bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research-Practice
Authors: Desimone Laura M. , Wolford Tonya , Hill Kirsten Lee
Published: November 2016

Recent attention on partnerships between researchers and practitioners highlights the potential of these relationships to provide high-quality usable knowledge for improving schools. But how do we translate guiding partnership principles into specific actionable steps? How do we build and maintain an effective partnership? How do we reconcile and integrate multiple partnership frameworks to establish a coherent set of partnership activities? How do we evaluate partnership progress and outcomes? Building on the recent insightful work on partnerships, we offer a framework for planning, building, implementing, and monitoring partnerships, based on the literature and our experiences in a partnership between a university-based school of education at a major research university and the research office of a big-city school district. Using a theory describing attributes that define a policy’s strength, we propose an organizing framework to transform insights about partnerships into concrete activities and mechanisms to help achieve the potential of these partnerships to use research to improve schooling.
Human fetal and adult epicardial-derived cells: a novel model to study their activation
Authors: Moerkamp Asja T. , Lodder Kirsten , van Herwaarden Tessa , Dronkers Esther , Dingenouts Calinda K. E. , Tengström Fredrik C. , van Brakel Thomas J. , Goumans Marie-José , Smits Anke M.
Published: November 2016

Background

The epicardium, a cell layer covering the heart, plays an important role during cardiogenesis providing cardiovascular cell types and instructive signals, but becomes quiescent during adulthood. Upon cardiac injury the epicardium is activated, which includes induction of a developmental gene program, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration. However, the response of the adult epicardium is suboptimal compared to the active contribution of the fetal epicardium to heart development. To understand the therapeutic value of epicardial-derived cells (EPDCs), a direct comparison of fetal and adult sources is paramount. Such analysis has been hampered by the lack of appropriate culture systems.

Methods

Human fetal and adult EPDCs were isolated from cardiac specimens obtained after informed consent. EPDCs were cultured in the presence of an inhibitor of the TGFβ receptor ALK5. EMT was induced by stimulation with 1 ng/ml TGFβ. PCR, immunofluorescent staining, scratch assay, tube formation assay and RT2-PCR for human EMT genes were performed to functionally characterize and compare fetal and adult EPDCs.

Results

In this study, a novel protocol is presented that allows efficient isolation of human EPDCs from fetal and adult heart tissue. In vitro, EPDCs maintain epithelial characteristics and undergo EMT upon TGFβ stimulation. Although similar in several aspects, we observed important differences between fetal and adult EPDCs. Fetal and adult cells display equal migration abilities in their epithelial state. However, while TGFβ stimulation enhanced adult EPDC migration, it resulted in a reduced migration in fetal EPDCs. Matrigel assays revealed the ability of adult EPDCs to form tube-like structures, which was absent in fetal cells. Furthermore, we observed that fetal cells progress through EMT faster and undergo spontaneous EMT when TGFβ signaling is not suppressed, indicating that fetal EPDCs more rapidly respond to environmental changes.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that fetal and adult EPDCs are in a different state of activation and that their phenotypic plasticity is determined by this activation state. This culture system allows us to establish the cues that determine epicardial activation, behavior, and plasticity and thereby optimize the adult response post-injury.
Complete genome anatomy of the emerging potato pathogen Dickeya solani type strain IPO 2222T
Authors: Khayi Slimane , Blin Pauline , Chong Teik Min , Chan Kok-Gan , Faure Denis
Published: November 2016

Several species of the genus Dickeya provoke soft rot and blackleg diseases on a wide range of plants and crops. Dickeya solani has been identified as the causative agent of diseases outbreaks on potato culture in Europe for the last decade. Here, we report the complete genome of the D. solani IPO 2222T. Using PacBio and Illumina technologies, a unique circular chromosome of 4,919,833 bp was assembled. The G + C content reaches 56% and the genomic sequence contains 4,059 predicted proteins. The ANI values calculated for D. solani IPO 2222T vs. other available D. solani genomes was over 99.9% indicating a high genetic homogeneity within D. solani species.
FinTech in Taiwan: a case study of a Bank’s strategic planning for an investment in a FinTech company
Authors: Hung Jui-Long , Luo Binjie
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Since 2015 is the year of FinTech in Taiwan, it is worth investigating the challenges that emerged when banks were encouraged to invest in FinTech companies for collaboration. This study aims to identify the strategic considerations in the process of searching for FinTech investment targets.

Case description

This study used a case study investigation of a top-5 bank in Taiwan. The major data sources include the meeting notes of the FinTech investment task force and interviews with the team members. Co-opetition theory was adopted as the theoretical framework and interview questions were derived from the PARTS strategies in co-petition theory. The results relate to: (1) the strategic goals of FinTech investment, (2) the added value from FinTech companies, (3) criteria in selecting candidates in the same FinTech area, (4) choosing to work as either a cooperator or a competitor, and (5) barriers from policies and regulations.

