bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy forecasts using a “Roundless” approach to running a Delphi study
Authors: Gordon Theodore J.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Conventional Delphi studies use sequential questionnaires and produce rich information synthesized from the judgments of the experts who participate. However such studies are usually time‐consuming. The purpose of this paper is to describe one of the first applications of a new method of applying the Delphi principles of feedback and anonymity that can greatly reduce the time required for such studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This approach involves continuously updated, on‐line questionnaires and is therefore “roundless.”

Findings

The application described here is a global Millennium Project study of developments for inclusion in a series of energy scenarios. The “roundless” approach was found to produce rich information comparable to the more time consuming conventional method.

Originality/value

While other on‐line questionnaire systems exist, the approach described here is novel and may have wide applications.
“E‐discussion”: a group support system for co‐present knowledge sharing
Authors: Hardless Christian B.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to inform the design of competence development systems for project management, based on a situated learning design framework.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive action research study of a group support system (GSS) (“e‐discussion”) for co‐present knowledge sharing, applied in a corporate context to promote the development of project management competence.

Findings

An in‐depth qualitative description finds the way that “e‐discussion” supported and structured group interaction.

Research limitations/implications

Broader findings pertaining to the underlying situated learning design framework are not presented.

Practical implications

The paper offers a practical method to support development of project management competence and thoughts about possible modifications in its implementation.

Originality/value

The paper addresses research needs for improved understanding of competence development systems; design frameworks and design concepts based on situated learning theory; approaches to improve information technology project management practices through competence development; and interpretive research about GSSs.
Relationships of organizational culture toward knowledge activities
Authors: Lai Ming‐Fong , Lee Gwo‐Guang
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to explore factors affecting the implementation of knowledge activities, which are the organizational culture which many knowledge management programs adopt. The main problem under investigation is to assess the importance of organizational culture within an enterprise and to ascertain how it can ensure that knowledge activities would continue to be fitting and proper in an enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical survey was conducted in 154 Taiwanese companies to investigate understanding of the organizational cultures, determine enablers and barriers to implement knowledge activities.

Findings

It is suggested that enterprises should adopt an entrepreneurial culture when establishing knowledge activities.

Research limitations/implications

Since it was a mass mailing of a somewhat lengthy, blind survey to busy managers, the response rate was believed to be low. Even so, because of the low response rate, the generalized nature of these finds is somewhat in question, and it is important that the study be replicated in Taiwan.

Practical implications

The awareness of the external versus internal focus of the organizations will make the organization more or less aware of adoptions in organizational culture efforts and either more or less conducive to implementing knowledge activities.

Originality/value

This study points out the need for the consideration of culture when knowledge activities are implemented that may be incompatible with the existing culture. Such organizations can benefit from understanding culture's role in knowledge activities implementation.
Integrated searching in Taiwan: the LIPS‐DOI experiment
Authors: Chen Kuang‐hua
Published: April 2007

Purpose

There is an active effort by major libraries in Taiwan to offer integrated searching as part of their information services. The purpose of this paper is to report a low‐cost and high‐flexibility system, < LIPS‐DOI>, which can carry out integrated searching with respect to resource management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first reviews the related techniques and then designs an integrated search system based on the concept of resources management. The reported system, < LIPS‐DOI>, is composed of three modules: enumeration module, description module, and resolution module. The various digital contents are first imported into < LIPS‐DOI> and thereafter the system is put into operation.

Findings

A low‐cost and high‐flexibility system for integrated searching can be implemented and put into operation. In addition to digital objects, physical objects could also be managed and searched in the proposed < LIPS‐DOI> system. This system will redirect users to the original system in which these physical objects reside.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the nature of management, registered users have to manage their own objects using the features provided by < LIPS‐DOI>.

Originality/value

Such a system will empower library end users to find materials of mixed formats residing in disparate locations from a single interface. It was also designed with an eye toward integration with its DOI counterpart in the future.
A textured sculpture
Authors: Dorner Daniel G. , Li Liew Chern , Ping Yeo Yen
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gather some empirical, baseline information on the perceived needs of end‐users of digital cultural heritage resources. The study was funded by the National Library of New Zealand in order to take end‐user needs into consideration more fully in its development and presentation of digital cultural heritage resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The study's research design involved a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach; a user survey comprising self‐administered, semi‐structured questionnaires, seven face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews and one focus group.

Findings

The findings outline the barriers users face in using New Zealand digital cultural heritage resources. They also highlight the user needs and features and characteristics they most desire in digital cultural heritage resources.

