bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of DNA Sequence Nonhomologies among Maize Inbreds
Authors: Brunner Stephan , Fengler Kevin , Morgante Michele , Tingey Scott , Rafalski Antoni
Published: January 2005

Allelic chromosomal regions totaling more than 2.8 Mb and located on maize (Zea mays) chromosomes 1L, 2S, 7L, and 9S have been sequenced and compared over distances of 100 to 350 kb between the two maize inbred lines Mo17 and B73. The alleles contain extended regions of nonhomology. On average, more than 50% of the compared sequence is noncolinear, mainly because of the insertion of large numbers of long terminal repeat (LTR)-retrotransposons. Only 27 LTR-retroelements are shared between alleles, whereas 62 are allele specific. The insertion of LTR-retrotransposons into the maize genome is statistically more recent for nonshared than shared ones. Most surprisingly, more than one-third of the genes (27/72) are absent in one of the inbreds at the loci examined. Such nonshared genes usually appear to be truncated and form clusters in which they are oriented in the same direction. However, the nonshared genome segments are gene-poor, relative to regions shared by both inbreds, with up to 12-fold difference in gene density. By contrast, miniature inverted terminal repeats (MITEs) occur at a similar frequency in the shared and nonshared fractions. Many times, MITES are present in an identical position in both LTRs of a retroelement, indicating that their insertion occurred before the replication of the retroelement in question. Maize ESTs and/or maize massively parallel signature sequencing tags were identified for the majority of the nonshared genes or homologs of them. In contrast with shared genes, which are usually conserved in gene order and location relative to rice (Oryza sativa), nonshared genes violate the maize colinearity with rice. Based on this, insertion by a yet unknown mechanism, rather than deletion events, seems to be the origin of the nonshared genes. The intergenic space between conserved genes is enlarged up to sixfold in maize compared with rice. Frequently, retroelement insertions create a different sequence environment adjacent to conserved genes.
Anti-KSbF6 structure of CaTbF6 and CdTbF6: a confirmation of the singular crystal chemistry of Tb4+ in fluorides
Authors: Josse Michaël , Dubois Marc , El-Ghozzi Malika , Cellier Joël , Avignant Daniel
Published: January 2005

The crystal structures of two new tetravalent terbium fluorides, CaTbF6 and CdTbF6, have been determined from X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. The title compounds exhibit an anti-KSbF6 structure, the three-dimensional framework of which is built of [TbF6]2− chains of edge-sharing dodecahedra further linked, by sharing corners, to isolated [MF6]4− octahedra (M = Ca, Cd). The mechanism of the anionic sublattice rearrangement when going from KSbF6 to CaTbF6 is described and related to a simple cubic fluoride-ion packing. Comparison with the crystal structures of β-BaTbF6 and other representatives of the M
II
M^{\prime \rm IV}F6 family allows the singular crystal-chemical properties of some fluoroterbates to be emphasized.
Structures of the monofluoro- and monochlorophenols at low temperature and high pressure
Authors: Oswald Iain D. H. , Allan David R. , Motherwell W. D. Samuel , Parsons Simon
Published: January 2005

2-Fluorophenol, 3-fluorophenol and 3-chlorophenol were recrystallized from frozen solids at 260, 263 and 283 K. All compounds were also crystallized by the application of high pressure (0.36, 0.12 and 0.10 GPa). While 3-fluorophenol and 3-chlorophenol yielded the same phases under both conditions, different polymorphs were obtained for 2-fluorophenol. 4-Chlorophenol was crystallized both from the melt and from benzene to yield two different ambient-pressure polymorphs; crystallization from the melt at 0.02 GPa yielded the same phase as from benzene at ambient pressure. 3-Fluorophenol is unusual in forming a hydrogen-bonded chain along a 21 screw axis. Such behaviour is usually only observed for small alcohols, but here it appears to be stabilized by intermolecular C—H...F hydrogen-bond formation. 3-Chlorophenol is a more typical large alcohol and emulates a fourfold screw axis with two independent molecules positioned about a 21 axis, although there are significant distortions from this ideal geometry. The two phases of 4-chlorophenol consist of chains or rings connected by C—Cl...H interactions. The low-temperature and high-pressure polymorphs of 2-fluorophenol consist of chains of molecules connected through OH...OH hydrogen bonds; while inter-chain C—H...F interactions are significant at high pressure, there are none in the low-temperature form.
Effect of pressure on the crystal structure of L-serine-I and the crystal structure of L-serine-II at 5.4 GPa
Authors: Moggach Stephen A. , Allan David R. , Morrison Carole A. , Parsons Simon , Sawyer Lindsay
Published: January 2005

