bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gradients in fracture force and grazing resistance across canopy layers in seven tropical grass species
Authors: Jacobs A. A. A. , Scheper J. A. , Benvenutti M. A. , Gordon I. J. , Poppi D. P. , Elgersma A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn reproductive swards, stems can act as a barrier that affects the grazing behaviour of ruminant livestock. The barrier effect of stems is closely associated with both the force required to fracture the stems and the density of these stems (in combination, these make up grazing resistance), and these factors need to be considered when making predictions about the forage intake of ruminants grazing reproductive pastures. Differences in grazing resistance between sward canopy layers of different grass species are thought to affect bite dimensions, but data are scarce. In this study, we assessed the grazing resistance for three canopy layers of seven tropical grass species. Species differed significantly in grazing resistance for every canopy layer, with a general ranking order for grazing resistance, in ascending order: Cenchrus ciliaris (‘American' buffel), Digitaria milanjiana (‘Jarra’ finger grass), Setaria surgens (annual pigeon grass), Setaria sphacelata (‘Narok’ setaria), Dichanthium sericeum (Queensland bluegrass), Chloris gayana (‘Callide’ Rhodes grass). In the top canopy layer, grazing resistance did not appear to create a barrier for any of the species, but in the bottom canopy layer, it did for all species. Species also differed in the relative contribution of fracture force and density to grazing resistance. The results highlight the importance of managing the grazing systems to minimize the barrier effect of the stems, which can be done by controlling the phenological stage of the pasture and the grass species and animal size used in the system.
The effect of postharvest handling and processing on sea urchin (Evechinus chloroticus) gonad quality
Authors: Verachia Wasseela , Niven Brian , Bremer Philip J. 
Published: August 2012

SummarySea urchin gonads also known as roe or uni are a high‐valued food, considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. To determine the impact of stress caused by exposure of live urchins to air on the subsequent shelf‐life of recovered gonads, urchins (Evechinus chloroticus) were held in air at either 4 °C for 144 h or 15 °C for 72h. The coelomic fluid of urchins held in air showed a decrease in pH and increase in lactic acid concentration, percentage solid, turbidity level, colour and coelomocyte numbers. Gonads recovered from urchins held in air exhibited enhanced rates of deterioration over time, as assessed by a loss of surface definition and a decrease in their water‐holding capacity and height‐to‐surface ratio (melting). Gonad deterioration was minimised by implementing a brine + alum wash upon immediate removal of gonads from live urchins. This research has shown that the manner in which live urchins are held and processed has a dramatic impact on the subsequent shelf‐life and quality of the recovered gonads.
Effect of thermal treatment on the characteristic properties of loach peptide
Authors: You Lijun , Zheng Lin , Regenstein Joe M. , Zhao Mouming , Liu Dong 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe effects of thermal treatment on the changes in the colour, the molecular weight distribution, amino acid profiles and the overall antioxidant activities of loach peptide were investigated. When the thermal temperature was rising, the browning was enhanced. The contents of free amino acids Gly, Arg, Thr and Tyr were increased, whereas those of Asp, Ser, Met, Cys, Trp and Lys were decreased. The scavenging activities (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the reducing power of loach peptides after different thermal treatments were lower than those of the control, whereas the Cu2+ chelating activity was higher (except from the sample treated at 100 °C, 20 min). The heat treatment at 121 °C, 15 min was shown to be the best thermal processing, as it caused the least loss in radical scavenging activity and showed relatively higher Cu2+ chelating activity.
The effects of beeswax coating on quality of Kashar cheese during ripening
Authors: Yilmaz Fırat , Dagdemir Elif 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the application of beeswax coating on the microbiological, physicochemical and sensory properties of Kashar cheese during ripening (120 day). Kashar cheeses were coated with two different thickness of beeswax (single‐layer coating, BW1, and double‐layer coating, BW2). For comparison, vacuum packaged (VP) and without packaging material (control) were also studied. Generally, no differences were found in total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, LAB on M‐17 agar, coliform bacteria and S. aureus counts among cheeses. Microbiological analyses also showed the beeswax‐coated cheeses presented a decrease of 2.5 logarithmic units on mould counts compared to control at 120th day. The control cheese had significantly (P < 0.05) higher dry matter, fat and protein contents, followed by BW1. However, the coating reduced formation of a thick crust layer by delaying moisture loss. At the end of 120‐day storage period, no significant differences in pH and acidity values were observed among the cheeses studied. Compared to other cheeses, control and BW1 cheeses had higher levels of WSN and ripening index in the end of storage. In the result of sensory analysis, while cheese BW1 and control were more preferred by the panellists, cheese VP received the lowest scores.
