bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body adiposity status in teenagers and snacking habits in early childhood in relation to approximal caries at 15 years of age
Authors: ALM ANITA , FÅHRAEUS CHRISTINA , WENDT LILL‐KARI , KOCH GÖRAN , ANDERSSON‐GÄRE BOEL , BIRKHED DOWEN 
Published: March 2008

Background.  The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children is steadily increasing in many countries. Dental caries and obesity are both multifactorial diseases and are associated with dietary habits.Objective.  The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between body weight status in adolescents and snacking habits in early childhood to approximal caries prevalence at 15 years of age.Methods.  This study is part of a series of surveys of oral health in children followed from the ages of 1 year to 15 years. Body adiposity status was estimated at 13.5–16.4 years using the International Obesity Task Force cut‐off values [age‐specific body mass index (isoBMI)]. Information about snacking habits in early childhood was collected from interviews conducted at 1 year and 3 years. Approximal caries information was obtained from bitewing radiographs at 15 years. Data related to isoBMI and approximal caries were available in 402 teenagers.Result.  Adolescents with isoBMI ≥ 25 (n = 64) had an approximal caries prevalence that was a mean of 1.6 times higher than those with isoBMI < 25 (n = 338) (4.64 vs. 2.94; P = 0.014). Furthermore, children's snacking habits at an early age were associated with approximal caries at 15 years.Conclusion.  Overweight and obese adolescents had more approximal caries than normal‐weight individuals. Moreover, the frequent consumption of snacking products during early childhood appears to be a risk indicator for caries at 15 years. Future preventive programmes should therefore include, on a multidisciplinary level, strategies to prevent and reduce both obesity and dental caries at an early age.
Role perceptions and reported actual role content of hospital nurses in Mainland China
Authors: Lu Hong , While Alison E , Louise Barriball K 
Published: March 2008

Aim.  The study aimed to explore nurses’ views and experiences regarding their working roles in Mainland China.Background.  Ministry of Health guidance relating to the hospital nurse's role has been widely used in Mainland China since 1982 but it does not adequately cover the development of new roles arising from recent health care system reforms. This has led to increasing concerns about the potential of role conflict and role ambiguity for nurses especially where role expectations are not reflected in actual role content leading to job dissatisfaction and higher turnover.Methods.  A cross‐sectional survey design using postal questionnaires comprising demographic questions and four scales measuring role perception and actual role content, job satisfaction, occupational stress, role conflict and role ambiguity was used. Five hundred and twelve hospital nurses in Beijing participated representing a response rate of 81%.Results.  Most respondents reported that staff nurses should undertake most of the roles described in the domain of patients’ physical care, psychosocial and communication and professional aspects of patient care and patient care management and there was overall consensus regarding the roles of other health care personnel. Further, they reported that nurses always or sometimes carried out these roles. Different role perceptions were reported across educational groups. Additionally, nurses’ ratings of role perception and actual role content were related to their ratings of job satisfaction, occupational stress, role conflict and role ambiguity (p < 0·05).Conclusions.  There was relative consensus regarding role perceptions but the role boundary between nursing and non‐nursing work lacked clarity. The importance of role expectations is highlighted regarding job satisfaction and other components of working lives.Relevance to clinical practice.  Acknowledgement of a potential gap between expectations and actual role of nurses provides the basis for developing strategies to reduce resulting occupational stress, role conflict and role ambiguity and increase job satisfaction. Additionally the findings provide a basis for international comparison of actual nurse role content and the potential support needs of nurses from Mainland China who move to work in other health care systems.
The challenges of caring in a technological environment: critical care nurses’ experiences
Authors: McGrath Mary 
Published: March 2008

Purpose.  This paper presents and discusses the findings from a phenomenological study which illuminated the lived experiences of experienced critical care nurses caring within a technological environment.Background.  While nursing practice is interwoven with technology, much of the literature in this area is speculative. Moreover, there is a debate as to whether and how ‘high tech’ and ‘high touch’ are reconcilable; this orientation is referred to as the optimism vs. pessimism debate. On a personal level, the motivation for this study came from the author's 13 years’ experience in the critical care area.Method.  Following ethical approval, 10 experienced nurses from two cardiothoracic critical care units in Ireland participated in the study. A Heideggerian phenomenological methodology was used. Data collection consisted of unstructured interviews. A method of data analysis described by Walters was used.Findings.  The findings provide research‐based evidence to illuminate further the optimistic/pessimistic debate on technology in nursing. While the study demonstrates that the debate is far from resolved, it reveals a new finding: life‐saving technology that supports the lives of critically ill patients can bring experienced nurses very close to their patients/families. The three main themes that emerged: ‘alien environment’, ‘pulling together’ and ‘sharing the journey’ were linked by a common thread of caring.Conclusion.  Experienced critical care nurses are able to transcend the obtrusive nature of technology to deliver expert caring to their patients. However, the journey to proficiency in technology is very demanding and novice nurses have difficulty in caring with technology.Relevance to clinical practice.  It is recommended that more emphasis be placed on supporting, assisting and educating inexperienced nurses in the critical care area and that the use of technology in nursing be given serious consideration.
