bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biochemical regulation of isoprene emission
Authors: WOLFERTZ M. , SHARKEY T. D. , BOLAND W. , KÜHNEMANN F. , YEH S. , WEISE S. E.
Published: July 2003

Isoprene (C5H8) is emitted from many plants and has a substantial effect on atmospheric chemistry. There are several models to estimate the rate of isoprene emission used to calculate the impact of isoprene on atmospheric processes. The rate of isoprene synthesis will depend either on the activity of isoprene synthase or the availability of its substrate dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP). To investigate long‐term regulation of isoprene synthesis, the isoprene emission rate of 15 kudzu leaves was measured. The chloroplast DMAPP level of the five leaves with the highest emission rates and the five leaves with the lowest rates were determined by non‐aqueous fractionation of the bulked leaf samples. Leaves with high basal emission rates had low levels of DMAPP whereas leaves with low basal emission rates had high DMAPP levels in their chloroplasts indicating that the activity of isoprene synthase exerts primary control over the basal emission rate. To investigate short‐term regulation, isoprene precursors were fed to leaves. Feeding dideuterated deoxyxylulose (DOX‐d2) to Eucalyptus leaves resulted in the emission of dideuterated isoprene. Results from DOX‐d2 feeding experiments indicated that control of isoprene emission rate was shared between reactions upstream and downstream of the DOX entry into isoprene metabolism. In CO2‐free air DOX always increased isoprene emission indicating that carbon availability was an important control factor. In N2, isoprene emission stopped and could not be recovered by adding DOX‐d2. Taken together, these results indicate that the regulation of isoprene emission is shared among several steps and the relative importance of the different steps in controlling isoprene emission varies with conditions.
A new method for vulnerability analysis of small xylem areas reveals that compression wood of Norway spruce has lower hydraulic safety than opposite wood
Authors: MAYR S. , COCHARD H.
Published: July 2003

Compression wood is formed at the underside of conifer twigs to keep branches at their equilibrium position. It differs from opposite wood anatomically and subsequently in its mechanical and hydraulic properties. The specific hydraulic conductivity (ks) and vulnerability to drought‐induced embolism (loss of conductivity versus water potential ψ) in twigs of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] were studied via cryo‐scanning electron microscope observations, dye experiments and a newly developed ‘Micro‐Sperry’ apparatus. This new technique enabled conductivity measurements in small xylem areas by insertion of syringe cannulas into twig samples. The hydraulic properties were related to anatomical parameters (tracheid diameter, wall thickness). Compression wood exhibited 79% lower ks than opposite wood corresponding to smaller tracheid diameters. Vulnerability was higher in compression wood despite its narrower tracheids and thicker cell walls. The P50 (ψ at 50% loss of conductivity) was −3.6 MPa in opposite but only −3.2 MPa in compression wood. Low hydraulic efficiency and low hydraulic safety indicate that compression wood has primarily a mechanical function.
A comparison of fish assemblages associated with different riparian vegetation types in the Hawkesbury–Nepean River system
Authors: Growns I. , Gehrke P. C. , Astles K. L. , Pollard D. A.
Published: July 2003

Fish assemblages in six reaches of the Hawkesbury–Nepean River were studied to identify the effects of two types of riparian vegetation; well‐vegetated banks supporting complex flora dominated by trees and shrubs, and grassed banks, that have been colonised only by grasses after historical deforestation. The fish assemblages showed both spatial and temporal differences and habitats adjacent to grassed banks supported more individuals and more fish species than well‐vegetated banks. Three small species of fish, firetail gudgeon, Hypseleotris galii (Ogilby), flathead gudgeon, Philypnodon grandiceps (Krefft), and empire gudgeon, Hypseleotris compressa (Krefft), occurred in greater abundances adjacent to grassed banks, but freshwater mullet, Myxus petardi (Castelnau), were less abundant near grassed banks than beside well‐vegetated banks. Differences were also shown in the size frequencies of the four larger fish species between riparian vegetation types. The observed differences in the distributions of fish species appeared to be related to the greater abundance aquatic macrophytes near grassed banks, probably an effect of shading of macrophytes near well‐vegetated banks.
Yield, growth and mortality rate of the Thai river sprat, Clupeichthys aesarnensis, in Sirinthorn Reservoir, Thailand
Authors: Jutagate T. , De Silva S. S. , Mattson N. S.
Published: July 2003

