bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The predictors of adopting a health‐promoting lifestyle among work site adults with prediabetes
Authors: Chen Shu‐Fen , Lin Chiu‐Chu
Published: September 2010

Aim and objective.  To examine how prediabetes knowledge, health beliefs and self‐efficacy of health behaviour contribute to work site adults adopting a health‐promoting lifestyle and to analyse these three factors as independent variables to identify key predictors of adopting health‐promoting lifestyles.

Background.  Health providers use health‐promoting lifestyle interventions as the primary approach in preventing diabetes. However, many influential factors make it difficult for individuals to adopt a health‐promoting lifestyle. Furthermore, no previous study has examined prediabetes knowledge, health beliefs, self‐efficacy of health behaviour and health‐promoting lifestyle in work site adults with prediabetes, especially among Asians.

Design.  This was a cross‐sectional study of 260 adults at four work sites in southern Taiwan.

Method.  Patients with prediabetes were given a cross‐sectional questionnaire about prediabetes knowledge, health beliefs, self‐efficacy of health behaviour and health‐promoting lifestyle. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to determine predictors of implementing health‐promoting lifestyles.

Results.  In general, this study found that over age 45 and a BMI above 25 kg/m2 are risk factors for prediabetes. A 47·5% variance in implementing health‐promoting lifestyle was explained by a model that included self‐efficacy of health behaviour (beta = 0·519, p < 0·001), perceived action barrier (beta = −0·207, p = 0·001) and perceived action benefits (beta = 0·129, p = 0·023).

Conclusions.  Work site health care units should identify prediabetes cases and teach diet control strategies for reducing body weight. By designing behaviour self‐regulation protocol to promote self‐management for prediabetic individuals, organisations could enhance self‐efficacy and delay further development of diabetes.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Findings guide the clinical assessment (e.g. self‐efficacy) of prediabetic adults regarding their health‐promoting lifestyles and provide effective guidelines for designing lifestyle interventions to prevent prediabetes in high‐risk groups.
An outcomes evaluation of an Australian Hospital in the Nursing Home admission avoidance programme
Authors: Crilly Julia , Chaboyer Wendy , Wallis Marianne , Thalib Lukman , Polit Denise
Published: September 2010

Aims and objectives.  To undertake an outcomes evaluation of a Hospital in the Nursing Home (HINH) admission avoidance programme.

Background.  Admission avoidance type services such as Hospital in the Home have a place in improving service delivery for certain population groups. Research related to HINH has been limited, derived from various different health care systems internationally and results are varied.

Design.  A quasi‐experimental study was conducted at one regional hospital. Routinely collected health information system data from two separate data sources were linked to undertake analysis.

Methods.  Those in the intervention group were matched to a comparison group of patients on the basis of three characteristics (age, gender and diagnostic category). Other factors that could affect a patient’s hospital outcomes and length of stay (LOS) were statistically controlled for. Participants were aged care facility residents enrolled in a HINH programme (n = 62) and a matched group receiving usual in‐hospital care (n = 115). Emergency department (ED) outcome measures included LOS and re‐presentation. Hospital admission–related outcome measures included episode of care LOS, in‐hospital LOS and hospital readmission.

Results.  A significant independent relationship between HINH programme enrolment and shorter in‐hospital LOS was identified even after adjusting for other characteristics OR 0·16 (95% CI 0·28, 0·99 p < 0·001).

Conclusion.  The HINH model evaluated, with its focus on delivering acute care for aged care facility residents, can impact on health service delivery.

Relevance to clinical practice.  With a demonstrated reduction in in‐hospital LOS, the available bed space created can be used for other patients perhaps waiting in the ED or waiting for surgery.
Evaluating complex public health interventions: theory, methods and scope of realist enquiry
Authors: Connelly James B.
Published: September 2010

The standard models used in the study of complex public health interventions are inadequate. They adopt a simple empiricist theoretical foundation and attempt to graft onto an essentially open social system a contrived laboratory experimentation typically in the form of a randomized, controlled trial. By understanding the ontological and epistemological claims of critical realism, it is possible to transcend the methodological inadequacy of the standard model approach. Critical realism posits a substantive causal theory, an end to fact‐value dualism, and a coherent and emancipatory model of social action; all of these features amount to a systematic and compelling account of public health practice and a coherent approach to evaluation of complex public health interventions.
Pain, physical functioning and quality of life of individuals awaiting total joint replacement: a longitudinal study
Authors: McHugh Gretl A. , Luker Karen A. , Campbell Malcolm , Kay Peter R. , Silman Alan J.
Published: September 2010

Objectives  To investigate if pain, physical function and the quality of life changed among adults with osteoarthritis while on the waiting list for hip or knee joint replacement.

Methods  A longitudinal study of patients listed for primary hip or knee joint replacement. Participants were interviewed at baseline (n = 105) and followed up at 3 (n = 84), 6 (n = 47) and 9 months (n = 24), or until their joint replacement. Measurement tools used were a visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster’s Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36).