Originality/value

Only a handful of studies exist about end‐user needs with respect to the digitisation of cultural heritage materials and very few are research‐based articles. This research is the first of its kind to describe information needs of users of digital cultural heritage resources in New Zealand, and pays particular attention to the needs of historical researchers.
A review of image retrieval methods for digital cultural heritage resources
Authors: Tsai Chih‐Fong
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine related studies to identify which retrieval methods are supported by current digital cultural heritage libraries. In this way it is hoped to provide a direction for future cultural heritage applications to provide more complete and/or improved retrieval functionality.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this paper is based on introducing the general concept of image‐based retrieval systems as well as their retrieval methods. Then, users' needs are discussed to illustrate the demands of semantic‐based retrieval. After the retrieval methods have been presented, current digital cultural heritage libraries are examined in terms of their supported retrieval methods that allow users to query images.

Findings

Current digital cultural heritage libraries mostly provide only general retrieval methods based on image‐based low‐level features, i.e. query by image contents. Very few consider other retrieval methods such as browsing and semantic‐based retrieval. In addition, none of the current systems provide all possible retrieval methods for users.

Originality/value

This study is the first one to examine image‐based retrieval methods in digital cultural heritage libraries. This study supports the improvement of retrieval functionality for digital cultural heritage libraries in the future.
Clustering search results. Part II: search engines for highly structured databases
Authors: Jacsó Péter
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine clustering search results.

Design/methodology/approach

Compares the clustering features of Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar extensively.

Findings

Producers who offer clustering, despite certain deficiencies, deserve acknowledgement for implementing these tools which facilitate the search process as well as understanding the anatomy of the databases.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates the best clustering solutions for highly structured databases, such as indexing/abstracting databases, publishers' archives and MARC‐based or XML‐based online public access catalogues.
A quantitative assessment of the cost and time impact of variation orders on construction projects
Authors: Oladapo A.A.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Variation orders are a common occurrence in construction projects and their impacts have been studied by various authors. However, the contribution of project variations to construction cost and time overruns is yet to be established. The purpose of this study is to assess the significance of variations as a cause of cost and time overruns.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a questionnaire survey, responses were obtained from 50 project participants on the causes and effects of project variations. Cost and time data were also collected on 30 completed building projects. The analysis used importance indices and F‐ and t‐tests. The results indicated that variations had a significant effect and accounted for about 79 and 68 per cent of the cost and time overruns, respectively, for the projects studied.

Findings

The results indicated that variations had a significant effect on project cost and time overruns and accounted for about 79 and 68 per cent of the cost and time overruns, respectively, for the projects studied. Project type and size were found to have no significant effect on the contribution of variations to cost and time overruns. The results also showed that changes in specifications and scope, initiated mostly by project owners and their consultants, were the most prevalent sources of variation.

Originality/value

The results of this study indicates the cost and time significance of project. This will enable project owners, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders to better understand and appreciate the real impact of variations on project performance.
Quality management concepts, principles, tools and philosophies
Authors: Chileshe Nicholas
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to provide a practical approach for understanding the quality management (QM) terminology.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the existing QM measurement instruments available in literature, the terminology used is classified into constructs, practices and finally tools or techniques. QM may then be viewed as a combination of the three sets of terminology. This paper reports on the research which investigated the implementation of TQM within the constructional‐related SMEs.

Findings

The study classified the broad areas of where SMEs can align their TQM applications, into one of the following areas: customer‐oriented TQM, supplier‐oriented TQM, HRM‐oriented TQM, or process‐oriented. These four dimensions were deemed to be interrelated and mutually support each other.

Originality/value

This study contributes to clarifying the conflicting results being reported in the QM literature which inevitably leads to having different levels of analysis of QM. Accordingly, the strength of QM compared with other business philosophies should then focus on the practical methodology, namely the practices and techniques.
B2B marketplaces sharing IS/IT infrastructures: an exploration of strategic technology alliances
Authors: O'Reilly Philip , Finnegan Patrick
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of a technology alliance for B2B marketplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper there was a lack of rigorous empirical evidence in the area upon which to base this study, so an exploratory methodology chosen was deemed appropriate. An interpretative case study was undertaken in the Eutilia B2B marketplace. Data gathering took place over a three‐month period from July to September 2003. The data‐gathering techniques used were semi‐structured interviews and document analysis.