The Thai river sprat, Clupeichthys aesarnensis Wongratana, is a clupeid with a short life span, and supports artisanal fisheries in a number of reservoirs in the Mekong Basin. The growth parameters, mortality rates and the status of the Thai river sprat in Sirinthorn Reservoir (28 800 ha), NE Thailand (15°N; 105°E), are presented. The fishery is based on lured lift‐nets, operated 7–14 days in the new moon period, September to April each year. It was shown that the von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) model was Lt (mm) = 78.43[1 − exp{−0.211[t − (−0.7996)]}] and its growth conformed to an isometric pattern. Natural mortality rate (month−1) was 0.13 month−1. Total mortality rates ranged from 0.69 to 1.53 month−1 depending on the weather and the fishing season. Recruitment was continuous throughout the year but peaked in June and July. The yield per recruit model indicated that the exploitation rate of this fishery is probably too high.
The flood pulse and growth of floodplain fish in Bangladesh
Authors: De Graaf G.
Published: July 2003

The floodplain fisheries associated with the Compartmentalization Pilot Project, Tangail, Bangladesh, were monitored using a traditional length‐based fish stock assessment programme from 1992 to 1998. The growth of Colisa fasciatus (Bloch & Schneider) and Channa punctata (Bloch) was significantly higher in years of high floods. Further, the annual yields of Puntius sophore (Hamilton), C. punctata and C. fasciatus were significantly higher in years with high growth rates. The increased growth rate resulted in the presence of two cohorts in the catches during high floods instead of one cohort during years of low flooding. The species studied had relatively short life spans with longevity of 2.4–4.6 years. The majority of fishes did not survive the first year of their lives because of the low survival rate caused by high fishing mortality, which suggests that the fishes in the floodplains of Bangladesh exhibit an annual cycle. Annual fish yields in the flood plains of Bangladesh, appear to be maintained, despite the high fishing effort, by the annual flood pulse providing the nutrient‐rich environment needed for the remaining r‐strategists to survive.
An examination of the use of angling data to estimate total returns of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, to two rivers in Newfoundland, Canada
Authors: O'Connell M. F.
Published: July 2003

Conservation spawning requirements (limits) for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., have been developed for a number of rivers in Newfoundland. Status of stocks is evaluated against these limits and scientific advice and recommendations on levels of recreational catch provided to resource managers. A critical factor in this process is the determination of total returns. This has been accomplished for 30–40% of the rivers in question over the years through the use of fish counting fences and traps installed in fishways. In Newfoundland, it is not logistically or financially possible to operate fish counting facilities in all of the approximately 200 Atlantic salmon rivers. Thus angling catch data have been used as an alternative means of estimating total returns to rivers without counting facilities. Estimates of total returns were three to four times higher than the actual values for one of the two rivers studied and deviated from the actual by as much as 60% for the other. Management implications of the approach are discussed.
Alizarin marking of whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus otoliths during egg incubation
Authors: Eckmann R.
Published: July 2003

Alizarin red S from 200 to 5000 mg L−1 was used to mark the otoliths of whitefish embryos Coregonus lavaretus (L.) from 5 days after fertilization until shortly before hatching, to develop a method for evaluating the effect of stocking whitefish. Mark quality depended on developmental stage at the time of immersion. The best results were obtained when the otolith primordia had formed and had started aggregating to form the innermost part of the nucleus. This was verified by in vitro staining of otoliths where the primordia were more intensely stained than the remaining part of the nucleus. The volume ratio eggs to ARS solution, which was 1:10 in all but two treatments, must be observed when comparing fluorochrome concentrations, as mark quality decreased at higher ratios of 1:5 and 1:2. An average mortality rate of 35% in the most successful treatments was considered tolerable for a mass‐marking programme being used under commercial hatchery conditions. This method for marking otoliths of whitefish embryos with ARS during egg incubation is recommended for all cases where marking of larvae is not possible.
Marine fish life history strategies: applications to fishery management
Authors: King J. R. , McFarlane G. A.
Published: July 2003

The life history traits of 42 marine fish species were grouped according to the theoretical classifications of life history strategies. This provides a conceptual framework of management options, because life history strategies are the underlying determinants for population responses to climate and ocean changes, they can be used to classify typical population responses. When faced with providing management advice for species for which there is no information on absolute or relative biomass, such as newly exploited species, life history traits can be used to classify the species into a strategist grouping and the appropriate management options can be selected from the conceptual framework.
Evaluation of services for people with HIV/AIDS in an inner‐city health authority: perspectives of key service providers
Authors: Beedham Helen M , Wilson‐Barnett Jenifer
Published: July 2003