Results  Baseline data indicated high levels of pain as measured by VAS [mean 7.0 (SD 2.2)] and WOMAC pain [mean 11.2 (SD 3.5)]. At baseline, the mean physical function measured by WOMAC was 40.3 (SD 12.1). At the 3‐month follow‐up, there was significant deterioration in VAS pain scores (0.6; 95% CI mean difference 0.3, 1.0); WOMAC pain scores (1.2; 95% CI mean difference 0.7, 1.8) and WOMAC physical function scores (4.8; 95% CI mean difference 2.8, 6.7) compared with baseline.

Conclusion  The often long wait for joint replacement surgery and deterioration in pain and physical function has highlighted the need for active management by health professionals while patients are on the waiting list.
Modelling survival in acute severe illness: Cox versus accelerated failure time models
Authors: Moran John L. , Bersten Andrew D. , Solomon Patricia J. , Edibam Cyrus , Hunt Tamara ,   The Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group
Published: September 2010

Background  The Cox model has been the mainstay of survival analysis in the critically ill and time‐dependent covariates have infrequently been incorporated into survival analysis.

Objectives  To model 28‐day survival of patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and compare the utility of Cox and accelerated failure time (AFT) models.

Methods  Prospective cohort study of 168 adult patients enrolled at diagnosis of ALI in 21 adult ICUs in three Australian States with measurement of survival time, censored at 28 days. Model performance was assessed as goodness‐of‐fit [GOF, cross‐products of quantiles of risk and time intervals (P ≥ 0.1), Cox model] and explained variation (‘R2’, Cox and ATF).

Results  Over a 2‐month study period (October–November 1999), 168 patients with ALI were identified, with a mean (SD) age of 61.5 (18) years and 30% female. Peak mortality hazard occurred at days 7–8 after onset of ALI/ARDS. In the Cox model, increasing age and female gender, plus interaction, were associated with an increased mortality hazard. Time‐varying effects were established for patient severity‐of‐illness score (decreasing hazard over time) and multiple‐organ‐dysfunction score (increasing hazard over time). The Cox model was well specified (GOF, P > 0.34) and R2 = 0.546, 95% CI: 0.390, 0.781. Both log‐normal (R2 = 0.451, 95% CI: 0.321, 0.695) and log‐logistic (R2 0.470, 95% CI: 0.346, 0.714) AFT models identified the same predictors as the Cox model, but did not demonstrate convincingly superior overall fit.

Conclusions  Time dependence of predictors of survival in ALI/ARDS exists and must be appropriately modelled. The Cox model with time‐varying covariates remains a flexible model in survival analysis of patients with acute severe illness.
Exploring the requirements for a decision aid on familial breast cancer in the UK context: a qualitative study with patients referred to a cancer genetics service
Authors: Iredale Rachel , Rapport Frances , Sivell Stephanie , Jones Wendy , Edwards Adrian , Gray Jonathon , Elwyn Glyn
Published: September 2010

Rationale  Patients concerned about a family history of breast cancer can face difficult decisions about screening, prophylactic surgery and genetic testing. Decision aids can facilitate patient decision making and currently include leaflets and computerized tools. These are largely aimed at the North American market. However, no decision aids concerning familial breast cancer exist in the UK.

Methods  Focus groups were held with 39 women over 18 years of age referred to a cancer genetics clinic, and who had been given a risk assessment for developing breast cancer. Each focus group examined three existing North American decision aids (1 paper‐based and 2 CD‐ROMs) and explored what a decision aid in a UK context should look like and the information it should contain.

Results  There was enthusiasm for the development of decision aids that suit the local context in terms of its health care policy, in paper‐based and CD‐ROM formats. This paper identifies areas of agreement and disagreement in terms of both content and presentation styles, and also reports some of the suggestions received about where, when and with whom decision aids should be used. Participants suggested that decision aids would be most effective when they allowed a user‐selected range of formats.

Conclusion  There is still significant unmet demand for information and decision support in the context of publicly funded health care. The patient perspective provides a unique insight into issues of design, style and communication.
Measuring the process of quality of care for ST‐segment elevation acute myocardial infarction through data‐mining of the electronic discharge notes
Authors: Chang Sheng‐Nan , Lin Jou‐Wei , Liu Shi‐Chi , Hwang Juey‐Jen
Published: September 2010

Background  Measuring parameters in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been used as the standard for evaluating quality of care (QC). The purpose of this study was to elucidate the completeness of information retrieval from electronic discharge notes (EDN) as well as to measure QC for AMI in Taiwan.

Methods  All the narrative reports in EDN in the clinical information systems (CIS) of National Taiwan University Hospital from 2002 to 2004 were retrieved, and the patients who presented to the emergency room (ER) with AMI were identified. Ten parameters related to QC for AMI were measured through data‐mining of EDN alone as well as through an extensive search of the CIS and paper medical records.

Results  Information retrieval from EDN alone could obtain some parameters with a high recall, such as the use and timing of reperfusion therapy and the prescription of medication at discharge. Other parameters, such as the early management at ER and lipid profile after discharge, could not be retrieved from EDN. The use of medication and early reperfusion therapy was comparable to the US standards, while lipid control at and after discharge were suboptimal.

