bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term assessment of the seal provided by root‐end filling materials in large cavities through capillary flow porometry
Authors: De Bruyne M. A. A. , De Bruyne R. J. E. , De Moor R. J. G.
Published: May 2006

Aim  To evaluate the long‐term sealing ability of a variety of materials when used as root‐end fillings.

Methodology  A total of 140 standardized horizontal bovine root sections (external diameter: 7 mm, height: 3 mm; internal diameter: 2.5 mm) were divided into seven groups, filled with either gutta‐percha with AH26, Ketac Fil, Fuji IX, Tooth‐Colored MTA, IRM, Ketac Fil with conditioner or Fuji IX with conditioner and submitted to capillary flow porometry at 1 and 6 months to assess minimum, mean flow and maximum pore diameters. Results of the different materials and results by material were analysed statistically using non‐parametric tests; the level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results  There were no significant differences between the minimum pore diameters associated with the materials at each time. At 1 month the mean flow pore diameters of Ketac Fil were significantly larger than those of gutta‐percha, Ketac Fil with conditioner, Fuji IX with conditioner and IRM. There were significant differences between the maximum pore diameters at 1 month (all > IRM; Fuji IX > gutta‐percha, Ketac Fil with conditioner, Fuji IX with conditioner) and 6 months (Fuji IX > gutta‐percha, IRM; Ketac Fil > gutta‐percha, IRM). There were significant differences in the minimum pore diameters between the different points in time for each material except IRM, in the mean flow pore diameters for each material and in the maximum pore diameters for each material except MTA.

Conclusions  All materials were associated with capillary flow. IRM root‐end fillings had through pores that were smaller than those associated with other materials. Conventionally setting glass–ionomer cements had the largest pores, although dentine conditioning improved their performance. The seal of all materials improved after 6 months.
Historical and epistemological perspectives on research and nursing
Authors: Cushing Angela
Published: May 2006

This paper examines four main themes with respect to some problematic issues concerning the discipline of nursing, nursing scholarship and the social sciences First, attention is directed to the controversial issues concerning nursing's search for a knowledge base Second, a historical context is provided by drawing attention to some key developments between the quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in nursing Third, the issue of the fundamental and attested difficulties in the application of qualitative methodologies is addressed Finally, it is submitted that in the interest of nursing's future as a scholarly endeavour, the discipline should focus polemic attention on the body of knowledge already accumulated
Factors associated with life control in young men
Authors: Pietila Anna‐Maija
Published: May 2006

This paper reviews life control and relating factors in young men on the basis of information which was gathered from questionnaires The information shows that factors such as self‐evaluated state of health, health behaviour, stress, economical situation and education are connected with life control It was not possible to make conclusions concerning causality, with most of the variables, the connection worked both ways Self‐evaluated state of health was the most important factor relating to life control Consideration has to be given to whether it is worthwhile trying to influence particular habits through health education Future studies might concentrate on factors influencing the ability of individuals to control their lives and to reach reasonable decisions concerning their health and lives
Competence versus performance: which is more important?
Authors: While Alison E
Published: May 2006

The extensive literature in the field of competence and performance is reviewed in this paper, which argues that there is much confusion between these different constructs It concludes that since nurse pre‐registration education is concerned with producing nurses who consistently provide care of a high quality, greater emphasis should be placed upon performance in the real‐life clinical setting rather than upon competence
Universal prescriptivism: traditional moral decision‐making theory revisited
Authors: Crigger Nancy J
Published: May 2006

Universal prescriptivism is a recently developed moral decision‐making theory that combines utilitarian and Kantian theories with two levels of moral thinking A combined approach offers a creative solution to the weaknesses inherent in traditional moral theories The paper describes the theory and discusses important implications for nursing education, practical ethicaldecision‐making, and research The relationship of an ethical theory of caring to traditional moral theory is discussed
Developing reflective practice in mental health nursing through critical incident analysis
Authors: Minghella Edana , Benson Anne
Published: May 2006

Critical incident analysis has been espoused as a valuable method of promoting reflective nursing practice and as a tool for developing curriculum content Despite an obvious application to mental health nursing, however, there has been little detailed examination of the practicalities and educational value of critical incident analysis within a mental health nursing curriculum This paper is based on the use of critical incident analysis within the mental health branch of a Project 2000 diploma course It presents the content of material brought by students, teaching methods used to facilitate learning, and the progressive development of students' reflective processes over the course of a complete branch programme Using Benner's (1984) From Novice to Expert, the authors explore questions regarding the nature and effects of the critical incident technique in attaining competence in mental health nursing skills The authors conclude with a theory‐based evaluation and analysis of this student‐centred experiential approach to learning as a method for developing reflective practice, and suggest areas for educational research
A comparison of substance use rates among female nurses, clerical workers and blue‐collar workers
Authors: Blazer Linda K , Mansfield Phyllis Kernoff
Published: May 2006

