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Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between work environment and sense of coherence among staff nurses. Background: In Antonovsky's salutogenetic theory, factors that causes stress are not always harmful when people's sense of coherence is high. Although the effects of sense of coherence have repeatedly been confirmed, few studies have examined factors that increase sense of coherence. Methods: We used cross‐sectional data (N = 6172) surveyed in 2017 from a 2‐year longitudinal study in 2016 and 2017. Multiple group structural equation modelling was conducted for years of nurse experience of different groups. Results: Work environment subscale scores for nurses with less than 5 years of experience ranged from 2.3 to 2.9 and for those with more than 5 years, from 2.1 to 2.7. The averages of sense of coherence for the groups were 36.9 and 39.7, respectively. For both groups, there was a statistically significant association between work environment and sense of coherence. Conclusions: Improvement of nurses' work environment may increase sense of coherence, leading to improvements in health. Implications for Nursing Management: The study suggests that nurse managers should improve the work environment to increase sense of coherence of staff nurses, leading to improved health for any length of a nurse's experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore how people with heart failure develop and change their views of dying and death. Design: A Straussian grounded theory approach. Methods: Purposive and theoretical sampling were used. Data collection and analysis were repeated until reaching data saturation using the constant comparative method. We conducted semi‐structured interviews between January 2019 and July 2020 with 24 people with heart failure from a university and a community hospital in Japan. Results: Initially, participants' views of dying and death were unrelated to their disease. After the first turning point, namely the confirmation of the deterioration and incurability of the disease, their views became related to their own disease, adding to the suffering caused by the exacerbated symptoms. After the second turning point, namely when participants became tormented by the inevitability of death, they added their struggles with physical, psychological, and spiritual pain owing to medical interventions to their views of dying and death. Only a few participants reached the last stage of this process as it was emotionally distressing; some chose not to proceed to the next stage. Conclusion: Participants develop their views of dying and death gradually and in stages while they experience two turning points. Healthcare providers need to address this process while keeping in mind that proceeding this process requires some turning points, and it can be painful. Impact: This study provides a theoretical framework on the development of the views regarding dying and death of people with heart failure; it showed that these people need some turning points and to pass through stages to develop/individualize their views, and that this process is inherently distressing. This theory provides a cornerstone for healthcare professionals to understand the disease‐specific transition in views of dying and psychological readiness, and it may help establish a therapeutic relationship that includes advance care planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the end‐of‐life (EOL) nursing care practice process in long‐term care (LTC) settings for older adults in Japan. Design: A qualitative study based on grounded theory developed by Corbin and Strauss. Methods: Sampling, interviewing, and analysis were performed cyclically, with results for each stage used as the basis for data collection and next‐stage analysis decisions. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted from March 2015‐March 2019 with 22 nurses from eight LTC settings. Analysis was performed using coding, constant comparison, and emerging categories. Results: The core category, "guiding the rebuilt care community to assist the dying resident" comprised five categories: "assessing the resident's stage," "harmonizing care with the dying process," "rebuilding a care community," "helping community members care for the resident," and "encouraging community members to give meaning." The participants were described as "traditional village elders" who were the integral members of the care community, as well as guides who helped and encouraged the community. Conclusion: Results revealed the holistic process of EOL nursing‐care practice in Japan. Nurses aimed to allow LTC residents to die as social human beings, surrounded by people, and not just responding physical and psychological distress. Such practice requires nursing expertise, healthcare skills, and leadership qualities to build and serve care communities. Nurses must also consider residents' uncertainties and vulnerabilities as well as their cultural backgrounds. Impact: This study showed that the nurses hold unique roles in providing dying people with care from a community. These findings can potentially be applied for developing a universal model for LTC nurses in many aging populations, to modify their EOL care practice, educate new LTC nurses, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract High productivity and bath stability of electrodeposition for Al and its alloys from a dimethylsulfone (DMSO 2)-aluminum chloride bath are highly desirable characteristics for a wide range of critical applications. However, a long-standing problem for such electrodeposits is S and Cl contamination, which results in limited ductility. In this study, we explored a reduction method for S and Cl in Al electrodeposits from a DMSO 2 bath to facilitate plastic elongation of the electrodeposited Al. For 2–5:10 M ratios of aluminum chloride to DMSO 2 , tailoring the conditions of electrodeposition decreased the S and Cl contents to ∼0.2 at%. The addition of various metal salts revealed that gallium chloride further reduced the S and Cl contents to less than 0.1 at%. This reduction permitted the electrodeposited Al–Ga alloys to exhibit plastic elongation in tensile tests. Based on the results of experiments and first-principles calculations, we discuss the role of Ga in the growth mode of electrodeposits and its effect on grain boundary cohesion. Thus, we elucidate the mechanisms for realizing high strength and ductility in electrodeposited Al alloys. Highlights • Al electrodeposition from a DMSO 2 -based bath was conducted. • Adjusting deposition conditions reduced the total contents of S and Cl to ∼0.4 at%. • The addition of GaCl 3 reduced the total S and Cl contents to less than 0.1 at%. • Electrodeposited Al-Ga alloys exhibited plastic elongation in tensile tests. • The role of Ga in growth modes and its effects on GB cohesion were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized CdSe (cadmium selenide) quantum dots (QDs) with three different surface-passivating ligands: 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA), and 4-mercaptomethylbenzoic acid (MMBA). Although all the QDs possessed similar diameters and thiol-based ligands, the MPA-passivated QD exhibited the highest photocatalytic H 2 evolution activity in the presence of a polyvinylpyrrolidone-protected Pt (Pt-PVP) colloidal catalyst. Moreover, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements clearly indicated a significant difference in their dispersibility in water. Thus, CdSe-MPA, having the sterically smallest thiol ligand, displayed the largest negative zeta potential and the best dispersibility owing to the presence of negatively charged carboxylate groups on the QD surface. This was sufficient for the QD to disperse as single particles. In contrast, the bulkier MMBA ligand covered the surface of the CdSe QD with a smaller number of ligand moieties, resulting in a smaller zeta potential and the formation of large aggregates (∼126 nm in diameter). In the presence of a Pt-PVP colloid as the hydrogen evolution catalyst, CdSe-MPA formed large aggregates (∼1.6 μm in diameter) with the Pt-PVP colloid by electrostatic interactions. Conversely, CdSe-MMBA did not form such large aggregates with the Pt-PVP colloid. Since the emission of the CdSe QD was effectively quenched in the presence of the Pt-PVP colloid, we concluded that CdSe-MPA exhibits the highest photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity with the Pt-PVP colloidal catalyst because the electron transfer efficiency from the photosensitizing CdSe QD to the Pt-PVP colloidal catalyst is enhanced by the formation of aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Electrodeposition was done using a dimethylsulfone bath with trace amount of SnCl 2. • The Sn-doped Al exhibited tensile elongation as large as ∼30%. • Sn was present as a precipitate at the grain boundaries. • Sn precipitation prevented contamination with S and Cl impurities. Abstract Al and Al alloys electrodeposited from a dimethylsulfone (DMSO 2) bath are typically contaminated with S and Cl. Electrodeposited Al and Al alloys suffer from limited ductility since undesired impurities decrease plastic deformability. Herein, we report an electrodeposition process involving the use of a DMSO 2 bath that realizes an Al product with tensile elongation as large as ∼30%. Doping of tin chloride in the DMSO 2 bath resulted in a micrometer-scale grain microstructure with sub-µm Sn precipitates distributed along the grain boundaries of the electrodeposited Al. These Sn precipitates on the electrodeposits prevented S and Cl contamination, which is likely the main factor underlying the large tensile elongation in the electrodeposited Al. Furthermore, electrodeposition with varying concentrations of tin chloride pointed to that tin chloride showed enough impurities reducing ability even in trace amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study explores nurse managers' experiences in dealing with patient/family violence toward their staff. Background Studies and guidelines have emphasised the responsibility of nurse managers to manage violence directed at their staff. Although studies on nursing staff have highlighted the ineffectiveness of strategies used by nurse managers, few have explored their perspectives on dealing with violence. Methods This qualitative study adopted a grounded theory approach to explore the experiences of 26 Japanese nurse managers. Results The nurse managers made decisions using internalised ethical values, which included maintaining organisational functioning, keeping staff safe, advocating for the patient/family and avoiding moral transgressions. They resolved internal conflicts among their ethical values by repeating a holistic assessment and simultaneous approach consisting of damage control and dialogue. They facilitated the involved persons' understanding, acceptance and sensemaking of the incident, which contributed to a resolution of the internal conflicts among their ethical values. Conclusions Nurse managers adhere to their ethical values when dealing with patient violence toward nurses. Their ethical decision-making process should be acknowledged as an effective strategy to manage violence. Implications for nursing management Organisational strategies that support and incorporate managers' ethical decision-making are needed to prevent and manage violence toward nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sperm-specific phospholipase C ( PLC), PLCzeta ( PLCζ), is thought to underlie the initiation of calcium ( [Ca2+]i) oscillations that induce egg activation in mammals. In large domestic species, only bovine, porcine and recently equine PLCζ have been cloned, and the physiological functions of these molecules have