Discussion and evaluation

This study has several findings: (1) regulations and policies shape FinTech’s development; (2) banks, technology companies, and customers are not “FinTech ready;” (3) Compare top-down with bottom up strategies; (4) banks and FinTech companies have complex relationships; (5) it is unlikely that Taiwan will produce FinTech disruptors in the near future.

Conclusion

The findings and discussion can benefit researchers and administrators in finance-related industries. More studies are desired to observe long-term development in terms of how companies collaborate or compete in specific FinTech areas.
Social signals and aversive learning in honey bee drones and workers
Authors: Avalos Arian , Pérez Eddie , Vallejo Lianna , Pérez María E. , Abramson Charles I. , Giray Tugrul
Published: November 2016

The dissemination of information is a basic element of group cohesion. In honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus 1758), like in other social insects, the principal method for colony-wide information exchange is communication via pheromones. This medium of communication allows multiple individuals to conduct tasks critical to colony survival. Social signaling also establishes conflict at the level of the individual who must tradeoff between attending to the immediate environment or the social demand. In this study we examined this conflict by challenging highly social worker honey bees, and less social male drone honey bees undergoing aversive training by presenting them with a social stress signal (isopentyl acetate, IPA). We utilized IPA exposure methods that caused lower learning performance in appetitive learning in workers. Exposure to isopentyl acetate (IPA) did not affect performance of drones and had a dose-specific effect on worker response, with positive effects diminishing at higher IPA doses. The IPA effects are specific because non-social cues, such as the odor cineole, improve learning performance in drones, and social homing signals (geraniol) did not have a discernible effect on drone or worker performance. We conclude that social signals do generate conflict and that response to them is dependent on signal relevance to the individual as well as the context. We discuss the effect of social signal on learning both related to its social role and potential evolutionary history.
Evidence toads may modulate landing preparation without predicting impact time
Authors: Cox S. M. , Gillis Gary
Published: November 2016

Within anurans (frogs and toads), cane toads (Bufo marinus) perform particularly controlled landings in which the forelimbs are exclusively used to decelerate and stabilize the body after impact. Here we explore how toads achieve dynamic stability across a wide range of landing conditions. Specifically, we suggest that torques during landing could be reduced by aligning forelimbs with the body's instantaneous velocity vector at impact (impact angle). To test whether toad forelimb orientation varies with landing conditions, we used high-speed video to collect forelimb and body kinematic data from six animals hopping off platforms of different heights (0, 5 and 9 cm). We found that toads do align forelimbs with the impact angle. Further, toads align forelimbs with the instantaneous velocity vector well before landing and then track its changes until touchdown. This suggests that toads may be prepared to land well before they hit the ground rather than preparing for impact at a specific moment and that they may use a motor control strategy that allows them to perform controlled landings without the need to predict impact time.
Sensory evolution in blind cavefish is driven by early embryonic events during gastrulation and neurulation
Authors: Hinaux Hélène , Devos Lucie , Blin Maryline , Elipot Yannick , Bibliowicz Jonathan , Alié Alexandre , Rétaux Sylvie
Published: November 2016

Natural variations in sensory systems constitute adaptive responses to the environment. Here, we compared sensory placode development in the blind cave-adapted morph and the eyed river-dwelling morph of Astyanax mexicanus. Focusing on the lens and olfactory placodes, we found a trade-off between these two sensory components in the two morphs: from neural plate stage onwards, cavefish have larger olfactory placodes and smaller lens placodes. In a search for developmental mechanisms underlying cavefish sensory evolution, we analyzed the roles of Shh, Fgf8 and Bmp4 signaling, which are known to be fundamental in patterning the vertebrate head and are subtly modulated in space and time during cavefish embryogenesis. Modulating these signaling systems at the end of gastrulation shifted the balance toward a larger olfactory derivative. Olfactory tests to assess potential behavioral outcomes of such developmental evolution revealed that Astyanax cavefish are able to respond to a 105-fold lower concentration of amino acids than their surface-dwelling counterparts. We suggest that similar evolutionary developmental mechanisms may be used throughout vertebrates to drive adaptive sensory specializations according to lifestyle and habitat.
Drosophila Crumbs prevents ectopic Notch activation in developing wings by inhibiting ligand-independent endocytosis
Authors: Nemetschke Linda , Knust Elisabeth
Published: November 2016

Many signalling components are apically restricted in epithelial cells, and receptor localisation and abundance is key for morphogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Hence, controlling apicobasal epithelial polarity is crucial for proper signalling. Notch is a ubiquitously expressed, apically localised receptor, which performs a plethora of functions; therefore, its activity has to be tightly regulated. Here, we show that Drosophila Crumbs, an evolutionarily conserved polarity determinant, prevents Notch endocytosis in developing wings through direct interaction between the two proteins. Notch endocytosis in the absence of Crumbs results in the activation of the ligand-independent, Deltex-dependent Notch signalling pathway, and does not require the ligands Delta and Serrate or γ-secretase activity. This function of Crumbs is not due to general defects in apicobasal polarity, as localisation of other apical proteins is unaffected. Our data reveal a mechanism to explain how Crumbs directly controls localisation and trafficking of the potent Notch receptor, and adds yet another aspect of Crumbs regulation in Notch pathway activity. Furthermore, our data highlight a close link between the apical determinant Crumbs, receptor trafficking and tissue homeostasis.
Potential for adaptive dose escalation in radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in a low mid income setting
Authors: Agrawal Sushma , Kumar Sunil , Maurya Anil K
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of tumour volume regression on adaptive treatment planning, reduction in doses to organs at risk (OARs) and dose escalation.

