bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Esthetic abilities: a way to describe abilities of expert nurses in palliative home care
Authors: Bergdahl Elisabeth , Wikström Britt‐Maj , Andershed Birgitta 
Published: March 2007

Aim. The aim of this paper is to focus on the abilities needed to create the caring relation in palliative home care and to find ways to describe these abilities and skills from an esthetic perspective.Background. Nurses in Palliative home care have to create a functioning relationship between themselves the patient and the patient's next of kin, this puts special demands on the nurse. A number of abilities, such as creativity, intuition, empathy and self‐knowledge are mentioned in literature related to the caring relation. Many nursing theorists have referred to the art and esthetic of nursing when trying to describe these abilities.Methods. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews with eight expert nurses in palliative home care. The transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative content analyses.Findings. Three main categories where found: The will to do good, Knowledge and Perceptiveness. Subcategories that can be seen as abilities where found in the main categories knowledge and perceptiveness.Conclusions. The main categories can be seen as expressions for abilities, personal qualities and skills needed to create the caring relation in palliative home care. We found interesting connections between the three main categories and the concepts of esthetics, ethics and science. We also found that nurses develop in a way, i.e. similar to an artist.Relevance to clinical practice. The concepts brought forward in this paper could be used in clinical supervision and education as well as in clinical practice. If nurses think about the three aspects: Knowledge, the will to do good and perceptiveness, the chance for a positive relation between the nurse and the patient, and the patient's next of kin might increase. One could speculate that perceptiveness is a vital ability in order to achieve the expert level of nursing and that this perspective should be taken in consideration when recruiting nurses and in curriculum development.
Patient participation in nursing care: towards a concept clarification from a nurse perspective
Authors: Sahlsten Monika JM , Larsson Inga E , Sjöström Björn , Lindencrona Catharina SC , Plos Kaety AE 
Published: March 2007

Aim.  The aim of this study was to investigate the meanings of the concept of patient participation in nursing care from a nurse perspective.Background.  Participation is essential and increases patients’ motivation and satisfaction with received care. Studies of patient participation in nursing care are not congruent regarding definition, elements and processes. This lack of clarity is amplified by several terms used; patient/client/consumer involvement or collaboration, partnership and influence. Despite the fact that several nursing theories have emphasized the importance of patient participation, an empirically grounded theory has yet to be published.Methods.  Seven focus group interviews were held with nurses providing inpatient physical care at five hospitals in West Sweden. The focus groups consisted of Registered Swedish nurses (n = 31) who described the meaning and implementation of patient participation in nursing care. A Grounded Theory approach has been applied to tape‐recorded data. Constant comparative analysis was used and saturation was achieved.Results.  Mutuality in negotiation emerged as the core category for explaining nurses’ perspectives on patient participation in nursing care. It is characterized by four interrelated sub‐core categories: interpersonal procedure, therapeutic approach, focus on resources and opportunities for influence. Mutuality in negotiation constitutes the dynamic nurse–patient interaction process.Conclusions.  The study clarifies that patient participation can be explained as an interactional process identified as mutuality in negotiation based on four components.Relevance to clinical practice.  The results are important and can be used in nursing practice and education. Application in a clinical context means nursing care organized to include all the components presented. The results can also be used in quality assurance to improve and evaluate patient participation.
The effect of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme on older patients with chronic pulmonary disease
Authors: Kyung Kim Ae , Chin Patricia A 
Published: March 2007

Aim.  The aim of this study was to answer the question: is there an effect on the respiratory capacity and activity tolerance of older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who participate in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme?Background.  Pulmonary rehabilitation is now an integral part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management. Evidence supports the positive effects of breath training and exercising training on quality of life, exercise tolerance and improved physical condition of individual with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Limited empirical documentation exists to support the effectiveness of a nurse managed rehabilitation programme for older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study was done to evaluate the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation provided by nurses on the pulmonary function, gas exchange and exercise tolerance in older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Design.  A one group pre‐test–post‐test design was used to evaluate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme.Method.  The sample consisted of 20 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who participated in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme including breathing exercises, upper‐limb exercises and inspiratory muscle training.Results.  The findings indicated improvement in exercise performance and a decrease in dyspnea after participation in the pulmonary rehabilitation programme.Relevance to clinical practice.  The clinical nurse can make a significant impact on the illness trajectory and quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The nurse has a critical role in helping patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease learn to cope, adjust and adapt to life with a chronic illness. Active nurse involvement with a patient in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme can assist in the identification of factors that motivate the patient, help in establishing realistic out comes expectations and provide patient teaching opportunities. The nurse can assist the patient to develop skills of self‐awareness regarding particular symptoms, self‐monitoring and health status change identification.
Early postoperative 30° lateral positioning after coronary artery surgery: influence on cardiac output
Authors: De Laat Erik , Schoonhoven Lisette , Grypdonck Mieke , Verbeek André , De Graaf Ruurd , Pickkers Peter , Van Achterberg Theo 
Published: March 2007

