bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population structure in the Atlantic salmon: insights from 40 years of research into genetic protein variation
Authors: Verspoor E. , Beardmore J. A. , Consuegra S. , García de Leániz C. , Hindar K. , Jordan W. C. , Koljonen M.‐L. , Mahkrov A. A , Paaver T. , Sánchez J. A. , Skaala Ø. , Titov S. , Cross T. F.
Published: August 2005

Electrophoretic studies of proteins remain a primary source of insight into genetic diversity in many species including the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, one of the most culturally and economically important fish species of the North Atlantic region. Since 1966, >350 scientific papers on protein variation have been published encompassing 25 000+ salmon from over 400 locations in >200 river systems across the species’ distribution. Variation has been detected at 30% of the 110 protein loci screened, though most studies examine <40. The method has been applied largely to the investigation of population structure and differentiation, but work has also led to the systematic revision of the genus Salmo and remains the primary source of insight into hybridization in the wild with brown trout Salmo trutta. Spatial patterns of differentiation show temporal stability, both within and among river systems, and strongly support structuring of the species into river and tributary specific populations and the designation of European and North American populations as distinct sub‐species. They also show widespread regional differentiation within both continents, beyond the marked subcontinental differences between Baltic Sea and Atlantic Ocean populations in Europe. Most of the differentiation probably reflects gene flow and founder events associated with colonization following the retreat of the glaciers from much of the species’ modern range. However, variation at MEP‐2* shows strong correlations with environmental temperature, both within and among rivers, and associations with phenotypic performance. This suggests selection is acting on the locus and provides compelling evidence for the local adaptation of populations. Protein studies have led to more population centred management of the species and have been exploited in the discrimination of regional stocks in mixed stock analysis in high seas fisheries, particularly in the Baltic Sea, and as markers for the assessment of stocking success. They have also advanced insight into how the genetic character of populations can be changed in cultivation and the potential impact of salmon aquaculture and stocking on wild populations. The method has been largely superseded by DNA based analyses, but the results remain highly relevant to Atlantic salmon management and conservation and are an irreplaceable data set for studying genetic stability of populations over time.
Atlantic salmon colonization of the Russian Arctic coast: pioneers from North America
Authors: Makhrov A. A. , Verspoor E. , Artamonova V. S. , O'Sullivan M.
Published: August 2005

Previous studies of the ESTD* isozyme locus in the Atlantic salmon show the *80 allele to be absent across the species’ European range, with the exception of northern Russia, whereas the allele is nearly fixed in North American populations. The allele was found in samples from 15 out of 18 rivers on the Kola Peninsula and White sea coast and had frequencies that ranged from 0·017 to 0·363. Typing of fish in nine of these rivers for mtDNA variation in the ND1 gene region found variation characteristic of North American salmon in three Kola Peninsula populations and is the only part of Europe where such variants have been detected. The study area was completely glaciated during the late Pleistocene period and the restriction of the European distribution of these ESTD* and mtDNA variants to this area suggests that salmon that colonized the Russian Arctic coast rivers included fish of North American origin after the Pleistocene glacier had retreated.
Genetic differences between five major domesticated strains of Atlantic salmon and wild salmon
Authors: Skaala Ø. , Taggart J. B. , Gunnes K.
Published: August 2005

Samples were collected from broodstocks of five major domesticated strains and from four Norwegian major wild stocks. The individuals were screened for genetic variability at eight enzyme coding loci. The domesticated strain which is based mainly on R. Namsen and R. Surna differed significantly from both of its source populations at most of the loci studied. In the DOM‐2 strain a slow allele at MDH‐2*, not found in any of the other samples, was found at a comparatively high frequency (0·127). At MEP‐2*, allelic frequencies varied much, with two domesticated strains close to fixation for alternative alleles. In the samples from wild stocks, the frequencies of MEP‐2* lay around 0·5. These changes are likely caused by founder effects, genetic drift and the ongoing selection programmes. The amount of genetic variability differed among the domesticated strains. Also, mean number of alleles were about 12% lower in farmed strains than in wild stocks, and percentage polymorphic loci were 14% lower in farmed strains. Mean heterozygosity was about 17% lower in farmed strains than in wild stocks. FST, varied strongly among loci and was particularly high for MEP‐2* and ESTD*, with a mean of 0·119, compared to 0·021 for the wild stocks separately. The genetic distance between DOM‐1 and its source populations in River Namsen and River Surna was several times higher than that observed between the wild populations. This demonstrates that a rapid and significant change has taken place over seven generations. The ESTD*94 allele, typical for North American salmon, and absent in all other samples in the present study, was found in fairly high frequency in the northern River Neiden wild sample. This suggests the existence of a barrier to gene flow between salmon from North Norway and more southern populations, and reflects that northern salmon are slightly or not at all represented in the domesticated strains.
Allozyme variation in Atlantic salmon from the British Isles: associations with geography and the environment
Authors: Jordan W. C. , Cross T. F. , Crozier W. W. , Ferguson A. , Galvin P. , Hurrell R. H. , McGinnity P. , Martin S. A. M. , Moffett I. J. J. , Price D. J. , Youngson A. F. , Verspoor E.
Published: August 2005