The issue of impairment of practising professional nurses by alcohol and other drugs has become a critical concern since the 1980s The literature abounds with conjectures about the large numbers of nurses who are impaired, often without valid data to support the claims that the problem in nursing is greater than it is in the general population This study reflects an effort to compare the reported substance use of employed female nurses with that of two other groups of working females Survey data from 920 nurses, 405 clerical workers and 200 females employed in non‐traditional trades jobs in two large eastern states in the US revealed that there was little evidence of ‘abuse’ of any of 15 substances, nurses did not report higher rates of substance use than the other two groups, and most reported substance use occurred in the younger age groups, reflecting the national trend The need for continuing research efforts and confirmation of valid data, and primary prevention efforts with young female workers, including at‐risk student nurses, is made evident
Rediscovering unpopular patients: the concept of social judgement
Authors: Johnson Martin , Webb Christine
Published: May 2006

Nurses have known about unpopular patients for over two decades Influential studies such as Stockwell's in the UK have had considerable impact upon students of nursing Stockwell's book, The Unpopular Patient, is widely cited and was reprinted in 1984 Further, a critical review of the wider literature by Kelly & May threw down a challenge to researchers to investigate the phenomenon using an interactionist perspective and ethnographic methods This paper reports a study which should begin to reinforce doubt that evaluative labels, unpopular or otherwise, are in any way ‘predictable’, as Stockwell and a host of others have hoped and assumed The process through which evaluative labels of people are socially constructed is explored and the context, explanations and some consequences of what we call social judgement are discussed.
Continuing professional education: identifying the characteristics of an effective system
Authors: Nolan Mike , Owens R Glynn , Nolan Janet
Published: May 2006

The need for a functioning system of continuing professional education (CPE) in nursing, midwifery and health visiting has received increased attention in recent years However, whilst the literature describes a number of benefits, detailed empirical studies have been limited There is, in particular, a dearth of information on nurses' perceptions of the important components of a CPE programme Using the results of a recent evaluation of the Welsh National Board's Framework for Continuing Education, this paper highlights a number of key issues identified by practitioners, educators and managers throughout Wales Using a structure—process‐outcome model, attention is focused on the outcomes of CPE and the structure and process variables which facilitate or inhibit success The results indicate a strong commitment to the principles of CPE and identify a complex range of perceived benefits Potential barriers inhibiting both the uptake of CPE and the achievement of subsequent change are discussed and the need to create an equitable, well‐resourced system is stressed
Nursing the future: a re‐examination of the professionalization thesis in the light of some recent developments
Authors: Parkin Paul A C
Published: May 2006

It is now 6 years since Salvage's (1988) analysis of the position of nursing within the professionalization process, this was written in the light of the aspirations of Project 2000 Recently there have been several significant policy statements from the United Kingdom Central Council which appear to be pursuing professional status despite Salvage's contention that nursing's leaders know ‘that full professional status for nursing cannot be achieved’ Elements of these statements are discussed in relation to the professionalization thesis Using the examples of nurse prescribing and managerialism, it is argued that the deprofessionalization thesis is more appropriate to nursing since the ideals of autonomy, authority and status are being eroded in the new managerialist post‐Griffiths National Health Service culture A positive deprofessionalization notion is put forward which highlights and re‐emphasizes the caring role through the new occupational strategy of Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
Applying critical social theory in nursing education to bridge the gap between theory, research and practice
Authors: Wilson‐Thomas Linda
Published: May 2006

The congruency between theory, research and practice is essential for nursing's professional development This paper briefly examines the historical development of theory, research and practice and discusses the gap between the triad Critical social theory is discussed as an alternative in nursing education to bridging this gap Through critical enquiry, it is believed that many of the constraints to providing holistic care can be uncovered in order for the essence of nursing to be actualized It is also through critical theory that students can become ethical, moral, responsible and accountable individuals in society
Nursing research: science, visions and telling stories
Authors: Clarke Liam
Published: May 2006

Some aspects of qualitative and quantitative approaches to nursing research are described, with particular emphasis on the critical assessment of the qualitative approach While common objections to quantitative (statistical) studies are mentioned, the main thrust is against the lack of generalizability of much contemporary qualitative work Concepts of validity and reliability are additionally scrutinized in the context of their use by ethnographers Grounded theory is a primary focus since it harbours most of the departures — and terminology — of the non‐quantitative schools It is surmised that much of what passes as qualitative research is really a creative activity akin to the writing of the poem or novel
Grounded theory as feminist research methodology
Authors: Keddy Barbara , Sims Sharon L , Stern Phyllis Noerager
Published: May 2006

