Stabilized second-order convex splitting schemes for Cahn-Hilliard models with application to diffuse-interface tumor-growth models.

We present unconditionally energy-stable second-order time-accurate schemes for diffuse-interface (phase-field) models; in particular, we consider the Cahn-Hilliard equation and a diffuse-interface tumor-growth system consisting of a reactive Cahn-Hilliard equation and a reaction-diffusion equation. The schemes are of the Crank-Nicolson type with a new convex-concave splitting of the free energy and an artificial-diffusivity stabilization. The case of nonconstant mobility is treated using extrapolation. For the tumor-growth system, a semi-implicit treatment of the reactive terms and additional stabilization are discussed. For suitable free energies, all schemes are linear. We present numerical examples that verify the second-order accuracy, unconditional energy-stability, and superiority compared with their first-order accurate variants.

Neuroticism and social comparison orientation as moderators of affective responses to social comparison at work.

In a study among 72 nurses, the affective consequences of social comparison were examined and related to neuroticism (N) and to social comparison orientation (SCO). Participants were confronted with a bogus interview with an upward versus a downward comparison target. Positive affect and identification were higher, and negative affect was lower, in the upward than in the downward comparison condition. Independent of their SCO, the higher individuals were in N, the less they identified with the upward comparison target, the more they identified with the downward comparison target, and the less positive affect they showed following confrontation with the upward comparison target. In contrast, independent of their level of N, the higher individuals were in SCO, the more negative affect they showed following confrontation with the downward comparison target. The effects on negative affect stayed the same when controlling for positive affect, and the effects on positive affect stayed the same when controlling for negative affect. These effects were also obtained when perceived direction was used as a predictor instead of the experimentally manipulated direction. It is concluded that, although N and SCO are correlated, these variables seem to have independent and distinct effects upon the responses to social comparison information.

Longitudinal study on glycaemic control and quality of life in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus referred for intensified control.

AIM: The aim of our study was to describe investigate and association between improved glycaemic control on quality of life (QoL) during 1 year of treatment in a sample of 94 Type 2 diabetic patients referred for insulin therapy to an outpatient department (OPD). Treatment was aimed at achieving acceptable glycaemic control by means of maximizing oral therapy, if necessary switching over to insulin therapy, and information and education provided by a diabetes specialist nurse and dietitian. METHODS: QoL was measured using a disease-specific (Diabetes Health Profile (DHP)) and a generic questionnaire (RAND-36). After 1 year the medical examination and QoL measurements were repeated. The association between 1-year changes in QoL and achievement of good metabolic control (final glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) < or = 8%), switch to insulin therapy, and presence of hyperglycaemic complaints at baseline was analysed after adjustment for appropriate confounders. RESULTS: After 1 year, mean HbA1c was reduced from 10.4% to 7.8%. Also QoL improved in the total group. Patients who achieved good glycaemic control after 1 year (61%) improved in a similar manner as the others. Patients switched over to insulin (65%) improved in a similar manner as the others, but at the final examination they experienced more problems with social functioning and pain. Patients with hyperglycaemic complaints at baseline (49%) improved more in QoL than those without, especially in physical functioning, vitality and health change, but at the final examination still scored lower on a majority of the DHP and RAND-36 dimensions. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of hyperglycaemia predict the strength of an association between improvements of glycaemic control and QoL.

Social comparison preferences among cancer patients as related to neuroticism and social comparison orientation.

Effects of neuroticism and social comparison orientation on social comparison among cancer patients were examined. A computer program that enabled patients to access information about fellow patients' disease-related experiences was developed. Patients selected more interviews concerning more as compared to less fortunate others, spent more time reading, and showed more favorable reactions to such information. Individuals with a strong comparison orientation in particular tended to engage in and to respond to social comparison. Neuroticism was associated with higher interest in social comparison and with less favorable reactions, regardless of its direction. High-neurotic individuals reacted more positively to upward than to downward comparisons, whereas the reactions of low-neurotic individuals were unaffected by comparison direction. The latter effect was replicated using a general affect measure, but solely among individuals with a strong comparison orientation.

Neuroticism and reactions to social comparison information among cancer patients.

In an experimental study neuroticism was examined as a moderator of breast cancer patients' affective reactions to social comparison information about a fellow patient. Fifty-seven women with breast cancer completed Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire and received social comparison information about a fellow patient who was either doing better (upward condition) or worse (downward condition) than themselves. As expected, patients showed more positive reactions to upward comparison information than to downward comparison information. Moreover, neuroticism was related to responding more negatively and less positively to social comparison information. Although respondents high and low in neuroticism did not differ in their reactions to downward comparison information, low neuroticism was associated with more positive responding to upward comparison information.