Search

This study explored the transition to university as experienced by first-year students of English studies. The first year has been identified by existing research as a critical time for new students in terms of their persistence and success on their degree programme. However, there is a need for further research in the current UK higher education climate, especially within subject disciplines. Attempts to account for successful transition have investigated students' social integration, the institutional environment, and theories of approaches to learning. In particular, the study drew on research into academic socialisation and academic literacies to examine students' accounts of joining first year and their development of student identities. While describing anxieties and concerns about adjusting to the new practices and discourses of English literature at university level, students' identification with their chosen subject appeared closely implicated in their engagement with university study and their academic identity formation. The study adopted a phenomenographic methodology suited to suggesting interpretative narratives of the experiences of small groups of participants.

• Bat activity in a conifer plantation. • Conifer plantation is managed using irregular silviculture. • Bats responded to six habitat structural features at the stand level. • Six species responded to surrounding land use types. Conifer plantations are a major land use globally and provide a range of social, economic and environmental benefits, particularly the provision of timber. There is a growing interest in alternative forestry techniques, such as irregular silviculture, to create more sustainable and resilient plantations in response to climate change. Plantations are often considered poor for bats due to limited structural diversity. Irregular forestry increases structural diversity and reduces growing stocks, with potentially positive effects on bats, but this remains poorly understood in conifer plantations. At two estates in south-west Britain, we specifically tested whether bat species richness and activity respond to (1) the surrounding landscape cover types (2) habitat structure within irregular stands and (3) increasing progress along the transformation continuum in three continuous cover forestry stands undergoing transformation including irregular high forest. Stands further progressed along the transformation continuum had lower basal area, higher mean tree diameter, higher levels of fallen deadwood and greater canopy cover of broadleaf trees. A total of 13 species of bat, equivalent to 76% of the UK resident species were recorded. The activity of six species was significantly influenced by the proportion of four land use types (two positive and two negative associations with conifer woodland, one positive and one negative association with broadleaved woodland, two positive associations with improved grassland and two negative associations with arable) in the surrounding landscape at three spatial scales (500 m, 1500 m and 3000 m around each survey plot). Four species showed significant positive associations with habitat structural features including larger mean tree diameter, greater canopy openness, higher vertical structural complexity, higher quantities of standing and fallen deadwood, and higher canopy cover of broadleaved trees. Many of these habitat features were more prevalent in stands further progressed towards irregular high forest. We did not detect any significant differences in bat species richness or activity levels between the three stand stages, except for Plecotus auritus/austriacus which had higher activity in the Stage 3 stand compared to Stage 2, as the limited replication of our study may have precluded detection of any differences. Our study helps inform us on how bats populations respond to novel management of conifer plantations. Further research to determine thresholds for deadwood and broadleaved trees to further support bats in plantations would be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in cancer therapy have resulted in an increased number of long-term cancer survivors. However, because of their treatment, women might be confronted with impaired fertility. The options of fertility preservation (FP) techniques are increasing. The goal of this study was to assess knowledge about, and attitudes towards, fertility preservation in young female cancer patients. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted including 155 former female cancer patients from English and German speaking countries. The survey consists of questions about attitude towards, and knowledge about, fertility preservation. Results show that knowledge about fertility preservation was limited among participants. Positive attitudes towards fertility preservation significantly outweighed negative attitudes. Knowledge and attitude did not differ according to language or different healthcare systems. Confidence of knowledge was significantly higher in women who underwent any FP procedure compared to those who did not. Greater emphasis should be placed on counselling opportunities, the provision of adequate information and supporting material. A better understanding of these issues will hopefully enhance patients’ decision-making about FP options and assist the development of strategies to improve quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Woodland vascular plant data and habitat measures was collected from 120 woodland sampling plots representative of 3 stand management types. • Comparisons includedIrregular silviculture, a new silvicultural practice in UK broad-leaf woods. • A similar pattern of woodland plant community was found between Irregular silviculture and Coppice management. • Habitat structural complexity was greatest for both Coppice andIrregular and differed significantly compared to Limited Intervention stands. • Stands under irregular management exhibit habitat characteristics which retain ancient woodland plants. Plants associated with traditional forms of coppice management are affected by changes in, or cessation of, stand management which produce differences in structure, usually in the direction of high forest. The habitat structure, ground flora richness, and composition of an ancient woodland in southern England were compared across three distinct management treatments: traditional Coppice (the cyclical cutting of underwood on rotations), Limited Intervention (representing the effective cessation of management), and Irregular High Forest silviculture (a form of continuous cover forestry using single and small group selective tree harvesting). Coppice and Irregular silviculture showed a more complex woody stand structure whereas Limited Intervention was strongly correlated with closed-canopy, single-storied structures and no developing understorey. Increased bramble Rubus fruticosus cover was strongly associated with Irregular silviculture, bare ground mostly with the limited intervention closed-canopy stands. Distinct plant-habitat associations were identified across stand management types with the greatest differences between Limited Intervention and the two active interventions. Overall vascular plant species and Coppice group species were lowest in Limited Intervention stands. Using ancient woodland indicator and Coppice plant species and groups, we found a similar community pattern between Coppice and Irregular silviculture. More ancient woodland species were accommodated within the comparatively heterogenous woodland habitat associated with active silvicultural interventions of Coppice and Irregular High Forest management. The study indicates that the introduction of Irregular silviculture as practiced here can conserve most ancient woodland and Coppice plants associated with traditional coppicing, a practice which has declined significantly in the UK since the late 19th Century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of mobile phones in the clinical environment by healthcare workers has become widespread. Despite evidence that these devices can harbour pathogenic micro-organisms there is little guidance on how to reduce contamination. Recently touchscreen phones with a single flat surface have been introduced. We hypothesise that bacterial contamination of phones used in hospitals will be lower on touchscreen devices compared to keypad devices. Sixty seven mobile phones belonging to health care workers were sampled. The median colony count for touchscreen phones and keypad devices was 0·09 colony forming units (cfu)/cm2 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.05–0·14) and 0·77 cfu/cm2 (IQR range 0·45–3.52) respectively. Colony counts were significantly higher on the keypad phones (Fisher’s exact test p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed the type of phone (keypad vs. touch screen) was associated with increased colony counts (F-statistic 14.13: p<0.001). Overall, nine (13%) phones grew either meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus or vancomycin resistant enterococci. Eight (24%) keypad phones were contaminated with these organisms compared with one touch screen phone (3%). Our data indicate that touchscreen mobile phones are less contaminated than their keypad counterparts, and they are less likely to harbour pathogenic bacteria in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