Feminist research is evolving, and with it new methods of doing science In this feminist post‐positivist era, grounded theory, while less inclusive and descriptive than ethnography, allows for complex analysis of complex questions While Glaser & Strauss (the originators of this methodology) have written about grounded theory in an esoteric way, others have written extensively about this method in a much clearer and less rigid fashion In this paper we discuss how grounded theory could be used in a creative and constantly evolving manner for feminist research
The effects of terminal illness on patients and their carers
Authors: Davis Bryn D , Cowley Sarah A , Ryland Richard K
Published: May 2006

As part of a larger study, this paper describes the development and design of a project looking at the experiences of the relatives and carers of terminally ill patients in one health authority, as a replication of a similar study undertaken in another area Following a description of the problems associated with studies into the problems of dying people and of the method used here, the results indicate that there are quite important effects on the household and carers, which include the problem of obtaining a diagnosis of terminal illness, and the actual process of dying The study also highlights some of the effects of the terminal illness on the patients and their carers hi particular the results indicate that it was usually a spouse or the daughter who bore the brunt of the care, but that most preferred to retain their independence of the services as long as possible Often, carers (and the patients) were not fully appraised that a terminal stage had been reached Some doctors seemed reluctant (or found it difficult) to admit that such a stage had been reached For many, the experience of dying was a very slow, distressing and often painful period, with serious limitations on their lifestyle imposed by the illness A number of these limitations could have been reduced if earlier diagnosis had been made or if community nursing or social services had been called in sooner
An exploratory study of recipients' perceptions of bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Tham Colin W , Gibbon Bernard
Published: May 2006

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is now an established form of treatment for a wide range of malignant and non‐malignant diseases Research has led to understanding and effective treatment of many side‐effects of BMT However, relatively little is known about how patients' perceive BMT, and how they view then‐ experiences during transplantation The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of a small group of BMT recipients Audio‐taped interviews were undertaken with six recipients of BMT who were well and m remission This provided m‐depth descriptive data of these individuals' experiences, which were analysed using latent content analysis Five broad categories were identified under which data were grouped and discussed mortality and death, luck, ‘prison’ (protective isolation), relationships, and physical effects These revealed that patients attached relatively little importance to the physical effects of BMT, possibly because of the effectiveness of treatment However, this led to a focus on other concerns, which the categories reflect The importance of family members, particularly spouses, in sharing the burden of BMT, and the strengthening of family relationships were highlighted The value of nurses was also emphasized Protective isolation was found to be a stressor m two different ways All of those interviewed reported concern with thoughts of their own mortality and possible death before and during BMT Recommendations for nurses working in BMT units and suggestions for the direction of future research are made
A critique of multiculturalism in health care: the challenge for nurse education
Authors: Culley Lorraine
Published: May 2006

This paper is concerned with the way in which discussions of the health status of people from minority ethnic groups and the delivery of health care to such groups has been constructed, in the nursing literature in particular, within a culturalist framework which has many serious drawbacks The paper reviews the argument for a ‘multicultural’ approach to health care and also discusses some of the main implications of this analysis for the education of health professionals It suggests that health workers and those responsible for the education of such workers, need to reassess learning needs in the light of a critique of the effects of an analysis based on ‘cultural pluralism’ and ‘ethnic sensitivity’ The paper suggests ways in which the nursing curriculum must be broadened to take into account the limitations of a culturalist approach and to debate the interplay of racism and other structures of inequality and their influence on health and on service delivery
The social body and the biomechanical body: can they coexist in nurse education?*
Authors: Brown Claire , Seddon Jennifer
Published: May 2006

The curricula of tertiary nursing courses usually involve a number of complementary strands These include biological sciences, social sciences, behavioural sciences, other support subjects and clinical units These different strands each, to some extent, present the nursing student with a dilemma as they may present entirely different models of the body Explorations of this dilemma show that students are also being presented with different models of illness and different conceptions of appropriate health care response to illness The question is then raised as to which of these approaches most accurately reflects the realities of nursing practice
Psychoneuroimmunology: an emerging framework for nursing research
Authors: Zeller Janice M , McCain Nancy L , Swanson Barbara
Published: May 2006

