bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acoustic observations of zooplankton in lakes using a Doppler current profiler
Authors: Lorke Andreas , McGinnis Daniel F. , Spaak Piet , Wüest Alfred 
Published: September 2004

Summary1. In this paper we test the usefulness of acoustic backscatter measurements from a 614 kHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) for the qualitative and quantitative characterisation of zooplankton distributions in lakes. ADCP‐based backscatter estimates were compared with frequent net hauls obtained during a calibration experiment in which the acoustic backscatter was strongly dominated by vertical migrating Chaoborus flavicans larvae.2. The correlation between backscatter estimates and the C. flavicans concentration was very good. Vertical swimming speed of larvae, measured directly by the ADCP, was up to a maximum of 5 mm s−1 and agreed very well with the observed vertical movement of the backscatter contour lines. Although the strong backscatter from C. flavicans overwhelmed the signal from the remaining zooplankton, a good correlation between backscatter strength and the total remaining zooplankton concentration, dominated by Cyclops spp., was found for the depth and time intervals where no C. flavicans were present.3. In addition to the calibration experiment, longer‐term ADCP measurements from different lakes revealed a strong temporal correlation between the onset of the up‐ and downward migration of zooplankton and the local sunset and sunrise.4. We conclude that ADCPs can be used to monitor plankton distributions both temporally and spatially. It also seems possible to estimate plankton densities after appropriate calibration.
Effects of Macrobrachium hainanense predation on benthic community functioning in tropical Asian streams
Authors: Mantel Sukhmani K. , Dudgeon David 
Published: September 2004

Summary1. Macrobrachium hainanense is a large predatory palaemonid shrimp, present at high densities in pools of low‐order forested streams in Hong Kong. The present study investigated the impacts of M. hainanense on benthic community structure and functions in pools of two streams: Tai Po Kau Forest Stream and Tai Shing Stream.2. Repeated whole‐pool experiments involving shrimp density manipulations (removal, control and addition) were conducted in both streams between October 2000 and April 2002, and included a wet (May to September) and two dry (October to April) seasons. The three objectives of the study were to determine the effects of M. hainanense predation on benthic macroinvertebrate abundance and species richness, rates of leaf litter breakdown because of effects on detritivores, and periphyton standing stocks by way of an effect on herbivores.3. Wet season results showed consistent reductions in benthos densities and species richness following heavy rainfall, irrespective of shrimp manipulation. These results suggested that spate‐induced disturbances might override biotic effects and play a dominant role in structuring benthic communities in stream pools in Hong Kong.4. No significant, reproducible effects on any of the response variables measured in either stream were found during the dry season. Litter breakdown was reduced in the absence of shrimps during one experiment only, suggesting it might be a type I error. These results signified no effect of shrimp removal on benthic communities, or on the functional processes of litter breakdown, or on periphyton accumulation. The large scale of the experimental units (8–40 m2), refuge availability, and the presence of benthic predatory fishes that cropped excess prey made available by removal of M. hainanense, may have contributed to the lack of any effect, despite the abundance of the predatory shrimps.
Lethal and non‐lethal effects of multiple indigenous predators on the invasive golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata)
Authors: Carlsson Nils , Kestrup Åsa , Mårtensson Monica , Nyström Per 
Published: September 2004

Summary1. We investigated the individual and combined effects of two predators (the climbing perch, Anabas testudineus, and the wetland crab, Esanthelphusa nimoafi) indigenous to wetlands in Laos, on the behaviour and survival of the invasive South American golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata). The snail is considered a pest, consuming large amounts of rice and other aquatic vegetation in the region.2. Snail avoidance reactions to released predator chemical cues were investigated in aquaria while the effects of predators on a mixed snail population were studied in field enclosures that contained native aquatic plants (Salvinia cucullata, Ludwigia adscendens and Ipomoea aquatica).3. In the aquaria experiment, neonate (2–3 mm) and medium‐sized snails (8–10 mm) responded to fish chemical cues by going to the surface, whereas adult snails (35–40 mm) went to the bottom. In contrast, no size class of snails reacted to chemical cues released by crabs.4. In the field experiment, fish reduced the abundance of neonate snails, and crabs reduced the abundance of all size classes. The effect of the combined predators could not be predicted from the mortality rate observed in single predator treatments. The survival of neonate and medium‐sized snails was greater and of adults less than expected. The presence of predators did not affect egg production. Snails consumed significant amounts of plants despite the presence of predators.5. Our findings suggest that some indigenous Asian predators have lethal and sublethal effects on P. canaliculata that depend on snail size and predator type. When in the presence of several predators the response of snails to one predator may either increase or decrease the vulnerability of snails to the others.
Changes to the phytoplankton assemblage of Lake Kinneret after decades of a predictable, repetitive pattern
Authors: Zohary Tamar 
Published: September 2004

