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Research Publications (research + publication)
Kinds of Research Publications Selected AbstractsNursing leadership and management effects work environmentsJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2009ANN MARRINER TOMEY PhD Aim, The aim of this literature search was to identify recent research related to nursing leadership and management effects on work environment using the 14 forces of magnetism. Background, This article gives some historical perspective from the original 1983 American Academy of Nursing study through to the 2002 McClure and Hinshaw update to 2009 publications. Evaluation, Research publications were given a priority for references. Key issues, The 14 forces of magnetism as identified by Unden and Monarch were: ,1. Quality of leadership,, 2. Organizational structure,, 3. Management style,, 4. Personnel policies and programs,, 5. Professional models of care,, 6. Quality of care,, 7 Quality improvement,, 8. Consultation and resources,, 9. Autonomy,, 10. Community and the hospital,, 11. Nurse as teacher,, 12. Image of nursing,, 13. Interdisciplinary relationships, and 14. Professional development,.'. Conclusions, Correlations have been found among positive workplace management initiatives, style of transformational leadership and participative management; patient-to-nurse ratios; education levels of nurses; quality of patient care, patient satisfaction, employee health and well-being programmes; nurse satisfaction and retention of nurses; healthy workplace environments and healthy patients and personnel. Implications for nursing management, This article identifies some of the research that provides evidence for evidence-based nursing management and leadership practice. [source] Recommendations on Use of Biomarkers in Alcoholism Treatment TrialsALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2003John P. Allen Background: Biochemical markers of heavy drinking are playing increasingly prominent roles in alcohol treatment efficacy studies, especially in those designed to evaluate medications. Among these roles are serving as inclusion or exclusion criteria for research participants, corroboration of self-report of drinking status, assessment of the safety of the agent being evaluated, and determination of treatment outcome. Methods: Recent alcohol medication development trials that included biomarker information were reviewed and critiqued from the perspectives of how biomarker measures were used and how findings on them were reported. Results: Although generally the application of biomarkers as inclusion criteria is not recommended, they may aid in exclusion of potential subjects (e.g., elevated liver function measures in trials of agents that could result in liver damage). Biomarkers are most commonly used as indicators of outcome, usually serving as secondary outcome variables. The relationship of outcome findings on biomarker and self-report measures is positive, but only moderate. As used to date, biomarkers of drinking tend to be less sensitive than well-standardized and properly administered self-report measures. Nevertheless, they do provide a useful, unique source of information on drinking status. Conclusions: The contribution of biomarkers to alcoholism clinical research would be enhanced if certain design strategies were incorporated into their application and if critical information were included in the research publication. This article offers a series of recommendations to improve on their use in a research context. [source] An intelligent logistics support system for enhancing the airfreight forwarding businessEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 5 2004H.C.W. Lau Abstract: Recent research related to the aircraft container loading and scheduling problem for airfreight forwarding business has seen significant advances in terms of load plan optimization, taking into account the cost and volume of packed boxes. In today's competitive industrial environment, it is essential that freight forwarders are able to collaborate with carriers (airline companies) to achieve the best possible selection of logistics workflow. However, study of contemporary research publications indicates that there is a dearth of articles related to the design and implementation of an intelligent logistics system to support decision-making on carrier selection, aircraft container loading plans as well as carrier benchmarking. This paper presents an intelligent logistics support system (ILSS) which is able to provide expert advice related to the airfreight forwarding business, enhancing the logistics operations in relevant activities within the value chain of tasks. ILSS comprises a heuristics-based intelligent expert system which supports carrier searching and cargo trading planning as well as load plan generation. The proposed approach is meant to enhance various operations in the airfreight forwarding business, adopting computational intelligence technologies such as rule-based reasoning to provide domain advice and heuristics to support the generation of load plans. After potential outcomes are generated by the heuristics-based intelligent expert system, a neural network engine is applied to support prediction of unexpected events. To