bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytophthora ramorum Colonizes Tanoak Xylem and Is Associated with Reduced Stem Water Transport
Authors: Parke J. L. , Oh E. , Voelker S. , Hansen E. M. , Buckles G. , Lachenbruch B.
Published: November 2007

Isolation, detection with diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and microscopy demonstrated the presence of Phytophthora ramorum in the sapwood of mature, naturally infected tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) trees. The pathogen was strongly associated with discolored sapwood (P < 0.001), and was recovered or detected from 83% of discolored sapwood tissue samples. Hyphae were abundant in the xylem vessels, ray parenchyma, and fiber tracheids. Chlamydospores were observed in the vessels. Studies of log inoculation indicated that P. ramorum readily colonized sapwood from inoculum placed in the bark, cambium, or sapwood. After 8 weeks, radial spread of P. ramorum in sapwood averaged 3.0 to 3.3 cm and axial spread averaged 12.4 to 18.8 cm. A field study was conducted to determine if trees with infected xylem had reduced sap flux and reduced specific conductivity relative to noninfected control trees. Sap flux was monitored with heat-diffusion sensors and tissue samples near the sensors were subsequently tested for P. ramorum. Adjacent wood sections were excised and specific conductivity measured. Both midday sap flux and specific conductivity were significantly reduced in infected trees versus noninfected control trees. Vessel diameter distributions did not differ significantly among the two treatments, but tyloses were more abundant in infected than in noninfected trees. Implications for pathogenesis, symptomology, and epidemiology are discussed.
Pathological Variations Within Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae Support Its Separation Into Three Distinct Pathovars that Can Be Distinguished by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism
Authors: Ah-You N. , Gagnevin L. , Chiroleu F. , Jouen E. , Neto J. Rodrigues , Pruvost O.
Published: November 2007

Bacterial black spot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae, is an important disease of mango (Mangifera indica). Several other plant genera of the family Anacardiaceae were described as host species for xanthomonads. We studied pathological variations among strains in a worldwide collection from several Anacardiaceae genera. Strains were classified into three pathogenicity groups. Group I strains (from the Old World) multiplied markedly in leaf tissue of mango and cashew (Anacardium occidentale). Group II strains (from Brazil) multiplied markedly in cashew leaf tissue, but not in mango. Moreover, mango leaves inoculated with group I and group II strains exhibited lesions with different morphologies, consistent with variations in symptomology previously reported on mango under field conditions. Group I strains produced black, raised lesions, consistent with the original description of the pathovar, whereas group II strains produced brownish, flat lesions. Group III strains produced a unique syndrome on ambarella (Spondias dulcis) and mombin (Spondias mombin). Based on evolutionary genome divergence derived from amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data, the three groups were genetically distinct and were related to groups 9.5, 9.6, and 9.4 of X. axonopodis identified by Rademaker, respectively. As each group was characterized by unique symptomology and/or host range, we propose that X. campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae be split into three pathovars of X. axonopodis: X. axonopodis pv. mangiferaeindicae, X. axonopodis pv. anacardii, and X. axonopodis pv. spondiae. Within pv. mangiferaeindicae sensu novo, AFLP data were consistent with that previously published for restriction fragment length polymorphism groups and suggested long-distance movement of the pathogen, likely through propagative material.
Differential Effects of Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase, Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase, and Energetic Metabolism Inhibition on Resistance of Appropriate Host and Nonhost Cereal–Rust Interactions
Authors: Prats E. , Martínez F. , Rojas-Molina M. M. , Rubiales D.
Published: November 2007

Effects of phenylpropanoid and energetic metabolism inhibition on resistance were studied during appropriate host and nonhost cereal-rust interactions. In the appropriate barley–Puccinia hordei interaction, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) inhibition reduced penetration resistance in two genotypes, suggesting a role for phenolics and lignins in resistance. Interestingly, penetration resistance of the barley genotype 17.5.16 was not affected by phenylpropanoid biosynthesis but penetration resistance was almost completely inhibited by D-mannose, which reduces the energy available in plant host cells. This suggests a parallel in the cellular basis of penetration resistance between 17.5.16 rust and mlo barleys powdery mildew interaction. Results revealed differing patterns of programmed cell death (PCD) in appropriate versus nonhost rust interactions. PAL and CAD inhibitors reduced PCD (hypersensitivity) in appropriate interactions. Conversely, they had no effect in PCD of wheat to P. hordei; whereas D-mannose dramatically reduced nonhost resistance and allowed colony establishment. The differential effects of inhibitors in the expression of the different resistances and the commonalities with the cereal-powdery mildew interaction is analyzed and discussed.
Differences Between Ascospores and Conidia of Didymella rabiei in Spore Germination and Infection of Chickpea
Authors: Trapero-Casas Antonio , Kaiser Walter J.
Published: November 2007

