bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The psychosocial needs of people with HIV and AIDS: a view from nurse educators and counsellors
Authors: Burnard Philip
Published: July 2003

AIDS is an increasingly urgent issue for clinical nurses, managers and for nurse educators This paper describes the analysis of part of a set of interviews with a purposive sample of 21 AIDS counsellors, nurse educators and other health care workers In particular, responses to the question ‘What are the psychosocial needs of the person diagnosed as HIV‐positive or who has AIDSγ’ are discussed The paper begins with a brief description of the study and then offers a more detailed description of the method of analysis used to obtain the findings These are then reported within 16 categories Psychosocial problems identified included issues of emotion, acceptance, a variety of fears, stigma, issues relating to insurance and travel, health care facilities and the attitudes of the Church
An analysis of the concept of grief
Authors: Jacob Susan R
Published: July 2003

Grief is a universal response affecting every age and culture However, this concept is surrounded by ambiguity It is poorly understood by nurses who encounter grieving persons with increasing frequency, especially as the population ages The ability of nurses to gain an increased understanding of grief depends on the clarification of this concept A concept analysis is described Antecedents, attributes, referents and intervening variables of grief are identified In addition, model, borderline, related, invented and contrary cases are described This analysis results in a comprehensive definition of grief which is proposed This definition can contribute to the foundation essential to guide nursing practice with grieving persons
Good relations: the use of a relational database for large‐scale data analysis
Authors: Moseley L G , Mead D M
Published: July 2003

This paper reports our experience of analysing what may well be one of the largest datasets gathered on nursing practice in the United Kingdom The study produced both quantitative and qualitative data and a method had to be devised both for analysing each form of data and for relating the two An inexpensive relational database was chosen for the purpose, and experience of using it is reported Detailed examples are given We look at the strengths and weaknesses of such a tool, and in general it received a positive evaluation For many nursing research projects, it offers some advantages over a conventional statistical package, especially in the following areas offering ease of use, and hence control of the data, by the domain (nursing) specialist, facilitating the analysis of free‐text data, allowing the linking of free‐text and structured questionnaire data, permitting the testing of conjectures which arise during analysis, handling varying amounts of data per case, providing non‐redundant storage of data, permitting the association of machine‐readable codes and human‐readable labels, and encouraging an exploratory rather than merely analytical approach
Issues for consideration when choosing a qualitative data management system
Authors: Russell Cynthia K , Gregory David M
Published: July 2003

A primary issue in conducting qualitative research is the time required for data analysis Qualitative research can be costly, since data analysis is generally labour intensive and our tune factors into money There is, unfortunately, no magic formula for hastening the conceptual tasks associated with qualitative analysis, yet effective qualitative data management systems (QDMS) expedite the mechanical tasks, those tasks associated with storing and retrieving qualitative data Rapid and smooth data management increases the time one can allot to data analysis Although computer QDMS are increasingly recommended for their time‐saving potential in relation to data management, some significant issues associated with the adoption of a computer versus a manual QDMS have not yet been fully explored The purpose of this paper is to present major issues researchers should consider in choosing a computer or a manual QDMS These issues include availability and accessibility, comfort, appropriateness, efficiency, thoroughness and contextualization
Accreditation of prior learning: andragogy in action or a ‘cut price’ approach to education?
Authors: Howard Susan
Published: July 2003

The rapid changes in nurse education are proceeding within the wider context of developments in adjacent educational fields, which are themselves subject to external influences, and one such development is the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) In order to be critically aware of the potential involved in embracing this concept, it is necessary to clarify and examine the influencing factors which guide the current andragogical climate of nurse education, and those which predispose to the recognition of APEL Utilizing a case‐study approach, this paper will examine the relevant issues as they relate to experienced students pursuing the learning outcomes of Project 2000, and will address the question of value for all parties concerned
A trainer's perspective of an innovative programme teaching health visitors about the detection, treatment and prevention of postnatal depression
Authors: Gerrard J , Holden J M , Elliott S A , McKenzie P , McKenzie J , Cox J L
Published: July 2003

Health visitors in North Staffordshire, Edinburgh and Lewisham were given the opportunity to participate in a training programme in the detection, treatment and prevention of postnatal depression, based on previously reported successful intervention strategies They were trained in the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and given information about the value and practice of non‐directive counselling and about preventatiave strategies Knowledge acquisition was evaluation by self‐report questionnaires given before and after training The health visitors were encouraged to screen postnatal women at three specified times using the EPDS and to offer non‐directive counselling to women who obtained high scores A baseline measure of the incidence of postnatal depression was obtained by asking health visitors to give an EPDS form to all women in
Nurse manpower demand: a review of United Kingdom methodologies
Authors: Devine Colum , McClean Sally , Reid Norma
Published: July 2003