validate the viability of this approach, a production system using the ILSS has been developed and subsequently applied in an emulated airfreight forwarding environment. The application results indicate that the operation time from searching for potential carriers to the execution of the order is greatly reduced. In this paper, details related to the structure, design and implementation of the ILSS are also covered with the inclusion of the actual program codes for building the prototype. [source] ,Best research practice': in pursuit of methodological rigourJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 3 2001Frances Maggs-Rapport BA MPhil CertEd FRSA ,Best research practice': in pursuit of methodological rigour Rationale.,This paper is based on the rationale that misuse of methodological notions in research publications lays research studies open to criticism and dismissal. Aim.,In search of ,best research practice', this paper aims to examine the different qualities of four major qualitative methodologies: ethnography, descriptive phenomenology, interpretative phenomenology/hermeneutics and critical social theory. Design.,The study presents a critical overview of methodological decision-making, illustrating the sorts of issues researchers must consider in order to justify to the readership and to themselves the employment of a particular methodology. This is presented alongside a general overview of qualitative research and a précis of each of the major qualitative methodologies. The paper describes the methodologies, salient features, and examines methodological similarities and differences. The paper concludes by examining the need for methodological rigour within the framework of the National Health Service (NHS) Executive's drive for evidence-based practice in health care. Recommendations.,It is hoped that the paper will stimulate a deeper exploration of methodological rigour in future research publications. [source] Observing freeway ramp merging phenomena in congested trafficJOURNAL OF ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION, Issue 2 2007Majid Sarvi This work conducts a comprehensive investigation of traffic behavior and characteristics during freeway ramp merging under congested traffic conditions. On the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway, traffic congestion frequently occurs at merging bottleneck sections, especially during heavy traffic demand. The Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway public corporation, generally applies different empirical strategies to increase the flow rate and decrease the accident rate at the merging sections. However, these strategies do not rely either on any behavioral characteristics of the merging traffic or on the geometric design of the merging segments. There have been only a few research publications concerned with traffic behavior and characteristics in these situations. Therefore, a three-year study is undertaken to investigate traffic behavior and characteristics during the merging process under congested situations. Extensive traffic data capturing a wide range of traffic and geometric information were collected using detectors, videotaping, and surveys at eight interchanges in Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway. Maximum discharged flow rate from the head of the queue at merging sections in conjunction with traffic and geometric characteristics were analyzed. In addition, lane changing maneuver with respect to the freeway and ramp traffic behaviors were examined. It is believed that this study provides a thorough understanding of the freeway ramp merging dynamics. In addition, it forms a comprehensive database for the development and implementation of congestion management techniques at merging sections utilizing Intelligent Transportation System. [source] An exploratory study of Malaysian publication productivity in computer science and information technologyJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2002Yinian Gu Explores the Malaysian computer science and information technology publication productivity. A total of 547 unique Malaysian authors, affiliated to 52 organizations in Malaysia, contributed 461 publications between 1990 and 1999 as indicated by data collected from three Web-based databases. The majority (378 or 69.1%) of authors wrote one publication. The productive authors and the number of their papers as well as the position of their names in the articles are listed to indicate their productivity and degree of involvement in their research publications. Researchers from the universities contribute about 428 (92.8%) publications. The three most productive institutions together account for a total of 258 (56.0%) publications. The composition of the publications are 197 (42.7%) journal articles, 263 (57.1%) conference papers, and 1 (0.2%) monograph chapters. The results indicate that the scholars published in a few core proceedings but contributed to a wide variety of journals. Thirty-nine fields of research undertaken by the scholars are also revealed. The possible reasons for the amount and pattern of contributions are related to the size of researcher population in the country, the availability of refereed scholarly journals, and the total expenditure allocated to