bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding decision making in organizations to focus its practices where it matters
Authors: Michel L.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The ability to make good decisions is the defining attribute of a high performance organization. The challenge is to ensure that good decision‐making practices permeate the entire organization. As organizations grow, employees make decisions in an increasingly complex, ambiguous, and uncertain environment. Formal practices enable employees to make decisions that are meaningful to the firm's stakeholders and guide their behaviours to align with the strategic intent of the firm as well as its values and norms.

Design/methodology/approach

Through case studies and consultancy work the author has developed an approach to focus on management decision making and improved effectiveness.

Findings

This paper describes a diagnostic tool which helps companies understand how well their management systems support decision making and where CEOs should invest to focus leadership time and attention. The decision‐making scorecard and tools help CEOs design effectiveness management systems and focus its use to drive their specific business agenda.

Originality/value

With formal decision‐making practice in place, CEOs rely on delegation and control practices to ensure that employees make decisions in line with the organization's vision and values. Using the described approach, CEOs and employees focus their attention on the relevant control levers and use their time for interaction and learning rather than control. Furthermore they successfully apply more relevant decision‐making practices than before, and have abandoned extensive and expensive performance management projects in favour of more differentiated and focused initiatives that support their immediate goals with a direct impact. The tools have been used to ensure that the next strategic move delivers the expected value. In summary, good decision‐making practices translate the CEOs' power and responsibility into higher performance, growth and lower risk.
The public interest and the global, future telecommunications landscape
Authors: Blackman Colin
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Taking a forward looking and global perspective, the paper seeks to address the issue of whether the concept of public service telecommunications has any relevance to the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on published sources to look at the history of public service telecommunications, mainly in the USA, reviews the progress towards universal service across the world and explores the likely future developments in the telecommunications landscape over the next few decades.

Findings

The concept of public service telecommunications helped to stabilise the telecommunications industry in its infancy but ultimately stifled access to telecommunications services at affordable prices. However, the future will still need to be nurtured so that telecommunications are provided genuinely in a way that serves the public interest.

Originality/value

Provides a global and forward‐looking view on the value of the public interest in telecommunications.
The labouring of the public service principle: union convergence and worker movements in the North American communication industries
Authors: Mosco Vincent
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to expand the public service principle to cover labour and worker organizations in the communication industry. It also aims to demonstrate the value of labour convergence as an instrument to advance the interests of knowledge workers and the public interest in communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws from conceptual debates around the nature of knowledge labour and of convergence. It draws from interviews and documentary evidence to determine the value of trade union convergence and new forms of worker organization in the communication industries.

Findings

The paper finds that communication workers are engaging in their own form of convergence and are using it to advance the public service principle in knowledge labour. In doing so, they are expanding the public interest in communication.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the only studies that connects the public service principle and convergence to knowledge and communication workers. It demonstrates that, despite significant challenges, these workers are a significant force in the communication arena.
Telecom musings: public service issues in India
Authors: Thomas Pradip
Published: March 2007

Purpose

In assessing the contribution made by telecommunications in India by the state and civil society to public service, this article aims to identify the state's initial reluctance to recognise telecommunications provision as a basic need as against the robust tradition of public service aligned to the postal services and finds hope in the renewal of public service telecommunications via the Right to Information movement.

Design/methodology/approach

This article follows a history of telecommunications approach that is conversant with the political economy tradition. It uses archival sources, personal correspondence, and published information as its primary material.

Findings

The findings suggest that public service telecommunication is a relatively “new” concept in the annals of Indian telecommunications and that a de‐regulated environment along with the Right to Information movement holds significant hope for making public service telecommunications a real alternative.

Originality/value

This article provides a reflexive, critical account of public service telecommunications in India and suggests that it can be strengthened by learnings gained from the continual renewal of public service ideals and action by the postal services and a people‐based demand model linked to the Right to Information Movement.
“Universal service” and China's telecommunications miracle: discourses, practices, and post‐WTO accession challenges
Authors: Zhao Yuezhi
Published: March 2007

Purpose

To examine “universal service” as a policy objective in post‐WTO accession Chinese telecommunications and analyze the challenges of the Chinese telecommunications system in defining and promoting public service ethos in a country that is marked by staggering disparities.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of media, academic, industry, and policy discourses on “universal service” and a broader notion of “public service,” together with recent government efforts in promoting “universal service,” are examined and assessed to develop an analysis of the uneven nature of China's telecommunications development and reveal the dynamics of “universal service” policy formation, as well as the impetuses and impediments in developing any notion of public service telecommunications in China.