Forecasting the demand for nurses is a complex and difficult problem However, in a climate of economic cutbacks and disadvantageous demographic trends, it is essential that adequate methods are developed to predict both the supply and demand for nurse manpower To this end a number of methods have been constructed, particularly in the last decade In this paper we survey the work that has been done to provide an effective way of forecasting nurse manpower demand The two most common approaches are from the ‘top‐down’ or ‘bottom‐up’ However, an evolutionary method which allows for modification and detailed refinement is more likely to provide a means of taking into account the complexities of the system Finally, we focus on the nursing hours per patient (NHPP) ratio as a possible tool for demand forecasting This index is easily calculated and is readily adaptable to the bottom‐up approach
A follow‐up study of the Bachelor of Nursing graduates 1982–90, University of Glasgow, Scotland
Authors: Smith Lorraine
Published: July 2003

In 1992 a follow‐up study of the 214 graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing degree, University of Glasgow, was conducted. There was an adjusted response rate of 67 05% Overall, this study provides continuing support for the findings from earlier surveys which demonstrated that graduate nurses continue to work in the clinical field, that undergraduate nursing does not necessarily provide career acceleration, and that midwifery is the most sought‐after additional qualification More of Glasgow's graduate nurses are to be found working in high dependency units than would appear to be the case from other surveys on degree nursing courses Glasgow's graduate nurses hold an ethos which values university education and life
Phylogeography of the northern hogsucker, Hypentelium nigricans (Teleostei: Cypriniformes): genetic evidence for the existence of the ancient Teays River
Authors: Berendzen Peter B. , Simons Andrew M. , Wood Robert M.
Published: July 2003

Aim  To assess the roles of dispersal and vicariance in shaping the present distribution and diversity within Hypentelium nigricans, the northern hogsucker (Teleostei: Cypriniformes).

Location  Eastern United States.

Methods  Parsimony analyses, Bayesian analyses, pairwise genetic divergence and mismatch plots are used to examine patterns of genetic variation across H. nigricans.

Results  Species relationships within the genus Hypentelium were consistent with previous hypotheses. However, relationships between haplotypes within H. nigricans revealed two deeply divergent groups, a clade containing haplotypes from the New and Roanoke rivers (Atlantic Slope) plus Interior Highlands and upper Mississippi River and a clade containing haplotypes from the Eastern Highlands, previously glaciated regions of the Ohio and Wabash rivers, and the Amite and Homochitto rivers of south‐western Mississippi.

Main conclusions  The phylogenetic history of Hypentelium was shaped by old vicariant events associated with erosion of the Blue Ridge and separation of the Mobile and Mississippi river basins. Within H. nigricans two clades existed prior to the Pleistocene; a widespread clade in the pre‐glacial Teays‐Mississippi River system and a clade in Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. Pleistocene events fragmented the Teays‐Mississippi fauna. Following the retreat of the glaciers H. nigricans dispersed northward into previously glaciated regions. These patterns are replicated in other clades of fishes and are consistent with some of the predictions of Mayden's (Systematic Zoology, 37, 329, 1988) pre‐Pleistocene vicariance hypothesis.
Mammals of south‐east Asian islands and their Late Pleistocene environments
Authors: Meijaard Erik
Published: July 2003

Aim  The environments that existed in south‐east Asian islands during the last glacial are poorly known, limiting our understanding of mammalian biogeography in the region. The objective of this research is to investigate the ecological characteristics of mammal faunas on small islands, and to see whether the habitat requirements of the species in those faunas can be used to deduct the vegetation types that existed on islands before becoming isolated by rising sea levels.

Location  The maps presented here cover the small islands of tropical south‐east Asia, including the Burmese, Thai and Cambodian islands in the north, the islands off the coast of west Sumatra in the west, the islands around Java in the south, and the islands off the east coast of Borneo in the east, including the Philippine islands of Palawan and those in the Sulu Archipelago.

Methods  The presence records of mammal species on 215 small islands in the region were compiled, and the habitat requirements for each of these species was assessed (species that had probably been introduced by humans were excluded from the analysis). For each island location (longitude and latitude), maximum altitude of the island, total area, depth to nearest land, distance to nearest island, and distance to nearest mainland were assessed. Geographical and statistical analyses were used to investigate patterns of mammalian habitat requirements.

Results  The geographical analysis showed that forest‐dependent species, i.e. species that are only found in primary forest (lowland and mountainous), appear to be concentrated on islands off west Sumatra, in the Lingga and Riau Archipelagos, around Palawan, and around Bunguran Island; they are absent mostly from the islands of the Java Sea, those off the east coast of eastern Borneo, from most islands in the Sunda Strait, several islands in the northern South China Sea, and from all islands off the west coast of the Malay/Thai Peninsula and in the Gulf of Thailand. Species that generally occur outside primary forest, that is those in secondary forest, gardens, plantations and open areas mostly occurred on islands where the forest‐dependent species were absent. The statistical analysis showed that latitude and size of islands were important factors that determined the absence and presence of forest‐dependent species on small islands.