Conclusions  This study has demonstrated that information retrieval from EDN alone could faithfully extract sufficient measures of QC for AMI in some aspects, as well as could quantify the current process of QC for AMI in Taiwan.
Pharmaceutical care of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Elnour A. A. , El Mugammar I. T. , Jaber T. , Revel T. , McElnay James C.
Published: September 2010

Rationale, aims and objective  To investigate whether the introduction of a programme of optimising drug treatment, intensive education and self‐monitoring of patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at an early stage (<20 gestational weeks), will improve management outcomes as determined by objective measures of patient knowledge about diabetes, glycaemia control, maternal/neonatal complications, and health‐related quality of life.

Methods  The study was a randomized, controlled, longitudinal, prospective clinical trial performed at Al‐Ain Hospital, Al‐Ain, United Arab Emirates. Over an 18‐month period, patients diagnosed with GDM were recruited and were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group, in a ratio of 3:2. Intervention patients received a structured pharmaceutical care service (including education and introduction of intensive self‐monitoring) while control patients received traditional services. Patients were followed up from time of recruitment until 6 months postnatally at scheduled outpatient clinics. A range of clinical and humanistic outcome measures, including maternal and neonatal complications, were used to assess the impact of the intervention.

Results  A total of 165 patients (99 intervention, 66 control) completed the study. The intervention patients exhibited a range of benefits from the provision of the programme when compared with control group patients. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) improvements were shown in the intervention group for knowledge of diabetes, health‐related quality of life (as determined by the SF36), control of plasma glucose and HbA1c, maternal complications [e.g. decreased incidence of pre‐eclampsia (5.1% vs. 16.7%), eclampsia (1.0% vs. 7.6%), episodes of severe hyperglycaemia (3.0% vs. 19.7%) and need for Caesarean section (7.1% vs. 18.2%)], and neonatal complications [e.g. decreased incidence of neonatal hypoglycaemia (2.0% vs. 10.6%), respiratory distress at birth (4.0% vs. 15.2%), hyperbilirubinaemia (1.0% vs. 12.1%) and large for gestational age (9.0% vs. 22.7%)].

Conclusion  The research provides clear evidence that provision of pharmaceutical care adds value to the management of GDM as exemplified by improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Towards an ethics of authentic practice
Authors: Murray Stuart J. , Holmes Dave , Perron Amélie , Rail Geneviève
Published: September 2010

This essay asks how we might best elaborate an ethics of authentic practice. Will we be able to agree on a set of shared terms through which ethical practice will be understood? How will we define ethics and the subject's relation to authoritative structures of power and knowledge? We begin by further clarifying our critique of evidence‐based medicine (EBM), reflecting on the intimate relation between theory and practice. We challenge the charge that our position amounts to no more than ‘subjectivism’ and ‘antiauthoritarian’ theory. We argue that an ethical practice ought to question the authority of EBM without falling into the trap of dogmatic antiauthoritarianism. In this, we take up the work of Hannah Arendt, who offers terms to help understand our difficult political relation to authority in an authentic ethical practice. We continue with a discussion of Michel Foucault's use of ‘free speech’ or parrhesia, which he adopts from Ancient Greek philosophy. Foucault demonstrates that authentic ethical practice demands that we ‘speak truth to power.’ We conclude with a consideration of recent biotechnologies, and suggest that these biomedical practices force us to re‐evaluate our theoretical understanding of the ethical subject. We believe that we are at a crucial juncture: we must develop an ethics of authentic practice that will be commensurable with new and emergent biomedical subjectivities.
Using paper chart based clinical reminders to improve guideline adherence to lipid management
Authors: Hung Chi‐Sheng , Lin Jou‐Wei , Hwang Juey‐Jen , Tsai Ru‐Yi , Li Ai‐Tzu
Published: September 2010

Rationale, aims and objectives  The objective of this study was to apply a paper‐based clinical reminder to improve the adherence to lipid guidelines.

Methods  Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) without lipid‐lowering therapy (LLT) were recruited, and medical records were reviewed. Eligible subjects were randomized; a clinical reminder stating current standards and local insurance policy was stamped on the paper chart in the study group but not in the control. The primary outcome was new LLT subscription in the 6‐month follow‐up period, and the secondary end point was the composite result of LLT or lipid profile check‐up.

Results  Ninety‐two patients were assigned to the study group and 102 to the control group. The primary outcome showed no difference at the end of 6 months (OR: 1.70, P = 0.248, 95% CI: 0.69–4.19). The secondary end point was significantly higher in the reminder group (OR: 2.81, P = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.57–5.04).

Conclusion  A paper chart based clinical reminder providing update clinical recommendations could modify the doctor's behaviour and improve the attention to lipid levels. However, its effect cannot be transformed into an increase in LLT or a decrease in low‐density lipoprotein level owing to local policy constraint.
Coding accuracy of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair procedures in administrative databases – a note of caution
Authors: Jetty Prasad , van Walraven Carl
Published: September 2010

Background  Administrative databases have been used to compare methods used for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. This requires the use of procedural codes whose accuracy has not been established. In this study we measured the accuracy of procedural codes for open AAA repair and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in administrative databases.