Effect of extraction conditions on hemicellulose yields and optimisation for industrial processes
Authors: Yılmaz Celebioglu Hilal , Cekmecelioglu Deniz , Dervisoglu Muhammet , Kahyaoglu Talip 
Published: August 2012

AbstractHemicellulose is a valuable component of agro‐food industrial wastes and used in various areas such as drug manufacture and food industry for encapsulation and emulsification. In this study, effects of raw material type, particle size, and extraction conditions (alkaline concentration, temperature, time) and methods (direct alkaline extraction, alkaline extraction after component removal and acidic extraction method) on hemicellulose yields were investigated. Sugar beet pulp and corn wastes were used as raw material. The alkaline method resulted in 40.2% pure extracts, while the acidic method gave only 27.4% purity in the same extraction conditions. The optimal extraction conditions were found as 30 °C temperature, 10% alkali (NaOH) and 24 h time (64.3%). It was also observed that removal of constituents such as fat, protein, starch and soluble sugar increased the purity of hemicellulose from 40.2% to 58.2% at the same conditions. The results indicated that using both low alkaline concentration and low temperature allows to recover higher‐quality extracts.
Effects of overexpression of the alcohol acetyltransferase‐encoding gene ATF1 and disruption of the esterase‐encoding gene IAH1 on the flavour profiles of Chinese yellow rice wine
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Wei , Zhang Cui‐Ying , Dai Long‐hai , Dong Jian , Liu Yu‐Lan , Guo Xue‐wu , Xiao Dong‐Guang 
Published: August 2012

SummaryAlcohol acetyltransferase (AATase), which is mainly encoded by ATF1, is one of the most important enzymes for acetate ester synthesis. On the other hand, isoamyl acetate is degraded into a higher alcohol under the catalysis of IAH1‐encoded esterase. In this study, Chinese Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as the parent strain to construct an ATF1 overexpression and IAH1 disruption mutant. The results show that after 5 days of pre‐fermentation, the concentrations of ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate and isobutyl acetate in the yellow rice wines fermented with EY1 (pUC‐PIAK) increased to 468.94 mg L−1 (which is approximately 22‐fold higher than that of the parent cell RY1), 99.86 and 7.69 mg L−1 respectively. Meanwhile, isoamyl alcohol production was reduced to 56.37 mg L−1 (which is approximately 50% of that produced by the parent strain RY1). Therefore, ATF1 overexpression and IAH1 disruption can significantly increase acetate esters contents and reduce isoamyl alcohol content in Chinese yellow rice wine, thereby paving the way for breeding an excellent yeast strain for high‐quality Chinese yellow rice wine production.
Self‐transcendence in cognitively intact nursing‐home patients: a resource for well‐being
Authors: Haugan Gørill , Rannestad Toril , Hammervold Randi , Garåsen Helge , Espnes Geir Arild 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAimThis article reports an empirical study of self‐transcendence in cognitively intact nursing‐home patients. The aim was to investigate the interrelationships between self‐transcendence and nursing‐home patients' physical, social, emotional and functional well‐being.BackgroundFinding new and alternative approaches to increase well‐being among nursing‐home patients is highly warranted. Self‐transcendence is considered a developmental process of maturity in adulthood and a vital resource for well‐being at the end of life, thus self‐transcendence could be a useful approach.DesignCross‐sectionalMethodThe self‐transcendence scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General (FACT‐G) Quality of Life questionnaire were used. A sample of 202 cognitively intact nursing‐home patients in Mid‐Norway was selected to respond to the instruments in 2008 and 2009. Analysis was applied by means of LISREL 8·8 Structural Equation Modelling.ResultsA two‐factor construct of self‐transcendence showed that intrapersonal self‐transcendence directly affected functional well‐being and indirectly influenced physical, emotional and functional well‐being. Interpersonal self‐transcendence directly affected social and emotional well‐being. Additionally important influences were disclosed from functional to emotional and from emotional to physical well‐being.ConclusionFinding nursing interventions to enhance both intrapersonal and interpersonal self‐transcendence might benefit nursing‐home patients' overall well‐being. In a holistic perspective of body‐mind‐spirit, this research generates new‐research questions about the pathways between the different dimensions of well‐being in nursing‐home patients, which is important to holistic nursing practice.