Findings

This paper draws upon research on co‐operative partnerships and strategic alliances to explore the applicability of technology alliances to business‐to‐business (B2B) electronic marketplaces. The paper explains a model developed by Eutilia, a leading B2B marketplace in the utilities sector, to justify such a technology alliance. The case study illustrates how Eutilia operationalised this model and entered a technology alliance with a competing B2B marketplace. The analysis shows how both marketplaces benefited from the technology‐alliance, and the paper concludes by proposing determinants of technology alliances for B2B electronic marketplaces.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper a single case study was the method adopted, so findings may not be generalisable.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates how B2B electronic marketplaces can benefit from technology alliances. This paper is of interest to both academics and practitioners involved in B2B electronic marketplaces.
Going beyond auto‐ID: a service‐oriented smart items infrastructure
Authors: Spieß Patrik , Bornhövd Christof , Lin Tao , Haller Stephan , Schaper Joachim
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to show that smart item technologies, like RFID and sensor networks, are considered the next big step in business process automation. Through automatic real‐time data acquisition, these technologies can provide benefits to a variety of industries by improving the efficiency of their operations. A service‐oriented infrastructure is proposed that enables the integration of RFID, wireless sensor networks and embedded systems technologies with existing business processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the system requirements of a smart items infrastructure in detail. Based on these requirements, the overall infrastructure and the constituting components are introduced. Also, using two real‐world scenarios, it is shown how the proposed infrastructure can be used.

Findings

The paper found a set of technical requirements for a smart items infrastructure. The research resulted in the architectural design presented.

Originality/value

To the best of one's knowledge, this paper is the first to identify and explain the technical requirements for a holistic smart items infrastructure. The service‐oriented system architecture provides a new approach to a flexible/adaptable infrastructure for ubiquitous computing. By pointing out requirements and open issues, the paper identifies interesting topics for future research in this area.
Using CD‐ROMs as a pedagogical tool
Authors: White Andrew
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the potential uses of CD‐ROMs in multicultural education through an analysis of the development of a digital archive of political posters relating to the Northern Irish conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

The author draws on literature on the relationship between new media platforms and the construction of knowledge to make some observations about the way in which different forms of media can enable us to think in different ways.

Findings

As a pedagogical tool, CD‐ROMs strike a good balance between the limitations of the codex book and the anarchic nature of the world wide web.

Research limitations/implications

This paper illustrates the importance of distinguishing between different forms of new media.

Originality/value

Most analyses of digitisation tend to conflate CD‐ROMs and the world wide web. This paper argues that a clear distinction should be made between the two media platforms, the value of which is to illustrate the extent to which the former avoids some of the weaknesses that abound in the latter.
The social democratization of knowledge: some critical reflections on e‐learning
Authors: Raza Ahmad , Rashid Kausar A. , Paul David
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to make a theoretical critique of the revolutionary sociocultural transformations created by e‐learning in the manner knowledge is created, codified, retrieved, managed and transmitted across the boundaries of different cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

The structure of these transformations remains European and North American in orientation and very cautious in sharing the benefits of e‐learning with the developing societies. The paper contends that this might lead to a parallel academic bureaucracy of e‐learning institutions, alongside the traditional Western universities, making it economically hard for people of developing countries to participate in this great and new found experience of learning. The paper proposes a, “democratization of knowledge,” for this new venture of e‐learning. This rests on the premise, that e‐learning, in order to be truly effective, must be multilingual in content and context, culturally divergent, morally relativistic and technologically sharing and integrate non‐Western views on knowledge, morality, economics and politics, especially in curriculum designs.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that the social democratization of knowledge can lead to the establishment of viable global civil society, helping millions in Asia, Africa and South America to contribute and share the fruits of knowledge explosion in a just, equitable and honorable fashion.

Originality/value

The paper shows how e‐learning can help the growth and improvement of less developed communities.
The global wine business as a research field
Authors: Orth Ulrich R. , Lockshin Larry , d'Hauteville Francois
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper has the purpose of introducing the inaugural issue of the International Journal of Wine Business Research after the re‐launch from the International Journal of Wine Marketing including rationale, scope, goals, and objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a rationale for a journal such as IJWBR. It starts by outlining the global wine business as a complex and fruitful field to study, describes some streams of research, and identifies issues for future studies as potential further contributions to this journal.

Findings

There is a critical need for an outlet that provides an overview on current issues and topics in the wine business, promotes high quality research on all aspects related to managing wine and related businesses, and is accessible to both academics and the global wine trade.

Originality/value

This paper is essential for current and prospective readers of the journal and those who consider submitting to IJWBR.
Trends and implications for Spanish wine sales in the US market
Authors: Thach Elizabeth , Cuellar Steven
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Spanish wine sales have grown quite rapidly in the US market during the past few years. The purpose of this paper is to examine this trend, discuss potential reasons, and identify opportunities for maintaining and increasing Spanish wine sales in the US market.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives are achieved by analyzing ACNielsen scan data from 2002 to 2005 and other secondary data on US wine consumers and trends.

Findings

The results indicate that Americans perceive red Spanish wine quite positively and are moving up in price point expenditures. However, sales of Spanish white wines remain rather fixed at specific price points. In addition, Spanish wine is losing market share to other imported wines, except for certain price points, but is performing well against US wines.