Main conclusions  The data suggest that during the last glacial there were several areas in the Sundaic region that remained forest covered: west of Sumatra, north‐west of Borneo, the Malacca Straits and around Palawan. Other areas may have been covered by more open vegetation types like tree savanna, or open deciduous forest: on and to the east of the Malay/Thai Peninsula, the Java Sea area, including the Sunda Strait, and eastern Borneo.
Ectoparasites of terrestrial vertebrates inhabiting the Georgia Barrier Islands, USA: an inventory and preliminary biogeographical analysis
Authors: Wilson Nixon , Durden Lance A.
Published: July 2003

Aim  To document ectoparasitic arthropods of terrestrial vertebrates inhabiting barrier islands and to offer preliminary interpretations.

Location  The coast of Georgia, USA, with most data presented for St Catherines, Sapelo, Jekyll, and Cumberland islands.

Methods  Ectoparasites were collected and identified from hundreds of live‐trapped mammals, birds, and reptiles. Ticks and louse‐flies were also collected by dragging or flagging a white cloth through vegetation. Some ectoparasites were recovered from host nests or roosting sites. Literature records and specimen records from the US National Tick Collection supplemented these data.

Results  Inventories of ectoparasite species recovered from vertebrates on each island are provided. Many new records and a small number of undescribed species are reported.

Main conclusions  Compared with most ectoparasite faunas associated with the same host species on the adjacent mainland, ectoparasite species diversity on the barrier islands is depauperate. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed including ecological, geological, and vicariant factors. Tick faunas do not appear to be depauperate on the islands probably because immature stages attach to visiting or migrating birds. Some host‐ectoparasite associations that we recorded are atypical for mainland faunas. This trend has also been recorded in some previous surveys of insular ectoparasites and may be related to vacant ectoparasite niches on some islands.
Spatial similarity of urban bird communities: a multiscale approach
Authors: Jokimäki Jukka , Kaisanlahti‐Jokimäki Marja‐Liisa
Published: July 2003

Aim  Human land use, especially urbanization, might homogenize the world's biota. The objective of this study is to find out if urbanization homogenizes wintering bird communities, and if habitat type affects the spatial variation of urban bird communities across spatial scales.

Location  We compared the quantitative similarity of winter bird communities between town centres, apartment block areas and single‐family house areas across regional and local scales in five towns in northern Finland.

Methods  The wintering birds were surveyed using a single‐visit study plot (30 ha) method in January and February 2001. The validity of single‐visit and single‐year data was confirmed by using data from several‐visit surveys and multi‐year data set. The level of urbanization was measured according to the number of inhabitants and general structure of the habitat.

Results  Temporal variability in species richness and total number of individuals was low, both between winters and within winter. Bird community similarity between different habitat types within a single town was about the same as that in similar habitats in different towns. At the regional scale, bird community similarity between town centres (30%) was lower than between areas of apartment blocks (54%) or between areas of single‐family houses (54%). We detected a threshold point between towns of 35,000 and 105,000 inhabitants and between town sizes of 5.0–8.5 km in diameter where human impact causes marked changes in bird community structure. At the local scale, bird community similarity level between apartment block areas (49%) and single‐family house areas (62%) were about the same. Passer domesticus, Parus major and Pica pica dominated the bird communities in residential areas. Different habitat factors affected bird species abundances on the local and regional scales.

Conclusions  Urbanization cannot be seen as a process that monotonically increases the similarity of bird communities. Our results indicate that the similarity between urban bird communities is dependent on the size of the town, location of the study site within the town and especially the local habitat structure. Because different habitat factors affected bird species abundances, it is difficult to extrapolate bird–habitat relationships derived from one scale to other scales. In wintertime, single‐family house areas are important biodiversity hotspots in cities. Therefore, it is especially important to understand the factors affecting the occurrence of birds in the single‐family house area in order to maintain or even increase diversity on winter birds in other urban habitats.
Rapoport's bathymetric rule and the latitudinal species diversity gradient for Northeast Pacific fishes and Northwest Atlantic gastropods: evidence against a causal link
Authors: Smith Katherine F. , Gaines Steven D.
Published: July 2003

Aim  Few studies have explicitly considered the recurrent pattern of declining species diversity and increasing geographical range size that exists for numerous taxa across a variety of physical gradients. We extend Stevens’ [Stevens, G.C. (1996)Journal of Biogeography, 23, 149] work on Rapoport's bathymetric rule, using a more complete latitudinal assemblage of Northeast Pacific fishes and new data from Northwest Atlantic gastropods, to show that bathymetrical range size and species diversity are not causally linked.