not been fully characterized. Here, we evaluated the physiological functions of equine PLCζ ( ePLCζ) in mouse oocytes. ePLCζ was cloned from testis using RT-PCR. The expression of ePLCζ messenger RNA was confirmed in testis but not in other tissues. Microinjection of ePLCζ complementary RNA ( cRNA) into mouse oocytes induced long-lasting [Ca2+]i oscillations, and most of the injected oocytes formed pronuclei ( PN). The injection of cRNAs encoding horse, mouse, human and cow PLCζ into mouse oocytes showed that ePLCζ had the highest [Ca2+]i oscillation-inducing activity among the species tested. Mutation of D202R, which renders the protein inactive, abrogated the activity of ePLCζ. The nuclear translocation ability of ePLCζ was defective when expressed in mouse oocytes. Taken together, our findings show for the first time that ePLCζ has highest activity of the mammalian species studied to date. Our findings will be useful for the improvement of reproductive technologies in the horse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient method for the synthesis of 2,5-dihydroisoxazoles and isoxazoles using iodocyclization of N-alkoxycarbonyl O-propargylic hydroxylamines has been developed. 2,5-Dihydro-4-iodoisoxazole underwent the cross-coupling reactions without aromatization to afford polyfunctionalized 2,5-dihydroisoxazoles. This process was applied to the preparation of valdecoxib and its 2,5-dihydro-derivative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonists are interesting candidates for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. 9-Cis-retinoic acid (9cRA: 1) is a natural RXR agonist, that also works as a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist. This fact prompted us to study the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of RXR agonists derived from 1. Though 3 and 4, in which the cyclohexene part of 1 is replaced with bulkier hydrophobic moieties, show RXR-selective agonistic activity, some analogs containing other ring structures show RAR agonistic activity. Thus, we were interested in establishing what kind of ring skeleton is required for RXR-selective agonistic activity. In this study, we systematically prepared 5 and 6, in which the cyclohexene ring of 1 is replaced with various cyclic terpenoid moieties, and evaluated their RXR and RAR agonistic activities. Our previously reported CsF-promoted Stille coupling reaction was employed as a key step for the comprehensive synthesis of 5 and 6. The results of transcriptional assay showed that compounds 5b–f, which possess a menthane skeleton, exhibit RXR-selective agonistic activity. These results should be helpful for the design of superior RXR-selective agonists based on the structure of 1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] We report the synthesis of nonmetal high-valent phosphorus(V) hydroporphyrin complexes: PV-isobacteriochlorin, PV-chlorin, and two isomers of PV-phlorin, via simple hydrogenation of di(methoxo)tetraphenylporphyrin phosphorus(V) with a hydrogen source and Pd/C catalyst. These PV-hydroporphyrin complexes exhibit long-wavelength absorption bands in the biological optical window. PV-isobacteriochlorin and PV-chlorin complexes are stable against auto-oxidation and exhibit the photoproduction of singlet oxygen under red light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been growing awareness of the correlation between an episode of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) later in life. It has been reported that TBI accelerated amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology and cognitive decline in the several lines of AD model mice. However, the short-term and long-term effects of TBI by the weight-drop method on amyloid-β pathology and cognitive performance are unclear in wild-type (WT) mice. Hence, we examined AD-related histopathological changes and cognitive impairment after TBI in wild-type C57BL6J mice. Five- to seven-month-old WT mice were subjected to either TBI by the weight-drop method or a sham treatment. Seven days after TBI, the WT mice exhibited significantly lower spatial learning than the sham-treated WT mice. However, 28 days after TBI, the cognitive impairment in the TBI-treated WT mice recovered. Correspondingly, while significant amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and amyloid precursor protein (APP) accumulation were observed in the TBI-treated mouse hippocampus 7 days after TBI, the Aβ deposition was no longer apparent 28 days after TBI. Thus, TBI induced transient amyloid-β deposition and acute cognitive impairments in the WT mice. The present study suggests that the TBI could be a risk factor for acute cognitive impairment even when genetic and hereditary predispositions are not involved. The system might be useful for evaluating and developing a pharmacological treatment for the acute cognitive deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine if nurse managers' leadership style is related to Japanese staff nurses' affective commitment to their hospital. Background In Western countries, nurse managers' transformational leadership style has been found to increase staff nurses' affective commitment to their hospital. However, there are few studies examining this relationship in the context of acute care hospitals in Japan. Methods Staff nurses completed measures of their nurse managers' perceived leadership style and factors related to their own affective commitment. The association between affective commitment and perception of leadership style was assessed with multiple logistic regression. Results Of 736 questionnaires distributed, 579 (78.9%) were returned, and data from 396 (53.8%) fully completed questionnaires were analysed. The intellectual stimulation aspect of transformational leadership positively increased staff nurses' affective commitment (odds ratio: 2.23). Nurse managers' transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles were not related to affective commitment among staff nurses. Conclusions The intellectual stimulation aspect of transformational leadership may increase the retention of staff nurses through enhanced affective commitment. Implications for nursing management To increase staff nurses' affective commitment to their hospital, we suggest that hospital administrators equip nurse managers with intellectual stimulation skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown that visible light, specifically blue light, adversely affects cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. We investigated the effect of blue light on apoptosis, DNA integrity, and transcription of apoptotic and melanogenic genes using B16F1 melanoma cells. In this study, cells were irradiated with 2–50 W/m2 blue light (465 nm) for several time duration. Exposure to blue light decreased cell viability, but the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK rescued blue light-induced cell death. Blue light also inhibited cell proliferation and arrested the cell cycle. Blue light-irradiated cells displayed several apoptotic features, like depolarized mitochondrial membranes and enhanced caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, blue light induced strand breaks in the genomic DNA in a dose- and time-dependent manner but did not induce the formation of cyclobutene pyrimidine dimers. The cell cycle inhibitor p21 and the pro-apoptotic gene Bax were upregulated in blue light-exposed cells, whereas the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and the apoptosis inhibitor survivin were downregulated. The key enzyme in melanin synthesis, tyrosinase, was upregulated after high-intensity (50 W/m2) blue light exposure and downregulated after low-intensity (0.2 W/m2) blue light exposure. Our study demonstrates that blue light triggers apoptosis and some of its effects are similar to those of ultraviolet radiation. • Blue light induces accumulation of cell stress and subsequent cell death. • DNA strand breaks are induced whereas CPDs formation has not occurred by blue light. • Blue light induced cell cycle arrest. • Blue light possibly induce melanin synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halogen bond: The choice of the iodonium complex of pyridines, either IPy2PF6 or I(coll)2PF6 (Py=pyridine; coll=2,4,6‐trimethylpyridine), was crucial for controlling the iodocyclization/oxidation sequence of α‐propargylic glycine derivatives. This reagent‐controlled system enabled switchable access to 2,3‐dihydropyrroles and pyrroles (see scheme). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of moon jellyfish Aurelia spp. are frequently reported from many parts of the world's coastal areas. Aurelia spp. canonically show a metagenetic life cycle in which planulae transform into sessile polyps, which can drastically increase in number through asexual reproduction. Therefore, their asexual reproduction has been recognized as one of the major causes of the outbreaks. Aurelia spp. also show direct development that lacks asexual reproduction during the polyp stage, which prevents us from understanding the mechanisms of its outbreaks. To clarify the seasonality of the metagenetic and direct-development life cycles of Aurelia sp. in Maizuru Bay, Japan, we conducted field observations and laboratory experiments throughout the year. Additionally, the two life cycle types were genetically analyzed to confirm that they belong to the single species Aurelia coerulea, which dominates in coastal waters in Japan. From July until October, Aurelia coerulea produced smaller eggs and planulae all of which developed into polyps. However, from December until May, larger eggs and planulae were produced and 90% of the planulae developed into planktonic ephyrae bypassing the sessile polyp stage. Our results demonstrated that a single species, A. coerulea, seasonally shifts between their two life cycle types at a water temperature threshold of 20°C in Maizuru Bay. The higher energy storage of larger planulae was suggested to enable the planulae to develop into ephyrae without external energy input through feeding during the polyp stage. The adaptive significances of the two life cycle types were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preliminary investigations with the racemic substrate (I) reveal that, depending on the complex used, either a 2,3-dihydropyrrole or a pyrrole structure is formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to clarify whether trans-abdominal ultrasound (TAUS) can reflect actual intestinal conditions in Crohn's disease (CD) as effectively as water-immersion ultrasound (WIUS) does. This retrospective study enrolled 29 CD patients with 113 intestinal lesions. Five ultrasound (US) parameters (distinct presence/indistinct presence/disappearance of wall stratification in the submucosal and mucosal layers; thickened submucosal layer; irregular mucosal surface; increased fat wrapping around the bowel wall; and fistula signs) that may indicate different states in CD were determined by TAUS and WIUS for the same lesion. Using WIUS as a reference standard, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of TAUS were calculated. The degree of agreement between TAUS and WIUS was evaluated by the kappa coefficient. All US parameters of TAUS had an accuracy >70% (72.6–92.7%). The highest efficacy of TAUS was obtained for fistula signs (sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values were 63.6%, 96.0%, and 92.7%, respectively). All US parameters between TAUS and WIUS had a definitive (p ≤ 0.001) and moderate-to-substantial consistency (kappa value = 0.446–0.615). The images of TAUS showed substantial similarity to those of WIUS, suggesting that TAUS may function as a substitute to evaluate the actual intestinal conditions of CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]