UNUSUAL CHROMOSOME-NUMBER OF GRACILARIA-VERRUCOSA (GRACILARIALES, RHODOPHYTA) IN THE CAPE-GRIS-NEZ AREA, NORTHERN FRANCE

The chromosome number of Gracilaria verrucosa (Hudson) Papenfuss was estimated in numerous individuals from different populations of the Cape Gris-Nez area of Northern France. To optimize estimates and to minimize counting errors, several counts were made on the same nucleus and in different nuclei of the same individual. The haploid chromosome number was estimated in vegetative gametophytic cells and tetrasporocytic cells; the diploid number was estimated from tetrasporophytic vegetative cells. The basic haploid number was n = 17 +/- 1, whereas all other Gracilaria species for which chromosome numbers are available are reported to have n = 24. These include populations of G. verrucosa from Norway and Wales that have previously been shown to be conspecific with the Cape Gris-Nez populations by comparison of plastid DNA data. G. verrucosa is therefore one of the few red algae for which populations with different chromosome numbers are known.

Educating families about end-of-life care in advanced dementia:Acceptability of a Canadian family booklet to nurses from Canada, France, and Japan

Background: The families of people with late-stage dementia need to be informed about the course of the dementia and the comfort/ palliative care option. A booklet was written for that purpose and can be provided to family members by physicians and nurses. Methods: The acceptability of the booklet for nurses was tested in Canada (French and English version), France (French Canadian version) and Japan (translated and adapted version). Results: Overall, 188 nurses completed a survey questionnaire. The booklet was accepted best in Canada and less so in France and Japan. Despite regional variation, the majority of the nurses perceived the booklet as useful for families. The French and Japanese nurses also reported a greater need for palliative care education in advanced dementia. Conclusion: The booklet may help nurses educate families about end-of-life issues in dementia palliative care, but local adaptation of the booklet content and physician engagement are necessary.

Attitudes towards ideal family size of different ethnic/nationality groups in Great Britain, France and Germany.

This article reports upon results from a European Union funded project on the integration of children of international migrants in Britain, France and Germany. It provides both a descriptive and a multivariate analysis of the factors that determine attitudes towards ideal family size. The results reveal that there are large differences between ethnic groups in Britain: Indian and Pakistani respondents in Britain expressed a preference for significantly larger families. However, many children of international migrants expressed a desire for smaller families than the autochthonous population in both countries. This was particularly the case for Portuguese respondents in France and Turks in Germany. Religious affiliation also had a significant effect, above and beyond ethnicity per se. Both Moslems and Christians preferred larger families than those with no religious affiliation. The article concludes that ethnic differences in attitudes towards fertility behaviour will remain important in the foreseeable future in western Europe, particularly in Britain.