Methods:

20 patients undergoing radical chemoradiotherapy were imaged in the fifth week of radiotherapy (CT_45) to evaluate differences in tumour volume regression between concurrent and sequential chemoradiotherapy. Replanning was carried out in the CT_45 in those with >20% regression (n = 10) and evaluated for change in target coverage indices (the coverage index and external volume index) and doses to the OAR [mean lung dose, V  20 and V  5 of whole and ipsilateral lung (MLDWL, V  20WL, V  5WL, MLDIL, V  20IL, V  5IL); mean oesophagus dose, V  50oesophagus; and maximum spinal cord doses]. The feasibility of maximum dose escalation was explored keeping the limit of the OAR below their tolerance limits.

Results:

Tumour regression was higher with concurrent chemoradiotherapy as compared with sequential chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.02). With the adaptive plan, the mean coverage index improved from 0.96 (±0.14) to 1.29 (±0.36), the mean external volume index changed from 1.39(±0.60) to 1.41(±0.56) and the reduction in doses to the OARs were MLDWL 10.6%, V  20WL 1.3%, V  5WL 1.2%, MLDIL 6.6%, V  20IL 1.5%, V  5IL 2.3%, mean oesophagus dose 7%, V  50oesophagus 31% and maximum cord dose 0.35%. Dose escalation was possible in four patients in CT_45.

Conclusion:

There is 35% reduction in tumour volume with chemoradiotherapy at 45 Gy which allows improvement in conformality, reduction in doses to the OARs and dose escalation in 40% of patients.

Advances in knowledge:

This article emphasizes that adaptive planning with a single diagnostic scan at 45 Gy has the potential for improvement of radiotherapy planning indices, dose escalation while respecting the dose to the OAR. This simple strategy can be helpful in radiotherapy planning upto 60 Gy in 40% of the patients of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in countries with limited resources.
In vitro comparison of three earwax removal formulations for the disintegration of earwax
Authors: Knebl Janice , Harty Barbara , Anderson C. Eric , Dean W. Dennis , Griffin Joseph
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Impacted cerumen is a widespread reason that patients visit their health care providers. It effects approximately 2-6% of the general population and disproportionately impacts up to 65% of patients over 65. This study compared a new cerumen (earwax) removal product (Solution 1; EOS-002; a glycolic acid/bicarbonate formulation) versus two commercially available products (Solution 2 and Solution 3; both containing carbamide peroxide 6.5%) for their cerumenolytic activity in vitro. Methods: Samples of human cerumen were placed in 10 x 75 mm polypropylene test tubes. Approximately 1 mL of each test solution was added and incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. The vials were shaken at the 15- and 30-minute time points to simulate rinsing in a clinical setting. Breakdown of the cerumen was graded at 5-, 10-, 15-, and 30-minute time points in a masked manner on a 5-point scale (Grade 0 = no change; Grade 4 = complete disintegration). Results: Significantly greater disintegration of the cerumen was observed in the samples exposed to EOS-002 at every time point (P < 0.0001). At 5 minutes, disintegration was observed in 39 out of 43 samples exposed to EOS-002, 0 out of 24 samples exposed to Solution 2, and 1 out of 19 samples exposed to Solution 3. Mean disintegration scores at 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes were 1.65, 2.38, 2.95, and 3.24 for EOS-002; 0, 0, 0, and 0.2 for Solution 2; and 0.05, 0.13, 0.16, and 0.21 for Solution 3, respectively. Discussion: EOS-002 exhibited a significantly greater ability to breakdown cerumen than the two other products. Disintegration of cerumen occurred with EOS-002 within 5 minutes in 91% (39/43) of the samples. Therefore, EOS-002 provides rapid disintegration of human cerumen in vitro.
Recent advances in the medical treatment of breast cancer
Authors: Vorobiof Daniel A.
Published: November 2016

Over the past few decades, the systemic therapy of breast cancer (early and advanced) has changed considerably. For the past 40–50 years, and since the discovery and further therapeutic use of tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, breast cancer treatment has become the model for the development and success of tailored medical treatment. Much still needs to be done in improving outcomes for all patients with breast cancer, and especially for those who have advanced breast cancer, a challenging area for medical oncologists. Ongoing international clinical trials are currently evaluating new therapeutic approaches and identifying specific biological subsets that could determine a patient’s ability to respond to particular chemotherapeutic drugs.
Bacteriophage-based tools: recent advances and novel applications
Authors: O'Sullivan Lisa , Buttimer Colin , McAuliffe Olivia , Bolton Declan , Coffey Aidan
Published: November 2016