How to cite this article: McKenzie Y.A., Alder A., Anderson W., Wills A., Goddard L., Gulia P., Jankovich E., Mutch P., Reeves L.B., Singer A. & Lomer M.C.E. on behalf of Gastroenterology Specialist Group of the British Dietetic Association. (2012) British Dietetic Association evidence-based practice guidelines for the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome in adults. J Hum Nutr Diet . 25, 260-274 Abstract Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder. Diet and lifestyle changes are important management strategies. The aim of these guidelines is to systematically review key aspects of the dietary management of IBS, with the aim of providing evidence-based guidelines for use by registered dietitians. Methods: Questions relating to diet and IBS symptom management were developed by a guideline development group. These included the role of milk and lactose, nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP), fermentable carbohydrates in abdominal bloating, probiotics and empirical or elimination diets. A comprehensive literature search was conducted and relevant studies from January 1985 to November 2009 were identified using the electronic database search engines: Cinahl, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Evidence statements, recommendations, good practice points and research recommendations were developed. Results: Thirty studies were critically appraised. A dietetic care pathway was produced following a logical sequence of treatment and formed the basis of these guidelines. Three lines of dietary management were identified. First line: Clinical and dietary assessment, healthy eating and lifestyle management with some general advice on lactose and NSP. Second line: Advanced dietary interventions to improve symptoms based on NSP, fermentable carbohydrates and probiotics. Third line: Elimination and empirical diets. Research recommendations were also identified relating to the need for adequately powered and well designed randomised controlled trials. Conclusions: These guidelines provide evidence-based details of how to achieve the successful dietary management of IBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Functional constipation is common in childhood; diets in affluent industrialised countries may be a significant contributory factor as a result of inadequate fibre content. Only a few intervention studies have been reported where childhood constipation has been treated by increasing dietary fibre. The present study aimed to demonstrate that dietary fibre intakes of children with constipation can be increased using a specifically-designed behaviour modification technique with a self-monitoring and reward system. Methods: Forty-three children, aged 2-14 years, with functional constipation (defined as less than three bowel movements per week with hard stools and difficulty or delay in defecation) were randomised to one of two treatment groups: Control ( n = 20), receiving general advice on increasing dietary fibre intake, or Intervention ( n = 23), using the intervention tool. Fibre intake, laxative use and stool frequency were assessed at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 12 months, using parent-filled diaries. Results: A behavioural intervention method significantly increases the fibre intakes of children with constipation at 3 months compared to standard dietary treatment ( P = 0.005), remaining so after adjusting for baseline fibre intake ( P = 0.007). Follow-up at 6 and 12 months showed no further increase. No significant benefit in terms of a reduction in laxative use or increased stool frequency associated with additional fibre intake was demonstrated. Conclusions: The findings confirm the difficulties encountered in beginning and maintaining high-fibre diets in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual learning environments (VLEs) are attractive solutions for the delivery of education on-line. Orthodontic education online has the potential to alleviate some of the problems caused by increasing demands on academic staff, the impact of the European work time directives and changes in junior doctors' hours. All act to constrain the effective training of orthodontic postgraduates. The design of a VLE is driven by modem concepts in learning and teaching, the structure, content and assessment methods will help determine the range of behaviours any programme hopes to encourage. This paper aims to provide information on how a modular specialist-training programme in the United Kingdom has been developed and enhanced by a VLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the market in plundered antiquities as one of many illegal markets. It presents the analysis of the trade in antiquities to underscore the observation that the trade in antiquities shares characteristics with other forms of illicit market including the involvement of prohibited drugs. Moreover, it mentions the important role for disincentive policies especially in the markets of the destination countries including U.S., Great Britain, and China.

