bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimising codend configuration in a multispecies demersal trawl fishery
Authors: BROADHURST M. K. , MILLAR R. B. , WOODEN M. E. L. , MACBETH W. G.
Published: March 2006

Abstract  The relative efficiencies and selectivities of conventional and modified codends were examined in a demersal trawl fishery targeting several species, including eastern king prawns, Penaeus plebejus (Hess), whiting, Sillago spp. and cephalopods. The modifications to codends included: (i) reducing the circumference; (ii) increasing the mesh size in conventional diamond‐mesh designs; and (iii) orientating meshes on the bar so that they were square shaped. The codends were tested against a fine‐meshed control in paired comparisons onboard three commercial trawlers. The conventional codend comprised 41‐mm diamond‐shaped mesh attached to an anterior extension section at a ratio of 150 to 100 meshes and was demonstrated to be non‐selective for the targeted species. Reducing codend circumference to 100 meshes and increasing the size of mesh to 45 mm both improved selection for eastern king prawns, but the lateral mesh openings were estimated to be insufficient to allow juveniles of the other key species to escape. By contrast, codends made from 35‐ and 41‐mm mesh hung on the bar improved the size selection for eastern king prawns and selected stout whiting, Sillago robusta (Stead) (the smallest commercial‐sized fish) across narrow selection ranges and at 50% sizes of retention (L50s) that were closely correlated to the transverse morphology of fish and the maximum mesh opening. With the exception of a reduction in catches of octopus, Octopus spp., by the 41‐square codend, there were no other impacts on commercial catches by the square‐mesh designs. It was concluded that diamond‐mesh codends are inappropriate for use throughout this multispecies fishery and that a modified design comprising at least 35‐mm mesh hung on the bar is required to minimise the fishing mortality of unwanted sizes of the key target species. The results are discussed in terms of the utility of these types of modifications for closely regulating selection in penaeid‐shrimp trawls.
A framework for incorporating climate regime shifts into the management of marine resources
Authors: KING J. R. , MCFARLANE G. A.
Published: March 2006

Abstract  It is possible to use an ecosystem‐based management approach to incorporate knowledge of climate regime impacts on ecosystem productivity to manage fishery resources. To do so, it requires the development of a coherent framework that can be built using existing stock assessment and management activities: ecosystem assessment, risk analyses, adaptive management and reference points. This paper builds such a framework and uses two population simulations to illustrate the benefits and tradeoffs of variable regime‐specific harvest rates. The framework does not require prediction of regime shifts, but assumes that detection can occur soon after one has happened. As such, decisions do not need to be coincident to regime shifts, but can be delayed by an appropriate period of time that is linked to a species’ life history, i.e. age of maturity or recruitment. Fisheries scientists should provide harvest recommendations that reflect a range of levels of risk to the stock under different assumptions of productivity. Coupling ecosystem assessment with ecosystem‐based management would allow managers to select appropriate regime‐specific harvest rates.
Relationships among condition indices, feeding and growth of walleye in Lake Erie
Authors: HARTMAN K. J. , MARGRAF F. J.
Published: March 2006

Abstract  Condition indices are often used as surrogates of fish health, growth, and feeding and to compare ecological well‐being among fish populations. In an effort to identify easily measured indices, growth and food consumption were compared with gonadal‐somatic index, liver‐somatic index (LSI), fat‐somatic index and relative weight (Wr) for ages 1–3 walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill), in Lake Erie from 1986 to 1988. The LSI and Wr were significantly correlated with growth rate or food consumption, but correlations were too small to be considered biologically meaningful. Furthermore, no consistent relationships between condition indices and growth or consumption were found among combinations of fish age and season. None of the indices are considered reliable surrogates for more laborious estimates of growth and food consumption for Lake Erie walleye. Significant relationships between Wr and relative abundance of key prey species warrant further investigation.
Regional occupancy in unicellular eukaryotes: a reflection of niche breadth, habitat availability or size‐related dispersal capacity?
Authors: HEINO JANI , SOININEN JANNE
Published: March 2006

1. The distribution patterns of unicellular and multicellular organisms have recently been shown to differ profoundly, with the former probably being mostly cosmopolitan, whereas the latter are mostly restricted to certain regions. However, the within‐region distribution patterns of these two organism groups may be rather similar.

2. We predicted that the degree of regional occupancy in unicellular eukaryotes would be related to niche characteristics, dispersal ability and size, as has been found previously for multicellular organisms. The niche characteristics we considered were niche position, that measures marginality in species habitat distribution, and niche breadth, that measures amplitude in species habitat distribution. Niche characteristics were determined using Outlying Mean Index (OMI) analysis.