Studies were performed to compare the germination and infection of ascospores and conidia of Didymella rabiei under different temperature and moisture conditions. Germination of ascospores and conidia on cover glasses coated with water agar began after 2 h, with maximum germination (>95%) occurring in 6 h at 20°C. No germination occurred at 0 and 35°C. Ascospores germinated more rapidly than conidia at all temperatures. Germination declined rapidly as the water potential varied from 0 to –4 MPa, although some germination occurred at –6 MPa at 20 and 25°C. Ascospores germinated over a wider range of water potentials than conidia and their germ tubes were longer than those of conidia at most water potentials and temperatures. The optimum temperature for infection and disease development by both ascospores and conidia was around 20°C. Disease severity was higher when ascospores were discharged directly onto plant surfaces from naturally infested chickpea debris compared with aqueous suspensions of ascospores and conidia sprayed onto plants Disease severity increased as the length of the wetness period increased. When dry periods of 6 to 48 h occurred immediately after inoculation, disease severity decreased, except for the shorter periods which had the opposite effect. Disease severity was higher with ascospore inoculum when no dry periods occurred after inoculation.
Cacao Diseases—The Trilogy Revisited
Authors: Evans Harry C.
Published: November 2007

This paper reviews the significant advances by the diseases themselves, as well as by the scientists, in the intervening period since the disease trilogy was first delimited in 1989. The impact of these diseases, black pod, witches' broom, and frosty pod rot, has increased dramatically. In addition, there have been radical changes in the taxonomic profiles of these pathogens, which have been based on both traditional (morphological, cytological) and modern (molecular) approaches. Black pod is caused by a complex of Phytophthora species, in which P. palmivora still is the most important worldwide. However, recent invasion of the principal cacao-growing countries of West Africa by the more virulent P. megakarya has been cause for concern. The latter evolved in the ancient forests straddling the Cameroon-Nigerian border as a primary coloniser of fallen fruit. Conversely, frosty pod rot, caused by Moniliophthora roreri, and witches' broom, caused by M. (Crinipellis) perniciosa, both neotropical diseases, are hemibiotrophic, coevolved pathogens. Respectively, M. roreri arose on Theobroma gileri in submontane forests on the north-western slopes of the Andes, whereas M. perniciosa developed as a complex of pathotypes with a considerably wider geographic and host range within South America; the cacao pathotype evolved on that host in the Amazon basin. The inter-relationships of these vicariant species and their recent spread are discussed, together with control strategies.
Frosty Pod of Cacao: A Disease with a Limited Geographic Range but Unlimited Potential for Damage
Authors: Phillips-Mora W. , Wilkinson M. J.
Published: November 2007

Moniliophthora roreri, the cause of frosty pod rot (FP), is a specialized fungal pathogen (family Marasmiaceae) that invades only actively growing pods of cacao, Theobroma cacao, and related species of Theobroma and Herrania. FP damages pods and the commercially important seeds that some of these species produce. M. roreri was confined to northwestern South America until the 1950s. Its appearance in Panama in 1956 signaled a change in its geographic distribution. Now, it is found in 11 countries in tropical America. The fungus is currently in an active dispersal phase, possibly due to an increase in human-mediated spread. FP is more destructive than black pod (Phytophthora spp.) and more dangerous and difficult to control than witches' broom, caused by Moniliophthora (Crinipellis) perniciosa. The aggressiveness of M. roreri, its capacity to survive different environmental conditions, its rapid natural dispersal, its propensity for man-mediated dispersal, and the susceptibility of most commercial cacao genotypes, all indicate that FP presents a substantial threat to cacao cultivation worldwide.
Ceratocystis Wilt of Cacao—A Disease of Increasing Importance
Authors: Engelbrecht Christine J. , Harrington Thomas C. , Alfenas Acelino
Published: November 2007

Ceratocystis cacaofunesta (formerly C. fimbriata) causes a lethal wilt disease of cacao (Theobroma cacao) in the Caribbean and Central and South America. Recent studies employing phylogenetics, intersterility, and host range separate the cacao pathogen from other strains of the C. fimbriata complex. Ceratocystis wilt has been managed through genetic resistance, but the disease is an emerging problem in Bahia, Brazil, where it was recently introduced. Genetic studies indicate that populations of the fungus in Costa Rica, Colombia, and Bahia may have been introduced on cacao cuttings; whereas populations in Rondônia, Brazil, and western Ecuador appear to be native. The fungal genotype present in Bahia is similar to those found in Rondônia and may have been introduced on propagative material with witches' broom resistance.
Vascular-Streak Dieback: A New Encounter Disease of Cacao in Papua New Guinea and Southeast Asia Caused by the Obligate Basidiomycete Oncobasidium theobromae
Authors: Guest David , Keane Philip
Published: November 2007

