bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public perceptions of communicating information about bowel cancer screening
Authors: Woodrow Chris , Watson Eila , Rozmovits Linda , Parker Ronald , Austoker Joan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectives The National Health Service has recently begun the introduction of a Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP), offering biennial screening to men and women aged 60–69 years. This study aimed to explore public perceptions regarding the communication of information designed to facilitate informed choice in relation to this new screening programme.Methods Fourteen single sex focus groups were conducted in England with 86 individuals aged 60–69 years. Focus groups were conducted either with individuals who had participated in the pilot phase of the BCSP, or with members of the public living outside the pilot areas.Results The majority of participants expressed positive attitudes towards bowel cancer screening, identifying items highlighting the benefits of the programme as important for others to know. Whilst some believed it was appropriate for information regarding the potentially negative aspects of the programme to be communicated at the outset, others expressed concerns about the generation of anxiety and potential for decreased participation. A number of participants questioned the concept of informed choice, arguing that once in place, a screening programme should be vigorously promoted.Conclusions There is some variation in the type of information favoured by those eligible for bowel cancer screening. This may present challenges for the provision of information aiming to facilitate informed choice in the BCSP. Flexible approaches to information provision that recognize the perceptions of patients may be required.
Pre‐treatment of dietary plant feedstuffs with phytase and its effect on growth and mineral concentration in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)
Authors: Nwanna L. C. , Kolahsa M. , Eisenreich R. , Schwarz F. J. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryEffect of phytase pre‐treatment of dietary plant feed stuffs (PF) on growth and mineral concentration in common carp (C. carpio L.) was investigated. Diets used were: C0, diet with no supplement; CI, diet with incubated PF; CP0, diet supplemented with 3 g P/kg; CPI, diet with incubated PF supplemented with 3 g P/kg; Phyt0, diet fortified with 4000 U phytase/kg; PhytI, diet with PF incubated with 4000 U phytase/kg. Mean weight gain, SGR and FCR were the same (p < 0.05) in fish fed CP0, CPI or PhytI but less (p < 0.05) in other fish. Bone P was similar in fish fed CP0 (74.9), CPI (75.9) or PhytI (71.5 mg/g DM) but higher (p < 0.05) than in fish fed C0. Bone Ca and Mg were similar in fish fed CP0, CPI or PhytI but less (p < 0.05) in other fish. Bone Zn in fish fed C0, Phyt0 or PhytI was higher (p < 0.05) than that in fish fed CP0 or CPI. In conclusion, CP0, CPI and PhytI had the same effect, suggesting phytase pre‐treatment as the most effective method. CPI did not have any advantage over CP0. Phytase increased mineral availability and utilization, which would minimize cost of mineral supplementation and discharges into the environment.
Dietary green tea polyphenols do not affect vitamin E status, antioxidant capacity and meat quality of growing pigs
Authors: Augustin K. , Blank R. , Boesch‐Saadatmandi C. , Frank J. , Wolffram S. , Rimbach G. 
Published: February 2008

SummarySupplementation of pigs with vitamin E, the most important lipid‐soluble antioxidant, has been shown to improve meat quality and animal health. Previous studies in cultured cells and laboratory animals indicate synergistic effects between polyphenols and vitamin E. The present feeding trial was undertaken to investigate the effects of dietary green tea polyphenols (GTP) on vitamin E status, antioxidative capacity and parameters of meat quality in growing pigs. Eighteen castrated, crossbred, male pigs received a flavonoid‐poor diet based on corn starch, caseinate and rapeseed oil with a total vitamin E content of 17 IU/kg diet over a period of 5 weeks. This basal diet was supplemented with green tea extract to provide daily doses of 0 (control), 10 and 100 mg GTP/kg body weight. Dietary supplementation of growing pigs with GTP did not affect serum, liver, lung and muscle vitamin E (α‐ and γ‐tocopherol) concentrations, plasma antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) or parameters of meat quality including meat temperature, pH, conductivity, colour and drip loss. In conclusion, supplementation of pig diets with green tea catechins is not associated with improved antioxidant status and meat quality under practice‐oriented conditions.