3. We found that the regional occupancy in our model group of unicellular eukaryotes, stream diatoms, was primarily a reflection of the niche position of a species or, more generally, habitat availability. Thus, non‐marginal species (i.e. species that occupied common habitat conditions across the region) tended to be more widely distributed than marginal species (i.e. species that were restricted to a limited range of rare habitat conditions). This finding was further supported by the general linear model, with niche position, niche breadth, maximum size and attachment mode as explanatory variables: niche position was by far the most important variable accounting for variability in regional occupancy, with significant amounts of additional variation related to niche breadth and maximum size of diatoms.

4. Thus, the degree of regional occupancy among unicellular eukaryotes may be primarily governed by habitat availability, supporting former findings for multicellular organisms.
Effects of pH on electron transport system (ETS) activity and oxygen consumption in Gammarus fossarum, Asellus aquaticus and Niphargus sphagnicolus
Authors: SIMČIČ TATJANA , BRANCELJ ANTON
Published: March 2006

1. Electron transport system (ETS) activity and oxygen consumption were measured in three crustacean species (Gammarus fossarum, Asellus aquaticus and Niphargus sphagnicolus) that differ in their pH tolerance. Measurements were made under four different pH regimes: strongly acid (pH 4.5–5.0), weakly acid (5.5–6.0), ‘neutral’ (7.0–7.8) and alkaline (8.5–9.0).

2. The significantly lower ETS activity/respiration (ETS/R) ratios observed in strongly acid water than in neutral and alkaline water indicate an effect of acidity on metabolism of the organisms. The main reason for the lower ratios is not increased oxygen consumption (except for G. fossarum in strongly acid water) but decreased ETS activity. Metabolic potential was lower in strongly and weakly acid water than in neutral water. Therefore, efficient exploitation of metabolic potential (i.e. of relatively large production of ATP with the existing enzyme machinery) probably enables N. sphagnicolus and A. aquaticus to survive in an acid environment.

3. Increased oxygen consumption of G. fossarum in strongly acid water indicates an acid stress that leads to the collapse of metabolism and, consequent death of the animals.

4. Although N. sphagnicolus is found exclusively in permanently acid water, no negative effect of alkaline water on metabolism was observed. This species can, therefore, be best considered as an acid‐resistant species, not an acidobiont.
Size‐dependent effects of an invasive herbivorous snail (Pomacea canaliculata) on macrophytes and periphyton in Asian wetlands
Authors: CARLSSON NILS O. L. , BRÖNMARK CHRISTER
Published: March 2006

1. The invasive golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata), native to South America, is a serious pest on rice seedlings in south‐east Asia and has also been shown to consume large amounts of macrophytes in natural wetlands, with large effects on ecosystem functioning. Earlier studies suggest that the snail undergoes an ontogenetic diet shift, feeding on algae and detritus as juveniles and shifting to aquatic macrophytes as adults.

2. Here, we study the effects of snail populations with a size‐structure typical of either populations at an invasive front or the size‐structure of established populations. In an enclosure experiment performed in a wetland in Laos, we compared treatments with small snails only (3 mm; invasive treatment) to treatments with small, medium sized (10 mm) and adult (>25 mm) snails (established treatment). The effects of snail grazing on three aquatic macrophyte species and periphytic algae were quantified.

3. We found that snails of all sizes had a strong negative effect on the biomass of all macrophyte species and periphytic algae. There was no evidence of an ontogenetic diet change, i.e. snails in both the invasive and established treatments affected macrophyte biomass. Foraging was size‐dependent in that small snails had higher relative foraging capacity (g plant consumed per g of snail) compared with medium and adult snails. Small snails, therefore, depressed growth of medium snails at increasing densities through exploitative competition for preferred resources, while adult snails did not grow at all in the presence of small snails.

4. Density dependence is common in freshwater invertebrates, including gastropod populations, but differences in size dependent foraging‐ and competitive‐ability have rarely been demonstrated in this group of organisms. Knowledge about intra‐specific differences in ecological performance may, however, both deepen our understanding of the processes that underlie population dynamics in invertebrates such as gastropods, and help develop control strategies for invasive golden apple snails.
The effects of potential larval supply, settlement and post‐settlement processes on the distribution of two species of filter‐feeding caddisflies
Authors: SHARPE ANDREW K. , DOWNES BARBARA J.
Published: March 2006

1. Hydropsychid caddisfly larvae are often abundant in fast flow habitats and on highly textured substrata. Such patterns are usually inferred to result from habitat preference, but the roles of larval supply to the benthos and post‐settlement events are rarely examined for stream populations. We describe a manipulative field experiment that examined larval supply, habitat preference and post‐settlement events simultaneously for two co‐occurring species of hydropsychids.