The basidiomycete Oncobasidium theobromae was identified as the cause of a devastating disease of cacao named vascular-streak dieback (VSD) in Papua New Guinea in the 1960s. VSD now causes losses among cacao seedlings and kills branches in mature cacao trees throughout Southeast Asia and parts of Melanesia. The characteristic symptoms include a green-spotted chlorosis and fall of leaves beginning on the second or third flush behind the stem apex, raised lenticels, and darkening of vascular traces at the leaf scars and infected xylem. Eventually complete defoliation occurs and, if the fungus spreads to the trunk, the tree will die. O. theobromae is a highly specialized, near-obligate parasite of cocoa. It is a windborne, leaf-penetrating, vascular pathogen, and may have evolved as an endophyte on an as yet unidentified indigenous host. The rate of disease spread on cocoa is limited because basidiocarps develop only on fresh leaf scars during wet weather, and basidiospores remain viable for a few hours on the night they are shed. Consequently, very few new infections occur beyond 80-m from diseased trees. Transmission of the disease through seed or infected cuttings has not been demonstrated. Strict quarantine measures applied to the movement of intact plants are crucial in reducing spread of the disease. Integrated management, including the planting of less susceptible genotypes, nursery construction and management, canopy pruning and shade management, provides effective control.
Evolutionary associations between nectar properties and specificity in bird pollination systems
Authors: Johnson Steven D , Nicolson Susan W
Published: November 2007

A long-standing paradigm in biology has been that hummingbirds and passerine birds select for different nectar properties in the plants they pollinate. Here we show that this dichotomy is false and a more useful distinction is that between specialized and generalized bird pollination systems. Flowers adapted for sunbirds, which are specialized passerine nectarivores, have nectar similar to that of hummingbird flowers in terms of volume (approx. 10–30 μl), concentration (approx. 15–25% w/w) and sucrose content (approx. 40–60% of total sugar). In contrast, flowers adapted to generalized bird pollinators are characterized by large volumes (approx. 40–100 μl) of extremely dilute (approx. 8–12%) nectar with minimal sucrose (approx. 0–5%). These differences in nectar traits are highly significant even when statistical analyses are based on phylogenetically separate pairwise comparisons between taxa. We present several hypotheses for the association between nectar properties and specificity in bird pollination systems.
Individual space–time activity-based modelling of infectious disease transmission within a city
Authors: Yang Yong , Atkinson Peter , Ettema Dick
Published: November 2007

This paper provides an example of the application of an individual space–time activity-based model (ISTAM) to the simulation of the transmission of infectious disease in Eemnes, a city in The Netherlands. Four questions were addressed: (i) how to build the whole population at the city level, (ii) how to build the structure of the activity bundles for the city, (iii) how to assign daily activity patterns to each individual, and (iv) how to simulate within-AB transmission. The model was calibrated and examples of simulation results such as dynamics of the population during a whole day, infection distribution and network analysis are presented.
Biomechanics and control of vocalization in a non-songbird
Authors: Elemans Coen P.H , Zaccarelli Riccardo , Herzel Hanspeter
Published: November 2007

The neuromuscular control of vocalization in birds requires complicated and precisely coordinated motor control of the vocal organ (i.e. the syrinx), the respiratory system and upper vocal tract. The biomechanics of the syrinx is very complex and not well understood. In this paper, we aim to unravel the contribution of different control parameters in the coo of the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria) at the syrinx level. We designed and implemented a quantitative biomechanical syrinx model that is driven by physiological control parameters and includes a muscle model. Our simple nonlinear model reproduces the coo, including the inspiratory note, with remarkable accuracy and suggests that harmonic content of song can be controlled by the geometry and rest position of the syrinx. Furthermore, by systematically switching off the control parameters, we demonstrate how they affect amplitude and frequency modulations and generate new experimentally testable hypotheses. Our model suggests that independent control of amplitude and frequency seems not to be possible with the simple syringeal morphology of the ring dove. We speculate that songbirds evolved a syrinx design that uncouples the control of different sound parameters and allows for independent control. This evolutionary key innovation provides an additional explanation for the rapid diversification and speciation of the songbirds.
Biomimetic reliability strategies for self-healing vascular networks in engineering materials
Authors: Williams H.R , Trask R.S , Knights A.C , Williams E.R , Bond I.P
Published: November 2007

Self-healing via a vascular network is an active research topic, with several recent publications reporting the application and optimization of these systems. This work represents the first consideration of the probable failure modes of a self-healing system as a driver for network design. The critical failure modes of a proposed self-healing system based on a vascular network were identified via a failure modes, effects and criticality analysis and compared to those of the human circulatory system. A range of engineering and biomimetic design concepts to address these critical failure modes is suggested with minimum system mass the overall design driver for high-performance systems. Plant vasculature has been mimicked to propose a segregated network to address the risk of fluid leakage. This approach could allow a network to be segregated into six separate paths with a system mass penalty of only approximately 25%. Fluid flow interconnections that mimic the anastomoses of animal vasculatures can be used within a segregated network to balance the risk of failure by leakage and blockage. These biomimetic approaches define a design space that considers the existing published literature in the context of system reliability.
Three-dimensional edge waves in plates
Authors: Zernov V , Kaplunov J
Published: November 2007