Findings

Public service issues in China need to be situated within a continuing process of uneven development which comprises dimensions other than residential telephone access. Although the ultimate policy goal appears to develop a nationally accessible telecommunications infrastructure as the basis of a unified national economy, this overall objective is beset by conflicts and contingent on the dynamics of elite and popular struggles over and beyond telecommunications development. Despite the spectacular expansion in telephone access, pragmatic concessions to dominant power groups, rather than a principled commitment to “universal service,” let alone efforts to define the social functions of telecommunications in more democratic ways, have shaped the development of China's telecommunications.

Originality/value

The development of China's telecommunications infrastructure offers lessons both as to the likelihood of successfully establishing an integrated national economy, and the role of public service in that context. However, the Chinese telecommunications policy field remains extremely fluid.
Network neutrality is the new common carriage
Authors: Sandvig Christian
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This article considers internet system development with reference to what is currently termed the “network neutrality” debate; its aim is to develop improved ways of reasoning about the role of the public interest in networked communications infrastructures.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess the degree to which a general non‐discrimination rule would be possible or useful, this article this article reviews documented examples of differential service by internet service providers that already occur. It then compares these practices to older debates about common carriage.

Findings

Most of the debate about network neutrality focuses on a few kinds of content discrimination, while there are many more varieties at work. While the focus of the debate has been legal, the problem is often technological. Many kinds of discrimination are now at work, often secretly.

Practical implications

Rather than one grand, neutral rule for a neutral internet, there is a need for a normative framework that can provide a larger picture of the role of this infrastructure in society, and therefore a way to reason about whether a particular kind of discrimination is normatively good or bad. There is also a need for more public disclosure of actions taken internally by internet providers.

Originality/value

This paper provides a set of examples that expand the scope of the network neutrality debate, adding nuance and complexity. It also calls into question the novelty of the issue and suggests that it is unlikely that a single rule (or a small set of general rules) will resolve this dispute.
The History of the Future: evaluating projects and service developments before they begin
Authors: Markland Margaret , Butters Geoff , Brophy Peter
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe an evaluation tool, “The History of the Future” exercise, which can be used at the beginning of a project or service development to clarify variation in participants' presuppositions and expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes what the tool is, the context in which it is useful, how it is presented and administered, and what kinds of results can be expected. It places it within the corpus of qualitative methods, relating it particularly to phenomenography.

Findings

A case study of the application of the method is used to illustrate its use and the results, which it can generate. A complex European Commission funded research and development project, eMapps.com, provided a challenging environment for its use and helped to verify its utility.

Practical implications

The exercise is a particularly useful activity at the beginning of a large or complex project, which has multiple stakeholders, especially when they form a widely dispersed community. It addresses the fact that different stakeholders may come to the project with different understandings, expectations and priorities, and aims to provide focus and common understanding of project aims and objectives.

Originality/value

Evaluations rarely start early enough in a project to exert significant influence on outcomes. The History of the Future exercise is one way to provide very early information on differing perceptions and goals among those involved and so to establish full agreement on purpose, tasks and desired outcomes.
Marketing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation training programs to nontraditional responders
Authors: Sneath Julie Z.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

To illustrate the challenges involved in communicating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation information and providing lay person training to improve the chance of survival for persons suffering out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 78 lay persons employed by manufacturing firms in an industrial park were surveyed and asked to identify their attitudes toward and knowledge of lifesaving techniques and willingness to participate in CPR and AED training programs.

Findings

Findings suggest that most employees were interested in learning how to administer CPR and defibrillation. However, few had received training. The data also showed that training and relationship with a victim are determinants of level of comfort and willingness to engage in behaviors that would save a life.

Research limitations/implications

Results are not necessarily representative of all programs or employees in industrial settings. Sample is US based, which may limit its generalizability.

Practical implications

Although few people have been formally trained, awareness levels and willingness to participate in these programs are high. Opportunities for training exist, even though resuscitation programs' communications and training may be falling short of the intended outcomes.

Originality/value

Lay persons' attitudes toward and experience with CPR and defibrillation training programs are examined and implications for training and marketing communications are discussed.
Do mergers and acquisitions create shareholder wealth in the pharmaceutical industry?
Authors: Hassan Mahmud , Patro Dilip K. , Tuckman Howard , Wang Xiaoli
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze mergers and acquisitions (M&A) focusing on the US pharmaceutical industry in the period 1981‐2004. This industry is chosen because it is global, it engages intensively in M&A which it uses to both complement and substitute for early stage research, and because the potential abnormal returns to blockbuster drugs are substantial. It is assumed that if abnormal returns to M&A exist in the short and long run, this is the industry to find them.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines short‐term abnormal returns separating mergers from acquisitions and US‐based from foreign‐based M&A targets. It examined 405 mergers and acquisitions during 1981‐2004 to address the issues of our research.