This paper reports the findings of the first phase of a study designed to assess the needs of people with HIV and AIDS and the extent to which these needs are being met by services in Camberwell Health Authority in inner London The study involves collecting information and opinions from key service providers, clients with HIV/AIDS and their informal carers It is the service provider data which will be presented here Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 47 key service providers involved in the care and support of people with HIV/ AIDS in the Camberwell Health District Respondents were drawn from the local health services, local social services departments and a number of locally active voluntary organizations The aim was to gather respondents’ views on their individual roles and the roles of the organizations they represented, the health and social needs of people with HIV/AIDS and the extent to which these were being met by current service provision and the co‐ordination of services for people with HIV/AIDS The data showed that a broad range of services were utilized by people with HIV/AIDS, reflecting a wide variety of health and social care needs The majority of respondents felt that some of the needs of people with HIV/AIDS were similar to those of people living with other chronic illnesses (such as cancer) However, they also identified a number of problems which were either unique or more severe for people with the virus Services for people with HIV/AIDS were generally felt to be poorly coordinated and a number of areas of overlap and gaps in service provision were identified
Care of sick children by parents: a meaningful role
Authors: Palmer Sarah J.
Published: July 2003

Parental involvement in their child's care in hospital has undergone great change over the last century. Studies have shown how ‘maternal deprivation’ and ‘separation anxiety’ expressed by children are detrimental to a child's recovery in hospital. Striving efforts have been made to develop family‐centred care, promote normality of the family unit and continue with the normal routine of the child's life within the limitations of a hospital environment and the child's illness. Expectations of the parental role in hospital need to be identified and expressed from both the parents and staff to establish an understanding that will ultimately be best for the child. Many studies have highlighted benefits to both parent and child from parental participation in hospital. However, disadvantages have been identified from resident parents who feel captive to their new situation and role. Efforts for family‐centred care are highly advocated now. Care‐by‐Parent units have been set up in some areas to promote this idea and, although many advantages have been identified, they are not without their problems. The success of parental involvement is dependent on both parents’ and staff's attitudes, enthusiasm and willingness to work together.
A comparison of expert‐ and practitioner‐derived criteria for post‐operative pain management
Authors: Kitson Alison , Harvey Gillian , Hyndman Sophie , YerrellBSc Paul
Published: July 2003

A comparison of two methods of criteria formulation was carried out as part of a 3‐year research study looking at the effectiveness of a nursing quality assurance system (the Royal College of Nursing's Dynamic Standard Setting System). In particular, the study wished to explore whether and to what extent criteria sets derived from an expert group differed from criteria generated by local practitioner groups. One expert group and five local groups were helped to develop criteria on the topic of post‐operative pain management. Results showed that the expert group underwent a much more controlled and systematic approach to the task than any of the local groups who were supported by newly trained facilitators. Despite this difference, two of the five local groups had criteria convergence scores of more than 55%, demonstrating that the local knowledge on the topic was acceptable. Whether the lower convergence of the groups was due to lack of knowledge or a combination of difficult group processes and novice facilitation is difficult to say. However, what the study did show was that local groups can generate criteria sets comparable to expert groups, given proper facilitation and support.
Family work with patients suffering from schizophrenia: the impact of training on psychiatric nurses’ attitude and knowledge
Authors: Lam D.H. , Kuipers L. , Leff J.P.
Published: July 2003

The effectiveness of family work with patients suffering from schizophrenia is well established. However, so far working with families has been carried out by highly skilled research workers. It is argued that training should be carried out to disseminate skills so that family work can be carried out routinely in clinical settings. This paper reports the impact of two pilot studies on psychiatric nurses. It was found that the trainees gained in knowledge about schizophrenia and schizophrenia family work. Furthermore, their attitudes and beliefs about schizophrenia and schizophrenia family work changed in the desired direction. The results suggest that it is possible to teach psychiatric nurses an effective model of family work for patients with schizophrenia.
Career guidance during nurse training: findings from an exploratory study
Authors: Marsland Louise , Robinson Sarah , Ward Jack Hay , Owen Heather
Published: July 2003

This research into the career guidance experiences of nurses during their training was undertaken as an exploratory study upon which a series of larger studies will subsequently be based. Additionally, it contributed to a national cohort study of the careers of newly qualified registered general nurses. One hundred and twelve nurses were involved in the development and testing of questions for a postal questionnaire to be used in the cohort study of careers. Some problems encountered when investigating career guidance by questionnaire are described, in the light of which a revised research design is proposed and the career guidance experiences of 31 nurses presented. Twenty‐one aspects of guidance were investigated, covering information and advice about applying for first post, post‐basic courses and longer‐term plans.
Primary nursing: autonomy or autocracy?
Authors: Leach Martin K
Published: July 2003