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is concerned with the mechanisms of bidirectional communication between the neuroendocrine and immune systems Investigators in other disciplines have used this framework to guide the examination of possible relationships between behavioural factors and the progression of immunologically mediated illnesses and to evaluate the role of immune products m central nervous system disturbances Nurse scientists have an opportunity to make unique contributions to the growing field of PNI Unlike basic science research, which has as its goal the generation of fundamental knowledge concerning biological or behavioural processes, nursing research is driven by the need to promote excellence in nursing science as a guide for nursing practice Although a few nurse scientists have conducted PNI research to date, additional studies are needed to generate new knowledge concerning mind‐body interactions in health and illness and to develop strategies that promote mental and physical well‐being in persons at risk for immune dysfunction This paper highlights the few recently conducted nursing studies grounded in a PNI framework to illustrate the utility of PNI in advancing nursing science
Hermeneutic phenomenology: philosophical perspectives and current use in nursing research
Authors: Annells Merilyn
Published: May 2006

The wise choice of the postmodern tradition of hermeneutic phenomenology for nursing research is partly dependent upon an awareness of that tradition's base of philosophical hermeneutics The origins of this philosophy within the work of Heidegger and especially Gadamer are detailed with an explanation of some major concepts intrinsic to their hermeneutic writings Subsequently an analysis is offered of the ontological, epistemological and methodological perspectives of the tradition which is considered thereby to reside within an interpretivist/constructivist paradigm of inquiry The contemporary use within the discipline of nursing of hermeneutic phenomenology is discussed, and the growing trend for using the tradition, across continents, is identified However the question is posed as to whether all such research is accurately identified as belonging to the tradition A further analysis suggests that hermeneutic phenomenology will increasingly be applied to the research of nursing phenomena
Measuring patients' satisfaction with nursing: 1990–1994
Authors: Thomas L H , Bond S
Published: May 2006

Assessing patients' satisfaction with the care they receive is assuming greater importance in the new‐style National Health Service This paper reviews recent developments in the measurement of patients' satisfaction with nursing, including new approaches and taking into account increased interest in users' opinions Studies published since 1990 generally demonstrate lack of clarity with regard to the purpose and intent of the study, as well as a lack of conceptual rigour and methodological investment However, several new approaches were found upon which future nursing research could build
Social support and the patient with cancer: a consideration of the literature
Authors: Krishnasamy Memir
Published: May 2006

Although the nature, meaning and measurement of social support are still being debated in the literature, it has been claimed to have positive effects on a variety of outcomes, including physical health, mental well‐being and social functioning However, an intention to help on the part of the support provider is not sufficient to ensure that one is actually supportive, either as a professional or within one's own personal network Past research indicates that social support is beneficial to cancer patients in adjusting to the stress of the disease and yet, because of the intense fears and stigma associated with it, those who have cancer may be especially likely to experience problems in obtaining adequate support Without an appreciation of the complexity of support elicitation and support provision, nurses caring for patients with cancer and for their relatives may, however unintentionally, undermine one of the strongest potential resources people have in coping with the disease—the social relationship
Ongoing work of older adults at home after hospitalization
Authors: Lough Mary Ann
Published: May 2006

This paper describes the hospital‐to‐home transition process as experienced by elderly people with a medical diagnosis of congestive heart failure Qualitative data were collected in semi‐structured interviews with a sample of 25 older adults within 2 weeks following discharge Constant comparative data analysis procedures were used The findings suggest that at 2 weeks post‐hospitalization, the situation could be described as tentative The core variable for this study was conceptualized as ‘a tentative situation’, characterized by three key processes ups and downs associated with managing the illness, caregiver issues, and quality of life challenges These elders were in need of a post‐hospital plan which provided them with ongoing information, additional resources and supportive assistance To emphasize the changing, uncertain nature of this chronic illness, and the necessity of the health care team developing an ongoing plan of care with the client and family, the trajectory was graphed using the trajectory phasing scheme as described by Corbin & Strauss The changing nature of congestive heart failure in these participants is noted as well as the need for a continuum of care
The lived experience of clinical educators
Authors: Ferguson De Sales
Published: May 2006

This phenomenological study was undertaken to discover the everyday meanings which clinical educators of pre‐registration Bachelor of Nursing students attached to their experiences as clinical educators The researcher employed a qualitative design using audiotaped in‐depth interviews with four registered nurses employed as clinical educators in four different schools of nursing in Victoria, Australia Using hermeneutics, thematic analysis revealed five themes of meaning central to the lived experiences of clinical educators They are (a) being human, (b) having standards, (c) developing own teaching style, (d) learn as you go, and (e) not belonging The first three themes are described in the literature on clinical education, however, the latter two are unique to this research The results of this study indicate there is need for extensive preparation and on‐going support of clinical educators The researcher, who is respectful of the enormity of the task which educators face in preparing students for practice, speculates whether clinical educators are the vanguards of student learning in the clinical field It is evident that the participants of this study did not possess many of the role requirements of clinical educators identified in the literature Further studies are needed which explore the link between student learning and clinical educator support
Undernutrition and elderly hospital patients: a review
Authors: Tierney Alison J
Published: May 2006