Aims and objectives.  We investigated whether: (i) Early postoperative lateral position after coronary artery bypass surgery may have a negative influence on the cardiac output and (ii) Whether turning procedures cause practical problems.Background.  Directly following surgery, coronary artery bypass patients are not receiving routine turning every two hours to prevent pressure ulcers, because a negative influence on hemodynamic parameters is assumed.Design.  Clinical trial.Methods.  Fifty‐five coronary artery bypass patients were randomly assigned to four intervention regimens and underwent a two‐hour period of 30° lateral position. Fourteen patients in supine position served as a reference group. We hypothesized that 30° lateral position does not cause a relevant change in the cardiac output.Results.  Turning the patients did not have any significant influence on the cardiac index, not even in the patients in a poor hemodynamic condition. The cardiac index in 30° lateral position and supine position two to eight hours postoperatively after coronary artery bypass surgery is statistically bioequivalent. No clinically relevant deviations from preset ‘safe’ values for mean arterial pressure, right atrial pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure were observed, which would require ending the lateral position. There were no practical problems hindering the turning regimen, not even in the patients with an intra‐aortic balloon pump.Conclusions.  Early postoperative turning of coronary artery bypass surgery patients in lateral position is an easy and feasible procedure that does not influence the cardiac index not even in patients receiving antihypertensive or inotropic/vasopressor therapy. Further research is needed to find out whether our findings are also valid in other patient groups and other position conditions.Relevance to clinical practice.  If there are no strict contra‐indications, lateral position has to be considered to prevent complications of continuous supine position within two hours after coronary artery bypass surgery patients have been admitted to the intensive care unit.
Exploring the contribution of the Clinical Librarian to facilitating evidence‐based nursing
Authors: Tod Angela M , Bond Beverly , Leonard Niamh , Gilsenan Irene J , Palfreyman Simon 
Published: March 2007

Aim.  To examine the potential role of the Clinical Librarian in facilitating evidence‐based practice of nurses in acute hospital settings and develop a model for the role.Background.  There is a growing policy and professional expectation that nurses will seek out and apply evidence in their clinical practice. Studies have demonstrated that nurses experience barriers in working with an evidence‐based approach. The role of Clinical Librarian has been used in other countries and within medicine to overcome some of the barriers to evidence‐based practice. There are limitations in the previous work in terms of rigour of evaluation, scope of the Clinical Librarian role and application to nursing in a UK setting.Design.  A qualitative consultation of 72 nurses in acute care settings.Methods.  Six consultation group interviews of between 4–19 participants. Written records were recorded by the scribe. Content analysis was undertaken to identify the range and frequency of comments.Results.  Clinical questions currently go unanswered because of barriers of time, skills deficits and access to resources. Literature searching, skills training and evidence dissemination were the main areas of work the staff requested that a Clinical Librarian should undertake. It was anticipated that the Clinical Librarian could interact and work productively with nursing staff with a limited but regular presence on the ward. Interim communication could be via e‐mail, phone and written suggestions and requests for work. It was seen to be vital that the Clinical Librarian worked in partnership with staff to build evidence‐based practice capacity and ensure clinical relevance of the work.Conclusions.  This study has generated the first model for the Clinical Librarian role with an emphasis on nursing. It is derived from the views of clinical nurses. Recommendations are made for the implementation and evaluation of such a role.Relevance to clinical practice.  The Clinical Librarian could be an invaluable support to promoting evidence‐based nursing.
Knowledge, health beliefs and health‐related behaviours of first‐degree relatives of women suffering from osteoporosis in Taiwan: a questionnaire survey
Authors: Chang Shu‐Fang 
Published: March 2007

