bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Richness and diversity of helminth communities in tropical freshwater fishes: empirical evidence
Authors: Choudhury Anindo , Dick Terry A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAimPublished information on the richness and diversity of helminth parasite communities in tropical freshwater fishes is reviewed in response to expectations of species‐rich parasite communities in tropical regions.LocationAreas covered include the tropics and some subtropical areas. In addition, the north temperate area of the nearctic zone is included for comparison.MethodsData from 159 communities in 118 species of tropical freshwater fish, summarized from 46 published studies, were used for this review. Parasite community descriptors used in the analyses included component community richness and calculated mean species richness. Data from 130 communities in 47 species of nearctic north temperate freshwater fish were summarized from 31 studies and used for comparison.ResultsThe component helminth communities of many tropical freshwater fish are species‐poor, and considerable proportions of fish from certain parts of the tropics, e.g. West African drainages, are uninfected or lightly infected. Mean helminth species richness was low and equaled or exceeded 2.0 in only 22 of 114 communities. No single group of helminths was identified as a dominant component of the fauna and species composition was variable among and within broader geographical areas. The richest enteric helminth assemblages were found in mochokid and clariid catfish with a mixed carnivorous diet, whereas algal feeders, herbivores and detritivores generally had species‐poor gut helminth communities. Comparisons indicated that certain areas in the north temperate region had higher helminth species richness in fishes than areas in the tropics.Main conclusionsExpectations of high species richness in helminth communities of tropical freshwater fishes are not fulfilled by the data. Direct comparisons of infracommunities and component communities in host species across widely separated phylogenetic and geographical lines are inappropriate. Examination of latitudinal differences in richness of monophyletic parasite groups or of compound communities may uncover patterns different from those found in this study. Richness of helminth communities may be ultimately determined not by the number of host species present but by the degree of divergence of host lineages and by their diversification modes. A phylogenetic framework for hosts and parasites will reveal if increased host species richness within host clades, when host speciation is accompanied by habitat or diet specialization, or both, leads to lower helminth diversity in host species by fragmentation of a core helminth fauna characteristic or specific of the larger host clade. This pattern may be analysed in the context of cospeciation and acquisition from other unrelated hosts (host‐sharing or host‐switching).
Distribution of bird species richness at a regional scale in tropical dry forest of Central America
Authors: Gillespie Thomas W. , Walter Hartmut 
Published: March 2003

AimThe objectives of this study were to identify landscape and habitat characteristics associated with bird species richness at a regional scale. In particular, we examined how these variables affect resident bird, forest bird, fruit‐eating bird and restricted‐range bird species richness in forest fragments.LocationStudy sites were located in seven decreed reserves in Costa Rica and Nicaragua that contain some of the largest and best‐protected fragments of tropical dry forests in central America.MethodsBird censuses were undertaken using point counts at each site and compared with landscape metrics and habitat characteristics of reserves.ResultsForest cover within reserves, zoochoric species richness, tree and shrub species richness, and tree height were associated with resident, forest and fruit‐eating bird species richness in tropical dry forests.Main conclusionsThe distribution of bird species richness in tropical dry forests of central America can be attributed to a number of interacting factors. Conservation priorities based on bird species richness should focus on Santa Rosa National Park, while the Chacocente and Cosiguina reserves deserve a high priority for conservation within Nicaragua.
Stability of boreal forest stands during recent climate change: evidence from Landsat satellite imagery
Authors: Masek Jeffrey G. 
Published: March 2003

AimTo detect possible expansion of boreal forest stands in response to recent warming. Previous modelling studies have concluded that major shifts in vegetation patterns, including changes in boreal forest extent, could arise during the next two centuries under global warming scenarios. However, field investigations of tree stands at ecotones have so far revealed little indication of stand response to warming during the last 100 years. This study uses a c. 25‐year record of Landsat satellite observations to quantify changes in forest stand extent in two areas of northern Canada.LocationTwo regions of northern Canada, near Richmond Gulf, Quebec, and Great Slave Lake, north‐west Territories.MethodsNormalized‐difference vegetation index (NDVI) plots across forest‐tundra boundaries were obtained from radiometrically corrected Landsat imagery acquired during the 1970s and 1990s. These curves were evaluated to look for changes over the c. 25‐year period related to forest stand expansion.ResultsAlthough forest‐tundra boundaries could be clearly mapped from the satellite data, no obvious change in forest boundaries was apparent during the duration of the image time series, constraining recent geographical expansion rates to <200–300 m per century. Also, no evidence for local expansion of forest stands (e.g. within sheltered valleys) was found.Main conclusionsThe results are consistent with field observations, and suggest that, at the moment, boreal forest extents remain basically stable. This may reflect inherent lags between forest response and climate change, or competitive pressures between tree stands and surrounding tundra and herbaceous vegetation.
Biogeography of the Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa
Authors: Schlupp Ingo , Parzefall Jakob , Schartl Manfred 
Published: March 2003