This paper describes the propagation of three-dimensional symmetric waves localized near the traction-free edge of a semi-infinite elastic plate with either traction-free or fixed faces. For both types of boundary conditions, we present a variational proof of the existence of the low-order edge waves. In addition, for a plate with traction-free faces and zero Poisson ratio, the fundamental edge wave is described by a simple explicit formula, and the first-order edge wave is proved to exist. Qualitative variational predictions are compared with numerical results, which are obtained using expansions in three-dimensional Rayleigh–Lamb and shear modes. It is also demonstrated numerically that for any non-zero Poisson ratio in a plate with traction-free faces, the eigenfrequencies related to the first-order wave are complex valued.
Shifting patterns: malaria dynamics and rainfall variability in an African highland
Authors: Pascual M , Cazelles B , Bouma M.J , Chaves L.F , Koelle K
Published: November 2007

The long-term patterns of malaria in the East African highlands typically involve not only a general upward trend in cases but also a dramatic increase in the size of epidemic outbreaks. The role of climate variability in driving epidemic cycles at interannual time scales remains controversial, in part because it has been seen as conflicting with the alternative explanation of purely endogenous cycles exclusively generated by the nonlinear dynamics of the disease. We analyse a long temporal record of monthly cases from 1970 to 2003 in a highland of western Kenya with both a time-series epidemiological model (time-series susceptible–infected–recovered) and a statistical approach specifically developed for non-stationary patterns. Results show that multiyear cycles of malaria outbreaks appear in the 1980s, concomitant with the timing of a regime shift in the dynamics of cases; the cycles become more pronounced in the 1990s, when the coupling between disease and rainfall is also stronger as the variance of rainfall increased at the frequencies of coupling. Disease dynamics and climate forcing play complementary and interacting roles at different temporal scales. Thus, these mechanisms should not be viewed as alternative and their interaction needs to be integrated in the development of future predictive models.
Uses of genus Ficus (Moraceae) in Buganda region, central Uganda
Authors: Ipulet Perpetua
Published: November 2007

The initial survey aimed at assessing uses of figs in Buganda region was conducted from October 1990 to November 1991, and a follow‐up was made in 2005. A total of twelve districts were surveyed, inhabited by four major tribes with the Baganda being the majority. Oral interviews were used to collect data and respondents were either shown a freshly collected specimen or accompanied the researcher to the field. Data collected included vernacular names, uses, when medicinal part used and application. Fourteen of the 32 Ficus species recorded were used by the people. The major uses were live fencing and source of bark cloth or olubugo (Luganda) mostly from planted F. natalensis Hochst. Bark cloth adorns cultural sites, ceremonies and shrines, and is used in burying the dead and as bedding material. Its wide array of handcrafts can be seen in curios and local markets, many of these and bark cloth sheets are exported mostly to Europe. The vernacular names of species in four major languages in the region mostly related to use or simply fig trees.
Phenology of Asteraceae in selected districts of central Uganda
Authors: Mbatudde Maria , Mucunguzi Patrick , Lye Kåre A.
Published: November 2007

The phenology of the family Asteraceae in four habitat types (dry grassland, wet grassland, cultivated land and roadside) within three selected districts, that is, Kampala, Migyera and Nakasongola were studied for 1 year (2002). Flowering is partly dependent on mean annual rainfall. In all the habitats, flowering occurs throughout the year, but with a peak between August and November. Troughs in flowering occurred during the beginning of the wet season. The flowering season mainly starts between July and August and ends between January and February. Fruiting is independent of mean annual rainfall, but dependent on seasonal rainfall. Fruiting occurs throughout the year with a peak between August and October and low species fruiting between January and April.
Antiplasmodial activity of extracts of selected medicinal plants used by local communities in western Uganda for treatment of malaria
Authors: Katuura Esther , Waako Paul , Tabuti John R. S. , Bukenya‐Ziraba Remigius , Ogwal‐Okeng Jasper
Published: November 2007

This study investigated the antiplasmodial activity of ten medicinal plants used to treat malaria in Southwestern Uganda. The study plants were Bothlioclines longpipes (Olive and Hiern), N.E.Br., Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam., Maesa lanceolata Forssk., Indigofera emerginella steud. Ex A. Rich., Lantana trifolia L., Vernonia lasiopus O. Hoffm., Trimmeria bakeri Gilg., Rhus natalensis Bernh. ex. Krauss Erythrophleum pyrifolia and Conyza sp. Dry powdered plant material was extracted by sequential cold maceration using petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol solvents respectively. Extracts were subjected to in vitro antiplasmodial screening against wild strains of Plasmodium falciparum using the nitro‐tetrazolium blue‐based lactate dehydrogenase assay. The chloroform extract of M. lanceolata (EC50 1.60 μg ml−1.), showed the highest antiplasmodial activity followed by R. natalensis (EC50 1.80 μg ml−1). Other extracts with significant activity were the chloroform leaf extract of Bothriocline longipes (EC50 3.66 μg ml−1) and the petroleum ether root extract of T. bakeri (EC50 3.955 μg ml−1).
Immunological evaluation of Commicarpus plumbagineus Standl. (Nyctaginaceae) use in reproductive health care in Uganda
Authors: Ojok Miriam F. , Kakudidi Esezah K. , Kamatenesi Maud M. , Mabusela Wilfred , Adams Joanita
Published: November 2007