Mineral content of hay harvested in Bavarian and Swiss horse farms. Predictive value of cutting time, number of cut, botanical composition, origin and fertilization
Authors: Kienzle E. , Möllmann F. , Nater S. , Wanner M. , Wichert B. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryHay samples from 29 horse farms in Southern Upper Bavaria and 31 horse farms in Switzerland were taken and analysed for minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. The content of herbs and legumes in the hay was determined and the Weende analysis was performed. Comparison between Bavaria and Switzerland resulted in comparable calcium contents of approximately 4 g Ca/kg dry matter (DM) in grass hay. Hay with more than 10% of herbs and legumes found only in Switzerland showed higher Ca contents of >7 g Ca/kg DM in hay. The mineral contents of phosphorus and potassium were lower in hay from Switzerland (P: 1.8 ± 0.7 g/kg DM, K: 15.4 ± 5.1 g/kg DM) than from Bavaria (P: 3.8 ± 0.6 g/kg DM, K: 20.0 ± 6.0 DM), whereas the magnesium content of the hay showed no difference between the regions (∼1.5 g Mg/kg DM). Very late first grass hay cuts showed low magnesium and calcium (<4 g/kg DM) contents. Further minerals in the hay for horses differed from those in dairy cattle in the same region. Fertilization showed only small effects on the mineral contents of the hay produced for horses. Therefore, in calculation of ration and production of supplements for horses, these differences should be taken into account.
Prediction of plant species distributions across six millennia
Authors: Pearman Peter B. , Randin Christophe F. , Broennimann Olivier , Vittoz Pascal , Knaap Willem O. van der , Engler Robin , Lay Gwenaelle Le , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Guisan Antoine 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe usefulness of species distribution models (SDMs) in predicting impacts of climate change on biodiversity is difficult to assess because changes in species ranges may take decades or centuries to occur. One alternative way to evaluate the predictive ability of SDMs across time is to compare their predictions with data on past species distributions. We use data on plant distributions, fossil pollen and current and mid‐Holocene climate to test the ability of SDMs to predict past climate‐change impacts. We find that species showing little change in the estimated position of their realized niche, with resulting good model performance, tend to be dominant competitors for light. Different mechanisms appear to be responsible for among‐species differences in model performance. Confidence in predictions of the impacts of climate change could be improved by selecting species with characteristics that suggest little change is expected in the relationships between species occurrence and climate patterns.
Changing skewness: an early warning signal of regime shifts in ecosystems
Authors: Guttal Vishwesha , Jayaprakash Ciriyam 
Published: February 2008

AbstractEmpirical evidence for large‐scale abrupt changes in ecosystems such as lakes and vegetation of semi‐arid regions is growing. Such changes, called regime shifts, can lead to degradation of ecological services. We study simple ecological models that show a catastrophic transition as a control parameter is varied and propose a novel early warning signal that exploits two ubiquitous features of ecological systems: nonlinearity and large external fluctuations. Either reduced resilience or increased external fluctuations can tip ecosystems to an alternative stable state. It is shown that changes in asymmetry in the distribution of time series data, quantified by changing skewness, is a model‐independent and reliable early warning signal for both routes to regime shifts. Furthermore, using model simulations that mimic field measurements and a simple analysis of real data from abrupt climate change in the Sahara, we study the feasibility of skewness calculations using data available from routine monitoring.
Contraceptive methods with male participation: a perspective of Brazilian couples
Authors: Marchi N.M. , De Alvarenga A.T. , Osis M.J.D. , Bahamondes L. 