There has been an almost exponential increase in the number of clinical areas using primary nursing as a mode for delivering nursing care Concurrently, the amount of written material pertaining to primary nursing has grown In this paper, a small sample of this literature is reviewed Most of the literature can be seen as either descriptive or as evaluative research Many of the papers reviewed have methodological weaknesses, also the findings are equivocal about the advantages and the nature of primary nursing A major problem appears to be that the basic tenets, beliefs and values of primary nursing have not been systematically investigated, thus attempts to evaluate primary nursing without such a philosophical analysis may be misdirected This paper argues that such an analysis (a) is now necessary, (b) requires a qualitative research approach to generate theory, and (c) that a grounded theory methodology is the most appropriate way to do this A preliminary field study is briefly described and the generated data discussed
Feminist research: definitions, methodology, methods and evaluation
Authors: Webb Christine
Published: July 2003

The literature relating to feminist research both within and beyond nursing is reviewed in this paper Feminist research is located within a post‐positivist paradigm, and various definitions are considered The distinctive methodological approach of feminist research is discussed, and interviewing and ethnography are evaluated as suitable methods for use in feminist research Oakley's (1981) paper on interviewing women is subjected to criticism A final section examines attempts by three sets of writers to propose evaluation criteria for feminist research The review concludes that a number of paradoxes and dilemmas in feminist research have yet to be resolved
The impact of the first child on marital happiness
Authors: Dalgas‐Pelish Peggy L
Published: July 2003

The effects of the first child on parent's marital happiness were studied using a sample of 185 subjects Marital happiness scores were found to be lower in the subjects who were pregnant, those with 5‐month‐old children, and those with 24‐month old children than the childless couples This study suggests trends indicating that first children may influence marital happiness in a negative manner These findings will assist nurses in the preparation of families for childbearing and the potential changes that may result
Biological sciences and the nursing curriculum: a challenge for educationalists
Authors: Trnobranski Philippa H
Published: July 2003

In recent years there has been considerable emphasis on the social and behavioural sciences in the nursing curriculum, with a corresponding tendency to devalue the role of the biological sciences This paper argues the case for the biological sciences as being essential to the development of ‘intelligent practitioners’ and the progress of nursing The notion of ‘intelligent practice’ is discussed against the background of a historical perspective which seeks to present a brief comparison of the traditional expectations of nursing practice with those for practice in the future It is suggested that the application to nursing practice of relevant knowledge from the biological sciences is central to skilful practice and a ‘caring’ philosophy Without such knowledge, nurses are unable to deliver safe, high‐quality care and, in addition,‘handmaiden status’ is perpetuated In the past, the biological science component of the nursing curriculum was derived from medicine and the biomedical model its teaching was, largely, inadequate and ineffective If knowledge of biological science is crucial to ‘intelligent practice’ then there is an urgent need to review how this knowledge is structured and taught in the nursing curriculum The conceptual model of ‘bionursing’ is suggested as a possible framework for developing a new approach to the structuring and teaching of biological sciences in the curriculum Finally, consideration of biological sciences as an educational task, and the challenge of implementing a coherent, structured curriculum, are addressed
The experience of in vitro fertilization and gamete intra‐fallopian transfer
Authors: Denny Elaine
Published: July 2003

Research was conducted using qualitative techniques, in order to bridge the gap between radical feminist perspectives on in vitro fertilization programmes, which are usually theoretical in nature, and quantitative research which considers the experiences of women and couples involved in these programmes Semi‐focused interviews were earned out with 10 women who were currently undergoing, or had recently undergone, in vitro fertilization or gamete intra‐fallopian transfer, in order to explore the experiences and the emotions associated with participation in these programmes By utilizing a woman‐centred approach, a richness of experiential data was obtained, which would not have been achievable by quantitative means, and yet the women involved were able to retain some control over the research process
Growth versus stability: older primiparous women as a paradigmatic case for persistence
Authors: Randell Brooke P
Published: July 2003

The early pregnancy experience of women over 30 offers paradigmatic evidence which supports the significance of persistence for the study of nursing phenomenon Pregnancy and first‐time motherhood have come to be associated with change, growth and development This research, which was undertaken to describe the changes experienced by older primiparous women during early pregnancy, illustrates how research grounded in a particular paradigm, in this case the growth or developmental paradigm, can limit the interpretation of data When viewed from a developmental perspective, women in this sample were seen as resistant to change and could be said to be having trouble ‘adapting’ to their impending motherhood However, when these women were viewed from the perspective of stability they were seen to engage in activities that allowed them to persist in their current self‐view In the biological sciences, persistence refers to a compensatory process which allows a system to maintain goal‐directedness in spite of both internal and external disturbances Women in this sample used balancing and buffering to continue their self‐patterns Balancing represented the verbal and behavioural processes women engaged in to integrate their experience of themselves as pregnant into their sense of themselves as not pregnant Buffering included those activities that women used to maintain a sense of themselves in the face of the threat posed by their impending motherhood Balancing and buffering represent mechanisms used in the service of persistence and reflect pattern maintenance activities
The genesis of a phenomenological approach to advanced nursing practice
Authors: Harvey Sheila
Published: July 2003