Findings

Evidence of short and long‐term abnormal returns, as well as accounting and efficiency effects are found for acquisitions but not for mergers. However, the tests do suggest that mergers with US‐based targets are not value destroying. It is also found that there are differences as to the effects of acquisitions of foreign‐based, as opposed to US‐based targets.

Originality/value

Taken in total, the results provide support for the view that in the pharmaceutical industry, acquisitions of US‐based companies have a positive impact on wealth creation for company shareholders.
Winning the China vitamin war by building a strong brand
Authors: Chen Junsong , Burgers Willem P.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

To provide insight on the characteristics of the Chinese multi‐vitamin marketplace and to discuss key issues involved in marketing work, including market testing, product positioning, market segmentation and targeting, differentiation, and branding strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a field‐based case study. An in‐depth interview has been used for data collection. The case is presented on a chronological order and could be divided into four stages (2001‐2005). Substantial information regarding the company's marketing strategy and tactics has been provided. Detailed sales data have also been given to facilitate the case discussion.

Findings

The case presents the uneven growing path of a Chinese multi‐vitamin brand. It has established the importance of brand‐building strategy on the basis of integrated marketing mix.

Practical implications

The case provides an excellent basis for exploring the pros and cons of numerous marketing tactics – individual branding vs brand extension, penetration vs skimming, choice of promotional tools, etc. It has also illustrated different ways for product positioning and differentiation. In addition, it provides a basis for discussing ethics in advertising – e.g. the soft advertising.

Originality/value

The case has been used successfully in executive MBA courses. The case helps managers and researchers to understand China health supplement market which has indicated many special characteristics compared with Western market, or discuss general issues related to marketing.
Integrating multidisciplinary perspectives
Authors: Woodside Arch G. , Crotts John C. , Harrill Rich
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to introduce theInternational Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the primary objective ofIJCTHR.

Findings

The journal is designed to serve as a valuable platform for new theory and research articles that integrate multidisciplinary perspectives in describing, explaining, predicting, and influencing tourism and hospitality behavior within and across cultures.

Originality/value

The editorial describes the objectives ofIJCTHRand, as the principal publication for the International Society of Culture, Tourism, and Hospitality Research, invites membership to the society, which is open to all scholars and individuals with professional or personal interests in acquiring knowledge on topics relating to culture, tourism, and hospitality.
Enacting local economic development – theoretical and methodological challenges
Authors: Johannisson Bengt
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The aim is to provide a conceptual framework that from a local perspective positions alternative ways to cope with the challenges of a globalising world.

Design/methodology/approach

The notion of “organising context” is introduced as an ideal setting for business and community development processes as collective entrepreneurial efforts. A 3D model proposes means of structuring contemporary public discourses on local economic development. A bridging “virtual” logic is suggested that crafts and enacts localised entrepreneurial opportunities by bridging the territorial logic and the functional logic. The practices of these three rationales are illustrated by cases on community development in the Swedish rural setting.

Findings

The globalisation of the world offers challenges to every individual, organisation and location. These contests can either be considered as openings for development or as threats which trigger defensive measures and ultimately produce lock‐ins. Local leadership and entrepreneurship define the outcome of change efforts.

Research limitations/implications

Reflections on the conceptualisation and the empirical lessons raise epistemological and ethical questions which trigger alternative methodologies for researching complex community‐development processes. Interactive approaches where researchers get hand‐on involved in ongoing events appear as appropriate.

Practical implications

The need for interactive research when enacting community development calls for a coalition between local stakeholders and researchers. By bridging local and formalised knowledge needed competencies and legitimacy for change can be created.

Originality/value

By proposing and applying a vocabulary for diagnosing and evaluating the potential for local economic development both researchers and practitioners are invited to further knowledge creation.
Budgeting in New Zealand secondary schools in a changing devolved financial management environment
Authors: Tooley Stuart , Guthrie James
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Change in the New Zealand state education system during the 1980s brought about a transfer of responsibility for school financial management from the centre to the school level. The purpose of this paper is to report an investigation of how aspects of this devolved responsibility have been operationalised and managed in a secondary school setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study is based on four case studies.