Published: February 2008

Objective:  To assess the perspectives of couples who requested vasectomy in a public health service on the use of male participation contraceptive methods available in Brazil: male condoms, natural family planning/calendar, coitus interruptus and vasectomy.Methods:  A qualitative study with semi‐structured interviews was held with 20 couples who had requested vasectomy at the Human Reproduction Unit of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil. Data analysis was carried out through thematic content analysis.Findings:  The couples did not, in general, know any effective contraceptive options for use by men and/or participating in their use, except for vasectomy. The few methods with male participation that they knew of were perceived to interfere in spontaneity and in pleasure of intercourse. Men accepted that condom use in extra‐conjugal relations offered them protection from sexually transmitted diseases; that their wives might also participate in extra‐marital relationships was not considered.Discussion:  The few contraceptive options with male participation lead to difficulty in sharing responsibilities between men and women. On the basis of perceived gender roles, women took the responsibility for contraception until the moment when the situation became untenable, and they faced the unavoidable necessity of sterilization.Conclusions:  Specific actions are necessary for men to achieve integral participation in relation to reproductive sexual health. These include education and discussions on gender roles, leading to greater awareness in men of the realities of sexual and reproductive health.
Orthopaedic patients' experience of motor vehicle accident in Singapore
Authors: Tan K.L. , Lim L.M. , Chiu L.H. 
Published: February 2008

Aim:  The purpose of this paper is to present a study that explored the experiences of orthopaedic patients injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), from the time of the accident until 6 months after being discharged from hospital.Background:  Trauma injuries from MVAs are increasing, with the number of deaths from such injuries continuing to rise. Victims often sustain open fractures to more than one part of their body and need rehabilitation and support to adjust to long‐term chronic or permanent disability. In the last decade, research pertaining to trauma nursing has concentrated on neurologically injured patients. Although there is a paucity of research on the nursing perspective of psychological care for non‐neurologically injured patients, the majority of studies located were mainly quantitative in nature and did not analyse the personal experiences of orthopaedic patients.Method:  A qualitative naturalistic inquiry approach was used, which provided a first‐hand account of the traumatic MVA event experienced by six orthopaedic participants in Singapore. Data were collected from face‐to‐face in‐depth interviews. Participants were voluntarily recruited through purposeful sampling and ‘snowballing’. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim in preparation for analysis.Findings:  The analysis of information explicated four main themes: the experience of the event, the effect of hospitalization, surviving the event and self‐transformation.Conclusion:  The study provided an understanding of orthopaedic patients' experience of MVA in Singapore. The findings of the study have the potential to contribute to the limited qualitative research available concerning victims' experiences of MVAs and nurses caring for MVA victims.
Burnout in hospital nurses: a comparison of internal, surgery, psychiatry and burns wards
Authors: Sahraian A. , Fazelzadeh A. , Mehdizadeh A.R. , Toobaee S.H. 
Published: February 2008

Introduction:  Burnout is a phenomenon in which the cumulative effects of a stressful work environment gradually overwhelm the defenses of staff members, forcing them to withdraw psychologically. This study compared the levels of burnout among nurses in different nursing specialties.Materials and methods:  The sample of the study consisted of all the nurses working in all public hospitals in Shiraz, Iran who were graduates of either technological educational institutions or universities and had experienced clinical nursing practice for at least 1 year. Using Maslach Burnout Inventory and General Health Questionnaire (28‐item version), we identified the psychiatric morbidity and burnout among nurses.Results:  Study results indicated that nurses of psychiatry wards showed significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization in comparison with nurses working in other wards, and burn wards nurses showed significantly higher levels of personal accomplishment. Also, nurses who were single were more emotionally exhausted.Conclusion:  Different clinical working environments appear to have an impact on the development of nurses' burnout.
