Effect of Concentration on the Interfacial and Bulk Structure of Ionic Liquids in Aqueous Solution.

Bio and aqueous applications of ionic liquids (IL) such as catalysis in micelles formed in aqueous IL solutions or extraction of chemicals from biologic materials rely on surface-active and self-assembly properties of ILs. Here, we discuss qualitative relations of the interfacial and bulk structuring of a water-soluble surface-active IL ([C8MIm][Cl]) on chemically controlled surfaces over a wide range of water concentrations using both force probe and X-ray scattering experiments. Our data indicate that IL structuring evolves from surfactant-like surface adsorption at low IL concentrations, to micellar bulk structure adsorption above the critical micelle concentration, to planar bilayer formation in ILs with <1 wt % of water and at high charging of the surface. Interfacial structuring is controlled by mesoscopic bulk structuring at high water concentrations. Surface chemistry and surface charges decisively steer interfacial ordering of ions if the water concentration is low and/or the surface charge is high. We also demonstrate that controlling the interfacial forces by using self-assembled monolayer chemistry allows tuning of interfacial structures. Both the ratio of the head group size to the hydrophobic tail volume as well as the surface charging trigger the bulk structure and offer a tool for predicting interfacial structures. Based on the applied techniques and analyses, a qualitative prediction of molecular layering of ILs in aqueous systems is possible.

The Effect of Water and Confinement on Self-Assembly of Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids at Mica Interfaces.

Tuning chemical structure and molecular layering of ionic liquids (IL) at solid interfaces offers leverage to tailor performance of ILs in applications such as super-capacitors, catalysis or lubrication. Recent experimental interpretations suggest that ILs containing cations with long hydrophobic tails form well-ordered bilayers at interfaces. Here we demonstrate that interfacial bilayer formation is not an intrinsic quality of hydrophobic ILs. In contrast, bilayer formation is triggered by boundary conditions including confinement, surface charging and humidity present in the IL. Therefore, we performed force versus distance profiles using atomic force microscopy and the surface forces apparatus. Our results support models of disperse low-density bilayer formation in confined situations, at high surface charging and/or in the presence of water. Conversely, interfacial structuring of long-chain ILs in dry environments and at low surface charging is disordered and dominated by bulk structuring. Our results demonstrate that boundary conditions such as charging, confinement and doping by impurities have decisive influence on structure formation of ILs at interfaces. As such, these results have important implications for understanding the behavior of solid/IL interfaces as they significantly extend previous interpretations.

CGEAN: a resource for nursing administration.

In the last decade, CGEAN has expanded its membership to include more nurse executives, nurse researchers, and international members. CGEAN is also responding to changes in healthcare administration as it becomes more evidence-based and in faculty roles, which are increasingly emphasizing external research funding as a role expectation. This year 's forum on research development held during the business meeting at the NARC conference yielded several new initiatives to support faculty development and student training in research. We invite readers to join with us to implement these new initiatives.

Women's opinions about domestic violence screening and mandatory reporting.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this paper is to describe women's opinions and policy preferences concerning domestic violence screening and mandatory reporting. METHODS: This case-control study included 202 abused women and 240 randomly selected non-abused women recruited from a large metropolitan health maintenance organization who were interviewed by telephone. Of these women, 46.6% had a college degree, 53.4% were white, and 60% had a household income of $50,000 or more. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of the sample agreed that health care providers should routinely screen all women, with abused women 1.5 times more likely than non-abused women to support this policy. For mandatory reporting, 48% preferred that it be the woman's decision to report abuse to the police. Women thought it would be easier for abused women to get help with routine screening (86%) and mandatory reporting (73%), although concerns were raised about increased risk of abuse with both screening (43%) and reporting (52%) policies. Two thirds of the sample thought women would be less likely to tell their health care providers about abuse under a mandatory reporting policy. Interventions offered in managed care settings that would be well received, according to the women in this study, include counseling services, shelters, and confidential hotlines. CONCLUSIONS: Women expressed fears and concerns about negative consequences of routine screening and, even more so, for mandatory reporting. Domestic violence policies and protocols need to address the safety, autonomy, and confidentiality issues that concern women.

Intimate partner abuse among women diagnosed with depression.

Domestic violence is a pervasive problem for women, and depression is the most prevalent negative mental health consequence of domestic violence. This study investigates the extent to which domestic violence is part of the history of women diagnosed with depression. Eighty two women with a diagnosis of depression were surveyed. A 61.0% lifetime prevalence of domestic violence was found. Lifetime prevalence for forced sex was 29.3%. Demographics of abused and nonabused women were not significantly different. Abused women were found to be less healthy. Prevalence of headaches, chronic pain, rape or marital rape, and sleep problems or nightmares were significantly higher. Severity of abuse was significantly correlated (p < .01) to severity of depression. Implications for mental health practice and training of peer support group leaders for women with depression are described, as well as directions for future research.

Establishing mechanisms to conduct multi-institutional research--fatigue in patients with cancer: an exercise intervention.

PURPOSES/OBJECTIVES: To describe the process of establishing a multi-institutional interdisciplinary team of oncology researchers and conducting a pilot study of an exercise intervention for fatigue. DATA SOURCES: Project meeting minutes and records, research team members' logs, subjects' research records, the research study proposal, and team members' individual and collective shared experiences. DATA SYNTHESIS: Site investigators established research teams at five academic medical centers. Fifty subjects were enrolled in the study and tested during their cancer treatment. Study methods, including instrumentation, were evaluated carefully and revised. CONCLUSIONS: The multi-institutional network of researchers is an effective and efficient model for testing an intervention to manage fatigue during cancer treatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Exercise is a feasible and potentially beneficial intervention to combat distressing cancer treatment-related fatigue. A pilot study is essential to determine the best methods for conducting a clinical trial and to develop the teams of researchers necessary for such a project.