Findings

The paper concludes that the expectations of an espoused economic‐rationalist approach to school‐based management have yet to fully permeate into the schools' way of “doing” devolved financial management. Accounting and management technologies have come to be used as a tool of rhetoric and have served a useful, political purpose, although not in the way intended by the reform architects.

Originality/value

This conclusion raises a question about the administrative reform and whether the consequential outcomes have yielded the espoused efficiency and educational quality gains.
Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci affecting carcass and meat quality traits in Beijing ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)
Authors: Huang Y. , Haley C. S. , Wu F. , Hu S. , Hao J. , Wu C. , Li N.
Published: March 2007

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for carcass and meat quality traits were detected in a sample of 224 progeny from four males in line VI and 12 females in line V of Beijing ducks. These lines were selected for high body weight at 42 days of age (line VI) or high egg production at 360 days of age (line V). Traits were weights of the carcass, head, neck, shanks, wings, legs, thighs, breast, heart, liver, crop, gizzard, abdominal fat (AFW) and skin fat, as well as fat thickness in the tail, and pH value, shear force, drip loss (DL) (%) and cooking loss (CL) (%) of the breast. Using a half‐sib analysis with a multiple QTL model, linkage between the carcass and meat quality traits and 95 microsatellite markers was investigated. Eight genome‐wide significant QTL for weight of crop, skin fat, liver, neck, shanks, wings, DL were detected on linkage groups CAU4 and CAU6. One genome‐wide suggestive QTL and one chromosome‐wide significant QTL for weight of breast were found on CAU1 and CAU4 respectively. Fifteen chromosome‐wide suggestive QTL influencing weight of AFW, breast, crop, heart, carcass, thighs, liver, shanks, gizzard, fat thickness in tail, DL (%) and CL (%) were mapped on CAU2, CAU4, CAU5, CAU6, CAU7, CAU10 and CAU13. In addition, two linked QTL for weight of liver and DL (%) were located on CAU2 and CAU7 respectively. The detection of QTL in ducks is a step towards identification of genes influencing these traits and their use for genetic improvement in this species.
SHORT COMMUNICATION: Functional consequences of RNA interference targeting COMMD1 in a canine hepatic cell line in relation to copper toxicosis
Authors: Spee B. , Arends B. , Van Wees A. M. T. C. , Bode P. , Penning L. C. , Rothuizen J.
Published: March 2007

A deletion in the copper metabolism (Murr1) domain containing 1 (COMMD1) gene is associated with hepatic copper toxicosis in dogs, yet evidence of copper retention in COMMD1‐depleted hepatic cells has not been shown. In a dog hepatic cell line, we analysed the copper metabolic functions after an 80% (mRNA and protein) COMMD1 reduction with COMMD1‐targeting siRNAs. Exposure to 64Cu resulted in a significant increase in copper retention in COMMD1‐depleted cells. COMMD1‐depleted cells were almost three times more sensitive to high extracellular copper concentrations. Copper‐mediated regulation of metallothionein gene expression was enhanced in COMMD1‐depleted cells. Based on the increased copper accumulation and enhanced cellular copper responses upon COMMD1 reduction, we conclude that COMMD1 has a major regulatory function for intracellular copper levels in hepatic cells.
Cyanobacterial chemical warfare affects zooplankton community composition
Authors: HANSSON LARS‐ANDERS , GUSTAFSSON SUSANNE , RENGEFORS KARIN , BOMARK LINA
Published: March 2007

1. Toxic algal blooms widely affect our use of water resources both with respect to drinking water and recreation. However, it is not only humans, but also organisms living in freshwater and marine ecosystems that may be affected by algal toxins.

2. In order to assess if cyanobacterial toxins affect the composition of natural zooplankton communities, we quantified the temporal fluctuations in microcystin concentration and zooplankton community composition in six lakes.

3. Microcystin concentrations generally showed a bimodal pattern with peaks in early summer and in autumn, and total zooplankton biomass was negatively correlated with microcystin concentrations. Separating the zooplankton assemblages into finer taxonomic groups revealed that high microcystin concentrations were negatively correlated with Daphnia and calanoid copepods, but positively correlated with small, relatively inefficient phytoplankton feeders, such as cyclopoid copepods, Bosmina and rotifers.

4. In a complementary, mechanistic laboratory experiment using the natural phytoplankton communities from the six lakes, we showed that changes in in situ levels of microcystin were coupled with reduced adult size and diminished juvenile biomass in Daphnia.