Commicarpus plumbagineus Standl. (Nyctaginaceae) is important medicinally and reportedly used to treat a variety of diseases including urinary tract infections, prevention of miscarriages, purification and improvement of blood texture, fibroids, dysmenorrhoea, hypermenorrhoea and coagulation of blood. Scientific validation on the claimed cure of diseases by C. plumbagineus has not been carried out. The chemical profile and bioactivity have remained unknown. The aim of this study was to improve reproductive health care delivery, motherhood programmes, management of feminine diseases and to upgrade herbal medicine through scientific validation and evidence‐based research on bioactivity. The leaf and stem of C. plumbagineus were collected, dried and extracted with water. The immunology tests carried out on the water extracts were whole blood and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays using gamma interferon and interleukin‐10. Immunology tests revealed that the stem and leaf aqueous extracts had an effect on the immune system at 5% and 0.312% concentration with strong T‐helper 1 tendencies (good immune boosters).
Evaluating the impact of training community psychiatric nurses to educate relatives about schizophrenia
Authors: BROOKER CHARLES , BARROWCLOUGH CHRISTINE , TARRIER NICHOLAS
Published: November 2007

An experimental group of community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) were trained to undertake psychosocial intervention with families caring for a sufferer from schizophrenia. Intervention consisted of a detailed assessment of all the needs of each family member, health education and family stress‐management programmes. Outcome was compared with a control group of families who received standard CPN care.

This report concerns the evaluation of one component of the intervention, namely, health education. A key relative's functional knowledge about schizophrenia was assessed at pre‐test, post‐test and 6‐month follow‐up using the Knowledge about Schizophrenia Inventory (KASI). The KASI is a tape‐recorded and semi‐structured interview schedule which is scored by reliable raters and which yields a global knowledge score from six subscales. Both the control and experimental CPNs were trained to administer the KASI.

Analysis revealed that the KASI scores of the control group of relatives did not significantly change over the 12‐month period of the study. However, global KASI scores in the experimental group improved significantly both post‐test and at 6‐month follow‐up. These results are discussed in relation to the ‘stress‐vulnerability’ model of schizophrenia and the implications for CPNs (and other community based mental health professionals) are considered. It is argued that there are both sound theoretical and practical reasons for providing families with information about schizophrenia which should be addressed by appropriate educational/training programmes.
Central line infection: a review
Authors: HALLER LORRAINE T. , RUSH KATHY L.
Published: November 2007

There is increasing and widespread use of central line catheterization in clinical practice. Nevertheless, there is a growing awareness and concern about the escalating rate of infection related to central lines, especially in those patients receiving total parenteral nutrition.

This paper reviews selected studies which have identified factors contributing to central line infection.

Factors relating to all areas of catheter management, including insertion, maintenance and removal have been implicated in central line infections.

Nurses who are involved to varying degrees in all phases of central line management, play an important role in infection control.

An understanding of infection‐related factors is the first step needed to effect changes in procedures and protocols in the care of patients with central lines.
Post‐operative patients' views of sleep, pain and recovery
Authors: CLOSS S. JOSÉ
Published: November 2007

One‐hundred patients who had undergone abdominal surgery were interviewed about their experiences of pain and sleep.

Pain was the most common cause of disturbed sleep and half of the patients felt that pain was worse during the night.

More than one‐third of the sample felt that tiredness affected post‐operative pain, for the most part making it worse.

One‐third felt that sleep reduced pain intensity, three‐quarters felt that sleep helped them to cope with their pain and almost all believed that sleep enhanced recovery from surgery.

For the post‐operative patient, therefore, pain and sleep cannot be considered separately.

Methods for the effective assessment and control of pain at night (leading to associated improvements in sleep) require development by nurse researchers and practitioners.
Ownership and the harmonious team: barriers to developing the therapeutic nursing team in primary nursing
Authors: JOHNS CHRISTOPHER
Published: November 2007

The paper assumes the significance of the therapeutic team to enable staff in primary nursing roles to seek and receive support in working therapeutically with patients and to deal effectively with conflict that impairs this aim.

Two particular phenomena, ownership and the harmonious team, are identified and described; these arc both derived from the impact of introducing primary nursing into traditional nursing teams that appear to act as barriers to establishing the therapeutic team in practice. The importance of understanding these phenomena is emphasized.
An analysis of the changes involved in the introduction of the nursing process and primary nursing using a theoretical framework of loss and attachment
Authors: MEAD DONNA , BRYAR ROSAMUND
Published: November 2007

The nursing process is an innovation which has had a great effect on nursing practice.

Primary nursing is an innovation currently having profound effects on the delivery of nursing care.

In this article a theoretical framework of loss and attachment (Marris, 1985) is used to analyse these innovations.