Methods  Between April 2000 and July 2005, we identified all surgeries of non‐ruptured AAA using open or EVAR technique at a tertiary‐care teaching hospital. During the same time period, we identified all patients who were coded with either an open AAA repair or EVAR.

Results  During the study period, 514 people had an elective AAA repair or were coded with one. Coding quality of open AAA repair was poor (sensitivity 48.1%; specificity 77.4%; accuracy 52.9%) while that for EVAR was slightly better (sensitivity 58.2%; specificity 100%; accuracy 93.6%). We developed an algorithm that included similar procedures and considered anaesthetic type to improve the identification of both open repair (sensitivity 97.7%; specificity 86.9%; accuracy 95.9%) and EVAR (sensitivity 84.8%; specificity 99.5%; accuracy 97.3%).

Conclusion  Administrative database codes that are routinely used to identify open AAA repairs or EVARs are inaccurate. However, slight modifications to the coding algorithms permit the use of administrative databases to study AAA repair.
Improving reliability of clinical care practices for ventilated patients in the context of a patient safety improvement initiative
Authors: Pinto Anna , Burnett Susan , Benn Jonathan , Brett Stephen , Parand Anam , Iskander Sandra , Vincent Charles
Published: September 2010

Aims  To investigate perceived factors relating to the reliable application of four clinical care practices targeting ventilator‐associated pneumonias, in the context of a patient safety improvement initiative called the Safer Patients Initiative (SPI).

Methods  Qualitative case study. Seventeen semi‐structured individual interviews with clinical operational leads, programme coordinators and executive managers who were involved in the implementation of the programme's critical care work stream during its pilot phase. The interviews had a focus on perceived aspects pertaining to the reliable implementation of the four clinical practices, promoted by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as the ‘ventilator care bundle’.

Results  Thematic analysis of the verbatim transcripts revealed three overarching themes experienced by the participants during the implementation of the clinical practices included in the SPI ventilator care bundle: the power of measurement, feedback to peers and experts and improvement tools specific to SPI. Consistent measurement of compliance with the four elements of the bundle and outcomes made the staff realize that their engagement in previous improvement work for ventilated patients was inadequate and motivated them to apply the introduced clinical practices more reliably. Feedback to experts and peers of staff compliance with the four clinical practices and outcome improvement was perceived as a very influential aspect of SPI. Small tests of change (Plan‐Do‐Study‐Act cycles), teaching sessions and daily goal sheets were quoted as particularly useful tools throughout the implementation of the four clinical care practices.

Conclusions  Future initiatives that aim to improve the adherence of clinical staff with clinical practice guidelines in intensive care units could benefit from integrating in their methodology consistent measurement and feedback practices of both process compliance and outcome data.
From iron gaze to nursing care: mental health nursing in the era of panopticism
Authors: Holmes D.
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this paper is to question the utilization of mechanical devices (cameras and microphones) to ensure the surveillance of hospitalized patients on psychiatric wards. The works of French philosopher, Michel Foucault, and those of nursing theorist, Jean Watson, are used to support this analysis. A growing number of Canadian psychiatric health care institutions are using mechanical devices for surveillance. The security of staff and patients as well as therapeutic purposes are stated as rationale for these practices. However, a Foucauldian perspective leads us to think otherwise. The metaphor of the panopticon is then used to uncover another reality: a disciplinary one. Within the scope of this paper, the question of surveillance, disciplinary power, caring philosophy, and mental health nursing will be examined.
Imperative ideals and the strenuous reality: focusing on acute psychiatry
Authors: Hummelvoll J. K. , Severinsson E. I.
Published: September 2010

The aim of this study was to describe the complexity of the working situation on an acute psychiatric ward as well as how nurses balance tensions between ideals and the reality of daily work. By means of field research, the study aimed to arrive at a deeper understanding of the reality that nursing staff and patients experience. The analysis shows that the acute and unpredictable character of the working situation in combination with short hospital stays results in a tentative and summary nursing care characterized by ‘therapeutic superficiality’. This constitutes a hindrance to encountering the patient as a person. The demand on ‘treatment effectiveness’ creates work‐related stress. Hence, a partly articulated conflict develops between the professional and humanistic ideals of psychiatric nursing and the strenuous reality that the staff have to adjust to. This conflict is solved in various ways, depending on whether they belong to the pragmatic, idealist, traditionalist or enforcer attitude in relation to the ward's mandate. The demand on treatment effectiveness seems to promote a medical model in the daily work, even though a humanistic and existential approach can be traced in the nurses' caring philosophy.
Depressed men: an exploratory study of close relationships
Authors: Alexander J.
Published: September 2010

