bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trophic links between fermenters and methanogens in a moderately acidic fen soil
Authors: Wüst Pia K. , Horn Marcus A. , Drake Harold L. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryTrophic links between fermentation and methanogenesis of soil derived from a methane‐emitting, moderately acidic temperate fen (pH 4.5) were investigated. Initial CO2:CH4 production ratios in anoxic microcosms indicated that methanogenesis was concomitant to other terminal anaerobic processes. Methane production in anoxic microcosms at in situ pH was stimulated by supplemental H2–CO2, formate or methanol; supplemental acetate did not stimulate methanogenesis. Supplemental H2–CO2, formate or methanol also stimulated the formation of acetate, indicating that the fen harbours moderately acid‐tolerant acetogens. Supplemental monosaccharides (glucose, N‐acetylglucosamine and xylose) stimulated the production of CO2, H2, acetate and other fermentation products when methanogenesis was inhibited with 2‐bromoethane sulfonate 20 mM. Glucose stimulated methanogenesis in the absence of BES. Upper soil depths yielded higher anaerobic activities and also higher numbers of cells. Detected archaeal 16S rRNA genes were indicative of H2–CO2‐ and formate‐consuming methanogens (Methanomicrobiaceae), obligate acetoclastic methanogens (Methanosaetaceae) and crenarchaeotes (groups I.1a, I.1c and I.3). Molecular analyses of partial sequences of 16S rRNA genes revealed the presence of Acidobacteria, Nitrospirales, Clamydiales, Clostridiales, Alpha‐, Gamma‐, Deltaproteobacteria and Cyanobacteria. These collective results suggest that this moderately acidic fen harbours phylogenetically diverse, moderately acid tolerant fermenters (both facultative aerobes and obligate anaerobes) that are trophically linked to methanogenesis.
Vascular considerations for stapled haemorrhoidopexy
Authors: Aigner F. , Bonatti H. , Peer S. , Conrad F. , Fritsch H. , Margreiter R. , Gruber H. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjective  Modern haemorrhoidectomy techniques aim to interrupt arterial blood supply to the hypertrophied piles. The aim of this study was to investigate morphological and physiological alterations in the terminal branches of the superior rectal artery (SRA) in patients with haemorrhoidal disease treated by stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) using noninvasive transperineal ultrasound.Method  Thirty‐seven consecutive patients (14 women, 23 men; median age 52, range 30–77 years) who underwent SH for treatment of grade III haemorrhoids were scanned by transperineal colour Doppler ultrasound at baseline, 4 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. Seventeen healthy volunteers served as the control group (nine women, eight men; median age 24, range 18–72 years). Calibre and arterial flow velocity (AFV) of the terminal branches of the SRA were measured.Results  Baseline measurements significantly differed between patients and the control group (median calibre 2, range 0.9–3.6 mm, vs 1, range 0.6–1.2 mm, and median AFV 24, range 10–65 cm/s, vs 12, range 5–21 cm/s, P < 0.0001). Postoperative follow‐up showed no significant alterations in the physiological parameters. Patients with a higher recurrence rate of haemorrhoidal disease had higher baseline AFV values.Conclusion  Stapled haemorrhoidopexy does not reduce arterial inflow in the feeding vessels of the anorectal vascular plexus. Preoperative ultrasound may serve as a tool for assessing vascularization status in haemorrhoidal disease and is useful in deciding whether patients should undergo SH or, for individuals with high AFV, whether conventional haemorrhoidectomy might be the better choice.
Work climate perception and turnover intention among Korean hospital staff
Authors: Hwang J.‐I. , Chang H. 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  To examine the impact of work climate perception (WCP) on turnover intention among public hospital personnel in Korea.Background:  With increased competition and high staff turnover in hospitals, managers focus on human resource management. Positive work climate is considered as a strategy to retain valued staff, but previous studies have shown occupationally different relationships between turnover intention and work environment characteristics as perceived by staff.Methods:  A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey was conducted of employees (n = 852) in four public hospitals in Korea to gather information about WCP, intention to leave and demographics. The work climate was measured by 32 items categorized into 13 factors in five dimensions. For each occupation, logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the significant factors of WCP that influenced turnover intention.Findings:  Positive WCP inversely influenced turnover intention. For all occupations, the most significant factor was ‘workgroup friendliness and warmth’ (OR = 0.01–0.21). For the nursing group, an additional significant factor was ‘adherence to job standard’ (OR = 0.63). In contrast, there were different significant factors for other hospital staff: ‘workgroup esprit de corps’ (OR = 0.16) and ‘role clarity’ (OR = 0.19) for physicians, ‘adherence to job standard’ (OR = 3.08) and ‘role adaptation’ (OR = 2.23) for paramedicals, and ‘flexibility and innovation’ (OR = 0.14) and ‘interdepartmental cooperation’ (OR = 0.19) for administrators.Conclusions:  Nurses with perceptions of work climate emphasizing ‘workgroup friendliness and warmth’ and ‘adherence to job standard’ had lower turnover intention. Physicians, paramedicals and administrators have different WCPs. To retain qualified personnel, hospitals should focus on human relations, maintaining a consideration for occupation‐specific characteristics.
