Molar function depends on molecular structure of behavior.

Pigeons chose between green side keys, then waited a shorter or longer time before pecking a center key, and finally chose between red side keys. Two successive left choices (to green and then red) with a shorter wait intervening, or 2 successive right choices with a longer wait intervening, were intermittently reinforced with food. The 2 required waiting times and the relative frequency of reinforcement for the shorter reinforced pattern were varied. Molar preference, defined in terms of coherent responses that satisfied the molecular reinforcement contingency, conformed to the highly adaptive matching level, but molar preference, defined in terms of incoherent responses, did not. The molar matching result therefore generalizes to responses with complex molecular structures provided that analyses distinguish between coherent and incoherent responses. The results are compatible with the idea that awareness can facilitate adaptation.

Variations in bone status of contralateral and regional sites in young athletic women.

To determine if volleyball (VB), basketball (BB), soccer (SO) and swimming (SW) programs were associated with site-specific differences in contralateral, regional, and total body bone mineral density (BMD), 62 eumenorrheic female athletes [BB (N = 7), VB (N = 11), SO (N = 9), and SW (N = 7)] and controls participated in the study. The controls were categorized as either moderately active control (MOD) (N = 17) or sedentary control (SED) (N = 11) based on fitness and activity assessments. Contralateral, total body, lumbar (L2-L4), and femur BMD were measured (Lunar DPX). The between sport contralateral comparisons indicated that VB and BB had significantly greater leg and arm measurements than all other groups, while the within contralateral comparisons revealed significantly greater right arm measurements for all groups, except SW. No significant differences were found for the within group contralateral leg comparisons, except VB. VB and BB had significantly higher (P < or = 0.05) total body and lumbar BMD values than SW, MOD, and SED. At the femur neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle, BB showed significantly higher BMD than SW, MOD, and SED. Only BB had significantly higher Ward's triangle BMD than SW, MOD, and SED. Our findings show site-specific differences in BMD associated with selected sports' programs.

The specificity of antibody in chickens immunised to reduce intestinal colonisation with Campylobacter jejuni.

Poultry consumption has been identified as a major risk factor for human infection with Campylobacter jejuni in developed countries. C. jejuni is present in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens at the time of slaughter, and faecal contamination of carcases during processing results in significant campylobacter loads on carcases. One approach to reducing the level of carcase contamination with C. jejuni is to control campylobacter infection in broiler chickens. To this end, the study described here investigated the specificity of antibody in serum and intestinal secretions of chickens that had been immunised with campylobacter antigens and then challenged with viable bacteria. The immunodominant antigens in the serum of birds that showed a 2-log reduction in caecal colonisation with C. jejuni included flagellin protein (61-63 Kd) and three additional antigens of 67, 73.5 and 77.5 Kd. Only flagellin and the 67 Kd antigen were recognised by IgG antibody in gastrointestinal secretions of the same birds. Antibody from chickens immunised with purified native flagellin protein recognised flagellin protein and the 67 Kd antigen in Western blots probed with serum, but only the flagellin proteins (61-63 Kd) in Westerns probed with gastrointestinal secretions. Analysis of the specificity of the response to flagellin protein using recombinant clones that expressed regions of the flagellin gene suggests that epitopes in each region of the flagellin protein were immunogenic. Of the immunodominant antigens, only flagellin appeared to be surface-exposed on viable C. jejuni, although conformational epitopes of flagellin appeared to be sensitive to the method of antigen purification. The results of this study suggest that flagellin and possibly the 67 Kd antigen may be valuable for immunological control of intestinal infection with C. jejuni in chickens, but that further work is required to purify these as vaccine candidates by using methods that preserve conformational epitopes.

Development of a PCR test based on a gene region associated with the pathogenicity of Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2, the causal agent of haemorrhagic septicaemia in Asia.

We have developed a PCR assay to detect Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2, the causal agent of Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) in Asia. Nucleotide sequence determination of a 16S rRNA-23S rRNA PCR product unique to B:2 strains was shown to share amino acid sequence homology with a bacteriophage Mu protein. Primers designed from this sequence when tested against a panel of isolates recovered from a wide geographical area and representing a large range of bacterial genera and species, were found to specifically amplify DNA from P. multocida, serotype B:2. Southern hybridisation confirmed the presence of this sequence in only the B:2 serotype of P. multocida, suggesting an association between bacterial virulence and the presence of bacteriophage genes in the bacterial genome. The results of this study demonstrate the potential application of PCR to the diagnosis of HS in cattle and buffalo in Asia. Application of PCR to support diagnosis of HS will greatly improve accuracy, laboratory response time, and will facilitate rational deployment of resources for controlling this disease.

Vaccination of boars with a GnRH vaccine (Improvac) eliminates boar taint and increases growth performance.