Patients suffering from schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder may progressively worsen and become severely disabled, and may then be classified as suffering from severe and enduring mental illness. Concern about risk to self and others focuses on this patient group, and community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) are under pressure to target patients with this diagnosis. CPNs have been accused of neglecting patients with a severe and enduring diagnosis in favour of other patient groups, but if they restrict services at primary care level this may have serious implications for patients. Patients who have had no previous contact with mental health services may have potentially serious and life threatening conditions. For example, depressed men may not be categorized as severely mentally ill, but the suicide rate amongst this patient group is very high, and they may externalize depression and resort to violence if untreated. Depressed men may lack social support and the means to express psychological distress, and these factors may precipitate or exacerbate depression. Early referral and assessment can prevent crises, deterioration in mental health and suicide. CPNs do not necessarily have to provide ongoing care following assessment, but they do have a significant role to play in primary health care referrals for the non‐psychotic mentally ill. CPNs act as a filter for the expertise and resources of multidisciplinary mental health teams. General practitioners will have increasing difficulty accessing the resources of multidisciplinary mental health teams if CPNs are unable to accept primary health care referrals. Primary care interventions are very important for the assessment of depression because they may help men to express psychological distress and assist them to access appropriate services and treatment. The experience of working with depressed men in a primary health care setting revealed that many lack confidants, or do not confide in those close to them. The interview schedule designed by Brown & Harris (1978) to gather data on the relationships of depressed women was used to explore the relationships of depressed men who were attending a Mental Health Day Centre.
Relating with professionals
Authors: CLARKE C.
Published: September 2010

This paper addresses my difficulties as a carer in engaging with many professionals in mental health, both locally associated with my son’s acute inpatient care, and nationally where policies are being developed and their implementation is pursued. All of us are affected by The Department of Health (DoH) Mental Health policies and their implementation by professionals has formed the way in which professionals relate with my son and myself. The way in which my son is impacted inextricably affects the way I relate to professionals. I think my difficulty in engaging lies in the relationships we all have with each another. In focusing on the process within our relationships, I attempt to raise professionals’ awareness of what constitutes a relationship when we dialogue. As it takes two to engage in a dialogue, I perceive my difficulty is also the difficulty of the professionals. Carers are becoming increasingly involved in the training of mental health professionals and our combined difficulty needs to be resolved, so that we all benefit. In order to achieve positive progression, there needs to be a radical change within our relationship to provide ease of engagement from all parties. In this paper I tentatively suggest how this process can be achieved.
Social determinants of mental health: the missing dimensions of mental health nursing?
Authors: LAUDER W. , KROLL T. , JONES M.
Published: September 2010

In this paper we explore how aspects of the social world may be linked to mental health and psychiatric morbidity and propose that conditions should be created which allow individuals and communities greater opportunities for self‐care and self‐management. Specifically the focus is on social connections, disability and homelessness and work stress. There is a clear policy direction pursued by many national governments and international organizations such as the World Bank to build healthy communities. The environment as it relates to health and well‐being can be thought of in terms of physical and social dimensions. We will argue that self‐care and self‐management at both the individual and the community level, in partnership with economic and health policies, are necessary to effectively address social determinants. It will also be suggested that although many in the profession will make the usual refrain that this has little relevance to mental health nurses, the opposite may be the case as mental health nurses have an important, albeit ill‐defined, role to play in tackling social determinants.
Promotion of choice in the care of people with bipolar disorder: a mental health nursing perspective
Authors: JONES M. , JONES A.
Published: September 2010

Inpatient nurse prescribing is proving to be a useful mechanism by which patients can have their medicines prescribed. A case study is described that outlines how a nurse prescriber worked with a patient who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Key issues that have arisen from this case study include the importance of multidisciplinary team working, informed medicines management interventions and the ability to work with patients to promote patient choice. The case study will draw out the difficulties in managing bipolar conditions but enable other nurse prescribers to adopt similar values in their prescribing practice.
Of glaciers and refugia: a decade of study sheds new light on the phylogeography of northwestern North America
Authors: SHAFER AARON B. A. , CULLINGHAM CATHERINE I. , CÔTÉ STEEVE D. , COLTMAN DAVID W.
Published: September 2010