The meaning of consolation as experienced by nurses in a home‐care setting
Authors: Roxberg Åsa , Eriksson Katie , Rehnsfeldt Arne , Fridlund Bengt 
Published: March 2008

Aims and objective.  The aim of this study was to illuminate nurses’ experiences of consolation and how these experiences relate to suffering and care.Background.  Consolation is commonly associated with the relief of suffering. The question of consolation in terms of its definition and relevance for care has, however, been a matter of discussion among nurse researchers. The question raised concerns about the nature of consolation, its place and its role in relation to care and the caring sciences.Design.  An explorative qualitative interview study with 12 participants, six registered and six enrolled nurses, was carried out in a home‐care context.Methods.  A phenomenological‐hermeneutic method inspired by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur was used for the text analysis.Results.  Two main aspects of consolation appeared: ‘the present consolation’, which is flexible, sustaining and opening and ‘the absent consolation’, which conceals the suffering and is incapable of consoling. The result was interpreted from a philosophical‐ethical perspective, based on the works of Levinas and Lögstrup.Conclusions.  Consolation appears as a complex phenomenon, both in terms of its existence and its absence consolation, constituting a caring and non‐caring consolation. A caring consolation entails meeting the other as different and being present in a way that gives the other space to be the one he or she really is. It requires acceptance, accepting the sufferer and his/her way of suffering as unique.Relevance to clinical practice.  The clinical nurse is involved in complex care situations, which entails both reflecting upon and using intuition when consoling. A caring consolation is a contradictory phenomenon that requires a nurse to be capable of both reflecting upon and acting intuitively on the unique suffering of the other.
What do you think of your dentist? A dental practice assessment questionnaire
Authors: Mussard Jennie , Ashley Farrah A. , Newton J. Tim , Kendall Nick , Crayford Tim J. B. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  In order to comply with clinical governance requirements and receive payments under the Qualities and Outcomes Framework, GPs are required to undertake an annual survey of patient experience using a validated assessment tool. Dentists, in contrast, have embryonic clinical governance structures. The provision of quality dental services was identified in NHS Dentistry: Options for Change as a priority for the future. In anticipation of the PCT role in commissioning quality NHS dental care, Croydon PCT has developed an instrument to examine various aspects of the patient experience.Methods  A review of existing literature identified five generic dimensions of patient satisfaction with dental care: technical competence, interpersonal factors, convenience, costs and facilities. The dental practice assessment questionnaire was developed to cover all of these dimensions using a number of validated measures and modified questions. A small scale pilot was undertaken before the questionnaire was sent to a 10% random stratified sample of the PCT population.Results  Validation analyses were undertaken in conjunction with the GKT Dental Institute. Cronbach’s alpha demonstrated very high levels of internal consistency, and factor analysis and correlation coefficients demonstrated high levels of factorial and concurrent validity respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed differences in reported satisfaction by age and ethnic group, and that those who attend because of pain or a dental emergency are generally less satisfied with the care they receive. These results are consistent with previous research findings.Conclusion  The dental practice assessment questionnaire is a valid and consistent measurement tool. Its use could be extended across the NHS without difficulty.
The relationships between need profiles, clinical symptoms, functioning and the well‐being of inpatients with severe mental disorders
Authors: Grinshpoon Alexander , Ponizovsky Alexander M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  This study aimed to examine the subjective needs and their relationship with clinical symptoms, functioning and well‐being of hospitalized patients with severe mental disorders.Methods  Using the Camberwell Assessment of Need, we surveyed 52 consecutive voluntarily readmitted inpatients aged 18–65 years fulfilling the ICD‐10 criteria for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Current levels of clinical symptoms, functioning and well‐being were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Global Life Functioning inventory and the General Health Questionnaire, respectively. Spearman’s correlation coefficients and t‐test comparisons were performed to examine the relationships between the parameters of interest.Results  The basic needs of inpatients in food and accommodation were met in a greater extent than social needs (‘sexual expression’ and ‘intimate relationships’) and informational needs (‘information on condition and treatment’). Patients’ unmet needs were associated with current symptomatology severity rather than with the course of disorder.Conclusion  In any course of illness, services must help patients in solution of their problem (met their needs) immediately after clinical improvement or alleviation of psychiatric symptoms.