Challenges for institutional elder care in Slovenian nursing homes
Authors: Habjanič Ana , Saarnio Reetta , Elo Satu , Turk Dušanka Mičetić , Isola Arja 
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  To investigate deficiencies in the institutional elder care that is being offered to residents of nursing homes in Slovenia.Background.  Public criticism of the provision of elder care in nursing homes is growing all over the world, including in Slovenia. Many studies on this issue have been conducted, but seldom have assessed different viewpoints simultaneously.Design.  A qualitative research design that involved individual unstructured interviews was used in 2007. The participants (n = 48) comprised 16 residents, 16 relatives and 16 members of the nursing staff from four nursing homes in Slovenia.Methods.  The data generated were subjected to qualitative content analysis.Results.  The major themes that emerged from this analysis were neglect, unprofessional communication, uncomfortable physical environment and inadequate administration.Conclusions.  The participants of the study identified issues in institutional elder care in Slovenia that have also been highlighted by international research. Due to staff shortages, low motivation, insufficient communication skills and inexperience, members of the nursing staff reported that they were not in a position to offer the best possible quality of care.Relevance to clinical practice.  To improve the living environment in nursing homes, it is important to consider the opinions of all those who are involved closely in institutional elder care. Correction of deficiencies should be a priority and should result in more engagement with residents.
Couples’ postpartum health status
Authors: Fang Li , Hung Chich‐Hsiu 
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  This study was conducted in Taiwan on couples for a month in the postpartum period to investigate the correlated factors that affect their health status.Background.  Most studies have focused on the postpartum health status of mothers, but few of them mention about the postpartum health status of fathers.Design.  A cross‐sectional design.Methods.  This study was carried out on a cross‐section of couples, and the data were collected through telephone interviews conducted by a research assistant using structured questionnaires. A total of 201 couples who had given birth to a healthy single baby at a medical centre in southern Taiwan were recruited between 1 August 2007–31 November 2007.Results.  The two most important factors correlated with mothers’ health statuses, during the month‐long postpartum period, were mothers’ educational and postpartum stress levels. The result also showed that baby’s Apgar score at the first minute was the main factor related to father’s health status during the month‐long postpartum period.Conclusions.  Educational programmes should incorporate factors that affect couples’ health status during the one month postpartum period to promote postnatal couples’ health.Relevance to clinical practice.  To improve the couples’ health status during the one month postpartum period, we need to strengthen the stress‐coping skills of mothers and provide them with coping resources to support their maternal roles, to provide social support to fathers and to incorporate issues of marital intimacy and parental attachment into the couples’ educational programmes. Also, a father’s presence at his infant’s birth is encouraged to enhance parental attachment.
Neonatal nurses’ perspectives of family‐centred care: a qualitative study
Authors: Trajkovski Suza , Schmied Virginia , Vickers Margaret , Jackson Debra 
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study is to explore neonatal nurses’ perspectives of their role in facilitating family centred care in the neonatal intensive care unit.Background.  The philosophy of family centred care focuses on the health and wellbeing of the newborn and their family, through the development of a respectful partnership between the health care professional and the infant’s parents. Many studies report family centred care in the context of paediatric care; however, few studies explore neonatal nurses’ perspective of family centred care in the context of neonatal care.Design.  Qualitative interpretative approach.Methods.  Four focus groups and five individual face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with neonatal intensive care nurses (total n = 33) currently practicing in a tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Australia. Each focus group and face to face interview was audio‐taped and transcribed. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.Results.  Four dominant themes emerged from the data: (1) Getting to know parents and their wishes (2) Involving family in the day to day care (3) Finding a ‘happy’ medium (4) Transitioning support across the continuum.Conclusion.  These findings revealed a general understanding of family centred care principles. Nurses reported the potential benefits and challenges of adopting a family centred care approach to deliver optimal care for neonates and their families. The study highlighted that nurses need ongoing organisation support, guidance and further education to assist them in delivering family centred care effectively.Relevance to clinical practice.  Family centred care is a central tenet underpinning neonatal care. Understanding neonatal nurses’ perspectives will be useful when developing strategies to strengthen family centred care in the neonatal intensive care unit, and potentially improve neonatal care and family outcomes.