Numerous surveys have revealed that many hospital patients are undernourished Elderly patients are particularly vulnerable to the adverse consequences of undernourishment Slow acquisition and application of available knowledge has been blamed as a principle reason for lack of progress in tackling the problem of ‘hospital malnutrition’ This paper provides a resumé of the knowledge accumulated from research with the purpose of promoting active and informed nursing involvement in the detection and management of undernutrition in hospital wards
Pain and elderly patients: a survey of nurses’ knowledge and experiences
Authors: Closs S J
Published: May 2006

Two hundred and eight qualified hospital nurses each completed a short questionnaire about pain and pain control in patients aged 70 years and over Their awareness of the prevalence of chronic pain and its negative consequences was good, as was their knowledge of methods of assessing pain Many, however, harboured misconceptions about the pharmacological treatment of pain and exaggerated the risk of opioid‐mduced respiratory depression A wide range of complementary methods of pain control had been used by many of the nurses, and considerable interest was expressed in developing these skills further Nurses from acute surgical areas tended to have a better knowledge of issues related to pain in elderly people than those from care of the elderly wards
Relationship between elderly carers and the older adult with learning disabilities: an overview of the literature
Authors: Maggs Christopher , Laugharne Charles
Published: May 2006

This paper presents an overview of the literature concerning the changing relationship of the elderly carer and the older adult with learning difficulties It identifies the need to further explore the relationship between informal carers as they age and the older person with learning difficulties The paper suggests that life changes and choices by older carers will add strain to the relationships between them and those for whom they care These episodes will be exacerbated by the ageing of the person with learning difficulties The lack of understanding of this changing relationship makes the adequate provision of professional care unlikely There is a need to address how health and social services can work with both the carers and the clients to manage the process of ageing and maintain the support needed by those at risk—older adults with learning difficulties and the people who care for them
An analysis of the concept of empowerment
Authors: Rodwell Christine M
Published: May 2006

This paper is an analysis of the concept of empowerment and its use in nursing practice, education, research and health promotion The paper adopts an eclectic approach to concept analysis, incorporating the methods advocated by Walker & Avant and Rodgers The concept is analysed and a theoretical definition given Defining attributes, related concepts, antecedents and consequences of empowerment are proposed and a model case presented The analysis demonstrates that empowerment is a helping process, a partnership valuing self and others, mutual decision making, and freedom to make choices and accept responsibility Implications for practice conclude the paper
How nurses in a stroke rehabilitation unit attempt to meet the psychological needs of patients who become depressed following a stroke
Authors: Bennett Beverley
Published: May 2006

Fourteen qualified nurses working in a stroke rehabilitation unit were interviewed in order to ascertain their understanding of post‐stroke depression, what they do to help a patient who becomes depressed and what they feel unable to do They were also asked what would improve the situation The nurses were able to describe the characteristics of depression following a stroke and recognize its effect on the subject's rehabilitation They were able to identify patients who were becoming depressed and tried to help them to the best of their abilities They felt constrained, however, mainly by lack of time, limited skills and lack of appropriate training They themselves wanted to be able to meet the needs of depressed patients and thought that this could be achieved through better staff education and access to other health professionals experienced in providing psychological care It is recommended that nurses have access to expert personnel both as a source of referral for patients and as a resource for support and guidance to staff In addition, an education programme combining theoretical and practical aspects of psychological care would be useful
Living with ulcerative colitis: experiences of adolescents and young adults
Authors: Brydolf Marianne , Segesten Kerstin
Published: May 2006

The problems associated with ulcerative colitis and its treatment have effects on adolescents and young adults dissimilar from as well as more profound than those on older individuals Adolescents are confronted with problems such as biological, psychological and social changes as well as role changes related to peers and family This inductive study aimed to describe the adolescents' experiences of living with ulcerative colitis A total of 28 subjects were asked about their experiences both at the present time and at the time their first symptoms appeared Verbatim transcribed thematized interviews were analysed according to a method influenced by the constant comparative method for grounded theory Eight categories were grounded in the data, forming a model which describes the process from onset of disease to present time The main variable identified was reduced living space, a strategy to manage the new situation Dependent on the reactions received from significant others, the outcome for the adolescents hovered between feelings of self‐confidence and lack of self‐confidence If the adolescents experienced support, the living space was expanded again The results might be of great value when caring for and assisting young persons with a chronic disease in general, and in particular when taking care of adolescents with a recently diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease
Social support and its impact on mothers’experiences of childbirth
Authors: Tarkka Marja‐Terttu , Paunonen Marita
Published: May 2006