Location  Fishes from the Northeast Pacific (0°–60° N) and gastropods from the Northwest Atlantic (0°–74° N) distributed from the surface to depths greater than 200 m.

Methods  Species pools were divided into three bathymetrical subgroups: (1) species restricted to shallow waters, between the surface and 200 m, (2) species that occurred in waters, both shallow and deep of 200 m, and (3) species restricted to waters deeper than 200 m. Median bathymetrical range size and total number of species were plotted against latitude (2° bins) using Stevens’ method, for the entire species pool and individual bathymetrical groups.

Results  For both fishes and gastropods, the apparent link between extratropical diversity and bathymetrical range size is an artefact resulting from the disproportionately high number of shallow restricted species in tropical latitudes, and the loss of these species in temperate latitudes. Furthermore, the extratropical gradient in gastropod diversity and bathymetrical range size are decoupled by approximately 15°, and while the latitudinal pattern for diversity is consistent across bathymetrical groups, median bathymetrical range size is highly irregular.

Main conclusions  These results suggests that functional groups can contribute disproportionately to patterns apparent at larger scales and that analysis of ecographical patterns by subregion is a novel approach that can help resolve debates over causality when patterns are seemingly coincident.
Patterns of distribution and processes of speciation in Brazilian reef fishes
Authors: Rocha Luiz A.
Published: July 2003

Aim  To evaluate the state of knowledge about the biogeography of Brazilian reef fishes and propose processes that lead to the observed distribution patterns.

Location  The tropical western Atlantic.

Methods  The geological history of the Amazon barrier was obtained from the literature, and its potential influence on speciation of reef fishes was analysed. Species distributions were analysed based on literature records and material deposited at Brazilian and American collections.

Results  Recent estimates indicate that about 12% of the Brazilian reef fish species are endemic, and most ichthyologists agree that this endemism is generated by the barrier formed by the freshwater and sediment discharge of large rivers in north‐eastern South America, mainly the Amazon, Orinoco and their tributaries. However, little is known about the dynamics of this barrier, and recent studies have demonstrated that it can be crossed through deep sponge bottoms on the outer continental shelf off north‐eastern South America. Moreover, the recent discovery of species regarded as Brazilian endemics in the extreme southern Caribbean is showing that the Amazon barrier is weaker than previously thought.

Main conclusions  The Amazon freshwater and sediment outflow is a strong barrier to shallow water reef fish and other organisms, and it is probably responsible for most of the endemism found in Brazilian coastal habitats. However, sea‐level fluctuations influence the effectiveness of such barrier and may play a large role in the generation of diversity in the western tropical Atlantic. Alternatively, larval exchange between Brazil and the Caribbean is small but constant, and contrasting selection pressures in divergent environments (continental Brazil vs. insular Caribbean) may be the central force driving speciation.
Simulating tick distributions over sub‐Saharan Africa: the use of observed and simulated climate surfaces
Authors: Olwoch J. M. , Rautenbach C. J. de W. , Erasmus B. F. N. , Engelbrecht F. A. , Van Jaarsveld A. S.
Published: July 2003

Aim A broad suit of climate data sets is becoming available for use in predictive species modelling. We compare the efficacy of using interpolated climate surfaces [Center for Resource and Environmental Studies (CRES) and Climate Research Unit (CRU)] or high‐resolution model‐derived climate data [Division of Atmospheric Research limited‐area model (DARLAM)] for predictive species modelling, using tick distributions from sub‐Saharan Africa.

Location The analysis is restricted to sub‐Saharan Africa. The study area was subdivided into 3000 grids cells with a resolution of 60 × 60 km.

Methods Species distributions were predicted using an established multivariate climate envelope modelling approach and three very different climate data sets. The recorded variance in the climate data sets was quantified by employing omnidirectional variograms. To further compare the interpolated tick distributions that flowed from using three climate data sets, we calculated true positive (TP) predictions, false negative (FN) predictions as well as the proportional overlaps between observed and modelled tick distributions. In addition, the effect of tick data set size on the performance of the climate data sets was evaluated by performing random draws of known tick distribution records without replacement.

Results The predicted distributions were consistently wider ranging than the known records when using any of the three climate data sets. However, the proportional overlap between predicted and known distributions varied as follows: for Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae), these were 60%, 60% and 70%; for Rhipicephalus longus Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae) 60%, 57% and 75%; for Rhipicephalus zambeziensis Walker, Norval & Corwin (Acari: Ixodidae) 57%, 51% and 62%, and for Rhipicephalus capensis Koch (Acari: Ixodidae) 70%, 60% and 60% using the CRES, CRU and DARLAM climate data sets, respectively. All data sets were sensitive to data size but DARLAM performed better when using smaller species data sets. At a 20% data subsample level, DARLAM was able to capture more than 50% of the known records and captured more than 60% of known records at higher subsample levels.