2. Ten artificial channels were constructed in a natural riffle to create fast and slow flow habitats and within each channel we placed six artificial substrata whose surfaces had been modified to create three different texture treatments. We measured discharge through channels and monitored hydropsychid colonisation of substrata every 3–4 days. Half of the substrata had all hydropsychids and nets removed every 3–4 days (short‐term colonisation) whereas the remaining half were counted but nets and hydropsychids left attached (long‐term colonisation). Short‐term counts of nets and individuals were summed to allow comparison with long‐term colonisation substrata.

3. Smicrophylax sp. AV2 larvae were more abundant in fast flow channels than slow flow channels, but these differences were proportional to discharge through each of the channels, suggesting that supply of settlers can explain this pattern. Smicrophylax larvae were least abundant on smooth substrata, which suggests that this species selects habitats based on surface texture. Alternatively, Asmicridea sp. AV1 larvae were only found in fast flow channels and this most likely reflects an active habitat choice by this species, but there was no significant difference between different texture treatments.

4. There were no differences between summed, short‐ and long‐term counts of recruits for either species, but there were more nets than larvae, especially in slow flow channels, by the end of the experiment, suggesting that larval mortality or re‐dispersal after settlement could be considerable.

5. Our results indicate that supply, habitat selection at settlement and post‐settlement processes all contributed variously to the distribution of hydropsychid caddisfly larvae, but that each species was affected differentially by these factors. Larval supply and post‐settlement processes are rarely examined by stream researchers and our results demonstrate these factors deserve much more consideration. Calculating accurate larval supply rates to sites is challenging, but we suggest that such detailed information is necessary if we are to sort out what sets limits to distributions and the underlying population structure of stream invertebrate populations.
Diel interactions between prey behaviour and feeding in an invasive fish, the round goby, in a North American river
Authors: CARMAN STEPHANIE M. , JANSSEN JOHN , JUDE DAVID J. , BERG MARTIN B.
Published: March 2006

1. We studied the diet of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) on a diel basis in the Flint River, a warmwater stream in Michigan, U.S.A. Diet and available prey samples were collected seven times over a 24 h period in four consecutive months. The section of river studied lacked zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), the primary prey of adult round gobies elsewhere in the Great Lakes region.

2. Diet changed on a diel basis with hydropsychid caddisfly and chironomid larvae predominating during the day, chironomid pupae dominating in the evening and heptageniid mayflies dominating at night. Simultaneous study of macroinvertebrate drift suggested that caddisfly and chironomid larvae were most likely picked from submerged rocks, chironomid pupae were most likely taken during their emergent ascent and mayflies were either captured from the drift or picked from rocks.

3. The Flint River lacks a diverse darter (Family: Percidae) and sculpin (Family: Cottidae) fauna and it appears that the round goby has occupied a generalised darter/sculpin niche. Our results indicate that round gobies have the potential to invade successfully riverine systems, particularly those lacking a diverse benthic fish assemblage.
Predator‐released compounds, ambient temperature and competitive exclusion among differently sized Daphnia species
Authors: VIJVERBERG JACOBUS , VOS MATTHIJS
Published: March 2006

1. We studied the effects of fish water and temperature on mechanisms of competitive exclusion among two Daphnia species in flow‐through microcosms. The large‐bodied D. pulicaria outcompeted the medium sized D. galeata × hyalina in fish water, but not in the control treatment. Daphnia galeata × hyalina was competitively displaced 36 days earlier at 18 °C than at 12 °C.

2. It is likely that the high phosphorus content of fish water increased the nutritional value of detrital seston particles by stimulating bacterial growth. Daphnia pulicaria was presumably better able to use these as food and hence showed a more rapid somatic growth than its competitor. This led to very high density of D. pulicaria in fish water, but not in the controls. The elevated D. pulicaria density coincided with high mortality and reduced fecundity in D. galeata × hyalina, resulting in competitive displacement of the hybrid.

3. It is clear that the daphnids competed for a limiting resource, as grazing caused a strong decrease in their seston food concentration. However, interference may also have played a role, as earlier studies have shown larger Daphnia species to be dominant in this respect. The high density of large‐bodied D. pulicaria in fish water may have had an allelopathic effect on the hybrid. Our data are inconclusive with respect to whether the reached seston concentration was below the threshold resource level (R*) of the hybrid, where population growth rate and mortality exactly balance, as it would be set in the absence of interference, or whether interference actually raised the hybrid's R* to a value above this equilibrium particle concentration.

4. Our results do clearly show that fish‐released compounds mediated competitive exclusion among zooplankton species and that such displacement occurred at a greatly enhanced rate at an elevated temperature. Fish may thus not only structure zooplankton communities directly through size‐selective predation, but also indirectly through the compounds they release.
Orthodontic movement of two root fractured teeth: a case report
Authors: Healey D. L. , Plunkett D. J. , Chandler N. P.
Published: March 2006

Aim  To illustrate significant tipping orthodontic movement of root fractured teeth.