Data on geographical variation in allele frequencies at enzyme coding loci in Atlantic salmon from the British Isles were collated from published and unpublished sources. Statistically significant differences in allele frequencies were found among samples both within and among river systems, suggesting that the Atlantic salmon in the British Isles is not a panmictic population and that even within major river systems it cannot be treated as a single genetic stock for fisheries management purposes. Although there was some evidence of regional differences in the frequency of some rare alleles, most single‐locus variation did not show strong geographic patterns, with the exception of the AAT‐4* locus at which allele frequencies had a significant latitudinal cline. There was some evidence for the existence of genetically‐distinct celtic and boreal races of Atlantic salmon in the British Isles as previously has been suggested. Multiple regression analyses revealed associations between genetic variation and local environmental conditions (i.e. between variation at MEP‐2* and both temperature and local river gradient), providing additional evidence for adaptive population divergence in the species.
Assessing temporal and spatial variation in wild populations of Atlantic salmon with particular reference to Asturias (Northern Spain) rivers
Authors: Blanco G. , Ramos M. D. , Vázquez E. , Sánchez J. A.
Published: August 2005

The extent of genetic variation and levels of temporal and spatial heterogeneity was investigated, at six polymorphic protein‐coding loci, in wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar populations from six rivers of Asturias (Northern Spain). Also, stocks from northern Europe that were among those introduced to repopulate Asturian Rivers, and other wild Spanish and European populations were characterized. The lack of temporal variation observed suggests that effective population sizes of Asturian populations are sufficiently large to prevent extreme levels of genetic drift and that the introduced fish had a negligible contribution to the fisheries of Asturian rivers.
Evidence for co‐dominant allelic expression of a phosphoglucomutase regulatory locus polymorphism in the Atlantic salmon
Authors: Verspoor E. , Moyes C. D.
Published: August 2005

Starch gel electrophoresis of the phosphoglucomutase isozyme, PGM‐1, in liver tissue in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar shows three phenotypes – full, partial and no expression. The genetic basis of the variation has not been established. Studies of the inheritance of the variation and of liver enzyme levels carried out indicate that the variation, as in rainbow trout Onchorynchus mykiss, reflects co‐dominant allelic variation at a cis‐acting regulatory locus, designated PGM‐1r*, with one allele promoting and the other suppressing expression.
Non‐pollinating wasps distort the sex ratio of pollinating fig wasps
Authors: Pereira Rodrigo A. Santinelo , Prado Angelo Pires do
Published: August 2005

In fig wasps, mating occurs among the offspring of one or a few foundress mothers within the fig, from which the mated females disperse to found new broods. Under these conditions, males will compete with each other for mating, and such local mate competition can result in female‐biased sex ratios. In addition to pollinating wasps, non‐pollinating wasp species are also associated with figs and develop in flower ovaries or parasitize the larvae of primary galling wasps. While studying the fig wasp Pegoscapus tonduzi, which pollinates Ficus citrifolia in Brazil, we examined the influence of non‐pollinating fig wasps on the sex ratio of species that pollinate F. citrifolia to determine whether the presence of non‐pollinating wasps resulted in a distorted sex ratio. There was a positive relationship between the sex ratio of P. tonduzi and the number of non‐pollinating wasps that was independent of the number of foundresses and brood size. In addition, the number of non‐pollinating wasps correlated negatively with the number of pollinating females, but was not significantly related to the number of pollinating males. This finding suggested that non‐pollinating wasps had a direct effect in distorting the sex ratio of P. tonduzi broods. Our results indicate that the secondary sex ratio may not precisely reflect the primary sex ratio when there is a high infestation of non‐pollinating fig wasps.
Optimal foraging and gut constraints: reconciling two schools of thought
Authors: Whelan Christopher J. , Brown Joel S.
Published: August 2005

