bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macroinvertebrate communities of non‐glacial high altitude intermittent streams
Authors: CHAVES M. L. , RIERADEVALL M. , CHAINHO P. , COSTA J. L. , COSTA M. J. , PRAT N. 
Published: September 2007

Summary1. Macroinvertebrate assemblages of five non‐glacial intermittent high altitude headwater streams (above 1400 m – Serra da Estrela, Portugal), with dry periods of different lengths (0–3 months), were investigated in nearly undisturbed conditions to (i) examine spatial differences and identify environmental variables responsible for the observed invertebrate patterns, (ii) assess the association of dry period length with invertebrate community structure and (iii) determine the influence of using different taxonomic identification levels (order, family and genus) to assess invertebrate community patterns.2. More than 100 macroinvertebrate genera were identified. Insects clearly dominated these communities with more than 95% of total captures and around 95% of the total richness. Diptera were the most rich and abundant group with chironomid occurrences comprising over 70% of macroinvertebrate captures.3. The highest taxon richness, diversity, EPT (Ephemeroptera + Plecoptera + Trichoptera) and OCH (Odonata + Coleoptera + Heteroptera) genus richness, the greatest number of exclusive and characteristic taxa identified by the Indicator Value (IndVal), and a distinct community structure shown by Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA), were found in the only stream that was never totally dry, with pools lasting over summer. Environmental gradients that spatially structured the macroinvertebrate communities were always related to flow variations.4. Over time, the highest abundances found in these systems were also related to flow variations and maximum genus richness occurred in the connected pools or in isolated pools. Streams with longer dry periods presented a distinct recolonization phase, with higher abundance of the stonefly larvae Nemoura sp. and the presence of the chironomid larvae Krenosmittia sp., possibly arriving from the hyporheos.5. Taxonomic level of invertebrate identification was vital for recognizing the characteristic taxa (IndVal) of streams yet was not critical for identifying streams with the highest macroinvertebrate richness/diversity or structuring environmental gradients.6. Overall, this study emphasizes the variability of high altitude intermittent streams macroinvertebrate communities, despite spatial proximity. This variability was probably related to flow intermittency and hydrologic permanence, different vegetation covers and riverbed substrata. Consequently, the establishment of reference conditions should involve long‐term data collections and more detailed physical characterization. Also, these findings have significant implications for accurately predicting the ecological consequences of future climate change in high altitude scenarios.
Joint inversion of multiple data types with the use of multiobjective optimization: problem formulation and application to the seismic anisotropy investigations
Authors: Kozlovskaya E. , Vecsey L. , Plomerová J. , Raita T. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryIn geophysical studies the problem of joint inversion of multiple experimental data sets obtained by different methods is conventionally considered as a scalar one. Namely, a solution is found by minimization of linear combination of functions describing the fit of the values predicted from the model to each set of data. In the present paper we demonstrate that this standard approach is not always justified and propose to consider a joint inversion problem as a multiobjective optimization problem (MOP), for which the misfit function is a vector. The method is based on analysis of two types of solutions to MOP considered in the space of misfit functions (objective space). The first one is a set of complete optimal solutions that minimize all the components of a vector misfit function simultaneously. The second one is a set of Pareto optimal solutions, or trade-off solutions, for which it is not possible to decrease any component of the vector misfit function without increasing at least one other. We investigate connection between the standard formulation of a joint inversion problem and the multiobjective formulation and demonstrate that the standard formulation is a particular case of scalarization of a multiobjective problem using a weighted sum of component misfit functions (objectives). We illustrate the multiobjective approach with a non-linear problem of the joint inversion of shear wave splitting parameters and longitudinal wave residuals. Using synthetic data and real data from three passive seismic experiments, we demonstrate that random noise in the data and inexact model parametrization destroy the complete optimal solution, which degenerates into a fairly large Pareto set. As a result, non-uniqueness of the problem of joint inversion increases. If the random noise in the data is the only source of uncertainty, the Pareto set expands around the true solution in the objective space. In this case the ‘ideal point’ method of scalarization of multiobjective problems can be used. If the uncertainty is due to inexact model parametrization, the Pareto set in the objective space deviates strongly from the true solution. In this case all scalarization methods fail to find the solution close to the true one and a change of model parametrization is necessary.
Discrete scale invariance connects geodynamo timescales
Authors: Jonkers A.R.T. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe geodynamo exhibits a bewildering gamut of time-dependent fluctuations, on timescales from years to at least hundreds of millions of years. No framework yet exists that comprises all and relates each to all others in a quantitative sense. The technique of bootstrapped discrete scale invariance quantifies characteristic timescales of a process, based upon log-periodic fits of modulated power-law scaling of size-ranked event durations. Four independent geomagnetic data sets are analysed therewith, each spanning different timescales: the sequence of 332 known dipole reversal intervals (0–161 Ma); dipole intensity fluctuations (0–2 Ma); archeomagnetic secular variation (5000 B.C.–1950 A.D.); and historical secular variation (1590–1990 A.D.).Six major characteristic timescales are empirically attested: circa 1.43 Ma, 56 Ka, and 763, 106, 21 and 3 yr. Moreover, all detected wavelengths and phases of the detected scaling signatures are highly similar, suggesting that a single process underlies all. This hypothesis is reinforced by extrapolating the log-periodic scaling signal of any particular data set to higher timescales than observed, through which predictions are obtained for characteristic scales attested elsewhere. Not only do many confirm one another, they also predict the typical duration of superchrons and geomagnetic jerks. A universal scaling bridge describes the complete range of geodynamo fluctuation timescales with a single power law.
Dental appointment no‐shows: why do some parents fail to take their children to the dentist?
Authors: HALLBERG ULRIKA , CAMLING ELISABETH , ZICKERT INGEGERD , ROBERTSON AGNETA , BERGGREN ULF 
Published: September 2007