Practical implications

This paper suggests ten opportunities for maintaining and/or increasing Spanish wine sales in the US market. Many of these suggestions are also useful for other countries desiring to export wine to the US.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first of its kind to provide an in‐depth analysis of ACNielsen Scan data on Spanish wines sales in the USA. In addition, it provides extensive information on the US wine market, trends, and new market segments such as the Millennial and Hispanic markets.
EARNINGS INEQUALITY, LABOUR SUPPLY AND SCHOOLING IN HUSBAND–WIFE FAMILIES
Authors: Pencavel John
Published: April 2007

This paper describes the association between market work and earnings inequality across families over the life cycle and over calendar time with special attention to the different experiences of college‐educated and high‐school‐educated people. A concise and effective accounting framework is developed that allows for an assessment of the effect of the growing market employment of married women on family earnings inequality. Applying this framework to pseudo‐panel data from successive Current Population Surveys indicates that the increase in wives' employment has diminished the growth in family earnings inequality especially for well‐educated couples. Inferences about the level and change in earnings inequality depend on the degree of labor market attachment of the people studied especially in the case of wives.
Differences in the composition of intestinal Bifidobacterium species and the development of allergic diseases in infants in rural Japan
Authors: Suzuki S. , Shimojo N. , Tajiri Y. , Kumemura M. , Kohno Y.
Published: April 2007

Background
Bifidobacterium is a dominant genus in the intestinal microbiota of infants and comprises many different species. A series of studies performed in northern Europe showed differences in the composition of Bifidobacterium species between allergic infants and healthy controls. Additional studies are needed to confirm this observation.

Objective
To investigate the composition of fecal Bifidobacterium species in allergic infants and healthy controls in Japan, using molecular methods.

Methods
Full‐term born babies were followed up to 6 months of age at a local hospital in rural Japan. The presence or absence of allergy was determined based on allergic symptoms and skin prick tests. Fecal Bifidobacterium species in allergic infants (n=10), and healthy controls (n=16) were evaluated using nine Bifidobacterium species‐specific or group‐specific primers based on 16S rDNA sequences at 1, 3, and 6 months of age.

Results
The number of the infants in whom no Bifidobacterium species could be found was four (15.4%) at 1 month, two (7.7%) at 3 months, and one (3.3%) at 6 months of age, all of whom were healthy controls. At 1 month of age, allergic infants had a higher prevalence f the Bifidobacterium catenulatum group than healthy controls (60.0% vs. 6.3%, P<0.01). At 6 months of age, allergic infants had a higher prevalence of B. bifidum than healthy controls (70.0% vs. 12.5%, P<0.01). These differences were not related to feeding method.

Conclusions
Our results in infants in rural Japan support the hypothesis that a compositional difference in intestinal Bifidobacterium species may be associated with the development of allergy in early infancy, although the responsible species might vary among countries or races.
CD4+CD25+ T cells regulate the intensity of hypersensitivity responses to peanut, but are not decisive in the induction of oral sensitization
Authors: Van Wijk F. , Wehrens E. J. M. , Nierkens S. , Boon L. , Kasran A. , Pieters R. , Knippels L. M. J.
Published: April 2007

Background
Naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in the maintenance of self‐tolerance and it has been suggested that these Tregs may also be involved in preventing allergic disease.

Objective
The precise role of CD4+CD25+ T cells in the regulation of allergic responses to mucosal antigens remains to be elucidated. In the present study, it was investigated whether CD4+CD25+ T cells are involved in the induction of oral tolerance and whether they play a role in controlling hypersensitivity responses to food proteins.

Methods
CD4+CD25+ T cells were depleted with PC61 mAb before the induction of low dose oral tolerance to peanut extract (PE). In addition, CD4+CD25+ T cell depletion was performed during sensitization or before oral challenge, using a C3H/HeOuJ mouse model of allergic sensitization to peanut.

Results
Oral tolerance to PE could not be induced in CD4+CD25+ T cell‐depleted mice. However, CD4+CD25+ T cell depletion during long‐term exposure to PE alone did not result in allergic sensitization. In sensitized mice, anti‐CD25 treatment during oral exposure resulted in higher levels of PE‐specific IgE and increased mast cell degranulation upon an oral challenge. In contrast, anti‐CD25 treatment of PE‐sensitized mice before oral challenges did not affect the level of mast cell degranulation.

Conclusion
These results indicate that CD4+CD25+ Tregs are involved in maintaining tolerance to oral antigens and regulate the intensity of an IgE‐mediated food hypersensitivity response, but are not crucial in preventing sensitization. Accordingly, CD4+CD25+ Tregs may represent a potential tool for the treatment of food allergic disorders.
Injured road users’ experience of care in the emergency department
Authors: Franzén Carin , Björnstig Ulf , Jansson Lilian , Stenlund Hans , Brulin Christine
Published: April 2007

Aim.  To describe the patients’ perceptions of quality of care (QoC) in an emergency department (ED) and to analyse associations between patients’ background characteristics and estimated QoC.