To ecologists, factors such as a forager's encounter rate with prey and its own susceptibility to predation are dominant determinants of foraging. In contrast, digestive physiologists consider foraging to be determined by factors like rates of digestion and absorption of ingested food. We reconcile these views in a model combining encounter rate, external handling, and internal handling of food in the gut. With internal food handling, two food properties become important; energy: external handling time (e/h) and energy: bulk (e/b). We show that internal handling is only one of a suite of rate limiting factors. The gut never reaches full capacity, indicating that spare capacity may be intrinsic to gut structure. Regardless of gut fullness, a food of sufficiently high e/b will always be harvested. Two isolegs in the state space of resource abundances determine diet selectivity. These isolegs, which we call the Mitchell and Pulliam isolegs, divide the state space into regions in which 1) the forager's optimal strategy is opportunism; 2) the forager is always selective on the food with the greater e/h and partially selective on the second food; 3) the forager is always selective on the food with the greater e/h and ignores the second food. The development and analysis of the isolegs thus reconcile the heretofore disparate perspectives of the ecological and the physiological frameworks of foraging.
Size‐dependent foraging capacities and intercohort competition in an ontogenetic omnivore (Arctic char)
Authors: Byström Pär , Andersson Jens
Published: August 2005

Intraspecific competition for resources is strongly influenced by the size of competitors. In this study, we estimated the size‐scaling of the foraging capacities on zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) to link size‐dependent performance to effects from competition. The competitive interactions between two size‐classes (YOY and 1‐y) of char were then studied in a large‐scale pond experiment and in two small subarctic lakes. The attack rate function on zooplankton was hump‐shaped whereas the attack rate on benthic chironomids increased monotonically with size. The size‐scaling exponent's for zooplankton and chironomids were 0.65 and 0.30, respectively, leading to that critical resource density (CRD) and maximum growth resource density (GMRD) increases with size, suggesting an exploitative competitive advantage of small individuals over large. Correspondingly, large (1‐y) char growth was negatively affected by cohort competition whereas small (YOY) char growth was not. Diets of both size classes were dominated by macroinvertebrates with large overlap in prey size suggesting only small gape size advantages for large char. Small char fed to a larger extend on cladocerans which, due to the hump‐shaped foraging efficiency function on zooplankton, were a relatively more profitable resource for small than large char.

Estimates of CRD and GmRD were in correspondence with observed growth responses and resource estimates for zooplankton, whereas for macroinvertebrates only qualitatively correspondence with foraging estimates and char performance was found. Although we were able to explain our results with exploitative competition only, we suggest a general need for size‐dependent foraging estimates on prey in more complex habitats in order to quantitatively link performance and resource abundances. Interference and size‐dependent resource use as mechanisms for observed stable population dynamics in char was not supported by this study and instead a low per capita fecundity and early cannibalism on recruits are suggested to be potential mechanisms that may stabilize char dynamics.
The shape of things eaten: the functional response of herbivores foraging adaptively
Authors: Beckerman Andrew P.
Published: August 2005

A major question at the interface of community and behavioural ecology is whether optimal foraging influences patterns of population dynamics. One productive route towards addressing this question has been to treat the solution to an optimal foraging model as an “adaptive” functional response, capable of varying with resource density. Here I integrate resource density into an optimal foraging model by allowing consumption rates, part of the time constraint in the foraging model, to vary in a linear or saturating manner with resource density. Using field estimates to parameterize the model for 11 herbivore mammals and four herbivore Orthoptera, the modeling effort produces a novel set of functional responses that display unique combinations of traditional functional response shapes. These new adaptive functional response shapes arise because of the assumptions about physiology, resource quality and environmental conditions that are embedded in a foraging model. The results of the study indicate that there is 1) resource and body size specific changes in resource intake as resource density varies; 2) a sensitivity of intake to the shape and magnitude of the cropping rate variation; and 3) that herbivores may regulate their resources via the functional response.
Why don't small snakes bask? Juvenile broad‐headed snakes trade thermal benefits for safety
Authors: Webb Jonathan K. , Whiting Martin J.
Published: August 2005

Previous studies have suggested that most small Australian elapid snakes are nocturnal and rarely bask in the open because of the risk of predation by diurnal predatory birds. Because the physiology and behaviour of reptiles is temperature dependent, staying in refuges by day can entail high thermoregulatory costs, particularly for juveniles that must grow rapidly to maximise their chances of survival. We investigated whether the risk of predation deters juveniles of the endangered broad‐headed snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) from basking, and if so, whether there are thermal costs associated with refuge use. To estimate avian attack rates on snakes, we placed 900 plasticine snake replicas in sunny locations and underneath small stones on three sandstone plateaus for 72 h. At the same time we quantified the thermal benefits of basking vs refuge use. On sunny days, juveniles could maintain preferred body temperatures for 4.7 h by basking but only for 2.0 h if they remained inside refuges. Our predation experiment showed that basking has high costs for juvenile snakes. Predators attacked a significantly higher proportion of exposed models (13.3%) than models under rocks (1.6%). Birds were the major predators of exposed models (75% of attacks), and avian predation did not vary across the landscape. By trading heat for safety, juvenile H. bungaroides decreased the potential time period that they could maintain preferred body temperatures by 57%. Thermal costs of refuge use may therefore contribute to the slow growth and late maturation of this endangered species. Our results support the hypothesis that nocturnal activity in elapid snakes has evolved to minimise the risk of avian predation.
Resource dispersion and badger population density in Mediterranean woodlands: is food, water or geology the limiting factor?
Authors: Rosalino L. M. , Macdonald D. W. , Santos‐Reis M.
Published: August 2005