The crystal structure of L-serine has been determined at room temperature at pressures between 0.3 and 4.8 GPa. The structure of this phase (hereafter termed L-serine-I), which consists of the molecules in their zwitterionic tautomer, is orthorhombic, space group P212121. The least compressible cell dimension (c), corresponds to chains of head-to-tail NH...carboxylate hydrogen bonds. The most compressible direction is along b, and the pressure-induced distortion in this direction takes the form of closing up voids in the middle of R-type hydrogen-bonded ring motifs. This occurs by a change in the geometry of hydrogen-bonded chains connecting the hydroxyl groups of the —CH2OH side chains. These hydrogen bonds are the longest conventional hydrogen bonds in the system at ambient pressure, having an O...O separation of 2.918 (4) Å and an O...O...O angle of 148.5 (2)°; at 4.8 GPa these parameters are 2.781 (11) and 158.5 (7)°. Elsewhere in the structure one NH...O interaction reaches an N...O separation of 2.691 (13) Å at 4.8 GPa. This is amongst the shortest of this type of interaction to have been observed in an amino acid crystal structure. Above 4.8 GPa the structure undergoes a single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase transition to a hitherto uncharacterized polymorph, which we designate L-serine-II. The OH...OH hydrogen-bonded chains of L-serine-I are replaced in L-serine-II by shorter OH...carboxyl interactions, which have an O...O separation of 2.62 (2) Å. This phase transition occurs via a change from a gauche to an anti conformation of the OH group, and a change in the NCαCO torsion angle from −178.1 (2)° at 4.8 GPa to −156.3 (10)° at 5.4 GPa. Thus, the same topology appears in both crystal forms, which explains why it occurs from one single-crystal form to another. The transition to L-serine-II is also characterized by the closing-up of voids which occur in the centres of other R-type motifs elsewhere in the structure. There is a marked increase in CH...O hydrogen bonding in both phases relative to L-serine-I at ambient pressure.
Potential use of real‐time data capture and job‐tracking technology in the field
Authors: McAndrew Seán T. , Anumba Chimay J. , Hassan Tarek M. , Duke Alistair K.
Published: January 2005

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to discuss the scope for improving the delivery of FM services through the use of wireless web‐based communications infrastructure, delivered via an application service provider (ASP) business model. This paper discusses the findings from case studies of three organisations and their approach to the management of facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

An investigation was undertaken to ascertain the current state of play in terms of managing and tracking processes within the facilities management department of three different organisations. These case studies were chosen from distinct sectors, namely health care, higher education, and banking. Emphasis is placed on analysing how the organisations currently operate with their existing FM systems and the degree of influence technology has on existing processes. This was considered mainly in terms of computer‐aided facilities management (CAFM) and computer‐integrated facilities management (CIFM).

Findings

The study found that a new wireless web‐based service for FM systems would be considered useful. Although notoriously slow adopters of new technology, there was an acceptance by the facilities managers interviewed that a wireless web‐based approach would improve current practice, especially with respect to real‐time job reporting and tracking and in the determination of FM operative working time utilisation.

Practical implications

Further work by the author is focusing on the development of a suitable demonstrator to illustrate the key concepts of a wireless web‐based FM service which will then be tested and evaluated. For further information, visit the research project web site at www.wirelessfm.org Originality/value – The paper hopefully stimulates discussion in the area of emerging wireless technologies that have the potential to streamline and improve current practices for the management of facilities, in particular that of real‐time job reporting and tracking.
A framework model for outsourcing asset management services
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. , Al‐Saadi Saleh
Published: January 2005

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present a framework model for outsourcing asset management services in municipalities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have analysed the outsourcing of asset management services in the municipal sector. A survey document containing a series of questions was developed and issued to administrative (policy‐making) staff members at senior management level. These staff members are concerned with the strategic planning of facilities beyond the five‐year horizon.

Findings

The survey indicated that outsourcing is being utilized in almost all functions relating to the management of municipal infrastructure, and that the criterion for selecting a specific contractor for a service is lowest price. The findings section in the paper also presents a list of the advantages of outsourcing along with the rated priority of each, the disadvantages of outsourcing along with the rated severity of each, and the strategies that could be followed to achieve a successful outcome from the outsourcing process, along with the rated importance of each.

Originality/value

Development of the model was motivated by the desire to develop a standard methodology that senior managers in the municipalities can adopt as a reference policy guideline for the conduct of outsourcing of asset management services. The model builds on knowledge from the published literature and professional practice documented in the municipality of the City of Dammam, one of the largest cities in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The model serves to standardize process descriptions, the activities that need to be undertaken, and the methodology of how and what information needs to be communicated between activities. The framework also may provide a useful focus for others wishing to enter the outsourcing area.
Determination of domestic flushing water consumption in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong L.T. , Mui K.W.
Published: January 2005

Purpose

To determine the domestic flushing water consumption for a building development.

Design/methodology/approach

A statistic mathematical model is proposed and the model parameters are sampled with the Monte Carlo sampling technique. The frequency distribution of the parameters for Hong Kong is identified from the survey results of the water closet usage patterns in five typical residential building estates. In particular, the density function of the diurnal variations of occupant load and flushes per occupant, and the cistern volume of the water closets in 597 apartments are used to establish the model.