Data from studies of the nursing process (Bryar, 1985) and primary nursing (Mead, 1991a) are used to argue that changes in working practices may result in a period of loss and mourning. Nurses must have time to work through this period of mourning if change is to be successfully implemented.
The nutritionally vulnerable patient: a pilot study to compare nurses' assessment of intake with actual intake
Authors: GASKILL DEANNE , PEARSON ALAN
Published: November 2007

This pilot study was designed to assess the relationship between nurses' assessment of nutritionally vulnerable patients' dietary intake with their actual intake.

Between one in three and one in four patients from a medical ward in a large regional hospital in Victoria, Australia, were identified as being nutritionally compromised.

Individuals were selected if they fulfilled a minimum of two of the following five criteria: low total protein or serum albumin; significant weight loss in the past 6 months; had a high‐risk diagnosis; were underweight; or had a history of poor food intake for at least 5 days.

Nursing staff need to consider protein energy malnutrition when assessing patients on admission to hospital.

The study highlights the importance of nurses' involvement with patients during meal times.

Paying attention to the amount and type of food patients eat, difficulties with eating, and the assimilation of readily available information about weight, high‐risk diagnosis, and biochemical tests when available, have the potential to make improvements in both quality of life and cost‐effectiveness in patient care.
A revised conceptualization of social support
Authors: GIBSON CHERYL H.
Published: November 2007

Very few people can live without some kind of social relationship with others. The need for social support is universal–to deal not only with day‐to‐day events but also with times of crisis, change, or transition.

A critical component of nursing practice is to provide support to promote health and wellness functioning in individuals, families, and the community at large.

To date, there is no unified conceptualization and operationalization of social support and its relation to health‐related outcomes. Furthermore, an understanding of the process of social support remains elusive (Heller et al., 1986).

This paper is a description of the concept of social support based on a selected review of the literature on social support.

A brief overview of the interest in the concept of social support is highlighted and the functional, structural, interactional, and other components of the concept arc described. Finally, a revised conceptualization of social support is discussed along with directives for future research.
Exploring the knowledge of nursing practice
Authors: VAUGHAN BARBARA
Published: November 2007

This paper describes the very personal experience of a senior nurse's struggle to try to come to understand the nature of nursing knowledge more clearly. Miss Vaughan was working as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing Studies at the University of Wales, and this paper reflects her attempt to bring together the experience of practice with those concepts that were being presented to her through the formal literature. The paper:

commences with an honest description of the dilemmas which were facing her at the time and her concern that she had begun to lose touch with the real world of nursing.

she then identifies her personal reflections through the use of a daily diary.

finally the relationship between theoretical concepts relating to clinical nursing and her personal perceptions and feelings in practice is explored.
What can be the relevance of the psychiatric nurse to the life of a person who is mentally ill?
Authors: DAVIDSON BEN
Published: November 2007

Mental illness is popularly conceived as a disorder located in the individual. This is a misconception. An alternative view is proposed, based around the writings of Smail and referring to Laing's work and the author's professional and personal experience.

The concepts and techniques of psychiatry and associated disciplines pathologize individuals. The theme that they therefore do more harm than good is developed.

In place of these techniques we should implement the process of ‘taking care’ described by Smail. This process is explained as demystification and comfort, and some of its benefits and difficulties are examined in relation to clinical practice.

Finally, the role of the psychiatric nurse in clinical work with individuals and issues of professional identity are considered. The merits of a reformulation of our role and identity in line with the preceding analysis are emphasized.
The use of cognitive behavioural therapy with people with schizophrenia
Authors: GARDNER BOB , THOMPSON STEVE
Published: November 2007

The role of cognition as one aspect of the stress‐vulnerability model of schizophrenia is discussed, and the use of cognitive therapy reviewed.

A holistic approach to the development of schizophrenia is explored.

The stress vulnerability model is explained and the way in which individuals suffering from schizophrenia are vulnerable to attentional, perceptual and cognitive difficulties, are discussed.

Using case examples, it is demonstrated that the use of cognitive behavioural techniques can be used by nurses to effectively reduce client problems associated with schizophrenia.
The death drive exemplified in a case of alcohol dependence
Authors: HOLDEN ROBYN J.
Published: November 2007

When Freud first advanced the death drive it was considered a highly controversial theoretical idea. However, with the passage of time it has been slowly gaining support in certain psychoanalytical quarters.

This paper aims to demonstrate the clinical usefulness of this theory in accordance with the Freudian and Kleinian model.

Although the case history to be discussed is a severe case of alcohol dependence which had, previously, been unresponsive to treatment, many other maladies, both mental and physical, can be better understood in the context of the death drive being the principal motivating factor.
A programme to audit the use of urinary catheters
Authors: CURRAN EVONNE
Published: November 2007

This paper describes the development of a tool to audit the use of urinary catheters on surgical wards; the overall objectives being a reduction in the inappropriate use of urinary catheters, and in the number of urinary tract infections.