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacterial hosts, and since their discovery over a century ago they have been primarily exploited to control bacterial populations and to serve as tools in molecular biology. In this commentary, we highlight recent diverse advances in the field of phage research, going beyond bacterial control using whole phage, to areas including biocontrol using phage-derived enzybiotics, diagnostics, drug discovery, novel drug delivery systems and bionanotechnology.
Mutations of the CHEK2 gene in patients with cancer and their presence in the Latin American population
Authors: Guauque-Olarte Sandra , Rivera-Herrera Ana-Lucia , Cifuentes-C Laura
Published: November 2016

Background:CHEK2(Checkpoint Kinase 2) encodes CHK2, a serine/threonine kinase involved in maintaining the G1/S and G2/M checkpoints and repair of double-strand DNA breaks via homologous recombination. Functions of CHK2 include the prevention of damaged cells from going through the cell cycle or proliferating and the maintenance of chromosomal stability.CHEK2mutations have been reported in a variety of cancers including glioblastoma, ovarian, prostate, colorectal, gastric, thyroid, and lung cancer in studies performed mainly in White populations. The most studied mutation inCHEK2is c.1100delC, which was associated with increased risk of breast cancer. The objective of this study was to compile mutations inCHEK2identified in cancer genomics studies in different populations and especially in Latin American individuals.

Methods:A revision of cancer genomics data repositories and a profound literature review of Latin American studies was performed.

Results:Mutations with predicted high impact inCHEK2were reported in studies from Australia, Japan, United States, among other countries. The TCGA cancer types with most mutations inCHEK2were breast, colorectal, and non-small cell lung cancer. The most common mutation found was E321* in three patients with uterine cancer. In Latin American individuals nine mutations were found in melanoma, lymphoma, and head and neck cohorts from TCGA and ICGC. Latin American studies have been restricted to breast and colorectal cancer and only two mutations out of four that have been interrogated in this population were identified, namely c.1100delC and c.349A>G.

Conclusions:This study presents a compilation of mutations inCHEK2with high impact in different cancer types in White, Hispanic and other populations. We also show the necessity of screeningCHEK2mutations in Latin American in cancer types different than breast and colorectal.
The Analysis of Socio-Cultural and Psychological Prerequisites of the Development of Extremism in the Crimean Federal District
Authors: Никитина  , Nikitina L. , Коноплева  , Konopleva A. , Чудина-Шмидт  , Chudina-Shmidt N.
Published: November 2016

One of the most relevant topics for today´s research is the

problem of the rapid development of extremism. Because of the abstraction

and inaccuracies represented by the law, the fight against

extremist tendencies continues to be difficult. A kind of indicator for

the detection of possible threats from the point of view of radical

ideas is a transitional period. Changes in the geopolitical and socioeconomic

conditions. Lead to the an exacerbation of pre-existing

differences, and thus become catalysts of destructive processes. This

is precisely the situation that exists in the Crimean Federal District

today. The work is devoted to the study of social and psychological

preconditions for the emergence of extremism in the Crimean Federal

District. The data used in the research are obtained as a result of a poll

of the population of the region. The data of the survey has been assessed

in terms of psychological and social factors. The novelty of the research

lies in the implementation of a systematic approach to the problem of

the emergence of extremism and attempts to identify its regional

features.
Humanitarian Context of the 20s – 30s of the XX Century on the Example of the Work "On the Meaning of Life". Part 2
Authors: Колесниченко  , Kolesnichenko Yu.
Published: November 2016

The article presents an experience research of little-known

concept of the personality of the philosopher of the twentieth

century M.M. Rubinstein. An attempt was made to correlate the

meaning of his concept of the centers with the overall development

trend of domestic philosophical knowledge of 20s – 30s of the XX

century. Using the synchronic and diachronic approaches to the

study of the problem, the hermeneutic and analytical research

methods, the author defines terminology borders of ontognoseology,

socio-philosophical and psychological interpretations of the

concept of the person as a fundamental philosophical category.
When Being Hot Is Not Cool: Monitoring Hot Lists for Information Security
Authors: Ji Yonghua , Kumar Subodha , Mookerjee Vijay
Published: November 2016