Summary1. Phytoplankton abundance and species composition in Lake Kinneret, Israel, have been monitored at weekly or fortnightly intervals since 1969. This paper summarises the resulting 34‐year phytoplankton record with a focus on the last 13 years of new data, and reassesses an earlier conclusion that the lake phytoplankton shows remarkable stability despite a wide range of external pressures.2. The Kinneret phytoplankton record can be split into two major periods. The first, from 1969 till 1993, was a period of distinct stability expressed by a typical annual pattern revolving around a spring bloom of the dinoflagellate Peridinium gatunense that repeated each year. The second period, starting around 1994 and ongoing, is characterised by the loss of the previously predictable annual pattern, with both ‘bloom years’ and ‘no‐bloom years’.3. In the second period, deviations from the previous annual pattern include: the absence of the prevailing spring P. gatunense blooms in some years and increased variability in the magnitude of the bloom in others; intensification of winter Aulacoseira granulata blooms; higher summer phytoplankton biomass with replacement of mostly nanoplanktonic, palatable forms by less palatable forms; new appearance and establishment of toxin‐producing, nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria in summer; increase in the absolute biomass and percentage contribution of cyanobacteria to total biomass; and fungal epidemics attacking P. gatunense.4. The 34‐year record serves to validate Schindler's (1987) assessment that phytoplankton species composition will respond to increased anthropogenic stress before bulk ecosystem parameters.
Life history patterns of parental and hybrid Daphnia differ between lakes
Authors: Löffler Astrid , Wolinska Justyna , Keller Barbara , Rothhaupt Karl‐Otto , Spaak Piet 
Published: September 2004

Summary1. We investigated whether Daphnia galeata × hyalina hybrids of Lake Constance and Lake Greifensee show the same pattern of life history parameters as previously reported for D. galeata × cucullata hybrids and whether such a pattern is consistent between Daphnia populations from those two lakes.2. Hybrids in Lake Constance were intermediate in size compared with the parental species. Hybrids in Lake Greifensee were smaller than D. galeata. The intrinsic growth rate (r) of hybrids from Lake Constance was not significantly different from the faster growing parental taxon D. galeata. However, r of hybrids from Lake Greifensee was significantly lower than that of D. galeata.3. The observed juvenile body length differences between the taxa varied with the clutch number. The first clutch juvenile lengths of the three taxa did not differ for Lake Constance. First clutch juveniles of Lake Greifensee D. galeata were smaller than hybrid first clutch juveniles. The third clutch juvenile length did not differ between taxa from Lake Greifensee, but D. galeata juveniles from Lake Constance were bigger than those of D. hyalina.4. The life history pattern found in Lake Constance corresponds to previous findings from other studies. The hybrids in this lake combine the faster population growth of one parental species with a relatively small size. In the case of Lake Greifensee hybrids, the relatively large size of first clutch juveniles and the small size of the adults could be interpreted as dual adaptations to invertebrate and fish predation. We speculate that the lower population growth rate of the hybrids is a trade‐off for this twofold protection.
Contrasting patterns in local and zonal family richness of stream invertebrates along an Andean altitudinal gradient
Authors: Jacobsen Dean 
Published: September 2004

Summary1. Describing and understanding patterns in biological diversity along major geographical gradients is an important topic in ecology. Samples collected from a large number of physically and chemically comparable stream sites along a 4000 m gradient of altitude in the Andes of Ecuador served to characterise patterns of family richness of aquatic macroinvertebrates at the scale of the stream site (local) and at that of discrete altitudinal zones.2. Both mean local and zonal family richness decreased by about 50% from sea level to 4000 m a.s.l. Local richness declined linearly, while zonal richness remained constant from sea level up to a threshold altitude of about 1800 m, whereafter it decreased.3. From sea level to 1800 m few families were lost from zonal richness and few were gained. From 1800 to 3800 m the decrease in the number of families was accounted for by a loss of families present in lowland streams, with few new families gained. Hence, there was relatively little turnover of families along the entire gradient.4. The diverging pattern of local and zonal richness was caused by sporadically occurring families inflating zonal richness at mid‐altitudes. If the sporadic families were represented by the same species found commonly in the lowlands, then the mid‐altitudinal zonal richness would be maintained by a ‘rescue effect’. More probably, however, the sporadically occurring families found at mid‐altitudes are each represented by new species replacing each other along the gradient, the families progressively diminishing in species richness and occurrence as the overall temperature tolerance of the family is approached.5. This study demonstrates that spatial scale affects altitudinal patterns in the taxonomic richness of stream invertebrates. It also showed that family‐level identification can facilitate interpretation of sources and sinks of biodiversity along geographic gradients.
Determinants of perceived health in families of patients with heart disease
Authors: Åstedt‐Kurki Päivi , Lehti Kristiina , Tarkka Marja‐Terttu , Paavilainen Eija 
Published: September 2004