Main conclusions The use of data derived from high‐resolution nested climate models (e.g. DARLAM) provided equal or even better species distribution modelling performance. As the model is dynamic and process based, the output data are available at the modelled resolution, and are not hamstrung by the sampling intensity of observed climate data sets (c. one sample per 30,000 km2 for Africa). In addition, when exploring the biodiversity consequences of climate change, these modelled outputs form a more useful basis for comparison with modelled future climate scenarios.
Predicting reptile distributions at the mesoscale: relation to climate and topography
Authors: Guisan Antoine , Hofer Ulrich
Published: July 2003

Aim To explore the respective power of climate and topography to predict the distribution of reptiles in Switzerland, hence at a mesoscale level. A more detailed knowledge of these relationships, in combination with maps of the potential distribution derived from the models, is a valuable contribution to the design of conservation strategies.

Location All of Switzerland.

Methods Generalized linear models are used to derive predictive habitat distribution models from eco‐geographical predictors in a geographical information system, using species data from a field survey conducted between 1980 and 1999.

Results The maximum amount of deviance explained by climatic models is 65%, and 50% by topographical models. Low values were obtained with both sets of predictors for three species that are widely distributed in all parts of the country (Anguis fragilis, Coronella austriaca, and Natrix natrix), a result that suggests that including other important predictors, such as resources, should improve the models in further studies. With respect to topographical predictors, low values were also obtained for two species where we anticipated a strong response to aspect and slope, Podarcis muralis and Vipera aspis.

Main conclusions Overall, both models and maps derived from climatic predictors more closely match the actual reptile distributions than those based on topography. These results suggest that the distributional limits of reptile species with a restricted range in Switzerland are largely set by climatic, predominantly temperature‐related, factors.
Distribution patterns in butterflies and birds of the Czech Republic: separating effects of habitat and geographical position
Authors: Storch David , Konvicka Martin , Benes Jiri , Martinková Jana , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: July 2003

AimTo evaluate the relative role of environmental factors and geographical position (latitude and longitude) in determining species distribution and composition of local assemblages of butterflies and birds.

LocationCzech Republic, central Europe.

MethodsCanonical correspondence analysis that ordinates species and samples (grid cells in distribution atlases) such that interspecific and intersample differences attributable to environmental factors are maximized. The technique allowed us to test the significance of individual factors, including the geographical ones, by controlling the other factors and accounting for spatial autocorrelation.

ResultsAltitude and climate (temperature and precipitation) accounted for most variance in the interspecific differences in distribution of both butterflies and birds. The distribution of birds was also strongly affected by the area of water bodies, and less strongly, but still significantly, by the area of meadows and mountain open habitats. Habitat types important for the differences in butterfly distribution were deciduous forests, meadows, swamps and mountain open habitats. Some less common habitat types were important only because of the presence of rare species. Latitude and longitude invariably accounted for a large proportion of total variance, and their effect was highly significant even after controlling for the effect of all other environmental factors.

Main conclusionsAlthough environmental factors, especially those related to elevation and climate, represent the main determinants of species distribution and composition of local assemblages, the geographical position is very important on this scale of resolution. Understanding distribution patterns, thus, must include not only an understanding of species ecological requirements, but also an understanding of geographical context, which affects structure and dynamics of species’ geographical ranges.
Spatial patterns of disparity and diversity of the Recent cuttlefishes (Cephalopoda) across the Old World
Authors: Neige Pascal
Published: July 2003

Aim Diversity and disparity metrics of all Recent cuttlefishes are studied at the macroevolutionary scale (1) to establish the geographical biodiversity patterns of these cephalopods at the species level and (2) to explore the relationships between these two metrics.

Location Sampling uses what is known about these tropical, subtropical and warm temperate cephalopods of the Old World based on a literature review and on measurements of museum specimens. Some 111 species spread across seventeen biogeographical areas serve as basic units for exploring diversity and disparity metrics in space.

Methods Landmarks describe the shape of the cuttlebone (the inner shell of the sepiids) and differences between shapes are quantified using relative warp analyses. Relative warps are thus used as the morphological axis for constructing morphospaces whose characteristics are described by disparity indices: total variance, range, and minimum and maximum of relative warps. These are analysed and then compared with the diversity (species richness) metric.

Results Results show no significant latitudinal or longitudinal gradients either for diversity or for disparity. Around the coast of southern Africa, disparity is high regardless of whether diversity (species richness) is high or low. In the ‘East Indies’ area disparity is low despite the high diversity.

