A modest start, but a steady rise in research use : A longitudinal study of nurses during the first five years in professional life

Background: Newly graduated nurses are faced with a challenging work environment that may impede theirability to provide evidence-based practice. However, little is known about the trajectory of registered nurses’ use ofresearch during the first years of professional life. Thus, the aim of the current study was to prospectively examinethe extent of nurses’ use of research during the first five years after undergraduate education and specifically assesschanges over time.Method: Survey data from a prospective cohort of 1,501 Swedish newly graduated nurses within the nationalLANE study (Longitudinal Analyses of Nursing Education and Entry in Worklife) were used to investigate perceiveduse of research over the first five years as a nurse. The dependent variables consisted of three single itemsassessing instrumental, conceptual, and persuasive research use, where the nurses rated their use on a five-pointscale, from ‘never’ (1) to ‘on almost every shift’ (5). These data were collected annually and analyzed bothdescriptively and by longitudinal growth curve analysis.Results: Instrumental use of research was most frequently reported, closely followed by conceptual use, withpersuasive use occurring to a considerably lower extent. The development over time showed a substantial generalupward trend, which was most apparent for conceptual use, increasing from a mean of 2.6 at year one to 3.6 atyear five (unstandardized slope +0.25). However, the descriptive findings indicated that the increase started onlyafter the second year. Instrumental use had a year one mean of 2.8 and a year five mean of 3.5 (unstandardizedslope +0.19), and persuasive use showed a year one mean of 1.7 and a year five mean of 2.0 (unstandardized slope+0.09).Conclusion: There was a clear trend of increasing research use by nurses during their first five years of practice.The level of the initial ratings also indicated the level of research use in subsequent years. However, it took morethan two years of professional development before this increase ‘kicked in.’ These findings support previousresearch claiming that newly graduated nurses go through a ‘transition shock,’ reducing their ability to useresearch findings in clinical work.

Health system context and implementation of evidence-based practices-development and validation of the Context Assessment for Community Health (COACH) tool for low- and middle-income settings

Background: The gap between what is known and what is practiced results in health service users not benefitting from advances in healthcare, and in unnecessary costs. A supportive context is considered a key element for successful implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP). There were no tools available for the systematic mapping of aspects of organizational context influencing the implementation of EBPs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, this project aimed to develop and psychometrically validate a tool for this purpose. Methods: The development of the Context Assessment for Community Health (COACH) tool was premised on the context dimension in the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework, and is a derivative product of the Alberta Context Tool. Its development was undertaken in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Uganda, South Africa and Nicaragua in six phases: (1) defining dimensions and draft tool development, (2) content validity amongst in-country expert panels, (3) content validity amongst international experts, (4) response process validity, (5) translation and (6) evaluation of psychometric properties amongst 690 health workers in the five countries. Results: The tool was validated for use amongst physicians, nurse/midwives and community health workers. The six phases of development resulted in a good fit between the theoretical dimensions of the COACH tool and its psychometric properties. The tool has 49 items measuring eight aspects of context: Resources, Community engagement, Commitment to work, Informal payment, Leadership, Work culture, Monitoring services for action and Sources of knowledge. Conclusions: Aspects of organizational context that were identified as influencing the implementation of EBPs in high-income settings were also found to be relevant in LMICs. However, there were additional aspects of context of relevance in LMICs specifically Resources, Community engagement, Commitment to work and Informal payment. Use of the COACH tool will allow for systematic description of the local healthcare context prior implementing healthcare interventions to allow for tailoring implementation strategies or as part of the evaluation of implementing healthcare interventions and thus allow for deeper insights into the process of implementing EBPs in LMICs.

Nurses' research utilization two years after graduation : a national survey ofassociated individual, organizational, and educational factors