This paper describes how participation, as a co‐investigator, in a phenomenological study of the high‐risk perinatal experience led to the development of a new approach to advanced nursing practice for a maternity clinical nurse specialist Prior to implementation of the study, nursing was practised based in a structured, conceptual framework, but, as a result of conducting interviews with study subjects, analysing data with a research team and gaining a better understanding of the high‐risk perinatal experience, a new style of nursing practice based in a phenomenological approach emerged, which permeated all aspects of clinical nurse specialist practice
Specialist or generic community nursing care for HIV/AIDS patients?
Authors: Layzell Sarah , McCarthy Mark
Published: July 2003

Improved management of HIV‐related illness means that patients spend over 80% of their time in non‐institutional settings Most community‐based health care in the United Kingdom is provided by primary health care teams general practitioners and community nurses, with support from social workers However, in many areas specialist HIV services have assumed responsibility for the care of HIV/AIDS patients, and primary health care teams have only played a marginal role Our study examined patterns of community nursing for HIV/AIDS patients in one regional health authority, North‐East Thames (NETRHA) Interviews with 77 people in seven health districts included community nurse managers, clinical nurse specialists (CNS) HIV/AIDS and palliative care nurses The appropriateness of different nursing models was assessed, taking into account the changing epidemiological and demographic profile of the disease, the influence of dedicated HIV funding, and the effect of recent British National Health Service reforms Three models of care have developed in NETRHA specialist HIV teams, individual CNS HIV/AIDS acting as a resource to generic staff, and care given by generic community nurses Our work suggests that both generic community nurses and patients benefit from specialist input, and that this should be provided using CNSs HIV/AIDS in an advisory and facilitative capacity
Hope in the family caregiver of terminally ill people
Authors: Herth Kaye
Published: July 2003

This longitudinal study explored the meaning of hope, the influence of specific background characteristics on hope, and identified strategies that are used to foster hope in a convenience sample of 25 family caregivers of terminally ill family members from two hospice programmes using the technique of methodological triangulation (interview, Herth Hope Index and Background Data Form) Hope was denned as a dynamic inner power that enables transcendence of the present situation and fosters a positive new awareness of being Six hope‐fostering categories and three hope‐hindering categories were identified based on the interview responses With the exception of those providing care to a family member diagnosed with AIDS and those caregivers experiencing poor personal health, a high fatigue level, severe sleep deprivation and more than two concurrent losses, overall hope levels among participants were found to remain stable across the background variables Across time, hope levels were found to be low at interview tune one, rise significantly by time two and then level off for the remainder of the time An understanding of hope from the perspective of the family caregiver could provide a basis upon which to develop interventions that foster hope
The search for meanings in nursing: could Facet Theory be a way forward?
Authors: Ward Rod
Published: July 2003

This paper examines some of the underlying tenets of Benner & Wrubel's Primacy of Caring, and suggests the use of Facet Theory as a possible route to overcome criticisms of the lack of systematic data collection and analysis in this approach to nursing research Some of the steps undertaken in Facet Theory are described, and its use in wider nursing research discussed It is proposed that Facet Theory offers a method of studying the multidimensional nature of nursing, which has the potential for a scientific approach without losing the essential ontological data
A critique of Fawcett's ‘Conceptual models and nursing practice: the reciprocal relationship'
Authors: Draper Peter
Published: July 2003

This paper offers a critique of Fawcett's paper ‘Conceptual models and nursing practice the reciprocal relationship’ published in 1992, in which it is argued that ‘conceptual models inform and transform nursing practice by informing and transforming the way in which nursing is experienced and understood, and that nursing practice informs and transforms conceptual models by informing and transforming the content of the conceptual model’ The critique begins by locating Fawcett's view of the relationship of nursing models to nursing practice within the intellectual tradition of positivism For the purposes of the critique, Fawcett's positivism is not taken as being problematic in itself, however, it is argued that the standards of evidence upon which some of her arguments are based are not compatible with the practice of positivist social science, with the result that the paper is internally inconsistent In particular, Fawcett's suggestion that nursing models are validated as evidence accumulates in their favour is contrasted with Popper's view that the validity of theoretical statements is established as they withstand attempts to demonstrate their falsity, and Fawcett's belief that nursing models are models in the scientific sense, which can be inferred from her adoption of the terminology of Kuhnian epistemology, is not found to be justified If, for the positivist, the validity of practice is directly proportional to the validity of the theory upon which it is based, then nursing models which lack ‘scientific’ validity cannot be regarded as a proper basis for nursing practice Finally, Fawcett has been criticized for failing to produce evidence of any kind to demonstrate that nursing models have a beneficial effect upon nursing outcomes
Long‐term care patients and their dietary intake related to eating ability and nutritional needs: nursing staff interventions
Authors: Sidenvall Birgitta , Ek Anna‐Christina
Published: July 2003