Main conclusions The relationship between diversity and disparity is clearly not linear and no simple adjustment models seem to fit. The number of species in a given area does not predict its disparity level. The particular pattern of southern Africa may be the result of paleogeographical changes since the Eocene, whereas that of the ‘East Indies’ may indicate that this area could act as a centre of origin. However, the lack of any clear phylogenetical hypothesis precludes the study from providing any explanation of the observed patterns.
Plio‐Pleistocene climatic oscilations, Holarctic biogeography and speciation in an avian subfamily
Authors: Drovetski Sergei V.
Published: July 2003

Aim In this paper, I discuss the temporal and spatial aspects of historical biogeography and speciation in a widely distributed Holarctic subfamily of birds (Tetraoninae).

Location Northern Holarctic.

Results Using dated fossils, I calibrated the molecular clock for the mitochondrial control region at 7.23 ± 1.58% nucleotide divergence (maximum likelihood corrected) per million years. The data suggest that grouse (Tetraoninae) originated in the Middle Pliocene, 6.3 Ma. Grouse apparently originated in the northern part of western Nearctic, and Palearctic was colonized independently three times, first by the ancestor of all grouse in the Middle Pliocene, then by the ancestor of forest (Falcipennis, Tetrao and Lyrurus) and prairie (Centrocercus, Dendragapus and Tympanuchus) grouse in the Late Pliocene, and finally by the ancestral Lagopus in the Early Pleistocene. Only once Nearctic was colonized from Palearctic by a common ancestor of forest grouse. Sympatry and range symmetry were positively correlated with molecular divergence. These correlations suggest that peripatric isolation was the predominant mode of speciation throughout grouse history.

Main conclusions Speciation events in grouse were driven by climatic oscillations of the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Isolation of small peripheral populations from widely distributed ancestors was the dominant mode of speciation in grouse. Isolations during interglacials both across Beringia, and in southern mountain areas when boreal habitats were restricted to high elevations, suggest an important role for vicariance in grouse speciation.
Histopathology, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of the intestine of Leuciscus cephalus (L.) naturally infected with Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala)
Authors: Dezfuli B S , Giari L , Simoni E , Bosi G , Manera M
Published: July 2003

The histopathology, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of the alimentary canal of chub, Leuciscus cephalus (L.), from the River Brenta, naturally infected with the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis Müller, 1776, was studied and described. Of 62 chub examined, 54 (87%) were infected with P. laevis; the intensity of infection ranged from five to 130 parasites per host, and a density of 8 P. laevis per cm2 was common. Examination of histological material of infected chub revealed that both male and female acanthocephalans deeply penetrated all layers of the gut wall by means of their slender neck, bulb and proboscis. As a result, a capsule was formed around the bulb and proboscis on the external surface of the host intestine. In parasitized chub, four main types of reaction against the body of the acanthocephalan were recognized. Pomphorhynchus laevis caused local damage to the intestinal wall, eliciting catarrhal‐erosive enteritis in the lumen and a fibroblastic‐collagenous and fibro‐epithelioid encapsulation in its thickness with tissue zonation according to the depth of parasite penetration. Furthermore, eosinophilic granular cells (EGC) within the inflammatory tissue were identified by immunohistochemical methods and transmission electron microscopy.
Family coping with mental illness: a comparative study
Authors: YAMASHITA M.
Published: July 2003

Two studies were conducted by the same researcher, one in Canada, the other in Japan, looking at families' reactions to their relatives' mental illness. The focus was placed on family caregivers' transformation processes, which are a unitary process of pattern appraisal and deliberate mutual patterning based on a unitary transformative paradigm within Newman's theory of health as expanding consciousness.
Consumer participation in mental health services: looking from a consumer perspective
Authors: LAMMERS J. , HAPPELL B.
Published: July 2003

Widespread changes to the structure and delivery of mental health services have effected considerable change in the role of the service user or consumer. The view of consumers of mental health services as passive recipients of care and treatment is gradually undergoing a significant shift, in light of an increasing expectation that consumers be provided with opportunities to become actively involved in all aspects of their care. Consumer participation is now broadly reflected in government policy; however, to date there has been little exploration of the extent to which the policy is being realized in practice. To provide a greater understanding of these experiences and opinions, in‐depth interviews were conducted with consumers of mental health services (n = 15). The interview transcripts were analysed through the identification and explication of major themes. The findings reinforce the need to view consumers as heterogenous and respond to individual needs and interests regarding consumer participation. Despite variations in experience there is a clear need to develop mechanisms to support consumer involvement and to influence the attitudes of health professions to become more valuing of a consumer perspective. Nurses are in an ideal position to lead this process.
Travelling through the system: the lived experience of people with borderline personality disorder in contact with psychiatric services
Authors: FALLON P.
Published: July 2003