Background. Nurses' research utilization (RU) as part of evidence-based practice is strongly emphasized in today's nursing education and clinical practice. The primary aim of RU is to provide high-quality nursing care to patients. Data on newly graduated nurses' RU are scarce, but a predominance of low use has been reported in recent studies. Factors associated with nurses' RU have previously been identified among individual and organizational/contextual factors, but there is a lack of knowledge about how these factors, including educational ones, interact with each other and with RU, particularly in nurses during the first years after graduation. The purpose of this study was therefore to identify factors that predict the probability for low RU among registered nurses two years after graduation. Methods. Data were collected as part of the LANE study (Longitudinal Analysis of Nursing Education), a Swedish national survey of nursing students and registered nurses. Data on nurses' instrumental, conceptual, and persuasive RU were collected two years after graduation (2007, n = 845), together with data on work contextual factors. Data on individual and educational factors were collected in the first year (2002) and last term of education (2004). Guided by an analytic schedule, bivariate analyses, followed by logistic regression modeling, were applied. Results. Of the variables associated with RU in the bivariate analyses, six were found to be significantly related to low RU in the final logistic regression model: work in the psychiatric setting, role ambiguity, sufficient staffing, low work challenge, being male, and low student activity. Conclusions. A number of factors associated with nurses' low extent of RU two years postgraduation were found, most of them potentially modifiable. These findings illustrate the multitude of factors related to low RU extent and take their interrelationships into account. This knowledge might serve as useful input in planning future studies aiming to improve nurses', specifically newly graduated nurses', RU.

Caracterização de polpas de minerais industriais através do equipamento Colorcell visando o controle de qualidade do produto

Todos os processos industriais são forçados a cumprir especificações de produto através da inserção de rigorosos parâmetros de controle, principaJmente devido à globalização do mercado. A tendência mundial indica que cada vez mais a cor passa a ser um parâmetro primordial para a colocação do produto no mercado. Neste contexto, uma das dificuldades da indústria mineral é a inexistência de equipamentos adequados para a medição da cor de polpas de minério durante o processamento mineral. Isto se verifica principalmente para os minerais industriais que são caracterizados, na maioria das vezes, em termos de índices de alvura e amarelamento. Este traballio tem como objetivo principal avaliar o uso do equipamento Colorcell, utilizado e desenvolvido pela empresa Renner-HerrmaIlll para a produção de tintas, na indústria de processamento mineral. Os ensaios foram realizados com um equipamento similar ao original. Para se compreender as variáveis operacionais do equipamento utilizou-se um produto à base de carbonato de cálcio natural. Após a delimitação das variáveis e definição de uma metodologia de trabalho, foram caracterizados outros minerais utilizados nas indústrias de tintas, papel e plásticos. O sistema Colorcell também foi utilizado para o controle do processamento de caulim de uma empresa da região sul do Brasil. Ensaios em laboratório permitiram o ajuste de um modelo cinético para a etapa de alvejamento da empresa. A tecnologia Colorcell indica que além dos resultados benéficos ao controle de processo é possível correlacionar a caracterização colorimétrica em polpa com o método tradicional de medição de cor.

As multiplas expressões da sustentabilidade : a realidade regional do Corede da produção no estado do Rio Grande do Sul

O trabalho analisa a realidade multidimensional da sustentabilidade no território correspondente aos 35 municípios do Conselho de Desenvolvimento da Região da Produção no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, seu desenvolvimento e suas perspectivas em relação ao aspecto econômico, social e ambiental. A realidade dos municípios é verificada através da interação de indicadores das dimensões econômica, social e ambiental. A escolha das variáveis e indicadores das três dimensões ocorreram a partir da disponibilidade das informações, da exeqüibilidade e de seu significado para responder aos objetivos propostos. O processo de análise e interpretação das variáveis foi dividido em duas partes para melhor compreensão. Na primeira parte se busca analisar as relações entre as variáveis e indicadores destacando possíveis inter-relações entre as diferentes dimensões da sustentabilidade, além de observar as principais tendências dos diferentes grupos. Para isto, se utilizou o método estatístico de análise multivariada, como a Análise Fatorial. Na segunda parte, o propósito foi de agrupar os municípios da região da produção em tipos homogêneos pela Análise de Cluster. Após a caracterização dos grupos, os resultados foram interpretados e discutidos considerando os diferentes tipos ou grupos obtidos por meio da análise multivariada. Foi possível identificar, pela análise realizada, três grupos de sustentabilidade do desenvolvimento, fundamentados em características diferenciadas, contraditórias e até conflitantes. Nas comparações, observa-se que as variáveis econômicas foram aquelas que conduziram a separação dos grupos de sustentabilidade intra-regional.

Relação entre disfonia referida e potenciais fatores de risco no trabalho, em professores do ensino fundamental, Porto Alegre-RS

Resumo não disponível.