Findings

The flushing water consumption of the residential developments in Hong Kong is determined and compared with the measurement result of typical residential buildings.

Research limitations/implications

The model parameters are not exhaustive and are determined from surveys in Hong Kong, which perhaps limits the model's usefulness elsewhere.

Practical implications

A useful source of reference in determining the domestic flushing water consumption of building developments for those involved in building design and management related to the flushing water systems of residential buildings.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a statistical mathematical model of domestic flushing water consumption and presents a template to determine the required model parameters. The model offers practical help to professionals involved in planning, designing and managing the flushing water facilities for domestic buildings.
Comfort your online customer: quality, trust and loyalty on the internet
Authors: Ribbink Dina , van Riel Allard C.R. , Liljander Veronica , Streukens Sandra
Published: January 2005

In e‐commerce, loyal customers are considered extremely valuable. Loyalty is generally attributed to satisfaction with the quality of service. Since online transactions involve many uncertainties for the customer, trust is a condition for exchange. Trust in the electronic medium – here called “e‐trust” – is believed to increase online customer loyalty, but empirical confirmations are scarce. The present study empirically investigates the roles of service quality, satisfaction and trust in an e‐commerce context. In the study, e‐trust is found to directly affect loyalty. The e‐service quality dimension of assurance, i.e. trusting the merchant, influences loyalty via e‐trust and e‐satisfaction. Other e‐quality dimensions, such as ease of use, e‐scape, responsiveness, and customization influence e‐loyalty mainly indirectly, via satisfaction. Managerial implications and suggestions for further research are provided.
A customized construct of sequential service quality in service encounter chains: time, context, and performance threshold
Authors: Svensson Göran
Published: January 2005

Studies of the construct of service quality have traditionally been undertaken from the perspective of the service receiver. More recently, research has focused on both the service provider's perspective and the service receiver's perspective. In addition, there have also been some triadic network approaches to the study of service quality. However, there has been very little research into sequential service quality in service‐encounter chains (that is, consecutive service performances in a series of service encounters). The incorporation of connected service encounters in services management can improve understanding of sequential service quality in service‐encounter chains. This paper provides a customized construct of sequential service quality and highlights the importance of time, context, and performance threshold in service‐encounter chains. Furthermore, the paper presents a generic five‐phase performance process, and a customized six‐dimensional construct of sequential service quality.
Analysis and optimization of the thermal performance of microchannel heat sinks
Authors: Liu Dong , Garimella Suresh V.
Published: January 2005

Purpose

To provide modeling approaches of increasing levels of complexity for the analysis of convective heat transfer in microchannels which offer adequate descriptions of the thermal performance, while allowing easier manipulation of microchannel geometries for the purpose of design optimization of microchannel heat sinks.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed computational fluid dynamics model is first used to obtain baseline results against which five approximate analytical approaches are compared. These approaches include a 1D resistance model, a fin approach, two fin‐liquid coupled models, and a porous medium approach. A modified thermal boundary condition is proposed to correctly characterize the heat flux distribution.

Findings

The results obtained demonstrate that the models developed offer sufficiently accurate predictions for practical designs, while at the same time being quite straightforward to use.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is based on a single microchannel, while in a practical microchannel heat sink, multiple channels are employed in parallel. Therefore, the optimization should take into account the impact of inlet/outlet headers. Also, a prescribed pumping power may be used as the design constraint, instead of pressure head.

Practical implications

Very useful design methodologies for practical design of microchannel heat sinks.

Originality/value

Closed‐form solutions from five analytical models are derived in a format that can be easily implemented in optimization procedures for minimizing the thermal resistance of microchannel heat sinks.
Why learning organisations do not transform
Authors: Blackman Deborah , Henderson Steven
Published: January 2005

Purpose

In this paper it is held that a transformational learning organisation could be clearly distinguished from non‐learning organisations. This paper seeks to establish whether or not this is actually the case.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies were developed for two organisations considering themselves to be learning organisations (Company 2 and Company 4) and two that did not (Company 1 and Company 3). To establish the balance of the learning behaviours within the firms according to Shivistrava's typology, a questionnaire was used to elicit information about learning behaviours and activities, and general understanding about what such terms as knowledge, information and learning meant to individuals within the firms.

Findings

The results of applying the Shrivastava model showed that most knowledge is action‐oriented and incrementally developed, in that it is developed in order to achieve a certain goal. Certain events will lead to a perceived need for certain behaviours and the organisational procedures and policies will encourage actions.

Originality/value

Shrivastava's typology outlines four perspectives of organisational learning: adaptation, developing knowledge of action‐outcome relationships, assumption sharing, and institutionalised experience. These definitions imply that they will reflect different knowledge bases.
Leadership styles and organizational learning in community clinics
Authors: Amitay Mayan , Popper Micha , Lipshitz Raanan
Published: January 2005

Purpose

The correlation between organizational unit managers’ leadership styles and the level of organizational learning in their units was tested.