Presents information on a study which addressed the issue of decision support for the operational management of subcontract manufacture by small to medium-sized enterprises in the electronics assembly industry in Great Britain. Association of the term subcontracting with outsourcing; Decision support for the scheduling of subcontract manufacture; Specification of a proof-of-concept model; Conclusions.

The ability to reflect on the speech sound system of language, phonological awareness, has been shown to influence the acquisition of literacy. Previously published evidence of the nature of the linguistic and cognitive competencies underlying phonological awareness has involved primarily study of children older than 6 years. Within the United Kingdom, children enter school aged between 4 years 6 months and 5 years. There is therefore a need to investigate the variables which influence the emergence of metaphonological processing in this population of pre-school, pre-literate children. The current study involved 41 monolingual pre-literate children aged within a month of their fifth birthday. An exploratory regression analysis indicated that the most significant predictors of the metaphonological skills of 5-year-old children were phonological memory, speech output processing and non-verbal cognitive skills. The results provided additional evidence that different children employed different combinations of processing competencies in order to perform metaphonological tasks. The findings of this study have implications for the content of programmes designed to facilitate phonological awareness in pre-school children. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the use of subcontracting as a manufacturing strategy while focusing particularly on the associated operational issues. Within a vertically integrated supply chain a single enterprise retains ownership and/or control over the others. This can be achieved by merger, or other form of formal corporate alliance with enterprises elsewhere in the chain, and does not normally make use of subcontract arrangements with independent organizations. By contrast, within a vertically disintegrated supply chain, production can be subcontracted down through a series of levels from the original principal to several independent enterprises. The subcontracting of manufacturing activity is an integral part of manufacturing strategy within this model of the supply chain. Between these two extremes a continuum of intermediate approaches exists. It has been reported that the use of vertically disintegrated production is more widespread in Japan than it is in Great Britain, and that its use is a contributory factor in the continuing success of Japanese industry.