O fornecimento de hortifrutigranjeiros para unidades de alimentação e nutrição hospitalares

Os serviços de produção de alimentos representam importantes setores dentro das instituições onde estão estabelecidos. Dentre seus principais objetivos destaca-se o fornecimento de uma alimentação balanceada e segura baseada nos princípios da nutrição e dietética, para os pacientes e os demais clientes. O fornecimento de hortifrutigranjeiros para o setor hospitalar consiste de um importante segmento dentro da cadeia de suprimento agroalimentar. Esse fornecimento demanda altos padrões de qualidade, o qual consiste do cumprimento de normas higiênico-sanitárias, do tamanho, da forma, da procedência, da isenção de resíduos e agrotóxicos entre outros. Optou-se por uma pesquisa de caráter exploratório, onde o objetivo foi analisar o processo atual de fornecimento de produtos hortifrutigranjeiros e verificar a eficiência desse processo. Realizou-se um paralelo entre o preconizado pela ciência da nutrição e a prática do fornecimento através da análise dos fornecedores de hortifrutigranjeiros e do diagnóstico das necessidades da clientela hospitalar. Como conclusão, verificou-se que o fornecimento atual não é eficiente, se dá de maneira inadequada, não atendendo a maioria dos requisitos hospitalares de fornecimento. Sugere-se a implementação da metodologia do gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos e do cooperativismo como propostas para a otimização do fornecimento.

EXCESSO HÍDRICO SOBRE OS COMPONENTES do RENDIMENTO da CULTURA da SOJA

O cultivo da soja em solos hidromórficos do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul vem sendo utilizado como opção em rotação com arroz e pastagens. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos determinar o comportamento dos componentes do rendimento de quatro cultivares de soja, para as condições dos solos hidromórficos, e verificar as variações de comportamento em função do estádio de desenvolvimento em que ocorre o estresse por excesso hídrico. O experimento foi conduzido em uma estrutura com cobertura plástica, em vasos de PVC, no ano agrícola de 1995/96, no Departamento de Fitotecnia da UFSM, em Santa Maria, RS. O solo utilizado foi um planossolo pertencente à unidade de mapeamento Vacacaí. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, fatorial (4 x 5) com três repetições. As cultivares Ocepar 14, FT Saray, IAS 5 e CEP 16 foram submetidas a tratamentos de saturação hídrica do solo por um período de 15 dias a partir dos estádios de desenvolvimento V2 e V6; e por um período de 10 dias a partir dos estádios R2, R3 e R4. Os resultados indicaram que as quatro cultivares de soja utilizadas apresentaram boa tolerância à saturação hídrica no solo e que, em termos de duração desse estresse, a tolerância à saturação hídrica no solo é maior no subperíodo vegetativo do que no subperíodo reprodutivo.

Structure of the haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex

Red cell haemoglobin is the fundamental oxygen-transporting molecule in blood, but also a potentially tissue-damaging compound owing to its highly reactive haem groups. During intravascular haemolysis, such as in malaria and haemoglobinopathies(1), haemoglobin is released into the plasma, where it is captured by the protective acute-phase protein haptoglobin. This leads to formation of the haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex, which represents a virtually irreversible non-covalent protein-protein interaction(2). Here we present the crystal structure of the dimeric porcine haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex determined at 2.9 angstrom resolution. This structure reveals that haptoglobin molecules dimerize through an unexpected beta-strand swap between two complement control protein (CCP) domains, defining a new fusion CCP domain structure. The haptoglobin serine protease domain forms extensive interactions with both the alpha- and beta-subunits of haemoglobin, explaining the tight binding between haptoglobin and haemoglobin. The haemoglobin-interacting region in the alpha beta dimer is highly overlapping with the interface between the two alpha beta dimers that constitute the native haemoglobin tetramer. Several haemoglobin residues prone to oxidative modification after exposure to haem-induced reactive oxygen species are buried in the haptoglobin-haemoglobin interface, thus showing a direct protective role of haptoglobin. The haptoglobin loop previously shown to be essential for binding of haptoglobin-haemoglobin to the macrophage scavenger receptor CD163 (ref. 3) protrudes from the surface of the distal end of the complex, adjacent to the associated haemoglobin alpha-subunit. Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements of human haptoglobin-haemoglobin bound to the ligand-binding fragment of CD163 confirm receptor binding in this area, and show that the rigid dimeric complex can bind two receptors. Such receptor cross-linkage may facilitate scavenging and explain the increased functional affinity of multimeric haptoglobin-haemoglobin for CD163 (ref. 4).