Peri- and postpubertal boars accumulate substances (e.g., androstenone and skatole) in their fatty tissue that are responsible for boar taint in pork. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a GnRH vaccine, Improvac, in eliminating boar taint. Three hundred male (200 intact boars, 100 barrows) crossbred (Large White x Landrace) pigs were used in a 2 x 3 factorially arranged experiment. The respective factors were sex group (barrows, boars treated with placebo, or boars treated with Improvac) and slaughter age (23 or 26 wk). Vaccines were administered 8 and 4 wk before slaughter. All Improvac-treated pigs exhibited anti-GnRH titers. Testes and bulbo-urethral gland weights in treated pigs were reduced by approximately 50% (P < 0.001) and serum testosterone levels were below 2 ng/mL in the majority of treated boars (94 and 92% across both age groups at 2 and 4 wk, respectively). Boar taint, as assessed by the concentration of androstenone and skatole in s.c. fat, was suppressed to low or undetectable levels in 100% of Improvac-treated boars. No Improvac-treated pigs had significant concentrations of either androstenone (> 1.0 microg/g) or skatole (> 0.20 microg/g). In contrast, 49.5% of placebo-treated controls had significant androstenone and 10.8% had significant skatole levels, resulting in 10% of the control boars with high concentrations of both compounds. The mean concentrations of taint compounds in the Improvac-treated pigs were not significantly different from those in barrows. Improvac-treated boars grew more rapidly (P = 0.051 and < 0.001 for pigs slaughtered at 23 and 26 wk of age, respectively) than control boars over the 4 wk after the secondary vaccination, possibly because of reduced sexual and aggressive activities. Compared with barrows, Improvac-treated boars were leaner and had superior feed conversion efficiency. The vaccine was well tolerated by the pigs, and no observable site reactions could be detected at the time of slaughter. Vaccination of boars with Improvac allows production of heavy boars with improved meat quality through prevention and control of boar taint.

Comparison of metabolic and perceptual responses during maximal exercise on two ergometers: NOVA 5000 vs treadmill.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological and perceptual responses to exercising on the NOVA 5000 (NO). The NO is a new computer controlled multi-limb exercise device which allows the exerciser to work arms and legs individually or in any combination from a seated position. Eleven subjects (7 males, 4 females) participated in two sessions of graded exercise testing (GXT) within the same week. One session involved a GXT treadmill test (TR) to exhaustion utilizing the Bruce protocol. A second GXT was performed on the NO that utilized a protocol consisting of successive 3 minute stages starting at 50 watts and increasing 25 watts until exhaustion. A Quinton Q-5000 and a Sensor Medics metabolic cart monitored cardiorespiratory function during both tests. MANOVA analysis revealed no significant (p < 0.05) differences between the NO and TR maximal values for VO2 (1.min-1 and ml.kg-1.min-1), HR, RER, VE, and workload (WR). There were significant (p < 0.05) differences between the to modes of testing for RPE and TT (time on task) with the NO having significantly higher values on both variables. The correlation coefficient for the VO2max values on the TR vs NO was r = 0.97. When the HR and VO2 means from each stage of the NO GXT were correlated over the duration of the test, a positive correlation (r = 0.99) was obtained. The results of this study indicate that the NOVA 5000 may be a suitable alternative device for testing healthy adults.

Health care for the school-age child.

The research related to health care for school-age children is reviewed. Two major categories are considered, namely, health-risk behavior and psychosocial health. Research related to the emerging issues of homelessness and AIDS is also reviewed. The research completed to date on school-age children's health care is critiqued with an emphasis on the state of the science in nursing. Recommendations for further research are provided.

The experience of repeated and traumatic loss among Crow Indian children: response patterns and intervention strategies.

Crow Indian children residing on the Montana Reservation appear to experience traumatic losses of family members and friends with much greater frequency than children in the population at large. Responses to these losses include interpersonal distancing, and sadness without apparent anger. Assessment and clinical intervention are considered within the sociocultural context of Indian child client and white, middle-class clinician.

Advanced education for the role of rural nurse generalist.

The Montana State University College of Nursing has developed a master's degree program which prepares nurses as generalists with advanced knowledge for understanding and addressing rural health care needs. The programs is clear about its goals and objectives and does not attempt to be "all things for all people." The emphasis is on rural nursing, and this emphasis is present in recruiting, teaching, research and publication at the College. Classroom and clinical experiences challenge students to develop a broad range of skills, and most importantly to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Since delivering high quality health care in rural areas requires the ability to understand health care from the consumer's perspective, both data collection and clinical experience in rural communities are required. The enthusiasm for rural nursing--practice, teaching and research--displayed by faculty members, alumnae and students is both a major factor in, and an indication of, the program's success.

Master's degree nursing education and health care reform: preparing for the future.