Glacial cycles have played a dominant role in shaping the genetic structure and distribution of biota in northwestern North America. The two major ice age refugia of Beringia and the Pacific Northwest were connected by major mountain chains and bordered by the Pacific Ocean. As a result, numerous refugial options were available for the regions taxa during glacial advances. We reviewed the importance of glaciations and refugia in shaping northwestern North America’s phylogeographic history. We also tested whether ecological variables were associated with refugial history. The recurrent phylogeographic patterns that emerged were the following: (i) additional complexity, i.e. refugia within refugia, in both Beringia and the Pacific Northwest; and (ii) strong evidence for cryptic refugia in the Alexander Archipelago and Haida Gwaii, the Canadian Arctic and within the ice‐sheets. Species with contemporary ranges that covered multiple refugia, or those with high dispersal ability, were significantly more likely to have resided in multiple refugia. Most of the shared phylogeographic patterns can be attributed to multiple refugial locales during the last glacial maximum or major physiographic barriers like rivers and glaciers. However, some of the observed patterns are much older and appear connected to the orogeny of the Cascade‐Sierra chain or allopatric differentiation during historic glacial advances. The emergent patterns from this review suggest we should refine the classic Beringian‐southern refugial paradigm for northwestern North American biota and highlight the ecological and evolutionary consequences of colonization from multiple refugia.
Interstitial cells of Cajal in diabetic gastroenteropathy
Authors: ördög T.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  Gastroenteropathy causes considerable morbidity in patients with diabetes mellitus and represents a major healthcare burden. Current treatments are largely symptomatic and frequently ineffective. Development of new therapeutic options is hampered by poor understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms. Experimental studies and sparse human data indicate that diabetic gastroenteropathy is multifactorial and involves not only parasympathetic and sympathetic autonomic nerves, but also enteric neurons, smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). ICC are mesenchymal cells that occur throughout the muscular coat of the gastrointestinal tract and provide functions critical for normal gastrointestinal motility including generation and propagation of electrical slow waves and mediation of bidirectional communication between the autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle cells. Through these functions, and in concert with other cell types of the gastrointestinal muscles, ICC support basic gastrointestinal functions such as digestion, absorption and waste removal. Loss or dysfunction of ICC in various dysmotilities and their animal models has been shown to lead to gastric dysrhythmias, gastroparesis, slow intestinal transit, impaired neuroeffector mechanisms and altered visceral afferent signalling that are considered hallmarks of diabetic gastroenteropathy. These findings and an increasing body of evidence indicating disruptions of ICC networks in diabetes suggest that the loss of ICC in this disorder is probably of functional significance and could even be a major pathogenetic factor. Future research should focus on the identification of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying ICC loss in diabetes and the translation of the experimental findings into treatments.
The overwintering stages of Ectobius lapponicus (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattidae)
Authors: BROWN V. K.
Published: September 2010

SYNOPSIS

An account is given of the overwintering stages of Ectobius lapponicus, involving the determination of a diapause in the egg and one of the nymphal instars. The significance of these periods in the life cycle is discussed.
Defence glands in the giant spiny phasmid Extatosoma tiaratum
Authors: STRONG L.
Published: September 2010

Adults of Extatosoma tiaratum liberate a strong smell when handled. The smell is associated with a colourless, volatile liquid which is apparently harmless to man. It is ejected on to the thorax of the insect, and on to the hands of the investigator, from a pair of tubercles located on the anterior border of the prothorax. The tubercles have a slit‐like aperture through which the secretion is sprayed on attack. The secretion is produced by two glands in the thorax, each comprising a pair of tubes which unite just beneath the tubercle. The tubes consist of a thick, glandular epithelium lined with a thin layer of cuticle; most of the gland is enveloped in a layer of muscle. The defence reaction is discussed in relation to that of other phasmids.
Chorionic sculpturing in some sandfly eggs (Diptera, Psychodidae)1
Authors: WARD RICHARD D. , READY PATRICIA A.
Published: September 2010

The outer chorionic sculpturing of the eggs of thirteen species of neotropical sandflies was examined by scanning electron microscope. Sculpture patterns are species specific and include polygons, parallel ridges and mountain or volcano‐like structures. Two closely related and undescribed species of the intermedia group were distinguished by this means. The role of sculpturing in plastron respiration is discussed.
A new genus of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from India
Authors: SHAFEE S. ADAM
Published: September 2010

SYNOPSIS

A new genus, probably related to Anagyrus, is erected for a new species parasitic on mealy‐bugs, the male and female of which are described.
Femoral combs—a secondary sexual character in British Oscinellinae (Diptera: Chloropidae)
Authors: ISMAY J.
Published: September 2010

A specialised but variable group of setae on the middle femur of males of Chloropidae is described and its taxonomic importance discussed. This femoral comb has been found in 15 out of 24 genera of Oscinellinae, but was not found in 15 genera of Chloropinae.
Pre‐sowing herbicides in irrigated cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) and ground nut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the Sudan. I. Weed control and crop yields achieved with trifluralin and benfluralin.
Authors: JENNINGS E. A. , DRENNAN D. S. H.
Published: September 2010

Trifluralin in cotton and benfluralin in groudnut. incorporated pre‐planting. gave satisfactory control of grass weeds and increased crop yields substantially. Oxadiazon as a pre‐planting treatment did not give satisfactory additional control of dicotyledons resistant to the first two herbicides. A post‐sowing mechanical ridging operation controlled some herbicide resistant weeds, but its effects depended on timing, weed species and growing conditions. Supportive hand weeding of resistant weeds (mainly dicotyledons) was most effective 4 weeks after crop emergence. Crop yields similar to clean weeded controls were achieved by combining trifluralin or benfluralin with moderate supportive hand weeding and re‐ridging. Herbicide applications could be made several months before crop planting during the dry season, giving more effective use of spray equipment and operatives. Delays of up to 24 hours between spraying and incorporation by normal cultivation could be tolerated without loss of herbicidal activity.
Identification et activité biologique d'une impureté du diuron technique
Authors: BLEIN J.P. , DUCRUET J.M. , GAUVRIT C.
Published: September 2010