Design/methodology/approach

A positive correlation was hypothesized between transformational leadership and organizational learning as manifested by organizational learning mechanisms – OLMs (the structural component) and by organizational learning values (the cultural component). The research was conducted at 44 community clinics of a health‐care organization in Israel.

Findings

The findings attested to the central role of organizational leaders in determining the effectiveness of organizational learning. The theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Originality/value

Suggests that, in addition to separating the sources of reporting, and increasing the number of measures, future studies should also extend the research to different kinds of organizations, addressing different purposes, environments, work forces, and so forth.
Diagnosing and measuring learning organizations
Authors: Moilanen Raili
Published: January 2005

Purpose

To explore and analyse various learning organizations and to attempt to outline the form of a holistic learning organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The tool described in this article is a continuation of the work published in a Licentiate thesis in 1996 and developed further in a doctoral dissertation in 2001. The Learning Organization Diamond Tool is based on a holistic concept of a learning organization being regarded as a structure of related elements: driving forces, finding purpose, questioning, empowering and evaluation at two interconnected levels of individuals and the whole. Data from 686 respondents were gathered from 25 Finnish organizations in 1998.

Findings

The outcomes of the study are mainly presented in the form of imaginary diamonds complying with the basic framework. In 24 organizations the individuals placed more trust in themselves and their own learning than in their organization as a learning environment. When comparing different business sectors the variation on the organizational side was clearly greater than on the individual side.

Originality/value

Developing a measurement instrument for learning organizations, administering it in practice, and analysing the “learning organization portrayals” created by this tool.
The current state and status of HRD research
Authors: Stewart Jim
Published: January 2005

Purpose

Establishes a connection between the concepts of “learning organisation” and “human resources development”.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief and broad overview of the current state of human research development research.

Findings

One conclusion to be reached is that the subject is healthy. Another conclusion is that human resource development research is developing the potential to lead in fundamentally changing the nature of organisation, management and work. A final conclusion is that the concept of human resource development and that of the learning organisation have much in common.

Originality/value

Provides possible links between the concepts of a learning organisation and human resource development.
An engineered chaperonin caging a guest protein: Structural insights and potential as a protein expression tool
Authors: Furutani Masahiro , Hata Jun‐Ichi , Shomura Yasuhito , Itami Keisuke , Yoshida Takao , Izumoto Yoshitaka , Togi Akiko , Ideno Akira , Yasunaga Takuo , Miki Kunio , Maruyama Tadashi
Published: January 2005

The structure of a chaperonin caging a substrate protein is not quite clear. We made engineered group II chaperonins fused with a guest protein and analyzed their structural and functional features. Thermococcus sp. KS‐1 chaperonin α‐subunit (TCP) which forms an eightfold symmetric double‐ring structure was used. Expression plasmids were constructed which carried two or four TCP genes ligated head to tail in phase and a target protein gene at the 3′ end of the linked TCP genes. Electron microscopy showed that the expressed gene products with the molecular sizes of ∼120 kDa (di‐TCP) and ∼230 kDa (tetra‐TCP) formed double‐ring complexes similar to those of wild‐type TCP. The tetra‐TCP retained ATPase activity and its thermostability was significantly higher than that of the wild type. A 260‐kDa fusion protein of tetra‐TCP and green fluorescent protein (GFP, 27 kDa) was able to form the double‐ring complexes with green fluorescence. Image analyses indicated that the GFP moiety of tetra‐TCP/GFP fusion protein was accommodated in the central cavity, and tetra‐TCP/GFP formed the closed‐form similar to that crystallographically resolved in group II chaperonins. Furthermore, it was suggested that caging GFP expanded the cavity around the bottom. Using this tetra‐TCP fusion strategy, two virus structural proteins (21–25 kDa) toxic to host cells or two antibody fragments (25–36 kDa) prone to aggregate were well expressed in the soluble fraction of Escherichia coli. These fusion products also assembled to double‐ring complexes, suggesting encapsulation of the guest proteins. The antibody fragments liberated by site‐specific protease digestion exhibited ligand‐binding activities.
Deamidation: Differentiation of aspartyl from isoaspartyl products in peptides by electron capture dissociation
Authors: Cournoyer Jason J. , Pittman Jason L. , Ivleva Vera B. , Fallows Eric , Waskell Lucy , Costello Catherine E. , O'Connor Peter B.
Published: January 2005