The purpose of this study was to look at the networks of social support available for mothers during pregnancy and childbirth Another concern was to describe mothers' experiences of labour and the connections of social support with those experiences The data were collected through the use of two questionnaires submitted to 200 mothers recruited from Tampere University Hospital Both instruments ‐ Norbeck's Social Support Questionnaire and a scale designed by the author ‐ were based on Kahn's (1979) theory of social support The mothers reported an average of seven support persons each Most typically, these were the mother's spouse or partner and close friends and relatives The network of social support is a major source of emotional support, aid and affirmation for the mothers During labour the main source of emotional support for mothers was the midwife For the vast majority (85%) of the mothers, childbirth was a positive experience A significant association was found between the emotional support provided by midwives and mothers' positive experiences of childbirth
Social support: some pragmatic implications for health care professionals
Authors: Keeling Debbie I , Price Patricia E , Jones Eleri , Harding Keith G
Published: May 2006

The role of social support in promoting recovery from chronic illness has been the focus of a debate within the nursing and social science research communities This paper reviews the literature on this important issue and discusses the implications for patient management In providing holistic patient care, health care professionals need to reflect on the impact of this research for their clinical practice
Teaching family nursing: strategies and experiences
Authors: St John Winsome , Rolls Colleen
Published: May 2006

The traditional hospital‐based approach to Australian nurse education curricula was primarily based on the medical model and directed towards the preparation of nurses who were able to give care to individual clients The major focus was on the needs of the individual A notable absence in curricula was any consideration of the role or importance of families to individual and family health This was despite the continuing involvement that nurses have in their practice with the families of their clients This paper describes the experiences of introducing a family nursing subject in an undergraduate, preregistration nursing programme which focuses on the family as a unit of care Educational strategies, clinical experiences, and evaluation of the unit of study are discussed
Disparagement of the nursing process: the new dogma?
Authors: Varcoe Colleen
Published: May 2006

The nursing process has achieved predominance, if not pre‐eminence, in nursing Concurrent with critical scholarly evaluation of the philosophical foundations of nursing, vigorous critiques of the nursing process have emerged The critiques are wide‐ranging and varied, and question the philosophical commitments, stage of development, components, focus and consequences of using the nursing process However, the arguments are marred by dualistic dichotomous thinking and a lack of definitional clarity The critiques fail to discriminate between questions arising from the administrative implementation of the nursing process and questions regarding its theoretical value Clarification of the definition, description and purpose of the nursing process is essential to rigorous critique and to further development Given the pervasive use of the nursing process and the need for process theory in nursing, it seems most productive to develop the nursing process more fully and m congruence with contemporary philosophies of nursing
Situating theory in practice: student views of theory‐practice in Project 2000 nursing programmes
Authors: Hislop Stuart , Inglis Bill , Cope Peter , Stoddart Bernadette , McIntosh Colette
Published: May 2006

In this paper the views of student nurses taking Project 2000 at a Scottish College of Nursing are reported A random sample of 19 students were interviewed The interviews focused on the relationship between the college course and the students’experiences on placement The majority had difficulty in relating the college course to their practice, except when it came to very specific parts of the programme, for example basic medical procedures Only a minority could integrate the broader aspects of the course to their practice, largely because there was such a long period of time between studying a topic in college and the related placement It is tempting to see the results as supporting the situated cognition hypothesis that theory loses meaning out of context, and it is evident, even from this limited study, that the success of Project 2000, with its emphasis on the‘knowledgeable doer’, could depend, to a great extent, on the careful phasing of college coursework and placement to enable students to integrate theory and practice more effectively
Postmodernism, health and illness
Authors: Mitchell DP
Published: May 2006

This paper examines the value of drawing on ideas from poststructuralism and postmodernism in an attempt to understand the relationship between health, culture and society Medical and professional discourses have come under increasing criticism for being uncaring, stigmatizing and disempowering This paper supports a postmodernist approach which allows analysis of the fabrication of ‘health‘, ‘illness’ and ‘patient’ subjectivity and the effect of the inscription on the body It is suggested that health care professionals need to be more reflexive about their own knowledge claims and to resist the discursive practices which disempower and reduce choice
Proteolysis of the replication checkpoint protein Sda is necessary for the efficient initiation of sporulation after transient replication stress in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Ruvolo Michael V. , Mach Kathleen E. , Burkholder William F.
Published: May 2006