Background.  No previous study has examined knowledge, health beliefs and health‐related behaviours in first‐degree relatives (FDRs) of osteoporosis sufferers, especially focusing on Asian women.Aim.  This study explored osteoporosis knowledge, beliefs and behaviours of women with a family history of osteoporosis, and drew a comparison with women with no such history.Design.  This study recruited women at a large public health centre in northern Taiwan. A questionnaire was applied on FDRs and non‐FDRs women with a focus on osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs and behaviours. Descriptive analysis was initially conducted. Differences between FDRs and non‐FDRs were rated via Student's t‐tests for continuous variables and the chi‐squared test for categorical variables.Results.  Overall, most of the participants were aware of some osteoporosis‐related information but the proportions of correct responses to the questions that tested knowledge between FDRs and non‐FDRs were only 44·0% and 42%, respectively. Meanwhile, participants in the FDRs group not only reported higher concern in developing the disease, but also perceived higher barriers compared with the non‐FDRs group. As the study demonstrates, for health‐related behaviours, the FDRs group did not undertake actual preventive behaviours, and only bone mineral density screening behaviour differed significantly from the non‐FDRs group.Conclusions.  This study highlights the inadequate information on osteoporosis and constraining beliefs of FDRs women. Additionally, as preventative behaviours for osteoporosis were not noted in FDRs group, community health nurses and researchers should make efforts to assist and encourage women to take practical preventative behaviours.Relevance to clinical practice.  This investigation reviews the knowledge, beliefs and behaviours of the FDRs group for Taiwanese women with osteoporosis. The results of this work can be used to provide effective implementation guidelines for preventing osteoporosis especially for women with a family history of the disease.
Lifestyle and health behaviours of adults with an intellectual disability
Authors: McGuire B. E. , Daly P. , Smyth F. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground  There is currently no published research in Ireland on the health behaviours of adults with an intellectual disability (ID). With an increasing age profile and similar patterns of morbidity to the general population, the ID population would benefit from baseline data from which to establish risk factors.Methods  A questionnaire survey was carried out with 157 carers of people with an ID in the west of Ireland.Results  The results of this survey were compared with results of a health survey for the general population in the same region. The present survey found that 68% of the ID sample was overweight or obese. Levels of smoking (2.6%) and regular alcohol consumption (10.3%) were relatively low in comparison with the general population. However, participation in exercise and adherence to a healthy diet were poor. The level of resident choice and decision‐making did not have any relationship to health behaviours nor did residential setting. Finally, there were no gender differences in health and lifestyle profiles.Conclusion  The results of this study have important implications for health promotion interventions for people with an ID.
The relationship between compulsive behaviour and academic achievement across the three genetic subtypes of Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Zarcone J. , Napolitano D. , Peterson C. , Breidbord J. , Ferraioli S. , Caruso‐Anderson M. , Holsen L. , Butler M. G. , Thompson T. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground  Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic syndrome associated with several physical, cognitive and behavioural characteristics. For many individuals with this syndrome, compulsive behaviour is often noted in both food and non‐food situations. The focus of this paper is on the non‐food‐related compulsions in individuals with PWS and comparing differences across the three genetic subtypes of the syndrome.Methods  Compulsive behaviours in 73 people with PWS were assessed using the Yale‐Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and the Compulsive Behavior Checklist. Compulsive behaviour and its relation to IQ and academic achievement also were evaluated. Phenotypic differences were characterized for the three most common genetic subtypes of the disorder: 16 individuals with the long Type I (TI) 15q deletion, 26 individuals with the short Type II (TII) 15q deletion and 31 individuals with maternal disomy 15.Results  There appeared to be important differences between the two deletion subtypes. Specifically, individuals with the TI deletion had more compulsions regarding personal cleanliness (i.e. excessive bathing/grooming), and their compulsions were more difficult to interrupt and interfered with social activities more than the other subtypes. Individuals with the TII deletion were more likely to have compulsions related to specific academic areas (i.e. rereading, erasing answers and counting objects or numbers).Conclusions  These findings may help clinicians and researchers identify possible intervention strategies and supports based on the behavioural phenotype associated with genetic subtype in individuals with PWS.
Prevalence of people with intellectual disability in the Netherlands