The nursing workforce in Kuwait to the year 2020
Authors: Al‐Jarallah K.F. , Moussa M.A.A. , Hakeem S.K. , Al‐Khanfar F.K. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  The study addresses the supply and demand for nurses in Kuwait in the light of emerging variables such as increasing population, economic growth, changes in healthcare strategies and expansion of healthcare facilities.Objective:  To project the future demand for nurses in Kuwait for the years 2007–2020 based on the period 1994–2006.Methods:  Population projections were derived using the average annual natural increase rate of the 1994–2006 populations. The future demand for nurses was projected using the average nurse to population ratios for the years 1994–2006.Findings:  The number of Kuwaiti indigenous nurses is declining at an average decrement rate of 3.3% per annum. There is a gap between the numbers of native and migrant nurses, which will be wider with time. In 2006, native nurses constituted only 6.6% of the nursing workforce; this affects the quality of provided health care owing to language, religions and socio‐cultural barriers between foreign nurses and patients.Conclusions:  The supply of indigenous nurses in Kuwait should be increased in order to deliver effective nursing care with shared culture and language in the modern healthcare system of Kuwait. This can be achieved through an improvement in recruitment and retention of indigenous nurses and nursing students.
Issues, challenges and vision for the future of the nursing profession in Sri Lanka: a review
Authors: Jayasekara R.S. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  Reviewing the current situation and future development of nursing profession in Sri Lanka enables one to understand not only the nature of its successes and problems, but more importantly, in what way plans for the future will impact on the profession.Aim:  To explore the issues and challenges concerning nursing regulation, administration, services and education in Sri Lanka and how they will impact on developing nursing professionalism.Methods:  A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and CINAHL limited to articles in the English and Sinhala languages published between 1976 and November 2007. The reference lists of all identified reports and articles were searched for additional studies. Personal communication, unpublished reports and government records and websites were also used to obtain information on nursing service, regulation, administration and education in Sri Lanka. Hand searching of relevant Sri Lankan journals and government reports was undertaken to reveal any additional literature.Conclusion:  The Sri Lankan nursing profession is being very tardy in asserting its professional status in the health sector. There has been minimal effort to improve the standards of nursing services and education, mainly because of inadequate and disjointed involvement of those who are responsible for improving the health services in Sri Lanka. However, nursing services and education in Sri Lanka are being scrutinized as nurses today show more concern about their professional roles, education and status.
Nursing keypal exchange: an effective acculturation strategy to prepare for an international experience
Authors: Maas‐Garcia Lillian 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  The aim of this paper is to provide arguments for incorporating keypal exchanges prior to an international exchange.Background:  At Rotterdam University of Applied Science in the Netherlands, the Master's in Advanced Nursing Practice Program/Nurse Practitioner Program focuses on the role of the nurse practitioner and places emphasis on internationalization within the curriculum. The students must complete a short‐term immersion experience to the USA during the 2‐year programme.Conclusion:  An effective teaching strategy to acculturate students to the American culture, healthcare and nursing system differences was utilized by incorporating keypal communication within the international preparation programme.
Barriers to kidney transplants in Indonesia: a literature review
Authors: Bennett P.N. , Hany A. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  People living with chronic kidney disease will require renal dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life. Although Indonesia has a developing healthcare industry, Indonesia's kidney transplant rates are lower than comparable nations.Purpose:  To explore the healthcare literature to identify barriers to kidney transplants in particular in relation to Indonesia.Methods:  Healthcare databases were searched (CINAHL, Medline, EBSCOhostEJS, Blackwell Synergy, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar and Proquest 5000) using the search terms: transplant, kidney disease, renal, dialysis, haemodialysis, Indonesia and nursing. The search was limited to English and Indonesian language data sources from 1997 to 2007. Reference lists of salient academic articles were hand searched.Results:  The results of our search identified six articles that met our criteria. Costs are the major barrier to kidney transplant in Indonesia, followed by cultural beliefs, perception of the law, lack of information and lack of infrastructure. In addition, kidney disease prevention strategies are required.Conclusions:  There are many complex socio‐economic, geographical, legal, cultural and religious factors that contribute to low kidney transplant rates in Indonesia. Although an increase in transplantation rates will require strategies from various agencies, healthcare professionals, including nurses, can play a role in overcoming some barriers. Community education programmes, improving their own education levels and by increasing empowerment in nursing we may contribute to improved kidney transplant rates in Indonesia.