This study adopted a lived experience approach utilizing a broad research question to ask ‘How do people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience their contact with mental health services?’. Unstructured interviews were conducted with seven participants from one mental health trust. A grounded theory methodology was adopted to develop a theory of how people with BPD conceptualized their contact with psychiatric services and what strategies they adopted to negotiate their way through them. The study found that people with BPD valued their contact with psychiatric services despite negative experiences and encountering negative staff attitudes. It also found that relationships with others were vital in containing their distressing emotions despite their difficulty in trusting others. Overcoming these paradoxes was achieved by consistent long‐term involvement with experienced staff, containing relationships, encouraging the participants to contribute to their care through the structure of the care programme approach and improving staff understanding of their behaviour by key informants.
The mental health of women with suspected breast cancer: the relationship between social support, anxiety, coping and defence in maintaining mental health
Authors: DRAGESET S. , LINDSTRØM T. C.
Published: July 2003

Relationships between anxiety, social support, coping, and defence, in connection to mental health, were studied among patients with suspected breast cancer, awaiting diagnosis. Data were collected by questionnaires from 117 women, 25–76 years of age (mean: 53.6 years) who had undergone breast biopsy. Instruments used were: the Social Provisions Scale (SPS); the state scale of State‐Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI); and CODE [based on the Utrecht Coping List (UCL) and Defence Mechanisms Inventory (DMI)]. The results showed that patients reported elevated levels of anxiety and high levels of social support. Yet, anxiety was strongest and negatively related to ‘instrumental coping’, followed by ‘cognitive defence’. ‘Defensive hostility’ was unrelated to anxiety. Unexpectedly, ‘emotion‐focused coping’ and social provisions were unrelated to anxiety. Social provisions were somewhat related to ‘instrumental coping’, but sparsely related to ‘emotion‐focused coping’, unrelated to ‘cognitive defence’ and partly negatively related to ‘defensive hostility’. Hence, social support and ‘emotion‐focused coping’ did not in themselves repress anxiety. ‘Instrumental coping’ did, even in a situation where nothing could be done. Social support is suggested to be the product of an ‘instrumental coping style’, not necessarily contributing to it. Clinical consequences for professional information and support to patients with different coping styles are suggested.
A trial of an anti‐absconding intervention in acute psychiatric wards
Authors: BOWERS L. , ALEXANDER J. , GASKELL C.
Published: July 2003

Absconding from acute psychiatric wards is a significant clinical problem that can place patients and others at risk, as well as being burdensome and anxiety provoking for staff. Previous studies have not convincingly demonstrated the best way to minimize the frequency of absconding. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the impact of an intervention to reduce absconding by patients from partially locked acute psychiatric wards. Five acute psychiatric wards in one hospital were entered into a stepped, before‐and‐after controlled trial. Following 3 months at baseline, nursing staff on the wards were trained in the intervention and monitored in its execution for the next 3 months. Absconding and violent incidents were recorded by nursing staff through shift reports and validated against officially collected forms. Absconding reduced by 25% overall during the intervention period, a fall which was statistically significant. Three out of the five wards implemented the intervention effectively and two of these achieved decreases in their absconding. The other two wards were not able to consistently implement the intervention, and their absconding rates remained unchanged. The findings support the efficacy of the intervention in reducing absconding. Further research is now required to replicate these findings, and to confirm that any reductions are maintained over time.
Working with the psychological effects of trauma: consequences for mental health‐care workers – a literature review
Authors: COLLINS S. , LONG A.
Published: July 2003

This literature review explores how interacting with seriously traumatized people has the potential to affect health‐care workers. The review begins with an introduction to post‐traumatic stress disorder as being one of the possible negative consequences of exposure to traumatic events. The report proceeds with examining the concepts of vicarious traumatization, secondary traumatic stress, traumatic countertransference, burnout and compassion fatigue, as potential adverse consequences for workers who strive to help people who are traumatized. The differences between these concepts are also discussed. The notion of compassion satisfaction is examined as findings have demonstrated that it is a protective factor which can be used as a buffer to prevent the aforementioned concepts. Conversely, findings have shown that a history of previous stressful life events in helpers is a potential risk factor. The review concludes with an overview of the concepts considered, but cautions against generalization of the findings owing to the dearth of longitudinal studies into the issues raised and also the lack of investigation into the many different types of trauma.
Practice development in psychological interventions: mental health nurse involvement in the Conversational Model of psychotherapy
Authors: PALEY G. , MYERS J. , PATRICK S. , REID E. , SHAPIRO D. A.
Published: July 2003