Background.  Heart disease is a severe long‐term illness, which often requires lifestyle changes and self‐care and affects the life of the whole family. Perceived family health is highly complex. It combines people's values and everyday experiences, such as knowledge about their own health, what they do to promote their health, how their life progresses, and how they feel physically and emotionally.Aim.  The aim of this paper is to report a study to describe the perceived health of families of patients with heart disease and to ascertain factors related to family health.Methods.  Data were collected by questionnaire with a convenience sample of 161 family members of patients receiving treatment on two medical wards of a university hospital in southern Finland. Data were analysed using means and medians and tested by parametric and non‐parametric tests. A stepwise regression analysis was also used.Results.  The most important predictors of family health were family structural factors, effect of illness symptoms on daily life, and family relationships. The strongest predictor was family structural factors. It was found that the better the family structure and relationships, the better the family health. Similarly, the greater the effect of the illness on the patient's daily life, the worse the family health.Conclusion.  The findings suggest that supporting family functioning in the families of people with heart disease is an important challenge for family nursing.
A holistic intervention programme for families with a child with a disability
Authors: Pelchat Diane , Lefebvre Helene 
Published: September 2004

Background. The birth of a child with a disability may cause serious stress for the parents and affect each member of the family. Parents need support to deal with such a situation; however, health care professionals themselves are not always well equipped to help them and often adopt an attitude of withdrawal.Aim. The aim of this paper is to describe a family intervention programme developed in collaboration with families who were adapting to the birth of a child with a disability.Discussion. The primary purpose of the programme is to help family members adapt to the situation in which they suddenly find themselves, primarily by reducing stress. The family's autonomy and competencies in providing care for the child are promoted and called into action. The programme encompasses different aspects of family relations: the individual, marital, parental, family, extended family and non‐family sub‐systems. Its theorical foundations, clinical experience with families of a child with a health problem, and our previous research have enabled a remodelled vision of the way individuals and families adapt to such a situation.Conclusion. The symbioses of the design of the programme, training in its application, and intervention itself have transformed families of a child with a disability as well as the nurses themselves. The key element of this transformation has been the mutual recognition of relevant skills and authority by families and health care professionals that has led to new competencies, self‐determination and an individuality that may change their lives.
Adolescents’ perceptions of popular teen magazines
Authors: Chow Jean 
Published: September 2004

Background. The mass media has an enormous influence on adolescent women and their perceptions about the world and themselves. Teen magazines are a favoured form of the mass media, thus they were chosen for this research project.Aim. The aim of this paper is to report a study exploring the messages of health and health‐related material in teen magazines from the perspective of adolescents. Knowledge of how adolescents perceive teen magazine messages can be used in the care of this client group.Method. Interpretive inquiry, a substantively driven research approach, was used for the project. A convenience sample of 12 adolescents, aged 12–18 years, participated in two focus groups, and selected images and texts from popular North American teen magazines (YM,Teen, andSeventeen) to discuss. Focus group discussions were audiotaped and then transcribed. Individual interviews with the adolescents were also completed to obtain additional data. Audiotaped interviews were analysed using Gadamer's hermeneutic ideas about ‘claim’ or ‘address’.Findings. The findings indicate that teen magazines promote particular expectations about health and health‐related activities. Participants noted that the magazines promote the message of perfection by portraying models with perfect eyes, teeth and bodies. The magazines provide ideals of thinness which are presented in a seemingly attainable fashion. Participants stated that magazines suggest that adolescent women need male attention for protection and companionship, in order to achieve fulfilment. Being healthy or whole seemed to be dependent on the adolescent reader embracing and becoming the ideals portrayed in teen magazines.Conclusion. In order to provide relevant and sensitive health care, health care providers need to be cognizant of the persistent demands placed on adolescents by teen magazines and the mass media in general. Media messages and their influences need to be discussed with adolescents, either in school health programmes or clinician visits.
Repeat attendance by older people at accident and emergency departments
Authors: Bentley Jane , Meyer Julienne 
Published: September 2004