Background.  Children are considerably dependent on their parents, not least in relation to achieving good oral health. There is a group of children who do not show up for dental treatments or only regular check‐ups despite reminders from the dental health clinic. The cost of patients failing to come for scheduled appointments is also considered significant.Aim.  The aim of this study was to illuminate the main problem explaining why some parents fail to bring their children to the dental health clinics or to encourage and supervise them when they can take the responsibility themselves for dental treatments or only regular dental check‐ups.Design.  In‐depth interviews were carried out with 16 parents of children who regularly had failed to turn up for appointments at the dental health clinic. The verbatim transcribed interviews were analysed in line with the guidelines for grounded theory.Results.  A core category, ‘being overloaded in daily life’, emerged from the data and formed, together with three additional related categories, a conceptual model.Conclusions.  Our results indicate that these families experience an overload of demands related to their daily living and survival. Health‐promoting efforts in the form of regular dental check‐ups for their children have low priority for them.
Consumers’ and professionals’ perceptions of a breast cancer review clinic
Authors: McCaughan Eilis , McSorley Oonagh 
Published: September 2007

AbstractTitle.  Consumers’ and professionals’ perceptions of a breast cancer review clinic Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore the healthcare needs of women attending consultant‐led breast cancer review clinics from their own perspectives, how these healthcare needs were being met, and healthcare professionals’ perceptions of ways in which the service could be delivered more efficiently and effectively.Background.  The value of routine medical follow‐up both in terms of detection of recurrence and patient satisfaction has been questioned. However traditional, where routine follow‐up continues, there are rising numbers of women with breast cancer attending review clinics.Methods.  A qualitative approach was adopted, using non‐participant observation during seven outpatient oncology/surgical breast review sessions. Interviews were carried out in 2005 with a convenience sample of 21 women clinic attenders, two outpatient nurses, three breast care nurses, four oncologists, three surgeons and an outpatient sister.Findings.  Although women saw themselves as having returned to a precancer state, they still had fears of recurrence and a need for reassurance. This need was generally met through the review clinic but many psychosocial needs were unaddressed. However, nurses seemed to be under‐used as a potential source of support. Medical and nursing staff perceived that women needed to be reviewed but acknowledged that appropriately prepared nurses could deliver a more holistic and efficient service.Conclusion.  The number of women with breast cancer requiring ongoing review is likely to increase, but the current review service is not meeting all their needs. A nurse‐led follow‐up service could be an attractive alternative to routine medical follow‐up.
Clinical decision‐making skills on the developmental journey from student to Registered Nurse: a longitudinal inquiry
Authors: Standing Mooi 
Published: September 2007