The literature is reviewed to determine the criteria necessary to audit urinary catheters effectively. The implementation of an audit of urinary catheters on one surgical ward over 6 weeks showed that 27 catheters were used. All catheters passed in the ward were of the appropriate size, balloon and lumen. Significant bacteriuria was found in 5/18 (28%) of catheters in situ for 3 days. All three catheters which remained in situ longer than 10 days had significant bacteriuria. The results were favourable; this was possibly due to the patient population and the individual reasons for catheterizations.

The need for the results of audit tools such as this to be interpreted on a ward‐to‐ward basis, and not to compare wards with each other is highlighted. This audit tool could be used by other surgical wards.
Intuition: concept analysis and application to curriculum development. I. Concept analysis
Authors: McCORMACK BRENDAN
Published: November 2007

This is the first of two articles which address the subject of intuition and its relevance in practice and to curriculum development.

Few words used by philosophers and educators arouse as much confusion as the term ‘intuition’, yet it is recognized that few terms embrace such promising concepts. The nature of what is meant by intuition is discussed in this paper.

The relevance of intuition to nursing is discussed and its importance in decision making addressed.
Nursing and rehabilitation: the interventions of nurses in stroke patient care
Authors: O'CONNOR STEPHEN E.
Published: November 2007

Summary

The nature of the therapeutic interventions of nurses in the care of stroke patients is at the core of the debate over the exact role of the nurse in patient rehabilitation.

The nature of that intervention is explored in the terms of previous writers in the area through a review of the English language literature published.

The main conclusion is that even though the number and quality of publications has increased significantly, the nature of the nurse's specific interventions are still vague with the result that Henderson's claim for nurses to be the ‘rehabilitator par excellence’ still lies unfulfilled.

This lack of precision enhances the possibility that the nature of the nurse's interventions will be defined and hence potentially constrained by other professionals.
Pain in elderly orthopaedic patients
Authors: CLOSS S. JOSÉ , FAIRTLOUGH HELEN L. , TIERNEY ALISON J. , CURRIE COLIN T.
Published: November 2007

Summary

This paper focuses on one aspect of a study of elderly orthopaedic patients, namely pain control.

One‐hundred patients aged 70 years and over were interviewed on up to five occasions during admission to an acute orthopaedic unit.

The majority of patients had significant post‐operative and/or post‐trauma pain, and backache and joint pain were reported frequently.

None of the patients received more than half of the maximum prescribed number of doses of opioid analgesics over a period of 48 h following surgery.

The well‐recognized problem of inadequate pain relief among hospital in‐patients is discussed, in particular its relevance to elderly orthopaedic patients.
An item analysis of a classification system for nurses' work methods
Authors: BOWMAN GERALD S. , MEDDIS RAY , THOMPSON DAVID R.
Published: November 2007

Summary

This study describes how an item analysis of a classification system for nurses' work methods discriminates between wards operating either primary nursing or team nursing.

Four of the 13 items on the classification instrument were highly successful in discriminating between the two ward types. The four items concerned responsibility for nursing records, accountability, responsibility and authority for nursing care.

Possible reasons for why some items were more successful than others for discriminating between the ward types are discussed.
The relationship between semi‐professions in acute and long‐term care of elderly patients
Authors: REED JAN
Published: November 2007

Summary

As part of a larger study into the assessment of patients' needs in care of the elderly wards, data were collected from observation and interviews with nurses and doctors, which demonstrated differences in the functioning of the multidisciplinary care team in acute and long‐term care wards.

The nurses acted as gatekeepers to other non‐medical members of the team, using a variety of strategies to exclude them from, or include them in patient care.

Interview data also revealed a difference in nurses' perceptions of these members in the different care settings.

The gatekeeping function of the nurses was not, however, an exercise of power and autonomy, it was rather a demonstration of their allegiance to medical models of care. The medical model, as it was interpreted by the nurses, dictated the perceived relevance of the other professions to patient care, in terms of whether they could contribute to the cure and discharge of patients.

The high value placed on cure in both settings was reinforced by consultants' behaviour and attitudes, and, whereas it could be argued that this enhanced the work of the multidisciplinary team in acute care, the impact in long‐term care settings was problematic, leading to conflicts between nurses and physiotherapists.

This paper calls for a closer examination of how semi‐professional groups in health care work together, as a strategy for developing alternatives to the medical model.
Learning through supervision: a case study of respite care
Authors: JOHNS CHRISTOPHER , BUTCHER KATHRYN
Published: November 2007

Summary

In this paper a case study is used to explore critically the complexities of caring that faced one of us, K.B., as a relatively inexperienced primary nurse, in working with a ‘respite‐care’ family to achieve effective care.

The medium of reflection and supervision is used to describe this experience and the emerging issues.

Through the use of reflection, Kate was able to unravel the complexities of caring and learn to work therapeutically with this family.
If you are pregnant and smoke, admission to hospital may damage your baby's health
Authors: THOMSON ANN M.
Published: November 2007

Summary

It is recognized that smoking adversely affects the outcome of pregnancy. However, clinical experience suggested that women admitted to hospital during pregnancy smoked more than when they were at home.