Response and non‐response to postal questionnaire follow‐up in a clinical trial – a qualitative study of the patient’s perspective
Authors: Nakash Rachel A. , Hutton Jane L. , Lamb Sarah E. , Gates Simon , Fisher Joanne 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Many studies have investigated response issues to postal questionnaires in educational and market research surveys. Behavioural theories have been applied to survey research to understand response decisions. Little attention has focussed specifically on response issues to postal questionnaires used to collect data in clinical trials. This qualitative study, nested within an acute injury RCT, examines factors affecting response and non‐response from the clinical trial participant’s perspective.Methods  Qualitative study comprising of 22 semi‐structured interviews with a purposeful sample of clinical trial participants. The sample consisted of 14 ‘responders’ and 8 ‘non‐responders’ to postal questionnaire follow‐up. Data were analysed using the Framework Method.Results  Prevalent reasons for responding to the questionnaires were the perceived personal benefit, commitment to the trial and perceived obligation to respond. Altruism was also a strong motivator. There was an association between the participant’s understanding of the trial and their likelihood of responding. Most non‐responders were happy with the trial and gave reasons for non‐response such as being ‘lazy’ and ‘forgetful’. Participants who considered themselves to be fully recovered were less likely to respond. There also emerged a relationship between response and treatment preference.Conclusions  Saliency of the questionnaire topic is one of the most prevalent influences on response in clinical trials. This is not evident in the survey literature. Improvements in response rates may be gained by ensuring participants fully understand the trial procedures and stressing the importance of responding even if a full recovery has been made.
Once a week is not enough: evaluating current measures of teamworking in stroke
Authors: Baxter Susan K. , Brumfitt Shelagh M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Stroke care has been at the forefront of the drive to deliver health care by teamworking in the UK. Teamworking is the subject of ongoing audit of stroke provision with measures such as a weekly team meeting being used to evaluate services. A qualitative study was recently undertaken to explore these evaluations and to gain further understanding of the processes underlying teamworking practice.Methods  Three case study sites across the stroke care pathway were investigated using data collection methods of fieldwork observation, interviews and visual imagery. The data were coded and analysed in an inductive process in parallel to the data gathering.Results  It was found that teamworking practice was affected by organizational conditions, such as location of staff, time constraints, management structures and team contact. Other important aspects of teamworking related to the formation of subteams, decision‐making processes, leadership, identification of goals, and training in teamworking.Conclusions  It is suggested that additional measures of team functioning are required. This paper highlights the importance of the organizational background with the need to consider team size, accountability and changing group membership. It discusses the decision‐making systems and the need to more fully consider the role and purpose of team meetings.
Computing hospitalization rates in presence of repeated events: impact and countermeasures to avoid misinterpretation
Authors: Baldi Ileana , Ciccone Giovannino , Merletti Franco , Gregori Dario 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  The admission rate, including both first and recurrent events, is a clear overall measure of hospital utilization, its variability accounting for individual propensity to disease recurrence.Method  In this paper, we compared two variance estimators derived from the Poisson and negative binomial distribution of directly and indirectly age/gender‐standardized hospitalization rates allowing for multiple events. The latter approach accommodates departures from the assumption of randomness of repeated events required by the Poisson distribution. We apply these methods to a retrospective cohort based on hospital discharge data in 2001 of Piedmont (north‐western Italy) residents.Results  Estimated standard errors under the negative binomial for both directly and indirectly standardized rates result in almost twice those under the Poisson distribution.Conclusion  Our analysis confirms that ignoring the typical non‐random nature of repeated events underestimates the true variance of rates and can lead to biased optimistic interpretation of study results.
Validation of the Chinese version of the MacNew Heart Disease Health‐related Quality of Life questionnaire
Authors: Yu Doris S. F. , Thompson David R. , Yu C. M. , Oldridge Neil B. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRationale  Patient‐reported outcomes such as health‐related quality of life (HRQL) describe or characterize what patients have experienced as a result of their health care. However, treatment outcome comparisons among different pure or mixed populations of patients with myocardial infarction, angina or heart failure cannot be made using existing coronary heart disease (CHD)‐specific HRQL instruments.Aims and objectives  The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the MacNew in a cohort of Hong Kong patients diagnosed with CHD.Methods  Chinese translations of a CHD‐specific HRQL instrument, the MacNew Heart Disease HRQL questionnaire (MacNew), the Short‐form 36 Health Survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were administered to 365 Chinese‐speaking patients with CHD at baseline and again 3 months later (n = 363). The Medical Outcomes Trust Scientific Advisory Committee criteria were used to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese MacNew Heart Disease HRQL questionnaire.Results  The results warrant recommending the use of the MacNew as an outcome measure to enhance treatment evaluation in Chinese patients with CHD and a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina or heart failure, substantiating previous psychometric data on the MacNew in a number of different studies in patients speaking seven different languages.Conclusion  The MacNew questionnaire may have value as a core CHD questionnaire for treatment outcome comparisons among pure or mixed populations of patients with myocardial infarction, angina or heart failure.