Factors affecting patients' rights practice: the lived experiences of Iranian nurses and physicians
Authors: Joolaee S. , Tschudin V. , Nikbakht‐Nasrabadi A. , Parsa‐Yekta Z. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education published a ‘Patient’s Bill of Rights' in 2001.Aim:  To gain insight into the perception and practice of patients' rights in Iran. This paper reports on Iranian nurses' and physicians' perceptions and lived experiences of respecting patients' rights.Methods:  A purposeful sample of eight nurses and five physicians working in a central teaching hospital in Tehran were interviewed during 2005–2006 for a qualitative study. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Findings:  The emerging themes were categorized as ‘barriers to patients’ rights practice' and ‘facilitators of patients’ rights practice'. Under these themes three subgroups were discussed: awareness, resources and accountability.Conclusion:  Healthcare professionals' lived experiences are an important source of data if managers and policy makers are to make changes and legislate for protecting and promoting patients' rights.
The SARS crisis: reflections of Hong Kong nurses
Authors: Holroyd E. , McNaught C. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) exerted a massive toll on Hong Kong's healthcare system in 2003.Aim:  This research examines front‐line nurses' reflections on the time of SARS in Hong Kong in order to articulate: (1) the nature and complexity of their experience, and (2) what lessons can be learned for future disease crises.Methods:  Personal reflective essays written in 2004 by seven senior nurses studying a part‐time Masters in Nursing degree at a Hong Kong university were analysed using a form of content analysis.Findings:  The nurses' stories report immense personal costs on nurses, on their families and on the wider community. The analysis of the narratives was used to build a model, indicating how nurses' personal lives were ‘sandwiched’ between, on the one hand, their commitment to families and local community and, on the other hand, their professional commitment to the needs of a health system in crisis.Conclusion:  In dealing with future health crises, it is imperative that a multilevel approach be taken.
Residents' awareness and behaviour regarding typhoon evacuation advice in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Nozawa M. , Watanabe T. , Katada N. , Minami H. , Yamamoto A. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  When residents are confronted with disaster, it is often difficult for them to realize the danger and take protective action. In 2004, an evacuation advisory alert was issued on the approach of the season's 23rd typhoon in Japan, but only 5.1% of the residents actually evacuated. Therefore, we felt it necessary to elucidate the awareness and behaviours of residents during the period.Aims:  To clarify the awareness, behaviour and related factors of residents who were issued an evacuation advisory alert for the 2004 season's 23rd typhoon.Methods:  One questionnaire per one household was distributed to 2818 households in the area where the evacuation advisory alert was issued.Findings:  A total of 481 responses were returned (a response rate of 17.1%). Residents who evacuated made their decision because they felt the situation was dangerous; they recognized the extent of the danger. There was a pattern of agreement that it had been wise to do so. For those who didn't evacuate, many cited as the reason for their behaviour that their houses didn't flood. Non‐evacuees also felt it was all right to stay at home and valued the merits of staying home. Related factors were housing structures, routine disaster‐preparedness, a sense of personal danger and the impact of mass media news.Conclusions:  Although the participation rate was only 17.1%, this study was successful in uncovering aspects of awareness and behaviour of residents in the designated area. It also provided insight into what is needed for future disaster‐preparedness, equipment and education.
Health care and nursing in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aldossary A. , While A. , Barriball L. 
Published: February 2008

Aim:  This paper reviews healthcare provision in Saudi Arabia and the development of nursing together with its current challenges.Background:  Health care in Saudi Arabia is developing fast with multiple governmental and independent service providers. Economic growth has impacted upon health needs through population and health behaviour change. The development of the indigenous nursing workforce has been slow resulting in much nursing care being delivered by migrant nurses.Conclusion:  There is a need to increase the proportion of indigenous nurses so that culturally appropriate holistic care can be delivered. Without shared culture and language, it will be difficult to deliver effective health education within nursing care to Saudis.