AbstractTitle.  Clinical decision‐making skills on the developmental journey from student to Registered Nurse: a longitudinal inquiry Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore, from the perspective of nursing students, how they acquire clinical decision‐making skills and how well‐prepared they feel in this respect regarding their responsibilities as Registered Nurses.Background.  Previous research has focused mainly on exploring experienced nurses’ judgement and decision‐making. Some studies have elicited senior nursing students’ understanding of the process, but none has explored the development of clinical decision‐making skills throughout the educational programme and in the first year as a Registered Nurse.Method.  A volunteer sample of 20 respondents, broadly representative of the student cohort regarding qualifications, age, gender and nursing specialty, was recruited. A longitudinal hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out from 2000 to 2004, using interviews, reflective journals, care studies, critical incident analyses and document analysis.Findings.  Ten conceptions of nursing and 10 perceptions of clinical decision‐making were identified and a growing pattern of inter‐relationships between them became apparent. A ‘matrix model’ was developed by cross‐referencing the two thematic categories within the timeline of respondents’ developmental journey through significant milestones and changing contexts. As Registered Nurses they found having to ‘think on your feet’ without the ‘comfort blanket’ of student status both a stressful and formative learning experience.Conclusion.  Further collaboration between education and health service partners is recommended to integrate clinical decision‐making throughout the nursing curriculum, enhance the development of such vital skills, and facilitate the transition from student to Registered Nurse.
Healthcare and support needs of women with suspected breast cancer
Authors: Liao Mei‐Nan , Chen Miin‐Fu , Chen Shin‐Cheh , Chen Ping‐Ling 
Published: September 2007

AbstractTitle.  Healthcare and support needs of women with suspected breast cancer Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to investigate changes in the healthcare and support needs during the diagnostic period, and factors that affect these needs in women with suspected breast cancer.Background.  Although the needs of women with breast cancer are well recognized, few studies have examined the needs of women with suspected breast cancer during the diagnostic period.Method.  This longitudinal study used an investigator‐developed, self‐administered questionnaire to collect data from 127 women in Taiwan on three occasions: notification of need for breast biopsy, before biopsy and after diagnosis. The data were collected from November 2004 to April 2005.Findings.  Participants had high need levels before and after diagnosis, with their top needs in the domains of healthcare services for diagnosis, follow‐up and consultation, and information about the disease. They needed disease‐ and treatment‐related information more than emotional support. Need levels were higher (P < 0·01) before diagnosis than after, highest before biopsy, and lowest after diagnosis. Furthermore, needs were higher (P < 0·01) before than after diagnosis for diagnostic services, disease information, and involvement of family and friends. Higher needs were found in married women with more education and no history of benign tumours. Need level did not differ statistically significantly by age, religious status, degree of social support, family history and breast symptoms.Conclusion.  Need levels of women with suspected breast cancer vary during the diagnostic period, are highest before breast biopsy, and related to personal characteristics and cultural context. Therefore, during this period, nursing staff should provide patients and families with culturally sensitive, individualized, supportive care.
The Chinese Childbirth Self‐Efficacy Inventory: the development of a short form
Authors: Ip Wan‐Yim , Chung Tony KH , Tang Catherine SK 
Published: September 2007

Aims and objectives.  To examine the validity and reliability of the short form of the Childbirth Self‐Efficacy Inventory in a clinical Chinese pregnant population.Background.  Childbirth self‐efficacy has become an important psychological construct for both childbirth educators and researchers because pregnant women's perception may influence the meaning and consequences of childbirth. Assessment done by the original Childbirth Self‐Efficacy Inventory limits the scientific rigor for generating additional research into the construct, as its items were repetitive and its structure is lengthy.Methods.  This prospective study investigated 293 Chinese pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy. The women completed the short form of the Childbirth Self‐Efficacy Inventory, the Chinese Self‐efficacy Scale and the socio‐demographic questionnaire in an interview room of the study hospital. The re‐testing of the scale on the participants was carried out two weeks later in the same clinic.Results.  Factor analysis and item‐subscale correlations supported the conceptual dimensions of the short form of the Chinese Childbirth Self‐Efficacy Inventory. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for both subscales were over 0·9. The convergent validity with the Chinese Self‐Efficacy Scale was reflected by a moderate correlation for the two subscales. The efficacy expectancy subscale differentiated primigravid from multigravid women (t = 2·83, P < 0·01, CI = −2·33 to 2·34).Conclusions.  The reliability and validity information presented in this paper supports the use of the short form of the Childbirth Self‐Efficacy Inventory as a research instrument in measuring the childbirth self‐efficacy among the Chinese population. Further validation of the measure is warranted.Relevance to clinical practice.  The reliable short form of the Childbirth Self‐Efficacy Inventory could be used in routine clinical practice in maternity care services to provide a point of reference for future research and development in both childbirth education and clinical practice.
Exploring the efficacy of a case management model using DOTS in the adherence of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Hsieh Chia‐Ju , Lin Li‐Chan , Kuo Benjamin Ing‐Tiau , Chiang Chi‐Huei , Su Wei‐Juin , Shih Jen‐Fu 
Published: September 2007