I‘activité biologique d'un résidu de synthese du diuron, identi‐fiéåla 1.3‐his‐(3,4‐dichlorophényl) urée. a éiéétudiée sur E. coli. mitochondries de pomme de terre. chloroplasies et lipo‐somes.Ce composé inhibe la croissanee d'E. coli et semble modifier les permétions membraires. II ayit comme un découplant trés actif des oxydations phosphorylames: il bloque la réaction de Hill de chloroplastes isoles et modifie les pro‐priété des membranes liposomales. Cette activité est comparée à celle dea diuron technique et purifié et peut †tre responsablede certames actions du diuron technique.
Weed interference and control in white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir)
Authors: AKOBUNDU I. OKEZIE
Published: September 2010

The climbing growth habit of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) coupled with its inability to shade the ground completely at any stage of its growth and development makes it very susceptible to weed interference. The critical period of weed interference in white yam was between the 8th and 16th week after planting (w.a.p.) for yam planted at the onset of rains. Keeping yam plants weedy for 16 w.a.p. or beyond significantly reduced tuber yield; keeping them weed‐free for the same period resulted in a significant increase in tuber yield. A minimum of three weedings within 16 w.a.p. are necessary to minimize yield reduction caused by weeds. The lowest weed weight and highest crop yield from herbicide treatments were obtained where a mixture of fluometuron and metolachlor each at 2.0 kg a.i./ha was used for pre‐emergence weed control.
Movement of fluometuron, simazine, 36Cl− and 144Ce3+ in soil under field conditions: qualitative aspects
Authors: HANCE R.J. , EMBLING S.J. , HILL D. , GRAHAM‐BRYCE I.J. , NICHOLLS P.
Published: September 2010

The distributions of two herbicides and two radioactive ions in field plots at two sites were determined at periods up to 187 days following surface applications in the spring. The results demonstrated the variability characteristic of field situations. At one site some fluometuron moved a short distance down the profile but after 187 days most remained above 6 cm whereas at the other site there was essentially no movement below 3 cm. At both sites simazine was almost entirely confined to the top 3 cm. The adsorption characteristics of the two compounds are similar so the greater mobility of fluometuron is probably a consequence of its greater solubility, Measurements of 36Cl− indicated a significant movement of water through the 30 cm depth studied. 144Ce3+ used as a tracer of soil particles was of similar mobility to simazine.

In general the movement of chloride and the two herbicides can be interpreted in terms of the concept of mobile and immobile fractions of soil water in which a proportion of the mobile water does not reach equilibrium with solutes in the bulk of the soil. Soil structural effects may therefore be more important than adsorption in controlling the movement of solutes and redistribution in association with soil particles can be significant. A parallel laboratory experiment showed that the results from a standard leaching column procedure did not necessarily indicate field performance.
Utilisation des chlorelles pour le dosage biologique de l'atrazine dans le sol
Authors: LEFEBVRE‐DROUET E. , CALVET R.
Published: September 2010

L'utilisation d'une culture de chlorelles dans des conditions expérimentales bien définies permet le dosage de I'atrazine bioactive du sol sans extraction préalable. La mise au point a été effectuée avec un matériau non adsorbant (sable). Des concentrations d'atrazine de 0.10μg g−1 de sable peuvent ainsi être détectées. et dosées avec précision à partir de 0.45 μg g−1 de sable. Des exemples d'application sont donnés pour des terres de composition très différentes. La comparaison avec la méthode utilisant les plantules d'avoine montre que la méthode proposée conduit à des résultats du même ordre de grandeur.
Movement of fluometuron and 36Cl− in soil under field conditions: computer simulations
Authors: GRAHAM‐BRYCE I.J. , NICHOLLS P.H. , BAKER R.J. , HANCE R.J. , EMBLING S.J. , HILL D.
Published: September 2010

The movement of chloride ion and the movement and degradation of fluometuron in two soils of contrasting texture and structure was predicted with a simulation model which included terms for the degradation of fluometuron as a function of temperature and moisture. The simulated distributions of soil water, chloride ion and fluometuron were compared with the observations reported in a previous paper (Hance, Embling, Hill, Graham‐Boyce & Nicholls, 1981), Soil waler contents and fluometuron distribution were simulated reasonably accurately. Movement of chloride to below 30 cm in both soils and degradation of fluometuron in the WRO sandy loam soil were not well simulated. The discrepancies between observed and predicted water contents and chloride distribution show the importance of measuring dynamic as well as static water properties. Therefore refined simulation models may need to account for pore continuity, soil particle movement and mobile and immobile categories of water.
Measurement of weed species diversity in crop/weed competition studies
Authors: TOPHAM P. B. , LAWSON H. M.
Published: September 2010

Data on dry matter accumulation by weeds in the presence or absence of two densities of vining peas was used to compare six diversity indices as measures of changes in the structure and behaviour of the weed flora. Analysis of variance was carried out for each index and the residuals were examined for skewness, kurtosis and heteroscedasticity. Indices based on species number (richness) and species evenness were found to be effective and reliable over the wide range of data examined and permitted new information to be derived. They showed that while increasing competition from the pea crops suppressed weed growth and reduced the number of species recorded at successive sampling dates, there was no selection pressure and species evenness was not reduced.
The control of Holcus lanatus in perennial ryegrass swards by asulam.
Authors: KIRKHAM F. W. , HAGGAR R. J. , WATT T. A.
Published: September 2010