Background.  Each year 1·4 out of every 100 inhabitants are injured in the traffic environment and receive care at the ED. No study has yet analysed different injured road users’ perceived QoC, or how important they rate different caring dimensions.

Design.  Cross‐sectional study at the ED, in the University Hospital in Umeå, Sweden.

Method.  A stratified consecutive sample of 166 car occupants, 200 cyclists and 199 pedestrians, aged 18–70 years, all injured in the traffic environment. Data were collected from medical records and from a mail survey using a short form of the Quality from the Patient's Perspective questionnaire, modified for ED use. The statistical methods used included Mann–Whitney's U‐test, the Kruskal–Wallis test and multiple logistic regression.

Results.  The perceived QoC and the subjective importance of the corresponding QoC dimensions were rated at the ‘better’ half of the rating scale, with no differences between the different road user categories. The most prominent factors associated with a positive perceived QoC rating were a short waiting time, moderate or serious injuries and high age as well as high educational level of the injury victim. For the subjective importance, a short waiting time was rated as the most important but slight differences were seen, related to education and sex.

Conclusion.  The association patterns between the areas of perceived reality and subjective importance indicated that expectations were higher than perceived QoC, suggesting that patients expected somewhat higher QoC than they received.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Information on factors causing long waiting times, adapted to patients’ age, sex and educational level, may reduce dissatisfaction among long waiting patients, especially among those with minor injuries.
Translation and validation of a Chinese version of the Self‐Control Schedule in Chinese childbearing women
Authors: Ngai Fei‐Wan , Chan Sally Wai‐Chi , Holroyd Eleanor
Published: April 2007

Aims.  The aims of this study were to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Self‐Control Schedule (C‐SCS) in Chinese childbearing women.

Background.  The SCS was developed to measure learned resourcefulness, which facilitates people's coping under adversity. Promoting learned resourcefulness in childbearing women facilitates positive adaptation to motherhood, which is essential to both maternal and child health. Thus, a reliable and valid C‐SCS is crucial for the development of interventions to promote learned resourcefulness in Chinese childbearing women.

Design and methods.  In phase one, the SCS was translated into Chinese using the technique of translation and back‐translation and was reviewed by an expert panel for cultural equivalence. In phase two, psychometric testing of the C‐SCS was conducted by using a convenience sample of 360 childbearing women recruited from an antenatal clinic of a regional hospital. Four instruments including the C‐SCS, General Self‐Efficacy Scale (GSE), Rosenberg's Self‐Esteem Scale (RSES) and Edinburgh's Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were administered to the participants. Ninety‐two women participated in the four‐week retest.

Results.  The C‐SCS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0·83) and test–retest reliability (ICC = 0·91). Factor analysis revealed the presence of three factors supporting the conceptual dimension of the original instrument. Significant correlations with GSE (r = 0·48, p < 0·01), RSES (r = 0·41, p < 0·01) and EPDS (r = −0·46, p < 0·01) demonstrated good construct validity.

Conclusion.  The findings suggest that the C‐SCS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring learned resourcefulness in Chinese childbearing women.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The C‐SCS provides midwives with a useful tool in the evaluation of interventions designed to strengthen Chinese women's learned resourcefulness and promote maternal well‐being during childbearing.
Prevalence and associated factors of pneumonia in patients with vegetative state in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Li‐Chan , Hsieh Pei‐Chi , Wu Shiao‐Chi
Published: April 2007

Aims.  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate and influencing factors of pneumonia associated with long‐term tube feeding in special care units for patients with persistent vegetative states (PVS) in Taiwan.

Background.  Pneumonia is a significant cause of morbidity, hospitalization and mortality in the nursing home population. Tube feeding has been found as a risk factor for the occurrence of pneumonia.

Methods.  Two hundred sixty subjects were chosen from three hospital‐based special care units for patients with PVS and 10 nursing facilities for persons in PVS in Taiwan. All subjects, who were diagnosed with PVS, received either financial aid for institutional care or were means‐tested from The Bureau of Social Welfare of cities and counties in Taiwan. Data were collected through chart review and observations.

Results.  The prevalence rate of pneumonia in nursing facilities for patients with PVS was 14·2%. The prevalence rate of tube‐feeding in nursing facilities for PVS was 91·2%. The mean duration of tube‐feeding was 73·21 SD 55·33 months. A total of 90·4% was fed with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Having a lower intake of food and fluids daily and having been institutionalized for a shorter period were three dominant factors associated with the occurrence of pneumonia.