Aim.  To explore the efficacy of hospitals using case management with Directly Observed Treatment – Short course (DOTS) to monitor the adherence of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Taiwan.Background.  Non‐adherence to anti‐tuberculosis chemotherapy is the major problem in treating patients with tuberculosis. Community‐based case management coupled with DOTS has been applied to patients with tuberculosis and has resulted in good results in some countries. Taiwan has a high incidence of tuberculosis, and although it has implemented DOTS, the expected increased efficacy has not yet been realized.Design and methods.  The study used a quasi‐experimental design. Using age and gender as matching factors, 96 subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups in 2002–2003. Experimental group I was to receive DOTS case management comprising in‐hospital education, direct daily observation in the first two months and one home visit per week. Experimental group II received traditional case management comprising in‐hospital education and one home visit per month. The control group did not receive any intervention.Results.  The adherence, the rate of completion, the treatment success, sputum conversion and chest X‐ray improvement of experimental group I were significantly improved compared with experimental group II and the control group. The completion rate in experimental group I was higher than the general rate for Taiwan during the past six years and the treatment success rate met the standards of the World Health Organization.Conclusion.  Hospitals using case management with DOTS can improve the adherence of tuberculosis patients and the control of tuberculosis‐epidemic situations.Relevance to clinical practice.  In a rapidly changing healthcare environment, clinical nurses can make a significant contribution to healthcare delivery for tuberculosis patients. This study has provided further insight into the implementation of hospital‐to‐community level case management using DOTS by nurses.
Disruption of parent participation: nurses’ strategies to manage parents on children's wards
Authors: Coyne Imelda 
Published: September 2007

Aims and objectives.  To investigate parent participation in the hospitalized child’s care from the perspectives of children, parents and nurses.Background.  Parent participation in the hospitalized child’s care has been increasingly promoted in paediatric nursing for many years because it ameliorates the adverse aspects of hospitalization, avoids parental separation and contributes to quality care for sick children. Parent participation is assumed to be unproblematic but evidence exists that nurses often have difficulty caring for parents.Design.  Using grounded method, data were collected through in‐depth interviews, questionnaires and observation with 12 nurses from four paediatric wards in two hospitals in England.Results.  The dominant process appeared to be the socialization of parents to their role on the ward through inclusionary and exclusionary tactics. Nurses controlled the nature of parents’ participation and parents had to ‘toe the line’. Although participation was presented as optional, parents were presented with no course other than acceptance. Parents were expected to stay with their child, behave properly and be involved in care. When parents did not adhere to these norms, they caused disruption to the order and routine of the ward. Compliance or non‐compliance to the set of norms and rules was followed by reward or punishment.Conclusion.  The nurses’ dependence on parents’ active participation in the organization and delivery of the work suggests that parent participation as it is practised is clearly about administrative efficiency, not consumer empowerment.Relevance to clinical practice.  Organizational and managerial issues must be examined to ensure that nurses are adequately prepared and resourced to support parents on the ward. Continuing assessment of parents’ expectations though a structured assessment tool would help reduce misunderstandings and conflict. Nurses should assess the situational context before relying on subjective impressions and assumptions about parents’ participation in care.
Criteria for evaluation of measurement properties of clinical balance measures for use in fall prevention studies
Authors: Moe‐Nilssen Rolf , Nordin Ellinor , Lundin‐Olsson Lillemor ,   on behalf of and partly based upon discussions within Work Package 3 of the European Community Research Network Prevention of Falls Network Europe
Published: September 2007

AbstractWork Package 3 of the Prevention of Falls Network Europe has evaluated measurement properties of clinical balance measures to be used to: (1) select participants for interventions with the goal to prevent falls in older people, and (2) assess the results of such intervention on balance function.Inclusion in a fall prevention study may be based on measures identifying subjects who have impaired balance or increased risk of future falls. We propose that an appropriate statistical method to analyse discriminative ability of a balance measure is discriminant analysis or logistic regression analysis. The optimal cut‐off score is best determined by plotting a receiver‐operating‐characteristic curve for different cut‐off values. The evaluation of predictors for risk of future falls should be based on a study design with a prospective data collection of falls.Sensitivity to change is a measurement property needed to evaluate the outcome of an intervention. The standardized response mean is frequently encountered in the literature and is recommended as a statistical measure of sensitivity to change in the context of an intervention study.Adequate reliability is a prerequisite for consistent measurement. Relative reliability may be reported as an intraclass correlation coefficient and absolute reliability as the within‐subject standard deviation (sw), also called standard error of measurement. When measurement error is proportional to the score, calculation of a coefficient of variation can be considered.In a second paper, the authors will evaluate clinical balance measures for use in fall prevention studies based upon criteria recommended in this report.