A critical review of appropriate conceptual models for use by coronary care nurses
Authors: Timmins F. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  There is little evidence of the extent of conceptual model use within cardiovascular nursing. Concern exists within nursing that nursing theory and conceptual model use within practice is less than optimal. It is further suggested that there is little evidence of nursing theory occupying its true position as the central tenet of nursing practice and cardiovascular nurses have been challenged to reconsider this aspect of practice.Aim:  The aim of this review is to explore the effectiveness of conceptual models used within cardiovascular nursing to further explore their potential benefit.Methods:  Using key terms, a search was conducted using electronic databases CINAHL and PUBMED; yielding seven papers that fulfilled selection criteria.Findings:  Few papers related to research studies in the area. However, of those identified significant examination and testing of concepts emerged within the studies. Rather than merely using concepts as an organizing framework or a component of the study, theories alluded to were scrutinized and consistently applied. Although studies identified mostly referred to specific testing and examination of aspects of conceptual models, the notion of self‐care and support for clients emerges as a strong theme within the review. The relationship between nurse and client seemed to be pivotal in any noted improvements.Conclusions:  The findings have limited application to practice. In the absence of large‐scale longitudinal studies, only selected aspects of conceptual models or theory were scrutinized. Further research is required in this area to identify conceptual models of nursing that are most appropriate for cardiovascular nursing care.
Applying the transtheoretical model to cervical cancer screening in Vietnamese‐American women
Authors: Tung W.‐C. , Nguyen D.H.T. , Tran D.N. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  Low levels of Papanicolaou (Pap) screening participation in Vietnamese‐American women remain a significant public health problem. The transtheoretical model (TTM) suggests that individuals adopting Pap smear behaviour move through a series of stages of readiness to change. Determining a woman's level of readiness for regular Pap testing and identifying the screening behaviour that an individual already performs is important in the development of successful intervention programmes that address the specific needs of Vietnamese‐American women in different stages.Aims:  To describe Pap smear screening behaviours of Vietnamese‐American women, and to examine whether constructs (stages of change, self‐efficacy and perceived benefits/barriers) from the TTM are applicable to Vietnamese‐American women relative to Pap testing.Methods:  A descriptive, cross‐sectional design with snowball sampling was used to recruit participants. A total of 80 Vietnamese‐American women completed the self‐administered questionnaire.Results:  Most respondents (62.5%) reported previous Pap testing and only 46.3% receiving regular Pap testing. Compared with those in the pre‐contemplation stage of the TTM, participants in maintenance reported significantly less self‐efficacy (F (3, 73) = 4.85, P = 0.00), a lower level of perceived barriers (F (3, 75) = 5.99, P = 0.00) and a higher level of perceived benefits (F (3, 76) = 3.91, P = 0.01) relative to Pap smear.Conclusions:  The results support some of the assumptions of the TTM but raise questions about the predicted relationships between stages of change and self‐efficacy. Continued research is needed to identify the most effective theory‐based interventions for evidence‐based nursing practice in this population.
Jordanian nurses' job stressors and social support
Authors: Hamaideh S.H. , Mrayyan M.T. , Mudallal R. , Faouri I.G. , Khasawneh N.A. 
Published: February 2008

Purpose:  This study describes stressors of Jordanian nurses and the social support they received to decrease the influence of these stressors. The relationships between the two concepts, and each with the sample's demographics were assessed. Predictors of nurses' stressors as well as social supportive behaviours were also studied.Methods:  A descriptive correlational research design was used. The Nursing Stress Scale and the Inventory of Social Supportive Behaviours were used to collect data from a convenience sample of 464 Jordanian nurses who were working in 13 Jordanian hospitals.Results:  Workload and dealing with issues of death and dying were the most prevalent stressors among Jordanian nurses. Emotional support was the most supportive social behaviour Jordanian nurses reported that they usually receive. Significant correlations were found between nurses' stressors and social supportive behaviours, as well as between nurses' stressors and shift worked, level of education, and model of nursing care provision. Additionally, significant correlations were found between social supportive behaviours and commitment for work and units' decision‐making style. Shift worked, nurses' educational level and model of nursing care provision were the best predictors of the nurses' stressors. Shift worked, model of the nursing care provision, marital status and unit's organizational structure were the best predictors of the social supportive behaviour.Conclusions:  Nursing interventions are needed to decrease nurses' stressors; these will help nurses to perform safely their jobs. Various types of social support are needed, particularly emotional support.