AimThe unisexual Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) is a clonal, all‐female fish but depends on sperm of heterospecific males to trigger embryogenesis. Thus, one very important factor shaping its geographical range is the presence of suitable host males. Several species of the genus Poecilia from Central America, Mexico and the USA can provide sperm in the laboratory, but are not utilized as hosts in nature. Consequently the potential geographic range of the Amazon molly is much larger than the actual range. This raises the question of what is responsible for the biogeographical range of the Amazon molly?LocationSouthern USA, Mexico and Central America.MethodsWe review the current data available for the distribution of the Amazon molly. We further tested whether salinity might hinder the dispersal of the species.ResultsAmazon mollies tolerate marine conditions. We review the available data on recent and human influenced introductions of Amazon mollies.Main conclusionsWe argue that male preferences are not responsible for the current range. We propose that prevailing near‐shore marine currents act as an effective barrier against further dispersal. Furthermore, we discuss recent changes in the biogeography of the Amazon molly.
Digitization and geo‐referencing of botanical distribution maps
Authors: Schölzel Christian A. , Hense Andreas , Hübl Peter , Kühl Norbert , Litt Thomas 
Published: March 2003

AimIn many fields of research, valuable information is stored in atlases and maps which are only available as printed media. Scientists who are interested in computational analysis often seek to digitize the data to make it accessible for numerical calculations. In this paper, an approach using the example of digitizing distribution maps taken from plant‐taxonomic atlases is described. For this purpose, a software tool has been built for application in the Sonderforschungsbereich 350 `Interactions between and Modelling of Continental Geosystems' at the University of Bonn. Its functionality has to be simple in use and capable of transforming fields drawn on geographical maps into grid data even where the type of map projection is unknown.LocationAs an example, plant distributions over Europe and Asia have been digitized.MethodsTo achieve this aim through an objective statistical analysis, the local deterministic approximation has been used for geo‐referencing.ResultsFor this reason the development of a new software tool was required. Although there is a large market for related software from Geographical Information Systems (GIS), none of the available GIS‐programs appeared to be capable of geo‐referencing maps with unidentified projections. Rather than to give a product comparison, this paper aims on the methodology and mathematical formalism.Main conclusionsThe developed algorithm is a handy tool to capture data from maps based on obscure projections. Valuable historical maps, which are problematic for standard GIS‐programs, can be made accessible for modern research work.
Biogeography of living and fossil Nitellopsis (Charophyta) in relationship to new finds from Morocco
Authors: Soulié‐Märsche I. , Benammi M. , Gemayel P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim  To document the distribution of two closely related macrophyte species, the fossil Nitellopsis (Tectochara) merianii (A. Braun ex Unger) Grambast & Soulié‐Märsche and Nitellopsis obtusa (Desvaux) J. Groves, the single living species of genus Nitellopsis and to draw the relationships between first finds of N. merianii in North Africa and previously known records.Location  South part of the High Atlas Range, Aït Kandoula basin, Morocco.Methods  New finds of fossil charophyte gyrogonites were determined and illustrated. Using a large bibliographic database of both fossil and extant charophytes, we depict the biogeographical distribution N. merianii and N. obtusa and summarize the ecological requirements of N. obtusa as a modern analogue.Results  The Aït Kandoula deposits, dated by magnetostratigraphy and vertebrate fossils to Upper Miocene, provided the first fossil populations of N. merianii in Africa. The distribution patterns of the Tertiary N. merianii and the living N. obtusa superimpose on a large area that extends from Spain to East Asia and characterize them as typically Eurasian taxa indicative for permanent, relatively cold and deep freshwater lakes. During the Quaternary, similar palaeolakes in the Sahara were colonized by N. obtusa.Main conclusions  The presence of the Eurasian species N. merianii in North Africa is the result of dispersal by migratory waterbirds and attests to N–S migration occurring during the Upper Miocene (10–5 Myr ago). Gyrogonites imported from Southern Europe could germinate and fulfil their life cycle so as to form a new seed bank of gyrogonites because they had been deposited in a suitable environment consisting of a freshwater mountain lake.
Implementing advanced practice: identifying the factors that facilitate and inhibit the process
Authors: Woods Leslie Peter 
Published: March 2003