Background.  Older people are an increasing user group at accident and emergency departments and often have complex needs over and above the clinical cause of attendance. Few studies to date appear to have focused specifically on older people's re‐attendance at such departments following direct discharge. However, these few studies conclude that incomplete staff assessment of older people's needs in this setting may play a part in reasons for re‐attendance and recommend that further research is needed in this area.Aims.  The aim of this paper is to describe a 6‐month study exploring re‐attendance, assessment and discharge issues for people aged over 75 years at an accident and emergency department.Methods.  Documentary research was primarily used to collate data. Interviews with specialist health care professionals were also used to cross‐check recorded documentary details of interest and to gain a wider perspective. In addition, illustrative cases were developed (incorporating a broader range of hospital documentation) to exemplify key issues raised relating to re‐attendance by older people at the accident and emergency department concerned.Findings.  Professional practice related to assessment of older people's social and functional needs was inconsistent in this accident and emergency department and some staff clearly underestimated the impact of illness or injury when considering their ability to cope on discharge. An illustrative case summary is included to highlight that such issues may be significant factors in re‐attendance.Conclusion.  Improving practice in relation to social and functional assessment and raising staff awareness concerning older people's potential needs seem important in accident and emergency departments. With little research identified to date into re‐attendance, further research on this issue is recommended.
Nurses’ use of the Internet in clinical ward settings
Authors: Morris‐Docker Sara B. , Tod Angela , Harrison Joy M. , Wolstenholme Dan , Black Richard 
Published: September 2004

Background.  The potential of the Internet as a fast and efficient way of accessing evidence to support nursing practice has been well recognized. In addition, nurses have highlighted the need for training in the use of information technology, information retrieval and critical appraisal as essential to their professional development.Aim.  The aim of this paper is to present selected results of a longitudinal project that evaluated the impact of networked computers, with open access to the Internet, on four acute wards in a large UK teaching hospital.Method.  Evaluation methods in the project included monitoring data from an Internet surveillance software package, a questionnaire survey with the nurses (n = 97) and in‐depth interviews with a sample of nurses (n = 12).Findings.  A complex picture was revealed of the nature of Internet use and the factors that nurses perceived as influencing this. The majority used the networked computers and some frequent users emerged. Nurses were able to use the technology during quiet periods throughout the day and night. Patterns of use were mixed, with nurses accessing the Internet for a combination of work and non‐work‐related activities. They integrated use of Internet technology into their working days in ways that appropriately fitted patterns of clinical activity. Factors relating to the organization, workplace culture and training were identified influencing Internet use.Conclusions.  Open access to the Internet in the workplace emerged as a useful but unrefined tool for encouraging the retrieval of information for practice. Future development of this technology in the workplace must include support and training for professional staff in order to enhance the skills required. Recommendations are made about what and how training may be useful in promoting nurses’ use of Internet technology in clinical settings.
Community neonatal nursing work
Authors: Cappleman Julia 
Published: September 2004

Background.  A neonatal community nursing service may help families to cope with the early transfer of small, vulnerable infants to home. The previous literature has relied on self‐reports to explore this kind of work.Aim.  This paper reports a study exploring the work of a community neonatal nursing team in order to describe the strategies and interventions used to support families of preterm infants.Method.  A qualitative case study design was adopted. Data were collected using fieldwork observations, semi‐structured interviews and documentary analysis with a team of four community neonatal nurses. A nursing model of transition was explored as a possible framework for practice.Findings.  Thematic data analysis yielded two broad themes: Working with Mothers and Working with Others. Subcategories of Working with Mothers consisted of Baby Well; Mum Happy; Keeping in Touch and One of the Family. Working with Others focussed on multidisciplinary liaison activities.Discussion.  The complexity of nursing work was interdependent with maternal caregiving and dependent upon effective liaison with other health care professionals. The nursing model of transition requires further development to offer a sufficiently coherent practice model to direct neonatal nursing care delivery.
Instrument translation process: a methods review
Authors: Maneesriwongul Wantana , Dixon Jane K. 
Published: September 2004

Background.  Cross‐cultural and international collaborative studies are needed in nursing research. Therefore, it is necessary to translate research instruments into the language of the culture being studied. In this methods review, different processes of instrument translation and evaluation of translation adequacy in published nursing research are described and classified into a hierarchy.Methods.  Studies including translation of quantitative research instruments were reviewed. Forty‐seven studies were included. These were classified into six categories.Results.  Studies were classified into categories as follows: forward‐only translation (2), forward‐only translation with testing (7), back‐translation (13), back‐translation with monolingual test (18), back‐translation with bilingual test (3), and back‐translation with both monolingual and bilingual test (4). Strengths and weaknesses are analysed.Conclusion.  The studies reviewed used diverse methods of varying quality. There is need for consensus among researchers in how to achieve quality of instrument translation in cross‐cultural research. Researchers should carefully attend to achieving and reporting evidence of the accuracy and validity of instrument translation. When back‐translation fails to achieve semantic equivalence, the instrument development process should be replicated in the target language.