Search

Novel trisubstituted ethylenes, ring substituted 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenamides, RC6H4CH=C(CN)CONH2(where R is 4-carboxy, 2-cyano, 3-cyano, 4-cyano, 4-dimethylamino, and 4-diethylamino) were synthesized by potassium hydroxide catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and cyanoacetamide prepared and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR,1H‒ and13C‒NMR. Novel copolymers of the ethylenes and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution in the presence of a radical initiation (AIBN) at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR,1H‒ and13C‒NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. Thus, the order of relative reactivity (1/r1) and the tendency toward alternation of monomer units in the copolymer for the CPA monomers is 4-(C2H5)2N (0.40) > 4-CO2H (0.39) > 3-CN (0.36) > 4-CN (0.35) > 2-CN (0.34) > 4-(CH3)2N (0.33). HighTgof the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. Decomposition of the copolymers in nitrogen occurred in two steps, first in the 200–500°C range with residue (3.5–5.0 wt%), which then decomposed in the 500–800°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The papers presented in this special section address a range of matters regarding koala conservation. The first paper by Stratford et al. considers many of the cultural and political factors underlying the process of koala management and research. The authors recognize that koala management research has produced valuable information about koala biology and ecology but has been slow to generate data about organizational and policy processes and the cultural contexts in which we produce, disseminate, and recognize knowledge. For example, they point out that conflicting land-use values and disagreement among interest groups about how best to manage the ecosystems on which koalas depend are at the heart of the koala conservation debate. They recommend increased collaboration, cooperation, and trust among social and natural scientists in the conduct of koala conservation research, management, and policy as a means to reduce the conflict. The next five papers explore many methodological considerations in koala research and the application of research to management practice. Melzer et al. provide an overview of the distribution and abundance of koalas. They note that continued land clearance in many parts of New South Wales and Queensland confounds reliable knowledge about the distribution of koalas and poses threats to their viability. They call for regular national surveys of koalas and koala habitat distribution to address biases in past surveys and account for regional variation, habitat requirements of local populations, ecological functioning of riparian and fragmented habitats, and drought refugia. Sherwin et al. review the status of knowledge on koala genetics. The authors recommend that the genetic management of koalas be an integral part of conservation strategies and plans, but they warn that care must be taken in using concepts such as evolutionarily significant units and management units. Lunney et al. detail a case of habitat mapping as a means to k... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the attitudes of doctors regarding prescriptive competences of nurses and midwives since these have been recently regulated in several countries. ., Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Medical University of Warsaw from February 1to7, 2016 and comprised doctors working at the Prof. Jan Nielubowicz Regional Medical Chamber in Warsaw, Poland. A specially designed 36-item questionnaire that had 22 statements was used regarding the role of the reform in the healthcare system; the need of granting nurses and midwives particular competencies; and their preparation and readiness for these competencies. The respondents assessed the statements using a Likert scale (1=strongly disagree; 5=strongly agree). STATISTICA 13.2 was used for data analysis. ., Results: Of the 436 doctors, 245(56%) were women. The subjects presented different opinions about the reforms, especially about possible improvement in patient care with nurses prescribing, or the process getting simplified for the care-seekers. Most doctors believed that nurses and midwives were not yet equipped enough to prescribe certain medicines or issue prescriptions (1,79/5). Only in case of nurses and midwives being able to 're-order' medicines earlier prescribed by a doctor, the attitudes of primary care physicians was significantly different than those involved with hospital care (p=0.048)., Conclusions: Doctors were sceptical about expanding professional competences of nurses and midwives regarding drug prescription.

Introduction: Due to the amendment of the Nurse and Midwife professions Act, since 1st of January 2016 Polish nurses and midwives with certain qualifications are able to prescribe medicines and referral for diagnostic tests., The Aim: To analyse attitudes of physicians on new professional competencies of nurses and midwives regarding: prescribing medicines and referring patients for certain diagnostic tests., Material and Methods: In the study took part 436 physicians (245 women, 193 man). The average age was 36,6 years old (min.: 21; max.: 76; SD: 11,65; median: 31). 274 people lived in a city with over 500 thousand citizens, 70 people - city below 100 thousand citizens, 54 people - city between 100-500 thousands citizens and 14 people lived in a country. Most of people lived in masovian district. Authors prepared and validated own questionnaire, which contained statements assessed in Likert scale (1-strongly disagree, 5-stronlgy agree). It contained 22 questions about opinions of new abilities of nurses and midwives. The questionnaire was sent three times to Regional Medical Chamber in Warsaw via an online questionnaire: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cxiaJFPxDVphByhBTk4gDIBsm6bQsxGLVXDK-RtpGnk/ The reliability of the questionnaire used was tested in a pilot study by the coefficient α-Cronbach, which amounted to 0.937. Due to the fact that the study was performed in a group of doctors they did not require the consent of the Bioethics Committee, of Medical University of Warsaw to carry them out. The results are presented using descriptive statistics, which were obtained through statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel and StatSoft Statistica 12.0 (license Medical University of Warsaw)., Results: 53% of doctors claim that the new powers do not improve patient care. 35% of respondents disagreed with the opinion that the new powers will raise the prestige of professional nurses and midwives. At the same time 49% believe that prescriptions for nurses and midwives reduce the responsibilities of doctors. Only 9% agreed that the new abilities are needed in Poland. 65% of doctors have expressed the opinion that nurses and midwives should not have permission to prescriptions and 81% believe that they are not prepared for those abilities., Conclusion: Doctors have divided opinion about the benefits of the introduction of the nursing prescriptions for the patient. It is therefore, considered an information campaign through the mass media, or training in the workplace, where they will be presented in an objective manner the consequences of the introduction of new regulations.