Conclusion.  Research findings reveal that the incidence of pneumonia is higher in patients who do not receive adequate food and water. Continuing in‐service training to improve caregivers’ knowledge and skill in providing care to patients in PVS and monitoring their skills in feeding is needed to decrease the occurrence of pneumonia in this population.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Staff needs to be taught to monitor laboratory data and signs and symptoms of malnutrition and hydration deficit, and also be alert to early indicators of pneumonia in patients with PVS.
A review of evidence‐based practice, nursing research and reflection: levelling the hierarchy
Authors: Mantzoukas Stefanos
Published: April 2007

Aim.  This paper examines the evidence‐based practice movement, the hierarchy of evidence and the relationship between evidence‐based practice and reflective practice.

Background.  Evidence‐based practice is equated with effective decision making, with avoidance of habitual practice and with enhanced clinical performance. The hierarchy of evidence has promoted randomized control trials as the most valid source of evidence. However, this is problematic for practitioners as randomized control trials overlook certain types of knowledge that, through the process of reflection, provide useful information for individualized and effective practice.

Method.  A literature search was undertaken using CINAHL, medline and Ovid electronic databases in early 2006. The search terms used were: evidence‐based practice, research evidence, evidence for practice, qualitative research, reflective practice, reflection and evidence. Other sources included handpicking of books on evidence‐based practice, reflection and research. Only material written in English was included.

Findings.  The hierarchy of evidence that has promoted randomized control trials as the most valid form of evidence may actually impede the use of most effective treatment because of practical, political/ideological and epistemological contradictions and limitations. Furthermore, evidence‐based practice appears to share very similar definitions, aims and procedures with reflective practice. Hence, it appears that the evidence‐based practice movement may benefit much more from the use of reflection on practice, rather than the use of the hierarchical structure of evidence.

Conclusion.  Evidence‐based practice is necessary for nursing, but its’ effective implementation may be hindered by the hierarchy of evidence. Furthermore, evidence‐based practice and reflection are both processes that share very similar aims and procedures. Therefore, to enable the implementation of best evidence in practice, the hierarchy of evidence might need to be abandoned and reflection to become a core component of the evidence‐based practice movement.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Provides an elaborated analysis for clinical nurses on the definition and implementation of evidence in practice.
Spirituality and secularization: nursing and the sociology of religion
Authors: Paley John
Published: April 2007

Aim.  The concept of spirituality is much discussed in the UK nursing literature, despite the fact that Britain is one of the most secular countries in the world, and steadily becoming more so. Here, I pose the following question: given this increasing secularization, what accounts for the current interest in spirituality among UK nurses?

Background.  The literature on spirituality in nursing has blossomed in the last 10 years, and various attempts have been made to define ‘spirituality’, ‘spiritual need’ and ‘spiritual care’. Most definitions distinguish between ‘spirituality’ and ‘religion’, acknowledging that the latter is more institutional, and theologically more restrictive, than the former; and they suggest that spirituality is universal, something which (unlike religion) all human beings share.

Method.  I draw on the sociology of religion – neglected, for the most part, in the nursing literature – to establish two main points. Firstly, that the UK and the USA are at opposite ends of the religion/secularity spectrum, implying that it is a mistake to assimilate USA and UK sources. Secondly, that the concept of spirituality, as currently understood, is of very recent origin, and is still ‘under construction’, having become separated from its associations with Christian piety and mysticism only since the 1980s.

Conclusions.  The extension of spirituality into secular domains is part of a professionalization project in nursing, a claim to jurisdiction over a newly invented sphere of work. For the time being, it remains an academic project (in the UK) as it is not one with which many clinicians identify.

Relevance to clinical practice.  What counts as ‘spiritual need’ or ‘spiritual care’ may not be the same in both countries, and UK clinicians are unlikely to welcome the role of surrogate chaplain, which their USA colleagues are apparently willing to embrace.
Peer review in Nursing and Midwifery: a literature review
Authors: Rout Amelia , Roberts Paula
Published: April 2007

Aims and objectives.  The Clinical Education Project investigated clinical education in nursing and midwifery settings. The aim of this phase was to investigate and evaluate the processes and outcomes of clinical assessment of preregistration nurses and midwives, focusing on the assessment interview, and to evaluate the feasibility of introducing peer review of the clinical assessment interview in acute clinical settings.

Background.  Peer review is common in many professional areas. The literature describes various applications of peer review and makes recommendations for its use. However, there is a shortage of studies investigating the use of peer review in nursing and midwifery education and practice.

Design.  The project involved a systematic literature review and a qualitative exploratory study. This article describes the first part of the study: a systematic literature review of peer review. The second part of the study is reported elsewhere.