Current and anticipated changes in health care delivery indicate a need for reform within nursing education. Master's degree education can be a valuable component in the preparation of future nurses, but assessment and revision of existing programs are necessary. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing's position paper, Nursing Education's Agenda for the 21st Century, provides recommendations for educational reform in general and for master's degree education specifically. Overall recommendations include greater focus on the development of unique aspects in each school's mission, emphasis on nursing as a practice discipline, and the inclusion of all aspects--content, processes, and outcomes--in curricular revisions. Master's degree education is reaffirmed as preparation for those who will advance practice. In keeping with health care delivery trends, advanced practice nurses will require substantial expertise in health promotion, primary health care, case management, health care economics, and change strategies. Many questions remain unanswered regarding appropriate future directions for master's degree education. There is little consensus on core knowledge or a single appropriate title for advanced practice nurses. The amount and type of research preparation, and the need for role preparation are other controversial issues. The future holds exciting potential, but there will be significant challenges in program revisioning, faculty redevelopment and clarification of goals and methods for master's degree education.

A reality-oriented approach to interdisciplinary work.

Although there is a long history of support in the literature for interdisciplinary education, practice, and research, the actual implementation of such activities has varied greatly. Numerous variables inhibit interdisciplinary work, including a tendency to focus on the many barriers to, rather than opportunities for, such work, a lack of solid data documenting its benefits, the difficulty inherent in finding solutions to the conflicts that arise among the disciplines involved, and organizational reward and regulation systems geared toward single-discipline work. Nonetheless, the goal of interdisciplinary work persists, and there are several notable examples of success. Strategies are outlined for incremental achievement of interdisciplinary aspirations in less-than-ideal environments. These strategies include scanning the environment for promising opportunities, setting realistic goals, building commitment to those goals, avoiding useless battles, and celebrating successes. Specific examples of such strategies as used in the Health Science Center at the University of Florida are provided.

The concept of health. Rural perspectives.

An understanding of the client's concept of health is necessary to conduct relevant and effective health assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Client health concepts are affected by place of residence and further colored by specific community and individual level variations including occupation, education, subculture, age, gender, and health status. Rural nursing practice can be improved through knowledge of the health perceptions and definitions held by the rural clients to be served. Nursing, as a discipline, has traditionally emphasized the need to understand the client's perspective and to develop mutually agreed on health goals in collaboration with the client. Rural nursing practice offers unique opportunities to consider meanings of health within the environmental context. Further, it challenges nurses to work hand-in-hand with clients to develop strategies that fit the context, and thus effectively address rural health care needs.

Ethical responsibility for the community's mental health: a professional nursing role.

TOPIC: A review of data from multiple sources indicates a decline in support services for children and families, and an increase in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders as well as psychosocial problems among children. A discussion of trends reveals reforms that are reducing all healthcare expenditures and limiting the provision of publicly funded services. PURPOSE: To discuss the essential values of professional nursing and considers them as a basis for needed nursing action. CONCLUSION: Individual nurses have an ethical responsibility to take social, political, and economic actions to enhance community mental health. Specific strategies and approaches for doing so are presented.

Pitfalls to avoid and positive approaches in the nurse-adolescent relationship.

The establishment of a therapeutic nurse-adolescent relationship can be facilitated by the nurse's awareness of specific personality characteristics prominent during the adolescent period. These characteristics not only color the adolescent's behavior, but they can elict marked responses from the nurse. Nurses must, therefore, be self-aware if they are to deal with adolescents objectively and therapeutically. Positive approaches to the nurse-adolescent relationship include the establishment of a therapeutic alliance, the use of reality-based limits, and an emphasis on insight-producing communication techniques. Problem areas to be alert for are over-identification with adolescent problems, responses based on surface behaviors, and manipulation by the adolescent. Nurses must also work at decreasing non-therapeutic attitudes such as viewing the adolescent as an "enemy" to be controlled, or as a potential person to be molded according to the nurse's personal goals and aspirations.

Sex-role stereotyping: implications for the mental health of school-age children.

Theories related to sex-role stereotyping are reviewed, and the implications of these stereotypes for children's mental health are discussed. Attention is given to the impact of particular social trends, including political conservatism and religious fundamentalism. Case examples of children affected by sex-role stereotypes are presented and therapy approaches discussed. Overall intervention strategies are summarized.

Use of the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale with Indian children: cultural considerations.

Data from a survey of 241 Montana school children, Indian and white, were used as a basis for examining the psychometric properties of the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale. Strong estimates of internal consistency and support for construct validity were found. Studies using the Piers-Harris scale over the past 15 years have indicated that ethnic minority status per se is not related to lower self-concept score and that the scale is a reliable measure for use with minority group children. However, validity of the scale with Indian children warrants further examination, particularly in relation to the differential effects of ethnic culture and social environment on the measurement of self-concept.

Detection and treatment of emotionally disturbed children in public schools: problems and theoretical perspectives.

Examined the effect of selected socio-demographic, mental health resource, and school system variables on the identification and treatment of children as emotionally disturbed. An explanatory model is provided, and the Labeling and Social Movements perspectives are examined in terms of their explanatory power. The major finding is that emotionally disturbed children are significantly underdetected and underserved nationally in public school systems, and, specifically, in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Further, results indicate that the attitudes of school system officials and the community in general, as well as the availability of mental health professionals, determine whether school systems detect emotionally disturbed children. When such children are detected, more specialized and expensive services are provided in school districts with higher per capita income, school budget, and proportion of mental health professionals.