Rasch analysis of a palliative care self-efficacy instrument for nursing assistants.

This study used Rasch models to evaluate the psychometric properties of a self-efficacy instrument focused on psychosocial aspects of palliative care developed for nursing assistants (NAs). NAs from 6 skilled nursing facilities in Illinois, U.S.

Daily, seasonal, and long-distance movements inferred from Fastloc-GPS telemetry of immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at a high-latitude, mid-ocean developmental site.

To characterize the movements and habitat use of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in benthic developmental habitat, we deployed Fastloc-GPS-enabled satellite transmitters on 16 individuals captured as part of a multi-decade study of green turtles on the Bermuda Platform. We characterized residence areas, distinct use areas within them, and seasonal movements based on an average of 562 Fastloc-GPS positions and 284 tracking days per turtle. We estimated residence area sizes using traditional home range methods, e.

Measuring palliative care self-efficacy of intellectual and developmental disability staff using Rasch models.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the psychometric properties of a palliative care self-efficacy instrument developed for intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) staff using Rasch analysis and assess the change in palliative care self-efficacy between 2 time points using Rasch analysis of stacked data.

Methods: Staff from 4 nonprofit IDD services organizations in a US Midwestern state ( = 98) answered 11 questions with Likert-style responses at baseline and 1-month follow-up post training. Rasch analysis was performed to examine rating scale structure, unidimensionality, local independence, overall model fit, person and item reliability and separation, targeting, individual item and personal fit, differential item functioning (DIF), and change in palliative care self-efficacy between 2 time points.

The Perspective of Administrators of Intellectual Disability Organizations on the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To learn about the challenges, policies, and needed resources to serve people with intellectual disability and protect staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the perspective of intellectual disability service providers.

Methods: We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 16 intellectual disability organization administrators throughout Illinois, USA from November 2020 through February 2021.

Effect of Online Palliative Care Training on Knowledge and Self-Efficacy of Direct Care Workers.

We evaluated the effectiveness of an online training on palliative care knowledge and self-efficacy among staff working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) using a one-group pretest-posttest design. Staff from four nonprofit residential and day services organizations in a U.S.

The Impact of an Internet Use Promotion Programme on Communication, Internet Use, and the Extent of Social Networks among Low-Income Older Adults.

We examined whether an internet use promotion intervention influences low-income older adults' communication modes, internet use, and social networks using existing data collected for an intervention. Participants living in public senior housing facilities in the United States ( = 77) completed surveys before and after a 12-week computer and internet training. The six-item Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) was used to measure the extent of older adults' social networks.

The Effect of a Web-Based Deep Breathing App on Stress of Direct Care Workers: Uncontrolled Intervention Study.

Studies have demonstrated success in reducing stress levels in complex interventions including deep breathing components. Breathing exercise interventions, however, tend not to be studied in isolation. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of a breathing exercise using a web-based app on the stress levels of direct care workers (DCWs) who serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Palliative Care Experiences and Needs of Direct Care Workers.

Background: As people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD) are living longer and experience chronic health conditions, there is greater likelihood that direct care workers (DCWs) will need to provide palliative care services.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore DCWs' experience with palliative care and challenges they faced.

Design: This study was an exploratory, descriptive study using qualitative methods.

Examining Certified Nursing Assistants' Perceptions of Work-Related Identity.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine certified nursing assistants' (CNAs') perceptions of their work identity within the context of their relationships with nursing facility residents and residents' family members. Such information can help clarify CNAs' roles and respond to their job needs. Although CNAs provide valuable care for residents, they often experience low status at work; it is important that they have opportunities to find value in their work.

The REVEILLE Clock Genes Inhibit Growth of Juvenile and Adult Plants by Control of Cell Size.

The circadian clock is a complex regulatory network that enhances plant growth and fitness in a constantly changing environment. In Arabidopsis (), the clock is composed of numerous regulatory feedback loops in which () and its homologs and act in a partially redundant manner to promote clock pace. Here, we report that the remaining members of the clade, and , play only minor roles in the regulation of clock function.

Direct care workers' experiences of grief and needs for support.

Background: A paucity of information is available on direct care workers' (DCWs') experiences with loss when their clients (people with intellectual and developmental disabilities [I/DD]) die. This study explored DCWs' grief experiences, their coping methods and their needs for support.

Methods: A thematic analysis approach was used to examine data from nine focus groups with 60 DCWs from five community-based organizations that provide services to people with I/DD.

A high-throughput screen for mitochondrial function reveals known and novel mitochondrial toxicants in a library of environmental agents.

Mitochondrial toxicity is emerging as a major mechanism underlying serious human health consequences. This work performs a high-throughput screen (HTS) of 176 environmental chemicals for mitochondrial toxicity utilizing a previously reported biosensor platform. This established HTS confirmed known mitochondrial toxins and identified novel mitotochondrial uncouplers such as 2, 2'-Methylenebis(4-chlorophenol) and pentachlorophenol.

A Delphi Study on Staff Bereavement Training in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Field.