Methods.  The systematic literature review investigated international articles written since 1994 that contained information on peer review in pre/post registration nursing and midwifery within higher education or practice.

Results.  From the available literature, 52 specific initiatives were analysed. The majority of articles originated in America and involved nursing staff working in secondary care settings. Fifty‐one articles had missing information varying from not stating the sample size to not including information about evaluations.

Conclusions.  The literature review found that whilst peer review is commonplace in nursing and midwifery practice, there is a lack of robust literature about its use.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Peer review in clinical settings such as nursing and midwifery can facilitate the sharing of good practice and personal and professional growth. It allows participants to learn from each other and gain insight into their development.
Seed predation during general flowering events of varying magnitude in a Malaysian rain forest
Authors: SUN I‐FANG , CHEN YU‐YUN , HUBBELL STEPHEN P. , WRIGHT S. JOSEPH , NOOR NUR SUPARDI MD.
Published: April 2007

The lowland dipterocarp forests of Southeast Asia exhibit interspecifically synchronized general flowering (GF) and mast fruiting at irregular multi‐year intervals of 1 to 11 years. The predator satiation hypothesis (PSH) posits that GF events enhance seed survival by reducing the survival, reproduction and population sizes of seed predators between GF events, and then satiating the reduced seed predator populations during GF events.

Three GF events of different magnitudes occurred in Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia, during 2001, 2002 and 2005. We exploited this natural experiment to test two predictions of the PSH. The first prediction was that seed survival should increase with the magnitude of the GF event. The second prediction was that seed predation should decrease with time since the previous GF event.

A reproductive survey of all (c. 900) dipterocarp trees  30 cm d.b.h. in a 50 ha plot showed that flowering pervasiveness (the proportion of dipterocarp species participating) was high and similar in all three GF events. However, relative flowering magnitudes (measured by an index of individual tree participation and flowering intensity in Shorea species) were 2, 5 and 8 for the 2001, 2002 and 2005 GF events, respectively.

The percentage of Shorea seeds surviving pre‐ and post‐dispersal predation increased with the magnitude of GF events, which is consistent with the first prediction.

Pre‐dispersal insect seed predators consumed 12.9%, 11.2% and 3.4% of Shorea seeds in the 2001, 2002 and 2005 GF events, respectively, which is consistent with both predictions.

Pre‐dispersal seed predation by primates (mainly leaf monkeys) increased from 11.9% to 38.6% then fell to 9.3% in the 2001, 2002 and 2005 GF events, respectively.

Predator satiation occurred only at population and community levels. At the individual tree level there was no relationship between the percentage of seeds surviving pre‐ and post‐dispersal seed predation and variation in seed crop size or seed density beneath the tree. This suggests that attempts to test the PSH on the scale of individual trees may miss key community level effects.

Our results suggest a more significant role of pre‐dispersal seed predation in the evolution of reproductive synchrony than was recognized in the original statement of the PSH.
Antisense‐mediated depletion of tomato chloroplast glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferase affects male fertility and increases thermal tolerance
Authors: Sui Na , Li Meng , Shu De‐Feng , Zhao Shi‐Jie , Meng Qing‐Wei
Published: April 2007

A chloroplast‐localized tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumMill.) glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferase (LeGPAT) gene was isolated. The antisense tomato plants were got under the control of the caulifower mosaic virus 35S promoter (35S‐CaMV). RNA gel blot analysis confirmed that the expression ofLeGPATwas inhibited in the tomato genome. The depletion ofLeGPATcaused a massive arrest in pollen development. It also increased the size of tapetal cells, delayed tapetum degeneration, reduced ER membrane biogenesis and altered oil body size. Results therefore suggested thatLeGPATplayed a crucial role in pollen development. There was, however, no effect on the ovule. The depletion ofLeGPATalso increased the saturation of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) fatty acids in thylakoid membranes. Increase of PG‐saturated fatty acids was helpful in alleviating photoinhibition of PSII in tomato plants under heat stress.
Perioperative use of modified thrombelastography in factor XI deficiency: a helpful method to assess drug effects
Authors: Dirkmann D. , Hanke A. A. , Görlinger K. , Peters J.
Published: April 2007

Factor XI deficiency is a rare, hereditary bleeding disorder associated with a trauma‐related bleeding tendency, caused by insufficient generation of the thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) evoking increased fibrinolysis. We present the case of a five year old girl with homozygote, severe factor XI deficiency presenting for surgery on two occasions. Modified thrombelastography (ROTEM™) was used to assess effects of factor XI deficiency on coagulation, endogenous fibrinolysis, and potential effects of tranexamic acid, aprotinin and recombinant, activated Factor VII in an in vitro model of hyperfibrinolysis. According to our data and in consideration of the mechanisms of factor XI deficiency we decided on prophylactic use of tranexamic acid.
Anaesthetists should be aware of delayed hypersensitivity to phenylephrine
Authors: Dewachter P. , Mouton‐Faivre C.
Published: April 2007

Delayed reactions to phenylephrine, used as a mydriatic agent during ophthalmological surgical procedures, are well known. We diagnosed a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to phenylephrine included in an ophthalmic insert in a woman presenting, 24 h after surgery, with an acute blepharoconjunctivitis associated with eyelid eczema of the operated eye. The diagnosis was supported by the recognition of clinical symptoms associated with a positive patch test to phenylephrine.