We study operational and managerial problems arising in the context of security monitoring where sessions, rather than raw individual events, are monitored to prevent attacks. The objective of the monitoring problem is to maximize the benefit of monitoring minus the monitoring cost. The key trade-off in our model is that as more sessions are monitored, the attack costs should decrease. However, the monitoring cost would likely increase with the number of sessions being monitored. A key step in solving the problem is to derive the probability density of a system with n sessions being monitored with a session’s age measured as the time elapsed since it last generated a suspicious event. We next optimize the number of sessions monitored by trading off the attack cost saved with the cost of monitoring. A profiling step is added prior to monitoring and a resulting two-dimensional optimization problem is studied. Through numerical simulation, we find that a simple size-based policy is quite robust for a very reasonable range of values and, under typical situations, performs almost as well as the two more sophisticated policies do. Also, we find that adopting a simplified policy without using the option of managing sessions using age threshold can greatly increase the ease of finding an optimal solution, and reduce operational overhead with little performance loss compared with a policy using such an option. The insights gained from the mechanics of profiling and monitoring are leveraged to suggest a socially optimal contract for outsourcing these activities in a reward-based contract. We also study penalty-based contracts. Such contracts (specifically, when the penalty is levied as a percentage of the monthly service fee) do not achieve the social optimum. We show how an appropriate penalty coefficient can be chosen to implement a socially optimal penalty-based contract. In addition, we provide a high-level comparison between reward- and penalty-based contracts. In a penalty-based contract, the setting of the fixed payment can be challenging because it requires additional knowledge of the total expected malicious event rate, which needs to be observed through a period of no monitoring.
Special Section Introduction—Ubiquitous IT and Digital Vulnerabilities
Authors: Ransbotham Sam , Fichman Robert G. , Gopal Ram , Gupta Alok
Published: November 2016

While information technology benefits society in numerous ways, it unfortunately also has potential to create new vulnerabilities. This special issue intends to stimulate thought and research into understanding and mitigating these vulnerabilities. We identify four mechanisms by which ubiquitous computing makes various entities (people, devices, organizations, societies, etc.) more vulnerable, including: increased visibility, enhanced cloaking, increased interconnectedness, and decreased costs. We use the papers in the special issue to explain these mechanisms, and then outline a research agenda for future work on digital vulnerabilities spanning four areas that are, or could become, significant societal problems with implications at multiple levels of analysis: Online harassment and incivility, technology-driven economic inequality, industrial Internet of Things, and algorithmic ethics and bias.
Entry of Copycats of Luxury Brands
Authors: Gao Sarah Yini , Lim Wei Shi , Tang Christopher S.
Published: November 2016

We develop a game-theoretic model to examine the entry of copycats and its implications by incorporating two salient features; these features are two product attributes, i.e., physical resemblance and product quality, and two consumer utilities, i.e., consumption utility and status utility. Our equilibrium analysis suggests that copycats with a high physical resemblance but low product quality are more likely to successfully enter the market by defying the deterrence of the incumbent. Furthermore, we show that higher quality can prevent the copycat from successfully entering the market. Finally, we show that the entry of copycats does not always improve consumer surplus and social welfare. In particular, when the quality of the copycat is sufficiently low, the loss in status utility from consumers of the incumbent product overshadows the small gain in consumption utility from buyers of the copycat, leading to an overall decrease in consumer surplus and social welfare.
Caring is the essence of nursing practice
Authors: McKenna Gilean
Published: November 2016

Few would doubt that caring is an integral part of the art and science of nursing. However, unless nurses recognize and promote the value of caring as a basis for rational, scientific practice, their future in healthcare provision may be limited.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: basic life support skills: 1
Authors: Gee Kate
Published: November 2016

This article examines the reasons why nurses are not prepared to take action when faced with an emergency and the factors that influence the decision to commence basic life support.
How to be successful when applying for a postregistration course: 2
Authors: Fish Jane
Published: November 2016

The process of applying for a postregistration course is complex and the competition for places is great. If a candidate is to he successful he/she must focus on creating a positive impression. This article considers the selection day, tests, group interviews, general performance and the common questions that may be asked.
Health carers' attitudes to HIV infection and AIDS
Authors: Gillespie Francis
Published: November 2016

By 30 June 1992, 76 696 cases of AIDS had been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), the highest incidence occurring in people in their early to late 20s. If carers are to address the health care problems arising from this, they must push aside personal prejudices. Programmes must also be developed to help carers cope with anxieties and stress while health education should target those most at risk of infection and highlight the relevance of AIDS to society as a whole.
Management of paediatric pain
Authors: Wilson Karen
Published: November 2016

Paediatric pain is difficult to define, assess and manage. This article addresses these problems and discusses the role of medical and nursing staff in the effective management and treatment of paediatric pain.
Evaluating the implementation of team nursing in a clinical setting
Authors: O'Connor Stephen
Published: November 2016

Evaluating changes in the delivery of nursing care is vital to the acceptance of such changes, by both the staff and the profession as a whole. This article describes the evaluation of a change to team nursing in a clinical setting.
Implications of the AUitt case
Authors: Glasper Edward Alan , Whiting Mark
Published: November 2016