Cells of Bacillus subtilis actively co‐ordinate the initiation of sporulation with DNA replication and repair. Conditions that perturb replication initiation or replication elongation induce expression of a small protein, Sda, that specifically inhibits the histidine kinases required to initiate spore development. Previously, the role of Sda has been studied during chronic blocks to DNA replication. Here we show that induction of Sda is required to delay the initiation of sporulation when replication elongation is transiently blocked or after UV irradiation. During the recovery phase, cells efficiently sporulated, but this required the proteolysis of Sda. The rapid proteolysis of Sda required the ClpXP protease and the uncharged C‐terminal sequence of Sda. Replacing the last two residues of Sda, both serines, with aspartic acids markedly stabilized Sda. Strains expressing sdaDD from the endogenous sda locus were unable to efficiently initiate sporulation after transient replication stress. We conclude that the Sda replication checkpoint is required to delay the initiation of sporulation when DNA replication is transiently perturbed, and that the intrinsic instability of Sda contributes to shutting off the pathway. The Sda checkpoint thus co‐ordinates early events of spore development, including the polar cell division, with successful completion of chromosome replication.
RFI2, a RING‐domain zinc finger protein, negatively regulates CONSTANS expression and photoperiodic flowering
Authors: Chen Mingjie , Ni Min
Published: May 2006

The red and far‐red light‐absorbing phytochromes interact with the circadian clock, a central oscillator that sustains a 24‐h period, to measure accurately seasonal changes in day‐length and regulate the expression of several key flowering genes. The interactions and subsequent signalling steps upstream of the flowering genes such as CONSTANS (CO) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) remain largely unknown. We report here that a photomorphogenic mutant, red and far‐red insensitive 2‐1 ( rfi2‐1), flowered early particularly under long days. The rfi2‐1 mutation also enhanced the expression of CO and FT under day/night cycles or constant light. Both co‐2 and gigantea‐2 (gi‐2) were epistatic to rfi2‐1 in their flowering responses. The gi‐2 mutation was also epistatic to the rfi2‐1 mutation in the expression of CO and hypocotyl elongation. However, the rfi2‐1 mutation did not affect the expression of GI, a gene that mediates between the circadian clock and the expression of CO. Like many other flowering genes, the expression of RFI2 oscillated under day/night cycles and was rhythmic under constant light. The amplitude of the rhythmic expression of RFI2 was significantly reduced in phyB‐9 or lhy‐20 plants, and was also affected by the gi‐2 mutation. As previously reported, the gi‐2 mutation affects the period length and amplitude of CCA1 and LHY expression, and GI may act through a feedback loop to maintain a proper circadian function. We propose a regulatory step in which RFI2 represses the expression of CO, whereas GI may maintain the proper expression of RFI2 through its positive action on the circadian clock. The regulatory step serves to tune the circadian outputs that control the expression of CO and photoperiodic flowering.
Assessing regional scale weed distributions, with an Australian example using Nassella trichotoma
Authors: LAFFAN S W
Published: May 2006

Knowledge of the spatial distribution of weed infestations over regional scales is essential for effective management of source populations and to assess future threats. To this end, the distributions of Nassella trichotoma across a study area in south‐east New South Wales, Australia, were analysed using the geographically local Getis–Ord Gi* spatial hotspot clustering statistic. The clustering of N. trichotoma observations was analysed at three infestation levels: presence (at any density), patch level and the occasional plant level. The results indicate that there are c. 578 km2 of cells containing N. trichotoma in strongly clustered infestations, 11.2 km2 within weakly clustered infestations distinct from the main clusters, and 55 km2 that are not clustered. There are 117 km2 of strongly clustered patch level cells, 3 km2 in distinct but weak clusters, and none outside of a cluster area. Of the occasional plant level cells, 329 km2 are strongly clustered, 6.2 km2 are in distinct but weak clusters, and 19 km2 are not clustered. These results provide a mechanism by which control efforts can be prioritized. The analysis approach described in this paper provides a consistent, quantitative and repeatable approach to assess weed infestations across regional scales and can be applied to any weed species for which spatial distribution data are available.
Expressed MHC class II genes in sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from geographically disparate populations
Authors: Bowen L. , Aldridge B. M. , Miles A. K. , Stott J. L.
Published: May 2006