Clinical diagnosis of pneumonia, typical of experts
Authors: Miettinen Olli S. , Flegel Kenneth M. , Steurer Johann 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  Clinical diagnosis of pneumonia is a concern when a patient presents with recent cough – new or worsened – together with fever as the chief complaint. Given this presentation, the doctor would benefit from having access to software that specifies, first, what diagnostic indicators experts typically use in that diagnosis; then, upon entry of those facts, what experts’ typical probability of pneumonia is in such a case; and finally, how much this probability might change upon adding the facts from chest radiography.Methods  We specified a set of 36 hypothetical presentations of this type by patients 20–70 years of age, involving a comprehensive set of clinical‐diagnostic indicators. Members of three separate expert panels independently set the probability of pneumonia in each of these cases, and also the range of possible post‐radiography probabilities. A logistic function of the diagnostic indicators was fitted to the medians of the probabilities.Results  The median probability of pneumonia was a joint function of the patient’s age and current rate of cigarette smoking; history as to the cough’s duration, the fever’s maximum, dyspnea (including whether on effort only) and rigors; and physical examination as to temperature, signs of upper respiratory infection, prolongation of expiration, dullness on percussion and some auscultation findings. Non‐contributory were history of wheezing, pain on inspiration, type of sputum and signs of cold or influenza. This probability function, and the post‐radiography functions based on the same indicators, are accessible at http://www.evimed.ch/pneumonia.Interpretation  The expert inputs to clinical diagnosis that were derived and made readily accessible provide for expertly clinical diagnosis of pneumonia, relevant for decisions about radiography and treatment without it.
Towards nonlinear plasmonic devices based on metallic nanorods
Authors: DICKSON W. , EVANS P.R. , WURTZ G.A. , HENDREN W. , ATKINSON R. , POLLARD R.J. , ZAYATS A.V. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe nonlinear optical properties of gold nanorod arrays have been studied with a two‐colour continuosly working (CW) pump‐probe spectroscopy. The hybridization of the nanorod arrays with a nonlinear polymer (poly‐3BCMU) has been investigated for the purposes of active photonic component design. The sensitivity of the plasmonic resonances of the hybrid nanostructured system to pump‐induced changes in the refractive index of the polymer surroundings has been used to control the optical extinction of the array. Both reversible and non‐reversible behaviour has been observed reflecting the combined effects from the third‐order nonlinear response of the hybrid metallo‐dielectric system and post‐photopolymerization triggered reactions in the polymer.
Regular molecular nano‐dot patterns for RW‐data storage in the optical near field
Authors: PORT H. , RATH S. , HEILIG M. , GÄRTNER P. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryIn this contribution further steps to realize our concept of optical data storage in molecular nano‐dots as storage bits are reported. A preparation method has been developed successfully to achieve regular nano‐dot patterns of high density. This is considered a breakthrough because regularity is prerequisite for the use of nano‐dots in storage media. Optical imaging of dot patterns and individual writing/reading access is realized by confocal and near‐field optical microscopy (fluorescence detection mode). Examples for regular patterns at different dot densities are shown. Perspectives towards terabit per square inch density are outlined.
Characteristics of light intensity enhancement of a silver nanoprism with rounded corners
Authors: YAMAGUCHI K. , INOUE T. , FUJII M. , OGAWA T. , MATSUZAKI Y. , OKAMOTO T. , HARAGUCHI M. , FUKUI M. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryWe have fabricated silver nanoprisms of 100–600 nm side length by focussed ion beam lithography and measured the light intensity scattering spectra using dark‐field microscopy. Two resonance peaks due to localized surface plasmon excitation were observed in the spectra and their central frequency shown to depend on the prism size. The near‐field electromagnetic intensity distribution with TE‐polarized light at the vacuum wavelength of 632.8 nm was measured. We have obtained a much lower light intensity enhancement than previously numerically predicated. However, scattering spectra obtained numerically, taking into account roundness of the prism corners, agree well with experimental ones. At the same time, the numerically determined field distribution was different to the near‐field intensity obtained experimentally. Our results suggest the particular shape of the corner region of the prism is a key factor for obtaining a large light intensity enhancement and shaping the local field distribution.