This paper describes a mental health nurse led practice development initiative in psychotherapy. Four mental health nurses have been trained to deliver the Conversational Model of psychotherapy (also known as psychodynamic‐interpersonal (PI) psychotherapy) a non‐cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a robust evidence base. We report on the robust range of both processes and outcome measures being used to evaluate this initiative. We conclude that good quality evidence‐based practice requires careful planning and preparation, adequate financial resources from Trusts, as well as commitment and motivation from the staff expected to be involved in such initiatives.
Views of nursing staff on the use of physical restraint
Authors: LEE S. , GRAY R. , GOURNAY K. , WRIGHT S. , PARR A.‐M. , SAYER J.
Published: July 2003

A postal questionnaire survey was employed in regional secure and psychiatric intensive care units in England and Wales, in respect of mental health nurses’ training in the use of physical restraint. The nurses’ views were sought relating to their last experience of implementing the procedure. Whilst most nurses (n = 259, 96.3%) reported positive outcomes in so far that the incident was brought under control, the views of the aftereffects of the procedure were of concern and ambivalence. The literature suggests that service users did not necessarily hold the same positive views. A range of alternatives, which were consistent with the literature, was made by staff to improve intervention in the management of violence. Negative aspects relating to the use of physical restraint were also highlighted. They included procedural, injury, clinical and management issues. Some respondents also expressed concerns about the negative attitudes of their colleagues. The findings of this aspect of the survey highlights that the therapeutic value of physical restraint can only be achieved with appropriate monitoring and with emphasis on psychological intervention in the prevention and management of violence.
Partnership in Coping: an Australian system of mental health nursing
Authors: SHANLEY E. , JUBB M. , LATTER P.
Published: July 2003

The paper identifies shortcomings of approaches used in organizing and delivering mental health nursing. It provides a rationale for the development of a new system of mental health nursing namely the Partnership in Coping system (PinC). This system has been developed by service users, clinical mental health nurses and an academic mental health nurse. Currently, it is undergoing trials in Western Australia. The PinC focuses on the strengths of clients. It uses the positive aspects of mental health nursing namely its holistic perspective, the length and nature of the informal contacts, the ‘ordinariness’ of relationships with clients and the nurse's knowledge of the clients’ social and physical environments. It is a versatile system that can also be used across different mental health settings (community and inpatient facilities). The paper describes the philosophy behind the system, the concept of coping, the nature of the partnership between the client and nurse and their respective roles.
CARE: A framework for responding therapeutically to the client who self‐harms
Authors: SHEPPERD C. , MCALLISTER M.
Published: July 2003

The CARE framework is a relevant, flexible and practical tool that can be used to map out a plan of care for helping the client who deliberately self‐harms. A clear framework for care is useful for clinicians and consumers because ideally it provides a standard, holistic and considered approach for what is a complex health care issue. This paper recounts a story from clinical experience in which the CARE framework was applied. In this encounter, the nurse was helped to move beyond the limitations of the medical model towards an approach which proved satisfying for the health professional, and awakening for the client.
Patients’ conceptions of how health processes are promoted in mental health nursing. A qualitative study
Authors: SVEDBERG P. , JORMFELDT H. , ARVIDSSON B.
Published: July 2003

The most important goal of nursing care is to promote the subjective experience of health. The health promoting efforts of mental health care nurses must be aimed at creating encounters where the patient will be confirmed both existentially and as an individual worthy of dignity. The patient in mental health care is often viewed by the nurse as nothing more than a passive recipient of care and the belief in the patient's potential is minimal. This can lead to a situation where the patient loses control in the caring situation and feels unable to improve his/her health, which conflicts with the goal of the nursing care. The aim of the study was to describe patients’ conceptions of how health processes are promoted in mental health nursing. Twelve patients with experience of mental health nursing were interviewed, and the data material was analysed using a phenomenographic approach. The results show 13 different conceptions of the phenomenon, and these were summarized into four descriptive categories: interaction, attention, development and dignity. The conceptions described show that the patients need to be treated as equals and that the nurse must trust the patient's ability to make decisions and to promote his/her health process. It is suggested that mental health nursing should be built on humanistic science and its view that every individual has the ability to grow and develop. This view is one of the most important preconditions for the promotion of health processes in mental health nursing.
Coping with conflict and confusing agendas in multidisciplinary community mental health teams
Authors: LANKSHEAR A. J.
Published: July 2003

This paper arises from a study, conducted in the final year of general practitioner fundholding in Britain, which was designed to explore the factors influencing client allocation within six community mental health teams in the north of England. It describes the strategies employed to manage the problems created by the disparity between the stated and agreed purpose of the teams and the actual pattern of referrals. A number of strategies were identified in the six teams to manage this fundamental conflict – isolation, homogenization, fraternization, negotiation and manipulation. A sixth strategy was designed to ameliorate the loss of professional identity experienced by those who were operating in a ‘foreign’ milieu – that of demarcation.