Meals combine human beings’ nutritional requirements with cultural needs The aim of this paper was to evaluate how individual patients’ meals were planned, carried out and followed up by nursing staff related to nutritional requirements and ability to eat in the ward Eighteen newly admitted long‐term care patients hospitalized for more than 3 weeks were observed for up to 6 weeks The patients’ conditions were examined using interviews, observations, recorded data and analyses for nutritional assessment Fourteen patients experienced difficulties related to motor dysfunctions in the upper extremities, mouth and pharynx in handling food Six of those were prescribed feeding aids or nutritional supplement Biochemistry was not used as a basis for these interventions and four at risk of malnutrition on admittance were missed Thus, this study exposed defective nursing assessment strategies However, eating dependency was prevented and nutritional status tended to recover among those where interventions were made
Managing the early discharge experience: taking control
Authors: Hall Wendy A , Carry Elaine M
Published: July 2003

The purpose of this study was to understand women's experiences in an early discharge programme Using grounded theory, the investigator collected, coded, compared and contrasted data gathered in unstructured interviews with eight women The women managed their early discharge experience, first, by taking control of their antenatal and intrapartal care once they were accepted into the programme and, later, by taking control of their postpartum recovery and their infants’ care Taking control was influenced by the women's beliefs about family and home, their personalities, e g their ability to accept help, and their available support Their beliefs, personalities and available support were central to their motivation to participate in the early discharge programme and to their perception of a successful experience The women used a number of strategies to take control These strategies emerged during organizing antepartal requirements, meeting their own expectations during labour and birth, and learning to trust their abilities to manage self‐care and parenting postpartum The women anticipated their increased family involvement, family integration and participation in decision‐making They did not, however, anticipate their increased feelings of confidence and competence Taking control has implications for health professionals who are working with childbearing women experiencing early discharge
Training in psychosocial intervention: the impact on the role of community psychiatric nurses
Authors: Brooker Charles , Butterworth Tony
Published: July 2003

A group of community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) received training via a short part‐time course to deliver psychosocial intervention (PI) to families caring for a relative with schizophrenia living at home The effects on CPNs of training in PI were examined by measuring, over time, a number of variables which reflected, CPNs’ attitudes to schizophrenia, their skills, specific aspects of their role (such as visit length and frequency, caseload composition, etc), and relationships with other disciplines Analysis of the information showed that CPNs trained in PI changed their attitude to schizophrenia very little However, evidence was obtained that CPNs’ attitudes moved towards behaviour therapy as a preferred treatment approach All CPNs who received training were competent in the component and global skills of PI at the end of training These scores derived from blindly rated audiotaped recordings of CPN intervention The CPNs estimated that caseload size and the proportion of people on caseloads with a diagnosis of schizophrenia did not alter However, significant increases in the length of CPN sessions with people with schizophrenia and their families were observed The CPN's liaison role with consumer groups, such as the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, significantly improved Multi‐disciplinary colleagues gave Pi‐trained CPNs a mixed reaction Some CPN colleagues seemed pleased to transfer families to the Pi‐trained CPNs’ caseloads, whilst others dearly regarded the Pi‐trained CPNs as a threat Overall, the most encouraging reaction came from psychologists and psychiatrists
Occupational stress in psychiatric nursing
Authors: Joseph Patrick
Published: July 2003

Psychiatric nursing is invariably assumed to be a stressful area of nursing practice Empirical evidence to support this proposition is limited, however, due to the lack of research in this field The purpose of this project was to examine occupational stress in a specified area of psychiatric nursing The research was exploratory and therefore the concern was discovery and description rather than the testing of clear hypotheses and the development of causal relationships The study has four main objectives First, to describe the various stressors present in the work of the psychiatric nurse in the acute admission wards of two district health authorities Secondly, to measure the effects of stress using a recognized and well‐validated instrument for recording levels of burnout Thirdly, through the use of a particular theoretical framework to identify the types of coping strategy used by the participants in the study Fourthly, to note any clear associations between the stressors, the effects of stress and the ways of coping identified in the study The conceptual basis for the project was Lazarus's cognitive theory of stress and coping and Maslach's model of burnout
Transcultural nursing: a selective review of the literature, 1985–1991
Authors: Wilkins Helen
Published: July 2003