5. We argue that in eutrophic lakes, large unselective herbivores, such as Daphnia, are ‘sandwiched’ between high fish predation and toxic food (cyanobacteria). In combination, these two mechanisms may explain why the zooplankton community in eutrophic lakes generally comprise small forms (e.g. rotifers and Bosmina) and selective raptorial feeders, such as cyclopoid copepods, whereas large, unselective herbivores, such as Daphnia, are rare. Hence, this cyanobacterial chemical warfare against herbivores may add to our knowledge on population and community dynamics among zooplankton in eutrophic systems.
The relationship between personal traits and job satisfaction among Taiwanese community health volunteers
Authors: Lin Mei‐Chih , Li I‐chuan , Lin Kuan‐chia
Published: March 2007

Aim.  The purpose of the study was to understand the relationship between job satisfaction and personal traits in health volunteers in one community in Taiwan.

Background.  Among different kinds of community resources, the human resource is most essential for the process of developing healthy communities and cities. However, it is not easy to keep voluntary workers as part of health programmes even though they have been trained. Previous research has shown that to increase the job satisfaction of such a person, the volunteer needs to improve effectively his/her need to achieve. The need to achieve is an important part of a person's personal traits.

Methods  A cross‐sectional survey design was used to interview 317 health volunteers in various community health centres in I‐lan county, northern Taiwan. The research instruments of this study included the ‘locus of control orientation scale’ for personality measurement, the ‘achievement orientation scale’ and the ‘job satisfaction scale’.

Results.  Most of the sample volunteers were female with an average age of 49·55 years; the majority was married and living with their spouses. In terms of the volunteers’ personal traits, most of them are internal control orientation. The job satisfaction of the volunteers who took part in this research was extremely high. Significant variables correlating with job satisfaction in this study were gender, educational level, religious preference, participation in training, working to promote community health, the willingness to work, the frequency of participating in job training, and cooperation with other volunteer partners. The explainable variance for the prediction of job satisfaction from a combination of achievement orientation and the frequency of collaboration with other people was 9·1%.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The results suggest that there is a need to strengthen cooperative relationships among volunteer by initiating well‐planned volunteer training programmes and growth groups with the aim of enhancing their interpersonal relationships.
Self‐administered acupressure reduces the symptoms that limit daily activities in bronchiectasis patients: pilot study findings
Authors: Maa Suh‐Hwa , Tsou Tsung‐Shan , Wang Kwua‐Yun , Wang Chun‐Hua , Lin Horng‐Chyuan , Huang Yi‐Hsiang
Published: March 2007

Aims and objectives.  To examine and compare the effects of acupressure on the perceived health‐related quality of life of the participants with bronchiectasis.

Background.  In an attempt to offer comfort, pain control and symptom management, nursing is becoming increasingly involved in offering complementary‐alternative medicine as part of its caring‐healing focus in comprehensive patient care. Acupressure is one such modality that is being increasingly used by both medical and nursing professionals. While acupressure has been reported to have beneficial effects in patients with respiratory disease, the benefits to bronchiectasis patients have remained uncertain.

Design.  A randomized, partially blinded study consisting of three groups.

Methods.  Thirty‐five out‐patients of both genders, aged 59·46 SD 11·52 years, who were suffering from bronchiectasis, were randomly split into one of three groups: standard care with supplemental acupressure for eight weeks (11 participants); standard care with supplemental sham acupressure for eight weeks (11 participants); and standard care alone (13 participants). Outcomes were determined by changes in daily sputum amounts, sputum self‐assessment, six‐minute walking distance, breathing difficulty (measured on the dyspnea visual analogue scale) and health‐related quality of life (measured by the Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire).

Results.  The sputum self‐assessment score improved over time for the sham acupressure participants (P = 0·03), when compared with the controls. For acupressure participants, the Saint George respiratory questionnaire activity component scores also improved over time, compared with controls (P = 0·01) after adjustment for covariates (treatment, time, age, sex and baseline values). Other variables did not differ between the standard care alone group and the other two groups.

Conclusions.  Eight weeks of self‐administered acupressure could be useful in reducing the effects of bronchiectasis on a patient's daily activities.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Acupressure may be regarded as a viable nursing intervention.
Nurses’ approaches towards sexuality of adolescent patients in Turkey
Authors: Rana Yiðit , Kanik Arzu , Özcan Ayse , Yuzer Selda
Published: March 2007

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study is to determine the approaches regarding sexuality of nurses caring for adolescent patients in Turkey.

Method.  The sample includes nurses caring for adolescent patients in hospitals located in major cities of Turkey. There were 571 responses from the 783 nurses who were given the questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of three sections. The instrument used in this study was developed by Wall‐Haas. Multiple analyses of variance in SPSS version 11.5 was used in the comparison of the scores obtained from the instrument.