information, computers, and communication technology (ICCT) research in Malaysia. [source] The neurophysiology of dyspneaJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 6 2008Matthew Scott Mellema DVM Abstract Objective , To review the human and veterinary literature regarding the neurophysiology of dyspnea and to provide evidence for the beneficial effects of several novel therapies aimed at the alleviation of dyspneic sensations. Data Sources , Data sources included scientific reviews, case reports, original research publications, and recent research conference proceedings. Human Data Synthesis , The use of blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging technology has revealed that the brain regions activated by air hunger in humans are also those activated by fear, pain, and thirst perception. In human subjects, it has been found that agents known to enhance the firing of pulmonary slowly adapting receptors (SARs) can alleviate the sensation of dyspnea without altering central respiratory drive. Several small studies have also shown that nebulized opioids can reduce the sensation of dyspnea apparently via activation of peripheral opioid receptors in the lung. Veterinary Data Synthesis , There are several animal models relevant to both small and large animal clinical patient populations. Treatment of rats with a nebulized SAR sensitizing agent (furosemide) enhances SAR firing in response to lung inflation. Behavioral escape responses to airway occlusion are reduced in lightly anesthetized cats when treated with nebulized furosemide. Opioid agonists have been shown to inhibit the release of acetylcholine and other mediators from the airways of dogs and guinea pigs. Studies using a goat model with bilateral destruction of the pre-Bötzinger Complex do not support current paradigms of air hunger origination. Conclusions , Veterinary patients may benefit from an approach to dyspnea that incorporates an understanding of the origins of the unpleasant sensations associated with the condition. Several novel therapies have shown promise in alleviating dyspneic sensations without altering respiratory drive. Further study is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of these therapies in veterinary patients. [source] Thromboelastography: a tool for measuring hypercoagulability, hypocoagulability, and fibrinolysisJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 1 2005DACVECC, Suzanne M. Donahue VMD Abstract Objective: To describe the technique of thromboelastography (TEG) and review the applications of this coagulation test in humans and small animals. Data sources: Data sources included scientific reviews and original research publications. Human data synthesis: TEG in humans has been used for documentation of hypercoagulable and hypocoagulable states and has been shown to be beneficial in patient management. Veterinary data synthesis: Clinical evaluation of TEG in veterinary medicine is limited; however, recent reports have documented evidence of hypercoagulability in dogs with parvovirus and protein-losing nephropathy. Additionally, many of the research models may be relevant to veterinary patients. Conclusions: TEG provides information about coagulation that is not available through routine coagulation tests. The application of TEG monitoring to veterinary patients shows promise; however, prospective clinical studies are needed. [source] Ischemia,reperfusion injury pathophysiology, part IJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 4 2004DACVECC, Maureen McMichael DVM Abstract Objective: To review the current scientific literature on ischemia,reperfusion (IR) injury in both human and veterinary medicine. To describe the normal antioxidant defense mechanisms, the pathophysiology of IR injury, and the role of neutrophils in IR injury. Data sources: Data sources include scientific reviews and original research publications in both human and veterinary medicine. Summary: IR injury is a complex pathophysiological process involving numerous pathways and body systems. Normal antioxidant defense mechanisms function to limit oxidative injury during times of health. Ischemia is the period that occurs before oxygenated blood is re-introduced and the severity of injury has been shown to correlate with the magnitude and length of ischemia in dogs. During ischemia, there is a buildup of substances (i.e., xanthine oxidase, hypoxanthine, etc.) that, upon re-introduction of oxygen, form reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS, produced in large part upon reperfusion, can cause extensive damage to DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Although mammalian systems are endowed with abundant antioxidant defenses, the generation of large amounts of ROS can overwhelm these mechanisms leading to cell dysfunction and death. Neutrophils play a critical role in IR injury and may mediate the majority of mucosal and microvascular injury that occurs by releasing ROS and proteolytic enzymes. Although experimental studies have been carried out on cats, dogs, and horses there are few clinical studies on companion animals. Conclusions: The pathophysiology of IR injury is complex and involves damage by ROS to all biological membranes. Neutrophils play a major role in IR injury and initiate and