Summary  As the frequency of root fractured maxillary teeth is related to increased overjet and reduced lip coverage, orthodontic treatment may increase lip coverage and reduce the risk of trauma or its severity. It may also be necessary to move previously traumatized teeth. Two root fractured teeth were tipped through a considerable angle (19°) to reduce a large overjet and followed up for 5 years.

Key learning points •Reduction of large overjets involving root fractured teeth may not affect pulp vitality.

•Root fragment separation prior to orthodontics did not appear to increase in this patient, but angulation of the fragments did not completely follow the major change to the coronal part of the tooth.
Ex vivo comparison of digital images with conventional radiographs for detection of simulated voids in root canal filling material
Authors: Kositbowornchai S. , Hanwachirapong D. , Somsopon R. , Pirmsinthavee S. , Sooksuntisakoonchai N.
Published: March 2006

Aim  To compare the diagnostic potential of direct digital images with conventional radiographs for the detection of simulated root canal voids.

Methodology  The root canals of 80 extracted maxillary incisors with straight root canals were prepared and filled and the specimens divided into two groups: (i) a group of 40 teeth without voids; and, (ii) a group of 40 teeth with voids created in the root filling. Each root was imaged using the paralleling technique with a CCD‐based digital system and F‐speed film. Totally, there were 240 images: conventional radiographs (n = 80), digital images (n = 80) and digital zoomed images at 2× magnification (n = 80). These were interpreted for voids by a radiologist (without prior knowledge of the distribution of the voids). The reliability of the radiologist was confirmed using Cohen's Kappa Statistic, with the kappa value found to be >0.08. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated. The differences in sensitivity and specificity between the imaging systems were then assessed using the Exact McNemar significance probability at the 95% significance level.

Results  The sensitivities (95% CI) of conventional radiographs, digital images and zoomed images were 0.68 (0.57–0.78), 0.83 (0.74–0.91) and 0.80 (0.71–0.89), respectively. The specificities of the conventional radiographs, digital and zoomed images were 0.80 (0.71–0.89), 0.83 (0.74–0.91) and 0.83 (0.74–0.91), respectively. The positive predictive values (95% CI) were 0.77 (0.68–0.86), 0.83 (0.74–0.91) and 0.82 (0.74–0.90), respectively. The negative predictive values (95% CI) were 0.71 (0.61–0.81), 0.83 (0.74–0.91) and 0.80 (0.72–0.89), respectively. There were no significant differences between the sensitivity and specificity of digital images and conventional radiographs, and of digital images and zoomed images during the detection of voids in root fillings (P > 0.05).

Conclusions  Under the conditions of this laboratory study, the diagnostic performance of digital images and conventional radiographs, and between the digital images and digital zoomed images for simulated void detection in root fillings were not significantly different.
MTA versus Portland cement as repair material for furcal perforations: a laboratory study using a polymicrobial leakage model
Authors: De‐Deus G. , Petruccelli V. , Gurgel‐Filho E. , Coutinho‐Filho T.
Published: March 2006

Aim  To compare the ability of Portland cement and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to prevent coronal leakage through repaired furcal perforations in molar teeth.

Methodology  The pulp chambers of 36 human mandibular molar teeth were accessed and the root canal orifices were located. The roots were horizontally sectioned in the middle third. Composite resin was used to fill the root canal orifices and the apical end of the roots. Perforations were created in the centre of the pulp chamber floor using a size 3 round bur. Thirty teeth were divided into two groups (n = 15) and a further six teeth served as controls. In G1, all 15 perforation defects were repaired with MTA while in G2, Portland cement was used. Each tooth was inserted in a silicone tube (bacterial reservoir) with the region containing the perforation protruding through the end. The system was sterilized and placed in a glass flask containing sterile brain heart infusion medium (BHI). The reservoirs were filled with human saliva mixed in BHI and system was incubated at 37 °C and checked daily for the appearance of turbidity in the BHI broth during the following 50 days. The leakage data were analysed statistically by a log‐rank test (P < 0.05).

Results  Eight (53%) of the 15 samples of the MTA group (G1) and nine (60%) of the 15 samples of the Portland cement group (G2) were fully contaminated at 50 days. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion  Portland cement and MTA demonstrated a similar ability to seal furcal perforations.
The relation between apical periodontitis and root‐filled teeth in patients with periodontal treatment need
Authors: Stassen I. G. K. , Hommez G. M. G. , De Bruyn H. , De Moor R. J. G.
Published: March 2006

Aim  To investigate a number of clinical and treatment variables that might have influenced the prevalence of apical periodontitis in root‐filled teeth in a population of periodontally compromised patients.