Results.  Approximately 69% of nurses stated that concerns about sexuality should be a routine component of nursing care; 70·5% of nurses stated that nursing interventions dealing with concerns about sexuality increases the patient's well being. About 70% stated that discussing sexual issues with children is the responsibility of their parents. Half of the nurses had difficulty in initiating a discussion about sexuality with their patients.

Conclusion.  The findings in this study point out that the nurses’ approaches towards adolescent sexuality are rather conservative. They were not comfortable talking about issues of sexuality with adolescent patients. The nurses were aware of the importance of sexuality for an adolescent patient; however, they were not able to reflect this awareness in their practice.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The aim of this study is to draw the nurses’ attention to adolescent sexuality and to review their attitudes towards sexuality. Hence, the nurses will be able to notice their difficulties related to sexual issues and cope with them. As a result, they will be able to give holistic care to their patients.
The Turkish version of the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale used on medical and surgical patients
Authors: Akin Semiha , Erdogan Semra
Published: March 2007

Aim and objectives.  The aim of this study is to test the validity and reliability of the modified version of the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale on medical and surgical patients.

Background.  Measuring patient satisfaction with nursing care is important in evaluating the extent to which patients’ needs are met and for determining the appropriate nursing care. In recent years there has been increasing interest in patient satisfaction with nursing care in Turkey, but there are no validated scales available to measure this.

Design.  It is an evaluative study.

Methods.  The data were collected using the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale and by a demographic information questionnaire. After translinguistic study, the content validity of the scale was confirmed and tested on 200 patients who were recruited at Istanbul University Hospital on the day of discharge. Internal consistency of the scale was tested by Cronbach's alpha. Demographic variables related to the satisfaction scores were analysed using the Spearmen correlation, the Mann–Whitney U‐ and Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Results.  The Turkish version of the Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale, with a total of 19 items, was determined to be suitable for measuring patient satisfaction with nursing care. Patients were generally satisfied with the nursing care received. The items with the most positive rating were respectively: the amount of freedom they were given on the ward, the amount of privacy they were given by nurses and how quickly nurses responded to their requests. The study found that female patients, older patients and those who had health insurance were the most satisfied.

Conclusion.  The Turkish version of the Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale showed an adequate reliability and validity for its use on adult Turkish patients.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses can use the Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale of Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scales in evaluating and improving the nursing care in clinical practice.
Living with dying: a hermeneutic phenomenological study of the work of hospice nurses
Authors: Evans Marie Josephine , Hallett Christine E
Published: March 2007

Aims. (i) Explore the meaning of comfort care for hospice nurses. (ii) Provide an understanding of how this work is pursued in the hospice setting. (iii) Examine the means by which hospice nurses provide comfort to hospice patients.

Background. The concepts of ‘comfort’ and ‘comfort care’ have long been a subject for examination by nurse researchers. The paper provides an overview of selected, relevant literature in this area. The methods used by nurse researchers have almost always been qualitative, and have focused on the meaning of nursing care for dying patients, from both nurses’ and patients’ perspectives.

Design and methods. The paper reports a hermeneutic phenomenological study of the work of 15 hospice nurses based in one hospice in the north of England. Sampling was purposive, and data were collected by means of semi‐structured interviews. A reflective diary was also kept. The interpretation of data was guided by phenomenological and hermeneutic methodology.

Results. The nurses interviewed spoke openly about their experiences of working with hospice patients. They saw the relief of suffering through ‘comfort care’ as an important element of their work. The findings are presented under three thematic headings: ‘Comfort and relief’, ‘Peace and ease’ and ‘Spirituality and meaning’.

Conclusion. Hermeneutic phenomenology is an important method for uncovering the complex realities of nursing work. The nurses’ perspectives on ‘comfort care’ they offer to patients were revealed by the data presented here, which were interpreted to offer a unique perspective on this type of nursing work.

Relevance to clinical practice. These findings offer insights to nurses in both hospice and other settings; they give a number of perspectives on the nature of ‘comfort care’ and the meanings attached to it by experienced hospice nurses’.
Does the experimental design capture the effects of complementary therapy? A study using reflexology for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Gunnarsdottir Thora Jenny , Jonsdottir Helga
Published: March 2007

Aim.  Our purpose was to pilot test whether reflexology may reduce anxiety in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Iceland.

Background.  Nurses need to study the effects of complementary therapies in general and particularly those that may be beneficial to decrease patients’ anxiety. It has been assumed that reflexology lessens anxiety, but research is needed to substantiate such expectations.