During the heated debate on resolution three at the recent RCN Congress in Harrogate, the delegates were made aware of the outcome of the Beverley Allitt court case. Resolution three appertained to the protection of children and was submitted by the Health Visitors' Forum. The wording of the resolution, ‘That this meeting of RCN Congress will discuss how the protection society offers children can be improved’, was tragically prophetic in its timing.
Parental stress in paediatric intensive care
Authors: Way Colin
Published: November 2016

Family-centred care has become an important concept in paediatric nursing. However, there are factors within the paediatric intensive care environment that act as barriers to implementing family-centred care and maintaining the caring relationship between the parents and their critically ill child.
Master of Nursing programme at the University of Glasgow
Authors: Shanley Eamon
Published: November 2016

The development of the Master of Nursing programme at the University of Glasgow reflects the evolutionary pattern of master programmes for nurses throughout the USA and the UK, which has been characterized by the preparation of nurses for management and education roles.
Nurse education in Finland
Authors: Castledine George
Published: November 2016

One of the most interesting aspects of teaching in another country is discovering new information and opinions about nursing and nurse education.
Nursing developments in Hungary
Authors: Burnard Philip
Published: November 2016

Hungary's approach to nurse education is very different from that adopted in the UK. This article explores some aspects of nursing education that were evident during a recent cultural exchange programme, organized and funded by the Hungarian Government and the British Council.
Nurses must improve their knowledge of pharmacology
Authors: Asliurst Steve
Published: November 2016

The recently introduced Project 2000 curriculum has resulted in a radical alteration in nurse education, culminating in the award of a higher qualification (diploma) on the successful completion of training. The content of Project 2000 courses is obviously under constant review, but the ultimate aim must be to provide the qualified nurse with the necessary knowledge and skills to begin in clinical practice. This involves competency in several subject areas, such as physiology, psychology and sociology, and a sound basic introduction to the use of nursing research. But does this group of subjects cover the main duties expected of a newly qualified staff nurse? I suspect not.
Smoking control and cessation
Authors: Campbell Ian A
Published: November 2016

Nurses have traditionally been seen as working within defined clinical areas, using specified and specialized knowledge and skills to provide care and promote healing. However, in recent years it has been generally recognized and accepted that the role of the nurse is much broader and that nurses have an important role as health educators.
Nurses must maintain higher standards of hygiene
Authors: Castledine George
Published: November 2016

Are nurses giving the subject of hygiene as much attention as they should? Hygiene standards in hospitals is an area of growing concern, as is the increase in tuberculosis and other infections associated with poverty, undernourishment and living in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions.
A moral dilemma: killing and letting die
Authors: Johnson Kath
Published: November 2016

Most health care professionals believe that there is a clear difference between killing and letting die, i.e. between active and passive euthanasia. Philosophers, however, have repeatedly attacked the moral validity of their argument. This article explores various related issues and theoretical approaches to the distinction between acts and omissions.
Talking to patients about sexual matters
Authors: Bor Robert , Watts Mary
Published: November 2016

Specific counselling skills that will assist nurses in discussing sexual matters with patients can be learned. The possession of such skills by nurses will enhance the nurse/patient relationship and encourage patients in the era of HIV/AIDS, to discuss their concerns about sexual issues more openly This article describes the place of conversation about sexual matters with patients.
Treatment and prevention of hypothermia
Authors: Toulson Stuart
Published: November 2016

The onset of winter is the time when many voluntary agencies begin their campaigns regarding the dangers of the cold upon the elderly population. It is also the time when accident and emergency nurses treat the highest proportion of such people presenting in various degrees of accidental hypothermia. This article outlines the care required and highlights the health education advice needed to minimize the problem.
Nurses should welcome a wider scope of practice
Authors: Castledine George
Published: November 2016

The publication of the UKCC's (1992a) The Scope of Professional Practice received unanimous support from nurses who have responded positively to its recommendations and principles. The document underlines the Council's aim to liberate the professional nurse from the constraints of the past so that he/she is free to grasp the opportunities of the future.
The living will: implications for nurses
Authors: Bassett Christopher C
Published: November 2016

In certain states in the USA there has been, for some time, the right in law for patients who are terminally ill to declare their ‘living will’. This article examines the concept of the living will and the situation surrounding euthanasia in Britain and Europe. Its aim is to give nurses further insight into and greater understanding of the possible future use of a living will.
The role of nurses in counselling the terminally ill patient
Authors: Wyatt Penny
Published: November 2016

Facing one's own death is emotional, traumatic and frightening. Nurses can help patients and their families to cope with this crisis through the sensitive use of counselling skills. In so doing they will also become more aware of their own beliefs and feelings surrounding the subject.
Can nurses take an accurate blood pressure?
Authors: Nolan Janet , Nolan Mike
Published: November 2016

It is over 20 years since the Briggs (1971) report extolled the virtues of nursing becoming a research-based profession. However, despite progress having been made towards achieving a research base, studies all too rarely inform nursing practice. This article offers a number of explanations for this failure and demonstrates the benefits of research by examining nurses' knowledge of the factors that are important in taking an accurate blood pressure reading.
When is holism not complementary?
Authors: Buckle Jane
Published: November 2016

