Confusion surrounds piecemeal changes in nurses' roles

There has been a rapid increase in the number of so-called new roles in nursing. These have tended to develop in a random way. Consequently, titles are not a good indicator of what the role entails. The qualifications required to undertake a particular role are not clear and tend to be locally defined. This paper discusses the implications of this situation. Two subsequent articles will examine issues around patient consent, care provided by nurses in new roles and legality and accountability.     

Gap junction channels: new roles in disease

The importance of intercellular communication to complex cellular processes such as development, differentiation, growth, propagation of electrical impulses and diffusional feeding has long been appreciated. The realization that intercellular communication is mediated by gap junction channels, which are in turn comprised of a diverse family of proteins called the connexins, has provided new tools and avenues for studying the role of intercellular communication in these important cellular processes. The identification of different connexin isoforms has not only enabled the development of specific reagents to study connexin expression patterns, but has also allowed the functional properties of the different connexin isoforms and how they interact with each other, to be explored. Increasingly, the knowledge gained from studying connexin diversity is being used to investigate the role played by gap junction channels in a number of diseases. In this article we highlight selected cases where gap junction channels have been shown or are believed to be directly involved in the disease process.     

A purchaser experience of managing new expensive drugs: interferon beta

Interferon beta is a new and expensive drug for treating multiple sclerosis. One published trial has shown that it reduces the exacerbation rate in patients who have relapsing-remitting disease without important disability. This paper describes the development of a strategy for purchasing the drug in one region of England before its licensing. Purchasers felt unable to decline funding for this marginally effective drug and thereby undertake explicit rationing. To ensure prescribing was within the guidelines, a vast communication network had to be sustained with managers, general practitioners, neurologists, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and professional advisers in all the purchasing authorities. The workload involved was considerable. The dilemma of rationing in a public service with a high political profile is demonstrated.     

Envisioning and accessing new roles for professional psychology.

To support psychology's continued evolution as a profession, it is important to conceptualize roles that psychologists can play in the future and create pathways for developing and accessing them. This article considers a variety of roles that may become central to professional psychology in the future. Important opportunities appear to exist in the areas of psychological management of health and disease, serious mental illness, and public policy. Psychology faces both internal and external barriers to accessing these roles in larger numbers. Strategies related to public education, policy and advocacy, marketing, and training are recommended for overcoming them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hong Kong nurses' health-related behaviours: implications for nurses' role in health promotion

The health-related behaviors of a random sample (n = 92) of Hong Kong nurses were assessed by a questionnaire written either in English or in English and Chinese. Hong Kong nurses reported negligible smoking or alcohol use, low levels of breast self-examination, cervical screening behaviour and regular exercising, seat belt use and driving within the speed limit. The sample reported high levels of making efforts to avoid foods high in cholesterol, eating foods high in fibre and eating fruit daily. Dental hygiene was reported to be high. Just over half the sample reported sleeping 7-8 hours each night and eating breakfast daily. Most nurses reported maintaining their body weight at a healthy level and eating snacks between meals. The English language version of the questionnaire produced a slightly better response rate than the bilingual questionnaire. The results are discussed with reference to previous studies of females' health-related behaviours in Hong Kong and elsewhere. The implications for Hong Kong nurses' role in health promotion is discussed.     

The therapeutic community and new roles for clinical psychologists.

"The psychologist in the therapeutic community, as in many other settings, does formal class teaching with psychology interns, nurses, psychiatric technicians and other student and staff personnel in such subject areas as psychopathology and group psychotherapy and other group techniques. He also provides community education through talks to lay groups." The psychologist may have an administrative role; as a team member he may have the role of assistant team leader, or of acting team leader in the psychiatrist's absence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using new reasoning technology in chemical information systems

Unreliability of numerical data causes difficulties in computer systems for decision-making, risk assessment, and similar activities. Much human judgment is non-numerical and able to make useful evaluations of alternatives under uncertainty. The Logic of Argumentation (LA) offers a basis for computerized support of decision-making in the absence of numerical data, and it is being used in a project on carcinogenic risk assessment, StAR. There are potential applications of LA in other artificial intelligence systems in chemistry, such as for synthesis planning.     

粉末技术的新发展

定量解析在粉末技术中是不可缺少的。对孤立相性质的研究及对工艺过程的模拟可帮助系统性的实验研究。使用定量方法解决实际应用问题会得到无可比拟的研究成果。     

粉末技术的新发展

定量解析在粉末技术中是不可缺少的。对孤立相性质的研究及对工艺过程的模拟可帮助系统性的实验研究。使用定量方法解决实际应用问题会得到无可比拟的研究成果。     

Common dilemmas in managing hypertension

BACKGROUND: Undertaking a blood pressure measurement is a common occurrence in general practice. Excellent guidelines for the management of hypertension are available to all Australian general practitioners. There are, however, variants of primary hypertension that present management dilemmas, such as: is it ever safe to stop medication, the role of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and refractory or isolated systolic hypertension. OBJECTIVE: To provide management guidance on some of the difficult dilemmas that may occur in relation to blood pressure control in everyday practice while recognising the limitations of the application of scientific evidence to the individual presenting patient. DISCUSSION: Recommendations are given for the withdrawal of antihypertensive medication in a select group of patients. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is recommended for the patient with labile or refractory hypertension and where 'white coat' hypertension is suspected. Management advice is given for the very old, the asymptomatic middle-aged man, and refractory and isolated systolic hypertension.     

Genetic testing and psychology: New roles, new responsibilities.

Advances in genetics and genetic testing promise to catalyze a fundamental change in the practice of medicine. Psychologists have much to offer as psychotherapists, researchers, educators, and policymakers to a society heavily influenced by the genetic revolution. To make the most of new opportunities available to mental health professionals in genetics, psychologists must know basic genetic principles and learn what is new about 21st-century genetics. The core competencies for all health professionals developed by the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics are related in this article to the significant roles psychologists can play in helping individuals with genetic concerns to cope with vulnerability, optimize family interaction, and improve health behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

有色冶金萃取水相除油工艺及设备

概述了有色冶金萃取水相除油的工艺,介绍了国内除油新设备以及阻截除油技术用于镍盐溶液除油的试验.     

白云鄂博氧化矿采用反浮--正浮新工艺试验研究

文章介绍白云鄂博氧化矿采用弱精单独反浮、强精反浮-正浮新工艺进行的试验研究情况.试验结果表明,新工艺技术上可行,适应性强,指标好.     

Perioperative nursing in Israel

Perioperative nursing in Israel's Hadassah Medical Organization hospitals-Ein Kerem and Mt Scopus-reflects quality patient care practices paralleling those in US hospitals. Although these two hospitals, both located in Jerusalem, represent only 5% of the hospital beds in Israel, they receive more than 60% of referrals made to all Israel hospitals. Throughout Israel's tumultuous history, the Hadassah Medical Organization has served the country during both war and peace. In 1991, Mt Scopus was designated as the hospital on duty in case of a chemical attack during the Gulf War. The authors provide an overview of perioperative nursing at the Eln Kerem and Mt Scopus Medical Centers of the Hadassah Medical Organization and describe one American nurse's experience as a volunteer in the Mt Scopus Medical Center OR during the Gulf War.     

School nurses' skills in sexual health education

School nurses are often called on teach sexual health without being given any formal teacher training or support. This article describes a study of the experiences of 50 school nurses. The author suggests ways in which schools and their nurses could create supportive and complementary teaching partnerships for effective sex education.