• This paper reports the preliminary results of research investigating the factors that help or hinder advanced nurse practitioners as they attempt to implement new roles in clinical practice.• Multiple facilitating and inhibiting factors are identified, the majority of which are shared across various clinical settings.• Factors fall into three categories: re‐negotiating relationships; becoming an advanced practitioner; and the clinical context and deployment.• Whilst the results of this case study research are not necessarily generalizable, they provide evidence of the lived experience of advanced nurse practitioners attempting to implement new roles in a variety of clinical settings following their graduation from a Master's degree programme.
The importance of information giving for patients newly diagnosed with cancer: a review of the literature
Authors: Mills Moyra E. , Sullivan Kate 
Published: March 2003

• The importance of information giving has been recognized and promoted in political, ethical and professional arenas and this has ultimately resulted in the publication of a vast amount of literature relating to the subject.• This literature review considers the functions of patient information and the factors influencing information seeking for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.• Methods of providing information are discussed and the nurse’s role in information giving is examined.• A number of core problems are highlighted in relation to information giving. These problems, and possible reasons for them, are subsequently critically analysed.• Finally, the literature relating to information needs of patients with cancer is evaluated and five key needs identified.
Quality of nursing care perceived by patients and their nurses: an application of the critical incident technique. Part 1
Authors: REDFERN SALLY , NORMAN IAN 
Published: March 2003

• The aims of the study were to identify indicators of quality of nursing care from the perceptions of patients and nurses, and to determine the congruence between patients' and nurses' perceptions.• The paper is presented in two parts. Part 1 includes the background and methods to the study and the findings from the comparison of patients' and␣ nurses' perceptions. Part 2 describes the perceptions of patients and nurses,␣ and the conclusions drawn from the study as a whole.• Patients and nurses in hospital wards were interviewed using the critical incident technique.• We grouped 4546 indicators of high and low quality nursing care generated from the interview transcripts into 316 subcategories, 68 categories and 31 themes.• Congruence between patients' and nurses' perceptions of quality was high and significant, although there was some difference of emphasis.
Improving hand hygiene in community healthcare settings: the impact of research and clinical collaboration
Authors: Gould Dinah , Gammon John , Donnelly Michael , Batiste Louise , Ball Eileen , Carneiro De Melo Alexandra M. S. , Bsc Alidad , Miles Roger , Halablab Mahmoud 
Published: March 2003

• Observation of nursing activities and bacteriological studies undertaken with a sample of nurses employed in a community NHS trust indicated that considerable scope for cross infection existed during domiciliary visits.• Poor conditions in patients’ homes compromised nurses’ ability to perform hand hygiene effectively, increasing risks.• A clinical trial indicated that carriage of medically significant bacteria likely to contribute to cross infection could be reduced by applying an antiseptic cream which exhibited residual effectiveness.• An audit of hand hygiene throughout the inner city trust indicated the need to pay greater attention to hand hygiene, especially during home nursing visits. The situation was less acute in a rural trust where a second audit was performed for comparative purposes.• The motivation of clinical staff to improve hand hygiene precautions was high.
Evaluating support surfaces for patients in transit through the accident and emergency department
Authors: Tarpey Aideen , Gould Dinah , Fox Carolyn , Davies Peter , Cocking Maggie 
Published: March 2003

• Little attention has been given to pressure area care for patients admitted via the accident and emergency department (A & E) in UK hospitals, despite evidence that they may wait for considerable periods on hard surfaces, placing them at risk of tissue damage.• The literature was searched, and in the absence of existing guidelines to evaluate the suitability of the standard hospital trolley for use with emergency admission patients, criteria were developed by consensus among stakeholders with relevant expertise who were employed in an acute NHS hospital trust.• Audit of the existing patient support surfaces using these criteria revealed deficiencies in all of them. Some of the problems identified were related to deterioration of the equipment; others were related to its design.• The criteria were used to inform the purchase of new equipment, and a system of auditing to improve pressure area care for emergency admission patients has been established in the trust.• The initiative has also drawn attention to significant omissions in the literature relating to pressure area care, including the need to evaluate patient comfort and inclusion of consumer views.
Promoting autonomy and independence for older people within nursing practice: an observational study
Authors: Davies Sue , Ellis Lorraine , Laker Sara 
Published: March 2003

• Although autonomy and independence are widely held to be important goals of care for older people, these terms lack precise definition and operationalization in the literature.• This paper reports on observational data gathered as part of an evaluation of educational programmes in the nursing care of older people.• Strategies which appear both to promote and inhibit autonomy and independence of older patients in a range of care settings are described.• Recommendations are made for further research to explore the extent to which autonomy and independence are appropriate goals of care for older people with cognitive impairment.
Peer evaluation in nurses’ professional development: a pilot study to investigate the issues
Authors: Vuorinen Riitta , Tarkka Marja‐Terttu , Meretoja Riitta 
Published: March 2003