This paper reviews selected work, published in nursing journals between 1985 and 1991, on the subject of transcultural nursing The papers were selected by the use of a computerized literature search at the Royal College of Nursing library, using the keywords transcultural, multicultural, crosscultural and cultural The benefits and limitations of such an approach will be discussed along with an introduction to transcultural nursing The Journal papers were then reviewed under eight headings, theory and concepts, nurse education, health education and patient teaching, clinical, counselling, sexuality, care of the child and research Common themes and problems are discussed
Acting at a disaster site: views expressed by Swedish nursing students
Authors: Suserud Bjorn‐Ove
Published: July 2003

There is a common interest in Swedish society in preparing nurses well for disasters A special course in the basic nurse education programme is devoted to disaster nursing The aim of this study is to investigate nursing students’ knowledge and views of their own action at the disaster site, both in their professional role and as private persons The present study is a descriptive one based on the students’ written answers The result shows that the students emphasize contacting the overall disaster officer, surveying the situation and carrying out basic life‐saving measures in Sweden known as the ABCs They also stress the importance of staying calm and, to a lesser extent, seeing to the needs of the mentally shocked Thus the nursing students seem to regard treatment of physical injuries as most important in the disaster situation
Caring perspectives in nursing education: liberation, transformation and meaning
Authors: Cohen Judith A
Published: July 2003

The author's personal journey through many years of nursing education as both a student and faculty member lead to a theoretical exploration of a caring pedagogy between students and teachers The author places this exploration in a historical context and examines education, feminist and nursing literature to evolve common themes in describing caring pedagogy within nursing Finally, the author suggests a model that forms the foundation for nursing curricula based on caring values
Clinical role modelling: uncovering hidden knowledge
Authors: Davies Elizabeth
Published: July 2003

Those responsible for the education of nurses are well aware of the need to reconcile the art and science of nursing so that future practitioners can be prepared to offer a humanistic and professional service to society One way to assist students in this integration is to provide them with opportunities for role modelling as a means of discovering the knowledge embedded in clinical practice A study of first‐year undergraduate students undertaking a course which provides such opportunities in a number of practice settings was earned out to determine whether the observation of clinical role models does lead to knowledge discovery The study, which used a grounded theory approach, indicated that the major aspect of nursing uncovered by the students through observation of clinical role models was that of provision of direct care They articulated their values in relation to ‘good’ and ‘bad’ care and identified those attributes of nurses which they considered contributed to these care positions In addition, they were able to recognize creativity and flexibility in practitioners and to relate these attributes to the ability to provide individualized, context‐specific care There was some uncovering of aspects of the nurse's role in maintaining their own professional competence, socializing neophytes into the profession and collaborating with the members of the multi‐disciplinary health care team
Evaluation of the efficacy of an instructional programme in the self‐management of patients with asthma
Authors: Byrne David M , Drury John , Mackay Ruth C , Robinson Sue , Faranda Connie , MacAdam Douglas B
Published: July 2003

The restrictions imposed on patients with asthma is problematic to them, in that their physical disability interferes with personal, interpersonal and/or professional goals Twenty‐three patients under the care of general practitioners were surveyed by interview in their homes, doctors' surgery or at work to determine their current control of selected variables related to their asthma exercise, use of drugs and related factors An instructional programme was offered to interested participants to assist in complying with their prescribed medication regimens and to tailor exercise to their tolerance levels Findings showed that 18 patients experienced moderate to severe restrictions when troubled with asthma Although over one‐half of the patients exercised regularly for fitness, including seven with aerobic exercise, some chose sports they thought could provoke an asthmatic attack Half took precautionary measures when exercising All patients used bronchodilators to relieve their asthma, yet one‐third did not keep their inhalers accessible None of the most troubled 18 lived in a smoke‐free environment, and one‐third kept furry animals as pets Recommendations are made for further study of the effects of instructional programme to improve compliance to a healthy lifestyle
An investigation into whether nurses change their learning style according to subject area studied
Authors: Sutcliffe Liz
Published: July 2003

The aim of this study was to investigate whether nurses’ preferred learning styles varied according to subject area studied Thirty nurses in a postgraduate centre specializing in cardiothoracic care were interviewed using a semi‐structured technique The results suggest that there is a change in learning style as different subjects are studied Other factors emerging were the importance of previous learning experience, the wish to share, to be acknowledged and the need for close links between theory and practice This calls for nurse teachers to examine their practice, to update and undertake professional development and also to establish close clinical links
Peer teaching among nursing students in the clinical area: effects on student learning
Authors: Iwasiw Carroll L , Goldenberg Dolly
Published: July 2003