Asulam was evaluated in three fields experiments for the control of Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus L.) in perennial rygrass(Lolium perenneL). It was used in 1976 on a 3 year‐old ryegrass/timothy (Phleum pratense L.) sward in comparison with propyzamidc, in 1977 on a 9 year‐old ryegrass pasture grazed at two stocking rates and in 1978 on an intensively managed ryegrass dominant sward. Asulam at 1.75 kg ha−1 gave good selective control in all the field experiments and was more effective under higher than lower slocking rates. In laxly grazed swards it was most effective when sprayed in October. Propyzamide also controlled H. lanatus and increased yields of while clover (Trifolium repens L.) even at 0.25 kg ha−1 but it damaged the sown grasses and increased the growth of broad‐leaved weeds.
Threshold level and seed production of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medicus) in maize
Authors: ZANIN G. , SATTIN M.
Published: September 2010

Four tests were carried out in 1980 and 1981 to determine: (a) the economic threshold density of Abutilon theophrasti Medicus (velvetleaf) in maize, and (b) seed production with varying densities of infestation, both in the presence and in the absence of maize. The infestation was artificially created, and the density of the weed ranged from 0 to 80 plants m−2. The economic threshold, calculated using the Cousens (1987) model, varied between 0⋅3 plants m−2 and 2⋅4 plants m−2, depending on the variables considered. The presence of maize reduced the seed‐rain of A. theophrasti by 50%. This seed‐rain reached its maximum level at 20–30 plants m−2 in maize, and at 30–35 plants m−2 in weed monoculture. However, with only 4–5 plants m−2 in competition with maize, A. theophrasti produced 8–10 thousand seeds m−2. The usefulness of threshold density in weed management is debatable when one considers the ecological characteristics of the A. theophrasti seed, and the great capacity of seed production of this weed.
Preventing stump regrowth with a herbicide‐applying tree cutter
Authors: JOHANSSON T.
Published: September 2010

Ten‐year‐old birches (Betula spp.) and 15‐year‐old aspens (Populus tremula L.) in field were cut and treated by the 'selective cutter', which also wetted the mantle area of the stump. Twenty per cent glyphosate, applied at the rate of 0⋅38 ml per cm stump diameter and 10% imazapyr at 0⋅14 ml per cm stump diameter, effectively killed the stumps or prevented sprouting. The cutter worked adequately.
Seeds in a rainforest soil and their relation to shifting cultivation in the Ivory Coast
Authors: de ROUW ANNEKE , van OERS CATHARINA
Published: September 2010

In the Taï region of the Ivory Coast, mature forest is felled and burned and a crop of rice is grown; forest is then allowed to regenerate for 20 or more years before being cropped again. The top 10 cm of soil beneath a 21‐year‐old forest prior to felling contained 2000 viable seeds m−2 of mainly woody species of previous successional stages no longer represented in the vegetation. Seedling emergence was greater in full sunlight than under leaf canopy, especially for herbaceous species of open habitats. Burning destroyed almost half of the seeds, but overall germination of those that survived was advanced by about 2 weeks. Germination of some common pioneer species was enhanced by the fire. Provided that burning took place and the rice was planted immediately, vegetation arising from the seed bank did not present a problem. The density never exceeded 70 seedlings m−2 and little or no weeding was required. Species present at densities greater than 1 seedling 10 m−2 were all recorded in the seed bank.
Uptake, translocation and phytotoxicity of root‐absorbed haloxyfop in soybean, Festuca rubra L. and Festuca arundinacea Schreb
Authors: AGUERO‐ALVARADO R. , APPLEBY A.P.
Published: September 2010

The concentrations of haloxyfop in nutrient solution required to reduce the total plant dry weight of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. ‘Evans’), red fescue (Festuca rubra L. ‘Pennlawn’), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. ‘Houndog’) by 50% (GR50) were determined. The GR50) values for soybean, red fescue and tall fescue were 76 μM, 3μM and 0.4 μM, respectively. The reduction in growth in roots and shoots of soybean was similar. In contrast, the relative reduction in root tissue weight was greater than that for foliar tissue in both grass species. The amount of 14C‐haloxyfop in soybean roots or shoots was higher than in red fescue or tall fescue. Red fescue accumulated less haloxyfop in the foliage than in the roots. On the other hand, similar amounts of 14C‐haloxyfop accumulated in both organs in both soybean and tall fescue. 14C‐haloxyfop appeared to be actively absorbed by the roots of all species. Soybean absorbed more nutrient solution, but utilized it less on a per gram dry matter produced basis than the grass species. Differences in the uptake and translocation of haloxyfop by roots do not account for differences in tolerance between species. However, a higher level of retention of haloxyfop in the roots of red fescue than in tall fescue may provide the former with an additional selectivity advantage under conditions where there is significant root exposure to the herbicide.