Forty‐one women who were over 20 weeks pregnant, who smoked and had been in hospital for 2 days or more were interviewed using a structured schedule.

The women had made a significant reduction in their cigarette consumption during pregnancy but on admission to hospital the number of cigarettes smoked had almost returned to the pre‐pregnancy level. Boredom was seen as the main factor contributing to this increase.

Strategies for reducing the effects of admission to hospital on smoking behaviour are suggested.
Advanced clinical practice—how do we promote it?
Authors: KÄPPELI SYLVIA
Published: November 2007

Summary This paper aims to examine the promotion of advanced clinical practice. It addresses questions such as:

what is advanced clinical practice?

what is the relevance of knowledge to clinical practice?

what is the relevance of research to clinical practice?

what is the relevance of the culture to clinical practice?

what is the role of the clinical nurse?

It does not present ready answers. Rather, it attempts to highlight difficulties and ambiguities originating from the contradictory goals and requirements of nursing education, research and practice.
The experience of long‐term gastrostomy tube feeding: a phenomenological case‐study
Authors: WILSON DONNA
Published: November 2007

Summary

A 1991 phenomenological case‐study investigated the effect of long‐term gastrostomy tube feeding on an incompetent patient and her surrogate decision maker. In this case, a daughter chose tube feeding for her severely debilitated mother after she had become aphasic. The report includes the daughter's perceptions of (a) her relationship and experience with a tube‐fed mother, and (b) her mother's experience with tube feeding.

The experience of tube feeding differed from what the daughter had expected. The daughter perceived that tube feeding reduced her mother's quality of life. Taste sensations and pleasures of eating were lost. Tube feeding also negatively influenced the daughter's activities and subsequent relationship with her mother. Tube feeding, however, did extend life and did allow ongoing visits by the daughter and her children.

The mother could still continue to fulfil the role of a mother and grandmother to a certain extent. Most significantly, however, tube feeding was perceived to prolong death. Concern over whether her mother would have chosen tube feeding for herself prevailed.
The experience of motherhood and the development of depression in the postnatal period
Authors: McINTOSHMA JAMES
Published: November 2007

Summary

This paper reports on an investigation of women's experience of motherhood as a possible factor in the development of postpartum depression.

Several aspects of the experience of motherhood were found to be associated with depression in a sample of 60 first‐time mothers. These included:

the social impact of motherhood,

the extent to which expectations of motherhood were met,

the adequacy of support received from partners or from the mothers' wider social networks.

It is argued that these findings, while tentative, are consistent with a social model of depression.

Implications for health professionals and other care providers are discussed.
Shiftwork and quality of care
Authors: WHALE ZOE
Published: November 2007

Summary

This article reviews the literature on shiftwork in nursing and relates this to quality of care issues.

The implications of a fully rotational shift system are discussed.

The biological effects of working shifts are reviewed, but there appear to be other factors, such as social circumstances and autonomy, which moderate these effects.

It is suggested that tasks, formal and informal structures, and staff needs vary widely between nursing shifts, and that this should be taken into account when quality initiatives are introduced.

It is concluded that claims that increasing the number of nurses who work fully rotating shifts results in an improved quality of care for patients are premature, as quality issues in nursing have not been addressed on a 24‐hour basis.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the coronary care nurses' role in smoking cessation
Authors: CLARK J. MACLEOD , ROWE K. , JONES K.
Published: November 2007

Summary

The aim of this small‐scale study was to assess the feasibility and impact of an individualized smoking cessation intervention among clients admitted to a coronary care unit with severe angina or a first time myocardial infarction.

The intervention involved in‐depth nursing assessment interviews related to client beliefs, motivation and experiences of smoking, culminating in an individualized cessation plan. Participants were offered follow up support during the first year post‐intervention.

The findings are highly encouraging with a 77% smoking cessation rate for surviving clients within the intervention group at the end of the first year, and with 75% continued successful smoking cessation amongst surviving clients 2 years post‐intervention.
The use of medical equipment by Australian registered nurses
Authors: McCONNELL EDWINA A. , NISSEN JUTTA H.
Published: November 2007

Summary

Registered nurses in Australia are the primary users of medical equipment in the direct care of patients. The cross‐sectional survey reported in this paper explores how and what registered nurses working in a large hospital in a South Australian city initially learn about the medical equipment they use in direct patient care, as well as the consequences of equipment use for both patients and staff.

Equipment use had positive and negative aspects both for registered nurses and patients, the central issue of which was quality patient care. Inherent in this issue was knowledgeable and proficient device use, which, it is argued, hinges on equipment education.

The two most frequently identified methods of initial learning were reading the user/instruction manual and consulting the policy and procedure manual. At least 90% of respondents indicated they initially learned how to operate equipment and its purpose and function.

Medical equipment use caused nearly half the nurses to feel stressed, but only 9.4% had used medical equipment that had harmed a patient.