Deamidation of asparaginyl and isomerization of aspartyl residues in proteins proceed through a succinimide intermediate producing a mixture of aspartyl and isoaspartyl residues. Isoaspartic acid is an isomer of aspartic acid with the Cβ incorporated into the backbone, thus increasing the length of the protein backbone by one methylene unit. This post‐translation modification is suspected to contribute to the aging of proteins and to protein folding disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, so that differentiating the two isomers becomes important. This manuscript reports that distinguishing aspartyl from isoaspartyl residues in peptides has been accomplished by electron capture dissociation (ECD) using a Fourier transform mass spectrometer (FTMS). Model peptides with aspartyl residues and their isoaspartyl analogs were examined and unique peaks corresponding to cn•+58 and zℓ−n‐57 fragment ions (n, position of Asp; ℓ, total number of amino acids in the peptide) were found only in the spectra of the peptides with isoaspartyl residues. The proposed fragmentation mechanism involves cleavage of the Cα—Cβ backbone bond, therefore splitting the isoaspartyl residue between the two fragments. Also, a complementary feature observed specific to aspartyl residues was the neutral loss of the aspartic acid side chain from the charge reduced species. CAD spectra of the peptides from the same instrument demonstrated the improved method because previously published CAD methods rely on the comparison to the spectra of standards with aspartyl residues. The potential use of the top‐down approach to detect and resolve products from the deamidation of asparaginyl and isomerization of aspartyl residues is discussed.
Reversible self‐association of ovalbumin at air–water interfaces and the consequences for the exerted surface pressure
Authors: Kudryashova Elena V. , Visser Antonie J.W.G. , De Jongh Harmen H.J.
Published: January 2005

In this study the relation between the ability of protein self‐association and the surface properties at air–water interfaces is investigated using a combination of spectroscopic techniques. Three forms of chicken egg ovalbumin were obtained with different self‐associating behavior: native ovalbumin, heat‐treated ov‐albumin—being a cluster of 12–16 predominantly noncovalently bound proteins, and succinylated ovalbu‐min, as a form with diminished aggregation properties due to increased electrostatic repulsion. While the bulk diffusion of aggregated protein is clearly slower compared to monomeric protein, the efficiency of transport to the interface is increased, just like the efficiency of sticking to rather than bouncing from the interface. On a timescale of hours, the aggregated protein dissociates and adopts a conformation comparable to that of native protein adsorbed to the interface. The exerted surface pressure is higher for aggregated material, most probably because the deformability of the particle is smaller. Aggregated protein has a lower ability to desorb from the interface upon compression of the surface layer, resulting in a steadily increasing surface pressure upon reducing the available area for the surface layer. This observation is opposite to what is observed for succinylated protein that may desorb more easily and thereby suppresses the buildup of a surface pressure. Generally, this work demonstrates that modulating the ability of proteins to self‐associate offers a tool to control the rheological properties of interfaces.
Contribution of SO3 to the acid neutralizing capacity of Andosols exposed to strong volcanogenic acid and SO2 deposition
Authors: Delfosse T. , Delmelle P. , Iserentant A. , Delvaux B.
Published: January 2005

Soil response to acid and sulphur inputs is influenced largely by the soil's physico‐chemical properties. We studied the effects of such depositions in two types of Andosols exposed to volcanogenic emission (Masaya, Nicaragua), namely Eutric Andosols rich in allophanic constituents, and Vitric Andosols rich in volcanic glass. Small mineral reserves and large contents of secondary short‐range ordered minerals indicate a more advanced weathering of the Eutric than the Vitric Andosols. Strong correlations between soil specific surface and oxalate‐extractable Al, Si and Fe contents highlight the predominant contribution of short‐range ordered minerals to surface area.

Both types of Andosols showed a decrease in pH upon acid input. Sulphur deposition increased the soil's S content to 5470 mg S kg−1. However, the acid neutralizing capacity of the soil solid phase (ANCs) was not significantly affected by the acid and S inputs. Non‐exchangeable (mineral reserve) and exchangeable cations and total contents of sulphur and phosphorus dictate most of the ANCs variation. In the Vitric Andosols, mineral reserves contributed up to 97% to these four additive pools, whereas the exchangeable cations accounted for 1–4%. In the Eutric Andosols, the contribution of mineral reserves was less (71–92%), but the exchangeable cation content was greater (1–20%), whereas the contribution of sulphur and phosphorus was significant at 1–15% and 2–7%, respectively. The main process involved in H+ consumption is mineral weathering in Vitric Andosols and ion exchange in Eutric Andosols.
Music improves sleep quality in older adults
Authors: Lai Hui‐Ling , Good Marion
Published: January 2005

Aim. The aim of this paper is to report an investigation of the effects of soft music on sleep quality in older community‐dwelling men and women in Taiwan.

Background. Sleep is a complex rhythmic state that may be affected by the ageing process. Few studies have focused on the effects of music, a non‐pharmacological method of improving the quality of sleep in older adults.

Method. A randomized controlled trial was used with a two‐group repeated measures design.