There is a great danger, in the struggle to emancipate nurses and educate them in holism, with the suggestion that the paradigm shift in nursing needs to be from a Newtonian-Cartusian model to a complementary-alternative one. Mistakenly, the term holism is rapidly becoming a pseudonym, in all senses of the word, for complementary. Just as complementary is not the same as alternative, so holism is not necessarily complementary. It may embrace some complementary, but does it have to?
Discovering theory from psychiatric nursing practice
Authors: Lacey David
Published: November 2016

Inductive analysis of instances where nurse-patient relationships have shown positive outcomes contributes to the development of nursing knowledge and also helps to establish a credible theory base for psychiatric nursing, with clear relevance for the reality of practice.
Home administration of intravenous antibiotics to children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Gill Susan
Published: November 2016

In examining the home administration of intravenous antibiotics to children with cystic fibrosis, this article concentrates on the role and responsibilities of the nurse in the support and education of the parents and children.
Effects and treatment of the menopause
Authors: Kelly Jennifer
Published: November 2016

There are 10 million postmenopausal women in this country and another 250 000 join their ranks yearly. Nurses must have a good understanding of this stage of life if they are to support their patients, and allow these women to make informed choices about their own care.
Nursing models fail in practice
Authors: Kenny Tom
Published: November 2016

Despite an increasing academic interest in the nature of nursing models, nurses do not tend to use them in practice. This article examines the future of nursing models as a framework for delivering client care and questions their effectiveness in a practical setting.
Socialization of student nurses into the qualified nurse role
Authors: Bassett Chris C
Published: November 2016

The journey that a new student nurse makes is a long one during which the traveller undergoes many changes. This article considers the way the student is socialized into the role of qualified nurse. In so doing it explores the part played by the nurse teacher in that process of change.
Role of ethics in modern health care: 2
Authors: Ellis Peter A
Published: November 2016

The first article in this two-part series examined the meaning of ethics, why nurses should bother with it, and what effect it has on the individual conscience-controlled practitioner. This article looks more closely at why nurses need to be aware of the implications of ethics in practice.
Violent attacks: nurses at risk
Authors: Castledine George
Published: November 2016

When my mother worked as a midwife in a poor inner city area she was issued with a police whistle for protection. Fortunately, she never had to use it, even though she was often out and about at night in some less than salubrious areas. There was a sort of urban camaraderie in those days, especially towards the local nurse or midwife who was often treated with respect and honour even by the roughest and toughest characters in the locality.
Nurses remain ignorant over HIV/AIDS
Authors: Cruickshanks Michael
Published: November 2016

Another year has passed and with it another World AIDS Day. December 1, 1992, marked the tenth anniversary of the identification of HIV; for the past 8 years the World Health Organization has declared this date as the day when we should unite across the globe in the struggle against HIV and AIDS. The fact that you probably missed it is a sad reflection of British complacency.
Nursing management of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Hogston Richard
Published: November 2016

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects up to 25% of the population and accounts for about 40% of patients referred to consultant gastroenterologists (Nagvi and Prout, 1983). Despite this, much of the medical and dietary research is conflicting and inconclusive. This article discusses the variety of symptoms and treatments associated with IBS and the nursing management of the condition.
Mouth care and the hospitalized patient
Authors: Clarke Gwen
Published: November 2016

Despite its importance, there still appears to be some confusion among nurses regarding mouth care and the tools that should be used. This article reviews the literature and suggests the best possible approach.
The Bland truth: 1
Authors: Castledine George
Published: November 2016

Care study

Mr A played the piano in the local pub every Friday night. One day he got so drunk that on returning home to his small terraced house where he lived with his widowed mother, he fell out of bed and nearly choked on his vomit. His mother discovered him just in time and he was admitted to the local hospital. After several weeks of intensive care nursing and endless investigations and scans, he was declared by the medical staff to be unrehabilitative, and labelled vegetative and a long-term nursing problem. The ward nurses accepted the challenge and continued with appropriate nursing care, including tube feeding. Eventually, some 3 years later, the patient died. His mother was happy because she was not pressurized in any way to make a life or death decision about her son's condition. The nurses were happy because they felt they upheld their responsibility to do the patient no harm and aid him/her to a peaceful death. The doctors were at first unhappy because they were not able to use the patient's bed any sooner, but were satisfied that he was well cared for.
Implications of the James Bulger case for community nurses
Authors: Notter Joy
Published: November 2016

The tragic and brutal murder of James Bulger has caused a public outcry and major political debate which has concentrated on two areas: the punitive aspects of the case and the need to protect the public from such outrages in the future. There has been little mention of other important considerations which are well within the remit of some branches of community nursing. Perhaps the clearest way to illustrate these is to relate a true story from the past.
Nurse-aid management of neurological emergencies
Authors: Platt William D , Walton Jane
Published: November 2016