Eurasian badgers, Meles meles, in Mediterranean cork‐oak woodlands live in small groups within territories that embrace a mosaic of habitats where several setts (dens) are scattered. Assuming that their population density was related to home range sizes and that this in turn was influenced by food and water availability and the existence of substrate suitable for sett construction, we explored the relationship between these parameters. Two biotopes were predominantly important in providing food security to badgers in the ‘Grândola’ mountain study area: olive groves and orchards or vegetable gardens. Analysis of the mean total area of these two habitats in the ranges of radio‐tracked badgers permitted us to extrapolate to an estimate that the 66 km2 encompassed eleven areas with the capacity to support badger groups each composed by 6–8 individuals. Since only three groups populated the area we concluded that food availability was not limiting badger density. Sites with surface water in summer (the dry season) seem sufficient to support more badger groups than existed, leading us to believe that this factor was also not limiting badger density. Simultaneously, using a logistic regression model and the biophysical characteristics of sett sites as explanatory variables, four predictor variables determined sett location: the existence of a geological fault/discontinuity, ridges, valleys and the distance to abandoned farm houses, of which the former had the higher odds ratio, being thus the best sett location predictor. Indeed, 56% of the areas predicted with >80% confidence to contain a badger sett were encompassed within a known home range. Therefore, our results suggest that, in Mediterranean cork oak woodlands in SW Portugal, the main factor limiting badger's density is the availability of suitable sites for setts. However, in areas where suitable sites for burrows existed, but food patches were absent, badgers were not found. This could indicate that the presence of both factors was necessary for badgers, although in this area sites suitable for digging setts appeared to be the primary limiting factor.
How useful is the concept of habitat? – a critique
Authors: Mitchell Sean C.
Published: August 2005

The following argument regarding the quantitative value of the habitat concept is presented for discussion purposes. The discussion is not intended as a review of the habitat‐population literature (which is immense for any class of organism) and so does not include an exhaustive appeal to authority. Instead, the arguments are, largely, intended to stand or fall on their own merit, and the literature is used selectively to demonstrate a point.
Interactions among nectar robbing, floral herbivory, and ant protection inLinaria vulgaris
Authors: Newman Daniel A. , Thomson James D.
Published: August 2005

Nectar robbers are often assumed to be plant antagonists; however, empirical data show that the impacts of these animals range from negative to positive depending on the system and ecological conditions. We experimentally evaluated the combined effects of nectar robbing and ant visitation on three indices of reproductive fitness inLinaria vulgarisin the Colorado Rocky Mountains, via indirect effects on flower‐ and seed‐eating beetles (Brachypterolus pulicariusandGymnaetron antirrhinni). Nectar robbingBombus occidentalisleave holes in the nectar spurs, effectively creating “extra‐floral nectaries” that attract ants. In a paired‐plant experiment, ants were significantly more abundant on robbed than on unrobbed plants. Manipulation of ant access and nectar robbing showed that ant exclusion increased beetle attack and decreased female fitness. There was a significant ant‐by‐robbing interaction on flower damage. Patterns in the other two indices were suggestive of ant‐by‐robbing interactions, but these were not statistically significant. We also found correlations between spider occupancy on some plants and the mean number of ants (marginally negative) or beetles (significantly positive). Although the effect we report in this study may be highly dependent on spatial and temporal distributions of several interacting species, we discuss its potential role in mitigating the costs of floral parasitism, and its importance to the study of nectar robbing in general.
Accident and Emergency nurses’ attitudes towards health promotion
Authors: Cross Ruth
Published: August 2005

Aim.  This paper presents a study exploring Accident and Emergency nurses’ attitudes towards health promotion.

Background.  Much has been written about nurses and health promotion. Research has focused mainly on community nurses, less on nurses working in acute hospital settings, and apparently not at all on those working in Accident and Emergency units.

Methods.  Q methodology, a technique for extracting subjective opinions, was used. Eleven nurses working in Accident and Emergency departments completed 33‐item Q‐sorts and wrote personal definitions of health promotion. Based on published literature in the field, the Q sample was structured with reference to nurses’ attitudes as they related to health promotion. Factor analysis was performed on the data, and the resulting factors were interpreted. The data were collected in 2003.