Sixty people aged 60–83 years with difficulty in sleeping were recruited through community leaders and screened using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Those reporting depression, cognitive impairment, medical or environmental problems that might interfere with sleep; and those who used sleeping medications, meditation, or caffeine at bedtime were excluded. Participants listened to their choice among six 45‐minute sedative music tapes at bedtime for 3 weeks. There were five types of Western and one of Chinese music. Sleep quality was measured with the PSQI before the study and at three weekly post‐tests. Groups were comparable on demographic variables, anxiety, depressive symptoms, physical activity, bedtime routine, herbal tea use, napping, pain, and pretest overall sleep quality.

Results. Music resulted in significantly better sleep quality in the experimental group, as well as significantly better components of sleep quality: better perceived sleep quality, longer sleep duration, greater sleep efficiency, shorter sleep latency, less sleep disturbance and less daytime dysfunction (P = 0·04–0·001). Sleep improved weekly, indicating a cumulative dose effect.

Conclusion. The findings provide evidence for the use of soothing music as an empirically‐based intervention for sleep in older people.
Understanding personal narratives: an approach to practice
Authors: Lea Gaydos H.
Published: January 2005

Aim.  This paper explores the need for and nature of personal narratives and their relevance to nursing practice. It proposes that the co‐creative aesthetic process can be used to understand and co‐create personal narratives through an emphasis on self‐defining memories and metaphor.

Background.  Many authors in nursing and other human sciences have recognized the need for and importance of personal narrative, its relationship to aesthetic knowing and its value in qualitative research and in practice. The role of memory and metaphor in the creation of meaning in personal narratives, however, has not been sufficiently explored in nursing literature.

Discussion.  The nature of personal narrative is explored, focusing on the way meaning is created from self‐defining memories using metaphor. Then, the importance of personal narratives in nursing practice is considered, followed by discussion about how meaning in personal narratives may be co‐created between clients and nurses using an aesthetic process developed by the author.

Conclusion.  The co‐creative aesthetic process is an example of nursing as art and can be used to co‐create personal narratives in practice. The experience of co‐creating a self story with a nurse can be healing, as the self story is heard by a caring person, memories are understood in new ways, and the self story is both confirmed and recreated.
Spiritual care nursing: what cancer patients and family caregivers want
Authors: Taylor Elizabeth Johnston , Mamier Iris
Published: January 2005

Aim.  This paper presents findings from a study that was designed to understand, from the perspective of cancer patients and their family caregivers, what spiritual care is wanted from nurses.

Background.  Distressing and transformative spiritual responses to living with cancer have been documented. Although there is momentum for providing spiritual care, previous research provides scanty and conflicting evidence about what are the clients’ wishes or preferences with regard to receiving spiritual care from nurses.

Methods.  A convenience sample of 156 adult cancer patients and 68 primary family caregivers, most of whom were Christians, independently completed the Spiritual Interests Related to Illness Scale and a demographic form, both of which were self‐completed questionnaires.

Results.  A variation in responses to items about nurses providing spiritual care therapeutics was observed; means and medians for these items mostly fell between 2 (disagree) and 3 (agree) on a scale of 1–4. Generally, therapeutics that were less intimate, commonly used, and not overtly religious were most welcomed. No significant differences were found between patient and caregiver preferences. A modest, direct correlation was observed between frequency of attendance at religious services and increased preference for nurse spiritual care.

Conclusion.  For both patients and caregivers, nurses must be sensitive to providing spiritual nurture in ways that are welcomed.
Towards a typology of nursing turnover: the role of shocks in nurses’ decisions to leave
Authors: Morrell Kevin
Published: January 2005

Aims.  The paper reports a study to explore the decision process nurses go through before leaving, focusing on leaving decisions that are precipitated by a single, jarring event or shock.

Background.  Nursing turnover is a significant problem. Although a range of initiatives has been adopted to improve retention, recent insights from the academic literature on labour turnover have additional implications for how this problem might be managed.

Method.  A structured questionnaire, with some open‐ended items, was used to collect data. For respondents who reported a shock (n = 153), responses were cluster analysed (hierarchical, agglomerative clustering generated a solution and k‐means clustering enhanced the solution). Clusters were validated using responses to open items.

Results.  There were three broad clusters of nursing turnover: cluster 1 described nurses whose decision to leave was precipitated by a shock that was work‐related, negative and unexpected; cluster 2 described those whose decision was precipitated by a shock that was personal, positive and expected; cluster 3 describes those whose decision unfolded more gradually. Cluster 3 described the conventional picture of how turnover occurs (i.e where there is no shock), whereas clusters 1 and 2 were evidence of different types, where a shock prompts the quitting.

Conclusion.  In many cases of nurse turnover, a single, jarring event, or shock, initiates thoughts of quitting. Understanding the role of shocks has implications for a range of management activities. Allocation of education, promotion and distribution of other benefits should be managed in such a way as to minimize the likelihood of shocks. Profiling of nurse leavers should be undertaken so that managers have an accurate and detailed picture of turnover.
Healing diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers: are we getting better?
Authors: Margolis D. J. , Allen‐Taylor L. , Hoffstad O. , Berlin J. A.
Published: January 2005

Aim  To benchmark by year the likelihood that an individual with a diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer will heal over more than a 10‐year period.