Methodology  This investigation was a retrospective cross‐sectional study on data collected from periodontal charts in addition to intra‐oral full‐mouth radiographs from patients attending the Department of Periodontology of the Dental School of the Ghent University Hospital. Periodontal parameters (clinical attachment loss and the lowest marginal bone level, the history of periodontal treatment), endodontic treatment (length, homogeneity and overall quality of the root filling) and the quality of coronal restorations were related to the prevalence of apical periodontitis. A total of 272 root‐filled teeth in 94 patients were evaluated.

Results  The periapical condition was significantly influenced by the quality of the root filling and the coronal filling (P < 0.05). More apical periodontitis was seen when the coronal level of the root filling exceeded the marginal bone level (P < 0.005). The marginal periodontal condition seemed to influence the periapical status. Teeth with apical periodontitis were associated with significantly more extended marginal bone loss (P < 0.001). Significantly less apical periodontitis was seen in patients that had received marginal periodontal treatment (P < 0.005), compared with untreated periodontal patients.

Conclusions  Signs of periodontal disease, as reflected by marginal bone loss, are of importance for the periapical condition of root‐filled teeth. Efforts should be taken in preventing spread of infection through the periodontal‐endodontic pathway by periodontal infection control and a high quality of root filling and coronal filling. Care should also be taken to seal the coronal cavity up to the level of the root filling, where it is advisable to reduce the coronal level of the root filling below or at least at the level of the surrounding marginal bone.
On the causes of persistent apical periodontitis: a review
Authors: Nair P. N. R.
Published: March 2006

Apical periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of periradicular tissues caused by aetiological agents of endodontic origin. Persistent apical periodontitis occurs when root canal treatment of apical periodontitis has not adequately eliminated intraradicular infection. Problems that lead to persistent apical periodontitis include: inadequate aseptic control, poor access cavity design, missed canals, inadequate instrumentation, debridement and leaking temporary or permanent restorations. Even when the most stringent procedures are followed, apical periodontitis may still persist as asymptomatic radiolucencies, because of the complexity of the root canal system formed by the main and accessory canals, their ramifications and anastomoses where residual infection can persist. Further, there are extraradicular factors – located within the inflamed periapical tissue – that can interfere with post‐treatment healing of apical periodontitis. The causes of apical periodontitis persisting after root canal treatment have not been well characterized. During the 1990s, a series of investigations have shown that there are six biological factors that lead to asymptomatic radiolucencies persisting after root canal treatment. These are: (i) intraradicular infection persisting in the complex apical root canal system; (ii) extraradicular infection, generally in the form of periapical actinomycosis; (iii) extruded root canal filling or other exogenous materials that cause a foreign body reaction; (iv) accumulation of endogenous cholesterol crystals that irritate periapical tissues; (v) true cystic lesions, and (vi) scar tissue healing of the lesion. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the causative factors of non‐resolving periapical lesions that are seen as asymptomatic radiolucencies post‐treatment.
The influence of haemostatic agents on healing of healthy human dental pulp tissue capped with calcium hydroxide
Authors: Silva A. F. , Tarquinio S. B. C. , Demarco F. F. , Piva E. , Rivero E. R. C.
Published: March 2006

Aim  To investigate the hypothesis that different haemostatic agents could impair the histological response of human pulps capped with calcium hydroxide.

Methodology  Forty‐five third molars scheduled for extraction were selected. Class I cavities with pulp exposures were prepared. Three agents were used to control bleeding: 0.9% saline solution (control, n = 14), 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (n = 16) and 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (n = 15). The pulps were dressed with hard‐setting calcium hydroxide cement. After 7, 30 or 90 days, teeth were extracted, formalin‐fixed and prepared for histochemical techniques. The biological response was categorized using the following criteria: inflammatory response, soft tissue organization, reactionary dentine and reparative dentine. Data were submitted to statistical analysis, using nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis one‐way analysis of variance on ranks. Differences amongst groups were detected using Dunn's method.

Results  The statistical analysis disclosed that whilst inflammatory response decreased over time, reactionary dentine deposition and reparative dentine formation increased in the latter periods of evaluation (P < 0.05). The three agents had similar performances for all criteria evaluated. The conventional pulp response to calcium hydroxide was observed over time, and complete pulp healing was observed in 88% of the specimens after 90 days.

Conclusion  The three haemostatic agents did not impair the healing process following pulp exposure and capping with calcium hydroxide at different time intervals investigated.
Biological effects of flowable resin composite on erythrocytes and lymphocytes using an in vitro model
Authors: Yamaguchi H. , Suzuki S. , Kobayashi K. , Arai T.
Published: March 2006

Aim  The purpose of the study was to evaluate the biological effects of a flowable resin composite on erythrocytes and rat spleen lymphocytes (RSL) using an in vitro model.