Results.  Three alternative constructions emerged from the data, representing three alternate views about health promotion. The most widely held opinion (representing nine of the 11 nurses) was a positive view of health promotion and the nurses’ role in health promotion in Accident and Emergency environments.

Conclusions.  It is not possible to generalize the findings of this study due to the small number of participants. However, their knowledge of, and commitment to, health promotion is encouraging. Recommendations for practice are that there is continued and increased post‐registration education in health promotion for nurses and continuing exploration of the hospital nurses’ health promotion role. Further research is needed to explore nurses’ perceptions of barriers to effective health promotion and nurses’ health promotion activities in Accident and Emergency environments.
Specialist educational intervention for mental health nursing staff: delivery, content and personal impact
Authors: Bee Penny , Richards David , Loftus Samantha , Baker John , Bailey Lorna , Lovell Karina
Published: August 2005

Aim.  This paper reports a study to ascertain the views of acute ward‐based mental health nursing staff on the delivery, content and personal impact of an innovative 18‐day, whole team educational intervention in acute mental health care.

Background.  There are grave concerns internationally about the quality of inpatient mental health care for people with acute psychiatric problems. Educational courses are needed to improve these services. However, existing schemes are often selective, hard to access and limited to developing highly specialist skills for senior nurses. They have also been criticized for making no difference to clinical practice. There is little evidence to guide the development of these or alternative team‐based courses.

Method.  Qualitative data were collected over a 6‐week period using 12 focus group interviews and individual questionnaires.

Results.  Four themes were identified. The joint education of nursing staff from different organizations was welcomed and reduced feelings of ward isolation. Mixing qualified and unqualified staff was not regarded positively. In terms of course content and learning themes, unqualified staff were more likely to report positive learning outcomes for knowledge, skills, attitude, morale and personal development; qualified nurses were more likely to indicate positive outcomes in anonymized data from questionnaires than from focus groups. Both groups reported little chance of knowledge implementation without changes in the organization of care.

Conclusion.  Whilst it may be desirable to educate whole nursing teams, more benefit might be gained from shared education between several organizations and separating the education of qualified and unqualified staff before combining these groups in team education. Participants remained pessimistic about their chances of implementing new knowledge and skills in current acute inpatient mental health environments.
Room for improvement? Reporting response rates and recruitment in nursing research in the past decade
Authors: Badger Frances , Werrett Julie
Published: August 2005

Aims.  This paper reports an analysis of recruitment and response rates in published nursing research in three peer reviewed nursing journals in 2002. We wished to establish if the deficits in reporting nursing research identified a decade earlier had been addressed.

Background.  This analysis was informed by our personal experiences of research which produced widely differing response rates. An examination of the literature revealed a lack of consensus on desirable response rates in nursing research. Previous analyses have shown deficits in describing participants, sampling methods and reporting recruitment.

Methods.  Papers reporting empirical research in three nursing journals in 2002 were reviewed in terms of a number of variables including research methodology, respondent type, recruitment method, response rate, location, and data collection method. Nominal coding was used as necessary. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and a variety of descriptive statistics were employed.

Results.  Half of the papers did not report a response rate. Of those which did, over three‐quarters of both qualitative and quantitative studies had response rates of 60% or more. Research conducted in hospital and educational settings produced higher response rates than those in community settings. Studies with response rates of less than 60% did not always refer to their rates in the study limitations, and low response rates do not appear to be a barrier to publication.

Conclusion.  Reporting of sampling, recruitment and response rates in nursing research must be improved to support nursings’ claim to be an evidence‐based profession and to underpin clinical governance requirements. Only through improvements in the quality of nursing research publications can knowledge be extended and a better‐informed research community be created.
Evidence‐based practice among Danish cardiac nurses: a national survey
Authors: Egerod Ingrid , Hansen Glennie Marie
Published: August 2005

Aims.  This paper presents a survey of evidence‐based practice among cardiac nurses exploring nurses’ attitudes towards evidence‐based practice and the types of knowledge they employ in clinical practice.

Background.  Research utilization and evidence‐based practice are required at hospitals around the world, although the definition of evidence‐based practice is still unclear. An ongoing debate exists about the sources of knowledge and the hierarchy of research evidence in clinical practice, and nursing research has been threatened by the dominance of randomized controlled trials. Evidence‐based practice has been described as a new paradigm, which promotes patient‐centred care by integrating external evidence and patient preferences.

Methods.  The study was a cross‐sectional survey with a descriptive and comparative design, using self‐administered postal questionnaires. The questionnaires were sent to 33 head nurses and 51 bedside nurses representing one or two units in each cardiac department in Denmark (n = 28). The final response rate was 81%. The study was carried out in 2004.