Correlações de Pearson e canônica entre componentes da matéria seca da forragem e sementes de azevém

O melhoramento genético de plantas forrageiras é fundamental para a intensificação da pecuária. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a correlação simples de Pearson entre os componentes produtivos da matéria seca da forragem e de sementes para genótipos de azevém. Cinco genótipos de azevém, cultivados em cinco datas de semeadura, com diferentes números de cortes (variando de um a quatro), foram usados no delineamento blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições em Santa Maria, RS. Pastagens de azevém com uma menor produtividade total de matéria seca, mas composta por uma quantidade maior de folhas e menor de colmo, com maior teor proteico e menor teor de fibra em detergente neutro determinam maior rendimento de sementes, comprimento de espigas e peso de mil sementes, e menor número de espigas. A associação entre componentes do rendimento da matéria seca e do rendimento de semente é critério de fundamental importância na seleção de genótipos para o azevém, pois o rendimento de sementes correlaciona-se positivamente com a produção de matéria seca de folhas, teor de proteína bruta, comprimento de espiga e peso de mil sementes.

Drastic decadal decline of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa at Gran Canaria (eastern Atlantic): interactions with the green algae Caulerpa prolifera

[EN] The shoot density, leaf length and biomass of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson were found to severely decline in the last 17 years in the oceanic island of Gran Canaria (central Eastern Atlantic). Five seagrass meadows were sampled in summer and winter of 1994-1995 and in winter and summer 2011. The decrease in C. nodosa correlated with a 3-fold increase in the biomass of the green rhizophytic algae Caulerpa prolifera (Forsskål) J.V. Lamoroux over the same time period, although this increase varied notably among meadows. We also documented a negative correlation between the biomass of C. nodosa and C. prolifera at the island-scale, sampling 16 meadows in 2011. Experimental evidence demonstrated that C. prolifera can cause significant negative impacts on C. nodosa: plots with total (100%) removals of C. prolifera had ca. 2.5 more shoots and 3.5 times more biomass of C. nodosa, after 8 months, compared to plots with 50% removals and untouched control plots. Interference by C. prolifera appears to partially explain the decay in the abundance of C. nodosa populations in Gran Canaria. This study, however, did not identify potential underlying processes and/or environmental alterations that may have facilitated the disappearance of C. nodosa.

Does pet ownership in infancy lead to asthma or allergy at school age? Pooled analysis of individual participant data from 11 European birth cohorts

Objective To examine the associations between pet keeping in early childhood and asthma and allergies in children aged 6–10 years. Design Pooled analysis of individual participant data of 11 prospective European birth cohorts that recruited a total of over 22,000 children in the 1990s. Exposure definition Ownership of only cats, dogs, birds, rodents, or cats/dogs combined during the first 2 years of life. Outcome definition Current asthma (primary outcome), allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitization during 6–10 years of age. Data synthesis Three-step approach: (i) Common definition of outcome and exposure variables across cohorts; (ii) calculation of adjusted effect estimates for each cohort; (iii) pooling of effect estimates by using random effects meta-analysis models. Results We found no association between furry and feathered pet keeping early in life and asthma in school age. For example, the odds ratio for asthma comparing cat ownership with “no pets” (10 studies, 11489 participants) was 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.78 to 1.28) (I2 = 9%; p = 0.36). The odds ratio for asthma comparing dog ownership with “no pets” (9 studies, 11433 participants) was 0.77 (0.58 to 1.03) (I2 = 0%, p = 0.89). Owning both cat(s) and dog(s) compared to “no pets” resulted in an odds ratio of 1.04 (0.59 to 1.84) (I2 = 33%, p = 0.18). Similarly, for allergic asthma and for allergic rhinitis we did not find associations regarding any type of pet ownership early in life. However, we found some evidence for an association between ownership of furry pets during the first 2 years of life and reduced likelihood of becoming sensitized to aero-allergens. Conclusions Pet ownership in early life did not appear to either increase or reduce the risk of asthma or allergic rhinitis symptoms in children aged 6–10. Advice from health care practitioners to avoid or to specifically acquire pets for primary prevention of asthma or allergic rhinitis in children should not be given.