• Peer evaluation in nursing is a method by which the nurse evaluates the work of a peer, according to set evaluation criteria.• The aim of the study was to clarify the potential significance of peer evaluation with regard to nurses’ career development and relates to the introduction of a career development programme for nurses in a Finnish University Hospital.• The research concepts were created on the basis of literature analysis. The concepts served as a basis for data collection, and five open‐ended questions were devised from them. Informants (n = 24) gave free‐form essay‐type answers to these questions. The material was analysed using qualitative content analysis.• The results indicate that self‐evaluation constitutes the basis for peer evaluation. Peer evaluation allows nurses to give and receive professional and personal support promoting professional development. Professional support offers possibilities for change and alternative action. Personal support requires respect for the peer’s equality and individuality. Personal peer support can decrease feelings of uncertainty and insecurity caused by work.• The conclusion is drawn that peer evaluation is a means of promoting nurses’ professional development to further on‐the‐job learning in collaboration with peers.
The use of antipyretic medications in the prevention of febrile convulsions in children
Authors: Purssell Edward 
Published: March 2003

• Febrile convulsions are a relatively common outcome in paediatric febrile illness, although it is not known why some children suffer these.• Antipyretic medications may form the basis for some treatment regimens, although they are not recommended in published guidelines.• There is little evidence that the prophylactic use of antipyretics has any effect in reducing the incidence of febrile convulsions.• Consequently, educational interventions aimed at reducing parental fear and helping them to care for their children during febrile illnesses may be more efficacious.
The development of a national guideline on the management of leg ulcers
Authors: McInnes  , Cullum  , Nelson  , Luker  , Duff  
Published: March 2003

• This paper describes the development of an evidence‐linked clinical guideline for the management of uncomplicated venous leg ulcers.• Guidelines are developed to provide recommendations for clinical practice which are based on summaries of good quality research evidence.• The aim of the guideline discussed in this article is to direct primary health care practitioners to the most effective method of assessment and treatment of venous leg ulcers and to discourage practices that do not have convincing or sufficient evidence of effectiveness.• The three most important steps to the development of a valid clinical guideline are: basing recommendations on the best available evidence; explicit linkage between guideline recommendations and quality of evidence; and the involvement of a multidisciplinary group.• The steps are discussed in relation to the development of the guideline alongside an introductory presentation on the role guidelines can play in improving practice.• Issues arising from guideline development such as valid ways of obtaining patient input and lack of evidence are also discussed.
Developing occupational standards: a learning disabilities project
Authors: Jowett Rosalynd , Wellens Ben 
Published: March 2003

• Occupational standards are often seen as cumbersome and inappropriate to a vocational curriculum such as nursing. However, the term fitness for practice is once more being used to focus the minds of educationalists and practitioners in healthcare delivery on the goal in preparing practitioners for the future.• The project reported here was guided jointly by staff from a higher education institution and an NHS trust and involved practitioners in designing occupational standards with a view to using them in practice and incorporating them into the preregistration curriculum.• The pivotal structure in this process was the focus group which, with tenacity and commitment, designed, developed and structured standards which were realistic and relevant to healthcare delivery.
Patient participation in bedside reporting on surgical wards
Authors: Timonen Leena , Sihvonen Marja 
Published: March 2003

• Increasingly nowadays, patients have an opportunity to take part in nurses’ reporting sessions via bedside reporting.• The aim of this study was to compare nurses’ and patients’ opinions of the purpose of bedside reports, patient participation in bedside reporting sessions, and factors that promote or prevent their participation.• Data were collected by a questionnaire survey of nurses (N=118) and patients (N=74). A response rate of 81% was achieved in both groups. Additionally, 76 bedside reporting sessions were observed.• According to patients, the main reasons for not participating were tiredness, difficulties in formulating questions, lack of encouragement, difficulties with the language used, nurses concentrating more on their papers than on them, and the reporting sessions were too short.• Nurses reported that patients took a more active part in reporting sessions than patients themselves thought. The average time spent on each patient’s report was three minutes.
Spirituality: its relevance and purpose for clinical nursing in a new millennium
Authors: Kendrick Kevin David , Robinson Simon 
Published: March 2003

• Nurses often make a link between spirituality and religion. This is evidenced in nursing documents when comments about the patient’s religious faith are placed in the space devoted to spirituality.• While religion may inform and offer direction to an individual’s spirituality the two concepts are not the same. In terms of analogy, hydrogen and oxygen combine to make water although each brings its own defining characteristics to balance the chemical equation.• Thus, there may be a synergy and symbiosis between religion and spirituality but the essence of each remains unique; indeed, a person’s spirituality can thrive irrespective of religious creed – orthodox or otherwise.• In this paper, we will develop a narrative that articulates and offers the defining characteristics of spirituality. This will be coupled with a framework that seeks to explain the workings and dynamics of spirituality in clinical nursing.