Perceptions and experiences of nursing students communicating with people living with dementia: The validation, emotion, reassure, activity (VERA) communication skills framework.

Background: There is an increased risk with advancing age that degenerative conditions such as dementia will affect a person's capacity to communicate. Thus, there is increased possibility that nursing students will be caring for this client group and will need to have the skills to communicate effectively. The Validation, Emotion, Reassure, Activity (VERA) framework is a communication tool developed for this purpose.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Biomarker-Selected, Phase II Clinical Trial of Maintenance Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase Inhibition With Rucaparib Following Chemotherapy for Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma.

Purpose: A DNA repair deficiency (DRD) phenotype exists within a subset of metastatic urothelial carcinomas (mUC) predicting benefit from platinum-based chemotherapy. We tested switch maintenance therapy with the poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor rucaparib, following chemotherapy, for DRD biomarker-positive mUC.

Methods: DRD biomarker-positive mUC patients, within 10 weeks of chemotherapy, and without cancer progression, were randomly assigned (1:1) to maintenance rucaparib 600 mg twice a day orally, or placebo, until disease progression.

Experiences of undergraduate nursing students who worked clinically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: This study explored the experiences of undergraduate nursing students who worked clinically during the COVID-19 pandemic in Irish healthcare settings.

Design: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed.

Methods: Online focus group interviews were used to collect data from general nursing students (N = 47) between February and April 2021.

Cross-cultural conceptualization of a good end of life with dementia: a qualitative study.

Background: Research on the nature of a "good death" has mostly focused on dying with cancer and other life-limiting diseases, but less so on dementia. Conceptualizing common cross-cultural themes regarding a good end of life in dementia will enable developing international care models.

Methods: We combined published qualitative studies about end of life with dementia, focus group and individual interviews with the researchers, and video-conferencing and continuous email discussions.

Sleep State Modulates Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Neonates.

The spontaneous cerebral activity that gives rise to resting-state networks (RSNs) has been extensively studied in infants in recent years. However, the influence of sleep state on the presence of observable RSNs has yet to be formally investigated in the infant population, despite evidence that sleep modulates resting-state functional connectivity in adults. This effect could be extremely important, as most infant neuroimaging studies rely on the neonate to remain asleep throughout data acquisition.

Using a continuum model to decipher the mechanics of embryonic tissue spreading from time-lapse image sequences: An approximate Bayesian computation approach.

Advanced imaging techniques generate large datasets capable of describing the structure and kinematics of tissue spreading in embryonic development, wound healing, and the progression of many diseases. These datasets can be integrated with mathematical models to infer biomechanical properties of the system, typically identifying an optimal set of parameters for an individual experiment. However, these methods offer little information on the robustness of the fit and are generally ill-suited for statistical tests of multiple experiments.

Diffuse optical tomography for the detection of perinatal stroke at the cot side: a pilot study.

Background: Perinatal stroke is a potentially debilitating injury, often under-diagnosed in the neonatal period. We conducted a pilot study investigating the role of the portable, non-invasive brain monitoring technique, diffuse optical tomography (DOT), as an early detection tool for infants with perinatal stroke.

Methods: Four stroke-affected infants were scanned with a DOT system within the first 3 days of life and compared to four healthy control subjects.

A spread spectrum approach to time-domain near-infrared diffuse optical imaging using inexpensive optical transceiver modules.

We introduce a compact time-domain system for near-infrared spectroscopy using a spread spectrum technique. The proof-of-concept single channel instrument utilises a low-cost commercially available optical transceiver module as a light source, controlled by a Kintex 7 field programmable gate array (FPGA). The FPGA modulates the optical transceiver with maximum-length sequences at line rates up to 10Gb/s, allowing us to achieve an instrument response function with full width at half maximum under 600ps.

Geometrically complex 3D-printed phantoms for diffuse optical imaging.

Tissue-equivalent phantoms that mimic the optical properties of human and animal tissues are commonly used in diffuse optical imaging research to characterize instrumentation or evaluate an image reconstruction method. Although many recipes have been produced for generating solid phantoms with specified absorption and transport scattering coefficients at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, the construction methods are generally time-consuming and are unable to create complex geometries. We present a method of generating phantoms using a standard 3D printer.

Functional imaging of the human brain using a modular, fibre-less, high-density diffuse optical tomography system.

We present the first three-dimensional, functional images of the human brain to be obtained using a fibre-less, high-density diffuse optical tomography system. Our technology consists of independent, miniaturized, silicone-encapsulated DOT modules that can be placed directly on the scalp. Four of these modules were arranged to provide up to 128, dual-wavelength measurement channels over a scalp area of approximately 60 × 65 mm.