Design.  A pilot study using randomized design with experimental and control groups.

Methods.  Nine patients were recruited and randomly assigned into groups with five patients assigned into an experimental group receiving reflexology for 30 minutes and four patients into control group which rested for 30 minutes. Anxiety and physiological variables were measured pre‐ and post‐reflexology sessions once a day over five days.

Results.  The anxiety scores were lower for patients in the control group on all measures. Systolic blood pressure lowered significantly more in the control group than in the treatment group. No significant changes were observed for other variables. Patients’ comments and responses overwhelmingly suggested increased well‐being due to both experimental and control intervention.

Conclusion.  This study showed little evidence to support reflexology as a mean of reducing anxiety in CABG patients. Several methodological problems were identified that need to be considered further.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It is suggested that reflexology should be tailored to individual needs and research methods used that allow for capturing its holistic nature. Further scholarly work is warranted to explore several methodological issues in studying complementary therapies in a highly complex treatment situation.
Breast cancer awareness and practice of breast self examination among primary health care nurses: influencing factors and effects of an in‐service education
Authors: Soyer Meral Türk , Ciceklioglu Meltem , Ceber Esin
Published: March 2007

Aim.  The purposes of this study were to identify the level of breast cancer and breast self examination practice knowledge of primary health nurses and the factors influencing breast cancer and breast self examination knowledge as well as to investigate the frequency of breast self examination practice of primary health nurses and influencing factors and to evaluate the effects of an in‐service training program about breast cancer and breast self examination practice for primary health nurses.

Background.  An increased awareness among nurses about breast cancer prevention would most likely result in a higher number of better educated women about breast cancer and also motivate adherence to screening recommendations.

Design and methods.  A pre‐test and post‐test design was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of a Breast Cancer and Breast Self Examination Education Program for primary health nurses. The program was instructed to 192 of the 215 primary health nurses by two nurse trainers. Pre‐ and post‐tests made available a quantitative evaluation of the level of improvement in breast cancer and breast self‐examination knowledge.

Results.  Mean of total breast cancer knowledge score of primary health nurses prior to the program was 58·51 SD 15·63 whereas, it increased to 75·96 SD 9·53, revealing a statistically significant escalation (p < 0·0001). A significant increase was detected in the number of primary health nurses practising breast self examination as a result of the significant improvement in the mean of self breast self examination practice knowledge score which rose evidently from 71·09 SD 19·31 to 85·02 SD 12·92 (p < 0·0001).

Conclusion.  The in‐service education program improved the knowledge about breast cancer and practice of breast self examination in trained primary health nurses. The program model, which involved trained primary health nurse also represented an efficient use of the resources.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It is important that primary health nurses have adequate breast cancer knowledge and practice of breast self examination to contribute effectively to primary health care. Findings of this study can be used to guide the planning efforts on continuous education of primary health nurses about breast cancer and breast self examination issues.
Information needs before hospital discharge of myocardial infarction patients: a comparative, descriptive study
Authors: Smith Jonathan , Liles Clive
Published: March 2007

Aims and objectives.  To explore the information needs of patients who have received treatment for a myocardial infarction before their discharge home from an acute hospital.

What is known about the topic.  Providing information for myocardial infarction patients is an important nursing function and is part of the role of health‐care professionals delivering cardiac rehabilitation. It is essential to acknowledge and incorporate the self‐perceived needs of patients into the information they receive. Hospital stays are becoming shorter, reducing the opportunities for nurses to provide predischarge information to patients. This highlights the challenge of adequately assessing and meeting patients’ information needs.

Design.  A comparative, descriptive survey.

Methods.  A Patient Learning Needs Scale questionnaire was completed by 20 myocardial infarction patients within 72 hours of their intended discharge. Quantitative descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.

Results.  Patients indicated how important it was to know about each of 40 information items before discharge from hospital. Items related to medications, complications and physical activities were rated highly. Responses to an open question revealed that driving, returning to work and sources of support were issues of concern. Non‐parametric Mann–Whitney U‐tests showed that retired and older patients desired more information than their employed and younger counterparts, especially concerning community support.