The Delphi technique was used to obtain expert panel consensus to prioritize content areas and delivery methods for developing staff grief and bereavement curriculum training in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) field. The Delphi technique was conducted with a panel of 18 experts from formal and informal disability caregiving, nursing, and hospice and bereavement service provision. Results showed that training should help staff identify and support service users experiencing grief.

Perspectives of US Direct Care Workers on the Grief Process of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Implications for Practice.

Background: The study explored the grief process of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDDs) as perceived by direct care workers (DCWs) and how such workers can guide and support PWIDDs experiencing grief.

Materials And Methods: A thematic analysis approach was used to examine data from nine focus groups with 60 DCWs from five community-based organizations.

Results: Findings were supported in the context of seminal grief and bereavement theories.

Promoter-based integration in plant defense regulation.

A key unanswered question in plant biology is how a plant regulates metabolism to maximize performance across an array of biotic and abiotic environmental stresses. In this study, we addressed the potential breadth of transcriptional regulation that can alter accumulation of the defensive glucosinolate metabolites in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). A systematic yeast one-hybrid study was used to identify hundreds of unique potential regulatory interactions with a nearly complete complement of 21 promoters for the aliphatic glucosinolate pathway.

The value of peer-led support groups among caregivers of persons with Parkinson's disease.

Many persons with Parkinson's disease are cared for by family members. The strain of caregiving can negatively affect the health of the caregiver and affect long-term care decisions, making caregiver support a priority. This study highlights the importance of peer-led support groups for family caregivers of persons with Parkinson's disease.

When the job has lost its appeal: Intentions to quit among direct care workers.

Background: Previous research indicates that work stress contributes to intentions to quit among direct care workers (DCWs) who provide services to people with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). Though resources can help DCWs cope and remain in a job, little is known about how various dimensions of work stress and resources (social and personal resources) are associated with intentions to quit.

Methods: A total of 323 DCWs from 5 community-based IDD organisations completed a self-administered survey.

Built environment instruments for walkability, bikeability, and recreation: disability and universal design relevant?

Background: Despite a plethora of instruments that measure the built environment with respect to its effect on potential physical activity, little is known about how relevant these instruments are for people with disabilities (PWDs).

Objective: This review comprises an in-depth review of instruments related to the built environment and physical activity, as well as an examination of such instruments to determine their applicability for PWDs.

Methods: In this paper, the term "built environment" refers to human-made structures (e.

Predictors of performance on three developmentally sensitive neuropsychological tests in children with and without traumatic brain injury.

Objective: To determine the effect of age and vocabulary as predictors of performance on neuropsychological tests in children with and without traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Setting And Participants: In the first study, 213 school-age children were evaluated in their public school environment. In the second study, 65 children with a history of TBI were examined in a medical centre.

Intellectual functioning in presurgical patients with hypothalamic hamartoma and refractory epilepsy.

Objective: The goal of the work described here was to examine the relationship between intellectual test performance in patients with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) with refractory epilepsy and their seizure histories, as well as the size and neuroradiographic anatomical features of the HH. It was predicted that the level of estimated intelligence and the pattern of intellectual test performance would significantly correlate with the size of the HH and neuroanatomical features.

Method: In this cross-sectional design study, 49 patients with HH between the ages of 5 and 55 years were classified by age at time of examination, as well as pattern of performance on the Wechsler intelligence scales.

Verbal (animal) fluency scores in age/grade appropriate minority children from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Two hundred-thirteen children in grades 1 through 8 were asked to rapidly generate as many names of animals as they could in 60 seconds. These children were age appropriate for their grade level in school, did not receive any form of special education services, and as a group showed (estimated) average intellectual ability. They were primarily from minority (particularly Hispanic) backgrounds and came from families with low socioeconomic status.

A bifunctional locus (BIO3-BIO1) required for biotin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.

We identify here the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) gene encoding the third enzyme in the biotin biosynthetic pathway, dethiobiotin synthetase (BIO3; At5g57600). This gene is positioned immediately upstream of BIO1, which is known to be associated with the second reaction in the pathway. Reverse genetic analysis demonstrates that bio3 insertion mutants have a similar phenotype to the bio1 and bio2 auxotrophs identified using forward genetic screens for arrested embryos rescued on enriched nutrient medium.

Individual case analysis of processing speed difficulties in children with and without traumatic brain injury.

Two studies were conducted to determine the frequency of processing speed difficulties relative to estimates of other problem-solving abilities in children with and without traumatic brain injury (TBI). The two samples consisted of 213 normally functioning school-age children and 65 TBI children and 19 trauma controls. All children were administered the WISC-III/IV Vocabulary, Block Design, and Coding subtests.

Predictors of quantitative and qualitative Halstead finger-tapping scores in low socioeconomic status school-age children.

Two hundred and thirteen low socioeconomic school-age children in grades 1 through 8 were administered the Halstead Finger Oscillation (or Tapping) Test (HFTT). All children were age appropriate for their grade in school and were not requiring special education services. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that a composite age/grade classification score, gender, and estimated level of intelligence accounted for approximately 40% of the variability in dominant and nondominant hand scores for these children (multiple R = .