The effects of uncoated paper on skin moisture and transepidermal water loss in bedridden patients
Authors: Shin Yong Soon , Kim Hyun Jung , Moon Nam‐Kyung , Ahn Young Hee , Kim Kyoung‐Ok 
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  The aims of this study were to measure skin moisture and transepidermal water loss after application of uncoated paper and to compare skin moisture and transepidermal water loss after use of uncoated paper and disposable underpads.Study design.  The study was a cross‐over, prospective, open‐labeled, randomized trial.Sample and setting.  Bedridden patients aged ≥18 years at a medical center in Korea were included. Treatment order was randomly assigned using block randomization, with a block size of 4 and an assignment rate of one‐by‐one.Methods.  Skin moisture was measured using a Corneometer 825 and transepidermal water loss was measured using a Tewameter 300.Results.  Skin moisture after application of an uncoated paper was significantly lower than observed after application of a disposable underpad (mean 40·6 and SD 13·1 vs. mean 64·6 and SD 23·7, p < 0·001). Transepidermal water loss also showed greater health scores after using uncoated paper (mean 11·1 and SD 5·7 g/m2/hour) than after applying a disposable underpad (mean 23·2 and SD 11·1 g/m2/hour, p < 0·001). There were no statistical between‐group differences in room temperature, relative humidity, and body temperature.Conclusion.  We found that uncoated paper was helpful in avoiding excessive moisture without adverse effects.Relevance to clinical practice.  As indicated by the results of this study, uncoated paper can be applied to bed‐ridden patients who required incontinence care. Nurses may consider using uncoated paper as one of nursing methods in the routine care of bed‐ridden patients for moisture control.
Burden and coping strategies experienced by caregivers of persons with schizophrenia in the community
Authors: Tan Sharon CH , Yeoh Ai Lean , Choo Irene BK , Huang Adeline PH , Ong Seng Hong , Ismail Hafizah , Ang Pei Pei , Chan Yiong Huak 
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  Examined the levels of burden and the coping strategies experienced by caregivers of persons with schizophrenia in the community. It aims (1) to provide mental healthcare professionals with more information about caregiver stressors and (2) to recommend more effective community resources and support.Background.  A caregiver’s burden increases due to negative coping skills and lack of resources. However, insufficient studies of caregiver burden and coping skills accentuate the already inadequate understanding of the field. This lack of understanding often leads to frequent readmission of patients when caregivers give up their care‐giving responsibilities.Design.  Descriptive and quantitative methods.Methods.  Convenience sampling method was used at three outpatient clinics on 150 caregivers. The Burden Assessment Scale measured care‐giving burden. The Family Crisis‐Oriented Personal Scales examined the coping strategies.Results.  Findings reveal that 31·3% caregivers felt distress and 33·3% found stigma upsetting. Only 14·7% sought help from healthcare workers and 49·3% were interested to know more. Nevertheless, 24·7% verbalized sufficient social support.Conclusions.  Results demonstrated a high burden on caregivers because of many factors such as other commitments, lack of resources, insufficient financial support, education level and ageing. This study found that long‐term caregivers suffer more than short‐term ones, which is contrary to Seng’s study (2005). Burden increases further for those having to cope with both work and care giving at the same time.Relevance to clinical practice.  It is critical to improve and increase services and resources to support care giving. It is also essential to educate and ensure that the people affected know how to leverage the available resources. It is important to improve and increase our services and resources. It is also essential to educate and ensure the people concerned know how to make use of them. It also essential to educate and ensure the people concerned know how to make use of them.
Nursing practice in a post‐Soviet country from the perspectives of Armenian nurses: a qualitative exploratory study
Authors: Poghosyan Lusine , Poghosyan Hermine , Berlin Kristen , Truzyan Nune , Danielyan Lusine , Khourshudyan Kristine 
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the views of head and staff nurses about nursing practice in the hospitals of Armenia.Background.  Armenia inherited its nursing frameworks from the Soviet Union. After the Soviet collapse, many changes took place to reform nursing. However, to date little has been systematically documented about nursing practice in Armenia.Design.  Qualitative descriptive design was implemented.Methods.  Three major hospitals in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, participated in the study. Purposeful sampling was used. Forty‐three nurses participated, 29 staff and fourteen head nurses. Data were collected through five focus groups comprised of seven to ten participants. A focus group guide was developed. The researcher facilitated the discussions in Armenian, which were audio taped. The research assistant took notes. Data were transcribed and translated into English, imported into atlas.ti 6.1 qualitative software, and analysed by three authors.Results.  Five themes were extracted. Lack of role clarity theme was identified from the head nurse data. The practice environment theme was identified from the staff nurse data. Nursing education, value, respect and appreciation of nursing, and becoming a nurse were common themes identified from both head and staff nurse data. Head nurses lack autonomy, do not have clear roles and are burdened with documentation. Staff nurses practice in challenging work environments with inadequate staffing and demanding workloads. All nurses reported the need to improve nursing education.Conclusions.  This is the first study conducted in Armenia exploring nursing practice in the hospitals from the nurses’ perspectives. Nurses face challenges that may impact their wellbeing and patient care.Relevance to clinical practice.  Understanding challenges nursing practice faces in the hospitals in Armenia will help administrators and care providers to take actions to improve nursing practice and subsequently patient care.