What the study adds to the topic.  Previous research shows little examination of age and employment status in relation to the information needs of myocardial infarction patients. This study suggests that older and retired people may want more information than younger and employed patients.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Older people are under represented in postdischarge cardiac rehabilitation programmes. Since these patients may need different information when discharged from younger individuals, nurses must decide how they can best meet their needs for information and continuing support.
Interstitial cells of Cajal and neuromuscular transmission in the rat lower oesophageal sphincter
Authors: Farré R. , Wang X.‐y. , Vidal E. , Domènech A. , Pumarola M. , Clave P. , Huizinga J. D. , Jiménez M.
Published: March 2007

Abstract  The distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and neurotransmission were investigated in lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) circular muscle strips from Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats, Ws/Ws mutant rats and their wild‐type (+/+) siblings. Intramuscular c‐Kit‐positive cells, confirmed to be ICC‐IM by electron microscopy, were observed throughout both muscle layers from SD and +/+ rats. In contrast, c‐Kit‐positive, ultrastructurally typical ICC‐IM were absent in Ws/Ws. LES strips from Ws/Ws rats showed increased spontaneous contractile activity. Strips from SD and +/+ rats, responded to electrical neuronal stimulation with a relaxation that was in part L‐NNA and in part apamin sensitive, followed by a contraction which was decreased by atropine. In Ws/Ws rats, similar to +/+ rats, neurally mediated relaxation was L‐NNA and apamin sensitive and the contraction was decreased by atropine. We conclude that in the rat LES, relaxation is mediated by NO and an apamin‐sensitive mediator, and contraction primarily by acetylcholine. Despite the absence of c‐Kit‐positive ICC, nerve–muscle interaction can be accomplished likely by diffusion of neurotransmitters to the smooth muscle cells. The lack of c‐Kit‐positive ICC is related to an increase in the basal tone and spontaneous contractile activity. The presence of fibroblast‐like ICC in Ws/Ws rats might represent immature ICC whose possible functions need further investigation.
A host monoterpene influences Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) responses to its aggregation pheromone
Authors: Erbilgin Nadir , Krokene Paal , Kvamme Torstein , Christiansen Erik
Published: March 2007

1 Host tree terpenes can influence attraction of conifer‐infesting bark beetles to their aggregation pheromones, and both synergistic and inhibitory effects have been reported.

2 We tested a gradient of ratios of (–)‐α‐pinene, the predominant monoterpene in Norway spruce, to the pheromone of Ips typographus, a major pest of Norway spruce.

3 Attraction of I. typographus increased as the release rate of (–)‐α‐pinene increased. The two highest (–)‐α‐pinene : pheromone ratios (526 : 1 and 2595 : 1) attracted twice as many I. typographus as pheromone alone, whereas low to intermediate ratios (56 : 1, 274 : 1) did not differ from pheromone alone.

4 Our results are in agreement with a proposed model, which suggests that bark beetles display unique response profiles to host terpenes depending on the physiological condition of the host trees that they typically colonize. Ips typographus, which is an aggressive species capable of colonizing and killing healthy trees, showed an increased attraction to monoterpene : pheromone ratios, and this may be high enough to inhibit attraction of less aggressive beetle species typically colonizing dead, dying or stressed trees.

5 Attraction of associates of I. typographus was also modified by (–)‐α‐pinene. Ips duplicatus, a competitor of I. typographus, showed increased attraction to the pheromone of I. typographus across all concentrations of (–)‐α‐pinene.
Aphid colony turn‐over influences the spatial distribution of the grain aphidSitobion avenaeover the wheat growing season
Authors: Fievet Virgil , Dedryver Charles‐Antoine , Plantegenest Manuel , Simon Jean‐Christophe , Outreman Yannick
Published: March 2007

1 Temporary habitats are characterized by the appearance and disappearance of patches in which resources are available for a limited period only. Organisms living in those environments usually exhibit adaptive traits, such as a high ability to find and exploit new patches. Among them are phytophagous insects, such as crop pests living in agroecosystems. Understanding how phytophagous insects invade a new patch is of great agricultural importance.

2 Here, we investigated how aphids colonize a wheat field by studying the spatial and temporal dynamics of their populations at large (field) and fine (group of host plants) scales.

3 The sampling design consisted of counting and locating aphid colonies within 30 0.25 m2squares randomly spaced in a 1.5‐ha winter wheat field over 2 months. All colonies were precisely located within the squares and their composition in terms of morphs was determined.

4 We show that: (i) immigration of winged aphids was a major factor driving the aphid population dynamics during a large part of the season and (ii) within the field, populations established late in the growing season. Aggregated, populations of aphids became progressively homogeneously distributed at the field scale. At the scale of a 0.25 m2square, infested plants were clustered in randomly distributed small patches, and aphid colonies experienced high extinction rates, suggesting failure in population establishment.

5 Because immigration may considerably influence both population dynamics and spatial distribution, our study suggests that future predictive models should give a greater weight to spring immigrants.