Building capacity for nurse‐led research
Authors: Edwards N. , Webber J. , Mill J. , Kahwa E. , Roelofs S. 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  To discuss factors that have influenced the development of research capacity among nurses in lower and middle‐income countries (LMICs).Background:  Concerned health scientists have addressed the importance of building research capacity among health professionals. Strengthening capacity specifically among LMIC nurses has been infrequently discussed. Without the requisite educational preparation or an enabling environment for research, nurses are unlikely to either demand research capacity‐building opportunities or initiate research examining nursing practice and health system challenges.Methods:  A scan was conducted of nine internationally funded research capacity‐building initiatives to identify programme targeting and the proportion of nurse trainees. A literature review examined graduate and post‐graduate training opportunities for LMIC nurses, and barriers and enablers to nurses' involvement in research. Informal consultations were held with nurse leaders in 15 LMICs and leaders of eight LMIC nursing organizations.Findings:  The scan found a generic targeting of health professionals with a very low percentage of nurse trainees. Programmes specifically targeting nurses did attract and prepare a significant number of nurses. Factors limiting nurses' involvement in research include hierarchies of power among disciplines, scarce resources, a lack of graduate and post‐graduate education opportunities, few senior mentors, and prolonged underfunding of nursing research.Conclusions:  Fully engaging LMIC nurses in health services research may yield pragmatic and evidence‐informed service delivery and policy recommendations. Investments in supports for nursing research capacity may enrich global health policy effectiveness and improve quality of care.
Integrative review of international nursing research in Mainland China
Authors: Li M. , Wei L. , Liu H. , Tang L. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  Nursing research in Mainland China is divided into two parts: domestic nursing research, comprising all publications in Chinese; and international nursing research, comprising all publications in English. Domestic nursing research has been developing rapidly, demonstrated by the increase in new national or regional journals and publications. However, little is known about the extent of international research.Aims:  To outline the development of international nursing research publications in Mainland China and to provide suggestions for future development.Method:  All of the papers were retrieved from PubMed. The key search phase was ‘China or P.R.China NOT Hong Kong NOT Taiwan NOT Macao [AD]’, with the limits of ‘English’, ‘nursing journals’ as well as the published date up to ‘2007/09/30’.Findings:  PubMed recorded 57 English papers that were originally conducted in Mainland China during the search period from 1989 to 30 September 2007. Thirty‐seven of the total 57 (65%) publications were contributed by Beijing, Shanghai and Hubei. Forty‐four of the 57 publications were conducted with collaborators from Hong Kong, the USA, the UK and Canada. Thirteen publications were funded by international societies, while only three were funded by the Chinese government. The research topics mainly focused on clinical research, nursing education and nursing management.Conclusions and Implications:  This study indicates that international nursing research has been growing slowly in Mainland China along with provincial variations. The suggestions to improve nursing research include the reform of nursing education, the enhancement of the collaboration with the international societies and the establishment of research priorities.
Understanding of speaker certainty and false‐belief reasoning: a comparison of Japanese and German preschoolers
Authors: Matsui Tomoko , Rakoczy Hannes , Miura Yui , Tomasello Michael 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIt has been repeatedly shown that when asked to identify a protagonist's false belief on the basis of his false statement, English‐speaking 3‐year‐olds dismiss the statement and fail to attribute to him a false belief. In the present studies, we tested 3‐year‐old Japanese children in a similar task, using false statements accompanied by grammaticalized particles of speaker (un)certainty, as in everyday Japanese utterances. The Japanese children were directly compared with same‐aged German children, whose native language does not have grammaticalized epistemic concepts. Japanese children profited from the explicit statement of the protagonist's false belief when it was marked with the attitude of certainty in a way that German children did not – presumably because Japanese but not German children must process such marking routinely in their daily discourse. These results are discussed in the broader context of linguistic and theory of mind development.