People with altered levels of consciousness cannot be responsible for themselves. This article highlights the steps a nurse aider must take at the scene of an accident and discusses the importance of the environment in the neurological emergency.
Definitions and explanations of the new financial vocabulary
Authors: Thurgood John
Published: November 2016

NHS reforms have led to a new vocabulary for nurses. This article explains the meaning of the terms budgetary control, establishment, pay and non-pay, zero-based budgeting, trust regimens and the external financing limit. An understanding of these terms will help nurses implement the reforms.
Who has the right to end life?
Authors: Rea Karen
Published: November 2016

The case of Tony Bland, the Hillsborough victim who died on 3 March 1993 after being in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) for approximately 4 years, highlights a number of issues that touch raw nerves of many people nationwide.
Holism in nursing: its meaning and value
Authors: Griffin Anne
Published: November 2016

The term holism implies the integration of parts to achieve harmony. What can this ideal mean in a world which is fragmented and in a nursing context constrained by resources? Holism has some valuable applications for nursing and some warnings too.
Child sexual abuse 2: techniques for helping adult survivors
Authors: Gillespie Francis J
Published: November 2016

Nurses play a valuable role in helping victims of child sexual abuse. Through constant reassurance and skilled assistance the victims can realize that they can survive the abuse experience. The nurse wishing to work with this group of patients has an ethical and moral obligation to develop the necessary expertise and clinical competence to ensure that the intervention does not cause further harm and the development of maladaptive behaviour.
Neurological emergencies 2: nurse-aid management of fits
Authors: Castledine George
Published: November 2016

Seizures or convulsions can be frightening to observe but the nurse-aid response is straightforward, i.e. to protect the patient from further harm, to maintain a clear airway and to attend to any wounds or injuries caused by the fall.
How to promote quality of care and preserve patient autonomy
Authors: McCormack Brendan
Published: November 2016

This article explores the relationship between the provision of a quality service and the promotion of patient autonomy. The key issue of meeting patients' actual needs while maintaining their self-worth within a budget-conscious environment is examined.
Skill mix is not grade mix
Authors: Notter Joy
Published: November 2016

Everywhere I go I hear derogatory comments about skill mix; how it will have a negative effect on the care provided by all branches of nursing. I might find this easier to accept if what was being discussed was indeed skill mix. However, on many occasions, what is under discussion is grade mix, which is a very different issue. If we look more closely at these two concepts, the differences become immediately apparent. One involves collaborative care and the other doesn't.
Pathways for PREP: a consumer-orientated model
Authors: Evans Brian , Jackson Helen , Sheperd John
Published: November 2016

This article describes the development of a responsive and dynamic model for the provision of postregistration education, encompassing local, national and professional issues.
Oxford to Australia: symbiotic nursing relationship
Authors: Perrin Moira
Published: November 2016

With the implementation of postregistration education and practice (UKCC, 1990) nurses are now looking forward to developing themselves personally and professionally. In order to facilitate this the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, has set up observational visits to hospitals in Australia. This article describes one of these visits.
Are nurses losing control of care?
Authors: Fox Jane
Published: November 2016

The concept of care has always been of central concern to nurses, in terms of both academic definitions and parameters, and the practical dynamics of provision. This has been demonstrated by Sarvimaki (1988), Dunlop (1986), Benner and Wrubel (1989), Watson (1989) and Wild (1989). However, a new era of interest focuses on care not as a concern for nurses alone, but rather in the context of multiprofessional interaction (Fox and Forman, 1992) which includes those who engage in care activities but are not members of a registered health profession.
Empowerment of diabetics: a challenge for community nursing
Authors: Patel June
Published: November 2016

Empowerment of diabetic patients can be promoted by the use of blood glucose self-monitoring. Community nurses play an important role in teaching effective and accurate techniques.
Doctors and nurses: dangerous liaisons
Authors: Castiedine George
Published: November 2016

The least known but arguably the most influential joint liaison committee in health care is that between the General Medical Council (GMC) and the UKCC. A wide variety of interesting topics relating to nursing and medical standards of ethics is normally on the agenda. However, a lack of cooperation between the two bodies means that the committee achieves less than it should.
Nurses are changing not extending their roles
Authors: Sheperd John
Published: November 2016

A recent article in The Daily Telegraph (Muir, 1993) reported that the Royal College of Surgeons has sent the Department of Health (DoH) and the Chief Medical Officer a document giving details of a scheme to introduce a ‘new tier’ of health service staff.
Nurse-administered oral hygiene in the hospitalized patient
Authors: Peate Ian
Published: November 2016

This article is a critical analysis of the literature on nurse-administered oral hygiene in the hospitalized patient. Current practice and trends are examined and recommendations for future practice are made.
CATS: the way to academic qualifications?
Authors: MacAlister Lanette
Published: November 2016

At long last nurses are able to gain recognition for their academic achievements as well as their occupational skills. A working knowledge of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) is of major importance to those wishing to make the most of this opportunity.