Substantial use of clinical peer teaching among students has been reported, but there is limited description of outcomes and no reports of the use of a theoretical framework The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of peer teaching on baccalaureate nursing students’ clinical performance It was hypothesized that students who were taught by peers will (a) achieve significantly higher improvement scores than students taught by teachers alone, and (b) rate their preference for peer teaching equal to or higher than instructor teaching Bandura's (1971) social learning theory provided the framework for the study The experimental design involved 50 volunteer subjects on two surgical units, one for peer teaching and one for instructor teaching Data were collected from pre‐ and post‐psychomotor and cognitive tests of a surgical dressing procedure and from a Clinical Teaching Preference Questionnaire (CTPQ) Experimental subjects achieved significantly higher cognitive improvement scores (t=167, P<0 05) and moderately higher psychomotor improvement scores in support of hypothesis 1 Responses on the CTPQ showed support for hypothesis 2
Development and testing of the autobiographical memory coding tool
Authors: Kovach Christine R
Published: July 2003

Development and testing of the autobiographical memory coding tool (AMCT) is detailed The tool uses quantitative content analysis procedures to code interpretations of autobiographical memories as validating or lamenting Development of a system of measuring autobiographical memories from transcribed reminiscence interviews involved defining the units of analysis, defining the categories and themes, constructing a codebook, assessing content validity, assessing reliability and making revisions Thirty‐nine transcripts of reminiscence interviews were used for tool development and testing The AMCT contains a series of step‐by‐step guidelines for conducting the analysis and includes an autobiographical memory thematic dictionary and descriptions of range and variations in each theme to assist with coding data Intercoder reliability estimates were 0 93, 0 93 and 0 95 Test‐retest reliability was 1 00
Leading with charisma
Authors: Davidhizar Ruth
Published: July 2003

Traditionally, leaders have used characteristics related to authority, control, competition and logic Such approaches are more autocractic, and task‐oriented With changes in society, employers are focusing less on tasks and more on job satisfaction Leaders are focusing on co‐operation versus competition Human relations and recognition are being used as motivators Charisma is an important characteristic for leaders who wish to motivate by interpersonal characteristics Transformational leadership is an emerging paradigm for modern management and can be important to the modem nurse manager as well This paper describes charisma and how it can be useful to the nurse manager
The experience of a community characterized by violence: implications for nursing
Authors: Madela Edith Nonhlanhla , Poggenpoel Marie
Published: July 2003

Social situations make a person vulnerable to mental illness These situations include circumstances such as poverty, family instability and inadequate nutrition A combination of these circumstances predisposes exposed people to developing unhealthy ways of coping with stress Violence is seen as a way of managing stress, but also as a factor causing stress An example of unhealthy ways of stress management in the current South African society is the violence that leads to unrest which has affected different communities in a short space of time The aim of this study was to explore the experience of a community exposed to violence and to identify implications for nursing An exploratory contextual study was undertaken with the purpose of generating meaning regarding the experience of a community characterized by violence The phenomenological method of interviewing was used to gather data The target population consisted of a township community of 228 000 Ten respondents were interviewed in total, selected by the convenience purposive sampling method through intermediaries The interviews were recorded on tape and later transcribed verbatim Data were analysed by the method of content analysis The results were centred on the respondents’ and their families’ experiences of violence since March 1990 The results indicated four types of experiences for all people exposed to violence psychological, spiritual, physical and behavioural experiences The experiences of interactions with the internal environment (psychological, spiritual and physical experience) were predominantly negative, except for only two positive spiritual experiences (improvements in the people's faith and in the employer–employee relationships) On the other hand, experiences of interactions between the internal and external environments, namely behavioural experiences, were both negative and positive The negative experiences included pretence, thuggery, scapegoating and harassment The positive experiences included solidarity, bravery and increased appreciation The presence of positive experiences in both environments brought about new insights, that is, that even though most of their internal environment and part of their external environment is bleak and hopeless, the victims of violence still have the will to survive and live a normal life like other people This positive attitude supplies the psychiatric nuse with a point of entry to bring about positive change that acts as a support for the community exposed to violence Possibilities of applying the results of this study in education, practice and research in the health field became evident
Towards a reconceptualization of hope for patients with a diagnosis of cancer
Authors: Yates Patsy
Published: July 2003

Recent years have seen increased attention given to examining the phenomenon of hope in patients with metastatic cancer One of the results of this activity has been a greater appreciation of the significance of hope for the dying patient However, there are many questions about the experience of hope and its impact on the lives of patients with cancer which remain to be answered This paper discusses how hope is currently conceptualized in the nursing literature, and considers the implications that this conceptualization has for how we care for cancer patients Some alternative ways of looking at the experience and the impact of hope are also discussed