Domestic violence in the workplace.

1. It is important for workers, management, and health and safety personnel to recognize a history of domestic violence may place an individual at risk for acts of violence at work. 2. Employers and unions are beginning to recognize domestic violence may impact the economic well being of a workplace by decreasing productivity and attendance, and by increasing insurance and health care costs. 3. Few companies have policies related to general safety, general workplace violence, or specifically to domestic violence. All departments within the corporation or business should help to develop and implement these policies, and training in the policies must include all levels of the business.

Effects of exercise on fatigue, physical functioning, and emotional distress during radiation therapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSES/OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that women participating in a walking exercise program during radiation therapy treatment for breast cancer would demonstrate more adaptive responses as evidenced by higher levels of physical functioning and lower levels of symptom intensity than women who did not participate. DESIGN: Experimental, two-group pretest, post-test. SETTING: Two university teaching hospital outpatient radiation therapy departments. SAMPLE: 46 women beginning a six-week program of radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer. METHODS: Following random assignment, subjects in the exercise group maintained an individualized, self-paced, home-based walking exercise program throughout treatment. The control group received usual care. Dependent variables were measured prior to and at the end of radiation therapy. In addition, symptoms were assessed at the end of three weeks of treatment. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Participation in the walking exercise program, physical functioning fatigue, emotional distress, and difficulty sleeping. FINDINGS: Hypothesis testing by multivariate analysis of covariance, with pretest scores as covariates, indicated significant differences between groups on outcome measures (p < 0.001). The exercise group scored significantly higher than the usual care group on physical functioning (p = 0.003) and symptom intensity, particularly fatigue, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Fatigue was the most frequent and intense subjective symptom reported. CONCLUSIONS: A self-paced, home-based walking exercise program can help manage symptoms and improve physical functioning during radiation therapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurse-prescribed and -monitored exercise is an effective, convenient, and low-cost self-care activity that reduces symptoms and facilitates adaptation to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Challenges to behavioral research in oncology.

PURPOSE: The difficulties encountered by investigators in conducting behavioral research with oncology patients have received little attention in the literature. This article provides a practical guide to problems that might be anticipated in the planning and conduct of behavioral research. OVERVIEW: Problems include subject accrual and retention, development of a multidisciplinary research team, control of confounding variables, psychosocial instrumentation issues, and acceptance of the need for behavioral research. Methodological and feasibility issues are examined. Strategies for addressing the issues are presented. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Successful behavioral research in oncology requires firm grounding in clinical practice. Clinicians can improve the quality of research and thus, the scientific base for practice by joining or facilitating multidisciplinary research efforts.

Management education for nurses: hospital executives' opinions and hiring practices.

Because registered nurses are assuming expanded roles in hospital management, the appropriate educational preparation for these roles has become a widely debated issue. A national survey of hospital CEOs and CNOs was conducted to assess their personal preferences for management education for nurses and to gather information about their hospitals' policies and practices in hiring nurses for management positions at various levels within the hospital (from unit-level management to executive level). Both CEOs and CNOs preferred the joint MSN/MBA degree option as the best model for graduate management education for nurses, and they perceived greater demand in the future for hospital nurses with graduate management degrees. However, hospital policies and practices with regard to degree requirements and preferences for nurses hired in management positions at all levels varied widely.

Nurse manager characteristics and skills: curriculum implications.

If one accepts the premise that all nurses need knowledge of management and leadership, then schools of nursing need to design their curriculum to provide administrative content and learning experiences to adequately prepare nurses for leadership positions. This study assays the opinions of nurse unit managers about the relative importance of different characteristics and skills in effective job performance. A sample of 73 unit managers from six hospitals and two community health agencies ranked human relations and communication skills as most important. Nursing knowledge and clinical skills were ranked second. Experienced managers thought political savvy and business or management skills were more important than did novice managers. The results of this study are discussed in relation to curriculum issues in nursing management at both the baccalaureate and the graduate level.

Restructuring nursing care delivery systems.

Job design and system redesign theory are applied to elucidate costs and benefits of alternative restructuring schemes. Strategies are outlined for nurse executives to use for successful reconceptualization of nursing positions.

Manager responsibilities in community agencies and hospitals.

Nurse executives facilitate the success of unit managers through job design, control of organizational environment, and the selection and development of managers. This article reports the results of a descriptive study that assesses the responsibilities and activities of nursing unit managers in hospital and community health settings. This information may be used by nursing administrators when refining nursing unit manager roles within their agencies.

Faculty performance appraisal systems: procedures and criteria.

This study investigated the consensus among schools of nursing in (1) using the eight elements of effective performance appraisal identified in the literature and (2) identification of domains, dimensions, and subdimensions of faculty performance. Content analysis was done of actual policies, procedures, and forms from 86 schools with graduate programs. Performance appraisal systems were found to be in an early stage of development. There was substantive agreement on teaching, service, and research as domains, with 25% or fewer schools also using faculty development, professional practice, and/or administration. There was less consensus as to the attributes of domains. Specific dimensions and their assignment to domains, as well as recommendations to guide future development, are discussed.

Designing a marketing plan that works.

As healthcare organizations incorporate marketing strategies into daily operations, nurse executives find themselves involved in the process with varying degrees of comfort and success. The authors discuss the nurse executive's role and responsibilities for the success of a marketing plan and describe the importance of recognizing how far marketing has evolved within an organization in order to design a suitable plan successfully.