Hemodynamic response to burst-suppressed and discontinuous electroencephalography activity in infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

Burst suppression (BS) is an electroencephalographic state associated with a profound inactivation of the brain. BS and pathological discontinuous electroencephalography (EEG) are often observed in term-age infants with neurological injury and can be indicative of a poor outcome and lifelong disability. Little is known about the neurophysiological mechanisms of BS or how the condition relates to the functional state of the neonatal brain.

Sensitive Interviewing in Qualitative Research.

In this paper we focus on important considerations when planning and conducting qualitative interviews on sensitive topics. Drawing on experiences of conducting interviews with dementia caregivers, a framework of essential elements in qualitative interviewing was developed to emphasize study participants' needs while also providing guidance for researchers. Starting with a definition of sensitive research, the framework includes preparing for interviews, interacting with gatekeepers of vulnerable groups, planning for interview timing, and location, building relationships and conducting therapeutic interactions, protecting ethically vulnerable participants, and planning for disengagement.

Errata: Hemodynamic response to burst-suppressed and discontinuous electroencephalography activity in infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1117/1.NPh.

Evaluating real-time image reconstruction in diffuse optical tomography using physiologically realistic test data.

In diffuse optical tomography (DOT), real-time image reconstruction of oxy- and deoxy-haemoglobin changes occurring in the brain could give valuable information in clinical care settings. Although non-linear reconstruction techniques could provide more accurate results, their computational burden makes them unsuitable for real-time applications. Linear techniques can be employed under the assumption that the expected change in absorption is small.

The unmet palliative care needs of those dying with dementia.

An estimated 33.9 million people are living with dementia worldwide. The overall estimated median survival time from onset of dementia to death is 4.

Data-driven approach to optimum wavelength selection for diffuse optical imaging.

The production of accurate and independent images of the changes in concentration of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin by diffuse optical imaging is heavily dependent on which wavelengths of near-infrared light are chosen to interrogate the target tissue. Although wavelengths can be selected by theoretical methods, in practice the accuracy of reconstructed images will be affected by wavelength-specific and system-specific factors such as laser source power and detector sensitivity. We describe the application of a data-driven approach to optimum wavelength selection for the second generation of University College London's multichannel, time-domain optical tomography system (MONSTIR II).

Mapping cortical haemodynamics during neonatal seizures using diffuse optical tomography: a case study.

Seizures in the newborn brain represent a major challenge to neonatal medicine. Neonatal seizures are poorly classified, under-diagnosed, difficult to treat and are associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Video-EEG is the current gold-standard approach for seizure detection and monitoring.

'Seeing me through my memories': a grounded theory study on using reminiscence with people with dementia living in long-term care.

Aims And Objectives: To understand people with dementia, staff and relatives perspectives on reminiscence, its impact on their lives and experience of care and care giving.

Background: The quality of life of people with dementia living in long-term care is an important question for providers and policymakers. Reminiscence is thought to have potential for increasing resident-staff interaction, thereby contributing to enhanced personhood for people with dementia.

Reminiscence in dementia: a concept analysis.

This paper is a report of an analysis of the concept of reminiscence in dementia and highlights its uses as a therapeutic intervention used on individuals with dementia. No single definition of reminiscence exists in healthcare literature; however, definitions offered have similar components. The term life review is commonly used when discussing reminiscence; however, both terms are quite different in their goals, theory base and content.

Anger: a common form of psychological distress among patients at the end of life.

Psychological distress is common in palliative care patients and their families, and anger is a complex component of distress experienced by many patients at the end of life. Anger can be a form of tension release, as well as a coping mechanism for the patient and a way to disguise fear and anxiety. The interdisciplinary team are responsible for recognising psychological distress in patients, assessing their needs, and providing adequate psychological support.

Exploration of the meaning of connectedness for older people in long-term care in context of their quality of life: a review and commentary.

Background: A link between 'quality of life' and 'connectedness' is emerging in the literature. However, there has been little debate on what 'connectedness' means and how it can be fostered in long-term care settings. This review examines the meaning of 'connectedness' in long-term care.

Grading clinical guidelines for the use of transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl products in breakthrough pain.

Pain is a complex symptom that is commonly feared in palliative care owing to its significant effects on patients' quality of life (QoL), and is directly associated with morbidity. More specifically, the management of breakthrough pain (BTP) is particularly important. Opioids play a major part in the management of BTP, and the various transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl (TIRF) products are a common treatment choice.