to implement HIV/AIDS policies, sequenced instructional opportunities, and a research-based evaluation process is described. In the evaluation phase, a study was undertaken to measure students' retention of HIV/AIDS knowledge and their application of universal precautions (U.P.

Occurrence of adverse effects and high amantadine concentrations with influenza prophylaxis in the nursing home.

Amantadine, in a dose of 100 mg/day, is recommended for influenza prevention in older nursing home residents. We studied an influenza prevention protocol in a 98-bed community nursing home (96% female; mean age = 87.4 years).

Circadian hematologic time structure in the elderly.

Twenty-three clinically healthy, diurnally active elderly subjects, 71 +/- 5 years of age were studied over a 24-hr span (six samples). Complete blood counts and differential counts were done (Ortho ELT-8, Wright stained smears). The circadian rhythm parameters of the hematologic variables in the elderly subjects were compared with reference values obtained from a larger group of clinically healthy young adult and adult subjects studied independently.

An approach to the management of medical problems in demented patients.

The appropriate management of medical problems in demented patients plays an important role in maximizing their quality of life. Demented patients present medical problems differently and require treatment strategies that incorporate the strengths and weaknesses of the patients and their caregivers. The goals for treatment must be developed and followed in balance with any plans to limit the treatment because of the dementia.

Chronobiology of serum iron concentration in subjects of different ages at different geographic locations.

The circadian rhythm in serum iron concentration was studied in 61 elderly men (74 +/- 6 years of age) and 93 women (78 +/- 8 years of age) in Bucharest, Romania, in 81 clinically healthy boys and 103 girls (11 +/- 1.5 years of age) in Tîrgovişte, Romania, in 4 elderly men and 19 women (71 +/- 5 years of age) and in 75 young-adult men (24 +/- 11 years of age) and 52 women (24 +/- 9 years of age) in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.

Infection control practices in Minnesota nursing homes.

Because infection is a major cause of hospitalization among nursing home residents, we assessed infection control activities and related employee health policies in Minnesota nursing homes, using a questionnaire. The majority of institutions (378/440, 85.9%) responded.

Circadian endocrine time structure in humans above 80 years of age.

The circadian rhythms in blood hormone concentrations of 17 pituitary, adrenal, pancreatic, testicular, and thyroid hormones were determined in 9 women and 5 men 81 to 91 years of age. Six samples over a 24-hr span were studied for each hormone. Even with the small sample available, 9 of the 17 hormones determined showed a statistically significant circadian rhythm as a group phenomenon (prolactin, estradiol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, insulin, C-peptide, thyroid stimulating hormone, aldosterone, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate).

The value of annual medical examinations in the nursing home.

Although annual medical examinations are required in many nursing homes for all residents, little is known about the value of these examinations. To investigate this, 732 annual examinations were evaluated for frequency of positive findings and clinical importance of the findings. Although 51 per cent of examinations yielded a finding that was new or related to a known chronic disease process, only 3 per cent of findings were judged by primary care physicians to be of major importance.

Causes for hospitalization of nursing home residents: the role of infection.

Little is known about specific clinical conditions that lead to hospitalization of nursing home patients. To explore this, the authors examined the hospitalizations of 128 nursing home residents and compared them with hospitalizations of 320 patients from the outpatient clinic. Hospitalized nursing home patients were older, were admitted to medical services more frequently, and had more nonspecific complaints on admission.