• Bat passes and habitat measures were collected from 3 woodland management types. • Comparisons included irregular silviculture, novel in British broad-leaf woods. • Bat species richness was greatest in irregular high forest compared to coppice. • Six of 9 bat species had highest occupancy in irregular stands. • Habitat associations varied depending upon bat species. • Irregular silviculture creates habitat structures likely to benefit bats in the UK. Changing economics in the 20th century led to losses and fragmentation of semi-natural woodland in Britain and to a reduction in active woodland management with many becoming increasingly neglected, even-aged and with closed canopy. Lack of woodland management is known to contribute to declines in some taxonomic groups, for example birds. However, the response of bats to changes in woodland structure are poorly understood. We compared two measures of bat activity, derived from static acoustic recorders across 120 sample plots in coppice, irregular high forest (uneven-aged, continuous cover) and limited intervention (under-managed, even-aged) management stands, within a large tract of ancient woodland in southern England. Bat species richness was highest in irregular high forest stands, and there were significant differences in occupancy rates for most bat species across stand management types. Coppice recorded low activity of several bat species and irregular high forest showed high occupancy rates, including for Barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus , which is IUCN listed as near threatened. The occupancy rates in stand management types differed for some bat species between mid- and late summer counts, suggesting seasonal variation in habitat use. Within stands, most bat species were associated with opened canopy, lower growing stocks and reduced densities of understorey, and to a lesser extent, with large-girthed trees and presence of deadwood snags. In some cases, species responded to a given habitat variable similarly across the three stand management types, whereas in others, the response differed among stand management types. For example, increased numbers of large-girthed trees benefitted a number of bat species within coppice where these were least common, but not in irregular stands. Irregular silviculture high forest appears to provide many of the structural attributes that positively influence occupancy of several woodland bat species, including Barbastella barbastellus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the third part of a series of articles on advanced primary nursing. In this concluding article, descriptions of the experiences of Advanced Primary Nurses (APN) relating to effective role development are outlined along with the associated recommendations. Initial study of the APN role was undertaken in 2004 during a trial of the United Health Group's Evercare model by the Department of Health of Great Britain.

Part II. Examines the practice of advanced primary nurses (APN) in Great Britain. Impact of the pilot trial of the APN role on the management of long-term conditions and the introduction of the community matron role; Comparison APN and district nurses; Holistic relationships with patients; Opportunities to champion the case of older people.

The article recounts the experience of nurses who become Advanced Primary Nurses (APNs) in the trial of the Evercare model. The trial and evaluation of a new advanced nursing role under the United Health Group's Evercare model by the Department of Health was started within nine primary care trusts in England in August 2003. The APNs in this study felt they had been well supported by nurse practitioners, general practitioners and nurse consultants. APNs identified resilience, confidence in communication and working outside of professional boundaries as necessary to function as an APN.

An abstract of the article "e-Learning for north-south global health partnership students," by Matthew Ellis, Susan Achora, Dominic Alder, Amos Baryashaba, Elizabeth Anderson and Julian Cook is presented.

The article focuses on a consultation document issued by the British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the future of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). The consultation on the VMD is the result of an initiative aimed at reducing red tape. It is related to a review undertaken by Sir Philip Hampton in 2004 to reduce the administrative burden on business, as part of the Government's regulation initiatve.

The article comments on the statement of Hilary Benn, secretary of State at the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, that a decision on whether to cull badgers to help control tuberculosis (TB) in cattle would be made on his watch and that the impact of the disease has reached a stage where further procrastination is unacceptable. He allocated 20 billion British pound into vaccine research but bovine TB vaccine is unlikely to provide a solution for some time.

The article comments on issues concerning the Veterinary Surgeons Act in Great Britain. According to the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRACom), the Act must safeguard the health and welfare of animals and also protect them and their owners, from those who offer potentially dangerous treatments without sufficient knowledge or training. EFRACom adds that Act is in urgent need of updating to bring in line with modern concepts of professional regulation.

The article comments on the 2006 annual report of the Chief Veterinary Officer on the animal health situation in Great Britain. According to the author, the report, like the previous ones, offers an overview of developments and useful statistics relating to animal health status, but the emphasis now appears to be more on strategy and how this is being taken forward than on the animal health situation itself. The Animal Health and Welfare Strategy forms the subject of the report's first chapter.

The article comments on the British House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's report about science. The government emphasizes the importance of science to society and the need to incorporate scientific advice into decision making. The government is also committed to pursue an evidence-based approach to policy making on several issues. The committee also made recommendations for strengthening the role of the Chief Scientific Adviser.

The article reflects on the views of David Miliband, Secretary of States at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs in Great Britain. He comments on the concept of planet farming that means respecting the limits of the natural resources and nurturing it. Miliband has given this challenge before the farmers through his speeches and letters.