Patients and methods  A cohort study within a multicentre wound care network of individuals with a diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer who were treated by a standard wound care algorithm. The main outcome was a healed wound by the 20th week of care stratified by calendar year.

Results  We evaluated 27 193 individuals with a neuropathic foot ulcer. Between 1988 and 1990 approximately 66% of patients did not heal. By 1999 this percentage had decreased to 49%. The change in the rate of failure to heal is very closely associated with an increase over time in the proportion of patients seen with wounds identified as prognostically favourable using a previously published prognostic model (i.e. individuals with wounds ≤ 2 cm2, wounds ≤ 2 months old, and wounds of grade ≤ 2). Nevertheless, even among those most likely to heal, the likelihood of failing to heal went from 62% prior to 1991 to 32% in 2000.

Conclusions  We have shown that individuals with a diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer seeking care are more likely to heal today than 10 years ago. The primary reason for this improvement is that individuals are seeking care when their wounds are most easily treated and these are now more likely to heal.
Controlling the diabetes epidemic: how should we screen for undiagnosed diabetes and dysglycaemia?
Authors: Simmons D. , Thompson C. F. , Engelgau M. M.
Published: January 2005

Aims  To compare the detection of undiagnosed diabetes and dysglycaemia (impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, diabetes) using risk factors and laboratory measures of glycaemia.

Methods  Casual blood glucose samples were taken from 1899 (69.4% of 2737 invited) European, Maori and Pacific Islands subjects aged 40–79 years from randomly selected households in South Auckland, New Zealand. Of these, 534 attended for a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) if an elevated result was identified [327/478 (68.4%)] or if randomly selected with a ‘normal’ screening result [207/308 (67.2%)].

Results  Several Europeans with undiagnosed diabetes (25.0%) and dysglycaemia (31.4%) had no diabetes risk factors. Most Maori and Pacific Islanders had at least one risk factor. The area under the receiver operating curve (ROC) for the detection of undiagnosed diabetes was 0.92 (0.89–0.95) using fasting glucose, 0.86 (0.82–0.90) using HbA1c, 0.75 (0.69–0.80) using random glucose, but 0.60 (0.55–0.66) using risk factor screening. The ROC for detecting any dysglycaemia was 0.88 (0.85–0.90), 0.68 (0.64–0.71), 0.72 (0.69–0.75), 0.61 (0.58–0.65), respectively. Screening using fasting glucose (the best test) detected 90.4% of new diabetes and 78.4% of dysglycaemia; risk factor screening followed by fasting glucose detected significantly less cases [88 (82–93)% and 86 (82–89)%, respectively] with 9.2% less OGTTs.

Conclusions  Using risk factors for the identification of who should receive a blood test for dysglycaemia adds little to direct screening with the risk of missing some with significant hyperglycaemia. Screening for dysglycaemia may best be undertaken using blood tests without initial risk factor symptom screening.
Parental age at delivery, birth order, birth weight and gestational age are associated with the risk of childhood Type 1 diabetes: a UK regional retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cardwell C. R. , Carson D. J. , Patterson C. C.
Published: January 2005

Aims  To investigate perinatal risk factors for childhood Type 1 diabetes in a UK population cohort.

Methods  Perinatal data have been routinely recorded in Northern Ireland for all births in the period 1971–86 (n = 447 663). Diabetes status at the age of 15 years was ascertained in this cohort by identifying 991 children from 1079 registered with Type 1 diabetes diagnosed from 1971 to 2001 and date of birth in the period 1971–86.

Results  Increased Type 1 diabetes risk was associated with higher maternal age, paternal age, birth weight and birth weight for gestational and lower gestational age. After adjustment for maternal age, the association between Type 1 diabetes and paternal age remained significant [relative risk (RR) = 1.52 (1.10, 2.09) comparing father's age 35 years or more to less than 25 years] but not vice versa [RR = 1.11 (0.80, 1.54) comparing mother's age 35 years or more to less than 25 years]. Increased birth order was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of Type 1 diabetes [adjusted RR = 0.75 (0.62, 0.90) comparing birth order three or more with firstborn], but this only became apparent when adjustment was made for maternal age. Furthermore this association with birth order was significant only for diabetes diagnosed under the age of 5 years.

Conclusions  Our analysis demonstrates, for the first time in a UK regional cohort setting, that maternal age and paternal age at delivery, birth order, birth weight and gestational age are significantly associated with Type 1 diabetes risk.
Simple Heterogeneity Variance Estimation for Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sidik Kurex , Jonkman Jeffrey N.
Published: January 2005

A simple method of estimating the heterogeneity variance in a random-effects model for meta-analysis is proposed. The estimator that is presented is simple and easy to calculate and has improved bias compared with the most common estimator used in random-effects meta-analysis, particularly when the heterogeneity variance is moderate to large. In addition, it always yields a non-negative estimate of the heterogeneity variance, unlike some existing estimators. We find that random-effects inference about the overall effect based on this heterogeneity variance estimator is more reliable than inference using the common estimator, in terms of coverage probability for an interval estimate.
Bivariate Modelling of Longitudinal Measurements of Two Human Immunodeficiency Type 1 Disease Progression Markers in the Presence of Informative Drop-Outs
Authors: Pantazis N. , Touloumi G. , Walker A. S. , Babiker A. G.
Published: January 2005

The main statistical problem in many epidemiological studies which involve repeated measurements of surrogate markers is the frequent occurrence of missing data. Standard likelihood-based approaches like the linear random-effects model fail to give unbiased estimates when data are non-ignorably missing. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection, two markers which have been widely used to track progression of the disease are CD4 cell counts and HIV–ribonucleic acid (RNA) viral load levels. Repeated measurements of these markers tend to be informatively censored, which is a special case of non-ignorable missingness. In such cases, we need to apply methods that jointly model the observed data and the missingness process. Despite their high correlation, longitudinal data of these markers have been analysed independently by using mainly random-effects models. Touloumi and co-workers have proposed a model termed the joint multivariate random-effects model which combines a linear random-effects model for the underlying pattern of the marker with a log-normal survival model for the drop-out process. We extend the joint multivariate random-effects model to model simultaneously the CD4 cell and viral load data while adjusting for informative drop-outs due to disease progression or death. Estimates of all the model’s parameters are obtained by using the restricted iterative generalized least squares method or a modified version of it using the EM algorithm as a nested algorithm in the case of censored survival data taking also into account non-linearity in the HIV–RNA trend. The method proposed is evaluated and compared with simpler approaches in a simulation study. Finally the method is applied to a subset of the data from the ‘Concerted action on seroconversion to AIDS and death in Europe’ study.
Live or let live: life‐history decisions of the breeding female Monteiro's Hornbill Tockus monteiri
Authors: MILLS MICHAEL S. L. , BOIX‐HINZEN CHRISTIAN , PLESSIS MORNÉ A. DU
Published: January 2005

Life‐history theory maintains that long‐lived species such as hornbills (Bucerotiformes) maximize lifetime fecundity by ensuring adult survival, rather than investing in current reproductive output. Unusually, female Tockus hornbills are sealed into the nest cavity during breeding, placing a large burden on the male who feeds her and the nestlings for up to 9 weeks. Early departure to help feed young may improve nestling survival, but could reduce female survival if moult is incomplete. We investigated whether departure time of the female Monteiro's Hornbill Tockus monteiri is more strongly related to measures of female fitness or juvenile condition. Departure was independent of nestling development and growth, instead depending on female state. At departure, variability in condition between females was smaller than at any other stage, implying a strong stabilizing selection on optimal female departure condition. Similarly, moult showed signs of being completed, and variability in the state of moult between females was lowest at departure. Both predictions were met in favour of the hypothesis that Monteiro's Hornbills would base the timing of their departure from the nest on maximizing their own survival. Thus, as predicted, future reproductive potential takes precedence over current reproductive output in a trade‐off decision in this species.
Distribution, density, diet and productivity of the Scops Owl Otus scops in the Italian Alps
Authors: MARCHESI LUIGI , SERGIO FABRIZIO
Published: January 2005

The Scops Owl Otus scops is probably the least known European owl. We surveyed Scops Owls in the Trento region (6200 km2) of the central–eastern Italian Alps between 1995 and 2003 and we intensively monitored a subpopulation in a 50‐km2 plot between 2000 and 2003. In the whole region, we found 81 territories concentrated in 21, low‐elevation 100‐km2 quadrats. Most territories were associated with villages surrounded by extensively managed grassland (79%), arid areas with rocky outcrops and xerophytic vegetation (12%) and/or large urban areas and parks (6%). In the 50‐km2 plot, density varied between 52 and 64 territories/100 km2 annually. Territories were either solitary or clumped in loose colonies of 2–7 pairs. In contrast to previous studies, most nests used for laying were in holes and cracks of buildings (95%, n = 20). This may have been favoured by thermal and foraging advantages, but also involved some costs, such as predation by domestic cats and collision with cars. Median laying date was 29 May (n = 16) and the mean number of fledged young was 1.37 (n = 30), 1.95 (n = 21) and 2.00 (n = 20) per territorial, breeding and successful pair, respectively. The diet was dominated by grasshoppers of the family Tettigoniidae. Compared to previous studies, this population showed medium to high density and low productivity. The species seems to be dependent on traditional, extensive agro‐pastoralism and the main conservation threats include habitat loss through land abandonment and consequent forest expansion, which are probably best halted through subsidy schemes. From our results and published data, we estimate the population of the Scops Owl in the Italian Alps at 230–500 territories. There is an urgent need for further data on this largely overlooked species, especially from its Mediterranean strongholds.