Chronobiological factors for compassion satisfaction and fatigue among ambulatory oncology caregivers

Primary caregivers for victims of chronic illness and or trauma experience both positive and negative emotional consequences. These are broadly classified as compassion satisfaction (CS) and compassion fatigue (CF). Because one of the components of CF, burnout, varies with chronotype and sleep quality, we assessed the influence of chronobiological features on the broader constructs of CS and CF. Responses from primary ambulatory care oncology staff working dayshifts were assessed for potential relationships of chronotype and sleep quality with CS and CF using the professional quality of life scale. These were analyzed further in a multivariate model that included personality and job satisfaction as cofactors. We found that sleep quality was a key contributor to CS development and CF reduction. Morningness was positively linked to CS, but the univariate association was masked in the multivariate model. Job satisfaction (contingent rewards, nature of work and operating procedures) heavily influenced CS and CF development. Agreeableness and openness showed positive correlations with CS and negative with burnout, while emotional stability was linked to reduced CF. While job satisfaction and personality predictably played roles in the development of CS and CF, sleep quality and chronotype contributed significantly to benefits and negative consequences of providing care.     

Nitrate retention in a sand plains stream and the importance of groundwater discharge

We measured net nitrate retention by mass balance in a 700-m upwelling reach of a third-order sand plains stream, Emmons Creek, from January 2007 to November 2008. Surface water and groundwater fluxes of nitrate were determined from continuous records of discharge and from nitrate concentrations based on weekly and biweekly sampling at three surface water stations and in 23 in-stream piezometers, respectively. Surface water nitrate concentration in Emmons Creek was relatively high (mean of 2.25 mg NO₃?CN l^?1) and exhibited strong seasonal variation. Net nitrate retention averaged 429 mg NO₃?CN m^?2 d^?1 and about 2% of nitrate inputs to the reach. Net nitrate retention was highest during the spring and autumn when groundwater discharge was elevated. Groundwater discharge explained 57?C65% of the variation in areal net nitrate retention. Specific discharge and groundwater nitrate concentration varied spatially. Weighting groundwater solute concentrations by specific discharge improved the water balance and resulted in higher estimates of nitrate retention. Our results suggest that groundwater inputs of nitrate can drive nitrate retention in streams with high groundwater discharge.     

Binge Eating and Eating‐Related Cognitions and Behavior in Ethnically Diverse Obese Women

Objective: To examine binge eating and eating‐related cognitions and behavior in a sample of ethnically diverse women who are severely obese and seeking bariatric surgery. Research Methods and Procedures: Female bariatric surgery candidates (62 African Americans, 18 Latinas, 130 whites) completed questionnaires on binge eating and eating‐related cognitions and behavior and completed a structured clinical interview to confirm binge‐eating disorder diagnosis. Results: Ethnic minorities and whites did not differ in rates of binge‐eating disorder (26.3%), binges per week (M = 0.95), or dietary restraint. Ethnic minorities reported less disinhibition, and there was a trend to report less hunger awareness than whites. After controlling for BMI and education, ethnicity accounted for significant variance in disinhibition (4%; p < 0.01). Ethnic minorities were younger, became overweight at a later age, and were overweight for fewer years than whites. Discussion: Results suggest that ethnicity exerts an important influence on disinhibition and that ethnic differences are not caused by BMI or education. Findings point to the need to continue to investigate the role of ethnicity, binge eating, and disinhibition in severely obese women, so that culturally appropriate services can be provided.     

Synthesis and in vitro activity of dicationic bis-benzimidazoles as a new class of anti-MRSA and anti-VRE agents

A new class of novel bis-benzimidazole diamidine compounds have been synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activities, including drug-resistant bacterial strains. Anti-MRSA and anti-VRE activities of the most potent compound 1 were more active than Vancomycin. The mechanism of action for this class of compounds appears to be different from existing antibiotics. Bis-benzimidazole diamidine compounds have potential for further investigation as a new class of potent anti-MRSA and anti-VRE agents.     

Species richness and composition of amphibians and reptiles in a fragmented forest landscape in northeastern Bolivia

We quantified patterns of species richness and species composition of frogs and reptiles (lizards and snakes) among three habitats (continuous forest, forest islands, and a seasonally flooded savannah) and between forest island size and isolation classes in a floristic transition zone in northeastern Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia. Species richness was similar across macrohabitats, as was faunal composition of forested habitats, although savannah harbored a distinct herpetofauna. On forest islands, richness and composition of forest frogs was largely related to isolation, whereas reptiles were affected by both isolation and habitat. The observation that isolation rather than area was the primary driver of distribution patterns on forest islands stands in contrast to many studies, and may be a function of (1) the greater range in forest island isolation values compared to area or (2) the long history of isolation in this landscape.