Seizures in patients with symptomatic cervical artery occlusion by dissection and by atherosclerosis
Authors: De Reuck J. , Van Maele G. 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose: The outcome of patients with occlusion by cervical dissection (OCD) is considered to be better than of those with atherosclerotic occlusion (ATO) of cervical arteries. The present observational retrospective study investigates whether there are also differences in the occurrence of seizures between OCD and ATO patients.Methods: The characteristics and the occurrence of seizures in 199 consecutive patients with a stroke due to a cervical artery occlusion are determined. Forty patients with OCD and 159 with ATO are compared.Results: Occlusion by cervical dissection patients are significantly younger and have less vascular risk factors than those with ATO. Stroke type, vascular territory, NIHS score and outcome are similar. Three (7.5%) OCD and 29 (18.2%) ATO patients developed seizures. However, this difference is not statistically significant (P = 0.146). On multiple logistic regression analysis, ageing and arterial hypertension are independent variables.Discussion: This study suggests a lower incidence of seizures in patients with OCD compared to those with ATO, although not statistically proven, due to the small sample size. Age and arterial hypertension can explain this difference.
Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Evidence on Brain Drain Grounding the Review of Albania’s and Bulgaria’s Experience1
Authors: Glytsos Nicholas P. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe objectives of this paper are: first, to briefly review the different theoretical aspects of brain drain and its potential positive or negative, direct or indirect effects on the economy of the home country; second, to highlight the limited empirical research on some of these issues; and third, to discuss on this grounding the empirical evidence on the nature and size of brain drain, as well as its impact on the economies of Albania and Bulgaria.As it appears, the evidence for these two countries and its evaluation as to whether brain drain has been or can be a threat to their development is contradictory and confusing, as it comes out from different casual observations without a convincing analysis. The relevant discussion has not escaped the stereotype way of thinking that the economy and society of these two countries would have been better had emigration of educated persons not taken place, or had those who migrated just returned. The conclusion on policy for brain drain and brain return is that merely hindering the emigration of educated people or trying to motivate their return cannot by itself elevate education and research to higher quality levels and promote development and growth. Without simultaneously developing a friendly and comprehensive institutional and pragmatic framework, such measures are often ineffective or even counterproductive.
The Reverse and Return Transfer of Technology (RRTT): Towards a Comprehensive Model of the Migration of African Experts
Authors: Logan B. Ikubolajeh 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe emigration of experts from Africa to the developed world is often analysed in terms of the reverse transfer of technology (RTT), a process typically described as one in which the skills embedded in an expert become part of a reverse flow of technology from the less developed to the developed world. In the reverse flow or brain gain, the African home country obtains the embedded skills of the returning expert and is able to use them towards national development efforts. The objectives of this paper are to investigate the RTT from the conceptual, empirical, and policy perspectives. At the conceptual level, the objective is to review the insights to the RTT provided in the globalization, the New Diaspora and the New Brain Drain paradigms. Empirically, the paper uses available data to make the case that even though the RTT has been marginalized in recent scholarship, it is a persistent development problem that continues to warrant scholarly and policy attention. Building on this argument, the paper outlines a model of expert migration, termed the reverse and return transfer of technology (RRTT). This model explores the decision‐making of migrating experts, especially in terms of source‐destination pathways and the choice of locations as either temporary or permanent homes. The policy implications of this reformulation are assessed in terms of the brain drain, the brain gain and remittances.
A validated photonumeric cellulite severity scale
Authors: Hexsel DM , Dal’Forno T , Hexsel CL 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground  With recent advances in the treatment of cellulite and localized fat, a comprehensive objective method of measuring cellulite can be potentially useful, especially since important morphological aspects of cellulite are not part of the current classification.Objective  To develop and to validate a new photonumeric cellulite severity.Methods  Based on standardized photographs of 55 patients with cellulite, five key morphological aspects of cellulite were identified. A new photonumeric severity scale was developed and validated.Results  The five key morphological features of cellulite were identified and included the number of depressions, depth of depressions, clinical appearance of evident raised lesions, and presence of flaccidity and the grade of cellulite. Each item was graded from 0 to 3, allowing final classification of cellulite as mild, moderate, and severe. Results for validation of the scale are statistically significant (P < 0.05) and are as follows: intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.7; correlation item‐total > 0.7, with the exception of the right buttock; intraclass correlation coefficients 0.881–0.922; Cronbach's alpha 0.851–0.989 and factor analysis 68–76%.Conclusion  The proposed photonumeric scale is a consistent, comprehensive, reliable, and reproducible tool for the standardized and objective assessment of the severity of cellulite.Conflicts of interestThe authors hereby affirm that neither the manuscript nor any part of it has been published or is being considered for publication elsewhere.