Results.  Respondents had a positive attitude towards evidence‐based practice, although they relied upon personal clinical experience. Head nurses were statistically significantly more familiar with the concept of evidence‐based practice than bedside nurses, and read scientific journals more frequently. Introductory courses to evidence‐based practice are rare and seldom mandatory, and the data suggest that respondents lacked knowledge of the finer points of evidence‐based practice and equated the concept with research utilization.

Conclusions.  Barriers to evidence‐based practice are inadequate education, unfamiliarity with English, and low organizational position. Facilitators include the implementation of guidelines, provision of continuing education, and an increase in the accountability of bedside nurses.
Stress and coping among families of patients with traumatic brain injury: a review of the literature
Authors: Verhaeghe Sofie , Defloor Tom , Grypdonck Mieke
Published: August 2005

Aims and objectives.  This literature review aims to structure the available information on the psychological reactions of family members confronted with traumatic brain injury. The stress–coping theory and the systems theory provide the theoretical framework for this review.

Method.  Literature review.

Results.  The level of stress experienced by the family members of patients who have traumatic brain injury is such that professional intervention is appropriate, even after 10–15 years. Not the severity of the injury but the nature of the injuries determines the level of stress. Partners experience more stress than parents. Children have specific difficulties. Young families with little social support, financial, psychiatric and/or medical problems are the most vulnerable. Coping with traumatic brain injury can be described in phases. The better family members can cope with the situation, the better the patient's recovery. There are functional and non‐functional coping mechanisms and coping is influenced by such factors as gender, social and professional support and the possibility to have reciprocal communication or an affective relation with the patient.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Support from professionals reduces the stress being experienced and encourages people to cope effectively. Conflicts with professional carers should be avoided. Every attempt should be made to develop models of long‐term support and care that alleviate sources of burden on relatives. Further research is necessary to develop such models.
Moving from institutional dependence to entrepreneurialism. Creating and funding a collaborative research and practice development position
Authors: Darbyshire Philip , Downes Maeve , Collins Carmel , Dyer Susan
Published: August 2005

Aims of the paper.  The paper describes the creation of, the rationale behind and the external funding of a collaborative research‐clinical practice development position. The paper also demonstrates the benefits of nursing's collaboration with external funding bodies and the value of moving from our traditional position of assuming that ‘the hospital’ will always provide.

Background.  There is a constant refrain that nursing must become more ‘research‐based’ and develop an active research culture. In harsh financial times however, funding for research development is scarce. Nurses can respond to this by bemoaning the lack of money or by taking an entrepreneurial approach, creating innovative project proposals that develop new partnerships and attract external funding.

Discussion.  Institutional support for clinical research is often more verbal than financial as most health care systems are experiencing extreme financial stringencies. Nurses need to reconsider the notion that every initiative must automatically be funded by the institution. In this paper we show how in a busy major hospital, clinicians and researchers collaborated to create and fund the kind of innovative research and practice development position that may be impossible to fund through existing budgets.

Conclusion.  With creativity and determination, nurses can challenge the orthodoxy that they are solely dependent on institutional funding. If there is a clear project vision, a convincing rationale, a strongly argued ‘business case’ and a passionate and persistent team, then innovative new projects and positions can be realized.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Developing clinical focused, practice based research is now a worldwide policy and practice imperative for nurses. Unfortunately, current levels of institutional funding are unlikely to support research promotion positions and initiatives. This paper outlines an approach to securing funding for research initiatives that can create exciting new positions and develop productive partnerships between researchers, clinicians and external agencies.
Exploring district nursing competencies in health promotion: the use of the Delphi technique
Authors: Irvine Fiona
Published: August 2005

Aims and objectives.  The research outlined in this paper aimed to establish a consensus view amongst primary healthcare professionals about the competencies that district nurses need in order to fulfil an effective role in health promotion.

Background.  In recent years there has been a growing emphasis on health promotion in primary care in the United Kingdom and health promotion is becoming increasingly important to nurses who work in the community. However, consideration of the role of the district nurse in health promotion is rather restricted and consequently district nurses have limited access to empirical evidence, from which they can develop their work in health promotion.

Design and methods.  The Delphi technique was used for this study. Seventy‐two primary healthcare professionals were mailed a series of three questionnaires, which achieved response rates of 86, 87.5 and 78.9%.

Results.  There was a consensus amongst the panellists that district nurses require a range of competencies to engage effectively in health promotion. These were categorized to produce a definitive list of eight knowledge‐, seven attitude‐ and eight skill‐related competencies.