Authors: Wullink M. , Van Schrojenstein Lantman‐de Valk H. M. J. , Dinant G. J. , Metsemakers J. F. M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground  Since the 1990s, people with intellectual disability (ID) in the Netherlands have been moving from institutions to supported accommodation in the community. The Government is in need of recent data on the numbers of these people, to ensure adequate care provision and funding. This paper reports on the prevalence of people with ID in the Netherlands. The research question was: what is the lowest and highest estimation of prevalence of people with ID in the Netherlands?Methods  Two extrapolation methods were used, each consisting of a number of stages, using general practice databases and ID care services records.Results  The prevalence of people with ID in the Netherlands was 0.7% (111 750 persons). Other assumptions yielded 0.54–0.64%. Arguments for the two extrapolation methods and the lowest and highest estimation of prevalence are discussed.Conclusions  Compared with 1988, there has been a slight decrease in the prevalence of people with ID in the Netherlands, even though we included all age groups and even people with ID of who were not included in ID care services records. By using general practitioner databases it was possible to identify these not registered people with ID.
Feeding behaviour of the black pine beetle, Hylastes ater (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)
Authors: Leahy Miles J. A. , Oliver Thomas H. , Leather Simon R. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract1 The feeding behaviour of Hylastes ater was investigated at 15 °C and 20 °C on a range of tree species. The role of an aggregation pheromone and the part played by olfactory cues in food selection was also investigated.2 A distinct hierarchical preference at both 15 °C and 20 °C such that Pinus radiata > Pinus sylvestris > > Picea abies > > Rubus fruticosus=Betula pendula was shown.3 Feeding on P. sylvestris led to the highest weight gain, closely followed by P. radiata and P. abies. Slightly elevated feeding was observed at 20 °C compared with 15 °C.4 Reduced feeding in the presence of B. pendula suggests the possibility of an antifeedant effect and predamaged wood was found to be less nutritious, possibly due to greater plant defences.5 The role of an aggregation pheromone was not supported. Olfactory cues enabled the detection of woody hosts, although differentiation between host was not observed.6 These results are likely to be important in helping to design an effective integrated control approach against this pest.
An evaluation of computerised essay marking for national curriculum assessment in the UK for 11‐year‐olds
Authors: Hutchison Dougal 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper reports a comparison of human and computer marking of approximately 600 essays produced by 11‐year‐olds in the UK. Each essay script was scored by three human markers. Scripts were also scored by the e‐rater program. There was a good agreement between human and machine marking. Scripts with highly discrepant scores were flagged and assessed blind by expert markers for characteristics considered likely to produce human–machine discrepancies. As hypothesised, essays marked higher by humans exhibited more abstract qualities such as interest and relevance, while there was little, if any, difference on more mechanical factors such as paragraph demarcation.
Dynamic MRI signals in the second week of radiotherapy relate to treatment outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma: a preliminary result
Authors: Liang Po‐Chin , Ch'ang Hui‐Ju , Hsu Chiun , Tseng Shuo Shuo , Shih Tiffany T. F. , Wu Liu Tsang 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim: Radiotherapy (RT) has been used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in recent years. Despite its good local control, slow tumoral shrinkage and rapid recurrence compromise treatment outcomes. We evaluated the signal intensity of the hepatic parenchyma and tumours by using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and correlated the findings with clinical outcomes. Nineteen patients with advanced HCC received 50 Gy in 25 fractions. They underwent a dynamic contrast‐enhanced, turbo fast low‐angle shot MR sequence at 1.5 T before therapy, at 2 weeks of therapy, and 1 month (week 9) later. Initial first‐pass enhancement slopes (slope) and peak enhancement ratios (peak) were measured.Results: Initial signal intensities were not associated with RT outcomes. An increased slope and peak of the tumour at week 2 was associated with an improved local response (P<0.05). In the parenchyma, an increased slope at week 2 was associated with recurrence outside the radiation fields or with progression over distant sites (P<0.05). The differences in signal changes at week 2 during RT were not persistent at a statistically significant level at 1 month after RT.Conclusion: Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI signals may act as biomarkers for early prediction of responses to RT in patients with HCC. Signal intensities at week 2 are important in evaluating treatment outcomes.
Ideas and Institutional Change in Social Security: Conversion, Layering, and Policy Drift*
Authors: Béland Daniel 
Published: March 2007

Objectives.In recent years, social scientists such as Kathleen Thelen and Jacob Hacker have introduced new concepts to assist in the understanding of institutional change. Fostering some of these concepts, this article proceeds to augment the theoretical debate on institutional change in social science and policy research. A discussion of Social Security development in the United States advances the article's main objective: to uncover the relationship between ideational processes and policy development.Methods.Qualitative and historical analysis is offered to examine three major policy episodes: the enactment of the 1939 amendments, the first mandate of the Nixon Administration (1969–1972), and the push for Social Security privatization that emerged in the 1990s.Results.First, the analysis suggests that, through the process of institutional conversion, the 1939 amendments and the Nixon‐era reforms altered the nature of Social Security. Second, the discussion on Social Security privatization stresses the impact of layering and policy drift on public and private pensions.Conclusions.The concepts of conversion, layering, and policy drift receive further empirical support through the presented analysis. Moreover, this article suggests that, for a full understanding of institutional change, a systematic analysis of ideational processes is necessary.