Patients who present with previous contact eczema to phenylephrine may develop a generalized eczema if phenylephrine is injected intravenously. Intravenous phenylephrine is increasingly being used in the operating room to treat hypotension. This case report confirms the need for systematic allergological investigation of all drugs and substances administered during the peri‐operative period in order to avoid a delayed hypersensitivity reaction occurring after the peri‐operative period. Anaesthetists should be aware of the possibility of delayed hypersensitivity reactions involving phenylephrine.
A reciprocal backcross monosomic analysis of the scab resistant spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar, ‘Frontana’
Authors: Berzonsky W. A. , Gebhard B. L. , Gamotin E. , Leach G. D. , Ali S.
Published: April 2007

Fusarium head blight (FHB) reduces grain yield of spring wheat and results in deoxynivalenol (DON) production. The resistant spring wheat ‘Frontana’ could be used to diversify and pyramid resistance. A backcross reciprocal monosomic analysis was conducted to identify ‘Frontana’ chromosomes with resistance. Disomic lines, one set containing critical chromosomes from ‘Frontana’ and the other containing chromosomes from susceptible ‘Chris’, were spray‐inoculated and evaluated in separate greenhouse studies (GH‐1 and GH‐2). Measurements were disease severity at 7 and 14 days, visually diseased kernels, kernels/g and DON content. In GH‐2, reciprocal chromosome lines 5B for visually diseased kernels, lines 7B for kernels/g, and lines 4B and 6A for DON content were significantly different. Lines with ‘Frontana’ chromosomes 3A, 6A and 4D reduced visually diseased kernels, kernels/g and DON content in both studies, while ‘Frontana’ chromosomes 2A, 2B, 4B and 7B increased susceptibility, as indicated by an increase in these same measurements in both studies. Genes carried on ‘Frontana’ chromosomes 3A, 6A and 4D could be useful for diversifying and pyramiding sources of FHB resistance.
Patient information preferences among breast and prostate cancer patients
Authors: Sharpley CF , Christie DRH
Published: April 2007

Preferences for information about their disease and treatment were collected from 392 patients who had been treated for either breast or prostate cancer an average of 2 years previously. Type of information that they had received, their ratings of its value to them and their preferred format for further information were examined. The most common and most preferred form of information was through doctor interview, followed by educational booklets. Prostate cancer patients preferred videotapes; breast cancer patients tended to prefer individualized approaches including a tour of the department. Effects of age, educational levels, occupational backgrounds and self‐reports for anxiety and depression at the time of the survey and at time of diagnosis were analysed. Prostate cancer patients who were most severely depressed showed a preference for not receiving any information at all, perhaps reflecting a tendency towards withdrawal.
Emergency transcatheter embolization of ruptured hepatocellular carcinomas with tortuous conventional or aberrant hepatic vascular anatomy, or parasitic supply
Authors: Lau KY , Wong WWC , Chan JKW , Kan WK , Leung JLY , Lee ASL , Lee LT , Lee GYK
Published: April 2007

Emergency transcatheter embolization is a well‐recognized measure to manage patients with life‐threatening haemoperitoneum due to spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma. Traditional embolization technique is to embolize the proper hepatic artery or the segmental hepatic artery by femoral approach using gelfoam pledgets. From 1997 to 2004, in 19 out of 96 embolizations, the embolization technique had to be modified because of tortuous conventional or aberrant hepatic vascular anatomy or parasitic supply to achieve successful embolization.
MARTENSITE FORMATION AND THE RELATED TOUGHNESS IN 304 STAINLESS STEEL DURING LOW TEMPERATURE FATIGUE
Authors: Oshida Y. , Deguchi A.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Effect of transformed martensite during low temperature fatigue in metastable 304 stainless steel on low temperature toughness were investigated. Low temperature fatigue was mainly conducted at R= 0.1 with maximum stress of 1030 MPa at −196°C. The amount of martensite during fatigue cyclic deformation was related to the reduction of impact toughness and to the apparent fracture toughness. Beyond 30% of martensite formation, a strong decrease of low temperature impact toughness was found. This phenomenon is related to the phase stability of the metastable austenitic phase.