Methodology  Rat spleen lymphocytes were placed into microcentrifuge tubes as a pulp model. An artificial pulp exposure was made through the top of the microcentrifuge tube with a 16G needle. The exposure site was filled with a flowable resin composite and photo‐polymerized, and the other specimens were not polymerized. The survival rates were determined by a haemocytometer. Red blood cell (RBC) suspension (0.5%) was reacted with the flowable resin composite. The haemolytic activity was evaluated at room temperature (20 °C) using a supernatant of each sample by measuring 545 nm of absorbency with a spectrophotometer. To evaluate the effect of flowable resin composite on RBCs, supernatant and precipitated samples were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel (SDS–PAGE).

Results  The cell survival rate of the polymerized group was significantly lower compared with that of the nonpolymerized group at the same areas (P < 0.05). The values of haemolysis (absorbency) were 2.16 for the polymerized group, 2.14 for the nonpolymerized group, and 2.18 for the control group (saline). There were no significant differences among them (P > 0.05). The protein component in the supernatant and precipitate exhibited the same reaction with flowable resin composite regardless of the completion of the polymerization, resulting in no change of protein band mobility on SDS–PAGE.

Conclusions  The degree of haemolysis was not influenced by the completion of polymerization. The flowable resin composite tested provoked an adverse effect on lymphocytes when it was not polymerized and the degree of haemolysis was not affected by the status of the polymerization.
Preventing sleep problems in infants: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kerr Susan M. , Jowett Sarah A , Smith Lorraine N
Published: March 2006

In the pre‐school years sleep problems are one of the most common subjects on which parents seek advice from health professionals In the majority of cases a sleepless child causes significant stress within the family, and if parents do not obtain sufficient sleep this can have a detrimental effect on then: physical and emotional well‐being In a small number of cases a child who wakes frequently and will not settle back to sleep may be at risk of physical abuse In recent years it has been suggested that it may be possible to prevent sleep problems developing by providing parents with advice in the post‐natal period Parents have stated that they find this type of intervention helpful, however, there has been no attempt to establish whether a preventive approach is effective

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of health education in reducing the incidence of sleep problems Adopting an experimental approach, participants were randomly allocated to a control group or an intervention group Parental knowledge of sleep and settling behaviour was manipulated when the children in the intervention group were 3 months old The sleeping behaviour of the infants in both groups was compared 6 months later, when the children were 9 months old Data was collected from 86 families in the intervention group and 83 families in the control group A comprehensive analysis of the sleeping behaviour demonstrated that a significantly smaller percentage of babies in the intervention group had settling and night‐waking difficulties than in the control group
Patterns of recovery among Norwegian heart surgery patients
Authors: Kirkevold Mant , Gortner Susan R , Berg Kan , Saltvold Såva
Published: March 2006

Utilizing a prospective longitudinal design, the recovery pattern of 91 heart patients was followed for the first 8 weeks following coronary artery by‐pass graft surgery The patients' perceived and actual performance of walking, their resumption of roles, and social support and family functioning were measured pre‐operatively and at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively Findings indicate that recovery is swift in terms of health and physical functioning, somewhat more time‐consuming in terms of role functioning, and delayed with regard to work‐related role activities Contrary to American findings, the heart surgery recovery process did not significantly affect family functioning in this Norwegian sample Social support was experienced as high throughout the recovery period, with spouses and children being the main providers
The introduction of case management on a rehabilitation floor*
Authors: Waterman H , Waters K , Awenat Y
Published: March 2006

An exchange for 1 day a week between a clinical nurse specialist and a lecturer gave rise to the opportunity to evaluate the introduction of case management on a newly created rehabilitation floor at an elderly care hospital The aims of the study were to examine the feelings and concerns of new case managers, their conception of case management and their perceived educational needs Qualitative research methods were employed to achieve the aims Rigour was addressed, in part, through concurrent analysis of data with data collection, which encouraged probing of issues important to research participants Thematic categories are presented under the headings ‘structure’ and ‘process’ The data collected revealed vividly that, as with any change, the people involved experienced anxieties and/or confusion over their new roles, but that some of the problems arose from the relocation of staff when the rehabilitation floor was established Despite these difficulties, there was general enthusiasm for the potential of case management
Models of differentiated practice and specialization in community nursing: a review of the literature
Authors: Jansen Patrick GM , Kerkstra Ada , Abu‐Saad Huda Huijer , van der Zee Jouke
Published: March 2006

In most agencies for community nursing at least two types of nurse are employed To ensure efficient use of personnel and high quality of nursing care, the principles of differentiated practice and specialization are used It is suggested that these types of work redesign will have consequences for nurses and then1 work We made a review of the literature to see how these principles are used and then: effects on job satisfaction, burnout and quality of care This review provides several views and descriptions of nursing activities, but it also shows that there is a paucity of quantitative data about the effects of differentiated practice and specialization in community nursing To study these effects more systematically, a research model is presented This model makes it possible to describe the changes in job characteristics caused by differentiated practice and specialization Secondly, it allows the effects on job satisfaction, burnout and quality of care to be studied
The Roy Adaptation Model: a consideration of its properties as a conceptual framework for an intervention study
Authors: Tolson D , Mclntosh J
Published: March 2006

The underlying premise of this paper is the belief that one of the core values of nursing research is its ability to demonstrate that nursing interventions influence care outcomes From this perspective the contribution offered by the Roy Adaptation Model for Nursing within an intervention study is evaluated Although it was believed that the model enriched the study in several ways, its overall contribution was likened to a ‘conceptual stepping stone’, used by the researcher en route back towards its underlying theories and classical
The potential impact of gender stereotypes for nursing research
Authors: Hicks Carolyn
Published: March 2006

The move towards evidence‐based health care has meant an increasing pressure on paramedical professionals to become more research aware and research active However, despite various initiatives designed to encourage research, there remains within nursing a notable paucity of relevant published research While numerous explanations have been put forward in an attempt to account for this shortfall, they have tended to focus on structural/organizational barriers rather than difficulties located at the individual level However, Hicks, in studies of midwives and nurse managers suggests that one critical perspective may be the stereotypes and assumptions associated with the nursing profession, these being so diametrically opposed to the core skills required of researchers that they operate as a natural deterrent to research activities of any sort Embedded within this theory is the notion of gender roles, which are archetypally feminine for nursing yet archetypally masculine for research However, Hicks'studies, which were both variants of Asch's Central Trait Theory, focused on women both as the hypothetical subject of the exercise involved and as participants If research is bound up with gender attributions in the way she suggests, it would be necessary to ask if this is still relevant when the gender of the hypothetical figure at the centre of the study is changed To this end, the present study was conducted which, apart from the modification just highlighted, was a replication of Hicks'earlier studies In brief, two groups of participants rated a hypothetical male candidate for a nursing post along 15 bipolar dimensions The candidate had been described by his referee using six adjectives, of which five were identical for each group However, the final phrase used to describe the first group's candidate was'good clinician'while for the second group it was ‘good researcher’ The ratings given by the two groups along the 15 dimensions were then compared It was found that the male applicant described as a good researcher was assumed to be more successful, more ambitious, more confident and more ruthless than one described as a good clinician The implications of these results are discussed in relation to gender theories and nursing research
Couples' experiences of infertility: a phenomenological study
Authors: Imeson Margaret , McMurray Anne
Published: March 2006

If nurses are to work effectively with families in contemporary society, their practice activities must be appropriately informed Families exposed to new technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) require care that is sensitive to then: particular experience Infertile couples have been the subject of a substantial body of research, however, most studies to date focus on the physiological effects of infertility and do not take into account the context in which the experience takes place, or the meanings that people assign to this experience

The purpose of this study was to examine in‐depth the experience of couples undergoing IVF treatment for infertility A phenomenological approach was adopted for the study A purposive sample of six couples was selected for interview Data were generated from taped interviews and the researcher's observational field notes Data analysis was in accordance with the procedure outlined by Colaizzi (1978) Interview responses were categorized by examining the participants' transcripts and identifying significant statements and meanings Themes which emerged from the statements were then identified, and cross‐case comparisons were made to confirm or modify these themes

Four key themes emerged from the data life changes, powerlessness, hope‐disappointment cycle, and social isolation All couples undergoing infertility treatment experienced life changes which included lifestyle changes, various physical and emotional changes, and changes in their relationships There was a perceived loss of control over many aspects of their lives Couples also described a cycle, alternating feelings of hope and disappointment Most of the couples reported feelings of social isolation associated with being infertile, that were intensified by having to deal with the inappropriate responses of others

Findings from this study will add to the knowledge base on infertility, and contribute to recommendations for improving the way nurses guide, counsel, and support infertile couples
Organization and financing of home nursing in the European Union
Authors: Kerkstra Ada , Hutten Jack BF
Published: March 2006

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the organization and financing of home nursing in the 15 member states in the European Union Home nursing was defined as the nursing care provided at the patients' home by professional home nursing organizations Data were gathered by means of three complementary research methods desk research, postal questionnaire among identified experts and face‐to‐face interviews with experts The results showed that there are large differences between the countries in the way home nursing care is financed There seems to be a relation between the way of funding and the organizational structure In member states where the organizations receive a fixed budget, based on the number of inhabitants or the demography of the catchment area, home nursing is mainly provided by one type of organization and is freely accessible for the patients In this situation there is little competition among the organizations, and the catchment areas of the regional organizations do not tend to overlap On the other hand, in countries where organizations are reimbursed according to a fee‐for‐service principle and a referral of a doctor is required, home nursing is provided by different types of organizations and also by independent nurses It seems that fee‐for‐service reimbursement stimulates competition between providers and a market‐oriented home care In addition, a fee‐for‐service method of funding also has the consequence that mainly technical nursing procedures and some basic care are reimbursed, this leaves little room for nurses to perform preventive and psychosocial activities or to provide more integrated care
Investigating attitudes to research in primary health care teams
Authors: Hicks Carolyn , Hennessy Deborah , Cooper Jane , Barwell Frederick
Published: March 2006

Despite top‐down professional body and government agency pressure to increase the research base of clinical practice, there remains a considerable body of evidence which suggests that many ineffective, and even dangerous, health care interventions continue to be practised in areas where there are significant contradictory findings While numerous explanations have been put forward which implicate the role of structural, organizational and informational barriers to integrating research with practice, less attention has been focused on the individual and psychological contributions The study reported here forms part of a larger scale project aimed at developing a diagnostic instrument for identifying research training needs, in the widest sense, within primary health care groups To provide the instrument with content validity, following formal psychometric guidelines, opaque and transparent techniques of data collection were employed at the development stage This yielded some interesting and unexpected results from the respondents, which suggested that despite overt statements to the contrary, the majority of the primary health care professionals studied perceived research as being unimportant and peripheral to their jobs, and the responsibility of other health care professionals Moreover, the subjects' understanding of research and its methodologies was discordant both within and across professional groups The implications of these results from this pilot phase suggest that fundamental and deep‐seated attitudes which are resistant to research maybe a contributory factor to the persistence of ritualistic, non‐evidence‐based care
Using student, teacher and practice supervisor feedback to improve the quality of nurse education: how should we collect it and what should we do with it?
Authors: Russell Graham C , Cordmgley Maureen
Published: March 2006

Many colleges and universities are committed to gathering feedback as a means of improving course quality Typically student's views are sought and few institutions seek systematic feedback from both students and members of staff We report on a pilot study employing student, teacher and practice supervisor feedback on a pre‐registration, Diploma in Higher Education (Nursing) course The paper discusses how we collected the feedback and how the gathered information will influence future planning and decision making
An analysis of the scope and value of problem‐based learning in the education of health care professionals
Authors: Frost Marion
Published: March 2006

Whilst on teaching practice at an institute of higher education, I became increasingly aware of the limitations of subject‐based, teacher‐centred courses in the education of health care professionals My involvement in problem‐based learning indicated the possibility of this innovative form of education bridging the gap between theory and practice This investigation reveals the dissatisfaction of some educationalists with traditional training courses and the spread world wide of problem‐based learning as an alternative method of developing curriculum The process of using problem‐based learning in the classroom is discussed and its strengths and weaknesses analysed for both teachers and students This article suggests that problem‐based learning is more likely to equip health care professionals to deal with the demands of a changing society than conventional courses
Hospital nursing: It's a battle!' A follow‐up study of English graduate nurses
Authors: Kelly Bnghid
Published: March 2006

The purpose of this follow‐up study, conducted 4 years after the initial study, was to elicit the recollections of English graduate nurses regarding their first year as qualified nurses in hospital nursing The method was qualitative, specifically a grounded theory approach was used The design was retrospective The initial study took place when informants were in their final year before graduation The follow‐up study began after informants had been practising for between 3 and 4 years Data were collected through semi‐structured, indepth, audio‐taped interviews and were analysed through the constant comparative classification of patterns and themes Research questions were ‘what do graduates nurses recall about their first year of practice in hospital nursing?’ and ‘what do they perceive as the difficulties of maintaining their standards?’ Findings revealed the core variable as role stress The stressful experience of living up to their individual perceptions of the role of being a graduate nurse was related to the influence of educational socialization, self‐expectations, and nursing management expectations
Evaluating the graduates of the Dalhousie University School of Nursing baccalaureate programme: a quantitative/qualitative responsive model
Authors: Barrett M Celeste , Arkhe Margaret M , Smilhe Carol
Published: March 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Dalhousie University School of Nursing's curriculum enabled its graduates to meet the terminal objectives of the programme and to determine if these objectives were consistent with the requirements of their employers An explorative, descriptive design using qualitative and quantative data were employed through a mailed survey and employer focus groups Stufflebeam's model served as the conceptual framework to guide this product evaluation The setting for this study was a baccalaureate school of nursing and eight employing agencies in eastern Canada A total of 190 graduates were sampled comprising basic and post‐RN graduates from the class of 1989 to 1991 inclusive The response rate was 40 5%(n = 77) Analysis of data included frequency and percentage calculations and thematic descriptions of employer and graduate responses Findings of this study indicated that the graduates and their respective employers rated the nursing programme to be very satisfactory Implications for curriculum accountability are discussed