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is central to maintaining the immunologic vigor of individuals and populations. Classical MHC class II genes were targeted for partial sequencing in sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from populations in California, Washington, and Alaska. Sequences derived from sea otter peripheral blood leukocyte mRNAs were similar to those classified as DQA, DQB, DRA, and DRB in other species. Comparisons of the derived amino acid compositions supported the classification of these as functional molecules from at least one DQA, DQB, and DRA locus and at least two DRB loci. While limited in scope, phylogenetic analysis of the DRB peptide‐binding region suggested the possible existence of distinct clades demarcated by geographic region. These preliminary findings support the need for additional MHC gene sequencing and expansion to a comprehensive study targeting additional otters.
Four‐digit allele genotyping of the HLA‐A and HLA‐B genes in Japanese patients with Behcet's disease by a PCR‐SSOP‐Luminex method
Authors: Itoh Y. , Inoko H. , Kulski J. K. , Sasaki S. , Meguro A. , Takiyama N. , Nishida T. , Yuasa T. , Ohno S. , Mizuki N.
Published: May 2006

The present study represents the first four‐digit allele genotyping of HLA‐A and ‐B in Japanese Behcet's disease (BD) patients and controls using a new genotyping method (named the PCR‐SSOP‐Luminex method) to determine the association of certain HLA‐A or ‐B alleles with BD. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected from 180 Japanese BD patients and 170 healthy controls. The genotype frequency of HLA‐B*5101 was significantly increased in the patients (61.7%) as compared with the controls (15.9%) (Pc = 1 × 10−16, OR = 8.5). When we recalculated the phenotype frequencies after excluding the HLA‐B*51‐positive patients and controls to account for the effects of the linkage disequilibrium and the abundance of the HLA‐B*51 allele, the frequencies of HLA‐A*2602 and HLA‐B*3901 had a weak association in the patient group without HLA‐B*51 as compared with the control group without HLA‐B*51 (A*2602; Pc = 0.130, OR = 4.3, B*3901; Pc = 0.099, OR = 3.5). This study confirmed on the basis of using a new and more accurate genotyping method that Japanese BD patients have a strong primary association with HLA‐B*5101. The significant increase of HLA‐A*2602 and B*3901 in the patient group without HLA‐B*51 suggests that these two alleles might also have some secondary influence on the onset of BD.
The dbMHC microsatellite portal: a public resource for the storage and display of MHC microsatellite information
Authors: Gourraud P.‐A. , Feolo M. , Hoffman D. , Helmberg W. , Cambon‐Thomsen A.
Published: May 2006

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region Microsatellites (Msat) have been extensively used in various applications, such as disease mapping, forensics, and population genetics. A comprehensive review of HLA Msat primers has been previously published based on literature and sequence analysis, but electronic tools are lacking to make it easily accessible and actually used by the community. We have integrated data from this review, with an overlapping set of 31 Msat markers used in the 13th International Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Workshop (IHIWS) to create a public archive that will synchronize published descriptions to a common framework. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/mhc. Currently, the dbMHC contains 389 primer pairs across the extended MHC targeting 281 distinct repeat regions (approximately 1/45 kb). Literature review and analysis of the primers reveal that over 200 synonymous names have been published for these markers. Users may view or download specific Msat data sets using the portal. Query options include name or partial name, primer sequence, neighboring genes, and/or position. Query results include locus name(s), a graphic showing of the relative location of the marker in relation to the classical HLA genes, a listing of the constituent primer pairs and name, a link to UniSTS, aliases, allele range (bp), overlapping single nucleotide polymorphisms, a link to e‐polymerase chain reaction, and physical mapping information. To increase the utility of this resource, researchers using Msat markers in the HLA region are encouraged by the authors to submit new primers to the dbMHC. The minimal Msat submission consists of primers sequences, a submitter's name and contact information. Additional information recommended but not required is the laboratory protocol(s), known allele size range (bp), known aliases, and an exemplar sequence. Assigned UniSTS numbers can be used for primer pair standard identification.
SAFETY, IDENTITY AND CONSENT: A LIMITED DEFENSE OF REPRODUCTIVE HUMAN CLONING
Authors: LANE ROBERT
Published: May 2006

Some opponents of reproductive human cloning have argued that, because of its experimental nature, any attempt to create a child by way of cloning would risk serious birth defects or genetic abnormalities and would therefore be immoral. Some versions of this argument appeal to the consent of the person to be conceived in this way. In particular, they assume that if an experimental reproductive technology has not yet been shown to be safe, then, before we use it, we are morally obligated to get either the actual consent or the presumed consent of the person to be conceived. In this article, I attempt to explain the appeal of such consent‐based arguments as deriving from a mistaken view of personal identity. I then argue that since this view is false, such arguments are unsound. Finally, I argue that even if reproductive cloning is unsafe, it may still be morally permissible in some circumstances.