Conclusions.  For the first time, this study achieves a consensus on the competencies needed by district nurses to engage in health promotion.

Relevance to clinical practice.  District nurses should feel encouraged to develop their health promotion role in light of the fact that many of the competencies that they require for this activity have been identified as essential for their day‐to‐day nursing practice. The research highlights the fact that new paradigm health promotion is a concept that has moved beyond the academic arena and is recognized as significant by practising health professionals.
How graduate nurses use protocols to manage patients’ medications
Authors: Manias Elizabeth , Aitken Robyn , Dunning Trisha
Published: August 2005

Aims and objectives.  The aim of the study was to determine how graduate nurses use protocols in their medication management activities. The objectives were to: examine the extent of adherence to various protocols in relation to medication activities and determine how the ward environment impacts on graduate nurses’ use of protocols to manage patients’ medications.

Background.  Protocols help newly qualified nurses integrate new knowledge into practice and promote effective decision‐making

Design.  A descriptive prospective qualitative design was used.

Methods.  Twelve graduate nurses involved in direct patient care in medical, surgical and specialty wards of a metropolitan teaching hospital participated in the study. Participant observations were conducted with the graduate nurses during a two‐hour period when medications were being administered to patients. In‐depth interviews were conducted with each nurse immediately after observations and demographic data were collected on participating nurses and patients in their care, including all medications prescribed. Protocols associated with medication management activities for the clinical settings were also transcribed.

Results.  Six themes were evident from the data: availability and use of protocols, scrutinizing patients’ identity before medication administration, double‐checking certain medications before administration, writing incident reports, following specific policies and timing the administration of medications.

Conclusion.  Graduate nurses adhered to protocols if they were perceived not to impede with other nursing activities. Participants were also more likely to follow protocols if they felt encouraged to make their own decisions and if there was a decreased likelihood that disciplinary action would be involved.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Experienced health professionals should encourage graduate nurses to comply with medication protocols and to make clinically reasoned decisions about medication activities. By providing peer support and acting as role models, experienced health professionals can also demonstrate to graduate nurses how effective protocol use is an important component of quality patient care.
Supporting learners in clinical practice: capacity issues
Authors: Hutchings Andy , Williamson Graham R , Humphreys Ann
Published: August 2005

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to report a study exploring, from the perspective of key stakeholders (mentors of nurses, managers of nurses, and modern matrons) in one English acute sector hospital, how decisions are made on how many learner nurses can be supported in clinical practice. The objective was to identify what factors are taken into consideration in making these decisions.

Background.  Supporting increasing numbers of students is a demand of current service provision in the English National Health Service, as part of an expansion in the numbers of all healthcare professionals. This is particularly the case in nursing, where the government announced a required increase in numbers of qualified nurses of 20 000. This expansion of numbers has implications for the quality of placement learning in clinical placements.

Methods.  Data were collected using three focus group interviews with a total of 12 participants in 2003/04. Recruitment was on a purposive basis. Subsequent analysis identified themes, which were compared across groups. A short questionnaire was also used to establish participants’ biographical details prior to the focus groups.

Findings.  Three key themes were identified: ‘capacity issues’, ‘enhancing support in practice’ and ‘issues impacting on learning in practice’. ‘Capacity issues’ identified factors that impact on the capacity of placements to support learners. ‘Enhancing support in practice’ identified necessary roles and strategies to enhance learning in practice. Finally, ‘issues impacting on learning in practice’ identified learner groups where support could be enhanced through structured management of the placement experience.

Conclusions.  Decisions on learner numbers to be supported at any one time are complex, with a multitude of dimensions. These include identification of types of learners and numbers of mentors available to support them and other operational issues. ‘Educational staff’ are needed at operational and strategic levels to support learning in practice. Timely and appropriate audit information to support allocation decisions and identify strategies to enhance the quality and support of learning in practice, are also required.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Increases in learner numbers and National Health Service modernization have had an impact on clinical placements’ capacity to support learning, and potentially, on learners’ achievements in practice. Findings from this study are thus important in evaluating the impact of these policy initiatives.
The clinical learning portfolio: a practice development experience in gerontological nursing
Authors: Coffey Alice
Published: August 2005

Background.  Assessment of clinical practice in post registration programmes can require a different focus to capture the essence of learning at a higher level. There are differences of opinion in the literature on the potential use of the portfolio as an assessment method.

Aims.  The aims of this paper are to describe the use of a portfolio of evidence‐based practice and reflection to assess clinical learning in a Higher Diploma in Gerontological Nursing Programme and to present the findings of a pilot evaluation of this assessment.

Design and method.  The evaluation was conducted by postal questionnaire distributed to the first cohort of students following graduation from the programme in 2002.