propogate much of the damage. This article is intended as a review of the pathophysiology of IR injury. [source] Ischemia,reperfusion injury: assessment and treatment, part IIJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 4 2004DACVECC, Maureen McMichael DVM Abstract Objective: To review the current scientific literature on ischemia,reperfusion (IR) injury in both human and veterinary medicine and to describe the assessment of IR injury, the available testing methods, and the options available for treatment. Data sources: Data sources include scientific reviews and original research publications in both human and veterinary medicine. Summary: The assessment of IR injury includes measuring products formed by the reaction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with biological membranes, measuring levels of endogenous antioxidants, and measuring ROS themselves. Testing depends on the laboratory used, the test method chosen, the sample submitted (i.e., plasma, urine, tissue, etc.), and the timing of the test in relation to sample collection. For this reason, testing is not standardized and pharmacological data on antioxidant effectiveness are not available. Antioxidants and drugs tested have included single agents as well as ,cocktails' consisting of several agents working at different key points in the injury cascade. Conclusions: There are several new testing methods as well as new strategies for attempting to ameliorate the damage inflicted upon reperfusion and this article is intended as a review of the assessment and treatment of IR injury. [source] Introducing proteomics in the undergraduate curriculum: A simple 2D gel electrophoresis exercise with serum proteinsBIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 1 2010Thomas D. Kim Abstract Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) remains an important tool in the study of biological systems by proteomics. While the use of 2DGE is commonplace in research publications, there are few instructional laboratories that address the use of 2DGE for analyzing complex protein samples. One reason for this lack is the fact that the preparation of samples for 2DGE is a complex and difficult process that can commonly yield gels of poor quality and resolution. In this experiment, we use a serum-based sample to mitigate many of the sample preparation issues that occur in cell-based sample preparations and incorporate a protein precipitation method that was developed to address the problem of high-abundance proteins and dynamic range in serum proteomics research. By focusing on 2DGE apart from many other facets of proteomic experimental design, students have the opportunity to gain fruitful experience in the use of this workhorse proteomics technique. This simplified focus also makes this exercise accessible to biochemistry instructors who are not active in proteomics; the requisite techniques may require some new equipment (i.e. an isoelectric focusing apparatus), but this exercise focuses on using familiar techniques (primarily electrophoresis) to cross the threshold of a new field, proteomics. [source] Productivity and Career Paths of Previous Recipients of Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Research Grant AwardsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 6 2008Kelly D. Young MD Abstract Objectives:, The objective was to assess productivity of previous recipients of Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) grant awards. Methods:, All previous recipients of SAEM Research Training Grants, Neuroscience Research Awards, Scholarly Sabbatical Awards, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Research Fellowship awards funded through 2004 were identified through SAEM's records and surveyed. Award categories assessed were those still offered by SAEM at the time of the survey and therefore excluded the Geriatric Research Award. The 2005,2006 SAEM Grants Committee developed a survey using previous publications assessing productivity of training grants and fellowship awards and refined it through consensus review and limited pilot testing. We assessed measures of academic productivity (numbers of publications and additional grants awarded), commitment to an academic career, satisfaction with the SAEM award, and basic demographic information. Results:, Overall response rate was 70%; usable data were returned by all seven Research Training Grant awardees, both Neuroscience awardees, four of five Scholarly Sabbatical awardees, and six of 14 EMS Research Fellowship awardees. Of those who gave demographic information, 78% (14/18) were male and 94% (16/17) were non-Hispanic white. All the respondents remained in academics, and 14 of 19 felt that they will definitely be in academics 5 years from the time of the survey. They have a median of 1.8 original research publications per year since the end of their grant period, and 74% (14/19) have received subsequent federal funding. All found the SAEM award to be helpful or very helpful to their careers. Conclusions:, Previous recipients of the SAEM grant awards show evidence of academic productivity in the form of subsequent grant funding and research publications, and the majority remain committed to and satisfied with their academic research careers. [source] | |||||||||||||