Results and conclusions.  Arising from this exploration of the student experience, it appears that the use of a portfolio in addition to formative assessment, can promote a link between theory and the advancement of gerontological nursing practice.
Spaces for inquiry into the role of place for older people's care
Authors: Cutchin Malcolm P.
Published: August 2005

In this paper, I expand the scope of the two preceding papers and suggest emerging opportunities and needs relevant to future inquiry about place and older people. I cover these in three sections. The first section suggests several topical areas for inquiry: stress and health, social epidemiology and healthy ageing. The second section focuses on theoretical developments that could be extended to further inform research on place and older people. I discuss the concepts of therapeutic landscapes and home as well as actor‐network theory and pragmatism. The last section briefly addresses methodological needs. I contend that while place is a complex object of inquiry, it is vital to older adults’ well‐being and offers many interesting and interdisciplinary avenues for important scholarly endeavour in nursing and related fields.
Conceptualizing place in the care of older people: the contributions of geographical gerontology
Authors: Wiles Janine
Published: August 2005

This paper introduces the subdiscipline of geographical gerontology to the readers of International Journal of Older People Nursing, and the ways in which geographers and others have conceptualized place in relation to the experiences of older people and their health and well‐being. Particular attention is paid to place as a process; its role in the exertion and negotiation of power; and as an experience open to interpretation; and how these relate to clinical practitioners. This review sets the scene for the following papers on practice and the future research agenda.
Gamma irradiation does not affect 7‐day storage of platelet concentrates
Authors: Van Der Meer P. F. , Pietersz R. N. I.
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives  Extension of storage of leucocyte‐reduced platelet concentrates (LR‐PCs) to 7 days has recently been introduced, but the effect of gamma irradiation on in vitro parameters was unknown.

Materials and Methods  A paired experiment was carried out, with gamma irradiation on day 1 or day 5 with 25 Gy, and no irradiation served as a reference.

Results  Measurements during storage up to 8 days after blood collection showed no significant differences of irradiated LR‐PCs vs. the control.

Conclusions  Irradiation, either on day 1 or day 5, had no effect on platelet quality during a 7‐day storage period.
Separation of whole blood into plasma and red cells by using a hollow‐fibre filtration system
Authors: Hornsey V. S. , McColl K. , Drummond O. , Prowse C. V.
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives  The aim of this study was to assess the separation of whole blood into red cells and plasma by using the Sangofer® device, which is a gravity‐fed, hollow‐fibre system. The components would then be compared with those produced by the use of more elaborate technical equipment.

Materials and Methods  Ten whole‐blood units were leucoreduced by using a WBF2 filter and immediately separated into red cells and plasma by using the Sangofer® blood‐separation device. Red cells were stored in additive solution and tested on days 1 and 42. The plasma was assayed for levels of various coagulation factors and for markers of both coagulation and complement activation.

Results  The red‐cell parameters were similar to those obtained when routine centrifugation methods were used. The filter did not cause haemolysis. Levels of plasma factor VIII and factor XI were lower than those seen in routinely produced leucoreduced plasma units but there was no evidence of activation of the coagulation and complement systems.

Conclusions  The Sangofer® device is simple and straightforward to use and eliminates the need for both centrifugation and automated separation steps during the processing of whole blood into red cells and plasma components. Minor changes are required to make the procedure easier to incorporate into routine use.
Collaborative study to establish the first international standard for quantitation of anti‐HPA‐1a
Authors: Allen D. , Rigsby P. , Bessos H. , Berry J. , Wilson D. , Ouwehand W. H. , Urbaniak S. , Metcalfe P.
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives  This report describes the production of a freeze‐dried preparation of pooled human plasma, containing immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the human platelet antigen 1a (HPA‐1a). The material, coded 03/152, is proposed as an International Standard containing 100 arbitrary units of anti‐HPA‐1a for use in quantitative assays to determine the anti‐HPA‐1a activity in clinical samples.

Materials and Methods  Plasma samples containing potent anti‐HPA‐1a were pooled and freeze dried in 1‐ml ampoules. In addition, three individual plasma samples were selected which had varying levels of anti‐HPA‐1a activity. The anti‐HPA‐1a activity of these three samples was determined by using a variety of quantitative assays with the proposed standard as a reference.

Results  An international collaborative study, which was part of the 2004 ISBT Platelet Immunology Workshop, involved 39 laboratories in 24 countries and showed that the anti‐HPA‐1a activity in three test samples could be reliably determined by using the proposed standard.

Conclusions  Laboratories can use this standard to measure the anti‐HPA‐1a activity in patient's samples. Further studies are required to determine the relationship between anti‐HPA‐1a activity and clinical outcome in patients with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT).